Solid-State Batteries: Shareholders of California-based QuantumScape Corp, a battery startup backed by Volkswagen AG, have approved a multibillion-dollar pay package for Chief Executive Officer Jagdeep Singh, subject to the company meeting some performance milestones. QuantumScape’s solid-state battery — lithium metal with a solid electrolyte separating the two electrodes — is seen as an exceptionally bright […]
Category: Current Affairs
Economically Weaker Sections
Economically Weaker Sections: A government committee report in the Supreme Court has said that “income” is a “feasible criterion” for defining the “Economically Weaker Sections” (EWS) in society, and the annual family income of ₹8 lakh is a “reasonable” threshold to determine EWS in order to extend reservation in admissions and jobs. The committee did […]
Hamas And Gaza Strip
Hamas And Gaza Strip: Israel’s military has launched strikes against militant targets in the Gaza Strip, a day after rockets were fired from the Hamas-ruled territory. The cease-fire, brokered by Egypt and other mediators, has been fragile. The militant Hamas group says Israel did not take serious steps to ease the blockade it imposed on […]
Jal Jeevan Mission
Jal Jeevan Mission: The Ministry of Jal Shakti has approved Drinking Water Supply schemes of Rs. 15,381.72 Crore for Madhya Pradesh under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). JJM aims to ensure assured tap water supply or ‘Har Ghar Jal’ to all rural households by 2024. Launched in 2019, it envisages supply of 55 litres of water […]
Agreement On Prohibition Of Attacks Against Nuclear Installations And Facilities: India – Pakistan
Agreement On Prohibition Of Attacks Against Nuclear Installations And Facilities: India – Pakistan India and Pakistan have exchanged a list of their nuclear installations. The exchange was in accordance with the Article-II of Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India. The two countries also exchanged lists of prisoners […]
Semiconductor Shortage World-wide
Semiconductor Shortage: There has been an abrupt and cascading shortage of semiconductors worldwide. Semiconductors are materials which have a conductivity between conductors (generally metals) and nonconductors or insulators (such as most ceramics). Semiconductors can be pure elements, such as silicon or germanium, or compounds such as gallium arsenide or cadmium selenide. Conductivity is the measure […]
Sankalp Smarak
Sankalp Smarak: In order to preserve this important event in history, a Sankalp Smarak was dedicated to the nation by Lt Gen Ajai Singh, Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN), exactly 78 years after Netaji’s arrival on 29 Dec 2021. The Smarak is a tribute not only to the resolve of the soldiers of the […]
Global Cropland Expansion
Global Cropland Expansion: According to a new study, cropland area across the world increased 9% and cropland Net Primary Production (NPP) by 25% from 2003-2019. The growth was primarily due to agricultural expansion in Africa and South America. Cropland Area: Cropland is defined as ‘land used for annual and perennial herbaceous crops for human consumption, […]
New Constitution To Tackle A “Climate And Ecological Emergency: Chile
New Constitution To Tackle A “Climate And Ecological Emergency: Chile The South American country of Chile has formed a Constitution Convention to write a new constitution to tackle a “climate and ecological emergency.” As climate catastrophes become inevitable, countries that are already struggling with resource depletion (water, in Chile’s case) are being forced to take […]
Consumer Protection Rules, 2021
Consumer Protection Rules, 2021: In exercise of provisions under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Central Government has notified the Consumer Protection (Jurisdiction of the District Commission, the State Commission and the National Commission) Rules, 2021. The Act stipulates the pecuniary jurisdiction of each tier of consumer commission. The new rules revised pecuniary jurisdiction for […]
