GS

Recently, messaging platform WhatsApp has moved the Delhi High Court to challenge the traceability provision in the New IT Rules 2021 Earlier the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) had sent a notice to WhatsApp asking it to withdraw a controversial update to its privacy policy which might be a threat to Data Protection of …

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Switzerland have launched a BioHub facility that will allow pathogens sharing between laboratories and facilitate “analysis and preparedness” against them. Important points: The facility will help in safe reception, sequencing, storage and preparation of biological materials for distribution to other laboratories, so as to facilitate global preparedness against these pathogens. It will enable member states to share biological materials …

Two celestial events – Total Lunar Eclipse and Supermoon – together coincide on 26th May 2021. Important points: A supermoon occurs when the Moon’s orbit is closest to the Earth at the same time that the Moon is full. As the Moon orbits the Earth, there is a point of time when the distance between the two is the …

The Prime Minister addressed “Virtual Vesak Global Celebrations” on Buddha Purnima. The event is being organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and will witness the participation of all the supreme heads of the Buddhist Sanghas from around the world. Important points: It is celebrated to mark the birth of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It …

Recently, the European Union (EU) imposed sanctions against Belarus, including banning its airlines from using the airspace and airports of the 27-nation bloc EU. Important points: Europe’s longest-serving ruler, President of Belarus Lukashenko took office in 1994 amid the chaos caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Often described as Europe’s “last dictator”, he has tried …

The Ministry of Women and Child Development will set up One Stop Centres (OSCs) across 10 countries to provide assistance to Indian women who are survivors of gender-based violence. The missions where the OSCs will come up are Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Australia, Canada and Singapore. It will also set …

The latest Draft Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation, 2021, for the creation of a Lakshadweep Development Authority (LDA) is widely resented by the people of Lakshadweep. Important points: It empowers the government, identified as the administrator, to constitute Planning and Development Authorities under it to plan the development of any area identified as having “bad layout …

Recently, the Central Government has appointed ‘Subodh Kumar Jaiswal’ as a new Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) The Director of the CBI is appointed as per section 4A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act of 1946. Important points: The CBI was set up in 1963 by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs. …

As there is no clear definition of what constitutes a “Hate Speech” in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Committee for Reforms in Criminal Laws constituted by the Union Home Ministry to suggest reforms to the British-era IPC, is attempting for the first time to define such speech. Important points: In general, it refers …

A Bangalore based startup has received the National Award 2021 from Technology Development Board (TDB) for developing a commercial solution for conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to chemicals and fuels. The startup has received funding under the Nano Mission.  Important points: The startup developed efficient catalysts and methodologies for the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to methanol and …

Recently, the government launched the first phase of the latest update to its digital corporate compliance portal, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) 21 Version 3.0. It will help in improving Ease of Doing Business in India. India ranked 63rd out of 190 countries in Ease Doing Business 2020: World Bank Report Important points: It will leverage the …

A consignment of Dahanu Gholvad sapota has been exported to the United Kingdom from Maharashtra’s Palghar district, providing a major boost to shipments of Geographical Indication (GI) certified products from India. Sapota (Chikoo) is grown in many states- Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka is known to be the highest grower of the fruit, followed …

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered all encroachments to be removed from Gujarat’s Banni grasslands within six months. The court also said the Maldharis (Pastoralists) will continue to hold the right to conserve the community forests in the area, granted to them as per the provisions in Section 3 of Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. National Green Tribunal It …

According to a recent study, exotic invasive whiteflies in India are causing direct and indirect yield losses in agriculture, horticulture and forestry crop plants. Whiteflies are tiny, sap-sucking insects that may become abundant in vegetable and ornamental plantings, especially during warm weather. They excrete sticky honeydew and cause yellowing or death of leaves. Important points: The first reported invasive spiralling …

India and Israel have signed “a three-year work program agreement” for development in agriculture cooperation. Important points: The programme aims to grow existing Centres of Excellence, establish new centers, increase CoE’s value chain, bring the Centres of Excellence into the self-sufficient mode, and encourage private sector companies and collaboration. Both countries are implementing the “INDO-ISRAEL Agricultural Project Centres of Excellence” and “INDO-ISRAEL Villages of Excellence”. …

Recently, an unusual shortage of inputs, especially semiconductor chips, has made India-based vehicle manufactures (car manufactures and premium bikes) curtail production across categories. Important points: Semiconductors are materials which have a conductivity between conductors (generally metals) and nonconductors or insulators (such as most ceramics). Semiconductors can be pure elements, such as silicon or germanium, or compounds such as gallium arsenide or …

In the Financial Year 2020-21, India sees growth of 10% (to $82 bn) in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) FDI equity investments rise 19% to $60 billion. In 2019-20, India had received $74.39 billion in FDI, with almost $50 billion coming in the form of equity investments. Important points: Singapore emerged as the top investor with almost a third of all investments, followed by the US which accounted for 23% of …

The report, titled Protected Planet Report 2020, underlined the progress the world has made toward the ambitious goals agreed by countries in 2010 at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Biological Diversity It is a legally binding treaty to conserve biodiversity that has been in force since 1993. Nearly all countries including India …

Recently the 12th Annual Day of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) was observed on 20th May. Important points: Competition Commission of India is a statutory body responsible for enforcing the objectives of the Competition Act, 2002. CCI was established by the Central Government with effect from 14th October 2003, but it became fully functional on 20th May, 2009. A Chairperson and 6 Members appointed by the Central Government. The CCI was …

A new research in zebrafish has demonstrated how induced hibernation (torpor) may protect humans from the elements of space, especially radiation, during space flight. Important points: The researchers exposed zebrafish to radiation like what would be experienced on a six-month journey to Mars. They observed signs of oxidative stress (imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals), DNA damage, stress hormone signaling …