Two women officers have been selected to undergo helicopter pilot training for the first time in the Army Aviation Corps. They will join front-line flying duties on completion of their training in July 2022. Till now, women officers were assigned only ground duties in the Army Aviation Corps. Army Aviation …

NITI Aayog, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and RMI India’s new report, Fast Tracking Freight in India: A Roadmap for Clean and Cost-Effective Goods Transport, present key opportunities for India to reduce its logistics costs. RMI is an independent nonprofit organization founded in 1982. NITI Aayog It is a public policy …

Recently, the World Bank has released its June 2021 Global Economic Prospects where it has forecast India’s GDP growth to be 8.3% for the year 2021-22. Important points: India’s economy is expected to grow at 8.3% for Fiscal Year 2021-22, 7.5% for 2022-23 and 6.5% for 2023-24. The world economy …

Recently, China hosted a meeting of foreign ministers from the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. The meeting marks the 30th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue. With this meeting China looks to deepen its economic ties with the region as well as push back the renewed effort at regional …

Researchers from corners of India are tracing the impact of climate change on the country, finding new ways to track the global problem, improving the projection of climate, its impact as well as vulnerability to prepare for the future. Dehradun-based researchers have found that small-sized glaciers in Sikkim are melting …

Saral Jeevan Bima, launched by IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) in 2020, has become a popular term life insurance product among masses. IRDAI is an autonomous body that was established in 1999 to regulate and develop the insurance industry. Term life insurance guarantees payment of a stated …

The recently declared Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu will provide protection to Megamalai, the Vaigai’s primary catchment, in turn helping water levels to rise in the river. Important points: It originates in the Western Ghat (Varushanad Hills). It travels through the Pandya Nadu region of Tamil Nadu. Its main tributaries are Suruliyaru, Mullaiyaru, Varaganadhi, Manjalaru, Kottagudi, Kridhumaal and Upparu. The Vaigai is …

The US airline United has announced plans to buy 15 new supersonic airliners and “return supersonic speeds to aviation” in the year 2029. The Airline has agreed to purchase the Overture aircraft from Boom Supersonic (a Denver-based start-up), with the planes able to fly at Mach 1.7 faster than the …

The BRICS Foreign Ministers, in a recent meet, put out a joint statement on multilateralism. BRICS is an acronym for the grouping of the world’s leading emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Important points: It is the process of organizing relations between groups of three or …

QS World University Rankings 2022 shows that India’s tally in the top 200 universities hasn’t changed for the fifth straight year. QS World University Rankings Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) is a leading global career and education network for ambitious professionals looking to further their personal and professional development. QS develops and …

Recently, the Supreme Court has released the Draft Model Rules for Live-Streaming and Recording of Court Proceedings. The Rules are part of the National Policy and Action Plan for implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the judiciary. The Rules would cover live-streaming and recording of proceedings in High …

Recently, the Interpol has launched a new global database named “I-Familia” to identify missing persons through family DNA and help the police solve cold cases in member countries. Important points: The first of its kind, I-Familia is a global database for identifying missing persons based on international DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) kinship matching. The database seeks to identify missing persons or …

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare virtually attended the World Food Safety Day (7th June) celebrations organized by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Important points: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) jointly facilitate the observance of World Food Safety Day, in collaboration with Member States and …

Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) [SBM (G)] Phase-II is making steady progress amidst Covid-19 with 1249 villages declared ODF(Open Defecation Free) Plus. SBM (G) Phase-II was approved in February 2020 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. ODF Plus entails that ODF behaviours are sustained, and every village has access to solid and liquid waste management. Important points: It emphasizes the …

Recently, the Union Minister of Panchayati Raj released a Model Panchayat Citizens Charter. Important points: It is prepared by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) in collaboration with National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR). NIRDPR is an autonomous organisation under the Union Ministry of Rural Development. It has been developed for the delivery of the services …

Recently, the Defence Minister released an E-booklet titled ‘20 Reforms in 2020’ highlighting the major reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2020. Important points: The appointment of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and creation of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) were among the major decisions taken by the Government. General Bipin Rawat was appointed …

Recently, Turkey’s Sea of Marmara, which connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea, has witnessed the largest outbreak of ‘sea snot’. A ‘sea snot’ outbreak was first recorded in the country in 2007. Important points: It is marine mucilage that is formed when algae are overloaded with nutrients as a result of water pollution combined with the effects of climate change …

Recently, the Finance Ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations reached a landmark accord setting a Global Minimum Corporate Tax Rate (GMCTR). The agreement could form the basis of a worldwide deal. It will now be discussed in detail at a meeting of G20 financial ministers and central bank governors in July 2021. G7 also agreed …

Indian Scientists have developed a nanorods-based oxygen sensor which works at room temperature with assistance of UV irradiation and can detect oxygen gas concentrations in places such as underground mines, at higher altitudes, inside aeroplanes and research labs. Monitoring O2 concentration in very low ppm-level is of paramount importance, and a fast …

Recently, the 37th anniversary of Operation Blue Star was observed by the country. Important points: It is a code name given to an Indian Military Operation to remove the separatists who were hidden inside the Golden Temple at Amritsar on 5th June 1984. The operation was ordered by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, primarily to take control of …