INTEGRATED GEOSPATIAL PLATFORM
Why in news? The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has created an Integrated Geospatial Platform out of available geospatial datasets, standards-based services, and analytic tools to help decision making during the current COVID-19 outbreak and aid devising area-specific strategies to handle the socio-economic impact in the recovery phase. The platform is […]
STUDY TO IDENTIFY BIOMARKERS TO PREDICT PROGRESSION
Why in news? The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), will support exploration of metabolomics alteration in COVID-19 infected patients conducted by IIT Bombay in collaboration with some hospitals in Mumbai. The Board was set up for promoting basic research in science and engineering […]
INDIA’S FOREIGN TRADE: MARCH 2020
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 growth of (-) 1.36per cent over the same period last year. Overall imports in April-March 2019-20* are estimated to be USD 598.61billion, exhibiting a negative growth of (-)6.33per cent over the same period last […]
COVID-19: INITIATIVES BY SMART CITIES
Initiatives by Smart Cities Vadodara The Vadodara district administration has installed a helium balloon attached with two cameras for surveillance on lockdown violators. Bengaluru Model COVID-19 War Room at Bengaluru – Covid-19 data dashboard of Karnataka has been inaugurated which will be the single source of all COVID-related data. Kalyan Dombivali To create awareness and keep […]
NATIONAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PORTAL E-NAM TO COMPLETE FOUR YEARS
Why in news? The pan-India Agriculture trading portal e-NAM will be completing four years of implementation on 14th April 2020. e-NAM e-NAM was an innovative initiative in agricultural marketing to enhance farmers accessibility digitally to multiple number of markets & buyers and to bring transparency in trade transactions with the intent to improve price discovery […]
‘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 […]
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 […]