Declare mucormycosis an epidemic, Centre tells States
Context: The Union government has asked the States to declare mucormycosis, the fungal infection being reported in COVID-19 patients, an epidemic. An infection called white fungus or Candidiasis has also been found to affect some people and Covid-19 patients are more prone to white fungus as it affects the lungs and similar symptoms are created […]
Social Justice Ministry: Financial aid to transgender people
Context: The Social Justice Ministry would give transgender persons a one-time financial assistance of ₹1,500 at a time that livelihoods have been affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Immediate subsistence assistance to trans persons would be given through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), for which beneficiaries can register with the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD). […]
Kyasanur forest disease: ICMR develops new test
Context: A new point-of-care test developed by ICMR-National Institute of Virology has been found to be highly sensitive in the rapid diagnosis of Kyasanur forest disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever, which is an emerging public health problem in the country. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Science and Technology, GS-II: Social Justice (Health related issues) Dimensions […]
22nd May 2021 Current Affairs Quiz
PIB 22nd May 2021
APEDA Focus: GS III- Agriculture Why in news? In a bid to increase mangoes exports to South Korea, APEDA in collaboration with Indian embassy, Seoul and Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK), organised a Virtual Buyer Seller Meet (VBSM). About Apeda: Nodal: Ministry of Commerce and Industry The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export […]
22nd May Static Quiz 2021 (Geography)
Editorials/Opinions Analyses for UPSC – 21 May 2021
Contents Avoiding breakdown: On GST council meeting The outdated nature of bureaucracy Avoiding breakdown: On GST council meeting Context: After a gap of over seven months, the GST Council will meet in May 2021 as announced by the Union Finance Minister. The GST Council has taken possibly the longest pause in its functioning and since […]
The outdated nature of bureaucracy
Context: Despite its efforts, bureaucracy has emerged as a major concern for the ineffective response to the COVID-19 crisis. In the 21st century, democratic countries are still relying on traditional bureaucracies to perform public policy formulation and implementation roles. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Role of Civil Services in a Democracy, Government Interventions for Transparency […]
Avoiding breakdown: On GST council meeting
Context: After a gap of over seven months, the GST Council will meet in May 2021 as announced by the Union Finance Minister. The GST Council has taken possibly the longest pause in its functioning and since it is expected to meet every quarter, this does not set a good precedent. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and […]
Cyclone Yaas, Increasing Tropical Cyclones
Context: Cyclone Tauktae that was the first Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm in the Arabian Sea to make landfall in Gujarat in 130 years. In less than a few days after the landfall of Tauktae, there is a possible cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal called Yaas. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical geography – Climatology, Important […]