Functioning of the National Investigation Agency (NIA)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe into the terrible beheading of a person in Udaipur by Jihadi radicalists. What is the NIA? Headquartered in Delhi, the NIA has its branches in Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kochi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Kolkata, Raipur, Jammu, Chandigarh, Ranchi, Chennai, Imphal, Bengaluru and Patna. It is a central agency… Continue reading

100 years of Rampa or Manyam Rebellion

Hundred years ago, in August 1922 the “Rampa Rebellion” or “Manyam Rebellion” took place in the forests of the Godavari Agency in the Madras Presidency. Rampa Rebellion The Rampa Rebellion of 1922, also known as the Manyam Rebellion, was a tribal uprising led by Alluri Sitarama Raju in Godavari Agency. It began in August 1922… Continue reading

Researchers found gene regulating Nitrogen absorption in Plant

Researchers led by those from the National Centre of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru (NCBS-TIFR), have found a new pathway that regulates nitrate absorption in plants. Nitrogen in plant nutrition Nitrogen is one of the most important macronutrients needed for development of a plant. It is a part of chlorophyll, amino acids… Continue reading

Mayurbhanj’s superfood ‘Ant Chutney’

The Kai Chutney made from Red Ants by the tribals of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha are seeking a Geographical Indications (GI) tag. Ant Chutney Despite this, weaver ants are popular among the people, mostly of the tribes, This food item, rich in proteins, calcium, zinc, vitamin B-12, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, fibre and 18… Continue reading

GST revenues surpass ₹1.44 lakh crore

India recorded its second-highest monthly gross GST revenues in June at ₹1,44,616 crore, 56% more than a year earlier when the second COVID wave had hit economic activity. What is GST? GST is an indirect tax that has replaced many indirect taxes in India such as excise duty, VAT, services tax, etc. The Goods and… Continue reading

[pib] Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

The Union Cabinet has approved the categorization of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as an ‘International Organization’. What is the news? The cabinet also signed as the Headquarters Agreement (HQA) with CDRI for granting it the exemptions, immunities and privileges as contemplated under the United Nations (Privileges & Immunities) Act, 1947. This will… Continue reading

Festivals in news: Puri Rath Yatra

Lakhs of devotees thronged the coastal town of Puri town to witness the annual Rath Yatra with three decorated chariots of sibling deities Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra towed in front of the 12th century Shree Jagannath Temple. About Jagannath Rath Yatra Ratha Jatra, the Festival of Chariots of Lord Jagannatha is celebrated… Continue reading

Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP)

The government is planning a new car assessment programme (NCAP) in India, to be called the Bharat NCAP or BNCAP. What is Bharat NCAP? Bharat NCAP is a new car safety assessment programme which proposes a mechanism of awarding ‘Star Ratings’ to automobiles based upon their performance in crash tests. BNCAP standard is aligned with… Continue reading

Road Safety in India

The United Nations is holding a high-level meeting on Global Road Safety on June 30 and July 1, 2022 to review the progress and challenges. Road Accidents in India: A lookover In spite of several years of policymaking to improve road safety, India remains among the worst-performing countries in this area. Total 1,47,913 lives lost… Continue reading

What is PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM)?

The ISRO has launched three Singaporean satellites in precise orbit through the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module or ‘POEM’. What is POEM? The POEM is a platform that will help perform in-orbit experiments using the final, and otherwise discarded, stage of ISRO’s workhorse rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The PSLV is a four-stage rocket… Continue reading

How is Vice-President of India elected?

The Election Commission has announced that the election to the post of the Vice-President (VP) will be held on August 6, as M. Venkaiah Naidu’s term was coming to an end on August 10. About Vice President of India The VP is the deputy to the head of state of the Republic of India, the… Continue reading

Govt. hikes GST for household items

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has decided to hike and lower GST on certain commodities. What is the news? From July 18, tax hikes will kick in for over two dozen goods and services, ranging from unbranded food items, curd and buttermilk to low-cost hotels, cheques and maps. Tax rates will be lowered… Continue reading

CAPSTONE: NASA’s satellite, newly launched

NASA has launched CAPSTONE, a microwave oven-sized CubeSat weighing just 55 pounds (25 kg). What is CAPSTONE? CAPSTONE, short for Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, is designed to test a unique, elliptical lunar orbit. It aims to help reduce risk for future spacecraft by validating innovative navigation technologies, and by verifying… Continue reading

G7

Context The meeting of G7 leaders that concluded in Bavaria was attended by India as an observer. About G7 The G-7 or ‘Group of Seven’ includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It is an intergovernmental organisation that was formed in 1975 by the top economies of the time… Continue reading

China’s interventions in the Horn of Africa

China recently held the first China-Horn of Africa Peace, Governance and Development Conference. Why in news? China has been investing across the African continent throughout the last decade. The conference held in Ethiopia witnessed the participation of foreign ministries from the following countries of the Horn: Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda.… Continue reading

PM visits United Arab Emirates (UAE)

PM Modi expressed gratitude to President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed (MBZ) al Nahyan for taking great care of 3.5 million Indian community in the UAE during the pandemic. India- UAE Relations: A backgrounder The relation has greatly flourished especially after the accession of H. H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al… Continue reading

What is the GST Council, what does it do?

The 47th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax Council began in Chandigarh, almost marking five years of the tax system coming into effect on July 1, 2017. What is the GST Council? The GST regime came into force after the Constitutional (122nd Amendment) Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament in 2016. More… Continue reading

Commonwealth adopts ‘Living Lands Charter’

All 54 Commonwealth members have agreed to voluntarily dedicate a ‘living land’ in their respective countries to future generations, in line with the strategy set for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Living Lands Charter The non-binding mandates that member countries will safeguard global land resources and arrest land degradation while acting against climate change,… Continue reading

Downturn in tech startup ecosystem

Context The startup ecosystem which has been in overdrive for the past few years — propelled by a combination of factors, but largely, by the era of cheap money — is now showing signs of weakness. Factors that helped fuel the tech startups With the combination of accelerated financial inclusion (bank accounts), ease of identification… Continue reading

online marketplace

Context The proliferation of a wide range of e-commerce platforms has created convenience and increased consumer choice. However, these platforms also have given rise to several concerns as well. What is e-commerce ? Electronic commerce or e-commerce is a business model that lets firms and individuals buy and sell things over the Internet. Propelled by… Continue reading

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