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Recently, as per official estimates for the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), India’s industrial recovery slowed sharply in December 2021, with output growing just 0.4% year-on-year, and manufacturing activity contracting 0.1%. Contrary to expected growth of 2.5%, growth has come in at 0.4% which is disappointing. IIP is an indicator that measures …

The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution informed the Rajya Sabha that the government approved the Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on “Fortification of Rice & its Distribution under Public Distribution System” for a period of 3 years beginning in 2019-20 with total outlay of Rs. 174.64 Cr. To address anemia and …

The Supreme Court (SC) is examining allegations of rampant misuse of Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA) by the government and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). PMLA is pulled into the investigation of even “ordinary” crimes and assets of genuine victims have been attached. PMLA was enacted in response to India’s global commitment (including the Vienna Convention) …

Recently, the Ministry of Education presented the 5th National Award for Innovations and Good Practices in Educational Administration (IGPEA). The National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) has instituted the National Award for IGPEA for District and Block Level Education Officers. NIEPA, under the MInistry of Education, is a premier organization dealing with capacity building and research …

Recently, the Prime Minister addressed the high-level segment of the One Ocean Summit. The summit was organised by France in Brest, France in cooperation with the United Nations and the World Bank. The summit was addressed by various other Heads of State and Governments from countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Canada among …

Recently, the central government requested state governments/union territory administrations to explore the possibility of introducing millets under the PM POSHAN Scheme preferably in the districts where eating millets is a culturally accepted food habit. NITI Aayog has also been advocating the need to introduce millets in the mid-day meal programme (now PM POSHAN Scheme), moving away …

The Union Budget 2022-23 brought in some amendments to the Income Tax (IT) Act 1961 that would be effective retrospectively. A retrospective tax is one that is charged for transactions in the long past. It can be a new or additional charge on transactions done in the past. Ideally, retrospective tax is to make adjustments when policies in the past and the …

Recently, the Parliamentary standing committee on home affairs has tabled a report on Police- training, modernisation, and reforms. The report highlights the number of reforms required and challenges faced by the Police forces. The report asked the Centre to advise states and Union Territories to create a road map for ensuring …

Recently a research published, which showed that Kaziranga National Park in Assam, is releasing more carbon than it is absorbing. It also showed that as the planet warms further, the ability of the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) to absorb carbon would further decrease. Earlier, it was found that the Amazon rainforestis now emitting more carbon …

Recently, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has launched a nationwide operation to curb human trafficking. As part of “Operation AAHT”, special teams will be deployed on all long-distance trains/routes with a focus on rescuing victims, particularly women and children, from the clutches of traffickers. The National Crime Records Bureau registers about 2,200 cases …

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Finance provided information about the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in the Rajya Sabha. The national-level targets under the scheme have been consistently met since its inception, except for FY 2020-21 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The government launched it in 2015 for providing loans …

Recently, the Scientists in the United Kingdom said they have achieved a new milestone in producing nuclear fusion energy, or imitating the way energy is produced in the Sun. Energy by nuclear fusion is one of mankind’s long standing quests as it promises to be low carbon, safer than how nuclear energy is now produced and, …

Recently, a study conducted by Indian Institute of Science Education and Research revealed that India can slash emissions of Volatile Organic Molecules (VOC) by 76% in the next eight years by swapping all two- and three-wheelers with electric vehicles and all diesel-fuelled ones with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Gases escaping out of a vehicle’s exhaust account for 65-80% …

Atal Tunnel has officially been certified by World Book of Records as the ‘World’s Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 Feet’. World Book of Records UK, is an organisation that catalogues and verifies extraordinary records across the world with authentic certification. It was built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The 9.02-km tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in the …

Recently, Elon Musk’s Starlink has lost dozens of satellites that were caught in a geomagnetic storm a day after they were launched. The satellites were designed to burn up on reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere, and did not create debris in space. However, the loss of 40 satellites — most of a launch batch — in a …

In the annual Economic Survey, the Department of Economic Affairs said that there is an urgent need for Crop Diversification in view of the severe water stress in areas where paddy, wheat and sugarcane are grown as well as to increase oil seed production and reduce dependency on imports of …

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a new partnership under the Sustainable Access to Markets and Resources for Innovative Delivery of Healthcare (SAMRIDH) initiative. The collaboration will focus on innovations across the healthcare landscape with the common goal to mount an …

“Recently, in a bilateral meeting India has agreed to provide a grant to Sri Lanka to implement a ‘Unitary Digital Identity framework’, apparently modelled on the Aadhaar card. Both sides also discussed the fishermen’s issue and India provided financial assistance of 2.4 billion USD to Sri Lanka. Earlier, India and …

Recently, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has informed the Rajya Sabha that the Government has sanctioned Rs 26 crore under the Nai Roshni scheme in the last three years (2018-19 to 2020-21) through which around one Lakh women have been trained. Nai Roshni-a Leadership Development Programme for Minority Women is …

Recently, in a joint statement, China and Russia affirmed that their new relationship is superior to any political or military alliance of the Cold War era. The statement comes amid Russia’s standoff with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) on Ukraine. Despite being together in rejecting US unipolarity, the relationship between …