Recently, the government-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) for its mega Initial Public Offering (IPO) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The Government, which owns 100% of LIC, will be offloading 5% of its stake through the IPO. All the proceeds from the IPO, which is in …

Recently, Maharashtra has signaled that it may opt out of Pradhan MantriFasalBimaYojana Scheme. Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana, Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab and West Bengal – all predominantly agriculture states – have already opted out of the scheme. Launched in 2016 and is being administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It replaced the …

Recently, the Supreme Court has refused to entertain a petition questioning the exclusion of madrasas and Vedic schools (Minority Educational Institutions (MEI)) from the ambit of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009. The exclusion of these institutions was specifically inserted into the 2009 Act by …

Recently, three persons diagnosed with Lassa fever in the UK died. The cases have been linked to travel to west African countries. The Lassa fever-causing virus is found in West Africa and was first discovered in 1969 in Lassa, Nigeria. The fever is spread by rats and is primarily found in countries in West Africa …

Recently, the Union Health Ministry has said that the National Health Authority (NHA) is working to integrate the database of Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 beneficiaries with the National Food Security Act (NFSA) portal. This step envisages that beneficiaries can seek information regarding their entitlements under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (AB PM-JAY) …

Recently, Indian Space Research Organisation’s earth observation satellite EOS-04 and two small satellites (INSPIREsat-1 and INS-2TD) were successfully placed into the intended orbit by the PSLV-C52 rocket. This launch was the 54th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket, and the 23rd of its most powerful XL-version that has six strap-on boosters. What are Earth Observation Satellites? Earth observation satellites are the satellites …

Recently, the Ministry of Health virtually launched Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 4.0. India is implementing the largest immunisationprogramme globally where it annually covers more than three crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore children through the Universal ImmunisationProgramme (UIP). It will ensure that Routine Immunization (RI) services reach unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children and pregnant women. …

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 fourth meeting of the foreign ministers of the QUAD grouping (India, the US, Australia and Japan) was held in Melbourne , Australia. The meeting was held amid escalating tension between Russia and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries over Ukraine, the Afghan crisis and increasing concerns over China’s “coercion” in the Indo-Pacific region. It is the grouping of four democracies –India, …

Recently, Australia has officially classified koalas as ‘endangered’. Australia’s Koala population has been on the road to extinction for over two decades now. The number of Koalas in NSW (New South Wales) declined by between 33% and 61% since 2001. But despite several demands by animal rights groups and conservationists, the government …

Recently, as per official estimates for the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), India’s industrial recovery slowed sharply in December 2021, with output growing just 0.4% year-on-year, and manufacturing activity contracting 0.1%. Contrary to expected growth of 2.5%, growth has come in at 0.4% which is disappointing. IIP is an indicator that measures …

The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution informed the Rajya Sabha that the government approved the Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on “Fortification of Rice & its Distribution under Public Distribution System” for a period of 3 years beginning in 2019-20 with total outlay of Rs. 174.64 Cr. To address anemia and …

The Supreme Court (SC) is examining allegations of rampant misuse of Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA) by the government and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). PMLA is pulled into the investigation of even “ordinary” crimes and assets of genuine victims have been attached. PMLA was enacted in response to India’s global commitment (including the Vienna Convention) …

Recently, the Ministry of Education presented the 5th National Award for Innovations and Good Practices in Educational Administration (IGPEA). The National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) has instituted the National Award for IGPEA for District and Block Level Education Officers. NIEPA, under the MInistry of Education, is a premier organization dealing with capacity building and research …

Recently, the Prime Minister addressed the high-level segment of the One Ocean Summit. The summit was organised by France in Brest, France in cooperation with the United Nations and the World Bank. The summit was addressed by various other Heads of State and Governments from countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Canada among …

Recently, the central government requested state governments/union territory administrations to explore the possibility of introducing millets under the PM POSHAN Scheme preferably in the districts where eating millets is a culturally accepted food habit. NITI Aayog has also been advocating the need to introduce millets in the mid-day meal programme (now PM POSHAN Scheme), moving away …

The Union Budget 2022-23 brought in some amendments to the Income Tax (IT) Act 1961 that would be effective retrospectively. A retrospective tax is one that is charged for transactions in the long past. It can be a new or additional charge on transactions done in the past. Ideally, retrospective tax is to make adjustments when policies in the past and the …

Recently, the Parliamentary standing committee on home affairs has tabled a report on Police- training, modernisation, and reforms. The report highlights the number of reforms required and challenges faced by the Police forces. The report asked the Centre to advise states and Union Territories to create a road map for ensuring …

Recently a research published, which showed that Kaziranga National Park in Assam, is releasing more carbon than it is absorbing. It also showed that as the planet warms further, the ability of the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) to absorb carbon would further decrease. Earlier, it was found that the Amazon rainforestis now emitting more carbon …

Recently, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has launched a nationwide operation to curb human trafficking. As part of “Operation AAHT”, special teams will be deployed on all long-distance trains/routes with a focus on rescuing victims, particularly women and children, from the clutches of traffickers. The National Crime Records Bureau registers about 2,200 cases …