Recently, the Union Government has entered into a Ceasefire Agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Niki Group for a period of one year. This initiative is a significant boost to the Naga peace process and in line with Prime Minister of India’s vision of ‘insurgency free, prosperous North East’. Important points: After …

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given new directions in relation to storage of bank\card data by entities or other merchants. It has directed that no entity or merchant, other than card issuers and card networks, should store card details. It will reduce the frauds that occur by sharing …

Recently, the Tamil Nadu government has tabled a bill to amend Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Act, 1947. The bill sought to add a subsection to mandatorily provide seating facilities for the employees. Important points: The proposed Section 22-A to the Act reads that the premises of every establishment shall have suitable seating arrangements for all employees so …

Recently, the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, while speaking at the International Day of Clean Air For Blue Skies, informed that the number of cities with improved air quality had increased. On the occasion, he also inaugurated the first functional Smog Tower at Anand Vihar in Delhi and launched Portal for Regulation of Air-pollution …

Recently, India and the US have signed a Project Agreement (PA) to jointly develop an Air-launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (ALUAV) or drones that can be launched from an aircraft. The PA was signed under the Joint Working Group Air Systems in the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), between India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) …

India’s progress in regard to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 is fair enough but not satisfactory. SDG12 aims at ensuring responsible consumption and production patterns everywhere in the world. Sustainable consumption and production refers to “the use of services and related products, which respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of …

The Shiksha Parv is being celebrated by the Ministry of Education from 5th-17th September to recognize the contributions of teachers and to take New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 a step forward. The Prime Minister launched multiple key initiatives in the education sector on the occasion. Important points: It was launched for the Children and persons with hearing …

The rampant coal mining in Nagaland, coupled with waste discharge from tea estates and encroachment are contaminating waters of River Bhogdoi in Assam. In 2019, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change declared Bhogdoi as one of the most polluted rivers in Assam and 351st among the polluted rivers in the country. Important points: It originates from Mokokchung in Nagaland where it is also …

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Eco-sensitive zone of the Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam). Earlier, Kaziranga National Park became the first in the country to use satellite phones and Dehing Patkai and Raimona were designated as National Parks. Important points: It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in …

India’s tallest air purifier will be inaugurated in Chandigarh on the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. Earlier, in August 2021 country’s first ‘smog tower’ was inaugurated in Connaught Place, New Delhi. Important points: It is a 24 meter long outdoor air purification tower and is capable of purifying the air of a radius of around 1 …

The 12th edition of DefExpo will be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in March 2022. Important points: DefExpo is a flagship biennial event of the Ministry of Defence, showcasing the land, naval, air as well as homeland security systems. The aim of the DefExpo 2022 is to build upon the vision to achieve Atmanirbharta’ in defence and reach the …

The Manda buffalo has been recognised as the 19th unique breed of buffaloes found in India by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR). Four breeds of cattle – Binjharpuri, Motu, Ghumusari and Khariar – and two breeds of buffalo – Chilika and Kalahandi – and one breed of sheep, Kendrapada, have already received NBAGR recognition. Important points: They are found …

Recently, the 8th National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC) for the INSPIRE Awards – MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge), has commenced. Important points: It is aligned with the ‘Start-up India’ initiative and is being executed by DST (Department of Science and Technology) with National Innovation Foundation – India (NIF), an autonomous body of DST. Under the …

Recently, the Common Services Centres (CSC) has received approvals to manage and operate Passport Seva Kendra kiosks in rural areas. Important points: It is an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY). The CSC is a strategic cornerstone of the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), approved by the Government in May 2006, as part of …

The development of Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies in a decade has changed the definition of money and generated a parallel universe of Alternative Financial Services (AFS). The development has allowed crypto businesses to move into traditional banking territory. AFS is a term often used to describe the array of financial services offered by providers that operate outside of …

Recently, the Prime Minister paid tribute to V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, the legendary freedom fighter on his 150th birth anniversary. He was popularly known as Kappalottiya Tamilan (The Tamil Helmsman) and Sekkizuththa Semmal (scholarly gentry who suffered at the oil press). Important points: Vallinayagam Olaganathan Chidambaram Pillai (VOC) was born 5th September 1872 to an eminent lawyer Olaganathan Pillai and …

The world’s largest and most inclusive environmental decision-making forum ‘IUCN World Conservation Congress 2020’ (postponed from June 2020 to September 2021) is being held in Marseille, France. It took critical policy decisions to address conservation priorities including the ongoing biodiversity crisis. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) conducts the World Conservation Congress …

The Times Higher Education (THE) recently released its World University Rankings 2022 edition. THE, formerly known as The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES), is a magazine reporting specifically on news and issues related to higher education. Earlier, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) released the QS World University Rankings 2022. Important points: The rankings cover the four main areas of university activity: …

Recently, India and Singapore have carried out 28th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX). Important points: Initiated in 1994, SIMBEX is the Indian Navy’s longest uninterrupted bilateral maritime exercise with any foreign navy. 28th edition of SIMBEX was a mega naval wargame in the southern fringes of the South China Sea, in reflection of their growing …

Recently, Chandigarh Railway Station has been awarded a 5- star Eat Right Station certification. It is the fifth station in India to get this recognition. The other four stations are Anand Vihar Terminal Railway Station (Delhi), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Mumbai), Mumbai Central Railway Station (Mumbai) and Vadodara Railway Station. The certification is part of the ‘Eat Right India’ movement. Important points: The ‘Eat Right Station’ certification is …