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Recently, the first meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Group (IMCG) at Secretary level was convened by India’s Foreign Secretary. The IMCG has been set up as a high-level mechanism towards mainstreaming of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy vision that sought to develop better relations with the country’s neighbours. IMCG is supported by inter-ministerial Joint Task Forces (JTFs) convened by joint …

India has successfully flight-tested Helina, an Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), in Pokhran. According to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), it is one of the most advanced Anti-Tank Weapons in the world. The test was part of user validation trials of the third generation ‘fire and forget’ class missiles developed by the DRDO. About: Helina has been developed by …

Recently, Archaeologists have identified 65 large sandstone jars (Megaliths) believed to be used for ritual burials across four sites in Hasao district, Assam. Earlier in 2020, the State Department of Archaeology, Chennai had identified 250 cairn-circles (Megalithic Structures) from the Kodumanal excavation site in Erode district of Tamilnadu. Some jars are tall and cylindrical, while …

In 2021, a high-level panel was established to examine the failed Geosynchronous Satellite GSLV-F10/Earth Observation Satellites (EOS)-03 mission and recommended measures for making the Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) more robust. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) with improvements added to its CUS is expected to be ready in the second half of this year. GSLV is a space …

Recently, the Ministry of Earth Sciences informed the Lok Sabha that of the 6,907.18 km long Indian coastline of the mainland, a significant area is under varying degrees of Coastal erosion. About 34% is under varying degrees of erosion, while 26% of the coastline is of an accreting nature, and the …

The Prime Minister has paid tribute to the great social reformer, philosopher and writer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule on his birth anniversary (11th April). He is also known as Jyotiba Phule. Phule was born on 11th April, 1827 in present-day Maharashtra and belonged to the Mali caste of gardeners and vegetable farmers. In 1841, Phule was …

Recently, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a plea seeking to simplify the legal process for child adoption in India. In 2021, Adoption (First Amendment) Regulations, 2021 was notified which allowed Indian diplomatic missions abroad to be in charge of safeguarding adopted children whose parents move overseas with the child within two …

Recently, the NITI Aayog launched the State Energy and Climate Index (SECI). It is the first index that aims to track the efforts made by states and UTs in the climate and energy sector. The parameters of the index have been devised keeping in mind India’s goals for climate change and clean energy transition. Ranking the States based on …

The Vice President bestowed the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship and Sangeet Natak Awards for the year 2018 to 44 eminent artists (4 Fellows and 40 awardees). He also presented Fellowships and National Awards of Lalit Kala Akademi for the year 2021 to 23 people (3 Fellows and 20 National Awards). The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship is the highest honour conferred …

The Enhanced Pinaka Mk-I Rocket System (EPRS) was successfully test fired in the Pokhran range in Rajasthan. As part of the same set of trials, the Area Denial Munition (ADM) was also successfully tested. The tests also validated the performance of different variants of munitions and fuzes that can be used in the Pinaka rocket system. ADMs …

Recently, the Supreme Court ordered the reconstitution of the Mullaperiyar dam’s supervisory committee. The committee will include one technical expert each from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the two States involved in the dispute concerning safety of the dam. The court has empowered the panel with functions and powers on par with that of the National Dam Safety Authority …

While addressing the National Judicial Conference on Mediation and Information Technology, the President advocated the concept of Mediation in the Judicial Process. Mediation is a voluntary, binding process in which an impartial and neutral mediator facilitates disputing parties in reaching a settlement. A mediator does not impose a solution but creates a conducive environment in which …

Recently, the Government of India provided that Hindi would be made compulsory up to Class 10 in the eight northeastern states. Hindi is described as “the language of India”. However, the move has been met with protests from various organisations in the Northeast. Also, several south Indian states have criticised the central government decision. …

Recently, India successfully flight tested Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Booster, a missile system, at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the Odisha coast. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) began developing SFDR first in 2017 and had conducted successful tests in 2018 and 2019 as well. It is a …

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO), the World food price index averaged 159.3 points in March, breaking an earlier record of 137.6 points scaled 11 years ago in February 2011. Reasons of Global Food Price Surge The FAO index has exhibited huge volatility in the last two years through the Covid-19 pandemic and …

Recently, the Noida authority announced that they might shift the plant to another location that was supposed to be the site for a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) after residents protested against the setting up of an Automatic Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant. Biogas It mainly comprises hydro-carbon which is combustible and can produce heat and energy …

The Union government has extended the scheme to provide Rs.40 crore grants-in-aid to the Dalai Lama’s Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC) for another five years, up to fiscal year 2025-26. The scheme provides for an annual grant of Rs.8 crore to CTRC to meet the administrative expenses of Settlement Offices and social welfare expenses for …

Recently, for the eleventh time in a row, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its latest Monetary Policy review has decided to keep the main policy rate – Repo rate – unchanged at 4%. It has also retained its accommodative stance, but indicated it will engage in a gradual and calibrated withdrawal of surplus …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) upheld the constitutional validity of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act (FCRA), 2020. It held that receiving foreign donations cannot be an absolute right and can be regulated by the Parliament. In 2020, the Indian government had proposed amendments to the FCRA, which imposed new restrictions on how Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), individuals, and other organisations …

The Department of Military Affairs is moving towards finalising the “Tour of Duty (ToD)” scheme. Under this scheme, youngsters will be recruited as soldiers only for three years. This is being done in the backdrop of the urgent need to curb the ballooning salary and pension bills that are adversely impacting military modernization.  “Tour …