GS3

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has declared African Forest and Savanna (or bush) elephants as ‘critically endangered’ and ‘endangered’ respectively. Earlier, African elephants were treated as a single species, listed as Vulnerable. This is the first time the two species have been assessed separately for the IUCN …

The Centre has rejected 4.3% of all Right to Information (RTI) requests in 2019-20, the lowest ever rate, according to the Central Information Commission (CIC)’s annual report. Rejection rates have fallen since the 13.9% rate in 2005-06, and have been steadily trending downwards since the 8.4% spike in 2014-15. Important …

Recently, the World Bank has published the World Development Report 2021:Data for Better Lives. The World Development Report 2021 provides a blueprint on how to harness the power of data for development, to ensure no one is left behind. Important Points: The Social Contract For Data: To get more value …

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has decided to introduce new requirements for business sustainability reporting by listed entities. This new report will be called the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) and will replace the existing Business Responsibility Report (BRR). Important points: SEBI, in 2012, mandated the …

Recently, the Rajya Sabha cleared the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NBFID) Bill, 2021. The Bill seeks to establish the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NBFID) as the principal Development Financial Institution (DFIs) for infrastructure financing. NBFID was announced in the Budget 2021. Development Financial Institution …

India imports helium for its needs, and with the USA appearing set to cut off exports of helium since 2021, Indian industry stands to lose out heavily. The Federal Helium Reserve which is the major helium reserve of the USA is set to close down production in 2021, and scientists …

Recently, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Shell have released a report titled “India: Transforming to a Net-Zero Emissions Energy System”. It illustrates a pathway to steer the domestic energy system towards net-zero emissions by 2050, while achieving India’s sustainable economic development ambitions. Important points: Possible yet Challenging: India …

Minister of State for Jal Shakti informed the parliament about the status of water contaminated habitations in India. Minister informed that the Government started a National Water Quality Sub Mission (NWQSM) in the year 2017 specifically aimed at 27,544 habitations affected by Arsenic and Fluoride. Till date, all such habitations …

The Rajya Sabha recently cleared the legislation to establish the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NBFID), which was announced in the Budget speech by Finance Minister as the principal development financial institution (DFIs) for infrastructure financing. Opposition members argued unsuccessfully for sending the Bill to a select committee, …

Recently, the Prime Minister addressed the opening ceremony of International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) through video conference. ICDRI is the annual international conference of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)in partnership with member countries, organizations and institutions to strengthen the global discourse on disaster and climate resilient infrastructure. …