Recently, a petition has been submitted by some activists to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reclassify toxic 3 Os (Oxybenzone, Octinoxate and Octocrylene) used in sunscreen. They demanded that chemicals be shifted to “Not Generally Recognized As Safe & Effective” (GRASE Category II). Important points: Oxybenzone (OBZ), avobenzone (AVB), octocrylene (OCR) and …

Recently, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) launched the SPIN (Strengthening the Potential of India) scheme to make potters self-sustainable. KVIC A statutory body established under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956. It functions under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. In 2017-18, it launched the Honey Mission programme. Recently, it launched a project named Bamboo …

The World Bank would discontinue the practice of issuing ‘Doing Business report’ following an investigation reported “data irregularities” in its 2018 and 2020 editions (released in 2017 and 2019, respectively) and possible “ethical matters” involving bank staff. It will be working on a new approach to assessing the business and investment climate. …

The 21st Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)Council of Heads of State was held recently via video Conferencing in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. At the meet the focus was primarily on the ground situation in Afghanistan and its global repercussions. Iran has been accepted as the ninth full member of the organisation. Important points: It took a strong stance against radicalisation and extremism, urging …

Recently, NITI Aayog has launched the report titled ‘Reforms in Urban Planning Capacity in India’. Important points: India’s population stood at 1210 million in 2011, with an urbanisation level of 31.1% (Census of India 2011) Urbanisation is an increase in the number of people living in towns and cities. The distribution of urban centres and the pace …

Recently, while addressing the G-33 Virtual Informal Ministerial Meeting, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister pointed out the imbalances in the Agreement on Agriculture at the World Trade Organization (WTO) He claimed that it was in favour of developed countries and historical asymmetries and imbalances must be corrected to ensure a rule-based, fair and equitable order. He urged that …

Recently, the traditional annual killing of whales and dolphins (grindadrap” hunt) in North Atlantic islands that belong to Denmark has sparked controversy. 1,428 white-sided dolphins were slaughtered at Faroe Islands. Important points: Their common name comes from the prominent white stripes on their sides, which span from below the dorsal fin to their tail, where it turns into a …

Recently, Mura-Drava-Danube (MDD) was declared as the world’s first ‘five-country biosphere reserve’ by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Important points: The biosphere reserve covers 700 kilometres of the Mura, Drava and Danube rivers and stretches across Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Serbia. The total area of the reserve is a million hectares – in the so-called ‘Amazon of Europe’, which …

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Power attended the 15th East Asia Summit Energy Ministers Meeting. The theme of the meeting was “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”.         Important points: The meeting was aimed at coordinating efforts of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in pursuing the goal of energy security and energy transition …

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a Rs. 26,058 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for auto, auto-components and Drone industries to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities. The scheme for the sector is part of the overall production-linked incentives announced for 13 sectors in the Union Budget 2021-22 with an outlay of Rs 1.97 lakh crore. It is …

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the Rs 30,600 crore guarantee to back Security Receipts issued by National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL) for acquiring stressed loan assets. The NARCL is a part of a new Bad bank structure that was announced in the Budget 2021. Important points: For resolution of huge NPAs (Non-Performing Assets) …

The 6th edition of Exercise Peaceful Mission is being hosted by Russia in the Orenburg Region of South West Russia from 13th to 25th September 2021. India participated for the first time in the 5th edition of the Exercise (2018). Important points: It is a Multilateral and Joint Counter Terrorism Exercise, which is conducted biennially as part of military diplomacy between Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states. The …

Recently, scientists have unraveled the mystery behind Odisha’s ‘Black Tigers’ in Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) The STR is the only tiger habitat in the world with melanistic tigers, which have broad black stripes running across their bodies and thicker than those seen on normal tigers. Important points: Black Tigers are a rare colour variant of the tiger and are not …

Recently, NITI Aayog and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and RMI India’s have launched the Shoonya Campaign. It is an initiative to promote zero-pollution delivery vehicles by working with consumers and industry. RMI is an independent nonprofit organization founded in 1982. Important points: The campaign aims to accelerate adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs)in the urban deliveries segment and create consumer awareness about the benefits of zero-pollution delivery. …

Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has added a new variant of Covid-19 in the list of Variants of Interest (VOI) and named it Mu (B.1.621). It has also added C.1.2 as a new VOI. According to INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium), India has so far not seen Mu and C.1.2, and the Delta variant and its sub-lineages continue …

Every year, 16th September is observed as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone layer (World Ozone Day). Important points: After the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the ozone layer signed by almost every country in 1987, the United Nation General Assembly, in 1994, proclaimed this day as the International Day for the Prevention of the …

Recently, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh (1886-1979) State University in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. Important points: Born in Hathras (UP) in 1886, he was a freedom fighter, revolutionary, writer, social reformer, and internationalist. He was well versed in eight different languages and practised different religions. Promoted Education: In 1909, he gave up …

India’s industrial output grew by 11.5% in July compared to a 10.5% contraction a year ago, as per quick estimates from the National Statistical Office (NSO). Important points: Mining, manufacturing and electricity recorded growth of 19.5%, 10.5% and 11.1%, respectively, albeit driven by favourable base effect. The country’s output of the eight core sectors – …

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare signed 5 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with private companies for taking forward Digital Agriculture. These pilot projects are part of the Digital Agriculture Mission and will draw on the National Farmers Database which already includes 5.5 crore farmers identified using existing national schemes. Important points: Digital Agriculture is “ICT (Information …

Recently, the US announced that the first in-person meeting of the Quad countries is going to be held in New York, US. The heads of all the four countries (India, Japan, Australia, and the US) are going to attend the meeting. Reacting to the upcoming summit, China criticized the Quad and said the formation of “exclusive cliques …