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World Fisheries Day (WFD) is observed on the 21st November every year. The award ceremony was organised by the ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying, in Bhubaneswar on the occasion of WFD. Balasore district (Odisha) has been awarded India’s “Best Marine District”. Important points: WFD is celebrated to demonstrate …

Recently, the Prime Minister handed over the indigenously-built Light Combat Helicopter (HAL’s LCH), two small drones (‘SWITCH 1.0 UAV’ and ‘MR-20) built by Indian start-ups to the Air Force. LCH is a truly ‘Make in India’ product built with private industry participation. Important points: LCH is a new addition to …

Recently, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) launched the Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS) for the services sector. Important points: The scheme will help in meeting the technology-related requirements of enterprises in the services sector. It has a provision of 25% capital subsidy for procurement …

Cairn India will partner US-based Halliburton to start shale exploration in the Lower Barmer Hill formation, Western Rajasthan. Important points: The key difference between shale oil and conventional crude is that the former, also called ‘tight oil’, is found in smaller batches, and deeper than conventional crude deposits. Unlike conventional …

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval for continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-I and II (PMGSY-I and II) upto September, 2022 for completion of balance road and bridge works. The CCEA also approved continuation of Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) …

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Working Group (WG) Committee has made recommendations pertaining to Digital Lending, including a separate legislation to prevent illegal digital lending activities. The RBI constituted a WG on digital lending including lending through online platforms and mobile apps in January, 2021. The panel was …

Recently, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched the e-Governance for Civil Aviation (e-GCA) online platform through which the Civil Aviation will provide 298 services including pilot licensing and medical examination. The launch of the e-GCA project under DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) was part of the 100-day plan …

Recently, the Ministry of Rural Development inaugurated ‘Bhumi Samvaad’ – National Workshop on Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme (DILRMP). The Ministry also launched the National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) portal and Dashboard. Important points: The DILRMP was approved by the Cabinet on 21st August, 2008. For modernization of …

Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh. Important points: It starts from Chandsarai village, located near the existing Lucknow-Sultanpur Road (NH-731), in Lucknow district and it ends at Haidaria village on National Highway 31 in Ghazipur, 18 km from the UP-Bihar border, in Ghazipur district. The …

Recently, Ministries of Power and New and Renewable Energy released guidelines which allows thermal generation companies to set up renewable energy generation capacity and supply power to consumers under existing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Important points: The new guidelines allow thermal generation companies“to set up renewable energy generation capacity either …

Recently, scientists have observed a quasi-satellite named Kamo`oalewa, tracking the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, could be a fragment from the moon. A mission to collect Kamo’oalewa’s samples has been scheduled for a launch in 2025. Important points: Discovered in 2016 (through the PanSTARRS telescope in Hawaii), Kamo’oalewa is a …

According to a recent report by British brokerage Barclays, India’s trade deficit has been jumping continuously since July 2021. The widening Current Account Deficit (CAD) is driven by the massive spike in commodity prices led by crude oil. The CAD is expected to reach $45 billion or 1.4% of GDP …

Recently, the Prime Minister has launched the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)- Retail Direct Scheme to open up the Government bond market for the retail investors. Important points: In February 2021, RBI proposed to allow retail investors to open gilt accounts with the central bank to invest in Government securities …

NASA will launch its first planetary defense test mission named the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART). The DART spacecraft will be launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Important points: The mission is to test the new technology to be prepared in case an asteroid heads towards Earth in the …

Infestation of desert locusts, which has plagued a vast swathe from eastern Africa to India in recent years, has been closely linked to climate change. In this context, the Global Landscapes Forum Climate Hybrid Conference has proposed that plans to mitigate climate change must include action against pests and diseases. …

Recently, the fourth Scorpene Submarine ‘INS Vela’ of Project P-75 has been delivered to the Indian Navy Important points: The submarines in the Project-75 Scorpene Class are powered by diesel-electric propulsion systems. Scorpene is one of the most sophisticated submarines, capable of undertaking multifarious missions including anti-surface ship warfare, anti-submarine …

Recently, a global coalition of ten organisations launched the Global Resilience Index Initiative (GRII). Important points: It was launched during the Conference of Parties (CoP) 26 adaptation day (8th November 2021), it will be the world’s first curated, open-source reference index. It has been launched to build a universal model …

Experts say India has lost a decade in modernising its submarine fleet, while China has marched ahead in its larger naval and more specific submarine capabilities. Submarines first became a major factor in naval warfare during World War I (1914–18), also played a similar role on a larger scale in …

Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has released the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) Report (Index) 2021. Important points: The LEADS report is aimed at gauging the logistics performance of states and Union Territories (UT) and identifying areas where they can improve logistics performance. It was launched in …

A study was conducted in Punjab that showed pollution from stubble burning significantly reduced lung function and was particularly harmful to women in rural Punjab. The study was conducted in two phases: The first was in October 2018 and again the following summer from March to April 2019. Important points: …