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Recently, a report, titled Global Methane Assessment: Benefits and Costs of Mitigating Methane Emissions suggested that the world needs to dramatically cut methane emissions to avoid the worst of climate change. The report was released by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Methane is gas that is found in …

Two Tribal settlements (Kattupatti and Kuzhipatti) of Pulayar community within the limits of Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu are gearing up for their annual festival of local deity Vairapattan. Important points: The Pulayar, also Pulaya, or Holeya or Cheramar, are one of the main social groups found in Kerala, Karnataka and in historical Tamil Nadu or Tamilakam. …

Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified an Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS, Maharashtra). The ESZ is meant to act as a buffer for protected areas and reduces developmental pressures around a wildlife sanctuary or national park.  Important points: It is the second marine sanctuary …

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has given permissions to Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) for conducting trials for use and applications of 5G technology. This formally leaves out Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE from the 5G race in India. Important points: In the initial phase, these trials will be for 6 months, including a 2 month period for procurement …

A technical group on Social Stock Exchanges (SSEs), constituted by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has submitted its report. SEBI set up the technical group in September, 2020 under the chairmanship of Harsh Bhanwala, former chairman of NABARD. Earlier, a Working Group (WG) on the SSE, chaired by Ishaat Hussain, submitted its report in …

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to step up purchase of Government Securities (G-Sec) under the Government Securities Acquisition Programme (G-SAP) led to the yield on the benchmark 10-year bond falling below 6%. In India, the yield of 10-year G-Sec is considered the benchmark and shows the overall interest rate scenario. Important points: Bond yield is …

Recently, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has released the new framework for implementation of the SVAMITVA Scheme. SVAMITVA stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas. Important points: It is a center sector scheme which was launched nationally on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day on 24th April 2021. To provide an integrated property validation solution …

A report titled ‘State of Working India 2021: One Year of Covid­19’ brought out annually by Azim Premji University’s Centre for Sustainable Employment, Bengaluru has been released. The report covers the period March 2020 to December 2020, dwells on the impact of one year of Covid­-19 on employment, incomes, inequality and poverty. Important points: 100 million …

In a major boost to exports of organic products from the country, the first consignment of millets grown in the Himalayas would be exported to Denmark. APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) has sourced ragi (finger millet), and jhingora (barnyard millet) from farmers in Uttarakhand for exports. At …

The United States has announced the support for waiving Intellectual Property (IP) protection for Covid-19 vaccines. The decision is a breakthrough in India and South Africa’s attempts to get World Trade Organisation (WTO) member countries to agree to such a waiver to fight the pandemic equitably. Important points: The 1995 agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) requires ratifying countries …

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) was at 55.5 in April 2021, little changed from March’s reading of 55.4. Important points: It is a survey-based measure that asks the respondents about changes in their perception about key business variables as compared with the previous month. The purpose of the PMI is …

More than 28.68 crore loans for an amount of Rs. 14.96 lakh crore have been sanctioned by banks, NBFCs and MFIs since the launch of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY).  Important points: It was launched by the government in 2015 for providing loans up to Rs. 10 lakh to the non-corporate, non-farm small/micro-enterprises. MUDRA, which stands …

Recently, eight Asiatic lions at Hyderabad’s Nehru Zoological Park have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus. It is the first known case of the human infecting the felines and making them sick in India. Earlier in 2020, Tiger being infected with Covid-19 was reported in New York (Bronx Zoo). Important points: The Asiatic Lion (also known as the Persian …

Many scientists are blaming the government-backed model, called SUTRA (Susceptible, Undetected, Tested (positive), and Removed Approach), for having a larger role in creating the perception that a second wave of Covid was unlikely in India. The second wave of Covid-19 has claimed thousands of lives since April 2021. Important points: Scientists from the IITs of Kanpur …

Recently, the central government withdrew its orders of reducing the rates on all small savings instruments/schemes. Important points: Small savings instruments help individuals achieve their financial goals over a particular period. They are the major source of household savings in India. The small savings instrument basket comprises 12 instruments. Collections from all small savings instruments …

Recently, the central government withdrew its orders of reducing the rates on all small savings instruments/schemes. Important points: Small savings instruments help individuals achieve their financial goals over a particular period. They are the major source of household savings in India. The small savings instrument basket comprises 12 instruments. Collections from all small savings instruments …

Over the past year, there have been deadly fires in hospital buildings, including those treating Covid-19 patients. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) says 330 people died in commercial building fires in 2019, while fatalities for residential or dwelling buildings were much higher at 6,329. Important points: Electrical faults are cited as the …

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) joined the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). The RBI expects to benefit from the membership of NGFS by learning from and contributing to global efforts on climate finance, which has assumed significance in the context of climate change. The Network for Greening the Financial System It …

The US State Department has approved the sale of six P-8I patrol aircraft and related equipment to India. The six aircraft will come fitted with encrypted systems, as India has signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) with the US. The Defence Acquisition Council approved the procurement of the aircraft in 2019. Important points: It is a long-range maritime reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine …

Recently, the Centre has released the first instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to States, in the wake of the second wave of Covid-19 that has claimed thousands of lives since April 2021. Normally, the first instalment is released in June as per the recommendations of the Finance Commission. Important point: SDRF has …