Recently, the Astronomers of National Center of Radio Astrophysics (NCRA-TIFR) in Pune and the University of California in the US have used the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) to map the distribution of atomic hydrogen gas from the host galaxy of a Fast Radio Burst (FRB) for the first time. The first FRB was discovered …

According to a report, the sales of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) surged USD 25 billion in 2021 as the crypto asset exploded in popularity. However, some experts believe NFTs are a bubble that might pop. About: Anything that can be converted into a digital form can be an NFT. Everything from drawings, photos, videos, GIFs, music, in-game items, selfies, …

‘Lavender Cultivation’ under CSIR-IIIM’s Aroma Mission will be started in Ramban district (Jammu Kashmir) as a part of Purple Revolution. Aromatic Plants include lavender, damask rose, mushk bala, etc. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) is a contemporary R&D organization under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Purple or Lavender Revolution was launched in 2016 …

Recently, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre and states to respond to a petition to enforce the Fundamental Duties of citizens, including patriotism and unity of the nation, through comprehensive, well-defined laws. Fundamental Duties are specified under Article 51A (Part IVA) of the Constitution, they strive to uphold the country’s ideals and contribute to its growth …

Recently, the Prime Minister of India extended his wishes to the people of Mizoram on its 36th Statehood Day (20th February). The formalization of Mizoram State took place on 20th February, 1987 after the 53rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution, 1986. Mizoram The Mizo hills area became the Lushai Hills district within Assam at the time of independence. Further, in …

On the Occasion of the 1st Anniversary of the Release of Geospatial Data, the Government said that geospatial technology along with Drones will survey all the over 6 lakh Indian villages under the SVAMITVA scheme. Also the pan-India 3D Maps will be prepared for 100 Indian cities. Geospatial Policy will be announced soon as the liberalisation of the guidelines has yielded very …

Recently, the Ministry of Power has notified Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia Policy for production of Green Hydrogen or Green Ammonia using renewable sources of energy. National Hydrogen Mission launched in 2021 aims to aid the government in meeting its climate targets and making India a green hydrogen hub. Under the policy, the government is …

Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change announced the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022, which notified the instructions on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging. Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 has been amended to fast-track the elimination of single-use plastics and promote alternatives. The term Extended Procedure Responsibility means the responsibility of a producer for the environmentally …

Recently, India and Australia have announced that they are set to conclude an Interim Trade Agreement in March 2022 and a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)12-18 months thereafter. The agreement will cover “most areas of interest for both countries” including goods, services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and customs procedures. Earlier, India, Japan …

Recently, the Prime Minister of India chaired a meeting regarding the management of the cryptocurrency sector. Citing the unregulated nature of the crypto market, he called for taking progressive and forward-looking steps. At the moment, there is no legislature that covers cryptocurrencies in India. In India, owning cryptocurrencies is still not illegal. In 2020, the Supreme Court had struck …

The Centre Government is contemplating creation of the National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA). NIRA is supposed to be an independent autonomous body for planning, investigation, financing and the implementation of the river interlinking projects in the country. Important points: NIRA will function as an umbrella body for all river linking projects and to be headed by a …

Recently, the US intelligence reports said the tension on the Russia-Ukraine border represents a major security crisis for the region, with the potential to snowball into a broader conflict. Ukraine says that Russia has amassed around 90,000 troops at the border. Important points: Ukraine and Russia share hundreds of years of cultural, linguistic and familial …

Recently, six students were banned from entering a college in Karnataka’s Udupi district for wearing a hijab (a head covering worn in public by some Muslim women). The issue throws up legal questions on reading the freedom of religion and whether the right to wear a hijab is constitutionally protected. Article 25(1) of the Constitution guarantees the “freedom of …

NITI Aayog, in association with PhonePe (Digital Payment Service Provider), will be hosting the first-ever open-to-all Fintech Open Hackathon that aims to showcase path-breaking solutions for the fintech ecosystem. Fintech describes an emerging financial services sector in the 21st century. Originally, the term applied to technology applied to the back-end …

Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Madras have developed such a material, called Origami metamaterials which could have many uses. These combine the Japanese art of paper folding (origami) and the existing material of choice and fold it to obtain desired properties. Researchers have developed a special class of origami metamaterials which show a constant value …

Recently, a new scheme “New India Literacy Programme” for the period FYs 2022-2027 to cover all the aspects of Adult Education to align with National Education Policy 2020 has been approved. It is also in line with Budget 2021-22, which announced that increased access to resources, online modules covering the entire gamut of adult education …

Recently, the Prime Minister addressed the The Energy and Resources Institute’s (TERI) World Sustainable Development Summit. The World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) is the annual flagship event of TERI. It was earlier known as Delhi Sustainable Development Summit. Instituted in 200. It is the only Summit on global issues, taking place in the developing world. It …

Recently, India has lashed out at the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for being “communal minded” amid the Karnataka hijab row. OIC Statement: The OIC has called on the UN Human Rights Council to take “necessary measures” on the issue of Muslim girl students being told not to wear the hijab in Karnataka schools. The OIC also …

Every year the second Monday of February is observed as International Epilepsy Day (IED), and this year it was celebrated on 14th February (2022). The day spreads awareness and educates people about the true facts of epilepsy and the urgent need for improved treatment, better care, and greater investment in research. The day is a joint …

River Devika project, built at the cost of over Rs 190 crore, will be complete by June, 2022. The work on the project was started in March 2019 under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). Under the project, bathing “ghats” (places) on the banks of the Devika River will be developed, encroachments …