GOVT. PLANS RESEARCH ON ‘INDIGENOUS’ COWS
Why in news? The government has unveiled a programme to research on ‘indigenous’ cows. To be funded by multiple scientific ministries, the initiative, SUTRA PIC [Scientific Utilization Through Research Augmentation Prime Products from Indigenous Cows], is led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) More about SUTRA PIC It has the Department of Biotechnology, […]
INDIA’S BIRD POPULATION SUFFERS LONG-TERM DECLINE
Why in news? The State of India’s Birds 2020 (SoIB) assessment raises the alarm that several spectacular birds, many of them endemic to the subcontinent, face a growing threat from loss of habitat due to human activity, widespread presence of toxins, including pesticides; hunting and trapping for the pet trade More about the report Over […]
OVER 50% INMATES IN TIHAR JAIL FROM BACKWARD CLASSES IN 2018
Why in news? Over 50% inmates in Tihar prison belong to Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe and from Other Backward Classes (OBC), as per Prison Statistics 2018. The data was recently shared by the Ministry of Home Affairs
WOMEN ARMY OFFICERS ELIGIBLE FOR PERMANENT COMMISSION
Why in news? The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the Union government’s submissions that women are physiologically weaker than men as a “sex stereotype” and declared that Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers are eligible for permanent commission and command posts in the Army irrespective of their years of service
RADIO AIDS REVIVAL OF DYING TRIBAL LANGUAGE
Why in news? Using mobile radio, the Asur community has been spreading the popularity of the language within their geographical limits. The Asur language figures in the list of UNESCO Interactive Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger. As per the 2011 census, the tribe has a population of around 23,000 in Latehar and Gumla […]
MADHYA PRADESH GRAPPLES WITH SPIRALING NEONATAL DEATHS
Why in news? Madhya Pradesh has recorded the highest percentage of newborn deaths of 11.5% against the total admissions to government run sick newborn care units (SNCUs) in the past three years across the country, a rate ominously spiralling since 2017 According to the National Health Mission (NHM). The country’s average is 7%. Several factors […]
Current Affairs for UPSC IAS Exam – 26 March 2020
Contents: Undisturbed mass nesting of Olive Ridleys at Rushikulya White House, Congress agree on $2 trillion virus rescue Bill Saudi King to chair G20 virtual summit Finance Ministry writes to RBI for relaxing farm loan NPA norms Union Cabinet approves recapitalisation of RRBs UNDISTURBED MASS NESTING OF OLIVE RIDLEYS AT RUSHIKULYA Focus: GS-III Environment and […]
ISRO MAKING PREPARATIONS TO LAUNCH GISAT-1 IN MARCH FIRST WEEK
GISAT-1 — Geo Imaging Satellite — will be the first of two planned Indian EO spacecraft to be placed in a geostationary orbit of around 36,000 km. It will apparently be in a fixed spot looking over the Indian continent at all times. With this satellite, which has high-resolution cameras, we can keep a constant […]
DOCTORS REMOVE LARGE THYROID GROWTHS FROM MELGHAT TRIBAL
For long, the massive enlarged thyroid glands among the Korkus tribal living in Amravati’s Melghat region have puzzled doctors. Doctors would see Korkus, mainly women, with these abnormal growths, known as goiter, weighing over one to two kilograms. An annual surgery camp held at a remote hospital in Chikhaldara has however changed that. While goiter […]
WAYANAD TIGER RESERVE
The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS), though home to more than half the number of tigers present in Kerala, may not be notified as a tiger reserve as the proposal lacks public support. The ‘Status of Tigers in India’ report released last year had estimated the tiger population of Wayanad as between 75 and 80 individuals. […]