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The Ministry of Civil Aviation has unveiled the Draft Drone Rules, 2021 based on “trust, self-certification and non-intrusive monitoring”. The new rules would replace the existing Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, notified in March, 2021. Important points: To create a “digital sky platform” as a business-friendly single-window online system for procuring various approvals. There will be minimal human …

Recently, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Political Party) has decided to move an Adjournment Motion in the Lok Sabha against the government on the three controversial farm laws. Motions and resolutions are procedural devices to raise a discussion in the House on a matter of general public interest. Important points: Adjournment motion is introduced only in the Lok …

Recently, the Minister of Tribal Affairs reviewed various initiatives under ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi-Mission Vand Dhan’, by TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India). TRIFED The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) came into existence in 1987. It is a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The ultimate objective of TRIFED …

The Union Government has approved continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary for further five years to 2026 at a total cost of Rs. 9000 crore. 50 crore will be allocated for Gram Nyayalayas Scheme through National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms. National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms …

The Leader of Opposition in the Goa Legislative Assembly is set to move a private member’s resolution to recommend to the Central government to address the various issues associated with the anti-defection law. Important points: The Tenth Schedule — popularly known as the Anti-Defection Act — was included in the Constitution via the 52nd Amendment Act, 1985 and sets the provisions …

After a large-scale rejig at the Council of Ministers, Prime Minister effected some changes in Cabinet committees. Important points: Eight Cabinet Committees: Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Cabinet Committee on Accommodation. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs. Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs. Cabinet Committee on Security. Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth. Cabinet Committee …

The Aadhaar enrolment of more than 27 lakh people in Assam has become uncertain/delayed because of the delay in completing the process of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The biometrics of these people were frozen after the publication of the NRC in August 2019. The Centre had earlier been asked to unfreeze the biometrics since …

Recently, the death of Father Stan Swamy, a Jesuit priest and tribal rights activist, while in judicial custody, has brought the stringent provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) into the focus. UAPA is the India’s main anti-terrorism legislation, but the law makes it more difficult to obtain bail. This difficulty in obtaining bail is …

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Centre on the use of Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 that was scrapped several years ago. The court struck down the provision as unconstitutional and a violation of free speech in 2015 in the Shreya Singhal Case. The IT Act, 2000 provides for legal recognition for transactions through electronic …

Vietnam has appointed Honorary Consul General of Vietnam in Bangalore to promote trade, economics, investment, tourism, educational and cultural cooperation between Vietnam and the State of Karnataka. Industrialist N.S. Srinivasa Murthy based in Bengaluru has been appointed as Honorary Consul General of Vietnam for Karnataka. He is the first honorary consul general of Vietnam from …

Recently, some Chinese nationals protested against the celebration of the birthday of the Dalai Lama in India. The Dalai Lama and Tibet is one of the major irritants between India and China relations. China considers the Dalai Lama a separatist, who has great influence over Tibetans. India seeks to use Tibetan …

Five new portals on Ayush Sector have been launched – CTRI (Clinical Trial Registry of India), RMIS (Research Management Information System), SAHI (Showcase of Ayurveda Historical Imprints), AMAR (Ayush Manuscripts Advanced Repository), and e-Medha (electronic Medical Heritage Accession). Meaning of ‘Ayush’: Traditional & Non-Conventional Systems of Health Care and Healing Which Include Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy etc. Important …

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has provided tap water supply to more than 97 lakh households in five JE-AES (Japanese Encephalitis-Acute Encephalitis Syndrome) affected states. The five states with priority districts are Assam, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. JJM envisages supply of 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household through …

A policy document from National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has proposed that cities situated on river banks should incorporate river conservation plans when they prepare their Master Plans. The recommendations are currently for towns that are on the main stem of the river Ganga which are in five States — Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal. …

Maharashtra has been without a Speaker since February, 2021 while Lok Sabha and several State Assemblies are without a Deputy Speaker. The Constitution provides that the office of the Speaker should never be empty. Important points: The Constitution of India requires the Speaker to be a member of the House. Although there are no specific qualifications prescribed for being elected …

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 …