INDIA & AIIB SIGN AGREEMENT FOR COVID-19 SUPPORT
Why in news? The Government of India and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) signed a US$ 500 million “COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project”. Details: This new support will cover all States and Union Territories across India and address the needs of infected people, at-risk populations, medical and emergency personnel and service […]
INR – USD FUTURES AND OPTIONS CONTRACTS
Why in news? Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs launched INR-USD Futures and Options contracts on the two International Exchanges, viz BSE’s India INX and NSE’s NSE-IFSC, at GIFT International Financial Services Centre at Gandhinagar. Background: What are futures? Futures are contracts made between two parties wherein they agree to buy or sell a […]
INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY COMPLETED 100 YEARS
Why in news? Indian Red Cross Society completed 100 years of existence. Indian Red Cross Society: Established in 1920 under the Indian Red Cross Society Act and incorporated under Parliament Act XV of 1920. President of India is designated the President of the Indian Red Cross Society and Union Health Minister is the Chairman of the Society. The […]
KAILASH – MANSAROVAR YATRA ROUTE FROM COMPLETED
Why in news? Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has completed the road connectivity from Dharchula to Lipulekh (China Border) famously known as Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra Route. Details: The Darchula – Lipulekh road is an extension of Pithoragarh-Tawaghat-Ghatiabagarh road. It originates from Ghatiabagarh and terminates at Lipulekh Pass, the gateway to Kailash Mansarovar. In this 80 Km road, […]
MODIFICATIONS IN PMRF SCHEME
Why in news? Union Human Resource Development Minister announced that, to boost research in the country various amendments have been carried out in Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) Scheme. Highlights After the amendments, now for the students from any recognised institute/ university (other than IISc/ IITs/NITs/IISERs/IIEST/CF IIITs), the requirement of GATE Score is reduced to […]
ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT NOTIFICATION (EIA), 2020 EXTENDED
Why in news? Notice period for draft Environment Impact Assessment Notification(EIA), 2020 is extended till 30th June. What is Environment Impact Assessment? Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse. UNEP […]
SCIENTISTS FABRICATE ENERGY-EFFICIENT PHOTODETECTOR
Why in news? Scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, have fabricated an economical and energy-efficient wafer-scale photodetector (thin slice-based) using gold – silicon interface, for security applications. It could help detect weak scattered light as an indication of unwanted activity. Details: Photodetectors are the heart […]
INDIA REDUCES ENERGY INTENSITY OF OUR ECONOMY
Why in news? India has pledged in COP-21 that we will bring down energy intensity of economy by 33 to 35% compared to 2005 levels by 2030. Now, with our energy efficiency initiatives India has already reduced the energy intensity of economy by 20% compared to 2005 levels Details: The findings of the report reflect […]
NANOMATERIALS FOR WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
Why in news? DST INSPIRE Faculty develops nanomaterials having energy storage application & optical sensors for water pollution control. Details: Increasing energy demand due to the growth of human population and technological advancement poses a great challenge for human society. High energy density of supercapacitors suggests that constant current can be withdrawn for longer duration […]
INTEGRATED SOIL NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT: SOIL HEALTH CARD
Why in news? Government has called for making integrated soil nutrient management a farmers’ movement. Reviewing the progress of the Soil Health Programme Details: Major focus of the programme would be on mass awareness programme for farmers in over 1 lakh villages covering all districts of the country and setting up of village level Soil […]