According to the World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY), India maintained 43rd rank on the annual World Competitiveness Index. The World Competitiveness Index is a comprehensive annual report and worldwide reference point on the competitiveness of countries. Important points: Published by: WCY was first published in 1989 and is compiled by the …

Scientists tracing the concentration, size and evolution of aerosol particles smaller than 3 nanometres at an urban location in India have found frequent formation of sub-3nm aerosol particles in the atmosphere. This has critical importance as a major fraction of these newly formed particles can reach to sizes of cloud …

Recently, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution made it mandatory for the hallmarking of gold jewellery, which will be implemented in a phased manner. Important points: The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) which operates the gold and silver hallmarking scheme in India, defines hallmarking as the “accurate …

Recently, the defence minister addressed the 8th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus. The ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN and its eight Dialogue Partners. Important points: India called for an open and inclusive order in Indo-Pacific based upon respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. Supports freedom of …

The World Health Organization (WHO) in its recent report “Children and Digital Dumpsites” has underlined the risk that children working in informal processing are facing due to discarded electronic devices or e-waste. There are as many as 18 million children (as young as five years) and about 12.9 million women …

Recently, India has signed an agreement extending a USD 100 million Line of Credit (LOC) to Sri Lanka for projects in the Solar Energy Sector. The LOC is for a period of 20 years, with an interest of 1.75%. The agreement was signed between the Government of Sri Lanka and …

Recently, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a USD 484 million loan for the Tamil Nadu Industrial Connectivity Project. The loan is to improve transport connectivity and facilitate industrial development in the Chennai – Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor (CKIC) in the state of Tamil Nadu. It …

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a plan to corporatise the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). Important points: 41 factories across the country will be dissolved into seven new Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU). The newly created entities will be 100% owned by the government. These entities will be responsible for different …

Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM). The blueprint of the DOM to explore the deep recesses of the ocean was unveiled in 2018. Earlier, MoES had also rolled out the draft Blue …

Supported by BIRAC under Fast Track COVID-19 Fund COVID-19 pandemic has played a havoc role for humans across the globe. The first line of defense against the prevailing situation have been sanitisers, face masks and COVID appropriate behaviour. Masks have been recommended by WHO as well to protect against and …

Recently, the 31st edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy was conducted in the Andaman sea close to the Strait of Malacca Important points: India and Thailand have been carrying out CORPAT along their International Maritime Boundary Line twice a year …

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Ministry of Civil Aviation signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Development of Seaplane Services in India. India’s first seaplane service started operation between Kevadia and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad in October 2020, under Sagarmala Seaplane Services. Important points: This MoU envisages …

The Minister of Jal Shakti has urged all MPs to support the ongoing “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch The Rain” campaign in their respective constituencies and states. Such interventions would ensure water source sustainability in rural areas and would strengthen the ongoing Jal Jeevan Mission being implemented by the Ministry. Important …

Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) notified that all centrally protected monuments, sites, and museums across the country including the Humayun’s Tomb will reopen for visitors from 16th June 2021. Humayun’s tomb in Delhi is a fine specimen of the great Mughal architecture. ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, …

After arriving at the Kerala Coast two days behind the schedule, the Southwest Monsoon has hit early across some areas of south peninsular and central India. Important points: Cyclone Yaas, formed in the Bay of Bengal in May, helped in bringing the crucial southwest monsoon winds over the Andaman Sea.. …

Recently, the Delhi High Court granted bail to student activists in a Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967 case. While delivering the judgement, the court redefined the boundaries of the otherwise “vague” Section 15 of the UAPA. Important points: Terrorist activity cannot be broadly defined to include ordinary penal offences. …

The Union Defence Minister has approved a policy on archiving, declassification, compilation and publication of war and operations histories by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Important points: Timely publication of war histories would give people an accurate account of the events, provide authentic material for academic research and counter the …

According to a recent report published in the SIPRI Yearbook 2021, the number of nuclear warheads which are ready and deployed have increased globally. The SIPRI Yearbook is released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) which researches international armament and conflict. The SIPRI “Yearbook 2021” assesses the current …

Recently, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare addressed the 42nd session of Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Conference. The Conference takes place every two years and is FAO’s supreme governing body. It determines the policies of the Organization, approves the budget, and makes recommendations to Members on food …

An indigenously designed oxygen concentrator, which ensures high-purity oxygen supply, is now out in the market. An Indian startup has designed developed this affordable portable oxygen concentrator and is now manufacturing it for supply to various hospitals in the country. Oxygen saturation levels of patients have been a major challenge …