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Recently, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has released the new framework for implementation of the SVAMITVA Scheme. SVAMITVA stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas. Important points: It is a center sector scheme which was launched nationally on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day on 24th April 2021. To provide an integrated property validation solution …

A report titled ‘State of Working India 2021: One Year of Covid­19’ brought out annually by Azim Premji University’s Centre for Sustainable Employment, Bengaluru has been released. The report covers the period March 2020 to December 2020, dwells on the impact of one year of Covid­-19 on employment, incomes, inequality and poverty. Important points: 100 million …

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has mooted the concept of ‘Model Insurance Village (MIV)’ to boost insurance penetration in rural areas. According to the Economic Survey for 2020-21, India’s insurance penetration, which was at 2.71% in 2001, has steadily increased to 3.76% in 2019, but stayed much below the global average of 7.23%. Recently, the Parliament …

In a major boost to exports of organic products from the country, the first consignment of millets grown in the Himalayas would be exported to Denmark. APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) has sourced ragi (finger millet), and jhingora (barnyard millet) from farmers in Uttarakhand for exports. At …

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a series of measures to support the nation’s fight against the second wave of Covid-19 infections The measures form the first part of a calibrated and comprehensive strategy against the pandemic Earlier in 2020 also the RBI took measures to help deal with the economic fall out of the pandemic. …

The United States has announced the support for waiving Intellectual Property (IP) protection for Covid-19 vaccines. The decision is a breakthrough in India and South Africa’s attempts to get World Trade Organisation (WTO) member countries to agree to such a waiver to fight the pandemic equitably. Important points: The 1995 agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) requires ratifying countries …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) declared a Maharashtra law which provides reservation benefits to the Maratha community, taking the quota limit in the State in excess of 50%, as unconstitutional. Important points: 2017: A 11-member commission headed by Retired Justice N G Gaikwad recommended Marathas should be given reservation under Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) 2018: Maharashtra Assembly passed a Bill …

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) was at 55.5 in April 2021, little changed from March’s reading of 55.4. Important points: It is a survey-based measure that asks the respondents about changes in their perception about key business variables as compared with the previous month. The purpose of the PMI is …

More than 28.68 crore loans for an amount of Rs. 14.96 lakh crore have been sanctioned by banks, NBFCs and MFIs since the launch of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY).  Important points: It was launched by the government in 2015 for providing loans up to Rs. 10 lakh to the non-corporate, non-farm small/micro-enterprises. MUDRA, which stands …

The World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) is an annual celebration of press freedom, observed on 3rd May every year. The main celebration is organized by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The theme for WPFD 2021 is “Information as a Public Good”. Important points: The day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s …

Recently, eight Asiatic lions at Hyderabad’s Nehru Zoological Park have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus. It is the first known case of the human infecting the felines and making them sick in India. Earlier in 2020, Tiger being infected with Covid-19 was reported in New York (Bronx Zoo). Important points: The Asiatic Lion (also known as the Persian …

Many scientists are blaming the government-backed model, called SUTRA (Susceptible, Undetected, Tested (positive), and Removed Approach), for having a larger role in creating the perception that a second wave of Covid was unlikely in India. The second wave of Covid-19 has claimed thousands of lives since April 2021. Important points: Scientists from the IITs of Kanpur …

According to the most recent estimates by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), the Covid-19 pandemic has emerged the biggest cause of death in India. IHME is an independent global health research centre at the University of Washington, US. Important points: India has recorded more than 19 million cases of coronavirus-second only …

Recently, India received Covid-19 assistance from Taiwan including oxygen concentrators and cylinders. The aid reflects the growing engagement between India and Taiwan, especially against the backdrop of the standoff with China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and China’s aggressive actions across the region, including repeated violations of Taiwan’s airspace. India, meanwhile, has not yet accepted …

Recently, the Prime Ministers of India and the United Kingdom (UK) held a bilateral virtual summit. India thanked the UK for the prompt medical assistance provided by it in the wake of the severe second wave of Covid-19 in India. Important points: It will elevate bilateral ties to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”. It will provide a framework …

Indian Navy has launched Operation Samudra Setu-II for shipment of Oxygen-filled containers to India. Operation Samudra Setu was launched in May 2020 as part of the national effort to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas during the Covid-19 pandemic. Important points: Operation Samudra Setu-II: Seven Indian Naval ships viz. Kolkata, Kochi, Talwar, Tabar, Trikand, Jalashwa and Airavat have been deployed for shipment of liquid …

Recently, the central government withdrew its orders of reducing the rates on all small savings instruments/schemes. Important points: Small savings instruments help individuals achieve their financial goals over a particular period. They are the major source of household savings in India. The small savings instrument basket comprises 12 instruments. Collections from all small savings instruments …

Recently, the central government withdrew its orders of reducing the rates on all small savings instruments/schemes. Important points: Small savings instruments help individuals achieve their financial goals over a particular period. They are the major source of household savings in India. The small savings instrument basket comprises 12 instruments. Collections from all small savings instruments …

Over the past year, there have been deadly fires in hospital buildings, including those treating Covid-19 patients. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) says 330 people died in commercial building fires in 2019, while fatalities for residential or dwelling buildings were much higher at 6,329. Important points: Electrical faults are cited as the …

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) joined the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). The RBI expects to benefit from the membership of NGFS by learning from and contributing to global efforts on climate finance, which has assumed significance in the context of climate change. The Network for Greening the Financial System It …