COTPA, 2003
The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 or COTPA, 2003 is an Act of Parliament of India enacted in 2003 to prohibit advertisement of, and to provide for the regulation of trade and commerce in, and production, supply and distribution of […]
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? […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
CROP DIVERSIFICATION
Why in news? Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is implementing a Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) for replacing paddy crop with less water consuming alternative crops to save water and protect soil in the state of Punjab. What is Crop Diversification Programme? Crop Diversification Programme (CDP), a sub scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas […]
PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The Government has revolutionized the technology driven Public Finance Management System (PFMS) that has silently empowered India to be accountable , responsive and transparent.