GS-III

Mechanism is similar to how a home thermostat can be used to turn up or down room temperature Pain perception is essential for survival, but how much something hurts can sometimes be amplified or suppressed: for example, soldiers who sustain an injury in battle often recall not feeling anything at …

Foreign cattle grew 32%, says Census The Centre’s drive to increase indigenous breeds of cattle seems to have had little impact among cows kept for dairy purposes, according to data from the 20th Livestock Census released on Wednesday. There are 4.85 crore desi (native) milch cows in the country, less …

The Finance Ministry on Wednesday said companies opting for the lower corporate tax rate of 22% will not be allowed to reduce their tax liability by claiming deductions towards additional depreciation and Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) credits. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), in a clarification, said companies will …

Bosch’s devices prevent car occupants, rescuers from suffering electric shock With a rising number of electric vehicles (EVs) expected to hit the road in the coming years, drivers are increasingly becoming uncertain about safety measures, especially as to what they should do in the event of a collision. Damaged cables …

‘Due to time constraints, auditors checked only incremental advances’ The suspended managing director of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank, Joy Thomas, has blamed the auditors for the mess at the bank, accusing them of only “superficially auditing” the books of the now crippled lender due to “time constraints.” In …

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 …