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The eight core sectors grew by 6.8% in March 2021 (the highest in 32 months), after a 3.8% dip in February, but the spike was largely due to the base effects from March 2020. During 2020-21 (April-March), output of the eight sectors contracted by 7% as against a positive growth of 0.4% in 2019-20. Important point: These comprise 40.27% of the …

According to the report Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2021, the second wave of Covid-19 can put India’s economic recovery at “risk”. ADO is a series of annual economic reports on the Developing Member Countries (DMCs) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Important point: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will rebound strongly by 11% in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 due to continued …

Recently, India’s Health Ministry said that a new double mutant variant of the coronavirus had been detected in addition to many other strains or Variants of Concern (VOCs) found in 18 states in the country. Important points: Variants of a virus have one or more mutations that differentiate it from the other variants that are in circulation. While most …

Evolutionary biologists from different countries have shown that the regions of host genomes that increase the risk of getting severely ill and protect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus were inherited from Neanderthals. Neanderthals are an extinct species of hominids that were the closest relatives to modern human beings. Important point: A region on host chromosome 3 acts as a …

A study published in Geophysical Research Letters of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) says that due to the significant melting of glaciers because of global temperature rise, Earth’s axis of rotation has been moving more than usual since the 1990s. While this change is not expected to affect daily life, it can change the length of …

Every year 1st May is observed as May Day and is also known as International Labour Day worldwide. The day is observed as an occasion to commemorate the contributions of labourers and the working class. The International Labour Organization, a United Nations agency, works towards setting international labour standards. Important points: Labour Day has its …

Sri Akhand Path was inaugurated at Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, the birthplace of the ninth Sikh guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, to mark the 400th Prakash Purab (birth centenary) of the Guru. Important points: Guru Teg Bahadur (1621-1675): Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Sikh Guru, often venerated as the ‘Protector of Humanity’ (Srisht-di-Chadar) by the Sikhs. Known as a great teacher, …

Researchers from the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, have resolved the mystery of the antimatter counterpart of the electrons called Positron and Positron Excess Phenomenon. RRI is an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology. Antimatter is the opposite of normal matter. More specifically, the sub-atomic particles of antimatter have properties opposite those of …

Recently, according to the SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research) system, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated from ‘moderate’ to ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’. Important points: Delhi’s air typically worsens in October-November and improves by March-April. Current weather conditions are not unfavourable, unlike in winter. During winter, cool and calm weather traps …

The Vande Bharat Mission (VBM), which started repatriating Indians stranded abroad due to Covid-19 and the resultant lockdowns since May 2020, has become one of the largest evacuations of civilians by a country. Important points: It is the biggest civilian evacuation exercise to bring back Indian citizens stranded abroad amidst the coronavirus-induced travel restrictions. It …

Recently, a ceasefire on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan appeared to be holding after a day of intense fighting between the two countries that has killed about 40 people and wounded about 175. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan belong to the central asia region. Other countries of the region are Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Important points: Both nations …

Recently, India’s Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas has added capability of firing Israeli-origin Python-5 air-to-air missile (AAM) after concluding successful tests. The same set of tests were also aimed to validate the enhanced capability of the already integrated Israeli-origin Derby beyond visual range AAM on Tejas. The tests were conducted …

 Recently, Indian Scientists have developed a high-yielding and pest-resistant variety of soybean, called MACS 1407.  Scientists from MACS- Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, in collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi have developed it. Important points: Using the conventional cross breeding technique, scientists developed MACS 1407 which gives 39 …

Experts are calling on the government to ease CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) regulations to allow corporate expenditure on vaccinations for employees and treatment of employees suffering from Covid to be covered under spending for CSR. Under current CSR norms, companies are not permitted to count expenditure incurred exclusively for the …

Recently, China launched an unmanned module of its permanent space station that it plans to complete by the end of 2022. The module, named “Tianhe”, or “Harmony of the Heavens”, was launched on the Long March 5B, China’s largest carrier rocket. India has also set its eye on building its …

Recently, the Supreme Court has asked the government to clarify in its affidavit the basis and rationale for pricing of Covid-19 Vaccines. The court noted that “different manufacturers are quoting different prices”. There are powers under the Drugs Control Act and Patents Act, and this is the time to invoke …

Recently, the United Nations and other agencies have launched the Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030) during the World Immunisation Week. It will contribute to achieving the UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goals specifically SDG 3 i.e. Good Health and Well being. Covid-19 pandemic has affected routine immunization globally. Important points: It sets an …

According to the United Nations’ Global Forest Goals Report 2021, Covid-19 pandemic has aggravated the challenges faced by countries in managing their forests. The Report has been prepared by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nation. It provides an initial overview of progress of Goals and …

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund has crossed the eight thousand crore mark. The investment will give a boost to several agricultural projects which will unlock value for farmers across the country. Important points: It is a central sector scheme To provide medium – long term debt financing facility for investment in viable …

The European Parliament has ratified the post-Brexit trade deal between the European Union and the United Kingdom (UK). The EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is a free trade agreement signed in December 2020, between the EU, the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the United Kingdom (UK). The deal …