

Gender Equality: Equal is Better - By Manisha Kukreti
As Kofi Annan once rightly said, “Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.” India has made considerable progress in advancing gender equality and empowerment of women. But it is still a long way from creating a space where women are equal to men. From health and education to labour and income,

Electronics Manufacturing in India - By K C Shekhar
Recently, India has announced three new schemes for electronics manufacturing industries- production-linked incentive scheme, component and semiconductor manufacturing promotion scheme and creation of new manufacturing clusters. It is in sync with the new national policy on electronics, unveiled in February 2020, and seeks to promote electronics manufacturing in India. In this light, let us examine the present status of electronics manufacturing in India and problems and prospects afflicting the electronic

COVID-19 and its Effect on Tribes & Indigenous People - By Kartic Godavarthy
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc across the human species, in the context of the economy, psychological mindset, social relationships, and most importantly physical health. If you look at each of these aspects from a holistic view, as is done by anthropologists, there are plenty of factors that are especially relevant to the tribes of India and the indigenous peoples of the world. Indigenous people are those who are the original inhabitants

Transformations in West Asia amidst Growing US-Israel Engagement - By Satish Kumar Karna
It was a historical moment for the US President Donald Trump when he announced that the Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain would establish full diplomatic relations with Israel. Bahrain is the 4th Arab country to recognize Israel (Egypt did so in 1979, Jordon in 1994 and UAE recently). Bahrain’s move, a month after the United Arab Emirates normalized relations, furthers a strategic realignment of the Middle East/West Asia. The so-called
Expert Advice
Safely Opt For Science Optionals: They Are Evergreen
D P VajpayeeDIRECTORDELHI INSTITUTE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES (DIAS)Civil Services has been a popular career choice of youth due to their exalted role in society, assured career progression, versatility and challenging responsibilities .Every year some six lakhs candidates compete for 800 to 1200 seats . Therefore competition is intense (1 seat against 500 aspirants) and only the best can survive. Looking at the level of competition involved in this exam, one can sail through this ‘hurdle race’ with flying colours only by proper planning, sustained hard-work over a long period, perseverance and patience. Proper planning is must for getting good rank
Map Study
France
France, the largest country in Western Europe, bounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the Alps and the Pyrenees, has since long provided a geographic, economic, and linguistic bridge between northern and southern Europe.It is Europe’s most important agricultural producer and one of the world’s leading industrial powers. Physical
Parliament Q & A
Contribution of MSMEs in GDP
Question by: Shantanu Thakur and others. Question Whether Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector is the backbone of the Indian economy and generates second highest number of employments after agriculture and if so, the details thereof;whether MSMEs sector contributes 8-10 percent of the GDP, 40 percent of manufacturing output
Upliftment of Minority Community
Question by: Balak NathQuestion The names of various schemes being run by the Government for the upliftment of minority community; andWhether the Ministry has allocated any funds to the State of Rajasthan particularly Alwar district for the upliftment of minority community and if so, the details thereof? Answer
Aviation Infrastructure in India
Question by: Doddaalahalli Kempegowda SureshQuestion whether the Government has taken note that a well-managed civil aviation infrastructure in India can bring down transport and communication costs, promote commercial and cultural activities, create jobs and ultimately unite people and markets and if so, the details thereof?whether the Government has taken any
Electricity from Plastic Waste
Question by:Pushpendra Singh Chandel, M.K. Vishnu Prasad, Mala Rajya Laxmi ShahQuestion whether the Government has taken note of increasing plastic waste in the country; and if so, the details thereof;whether the Government has fixed any target for generating electricity from plastic waste, including other organic and inorganic residue and if

Government Policy
CAROTAR Rules2020
The Customs (Administration of Rules of Origin under Trade Agreements) Rules, 2020 (CAROTAR, 2020) came into force on 21st September, 2020. These aim to protect the domestic industry from misuse of Free Trade Agreements. About CAROTAR Rules These rules apply to import of goods into India where the importer makes a claim of
Agriculture
World Bamboo Day
World Bamboo Day is observed on September 18 every year to increase the awareness of bamboo globally. It was officially established by the World Bamboo organization at the 8th World Bamboo Congress held in Bangkok in 2009. Theme of 2020: Bamboo Now Government’s Initiatives to Promote Bamboo Bamboo Cluster On 8th September, 2020, the Union
Industry
Aatmanirbhar Bharat ARISE-ANIC Initiative
On 9th September, 2020, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) along with NITI Aayog launched the Aatmanirbhar Bharat ARISE-Atal New India Challenges to spur applied research and innovation in Indian MSMEs and startups. Key Points The programme will be driven by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), four ministries—Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Food Processing
Infrastructure
Bullet Train Project
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project may face a delay due to issues such as disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic to low participation by Japanese companies and tenders cancelled because of steep rates quoted by bidders. The project was scheduled to be completed by December 2023. About the Bullet Train
SAROD-Ports: Dispute Resolution Mechanism for Maritime Sector
On 10th September, 2020, the Union Ministry of Shipping launched dispute redressal mechanism-SAROD (Society for Affordable Redressal of Disputes)-Ports, to facilitate affordable and timely resolution of disputes for the maritime sector. In January, 2018, the government approved amendments in the Model Concession Agreement (MCA).The amendments in the MCA, envisaged constitution of
Reports & Indices
Ranking of States on Support to Startup Ecosystems 2019
On 11th September, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry released the second edition of Ranking of States on Support to Startup Ecosystems-2019, conducted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). A total of 22 states and 3 Union Territories participated in the exercise, including four states from
Ease of Doing Business Rankings
On 5th September, 2020, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry released the 4th edition of Ease of Doing Business Rankings based on the State Business Reform Action Plan (State BRAP). Key Points Andhra Pradesh for the third time in a row has topped
Global Innovation Index 2020
On 2nd September, 2020, the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) released the Global Innovation Index (GII)-2020. The GII measures 131 economies around the world, using 80 indicators, which include the quality of universities, availability of microfinance and venture capital, to gauge innovation capabilities and measurable results. The GII 2020 is the
News Bytes
Government Proposes to Make FASTag Mandatory
In order to promote digital and IT-based payment of toll fees, the Centre has proposed to make FASTag mandatory for vehicles sold before December 1, 2017. The amended provision in Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 is proposed to be put in force w.e.f 1st Jan 2021. It is also proposed to make
Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor Project
On 15th September, 2020, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor Project. About the project The project will be implemented by Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HRIDC), a Joint Venture company set up by Ministry of Railways with Government of Haryana. The Rail Line under the project
e-Gopala App
e-Gopala App is a comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers. Need of the App At present, no digital platform is available in the country for farmers managing livestock including buying and selling of disease-free germplasm in all forms. (semen, embryos, etc.) There is no mechanism to send
Force Majeure Clause
At the 41st meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, the finance ministry revealed that the Centre would not be able to make good the shortfall. Now, the businesses are looking towards a legal provision - the Force Majeure (FMC) or “Act of God” clause to cut losses. Back in
In Focus
K V Kamath Committee Report on Resolution Framework for Covid-19 Related Stress
On 7th September, 2020,the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released a report by the K V Kamath Committee which was formed to make recommendations on the required financial parameters to be factored in the resolution plans under the ‘Resolution Framework for Covid-related Stress’,along with sector specific benchmark ranges for such
Vodafone gets International Relief in Retrospective Taxation Case
On 25th September, 2020, the Permanent Court of Arbitration(PCA) at The Hague (Netherland) ruled in favour of the Vodafone Group in its long pending case against the Indian income tax department’s tax liability demand for Rs 22,100 crore that dates back to a transaction in 2007. Timeline of the Case In May
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FDI in Defence Sector The Union Cabinet approved a new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy in the defence sector which allows the FDI through automatic approval to be increased from 49% to 74%. Till now, 100 per cent foreign investments were permitted in the defence industry - 49 per cent under the

Legislative
Parliament Passes two Bills to Revamp Indian Medicine System
Recently Parliament approved two Bills namely the National Commission for Homoeopathy Bill and the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill to revamp homeopathy and Indian Medicine System. National Commission for Homoeopathy Bill, 2019 This Bill seeks to repeal the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973 and to set up a
Aircraft (Amendment) Act 2020
The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill 2020 that gives three aviation regulators statutory powers and enhances the fine for violations from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore in a bid to improve aircraft safety, was passed by Parliament recently. It amended the Aircraft Act, 1934 which regulates manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import
Executive
Epidemic Diseases Amendment Act 2020
Recently parliament passed the Epidemic Diseases Amendment Bill 2020 which aims at protecting healthcare workers fighting the Covid-19 disease outbreak in the country by criminalising attacks on medical workers, resulting into imprisonment for up to five years. The bill replaces the ordinance issued by the government in April 2020 for the
Action Plan 2020-21 for Schemes of Department of Social Justice & Empowerment
Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment recently released a book containing 33 Action Plans 2020-21 of all the schemes of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment on 7th September, 2020. Revised Plans for Schemes of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment Free Coaching for Scheduled Castes and Other Backward
Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020
Defence Minister recently unveiled the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 with a focus on significantly boosting indigenous production and turning India into a global manufacturing hub of weapons and military platforms. DAP 2020 will be applicable with effect from October 1, 2020. DAP 2020 is the renamed iteration of Defence Procurement Procedure.
Judiciary
Supreme Court Puts Stay on Maratha Reservation
Recently, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court put interim stay on Maharashtra State reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act (SEBC Act),2018,which provides reservation for Maratha community in government jobs and educational institutions for undergraduate courses in Maharashtra. Key Points The SEBC Act originally provided 16 percent reservation for Maratha
Committee on Content Regulation in Government Advertisements
A Supreme Court-mandated Committee on Content Regulation in Government Advertising (CCRGA)recently noted in its meeting that some states are yet to constitute their respective committees and this delay might be construed as a contempt of the apex court's orders. Further, the CCRGA explained that in the event of any non-compliance of
Social Issues
UN Guidelines on Access to Social Justice for People with Disabilities
Recently the United Nations released its first-ever guidelines on access to social justice for people with disabilities to make it easier for them to access justice systems around the world. The guidelines outline a set of 10 principles and detail the steps for implementation. Ten Principles on Access to Social Justice
Village Poverty Reduction Plan
Self Help Groups across the country are being geared up to prepare the Village Poverty Reduction Plan for integration with the Gram Panchayat Development Plans. Article 243G of the Constitution intends to empower the Gram Panchayats (GPs) by enabling the State Governments to devolve powers and authority in respect of all
UN’s Levels &Trends in Child Mortality Report 2020
Recently, the Levels and Trends in Child Mortality 2020 reportwas released by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the World Bank Group. Key Findings of the Report Global Statistics As per the report the number of global under-five
NCRB Report: ‘Crime in India’ 2019
The National Crime Record Bureau's ‘Crime in India’ 2019 report was released on 29th September 2020.The NCRB also released the annual report on Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) for the year 2019. Key Findings of the Reports Crimes against Women: Crimes against women increased 7.3 per cent from 2018
Art And Culture
Rare Inscription of Renati Cholas Unearthed in Andhra Pradesh
A rare inscription dating back to the Renati Chola era has been unearthed in a remote village of Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh recently. Key Findings The inscription is found engraved on a dolomite slab and shale, which are part of a fragmentary pillar excavated from the site in a farmer’s field. The
Dekho Apna Desh Webinar on Hampi
On 29th August 20202, the Ministry of Tourism organised a webinar titled ‘Hampi- Inspired by the past; Going into the future’ under Dekho Apna DeshWebinar series. Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series is an effort to showcase India’s rich diversity under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme. It is presented in technical partnership
ASI Declares Site &Remains at Baghpat to be of National Importance
The archaeological site and remains at SadikpurSinauli in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district where evidence of the existence of a warrior class around 2,000 BCE was discovered in 2018 have been declared to be of “national importance” by the Archaeological Survey of India. Highlights The ASI’s notification under provisions of the Ancient Monuments
Sree Narayana Guru
Recently Prime Minister of India paid homage to Sree Narayan Guru on the occasion of his 164th birth anniversary on September 2. Additionally, Kerala Government decided to name Kerala’s first open university after Sree Narayan Guru, a saint who fought against the caste system prevalent in the society. About Sree Narayana
News Bytes
National Medical Commission
The National Medical Commission (NMC) replaced the Medical Council of India on 25th September in pursuance of the National Medical Commission Act 2019. Former head of Delhi All India Institute of Medical Sciences ENT department, Dr Suresh Chandra Sharma has been appointed as the Chairperson of NMC for a period
Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill 2020
The Rajya Sabha recently passed the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill, 2020. This paves the way for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Ayurvedic institution called the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) at Jamnagar, Gujarat, and conferment of the status of Institution of National Importance
Global Smart City Index 2020
Recently, the Institute for Management Development (IMD), in collaboration with Singapore University for Technology and Design (SUTD), released the 2020 Smart City Index. In SCI's context, 'smart city' describes an urban setting that apply technology to enhance the benefits and diminish the shortcomings of urbanization. The second edition of the SCI ranked
Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act
President of India recently gave his assent to the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, 2020, that provides for inclusion of Kashmiri, Dogri and Hindi in the list of official languages in Jammu and Kashmir, in addition to Urdu and English. According to the 2011 census, only 0.16 per cent
In Focus
Mission Karmayogi: Ushering in the Civil Services Reforms
Recently the Union Cabinet gave its approval for Mission Karmayogi, a new national capacity building and performance evaluation programme for civil servants. It is a comprehensive post-recruitment reform of the Centre’s human resource development aimed at building a future-ready civil service with the right attitude, skills and knowledge, aligned to the
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Draft Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture The government of India’s policy think-tank NITI Aayog has released a draft for Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA) for public consultation in order to seek opinion on the implementation of the framework, which is set to be launched by 2020-end. It is aimed at empowering

World Issues
Sri Lanka Proposes Ban on Cow Slaughter
The parliamentary group in Sri Lanka on September 08, 2020 approved proposal to completely ban slaughtering of cows in Sri Lanka to stop animal cruelty for curbing the desperate move to kill cow and cattle rampantly in the holy land of Sri Lanka. However, The Animal Act of Sri Lanka which
United Kingdom’s Internal Market Bill Passed
A controversial government Brexit bill that breaches international law has safely passed its final House of Commons hurdle, despite continued serious doubts on September 29, 2020. United Kingdom Internal Market Bill On September 9, 2020, UK Government published a UK Internal Market Bill.The bill is designed to “protect jobs and trade” within
India And Its Bilateral Relations
India-Japan Defence Agreement
On September 9, 2020 India and Japan signed an “Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA)”.Japan becomes the sixth country with which India has such an arrangement, after the United States, France, Singapore, South Korea, and Australia. About the Agreement According to the agreement, supplies and services can be exchanged during joint exercises and
First India-France-Australia Trilateral Dialogue
The first India-France-Australia Trilateral Dialogue was held virtually on September 9, 2020 with a focus on enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region. It was decided in the meeting that such dialogues will be held annually now onward. Discussion Points Various Economic and Geo-strategic Challenges in the Indo-pacific, particularly in context of Covid-19. The
India-Angola Joint Commission Meet
India and Angola held the first Joint Commission Meetingon September 8, 2020 in which two sides agreed to diversify their trade relationship and discussed cooperation in health, pharmaceuticals, defence, agriculture, food processing, digitization and telecom.The 2nd session of the Angola-India Joint Commission would be held in New Delhi in 2022. Agreements
India-Finland Cooperation in Geology and Mineral Resources
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, on September 02, 2020, has approved Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) for cooperation in the field of geology and mineral resources between India and Finland. Bilateral Cooperation The MoU between the two countries aims to provide a framework and a platform to promote and foster cooperation
International Organisations
10th East Asia Summit
The 10th East Asia Summit (EAS), Foreign Ministers meeting was held on the 9th September, 2020 virtually.The meet was based on formulating various ways, in which the ties between the member countries can be strengthened and make it responsive and proactive in dealing with the major changes happening around the
India to Host Summit of SCO Council
India will host a summit of the council of heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)on November 30, 2020 with a focus on contributing to the trade and economic agenda of the influential grouping. India in SCO India, which was an observer at the SCO since 2005 and became its
India Elected Member of UN Commission on Status of Women
India, on September 15, 2020 got elected as a member of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women(CSW), securing the most votes ahead of China. Afghanistan was the other country elected as member. The election marksthe year of 25thanniversary of the Beijing World Conference on Women, which started
India Becomes an Observer in Djibouti Code of Conduct
India on September 16, 2020 acquired the Observer status in the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCOC), the anti-piracy group of nations that provides a common platform to manage maritime security for governments on the east coast of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.The Djibouti Code of Conduct is also called the
News Bytes
Germany launches Indo-Pacific Strategy with India
Germany, current EU president and Europe's biggest economy, has launched its Indo-Pacific strategy with India that is expected to play a key role in Germany’s outreach in the region where China’s aggressive foreign policy has rattled countries. The new Indo-Pacific strategy, which reflects the realities of the modern world, is focused
Indo-China Five Point Plan on LAC
Amidst the tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at the Ladakh border, the Foreign Ministers of India and China agreed on five points plan to disengage troops and reduce tensions along LAC, during their talks in Moscow on the sidelines of the SCO Summit on September 10, 2020. As
In Focus
IBSA Foreign Minister’s Meet
External Affairs Minister of India chaired a meeting of foreign ministers of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) grouping via video conference on September 16, 2020. Emphasis on Reform of the UN Security Council The foreign ministers of the three-nation group- India, Brazil and South Africa adopted a joint statement on the Reform of
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Kra Canal Project Thailand has scrapped the Kra Canal Project that was aimed at connecting the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea across the Kra Isthmus in southern Thailand and was to provide an alternative transit route to the Strait of Malacca. FinCEN Files FinCEN Files is a cross-border investigation based on

Astronomy
Himalayan Chandra Telescope
Recently, the Himalayan Chandra Telescope, housed within the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) at Ladakh, completed its 20 years in operation. HCT is a 2-m diameter optical-infrared telescope which is also called as the crown jewel of Indian astronomy. It has been used for scanning the space to search a variety of
Solar Cycle 25
Solar Cycle Prediction Panel of NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have jointly announced the end of solar cycle 24 and commencement of solar cycle 25. Solar cycle 25 is the current solar cycle pattern of sunspot activity. It began in December 2019 with the observation of a
Discovery of Phosphine Gas: Life on Venus?
A team of scientists have reported traces of phosphine gas in the atmosphere of Venus. The discovery has triggered global excitement about the possibility of the presence of lifeforms on the neighbouring planet. They have reported traces of phosphine in concentration of approximately 20 parts per billion, which is thousands to
Space Organisations
NASA’s Sonification Project
It is a new project of NASA which uses sonification that transforms data from astronomical images into audio sound. The images used are taken from NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory and other telescopes. This allows users to listen to the centre of the Milky Way as observed in X-ray, optical, and
Bio Science
UCPMP Not Mandatory for Pharma Companies
Recently, government has informed that it has no intention of making the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) mandatory on pharmaceutical companies. UCPMP It is a voluntary code issued by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Union Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers relating to marketing practices for pharmaceutical companies as well
FSSAI Bans Mixing of Edible Oil in Mustard Oil
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned the adulteration and blending of any other edible oil with mustard oil. Rice bran oil, palm oil or any other cheap edible oil is used for adulteration with mustard oil. By mixing cheap edible oil with mustard oil, businessmen make more
3D Printed Nasal Swab
Amidst a potential shortage of nasal swabs to collect samples for coronavirus testing, researchers have come up with an alternative: 3D-printed nasal swabs. It is a cheaper alternative for commercial swabs. A clinical trial has provided evidence that 3D-printed alternative nasal swabs work as well, and safely, as the standard commercial
Indigenous Technology
FELUDA Test Kits for COVID-19
Feluda is an acronym for FNCAS9 Editor Linked Uniform Detection Assay. It is an accurate and low-cost paper-based test strip to detect Covid-19 in less than 30 minutes. It has been developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Tata Groupand got approval of the Drugs Controller
ABHYAS: High-speed Expendable Aerial Target
Abhyas is a High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) being developed by DRDO. It is similar to a drone and is designed for autonomous flying with the help of an autopilot. It has RCS (Radar Cross Section), Visual and IR (Infrared) augmentation systems required for weapon practice. The fuselage for the
HSTDV: Indigenous Hypersonic Technology
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) – an unmanned scramjet vehicle with a capability to travel at six times the speed of sound. The test has showed that the scramjet-powered HSTDV sustained a speed of Mach 6 during the course
News Bytes
Graphene Mask
In a recent research scientist have produced graphene mask with an anti-bacterial efficiency of 80 percent.They said that it can be raised to almost 100 per cent with exposure to sunlight. The initial tests have shown promising results in the deactivation of two coronavirus species. Graphene is an allotrope of
Real Mango
Real Mango is an illegal software which was used for cornering confirmed train reservation during the coronavirus pandemic. The Railway Protection Force has disrupted the network and it has made 50 arrests in an investigation spanning across the states of West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Gujarat. The first red flag was
COVID-19 Mutation D614G
The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is constantly mutating, but one mutation in particular has been found more transmissible than most others and it has been named D614G. It was first noticed in China and Germany, but gained attention when it cropped up in several cases across Europe, and eventually in the US, Canada,
COVID-19: Serial Interval
A recent research has shown that China is able to contain Covid-19 due to its ability to manage the serial interval and now it has gone over a month without any locally transmitted Covid-19 cases. The serial interval is the duration between symptom onset of a primary case and symptom onset
In Focus
National Sero Survey 2.0
The Indian Council of Medical Research has completed its second national sero-survey to gauge the prevalence of COVID-19 in country. Generally, a series of sero-surveys in the same areas is required to make any statements about how the infection is progressing. The survey was carried out from 17 August to 22
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Dhawan-1: India's First Privately Developed Cryogenic Rocket Engine Space rocket startupSkyroot Aerospace has unveiled its cryogenic engine Dhawan-1 on the occasion of 100th birth anniversary of Indian rocket scientist Satish Dhawan. It runs on liquid natural gas (LNG) as fuel. The cryogenic engine 'Dhawan-1' is 100 per cent 3D printed and fuelled

Climate Change
Living Planet Report 2020
Recently, World-Wide Fund for Nature has released its biennial report the Living Planet Report 2020 (LPR). The Report is a comprehensive study of trends in global biodiversity and the health of the planet. By providing an overview of the state of the natural world, human impacts and potential solutions, it
Indo-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership
Recently, India and Denmark have elevated their relations to a “green strategic partnership”. It will focus on expanding economic ties, green growth and cooperation on global challenges such as climate change. Green Strategic Partnership The green strategic partnership will build on an existing Joint Commission for Cooperation, created in 2009, for cooperation
Sustainable Development
Blue Flag Eco-label and BEAMS
India has sent a formal request for consideration of its eight beaches by international jury for the coveted International eco-label called as the Blue Flag certification under Blue Flag Programme. The Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches of the world. Blue Flag Programme The Blue Flag Programme is operated by
Land Degradation and Coral Reef Programme
The Environment Ministerial Meeting (EMM) of the G20 countries has launched a global initiative to reduce Land Degradation and coral reef programme. Salient Features of the Programme The Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation aims to strengthen the implementation of existing frameworks to prevent, halt, and reverse land degradation within G20
Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework 2.0
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched the Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework 2.0 (CSCAF 2.0), along with the ‘Streets for People Challenge’ to give a push to the Smart Cities Mission. It intends to inculcate Climate-Sensitive Approach to Urban Planning and Development. Key Features of CSAF 2.0 The objective of
Flora And Fauna
Kerala: First State to Institutionalize Snake Handling
Kerala has become the first state to institutionalise snake handling in the country. It has framed guidelines for rescuing snakes from human dominated places and releasing them in uninhabited areas. Key Features of the Guidelines The guidelines make it mandatory for snake handlers to seek certification. Each district will prepare a
Biodiversity Mapping of Mumbai
In a first-of-its-kind, a biodiversity map of the city of Mumbai has been prepared to showcase the wildlife hotspots, mangrove forests, urban green spaces and over 90 species that can be spotted in the city. It is an attempt to visually empower Mumbai’s citizens with the resources they share with the
Indian Army to Use Double-Humped Camels along LAC
Amidst the ongoing India-China standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the double-humped camels will now be used for transportation and patrolling by the Indian Army in eastern Ladakh's treacherous terrain where armies of both countries have mobilized in great numbers. It was planned three years ago and will come
Aarey Reserve Forest
Maharashtra has announced that a 600-acre land parcel in the Aarey Milk Colony near Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) would be reserved as a forest. The area of the reserved forest excludes the land on which the controversial car shed for the 33.5-km-long underground Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro Line 1 corridor will be
Disaster Management
Typhoon Haishen
Typhoon Haishen made landfall over southern Japan on 6th September. It has been categorised as a Category 4 storm which means well-built framed houses can suffer severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and exterior walls. The damage associated with strong typhoons include wind damage, water damage,
News Bytes
Kalinga Cricket Frog
Indian scientists have reported a first-of-its-kind discovery of morphological phenotypic plasticity (MPP) in the Kalinga cricket frog. MPP is the ability of an organism to show drastic morphological (physical features) variations in response to natural environmental variations or stimuli. The recent study has indicated that the frog species being endemic to
Brucellosis Outbreak in China
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the health commission of Lanzhou City in China announced that a leak in a biopharmaceutical company last year caused an outbreak of brucellosis disease. Without any reported fatalities, more than 3,000 people had been infected with the disease. It said that in the process of producing a
Low Ozone Over Brahmaputra Valley
Scientists at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital have evaluated the near surface ozone in the Brahmaputra River Valley (BRV) and found relatively low concentration of Ozone over Guwahati compared to the other urban locations in India. Key Findings During the daylight hours, the site is in or
Kochi Biodiversity Index Map
Kochi has become the first city in in Kerala and the second in the country after Hyderabad, to have a biodiversity index map. The index has considered 18 biodiversity indicators that measure the city’s native biodiversity, the ecosystem services provided and biodiversity governance. It has a score of 45 out of
In Focus
A New Push for Namami Gange Programme
With the term of completion approaching for the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) or Namami Gange, government has initiated a slew of interventions under it. It ranges from organic farming to creation of river fronts, Ghats and sewerage treatment plants (STPs). Four-Dimensional Push Under NMCG Under Namami Gange, projects worth 30
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International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is observed on 16 September. This day commemorates the drafting of ‘The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer’. On 16th September 2009, the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol became the first
News Notes
Newsmakers
Preeti Sudan Preeti Sudan, the former Health Secretary of India has been appointed as one of the 11 panelists across the world for the World Health Organisation’s independent panel for pandemic preparedness and response. Matthew Hayden The Australian government has appointed former cricketer Matthew Haydenand Indian-origin politician Lisa Singh as trade envoys for
On the Hot Seat
Yoshihide Suga Yoshihide Suga has been appointed as the Prime Minister of Japan after the resignation of Shinzo Abe. Harivansh Narayan Singh Noted journalist and politician Harivansh Narayan Singh has been re-elected as deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha. P.D. Vaghela The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed P.D. Vaghela as the chairman
Heads of Committee/Commission
Dinesh Pant Dinesh Pant will head the 6-member working group formed by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to scrutinize various aspects for allowing the life insurance companies to offer index linked products. Lt Gen (retd) Rajesh Pant The Government of India has set up an expert committee under Lt Gen
Faces Only in Memory
Pranab Mukherjee The 13th President (2012 to 2017)of India Pranab Mukherjee has passed away. He also served as Union Minister of Finance, Defence, External Affairs and Commerce. He was also Deputy Chairman of erstwhile Planning Commission. He was elected to Rajya Sabha five times and twice to Lok Sabha. He served
Study/Survey/Report
World Risk Index 2020 India is ranked 89th among 181 countries on the World Risk Index (WRI) 2020, a part of the World Risk Report 2020 released by the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), Bundnis Entwicklung Hilft and the University of Stuttgart in Germany. The Report says
Places in News
Barbados Barbados, a Caribbean island has announced to become a republic and remove Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II as head of state by November next year - by the time it will celebrate its 55th anniversary of independence. Gilgit Baltistan After Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh, Pakistanplans to make Gilgit Baltistan its 5th
Miscellaneous
International Day to Protect Education from Attack With the theme “Protect Education, Save a Generation” the first ‘International Day to Protect Education from Attack’ was observed on 9th September after United Nations General Assembly accepted a resolution introduced by Qatar. It is being observed to raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding
World of Awards
Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2019 Renowned broadcaster and natural historian David Attenborough has been presented with the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2019 by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. UNDP Award to Sonu Sood Actor Sonu Sood has been conferred with the prestigious SDG Special Humanitarian Action Award by the United Nations Development Programme
World of Sports
Persons in News Dr. Anil Jain Dr. Anil Jain has been elected as the president of the All India Tennis Association (AITA). Suresh Raina Cricketer Suresh Raina will set up five schools in Kashmir division and an equal number in Jammu division to train the aspiring cricketers, particularly the youngsters from remote areas of
Tennis
US Open The 2020 US Open was the second Grand Slam event of the year. It was held on outdoor hard courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. Major Titles Men’s Singles: Dominic Thiem (Australia) won the men's singles title, defeating first time Grand Slam finalist
Football
All India Football Federation Awards 2019-20 Major Awards Men’s Footballer of the Year: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu Women’s Player of the Year: Sanju Yadav Men’s Emerging Footballer of the Year: Anirudh Thapa Emerging Women’s Footballer of the Year: Ms Ratanbala Devi Best Referee: L. Ajit Kumar Meetei
Mains Specials
Case Study
Model Solved Paper Mains 2020
Mains
1. Discuss about the Peasant’s, handicrafts and tribal uprisings in India during nineteenth century.
Approach of the Answer Introduction: The answer can be started by writing the economic conditions which forced the peasants and other groups to rise against the oppression caused by the British. Body: The imperial policies of the British to suppress the gain of peasants and their impact on different strata
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Prison Reforms in India
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Judicial Reforms in India
The Indian Constitution establishes a single integrated judicial system for the whole of India. The Supreme Court of India is the highest court of the country and below it, are the High Courts at the state level. Under the High Court there is a hierarchy of subordinate courts functioning at
Social Media and the Need for its Regulation
Social media refers to websites and applications that are designed to allow people to share content quickly, efficiently, and in real-time. Any digital tool that allows users to quickly create and share content with the public is considered as social media. It encompasses a wide range of websites and apps.
Labour Reforms in India
Labour reforms essentially mean taking steps in increasing production, productivity, and employment opportunities in the economy in such a manner that the interests of the workers are not compromised. Essentially, it means skill development, retraining, redeployment, updating knowledge base of workers-teachers, promotion of leadership qualities, etc. Labour reforms also
Blue Revolution
In the 1960 s, India made headlines with its Green Revolution, using high-yielding varieties and improved technology to more than double its output of wheat between 1965 and 1972. Today, India is pushing ahead with a Blue Revolution, the rapid increase of fish production in small ponds and water bodies, a
Financial Inclusion Framework of India
India has recently witnessed profound changes in its financial inclusion ecosystem. While financial inclusion is a point of entry to lift people out of poverty, the higher use of the full range of financial services can alone serve as a path to prosperity. Financial institutions are now indulged in a strong
Banking Sector Reforms
In 2019, India completed the 50th anniversary of the bank nationalization programme undertaken in 1969.Since 1969, India has grown significantly to become the 5th largest economy in the world. Yet, India’s banking sector is disproportionately under-developed given the size of its economy.As public sector banks (PSBs) account for 70 percent
Liberalisation of Indian Agriculture
Introduction Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for about 58 percent of India’s population, contributing 15% of India’s GDP. Growth in GVA in agriculture and allied sectors stood at 4 per cent in FY2019-20. However, its contribution to national income has gradually declined from 18.2 percent in 2014-15 to 16.5 in 2019-20,