Stardust 1.0: Stardust 1.0 was launched on Jan 31st from Loring Commerce Centre in Maine, US. It has become the first commercial space launch powered by biofuel, which is non-toxic for the environment as opposed to traditionally used rocket fuels. Stardust 1.0 is a launch vehicle suited for student and budget payloads. Biofuels: Any hydrocarbon […]
Category: Current Affairs
What is Waghai-Bilimora Heritage Line?
Waghai-Bilimora Heritage Line: The Western Railway has decided to not stop the services of three trains, including the 107-year-old narrow gauge heritage train between Vaghai and Bilimora, in Gujarat permanently. The other two narrow gauge trains run between Miyagam, Choranda and Malsar, and Choranda junction and Moti Karal. In rail transport, track gauge or track […]
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 : New Guidelines to Banks
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued new regulating guidelines to banks under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. It states that the donations received in Indian rupees by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and associations from any foreign source (even if that source is located in India at the time of such […]
Ageing Water Infrastructure: An Emerging Global Risk: UN Report
Ageing Water Infrastructure: An Emerging Global Risk: UN Report: According to a United Nations (UN) report “Ageing water infrastructure: An emerging global risk”, over 1,000 large dams in India will be roughly 50 years old in 2025 and such ageing embankments across the world pose a growing threat. The report, compiled by Canada-based Institute for […]
What is STARS Project? Its Component
Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results For States (STARS) project.: Ministry of Education, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), and World Bank have signed an agreement for the financial support worth Rs 5718 crore towards the implementation of the Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) project. About the Project: STARS stands for Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for […]
Union Budget 2021 : Key Points | Highlights
Budget 2021: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the Budget proposals for this financial year rest on six pillars — health and well-being, physical and financial capital and infrastructure, inclusive development for aspirational India, reinvigorating human capital, innovation, and R&D, and ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’. Significant announcements included a slew of hikes in customs duty […]
8th India International Silk Fair : Highlights
8th India International Silk Fair: The Textiles Minister of India, Smriti Irani, inaugurated the 8th India International Silk Fair on the Virtual Portal. Highlights: This fair is the biggest silk fair in India. The fair is being held under one roof of the virtual platform of Indian Silk Export Promotion Council. The fair is a […]
Deployment Of Rohingya Muslims To Bhashan Char Island
Bhashan Char Island: The Bangladesh Authorities recently moved around 1,750 Rohingya Muslims to a controversial island in the Bay of Bengal called the “Bhashan Char Island”. This move by Bangladesh was opposed by the refugees already living on the island. About Bhashan Char: The island is also known as Char Piya. It is in […]
14 Minor Forest Produce Items Included Under MSP Scheme
14 Minor Forest Produce Items Included Under MSP Scheme: Highlights: This new mechanism will help to provide remunerative and fair prices to tribal gatherers of forest produces. The items which have been included in the scheme include- Tasar Cocoon, bamboo shoot, elephant apple dry, wild dry mushroom and malkangani seed. Minimum Support Price (MSP) […]
Reasons for High Fiscal Deficit in 2019-20
Increased Fiscal Deficit: The government’s fiscal deficit has increased to Rs. 11.58 lakh crore or 145.5% of the Budget Estimate (BE) at the end of December 2020 (accounting for the first nine months of the year 2020-21) mainly on account of lower revenue realisation. Key Points: Fiscal Deficit Target Fixed for 2020-21: The Centre had […]
