GS-III

Annual research, travel grants to go Citing “continued limitations posed by the budgetary provisions from the Department of Science and Technology (DST)” the New Delhi-based Indian National Science Academy (INSA) has decided to “dispense with” facilities given to researchers who had won the Young Scientist Award given by the Academy. …

A photo journey through pockets of unimaginable destruction in flood-ravaged Kerala A once-in-a-century natural disaster throws up macabre scenes that become part of the collective memory of a population. The recent floods and landslips in Kerala have devastated the State so much that a considerable part of its hard-earned physical …

After PMO intervention, NITI Aayog approves guidelines The NITI Aayog has approved the supplementary nutrition guidelines, prepared by the Ministry for Women and Child Development, bypassing Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi following intervention by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), according to a person familiar with the development. …

Scientists who tracked collared animals found that social learning of migration routes was better down the generations Young watch the old The researchers didn’t study how the knowledge is passed along within the herds, but it’s probably from young animals watching their mothers or other herd members, said the study’s …

‘Plan part of restructuring effort’ The Ministry of Civil Aviation has proposed greater autonomy for Air India’s management, as part of its strategic turnaround plan for the cash-strapped national carrier, sources said. Cash infusion The plan is part of efforts to bring about organisational and financial restructuring at Air India …

Coal India, NTPC, Nalco, NMDC in list The Finance Ministry has shortlisted about a dozen companies, including Coal India, NTPC, Nalco and NMDC, for a possible buyback of shares in the ongoing financial year. The other companies which are in the list include NLC, BHEL, NHPC, NBCC, SJVN, KIOCL and …

Rises by $0.8 billion in Q1 of 2018-19 The current account deficit (CAD) in the first quarter of 2018-19 increased by $0.8 billion. However, as a proportion of GDP, it declined marginally to 2.4% as compared with 2.5% in the first quarter of 2017-18 as per data released by the …

Flood-hit producers bracing for 25% crop loss The financial health of small and medium players in the Indian rubber industry may suffer a setback due to the impending shortage in natural rubber following floods in Kerala, according to Vikram Makar, senior vice-president, All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA). Mr. Makar, …

Firm aims to commercially unveil such vehicles by 2020 Japanese auto giant Suzuki Motor Corporation will start testing a fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) in India next month onwards with an aim to commercially introduce such vehicles here by 2020. “We have decided to launch EVs in India around 2020 …

Consider public transport with alternative fuels: Gadkari Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday appealed to the industry to invest in public transport propelled by alternative fuel and electricity to help the country reduce its oil import bill. “Our import bill is nearly Rs. 8 lakh crore. …