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GS-2 INDIA-USA EXECUTIVE STEERING GROUP (ESG) MEETING The 24th edition of the India-USA Executive Steering Group (ESG) meeting was held at New Delhi for two days in February 2021. Important points: The forum is an Army to Army engagement that meets every year alternately in India and the USA to …

GS-3 MCA & CBIC SIGN MOU The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for data exchange between the two organisations. About the MoU: The MoU is in line with the vision of MCA …

GS-1 MANNATHU PADMANABHAN PM pays tributes to Sri MannathuPadmanabhan Ji on his PunyaTithi.  About MannathuPadmanabhan: MannathuPadmanabhan (1878 – 1970) was an Indian social reformer and freedom fighter from Kerala. He took part in anti-untouchability agitations and advocated opening temples for people of all castes. He also participated in the Vaikom …

GS-2 KHELO INDIA NATIONAL WINTER GAMES The second edition of the Khelo India National Winter Games to be inaugurated on February 26. Details: The Games will be held from 26th February to 2nd March, 2021 in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir. The event has been organised by the Union Ministry of …

GS-3 PM ATMANIRBHAR SWASTH BHARAT SCHEME Recently, the Prime Minister talked about the need to address health issues in a holistic manner and to adopt a four-pronged strategy for a healthy India that includes implementing the PM AtmanirbharSwasth Bharat scheme. Four-Pronged Strategy for a Healthy India: Prevention of illness and …

GS-3 NATIONAL HYDROGEN ENERGY MISSION The Union Budget for 2021-22 has announced a National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHM) that will draw up a road map for using hydrogen as an energy source. The initiative has the potential of transforming transportation. NHM initiative will capitalise on one of the most abundant …

GS-1 SENKAKU ISLAND DISPUTE Recently, China called the Japan-USA mutual security pact a product of the Cold War following USA’s criticism of the presence of Chinese coast guard vessels in Japanese-claimed territorial waters. Important points: Th e 1960 Japan-USA mutual security treaty assures the USA would come to Japan’s aid …

GS-1 SOLAR ROTATION Kodaikanal Solar Observatory Digitized Data probes Sun’s rotation over the century. Who conducted the study? Researchers led by a Ph.D. student from the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous institute under Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India Collaborators from Max Planck …

GS-2   MEETING OF BRICS FINANCE AND CENTRAL BANK DEPUTIES India hosts First Meeting of BRICS Finance and Central Bank Deputies. Important points: India hosted a Meeting of BRICS Finance and Central Bank Deputies virtually. It was co-chaired by the Secretary, Economic Affairs, Finance Ministry and the Deputy Governor of …

GS-3 GRANT OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS TO PRIVATE BANKS Embargo lifted on grant of government business to private banks.  Details: The Government has lifted the embargo on private sector banks (only a few were permitted earlier) for the conduct of Government-related banking transactions such as taxes and other revenue payment facilities, …

GS-3 RECORD FOODGRAIN PRODUCTION Record Foodgrain production of 303.34 million tonnes.  Details: The second advance estimates of production of major crops reveal a record production of 303.34 million tonnes of food grains. According to the Agriculture Ministry, India’s foodgrain production is estimated to rise 2 per cent in 2020-21 crop …

GS-3 PLI FOR IT HARDWARE Cabinet approves Production Linked Incentive Scheme for IT Hardware. Background: The vision of the National Policy on Electronics 2019 is to position India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) by encouraging and driving capabilities in the country for developing core …

GS-3 PLI FOR PHARMACEUTICALS Cabinet approves Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Pharmaceuticals. Important points: The union cabinet has approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Pharmaceuticals for the period 2020-21 to 2028-29. Background: The Indian pharmaceutical industry is the 3rd-largest in the world by volume and is worth USD …

GS-3 OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLES The Orissa High Court has taken suomotu cognisance of the death of around 800 Olive Ridley sea turtles due to negligence by Odisha’s forest and fisheries departments. Features of Olive Ridley Turtles: The Olive ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles …

GS-2 INTENSIFIED MISSION INDRADHANUSH 3.0 SCHEME Recently, the Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 3.0 scheme has been rolled out to cover children and pregnant women who missed routine immunisation during the Covid- 19 pandemic. About the Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 3.0 Scheme: To reach the unreached population with all the available …

GS-3 ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ON STEEL IMPORTS FROM CHINA Recently, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated a probe to review the need for continuing imposition of anti-dumping duty on certain types of steel products imported from China, following complaints from domestic industry. The duty on the certain steel …

GS-2 CHINA-INDIA’S TOP TRADING PARTNER IN 2020 According to provisional data from India’s commerce ministry, China regained its position as India’s top trade partner in 2020 despite high border tensions between the two countries. Important points: The two-way trade between India and China stood at USD 77.7 billion for the …

GS-3 NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AWARDS 2020 A total of 12 companies have been selected for the National Technology Awards 2020 for the successful commercialization of innovative indigenous technologies. Important points: They have been selected under three categories: indigenous technologies, MSME, and start-ups. Every year, for furtherance of its mandate, the Technology …

GS-3       SCHEME OF FUND FOR REGENERATION OF TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES (SFURTI) Union Minister for MSME & Road Transport & Highways inaugurated 50 artisan-based SFURTI clusters, spread over 18 States. Important points: In the 50 clusters inaugurated, over 42,000 artisans have been supported in the traditional segments of muslin, khadi, coir, handicraft, …

GS-2 LABOUR BUREAU Labour Bureau organises training of trainers for five All-India Surveys. Important points: Labour Bureau, Chandigarh organised the Training of Trainers for the five All India Surveys relating to Domestic Workers, Migrant Workers, Employment Generated by the Professionals, the Employment Generated in Transport Sector and the All India …