PIB 15th April
Contents India’s Foreign Trade: March 2020 Study to identify biomarkers to predict progression Integrated geospatial platform INDIA’S FOREIGN TRADE: MARCH 2020 Focus: GS-III Indian Economy – Do not focus on numbers, just the trends Why in news? India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April-March2019-20* are estimated to be USD 528.45billion, exhibiting a negative […]
COURTS CAN ORDER PASSPORT SURRENDER IN CONTEMPT CASES: SC
Why in news? The Supreme Court has held that courts are empowered to order parties in a contempt case to surrender their passport in order to ensure their presence in the proceedings. The apex court clarified that contemnors would only be depositing their passport with the court.
DEFENCE PROCUREMENT DRAFT RELEASED
Why in news? The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has for the first time introduced leasing of defence equipment as a new category for acquisition in the draft Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2020. This DPP would remain in force till 31 March 2025. Proposed Measures un the DPP draft The draft proposed increasing the indigenous content […]
FUEL SALES, CRISIL FY21 GDP GROWTH FORECAST, RETAILERS, REAL ESTATE SECTOR TO SUFFER AMID COVID19 ALERT
Why in news? Sales of sensitive petroleum products such as petrol and diesel have dropped in March compared with February as more people stay back at home to prevent COVID-19 from spreading. Crisil has cut India’s GDP growth rate forecast for FY21 citing financial sector stress and COVID-19 impact. Organised retailers, dealing with non-essential daily […]
CHINA HITS A MILESTONE: NO NEW LOCAL COVID19 INFECTION
Why in news? As the coronavirus pandemic rampages across the world, the epicentre of the disease – China, has marked a major milestone in curbing the virus in the country. On 17th March 2020, China has recorded zero domestic infections for the first time since the outbreak erupted in late December 2020. As of 19th […]
NEW DEFINITION OF MSMES SOON
Why in news? Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) told the Rajya Sabha on 19th March 2020, that the government would come out with a new definition of MSMEs, which are currently defined on the basis of investment in plant and machinery, by the end of the ongoing session. What are MSMEs? […]
POCSO CASE AGAINST TEACHER IN KERALA
Why in news? Police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against a teacher of a school at Panur in connection with the sexual abuse of a girl student of the same school. All About Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 The Protection of Children […]
ANNUAL RAM NAVAMI MELA IN AYODHYA
Why in news? The Uttar Pradesh government is yet to clarify if the annual Ram-Navami Mela in Ayodhya scheduled from March 25 would take place as per tradition amid an outbreak of COVID-19. Ram-Navami Mela: Ayodhya and River Sarayu Rama Navami is a spring Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of lord Rama. He is […]
COVID19: PM CALLS FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING, PEOPLE’S CURFEW, STAY WHERE YOU ARE, MEA TELLS INDIANS ABROAD
Why in news? Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 19 2020 urged Indians across the country to face the coronavirus pandemic with collective determination and patience, to make sure that “humanity and India prevails” in his address to the nation over television. Urging Indians and residents who are stranded in different cities abroad to find […]
‘CALL DATA BEING USED TO IMPROVE QUALITY’: SURVEILLANCE CONCERNS
Why in news? Amid questions over possible surveillance and violation of privacy following bulk call data records being sought by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the government on 18th March 2020, asserted that the data was only being collected to analyse and improve the quality of telecom services and ruled out any form of surveillance. […]