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Recently, thirteen states have started distributing foodgrains under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY). The scheme has been rolled out again for two months (May and June 2021) as the country’s healthcare infrastructure has reached its capacity and several states have taken steps like complete lockdown, night curfew to contain the spread …

The Union Territory of Puducherry has become the fourth State/UT after Goa, Telangana and Andaman & Nicobar Islands to provide assured tap water supply to every rural home under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Further, the State of Punjab and the UTs of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu have also crossed the milestone of covering 75% of rural homes with assured tap water supply. Important points: JJM envisages …

There was a decrease in the number of vaccine doses administered in the week starting 1st May 2021, after the government “opened up” vaccination beyond priority groups, to its lowest level in eight weeks. Covid-19 vaccines are being developed at a pace faster than for any other disease, yet there are shortages. Important points: …

The NITI Aayog and Mastercard have released a report titled ‘Connected Commerce: Creating a Roadmap for a Digitally Inclusive Bharat’. The report identifies challenges in accelerating Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI) in India and provides recommendations for making digital services accessible to its 1.3 billion citizens. Digital Financial Inclusion “Digital financial inclusion (DFI)” can be defined broadly as digital …

A number of Covid-19 patients are developing a serious fungal infection known as Mucormycosis also called black fungus. Important points: Mucormycosis: It is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes, which is abundant in the environment. It mainly affects people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness. The types of …

Recently, Indian Prime Minister participated in the India-European Union (EU) Leaders’ Meeting. The meeting was held in a hybrid format with the participation of leaders of all the 27 EU Member States as well as the President of the European Council and the European Commission. This is the first time that the EU hosted a meeting with India …

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has issued a notification making it mandatory for all States/UTs to grant certificate of disability through online mode only using UDID (Unique Disability ID) portal w.e.f. 01.06.2021. Important points: The project is being implemented with a view of creating a National Database for persons with disabilities (PwDs), and to issue a Unique …

Recently, a report by Hunger Watch claimed that Covid-19 has left the urban poor in India poorer, more hungry and with less nutrition than their rural counterparts. Hunger Watch is a loose collection of social groups and movements. Earlier, a study from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had found that an additional 207 million people could be …

According to the S&P Global Ratings, India’s sovereign rating will remain unchanged at the current level of BBB- for the next two years despite the potential adverse impact of surging pandemic on its economy. S&P is one of the largest credit rating agencies, assigning letter grades to companies and countries and the debt they …

Recently, Foreign Ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) countries (USA, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan) held a meeting in London, UK. The 47th G7 Summit will be held in June 2021. The UK is the host country. Important points: Australia, India, South Korea, South Africa and the Chair (Brunei Darussalam) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Australia, India, South …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed a plea by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to restrain media from reporting oral observations of the judges. The SC ruled that the media has rights to report observations made during the course of hearings (Court Proceedings). Important points: Real-time reportage of court proceedings, including the oral exchanges in courtrooms between …

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has mooted the concept of ‘Model Insurance Village (MIV)’ to boost insurance penetration in rural areas. According to the Economic Survey for 2020-21, India’s insurance penetration, which was at 2.71% in 2001, has steadily increased to 3.76% in 2019, but stayed much below the global average of 7.23%. Recently, the Parliament …

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a series of measures to support the nation’s fight against the second wave of Covid-19 infections The measures form the first part of a calibrated and comprehensive strategy against the pandemic Earlier in 2020 also the RBI took measures to help deal with the economic fall out of the pandemic. …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) declared a Maharashtra law which provides reservation benefits to the Maratha community, taking the quota limit in the State in excess of 50%, as unconstitutional. Important points: 2017: A 11-member commission headed by Retired Justice N G Gaikwad recommended Marathas should be given reservation under Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) 2018: Maharashtra Assembly passed a Bill …

The World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) is an annual celebration of press freedom, observed on 3rd May every year. The main celebration is organized by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The theme for WPFD 2021 is “Information as a Public Good”. Important points: The day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s …

According to the most recent estimates by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), the Covid-19 pandemic has emerged the biggest cause of death in India. IHME is an independent global health research centre at the University of Washington, US. Important points: India has recorded more than 19 million cases of coronavirus-second only …

Recently, India received Covid-19 assistance from Taiwan including oxygen concentrators and cylinders. The aid reflects the growing engagement between India and Taiwan, especially against the backdrop of the standoff with China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and China’s aggressive actions across the region, including repeated violations of Taiwan’s airspace. India, meanwhile, has not yet accepted …

Recently, the Prime Ministers of India and the United Kingdom (UK) held a bilateral virtual summit. India thanked the UK for the prompt medical assistance provided by it in the wake of the severe second wave of Covid-19 in India. Important points: It will elevate bilateral ties to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”. It will provide a framework …

Indian Navy has launched Operation Samudra Setu-II for shipment of Oxygen-filled containers to India. Operation Samudra Setu was launched in May 2020 as part of the national effort to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas during the Covid-19 pandemic. Important points: Operation Samudra Setu-II: Seven Indian Naval ships viz. Kolkata, Kochi, Talwar, Tabar, Trikand, Jalashwa and Airavat have been deployed for shipment of liquid …

The High Court of Manipur has ordered safe passage to seven Myanmar nationals, stranded at a border town in Manipur, to travel to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in New Delhi. The seven nationals entered India secretly after the military coup in Myanmar. The coup returned Myanmar to full military rule after a short span of quasi-democracy that …