GS-2 INDIA-CHINA HOTLINE Recently, India and China announced that both have agreed to establish a Hotline.     Hotline: The decision to install a Hotline between the two countries was taken over a telephonic meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister and China’s Foreign Affairs Minister. Hotline is a direct telephone …

GS-2 E-DAAKHIL PORTAL E-Daakhil portal for consumer grievance redressal is operational in 15 States/UTs. What is E-Daakhil Portal? It is a portal for e-filing of consumer complaints with the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and other consumer commissions. It was launched by the NCDRC in September 2020 with Delhi …

GS-3 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR COAL SECTOR Government has put major thrust on sustainable development in coal mining and is taking multi-pronged action on both environmental & social fronts. The Ministry of Coal has undertaken several out-of-the-box measures besides regular environmental monitoring and mitigation during mining operation in order to sustainably …

GS-3 NATIONAL URBAN DIGITAL MISSION The National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM) has been launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) along with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY). Several other digital initiatives of MoHUA viz. India Urban Data Exchange (IUDX), SmartCode, Smart Cities 2.0 website, …

GS-1 VIJAYANAGAR KING KRISHNADEVARAYA The first-ever epigraphical reference (an inscription) to the date of death of Vijayanagar king Krishnadevaraya has been discovered at Honnenahalli in Tumakuru district, Karnataka. Normally, the death of kings was not recorded in the inscriptions and this was one ofthose rare records. Findings: As per the …

GS-3 SITANADI-UDANTI TIGER RESERVE: CHHATTISGARH Thousands of tribals living in villages located in the core areas of SitanadiUdanti Tiger Reserve are protesting and demanding the recognition of their Community Forest Resource rights. Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights are given under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of …

GS-3 STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2021 Recently, the State of Environment Report, 2021 was released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). CSE is a public interest research and advocacy organisationbased in New Delhi. It researches into, lobbies for and communicates the urgency of development that is both sustainable …

GS-2 PRESIDENT’S RULE IN PUDUCHERRY President’s Rule has been imposed in the Union Territory of Puducherry, on the recommendation of the Lieutenant Governor, after the established government lost power during a vote of confidence. The President was satisfied that a situation had arisen in which the administration of the Union …

GS-3 NEW IT RULES 2021 Recently, the government has notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021. These new rules broadly deal with social media and over-the-top (OTT) platforms. These rules have been framed in exercise of powers under section 87 (2) of the Information Technology …

GS-1 SWACHH ICONIC PLACES (SIP) Ministry of Jal Shakti announces selection of 12 sites for transforming them into ‘Swachh Tourist Destinations’ under Phase-IV.       Details: The Swachch Iconic Places initiative, under the Swachch Bharat Mission, is a special clean-up initiative focused on select iconic heritage, spiritual and cultural …

GS-3 CITY INNOVATION EXCHANGE (CIX) City Innovation Exchange (CiX) launched for fostering innovation in urban ecosystem.   City Innovation Exchange (CiX) Platform: The City Innovation Exchange (CiX) will connect cities to innovators across the national ecosystem to design innovative solutions for their pressing challenges. The platform will ease the discovery, …

GS-2 INDIA-USA EXECUTIVE STEERING GROUP (ESG) MEETING The 24th edition of the India-USA Executive Steering Group (ESG) meeting was held at New Delhi for two days in February 2021. Important points: The forum is an Army to Army engagement that meets every year alternately in India and the USA to …

GS-3 MCA & CBIC SIGN MOU The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for data exchange between the two organisations. About the MoU: The MoU is in line with the vision of MCA …

GS-1 MANNATHU PADMANABHAN PM pays tributes to Sri MannathuPadmanabhan Ji on his PunyaTithi.  About MannathuPadmanabhan: MannathuPadmanabhan (1878 – 1970) was an Indian social reformer and freedom fighter from Kerala. He took part in anti-untouchability agitations and advocated opening temples for people of all castes. He also participated in the Vaikom …

GS-2 KHELO INDIA NATIONAL WINTER GAMES The second edition of the Khelo India National Winter Games to be inaugurated on February 26. Details: The Games will be held from 26th February to 2nd March, 2021 in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir. The event has been organised by the Union Ministry of …

GS-3 PM ATMANIRBHAR SWASTH BHARAT SCHEME Recently, the Prime Minister talked about the need to address health issues in a holistic manner and to adopt a four-pronged strategy for a healthy India that includes implementing the PM AtmanirbharSwasth Bharat scheme. Four-Pronged Strategy for a Healthy India: Prevention of illness and …

GS-3 NATIONAL HYDROGEN ENERGY MISSION The Union Budget for 2021-22 has announced a National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHM) that will draw up a road map for using hydrogen as an energy source. The initiative has the potential of transforming transportation. NHM initiative will capitalise on one of the most abundant …

GS-1 SENKAKU ISLAND DISPUTE Recently, China called the Japan-USA mutual security pact a product of the Cold War following USA’s criticism of the presence of Chinese coast guard vessels in Japanese-claimed territorial waters. Important points: Th e 1960 Japan-USA mutual security treaty assures the USA would come to Japan’s aid …

GS-1 SOLAR ROTATION Kodaikanal Solar Observatory Digitized Data probes Sun’s rotation over the century. Who conducted the study? Researchers led by a Ph.D. student from the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous institute under Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India Collaborators from Max Planck …

GS-2 POTENTIAL TREATMENT FOR ALZHEIMER’S JNCASR Scientists develop a new molecule that could be a potential drug candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer’s. JNCASR – Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, autonomous institute under the Dept. of Science and Technology, GOI. Located in Bengaluru. Details: Scientists have developed a …