Recently, several prominent Indian names have been included in the Pandora Papers leak. There are over 300 Indian names in the leak, including over 60 prominent ones. Important points: Pandora Papers are 11.9 million leaked files from 14 global corporate services firms which set up about 29,000 off-the-shelf companies and private trusts. A trust can be described …

Recently, Hara Bhara, India’s first aerial seeding campaign in Telangana using the Seedcopter drone was launched. Earlier, in August 2015, Andhra Pradesh government had launched the aerial seeding programme using Indian Navy helicopters. Important points: The idea of the campaign is to accelerate the mission of reforestation by planting one billion trees using drones by 2030 in the country. The project uses drones to disperse seed …

Recently, the Prime Minister launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) mobile application on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October). The PM also released the progress report of the JJM and a manual for the utilisation of the 15th Finance Commission grant for rural local bodies. Important points: The mobile application will provide …

2nd October, 2021 marked the 152nd birth annivaersary of Mahatma Gandhi. India also pays tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri on the same day every year. Important points: Birth- 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar (Gujarat) Lawyer, politician, social activist, and writer who became the leader of the nationalist movement against the British rule of India. In South Africa …

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research -National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) has launched an ‘Environmental Seismology’ group to develop a ‘Landslide and Flood Early Warning System’ for the Himalayan region. The scientists at the NGRI in collaboration with German scientists at GFZ, Potsdam have launched this system. Important points: It will be based on real-time monitoring with dense …

Recently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to freeze the election symbol of a Political Party. The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 empowers the Election Commission to recognise political parties and allot symbols. Important points: An electoral or election symbol is a standardized symbol allocated to a political party. They are used by …

Recently, NTPC Renewable Energy (NTPC-REL), a subsidiary of NTPC, has signed its first Green Term Loan agreement for installation of Solar Projects in Rajasthan & Gujarat. NTPC-REL is also constructing India’s largest single local solar power park of 4.75 GW in Kutch. NTPC is taking various steps to make its energy portfolio greener by adding significant …

In a first of its kind move, the government has come up with an online employment exchange platform to cater to senior citizens seeking job opportunities. The portal developed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is named Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED). The International Day of Older Persons is observed on …

Recently, the Union Labour Ministry and Microsoft India have jointly launched a digital skilled platform — DigiSaksham — to enhance youth employability. This joint initiative is an extension of the ongoing programs to support the youth from rural and semi-urban areas. Important points: Free of cost training in digital skills including basic skills as well …

Policy making in the country’s health sector is shaped by its federal structureand the Central-State divisions of responsibilities and financing. Important points: Public health and sanitation, hospitals and dispensaries are state subjects, which means the primary responsibility of their management and service delivery lies with the states. The Centre also invests in health …