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The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to keep its short term lending rate or the repo rate unchanged at 4 per cent, in line with market expectations. Announcing the monetary policy, RBI Governor said the central bank will maintain its ‘accommodative stance’ as long as …

The latest edition of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook has raised its Financial Year (FY) 2021 growth forecast for India to 12.5% from 11.5% estimated earlier in January 2021. Indian economy is expected to grow by 12.5% in 2021 and 6.9% in 2022. In 2020, India’s economy …

Recently, the Supreme Court told the government that interim appointments to the post of CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) Director cannot go on. A petition was filed in the Court, objecting to the appointment of interim CBI Director following the retirement of the regular CBI director. The government had failed …

Recently, the President promulgated Tribunal Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance 2021 through which the Appellate authorities under nine laws have been replaced with High Courts. The Ordinance has amended the Finance Act 2017 to include provisions related to the composition of search-cum-selection committees, and term of office of …

Recently, Indian Railways completed the arch closure of the iconic Chenab Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir. About Chenab Bridge: It is the world’s highest railway bridge and is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project (USBRL). The Project was declared as a Project of National Importance in March 2002. This …

After the recent orders from the Food Corporation of India (FCI), the farm unions warned that the Centre’s insistence on direct payment of Minimum Support Price (MSP) could derail the crop procurement process. Direct Payment of Minimum Support Price (MSP): The Centre wants to make direct online MSP payment to …

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has launched the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), that is the next generation highly refined version of the presently used Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). IIHP is an advanced disease surveillance system. It will track 33 diseases (as compared to the earlier 18 …

Recently, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways celebrated the 58th National Maritime Day (5th April). Maritime India Vision-2030, was also discussed at the occasion. National Maritime Day is celebrated every year on 5th April to commemorate the maiden voyage of the first Indian flag merchant vessel ‘S.S LOYALTY’ from …

The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has launched “Sankalp se Siddhi” – Village and Digital Connect Drive. The main aim of this drive is to activate the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) in the villages. Sankalp se Siddhi Drive: The drive …

Indian Navy Ships INS Satpura and INS Kiltan alongwith P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft are participating, for the first time in multilateral maritime exercise La Pérouse, being conducted in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region from 5th to 7th April 2021. Post conduct of La Perouse, the Indo-French Naval exercise …

Every year, 21st March, is observed as International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The day calls for solidarity against racism and racial discrimination. The United Nation General Assembly in October 1966 proclaimed 21st March as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, to be commemorated annually. …

Since the advent of the year 2021, there has been a series of forest fires in many states of India, including in Wildlife Sanctuaries. Forest Fires: Also called bush or vegetation fire or wildfire, it can be described as any uncontrolled and non-prescribed combustion or burning of plants in a …

In some cases it has been found that the National Security Act-1980 (NSA) was invoked to prevent the person from being released from judicial custody even if the accused had got bail. The NSA empowers the state to detain a person without a formal charge and without trial. National Security …

In a first, US space agency NASA is preparing to fly a mini-helicopter on Mars. For this NASA has sent a small Ingenuity Helicopter with Perseverance rover to Mars. With the help of this helicopter, untouched aspects of Mars will be explored. NASA has even released its picture for the …

TRIFED under Ministry of Tribal Affairs has now launched “Sankalp se Siddhi” – Village and Digital Connect Drive. It is a 100 day drive which was stared from April 1, 2021. The drive will entail 150 teams visiting ten villages each of which 10 in each region from TRIFED and …

In a marked flare-up in tensions within Jordan’s royal household, Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein, the former crown prince and half-brother of ruling monarch Abdullah, has reportedly been placed under house arrest as part of a crackdown on critics. Jordan is an Arab country in the Levant region of Western …

The eCommittee Supreme Court has prepared the draft vision document for Phase III of the eCourts Project under the auspices of the Supreme Court of India. E-Courts Project is a mission mode project undertaken by the Department of Justice, Government of India. The eCourts Project was conceptualized on the basis …

Home Minister paid tributes to police personnel martyred in the encounter with Naxalites in Chhattisgarh in April 2021. Separate joint teams of security forces, over 2,000 in number, had launched a major anti-Naxal operation from Bijapur and Sukma districts in the South Bastar forests, considered as the Maoist stronghold. The …

The Godavari water is to be released into the irrigation canals in East and West Godavari districts from the Polavaram irrigation project site up to 15th April 2021 against the previous deadline of 31st March 2021. Work on the cofferdam is scheduled to commence in April. Godavari River: The Godavari is the largest Peninsular river system. It is …

Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the Central Sector Scheme – “Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI)” entailing an outlay of Rs. 10,900 crore. Important points: In order to boost domestic manufacturing and cut down on import bills, the central government in March 2020 introduced a PLIscheme that aims to give companies incentives on …