THE LOCUST PROBLEM
Even as India battles the coronavirus pandemic, four Indian states — Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat — are facing another challenge : a desert locust attack. While many districts in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are battling the scourge; Punjab and Gujarat have warned farmers that they could be the next. Reports suggest that the […]
Ease of learning
BACKGROUND School education has been jolted out of its conventional ways by an unprecedented disruption due to the Pandemic. The Government is yet to issue a timeline for the reopening of schools. WHAT IS A VIRTUAL CLASSROOM? A virtual classroom is an online learning environment that allows for live interaction between the tutor and the learners as they are […]
EXTEND LOANS WITHOUT FEAR OF 3CS: FM
Why in news? Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 23rd May 2020 said banks had been asked to extend loans automatically to eligible borrowers without ‘fear of 3Cs — CBI, CVC and CAG’. Details Clear instructions had been given in a meeting with CEOs and MDs of public sector banks and financial institutions on 22nd May that the […]
PHASE-1 TRIAL: ADENOVIRUS COVID-19 VACCINE FOUND SAFE
Why in news? A phase-1 trial using a single dose of a vaccine (Ad5-nCoV) that uses a recombinant adenovirus type-5 vector that carries the genetic material that codes for spike glycoprotein of novel coronavirus was found to be safe, well-tolerated and able to generate immune responses against the virus. Details The adenovirus is a weakened […]
IMD HEATWAVE ALERT: DELHI, PUNJAB, HARYANA
Why in news? Severe heatwaves are likely to impact parts of northwest, central and peninsular India in next four to five days, while many parts of northeast India will experience very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall during the same period: India Meteorological Department (IMD). Under the influence of converging strong south-westerly winds from the Bay of […]
DENGUE, JE STRIKE AS ASSAM BATTLES COVID-19
Why in news? Assam is facing crisis through a series of viral and pest attacks, Districts from different parts of Assam have reported cases of dengue and acute encephalitis syndrome. The heavy rainfall in the northern parts of the State had seen two rivers – Jia-Bharali and Puthimari – flowing above the danger mark. 2,980 […]
BIOMEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL POSES A HUGE CHALLENGE
Why in news? The Covid-19 pandemic has presented a unique challenge where the country has to deal with an unestimated amount of such waste exclusively from Covid hospitals, quarantine centres and home quarantine facilities. How is it being handled now? The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had issued detailed guidelines in April on handing Covid-linked […]
RBI CUTS REPO RATE AGAIN, EXTENDS MORATORIUM
Why in news? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) further reduced the key interest rate or the repo rate by 40 bps on 22nd May 2020 after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting as the COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown continues. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the moratorium on repayment for term loans by […]
MISSION SAGAR – INS KESARI AT PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS
Focus: GS-III International Relations Why in news? As part of Mission Sagar, Indian Naval Ship Kesari entered Port Louis Mauritius on 23 May 2020. ‘Mission Sagar’, is in consonance with the Prime Ministers vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region ‘SAGAR’. Details Indian Naval Ship Kesari is carrying COVID related essential medicines […]
ADDITIONAL NDRF TEAMS DEPLOYED: AMPHAN
Why in news? Ten additional NDRF teams have been mobilized and are being rushed at the earliest from NDRF locations outside West Bengal to provide support to West Bengal for post cyclone Amphan management. The additional deployment of 10 teams will bring the total deployment to 36 teams of NDRF across the 6 districts of […]