Recently, the Noida authority announced that they might shift the plant to another location that was supposed to be the site for a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) after residents protested against the setting up of an Automatic Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant. Biogas It mainly comprises hydro-carbon which is combustible and can produce heat and energy …

The Union government has extended the scheme to provide Rs.40 crore grants-in-aid to the Dalai Lama’s Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC) for another five years, up to fiscal year 2025-26. The scheme provides for an annual grant of Rs.8 crore to CTRC to meet the administrative expenses of Settlement Offices and social welfare expenses for …

Recently, for the eleventh time in a row, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its latest Monetary Policy review has decided to keep the main policy rate – Repo rate – unchanged at 4%. It has also retained its accommodative stance, but indicated it will engage in a gradual and calibrated withdrawal of surplus …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) upheld the constitutional validity of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act (FCRA), 2020. It held that receiving foreign donations cannot be an absolute right and can be regulated by the Parliament. In 2020, the Indian government had proposed amendments to the FCRA, which imposed new restrictions on how Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), individuals, and other organisations …

The Department of Military Affairs is moving towards finalising the “Tour of Duty (ToD)” scheme. Under this scheme, youngsters will be recruited as soldiers only for three years. This is being done in the backdrop of the urgent need to curb the ballooning salary and pension bills that are adversely impacting military modernization.  “Tour …

The Union Minister of Science & Technology said that EOS (Earth Observation Satellite)-02 satellite will be launched in the second quarter of 2022. The launch was delayed due to pandemic and consequent lockdown. Earlier, the 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 …

Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment informed that a total of 971 people lost their lives while cleaning sewers or septic tanks since 1993. Earlier, the Union Cabinet approved the extension of the tenure of the National Commission for SafaiKaramcharis (NCSK) for three years beyond 31st March, 2022. The major beneficiaries would be …

Recently, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has released draft guidelines on how the doctors will be registered in order to practise medicine. It aims to bring uniformity in the registration process of medical practitioners in India. Earlier, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers has released an Approach Paper for the Draft National …

The Supreme Court will take up for hearing a pending plea challenging the Electoral Bond Scheme, 2018. Two NGOs — Common Cause and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) — have challenged the scheme, alleging that it is “distorting democracy”. These bonds are issued in multiples of Rs. 1,000, Rs. 10,000, Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. …

Recently, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, has pulled up the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) over a range of issues related to the issuance of Aadhaar cards. The findings are part of the first performance review by the country’s independent auditor of UIDAI, which was carried out over a four-year period between FY2015 …

Recently, a 50-year-old woman in Mumbai, may have been infected with the newly-discovered ‘XE’ variant of the coronavirus. XE is a sub-variant of Omicron, which caused the third wave of Covid-19, which had not been found in India until now. So far, there is no indication that it is more dangerous than other variants. The Omicron variant, which is …

It is a medicinal mushroom in use for centuries to heal diseases like diabetes, cancerinflammation, ulcer as well as bacterial and skin infections. In India, however, the potential of the fungus is still being explored. It is considered one of the most important medicinal mushrooms in the world since its chemical constituents exhibit numerous medicinal properties. They have …

Every year 7th April marks the celebration of World Health Day. World Mental Health Day is observed on 10th October every year. Its idea was conceived at the First Health Assembly in 1948 and it came into effect in 1950. It is being celebrated today to mark the foundation of the World Health Organization (WHO) on 7th April 1948. Over the …

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has launched a pilot project in the state of Uttarakhand to implement the One Health Framework by One Health Support Unit. The key objective of the Unit is to develop a national One Health roadmap based on the learnings of the pilot project implementation. …

Recently, the Ministry of Rural Development has notified fresh wage rates under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for financial year 2022-23. The wage rates are notified under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005. The MGNREGA wage rates are fixed according to changes in the CPI-AL (Consumer Price Index-Agriculture Labour), …

Recently, the Government of India introduced in the Lok Sabha the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022. The bill envisages to prohibit financing of any activity in relation to WMD and to empower to act against financiers of such activities. The bill seeks to modify …

Recently, the President of India presented the prestigious President’s Colour to INS (Indian Naval Ship) Valsura. It is the highest award bestowed on a military unit in India in recognition of its exceptional services to the nation. Out of the three defence forces, the Indian Navywas the first Indian Armed Force to be awarded the President Colour by Dr. …

Recently, the Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched the Awareness Mascot ‘Prakriti’& Green Initiatives for Effective Plastic Waste Management. The mascot will spread greater awareness among masses about small changes that can be sustainably adopted in our lifestyle for a better environment. Earlier in February, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and …

Recently, Scientists detected the presence of IgG antibodies against Nipah virus infection (NiV) in 51 bats that were captured from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Antibody, also called immunoglobulin, is a protective protein produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a foreign substance, called an antigen. A wide range …

Recently, the Haryana Vidhan Sabha has passed a resolution seeking completion of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal. The canal, once completed, will enable sharing of the waters of the rivers Ravi and Beas between Haryana and Punjab. The Satluj Yamuna Link Canal is a proposed 214-kilometre-long canal connecting Sutlej and Yamuna rivers. Water resources …