In news: Battle of Chamkaur (1704)

The new Punjab CM represents the Assembly constituency of Chamkaur Sahib, which is of significance in Sikh history. For such history-related topics, one must not forget to note the contemporaries of a particular period. The Battle of Chamkaur The coalition forces of Mughals and hill rajas led by Wazir Khan, the Nawab of Sirhind, had… Continue reading

[pib] SAUBHAGYA Scheme completes 4 years

The Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana – SAUBHAGYA Scheme has successfully completed four years of its implementation. Progress till date 82 crore households have been electrified since the launch of SAUBHAGYA till 31st March, 2021. About SAUBHAGYA Scheme The Saubhagya is a scheme to ensure electrification of all willing households in the country… Continue reading

Disease surveillance system

Context A well-functioning system can reduce the impact of diseases and outbreaks. Importance of disease surveillance system Successful tackling of cholera in 1854 in London by use of the health statistics and death registration data from the General Registrar Office (GRO) started the beginning of a new era in epidemiology. Importance of data: The application… Continue reading

Caste census of Backward Classes difficult: Centre

The government has made it clear in the Supreme Court that a caste census of the Backward Classes is “administratively difficult and cumbersome”. About Socio-Economic and Caste Census The SECC 2011 was conducted for the 2011 Census of India. Then government approved the Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011 to be carried out after discussion… Continue reading

SC introduces FASTER system to send records

The Supreme Court has given its nod for e-transfer of orders to jails through the FASTER system for quick prisoner release. What is the FASTER system? FASTER is an acronym form Fast and Secured Transmission of Electronic Records. The system is meant to ensure that undertrials are not made to wait for days on end… Continue reading

Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS)

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has imposed a cap on the total entitlement under the Services Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) at Rs 5 crore per exporter for shipments done in 2019-20 (FY20). The move is expected to benefit small businesses in the services sector. About SEIS Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) aims… Continue reading

[pib] International Hydropower Association (IHA)

NHPC’s 510 MW Teesta-V Power Station located in the Himalayan State of Sikkim has been conferred with the prestigious Blue Planet Prize by International Hydropower Association (IHA). Teesta-V Power Station The power station has been built, owned and being operated by NHPC. The award has been conferred for its sustainability assessment undertaken by Hydropower Sustainability… Continue reading

Inflation in India

Context Inflation for the last four months has been worryingly high. This is happening at a time when demand has been down, unemployment has been high, many have lost incomes and poverty has aggravated. Issues with the recent inflation data The shock of lockdowns not only made data collection difficult but the consumption basket for… Continue reading

WHO tightens Global Air Quality norms

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in its first-ever update since 2005 has tightened global air pollution standards. Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) 2021 WHO announces limits for six pollutant categories —particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and 10, ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) sulphur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). Air quality standards in India India aligns… Continue reading

Kasturirangan panel for National Curriculum Framework

The Centre has started the process to revise school textbooks by appointing former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman K. Kasturirangan as the head of a 12-member steering committee responsible for developing a new National Curriculum Framework (NCF). National Curriculum Framework (NCF) The new NCF is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.… Continue reading

Key Findings about the Religious Composition of India

The religious composition of India’s population since Partition has remained largely stable according to a new study published by the Pew Research Centre, a non-profit based in Washington DC. About the report The study, based on data sourced from India’s decennial census and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), looked at the three main factors… Continue reading

What is Havana Syndrome?

A US intelligence officer traveling with CIA director William Burns has reported symptoms of Havana Syndrome. What is Havana Syndrome? Havana Syndrome refers to a set of mental health symptoms that are said to be experienced by US intelligence and embassy officials in various countries. It typically involves symptoms such as hearing certain sounds without… Continue reading

Rhino Horn Reverification Exercises

Assam will mark World Rhino Day — September 22 — with a special ceremony by burning a stockpile of nearly 2,500 horns of the one-horned rhinoceros. Rhino Horn Reverification The public ceremony — scheduled at Bokakhat in Kaziranga National Park (KNP) has been publicized as a “milestone towards rhino conservation” aimed at “busting myths about… Continue reading

[pib] Kovalam & Eden Beaches gets Blue Fag Certification

The international eco-label “Blue Flag”, has accorded the Blue Flag Certification for 2 new beaches this year –Kovalam in Tamil Nadu and Eden in Puducherry beaches. With this India now has 10 International Blue Flag beaches. Which are the other 8 beaches? Shivrajpur (Dwarka-Gujarat) Ghoghla (Diu) Kasarkod (Karnataka) [NOT Kasargod which is in Kerala]… Continue reading

SEBI introduces T+1 Settlement System

The Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced T+1 settlement cycle for completion of share transactions on optional basis in a move to enhance market liquidity. What is T+1 Settlement System? T+1 means that settlements will have to be cleared within one day of the actual transactions taking place. Currently,… Continue reading

The end of the doing business rankings

The World Bank Group has scrapped its flagship publication, the ‘Doing Business’ report. Doing Business Report This report publishes the influential annual ranking of countries on the Ease of Doing Business (EDB) index. It ranks countries by the simplicity of rules framed for setting up and conducting businesses. Utility of the index The World Bank’s… Continue reading

Front-of-pack labelling of Food Stuffs

Seven years, four committees and two draft regulations later, India still does not have a clear labelling system to warn consumers about harmful levels of fat, salt and sugar in processed foods. Context According to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, every pre-packed processed food product sold in the country must be… Continue reading

India scores 46th rank in the Global Innovation Index 2021

India has climbed 2 spots and has been ranked 46th by the World Intellectual Property Organization in the Global Innovation Index 2021 rankings. Global Innovation Index The Global Innovation Index (GII) is an annual ranking of countries by their capacity for, and success in, innovation. It is published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World… Continue reading

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