GS-III

Says international news agencies are looking to stoke controversies India’s public news broadcaster, Prasar Bharati, criticised Reuters India for its report on Wednesday that the government had “shelved” a plan to ban six single-use plastic items across the country. The report was a follow-up to a story on August 28, …

Gulsher migrated to India with his family in May A Pakistani national, who claims to have migrated to India along with his family in May this year, has moved the Delhi High Court after a government school in the Capital rejected admission of his three children. Gulsher, who is currently …

War, climate change, mental illness and online misinformation are rising threats Protracted conflicts, the worsening climate crisis, a rising level of mental illness among young people, and online misinformation are some of the most concerning emerging global threats to children, cautions UNICEF. In an open letter issued by the organisation’s …

Under a new model, volunteers will be infected with viruses or bacteria The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is close to finalising three projects worth Rs. 135 crore, involving Indian and European scientists, to develop new influenza vaccines. What will make these projects unique is that they involve a Controlled Human …

Indigenous Astra missile tested five times The indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile Astra was successfully test-fired five times by the Air Force between September 16 and 19 from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet off the coast of Chandipur in Odisha, the Defence Research and Development Organisation said on Thursday. …

The Centre has proposed a new draft Code on Social Security that amalgamates eight laws — covering Employees’ Provident Fund, maternity benefits and compensation among others — that makes way for establishing funds for PF and pension as well as covering workers of the gig economy in social security schemes. …

In a bid to provide wider access to adaptive learning technologies, the Centre plans to launch a new scheme in partnership with companies using artificial intelligence to make learning a more personalised and customised experience as per the learner’s requirements. Start-ups which join the government platform must offer 25% free …

‘The desired rate of improvement under the programme is aspirational’ India is unlikely to meet targets set under the ambitious Poshan Abhiyan or National Nutrition Mission (NNM) for reduction in prevalence of stunting, underweight, low birth weight and anaemia in women and children by 2022 if there is no progress …

Upholds college student’s plea The Kerala High Court on Thursday held that the right to have access to the Internet is part of the fundamental right to education as well as the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution. Justice P.V. Asha made the observation while ordering the …

Customers can take any type of loan: Finance Minister In a bid to dispel the notion that only the banks have liquidity and it is not flowing to the NBFCs and the customers, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday announced that all scheduled banks would hold large gatherings in 400 …