LOCKDOWN LIFTS DELHI’S AIR QUALITY TO A 5-YEAR HIGH
Why in news? The ongoing lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic has pushed pollution levels in Delhi to a 5-year low and, across India, the number of cities that recorded ‘good’ on the air quality index jumped from 6 — on March 16 — to 30 as on March 29, according to data from the Central […]
SC CALLS FOR QUICK END TO KERALA-KARNATAKA BORDER ROW
Why in news? The Supreme Court on 3rd April 2020, urged Karnataka and Kerala to amicably resolve their issues concerning a border blockade that has choked the free flow of vehicles carrying essential items and patients in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. Background Karnataka, which imposed the blockade, justified that its border was sealed […]
DRDO DEVELOPS BIO SUIT, SEALANT FOR SAFETY GEAR
Why in news? In a major breakthrough, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a special sealant as an alternative to seam sealing tape which is critical in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). A bio suit was also developed to keep medical and other personnel engaged in combating COVID-19 safe from the deadly virus, […]
TABLIGHI JAMAAT EXPLAINED: ON A MISSION TO ‘PURIFY’ ISLAM
Why in news? The Tablighi Jamaat, a little known Islamic organisation, has been at the centre of a controversy after dozens of people who attended a religious congregation the group held at its headquarters in Delhi in March tested positive for COVID-19. At least 2,000 people, both from across the country and foreign nations such […]
DOCTORS WARY OF BCG VACCINE STUDY
Why in news? Doctors and scientists in India have expressed caution on a study, which argues that countries that have deployed the BCG-tuberculosis vaccine in their immunisation programmes have seen fewer deaths from coronavirus (COVID-19). What the Study showed? Note: The study, that hasn’t been peer-reviewed, but is available for public scrutiny. The Study argues […]
KARNATAKA MOVES SC AGAINST KERALA HC ORDER TO LIFT BORDER CURBS
Why in news? Karnataka on 2nd April 2020 challenged in the Supreme Court a Kerala High Court order on April 1 to remove the road blockade at the inter-State border to facilitate flow of vehicles carrying essential items and patients in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. Karnataka’s Petition The border had been sealed to […]
Indian Telegraph Act, 1885
The Indian Telegraph Act, 1883 is the enabling legislation in India which gov e Indian Constitution. History of the Telegraph Act The Indian Telegraph Act, passed in 1883, was intended to give the Central Government power to establish telegraphers the use of wired and wireless telegraphy, telephones, teletype, radio communications and digital data communications. It […]
VIRUS CASES DOUBLE IN INDIA IN FIVE DAYS, GEOFENCING APP TO HELP QUARANTINE
Why in news? The number of COVID-19 cases in India has doubled in the past week, with 328 more cases and 12 deaths reported on April 2. According to the Union Health Ministry, the tally now stands at 2,069 cases, with 53 deaths and 155 cured of the novel coronavirus infection. The Health Ministry said […]
PM ASKS STATES TO SUGGEST PLAN FOR STAGGERED END TO LOCKDOWN
Why in news? Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at his second video conference with Chief Ministers on 2nd April 2020 told them that it was “important to formulate a common exit strategy to ensure staggered re-emergence of the population once the lockdown ends.” He asked the States to brainstorm and send suggestions for the exit strategy. […]
PETRO-PRICES HIKED AS BS-VI FUEL KICKS IN
Why in news? Even as prices of international crude have dropped to the lowest in the last 18 years since 2002, state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) have increased the price of sensitive petroleum products like petrol and diesel in most Indian cities. The Central government had announced that from April 1, 2020, all vehicles sold […]