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NASA will send baby squids and tardigrades (also called water bears) to the International Space Station for conducting various scientific studies. Important points: These animals are part of two separate scientific studies. Behavior of Tardigrades (water bears) in a spaceflight environment. Tardigrades can adapt to extreme conditions on Earth, including high pressure, temperature and radiation. Impact of microgravity conditions on the …

Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) on his visit to the US met American lawmakers, National Security Advisor, Defense Secretary, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and representatives from the private sector. Earlier, the Prime Minister of India and US President had a conversation on issues related to supply chains for vaccines for Covid-19. India also participated in the Leaders’ Summit on …

The Central Government may initiate disciplinary action against the West Bengal Chief Secretary after he failed to report to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in New Delhi as ordered earlier. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the “placement of services” of Chief Secretary, as per provisions Rule 6(1) of the Indian Administrative Service …

Recently, the Central Government issued a notification granting powers related to citizenship applications under existing rules to authorities of five states. The order has been issued under the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Citizenship Rules, 2009 and not under the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 since its rules have not yet been framed. Important points: In accordance with section 16 of …

Recently, the Research Design & Standards Organization (RDSO) of Indian Railways has become the first Institution to be declared a Standard Developing Organization (SDO) under One Nation One Standard mission of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). RDSO took the initiative to seek recognition as a Standard Developing Organization (SDO) under the BIS SDO Recognition Scheme. Research Designs & Standards Organization …

The government has announced a special “PM-CARES for Children” scheme for all those orphaned due to Covid-19. Also, the Supreme Court has ordered the district authorities to upload the details of children in need of care and protection on NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights) portal Bal Swaraj. Important points: Children who have lost both parents or their lone surviving …

Recently, India and Australia reviewed cooperation in the sectors of agriculture and defence. Important points: The India-Australia Grains Partnership aims to use Australia’s expertise in post harvest management to strengthen rural grain storage and supply chains so as to reduce losses and wastage. National Institute of Agricultural Marketing will be the nodal organisation from India. …

Every year, the first day of June is observed as World Milk Day. On the occasion, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying announced the launch of the Gopal Ratna Awards and integration of e-Gopala App with UMANG platform. UMANG Platform Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) Mobile App is a unified, secure, multi-channel, multi-platform, multi-lingual, …

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has notified the second negative import list, now renamed as the ‘positive indigenisation list’ of 108 items. The ‘First Negative Indigenisation’ List comprising 101 items was notified in August 2020. Important points: Procurement: All the 108 items will now be procured from indigenous sources as per provisions given in Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 …

The UN report, titled State of Finance for Nature, analyzes the investment flow in nature-based solutions (NbS) and identifies the future investment needed to meet the climate change, biodiversity and land degradation targets (set in three Rio Conventions). The report was jointly produced by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Economic Forum and the Economics of Land Degradation. Important …

Recently, the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) introduced the world’s first Nano Urea Liquid for farmers across the world. Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited It is one of India’s biggest cooperative societies which is wholly owned by Indian Cooperatives Founded in 1967 with just 57 cooperatives, today it is an amalgamation of over 36,000 Indian Cooperatives with diversified business …

Recently, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, Punjab has developed a first-of-its-kind IoT (Internet of Things) device – AmbiTag that records real-time ambient temperature during the transportation of perishable products, vaccines and even body organs and blood. The device has been developed under Technology Innovation Hub – AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) and it’s Startup ScratchNest. Agriculture and Water Technology …

Vajra Kavach is a simple disinfection process that enables Corona Warriors to reuse their masks and PPEs. The technology has been developed under the NIDHI-PRAYAS program initiated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Important points: Vajra Kavach’s UV (Ultra Violet) disinfection system removes any possible traces of the disease-causing SARS-Cov-2 (Covid-19) virus from Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), N95 masks, coats, …

Recently, the government has announced an extension of pension coverage and insurance benefits for families of those who died due to Covid-19. The pension coverage will be extended under the Employees’ state Insurance Corporation of India (ESIC) scheme and insurance benefits under the Employees’ Deposit-Linked Insurance (EDLI) scheme for members registered under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Important points: …

Every year, on 31st May, the World Health Organization (WHO) and global partners celebrate World No Tobacco Day (WNTD). Important points: The theme for the World No Tobacco Day 2021 is “Commit to Quit”. The WHO has honoured Indian Union health minister Harsh Vardhan with Director-General Special award for his efforts to control tobacco consumption in India. His leadership was instrumental in the 2019 national …

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched the Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (CDP) in order to promote the export of horticultural produce. Horticulture is the branch of plant agriculture dealing with garden crops, generally fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Important points: It is a central sector programme aimed at growing and developing identified horticulture clusters to …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has widened the scope of section 304B of Indian Penal Code (IPC) by indicating that there is no straitjacket formula to determine the cruelty against women. Important points: According to Section 304B, to make out a case of dowry death, a woman should have died of burns or other bodily injuries or …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) while protecting two Telugu (language) news channels from coercive action by the Andhra Pradesh government noted that it is time to define the limits of sedition. Presently, the Committee for Reforms in Criminal Laws constituted by the Union Home Ministry to suggest reforms to the British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), is attempting …

After black and white fungus, the recent case of yellow fungus has become a cause for concern. Important points: Yellow fungus, also called mucor septic, initially develops by the presence of moulds (a type of fungi) in the environment. It may be present with unnecessary fatigue, rashes, burning sensation on skin etc. Humidity levels below 30-40% can …

Recently, a new species of Cricket named ‘Indimimus jayanti’ was found in the Kurra caves of Chhattisgarh. The new species was named after Professor Jayant Biswas, one of the leading cave explorers in the country. Important points: The new species of cricket has been identified under the genus Arachnomimus Saussure, 1897. Jayanti has led to the new subgenus …