Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) rolled out its Artemis I moon mission to the launchpad for testing at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, United States. Artemis Mission NASA’s Artemis mission is touted as the next generation of lunar exploration, and is named after the twin sister of Apollo from Greek mythology. Artemis is …

Every year, World Meteorological Day is celebrated globally on 23rd March. Earlier in October, 2021, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released the State of Climate Services report 2021. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 192 Member States and Territories. India is a member of WMO. It originated from the International Meteorological …

Recently, the 2021 World Air Quality Report was released, the report presented an overview of the state of global air quality in 2021. IQAir, a Swiss group that measures air quality levels based on the concentration of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5. IQAirendeavours to engage, educate, and inspire governments, researchers, Non-Government Organisations companies, and citizens to work together to …

The United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are shipping weapons into Ukraine, including highly sensitive items such as shoulder-fired missiles called Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems (MANPADS) that can take down aircraft. Countries such as India, Pakistan, Germany, UK, Turkey and Israel have also used MANPADS in their defence efforts. Russia is by far the biggest exporter …

Recently, the MInistry of Jal Shakti expressed his displeasure over the slow pace of the approval process for Project Dolphin The initiative got in-principle approval in 2019 at the first meeting of the National Ganga Council (NGC), headed by the Prime Minister. Project Dolphin is one of the activities planned under Arth Ganga, an ambitious …

Recently, the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) shows that the unemployment rate had shot up sharply during the nationwide lockdown in 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic NSO is the central statistical agency of the Government-mandated under the Statistical Services Act 1980 under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Unemployment rate …

Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has informed the Lok Sabha that the amount of funds earmarked under PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) Yojana during 2020-21 and 2021-22 are Rs.44.79 crores and Rs.79.48 crores respectively. Earlier, the Ministry launched ‘PM-DAKSH’ Portal and ‘PM-DAKSH’ Mobile App to make the skill development schemes …

Recently, a Delhi court granted bail to a former Congress (Political Party) councillor in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 (UAPA) case filed in connection with the 2020 anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, (CAA) protests. The CAA provides citizenship to six undocumented non-Muslim communities (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians) from Pakistan, Afghanistan and …

Despite a host of loan restructuring schemes and packages announced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government, the Covid pandemic has hit the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) very hard. Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) of MSMEs, or loans defaulted by these enterprises, rose by Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 1,65,732 crore as …

Indian Railways’ first Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal commissioned in Asansol Division in pursuance of the Prime Minister’s vision “Gati Shakti”. This is the first such GCT commissioned in Indian Railways since the publication of GCT policy in December 2021 It is expected to enhance Indian Railways’ earnings. The commissioning of this terminal and more such …