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Recently, India has ranked tenth (10th) in Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2020 by ITU (International Telecommunication Union) by moving up 37 places. The affirmation came just ahead of the sixth anniversary of Digital India on 1st July. Important points: The US topped (1st), followed by the UK (United Kingdom) and …

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), hydrogen will make up 12% of the energy mix by 2050. The agency also suggested that about 66% of this hydrogen used must come from water instead of natural gas. Recently, IRENA has released the ‘World Energy Transitions Outlook’ Report. Hydrogen Hydrogen …

Recently, the Spanish government approved a draft bill that would allow anyone over the age of 14 to legally change gender without a medical diagnosis or hormone therapy. Currently, for someone to change their gender in official records, the law first requires two years of hormone therapy and a psychological …

Recently, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to shun the usage of the term ‘Central government’ in its official communications and replace it with ‘Union government’. In common parlance, the terms “union government” and “central government” are used interchangeably in India. However, the Constituent Assembly did not use the term …

Recently, the NITI Aayog released a comprehensive study on the Not-for-Profit Hospital Model in the country. It is an initiative in a step towards closing the information gap on such institutions and facilitating robust policymaking in this area. NITI Aayog It is a public policy think tank of the Government …

The Supreme Court of India has recently held that persons with physical disabilities have the right to reservation in promotions also. A disabled particular person can avail the advantage of reservation for promotion even when she or he was recruited within the common class or developed the incapacity after gaining …

Recently, the Supreme Court directed all states and Union Territories (UT) to implement the One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) system by 31st July 2021. The scheme allows migrant labourers covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) to access food at any fair price shop with his or her …

Ukraine and the United States launched joint naval Exercise ‘Sea Breeze’ in the Black Sea in a show of Western cooperation with Ukraine as it faces off with Russia. The drills come just days after the British Royal Navy’s HMS Defender passed near Russian-annexed Crimea in the Black Sea. Important …

The central government has extended the term of K.K. Venugopal as Attorney General (AG) for one more year. This is the second time the Centre has extended his tenure. Venugopal received his first extension of term in 2020. Venugopal was appointed the 15th AG of India in 2017. He succeeded …

Recently, the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949 has been challenged before the Gujarat High Court, more than seven decades after it came into effect as the Bombay Prohibition Act. The prohibition on manufacture, sale and consumption of liquor in the state vide the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949, has been challenged on …

Recently, the Ministry of Finance announced a slew of measures to provide relief to diverse sectors affected by the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic. It aims to prepare the health systems for emergency response and provide impetus for growth and employment. However it will increase the Fiscal Deficit by 0.6% …

Recently, the Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment launched the website for the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (26th June) The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is the nodal ministry for Drug Demand Reduction, implements various programmes …

Recently, the Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy launched ‘The India Story’ booklet, a compilation of Indian initiatives that are shaping India’s energy transition. The booklet was launched at the event on Accelerating Citizen Centric Energy Transition organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It …

Recently, Chinese Military has raised new militia units comprising local Tibetan youth for high-altitude warfare. Important points: The new units named Mimang Cheton are presently undergoing training, and are to be deployed mostly in upper Himalayan ranges, both in the eastern and western sectors of the India-China border. They are …

According to a report by International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), an influential think tank, India’s offensive cyber capability is “Pakistan-focused” and “regionally effective”, and not tuned towards China. Important points: The report has done a qualitative assessment of cyber power in 15 countries. Four members of the Five Eyes …

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) decided to retain Pakistan on “increased monitoring list’. “Increased monitoring list” is another name for the Grey List. Important points: The FATF had issued the 27-point action plan after placing Pakistan on the ‘Grey List’ in June 2018. The action plan pertains to curbing …

Recently, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in its World Drug Report 2021, has highlighted that the lockdown restrictions during Covid-19 have accelerated drug trafficking using the Internet. By drugs, the Report refers to substances controlled under international drug control conventions, and their non-medical use. Important points: …

Recently, the Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB), a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), launched its programme in Bhutan. India was chosen as the Partner Jurisdiction and has provided the Tax Expert for this programme. Important points: This …

In a recent event, Russia alleged that the British warship had breached its territorial waters in Black Sea which Britain and most of the world say belong to Ukraine. Russia seized and annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and considers areas around its coast to be Russian waters. …

Recently, the Prime Minister of India urged people to be “vocal for local toys”, while interacting with the participants at the Toycathon 2021. Important points: It was a joint initiative by the Ministry of Education, WCD (Women and Child Development) Ministry, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Textile Ministry, …