Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) while hearing a plea by the Maharashtra government decided to recall its December 2021 order, which stayed 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local body elections. The Supreme Court has entrusted the Backward Classes Commission with the responsibility of giving political reservation to …

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the infusion of Rs 1,500 crore in the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA). This will enable IREDA to lend Rs 12,000 crore to the renewable energy sector. Earlier, the IREDA had launched a ‘whistle-blower Portal’, as a part of ‘Vigilance Awareness Week 2021’. Important …

Recently, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has revised Rural Area Development Plan Formulation and Implementation (RADPFI) guidelines, 2017 in a view to transforming rural India and ensuring rural prosperity. Important points: RADPFI 2021 guidelines is a continuation to the Ministry’s efforts towards promotion of Spatial rural planning and would create …

According to the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) report, 1.27 million people died in 2019 as a direct result of AMR (AntiMicrobial Resistance). The death due to AMR is now a leading cause of death worldwide, higher than HIV/AIDS or malaria. Most of the deaths from AMR were caused …

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has decided to rank states, specifically State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs), on the speed with which they accord Environmental Clearances (EC) to development projects. The issue of action taken to enable “ease of doing business’’, especially in the context of …

Recently, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) wrote to the States that the Union government proposes to amend Rule 6 (deputation of cadre officers) of the Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules 1954. Under this, the Union government will acquire for itself overriding powers to transfer IAS and IPS officers …

Recently, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned that the new 5G technology could interfere with sensitive navigation equipment such as altimeters, which could lead to “catastrophic disruptions.” Airlines across the world, including India, are adjusting their scheduled flights to the US due to the rollout of 5G by …

Recently, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) released a report titled World Employment and Social Outlook – Trends (WESO Trends) 2022. The Outlook remains fragile because the future path of the pandemic remains uncertain. The WESO Trends includes comprehensive labour market projections for 2022 and 2023. It gives assessments of how …

Recently, the Prime Minister addressed the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Davos Agenda via video conferencing. The WEF annual meeting in Davos (Switzerland) engages the world’s top leaders to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Important points: During the course of Covid-19, India saved many lives by exporting essential medicines and …

Recently, a suspected drone attack in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), caused multiple explosions in which two Indians were also killed. The Shia Houthi rebels of Yemen, who have been controlling the northern parts of the country, including the capital Sana’a, for almost seven years, …