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Recently, the Prime Minister of India and US President had a telephone conversation with assurances exchanged on smoothening out issues related to supply chains for vaccines for Covid-19. The telephone call came in the background of not just flagging supply chain issues with the US with regard to vaccines but …

Recently, Project DANTAK which is one of the oldest Projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) commemorated its Diamond Jubilee in Bhutan. Over 1,200 DANTAK personnel laid down their lives while constructing important infrastructure in Bhutan. Important points: Project DANTAK was established on 24th April1961. It was a result of …

Recently, the US President officially recognised the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915-16 as an act of genocide. The Armenian diaspora marks 24th April as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. Important points: According to Article II of the United Nations (UN) Convention on Genocide of December 1948, genocide …

According to the latest data published by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the military spending across the world rose to USD 1,981 billion in 2020, during Covid-19 pandemic. The 2.6% increase in world military spending came in a year when the global GDP shrank by 4.4% largely due to …

The 19th edition of the Indian and French Navy bilateral exercise ‘VARUNA-2021’ is being conducted in the Arabian Sea. Earlier this year, the Indian Navy took part for the first time in the France-led naval exercise “La Pérouse” with the navies of the US, Australia and Japan. Important points: The …

Recently, the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to fill up the vacant posts of chairperson and five other members of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) by 31st July 2021. Important points: In 1978, setting up of the Minorities Commission (MC) was envisaged in the Ministry of Home …

The Prime Minister of India greeted the people on occasion of ‘Mahavir Jayanti’ (25th April 2021). Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most auspicious festivals in the Jain community. Important points: This day marks the birth of Vardhamana Mahavira, who was the 24th and the last Tirthankara and who succeeded …

Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1973 has been imposed in Gurugram, owing to the rising number of Covid-19 cases. Section 144 has often been used to clamp down on telecommunication services and order Internet shutdowns. Important points: This law empowers the magistrate of any state …

The ongoing second wave of Covid-19 infections has shaken the country and is more devastating than the first wave. The rise in case numbers has been exponential in the second wave. Important points: When cases started declining, people just broke out of the protocol of wearing a face mask, washing …

In a recent study, it has been found that groundwater depletion in India could reduce winter cropped acreage significantly in years ahead. The researchers studied India’s three main irrigation types on winter cropped areas: dug wells, tube wells and canals. The researchers also analysed the groundwater data from the Central …

Recently, the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) has announced #FOSS4GOV Innovation Challenge to accelerate adoption of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in Government. Important points: It doesn’t mean software is free of cost. The term “free” indicates that the software does not have constraints on copyrights. It means …

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to continue with the existing interim Ways and Means Advances (WMA) scheme limit of Rs. 51,560 crore for all States/UTs upto September 2021, given the prevalence of Covid-19. Important points: The WMA scheme was introduced in 1997. To meet mismatches in the …

Recently, Odisha reported its first-ever case of a baby born with Harlequin Ichthyosis, a rare genetic skin condition. India’s first recorded case of a baby born with harlequin ichthyosis was in 2016, at a private hospital in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Important points: Harlequin Ichthyosis is a rare genetic skin disorder to …

The ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) has transferred the technology for Classical Swine Fever (CSF) & Sheep Pox Vaccines to an animal healthcare company Hester Biosciences. The technology was transferred through state-owned Agrinnovate India (AgIn), which aims to work on the strengths of theIndian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). AgIn …

The report, titled ‘Zeroing in on malaria elimination’, was released by the World Health Organization (WHO) ahead of World Malaria Day 2021. World Malaria Day is observed on 25th April every year. The 2021 theme is “Reaching the Zero Malaria target”. The WHO has also identified 25 countries with the …

Four astronauts were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) from Florida as part of a collaboration between NASA and SpaceX under the Commercial Crew Program. The mission is called Crew-2. Important points: NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is a partnership between NASA and private industry to carry astronauts to and …

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have urged the Centre to consider prioritising vaccinations for their employees and self-help group workers. This request is in order to ensure that lines of credit remain open for the poor amidst the rising second wave of Covid-19 infections Important points: MFI is an organization that offers …

India commemorates the 12th National Panchayati Raj day on 24th April 2021. The Prime Minister has launched the distribution of e-property cards under the SWAMITVA scheme on the Day. Important points: The first National Panchayati Raj Day was celebrated in 2010. Since then, the National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated …

A recent analysis, based on Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) index, has shown the impact of climate change on children across the world. The analysis was done by Save the Children International, a child rights non-profit organisation. ND-GAIN is part of the Climate Change Adaptation Program of the University …

Recently, the Leaders’ Summit on Climate was convened by the US President virtually. 40 world leaders, including the Prime Minister of India, were invited to the event to underscore the urgency of stronger climate action. This summit is seen as a key milestone on the road to the United Nations …