GS3

Recently, an independent global panel, the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPPR) in its report named “Covid-19: Make it the Last Pandemic concluded that the catastrophic scale of the Covid-19 pandemic could have been prevented. The report was requested by World Health Organization (WHO) member states in May 2020. Important points: A series of bad decisions meant Covid-19 …

India has S-400 TRIUMF, which also caters to the three threats (rockets, missiles and cruise missiles). But they have much longer range. It has a much larger air defence bubble to knock off threats. It is a mobile, surface-to-air missile system (SAM) designed by Russia. The system can engage all types of aerial targets within the range of …

India observes its National Technology Day on 11th May every year. Important points: The day, which was first observed on 11th May, 1999, aims to commemorate the scientific and technological achievements of Indian scientists, engineers. The day was named by the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Every year, the Technology Development Board of India celebrates the day by awarding individuals with the …

Water hyacinth is a type of invasive floating plant found in water bodies across the world. These invasive species block the sunlight reaching and oxygen level in water systems, which results in damaging water quality and seriously affecting various life forms in the ecosystem. It is also referred to as the terror of Bengal given its …

Recently, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft departed from asteroid Bennu, and started its two-year long journey back to Earth. OSIRIS-REx is NASA’s first mission to visit a near-Earth asteroid, survey its surface and collect a sample from it. Important points: It is the United States’ first asteroid sample return mission, aiming to collect and carry a pristine, …

National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) is in the process of creating a verified and accurate database of companies (Public Interest Entities) and auditors that come under the regulatory ambit of it. In this regard, the NFRA has been engaging with the Corporate Data Management (CDM) division of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and three …

Recently, there has been an across-the-board rise in global commodity prices that is being billed as a new commodity super cycle. A commodity is a basic good used in commerce that is interchangeable with other goods of the same type. Commodities are most often used as inputs in the production of other goods or services. Important points: A …

Recently, the Environment Appraisal Committee which flagged concerns over the project has now ‘recommended’ it ‘for grant of terms of reference’ for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies. In August, 2020 the Prime Minister had declared that the Andaman and Nicobar islands will be developed as a “maritime and startup hub”. Important points: The proposal includes …

There are cases of clearance of forest land, digging and construction activities on at least three animal corridors within the eco-sensitive zone of the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. The Supreme Court of India in its 2019 order had said that “No new construction shall be permitted on private lands which form part of the …

Recently, India participated in the 3rd Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM) and shared plans for research and long-term cooperation in the Arctic Region. The first two meetings—ASM1 and ASM2—were held in the USA in 2016 and Germany in 2018, respectively. Arctic Region The Arctic region comprises the Arctic Ocean and parts of countries such as Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Norway, Russia, USA (Alaska), …