GS-3 SPACEX STARSHIP SN10 EXPLODES The Starship Prototype of the SpaceX was exploded shortly after it made its successful landing on March 3, 2021 for the first time after a high-altitude flight test. Key Facts The reason for the explosion of the prototype was not immediately clear. However, it was …

GS-3 FIVE NEW SHRUB FROGS SPECIES FOUND IN WESTERN GHATS The researchers from India and United States have found the five new species of shrub frogs. These species of the frog were discovered from the Western Ghats which is a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot. Important points: The five species of …

GS-2 WHO’S FIRST WORLD REPORT ON HEARING The World Health Organization (WHO) has published the first world report on hearing on World Hearing Day which was observed on March 3, 2021. In the new report, the WHO has highlighted that, one in every four individuals across the world will be …

GS-3 “CHABAHAR DAY” The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that, India will commemorate the ‘Chabahar Day’ on March 4, 2021 on the margins of the ongoing Maritime India Summit 2021 which is being held in Delhi from March 2 to March 4. Highlights The virtual event will witness the …

Budget Estimates 2021-22 of Department of Space is proposed to Rs. 13,949 Crore, as against the allocation of Rs.9500 Crore in RE 2020-21, an increase of about Rs. 4,500 Crore Higher budgetary allocations for Indian Space programme shall be utilised towards meeting the future challenges and space preparedness. To meet the …

GS-2 EXERCISE DESERT FLAG-VI: UAE For the first time, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in the Exercise Desert Flag-VI, hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force. Ex Desert Flag is an annual multinational large force employment warfare exercise hosted by the UAE Air Force. Aim:  To provide operational exposure to the participating forces while …

GS-3 PURPLE REVOLUTION UNDER AROMA MISSION Around 500 farmers across villages in Doda district in Jammu had their incomes quadrupled after shifting from maize to lavender cultivation which is being called purple revolution. It was possible due to initiatives taken under Aroma Mission. Purple Revolution (Under Aroma Mission): First-time farmers were given free lavender saplings …

GS-3 NDC SYNTHESIS REPORT: UNFCCC The UNFCCC, in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Synthesis Report, has called for more ambitious climate action plans by the countries in order to achieve the Paris Agreement target of containing global temperature rise to 2°C (ideally 1.5°C) by the end of the century. The report was sought ahead of …

GS-2 INDIA-EU RELATIONS What is the European Union? The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union between 27 European countries. The EU’s predecessor is the then European Economic Community, created in 1958 to increase economic cooperation between 6 countries – Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Since …

GS-2 INDIA SRI LANKA RELATIONS Background of India Sri Lanka Relations India has ancient links with Sri Lanka since the rule of Emperor Ashoka. The relationship between the two countries has built upon a legacy of: Intellectual Intercourse Cultural Intercourse Religious Intercourse and Linguistic Intercourse. In recent years, the relationship has been …

GS-3 LAND PORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA (LPAI) 9th Foundation Day of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI). Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI): LPAI is a statutory body established under Land Ports Authority of India Act, 2010. The Act gives powers to LPAI to develop, sanitize and manage the facilities …

GS-2 RASHTRIYA UCHCHATAR SHIKSHA ABHIYAN (RUSA) Union Education Minister chairs a review meeting on RashtriyaUcchatar Shiksha Abhiyan. The RashtriyaUchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA): It is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2013. It aims to provide strategic funding to eligible state higher educational institutions. The central funding (in the ratio of …

GS-2 JANAUSHADHI DIWAS 2021 Celebrations of the 3rd JanaushadhiDiwas 2021 kicks off. Important points: JanaushadhiDiwas is observed on March 7 all over the country. The week-long celebrations such as health camps, interactions and rallies have started, especially in the Jan Aushadhi Centres. JanaushadhiDiwas 2021 theme: “Sevabhi – Rozgar bhi”. Janaushadhi …

GS-3 FARMERS PRODUCERS ORGANISATION – FPO FPO stands for Farmers Producers Organisation. It is an organisation of farmer-producers that provide support to small farmers with end-to-end services covering almost all aspects of cultivation from inputs, technical services to processing and marketing. What is the Farmers Producers Organisation? FPO is one …

GS-3 FORMATION & PROMOTION OF 10,000 FARMER PRODUCER ORGANIZATIONS (FPOS) First anniversary of the Central Sector Scheme on Formation & Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Important points: The scheme was launched by Prime Minister in February 2020 at Chitrakoot (Uttar Pradesh) with a budgetary provision of Rs 6865 …

Four Indian astronaut candidates are currently undergoing generic space flight training in Russia as part of GaganyaanProgramme. The astronaut training activities in Russia are nearing completion. Major modules such as survival training (snow, water and steppe), parabolic flights, theoretical classes on orbital mechanics, astro-navigation and some Soyuz systems have been …

GS-3 COVAXIN It is India’s only indigenous Covid-19 vaccine. Produced By: Developed by Bharat Biotech, Hyderabad in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute of Virology, Pune Constituents and Action: It is an inactivated vaccine which is developed by inactivating (killing) the live microorganisms that cause the disease. This destroys the ability of the pathogen to replicate, but keeps …

GS-3 INDIA LIKELY TO MISS 2022 RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET BY A LONG WAY Against its renewable energy target of 175 GW, India is lagging at around 93 GW. The main reason for the shortfall is solar power, where capacity addition and production is beset by issues pivoting around declining tariffs …

GS-3 TAXATION OF SOVEREIGN GOLD BONDS Important points: Apart from the benefit of potential appreciation in gold prices, sovereign gold bonds offer a fixed interest of 2.5% on the invested amount. The twelfth issue of sovereign gold bonds priced at ₹4,662 per gram is open for subscription. Gold bonds are issued …

GS-2 INDIA’S HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO MADAGASCAR India is sending a consignment of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice and one lakh tablets of HCQ to Madagascar. This is in response to the urgent appeal made by Madagascar for international solidarity and assistance to deal with the humanitarian crisis in South of …