The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV)Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Vigraha was commissioned into the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). It is the last vessel in the series of seven OPVs built by Larsen & Toubro (Private Company) under an Ministry of Defence contract signed in 2015. In May 2021, OPV Sajag was commissioned into the ICG. Important points: It …

Recently, the central government has said that no new Hydropower projects would be allowed in the upper reaches of the Ganga and those sanctioned would have to abide by environment regulations that prescribe a minimum flow in the river at all times of the year to preserve its health. Important points: Seven …

Recently, China has notified new maritime rules, warranting vessels to report their information when passing through what China sees as its “Territorial Waters”, that will take effect from 1st September 2021. China claims under a so-called “Nine Dash Line” on its maps most of the South China Sea’s waters, which are disputed by several other …

Recently, the government has asked the banks to improve access of account holders in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) scheme to micro-credit and micro investment products, like flexi-recurring schemes. PMJDY – National Mission for Financial Inclusion has completed seven years of successful implementation. Important points: Ensuring access to various financial services to the excluded …

Recently, the United Nations (UN) has banned British stamps from being used on the Chagos archipelago. Important points: Now the UPU (Universal Postal Union) will stop registering, distributing and transmitting stamps bearing the words British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), the name given by Britain to the archipelago. UPU is a United Nations specialized agency and the postal sector’s primary forum …

Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has brought into effect the SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021. The regulations have widened the scope of employees who can be offered stock (equity) options. SEBI has merged the SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits) Regulations, 2014 (SBEB Regulations) and the SEBI (Issue of …

According to a recent study, Sambhar Salt Lake in Rajasthan is constantly shrinking with the degradation of soil and water quality and a decline in the population of migratory birds. Important points: 80 km south-west of Jaipur in east-central Rajasthan, it is the country’s largest inland saline water body. Represents the depression of the Aravalli Range Production of brine/salt, houses one of the largest …

Recently, the Department of Science and Technology reported that Indian scientists have discovered the merger of three supermassive black holes from as many galaxies to form a triple Active Galactic Nucleus. Many Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) pairs have been detected in the past, but triple AGN are extremely rare, and only a handful has been detected before using X-ray observations. …

Recently, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Environment and Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting was held. BRICS brings together the major emerging economies of the world, hosting 41% of the world population, contributing 24% of the world Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and over 16% share in world trade. India is the chair of the BRICS …

Recently, following the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, China has emerged as one of the first nations to develop diplomatic channels with the Taliban. This engagement emanates from China’s economic and security interest in Afghanistan. Important points: Afghanistan is probably home to what may be the world’s largest reserves of lithium. Lithium …

The 5th edition of India-Kazakhstan Joint Training Exercise, “KAZIND-21” will be conducted in Kazakhstan. Important points: The exercise is a joint training between both the Armies. The scope of Joint Exercise includes professional exchange, sharing experiences in Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism operations, etc. Joint Military Exercise- Prabal dostyk. First, its geo-strategic location; second, its economic potential, especially in terms of energy …

Recently, the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has launched the ‘Start-up Accelerators of MeitY for pRoduct Innovation, Development and growth (SAMRIDH)’ programme. Important points: To create a conducive platform to Indian Software Product start-ups to enhance their products and secure investments for scaling their business. Focuses on accelerating the 300 start-ups by providing customer connect, investor …

Recently, International Vaccine Institute (IVI) has announced that Bharat Biotech’s Chikungunya vaccine candidate (BBV87) has entered into Phase II and III clinical trials Currently, there is no commercial chikungunya vaccine. Important points: BBV87 is an inactivated virus vaccine, similar to Covaxin. Inactivated vaccines contain viruses whose genetic material has been destroyed by heat, chemicals or radiation so they …

The domestic general insurance companies are gradually reducing their exposure to the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to cut down their losses on account of high claims even as the Centre made the scheme optional and slashed its contribution. PMFBY and the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) were revamped in 2020. Important …

Recently, Afcons, an Indian company, has signed a contract for the largest-ever infrastructure project in Maldives which is the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP). The project is the result of bilateral consultation between India and the Maldives and has been under discussion since the visit of India’s External Affairs Minister to Male in September 2019. …

Recently, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with Fridays for Future launched a report named ‘The Climate Crisis Is a Child Rights Crisis: Introducing the Children’s Climate Risk Index’. It is the first comprehensive analysis of climate risk from a child’s perspective. Earlier an analysis, based on Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) index, …

The Supreme Court of India recently held that the economic criterion cannot be the sole basis for deciding the creamy layer from among backward classes for the purpose of excluding it from the purview of providing reservation. The SC was hearing a petition challenging two notifications issued by the Haryana government sub-classifying …

The Chakma organisations have opposed the proposed deportation of 60,000 people belonging to the Chakma and Hajong communities from Arunachal Pradesh. Important points: They are ethnic people who lived in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, most of which are located in Bangladesh. Chakmas are predominantly Buddhists, while Hajongs are Hindus. They are found in northeast India, West Bengal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. …

Recently, the Vice-president of India visited monuments at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi in Vijayanagara district, Karnataka. Important points: The site of Hampi comprises mainly the remnants of the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire (14th-16th century CE), the last great Hindu Kingdom. It encompasses an area of 4187, 24 hectares, located in the Tungabhadra …

Recently, India has overtaken the United States (US) to become the second-most sought-after manufacturing destination globally, driven mainly by cost competitiveness in the Global Manufacturing Risk Index 2021. In last year’s report, the US was at second position while India ranked third. Important points: It assesses the most advantageous locations for global manufacturing among 47 …