‘MODERATE HUMIDITY MAY DETER CORONAVIRUS’
Why in news? Coronaviruses are sensitive to humidity and are less likely to thrive at moderate levels of humidity, a series of experimental studies over the years have shown. It is important to note that these studies didn’t study actual coronaviruses but a bacteriophage Phi6, which is considered a safer surrogate. Key Highlights Earlier in […]
INDIA STILL IN LOCAL TRANSMISSION: GOVT.
Why in news? Reiterating that India continues to be in the local transmission phase despite the country registering a spike from 100 to 1,000 cases in 12 days, the Union Health Ministry on 30th March 2020, said India’s precautionary and early lockdown is proving to be a step in the right direction. Highlights The growth […]
‘CURFEW-LIKE’ RESTRICTIONS ENFORCED ACROSS STATE OF KARNATAKA
Why in news? Scaling up the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Karnataka government on 23rd March 2020, enforced “curfew-like” restrictions across the State from 24th March 2020, and will be in force till March 31 2020. Details All public and private transport including Uber, Ola and autos will be off the […]
PIB 15th April
Contents India’s Foreign Trade: March 2020 Study to identify biomarkers to predict progression Integrated geospatial platform INDIA’S FOREIGN TRADE: MARCH 2020 Focus: GS-III Indian Economy – Do not focus on numbers, just the trends Why in news? India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April-March2019-20* are estimated to be USD 528.45billion, exhibiting a negative […]
COURTS CAN ORDER PASSPORT SURRENDER IN CONTEMPT CASES: SC
Why in news? The Supreme Court has held that courts are empowered to order parties in a contempt case to surrender their passport in order to ensure their presence in the proceedings. The apex court clarified that contemnors would only be depositing their passport with the court.
DEFENCE PROCUREMENT DRAFT RELEASED
Why in news? The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has for the first time introduced leasing of defence equipment as a new category for acquisition in the draft Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2020. This DPP would remain in force till 31 March 2025. Proposed Measures un the DPP draft The draft proposed increasing the indigenous content […]
FUEL SALES, CRISIL FY21 GDP GROWTH FORECAST, RETAILERS, REAL ESTATE SECTOR TO SUFFER AMID COVID19 ALERT
Why in news? Sales of sensitive petroleum products such as petrol and diesel have dropped in March compared with February as more people stay back at home to prevent COVID-19 from spreading. Crisil has cut India’s GDP growth rate forecast for FY21 citing financial sector stress and COVID-19 impact. Organised retailers, dealing with non-essential daily […]
CHINA HITS A MILESTONE: NO NEW LOCAL COVID19 INFECTION
Why in news? As the coronavirus pandemic rampages across the world, the epicentre of the disease – China, has marked a major milestone in curbing the virus in the country. On 17th March 2020, China has recorded zero domestic infections for the first time since the outbreak erupted in late December 2020. As of 19th […]
NEW DEFINITION OF MSMES SOON
Why in news? Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) told the Rajya Sabha on 19th March 2020, that the government would come out with a new definition of MSMEs, which are currently defined on the basis of investment in plant and machinery, by the end of the ongoing session. What are MSMEs? […]
POCSO CASE AGAINST TEACHER IN KERALA
Why in news? Police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against a teacher of a school at Panur in connection with the sexual abuse of a girl student of the same school. All About Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 The Protection of Children […]