News: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has made it mandatory for the Bharat Stage(BS) VI Vehicles to carry a one cm green sticker providing registration details. Facts: Bharat Stage(BS) norms: These are standards instituted by the Government of India in 2000 to regulate emission of air pollutants from motor vehicles.They are based on… Continue reading Distinct colour band for number plate sticker for BS-6 four-wheel vehicles
Category: Miscellaneous
India must redouble sustainability efforts: Environment performance index
News: The 12th edition of the Environment Performance Index has been released by Yale and Columbia universities in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF). Facts: The index is released biennially (once every two years).It ranks 180 countries on 32 performance indicators across 11 categories covering environmental health and ecosystem vitality. Key Takeaways: Top ranks:… Continue reading India must redouble sustainability efforts: Environment performance index
8 countries form alliance to counter China
News: Senior lawmakers from eight countries have launched the Inter parliamentary Alliance on China(IPAC). Facts: IPAC is an international cross-party group of legislators working towards reform on how democratic countries approach China. Aim: To help counter the threat China’s growing influence poses to global trade, security and human rights. Participating Countries: U.S, Germany, U.K, Japan,… Continue reading 8 countries form alliance to counter China
Chinese troops makes slight retreat at Galwan Valley before crucial meet
News: Indian and Chinese troops have backed off slightly from Galwan river Valley ahead of crucial Lieutenant General level talks. Facts: Galwan River: It flows from the disputed Aksai Chin region to Ladakh of India. Origin: It originates in the area of Samzungling on the eastern side of the Karakoram range and flows west to… Continue reading Chinese troops makes slight retreat at Galwan Valley before crucial meet
Govt sets up task force to study maternal mortality rate
News: Ministry of Women and Child Development has constituted a task force to examine issues related to age of motherhood, lowering Maternal Mortality Rate and improvement of nutritional levels.The task force is being headed by Ms.Jaya Jaitly.
EESL and USAID Announce the “Healthy and Energy Efficient Buildings” Initiative
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
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
