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 …