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Recently, the Union Government approved the continuation of more than 1000 Fast Track Special Court (FTSCs) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for two years (April 2021-March 2023). It includes 389 exclusive POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Courts. The Central share will be provided from the Nirbhaya Fund. Important points: Fast track courts (FTCs) were …

Recently, the launch of Boeing’s uncrewed Starliner Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) has been postponed once again. The spacecraft, which is called the Crew Space Transportation-100 (CST-100), is part of an uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Important points The spacecraft has been designed to …

Florida has been battling outbreaks of red tide, caused by the algae Karenia brevis, for several years. This year’s bloom may have been aggravated due to the release of contaminated water into Tampa Bay earlier. Tampa Bay, arm of the Gulf of Mexico, indenting the west coast of Florida, US. Important …

Recently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour has released a report on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on rising unemployment and job loss. The panel called on the government to improve social security measures and take measures like Direct transfer of money and urban employment guarantee scheme for informal sector workers Social Security According to the International …

Recently, the Delhi High Court has allowed the medical termination of pregnancy of a woman who had completed 22 weeks of gestation as the foetus was suffering from multiple abnormalities. Gestation is the foetal development period from the time of conception until birth. In India, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act stipulates a ceiling of 20 weeks, for …

Recently, the Union Minister of Education has informed in the Lok Sabha about the various steps taken by the government to promote the Languages in Eighth Schedule Important points It lists the official languages of the republic of India. Part XVII of the Indian constitution deals with the official languages in Articles 343 to 351. The Constitutional provisions related to the Eighth …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that a preventive detention order can only be passed if the detenu is likely to adversely affect the maintenance of public order. The SC also gave direction to governments and to other courts, for dealing with detention under preventive detention. Important points The court held that it cannot seriously be disputed that …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) held that the Governor’s power to pardon overrides Section 433A of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Earlier in January 2021, in a case of mercy petition, the SC noted that the Governor cannot reject the state’s recommendation but there is no time prescribed to take a decision. Important points SC held that the Governor of a …

A recent study has shown that the Skyglow forces dung beetles in the city to abandon the Milky Way as their compass, they rely instead on earthbound artificial lights as beacons. Important points: The Skyglow, is an omnipresent sheet of light across the night sky in and around cities that can …

People of Halam sub-tribes, who took refuge in Assam following clashes with Bru refugees in north Tripura, are returning to their village Damcherra in North district of Tripura. The Brus came to Tripura in 1997 to escape an ethnic clash in Mizoram and started staying at six relief camps in the North District. Important points: …

The poultry industry is demanding a permit for the import of crushed genetically modified (GM) soy seeds for captive consumption of farmers from the Central government. Non-fiscal and fiscal relief measures which include the restructuring of term loans and additional working capital has also been demanded from the Centre and State governments. Important points: A GM or …

The dairy industry has been a subject of intense debate in recent years, fueled by climate change crisis concerns worldwide as well as the advancement of various plant-based alternatives claiming to be more sustainable replacements. Important points: With the help of White Revolution, India has transitioned from a milk-deficient country to the largest producer of milk globally. The Anand …

Recently, a group of scientists and activists have warned the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) of the adverse impacts of Food Fortification on health and livelihoods. It is a pushback against the Centre’s plan to mandatorily fortify rice and edible oils with vitamins and minerals. In order to fight chronic anaemia and undernutrition, the government is making …

Recently, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) released a report named Hunger Hotspots – August to November 2021. The 2021 Global Food Crises Report released in May 2021 had already warned of acute food insecurity, soaring to a five-year high, pushing at least 155 million people into acute food insecurity in …

Recently, Bangladesh and India started regular operation of freight trains through the restored Haldibari-Chilahati rail route after over 50 years, which will strengthen railway connectivity and bilateral trade between the two countries. The Haldibari-Chilahati rail link is one such route that was operational till 1965. Another rail link, between Agartala-Akhaura, is scheduled to …

Recently, during the 12th round of discussions between the senior military commanders of India and China to resolve the standoff in eastern Ladakh, both have agreed in principle to disengage at a key patrol point in eastern Ladakh. The 11th Corps Commander-level talks were held in April 2021, when the two sides could not even agree on a joint …

Recently, a report (Tightening the Net) published by Oxfam International has said that announcing Net Zero Carbon Targets may be a dangerous distraction from the priority of cutting carbon emissions. Many countries like New Zealand, UK, US, China and the European Union have set net-zero targets on greenhouse gas emissions to tackle climate …

The Supreme Court-Appointed Committee has permitted construction of a stretch of the proposed Delhi-Alwar RRTS (Rapid Rail transit system) corridor under the Aravalli Biodiversity Park and the extended ridge area. Important points: The committee observed that the project is in public interest and since the proposed rail corridor will run 20 metres below the ground, trees will not have …

Output at India’s eight core sectors grew by 8.9% in June 2021 largely due to Base Effect but the pace remained below the production levels seen before the Covid-19 pandemic as well as its second wave. Important points: These comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). The eight …

Recently, India and the UK have collaborated to conduct a study on ‘Ashwagandha (AG)’ for promoting recovery from Covid-19. After the trial’s success, ‘Ashwagandha’ will be a proven medicinal treatment to prevent infection and be recognised by the scientific community worldwide. This is the first time that the Ministry of Ayush has collaborated with a foreign institution to investigate its …