Direct Seeding of Rice

Recently, the Punjab government announced Rs 1,500 incentive per acre for farmers opting for Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR). About DSR It refers to the process of establishing a rice crop from seeds sown in the field rather than by transplanting seedlings from the nursery. There are three principal methods of direct seeding

System of Rice Intensification

According to the experts, the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method is beneficial for the soil, environment and farmers. About SRI It is a method of cultivating rice with as much organic manure as possible, starting with young seedlings planted singly at wider spacing in a square pattern. It involves intermittent irrigation that

Breed-Wise Report of Livestock and Poultry

On 12th May 2022, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying released the Breed-Wise Report of Livestock and Poultry based on 20th Livestock Census. The breed-wise data collection was done along with 20th Livestock Census during the year 2019. The livestock as well as poultry birds were counted according to their

Cabinet Approves Amendments to the National Policy on Biofuels 2018

On 18th May, 2022, government approved amendments to the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018. The proposed amendments are in line with vision of India becoming energy independent by 2047. Need The amendments have been brought about due to- advancements in the field of Biofuels, Various decisions taken in the National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC)

Wheat Crisis: India’s Ban on Wheat Export

On 13th May, 2022, the government banned all private wheat exports with immediate effect. Rationale behind the Ban Heat Wave: The decision came amid widespread loss of yield due to abnormal heat waves in the major wheat-growing states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Large parts of the crop had shrivelled

Infrastructure Development in North East India

On 30th May, 2022, Union Finance Minister mentioned the Union Government is implementing various railway, road & air connectivity projects worth Rs 1,34,200 crore in the northeast area. Road: 4,000 km of roads, 20 railway projects for 2,011 km and 15 air connectivity projects are being developed. Waterways Connectivity: National waterways on

Infrastructure Investment Trusts

Recently, state-owned PowerGrid Corp of India Ltd launched the public offer of the first Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) ever by a PSU. About InvITs An InvIT is a collective investment scheme, just like a mutual fund, and is set up in the form of a trust. Typically, such a vehicle is designed to

Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana

On 31st March, 2022, Prime Minister virtually interacted with a beneficiary of the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana hailing from Mehsana in Gujarat and appreciated him for choosing to be a “job creator” instead of becoming a “job seeker”. About PM MUDRA Yojana In April 2015, the government introduced the Pradhan Mantri Micro

Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program

On 30th May, 2022, the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program (PMEGP) was approved for continuation over the 15th Finance Commission Cycle for five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs.13554.42 Crore. About PMEGP The scheme is implemented by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) functioning as the nodal agency

Metal Industry: Current Outlook and Future Trends

On 20th May, 2022, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) organized a conference named Indian Metal Industry: Current Outlook and Future Trends. The per capita consumption of Steel in India grew by ten percent to 77 kg during financial year 2021-22. India has exported a record 13.5 million tonnes

National Startup Advisory Council

On 17th May, 2022, the Minister of Commerce and Industry chaired the 4th meeting of National Startup Advisory Council (NSAC) in New Delhi. About National Startup Advisory Council (NSAC) It was constituted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to advise the government on measures needed to build

Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2022

On 11th May, 2022, the World Economic Forum released a report titled – ‘Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2022’. It says energy transition must address the challenges to environmental sustainability, energy security and energy justice and affordability. Key Findings Transition not in Pace with Climate Urgency The energy transition is not keeping pace

Sharing Economy

A sharing economy is defined as an economic system in which assets and services are shared between private individuals. It includes segments such as co-working (Awfis, WeWork India), co-living (Stanza Living, OYO Life, Oxford Caps), shared mobility (Uber, Ola, Shuttl) and furniture rental (Furlenco,

Passive Funds

Passive funds are a type of funds that consistently tracks a Market index to allow a fund get maximum gains. It invests in a portfolio that replicates a Market Index like Nifty, the Sensex, etc. In passive funds, the fund manager does not actively choose what stocks will

Storage Gain

Wheat, considered a ‘living grain’, tends to gain some weight during storage. This is known as ‘storage gain’ and it mostly happens due to absorption of moisture. There are three parts of the grain — bran (outer layer rich in fibre), germ (inner layer rich in nutrients) and

BP Kanungo Committee

Reserve Bank of India has set up a six-member committee headed by former Deputy Governor, B. P. Kanungo. Mandates: To evaluate the efficacy, adequacy and quality of customer service in regulated entities (REs) vis-à-vis the existing RBI guidelines on customer service. To identify gaps, if any, and suggest measures to

Foreign Investment Facilitation Portal

It is the new online single point interface of the Government of India for investors to facilitate Foreign Direct Investment. It is administered by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry. It will continue to facilitate the single window clearance

Indian Gas Exchange (IGX)

ONGC has become the first Exploration and Production (E&P) company in India to trade domestic gas on IGX. IGX, a subsidiary of Indian Energy Exchange (IEX), is a trading platform for natural gas. Trading is allowed across three hubs —Dahej and Hazira in Gujarat, and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. It

Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS)

Recently, the commerce and industry ministry has launched the Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS) The importer will have to provide advance information online about the import of these papers and obtain a registration number. The import policy of major paper products has been amended from ‘Free’ to ‘Free subject to

Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy

On 27th May, 2022, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released the revised draft National Data Governance Framework Policy. The development comes after a strong criticism of the previous ‘Draft India Data Accessibility and Use Policy, 2022’, which was opened for public consultation in February, 2022. Need In the post-COVID-19

Delimitation Commission Notifies New J&K Assembly Constituencies

Recently, the Delimitation Commission for Jammu and Kashmir submitted its final report for the delimitation of Assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir. The Delimitation Commission was constituted by the Centre on March 6, 2020 in exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 of the Delimitation Act, 2002 (33 of

Grievance Appellate Committee

On 2nd June, 2022, the Centre proposed to set up a grievance appellate committee to look into appeals filed by individuals against the decisions of grievance officers of social media platforms. The idea to constitute appellate committees has been proposed as an amendment to the controversial IT Rules, 2021. Rationale behind the

Place of Worship Act 1991

The ongoing row over the survey of Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi has bought the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 to the fore once again. About Place of Worship Act, 1991 The Places of Worship Act, 1991 has been in force since July 11, 1991. According to the Act, no person

Guidelines for Safety Assessment of Genome Edited Plants 2022

On 21st May, 2022, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) issued guidelines easing norms for research into genetically modified (GM) crops and circumventing challenges of using foreign genes to change crops profile. About Guidelines It exempts researchers who use gene-editing technology to modify the genome of the plant from seeking approvals from the

Article 142 of the Constitution

On 18th May, 2022, the Supreme Court exercised the power conferred on it under Article 142 of the Constitution to order the release of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict A.G. Perarivalan. In the case of Perarivalan, the Supreme Court invoked Article 142(1) under which it was empowered to

Tribunals Subordinate to High Courts: Supreme Court

On 1st June, 2022, the Supreme Court (SC) set aside a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order prohibiting construction work at Rushikonda hills in Visakhapatnam. What SC Said? The Bench noted that the NGT was subordinate to the High Court in so far as territorial jurisdiction was concerned. The conflicting orders passed by the

Transit Anticipatory Bail

Recently, the Bombay High Court referred to a larger bench - the issue of whether a high court or other court can grant transit anticipatory bail to a person booked for an offence in another state. About Transit Anticipatory Bail No legislation or law defines ‘transit or anticipatory bail’ in definitive or

Jal Jeevan Mission

Recently, India achieved the milestone of 50 per cent of rural households having access to tap water connections under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Jal Jeevan Mission Launched in August, 2019, the Mission is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in

Scheme of Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD)

It was introduced in the country under the provisions of the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969. Since then, it has been operational in the country, but with varying levels of efficiency across the States/Union Territories. Under the scheme, the Office of the Registrar General, India (ORGI) obtains

‘Ayurveda Aahara’ Products

Recently, Ministry of Ayush and Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has formulated regulations of safety & quality standards for food products under ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ category. A special logo has been created for “Ayurveda Aahara” category. It will enable easier identification and reinforce quality in Ayurveda food products.

Indus Waters Treaty

The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank, which is also a signatory. The Treaty allocates the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India. It

Statehood Day of Goa

On 30th May, 2022, Goa celebrated its 35th foundation day. In the year 1967, there was a referendum and the people of Goa chose to remain as a union territory. On May 30, 1987, Goa was given full statehood and Daman and Diu was made a separate union

Masked Aadhar

Mask Aadhaar option allows one to mask Aadhaar number in downloaded e-Aadhaar. Masked Aadhaar number implies replacing the first 8 digits of Aadhaar number with some characters like “xxxx-xxxx” while only the last 4 digits of the Aadhaar Number are

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity

On 23rd May, 2022, the United States launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). This economic initiative came a day before the summit of the Quad leaders in Tokyo. About IPEF It is a US-led initiative that aims to aims to strengthen economic partnership among participating countries to enhance resilience, sustainability,

India-US Investment Incentive Agreement

Recently, India and the United States signed an Investment Incentive Agreement (IIA) at Tokyo, Japan. It supersedes the Investment Incentive Agreement signed between the Government of India and the Government of the United States of America in the year 1997. Need Significant developments have taken place since the signing of the earlier

Quad Leaders’ Summit

On 24th May, 2022, India’s Prime Minister participated in the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo, Japan along with Prime Minister of Japan, President of the United States of America and Prime Minister of Australia. India, the US, Japan and Australia are the members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). This was

India and Japan to Boost Bilateral Cooperation

On 24th May, 2022, India’s Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan. Both leaders had productive exchange of views on enhancing bilateral relations in various spheres as well as on some regional and global issues. Key Highlights Bilateral Security and Defence Cooperation: The two countries agreed to

India and Senegal Sign Three MoUs

Recently, during the visit of the Indian Vice President to Senegal, three MoUs (Memorandums of Understanding) for cultural exchange, visa free regime and cooperation in youth matters were signed. It will further deepen the bilateral partnership in various areas. Key Points Visa-Free Regime: The first MoU pertains to visa-free regime for Diplomatic

Second Global COVID-19 Summit

On May 12, 2022, the United States as first COVID Summit Chair; Belize, as CARICOM Chair; Germany, holding the G7 Presidency; Indonesia, holding the G20 Presidency; and Senegal as African Union Chair, co-hosted the second Global COVID-19 Summit. The summit, held virtually, called on the world leaders to make new commitments

SCO RATS Meeting

Recently, a meeting of the member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) under the framework of the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) was held in New Delhi. The meeting was hosted by India. Key Points The major focus of the discussion was the situation in Afghanistan, especially in dealing with the

Worldwide Governance Indicators

Recently, the World Bank released the Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI). WGI play a key role in deciding sovereign credit rating of countries. About WGI It assesses 215 countries and territories based on the following dimensions of governance: Voice and Accountability; Political Stability and Absence of Violence; Government Effectiveness; Regulatory Quality; Rule of Law; and Control of Corruption. Sources: These

International Migration Review Forum

Recently, the first International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It comprised four interactive multi-stakeholder round tables, a policy dialogue, and a plenary. The goal of IMRF is to review the progress made at the local, national, regional and global levels in

Intersolar Europe 2022

India recently attended the Intersolar Europe 2022 held at Munich, Germany. Intersolar Europe is the world’s leading exhibition for the solar industry. It takes place as part of The smarter E Europe – the continent’s largest platform for the energy industry. It focuses on photovoltaics, solar thermal technologies and

EHT Reveals First Image of Sagittarius A*

Recently, scientists from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) facility revealed the first image of the black hole named Sagittarius A* (SgrA*) at the centre of our galaxy, i.e., the Milky Way. About Sagittarius A* It is a supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy, located near the border of

InSight Mars Lander Detects Largest Marsquake

Recently, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reported that its InSight Mars lander detected the largest quake ever observed on another planet. The rover first landed on Mars in November 2018, and has since heard 1,313 quakes. Cause of Marsquakes On Earth, quakes are caused by shifts in tectonic plates. Mars, however, does

ISRO Successfully Tests HS200 Solid Rocket Booster

Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully carried out the static test of the HS200 solid rocket booster. This takes the space agency one more step closer to the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. About HS200 Solid Rocket Booster Human-rated Version: The HS200 is the human-rated version of the S200 rocket booster

New Insight into Evolution of Galaxies

A recent study by an international team of astronomers, including those from the Pune-based Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), has offered new insights into the role of supermassive black holes in the evolution of their host galaxies. Context Supermassive black holes at the centres of galaxies are known to give

Indigenous Potential mRNA Vaccine against COVID

Recently, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) announced the success of ‘proof of principle’ of the first indigenous mRNA vaccine technology. The technology is ready to be tranferred to any interested firm to take it to the next level of conducting human trials and

New Biomaterial Helps Heal Wounds

Recently, scientists from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, IIT Delhi and National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, have developed a new biomaterial from pullulan that can be used to disinfect wounds and hastens the process of healing. Biomaterials are materials that have been designed to interface with

W Boson Measurement Challenges the Standard Model

A recent measurement of a fundamental particle called the W boson appears to defy the Standard Model of particle physics, our current understanding of how the basic building blocks of the universe interact. The scientists at the Fermilab Collider Detector (CDF) in Illinois, USA have found that elusive W boson has

Project WARDEC

On 13th May, 2022, the Army Training Command signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) to develop a ‘Wargame Research and Development Centre’ in New Delhi. Given a prototype name ‘WARDEC’, the project will be a first-of-its-kind simulation-based training centre in India that will use artificial

Buffalopox

In recent times, India has been witnessing increased buffalopox infections. Buffalopox is caused by buffalopox virus (BPXV); it is a Poxviridae for which the natural host is buffalo. It mainly infects buffalo but has been known to infect cows and humans. When the virus infects milk animals it

BioRRAP

Recently, a single national portal for biotech researchers and start-ups - BioRRAP - was launched. The portal will cater to all those seeking regulatory approval for biological research & development activity in the country and thus offer a huge relief with respect to “Ease of Science as well as Ease

Retinoblastoma

It is the most common eye cancer occurring in young children. This form of cancer develops in the retina, which is the specialised light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that detects light and colour. The most common first sign of retinoblastoma is a visible whiteness in the

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

According to a new estimate published in The Lancet, lower respiratory infection attributable to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was responsible for more than 1,00,000 deaths in children under five worldwide in 2019. RSV is the most common cause of acute lower respiratory infection in young children. The illness normally lasts

Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN)

It is a key part of a mobile network system that uses cellular radio connections to link individual devices to other parts of a network. It comprises antennae, which transmits and receives signals to and from our smartphones or other compatible devices. The signal is then digitised in the

Lancet Report on Pollution and Health

On 17th May, 2022, a report titled ‘Pollution and health: a progress update’ was published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal. The report, which is an update to The Lancet’s 2015 study, takes into account data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019. According to the

WMO’s Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update

Recently, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released the Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update. The report is produced by the United Kingdom’s Met Office, the WMO lead centre for such predictions. The annual update harnesses the expertise of internationally acclaimed climate scientists and the best prediction systems from leading climate centres

The State of the World’s Birds

Recently, 'The State of the World’s Birds', an annual review of environmental resources was published. The study reviewed changes in avian biodiversity using data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List to reveal the changes in fortunes of all the global bird species. Since birds are highly visible and

XV World Forestry Congress

Recently, the XV World Forestry Congress was co-organised by the Republic of Korea and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO). 141 participants at the Congress endorsed the Seoul Forest Declaration to convey the urgent need for action to achieve a green, healthy and resilient future with forests. This

Sela Macaque: A New Species of Primate

Recently, scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and University of Calcutta discovered a new species of primate in Arunachal Pradesh. The species has been named Sela macaque. About Sela Macaque The species has been named after the Sela pass situated between Dirang and Tawang towns in western Arunachal Pradesh.

Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2022

Recently, the World Economic Forum (WEF) released a report titled Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2022. The report provides a perspective on the current energy transition challenges and recommendations on how to navigate the transition through a turbulent macroeconomic and geopolitical environment. Key Highlights The energy transition is not keeping pace with the

India Joins First Movers Coalition

Recently, at the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Annual Meeting 2022 held in Davos, India joined the First Movers Coalition, a global initiative aimed at decarbonising the heavy industry and long-distance transport sectors that are responsible for 30 per cent of global emissions. About First Movers Coalition The First Movers Coalition is a

The State of the Global Climate 2021

Recently, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a report, titled ‘The State of the Global Climate 2021’. According to the report, four key climate change indicators – greenhouse gas concentrations, sea level rise, ocean heat and ocean acidification – set new records in 2021. It highlights that human activities are causing

Money Spiders

Money spiders have been reported for the first time in the country from the Muthanga range of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. It has been given the name Prosoponoides biflectogynus. The spider belongs to the family of dwarf spiders (Linyphiidae) under the genus Prosoponoides. Linyphiidae spiders are commonly known as

Himalayan Bird Count

Recently, Himalayan Bird Count was undertaken by India, Nepal and Bhutan. About 607 species were recorded in the first edition of the Himalayan Bird Count (HBC). It was co-organised by Bird Count India, Bird Conservation Nepal and the Royal Society of the Protection of Nature, Bhutan. From preliminary

Urban Heat Island

Currently, several parts of the country are reeling under heat wave conditions due to a phenomenon called “urban heat island effect”. An urban heat island is a local and temporary phenomenon experienced when certain pockets within a city experience higher heat load than surrounding or neighbouring areas on the same

Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary

The Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary in Rajasthan was notified as India’s 52nd tiger reserve recently. In 1982, it was declared as Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary under Section 5 of the Rajasthan Wild Animals and Birds Protection Act, 1951. Currently, the sanctuary acts as a cushion for the Ranthambore National Park.

Pantanal Wetland

Pantanal is a natural region encompassing the world’s largest tropical freshwater wetland area, and the world’s largest flooded grasslands. It is located mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, but it extends into Mato Grosso and portions of Bolivia and Paraguay. The formation of the wetland

Captain Abhilasha Barak

On May 25, 2022, Captain Abhilasha Barak became the first woman combat aviator in the Indian Army.The Officer from Haryana has joined the Army Aviation Corps as a helicopter pilot after concluding a year-long course at the Combat Army Aviation Training School in Nashik, Maharashtra.

Rajiv Kumar

On 12 May 2022, Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar was appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner.He assumed charge on May 15 after incumbent Sushil Chandra demitted office on May 14.At present, Anup Chandra Pandey is the other Election Commissioner in the three member

S L Thaosen

IPS officer S L Thaosen has been appointed as the Director-General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The post of SSB chief has been lying vacant after incumbent DG Kumar Rajesh Chandra retired on December 31 last year. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) DG Sanjay Arora has been holding the additional charge of

Yoon Suk-yeol

He recently replaced Moon Jae-in to become the 13th President of South

Katalin Novak

On 10th May 2022, she took office as the first-ever female president of

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

He won presidential election of the Philippines and will succeed Rodrigo

Elisabeth Borne

She was appointed as France’s new prime minister, becoming the second woman after Édith Cresson, who served from 1991 to

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

He has been appointed as the President of the UAE after the demise of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al

Jose Ramos-Horta

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta was sworn in as president of East Timor - Asia’s youngest

Dr. Manik Saha

He replaced Biplab Kumar Deb and became the 11th Chief Minister of

Justice Pradip Mohanty

He has been appointed as the Acting Chairperson, Lokpal by President Ram Nath Kovind after Justice Pinaki Chandra Bose’s term

Suresh Bhai Kotak

He has been appointed as the Chairman of the Cotton Council of India –that was formed recently by the Union

Rajesh Gera

He has been appointed as the Director-General of National Informatics Centre

Anwar Hussain Shaik

An Indian Government Officer has been made the chair of the World Trade Organisation’s Committee on Technical Barriers on

Devendra Kumar Sharma

The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Chairman, who is a dam expert, has been elected as Chairman of the Asia Pacific Group of the International Commission on Large Dams

Naveen Srivastava

He has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to

A. R. Dave

He will head the Supreme Court appointed 3-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) to manage affairs of All India Football Federation

Natarajan Sundar

He has been appointed as MD and CEO of the bad bank — National Asset Reconstruction Company

Ranjana Desai

Retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai will head the five-member committee formed by the Uttarakhand government for preparing a draft on implementation of uniform civil code in the

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma

Legendary musician and santoor player Pandit Shivkumar Sharma passed away on 10th May 2022.He was the recipient of national and international awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1986, the Padma Shri in 1991, and the Padma Vibhushan in

Pandit Bhajan Sopori

Legendary Santoor maestro and Padma Shree awardee Pandit Bhajan Sopori passed away on 2nd June, 2022.Born as Pandit Bhajan Lal in 1948 in Srinagar, Sopori is regarded as the cultural bridge of Jammu & Kashmir with the rest of the country and is hailed as the “Saint of the Santoor”

Anjalai Ponnusamy Ammal

Anjalai was a Malaysian national and a veteran of Indian National Army (INA) - an armed force formed by Indian freedom fighters and Imperial Japan on 1 September 1942 in Southeast Asia during World War II.Anjalai had joined the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, the women’s unit of the INA, during

Bhagirath Prasad Tripathi

Known as Vagish Shastri, he was an Indian Sanskrit grammarian who passed away on 11th May 2022.In 2018, Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian award Padma Shri for his work in the field of literature and

International Booker Prize 2022

Indian writer Geetanjali Shree and American translator Daisy Rockwell won the International Booker Prize 2022 for the book “Tomb of Sand”.Originally written in Hindi – (‘Ret Samadhi’), it’s the first book in any Indian language to win the International Booker Prize.Shree was the first Indian to get nominated to the

Other Awards

Award Awardee & their Contribution UN Sasakawa Award 2022 SEEDS (Sustainable Ecological & Environmental Development Society) was awarded the United Nations Sasakawa Award 2022 for Disaster Risk Reduction at the 7th Session of Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2022 held in Bali, Indonesia. Dr. V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award Sanjit Narwekar was

Indigenous Warships ‘Surat’ & ‘Udaygiri’ Launched

On 17 May 2022, two indigenous frontline warships of Indian Navy were launched concurrently at Mazgaon Docks Limited, Mumbai.

INS Surat: A Project 15B Destroyer

‘INS Surat’ is the fourth ship of Project 15B Destroyers. The first warship of Project 15B, INS Visakhapatnam had joined the Indian Navy last year i.e. 2021 while the remaining two, INS Marmugao and INS Imphal, are undergoing

INS Udaygiri: A Project 17A Frigate

‘Udaygiri’ is the reincarnation of erstwhile ‘Udaygiri’, the Leander Class ASW Frigate.‘Udaygiri’is named after a mountain range in the state of Andhra Pradesh.It is the third ship of Project 17A Frigates. Under Project17A, a total of 07 frigates were to be built in the country. Of these, four were to

EX Bongosagar

The third edition of Indian Navy (IN) – Bangladesh Navy (BN) Bilateral Exercise ‘Bongosagar’ was carried out at Port Mongla, Bangladesh.Exercise Bongosagar is aimed at developing a high degree of interoperability and joint operational skills through the conduct of a wide spectrum of maritime exercises and operations between the two

Important Days

Date Day Theme 1 May International Labour Day - 3 May World Press Freedom Day “Journalism under digital siege” 12 May

Cultural Significance of India’s Gifts to Quad Partners

At the recent Quad Summit held at Tokyo, Indian Prime Minister carried with him gifts for leaders of the US, Australia and Japan showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage and art forms. Rogan Painting Rogan painting is an art of cloth printing practised in the Kutch District of Gujarat. In this craft, paint

Kanheri Caves

On 16th May, 2022, on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, the Union Government upgraded several facilities and amenities in the historic Kanheri Caves. About Kanheri Caves These are a group of caves and rock-cut monuments located on the western outskirts of Mumbai. The caves are located within Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The name

Vadnagar’s Link with Buddhism

On the occasion of Buddha Purnima, Indian Prime Minister in Lumbini said that his birthplace Vadnagar in Gujarat’s Mehsana district had been a great centre for Buddhist learning centuries ago. Vadnagar and Buddhism Vadnagar, located in the Mehsana district in Gujarat is also called Chamatkarpur, Anandpur, Snehpur and Vimalpur; the city of

Amitabha Buddha Sculptures

Recently, two Buddha sculptures have surfaced at the Navabraheswara temple complex in Alampur, a temple town in Jogulamba-Gadwal district, Telangana. Alampur is considered as the western gateway to Srisailam and is also seat to one of the Sakthi Peethas. About Buddha Sculptures The sculpture at Suryanarayan temple has Buddha seated under the Bodhi

International Museum Day

International Museum Day (IMD) is celebrated every year on 18 May. The objective of International Museum Day is to raise awareness on the fact that, “museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples. International Museum Day 2022 Theme-

Bhojshala Dispute

Recently, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by a Hindu organisation challenging the ASI order of April 7, 2003, imposing restriction on Hindus to worship at Bhojshala daily. Hindus claim it as a temple of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim community treats it as Kamal Maula Mosque. Current Status The disputes

New Archaeological Findings at Rakhigarhi

On 8th May, 2022, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Rakhigarhi village (Hisar, Haryana) uncovered significant evidence pointing towards the possibility of a meticulous and well-planned Harappan Civilisation settlement. In 2020 Budget, Finance Minister named Rakhigarhi as one of five ancient sites that the Indian government will develop as iconic

Iron Excavation in Tamil Nadu

Recently, iron implements unearthed from excavations in Mayiladumparai in Tamil Nadu have revealed that the Iron Age in Tamil Nadu dates back 4,200 years. Mayiladumparai is an important site with cultural material dating back between the Microlithic (30,000 BCE) and Early Historic (600 BCE) ages. Before Mayiladumparai, the earliest evidence of the

Sree Narayana Guru

Recently, the Karnataka government is caught in a controversy over the exclusion of text on reformer Narayana Guru in the new social science textbook of class 10. About Narayan Guru Born in 1856 in Chempazhanthy, a village near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, he belonged to the Ezhava caste. Sree Narayana Guru was a catalyst and

Shirui Lily Festival

It is an annual cultural event that spans multiple venues in Manipur and is typically held in the month of May, the blooming season of the Shirui Lily, the state flower of Manipur. It seeks to spread awareness about the endangered Shirui Lily and promote the district of Ukhrul

Puri Heritage Corridor Project

It is a redevelopment project of the Odisha government in Puri to create an international heritage site, including the Jagannath temple. Though conceived in 2016, it was unveiled in December 2019. Under the umbrella project falls the Shree Jagannatha Heritage Corridor (SJHC) or the Shree Mandira Parikrama Project, for the

Madras Music Academy

It is one of the earliest established music academies in South India. It emerged as an offshoot of the All-India Congress Session held in Madras in December 1927. It plays an important role in encouraging and promoting primarily the Carnatic Music Indian art form. It played a vital role in

The Global Report on Food Crises 2022

On 5th May, 2022, Global Report on Food Crises 2022 was released by the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC). The report is the flagship publication of the GNAFC and is facilitated by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN). The report focuses on those countries and territories where the magnitude and severity

Surrogacy

On 27th May, 2022, a petition was filed before Delhi High Court, challenging the exclusion of a single man and a woman having a child from surrogacy and demanded the decriminalization of commercial surrogacy. The petitioners have challenged their exclusion from availing surrogacy under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021

Community Forest Resource Rights

Recently, the Chhattisgarh government has become only the second state in the country to recognise Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights of a village inside Kanger Ghati National Park.in Bastar district. Kanger Ghati National Park is the second national park, after Simlipal in Odisha, wher e CFR rights have been recognised. About

Residential Education For Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas

On 3rd June, 2022, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment launched the Scheme for Residential Education For Students in High schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA). Need The students from the Scheduled Caste communities, for long been subjects to inequality, were kept out of quality education and a situation that perpetuates the disadvantages

Eklavya Model Residential School

Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has laid the foundation stone for the construction of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Nashik, Maharashtra. About EMRS EMRS is a scheme for making model residential schools for Indian tribals (ST- Scheduled Tribes) across India. It started in the year 1997-98. These Schools are being developed

Multi Hazard Vulnerabilities in Jaipur: UN Habitat

Recently, the UN-Habitat has identified issues associated with Jaipur city like multi hazard vulnerabilities, weak mobility and Green-Blue economy. UN-Habitat has based its findings on sustainable cities integrated approach pilot project and a “sustainable urban planning and management” component was implemented in partnership with the Jaipur Development Authority and Jaipur Greater

Progress from NFHS-4 (2015-16) to NFHS-5 (2019-21)

On 5th May 2022, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya released the National Report of the fifth round of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) at Gujarat's Vadodara. The NFHS-5 National Report lists progress from NFHS-4 (2015-16) to NFHS-5 (2019-21). The main objective of successive rounds of the NFHS has been to provide reliable

The State of Inequality in India Report

On 18th May, 2022, the State of Inequality in India Report was released by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). The report has been written by the Institute for Competitiveness and presents a holistic analysis of the depth and nature of inequality in India. It compiles information on

Utkarsh Samaroh

Recently, the Prime Minister addressed ‘Utkarsh Samaroh’ held at Bharuch in Gujarat. Utkarsh Samaroh aims to ensure complete coverage of schemes providing assistance to widows, elderly and destitute citizens. A total of 12,854 beneficiaries were identified across the four schemes namely:Indira Gandhi Vrudh Sahay YojanaNiradhar Vrudh Aarthik Sahay YojanaGanga Swaroopa

Har Ghar Dastak Campaign

It was launched in November 2021 with an aim to accelerate the pace and coverage of COVID19 vaccination across States and UTs across the country. The objective of the ‘Har GharDastak2.0’ Abhiyan is to vaccinate and cover the eligible population groups for first, second, and precaution doses through door-to-door campaigns.

Padhe Bharat Campaign

It is a 100 days reading campaign. It is in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which focuses on encouraging joyful reading culture for children by ensuring the availability of age appropriate reading books for children in local/mother tongue/regional/tribal

National Creche Scheme(NCS)

Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) is implementing the NCS to provide day care facilities to children (age group of months to 6 years) of working mothers. It was previously known as the Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for the children of working mothers. Scheme provides an integrated package

PM Shri Schools

Union Education Ministry is planning to set up “PM Shri Schools”. PM Shri Schools will be the laboratory of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. They will be fully equipped to prepare students for the future. It could imbibe 5+3+3+4 (to replace the 10+2 schooling system) approach of NEP covering pre-school

Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme(PMSSS)

Recently, the Union Government has extended Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme for students of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh for another five years. The Scheme was introduced in 2011 to provide funding to 5,000 meritorious students each year to study in both private and Government educational institutions in India.

Caste-based Census

Caste-based Census is the enumeration of people or households based on Caste identity to identify the actual demographic composition of different castes and their share of national assets. It was started in India during the British period and continued till 1931. In 1951, as a conscious policy decision, the caste-wise

e-Adhigam Scheme

The Haryana State Government has launched the ‘e-Adhigam’ scheme, under which nearly 3 lakh students will receive tablet computers that will help in their online education. The government launched the Advance Digital Haryana Initiative of Government with Adaptive Modules (Adigham) scheme at Maharishi Dayanand University in Rohtak, Haryana.

Chaara-Bijaee Yojana

Haryana government has launched the Chaara – Bijaee Yojana, a scheme to provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per acre (upto 10 acres) to farmers cultivating and supplying fodder to Gaushalas (Cowsheds). The rationale behind the scheme is to address the State’s fodder shortage and rising stray cattle.

Vehicle Movement Tracking System Mobile App

A Vehicle Movement Tracking System (VMTS) mobile app has been launched to track the vehicles carrying sand and other mining material. The app will be used at different checkpoints in all the districts of Haryana. All vehicle details including vehicle type, vehicle number, moving from, moving to, and driver details

India’s First-Ever Kind of Flow Chemistry Technology Hub

Hyderabad hosts India's first-ever unique kind of Flow Chemistry Technology Hub_40.1, at Dr. Reddy’s Institute of Life Sciences (DRILS). This is the first of its kind in our country and an enabler for the pharma business in India. This hub would usher in a paradigm shift in the pharmaceutical sector,

Nethanna Bima Scheme

Telangana Government has announced the extension of insurance coverage to handloom and power loom weavers under the ‘Nethanna Bima’ (Weaver’s Insurance) Scheme. The Government has issued orders to extend insurance coverage of 5 lakh rupees for weavers under the Insurance Scheme on par with farmers’ insurance schemes. The insurance coverage

SRESTHA-G Project

World Bank has approved USD 350 million as financial aid for the Systems Reform Endeavors for Transformed Health Achievement in Gujarat (SRESTHA-G) project. The SRESTHA-G project will be worth USD 500 million, with the World Bank contributing USD 350 million. The project will include transforming key health delivery systems

Sambhav Portal

Minister for energy and urban development has launched the SAMBHAV (Systemic Administration Mechanism for Bringing Happiness and Value) portal for disposal of public grievances and monitoring programmes and schemes of the two departments in Uttar Pradesh. The portal, www.sambhav.up.gov.in, will work as a platform for flagging grievances received from the

Jivhala Scheme

A loan scheme named Jivhala has been launched by the Maharashtra government for the inmates who are serving sentences in various jails across Maharashtra. The scheme, implemented by the Department of Prisons and Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank, has been started in Pune’s Yerawada Central Jail. Bank and prison officials believe

India’s First Olympic Values Education launched in Odisha

The Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was launched in Odisha, in collaboration with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT). OVEP is a series of free and accessible teaching resources created by the IOC, to complement academic curricula using the context of Olympic sports

Odisha to Host India’s First Tribal Health Observatory

Odisha is planning to create India's "only" observatory, which will house data on the state's indigenous population's health. The Tribal Health Observatory (TriHOb) will be the “first in the nation,” according to the Information Department, and is aimed to be an effective, evidence-based, and policy-oriented centre. It will monitor illness

Rajasthan Turns Out as the First 10 GW Solar State

According to Mercom's India Solar Project Tracker, Rajasthan became the first state in India to reach 10 GW of cumulative large-scale solar installations. The state has a total installed power capacity of 32.5 GW, with renewables accounting for 55 percent, thermal energy for 43 percent, and nuclear energy accounting for

Revised Criteria for IG Shehri Rozgar Guarantee Yojana

New rules for the implementation of the Indira Gandhi Shahari Rozgar Yojana have been accepted by Rajasthan government. The scheme, modelled after the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Jobs Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), was introduced in the 2022-23 budget to create employment in metropolitan areas. Families living in urban areas will receive

Uttarakhand to Roll out Drone in Healthcare 2022

Drones being used commercially to deliver great healthcare to Indians in the rural locations seems to be a possibility now, through a commercial drone corridor. In the United States’ Redcliffe Labs, a division of Redcliffe Lifetech, has completed its first commercial drone flight in the healthcare sector. Between Uttarkashi and

Mukhyamantri Mitaan Yojana

Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh has launched ‘Mukhyamantri Mitaan Yojana’ (Mitaan stands for a friend), which will be implemented on a pilot basis in 14 municipal corporations including the cities like Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur and Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh. Under the Scheme, the residents of Chhattisgarh can avail around 100 public

Lok Milni Scheme

Punjab Chief Minister launched his government’s flagship ‘lok milni’ (public interaction) program for on-the-spot redressal of the people’s grievances. It is aimed at providing a single-window platform to the people for redressal of their

Tomas Cup & Uber Cup 2022

India’s men’s badminton team beat 14-time champion Indonesia 3-0 in the final to win its maiden Thomas Cup title in its 32nd edition.The biennial international badminton championship was held at Bangkok, Thailand.Indian men had previously reached the Thomas Cup semis in 1952, 1955, and 1979. India is only the sixth

The Champions

Lakshya Sen beat Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Sinisuka Ginting in the first singles.K. Srikanth beat Jonatan Christie in the second singles.Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty beat Mohammad Ahsan & Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo in the doubles

Uber Cup 2022

The 2022 Uber Cup was the 29th edition, the biennial international badminton championship contested by the women's national teams of the member associations of Badminton World Federation (BWF).The tournament was held alongside the Thomas Cup at Bangkok, Thailand. The final was played between defending champion China and South Korea in

Asia Cup Hockey 2022

The 2022 Men's Hockey Asia Cup was held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 23 May to 1 June 2022.South Korea won their fifth title after beating Malaysia in the final.India beat Japan to win a Bronze medal.India’s Uttam Singh was accorded ‘Rising Star of the Tournament’

French Open 2022

The 2022 French Open, season’s second Grand Slam tennis tournament after Australian Open was played on outdoor clay courts at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France, from 22 May to 5 June

Major Titles

Men’s Singles Spain's Rafael Nadal beat Norway's Casper Ruud in the men's singles final. It was his 14th championship at Roland Garros and 22nd Grand Slam title overall. Nadal’s victory came two days after his 36th birthday and made him the oldest title winner in the history of the clay-court tournament. The Spaniard’s first

Mains Exclusive Topics with Questions & Answers - Indian History and Culture

Non-cooperation Movement (100 Years to Chauri Chaura Incident)Rationale/Causes Resentment at the British after the War: Indians felt that in compensation for their substantial contribution of people and resources to Britain during World War-I, they would be granted autonomy at the end of the war. The Government of Indian Act of 1919,

Mains Exclusive Topics with Questions & Answers - Geography

Deep Ocean MissionNeed India's Exclusive Economic Zone covers 2.2 million square kilometres. And its deep-sea, which contains polymetallic nodules or rare-earth metals, is still "unexplored and unutilized." It is projected that recovering 10% of ocean resources will be enough to supply India's energy needs for the next 100 years. The International Seabed Authority

Mains Exclusive Topics with Questions & Answers - Society

Elderly Care in IndiaNeed India, a demographically young country, is steadily ageing. By 2050, one in every five Indians will be over the age of 60. India is home to 1/8th of the world's elderly population. According to the First Secretary of India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the percentage of elderly

Mains Exclusive Topics with Questions & Answers - Indian Constitution and Polity

Parliamentary CommitteesNeed Tool to Implement People’s Will: The people's will is embodied in Parliament. Committees are a tool used by Parliament to ensure that it operates efficiently. Committees are places where a proposed law can be discussed in depth. Time-consuming and Expert-based Analysis: Members of Parliament may have a high level of

Mains Exclusive Topics with Questions & Answers - International Relations

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)Significance Market Access: FTA partners gain easier market access into each other's markets by eliminating tariffs and some non-tariff barriers. Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), customs processes, and other non-tariff barriers are examples. Preferential treatment for FTA members over non-FTA members: For example, ASEAN

Mains Exclusive Topics with Questions & Answers - Social Issues and Justice

Quality of Education in Indian Schools Significance Critical for an Individual's Development: According to global studies, 90 per cent of brain growth happens by the age of five, implying that the quality of early childhood education has a significant impact on a child's development. Low Dropout Rates: While a positive primary school experience

Mains Exclusive Topics with Questions & Answers - Economy

Sagarmala ProgrammeNeed Poor Ports and Capacity Constraints: India is situated along vital international commerce routes in the Indian Ocean, with a 7,500-kilometer coastline. Capacity limits and a lack of modern facilities at Indian ports, on the other hand, significantly lengthen the time it takes to carry goods in and out of

Mains Exclusive Topics with Questions & Answers - Science and Technology

Net Neutrality Need Unlocking Possibilities: Internet access that is open and non-discriminatory has resulted in a rapid increase in people-to-people, business-to-people, and government-to-people communications, resulting in new forms of social interactions, businesses, and governance. An Important Feature of the Open Internet: Policies such as data equality and open web standards allow people

Mains Exclusive Topics with Questions & Answers - Environment

Draft National Water Policy Need Competitive Groundwater Extraction: India is the world's greatest groundwater extractor. Nearly 600 million Indians are under moderate to severe water stress, which is expected to intensify as the average annual per capita water availability falls by 37% by 2050, potentially making India water scarce. Groundwater's crucial ecosystem

Mains Exclusive Topics with Questions & Answers - Disaster Management

Disaster Management Plan of Ministry of Panchayati RajFeatures & Significance Coverage: In 2020, India's rural population was estimated to be 65.07 per cent of the total population. Because of India's unique climate and socioeconomic conditions, the country is prone to a variety of natural and man-made disasters. As a result, local

Mains Exclusive Topics with Questions & Answers - Security

Military Logistics Agreements (MLAs)India signed Military Logistics Agreements (MLAs) with Australia, Japan, US – the Quad countries – as well as with France, Singapore, and South Korea. Also, India is in the process of finalizing such an agreement with U.K. and in talks with other partners like Vietnam. Significance Saves both Time

Mains Exclusive Topics with Questions & Answers - Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

Ethical IssuesQ. What do you understand by inner conscience? Can inner conscience be efficient tool to solve ethical dilemmas?250 words (20 Marks) Ans: Inner conscience is the voice of the inner-self which differentiate between what is right or wrong at a situation of moral question. Thus, it is an internal monitor.