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Recently, the Prime Minister has inaugurated “Gobar-Dhan (Bio-CNG) Plant” in Indore with the aim of removing lakhs of tonnes of garbage that is occupying thousand acres of land and causing air and water pollution leading to many diseases. It has been established under the second phase of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-U 2.0). The …

Recently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Air Force of Oman began a five-day bilateral exercise at the Jodhpur air force station. The exercise is named Eastern Bridge VI, as is in its sixth edition. The exercise seeks to promote professional interaction, exchange of experiences and enhancement of …

Recently, the Union Cabinet set in motion the process to build a Secretariat that will look after the affairs of organising the G20 summit in 2023. India will steer the international body as its President from 1st December 2022 to 30th November 2023, which will lead to the G20 summit …

Recently, the Centre has extended the PM Cares for Children Scheme till 28th February 2022, which was earlier valid till 31st December 2021. The scheme was launched on 29th May, 2021 with the aim to support children who lost both or surviving parent(s), legal guardian/adoptive parents or single adoptive parent to Covid-19. The status of children in need of care …

Recently, the External Affairs Minister of India held talks with his French counterpart. The two Ministers agreed to jointly launch the Indo-French call for an Indo-Pacific Parks Partnership. This partnership aims to build capacities in the Indo-Pacific region, in terms of sustainable management of protected areas, by gathering and sharing the experiences …

Every year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) celebrates 21st February as International Mother Language Day to promote mother tongue-based multilingual education. The theme of 2022 is: “Using technology for multilingual learning: Challenges and opportunities”, it focuses on the potential role of technology to advance multilingual education and support the development of quality teaching and learning for …

Recently, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre and states to respond to a petition to enforce the Fundamental Duties of citizens, including patriotism and unity of the nation, through comprehensive, well-defined laws. Fundamental Duties are specified under Article 51A (Part IVA) of the Constitution, they strive to uphold the country’s ideals and contribute to its growth …

Recently, the Prime Minister of India extended his wishes to the people of Mizoram on its 36th Statehood Day (20th February). The formalization of Mizoram State took place on 20th February, 1987 after the 53rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution, 1986. Mizoram The Mizo hills area became the Lushai Hills district within Assam at the time of independence. Further, in …

Recently, India and Australia have announced that they are set to conclude an Interim Trade Agreement in March 2022 and a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)12-18 months thereafter. The agreement will cover “most areas of interest for both countries” including goods, services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and customs procedures. Earlier, India, Japan …

The Centre Government is contemplating creation of the National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA). NIRA is supposed to be an independent autonomous body for planning, investigation, financing and the implementation of the river interlinking projects in the country. Important points: NIRA will function as an umbrella body for all river linking projects and to be headed by a …

Recently, the US intelligence reports said the tension on the Russia-Ukraine border represents a major security crisis for the region, with the potential to snowball into a broader conflict. Ukraine says that Russia has amassed around 90,000 troops at the border. Important points: Ukraine and Russia share hundreds of years of cultural, linguistic and familial …

Recently, six students were banned from entering a college in Karnataka’s Udupi district for wearing a hijab (a head covering worn in public by some Muslim women). The issue throws up legal questions on reading the freedom of religion and whether the right to wear a hijab is constitutionally protected. Article 25(1) of the Constitution guarantees the “freedom of …

Recently, a new scheme “New India Literacy Programme” for the period FYs 2022-2027 to cover all the aspects of Adult Education to align with National Education Policy 2020 has been approved. It is also in line with Budget 2021-22, which announced that increased access to resources, online modules covering the entire gamut of adult education …

Recently, India has lashed out at the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for being “communal minded” amid the Karnataka hijab row. OIC Statement: The OIC has called on the UN Human Rights Council to take “necessary measures” on the issue of Muslim girl students being told not to wear the hijab in Karnataka schools. The OIC also …

Every year the second Monday of February is observed as International Epilepsy Day (IED), and this year it was celebrated on 14th February (2022). The day spreads awareness and educates people about the true facts of epilepsy and the urgent need for improved treatment, better care, and greater investment in research. The day is a joint …

Recently, the Supreme Court has refused to entertain a petition questioning the exclusion of madrasas and Vedic schools (Minority Educational Institutions (MEI)) from the ambit of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009. The exclusion of these institutions was specifically inserted into the 2009 Act by …

Recently, the Union Health Ministry has said that the National Health Authority (NHA) is working to integrate the database of Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 beneficiaries with the National Food Security Act (NFSA) portal. This step envisages that beneficiaries can seek information regarding their entitlements under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (AB PM-JAY) …

Recently, India and Australia have announced that they are set to conclude an Interim Trade Agreement in March 2022 and a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) 12-18 months thereafter. The agreement will cover “most areas of interest for both countries” including goods, services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and customs procedures. Earlier, India, Japan …

Recently, the fourth meeting of the foreign ministers of the QUAD grouping (India, the US, Australia and Japan) was held in Melbourne , Australia. The meeting was held amid escalating tension between Russia and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries over Ukraine, the Afghan crisis and increasing concerns over China’s “coercion” in the Indo-Pacific region. It is the grouping of four democracies –India, …

The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution informed the Rajya Sabha that the government approved the Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on “Fortification of Rice & its Distribution under Public Distribution System” for a period of 3 years beginning in 2019-20 with total outlay of Rs. 174.64 Cr. To address anemia and …