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Recently, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), has warned people against the new Covid-19 strain ‘Delta Plus’ (DP). There is fear that this new variant ma Important points: Delta plus (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1) is a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus formed due to a mutation in the Delta …

The Enforcement Directorate has transferred assets worth Rs. 8,441.50 crore to public sector banks that suffered losses to the tune of Rs. 22,585.83 crore due to frauds committed allegedly by Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi. All the three have been declared ‘Fugitive Economic Offenders’ by PMLA (Prevention of …

Recently, a three-member task force has been formed to help the government in bringing major bureaucratic reforms through its ambitious “Mission Karmayogi”. Important points: The Centre has recently approved the ‘National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building – Mission Karmayogi’ to effect a transformational shift from rule based training to …

Indian states were able to borrow an extra Rs. 1.06 lakh crore in 2020-21 (FY21) due to the Reform Linked Borrowing window. This was announced to provide an additional leeway to states in order to cope with the adverse effects of Covid-19 pandemic on the economy. Chapter II of Part …

Recently, the Union Minister for Labour and Employment has said that India is making collective efforts to reduce gender gaps in labour force participation. He was delivering the Ministerial Address on Declaration and Employment Working Group Priorities at G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting. G20 It is an informal group …

Recently, the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty was celebrated. The Antarctic treaty remains the only example of a single treaty that governs a whole continent. It is also the foundation of a rules-based international order for a continent without a permanent population. Important points: The Antarctic Treaty was signed …

Incidents such as the recent Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) barge disaster underline the absence of effective class action suits/lawsuits in India. 71 people were killed after Cyclone Tauktae damaged ONGC’s barge vessels off Bombay High. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited It is a Maharatna Public Sector …

Recently, two Supreme Court (SC) judges have recused themselves from hearing cases relating to West Bengal. Important points: It is the act of abstaining from participation in an official action such as a legal proceeding due to a conflict of interest of the presiding court official or administrative officer. When …

A recent survey has found the presence of antibodies against the Nipah virus (NiV) in some bat species from a cave in Mahabaleshwar, a popular hill station in Maharashtra. The survey was conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – National Institute of Virology (NIV). Important points: The …

Recently, the Tripura High Court has discovered that an oversight in drafting the 2014 amendments to the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 had unintentionally rendered a key provision (Section 27A) of the Act inoperable. Important points: India is a signatory to the United Nations (UN) Single Convention …

Recently, the delimitation exercise has started in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The completion of the delimitation exercise will mark the political process in the Union Territory (UT) that has been under Centre’s rule since June 2018. Important points: Delimitation is the act of fixing or redrawing the limits or boundaries …

The recently held North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit for the first time has explicitly described China as a security risk. The other two threats identified by the NATO ‘declaration’ are Russia and terrorism. Important points: NATO was established by the North Atlantic Treaty (also called the Washington Treaty) of …

Seventh International Day of Yoga (21st June 2021) is being celebrated by the Ministry of Culture at 75 cultural heritage locations across the country. Important points: The idea of International Day of Yoga (IDY) was proposed by India during the opening of the 69th session of the United Nations General …

To commemorate the World Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Day on 19th June, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) flagged off mobile vans under the Unmukt project for strengthening screening and timely management of SCD in tribal districts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution …

Recently, researchers from various institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya found depleting trends in grain density of zinc and iron in rice and wheat cultivated in India. The researchers collected seeds of rice (16 varieties) and wheat (18 varieties) from the gene …

Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched 14 cross-disability early intervention centres across the country to provide support to infants and young children at risk of or with disabilities. Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in …

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has recently sought public comments on its draft Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which proposes to bring back its “revisionary powers” over the Central Board of Film Certification. The new Bill will also “make the process of sanctioning of films for exhibition more effective, in …

The United Nations General Assembly appointed Antonio Guterres as the ninth UN Secretary General (UNSG) for a second term beginning 1st January, 2022 and ending on 31st 2026. India had expressed its support for the re-election of Guterres as UN Chief. Important points: Guterres took oath of office on 1st …

Recently, the West Bengal Chief Minister has filed an election petition in the Calcutta High Court challenging the Assembly election result of Nandigram constituency. Important points: The Election Commission’s role ends with the declaration of results, after that, an election petition is the only legal remedy available to a voter …

Recently, the Ministry of Labour and Employment and UNICEF have signed a Statement of Intent to improve employment outcomes for the youth in India. According to Census 2011, every fifth person in India is a youth (15-24 years). UNICEF is a special program of the United Nations (UN) devoted to …