News: Energy Efficiency Services Limited(EESL) in partnership with the US Agency for International Development’s(USAID) MAITREE program has launched the “Healthy and Energy Efficient Buildings” initiative. Facts: Aim: To address the challenges of retrofitting existing buildings and air conditioning systems so that they are both healthy and energy efficient. Additional Facts: Market Integration and Transformation Program… Continue reading EESL and USAID Announce the “Healthy and Energy Efficient Buildings” Initiative
Category: Daily Factly articles
Explained: 163348(2002 NN4) – the Asteroid that made a close approach to Earth
News: NASA has announced that a giant asteroid called as 163348 (2002 NN4) is expected to pass Earth.The asteroid is a Near-Earth Object(NEO) and is classified as Potentially Hazardous Asteroid(PHA). Facts: Near Earth Object(NEO): These are comets and asteroids pushed by the gravitational attraction of nearby planets into orbits which allow them to enter the… Continue reading Explained: 163348(2002 NN4) – the Asteroid that made a close approach to Earth
Explained: What is the ongoing sixth mass extinction?
News: According to researchers at National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America(PNAS), the ongoing sixth mass extinction may be one of the most serious environmental threats to the persistence of civilisation. Facts: Mass extinction: It refers to a substantial increase in the degree of extinction or when the Earth loses more than… Continue reading Explained: What is the ongoing sixth mass extinction?
RBI creates Payment Infrastructure Development Fund
News: Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has created a Payment Infrastructure Development Fund of Rs 500 crores. Facts: Aim: To encourage the deployment of Points of Sale(PoS) infrastructure both physical and digital modes in smaller cities, towns and north eastern states. Contribution: RBI will make an initial contribution of Rs 250 crore to the fund. The… Continue reading RBI creates Payment Infrastructure Development Fund
Power Minister launches the ‘#iCommit’ initiative on World Environment Day
News: Union Power minister has launched the ‘#iCommit’ campaign on the occasion of World Environment Day. Facts: Aim: To call upon all stakeholders and individuals to continue moving towards energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability to create a robust and resilient energy system for India in the future. Nodal agency: It will be implemented by… Continue reading Power Minister launches the ‘#iCommit’ initiative on World Environment Day
Ambarnaya River Oil spill in Russia
News: Russian President has declared a state of emergency after 20,000 tonnes of diesel oil spilled into Ambarnaya river turning its surface crimson red. Facts: Ambarnaya River: It is a shallow river in Siberia, Russia which flows into Lake Pyasino, the source of Pyasina River. The river is also part of a network that flows… Continue reading Ambarnaya River Oil spill in Russia
Union Minister launches Nagar van scheme
News: On the occasion of World Environment Day, Union minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change has launched Nagar van (City Forest) scheme. Facts: Aim: To increase forest cover in urban areas by developing 200 Urban Forests across the country in next five years. Implementation : It will be implemented with people’s participation and collaboration… Continue reading Union Minister launches Nagar van scheme
Periodic Labour Force Survey(PLFS) – Annual Report
News: National Statistical Office(NSO) has released the Periodic Labour Force Survey(PLFS) for July 2018 to June 2019. Facts: Unemployment Rate(UR): It is defined as the percentage of persons unemployed among the persons in the labour force. It has reduced to 5.8% during 2018-19 from 6.1% during the same period of 2017-18.Under this, urban unemployment rate… Continue reading Periodic Labour Force Survey(PLFS) – Annual Report
Govt issues draft rules for drones
News: Directorate General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) has issued draft rules for drones termed The Unmanned Aircraft System(UAS) Rules,2020. Facts: Drones or Unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs): It is an unmanned aircraft piloted from a remote pilot station.DGCA has identified multiple categories of drones: Nano (up to 250 g), Micro ( over 250 g), small (2-25 kg), medium… Continue reading Govt issues draft rules for drones
Cabinet amends Essential Commodities Act, approves ordinance to ease barrier-free trade
News: Cabinet has approved three separate ordinances to push agriculture marketing and commodities trade reforms in the country. Facts: Amendments to Essential Commodities Act(1955): Aim: To deregulate the commodities such as cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions and potatoes. Any limits under ECA over these commodities will be imposed only in exceptional circumstances such as… Continue reading Cabinet amends Essential Commodities Act, approves ordinance to ease barrier-free trade
