Union Minister for Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern States (DoNER) Shri G. Kishan Reddy on September 23, 2021 laid the foundation stone for the “Development of Parshuram Kund, Lohit District, Arunachal Pradesh.” The project is sanctioned under the Read More …
Category: UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS
Lunar Crater Named After Arctic Explorer Matthew Henson
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named a crater at the Moon’s south pole after the Arctic explorer Matthew Henson. Henson Crater is in the same region the Artemis program aims to land the next slate of lunar explorers, which Read More …
European Commission proposes USB-C chargers for all
The European Commission (EC) has proposed a new rule which aims to have a common charging port for mobile phones, tablets and headphones. According to the proposal, presented on September 23, 2021, all smartphones sold in the EU must have Read More …
WHO releases new Global Air Quality Guidelines
The World Health Organisation (WHO) in the first update of its air quality guidelines since 2005, has tightened global air pollution standards in recognition of emerging science that the impact of air pollution on health is much more serious than Read More …
Vanijya Saptah and Vanijya Utsav
To celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and its glorious history, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry is organizing special events and programmes throughout next week as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations. The Department of Read More …
What is a Vishnuonyx neptuni?
Researchers from the Universities of Tübingen and Zaragoza have discovered the fossil of a previously unknown species of otters, which they have named Vishnuonyx neptuni, meaning ‘Neptune’s Vishnu’. The species was discovered from a 11.4-million-year-old strata in the area of Read More …
Telecom Department simplifies KYC processes
The Department of Telecommunications on September 21, 2021 issued a series of orders simplifying the KYC processes and thereby initiating the telecom reforms announced by the Cabinet on 15.09.2021. Aadhaar based e-KYC process has been re-introduced for issuing of new Read More …
Indian Coast Guard seizes Sea cucumber
Why in the news? In a swift operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) team at Mandapam, Tamilnadu seized two tonnes of sea cucumber, a banned marine species. Working on a tip-off about illegal transhipment of sea cucumber in the wee Read More …
Anti-Tank Guided Missile Helina
The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) Hyderabad has completed all trials of the indigenously made Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), Helina. The Army had started the process for issuing of Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). After the AON, the Request Read More …
Global Innovation Index 2021-India climbs two spots to rank 46th
India has climbed two spots and has been ranked 46th in the Global Innovation Index 2021 rankings. The Global Innovation Index 2021 was released by the World Intellectual Property Organization on September 20, 2021. India has been on a rising Read More …
Two new Humboldt penguins in Byculla Zoo
Why in the news? Recently, Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo announced the addition of two new Humboldt penguin chicks this year. The two join seven adult Humboldt penguins at Byculla Zoo — Popeye, Flipper, Bubble, and the new parents. What is Humboldt? Penguins Read More …
EU-USA announced Global Methane Pledge
The European Union and the United States announced on September 17, 2021 the Global Methane Pledge, an initiative to reduce global methane emissions to be launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in November in Glasgow. The initiative Read More …
What is a ‘bad bank’?
The Government of India on September 15, 2021 approved a Rs 30,600-crore backstop facility for guaranteeing securities to be issued by the “National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited” (NARCL) also called as the “bad bank”. The bad bank is being set Read More …
Mura-Drava-Danube (MDD)-World’s first five-country biosphere reserve
Why in the news? The UNESCO on September 15, 2021, designated Mura-Drava-Danube (MDD) as the world’s first ‘five-country biosphere reserve’. Which are the five countries? The Mura-Drava-Danube (MDD) biosphere reserve covers 700 kilometres of the Mura, Drava (Zagreb) and Danube Read More …
India’s first pilot plant to convert high ash coal to methanol
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has developed the fluidized bed gasification technology suitable for high ash Indian coals to produce syngas and then convert syngas to methanol with 99% purity. BHEL has integrated its existing coal to syngas pilot plant Read More …