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Recently, the Government has approved setting up of 7 PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks in Greenfield/Brownfield sites with an outlay of Rs. 4445 cr for a period of seven years upto 2027-28. Government of India is implementing the Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) which …

A recent report released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) mentions that the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme introduced in 2008 is not effective. The PAT scheme was introduced to improve energy efficiency in Indian industries and consequently reduce greenhouse gas. The report attributed the inefficiency of …

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana saw a spurt in new distribution just before the 2019 general election as per RTI (Right To Information) plea. The target under the scheme was to release 8 crore LPG connections to the deprived household by 2020. This was achieved in August 2019, seven months …

Recently, NITI Aayog has conducted a national workshop on Natural Farming. There are many working models of natural farming all over the world, the Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is the most popular model in India. This comprehensive, natural, and spiritual farming system was developed by Padma Shri Subhash Palekar. …

According to the recent data, as many as 23,948 Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) had registered with intent to adopt the principle of the Zero Defect Zero Effect Scheme (ZED). Important points: Launched in 2016 by the Ministry of MSME, the scheme is an integrated and comprehensive certification system. …

Recently, an analysis of water level data done by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) indicates that about 33% of the wells monitored have registered decline in ground water levels in the range of 0 – 2 metres. Moreover, a decline of more than 4.0 m has also been observed …

Recently, NITI Aayog has released the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). Earlier, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2021 was released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative (OPHI). Important points: The MPI seeks to measure poverty across its multiple dimensions and in effect complements …

Recently, SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecast and Research) has studied post Diwali Air Pollution in the four Indian Cities (Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Pune). Air pollution during the Diwali period in 2021 was higher compared to 2020 in the three metropolitan cities of Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai, …

Recently, Russia has successfully placed into orbit a military satellite. The satellite is believed to be a Tundra Satellite, part of Russia’s early warning anti-missile system named Kupol or dome. Important points: Tundra satellite system is a constellation of Missile Early Warning Satellites established by Russia between 2015 and 2020. …

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has begun work to finalise its recommendation for providing Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) as a service to states and smaller cities. Important points: The Smart Cities project, which aims at developing 100 citizen-friendly and self-sustainable urban settlements, includes setting up …

Recently, India-Israel Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) conference was held. The need for introducing flexible work times and gender-neutral pays to enhance women participation in STEM was highlighted. Important points: The STEM acronym was introduced in 2001 by scientific administrators at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). …

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the continuation of Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS) Scheme along with its eight sub-schemes to the next finance (15th) cycle of five years (2021-2026). Important points: It pertains to the atmospheric science programs of the Ministry of Earth Sciences …

Recently, group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman was awarded Vir Chakra which is a wartime gallantry award, by the President of India. The gallantry awards are announced twice in a year — first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day. Important points: Post-Independence, …

Recently, the Indian Railways has announced the new scheme ‘Bharat Gaurav’ to tap the huge potential of tourism. Important points: Under the scheme, now trains have a third segment for tourism. Till now, the Railways had passenger segments and goods segments. These trains are not regular trains that will run …

Recently, NITI Aayog under the Indo-German Cooperation released the inaugural Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Urban Index and Dashboard 2021–22. Earlier in June 2021, the third edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index and Dashboard 2020–21 was released by NITI Aayog. Important points: The index and dashboard are a …

The Prime Minister handed over the Advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite ‘Shakti’ to the Indian Navy at a ceremony held as part of Rashtra Raksha Samarpan Parv on 19th November, 2021. Rashtra Raksha Samarpan Parv is part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahaotsav’ celebration. The PM also handed over indigenously-built …

Recently, the President awarded the respective cities in the 6th Edition of Swachh Survekshan (SS) 2021 for their performance in maintaining cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation. The ceremony was held at the ‘Swachh Amrit Mahotsav’, which is a celebration of the achievements of cities in the past seven years of Swachh …

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released a draft scheme of amalgamation of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank and Unity Small Finance Bank (USF). Earlier, PMC was put under restrictions on account of fraud that led to a steep deterioration in the networth of the bank. Important points: …

Recently, the Vice President has suggested ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) make Indian regional navigation satellite system-Navigation in Indian Constellation (NaVIC) for global use. Important points: In 2006, the project was approved by the Government of India and was expected to be completed and implemented by 2015-16. The constellations’ first …

Recently, it was found that the area deforested in Brazil’s Amazon reached a 15-year high after a 22% jump from the prior year (2020). Earlier, a study showed that Amazon Forests have started emitting Carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of absorbing it. Over time, global climate change and more deforestation will …