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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to continue with the existing interim Ways and Means Advances (WMA) scheme limit of Rs. 51,560 crore for all States/UTs upto September 2021, given the prevalence of Covid-19. Important points: The WMA scheme was introduced in 1997. To meet mismatches in the …

Four astronauts were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) from Florida as part of a collaboration between NASA and SpaceX under the Commercial Crew Program. The mission is called Crew-2. Important points: NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is a partnership between NASA and private industry to carry astronauts to and …

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have urged the Centre to consider prioritising vaccinations for their employees and self-help group workers. This request is in order to ensure that lines of credit remain open for the poor amidst the rising second wave of Covid-19 infections Important points: MFI is an organization that offers …

A recent analysis, based on Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) index, has shown the impact of climate change on children across the world. The analysis was done by Save the Children International, a child rights non-profit organisation. ND-GAIN is part of the Climate Change Adaptation Program of the University …

Recently, the Leaders’ Summit on Climate was convened by the US President virtually. 40 world leaders, including the Prime Minister of India, were invited to the event to underscore the urgency of stronger climate action. This summit is seen as a key milestone on the road to the United Nations …

The Indian Navy dispatched its deep submergence rescue vessel (DSRV) from Visakhapatnam to support the Indonesian Navy in the search and rescue efforts for its submarine KRI Nanggala that went missing with 53 personnel aboard. KRI Nanggala (402) is a diesel-electric attack submarine of the Indonesian Navy, one of two …

Recently, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has launched “Madhu Kranti Portal & Honey Corners. Important points: It is an initiative of National Bee Board (NBB), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare under National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM). This portal is being developed for online registration to …

Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs invoked Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DM Act) and ordered free inter-state movement of oxygen carrying vehicles. Earlier in March 2020 various government authorities invoked their respective powers under the DM Act to deal with the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in the country. Important points: …

According to the latest government data India’s crude oil production and natural gas output declined in the Financial Year (FY) 2020-2021. India’s crude oil and natural gas production have been falling consistently since 2011-12. Important points: Declined by 5.2% as private and public firms produced 30.5 million tonnes in 2020-21 …

Hippopotamus, also called hippo or water horse, is an amphibious African ungulate mammal. It is considered to be the second largest land animal (after the elephant). Hippos are well adapted to aquatic life. The ears, eyes, and nostrils are located high on the head so that the rest of the …

The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has set up the Sudarshan Sen committee to review the working of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) Comprehensively.  It will recommend suitable measures for enabling them to meet the growing requirements.  The committee will be headed by Sudarshan Sen, the former executive director, Reserve Bank of …

Russia’s space agency said it hoped to launch its own orbital station in 2025 as Moscow considers withdrawing from the International Space Station programme to go it alone. Important points: Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin said work had begun on the first module of a new station, after officials warned that …

Colloquially called T.rex/ or T-Rex, Tyrannosaurus rex was one of the largest ever theropods to walk the earth. The name is derived from Latin: – the word “tyrannos” means “Tyrant”; the word “sauros” means “Lizard” and the word “rex” translates to “King.” Hence, the binomial name translates to “Tyrant Lizard …

Recently, Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 323, the first unit of the indigenously built ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) Dhruv Mk III aircraft, was commissioned into the Indian Navy. Important points: The indigenously designed and developed Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-DHRUV) is a twin engine, multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter in the …

Recently, NASA’s miniature robot helicopter Ingenuity performed a successful takeoff and landing on Mars. It was the first powered, controlled flight on another planet. The first powered flight on Earth was achieved by the Wright brothers in 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Important points: Ingenuity is the first helicopter …

The Department of Science and Technology has released a report titled ‘The Report Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Planning in India Using a Common Framework’. Important points: It identifies the most vulnerable states and districts in India with respect to current climate risk and key drivers of vulnerability. It aids …

British authorities are exploring the possibility of creating a Central Bank Digital Currency, being touted as “Britcoin.” It is a step towards future proofing Pound Sterling (currency of the United Kingdom) against cryptocurrencies and improving the payments system. Important points: In the wake of declining cash payments in the country …

The Department of Science and Technology recently launched the National Climate Vulnerability Report. According to the report, eight Eastern States in the country are highly vulnerable to climate change. They are Mizoram, Bihar, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Assam. Key Findings of the report The report has …

The two biggest polluters of the world China and US have agreed to work together in tackling climate change issues. They recently issued a joint statement that they will work together to uphold Paris Agreement. The announcement comes days before the Earth Day Leaders Summit. The announcement was made after …

The Tiki Formation in Madhya Pradesh, a treasure trove of vertebrate fossils, has now yielded a new species and two genera of cynodonts, small rat-like animals that lived about 220 million years ago. Important points: The researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, used scanning electron microscopy to study …