Quality Control Orders (QCO) have been issued for fibres — cotton, polyester and viscose — that constitute the basic raw materials for majority of the Indian textile and clothing industry. While the standards were available earlier too, these are now revised and made mandatory for a few, and yet to be finalised for others. International …

For the first time, scientists have reported evidence of the piezoelectric effect in liquids. The effect has been known for 143 years and in this time has been observed only in solids. The effect was found in ionic liquids (liquids which are made of ions instead of molecules) at room temperature. What is …

Northwest India has seen multiple spells of rainfall due to western disturbances. Out of the 10 States and Union Territories of northwest India, six have recorded a large excess in rainfall so far this month, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Chandigarh. A western disturbance is an extratropical cyclone that originates in the Mediterranean region and provides heavy winter rain to the Indian subcontinent’s northern regions. A Western Disturbance is defined …

All drugs and food for special medical purposes, imported for personal use for the treatment of all rare diseases listed under the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021, have been exempted from basic customs duty by the central government. The new duty exemption The exemption has been granted by the Central Board of …

The Union government will not allow the displacement of tribespeople to make way for the ₹72,000-crore Great Nicobar island project, the Tribal Affairs Ministry told the Rajya Sabha. About the project: The project, being implemented by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO), includes: International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) The proposed …

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed three contracts recently. The first contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) pertains to the procurement of the Automated Air Defence Control & Reporting System ‘Project Akashteer’ for the Indian Army. The second contract with BEL relates to the acquisition of Sarang Electronic Support Measure (ESM) systems. The contract with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Central Public …

The Government has approved Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) recently. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Comprehensive development of villages of blocks on the northern border to improve the quality of life of people living in identified border villages. Development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities Time period: It is approved for the Financial Years 2022-23 to …

Keeping in view the zero tolerance policy against terrorism, the Central Government regularly reviews administrative and legal requirements of National Investigation Agency (NIA). What is the NIA? The agency came into existence in 2008 in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. It is a central agency mandated to investigate all the offences affecting: the sovereignty, security and integrity …

Waste management in the solar photovoltaic (PV) sector still lacks clear directives. What is PV waste? Globally, India has the world’s fourth highest solar PV deployment. The installed solar capacity was nearly 62GW in 2022. According to a 2016 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency, India could generate 50,000-3,25,000 tonnes of PV waste by 2030 and more than four million tonnes by 2050. …

New India Literacy Programme launched to cover a target of 5.00 crore non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above It is a centrally sponsored scheme. The government plans to implement during five years from 2022-23 to 2026-27. Aim: To provide educational aids to five crore students during the five years under the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy …