Recently, the Narayankoti temple (Uttarakhand) has been included under the Centre’s Adopt a Heritage project Important points: Launched on 27th September, 2017 (World Tourism Day), it is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State/UTs Governments. To develop tourism amenities at heritage/ natural/ tourist sites spread across India to make …

Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable (MNRE) has conducted a review of implementation of Prime Minister’s Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme and Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II and suggested measures for expansion of the schemes. Important points: The PM-KUSUM scheme was launched by the MNRE in 2019, to support installation of off-grid solar pumps …

Amid the rising demand of import of wool, shepherds in Uttarakhand will get a batch of lambs through crossbreeding of sheep indigenous to the region with Australian Merino sheep by the end of the year. Australian Merino sheep are known to have the softest and finest wool used for apparels. The …

Recently, the Ministry of Defence launched the 5th edition of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC) under Innovations for Defence Excellence – Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) Thirty-five problem statements – 13 from the Services and 22 from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) – were unveiled under DISC 5.0. Some of which are: Situational awareness, augmented reality, Artificial Intelligence, aircraft-trainer, non-lethal devices, 5G …

Recently, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO has released a report on the impacts of climate change and extreme weather in Latin America and the Caribbean. 2020 was a year of unprecedented heatwaves, droughts, forest fires, cyclones and food insecurity for the region The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its sixth assessment report had highlighted the impact of climate change on the Indian Subcontinent. …

Recently, a document published by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) named Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas shows that Land Degradation and Desertification has increased significantly in recent years. The Atlas provides a state wise area of degraded lands for the time frame 2018-19. It also provides the change analysis for the duration of 15 years, from …

Recently, a team of researchers have discovered a new species of cascade frog in Arunachal Pradesh named Adi Cascade Frog. Earlier, a new frog species named Minervarya Pentali was discovered in the Western Ghats. Important points: It is a predominantly brown colour frog, with a size ranging roughly between 4 cm to 7 cm. …

Recently, the Department of Biotechnology has launched the fifth edition of the National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition (NBEC). NBEC is conducted as a part of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) Regional Entrepreneurship Centre, established at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) in partnership with BIRAC. BIRAC is a Public Sector Enterprise, set up by the Department …

Recently, the Incel Movement has been linked to serious violence around the world. The movement came into the spotlight yet again in the UK’s Plymouth, where a 22-year-old man shot dead five people, including a toddler. Important points: It is a dangerous online subculture comprising men who identify as ‘involuntary celibates’ and regularly express …

Recently, the Prime Minister has inaugurated various projects in Somnath, Gujarat under PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme at a total cost of over Rs 47 crore. Important points: The Somnath Exhibition Centre, developed on the premises of ‘Tourist Facilitation Centre’, displays the exhibits from dismantled parts of the old …

Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs has informed that nearly 6,800 people lost their lives in the country (West Bengal tops the list) over the past three years due to hydro-meteorological calamities such as flash floods, landslides and cyclones Important points: Natural hazards are severe natural phenomena or events, broadly classified in two categories: hydro-meteorological and geological hazards. Tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms, floods and …

Recently, a political leader claimed that the Moplah rebellion, also known as the Mappila riots, of 1921 was one of the first manifestations of the Taliban mindset in India. Important points: Moplahs/Mappilas: The name Mappilla (lit. son-in-law; anglicized form Moplah) is given to Malayali-speaking Muslims who reside along the entire length of the Malabar Coast of …

Recently, a group of experts under the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over the slow pace of reforms in the criminal justice system to ensure speedy justice. NHRC of India is an independent statutory body established on 12th October, 1993 as per provisions of Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, later amended …

Recently, the Union Government approved the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on phasing down climate-damaging refrigerant Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). It comes close on the heels of similar decisions by the United States and China, the world’s largest producers and consumers of HFCs. 122 countries had ratified the Kigali Amendment by the …

India, in collaboration with the United Nations (UN), has launched a technology platform to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers who are operating across the world. The launch of the UNITE AWARE platform came as India assumed the Presidency of the 15-nation UN Security Council for the month of August. Important …

Recently, a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed that most of the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in India remain non-transparent entities when it comes to sharing information with the public. CSE is a public interest research and advocacy NGO based in New Delhi. Important …

Recently, the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) under the Ministry of Earth Science has published a report that said one-third of India’s coastline underwent sea erosion in 28 years. As much as 32% of India’s coastline underwent sea erosion and 27% of it expanded between 1990 and 2018. Important points: The country’s coastline is 6,631.53 kilometres …

Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced rates of tax refunds under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme for 8,555 products for the FY 2021-22. Important points: The RoDTEP scheme would refund to exporters the embedded central, state and local duties or taxes that were so far not being rebated …

Recently, during BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) meet, India proposed that NDB’s (New Development Bank) scope be expanded to strengthen Social Infrastructure besides promoting industry. Social Infrastructure includes the construction and maintenance of facilities that support social services such as healthcare, education, and housing. India is the chair of the BRICS grouping for 2021. Important points: It …

Recently, it was announced that the second United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC) will be held in Hyderabad, India, in 2022. The event would show a glimpse of India’s evolving geospatial ecosystem. Important points: United Nation Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) To enhance international collaboration among the Member States and …