Category: Test 1

Monthly pension plan for informal workers in offing News: Government is working on a plan to offer a monthly pension to unorganised workers. Facts: National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is working on a plan to offer a monthly pension of Rs 3,000 to unorganised workers. Pension will help the domestic helps and migrant labour above… Continue reading Monthly pension plan for informal workers in offing

Mercury plunges after artic chills sweep America News An Arctic front plunged into the Washington region of USA, bringing very cold temperatures Important facts Cause: A swirl of arctic air broke away from the polar vortex that usually encircles the North Pole and moved south towards America Polar Vortex: The polar vortex is a large… Continue reading Mercury plunges after artic chills sweep America

Government hikes stipends for research scholars; unacceptable, say students News The Union government has hiked the Junior Research Fellowship — to ₹31,000 a person, nearly 20% increase from the existing ₹25,000. Important facts The Senior Research Fellowships (SRF), which are given to research students two years into their doctoral studies, had been hiked to ₹35,000… Continue reading Government hikes stipends for research scholars; unacceptable, say students

National Statistical Commission: Issue: Two remaining National Statistical Commission (NSC) members resigned Grievances of NSC members are: NSC running at half strength and government moving very slowly on appointing new members NSC has been systematically bypassed in its functions with involvement of NITI Aayog No consultation with NSC before the release of back series GDP… Continue reading National Statistical Commission:

New hope for sickle-cell patients News: With advances in gene therapy the prospects of curing sickle-cell disease seems applealing. Facts: Sickle cell anemia is an inherited form of anemia — a condition in which there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout the body. Normally, red blood cells are flexible and… Continue reading New hope for sickle-cell patients

Removing the roots of farmers’ distress News: The article forwards some suggestions for addressing the problem of farm distress. Facts: Agrarian distress is mainly a result of low agricultural prices and poor farm incomes.The CPI shows that the rise in prices for agriculture was much lower than general inflation in recent years. Market prices for… Continue reading Removing the roots of farmers’ distress

Drug resistance among top threats: WHO News Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has been identified as one of the 10 threats to global health in 2019 by World Health Organization (WHO) Important facts What is AMR? AMR is resistance of a microorganism to an antimicrobial drug that was originally effective for treatment of infections caused by it.… Continue reading Drug resistance among top threats: WHO

Odisha govt. transfers funds to sharecroppers under KALIA News Odisha Chief Minister transferred funds to 57,614 sharecroppers under the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme Important Facts About KALIA Scheme Under the scheme, Rs 10,180 crore will be spent over three years until 2020-21 in providing financial assistance to nearly 50 lakh… Continue reading Odisha govt. transfers funds to sharecroppers under KALIA

Micro-plastic fibres found in groundwater News A new study published in the journal Groundwater has reported micro plastics in fractured limestone aquifers – a groundwater source that accounts for 25% of the global drinking water supply. Important facts The study identified microplastic fibers, along with a variety of medicines and household contaminants, in two aquifer… Continue reading Micro-plastic fibres found in groundwater

Seven north eastern States lag behind in toilets for schoolgirls News Data analysed from the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2018 report has revealed that an average of 34.96% schools in the 8 north-eastern schools had usable toilets for girls in 2018 as compared to 36. 66% in 2016 Important facts With 75.7% schools… Continue reading Seven north eastern States lag behind in toilets for schoolgirls