GS

Dust-laden winds swept Delhi on Tuesday, pushing the air quality into the poor category and increasing the concentration of coarse particles in the air. Important points: According to forecasts, strong winds that are carrying dust to Delhi from Rajasthan are expected to continue until Thursday. The concentration of particulate matter …

With the change in season and rise in temperature, culex or common house mosquitoes have made a reappearance across Delhi. Important points: Warmer temperatures are the main reason for the appearance of these mosquitoes. Their presence is especially felt more in areas around floodplains in East and South Delhi as …

A group of lepidopterists have found a new butterfly species in India. Important points: The discovery of the species Nacaduba sinhala ramaswamii Sadasivan, 2021 in the Agasthyamalais in the Western Ghats a decade ago has now found place in the Journal of Threatened Taxa. The new taxon of Lycaenid butterflies …

Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has ruled out the possibility of the dreaded asteroid Apophis causing any damage to the Earth for the next 100 years. Important points: Apophis is a near-Earth asteroid with a relatively large size (about 335 meters wide). Named after the ancient Egyptian …

The Prime Minister of India paid a State Visit to Bangladesh to join the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh. Joint …

The Global Wind Report, 2021 has been released by Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). Important points: The world’s capacity to generate electricity from wind jumped 53 per cent in 2020. A total 93 gigawatts (GW) capacity was installed in the year. But this growth is not sufficient for the world …

CSE researchers analysed the 2018 Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI) air assessment score that depicts the air quality in industrial regions. Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra had the greatest number of ‘critically polluted’ industrial regions in India, according to a recent analysis by Delhi-based thinktank, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). …

The Odisha government has proposed a second biosphere reserve in the southern part of the state at Mahendragiri, a hill ecosystem having rich biodiversity. Important points: The 5,569-square kilometre Similipal Biosphere Reserve is Odisha’s first such reserve and was notified May 20, 1996. The area of the proposed Mahendragiri Biosphere …

The study, published in Nature Geoscience, highlighted this through a global map of 168 countries facing pollution risk caused by 92 chemicals commonly used in agricultural pesticides. The study examined risks to soil, the atmosphere and surface and ground water. Findings: Around 64 per cent of land used for agriculture …

TRIFED, under Ministry of Tribal Affairs is expanding its retail operations across the country. The latest outlet, the 131st showroom was inaugurated in a prime location in Jabalpur on March 25, 2021, making it the third outlet in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Celebrating the concept of “India under One …

An International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) supported initiative to revive Kodo and Kutki Millets cultivation, started in the year 2013-14 in Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh, has given new life to the forgotten crops. IFAD is a specialized agency of the United Nations and was one of the major …

 In a bid to promote Ayurveda as the mainstream treatment for the prevalent lifestyle related diseases, Vinoba Seva Pratisthan (VSP), in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH, has successfully organized a 3-days “Ayurveda Parav in Bhubaneswar from 26th to 28th March 2021”. This unique initiative aims to not only ensure …

The Centre plans to issue a 14-digit identification number to every plot of land in the country within a year. About:  It will subsequently integrate its land records database with revenue court records and bank records, as well as Aadhaar numbers on a voluntary basis, according to a parliamentary standing …

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, in its draft budget for 2021-22, has set aside Rs 1,050 crore for the Sabarmati River Front Development phase 2, work on which is to begin soon. Important points: Sabarmati Riverfront is a waterfront being developed along the banks of Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad. Proposed in …

 President Ram Nath Kovind has prorogued the fifth session of 17th Lok Sabha. The session had commenced on 29th January. President also prorogued the Rajya Sabha. The House was adjourned sine die on 25th of this month. Important points: Termination of a session of the House by an order made …

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has underlined the role of micro forests in minimising the havoc caused by cyclones in coastal areas. Through his Mann ki Baat program, the Prime Minister, commended two odia activists- one, Mr. Vijay Kumar Kabi of Kendrapara and the other Mr. Amaresh Samanta of Paradeep, for …

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar reached Dushanbe on a three-day visit to Tajikistan. He will attend the 9th Ministerial Conference of Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process on Afghanistan. The Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) is an initiative of Afghanistan and Turkey, which was officially launched at …

Chief Justice of India (CJI) S A Bobde lauded Goa’s Uniform Civil Code, and encouraged “intellectuals” indulging in “academic talk” to visit the state to learn more about it. Earlier in September 2019, the Supreme Court had described Goa as a “shining example” with a Uniform Civil Code. A Uniform …

The Election Commission’s recent decision to change the rules for appointing polling agents has sparked off a debate in West Bengal. Who is a polling agent? A polling agent is a person appointed as a representative of a political party as it is not possible for a candidate to be …

A public interest litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court by Wasim Rizvi seeking declaration of 26 verses of the Quran as unconstitutional, non-effective and non- functional on the ground that these promote extremism and terrorism. Power of judicial review: Under Indian law, only a “law” can be challenged …