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GS-2 2.INDIA-MONGOLIA RELATIONS Recently, India and Mongolia have reviewed bilateral cooperation in hydrocarbons and steel sectors. IMPORTANT POINTS: India reiterated its commitment to timely completion of the Mongol Refinery Project, the country’s 1 oil refinery. The greenfield Mongol Refinery Project is being built under a Line of Credit from the …

GS-2 1.SEVENTH TRADE POLICY REVIEW OF INDIA AT THE WTO Recently, the final session of India’s seventh Trade Policy Review (TPR) concluded at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland. APPRECIATION FOR INDIA: Introduction of Goods & Services Tax in 2016. India’s efforts in the implementation of WTO’s Trade …

GS-2 5.WORLD FOOD PRICE INDEX The Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) food price index averaged 107.5 points in December 2020, up 2.3 points from November 2020. This marks the seventh month of consecutive increase. ABOUT THE INDEX: It was introduced in 1996as a public good to help in monitoring developments …

GS-2 4.SCHEME FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairshas approved the proposal of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)for CentralSector Scheme for Industrial Development of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). DPIIT comes under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. CENTRAL SECTOR …

GS-2  3. HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT Recently, the Standing Committee of National Board of Wildlife (SC-NBWL)in its 60 meeting has approved the advisory for management of Human-Wildlife Conflict(HWC)in the country. THE ADVISORY: In the meeting approval was given for including Caracal, a medium sized wildcat into the list of critically endangered species …

GS-2 2.SPECTRUM AUCTIONS Bidding for the sixth round of spectrum auction for radio waves worth Rs. 3.92 lakh crore will start from 1st March 2020. ABOUT THE SPECTRUM AUCTIONS: The long-awaited spectrum auction is being held after a gap of four years and over two years after the Telecom Regulatory …

GS-2 1.USTR Recently, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)has said thatthe Digital services taxes adopted by India, Italy and Turkey discriminate againstUS companies and are inconsistent with international tax principles. THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE (USTR): It is responsible for developing and coordinating US …

GS-3  5.RASTRIYA KAMDHENU AAYOG Recently, the RastriyaKamdhenuAayog has announced ‘KamdhenuGau-VigyanPrachar-Prasar Exam’ with an aim to “infuse curiosity” among people about the importance of cows, and to “sensitise and educate” them about the bovine species. IMPORTANT POINTS RastriyaKamdhenuAayog is an agency under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying)established for …

GS-1 4.ANUBHAVA MANTAPA IN BASAVAKALYAN Recently, the Chief Minister of Karnataka has laid the foundation stone for the ‘New AnubhavaMantapa’ in Basavakalyan, the place where 12th century poet-philosopher Basaveshwara lived for most of his life. ABOUT THE NEW ANUBHAVA MANTAPA: It will be a six-floor structure in the midst of the 7.5-acre plot and represent various …

GS-3 3.PAYMENT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FUND SCHEME Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the operationalisation of the Payment Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) scheme. OBJECTIVE: Develop payment acceptance infrastructure in tier-3 to tier-6 cities (centres), with a special focus on the north-eastern states of the country. The fund will be operational for three years effective from 1st January, 2021 and may be extended …

GS-2 2.LONGITUDINAL AGEING STUDY OF INDIA Recently, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has released the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) Wave-1 Report on the virtual platform. ABOUT LASI: It is a full scale national survey of scientific investigation of the health, economic, and social determinants and consequences of population ageing in India. It …

GS-3  1.SULFUR DIOXIDE EMISSION NORMS DELAYED The Ministry of Power has proposed pushing back the deadlines for adoption of new emission norms by coal-fired power plants, stating “an unworkable time schedule” would burden utilities and lead to an increase in power tariffs. India initially had set a 2017 deadline for thermal power plants to comply with emissions standards …

GS-3 5.FREIGHT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PORTAL: RAILWAYS The Ministry of Railwayshas launched an exclusive portal to promote and develop the railways’ freight business – Freight Business Development Portal. With passenger train services suspended due to the coronavirus crisis, the railways is banking heavily on freight revenues for its earnings. The Dedicated …

GS-1 4.YAKSHAGANA Recently a Yakshagana artiste died while performing on stage. KEY POINTS Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form of Karnataka. It is a temple art form that depicts mythological stories and Puranas. It is performed with massive headgears, elaborate facial make-up and vibrant costumes and ornaments. Usually recited in …

GS-3 3.ASIAN WATERBIRD CENSUS The two-day Asian Waterbird Census-2020 has commenced in Andhra Pradesh under the aegis of experts from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). IMPORTANT POINTS: Every January, thousands of volunteers across Asia and Australasia visit wetlands in their country and count waterbirds. This citizen scienceprogrammeis the Asian …

GS-2 2.SOLIDARITY AND STABILITY DEAL Recently, Gulf states signed a ‘solidarity and stability’ deal at the 41 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit held in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. SANCTION S ON QATAR: In June 2017, Saudi Arabia and its allies, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt severed ties …

GS-2 1.JUDICIAL REVIEW Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) refused to treat the Central Vista project as a unique one requiring greater or heightened judicial review. JUDICIAL REVIEW: It is a type of court proceeding in which a judge reviews the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public …

GS-3 4.SAGARMALA SEAPLANE SERVICES The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is starting the ambitious Project of Sagarmala Seaplane Services (SSPS) with potential airline operators. A seaplane is a fixed-wing aeroplanedesigned for taking off and landing on water. MECHANISM: The project is being initiated under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) …

GS-3 3.NATIONAL METROLOGY CONCLAVE 2021 Recently, the Prime Minister has inaugurated the National Metrology Conclave 2021and also laid the foundation stone of National Environmental Standards Laboratory through a video conference. BACKGROUND: The Conclave was organised by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research- National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi, on its …

GS-3 1.STATE OF THE CLIMATE REPORT 2020 According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD)’s State of the Climate Report, the year 2020 was the eighth warmest since India started keeping records in 1901. The State of the Climate Report looks at temperature and rainfall trends annually. AVERAGE TEMPERATURE: During the …