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 …