New Pension Rules For Civil Servants: The Central Government has amended its pension rules putting new restrictions on officials of intelligence and security organizations after retirement. The government has amended Rule-8(3)(a) of the CCS (Central Civil Services) Pension Rules-1972. The Centre has notified Central Civil Services (Pension) Amendment Rules, 2020. The said rules were first […]
Artificial Sun Experiment : China
Artificial Sun Experiment: CHINA: China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), also known as the ‘Artificial Sun’ experiment, has set a new record in the latest experiment, where it achieved a plasma temperature of 216 million Fahrenheit (120 million C) for 101 seconds. It is believed that the temperature at the core of the Sun is […]
United Nations General Assembly
The United Nations General Assembly: India has decided to vote in support of Maldives’ Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid in the election of the President of the United Nations General Assembly. This time the UNGA head will be chosen from the Asia-Pacific grouping. Asia- Pacific group of the UN: Consists of 53 Member States and is […]
What is Digital Services Tax?
Digital Services Taxes: The United States recently announced 25% tariffs on over $2 billion worth of imports from six nations over their digital services taxes, but immediately suspended the duties to allow time for international tax negotiations to continue. The S. Trade Representative’s office had approved the threatened tariffs on goods from Britain, Italy, Spain, […]
Arun Kumar Mishra: Chairman of NHRC
Arun Kumar Mishra: Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).: President Ram Nath Kovind formally appointed Justice Arun Kumar Mishra as the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Justice Mishra’s name was recommended by a high-powered selection panel consisting Prime Minister Modi; Union Home Minister; Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; Lok […]
What is Seed Minikit Programme?
The Seed Minikit Programme: The Seed Minikit Programme was launched by Union Agriculture Minster by distributing Seed Minikits (higher yielding varieties of seeds) of Pulses and oilseeds to farmers. The Seed Minikits programme is a major tool for introducing new varieties of seeds in the farmers fields and is instrumental for increasing the seed replacement […]
The India Cycles4Change Challenge
The India Cycles4Change Challenge: The India Cycles4Change challenge is beginning to gain momentum in Indian cities. The challenge was launched under the Smart Cities Mission by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on 25th June, 2020, as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic was making inroads across the country, cycling […]
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: The Union Cabinet of India has approved the ratification of an Agreement on “Cooperation in the field of Mass Media” between all the Member States of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The Agreement was signed in June, 2019. The SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation. It is a Eurasian political, economic, and security […]
Model Tenancy Act for All States
Model Tenancy Act: The Union Cabinet has approved the Model Tenancy Act for circulation to all States / Union Territories for adaptation by way of enacting fresh legislation or amending existing rental laws suitably. It will help overhaul the legal framework with respect to rental housing across the country. Salient features of the act: The […]
Categorisation of MGNREGA Scheme
MGNREGA Scheme: The Centre has asked the States to split wage payments under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme into separate categories for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, and others from this financial year. The government of India has decided to provide separate budget heads for SC and ST categories […]