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The Guindy National Park provides a number of ecosystem services to the people of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to human well-being. Important points: It is India’s eighth-smallest national park and one of the very few national parks located inside a city. …

Recently, due to Covid-19-Pandemic an app called chendavia is gaining popularity among the students of kalbeliya dance. Important points: Kalbeliya dances are an expression of the Kalbelia community’s traditional way of life. It is associated with a Rajasthani tribe of the same name. It was included in the United Nations …

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), hydrogen will make up 12% of the energy mix by 2050. The agency also suggested that about 66% of this hydrogen used must come from water instead of natural gas. Recently, IRENA has released the ‘World Energy Transitions Outlook’ Report. Hydrogen Hydrogen …

The World Bank has approved a USD 500 million loan programme to support India’s informal working class to overcome the current pandemic distress. The loan will create greater flexibility for states to cope with the ongoing pandemic, future climate and disaster shocks. Important points: Of the USD 500 million commitment, …

Recently, the Spanish government approved a draft bill that would allow anyone over the age of 14 to legally change gender without a medical diagnosis or hormone therapy. Currently, for someone to change their gender in official records, the law first requires two years of hormone therapy and a psychological …

Recently, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to shun the usage of the term ‘Central government’ in its official communications and replace it with ‘Union government’. In common parlance, the terms “union government” and “central government” are used interchangeably in India. However, the Constituent Assembly did not use the term …

Recently, the Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises inaugurated NATRAX- the High Speed Track in Pithampur, Indore (Madhya Pradesh). Important points: It is one of the state-of-the-art automotive testing and certification centre under National Automotive Testing and Research and development (R&D) Infrastructure Project (NATRIP), NATRIP is the largest and …

Recently, Pyrostria laljii, a new species which belongs to the genus of the coffee family has recently been discovered from the Andaman Islands. A new species of pokeweed named Rivina andamanensis was also discovered. Andaman and Nicobar is a group of 572 islands and islets that are rich and unique …

Recently, the NITI Aayog released a comprehensive study on the Not-for-Profit Hospital Model in the country. It is an initiative in a step towards closing the information gap on such institutions and facilitating robust policymaking in this area. NITI Aayog It is a public policy think tank of the Government …

National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited has become the first energy company in the energy domain in India to declare its Energy Compact Goals as part of UN High-level Dialogue on Energy (HLDE). The United Nations is set to convene a high-level dialogue (HLD) in September, 2021 to promote the …

The Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, launched under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, completed its one year on 29th June. The PMFME Scheme is currently being implemented in 35 States and Union Territories (UTs). Important points: Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). The States would identify …

The Supreme Court of India has recently held that persons with physical disabilities have the right to reservation in promotions also. A disabled particular person can avail the advantage of reservation for promotion even when she or he was recruited within the common class or developed the incapacity after gaining …

Recently, the Supreme Court directed all states and Union Territories (UT) to implement the One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) system by 31st July 2021. The scheme allows migrant labourers covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) to access food at any fair price shop with his or her …

Every year, the Statistics Day is celebrated on 29th June, the birth anniversary of Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, to recognise his invaluable contribution in establishing the National Statistical System. Important Points To popularise the use of statistics in everyday life and sensitise the public as to how statistics help in …

Ukraine and the United States launched joint naval Exercise ‘Sea Breeze’ in the Black Sea in a show of Western cooperation with Ukraine as it faces off with Russia. The drills come just days after the British Royal Navy’s HMS Defender passed near Russian-annexed Crimea in the Black Sea. Important …

Recently, China has put into operation the Baihetan Dam, world’s Second Biggest Hydropower Dam. The Three Gorges Dam is the largest hydropower dam in the world and is also along China’s Yangtze River. It began operations in 2003. Important Points It is on the Jinsha River, a tributary of the …

The central government has extended the term of K.K. Venugopal as Attorney General (AG) for one more year. This is the second time the Centre has extended his tenure. Venugopal received his first extension of term in 2020. Venugopal was appointed the 15th AG of India in 2017. He succeeded …

Recently, a new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-P (Prime) was successfully test-fired by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha, Balasore. Important Points Agni-P is a new generation advanced variant of the Agni class (under IGMDP – Integrated …

Recently, the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949 has been challenged before the Gujarat High Court, more than seven decades after it came into effect as the Bombay Prohibition Act. The prohibition on manufacture, sale and consumption of liquor in the state vide the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949, has been challenged on …

Recently, the Ministry of Finance announced a slew of measures to provide relief to diverse sectors affected by the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic. It aims to prepare the health systems for emergency response and provide impetus for growth and employment. However it will increase the Fiscal Deficit by 0.6% …