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Recently, a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) study has found that ozone levels are exceeding the permitted levels even during winter in Delhi-NCR, making the smog more “toxic”. Despite the pandemic and lockdowns, more days and locations witnessed higher and longer duration of ozone spells. CSE is a public interest research and advocacy organisation …

Recently, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare presided over the 112th Annual Day celebrations of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Important points: The Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) National Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) was inaugurated. WGS is a comprehensive method for analyzing entire genomes. Genomic information has been instrumental in identifying inherited disorders, characterizing the …

The Indian government is going to launch an electronic voucher based digital payment system e-RUPI. There are already many countries using the voucher system for example the US, Colombia, Chile, Sweden, Hong Kong, etc. Important points: It is a cashless and contactless method for digital payment. It is a Quick Response (QR) code or SMS string-based e-voucher, which is …

Recently, India assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the month of August 2021. This will be the country’s first presidency during its 2021-22 tenure as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. India began its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in January 2021. This is India’s eighth …

The 36th edition of India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (India-Indonesia CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy is being conducted. Important points: To reinforce maritime links, the two navies have been carrying out CORPAT along their International Maritime Boundary Line since 2002. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Saryu, an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel is participating in …

Amagarh Fort of Jaipur, Rajasthan is at the centre of a conflict between the tribal Meena community and local Hindu groups. Members of the Meena community say the Amagarh Fort was built by a Meena ruler predating Rajput rule in Jaipur, and has been their holy site for centuries. They accused Hindu groups of trying to …

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is administrating the schemes of “Support of Tribal Research Institute” and “Tribal Festival, Research, Information and Mass Education” under which various activities to promote tribal culture have been undertaken. The schemes aim to ensure quality and uniformity in research works, evaluation studies, training, awareness generation among tribals, showcasing of …

Recently, the Government of India has accorded sanction to Team CLAW to lead a team of people with disabilities to scale Siachen Glacier and create a new world record for the largest team of people with disabilities. This is the land world record expedition part of ‘Operation Blue Freedom Triple World Records’ being undertaken. Triple Elemental World …

According to a report from TransUnion Cibil and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), there has been a growth in the credit outstanding amount of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector to Rs 20.21 lakh crore, with a year-on-year growth rate of 6.6%. Even according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), credit growth …

Recently, the centre has claimed that no deaths due to manual scavenging have been reported in the past five years. However, according to the National Convener of the Safai Karmachari Andolan, 472 manual scavenging deaths across the country were recorded between 2016 and 2020, and 26 so far in 2021. Safai Karmachari …

Recently, some MPs have raised the issue of defining Creamy Layer in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. Further, the Justice Rohini committee is considering the sub-categorization of OBC quota and if any particular community or group of communities are benefiting most from the OBC quota and how to iron out anomalies. Important points: Based on …

According to the Women and Child Development Ministry, more than 9.2 lakh children (from six months to six years) in India were ‘severely acute malnourished’ till November, 2020. It underscores concerns that the Covid-19 pandemic could exacerbate the health and nutrition crisis among the poorest of the poor. Important points: The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines ‘severe acute malnutrition’ (SAM) …

Recently, the Ministry of Labour and Employment launched the e-Shram portal. Important points: To register 38 crore unorganised workers such as construction labourers, migrant workforce, street vendors, and domestic workers, among others. The workers will be issued an e-Shram card containing a 12 digit unique number. If a worker is registered on the eSHRAM portal and …

Recently, Indian astronomers from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, have for the first time given the theoretical explanation of the existence of a near-surface shear layer (NSSL) in the Sun. ARIES is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology. Important points: Apart from differentiation rotation between equator and poles, the …

Recently, cloudbursts have been reported from several places in India. Important points: Cloudbursts are short-duration, intense rainfall events over a small area. It is a weather phenomenon with unexpected precipitation exceeding 100mm/h over a geographical region of approximately 20-30 square km. In the Indian Subcontinent, it generally occurs when a monsoon cloud drifts …

Recently, Rajya Sabha has passed the Factoring Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 to bring changes in the legislation aimed at helping the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. It has incorporated many suggestions from the UK Sinha Committee. Factoring business is a business where an entity acquires the receivables of another entity for an amount. Note that credit …

Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) Amendment Bill, 2021. It was first introduced in March 2021 and subsequently referred to a parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture, which approved it without any changes. It seeks to amend the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008. Important points: It …

Recently, the Union Health Ministry has announced 27% reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and 10% quota for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in the All India Quota (AIQ) scheme for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) medical/dental courses from 2021-22 onwards. Important points: The AIQ was introduced in 1986 under the directions of the Supreme Court (SC) to provide …

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formulated a scheme, namely Information-Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit (I-MESA) in FY 2021-22. Important points: Under this scheme, Social Audits are to be conducted for all the schemes of the Department starting FY 2021-22. These social audits are done through Social Audit Units (SAU) of the States and National Institute for …

Recently, the Prime Minister launched multiple initiatives in the education sector at a conference, to mark the completion of one year of reforms under the National Education Policy 2020 which aims at making India a global knowledge superpower. The Prime Minister also noted the role played by portals like Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) and Study Webs …