GS3

GS-3 GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS AS IMPORTED FOOD CROPS The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in a recent order has set 1% threshold for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in food crops imported into India. Earlier in August 2020, FSSAI had issued the order that 24 food crops the …

GS-3 NGT SUGGESTS NATIONAL RIVER REJUVENATION MECHANISM Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Ministry of Jal Shakti to devise an appropriate National River Rejuvenation Mechanism for effective monitoring of steps to curb pollution and for rejuvenation of all polluted river stretches across the country. Assessment of the CPCB: …

GS-3 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR COAL SECTOR Government has put major thrust on sustainable development in coal mining and is taking multi-pronged action on both environmental & social fronts. The Ministry of Coal has undertaken several out-of-the-box measures besides regular environmental monitoring and mitigation during mining operation in order to sustainably …

GS-3 NATIONAL URBAN DIGITAL MISSION The National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM) has been launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) along with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY). Several other digital initiatives of MoHUA viz. India Urban Data Exchange (IUDX), SmartCode, Smart Cities 2.0 website, …

GS-3 SITANADI-UDANTI TIGER RESERVE: CHHATTISGARH Thousands of tribals living in villages located in the core areas of SitanadiUdanti Tiger Reserve are protesting and demanding the recognition of their Community Forest Resource rights. Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights are given under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of …

GS-3 STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2021 Recently, the State of Environment Report, 2021 was released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). CSE is a public interest research and advocacy organisationbased in New Delhi. It researches into, lobbies for and communicates the urgency of development that is both sustainable …

GS-3 NEW IT RULES 2021 Recently, the government has notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021. These new rules broadly deal with social media and over-the-top (OTT) platforms. These rules have been framed in exercise of powers under section 87 (2) of the Information Technology …

GS-3 CITY INNOVATION EXCHANGE (CIX) City Innovation Exchange (CiX) launched for fostering innovation in urban ecosystem.   City Innovation Exchange (CiX) Platform: The City Innovation Exchange (CiX) will connect cities to innovators across the national ecosystem to design innovative solutions for their pressing challenges. The platform will ease the discovery, …

GS-3 MCA & CBIC SIGN MOU The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for data exchange between the two organisations. About the MoU: The MoU is in line with the vision of MCA …

GS-3 PM ATMANIRBHAR SWASTH BHARAT SCHEME Recently, the Prime Minister talked about the need to address health issues in a holistic manner and to adopt a four-pronged strategy for a healthy India that includes implementing the PM AtmanirbharSwasth Bharat scheme. Four-Pronged Strategy for a Healthy India: Prevention of illness and …

GS-3 NATIONAL HYDROGEN ENERGY MISSION The Union Budget for 2021-22 has announced a National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHM) that will draw up a road map for using hydrogen as an energy source. The initiative has the potential of transforming transportation. NHM initiative will capitalise on one of the most abundant …

GS-3 GRANT OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS TO PRIVATE BANKS Embargo lifted on grant of government business to private banks.  Details: The Government has lifted the embargo on private sector banks (only a few were permitted earlier) for the conduct of Government-related banking transactions such as taxes and other revenue payment facilities, …

GS-3 RECORD FOODGRAIN PRODUCTION Record Foodgrain production of 303.34 million tonnes.  Details: The second advance estimates of production of major crops reveal a record production of 303.34 million tonnes of food grains. According to the Agriculture Ministry, India’s foodgrain production is estimated to rise 2 per cent in 2020-21 crop …

GS-3 PLI FOR IT HARDWARE Cabinet approves Production Linked Incentive Scheme for IT Hardware. Background: The vision of the National Policy on Electronics 2019 is to position India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) by encouraging and driving capabilities in the country for developing core …

GS-3 PLI FOR PHARMACEUTICALS Cabinet approves Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Pharmaceuticals. Important points: The union cabinet has approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Pharmaceuticals for the period 2020-21 to 2028-29. Background: The Indian pharmaceutical industry is the 3rd-largest in the world by volume and is worth USD …

GS-3 OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLES The Orissa High Court has taken suomotu cognisance of the death of around 800 Olive Ridley sea turtles due to negligence by Odisha’s forest and fisheries departments. Features of Olive Ridley Turtles: The Olive ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles …

GS-3 ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ON STEEL IMPORTS FROM CHINA Recently, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated a probe to review the need for continuing imposition of anti-dumping duty on certain types of steel products imported from China, following complaints from domestic industry. The duty on the certain steel …

GS-3 NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AWARDS 2020 A total of 12 companies have been selected for the National Technology Awards 2020 for the successful commercialization of innovative indigenous technologies. Important points: They have been selected under three categories: indigenous technologies, MSME, and start-ups. Every year, for furtherance of its mandate, the Technology …

GS-3       SCHEME OF FUND FOR REGENERATION OF TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES (SFURTI) Union Minister for MSME & Road Transport & Highways inaugurated 50 artisan-based SFURTI clusters, spread over 18 States. Important points: In the 50 clusters inaugurated, over 42,000 artisans have been supported in the traditional segments of muslin, khadi, coir, handicraft, …

GS-3 VL-SRSAM MISSILE SYSTEM Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two successful launches of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM). Important points : The launches were carried out from a static vertical launcher from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. Prior to …