Recently, President conferred 13 Shaurya Chakras, including six posthumous, to the personnel of Armed Forces during Defence Investiture Ceremony (Phase-1). The President also conferred ParamVishishtSeva Medals, UttamYudhSeva Medals and AtiVishishtSeva Medals for distinguished service of exceptional order. Post-Independence, first three gallantry awards namely ParamVir Chakra, MahaVir Chakra and Vir Chakra were instituted by the government …

The Prime Minister expressed his “gratitude” towards the scientists and their “efforts” that led to the “successful Pokhran tests in 1998” on National Technology Day (11th May). The day, which was first observed on 11th May, 1999, aims to commemorate the scientific and technological achievements of Indian scientists, engineers. The day was named by the former Prime Minister …

According to the global annual to decadal climate update report issued by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), India could be among the few regions globally where below normal temperatures have been predicted for the year 2022 and the next four years. The year 2022 will be cooler (compared to the 1991 – 2020 average) …

The Supreme Court (SC) has stayed proceedings in various High Courts on petitions challenging the efficacy of the regulatory frameworks for social media and Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms. These regulatory frameworks are established by the Information Technology Rules 2021 and the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules 2021. This comes after the central government requested …

Recently, the Delhi High Court delivered a split verdict in a batch of petitions challenging the exception provided to marital rape in the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In case of a split verdict, the case is heard by a larger Bench. The larger Bench to which a split verdict goes can be a three-judge Bench …

The Supreme Court collegium has made recommendations to five new Chief Justices of high courts. It is the system of appointment and transfer of judges that has evolved through judgments of the Supreme Court (SC) and not by an Act of Parliament or by a provision of the Constitution. It declared that the “primacy” of the CJI’s (Chief …

Recently, the AIM-PRIME (Program for Researchers in Innovation, Market Readiness, and Entrepreneurship) Playbook was launched by NITI Aayog. The playbook was aimed at promoting early-stage science-based, deep technology ideas to market through training and guidance over a period of 12 months using a blended learning curriculum. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) AIM is the Government of India’s flagship initiative to …

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has organised the 6th Edition of the monthly ‘Webinar with Universities’ series on ‘Igniting Young Minds, Rejuvenating Rivers’. The theme for the webinar was ‘Waste Water Management.’ The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is implemented by the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga …

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has approved an exemption to the laws governing the regulation of coastal zones and has paved the way for gas-powered plants to be set up at Andaman and Nicobar islands. The Island Coastal Zone Regulation (ICRZ), 2019, limits infrastructure development on vulnerable coastal stretches. The National …

Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change addressed the fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP15)of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)in Cote d’Ivoire (Western Africa). COP 15 is a key moment in the fight against desertification, land degradation and drought. It will build on the findings of …