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NITI Aayog has released the fourth edition of the State Health Index for 2019–20. The report, titled “Healthy States, Progressive India”, ranks states and Union Territories on their year-on-year incremental performance in health outcomes as well as their overall status. Earlier, the Global Health Security (GHS) Index 2021, developed in …

As per Directorate General of Trade Remedies’ (DGTR) recommendations, India has imposed Anti-Dumping Duties on five Chinese products, including certain aluminium goods and some chemicals, for five years. The DGTR has concluded that these products have been exported at a price below normal value in Indian markets, which has resulted …

On the occasion of the Good Governance Day (25th December), the government released the Good Governance Index 2021. The index was prepared by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Earlier this year, India was ranked 49th in the Chandler Good …

Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment informed the Lok Sabha that 22 people had died while Manual Scavenging in 2021 so far. According to the National Convener of the Safai Karmachari Andolan, 472 manual scavenging deaths across the country were recorded between 2016 and 2020. Safai Karmachari Andolan …

Recently, as many as 43 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested and six boats seized by Sri Lankan Naval personnel. A total of 284 Indian fishermen were arrested by Sri Lanka in 2019 (210) and 2020 (74). Earlier in 2020, the Fourth Meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group …

The Union Government is set to launch a nationwide ‘Good Governance Week’ from 20th December to 26th December, with the motto to redress and dispose of public grievances and improvise service delivery down to the village level Various events will be convened during the week under the campaign titled “Prashasan …

Recently, the Prime Minister of India has been conferred by Bhutan’s highest civilian award, ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ also known as “Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo”. Important points: The announcement of the award coincided with the occasion of the 114th National Day of Bhutan. This is the highest decoration of …

Recently, the 3rd meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue was held in New Delhi. It is a ministerial-level dialogue between India and the Central Asian countries namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. India virtually hosted the second meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue in 2020. Important points: Emphasis on …

Recently, the second edition of water innovation challenges was announced to address the global water woes through innovations. Important points: It was announced by the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog and the Royal Embassy of Denmark to India as part of the Indo-Danish Bilateral Green Strategic partnership in 2020. An …

Maharashtra has topped the list of states with maximum number of beneficiaries under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), followed by Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Important points: It was launched in November 2020 to boost employment in the formal sector and incentivize creation of new employment opportunities during the Covid-19 …

Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Government of India and Poland. Important points: The MLATs in criminal matters are the bilateral treaties entered between the countries for providing international cooperation and assistance. These agreements allow for the exchange of …

Recently, India reiterated its support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). India also supported freedom of navigation and overflight, and unimpeded commerce, based on the principles of international law, reflected notably in the UNCLOS 1982. India is a state party to the UNCLOS. Important …

The External Affairs Minister of India (EAM), at the recent Global Technology summit, has asserted that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought India’s capabilities and need for more domestic production rather than unchecked globalization. He further held that, to foster tech growth, nations must seek more start-ups, supply chains and jobs …

Recently, the External Minister of India replied in the Parliament that the US sanctions on Iran have no bearing on India’s Chabahar port project and the port is functioning well. The US has given separate exceptions for the strategic Chabahar port project. Important points: It is located in the Indian …

Recently, India assumed the Chairmanship of Council of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (RATS-SCO) in 2021 for a period of one year. In pursuance of this, the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in association with Data Security Council of India (DSCI) organized a Seminar on Securing Cyberspace in …

Recently, the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) has granted Observer Status to the International Solar Alliance (ISA). It will help provide for regular and well-defined cooperation between the Alliance and the United Nations that would benefit global energy growth and development. Earlier, the fourth general assembly of the ISA was held, …

Recently, the Global Health Security (GHS) Index 2021 has been recently released. In India NITI Aayog releases its own health index Important points: It is an assessment and benchmarking of health security and related capabilities across 195 countries. It has been developed in partnership by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) …

Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the funding and implementation of Ken-Betwa inter-linking of rivers project. The project envisages transferring water from the Ken river to the Betwa river, both tributaries of the Yamuna. The project will be completed in eight years. Important points: It is the first project under …

Recently, a Curtain Raiser Event for PANEX-21 for the member nations of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries was held recently. The exercise is planned to be conducted later this year (2021). Important points: It is a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief exercise. It …

According to the Lok Sabha, Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) has performed significantly well in the last four years. Important points: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), launched in 2016 by the MInistry of Rural Development (MoRD) to deliver integrated project based infrastructure in the rural areas, which …