MINISTRY, SCIENTIFIC ADVISER DIFFER ON MASK USE
Why in news? India’s highest science advisory body, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), and the Union Health Ministry appear out of sync on whether masks should be widely used by people. Ministry’s view The Ministry’s standing recommendation is that NOT everybody should be wearing masks. Among those who are not healthcare workers, […]
ANDHRA BANK FADES INTO HISTORY
Why in news? Come April 1, it will be curtains for Andhra Bank as one of the oldest and well-known household names in the region gets amalgamated with Union Bank of India. Details A part of the Central government plan to create four larger banks by merging 10, the move will see Andhra Bank over […]
SC UPHOLDS RIGHT TO DISCUSS COVID-19
Why in news? The Supreme Court on 31st March 2020 upheld the right to free discussion about COVID-19, even as it directed the media to refer to and publish the official version of the developments in order to avoid inaccuracies and large-scale panic. It ordered the government to start a daily bulletin on COVID-19 developments […]
PRE-MONSOON CROP CULTIVATION TAKES A HIT
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management, Agriculture, Prelims Why in news? Despite the State government being on overdrive to ensure that agricultural activities continue to be normal during this unprecedented crisis caused by COVID-19, officials are hopeful about pre-monsoon crop cultivation. Besides the main crops such as ragi and maize, farmers cultivate green gram, black gram and […]
‘THREE QUASI-SUBSPECIES OF VIRUS IN CIRCULATION’
Why in news? A mixture of three quasi-subspecies of SARS-CoV-2 is in circulation in India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on 31st March 2020. These imported variants showed no differences from how they behaved in the place of origin. Scientists are yet to classify a SARS-Cov-2 variant as an Indian strain. Explanation […]
TRIFED to launch a digital campaign
Why in news? To ensure tribal gatherers carry on their work safely, TRIFED has recently developed a digital communication strategy for promoting a digital campaign for Self Help Groups (SHGs) involved in this work. Details: UNICEF would provide the necessary support to be circulated to the SHG centers in the form of Digital Multimedia content […]
‘Chitra Acrylosorb Secretion Solidification System’
Why in news? Scientists at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) have designed and developed a highly efficient superabsorbent material for liquid respiratory and other body fluid solidification and disinfection for the safe management of infected respiratory secretions. Details: AcryloSorb […]
DIKSHA
DIKSHA is a unique initiative which leverages existing highly scalable and flexible digital infrastructures while keeping teachers at the center. Benefits DIKSHA will serve as National Digital Infrastructure for Teachers. All teachers across the nation will be equipped with advanced digital technology. Diksha portal will enable, accelerate and amplify solutions in the realm of teacher […]
Integrated Government Online training’ (iGOT)
Why in news? Government of India has launched a training module for management of COVID-19 named ‘Integrated Govt. Online training’ (iGOT) portal For What purpose? For the capacity building of frontline workers to handle the pandemic efficiently Where? On Ministry of HRD’s DIKSHA platform Details: Courses on iGOT have been launched for Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, […]
MoHFW has not suspended the PC&PNDT Act
Why in news? It is clarified that MoHFW has not suspended the PC&PNDT Act, which prohibits sex selection before or after conception. Details? It is reiterated that each Ultrasound clinic, Genetic Counselling centre, Genetic Laboratory, Genetic Clinicand Imaging Centre would have to maintain all the mandatory records All records are mandatory and have to be […]