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Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved capital infusion in the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) and its listing through an initial public offering. The government will inject Rs 4,400 crore in the ECGC over a period of five years beginning 2021-22. The Cabinet also approved continuation of the National Export Insurance Account (NEIA) scheme and infusion …

Recently, the Bihar Government has asserted that it has not dropped the demand of special category status to Bihar. Important points: About Special Category Status (SCS): Special category status is a classification given by the Centre to assist development of states that face geographical and socio-economic disadvantages. This classification was done on the recommendations …

Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the Prime Minister POSHAN scheme or PM-POSHAN for providing one hot cooked meal in Government and Government-aided schools. The scheme will replace the existing national programme for mid-day meal in schools or Mid-day Meal Scheme. It has been launched for an initial period of five years (2021-22 to …

Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the Elder Line, the first Pan-India toll-free helpline number (14567) for Senior Citizens, ahead of International Day of Older Persons, which is observed on 1st October every Year. Earlier SAGE (Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine) initiative was launched. Important points: It provides information, guidance, emotional support – particularly on pension, medical and legal …

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) tested a new version of the Akash Missile – ‘Akash Prime’ – from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. Earlier, DRDO launched the Akash-NG (New Generation) and the Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM). Defence Research & Development Organisation It is the Research & Development wing of the Ministry …

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the first-ever global strategy to defeat meningitis – ‘Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis by 2030’. Important points: The roadmap includes three visionary goals: Eliminate epidemics of bacterial meningitis. Reduce cases of vaccine-preventable bacterial meningitis by 50% and deaths by 70%. Reduce disability and improve quality of life after meningitis …

Recently, the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directed Karnataka to immediately release the balance quantum of water to Tamil Nadu. However, CWMA dropped discussion on the Mekedatu reservoir project following “strong protest” from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. Important points: It involves 3 states and one Union Territory (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry). The genesis …

Recently, NASA has launched an earth monitoring satellite called Landsat 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellite is a joint mission of NASA and the US Geological Survey (USGS). This satellite is referred to as NASA’s’ new eye in the sky’ that will help study climate change. Important points: Landsat-9 is the continuation of a …

Recently, the US Congressional report on terrorism stated that Pakistan is home to at least 12 groups designated as Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). The report named Terrorist and Other Militant Groups in Pakistan, released by the bipartisan research wing of US Congress in the Quad summit 2021. Earlier, in February 2021, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)had decided …

Recently, as many as 157 artefacts and antiquities were handed over to the Prime Minister by the United States including a bronze Nataraj figure. The list has a diverse set of items bas-relief panel of Revanta in sandstone made in the 10th century, 56 terracotta pieces, several bronze figurines and copper objects, among others which mainly belong to 11th and 14th centuries. It also includes an 18th-century …

Recently, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has developed the country’s first-ever non-GM (genetically modified) herbicide-tolerant rice varieties (Pusa Basmati 1979 and Pusa Basmati 1985). These varieties can be directly seeded and significantly save water and labour compared to conventional transplanting. Important points: The new varieties contain a mutated AcetoLactate Synthase (ALS) gene making it possible for farmers …

Recently, China has cited a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution to question India’s missile programme amid reports of an upcoming test for the Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile. UNSC Resolution 1172 was issued after India’s 1998 nuclear tests. Important points: Agni-V is the most advanced surface-to-surface indigenously built ballistic missile. It is a three-stage, solid fuelled, 17-metre tall …

Recently, the Prime Minister of India (PM) addressed the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) The UNGA’s theme for this year is “Building Resilience through hope to recover from Covid-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalise the United Nations”. The PM spoke about a range …

Recently, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission was launched by the Prime Minister through a video conference. The nationwide rollout of the project coincides with the National Health Authority (NHA) celebrating the third anniversary of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (AB PM-JAY) Ayushman Bharat is a flagship scheme of India which was launched as recommended by …

Recently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has notified the updated list of registered political parties, seeking deregistration of parties which do not contest elections, also it raised concerns over misuse of income tax exemption law. Important points: There are over two thousands registered unrecognised parties, and the EC has sought the power to deregister (Cancel …

Judima, a home-made rice wine of Assam’s Dimasa tribe has become the first traditional brew in all of northeast to bag a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This is the second product from the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao to get GI tag. Earlier, Manipur’s most famous Hathei chilli and Tamenglong orange were awarded the GI Tag. Geographical …

Recently, the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA Scheme) has successfully completed four years of its implementation. 82 crore households have been electrified since its launch till 31st March, 2021. Important points: It was launched in 2017 to ensure electrification of all households in the country in rural as well as urban areas. …

Recently, a Supreme Court-appointed committee has questioned relaxations given for the upgrade of a 4.7-km road (Laldhang-Chillarkhal road) in the buffer zone of Rajaji Tiger Reserve and sought replies from the Centre and Uttarakhand government. The relaxation for measurement of roads was approved by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). NBWL is the …

The State Governments of Punjab, National Capital Region (NCR) States and Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) have developed detailed monitorable action plans based on the framework by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to tackle the problem of air pollution. The newly constituted commission (CAQM) has sweeping powers in controlling air pollution in Delhi-NCR. Also, recently, …

Recently, an international team of researchers made the first direct detection of dark energy. The experiment named XENON1T, is the world’s most sensitive dark matter experiment and was operated deep underground at the INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. Dark energy is the mysterious form of energy that makes up about 68% of the universe, and has …