Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover: Important Facts

The third and final mission to the red planet of the month lifted off on Thursday 30th July at 17:20 IST from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. After covering a huge distance of 300 million miles the Mars Perseverance Rover is expected to land on 18th February 2021. The main objective of the Mars Perseverance Rover … Read more

Antibiotic use in the dairy sector

Part of: GS Mains II – Health/Social issue  Context:  According to Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report –  Dairy farmers indiscriminately use antibiotics for diseases such as mastitis (infection/inflammation of the udder), a common ailment in dairy animals  Antibiotics residues remaining in milk are a cause for concern (antibiotic resistance)  Milk sold directly to consumers nor processed milk sold in packets … Read more

Vidya Varadhi scheme

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Education; Govt schemes and initiatives  About:  In a bid to reach out students and address challenges of online classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Department of School Education proposed the “Vidya Varadhi’ scheme.  Under Vidya Varadhi scheme, mobile classrooms equipped with audio-visual gadgets will reach pockets where students have no access … Read more

India and AIIB

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and the World; International/Multi-lateral organizations  About:  The China-­backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to function as an “apolitical” institution and to continue to support projects in India  The latest loan for India was for $750 million, to support vulnerable households impacted by COVID­19  Key facts:  India has … Read more

Protesting is a fundamental right: UN

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – International Conventions  About:  Demonstrations over issues like political rights and racial justice, protesting peacefully, online or in person, is a fundamental human right.  Article 21 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) – guarantees the right to peaceful assembly  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)  It … Read more

Budapest Convention or Convention on Cybercrime of the Council of Europe

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – International Conventions; Cyber security  About:  Convention on Cybercrime, also known as the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime or the Budapest Convention is the first international treaty seeking to address Internet and computer crime (cybercrime) by harmonizing national laws, improving investigative techniques, and increasing cooperation among nations.   It serves … Read more

Natesa, a rare sandstone idol

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains I – Art and Culture  In news:  Natesa, a rare sandstone idol which was smuggled to return to India after 22 years  The idol depicts Shiva in the 9th century Prathihara style of Rajasthan  It was originally from the Ghateswara Temple, Baroli, Rajasthan  A beautiful depiction of Nandi is shown behind the right leg of the Natesa icon.  Some … Read more

RIC, a triangle that is still important

Context:  India attended a (virtual) meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Russia, India and China (RIC) in the last week of June 2020. Why was the RIC meeting significant? As there were border tensions with China, it was strongly argued that India should further align its foreign policy westwards (towards US, Europe) A RIC meeting seemed incongruous in … Read more

Russia-India-China Relation

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and the World; International/Multi-lateral relations In news: The special meeting of RIC on 23rd June 2020 was held to mark 75 years of the victory over the Axis powers in World War-II. Russia, India, and China to “increase interaction with ASEAN-based structures…” including on COVID-19 issues. India … Read more

GST compensation to states

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – Devolution of taxes to states; Resource mobilization; C-S relations In news: Centre finally managed to pay States the compensation due to them for the previous year under the GST regime. States can utilize the compensation to ramp up public health-care capacity and contain COVID-19’s detrimental effects on vulnerable … Read more

Status of Tigers in India Report

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has released a detailed ‘Status of Tigers, Co-predators and Prey in India (2018) Report’ on the eve of the Global Tiger Day (29th July). The report compares information obtained from the earlier three tiger surveys (2006, 2010, and 2014) with data obtained from the 2018-19 survey to estimate … Read more

SOFI 2020 Report on Food Security

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains I and II – Poverty/Health; Social/Welfare issues; Food Security  About:  State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) is a join report issued annually by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, UNICEF, the World Food Programme and the World … Read more

Delhi government launches job portal: Rozgaar Bazaar

Part of: GS Mains II and III – Government schemes and initiatives; Economy – Growth and Development; Employment  About:  Delhi government launched a job portal – ‘Rozgaar Bazaar’  Google’s Best Books for UPSC PSC Exams Join our Official Telegram Channel HERE for Motivation and Fast Updates Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE to watch Motivational and New analysis videos Benefits:  Helps to revive economy  Intends … Read more

Rajasthan crisis: Constitution on governor’s power

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Polity – Constitution, Governor, C-S Relations  Google’s Best Books for UPSC PSC Exams Join our Official Telegram Channel HERE for Motivation and Fast Updates Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE to watch Motivational and New analysis videos Context:  Rajasthan Governor told the state government that an assembly session can be called at a short … Read more

GoI launches “Mausam Application” to Forecast Weather

On July 27, 2020, Union Minister of Earth Sciences Dr Harsh Vardhan launched a mobile application that will provide city-wise weather forecasts and warnings. The application has been named “Mausam”. Google’s Best Books for UPSC PSC Exams Join our Official Telegram Channel HERE for Motivation and Fast Updates Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE to watch Motivational and New analysis videos … Read more