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Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the allotment of 5 MHz spectrum in the 700 MHz frequency band to the Indian Railways for improving its communication and signalling systems. Railways has also approved a indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). Important points: The project, targeted to be completed in five …

NITI Aayog, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and RMI India’s new report, Fast Tracking Freight in India: A Roadmap for Clean and Cost-Effective Goods Transport, present key opportunities for India to reduce its logistics costs. RMI is an independent nonprofit organization founded in 1982. NITI Aayog It is a public policy …

Recently, the World Bank has released its June 2021 Global Economic Prospects where it has forecast India’s GDP growth to be 8.3% for the year 2021-22. Important points: India’s economy is expected to grow at 8.3% for Fiscal Year 2021-22, 7.5% for 2022-23 and 6.5% for 2023-24. The world economy …

Saral Jeevan Bima, launched by IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) in 2020, has become a popular term life insurance product among masses. IRDAI is an autonomous body that was established in 1999 to regulate and develop the insurance industry. Term life insurance guarantees payment of a stated …

The recently declared Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu will provide protection to Megamalai, the Vaigai’s primary catchment, in turn helping water levels to rise in the river. Important points: It originates in the Western Ghat (Varushanad Hills). It travels through the Pandya Nadu region of Tamil Nadu. Its main tributaries are Suruliyaru, Mullaiyaru, Varaganadhi, Manjalaru, Kottagudi, Kridhumaal and Upparu. The Vaigai is …

The US airline United has announced plans to buy 15 new supersonic airliners and “return supersonic speeds to aviation” in the year 2029. The Airline has agreed to purchase the Overture aircraft from Boom Supersonic (a Denver-based start-up), with the planes able to fly at Mach 1.7 faster than the …

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare virtually attended the World Food Safety Day (7th June) celebrations organized by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Important points: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) jointly facilitate the observance of World Food Safety Day, in collaboration with Member States and …

Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) [SBM (G)] Phase-II is making steady progress amidst Covid-19 with 1249 villages declared ODF(Open Defecation Free) Plus. SBM (G) Phase-II was approved in February 2020 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. ODF Plus entails that ODF behaviours are sustained, and every village has access to solid and liquid waste management. Important points: It emphasizes the …

Recently, the Defence Minister released an E-booklet titled ‘20 Reforms in 2020’ highlighting the major reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2020. Important points: The appointment of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and creation of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) were among the major decisions taken by the Government. General Bipin Rawat was appointed …

Recently, Turkey’s Sea of Marmara, which connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea, has witnessed the largest outbreak of ‘sea snot’. A ‘sea snot’ outbreak was first recorded in the country in 2007. Important points: It is marine mucilage that is formed when algae are overloaded with nutrients as a result of water pollution combined with the effects of climate change …

Recently, the 37th anniversary of Operation Blue Star was observed by the country. Important points: It is a code name given to an Indian Military Operation to remove the separatists who were hidden inside the Golden Temple at Amritsar on 5th June 1984. The operation was ordered by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, primarily to take control of …

Recently, on the occasion of World Environment Day (5th June), the Tourism Minister appreciated the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification Programme (IITFC). Important points: IITFC Programme is a digital initiative of the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), for the citizens of India to become a part of the booming Tourism Industry. It is an online programme where one can …

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the issuance of a Request For Proposal (RFP) for the construction of six conventional submarines under Project-75I (India). RFP is a project announcement posted publicly by an organization indicating that bids for contractors to complete the project are sought. Important points: This project envisages indigenous construction of submarines equipped with the …

A NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) funded CIBER-2 sounding rocket’s launch window will open at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, USA. The aim of CIBER-2 mission is to look for evidence of extra stars that may have been missed in stellar head counts. The ESA (European Space Agency) infrared space observatory Herschel also counted the number of galaxies …

Recently, the Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Society through video conference. Earlier CSIR Floriculture Mission was approved for implementation in 21 States and Union Territories of India. It is also planning to undertake genome sequencing of a sample of nearly 1000 Indian rural youth to determine unique genetic traits, susceptibility …

Recently, the government of India has dedicated a window ‘The Green Gold Collection’ on the GeM (Government e-Marketplace) portal for the marketing of Bamboo Goods. This window is the collective work of the National Bamboo Mission (NBM) and GeM. Important points: It showcases a range of exquisitely handcrafted bamboo and bamboo products, handicrafts, disposals and office utility products …

The World Environment Day is observed on the 5th of June annually to encourage awareness and environmental protection. Important points: The United Nations Assembly established World Environment Day in 1972, which was the first day of the Stockholm Conference on the human environment. ‘Ecosystem Restoration’. It will kick off the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) – a global mission to …

The report titled “Glaciers of the Himalayas: Climate Change, Black Carbon and Regional Resilience” says that the glaciers are melting faster than the global average ice mass. However, the strong policy on black carbon can sharply cut glacier melt. The research report is released by the World Bank and covers the Himalaya, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush (HKHK) mountain ranges. Black carbon …

Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has moved Blue-finned Mahseer from Endangered to the Least Concern’ status on its Red List. Important points: The Mahseer belongs to the genus Tor, of which there are several subspecies to be found in India and in other range countries in South Asia. The Blue-finned Mahseer or Tor Khudree is one …

Recently, the Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region has asked for suggestions for the Devika River project in Udhampur, J&K. This project is compared with the Namami Gange Project. Important points: This is a Rs. 190 crore Project. The work on the project was started in March 2019 under the National …