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Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed to enable, in a phased manner, payment system operators to take direct membership in RTGS and NEFT. Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS) and National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) are the Centralised Payment Systems (CPSs) of the RBI. Non-bank payment system …

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has restored electronic visa (e-visa) facility for foreigners from 156 countries, who intend to visit India for the purposes of business, conferences, and for medical reasons, including in the case of medical attendants. E-visa for tourists is yet to be restored. Important points: Launch: …

The Government has launched ‘Aahaar Kranti’, a mission dedicated to spread awareness about nutrition. Important points: The initiative ‘Aahaar Kranti’ will focus on addressing the problem of hunger and diseases in abundance across India and the world. The initiative will shine a light on the richness and value of India’s …

Recently, alumni meets were organized across the country under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) to commemorate 75 years of Independence. Important points: The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) announced it on Antyodaya Diwas in 2014. It is a demand-driven placement linked skill training initiative working under the National Rural …

The Government launched the “Online Grievance Management Portal of National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)” on the occasion of 130th birth anniversary of Dr. B R Ambedkar. The portal would make it easier for the SC population to register their complaints. Important Points: It has been designed in collaboration with …

Recently, the government of India launched a mobile app, MANAS (Mental Health and Normalcy Augmentation System) to promote mental wellbeing across age groups. MANAS was endorsed as a national program by the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). PM-STIAC: It is an overarching Council that facilitates the …

A recent study has raised the issue of ambiguity about definitions of child labour and forced labour in India, especially for sugarcane producing states of Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. The study was commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The Coca-Cola Company. Important Points Findings …

Multinational military exercise Shantir Ogroshena, which went for 10 days in Bangladesh, concluded on 12th April 2021. The year 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh. Important points: The exercise was organised to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s Father of …

Recently, the President appointed Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). He replaces Sunil Arora who has retired. Important points: Election Commission of India: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India. It was …

Recently, Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom (UK) saw the worst violence in years. Parts of Northern Ireland are split along sectarian lines, 23 years after a peace deal largely ended Northern Ireland’s troubles. Important points: Historical Conflict: Geographically, Northern Ireland is part of Ireland. Politically, it’s part of the UK. …

Recently, the Defence Minister of India held bilateral talks with the Defence Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan in New Delhi. The two Ministers had last met in Moscow (Russia) in September 2020 on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting. Important points: Agreed that both sides …

Widely known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace and Development” organization within the United Nations family, the IAEA is the international centre for cooperation in the nuclear field. The IAEA was created in 1957 in response to the deep fears and expectations generated by the discoveries and diverse uses of …

Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have agreed to temporary measures to offset Iran’s decision to restrict access to inspectors. In December 2020, Iran’s Parliament passed the law demanding a suspension of some inspections if the USA failed to lift sanctions. Important points: Iran will stop the implementation …

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre and four States to file their response within three weeks on a plea seeking a direction to repeal the provisions criminalising begging. Important points: The plea has referred to the August 2018 verdict of the Delhi High Court which had decriminalised begging in …

Recently, India’s Prime Minister (PM) and the PM of the Netherlands held a Virtual Summit. It was the first high level Summit attended by the PM of Netherlands after the general elections held in March 2021. Earlier in 2019 the King and Queen of the Netherlands visited India to give …

The Prime Ministers of India and the Netherlands held a virtual summit. The two leaders had a detailed review of the entire spectrum of bilateral engagements and exchanged views on further expanding and diversifying the relationship in trade and economy, water management, agriculture sector, smart cities, science & technology, healthcare …

The ‘double mutant’ virus that is having a bearing on the spread of the pandemic in India, has been formally classified as B.1.617. Mutation is an alteration in the genetic material (the genome) of a cell of a living organism or of a virus that is more or less permanent …

There was reduced noise pollution on the surface of earth during the Covid-19 pandemic owing to lockdowns and stop of economic activities (like international trade). In the underwater world, too, anthrophony (human-made sounds) reduced substantially for long months. Important Points The three broad components of oceanic acoustics are: Geophony: Sounds …

Recently, a consultation meeting of Education Ministers of E9 countries was held. The meeting was held on the theme ‘E9 initiative: Scaling up digital learning to accelerate progress towards SDG4’. Important Points Scaling up Digital Learning to Accelerate Progress towards SDG4 (Concept): The United Nations (UN) is spearheading a global …

The United States, in a significant reversal to the earlier policy, has announced the restoration of at least USD 235 million in financial assistance to the Palestinians. The US administration had already announced USD 15 million in coronavirus relief to the Palestinians. Important Points The UNRWA funds would include educational …