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Indian states were able to borrow an extra Rs. 1.06 lakh crore in 2020-21 (FY21) due to the Reform Linked Borrowing window. This was announced to provide an additional leeway to states in order to cope with the adverse effects of Covid-19 pandemic on the economy. Chapter II of Part …

Recently, the Union Minister for Labour and Employment has said that India is making collective efforts to reduce gender gaps in labour force participation. He was delivering the Ministerial Address on Declaration and Employment Working Group Priorities at G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting. G20 It is an informal group …

Recently, the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty was celebrated. The Antarctic treaty remains the only example of a single treaty that governs a whole continent. It is also the foundation of a rules-based international order for a continent without a permanent population. Important points: The Antarctic Treaty was signed …

Incidents such as the recent Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) barge disaster underline the absence of effective class action suits/lawsuits in India. 71 people were killed after Cyclone Tauktae damaged ONGC’s barge vessels off Bombay High. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited It is a Maharatna Public Sector …

Recently, two Supreme Court (SC) judges have recused themselves from hearing cases relating to West Bengal. Important points: It is the act of abstaining from participation in an official action such as a legal proceeding due to a conflict of interest of the presiding court official or administrative officer. When …

A recent survey has found the presence of antibodies against the Nipah virus (NiV) in some bat species from a cave in Mahabaleshwar, a popular hill station in Maharashtra. The survey was conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – National Institute of Virology (NIV). Important points: The …

Recently, the Tripura High Court has discovered that an oversight in drafting the 2014 amendments to the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 had unintentionally rendered a key provision (Section 27A) of the Act inoperable. Important points: India is a signatory to the United Nations (UN) Single Convention …

Recently, the delimitation exercise has started in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The completion of the delimitation exercise will mark the political process in the Union Territory (UT) that has been under Centre’s rule since June 2018. Important points: Delimitation is the act of fixing or redrawing the limits or boundaries …

The recently held North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit for the first time has explicitly described China as a security risk. The other two threats identified by the NATO ‘declaration’ are Russia and terrorism. Important points: NATO was established by the North Atlantic Treaty (also called the Washington Treaty) of …

Seventh International Day of Yoga (21st June 2021) is being celebrated by the Ministry of Culture at 75 cultural heritage locations across the country. Important points: The idea of International Day of Yoga (IDY) was proposed by India during the opening of the 69th session of the United Nations General …