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Recently, Odisha’s forest officials have announced measures to preserve the newly discovered tiny gecko species of the genus Hemiphyllodactylus. Important points: This was first spotted in Ganjam district, Odisha in 2014. The new species of Hemiphyllodactylus minimus is the smallest member of the genus with a maximum body size of little over six cm. It is called Ganjam …

Recently, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) celebrated its 93rd foundation day and on the occasion, the Kisan Sarthi platform was launched. Indian Council of Agriculture Research It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It was established in July 1929 and was formerly known as the Imperial Council of …

Recently, the Union Education Minister and Union Tribal Affairs Minister jointly launched the School Innovation Ambassador Training Program (SIATP). The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched an Adi-Prashikshan portal which is also a repository of training inputs. Important points: The innovative and one-of-its-kind training program for school teachers aims at training 50,000 school teachers in innovation, entrepreneurship, Intellectual …

Recently, a political party has raised the demand of bringing the long-pending Women’s Reservation Bill to Parliament, ahead of the monsoon session. The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in May 2008 and was referred to a standing committee. In 2010, it was passed in the House and transmitted finally to the Lok Sabha. However, the Bill lapsed with the 15th Lok …

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has barred three foreign card payment network firms – Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club — from taking new customers on board over the issue of storing data in India. As many as five private sector banks, including Axis Bank, Yes Bank, and IndusInd Bank, are to be impacted by the …

The G7 (Group of Seven) Countries proposed a ‘Build Back Better World (B3W) initiative’ at the recent 47th G7 summit to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It is an intergovernmental organisation that was formed in 1975. The bloc meets annually to discuss issues of common interest like global economic governance, international security and energy policy. The G7 countries are the UK, Canada, France, Germany, …

According to a recent report, fossil fuel electricity generation has peaked worldwide as emerging markets seize the opportunities of low-cost renewables. The Report was published by India’s Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and the financial think tank Carbon Tracker (both are not-for-profit organisations). Important points: Emerging markets are key to the global …

Recently, heavy rains caused flash floods and landslides in many parts of Himachal Pradesh. Important points: A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. They are a type of mass wasting, which denotes any downward movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity. The …

According to a recent study, Amazon Forests have started emitting Carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of absorbing it. Growing trees and plants have taken up about a quarter of all fossil fuel emissions since 1960, with the Amazon playing a major role as the largest tropical forest. Important points: A significant amount of deforestation (over …

A recent study published in the ‘Lancet Global Health’ is the first comprehensive analysis of India’s neurological diseases burden from 1990 to 2019. The study is a part of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, which was published by the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative. India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative is a joint initiative of Indian Council …

Recently, the Union Minister of Textiles held an in-depth review of initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Textiles for giving a boost to the textiles sector. Important points: Textiles & garments industry is labour intensive sector that employs 45 mn people in India is second only to the agriculture sector in terms of employment. India’s …

Every year, 15th July is observed as the World Youth Skills Day. It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2014. Important points: To equip young people around the world with essential skills for employment, work, and entrepreneurship. To achieve the Incheon Declaration: Education 2030, “which devotes considerable attention to technical and vocational …

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has unveiled the Draft Drone Rules, 2021 based on “trust, self-certification and non-intrusive monitoring”. The new rules would replace the existing Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, notified in March, 2021. Important points: To create a “digital sky platform” as a business-friendly single-window online system for procuring various approvals. There will be minimal human …

Recently, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Political Party) has decided to move an Adjournment Motion in the Lok Sabha against the government on the three controversial farm laws. Motions and resolutions are procedural devices to raise a discussion in the House on a matter of general public interest. Important points: Adjournment motion is introduced only in the Lok …

Recently, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) Renewable Energy Ltd (REL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Union Territory of Ladakh to set up the country’s first Green Hydrogen Mobility project. NTPC REL will also set up a solar park at Rann of Kutch in Gujarat from where it will also generate green hydrogen on a commercial scale under the Ultra-Mega Renewable …

Recently, the Minister of Tribal Affairs reviewed various initiatives under ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi-Mission Vand Dhan’, by TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India). TRIFED The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) came into existence in 1987. It is a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The ultimate objective of TRIFED …

Water pollution caused by detergents has become a big concern in the global context. The per capita (per person) detergent consumption in India is around 2.7 kilogram per year. It is around 3.7 kg in the Philippines and Malaysia and 10 kg in the United States of America. Water Pollution Water pollution occurs when harmful substances—often chemicals or microorganisms—contaminate a …

Recently, the Office of the Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has released the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for the month of June, 2021. Important points: Inflation in wholesale prices stayed high in June 2021 at 12.07% following the record high of 12.94% in May 2021. The high rate of inflation in …

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved implementation of a special livestock sector package. Important points: To boost growth in the livestock sector and thereby making animal husbandry more remunerative to 10 crore farmers engaged in Animal Husbandry Sector. Total Amount: The Central government will spend Rs. 9,800 crore on livestock development over the next …

The Union Government has approved continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary for further five years to 2026 at a total cost of Rs. 9000 crore. 50 crore will be allocated for Gram Nyayalayas Scheme through National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms. National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms …