REDUCING IMPORTS FROM CHINA
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? According to a study – just 327 products — ranging from mobile phones and telecom equipment to cameras, solar panels, airconditioners and penicillin — accounted for nearly three fourths of the imports from China. The study also pointed out that it is possible to find alternative sources to […]
KOZHIKODE PLANE CRASH: TABLETOP RUNWAY ISSUE
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management Why in news? The crucial flight data recorder of the Air India Express flight AXB 1344 that crashed after overshooting the runway of Calicut International Airport at Karipur on Friday evening was recovered as investigations into the accident began. Explanation given DGCA chief told that several recommendations in 2011 and 2019 […]
BAMBOO SEED-BOMBS TO TACKLE ELEPHANT PROBLEM
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? Encouraged by germination and subsequent growth in bamboo plantations, Odisha’s Athagarh Forest Division has begun casting seed balls inside different reserve forest areas to enrich food stock for wild elephants. Details and How is it going to help? The growth in bamboo plantation is expected to meet […]
DEFENCE MINISTRY TO IMPOSE IMPORT EMBARGO
Focus: GS-III Internal Security Challenges Why in news? The Defence Ministry will “introduce import embargo on 101 items beyond given timeline to boost indigenisation of defence production”. Details The Ministry of Defence has prepared a list of 101 items for which there would be an embargo on the import beyond the timeline indicated against them. […]
STUDYING P. VIVAX MALARIA
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? The parasite Plasmodium vivax, responsible for 7.5 million malaria cases worldwide, remains understudied. An international team has developed a system to breed these parasites in the lab and then infect cultured human liver cells with it. How does vivax parasite work? Mosquitoes inject the sporozoite (spore-like) stage […]
CORONAL MAGNETIC FIELD MEASURED FOR THE FIRST TIME
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Introduction The Sun is our closest star and we have been studying it for a long time, yet, it has many associated puzzles that are unexplained. A significant advancement has been made by an international team of solar physicists who have measured the global magnetic field of the Sun’s […]
UNICEF ON COVID-19 INDUCED FOOD INSECURITY
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? Increase in joblessness and poverty due to the pandemic will lead to a rise in hunger as well as malnutrition in the country, cautions UNICEF’s India Chief for Nutrition. What has been the impact of COVID-19 on nutritional services? During the lockdown, in terms of distribution of foods, […]
INDIA, PAKISTAN SPAR OVER INDUS WATER TALKS
Focus: GS-II International relations, GS-I Geography Why in news? India has refused a request by Pakistan to hold a meeting on issues around the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) as India had suggested a virtual conference but Pakistan had insisted on a physical meeting. Details The practice at the IWT meetings is that they are led […]
eSANJEEVANI
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, presided over a review meeting with States/UTs on the “eSanjeevani” and “eSanjeevaniOPD” platforms. eSanjeevani eSanjeevani platform has enabled two types of telemedicine services viz. Doctor-to-Doctor (eSanjeevani) and Patient-to-Doctor (eSanjeevani OPD) Tele-consultations. It is planned to implement tele-consultation in all the 1.5 […]
RASHTRIYA SWACHHATA KENDRA
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? Prime Minister recently inaugurated the Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra – an interactive experience centre on the Swachh Bharat Mission. The Prime Minister also launched ‘Gandagi Mukt Bharat’, a special week long campaign for swachhata in the run up to Independence Day, during which each day till 15th August […]