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Recently, the government has launched the Secured Logistics Document Exchange (SLDE) along with a Calculator for GreenHouse Gas (GHG) Emissions to boost Ease-Of-Doing Business in the country. In World Bank’s Ease-Of-Doing Business Report, 2020 India was ranked 63 out of 190 countries. Important points: The SLDE platform is a solution to replace the present manual process of generation, exchange and compliance of logistics documents with a …

National award winning artisan weaver, B Krishnamoorthy, has created a repository with samples of all the designs, patterns and motifs traditional to Kanjeevaram silk sari weaving, preserving fine pieces for next generation. Important points: Traditionally, the Kanjeevaram is a sari that is usually handwoven in mulberry silk and has pure gold or silver zari that renders it a …

Recently, the Union Cabinet has cleared the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) Bill, 2021. The failure of banks such as Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank, Yes Bank and Lakshmi Vilas Bank reignited the debate on the low level of insurance against the deposits held by customers in Indian banks. Important points: The bill …

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed non-bank Payment System Providers (PSPs) to participate in Centralised Payment Systems (CPS – RTGS and NEFT), as direct members. Important points: In the first phase, PSPs such as Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs), card networks and White Label ATM (WLA) operators will be allowed access. ATMs set up, owned and …

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), humanity has again used up all biological resources that our planet regenerates during the entire year by 29th July, 2021. Humanity currently uses 74% more than what the planet’s ecosystems can regenerate — or 1.7 Earths. From Earth Overshoot Day until the end of the year, humanity operates on …

Recently, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting took place in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The Defence Minister of India addressed the grouping and said India is committed to working within the SCO framework for helping create & maintain a secure & peaceful region. Important points: Terrorism is the most serious threat to international peace and security …

Recently, the Supreme Court has rejected Kerala government’s plea to withdraw criminal cases against its MLAs who were charged in the assembly. The ruling Kerala government had appealed, to the Supreme Court, to withdraw a criminal case against their leaders who destroyed public property and disrupted a Budget speech on the State Assembly floor in 2015. …

The 12th Edition of Indo-Russia joint military Exercise INDRA will be held at Volgograd, Russia in August 2021. Important points: The exercise will entail conduct of counter terror operations under the United Nations mandate by a joint force against international terror groups. The INDRA series of exercises began in 2003 and was conducted as a bilateral naval exercise alternately between the two …

Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported that Pneumonia contributes 16.9% of infant deaths and it is the 2nd highest cause of infant mortality (after prematurity & low birth weight). In November 2020, the annual Pneumonia and Diarrhoea Progress Report was released by the International Vaccine Access Centre (IVAC). Important points: Pneumonia is an acute …

Recently, a group of astronomers have detected a very short, powerful burst of high-energy radiation also known as Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) that lasted for about a second. It was named GRB 200826A after the date it occurred, which is 26th August 2020. It was detected by National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Important …

The latest edition of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook has cut its 2021 growth forecast for India to 9.5% from 12.5% estimated earlier in April 2021. While re-calibrating its forecast IMF considered two major factors which are access to vaccines and risk of new Corona-variants. Important points: Indian economy is expected to grow by 9.5% in 2021 and 8.5% in 2022 (larger …

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Finance has stated in the Rajya Sabha that the Government has taken a number of steps to facilitate digital banking, doorstep banking services and digital lending platforms. Important points: It is the digitization (or moving online) of all the traditional banking activities and programs services that were historically only available …

Recently, a new capacity building initiative on ‘Making water sensitive cities in Ganga basin’ was launched by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in association with Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Important points: The aim of the program is capacity building and action research for promoting sustainable urban water management for improved river health in …

Recently, UNESCO has announced the Harappan city of Dholavira in Gujarat as India’s 40th world heritage site. It is the first site of Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) in India to be included on the coveted list. With this successful nomination, India now enters the Super-40 club for World Heritage Site inscriptions. Apart from India, Italy, Spain, Germany, China and France have 40 …

Recently, the Parliament has passed the Marine Aids to Navigation Bill 2021. The bill will repeal the Lighthouse Act, 1927, an over nine-decade-old law governing the traditional navigation aid, i.e. lighthouses. Important points: Uptil now, the administration and management of Lighthouse and Lightships in India is governed by Lighthouse Act 1927 for safe navigation. Lighthouses serve two …

Recently, China and Pakistan have decided to launch Joint Actions in Afghanistan to stop the war-torn country from becoming a hotbed for terrorism. The recent withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan has been matched by the swift advance of the Taliban across the nation. Important points: To avoid the expansion of war and prevent Afghanistan from falling …

At the recent G20 Climate Meet, India urged the group of 20 nations (G20) having per capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions above the global average to bring it down to the world average, thereby vacating ‘some’ carbon space for developing nations. This will support the developmental aspirations of the developing nations. Presently, Italy holds the G20 Presidency and the Climate Meet …

The 22nd anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas was observed on the 26th of July 2021. The day is dedicated to the martyred soldiers of the Kargil war. Important points: After the Indo-Pak war of 1971, there had been many military conflicts. Both the countries conducted nuclear tests in 1998 which further escalated tensions and …

Recently, the US started surveillance on people travelling from Nigeria, who may have had contact with the individuals infected with Monkeypox. Important points: It is a viral zoonotic disease (transmission from animals to humans) and is identified as a pox-like disease among monkeys hence it is named Monkeypox. It is endemic to Nigeria. It is caused by …

Recently, the Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) informed Rajya Sabha about the forest area in the country. The data provided was as per the India State of Forest Report, 2019 that is the 16th biennial assessment of India’s forests by Forest Survey of India, Dehradun an organisation under the MoEFCC. Information about the Wasteland in the country was …