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Recently, Odisha’s Kendrapara district has earned the distinction of being the only district in India where all three species of crocodiles, salt-water, gharial and mugger, are found. Important points: An egg-laying and hole-nesting species, also known to be dangerous. Mainly restricted to the Indian subcontinent where it may be found in a number of freshwater habitat types and also …

Recently, Russia warned of a possible increase in West Nile Virus (WNV) Infections this autumn as mild temperatures and heavy precipitation create favourable conditions for the mosquitos that carry it. Important points: It is a member of the flavivirus genus and belongs to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae. WNV is commonly …

Recently, while setting aside an externment order against a journalist, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that a person’s fundamental right to reside and to move about freely anywhere in India cannot be refused on “flimsy grounds”. Externment orders prevent the movement of a person in certain areas. According to the SC, the drastic action …

Recently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) organized a two-day SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) Consultation Workshop. Important points: Started in 2009, as the flagship program of the ECI for voter education. Primary goal is to build an inclusive & participative democracy by encouraging all eligible citizens to vote and make an informed decision & ethical …

Recently, China has notified new maritime rules, warranting vessels to report their information when passing through what China sees as its “Territorial Waters”, that will take effect from 1st September 2021. China claims under a so-called “Nine Dash Line” on its maps most of the South China Sea’s waters, which are disputed by several other …

Recently, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Environment and Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting was held. BRICS brings together the major emerging economies of the world, hosting 41% of the world population, contributing 24% of the world Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and over 16% share in world trade. India is the chair of the BRICS …

Recently, following the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, China has emerged as one of the first nations to develop diplomatic channels with the Taliban. This engagement emanates from China’s economic and security interest in Afghanistan. Important points: Afghanistan is probably home to what may be the world’s largest reserves of lithium. Lithium …

The 5th edition of India-Kazakhstan Joint Training Exercise, “KAZIND-21” will be conducted in Kazakhstan. Important points: The exercise is a joint training between both the Armies. The scope of Joint Exercise includes professional exchange, sharing experiences in Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism operations, etc. Joint Military Exercise- Prabal dostyk. First, its geo-strategic location; second, its economic potential, especially in terms of energy …

Recently, International Vaccine Institute (IVI) has announced that Bharat Biotech’s Chikungunya vaccine candidate (BBV87) has entered into Phase II and III clinical trials Currently, there is no commercial chikungunya vaccine. Important points: BBV87 is an inactivated virus vaccine, similar to Covaxin. Inactivated vaccines contain viruses whose genetic material has been destroyed by heat, chemicals or radiation so they …

Recently, Afcons, an Indian company, has signed a contract for the largest-ever infrastructure project in Maldives which is the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP). The project is the result of bilateral consultation between India and the Maldives and has been under discussion since the visit of India’s External Affairs Minister to Male in September 2019. …

The Supreme Court of India recently held that the economic criterion cannot be the sole basis for deciding the creamy layer from among backward classes for the purpose of excluding it from the purview of providing reservation. The SC was hearing a petition challenging two notifications issued by the Haryana government sub-classifying …

The Chakma organisations have opposed the proposed deportation of 60,000 people belonging to the Chakma and Hajong communities from Arunachal Pradesh. Important points: They are ethnic people who lived in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, most of which are located in Bangladesh. Chakmas are predominantly Buddhists, while Hajongs are Hindus. They are found in northeast India, West Bengal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. …

Recently, The United Nations (UN) officials claimed that there are no requests from the UN Security Council Permanent members for the delisting of the Taliban’s top leadership from sanctions thus far. They also refuted reports that the next meeting of the Taliban Sanctions Committee also known as the resolution 1988 committee, due in September 2021, would lift restrictions on designated …

Recently, the Indian Navy carried out a Maritime Partnership Exercise with the Philippine Navy in the West Philippine Sea. Earlier Indo-UK Naval Exercise, ‘Konkan 2021 was held in the English Channel. Important points: It will strengthen bilateral collaboration in the maritime domain towards a collective aim of ensuring a stable, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific This is in a series of …

Recently, the Ministry of Rural development has launched a new geospatial planning portal, ‘Yuktdhara’ to help in facilitating the new MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) assets with the use of remote sensing and GIS (Geographic Information System) based information. It is a new portal under ‘Bhuvan’. Important points: It is a culmination of joint efforts of …

According to a new clause in the adoption regulations, Indian diplomatic missions abroad will now be in charge of safeguarding adopted children whose parents move overseas with the child within two years of adoption. So far, Indian missions have had a role in inter-country adoption of Indian children limited to kids adopted by Non Resident Indians …

Indo-UK Naval Exercise, ‘Konkan 2021’ was recently held between INS Tabar and HMS Westminster in the English Channel. The English Channel is located between the Isle of Great Britain’s southern coast and France’s northern coast and separated from the North Sea on the north by the Strait of Dover. Important points: The Bilateral Konkan exercise is a naval exercise conducted between India …

Recently, India has decided to vaccinate Afghanistan returnees against Polio for free as a preventive measure against the Wild Polio Virus. Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries in the world where polio is still Endemic. Important points: Polio is a crippling and potentially deadly viral infectious disease that affects the nervous system. There are three individual and …

Recently, a group of experts under the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over the slow pace of reforms in the criminal justice system to ensure speedy justice. NHRC of India is an independent statutory body established on 12th October, 1993 as per provisions of Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, later amended …

India, in collaboration with the United Nations (UN), has launched a technology platform to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers who are operating across the world. The launch of the UNITE AWARE platform came as India assumed the Presidency of the 15-nation UN Security Council for the month of August. Important …