GS2

Recently, the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to fill up the vacant posts of chairperson and five other members of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) by 31st July 2021. Important points: In 1978, setting up of the Minorities Commission (MC) was envisaged in the Ministry of Home …

Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1973 has been imposed in Gurugram, owing to the rising number of Covid-19 cases. Section 144 has often been used to clamp down on telecommunication services and order Internet shutdowns. Important points: This law empowers the magistrate of any state …

The ongoing second wave of Covid-19 infections has shaken the country and is more devastating than the first wave. The rise in case numbers has been exponential in the second wave. Important points: When cases started declining, people just broke out of the protocol of wearing a face mask, washing …

Recently, Odisha reported its first-ever case of a baby born with Harlequin Ichthyosis, a rare genetic skin condition. India’s first recorded case of a baby born with harlequin ichthyosis was in 2016, at a private hospital in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Important points: Harlequin Ichthyosis is a rare genetic skin disorder to …

The ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) has transferred the technology for Classical Swine Fever (CSF) & Sheep Pox Vaccines to an animal healthcare company Hester Biosciences. The technology was transferred through state-owned Agrinnovate India (AgIn), which aims to work on the strengths of theIndian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). AgIn …

The report, titled ‘Zeroing in on malaria elimination’, was released by the World Health Organization (WHO) ahead of World Malaria Day 2021. World Malaria Day is observed on 25th April every year. The 2021 theme is “Reaching the Zero Malaria target”. The WHO has also identified 25 countries with the …

India commemorates the 12th National Panchayati Raj day on 24th April 2021. The Prime Minister has launched the distribution of e-property cards under the SWAMITVA scheme on the Day. Important points: The first National Panchayati Raj Day was celebrated in 2010. Since then, the National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated …

Leaders’ Summit on Climate was hosted by US President Joe Biden. 40 world leaders, including the Prime Minister of India, Presidents of China and Russia have been invited to the virtual Leaders’ Summit on Climate to underscore the urgency of stronger climate action. The US is seeking to bring America …

Syria fired a surface-to-air missile to a secretive nuclear site in Israel’s southern Negev. The missile was fired to southern Israel, where the Dimona nuclear reactor is located. Dimona has for long been identified as the epicentre of the Israeli regime’s military nuclear program. In response strikes were launched by …

The Centre invoked the Disaster Management Act, making the District Magistrates and Senior Superintendents of Police personally liable to ensure unhindered inter-State movement of vehicles carrying medical oxygen and to not restrict the supply to a particular State where the oxygen plant is located. The Disaster Management Act of 2005 …

MeitY announces #FOSS4GOV Innovation Challenge to accelerate adoption of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in Government.  India is well positioned to become a vibrant hub for Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) innovations, due to the large number of 4G data subscribers in India, 96% of whom access the …

Prime Minister addressed the Leaders’ Summit on Climate 2021. US President Joe Biden hosted a virtual meeting of world leaders titled ‘Leaders’ Summit on Climate’ on the occasion of Earth Day (22nd April). It is a two-day conference and is touted by some as a precursor to the United Nations …

On April 22, 2021, India and the United States launched the US-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership during the Leaders’ Summit. The US President hosted the Leaders Summit on Climate. The world leaders from around forty countries attended the summit. About the Partnership The Partnership will proceed through …

Recently, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog launched AIM-PRIME (Program for Researchers on Innovations, Market-Readiness & Entrepreneurship). Atal Innovation Mission AIM is Government of India’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. To develop new programmes and policies for fostering innovation in different …

The Supreme Court flagged the possibility of misuse of money received by political parties through electoral bonds for ulterior objects like funding terror or violent protests. The court also asked the government whether there is any “control” over how these donations were used by political parties. Electoral Bond Electoral Bond …

While speaking at the annual Boao Forum, China’s President Xi Jinping said that global rules cannot be imposed “by one or a few countries”. Important points: Headquartered in China, the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) is an international organization jointly initiated by 29 member states. BFA holds its annual conference …

Many reasons could be ascribed to the higher frequency of visits — a shift in global geopolitics in the post-Cold War era, India’s economic ascent, the rise of an assertive China, and India’s place on the global high table. Relations between India and the US have transformed from being Estranged …

Recently, the Supreme Court pushed for the appointment of retired judges to battle the pendency of cases in High Courts. Important points: Guidelines for Appointment of an Ad-hoc Judge: The court orally outlined prospective guidelines for the appointment and functioning of an ad-hoc judge. Pendency Beyond a Certain Limit: If …

India has ranked 142nd yet again out of 180 nations in the recently unveiled World Press Freedom Index. The index is published each year by the international journalism not-for-profit body, Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Important points: It has been published every year since 2002 by Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) or …

The retirement of Raul Castro as the first secretary of Cuba’s ruling Communist Party brings to an end the six-decade-long rule of the “historic generation”, who, under the leadership of Fidel Castro, captured power in 1959 through an armed revolution. Earlier in January 2021, the US State Department had designated …