Punjab farmers find a better way to grow paddy
Why in news? Many farmers in Punjab chose the direct seeding method for the crop during COVID-19. More about news Farmers and agricultural experts say that large scale use of DSR to plant paddy could solve the staggering problem of stubble burning, a key cause of air pollution across the northern region. What is ‘Direct […]
EC’s power to hold elections
Why in news? recently as March this year, elections to 18 Rajya Sabha seats were postponed by the Commission due to the COVID19 pandemic. More about elections The EC is mandated under law to hold elections at any time within six months before the five-year term of the Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly expires. The […]
Smart Cities Mission
The ‘Smart Cities Mission’, a flagship programme of the government, completed five years, in June 2020. Highlights of mission The Mission had sought to make 100 selected cities “smart”. Cities are being developed under “Area-Based Development” model. Under this model, a small portion of the city would be upgraded by retrofitting or redevelopment. Many of the projects undertaken […]
The sum and substance of the EU’s China dilemma
Why in news? European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, publicly proclaimed that “China is without doubt one of the key global players and its crucial for EU to engage with CHINA. He added that, Foreign actors and certain third countries, in particular Russia and China, have engaged in targeted influence operations […]
Solar power
Why in news? Prime Minister recently restated the importance of solar power in restarting the economy and moving towards sustainable development. Government efforts towards solar power. inauguration of a 750 MW photovoltaic project at Rewa, in Madhya Pradesh India expanded its solar generation capacity 8 times from 2,650 MW in May, 2014 to over 20 […]
Nanoparticle to reduce rheumatoid arthritis
Why in news? Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science & Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology Government of India, have formulated nanoparticles with chitosan and loaded these nanoparticles with zinc gluconate for reducing the severity of rheumatoid arthritis Effect of zinc Element Zinc is vital for maintaining […]
NTPC wins CII-ITC Award
Why in news? NTPC Ltd, a central PSU under Ministry of Power and India’s largest power generation company, has won the prestigious CII-ITC Sustainability Award 2019, under Outstanding Accomplishment in Corporate Excellence Category. NTPC always strives for sustainable development of its communities around the power stations. Its flagship CSR program GEM (Girl Empowerment Mission), a […]
PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA (PMFBY)
Focus: GS-III Agriculture, GS-II Social Justice Why in news? Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs haired a meeting to review the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) launched on 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is an insurance service […]
PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN PACKAGE (PMGKP)
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs haired a meeting to review the implementation of Insurance Scheme for Health workers fighting COVID-19 announced under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP). Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) Insurance scheme for health workers fighting COVID-19 in Government Hospitals and Health […]
INDICES & REPORTS FOR UPSC PRELIMS 2020 Part 1
Global Gender Gap Report, 2020 Published by World Economic Forum (WEF) KEY HIGHLIGHTS: India: 112/153 (previous year rank: 108/149) Countries assessed on 4 dimensions: (1) Economic Participation and Opportunity, (2) Educational Attainment, (3) Health and Survival, (4) Political Empowerment Global Performance Top performers – Iceland, Norway, and Finland Worst performers – Yemen (153), Iraq (152), […]