Policy for Use of Land Acquired under Coal Bearing Areas Act 1957

On 13th April, 2022, the Union Cabinet approved the policy for use of land acquired under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957. The policy provides a clear policy framework for the utilisation of those lands which are no longer suitable or economically viable for coal mining activities. Salient Features The policy provides for the utilisation of such land for the

Protection and Enforcement of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill 2022

On 13th April, 2022, the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued Protection and Enforcement of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2022. Need India’s reputation in the aircraft leasing industry has taken a hit in the last decade to the point where the country’s airlines had to face higher lease charges, with many regional carriers even refused airplanes for rent. Several Indian laws such

Nidhi (Amendment) Rules 2022

On 20th April, 2022, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs amended the Nidhi Rules, 2014 to safeguard the interests of the general public. Under the Companies Act, 2013, initially, there was no need for a company to get a declaration from the Central Government to function as a Nidhi Company, now it has been made mandatory. Need The move by the corporate affairs ministry

National Financial Reporting Authority

The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) will get more powers to act against auditors and company executives. The Company Law Review Committee chaired by Rajesh Verma (Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs) has recommended expanding NFRA’s oversight to certain wrongful deeds of senior company executives and lapses of auditors other than their professional misconduct. About NFRA It was constituted on 01st October,

National Panchayati Raj Day

National Panchayati Raj Day is the national celebration that commemorates the Panchayati Raj Systems in India. It is celebrated every year on the 24th of April. The day marks the enactment of the 73rd amendment of the Constitution which came into force with effect from 24th April, 1993. The first National Panchayati Raj Day was celebrated in 2010. Panchayati Raj in India The Constitution

Supreme Court Moots Deeper Scrutiny before Award of Death Penalty

On 22nd April, 2022, the Supreme Court asked Attorney General for assistance to institutionalise a mechanism by which information crucial to decide whether a person should be condemned to death or not can be gathered and placed on record before trial judges. Reforms Suggested by the Supreme Court Trial judges to be assisted by ‘mitigation experts’ to aid judicial process of determining

Supreme Court Upholds FCRA Amendments Impacting NGO Funding

On 8th April, 2022, in a significant verdict, the Supreme Court of India upheld the amendments made to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020 was passed in both houses of Parliament in September 2020. It seeks to regulate the process involving acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions by individuals, associations and companies. About the Petition A group

Supreme Court Propose NGT Bench in Each State

Recently, the Supreme Court has asked the central government to consider setting up of National Green Tribunal (NGT) benches in each state. Presently, five benches of NGT have been established in five zones – North, Central, East, South and West. The power to establish a special bench of the NGT is vested in the central government, and the only appellate forum against

Continuation of Revamped Rasthriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan

On 13th April, 2022, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved continuation of the revamped Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) for implementation during the period from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2026. The scheme is now co-terminus with the 15th Finance Commission period. It is aimed to develop governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Major Points The revamped

Guidelines for Implementation of Modernisation of Prison Project

In an effort to implement the “Modernisation of Prison” project in prisons in all States and UTs, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Govt. of India, has issued guidelines for implementing the much-needed scheme. The Guidelines The Ministry of Home Affairs will provide grants-in-aid to the states for a period of 5 years (from 2021-22 to 2025-26). This grant will be given

CAG Report on Functioning of Unique Identification Authority of India

Recently, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its report , ‘Functioning Of Unique Identification Authority Of India’ pulled up the government body behind the issuing of Aadhaar numbers over a range of issues that have dominated the mainstream debate around India’s unique identification programme. Significant Audit Findings No Documents for Proof of Residency There is no specific proof/document or procedure mentioned by

Indian National Calendar

Recently, National Conference and Exhibition on 'The National Calendar of India' was held at different places of the country as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It aims to make the youth aware about the Indian National Calendar. About National Calendar The National Calendar is based on the Saka Era with Chaitra as its first month and a normal year of 365

International Day for Monuments and Sites 2022

Every year, 18th April is celebrated as International Day for Monuments and Sites, also known as ‘World Heritage Day’. In 1982, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) established 18 April as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, also known as World Heritage Day, followed by UNESCO’s adoption during its 22nd General Conference, the same year. The aim of celebrating

Gangaur Festival

The Gangaur festival is celebrated in Rajasthan and some parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. It is one of Rajasthan’s most important festivals and is observed with great fervour across the state. The women worship Gauri, the wife of Lord Shiva during the period of this festival which is from March to April. ‘Gan’ that stands for Lord Shiva and ‘Gaur’

Photo Exhibition on the Baolis

Recently, Union Minister for Culture inaugurated the photo exhibition on the Baolis of Delhi “Absent Appearance - A Shifting score of water bodies” on the occasion of World Heritage Day (18 April, 2022). About Baolis The word the Baoli/Bawdi has derived from the Sanskrit word wapi or vapi/vapika. Baoli is commonly used in Gujarat, Rajasthan and parts of North India. The strategic

Madhavpur Ghed Fair

On 10th April, 2022, the President of India inaugurated five-day long Madhavpur Ghed Fair at Madhavpur Ghed, Porbandar in Gujarat. Since 2018, the Government of Gujarat in association with the Ministry of Culture is organizing this fair every year to celebrate the sacred union of Lord Krishna and Rukmini. About the Fair It is a religio-cultural fair taking place every year in Madhavpur,

Chennakeshava Temple

The historic Chennakeshava temple in Belur in Hassan district of Karnataka kept alive its tradition of kicking off the rathotsava or the chariot festival after reciting passages from the Quran. The annual Rathotsava is the major festival celebrated in Belur in the month of March-April, twelve days after Ugadi or the Kannadiga New Year. About Chennakeshava Temple Also referred to as Keshava,

Kodava Takke Language

A book of poems by a veteran Kodagu poet has brought the spotlight on Kodava Takke, an endangered language. About Kodava Takke Language The Kodava is a Dravidian language and the original language of the Kodagu district in Southern Karnataka, India. The term ‘Kodava’ has two related usages. Firstly, it is the name of the Kodava language and culture followed by a number

Bicentenary Year of Mirat-ul-Akhbar

On 12th April, 2022, India’s pioneering Persian newspaper - Mirat-ul-Akhbar- that embodied resistance founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy completed its 200 years. About Mirat-ul-Akhbar The newspaper Mirat-ul-Akhbar – the title of which translates to ‘Mirror of News’ – was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in the year 1822 in Calcutta. It used to be published on Fridays every week. In

Megalithic Jars unearthed in Assam

In the Dima Hasao district of Assam, a number of megalithic stone jars have been discovered. The jars of Assam were first sighted in 1929 by British civil servants James Philip Mills and John Henry Hutton, who recorded their presence in six sites in Dima Hasao: Derebore (now Hojai Dobongling), Kobak, Kartong, Molongpa (now Melangpeuram), Ndunglo and Bolasan (now Nuchubunglo). At one

One Health Pilot Project

Recently, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, launched ‘One Health’ pilot project in Uttarakhand to implement the One Health Framework by One Health Support Unit. The key objective of the Unit is to develop a national One Health roadmap based on the learnings of the pilot project implementation. Major Highlights Key activities to be

Mission Integrated Bio-refineries

Recently, the government launched a major futuristic “Clean Energy” initiative in PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode with the full launch of “Mission Integrated Bio-refineries” to accelerate Clean Energy solutions through Public-Private Alliances. Objective To develop and demonstrate innovative solutions to accelerate the commercialization of integrated biorefineries, with a target of replacing 10% of fossil-based fuels, chemicals and materials with bio-based alternatives by

Purchasing Managers’ Index

India’s manufacturing sector witnessed faster growth in April, 2022, sequentially, due to quicker increases in production and factory orders, as well as renewed expansion in international sales. The Index (PMI) rose from 54 in March to 54.7 in April. About PMI It is an indicator of business activity -- both in the manufacturing and services sectors. It is a survey-based measures that asks the

All India Household Consumer Expenditure Survey to be Resumed

The All-India Household Consumer Expenditure Survey is set to resume this year after a prolonged break. India hasn’t had any official estimates on per capita household spending, used to arrive at estimates of poverty levels in different parts of the country and to review economic indicators like the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), since 2011–12. The Survey's results will include separate data sets

Digital Banking Units

On 7th April, 2022, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the guidelines on establishment of Digital Banking Units (DBUs). The Finance Minister in her Budget announcement had envisaged setting up 75 digital banking units in 75 districts of the country. About Digital Banking Units (DBUs) It is a specialised fixed point business unit or hub housing certain minimum digital infrastructure for

India Post Payments Bank launches ‘Fincluvation’

On 21st April, 2022, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), a 100% government owned entity under Department of Posts (DoP), announced the launch of Fincluvation. About Fincluvation It a joint initiative to collaborate with Fintech Startup community to co-create and innovate solutions for financial inclusion. It will be a permanent platform of IPPB to co-create inclusive financial solutions with participating start-ups. Under this, Startups

Reciprocal Cross Holdings

A clause in the Reserve Bank of India’s Master Circular on Basel-III Capital Regulations relating to ‘Reciprocal Cross-Holdings in the Capital of Banking, Financial, and Insurance Entities’ may prevent banks from going all out to invest in LIC’s Initial Public Offering (IPO). According to the Circular, banks are required to apply a “corresponding deduction approach” to reciprocal cross-holdings in the capital

Hike in Marginal Cost of Funds-Based Lending Rate and its Impact

Recently, State Bank of India has raised the marginal cost of funds-based lending rates (MCLR) for the first time in three years. Other banks like Bank of Baroda, Axis Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank made 5 basis points hike in the benchmark lending rates. Reason for Hike The increase in MCLR was done after the RBI’s monetary policy committee or MPC replacing the

Coal Gasification

Government has initiated steps to execute the four pilot coal gasification projects announced in Budget 2022-23. About Coal Gasification It is a process in which coal is partially oxidised with air, oxygen, steam or carbon dioxide to form a fuel gas. It produces Syngas which is a mixture consisting primarily of methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water

MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme

On 28th April, 2022, the Central government launched the MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme. The Scheme is the revamped version of earlier Zero Defect, Zero Effect (ZED) scheme for Udyam-registered MSMEs. Need According to the feedback received from MSMEs and industry associations, it was found that they were unable to comply with all 50 parameters as per the

Design Linked Incentive Scheme

Recently, the government decided to review the norms of the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme. It envisages to support 100 companies involved in product design in the semiconductor space as part of a Rs 76,000 crore scheme for developing the electronic chip ecosystem in the country, About DLI Scheme The Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme aims to offer financial incentives as well

TRAI’s Recommendation on 5G Spectrum

On 11th April, 2022, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) mooted a mega auction plan valued at over Rs 7.5 trillion at the base price across multiple bands for radiowaves allocated over 30 years. The proposed price cut comes after operators failed to buy costlier spectrum in the last round of auction, delaying 5G rollout Major Recommendations It recommended a sharp 36 per

RBI's Report on Currency and Finance 2021-2022

On 29th April, 2022, the Reserve Bank of India released the Report on Currency and Finance (RCF) for the year 2021-22. The theme of the Report is “Revive and Reconstruct” in the context of nurturing a durable recovery post-COVID and raising trend growth in the medium-term. Major Highlights Impact of Pandemic on Economic Growth The pre-Covid trend growth rate works out to 6.6%

Expanding Heat Resilience

Recently, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a non-profit, released a report, titled ‘Expanding Heat Resilience Across India: Heat Action Plan Highlights 2022’. Key Highlights Heat Stress: As climate change leads to more frequent, intense and longer heat waves, extreme hot weather is already a major health threat for vulnerable communities. Heat stress refers to physiological ailments and symptoms caused by exposure to

New Study on Forest Fires

Recently, the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) released a study, titled ‘Managing Forest Fires in a Changing Climate’. The study presents a micro-level assessment of forest fires by identifying the states most vulnerable to high-intensity forest fires and their district hotspots while taking into consideration the warming and varying climate. Key Findings Increasing Incidences of Forest Fires There has been a ten-fold

20th Meeting of National Tiger Conservation Authority

Recently, the 20th meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was held in Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh. For the first time, the NTCA meeting happened outside the national capital. The standard operating procedure for tiger reintroduction and supplementation in wild, forest fire audit protocol for tiger reserves, technical manual on management effectiveness evaluation (MEE) of tiger reserves in India

Renewable Energy Capacity Addition in 2021

On 11th April, 2022, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) released the ‘Renewable Capacity Statistics 2022’ according to which renewable energy continued to expand steadily and well above the long-term trend, with share in total capacity expansion reaching new record of 81% last year. Key Highlights Capacity Addition: Renewable energy has continued to grow and gain momentum despite global uncertainties. Global renewable

Imbalance in Nitrogen Availability

According to a recently published study, an imbalance in nitrogen availability has been reported across the globe, with some places having an excess and others a shortage of the element. Nitrogen gas makes up 78% of our atmosphere. Essential to life on Earth, it is also a part of many molecules like proteins, nucleic acids, etc. The strong indications of declining nitrogen

State Energy and Climate Index

Recently, NITI Aayog launched the State Energy and Climate Index (SECI). It is the first index that aims to track the efforts made by States and UTs in the climate and energy sector. Need India is a resource-rich and diverse country. Many of its states are comparable to countries in the European Union in terms of area, population, and diversity of resources. Thus,

Global Wind Report 2022

Recently, the Global Wind Energy Council released the Global Wind Report 2022. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the world’s wind energy scenario. Key Highlights Capacity Installed in 2021: The global wind industry had its second-best year in 2021 with almost 94 GW (gigawatt) of capacity added globally, trailing behind the 2020s record growth by only 1.8%. New installations in 2021 brought

Emmanuel Macron

In the 2022 presidential election of France, Emmanuel Macron came victorious.He is the first president to win a second term since Jacques Chirac in

Shehbaz Sharif

He recently became the 23rd prime minister of Pakistan.He replaced Imran Khan -who was ousted through a no-confidence

Ursula Von Der Leyen

The President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen recently visited India and participated in the annual Raisina Dialogue 2022, held in New

Lt Gen Manoj C Pande

Lt Gen Manoj C Pande, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, has been appointed as the 29th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).He replaced General MM Naravane, who retired after four decades of service.He is the first engineer to become the Army Chief. Currently, Admiral Hari Kumar is the Chief of Indian Navy and Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari

Lt General Baggavalli Somashekar Raju

The Army’s Director General of Military Operations, Lt. Gen. B.S. Raju, has been appointed the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.This is a rare instance where a three star officer took over as Vice Chief before serving tenure as an Army Commander.As a practice in the Army, Vice Chiefs have for a long time been those who had already served

Lt. General Manoj Kumar Katiyar

Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar has been appointed as the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO).He replaced Lt Gen BS Raju, who was appointed as the Vice Chief of the Army

Vinay Kwatra

The Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra has been appointed as the Foreign Secretary of India.He replaced Harshvardhan Shringla.The foreign secretary is the administrative head of the Ministry of External Affairs, and is the principal adviser to the minister of external affairs on all matters of policy and administration within the External Affairs

Suman K. Bery

Suman K. Bery has been appointed as the vice-chairman of NITI Aayog, following the resignation of Rajiv Kumar.Currently Narendra Modi (PM) is the Chairman and Amitabh Kant is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Niti

M. Vijayan

Leading structural biologist Mamannamana Vijayan, who laid the foundations of protein crystallography in India, breathed his last on 24 April 2022.He played a prominent role as part of Dorothy Hodgkin's team in the unravelling of the structure of insulin. Vijayan was honoured with the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in 1985 and the Padma Shri in 2004.

Binapani Mohanty

Legendary Odia writer Binapani Mohanty has passed away on 24 April 2022.Besides getting the Padma Shri in 2020, she received Sahitya Akademi Award, Sarala Samman, and Atibadi Jagannatha Das Sammana by Odisha Sahitya Akademi.Collection of short stories 'Patadei' won her Sahitya Akademi in 1990. Its Hindi dramatisation 'Kashmakash', telecast on Doordarshan, in the late

Prafulla Kar

Acclaimed musician from Odisha, Prafulla Kar has passed away on 17th April 2022.He was a master musician, singer, lyricist, writer all-in-one.He was felicitated with India’s fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri in 2015 for his invaluable contribution to the field of art and

Gurbax Singh Frank

Noted Punjabi author and translator Gurbax Singh Frank has passed away on 14 April 2022.He was a literary link between the then USSR and India in the Cold War era.Frank has to his credit more than 50 books, including 35 translated from Russian into

Elvera Britto

Indian hockey player who captained the Indian women's hockey team and the Mysore state's team Elvera Britto has passed away on 26 April 2022.She captained the Mysore state team for eight consecutive national titles between 1960 and 1967. She received the Arjuna Award, India's second highest sporting honor, in

World Food Prize 2022

Cynthia Rosenzweig, a senior research scientist and head of the Climate Impacts Group at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York City, received the 2022 World Food Prize from the World Food Prize Foundation on May 5, 2022.Rosenzweig was selected for the award for her research to understand the relationship between climate and food systems and forecast

UN 'Champion of the Earth' Award

The British broadcaster Sir David Attenborough has been accorded the Champions of the Earth Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to research, documentation, and advocacy for the protection of nature and its restoration.The UN Environment Programme’s Champions of the Earth award is the UN's highest environmental honor. It is given in four categories: Policy leadership, Inspiration and action, Entrepreneurial vision,

Saraswati Samman 2021

One of the most prestigious literary awards ‘Saraswati Samman’ for the year 2021 will be conferred on poet and litterateur Prof Ramdarash Mishra for his collection of poems ‘Mein to Yahan Hun’.In ‘Mein to Yahan Hun’, the poet brings to the fore different aspects of inner life, societal concerns, communalism, corruption, human perspectives, exploitation of the Dalits, disquieting urban cities,

Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award

PM Narendra Modi was honoured with 1st Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award for selfless service to the nation and society. The award has been instituted in the memory of the veteran singer Lata Mangeskar.

Sangeet Natak Akademi awards and Lalit Kala Akademi Awards

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship and Sangeet Natak Awards for the year 2018 were awarded to 44 eminent artists (4 Fellows and 40 awardees), and 3 Fellows and 20 National Awards of Lalit Kala Akademi for the year 2021 in a joint ceremony held on 9th April,

Major Awards

Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellows (2018)Shri Zakir Hussain (Music - Tabla)Shri Jatin Goswami (Dance - Sattriya)Dr. Sonal Mansingh (Dance - Odissi)Shri Thiruvidaimarudur Kuppiah Kalyanasundaram (Dance –Bharatnatyam)Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowship (2021)Shri Himmat Shah (Painter)Shri Jyoti Bhatt (Painter)Shri Shyam Sundar Sharma (A creative artist in Printmaking

Ex Kripan Shakti

In a show of jointmanship, the Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the civil administration participated in Ex Kripan Shakti, conducted by the Army’s Trishakti Corps at the Teesta Field Firing Firing Ranges (TFFR) near Siliguri in West Bengal.This was an Integrated Fire Power Exercise aimed at synergising the capabilities of the Army and Central Armed

‘INS Vagsheer’: Sixth Scorpene Class Submarine Launched

Yard 11880 (INS Vagsheer), the sixth and last submarine of the Indian Navy’s Kalvari class submarines of Project 75 was launched on 20 April 2022 at the Kanhoji Angre Wet Basin of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL).The six submarines were being built under Project-75 by the MDL under technology transfer from the Naval Group (France) under a $3.75 bn deal signed

Important Days/Weeks

Date Day Theme 2 April World Autism Awareness Day “Inclusive Quality Education for All” 6 April International Day of Sport for Development and Peace “Securing a Sustainable and Peaceful Future for All: The Contribution of Sport” 7 April World Health Day “Our planet, our health” 10th April World Homeopathy Day “People’s Choice For Wellness” 15 April World Art Day 17 April World Hemophilia Day “Access for All: Partnership. Policy. Progress. Engaging your government, integrating inherited bleeding disorders into national

Lithuania

The Union Cabinet has accorded approval to the opening of a new Indian Mission in Lithuania in 2022.Officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe.It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic

Mumbai & Hyderabad: 'Tree City of the World 2021'

The Arbor Day Foundation, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, has declared Mumbai and Hyderabad as the ‘Tree City of the World 2021’.Mumbai is the second Indian city to hone the title after Hyderabad which bagged the title two years in a row. They are now listed with 136 other cities from 21