SCIENTISTS IDENTIFY BACTERIA THAT CAN REPLACE FERTILIZERS AND FUNGICIDES IN TEA PLANTS
Why in news? Researchers have found significant plant-growth-promoting and antifungal activities of endophyticactino bacteria associated with Tea plant and related genera, Eurya to find potent plant growth-promoting strains. Application of endophytic Actinobacteria could reduce chemical inputs in Tea plantation. This research finding confirms that endophyticactino bacteria have the potential to exhibit multiple growth-promoting traits such […]
QUBIT
Why in news? Researchers from Raman Research Institute (RRI), an autonomous institution under the Department of Science & Technology, have devised a new test for fairness of quantum coin or ‘qubit’ (the basic unit of information in a quantum computer) using entanglement theory. What is a Quantum Computer? First, how do normal computers work now? […]
PRADHAN MANTRI KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA (PMKVY)
About PMKVY Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is a skill development initiative scheme of the Government of India for recognition and standardisation of skills. Launched in 2015, it is a flagship program of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) implements it with the help of training partners. Under […]
CABINET APPROVES COMPANIES (SECOND AMENDMENT) BILL, 2019
Companies (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019 The Companies (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019 proposes to amend the Companies Act, 2013 to enable listing of Indian firms on foreign stock exchanges. This would increase the competitiveness among the Indian companies with respect to access to capital, better valuations and broader investor base. The Amendment Bill would remove criminality […]
BIOMETHANATION TO TACKLE STUBBLE BURNING
What is Biomethanation Biomethanation is a process by which organic material is microbiologically converted under anaerobic conditions to biogas. Methanogenesis or biomethanation i.e., formation of methane, is done by microbes known as methanogens. Three main physiological groups of microorganisms are involved: fermenting bacteria, organic acid oxidizing bacteria, and methanogenic archaea. Microorganisms degrade organic matter via […]
STATES SUCCESSFUL IN ACHIEVING CONTROL ON POPULATION GROWTH
Why in news? The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in India has declined from 3.2 in 1999 to 2.9 in 2005 and further declined to 2.2 in the year of 2017. There are thirteen States out of the 22 bigger States which have achieved the replacement level of fertility i.e., TFR of 2.1 as per Sample […]
TRANS FAT
Why in news? The limit of trans-fats to be not more than 5% is prescribed under Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 for vanaspati, bakery shortenings, bakery and industrial margarine and interesterified vegetable fats/oils. A draft notification to limit trans-fat to be not more than 2% by weight of […]
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT SCHEMES UNDER MINISTRY OF FINANCE
Stand Up India Scheme – Stand Up India Scheme was launched on 5 April 2016 to promote entrepreneurship at grass root level scheme seeks to leverage the institutional credit structure to reach out to the underserved sector of people such as Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Women Entrepreneurs The objective of this scheme is to […]
DOUBLING FARMERS INCOME
Why in news? The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) report for 2013-14, farmers’ average monthly income stood at Rs. 6,426. At present as per the last survey available for 2016-17, it stands at Rs. 8,167. India’s plan to Increase Farmers’ Income National Commission for Farmers was constituted in 2004, chaired by Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, […]
CULTIVATION OF GM CROPS
Why in news? Area, production and productivity of Bt. cotton has increased steadily since its introduction in India, barring minor fluctuation in few years Details Most of the countries are signatory to the Cartagena Protocol on Bio-safety which has well defined mechanism of regulation of Genetically Modified (GM) crops including bio-safety evaluation and environmental release. […]