GS3

A 50 kWp Solar rooftop in Solan, Himachal Pradesh was inaugurated under Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) of the MInistry of Power. The project further reinforces the ‘Go Green’ Initiative of the government envisaged in the Urban Distribution scheme. Important points: December 2014. Power Finance Corporation Ltd. (PFC), a Navratna …

The government proposed changes to the Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules 2020, banning all “flash sales” in order to monitor the deep discounts offered on e-commerce websites. Important points: Conventional flash sales by third party sellers are not banned on e-commerce platforms but only the predatory ones. Small businesses complain of …

The Central Government has asked the States Governments to buy electronic weighing machines for ration shops from electronic Point of Sale devices (ePoS) savings. For this, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has amended the Food Security (Assistance To State Government Rules) 2015 to encourage the states to generate savings through …

Recently, a report titled Suicide worldwide in 2019 was published by the World Health Organization (WHO). Suicide is defined as death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior. Important points: Reducing the global suicide mortality rate by a third is both, an …

Recently, the Assam forest department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and adopted a Vision Document to raise at least 1,000 black softshell turtles by 2030. Important points: They look almost the same as the Indian peacock softshell turtle (Nilssonia hurum), which is classified …

The Ministry of Tourism has formulated three draft strategies with roadmaps for promoting Medical and Wellness Tourism, for development of Rural Tourism and for promotion of MICE Industry in India. India has been ranked 34th out of 140 countries on the World Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index 2019, released by …

The Wuhan Institute of Virology was said to have conducted gain-of-function research on coronaviruses which may possibly have caused the lab-leak origin of the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19 pandemic). Important points: In virology, gain-of-function research involves deliberately altering an organism in the lab, altering a gene, or introducing a mutation in a …

The Ministry of Science and Technology has issued a Special Call for the NorthEast Region as a part of its Mission Programme “Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-KISAN)”. Important points: It is a scientist-farmer partnership scheme launched in 2017. It is a pan-India program, following a hub-and-spoke model and stimulates …

Biofortification is the process by which the nutritional quality of food crops is improved through agronomic practices, conventional plant breeding, or modern biotechnology. Importance of Biofortification: Biofortified staple crops, when consumed regularly, will generate measurable improvements in human health and nutrition. Biofortified crops are also often more resilient to pests, …

The maiden Indian Navy – European Union Naval Force (IN-EUNAVFOR) Exercise is being conducted in Gulf Of Aden. Important points: Along with Indian Navy, other naval forces are from Italy, Spain and France. The naval exercise included advanced air defence and anti-submarine exercises, tactical manoeuvres, Search & Rescue, and other …

The illegal cultivation of Herbicide Tolerant (HT) Bt cotton has seen a huge jump as the sale of illegal seed packets has more than doubled from 30 lakh in 2020 to 75 lakh in 2021. Important points: Bt cotton is the only transgenic crop that has been approved by the …

Recently, a high-level committee has been formed for the consultations on the creation of integrated triservice theatre commands. The committee will examine all issues and find a way forward before a formal note on their creation is sent to the Cabinet Committee on Security. Important points: The move was necessitated …

Recently, a study has projected that sea levels will rise around Lakshadweep Islands due to the impact of global warming. It will affect airport and residential areas that are quite close to the present coastline. India’s smallest Union Territory, Lakshadweep is an archipelago consisting of 36 islands with an area …

Recently, an agreement was signed for Development of 35 MLD (Mega Liters per day) Sewage Treatment Plant in Maheshtala (City situated on the east bank of River Ganga), West Bengal under Namami Gange Programme. The project was signed under Hybrid Annuity PPP mode. Important points: Namami Gange Programme is an …

Recently, a Chinese spaceship “Shenzhou-12” carrying a three-person crew docked with China’s new space station module Tianhe-1. his has come after the launch of the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft, which carried vital supplies for the space station. Important points: The Shenzhou-12 craft connected with the Tianhe space station module about six …

The Ministry of Home Affairs has operationalised the national Helpline 155260 and Reporting Platform for preventing financial loss due to cyber fraud. The helpline was soft-launched on 1st April. The National Helpline and Reporting Platform provides a mechanism for persons cheated in cyber frauds to report such cases to prevent …

The central government issued a notification amending the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994 thereby providing a statutory mechanism for redressal of grievances/complaints of citizens. These grievances/complaints are related to content broadcast by television channels in accordance with the provisions of the Cable Television Network Act, 1995. Important points: About the …

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021, which will replace the Inland Vessels Act, 1917 after passing in Parliament. The Bill will regulate safety, security and registration of inland vessels. Important points: A key feature of the Bill is a unified law for the entire country, instead …

Recently, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution made it mandatory for the hallmarking of gold jewellery, which will be implemented in a phased manner. Important points: The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) which operates the gold and silver hallmarking scheme in India, defines hallmarking as the “accurate …

Recently, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a USD 484 million loan for the Tamil Nadu Industrial Connectivity Project. The loan is to improve transport connectivity and facilitate industrial development in the Chennai – Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor (CKIC) in the state of Tamil Nadu. It …