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The Rajya Sabha recently cleared the legislation to establish the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NBFID), which was announced in the Budget speech by Finance Minister as the principal development financial institution (DFIs) for infrastructure financing. Opposition members argued unsuccessfully for sending the Bill to a select committee, …

The Joe Biden administration highlighted the strength of U.S.-India ties in its recent meeting with Chinese officials in Alaska, underlining how it has increasingly come to view India as central to its broader objectives in dealing with China in the Indo-Pacific region. The reference to India, it is learnt, was …

 The Supreme Court recently asked the government to clarify on the status of 55 recommendations made by the Collegium for judicial appointments to High Courts six months to nearly a year-and-a-half ago. Of the pending recommendations, 44 were made to fill vacancies in the Calcutta, Madhya Pradesh, Gauhati, Rajasthan and …

The father of the nation of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the late Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said Al Said are to be awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2020 and 2019 respectively. About the Gandhi Peace Prize: Institution of Award: The annual award was instituted by the Government of India in 1995 during the commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma …

Recently, the Prime Minister addressed the opening ceremony of International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) through video conference. ICDRI is the annual international conference of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)in partnership with member countries, organizations and institutions to strengthen the global discourse on disaster and climate resilient infrastructure. …

The Finance Minister of India urged the advanced economies to scale up their commitments to climate finance and transfer of technologies – which are important for achieving climate-related commitments and goals. The Minister was addressing the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI). Climate Finance (Meaning): Climate finance refers to local, national or transnational financing—drawn from …

Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh signed a memorandum of agreement to implement the Ken Betwa Link Project (KBLP), the first project of the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers. The two states signed a tripartite agreement with the Centre on World Water Day (22nd March) to finally implement this ambitious …

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Afghan counterpart Mohammad HaneefAtmar recently held wide-ranging talks with a focus on the peace process in Afghanistan and on boosting cooperation in areas of security, connectivity and trade. Strategic partnership: The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated “India’s long-term commitment towards making Afghanistan a united, peaceful and prosperous constitutional …

Less than a month India and Pakistan agreed to “strict observance of all agreements, understanding and ceasefire along the Line of Control and all other sectors. Both countries, now, are again set to return to the dialogue table, with the annual meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) scheduled to begin in New Delhi. …

Justice Ravindra Bhat, one of the judges on the Constitution Bench hearing the question of 50% ceiling limit on reservation, asked why welfare should be dependent on caste quota benefits alone. “Why stop at reservation? Why can’t other things also be done? Why not promote education, establish more institutes? Somewhere this …

The private medical colleges in Rajasthan have been brought within the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, following an order of the State Information Commission, which has imposed a fine of ?25,000 on the principal of Geetanjali Medical College in Udaipur for flouting the transparency law and refusing to provide information. …

The Lok Sabha recently passed a Bill that defines that the word “government” in Delhi means the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) and makes it mandatory for the elected government in the national capital territory to take the opinion of the L-G before any executive action. Amid strong protests from Opposition parties, including the Congress and …

The Centre has written to the Uttarakhand government about the need for stringent measures to control the spread of Covid-19 during the ongoing KumbhMela in the state (at Haridwar). Important points: KumbhMela comes under UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity KumbhMela is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, …

Recently, the Prime Minister called 17th century Ahom general LachitBorphukan a symbol of India’s “AtmaNirbhar military might”.  LachitBorphukan: Born on 24th November, 1622, Borphukan was known for his leadership in the Battle of Saraighat, 1671 in which an attempt by Mughal forces to capture Assam was thwarted. He was the inspiration behind strengthening India’s naval force and revitalising inland water …

Recently, the Government has launched the Gram UJALA Programme – an ambitious scheme offering the world’s cheapest LED bulbs in rural areas at a mere Rs. 10. Important points: In its first phase launched from Arrah in Bihar, 15 million LED bulbs will be distributed across villages of 5 districts – Aarah (Bihar), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Vijayawada …

Recently, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan announced the implementation of the Rajasthan Model of Public Health that would include a Right to Health as well as measures for preventive, primary and curative care as envisioned by the WHO Rajasthan Model of Public Health: The MukhyaMantriChiranjeeviYojana will also be launched as a Universal Health Care scheme as part of …

Built water reservoir capacity per person is decreasing globally as reservoir expansion has not been able to keep pace with population growth, said the United Nations World Water Development Report released on March 22, 2021 observed as World Water Day.  Important points: While the world population is expected to reach …

The government has recently formed a Maharaja Anangpal II Memorial Committee to popularise the legacy of 11th-century Tomar king, Anangpal II. Crediting him with giving Delhi its present name and also repopulating it, the National Monument Authority — which functions under the Ministry of Culture — has embarked on a mission …

The United Nations observes March 21 as the International Day of Forests, commemorating the green cover around the world and reiterating its importance. The theme of the International Day of Forests for 2021 is “Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being”. Why is the International Day of Forests celebrated? The United Nations …

Recently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) told a special court in Mumbai that the arrested assistant police inspector Sachin Waze, now suspended from Mumbai Police, was not cooperating in the probe against him and was insisting on his lawyer being present during interrogation. Separately, Waze filed an application seeking to be allowed …