National Natural Farming Mission

On 4th November 2022, Union Agriculture Minister chaired first steering committee meeting of National Natural Farming Mission (NMNF) at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. About National Natural Farming Mission It aims at creating institutional capacities for documentation and dissemination of best practices and make practicing farmers as partners in promotion strategy. NMNF at

Digital Banking Units

On 16th October, 20222, the Prime Minister dedicated 75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) across 75 districts to the nation. As of now, each of the 29 States and eight Union Territories has got at least one DBU. Karnataka, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have got four each, the maximum

Global Bond Indices

The Indian government has been trying hard to include the government debt in the large global bond indices. About Global Bond Indices Global bond indices include the emerging debt markets that closely monitor local currency bonds that are issued by governments of various developing nations. JP Morgan and Bloomberg–Barclay’s are the popular global

IBBI allows IPEs to act as Insolvency Professionals

Recently, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has allowed Insolvency Professional Entities (IPEs) to act as insolvency professionals. Till now, only individuals were permitted to register as insolvency professionals under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which provides for a market-linked and time-bound resolution of stressed assets. Rationale behind the Move Limitations

Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme: A 'Logistical Marvel'

Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lauded India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme as a ‘logistical marvel’ that has reached hundreds of millions of people and specifically benefitted women, the elderly and farmers. About Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme It was launched in January, 2013 with the goal of improving the delivery

Concept Note on Central Bank Digital Currency

On 7th October, 2022, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releaed the ‘Concept Note on Central Bank Digital Currency’. Aim To promote awareness about the central bank digital currency (“CBDC” or “Digital Rupee”) To describe the possible uses and features of the Digital Rupee. Major Highlights Definition CBDC is defined by the RBI as legal tender

RBI’s Report on Missing Inflation Target

For the first time recently, RBI has decided to submit a report to the government on its failure to keep the retail inflation rate below 6% for three consecutive quarters beginning January 2022. In this report, RBI will have to mention the remedial actions and an estimated time within which inflation

India Infrastructure Project Development Fund Scheme

On 3rd November 2022, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance, Government of India, notified Scheme for Financial Support for Project Development Expenses of PPP Projects – India Infrastructure Project Development Fund Scheme (IIPDF Scheme). About IIPDF Scheme It was launched for providing necessary support to the Project Sponsoring Authorities,

Self Employed Women’s Association(SEWA)

It is the single largest Central trade union registered in 1972 with a base of over 2.1 million members from India and in neighbouring nations. It grew out of the Textile Labour Association (TLA) — founded by Anasuya Sarabhai and Mahatma Gandhi in 1920. It incorporates Gandhian principles of Satya

Nihonshu

It is an alcoholic beverage also known as Japanese sake. It is made from fermenting rice. It is an integral part of the production of nihonshu follows an alcoholic fermentation method called parallel multiple fermentation. It also involves raw material treatment, koji making, starter culture making, mash

Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)

It is an initiative aiming at promoting open networks for all aspects of exchange of goods and services over digital or electronic networks. It has been incorporated as a Section 8 company in December 2021 with the Quality Council of India and Protean eGov Technologies Limited as initial promoters.

Niveshak Didi

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) conducts India’s First Floating Financial Literacy Camp under Niveshak Didi initiative.Niveshak Didi’ initiative is based on the ideology of women for women as rural area women feel more comfortable to share their queries with a female itself.It aims to promote Financial Literacy ‘By the women,

Revamping of Parliamentary Committees

In a latest development, revamping of 22 Standing Committees of Parliament was done by the government. About Parliamentary Committees Parliamentary Committee means a Committee which is appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker. The Committee works under the direction of the Speaker and presents its report to the House

Silver Jubilee of Quality Council of India

Recently, the Quality Council of India has celebrated its Silver Jubilee. About Quality Council of India (QCI) It was established as a National body for Accreditation in 1996. QCI was set up in 1997 jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry represented by the three premier industry associations- Associated

Committee to Examine Death in Gambia

On 12th October, 2022, the Indian government set up a committee of four experts to examine a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), which said four Indian-manufactured cough syrups could potentially be linked to acute kidney injury in children and 66 deaths in the small West African nation of

Doctrine of Pleasure

Recently, the Kerala Governor has sought dismissal of a minister from the Cabinet, declaring that he has withdrawn the pleasure of having him in the Council of Ministers. About Doctrine of Pleasure The pleasure doctrine is a concept derived from English common law. It says is that a civil servant of the Crown

First Amendment to the Indian Constitution

Recently, the Supreme Court has agreed to examine a PIL challenging changes made to the right to freedom of speech and expression by the first amendment to the Constitution in 1951. Objectionable Insertions Section 3(1) of the amending Act substituted original Clause (2) of Article 19 with a new Clause (2), which

ST Status to Pahari Community

On 2nd November, 2022, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) cleared the way for the inclusion of the ‘Pahari ethnic group’ in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The inclusion was based on recommendation of Office of Registrar General of India (RGI). Currently, Jammu

Split Verdict

On 13th October, 2022, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on the Karnataka government’s ban on wearing hijab in state pre-university colleges. Split Verdict of the Supreme Court Verdict Supporting the Ban One of the judges upheld the Karnataka High Court order validating the ban and said “it

Decentralization of MGNREGS

Recently, an internal study commissioned by the Ministry of Rural Development has argued for decentralisation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The study was conducted in seven States — Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Nagaland, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir

One Nation, One ITR Form

On 2nd November, 2022, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), under the Finance Ministry, released a draft common ITR form on income tax return (ITR) form for all taxpayers. Kinds of ITR Forms There are seven kinds of ITR forms, which are used by different categories of taxpayers. They are

Draft National Credit Framework

On October 19, 2022, the government unveiled the draft report on the National Credits Framework (NCrF). Background It has been drafted by an 11-member committee headed by National Council of Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) chairperson Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi. The new framework is a part of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. Aim It aims

Amendments to the IT Rules 2021

Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has notified amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021). About IT Rules, 2021 In 2021, government replaced decade old regulations on social media intermediaries (SMIs) with the IT Rules, 2021 that were primarily aimed

Controller General of Accounts

The Controller General of Accounts (CGA), in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, is the Principal Accounting Adviser to Government of India and is responsible for establishing and maintaining a technically sound Management Accounting System. The Office of CGA prepares monthly and annual analysis of expenditure, revenues, borrowings

Doctrine of Proportionality

Doctrine of proportionality is applicable in cases where rights are violated by administrative action and the courts scrutinize administrative conduct specifically and go to the courts Issue about the accuracy of the authority’s choices. The ordinary sense of proportionality is that it should not be more extreme than it should

National Security Council(NSC)

It was established by the former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee in November 1998, with Brajesh Mishra as the first National Security Advisor. The NSC is the apex body of the three-tiered structure of the national security management system in India. The three tiers are the

Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 2010

The amending Act confer voting rights to citizens of India who are absenting from their place or ordinary residence in India owing to their employment, education or otherwise outside India (whether temporarily or not). Vide the amending Act, they shall be entitled to have their names registered in the

Football4Schools Initiative

The Football4Schools program is a step towards translating Prime Minister’s vision of making sports a way of life as well as creating well-rounded citizens. It aims to empower 25 million young boys and girls in India through sports-integrated learning. It entails the spirit of National Education Policy (NEP),

IOR+ Defence Ministers’ Conclave

On 19th October, 2022, India hosted the IOR+ Defence Ministers’ Conclave on the sidelines of 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The conclave was attended by 40 countries. It was organised by the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The broad theme was ‘Challenges, Opportunities and Collaborations in

India-Africa Defence Dialogue

On 18th October, 2022, the second India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) was held on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The first-ever India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) was held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh in conjunction with DefExpo in 2020. Key Points Theme: ‘Adopting Strategy for Synergizing and Strengthening Defence and Security Cooperation’.

6th Summit of Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia

Recently, the 6th Summit of Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) was held in Astana, Kazakhstan. India's Minister of State for External Affairs participated in the summit. In the summit, India said it desires “normal” relations with Pakistan, but it must take “credible, verifiable and irreversible actions”

ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting

On 26th October, 2022, the 7th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting (AIMMAF) on Agriculture and Forestry was held virtually. The meeting was co-chaired by India’s Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The meeting also welcomed the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations. Key Highlights India's Vision: India reiterated its vision of keeping Association of Southeast Asian

Pakistan Taken Off the FATF ‘Grey List’

Recently, Pakistan was taken off the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Four years ago, Pakistan was placed on the “grey list” and penalised with severe financial strictures by the FATF. About FATF Grey List FATF maintains a grey list of countries that it watches closely. In essence, these

Special Meeting of UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee

On 28th October, 2022, India hosted a Special Meeting of the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC). It was the first such meeting of the UNSC-CTC in India since its establishment in 2001. The Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations serves as the Chair of the

Scorched Earth Tactics

Scorched earth tactics form part of a military strategy which seeks to destroy anything that could be of use to the enemy, including energy supplies, bridges, provision stores, agricultural fields, road and railway links, etc. The destruction could be carried out by the enemy, or by the retreating army

INTERPOL General Assembly

Recently, India hosted the 90th Interpol General Assembly meeting. It is Interpol’s supreme governing body and meets once a year to take key decisions related to its functioning. It comprises representatives from each member country. Its purpose is to ensure that INTERPOL’s activities correspond to the needs of member countries.

LVM3 M2 / OneWeb India-1 Mission

On 23rd October, 2022, the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) heaviest rocket, Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3 or GSLV Mark 3), orbited 36 broadband communication satellites of UK-based OneWeb, successfully completing the LVM3 M2 / OneWeb India-1 Mission. With this launch, LVM3 has made its entry into the global commercial

Pillars of Creation

Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) released stunningly detailed images of the ‘Pillars of Creation’ taken by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Key Points The images were taken by the Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) of the James Webb Space Telescope. These pillars are essentially very dense clouds of molecular hydrogen

NASA’s New Earth Space Mission Maps Methane ‘Super-Emitters’

Recently, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) informed that its Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) mission has identified more than 50 methane “super-emitters”. EMIT was installed in July aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Key Points EMIT: NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) mission is intended to map

China’s Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory

On 9th October, 2022, China launched the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S), nicknamed Kuafu-1 in Chinese.ASO-S, which represents the country’s ambitions to unravel the mysteries of the Sun, has entered its planned orbit. Key Highlights The instruments on board the observatory include a magnetograph to study the Sun’s magnetic field, an X-ray

New Plastic Upcycling Technology

Recently, a team of researchers has developed a breakthrough upcycling process that can help transform polyethylene (PE) - the most widely used plastic in the world - into polypropylene (PP), which is one of the top five most common plastic types in the world. Key Points Proof-of-concept: The researchers developed a proof-of-concept

Semi-confined Unreinforced Brick Masonry

Recently, researchers from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, developed a solution for retrofitting old non-earthquake-resistant buildings with a technology that can prevent major damage to such buildings from earthquakes without compromising on their strength. The technology is called semi-confined unreinforced brick masonry (SC-URBM). Context Historically, most buildings, technically called unreinforced masonry (URM),

One Health Joint Action Plan

On 17th October, 2022, a quadripartite - comprising the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization for Animal Health - unveiled the five-year One Health Joint Plan of Action. The plan will help better address threats

Fungal Priority Pathogens List

Recently, WHO released the first-ever fungal priority pathogens list (WHO FPPL), a list of fungal infections that can be health-threatening. The FPPL is the first global effort to systematically prioritize fungal pathogens. The WHO FPPL aims to focus and drive further research and policy interventions to strengthen the global response

China’s Mengtian Module

China has recently launched a lab module called Mengtian or “Dreaming of the Heavens”, the last of the three modules that will comprise its space station Tiangong. It was launched by Long March-5B Y4, one of China’s biggest rockets from Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of the

Glyphosate

The Centre has officially restricted the use of the widely used herbicide, glyphosate, fearing risk to human and animal health. Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide and crop desiccant. It is an organophosphorus compound, specifically a phosphonate, which acts by inhibiting the plant enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase. From now,

AMR Salmonella

Recently, a new study said that a new target was found to combat AMR Salmonella. The study showed that outer membrane porins of Salmonella typhimurium play an essential role in the survival of the bacteria in the presence of antibiotics. Deleting outer membrane protein A (OmpA) from Salmonella hampered

Cordy Gold Nanoparticles (Cor-AuNPs)

Cordy gold nanoparticles(Cor-AuNPs) are derived from the synthesis of the extracts of Cordyceps militaris and Gold Salts. It has earned an international patent from Germany.The use of these nanoparticles in medicines could make drug delivery in the human body faster and more surer.Cordyceps militaris is a high value parasitic fungus.

Smart Contracts

These are simply programs stored on a blockchain that run when predetermined conditions are met.They typically are used to automate the execution of an agreement so that all participants can be immediately certain of the outcome, without any intermediary’s involvement or time loss.They can also automate a workflow, triggering the

Record Melting of Glaciers in the Alps

According to a new study, in 2022, glaciers in the Swiss Alps melted more than any other year on record. Key Findings Massive Ice Loss: This year, Switzerland’s glaciers have lost an average of 6.2 per cent of their ice. The last time glaciers had an extreme melt season was in 2003,

Climate Tipping Points

According to a recent study, the climate crisis has driven the world to the brink of multiple disastrous tipping points. Continued greenhouse gas emissions risk triggering climate tipping points. Climate Tipping Points (CTPs) are markers of a larger climate system which when triggered beyond a threshold, perpetuate warming on their own. Key

The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change

On 23rd October, 2022, a report, titled 'The Lancet countdown on health and climate change: health at the mercy of fossil fuels' was released. According to the report, governments and companies continue to follow strategies that increasingly threaten the health and survival of all people alive today, and of future

Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Forestry

Recently, the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released a report, titled 'Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Forestry'. According to the report, Forests that are managed primarily for economic benefits are critical for biodiversity conservation. Mainstreaming biodiversity in such ‘production forests’ is paramount. Mainstreaming biodiversity refers to the process of embedding

Mission LiFE

Recently, India's Prime Minister along with the Secretary General of the United Nations launched Mission LiFE at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. It is a new initiative for sustainable and healthy lifestyle. Listing climate change and global warming as the main challenges before the world and mankind, the Prime Minister

Two Indian Beaches Get Blue Flag Certification

Recently, the Blue Flag certification has been accorded to two Indian beaches - Minicoy Thundi Beach and Kadmat Beach. Both the beaches are in Lakshadweep. This takes the number of beaches certified under the Blue Flag certification to 12. Minicoy Thundi Beach It is one of the most pristine and picturesque beaches

Living Planet Report 2022

Recently, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) released the Living Planet Report 2022. Released every two years, it is a comprehensive study of trends in global biodiversity and health of the planet. It tracks changes in the relative abundance of wild species populations across the globe. Key Highlights Declining Wildlife Populations Monitored

Terai Elephant Reserve

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently gave its nod to the Terai Elephant Reserve (TER) in Uttar Pradesh. It is spread in a 3,049 sq km area covering Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR). It will be India’s 33rd elephant reserve and

Climate Transparency Report 2022

Recently, the Climate Transparency Report 2022 was released by a partnership of climate analysis organisations in G20 countries. The report provides a concise overview of the key facts and figures on the state of climate performance of the G20 in a comparative stocktake. The review is based on 100 indicators

Asia’s Largest Compressed Bio Gas Plant

Recently, Asia’s largest Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plant was inaugurated in Lehragaga, in Punjab’s Sangrur. The plant has been commissioned with a foreign direct investment of approximately Rs. 220 crores by Verbio AG, one of Germany’s leading bio-energy companies. The plant will consume 100,000 tonnes of paddy straw, which

Modhera

Recently, the Prime Minister declared Modhera village in Gujarat as the country’s first 24×7 solar powered village. Located 25 km from the Mehsana district of Gurajat, the village is famous for a centuries-old Sun temple built during the Chalukya reign. It is located on the banks of the Pushpavati

Benjamin Netanyahu

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has secured a majority of parliamentary seats in the country's fifth election in four years. He is expected to return as prime minister.Netanyahu is the longest-serving prime minister in the country's history, having served for 15 years. He was also the first prime minister

Lula da Silva

Lula da Silva emerged as the Brazil's new president after he defeated incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro in a fierce voting which was a tight race between the two

Michel Aoun

Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun left the presidential palace on 30th October, 2022 marking an end to his tumultuous term that has seen economic meltdown and a deadly Beirut port blast.Before demitting his office, Aoun signed a US-brokered deal delineating Lebanon's southern maritime border with Israel in his final week at

Aruna Sairam

Carnatic vocalist, composer, collaborator, humanitarian and speaker Aruna Sairam has been honoured with the French government's highest honour- Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des award.Aruna Sairam has been selected for this award not just for her singing prowess, but also for her contribution towards development of the Indo-France relationship.

EK Janaki Ammal

The 125th birth anniversary of Edavalath Kakkat Janaki Ammal, a pioneering botanist and the first Indian woman to be awarded a PhD in the botanical sciences was observed on 4 November 2022.Janaki Ammal is known widely for her contributions to science – in the field of genetics, cytology, evolution, and

Pankaj Tripathi

For his association with the Election Commission of India (ECI) in creating awareness amongst voters, Actor Pankaj Tripathi has been declared as the ‘National Icon’ of ECI.

Jamshed J Irani

Jamshed J Irani, the “Steel Man of India” who “reinvented” Tata Steel and made it the “lowest-cost steel producer in the world” competing in the international market, passed away on 31 October 2022.Irani, conferred with the Padma Bhushan in 2007 for his contribution to industry.Irani also received an honorary knighthood

Elaben Bhatt

Elaben Bhatt, noted Gandhian, leading women’s empowerment activist and renowned founder of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) has passed away on 2nd November 2022.She was globally recognised as a woman leader and was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, Ramon Magsaysay award, and the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, among other accolades.She

Dilip Mahalanabis

Renowned paediatrician Dr. Dilip Mahalanabis, who saved millions of lives through his Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) - simple solution consisting of sugar, salts, and water has passed away on 16 October 2022.Mahalanabis saved umpteen lives during an outbreak of cholera while serving in a refugee camp at Bangaon in West

Temsüla Ao

Temsüla Ao was a Naga poet, fiction writer, and ethnographer who passed away on 9 October 2022.She had served in several key positions, including the chairperson of the Nagaland State Commission for Women.She was awarded the Padma Shri for her contribution to Literature and Education. Her book ‘Laburnum For My

A. Gopalakrishnan

Indian nuclear engineer and former chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (1993–1996), A. Gopalakrishnan has passed away on 11 October 2022.He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the International Convention on Nuclear Energy convened by the IAEA in 1993.He was notable for his strong criticisms against Indian

Subbu Arumugam

Noted Indian musician, writer and Villupattu theatre art exponent Subbu Arumugam has passed away on 10 October 2022.While villupaatu is performed in the temples of folk deities such as Sudalai Madan, Esakki Amman, and Mutharamman during kodai — festival during summer — Subbu Arumugam modernised the singing methods, the texts

Shyam Saran Negi

Shyam Saran Negi, Independent India’s first voter, passed away in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur on 5th November 2022. He was 105.Negi, who first voted in 1952, had even cast his postal ballot vote for the 2022 Assembly elections just two days before his death. In independent India’s first General election, Negi

Justice D.Y. Chandrachud

Justice Dhananjaya Yashwant Chandrachud has been appointed as the 50th Chief Justice of India.He succeeded Justice Uday Umesh Lalit. Justice Chandrachud’s appointment came into effect from the 9th of November 2022.While Justice Lalit had a tenure of 74 days, Justice Chandrachud will serve as the CJI for two years.His father

Mata Amritanandamayi

Spiritual leader Mata, Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) has been appointed the Chair of the country's Civil 20 (C20), an official engagement group of the Group of 20 (G20), by the union

KG Balakrishnan

The Centre has appointed a commission headed by former Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan to examine the matter of giving the Scheduled Caste (SC) status to people who claim to have “historically” belonged to the Scheduled Caste, but have converted to a religion other than those mentioned in the

Shefali Juneja

India’s representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), has been elected as the chairperson of United Nations’ specialized aviation agency’s Air Transport Committee (ATC).

Elizabeth Jones

United States has appointed Elizabeth Jones to serve as Chargé d’Affaires at US Embassy in New

Sangeeta Verma

She has been appointed as the acting chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) after the retirement of Ashok Kumar

Jaxay Shah

He has been appointed as the chairman of the Quality Council of India

Dr. Sankarasubramanian K.

ISRO has been designated him as the Principal Scientist of the Aditya-L1 mission - the first observatory-class space-based solar mission from

Bharati Das

She has been appointed as the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

Aparajita Sarangi

She has been elected as a member to the executive committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

Roger Binny

Roger Michael Humphrey Binny has replaced Sourav Ganguly to become the 36th president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Binny was part of the 1983 Cricket World Cup winning squad of India and was the highest wicket taker for team India.

Subhrakant Panda

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has announced Mr Subhrakant Panda as its President-Elect. He will succeed Sanjiv

Radhakrishnan Committee

For strengthening the Assessment & Accreditation of Higher Educational Institutions, the Government of India has constituted a High Level Committee, under the Chairmanship of Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIT Kanpur & Chairperson, Standing Committee of IIT Council.The mandate of the Committee includes strengthening the Assessment & Accreditation

Joint Military Training-2022

On 03 November 2022, the 11th edition of the annual Joint Military Training (JMT) between the Indian Air Force (lAF) and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) commenced at Air Force Station, Kalaikunda.This edition of JMT would be conducted over a period of six weeks. The bilateral phase of

Garuda-VII

Indian Air Force (IAF) and French Air and Space Force (FASF) carried out bilateral exercise Garuda-VII at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 26 October to 12 November 2022.‘Varuna’ is an annual naval exercise between India and France and ‘Shakti’ is a biennial military exercise between the two

‘Simbex’ - 2022

The Indian Navy hosted the 29th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) from 26 to 30 October, 2022 at Visakhapatnam.SIMBEX-2022 was conducted in two phases – Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam from 26 to 27 October 2022 followed by the Sea Phase in Bay of Bengal from 28 to

IMT TRILAT

The first edition of India-Mozambique-Tanzania Trilateral Exercise (IMT TRILAT), a joint maritime exercise among the Indian, Mozambique and Tanzanian navies was held at Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania from 27-29 Oct.Indian Navy was represented by the guided missile frigate, INS Tarkash, a Chetak helicopter and MARCOS (Special

Sakharov Prize 2022

The European Parliament’s 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was awarded to the brave people of Ukraine, represented by their president, elected leaders, and civil society.It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is named in honour of Soviet

Nansen Refugee Award 2022

Former German chancellor Angela Merkel won the Nansen Refugee Award (2022) for her “leadership, courage and compassion” in ensuring the protection of hundreds of thousands of desperate people at the height of the Syria crisis.The Nansen Refugee Award is awarded annually by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

SASTRA Ramanujan Prize 2022

The SASTRA Ramanujan Prize for 2022 will be awarded to Yunqing Tang, Assistant Professor with the University of California, Berkeley, U.S.A.Tang's most recent joint work with Frank Calegari and Vesselin Dimitrov on modular equations is of great significance and also has ties with Ramanujan's own work. The award, instituted by

Booker Prize 2022

The Booker Prize 2022 was awarded to Shehan Karunatilaka for his novel, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida.The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida tells the story of a war photographer who has woken up dead in what seems to be a celestial visa office. He has ‘seven moons’ to try

World Green City Award

Telangana’s Hyderabad city won the overall ‘World Green City Award 2022’ and ‘Living Green for Economic Recovery and Inclusive Growth’ award at the International Association of Horticulture Producers (AIPH) World Green City Awards 2022 held in Jeju, South

Mawmluh Cave

Recently, Mawmluh Cave in Meghalaya has been listed as UNESCO’s one of the ‘First 100 IUGS International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) Geological Sites’ in the world. About Mawmluh Cave Locally known as Krem Mawmluh, it is located near Mawmluh, a small hamlet in Meghalaya. It is believed to be the fourth

National Maritime Heritage Complex

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the construction of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) site at Gujarat’s Lothal. Features of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) The project began in March 2022, and is being developed at a cost of Rs 3,500 crore. It will have several innovative features such as Lothal

Mahakaleshwar Temple Corridor

On 11th October, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the Mahakaleshwar Temple corridor project in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. About Mahakaleshwar Temple Corridor The redevelopment work is being done in two phases: First Phase: In the first phase, construction of Mahakal Plaza, Mahakal Corridor, Midway Zone, Mahakal Theme Park, Ghat

Swadesh Darshan 2

Recently, the Ministry of Tourism has revamped its Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2. Need Part 1 of Swadesh Darshan I had faced some criticism mainly pertaining to “resources being spread thin due to the many destinations being covered and too many stakeholders being involved”. Out of the 76 projects sanctioned

Bhoota Kola Ritual

It is an annual folk ritual of Tulu-speaking people in Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi in Karnataka. As per Tulu Adivasi tradition, Bhoota Kola or Daiva Kola is a “non-vedic” ritual where Bhootas or Daivas (guardians and ancestors) are worshipped. It has influenced Yakshagana folk theatre. It is closely related to Theyyam

Kati Bihu

It is one of the three types of Bihu which are celebrated annually in the Indian North-eastern state of Assam. The other two being the Rongali Bihu in April and Bhogali Bihu in January. Kongali Bihu is also known as Kati Bihu as it falls on the Assamese month of Kati. The cattle

Navayana Buddhism

Recently, a minister in Delhi government had to resign after he attended a function to commemorate Buddhist Conversion Day, held on Ashok Vijay Dashami. Background On the occasion of Ashok Vijayadashami, on 14 October 1956, B. R. Ambedkar along with more than half a million followers embraced Buddhism in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The day

National Unity Day

National Unity Day is celebrated every year on 31st October to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It is also known as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. It was celebrated for the first time in 2014. About Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Born on 31st October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat, Sardar Patel was the first

Thyagaraja Temple

Located in the Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, the temple is dedicated to the worship of Shiva. A Shiva Lingam represents God, and he is worshipped as Vanmiganathar. Daily poojas are performed for his idol, which is called Maragatha Lingam. The main, presiding deity is Sri Thyagarajar, in the form of

Sambandar

Sambandar, also referred to as Tirugnana Sambandar (lit. Holy Sage Sambandar), Tirujnanasambanda, Campantar or Jnanacampantar, was a Shaiva poet-saint of Tamil Nadu who lived sometime in the 7th century CE. He was a child prodigy who lived just 16 years. According to the Tamil Shaiva tradition, he composed an oeuvre

Nagaland Peace Mission

The Nagaland Peace Mission was formed by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council to restore peace in the state and got the Government of India and NNC to sign an agreement to suspend operations in September 1964. The Nagaland Peace Mission comprised of Chaliha, veteran freedom fighter Jayaprakash Narayan and a

Kashi Tamil Sangamam

The Union Government has announced a month-long Kashi Tamil Sangamam in order to celebrate the cultural links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. It is part of the Amrit Kaal celebrations. The Sangamam will be centred on themes covering various facets of knowledge – literature, ancient texts, philosophy, spirituality, music, dance,

Jageshwar Dham Temple

It is one of the biggest groups of temples located in a single complex in the world. It has more than 125 big and small temples within its complex. The temple complex is named after the presiding deity Jageshwar, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Jageshwar Dham is located

Ponniyin Selvan

It means the son of Ponni (the Cauvery River). It is one of the best-selling novels in Tamil, and it continues to sell even 72 years after its publication. It tells the story of the early days of Rajaraja I, born Arunmozhi Varman and considered the greatest of all Chola

International Day of Rural Women

Every year, International Day of Rural Women is celebrated on 15th October. Background The idea of honouring rural women with a special day was put forward by international NGOs at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. The first International Day of Rural Women was observed on 15th October 2008.

Debate around Surrogacy in India

Recently, the announcement by Tamil film director and his wife, that they had become parents to twin boys is building up into a controversy, with speculations that the couple opted for surrogacy. Surrogacy and its Impact on Indian Society Infertility is an issue escalating in modern society. Couples who are not

Revision of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

On 11th October, 2022, the Centre revised its flagship ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme to include skilling of girls in non-traditional livelihood options in its flagship program. Need for Revision According to the report of Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women, the total funds given to states under Centre’s Beti Bachao, Beti

Multidimensional Poverty Index 2022

On 17th October, 2022, the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2022: Unpacking deprivation bundles to reduce multidimensional poverty, was released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). Major Findings Global Findings Incidence of Poverty 1.2 billion people are multidimensionally poor. Nearly half of them live in severe

World Tuberculosis Report 2022

On 27th October, 2022, the World Health Organization released its 2022 version of Global tuberculosis (TB) report. It provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the TB epidemic, and of progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease, at global, regional and country levels. Major Highlights Burden of TB TB is the second

Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2022: Correcting Course

Recently, the World Bank released a report titled “Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2022: Correcting Course”. The 2022 edition provides the first comprehensive look at the landscape of poverty in the aftermath of an extraordinary series of shocks to the global economy. Major Findings COVID-19 Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic dealt the biggest setback to

Singapore’s Enabling Village

The Enabling Village is an inclusive community space that brings a range of facilities and services for persons with disabilities under one roof. Enabling Village is made with a universal design in mind. Universal design is basically the design of products and environments so that they can be accessed and

Bharat Skills Forum

It is a digital knowledge-sharing platform for the ITI trainees, trainers and industry launched by the Directorate General of Training (under Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. It will facilitate skilling by sharing content in various forms like notes, pdfs, and

herSTART

It is an initiative by Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC) aimed at supporting women-led startups in scaling up. The platform will support women entrepreneurs in helping their innovative ideas take off. The platform will also include the herSTART Incubator, a dedicated full-fledged startup incubator for women entrepreneurs and

Jeevan Pramaan

Digital Life Certificate for Pensioners Scheme of the Government of India known as Jeevan Pramaan seeks to address this very problem by digitizing the whole process of securing the life certificate. Launched in 2014, it aims to streamline the process of getting this certificate and making it hassle free

Heal in India Campaign

It is a pan-India initiative of the health ministry which caters to people across the globe. It is focused on positioning India as a global leader in health and to boost medical tourism in the country. It involves a digital portal called Medical Value Travel, which will be a window

Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase / Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) Scheme

The ADIP Scheme is in operation since 1981 with the main objective to assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhance their economic potential.

ASHA Workers

ASHA workers are volunteers from within the community who are trained to provide information and aid people in accessing benefits of various healthcare schemes of the government. They act as a bridge connecting marginalised communities with facilities such as primary health centres, sub-centres and district hospitals. The role of these

India’s first Avalanche Monitoring Radar

The Indian Army and the Defence Geoinformatics and Research Establishment (DGRE) have jointly installed the Avalanche Monitoring Radar, first of its kind in India, at an altitude of 15,000 feet in north Sikkim. Besides being used for detection of avalanches, this radar can also be employed to detect landslides. This

World’s Largest Safari Park

World’s largest jungle safari park will be developed in the Aravalli Mountain Range of Gurugram and Nuh District. This project will be the largest such project in the world. It will include a large herbarium, an aviary, four zones for big cars, a large area for herbivores, an area

Aasara

The Aasara pensions aim to secure life for all the poor. It is a welfare scheme for the older section of the state, widows, physically disabled, and beedi workers to avail pension facilities. The scheme provides pensions to old people, windows, patients suffering from elephantiasis or AIDS, physically disabled persons,

Hike in Reservation for the Scheduled Tribe Communities

Telangana government has increased the reservation for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in education and employment from existing 6 per cent to 10 per cent. In 2017, the Telangana Assembly passed a bill enhancing the reservation of the ST population to 10 per

Water Sports Center

It was inaugurated in the Koldam Barmana, Bilaspur. The Water Sports Centre, the very first of its kind in Himachal Pradesh, has been jointly initiated by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). The centre will be dedicated to training athletes in water sports

HIMCAD Scheme

It aims to provide irrigation facilities to farmers. According to the latest data, about 80% of the agricultural area of Himachal Pradesh is rain-fed. The scheme will provide end-to-end connectivity of farmers’ fields for better water conservation, crop diversification and integrated farming. Under the scheme, it is planned to provide

Pullampara: First Fully Digital Literate Panchayat

The Pullumpara village panchayat in the Thiruvananthapuram district achieved the distinction of becoming the first totally digitally literate panchayat in the country. The program to provide digital literacy to the residents of the Pullumpara village panchayat, ‘Digi Pullampara’ was launched on August 15, 2021. After a year-long effort from

Honesty Shops

The ‘honesty shops’ were opened in 15 schools in Ernakulam district of Kerala. The objective is to provide students a chance to experience the virtue of honesty. It was a part of the Student Police Cadet (SPC) project. At these counters, there were no salesmen, so students had to pay

Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission’s Initiative

It aims to create a network of women’s units and tourism centres manned by women. The all-women tour packages, which include food, accommodation, transportation and community guides, will be controlled and operated by women. As part of taking the initiative to all districts, RT Mission will provide training to

Legislature Reserves a Women-only Day

Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly is all set to have a day reserved for women legislators to speak and raise women-centric issues in the House under Mission Shakti Scheme. It will allow putting forward the problems and achievements of the state and other important issues in the House. This session will

First All-Woman PAC Battalions

The Uttar Pradesh government announced the creation of the first three all-female Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) battalions in the state. The objective is to give women control over the state’s security. Additionally, by designating women beat constables, women’s aid desks were established at each of the state’s 1,584 police

Modhera Declared as first 24×7 Solar-Powered Village

Prime Minister has declared Modhera village in Gujarat as the country’s first 24×7 solar-powered village. Modhera, which is famous for a centuries-old Sun temple built during the Chalukya, will also be known as a “solar-powered village”. The village has a ground-mounted solar power plant, and over 1,300 rooftop

100 per cent ‘Har Ghar Jal’ State

In Gujarat, households in rural areas have access to safe drinking water through taps under the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ mission. About 91,73,378 houses in the state have water connections according to the government record. The ‘Har Ghar Jal’ was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in

Mobile Attendance Application

Nagaland Prison Department has introduced the mobile attendance application for Prison staff at the District Jail Kohima. The mobile app was initiated by the State Prison Department in collaboration with Excellogics Technology Solution Private Limited. It aims to provide a comprehensive attendance management system that can make processes hassle-free

India’s Second Rashtriya Adarsh Veda Vidyalaya Inaugurated

Opened in Puri, the Rashtriya Adarsh Veda Vidyalaya has been launched to spread knowledge of the Vedas among people. Also called the National Model Vedic School, Maharishi Sandipani Rashtriya Ved Vidya Pratisthan is the first such school in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The curriculum of the Rashtriya Adarsh Veda Vidyalaya includes

Football for All

It aims to take the culture of football to the grassroots in the state. The Programme has been initiated by FIFA in Odisha in partnership with the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) & Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). Under the initiative, over 43,000 footballs will be distributed to

Cancer as "Reportable Disease"

The Odisha government notified cancer as a reportable disease for early detection and treatment. The state has asked all persons concerned in hospitals (private or public), pathological, clinical and radiological labs, institutions imparting medical education and providing diagnostic treatment, palliative care and any other healthcare related facilities to mandatorily report

Safal Common Credit Portal

Simplified Application for Agricultural Loans (SAFAL) has been launched for the welfare of farmers. SAFAL is an abridged application for agricultural loans that will enable farmers and agri-entrepreneurs to access over 300 term loan products from more than 40 partner banks. It has also been integrated with Krushak Odisha

Chhattisgarh Olympic

The traditional sports competition of Chhattisgarh will be held in group and singles categories. A total 14 types of traditional sports have been included in the Chhattisgarh Olympics 2022-23. The games falling under the team category include gilli-danda, pitthul, sankhali, langdi-race, kabaddi, kho-Kho and kancha. Similarly, games under the Individual

Trees Outside Forests in India (TOFI)

The programme was introduced by the Assam government and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). It aims to increase carbon sequestration, aid local populations, and boost agriculture’s climate resilience, supporting global climate change mitigation and adaptation goals. Assam has given increasing the tree cover outside of forest regions great

SALT Project

The World Bank has extended an unconditional loan of $250 million to the Supporting Andhra’s Learning Transformation (SALT) project in appreciation of the path-breaking reforms implemented by the state government. The SALT Project is the first project in the school education sector to be funded by the World Bank

5th Edition of Megha Kayak Festival 2022

It was inauguarated on October 13, 2022, at the picturesque Umtrew River at Umtham Village. The festival include white water kayaking events in three competition categories – Downriver Time Trial, Extreme Slalom and Downriver Freestyle for professionals as well as intermediate and amateur racers. The event was organised by

First State to Achieve Jal Jeevan Mission Target for 2022

Tamil Nadu has emerged as the only state in India which has achieved the target for 2022 Q1 and Q2 for Jal Jeevan Mission, with 69.57 lakh households provided with tap connections. Out of 1.25 crore households in Tamil Nadu, 69.57 lakh households have received tap water connections in

The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act 2022

The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022 was introduced in Lok Sabha on March 28, 2022. The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 has come into force after being passed by Parliament in April 2022. Nodal Agency: Ministry of Home Affairs Aims & Objective It replaces the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920, a colonial-era law, and

Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022

The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 8, 2022. And later, it was referred to Standing Committee. The Bill amends the Electricity Act, 2003. Nodal Agency: Ministry of Power Aims & Objective The Act regulates the electricity sector in India. It sets up the Central and State Electricity Regulatory

The Constitution (100th Amendment) Act, 2015

The 100th Amendment Act of 2015 gave effect to the acquiring of certain territories (enclaves) by India and transfer of certain other territories to Bangladesh (through the exchange of enclaves and retention of adverse possessions) in pursuance of the Land Boundary Agreement of 1974 and its protocol of 2011. Conferring citizenship

Barun Chandra Thakur vs. Master Bholu (13 July, 2022)

Context On 8th September 2017, a class II student was found murdered with his throat slit inside a washroom of the Ryan International School at Bhondsi, Gurugram in Haryana. The age of the suspect was above 16 years which meant this case would see operationalization of section 15 of the Juvenile

Global Innovation Index, 2022

Release Date: September 29, 2022 Agency: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Theme for 2022: “What is the future of innovation-driven growth?” Focus: The Global Innovation Index, which is published annually, has been a leading reference for measuring an economy’s innovation performance. Context A large number of countries use the GII to assess and improve their

RBI Constitutes Working Group on Digital Lending

Constituted by: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Date: January, 2021 Chairman: Jayant Kumar Dash, Executive Director, RBI Rationale/Need Recent spurt and popularity of online lending platforms/mobile lending apps (‘digital lending’) has raised certain serious concerns which have wider systemic implications. This move assumes significance in the context of recent reports of illegal app-based lenders thriving

National Steering Committee for the Development of National Curriculum Framework

Constituted by: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Date: September, 2021 Chairman: K Kasturirangan Rationale The last National Curriculum Framework (NCF) was designed in 2005. The NCF will be essential for the implementation of the National education Policy (NEP) in school education. Terms of Reference It will develop four NCFs for school education, early childhood care

Commission to Examine Sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes

Constituted by: President of India Date: October, 2017 Chairman: Gorla Rohini, Former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court Rationale In 2015, the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) had recommended that OBCs should be categorised into extremely backward classes, more backward classes and backward classes. Rohini Commission is constituted under Article 340 of the

Committee to Examine Global Best Practices in Ship Financing & Leasing

Constituted by: International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) Date: June, 2021 Chairman: Vandana Aggarwal, Former Sr. Economic Advisor, Govt. of India Rationale Data from the Ministry of Shipping suggests that 95 per cent of India’s trading by volume and 70 per cent by value is done via maritime transport. In spite of significant exposure to

Committee for Doubling Production and Quadrupling Exports of Handlooms

Constituted by: Ministry of Textiles Date: August, 2021 Chairman: Sunil Sethi, Chairman, Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) Rationale Handloom production needs to be doubled from the present level of around Rs. 60,000 crore in three years, and exports from Rs. 2,500 crore to Rs. 10,000 crore. Terms of Reference To suggest the framework for doubling

Advisory Committee for Semiconductor Mission

Constituted by: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Date: April, 2022 Chairman: Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and IT Rationale In December 2021, the Union Cabinet had approved a Rs. 76,000 crore policy programme for semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country. The Committee is formed in order to provide a more

Committee of Experts on Sustainable Finance

Constituted by: International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) Report Submission: October, 2022 Chairman: C. K. Mishra, Former Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change Rationale As per World Meteorological Organisations’ (WMO) estimate, India lost $87 billion, in 2020, from extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones, floods, and

General Studies Model Mock Q & A

Civil Services Main Examination

General Studies Model Mock Q & A

Civil Services Main Examination

General Studies Model Mock Q & A

Civil Services Main Examination

General Studies Model Mock Q & A

Civil Services Main Examination