GS2

Recently, Uttar Pradesh (UP) unveiled its New Population Policy 2021-30, on the occasion of World Population Day (11th July). Important points: In 1989, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recommended that 11th July be observed by the international community as World Population Day, a day to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues. UNDP was inspired by the …

Recently, Pfizer and BioNTech have announced that they would seek regulatory authorization for a third booster dose of their Covid-19 vaccine (BNT162b2) This development comes amid the global spread of highly transmissible Delta strain of Covid-19. Important points: A booster is a means of strengthening one’s immune system against a particular pathogen. It may be exactly the same original vaccine, in …

Recently, the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), funded by the Department of Biotechnology, has created the world’s first database of genomic variations in oral cancer (dbGENVOC). Important points: dbGENVOC, a comprehensive, flexible database framework, developed with an aim to allow potential users to access, query, browse and download clinically relevant somatic and germline variation data …

Recently, the Maharashtra government has started a drug administration drive for the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) and become the first State in the country to resume giving rounds of the drug after the second wave of Covid-19. Important points: LF, commonly known as elephantiasis and is considered as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) It is the second most …

India and Nepal have signed a Letter of Exchange (LoE) to the India-Nepal Rail Services Agreement (RSA) 2004. It will allow all authorized cargo train operators to utilize the Indian railway network to carry Nepal’s container and other freight – both bilateral between Indian and Nepal or third country from Indian ports to Nepal. The …

The Supreme Court has directed the Union of India and all States to file status reports on the latest developments regarding vacancies and pendency in the Central Information Commission (CIC) and State Information Commissions (SICs). Important points: The CIC was established by the Central Government in 2005, under the provisions of the Right to Information Act (2005). It is not a constitutional …

Recently, a Virtual meeting between India’s Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and a Member of the European Commission (EC), Agriculture was held. The strong momentum of the India-European Union (EU) relations especially since the last India-EU Summit in July, 2020 was acknowledged. Earlier, Indian Prime Minister participated in the India-European Union (EU) Leaders’ Meeting. Important points: …

After the cases of Delta Variant of Covid-19 continuously rising, a new variant called Lambda Variant (LV) is emerging as a new threat. Lambda Variant is dominant in Peru, India has not yet reported any case of LV. Important points: The strain was first identified in Peru in December 2020. Lambda is the dominant variant in the South American …

Recently, the Justice Department commemorated the milestone of crossing 9 lakh beneficiaries under its Tele-Law programme through Common Service Centres. Common Services Centre (CSC) programme is an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), that serves as the access points for delivery of various electronic services to villages in India, thereby contributing to …

Recently, a separate ‘Ministry of Co-operation’ has been created by the Central Government for realizing the vision of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation) and to give a new push to the cooperative movement. The Government has signaled its deep commitment to community based developmental partnership. It also fulfils the budget announcement made by the …

Recently, Ethiopia has started the second phase of filling a Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam’s (GERD) reservoir on the upper Blue Nile, which raised tensions from Sudan and Egypt ahead of an upcoming UN Security Council meeting on the issue. Ethiopia had previously announced it would proceed to the second stage of filling in July, with …

The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) has released a report titled ‘Road to a UK-India Free Trade Agreement: Enhancing the Partnership and Achieving Self-reliance’. According to the UKIBC annual Survey on Doing Business in India, 77% of UK companies believe that the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign is an “opportunity” rather than a challenge. …

Recently, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) pushed back against a plan by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) Plus group to extend the global pact to cut oil production beyond April 2022. Important points: The OPEC+ group of countries had, in April 2020, entered into a two-year agreement (Output Pact), which …

The US has added Pakistan and 14 other countries to a Child Soldier Recruiter List that identifies foreign governments having government-supported armed groups that recruit or use child soldiers. Child Soldier refers to any person below 18 years of age who has been, recruited or used by an armed force or armed group in any capacity. It includes …

The Ministry of Education has launched NIPUN (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy) Bharat Scheme. It aims to cover the learning needs of children in the age group of 3 to 9 years. Important points: This initiative is being launched as a part of NEP (National Education Policy) 2020. This policy …

Recently the Ministry of Women and Child Development released Draft anti-trafficking Bill, the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2021. The bill once finalised will need the Cabinet approval and assent from both the houses of Parliament to become a Law. A previous draft had been introduced in 2018 but that could not be introduced in Rajya …

Recently, the Union Education Minister released the Report on United Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2019-20 for School Education in India. United Information System for Education Plus It is one of the largest Management Information Systems on school education. It was launched in 2018-2019 to speed up data entry, reduce errors, improve data …

Recently, the US troops departed from the biggest airbase in Afghanistan after the 20-year-long war, effectively ending their military operations in the country. Important points: On 11th September 2001, terrorist attacks in America killed nearly 3,000 people. Osama Bin Laden, the head of Islamist terror group al-Qaeda, was quickly identified as the man responsible. The Taliban, radical Islamists …

Amid escalating tensions, the Police forces were deployed at various hydel power projects in bordering districts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Andhra Pradesh has complained to the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) about the drawing of water from the Srisailam project by Telangana for power generation. The KRMB, in its recent orders, had asked …

According to a new report by the Wash Institute (a global non-profit organisation), India was responsible for the largest drop in open defecation since 2015, in terms of absolute numbers. Universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to achieve the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 was also emphasised. WASH WASH is an acronym that stands for the interrelated …