Q. Why is this in news?A. The Union Ministry for Science & Technology has released “Biotech-PRIDE (Promotion of Research and Innovation through Data Exchange) Guidelines” developed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).Q. What is Biotech-PRIDE?A.These guidelines aim at providing a well-defined framework and guiding principle to facilitate and enable sharing and exchange of biological knowledge, information and data.They will facilitate this and enable the exchange of information to promote research and innovation in different research groups across the country.They w... Read More...
Today's Current Affairs Question:Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the financial inclusion index (FI-Index) this week. Discuss its relevance. Read More...
Q Why is it in News ? A According to a recent report, fossil fuel electricity generation has peaked worldwide as emerging markets seize the opportunities of low-cost renewables.The Report was published by India’s Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and the financial think tank Carbon Tracker (both are not-for-profit organisations).Q What are some key findings of the report ? A Emerging Market are Key to Global energy Transition:Emerging markets are key to the global energy transition, ac... Read More...
Q Why is it in News ?A Recently, the Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers has reviewed the initiatives of the Department of Fertilisers for making India Atmanirbhar in Fertilisers.The Government is planning to liberalise Market Development Assistance (MDA) policy to promote the use of alternative fertilisers.Q What is Market Development Assistance (MDA) Policy ? A MDA policy was earlier limited to city compost only.There were demands to expand this policy by incorporating organic was... Read More...
Today's Current Affairs Question:What implications does the fall of Kabul have for India? What is India’s response? Read More...
Q Why is it in News ? A Recently, the Minister of Tribal Affairs reviewed various initiatives under ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi-Mission Vand Dhan’, by TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India).Q What is TRIFED and what are some of its main functions ? A The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) came into existence in 1987.It is a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.The&nbs... Read More...
Q Why is it in News ?A Recently, Zika Virus Disease (ZVD) was reported for the first time in Kerala.Q What is Zika Virus Disease ? A Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys. It was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.Q How does it transmits ? A ZVD is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes (AM), mainly Aedes aegypti.This is the same... Read More...
Today's Current Affairs Question:Encouraging GM crops is sure to doubling farmers’ incomes and relieving rural distress. Comment. Read More...
Q. Why is this in news?A. Recently, two cases of the Kappa variant of Covid-19 have been recorded in Uttar Pradesh (UP).According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Kappa is one of the two Covid-19 variants, the other being Delta, first identified in India.Earlier a new variant Lambda was reported from Peru.Q. What is this variant?A. As India raised objection over the B.1.617.1 mutant of the novel coronavirus being termed an “Indian Variant”, t... Read More...
Q. Why is this in news?A. Recently, the Union Cabinet approved some modifications in the Central Sector Scheme of Financing Facility under ‘Agriculture Infrastructure Fund’.Launch: It was launched in 2020 as a part of the Rs. 20 lakh crore stimulus package announced in response to the Covid-19 crisis.Q. What is the aim of this scheme?A. To provide medium-long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harve... Read More...
Q. What is the news?A. Experts have warned of the adverse impacts on health and livelihoods because of Food Fortification.Q. What’s the issue?A. Centre has plans to mandatorily fortify rice and edible oils with vitamins and minerals.But, experts say adding a few synthetic micronutrients could harm the health of consumers.Instead, dietary diversity and higher protein consumption can solve the undernutrition problem in India.Q. What is the background of it?A. 1... Read More...
Q. What is the news?A. The Government has informed in the Rajya Sabha that Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) will be implemented at a total budget of Rs. 4077 Cr for 5 years. And all the components of the mission will commence in 2021. Q. What is this Mission about?A. The focus of the mission will be on deep-sea mining, ocean climate change advisory services, underwater vehicles and underwater robotics related technologies.The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will be the nodal Ministry implementing this multi-institutional mission. Read More...
Q. Why is this in news?A. The Bill was recently passed by the Lok Sabha.The Bill aims to prevent the staff of the government-owned ordnance factories from going on a strike. Q. What are the Highlights of the Bill?A. It is meant to “provide for the maintenance of essential defence services. The Bill defines Essential Defence Services: It includes any service in any establishment or undertaking dealing with production of goods or equipment required for defence related purposes or any establishment o... Read More...
Q. Why is this in news?A. In the past, the Obama and Trump administrations had supported a permanent seat for India on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). However, the recent statements by the State Department under the new US President Joe Biden, reflects an ambiguous or half-hearted view on this issue.Q. What are the highlights of the recent viewpoint?A. The US supports a reformed Security Council that is representative, that is effective, and that is relevant.However, ... Read More...
Today's Current Affairs Question:What steps are taken to decriminalise the electoral system in India? Read More...
Q. Why is this in news?A. The Government has launched ‘Sabki Yojna Sabka Vikas’ campaign for inclusive and holistic preparation of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP).Q. What is Sabki Yojna Sabka Vikas?A. Under Article 243 G of the Constitution, Panchayats have been mandated for the preparation and implementation of plans for economic development and social justice.Thus, Panchayats have a significant role to play in the effective and efficient implementation of flagship schemes/programs on subjects of national importance for transforming rural India.The objec... Read More...
Q. Why is this in news?A. The Bihar chief minister wants the central government to reconsider its refusal to hold a caste-based census, as he feels such data can help his government design more focused policies for the really needy among OBCs.However, the Government of India has decided as a matter of policy not to enumerate caste-wise populations other than SCs and STs in Census.Q. How have caste details been collected so far?A.While SC/ST details are collected as part of the census, deta... Read More...
Today's International Relations Question:Elucidate the role of North Eastern States of India in Act East policy. Read More...
Today's Current Affairs Question:At UNSC, PM Modi proposed five principles for maritime security and cooperation. What is its significance? Read More...
Q. Why is this in news?A. The much-awaited sea trials of India’s maiden indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-1), built by the public sector Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) have begun.Q. What is Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1?A. IAC is the first aircraft carrier designed and built in India.It has been designed by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND), and is being built at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a public sector shipyard under the Ministry of Shipping.The IAC-1, the biggest warship made indigenously, has an overall length of 263 m and a breadth of 63 m. Read More...