The 15th edition of the biennial trilateral coast guard exercise ‘Dosti’ involving India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka is underway in the Maldives, which will conclude today. The year 2021 marks 30 years since these exercises were first launched. Important points: The exercise was first initiated in 1991, between the …
Read More »Yearly Archives: 2021
ATMOSPHERE & CLIMATE RESEARCH-MODELLING OBSERVING SYSTEMS & SERVICES
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the continuation of Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS) Scheme along with its eight sub-schemes to the next finance (15th) cycle of five years (2021-2026). Important points: It pertains to the atmospheric science programs of the Ministry of Earth Sciences …
Read More »PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN ANNA YOJANA
Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the extension for the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY-Phase V) for a period of another 4 months i.e. December 2021 till March 2022. Important points: PMGKAY is a part of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) to help the poor fight the …
Read More »USHERING THE NEXT ERA OF DIGITAL IDENTITY AND SMART GOVERNANCE’
Recently, the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (Meity) inaugurated a 3-day workshop titled ‘Aadhaar 2.0- Ushering the Next Era of Digital Identity and Smart Governance’. The Workshop aims to analyze the reach of Digital Identity in major reforms and schemes launched by the Government. It also aims to look …
Read More »GLOBAL NUTRITION REPORT
According to the recently released Global Nutrition Report (GNR, 2021), India has made no progress on anaemia and childhood wasting. Important points: At the current rate of progress, the global nutrition targets will not be achieved by 2025 globally and in most countries worldwide. There is substantial variation in data …
Read More »GALLANTRY AWARDS
Recently, group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman was awarded Vir Chakra which is a wartime gallantry award, by the President of India. The gallantry awards are announced twice in a year — first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day. Important points: Post-Independence, …
Read More »BHARAT GAURAV SCHEME
Recently, the Indian Railways has announced the new scheme ‘Bharat Gaurav’ to tap the huge potential of tourism. Important points: Under the scheme, now trains have a third segment for tourism. Till now, the Railways had passenger segments and goods segments. These trains are not regular trains that will run …
Read More »GLOBAL STATE OF DEMOCRACY REPORT 2021
According to the recently released Global State of Democracy Report, 2021, the number of countries moving towards authoritarianism in 2020 was higher than that of countries becoming more democratic. Important points: The report aims to influence the global debate and analyses current trends and challenges to democracy, exacerbated by the …
Read More »SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS URBAN INDEX
Recently, NITI Aayog under the Indo-German Cooperation released the inaugural Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Urban Index and Dashboard 2021–22. Earlier in June 2021, the third edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index and Dashboard 2020–21 was released by NITI Aayog. Important points: The index and dashboard are a …
Read More »INDIA-US RELATIONS
Recently, after a gap of four years, the Trade Policy Forum (TPF) was convened between the United States and India. The Forum resolved to take economic ties between the two countries to the ‘next high level’ and exchanged views on ‘potential targeted tariff reductions’. Important points: To activate working groups …
Read More »INDIRA GANDHI PRIZE FOR PEACE
Recently, Pratham, a civil society organisation has been conferred the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2021. Pratham is dedicated to improving the quality of education among underprivileged children in India and across the world. Important points: The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development was …
Read More »ADVANCED ELECTRONIC WARFARE SUITE
The Prime Minister handed over the Advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite ‘Shakti’ to the Indian Navy at a ceremony held as part of Rashtra Raksha Samarpan Parv on 19th November, 2021. Rashtra Raksha Samarpan Parv is part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahaotsav’ celebration. The PM also handed over indigenously-built …
Read More »PRADHAN MANTRI AWAAS YOJANA – GRAMIN
Recently, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) has completed 5 years on 20th November, 2021. Earlier, it was reported that due to adverse impact of Covid-19, only 5.4% of the sanctioned houses under the PMAY-G, have reached completion for the year 2020-2021. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs …
Read More »‘HEALTH CARE EQUITY IN URBAN INDIA’
According to a recent report, life expectancy among the poorest is lower by 9.1 years and 6.2 years among men and women, respectively, compared to the richest in urban areas. Important points: The report explores health vulnerabilities and inequalities in cities in India. It also looks at the availability, accessibility …
Read More »SWACHH BHARAT MISSION-URBAN 2.0.
Recently, the President awarded the respective cities in the 6th Edition of Swachh Survekshan (SS) 2021 for their performance in maintaining cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation. The ceremony was held at the ‘Swachh Amrit Mahotsav’, which is a celebration of the achievements of cities in the past seven years of Swachh …
Read More »AMALGAMATION OF PMC & USF BANK
Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released a draft scheme of amalgamation of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank and Unity Small Finance Bank (USF). Earlier, PMC was put under restrictions on account of fraud that led to a steep deterioration in the networth of the bank. Important points: …
Read More »IRNSS-NAVIC
Recently, the Vice President has suggested ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) make Indian regional navigation satellite system-Navigation in Indian Constellation (NaVIC) for global use. Important points: In 2006, the project was approved by the Government of India and was expected to be completed and implemented by 2015-16. The constellations’ first …
Read More »DEFORESTATION
Recently, it was found that the area deforested in Brazil’s Amazon reached a 15-year high after a 22% jump from the prior year (2020). Earlier, a study showed that Amazon Forests have started emitting Carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of absorbing it. Over time, global climate change and more deforestation will …
Read More »WORLD FISHERIES DAY
World Fisheries Day (WFD) is observed on the 21st November every year. The award ceremony was organised by the ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying, in Bhubaneswar on the occasion of WFD. Balasore district (Odisha) has been awarded India’s “Best Marine District”. Important points: WFD is celebrated to demonstrate …
Read More »ASPIRATIONAL DISTRICTS
Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) scheme for provisioning of 4G-based mobile services in uncovered villages of aspirational districts across five states — Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Odisha. NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts programme aims to quickly and effectively transform 112 most under-developed …
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