Author: prashant shekhar

News: World Wildlife Fund’s flagship report states that monitored global wildlife population has declined by 73% in the last 50 years. The report also highlights the alarming decline of three vulture species, white-rumped vulture, Indian vulture, slender billed vulture, in India. 1. Living Planet Report: It is a biennial report that comprehensively studies the trends… Continue reading Wildlife population declined by 73% in 50 years: WWF Report

News: The Calcutta High Court has called for a response from the Union and West Bengal governments over the stalled payments of unemployment allowance to MGNREGS beneficiaries. 1. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005: It is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development. 2. It is a demand driven scheme… Continue reading Calcutta HC seeks response of Centre, Bengal on stalled MGNREGS wage payments

News: Prime Minister will visit Laos to attend the 21st ASEAN-India and the 19th East Asia Summit. 1. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): It is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising 10 Southeast Asian countries to promote political and economic cooperation and social stability among its member nations. 2. It was established in 1967 in… Continue reading Modi to hold bilateral talks with leaders at ASEAN- India summit

News: RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee voted in favor of maintaining benchmark interest rate at 6.5%, but kept the doors open for future rate cuts by shifting its policy stance from ‘withdrawal of accommodation’ to ‘neutral’ 1. Monetary Policy Committee (MPC): It is a statutory body under the RBI Act, 1934. 2. It is responsible for… Continue reading RBI holds interest rate at 6.5%, changes stance on future cut

News: The Union Cabinet has approved continuation of supply of free fortified rice under various welfare schemes like PMGKAY from July 2024 to December 2028. This move will address anaemia and micronutrients deficiency. 1. Rice Fortification: It is the addition of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK), containing micronutrients such as iron, zinc, folic acid, vitamin B12,… Continue reading Union cabinet gives nod for continuation of free fortified rice supply till Dec 2028

News: World Health Organization says that India has successfully eliminated trachoma. 1. Trachoma: It is an eye infection caused by bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. 2. It is a contagious disease, which can spread through personal contact with infected person and by flies in contact with infected persons. 3. Blindness caused due to trachoma is irreversible. 4.… Continue reading India has eliminated trachoma, says WHO

News: The Union government will raise Rs 20000 crore through sovereign green bond, during second half of 2024-25, only if market is willing to pay the green premium. 1. Sovereign Green Bonds (SGB): They are government debt instruments that are issued to finance environmentally sustainable projects. 2. Unlike the traditional bonds, the funds raised from… Continue reading Govt. to issue green bonds only if the market pays a premium

News: The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has relaxed some provisions in its norms to procure computing capacity for AI solutions under the AI Mission. This move is expected to benefit start-ups and small companies. 1. IndiaAI Mission: It aims to establish a comprehensive ecosystem by fostering AI innovation through strategic programs and partnerships… Continue reading To accommodate start-ups, MeitY relaxes AI compute procurement norms

News: Global Digital Compact was adopted in the recently held Summit of the Future. 1. Summit of the Future: The proposal for the summit originated in the Our Common Agenda Report, issued by the UN Secretary General. 2. It aims to forge a new global consensus on what our future should be like, and what… Continue reading Global Digital Compact: advancing digital innovation in a sustainable fashion