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Recently, a dispute has erupted in Rajasthan over the hoisting of a flag on the statue of Rana Punja Bhil, a historical figure considered as a hero by the tribal Bhil community. After the Amagarh fort dispute, this is the second issue in Rajasthan within a month. Important points: He was a contemporary of 16th century ruler of Mewar, Maharana Pratap. …

Recently, Mauritius has denied a report that it has allowed India to build a military base on the remote island of Agalega. Earlier it was reported by a news broadcaster that an airstrip and two jetties to house an Indian military base on Agalega island is under construction. Important points: In 2015, …

Recently, the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) released the Quality of Life for Elderly Index. The share of elders, as a percentage of the total population in the country, is expected to increase from around 7.5% in 2001 to almost 12.5% by 2026, and surpass 19.5% by 2050. EAC-PM is a non-constitutional, non-statutory, independent …

Recently, the President addressed the commemoration of the 100th year of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, formerly known as the Madras Legislative Council (MLC) in Chennai. Important points: The Madras Legislative Council was set up in 1921 under the Government of India Act 1919. The term of the Council was for a period of three years. It consisted …

Recently, West Africa’s first case of the extremely contagious and deadly Marburg virus was confirmed in Guinea. Its first case was first identified just two months after the country was declared free of Ebola Both the Marburg case and this year’s Ebola cases were detected in Guinea’s Gueckedou district. The first cases of the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic, the …

Recently, the Prime Minister launched the second phase of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) or Ujjwala 2.0 Scheme. He mentioned plans to promote “gobar dhan” – tapping cow dung for energy on the occasion of World Bio Fuel Day (10th August). Ujjwala is part of the ambitious agenda for behavioural change that will help India transit to …

Recently, the fourth round of Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-4) was released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). Important points: GYTS-4 was conducted in 2019 by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) under the MoHFW. IIPS, Mumbai, formerly known as the Demographic Training and Research Centre (DTRC) till 1970, was established in July 1956 under …

Recently, the National Commission for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (NCPCR) conducted a Nationwide Assessment of Minority Schools. The report was titled “Impact of Exemption under Article 15 (5) with regards to Article 21A of the Constitution of India on Education of Minority Communities”. The aim was to assess how the 93rd Amendment to Indian Constitution, …

Recently, the Prime Minister released the 9th instalment of financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Further, the Prime Minister also interacted with farmer beneficiaries during the event. Important points: Under the scheme, the Centre transfers an amount of Rs 6,000 per year, in three equal instalments, directly into the bank accounts of all landholding …

World Tribal Day or International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed on 9th August every year. It is aimed at promoting and protecting the rights of the world’s indigenous population and to acknowledge the contributions that indigenous people make towards world issues such as environmental protection. Important points: The day recognizes the first …

Recently, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched ‘PM-DAKSH’ (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) Portal and ‘PM-DAKSH’ Mobile App to make the skill development schemes accessible to the target groups – Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Safai Karamcharis. Important points: PM-DAKSH Yojana is being implemented from the year 2020-21. Under this, eligible target groups are …

Recently, the former foreign secretary of India, Vijay Gokhale in his book claimed that the Left parties in India were influenced by China in their decision to oppose the Indo-US nuclear deal. Although with the Indo-US nuclear agreement, India got a special Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) waiver, the progress of Greenfield projects is slow. Greenfield Projects: A greenfield project …

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Rural Development has informed in Rajya Sabha about the various steps taken by the government for implementation of the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY). Important points: The scheme was launched in 2014 on the birth anniversary of Jai Prakash Narayan. Under the Yojana, Members of Parliament (MPs) are responsible …

Recently, India has proposed to convene an open debate of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on enhancing maritime security. The objective of this debate is to highlight effective international maritime cooperation to respond holistically to natural and manmade threats to maritime security. It also reflects India’s international evolution as a maritime nation. Important points: With …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) expressed displeasure against the Central government by asking whether it intends to “close” tribunals across the country by not filling up vacancies that have been pending for years. Important points: Tribunal is a quasi-judicial institution that is set up to deal with problems such as resolving administrative or tax-related disputes. It …

Recently, Rajya Sabha has passed the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The bill provides for modifying Part-XVIII of the Schedule to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, relating to the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Important points: It seeks to amend the constitutional list of Scheduled Tribes as recommended by Arunachal Pradesh. At present, there …

Recently in a Deputy National Security Adviser-level meeting hosted by Sri Lanka, India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have agreed to work on “four pillars” of security cooperation. The four areas covers marine security, human trafficking, counter-terrorism, and cyber security. The meeting which was held under the Colombo Security Conclave, saw Bangladesh, Seychelles and Mauritius participating in the role of observers. Important points: Soon …

In the past, the Obama and Trump administrations had supported a permanent seat for India on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). However, the recent statements by the State Department under the new US President Joe Biden, reflects an ambiguous or half-hearted view on this issue. Important points: The US supports a reformed Security Council that …

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has provided financial assistance of Rs. 99.49 crores to the States and Union Territories (UTs) for the E-Prisons Project. Also, acting on the request of the MHA, NIMHANS, an Institute of National Importance, has recently issued a set of guidelines on the management of mental health issues of the prisoners and prison …

India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) visited Iran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of new Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. This marks a landmark event attempting to reset the ties with Iran that have been under strain in recent times. This is EAM’s second visit in a month and it comes amid a sharp escalation of the fighting in Afghanistan between …