4.gktoday April 2021 (1-30)

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Current Affairs [PDF] - April 1-15, 2021
Last Updated: April 17, 2021

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Current Affairs [PDF] - April 1-15, 2021
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Contents
......................... ........ .... .... ..... ......... ................................................
News Headlines ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
April 1, 2021 ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
April 6, 2021 ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
April 7, 2021 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
April 8, 2021 ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
April 9, 2021 ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
April 10, 2021 .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
April 11, 2021 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
April 12, 2021 .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
April 13, 2021 .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
April 14, 2021 .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
April 15, 2021 .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
April 1, 2021 ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Utkal Divas – 2021 ............................................................................................................................................................................... 10
What are Military Farms? Why Indian Army has closed them? ................................................................................................ 10
PLI Scheme for Food Processing Industry: Key Facts ................................................................................................................... 11
What is Carnivac-Cov Vaccine? .......................................................................................................................................................... 11
Computer Aided CME Tracking Software (CACTus) and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) ............................................. 12
Mahendragiri: Odisha's Second Biosphere Reserve ....................................................................................................................... 13
Forest Governance by Indigenous and Tribal Peoples: Key Findings ....................................................................................... 13
What is Article 244(A) of the Constitution? .................................................................................................................................. 14
2021 Global Gender Gap Index: Key findings and India's Rank ................................................................................................ 15
What are New Rates on PPF, Small Savings Schemes? ............................................................................................................... 15
April 3, 2021 .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 16
What is Suez Canal Blockade? ........................................................................................................................................................... 16
First Image of Black Hole Magnetic Field ....................................................................................................................................... 17
Biggest Floating Solar Power Plant of India ................................................................................................................................... 17
IRDAI: Health Insurance and Motor Insurance Filing Process Standardised .......................................................................... 18
Thermal Power Plants Emission Standards ..................................................................................................................................... 19
National Register for Driving Licenses: Key Facts ........................................................................................................................ 20
Indian Railway Electrification: New record ..................................................................................................................................... 21
Tribes India Contest by TRIFED ....................................................................................................................................................... 21
Pakistan’s stand on Trade with India ............................................................................................................................................... 22
HSN Code: New rules ......................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Why did Haryana Government amend the Rules for conduct of business in Assembly? .................................................... 23
April 4, 2021 ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
World in 2030: Public Survey Report ............................................................................................................................................. 24
NSO report: Women and Men in India, 2020 .............................................................................................................................. 25
PM SVANidhi Scheme: 1.6% loans from private sector ............................................................................................................. 26
April 5, 2021 ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 27
Small Savings Schemes: West Bengal becomes the highest contributor ................................................................................. 27
Digital India: India leads in Digital Payments ................................................................................................................................ 28
ARWU Ranking, 2020 ........................................................................................................................................................................ 28
Climate Change: Japan sees the earliest Cherry Blossoms ever ................................................................................................ 29
Police and Crime Bill: Why are people protesting in UK? .......................................................................................................... 30
Shantir Ogroshena, 2021 .................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Plant-Insect Gene Transfer reported for the first time ................................................................................................................ 31
Miami Open: Hubert Hurkacz of Poland wins the title ............................................................................................................... 32
IIT Kanpur develops touch sensitive watch for visually impaired ............................................................................................. 32
SANKALP SE SIDDHI launched by TRIFED ................................................................................................................................ 33
National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021 .......................................................................................................................................... 34
What is Advanced Chaff Technology? ............................................................................................................................................ 35
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Amendment Ordinance, 2021 ............................................................................................. 35
April 6, 2021 ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 36
National Maritime Day: April 5 ........................................................................................................................................................ 36
© 2021 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in 2

India sets new record in ethanol blend with petrol ...................................................................................................................... 37
What is NFT Marketplace? ................................................................................................................................................................ 38
Word Highest Bridge: Chenab Bridge Arch Closure Completed ............................................................................................. 38
Monthly Economic Review: March 2021 ........................................................................................................................................ 39
What is Ingenuity Helicopter? ........................................................................................................................................................... 39
Integrated Health Information Platform: Key Facts ..................................................................................................................... 40
E9 Education Ministers Meet ............................................................................................................................................................. 41
Longi Green Enters Hydrogen Market ............................................................................................................................................ 41
What is the new Russian Legislation signed by Putin? ................................................................................................................ 42
Facebook Data leak, 2021 .................................................................................................................................................................. 42
FPI inflows in India: Rs 2.74 lakh crores in 2021 ........................................................................................................................ 43
Chief Justice of India: Justice Ramana to assume charge ........................................................................................................... 44
SEBI: India should separate the roles of Chairperson and Managing Director ..................................................................... 44
DRDO to partner with Private Sector in Missile Production ..................................................................................................... 45
April 7, 2021 ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 46
Uttar Pradesh Regulation of Urban Premises Tenancy (second) Ordinance 2021 ............................................................... 46
What is RXIL? ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 46
Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Government ............................................................................................................................... 47
FDA approves ADHD Drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 47
Robots made from stem cells of frogs ............................................................................................................................................ 48
World Health Day: April 7 ................................................................................................................................................................ 48
RBI Monetary Policy ........................................................................................................................................................................... 49
World Economic Outlook .................................................................................................................................................................. 50
Atal Innovation Mission, CIPS join hands for Innovation in Public System ............................................................................ 50
BRICS Finance Ministers Meet, 2021 ............................................................................................................................................... 51
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: 92% Target achieved .................................................................................................................. 52
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana: 1.12 crore employment generated .......................................................................................... 52
Forbes list of India’s 10 richest billionaires ..................................................................................................................................... 53
Second Wave of Bird Flu in Himachal Pradesh ............................................................................................................................ 54
What are Prepaid Payment Instruments? ........................................................................................................................................ 54
What is India H2 Alliance (IH2A)? .................................................................................................................................................. 55
National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules ...................................................................................................... 56
Union Cabinet: PLI Scheme for Air Conditioners and LED Lights approved ........................................................................ 56
April 8, 2021 ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 57
India-Japan: MoU signed for Academic and Research Cooperation ........................................................................................ 57
INS Sarvekshak: Joint Hydrographc Survey in Mauritius ........................................................................................................... 58
IRDAI Guidelines on Trade Credit Insurance ............................................................................................................................... 58
S Ramann: New Chairman and Managing Director of SIDBI .................................................................................................. 59
What is Jordan Crisis? ......................................................................................................................................................................... 59
G-sec acquisition programme - G-SAP 1.0 ................................................................................................................................... 60
RBI Consumer Confidence Index ...................................................................................................................................................... 61
MCA: 60% Eligible for pre-pack turnaround Scheme ................................................................................................................ 61
World Bank-IMF launch Climate Change platform for poor countries .................................................................................. 62
RBI: Inflation Forecast Model Amended ......................................................................................................................................... 62
IMF: Solidarity Tax on Pandemic Winners ..................................................................................................................................... 63
PM FME Scheme: Ministries Converge .......................................................................................................................................... 63
Madhukranti Portal and Honey Corners launched ...................................................................................................................... 64
Anamaya: Tribal Health Collaborative ............................................................................................................................................ 65
Robo Plant: Technology to interact with plants ............................................................................................................................ 65
MoU signed between Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Ministry of AYUSH .................................... 66
April 9, 2021 ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 66
Copyright (Amendment) Rules, 2021 ............................................................................................................................................. 67
Committee: 3 out of every 1,000 pregnant women in Meghalaya test positive for HIV .................................................... 67
ADB approves 484 million USD for CKIC Project ..................................................................................................................... 68
What are Quasars? How do they help in understanding Universe? ......................................................................................... 69
Three-branded Rosefinch: New bird species in India .................................................................................................................. 69
IMF: India’s Debt to GDP increased to 90% ................................................................................................................................ 70
India-Seychelles High level Virtual Event ........................................................................................................................................ 70

Central Mine Planning and Design Institute gets Drone Use Permission ................................................................................ 71
Jal Jeevan Mission: State-Wise Planning Exercise started for 2021–22 .................................................................................... 72
What is KVIC’s RE-HAB Project? ..................................................................................................................................................... 72
ULPIN: Unique Land Parcel Identification Number ..................................................................................................................... 73
US Navy conducted Freedom of Navigation Operation in Indian Ocean Region ................................................................. 74
Tika Utsav: COVID-19 Vaccination Drive ...................................................................................................................................... 75
PM Modi releases Hindi Translation of Odisha Itihaas ............................................................................................................... 75
Net Tax Collection exceeds revised estimates in FY21 ................................................................................................................ 76
India-US to focus on Climate Finance ............................................................................................................................................ 77
April 10, 2021 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 77
HDFC Bank SmartUp Grants to 21 Social Sector Start Ups ..................................................................................................... 77
AI for Agriculture Hackathon: Key Highlights ............................................................................................................................. 78
Online Dispute Resolution Handbook of NITI Aayog ................................................................................................................ 78
NanoSniffer: Microsensor based Explosive Trace Detector ....................................................................................................... 79
Crushing the Curve Mass Vaccination Drive ................................................................................................................................. 80
India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership in Water Sector ........................................................................................................... 80
Atal Innovation Mission: CSIR Adopts 295 Atal Tinkering Labs .............................................................................................. 81
Supreme Court: Adults are free to choose their religion ............................................................................................................ 81
India’s Petroleum consumption contracts 9.1% in FY21 ............................................................................................................. 82
What are Dark Sirens? ........................................................................................................................................................................ 83
Volcano erupts in Southern Caribbean ........................................................................................................................................... 83
NASA’s Ingenuity to make first flight attempt ............................................................................................................................. 84
Mask Abhiyan of Odisha .................................................................................................................................................................... 84
Many Endemic species may go extinct if GHG emissions rise .................................................................................................. 85
Who was Samuel Hahnemann? ........................................................................................................................................................ 86
April 12, 2021 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 86
Basic Savings Account can be opened in Post Offices ................................................................................................................ 86
GoI to launch National Programme on Artificial Intelligence ................................................................................................... 87
Indian National Young Academy of Sciences: COVID-19 Vaccination Awareness Campaign .......................................... 87
UAE names first Female Astronaut .................................................................................................................................................. 88
Little Guru: World’s First Gamified Sanskrit Learning Application .......................................................................................... 89
Iran launches advanced nuclear centrifuges .................................................................................................................................. 89
Endangered Irrawaddy dolphins count increase in Chilika Lake .............................................................................................. 90
Artemis Programme: NASA to land first person of colour on the moon .............................................................................. 90
Lilavati Awards, 2020 .......................................................................................................................................................................... 91
India: Second most hit by COVID-19 in the world ...................................................................................................................... 91
G20 nods to IMF for fresh SDR issue ............................................................................................................................................ 92
Bhutan: 93% of adults vaccinated in 16 days ................................................................................................................................ 93
BAFTA Awards: Nomadland wins four prizes .............................................................................................................................. 93
What is Historical Nihilism commonly used phrase in China? .................................................................................................. 94
April 13, 2021 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 94
Punjab to involve Arhtiyas in Direct Payments to Farmers ........................................................................................................ 94
Melting of Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier “Doomsday Glacier” ................................................................................................ 95
Draft Electricity (Rights of Consumers) (Amendment) Rules, 2021 ....................................................................................... 96
India: Expert panel recommends approval to Sputnik V vaccine .............................................................................................. 96
Sushil Chandra: Next Chief Election Commissioner .................................................................................................................... 97
India Energy Dashboards (Version 2.0) by NITI Aayog ............................................................................................................ 97
DGFT Trade Facilitation App launched ......................................................................................................................................... 98
Central Asia: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan trans-border trade center ............................................................................................. 99
Remdesivir Shortage in India ............................................................................................................................................................ 99
How will Japan release contaminated Fukushima water into the ocean? ............................................................................. 100
Tax collections for FY 21 .................................................................................................................................................................. 100
2021 Global food policy report ........................................................................................................................................................ 101
Odyssey Completes 20 years: NASA releases Electric Blue Dune Images ............................................................................ 101
Aahaar Kranti: Mission launched by Health Minister ................................................................................................................ 102
Astronomers discover the farthest Gamma-ray emitting active galaxy ................................................................................. 103
April 14, 2021 .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 103
eSanta: Platform for Marine Products ........................................................................................................................................... 103

Ambedkar Jayanti: April 14 .............................................................................................................................................................. 104
Raisina Dialogue, 2021 ...................................................................................................................................................................... 105
What is Currency Chest? .................................................................................................................................................................. 105
Bohag Bihu Bird Count 2021 begins ............................................................................................................................................. 106
Poshan Gyan: Digital Repository on Nutrition Information ..................................................................................................... 106
ITCN Programme .............................................................................................................................................................................. 107
PLI Scheme: Critical Bulk Drugs approved .................................................................................................................................. 107
Why is GoI fast tracking the Emergency use of foreign made COVID-19 Vaccines? ........................................................ 108
IMF's Asia Growth Forecast ............................................................................................................................................................ 109
Mandatory Gold Hallmarking from June 1 .................................................................................................................................. 109
National Housing Bank: Rs 10,000 crore Special Refinance Facility launched .................................................................... 110
April 15, 2021 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 110
New Zealand Climate Change law for Financial firms ............................................................................................................... 110
Deadly algae kill 4,000 tonnes of Salmon in Chile ..................................................................................................................... 111
What is eFuel? ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 112
Agriculture Ministry sign MoU with Microsoft for farmer welfare ......................................................................................... 112
Himachal Day: April 15 ...................................................................................................................................................................... 113
WHO Guidelines on Zoonosis .......................................................................................................................................................... 113
Withdrawal of US Forces from Afghanistan ................................................................................................................................. 114
Online Grievance Management Portal of NCSC launched ........................................................................................................ 115
MANAS Application launched ......................................................................................................................................................... 115
ISRO Espionage Case ......................................................................................................................................................................... 116
BRICS seminar on Misuse of Internet by Terrorists ................................................................................................................... 117
Flipkart to acquire Cleartrip ............................................................................................................................................................. 117
Facebook’s First Renewable Project in India ................................................................................................................................. 118
IMF to distribute SDR to member countries by August ............................................................................................................ 118
120 Multiple Choice Questions ................................................................................................................................................................ 119

News Headlines
April 1, 2021
India
SC-appointed committee submits report on agricultural laws; its members were P. K. Mishra, Anil
Ghanwat and Ashok Gulati
DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) extends shelf life of Covishield vaccine from six to nine
months
No charging of electronic devices on board trains between 11 pm and 5 am: Railways
Cruise service starts between Surat and Diu; 13 hours one-way journey, 900 Rs. ticket
Punjab: Women can travel for free in all govt.-run buses within the state from April 1
UP: New excise policy to cut price of beer by Rs. 20/bottle from April 1
Army shutting down its 39 military cattle farms across the country; had annual maintenance cost of
Rs. 300 crores
Economy & Corporate
MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) inflation target band retained at 2%-6% for next 5 years: Govt.
At 4.6% in February 2021, core industries show sharpest contraction in six months
Auto-debit payments: RBI extends timeline for implementation of new rules till Sept 30 as banks
missed April 1 deadline
Government mops up Rs 32,835 crore from disinvestment of CPSEs in 2020-21
approves production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for food processing sector entailing an outlay of
Rs 10,900 crore
Covid impact: Govt extends deadline for PAN-Aadhaar linkage till June 30
World Bank raises India’s 2021-22 GDP growth forecast to 10.1% from 5.4% earlier
extends Rs 3-lakh-crore emergency credit line guarantee scheme (ECLGS) by till June 30
Atal Innovation Mission launches ‘AIM-PRIME’ in partnership with BMGF & Venture Center
SBI inks $1-bn loan agreement with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to extend loans
to supply chain of Japanese automobile industry in India
India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) to come
into force from April 1, 2021
Pakistan to resume import of sugar and cotton from India after 2 years
World
World Health Organisation & China release report on coronavirus origin, say virus transmission was
from bats to another animal and subsequently to humans
China refutes assertions of WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus that it did not provide
necessary access to the team of international experts and withheld data from them
Google to contribute 25 million euros towards the European Media and Information Fund to
strengthen media literacy skills and fight misinformation
Hitachi to buy US software developer GlobalLogic for $9.6 billion
April 6, 2021
Here are Today’s News Headlines by GK Today for April 6, 2021
India
DRDO develops Advanced Chaff Technology to safeguard naval ships against enemy missile attack
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan launches Integrated Health Information Platform; India becomes 1st
country to adopt such advanced disease surveillance system
CVC asks govt depts to transfer staff who have completed over 5 years in vigilance at same place

Arch of world’s highest railway bridge on Chenab river in J&K completed; is 359 m above river bed
level
Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh resigns after Bombay HC directed CBI to conduct
preliminary inquiry into corruption allegations against him
Economy & corporate
Spices Board India and UNDP India’s Accelerator Lab sign MoU to develop blockchain-powered
traceability Interface for Indian spices
Govt brings ordinance to introduce pre-packaged debt resolution for MSMEs
India attracts $72.12 bn FDI in Apr-Jan FY21; 15% higher than Apr-Jan FY20
World
Russia extends punitive Twitter slowdown until mid-May
International Day of Conscience celebrated by the UN on April 5
Sports
Ex-Gujarat DGP Shabir Hussein Shekhadam Khandwawala appointed as BCCI anti-corruption unit
chief
April 7, 2021
India
FM Nirmala Sitharaman meets US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry to discuss
various climate change issues
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar holds talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in New
Delhi.
Closing ceremony of 25-day long Dandi Padyatra as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav held in Dandi,
Gujarat
Justice N. V. Ramana to take charge as Chief Justice of India on April 24
Tarun Bajaj appointed new revenue secretary, Ajay Seth new Secretary for Department of Economic
Affairs (DEA)
Economy & corporate
IMF raises its FY22 growth forecast for India to 12.5% from 11.5% in its World Economic Outlook
(WEO) report
The IMF expects world output to grow 6% in 2021 and 4.4% in 2022
India hosts BRICS finance ministers and central bank governors meeting virtually from New Delhi
Centre promulgates Tribunals Reforms Ordinance; powers of appellate authorities shifted to High
Courts
National Dialogue on Manufacturing Excellence and Innovation for Competitiveness and
Sustainability of Chemicals Manufacturing held in New Delhi
India Inc must separate CMD post, April 01, 2022 deadline won’t be extended: SEBI
World Bank President David Malpass praises Serum Institute of India for coronavirus vaccine
World
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace observed by UN on April 6
Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin nominates PM Benjamin Netanyahu to form a govt following latest
inconclusive election
Arab world’s first nuclear power plant in UAE starts commercial operations; built by South Korea
Bangladesh: 27 dead as launch capsizes after collision with cargo vessel in Shitalakkhya river
IMF favours global minimum corporate tax: Chief economist Gita Gopinath

Sports
North Korea decides not to participate in Tokyo Olympics
April 8, 2021
Here are Today’s News Headlines by GK Today for April 8, 2021:
India:
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan and Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda launch ‘Anamaya –
the Tribal Health Collaborative’ to enhance the health and nutrition status of the tribal communities
Economy & corporate
Monetary Policy review: RBI keeps repo rate, reverse repo rate unchanged at 4% and 3.35%
RBI decides to open up RTGS, NEFT facilities for payment system operators such as Prepaid Payment
Instrument (PPI) issuers & white label ATM operators
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attends Second Virtual G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank
Governors Meeting
President promulgates Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021; aim is to
provide an efficient alternative insolvency resolution framework for MSMEs
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launches “मधुक्रान्तिपोर्टल” an initiative of National Bee
Board (NBB) to enable traceability source of honey and other beehive products
Govt launches Rs 4,500-cr PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme for manufacturers of solar PV
modules
Govt launches Rs 6238 crore PLI Scheme for manufacturers of Air Conditioners and LED Lights
MEA launches first online PDOT (Pre-Departure Orientation Training) Programme for migrant workers
launched to supplement physical training
WORLD
World Health Day celebrated on April 7, theme: “Building a fairer, healthier world for everyone”
International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda observed on April 7
S. restores assistance for Palestinians, to provide $235 million in aid
Sports
Nethra Kumanan becomes first Indian woman sailor to qualify for Olympics
April 9, 2021
India
PM Modi participates in virtual meeting with President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan; the two
leaders jointly inaugurate New Magistrates’ Court Building in Seychelles capital Mahe, a fast patrol
vessel (FPV) christened as ‘PS Zoroaster’, one MW solar power plant and 10 HICDPs (High Impact
Community Development Projects)
India-Bahrain High Joint Commission meeting held in New Delhi; co-chaired by EAM S. Jaishankar
and his Bahrain counterpart Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani
1st meeting of India-Maldives Joint Working Group on ‘Counter Terrorism, Countering Violent
Extremism and De-Radicalisation’ held on a virtual platform
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria flies Su-30MKI fighter jet in Bengaluru to witness its ‘capability
enhancement’
Indian Army officer Lieutenant Colonel Bharat Pannu breaks two Guinness World Records for fastest
solo cycling
Army Chief Gen. M. M. Naravane leaves for Bangladesh on 5-day visit
Project RE-HAB (Reducing Elephant Human Attacks using Bees) will soon be replicated in all states:

Govt.
Try artificial rain to douse forest fires: Uttarakhand High Court tells state govt.
Varanasi Court orders ASI probe into Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi Mosque dispute
Economy & corporate
RBI doubles limit of maximum balance that an individual customer can hold with payments banks to
Rs 2 lakh
World
India contributes $500,000 to United Nations Trust Fund for Counter-Terrorism; India’s total
contribution now USD 1.05 million.
BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) nations ask developed economies to provide finance to
developing nations to battle climate change
Australian air force to call its personnel aviators rather than airmen, women comprise 20%
Recovery underway after worst global recession since World War II: IMF MD Christine Georgieva
France: President Emmanuel Macron announces plans to scrap elite ENA (Ecole Nationale
d’Administration) graduate school and replace it with a new institute; ENA seen as symbol of elitism
Sports
Athlete Dutee Chand to receive Chhattisgarh government’s Veerni Award; holds national record of
11.22 secs in women’s 100m
April 10, 2021
India
PM Modi holds virtual summit with PM of Netherlands Mark Rutte
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holds talks with Defence Minister Kazakhstan Lieutenant General
Nurlan Yermekbayev in New Delhi
US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry calls on PM Modi in New Delhi
US Navy conducts exercise in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone without prior consent; 130 nautical
miles west of the Lakshadweep Islands
Deposit compensation for 2 Indian fishermen killed off Kerala coast by Italian marines in Feb 2012,
SC tells Centre
NanoSniffer, world’s first microsensor-based explosive trace detector, launched; developed by
NanoSniff Technologies, an IIT Bombay incubated startup
Economy & corporate
India’s consumption of petroleum products contracts 9.1% in 2020-21; first since 1998-99
Net direct tax mop up exceeds revised estimates by 5% at Rs 9.45 lakh crore in 2020-21
India’s foreign exchange reserves decline by $2.415 billion to $576.869 billion in the week ended April
2
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participates in 103rd meeting Development Committee Meeting
of World Bank-IMF
World
Covid-19: IMF policy panel endorses $650 billion increase in resources to support for vulnerable
countries
1 NASA astronaut, 2 Russian cosmonauts arrive at International Space Station on Soyuz MS-18
spacecraft that had taken off from Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan
UK’s Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, dies at age of 99

April 11, 2021
India
West Bengal Assembly elections: 4 killed in CISF firing at a polling booth in Cooch Behar district
Centre to observe ‘Tika Utsav’ on April 11-14 across the country; aim to vaccinate maximum eligible
people
World Homeopathy Day celebrated on April 10; the birth anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann
(1755-1843)
World Homeopathy Day theme for India: “Homeopathy- Roadmap for Integrative Medicine”
S. Swaminathan felicitated for work towards TB eradication by Chennai-based NGO REACH
CSIR removes NEERI (National Environment Engineering and Research Institute), Nagpur head Rakesh
Kumar as Director over corruption allegations
Economy & corporate
NITI Aayog launches Online Dispute Resolution Handbook
World
BASIC nations oppose European Union’s idea of ‘carbon border tax’ as part of its green push; call it
trade barrier
ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) launches ‘Little Guru’ app to promote Sanskrit learning, in
the Indian embassy at Beijing
La Soufrière volcano erupts on Caribbean island of St. Vincent
Indonesia: 6.0 magnitude earthquake on Java Island kills seven
Sri Lanka: Jaffna Mayor Viswalingam Manivannan arrested for ‘promoting LTTE ideology’; released on
bail
Iran unveils advanced nuclear centrifuges at Natanz uranium enrichment plant
UAE names first female astronaut Noura al-Matroushi for its space programme
China imposes $2.8 bn penalty on Jack Ma’s Alibaba Group in monopoly probe
Sports
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurates Khelo India State Centre of Excellence for Rowing at Water
Sports Academy in Srinagar
Women wrestlers Anshu Malik (57 kg), Sonam Malik (62 kg) qualify for Tokyo Olympics
April 12, 2021
LILAVATI AWARDS
Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ presented the AICTE Lilavati Awards 2020 in
New Delhi
Based on the theme ‘Women Empowerment’, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
selected winners in 6 sub themes
Six sub themes: Women’s Health, Self-Defense, Sanitation and Hygiene, Literacy, Women
Entrepreneurship and Legal Awareness
SWEAT (Sona Women Entrepreneurship and Training) from Sona College of Technology, Tamil Nadu
won in the ‘Women Entrepreneurship’ sub theme
Under the ‘Literacy’ sub theme, Bharatiya Vidyapeeth of Institute of Management and
Entrepreneurship Development Pune won the award
WIT Women Health Coalition from Walchand Institute of Technology, Maharashtra won the award
under the ‘Women’s Health’ sub theme

Radiant Seetha from Thiagarajar Polytechnic College won the contest in the ‘Legal Awareness’ sub
theme
Paritrana from St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Tamil Nadu won the award for the ‘Self Defense’
sub theme
India
Indian Army chief Gen M. M. Naravane attends the Army Chiefs’ Conclave in Bangladesh
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
Centre prohibits exports of injection Remdesivir and Remdesivir Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
(API) till the COVID situation in the country improves
SBI collected Rs 300 crore from zero-balance accounts for certain services in 5 years, reveals study
World
Philippines and US to hold 2-week “Balikatan” (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) military exercise from April 12
Ramsey Clark, former U.S. attorney general and human rights activist, dies at 93
K. to set up £43 million fund for migrants from Hong Kong; will offer help in accessing housing, jobs
and education
Vietnam: Nguyen Xuan Phuc sworn in as new President in capital Hanoi
BAFTA
British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) awards presented in London
Best Picture: ‘Nomadland’
Best Director: Chloe Zhao for ‘Nomadland’
Best Actress: Frances McDormand for ‘Nomadland’
Best Actor: Anthony Hopkins for ‘The Father’
SPORTS
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama wins the Masters tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in
Augusta (US)
April 13, 2021
India
President appoints Sushil Chandra as the Chief Election Commissioner in the Election Commission of
India
VP releases commemorative postage stamp in memory of former Chief of Brahma Kumaris Rajyogini
Dadi Janki
1 crore plants along national highways geotagged across the country: Environment Minister Prakash
Javadekar
Centre extends ceasefire pacts with 3 Naga insurgent groups by a year
Sonu Sood appointed brand ambassador for Punjab’s COVID vaccination drive
Economy & corporate
Minister for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh launches 75 series Pension
awareness to mark 75 years of independence
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal launches trade facilitation mobile app of Directorate
General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
Factory output, measured in terms of Index of Industrial Production (IIP), contracts 3.6% in February
2021
Consumer price index (CPI)-based inflation rises to 5.5% in March
No meals in domestic flights with a duration of less than two hours

World
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan launch construction of trans-border trade center named ‘Central Asia’
Norway raises alarm over unhindered exploitation of dual use technology by Pakistan
Tropical cyclone Seroja rips across 1000 kilometers stretch of Western Australia
International Day of Human Space Flight celebrated on April 12; commemorates the historic space
flight that Yuri Gagarin took on 12 April, 1961.
April 14, 2021

India
Raisina Dialogue being organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research
Foundation from April 13 to 16
Raisina Dialogue theme: “#ViralWorld: Outbreaks, Outliers and Out of Control”
‘Poshan Gyan’, a digital repository on health and nutrition, launched by NITI Aayog in tie up with Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation and Ashoka University
Economy & corporate
Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal launches e-SANTA – an electronic marketplace
connecting aquaculture farmers and buyers
Govt’s indirect tax collections at Rs 10.71 lakh crore for FY21, 12% up vs FY20
NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation) secures Rs. 600 crores loan from Germany’s
Deutsche Bank for onward lending to cooperatives in the country
Private weather forecast company Skymet forecasts ‘healthy normal’ monsoon in 2021
Atal Innovation Mission collaborates with Bayer to work towards healthcare and agriculture
innovations
India gets third coronavirus vaccine as DCGI approves Russia’s Sputnik V for ‘restricted use in
emergency situations’
World
Ecuador: Guillermo Lasso elected new President
Pakistan human rights icon I.A. Rehman dies at 90 in Lahore
Japan to release over 1 million tonnes of contaminated water from Fukushima nuclear plant into sea
Fukushima nuclear plant was crippled by a 2011 earthquake and tsunami
Sports
Former hockey player Balbir Singh Junior (88) dies; was member of team that won silver at the 1958
Asian Games
April 15, 2021
India
Principal Scientific Adviser to Govt, Prof. K Vijay Raghavan launches MANAS App promote wellbeing
across age groups
MANAS stands for Mental Health and Normalcy Augmentation System
Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launches Aahaar Kranti mission with the motto ‘Uttam Aahaar-
Uttam Vichaar or Good Diet-Good Cognition’ to spread awareness about nutrition
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launches Online Grievance Management Portal of National
Commission for Scheduled Castes
Raisina Dialogue: ‘Huge potential for India, NATO to collaborate,’ says NATO Secretary General Jens

Stoltenberg
India, France can assume leadership role in boosting global action against climate change: French
Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian
Former Chief Election Commissioner G.V.G. Krishnamurty dies at 86
Economy & corporate
Fund raising for Public Issues (Rs 46,030 crore) and Rights Issues (Rs. 64,059 crores) registered an
increase of 115% and 15% respectively in FY 2020-21
Fund raising through corporate bond issues (Rs. 7,82,427.39 crore) rises by 13.5% in FY 2020-21
Atal Innovation Mission and NITI Aayog sign agreement with Dassault Systemes Foundation to boost
innovation among aspiring young minds
Union Ministry of Agriculture signs MoU with Microsoft for a pilot project in 100 villages of 6 states to
develop farmer interface for smart and well-organized agriculture
IFC to invest $100 mn in JC Flowers India fund to help resolve NPAs
International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a World Bank Group entity
World
Alessandra Galloni becomes first woman editor-in-chief of Reuters in its 170-year history
US: Bernie Madoff, mastermind of giant Ponzi scheme, dies in prison at 82
World Chagas Disease Day observed by WHO on April 14
April 1, 2021
Utkal Divas – 2021
Odisha will celebrate its 85th foundation day of the state on April 1. The day is also known as ‘Utkal Divas’.
The day marks the date when the state became independent in the year 1936.
Key Points
Utkal Divas or Utkala Dibasa or Odisha Day is celebrated on April 1 every year.
The day is celebrated in the memory of the struggle for achieving a separate identity for the state that
was once part of Kalinga ruled by emperor Ashok, and later by Kharavela.
Odisha became India’s first independent state on a language basis on April 1, 1936, i.e. 85 years ago.
After a long struggle of more than three centuries, Odisha became a separate province.
The state was carved out of the combined Bengal-Bihar-Orissa province.
The day is usually celebrated through various public events. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has
affected the celebrations this year and the day will be celebrated in a low-key manner.
Odisha
As of 2019, the state has 30 districts. It is the 8th largest state of the country by area and 11th largest by
population. The neighboring states of Odisha are Andhra Pradesh to the south, Chhattisgarh to the west,
and West Bengal and Jharkhand to the north.
What are Military Farms? Why Indian Army has closed them?
Indian Army has closed its Military farms on March 31 after 132 years of service. Military farms are the
farms that were formed with an aim to supply hygienic cow milk to troops in garrisons across British India.
Key Points
Now, the military farms have been closed and all the officers and workers of the farms have been
redeployed within the Ministry to continue providing service to the organization.
Various recommendations were given in the past to shut down the farms.
In the year 2012, the Quarter Master General branch had recommended their closure.
After this again in December 2016 Lt. Gen. DB Shekatkar (retd) committee also suggested the
shutdown of farms.
The first military farm was formed on February 1, 1889, at Allahabad.
After independence, the farms increased with 30,000 heads of cattle in 130 farms all over India.
In the 1990s, farms were even established in Leh and Kargil.
For over a century, these farms supplied 3.5 crore litres of milk and 25,000 MT of hay yearly.
The farms were required as cantonments were located at a distance from urban areas.
Now with urban expansion, cantonments have also come within towns and cities and milk
procurement is being increasingly done from the open market.
Various allegations of corruption surrounding the farms were also noticed over the years. This was
also one of the reasons contributing to the shut down of the farms.
The farms are also credited with introducing organized dairying in India and pioneering the technique
of artificial insemination of cattle.
These farms provided yeoman service during the 1971 war, supplying milk at the Western and Eastern
war fronts as well as during the Kargil operations to the Northern Command.
Project Freiswal
They established “Project Freiswal” in association with the Ministry of Agriculture. Project Freiswal is
credited to be the largest cattle cross-breeding programme in the world. These farms also teamed up with
the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in the development of bio-fuel.
PLI Scheme for Food Processing Industry: Key Facts
The Union Cabinet has approved a production-linked incentive scheme for the food processing industry with
an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore.
Key Points
The scheme was announced by the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution,
Piyush Goyal.
The scheme is a fitting tribute to farmers and it will be helpful in generating employment for 2.5 lakh
people.
The scheme would also lead to additional exports of Rs 30,000 crore to Rs 35,000 crore.
The aim of the scheme is to strengthen select Indian brand of food products for global visibility,
support the creation of global food manufacturing champions, increase employment opportunities of
off-farm jobs, ensuring remunerative prices of farm produce and higher income to farmers and wider
acceptance in the international markets.
The scheme would cover ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, marine products, processed fruits and
vegetables, and mozzarella cheese.
Organic products, poultry meat, egg products, and free-range eggs were also covered.
The implementation of the PLI scheme will be helpful in the expansion of processing capacity for
generating processed food output of Rs 33,494 crore.
It will also create employment for nearly 2.5 lakh persons by the year 2026-27.
The selected applicants for the scheme will have to invest in plant and machinery in the first two years –
2021-2022 and 2022-2023.
What is Carnivac-Cov Vaccine?
The first animal vaccine against the novel coronavirus in the world has been registered in Russia. It was
announced by the country’s agriculture safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor.
Key Points
The world’s first animal vaccine against the novel coronavirus has been named as Carnivac-Cov.
As per the watchdog, the immunity will last for 6 months after the vaccination. However, the
developers of the dose are continuously analyzing this.

As per Rosselkhoznadzor, the mass production of the Covid-19 vaccine is expected to start as early
as April 2021.
As per Russian scientists, the use of this vaccine can prevent the development of virus mutations in
animals.
All about Carnivac-Cov
Carnivac-Cov vaccine for animals has been developed by a unit of Rosselkhoznadzor (Federal Service
for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance).
The clinical trials of Carnivac-Cov began in October 2020 and the trials included cats, minks, dogs,
foxes, Arctic foxes, and other animals.
This vaccine is the world’s first and only product for preventing Covid-19 in animals.
The results of the trials showed that the vaccine is harmless and highly immunogenic as all the
vaccinated animals developed antibodies to the coronavirus in 100% of cases.
Covid-19 Cases in Russia
Coronavirus cases in Russia rose by 8,711 to 4,528,543 on 29 March. Russia already has 3 Covid-19
vaccines for humans to deal with the pandemic. The most popular vaccine used for humans is Sputnik V.
Moscow has also given emergency approval to two others, CoviVac and EpiVacCorona.
Computer Aided CME Tracking Software (CACTus) and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)
Scientists have developed a new technique for tracking the huge bubbles of gas threaded with magnetic
field lines that are ejected from the Sun, disrupting space weather and causing satellite failures,
geomagnetic storms, and power outages.
Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)
The ejections from the Sun are technically called Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). These cause several
disturbances to the space environment and thus forecasting their arrival time is very crucial. The
forecasting accuracy is however hindered by limited CME observations in interplanetary space.
Computer Aided CME Tracking Software (CACTus)
Computer Aided CME Tracking Software (CACTus) is a software-based on computer vision algorithm
that was so far used to detect and characterize such eruptions automatically in the outer corona
where these eruptions cease to show accelerations and propagate with an almost constant speed.
However, due to the vast acceleration experienced by these eruptions, this algorithm could not be
applied to the inner corona observations.
This problem limited the capability to track the eruptions as CMEs accelerate in the lower corona.
In addition to this, with the advancement in space technology, there has been a tremendous increase
in the amount of data obtained from spacecraft.
Thus, it can become a tedious task to identify and track the solar eruptions in a huge number of
images if done manually.
CMEs Identification in Inner Solar Corona (CIISCO)
Research led by Mr. Ritesh Patel, Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, and Dr. Vaibhav Pant from Aryabhatta
Research Institute of observational sciences (ARIES), Nainital along with their collaborators from
Royal Observatory of Belgium, has led to the development of an algorithm, CMEs Identification in
Inner Solar Corona (CIISCO).
CIISCO has been developed to detect and track the accelerating solar eruption in the lower corona.
CIISCO was tested on various eruptions observed by space observatories, including Solar-Terrestrial
Relations Observatory, PROBA2/SWAP, and Solar Dynamics Observatory launched by ESA and NASA,
respectively.
The parameters which are determined by CIISCO are helpful in characterizing these eruptions in the

lower corona. When CIISCO will be implemented on the large volume of data available from space
observatories, it will help in improving our understanding of eruptions in the inner corona.
Aditya-L1
Aditya-L1, the first solar mission of India, will observe the lower region of the solar corona. Thus,
implementation of CIISCO on the Aditya-L1 data will provide new insight into the CME properties in this less
explored region.
Mahendragiri: Odisha's Second Biosphere Reserve
The Odisha state government has proposed a second biosphere reserve in the southern part of the state at
Mahendragiri. It is a mountain in the Gajapati district of the state. It is at an altitude of 1,501 metres.
Mahendragiri is also the second-highest peak in the state.
Key Points
The area of the proposed 2nd biosphere reserve of the state- Mahendragiri Biosphere Reserve is
approximately 470,955 hectares.
As per a feasibility report prepared by the Biosphere Reserve Committee for the proposed project, the
hill ecosystem is acting as a transitional zone between the flora and fauna of southern India and the
Himalayas. This makes the region an ecological estuary of genetic diversity.
The feasibility report has been submitted to the government which will now be taken up by the Union
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Recently, at a workshop titled Integrated Development of Mahendragiri Hill Complex, many
environmentalists also urged the state government to send a proposal to centre for declaring
Mahendragiri a biosphere reserve.
At some time, the protected archeological remains of Mahendragiri were listed in the tentative list of
Unesco World Heritage Sites, thus, it is easy to declare it as a biosphere reserve.
Soura people are the inhabitants at Mahendragiri. Soura is a particularly vulnerable tribal group as
well as the Kandha tribe.
As per the report of the proposed Mahendragiri Biosphere Reserve, Mahendragiri has diverse
vegetation. The rich flora in Mahendragiri represents 40 percent of the reported flora of Odisha, with
around 1,358 species of plants.
Also, out of the 41 species of threatened medicinal plants found in Odisha (as per the International
Union for the Conservation of Nature), 29 are found in the biosphere reserve area.
The faunal diversity of the hills consists of 388 species of animals, including 165 species of birds, 27
species of mammals, 23 species of snakes, three species of turtles, 15 species of amphibians, and
19 lizards.
Similipal Biosphere Reserve
Similipal Biosphere Reserve is the first biosphere reserve of Odisha. It was notified on May 20, 1996. It has
an area of a 5,569-square kilometre.
Forest Governance by Indigenous and Tribal Peoples: Key Findings
A new report titled Forest Governance by Indigenous and Tribal Peoples has been released by the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Fund for the Development of Indigenous
Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC).
Key Points
The deforestation rates in the Caribbean and Latin America are lower in Indigenous and Tribal
territories.
On the basis of over 300 studies published in the last two decades, the new report highlights that
Indigenous and Tribal Peoples have generally been much better guardians of their forests in

comparison to those responsible for the region’s other forests.
Indigenous and tribal peoples and the forests in their territories play important roles in regional and
global climate action as well as fighting against hunger, poverty, and malnutrition.
These territories contain about 1/3rd of all the carbon stored in the forests of Latin America and the
Caribbean and 14% of the carbon stored in tropical forests worldwide.
The best results were found in indigenous territories that have recognized collective legal titles to
their lands: between 2000 and 2012, deforestation rates in these territories in the Brazilian, Bolivian,
and Colombian Amazon were only 1/2 to 1/3rd of those in other forests with similar ecological
characteristics.
Titled territories suffer lower deforestation, emit less carbon
As per one of the studies analyzed in the FAO/FILAC report, the deforestation rate inside indigenous
woodlands where the land property has been ensured is 2.5 times lower than outside such areas in Brazil, 2
times less in Colombia, and 2.8 times lower in Bolivia.
In these three countries, the titled collective territories were found to avoid between 42.8 and 59.7 million
metric tons (MtC) of CO2 emissions each year. These combined emissions were equal to taking between 9
and 12.6 million vehicles out of circulation for one year.
As per the FAO/FILAC report, the costs involved in securing indigenous lands are 5 to 42 times lower as
compared to the average costs of avoided CO2 through fossil carbon capture and storage for both gas-fired
and coal power plants.
Indigenous and tribal peoples are invaluable agents against climate change
It should be noted that around 45% (half) of the intact forests in the Amazon Basin are present in
indigenous territories. The area of intact forest decreased by only 4.9% between the years 2000 and 2016 in
the region’s indigenous areas. However, in the non-indigenous areas, the decline was 11.2%.
What is Article 244(A) of the Constitution?
Recently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a video message promised to implement Article 244 (A) of the
Constitution in order to safeguard the interests of the people in tribal-majority districts of Assam.
What is Article 244(A) of the Constitution?
Article 244(A) of the Constitution allows the creation of an ‘autonomous state’ within Assam in certain tribal
areas. It was inserted into the Constitution by the Congress government in the year 1969. It also includes a
provision for a Legislature and a Council of Ministers.
How the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution is different from Article 244(A)?
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution — Articles 244(2) and 275(1) — is a special provision that allows
decentralized governance and greater political autonomy in certain tribal areas of the Northeast through
autonomous councils that are administered by elected representatives. If we talk about Assam, the hill
districts of Karbi Anglong, West Karbi, Dima Hasao, and the Bodo Territorial Region are under the provision
of the 6th schedule.
On the other hand, Article 244(A) provides more autonomous powers to tribal areas.
Why is the demand for implementing Article 244(A) in Assam?
Initially, a demand for a separate hill state came up in certain sections of the tribal population of undivided
Assam in the 1950s. In the year 1960, several political parties of the hill areas came together to form the All
Party Hill Leaders Conference and put forward the demand for a separate state. As a result of these
prolonged agitations, Meghalaya was formed in the year 1972.
At that time, the leaders of the North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong were also part of this movement. They
were given an option to stay in Assam or join Meghalaya. They stayed in Assam on the promise of the
Congress government of providing greater powers, including Article 244 (A).

Since then, there has been a demand for implementing Article 244 (A) in the state. In the 1980s, a violent
movement also took place for the demand.
Recently in February 2021, around 1,040 militants of five militant groups of Karbi Anglong district laid down
arms at an event in Guwahati in the presence of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
2021 Global Gender Gap Index: Key findings and India's Rank
The World Economic Forum has released the Global Gender Gap Report 2021. India has seen a decrease in
its ranking on the index by 28 places.
Key Points
India has been ranked 140th among 156 countries on the index. With this, India became the third-
worst performer in South Asia.
As per the index, India has closed 62.5% of its gender gap to date.
In 2020, India was ranked 112th among 153 countries.
The decline also took place on the economic participation and opportunity subindex.
The report highlighted that India’s gender gap on this dimension widened by 3% this year, leading to a
32.6% gap closed till date.
Most of the decrease has been seen on the political empowerment subindex, where India regressed
13.5 percentage points. The women ministers have declined to 9.1% in 2021 from 23.1% in 2019).
One of the drivers of this decline is a decrease in women’s labor force participation rate, which
decreased from 24.8% to 22.3%.
The share of women in professional and technical roles also decreased to 29.2%.
In senior and managerial positions, the share of women is also low. Only 14.6% of these positions are
held by women and only 8.9% of firms are with female top managers.
The income earned by women in India is the only 1/5th of that earned by men. This has put India
among the bottom 10 globally on this indicator.
Discrimination against women is also seen in the health and survival subindex statistics. With 93.7%
of this gap closed to date, India has been ranked among the bottom five countries in this subindex.
India and its Neighbours
Among India’s neighbors, Nepal has been ranked 106, Bangladesh 65, Afghanistan 156, Pakistan 153,
Sri Lanka 116, and Bhutan 130.
South Asia is the second-lowest performer on the index among regions. The region has an overall
gender gap closed at 62.3%.
In the South Asia region, only two countries- Pakistan and Afghanistan have been ranked below India.
Iceland has topped the index for the 12th time and is the most gender-equal country in the world. The top 10
most gender-equal countries are Iceland, Finland, Norway, New Zealand, Rwanda, Sweden, Ireland, and
Switzerland.
What are New Rates on PPF, Small Savings Schemes?
The government withdrew its a day before the order of reduction of 40-110 basis points in interest rates of
small savings schemes including Public Provident Fund (PPF) and National Savings Certificate (NSC).
What was the announcement?
As per an announcement on March 31, the government announced a sharp cut in the interest rate of PPF,
NSC, and others. As per the order, PPF would have fetched an interest rate of 6.4 percent and NSC 5.9
percent. But, the order has been withdrawn on April 1. The present interest rates of the schemes are given
below.
Public Provident Fund (PPF)
A Public Provident Fund or PPF will give an interest rate of 7.1 percent (compounded annually). PPF is a

long-term tax-saving instrument that provides a fixed rate of interest annually on the amount that you
invested during the year. PPF has a lock-in period of 15 years. The interest earned in a PPF account is tax-
free. The amount that is deposited during the fiscal year can be claimed under Section 80C.
National Savings Certificate (NSC)
A National Savings Certificate or NSC gives an interest rate of 6.8 percent which is compounded annually
but payable at maturity. NSC has a tenure of five years and comes with a fixed rate of interest.
Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme
Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme will provide an interest of 7.6 percent compounded annually. It is also
known as Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and was launched in the year 2015 as part of the “Beti Bachao, Beti
Padhao” initiative of the government. It can only be opened by the natural or legal guardian of a girl child
aged below 10 years.
The account matures after 21 years from the date of opening. If the marriage of the account holder takes
place before 21 years, then the operation of the account is not permitted beyond the date of her marriage.
Kisan Vikas Patra
Kisan Vikas Patra is a savings scheme available at the India Post Offices in the form of certificates. The
scheme provides a fixed rate and doubles the investment after a predetermined period of time. At present,
the interest rate is 6.9% and the time period is 124 months.
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme at present offers an interest rate of 7.4 percent (compounded quarterly).
The scheme is available for those over 60 years of age.
April 3, 2021
What is Suez Canal Blockade?
A container ship called the “Ever Given” recently ran aground in the Suez Canal. This blocked more than 400
ships from transiting the canal. The blockage created huge impacts on global trade and is referred to as
Suez Canal Crisis 2021 or Suez Canal Blockade.
Impacts of the Blockade
The Cargo ship was headed from China to Netherlands. It had run aground in the canal and got stuck for a
week. The global trade losses due to the blockage is estimated to be 9 billion USD.
India’s Four Point Plan to deal the Blockade
The Government of India had framed a 4-Point Plan to deal with the Suez Canal Blockade. The plan included
prioritization of cargo, advisory to ports, freight rates and re-routing of ships. The plan mainly focuses on
reducing Indian trade losses due to the blockage.
Under prioritization of cargo, the APEDA, MPEDA and FIEO will work together and identify perishable cargo
for priority movement.
APEDA-Agricultural and Processed food products Export Development Authority
MPEDA-Marine Products Export Development Authority
FIEO-Federation of Indian Export Organizations
About Suez Canal
The Suez Canal connects Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The canal was officially opened in 1869. Until
1956, the canal was primarily owned by the European shareholders (mostly British and French) and partly by
the Egyptian Government. In 1956, the then President of Egypt Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the canal.
This led to Suez Canal Crisis.
Suez Canal Crisis
It is also called Suez Crisis or the second Arab-Israeli war. In Israel, it is called the Sinai war and in the Arab
world it is called the Tripartite Aggression. The motive of the aggression was to regain the control of Suez

Canal and remove President Nasser who had nationalized the canal. The aggression against Egypt was
started by Israel followed by UK and France. The three allies succeeded in capturing the canal. However,
there was huge pressure from the US and the Soviet Union against the invasion.
The crisis led to the closure of the canal between October 1956 and March 1957. Due to the conflict, the UN
created the United Nations Emergency Force Peacekeepers. The force polices Egyptian-Israeli border.
The British Prime Minister Anthony Eden resigned due to the crisis. The Canadian External Affairs Minister
Lester Pearson won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the conflict.
First Image of Black Hole Magnetic Field
For the first time, international scientists working on the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) have created an
image showing the magnetic field around a black hole. The black hole is located in M87 galaxy.
Black Hole Magnetic Field Image
In 2019, the astronomers working on the EHT captured the first image of the shadow of the same black
hole. The shadow of the black hole is a dark region that surrounds the black hole. It is three times the
diameter of the black hole. The shadow of the black hole is the point beyond which even light cannot
escape.
Now the scientists have analyzed the polarization of light in the bright region around the shadow of the
black hole. According to the analysis, some matter is sucked into the black hole and the other matter is
blasted out in jets. This blasted out matter is hot and violent. It creates large amounts of light as the matter
here is accelerated.
The conclusion of the analysis is that only presence of strong magnetic fields shall polarize this huge
volume of light energy.
The new image will help to understand how powerful jets of radiation are emitted by black holes.
What is Polarization of light?
Polarization is a phenomenon caused due to the electromagnetic property of light. Light waves vibrate in
more than one plane and is referred to as unpolarized light wave. On the other hand, the polarized light
waves are waves in which vibrations occur in a single plane.
As light waves are electromagnetic in nature, only strong magnetic field can polarize light waves.
M87
Messier 87 or M87 is a supergiant elliptical galaxy. It has more than 15,000 globular clusters. It is larger in
size as compared to the Milky Way that has only 150 globular clusters. The M87 is one of the brightest radio
sources. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1781. It is 53 million light years away from the earth.
Event Horizon Telescope
The Event Horizon Telescope is a telescope array that consists of a global network of radio telescopes. The
main observational targets of the telescope project are two black holes. These black holes are located in
Messier 87 and Sagittarius A. Just like M 87, Sagittarius A is also a radio source and is located at the
Galactic Center of the Milky Way. Galactic Centre is the rotational center of the Milky Way galaxy.
The Milky Way galaxy is at its brightest in three spots. They are Sagittarius, Scorpius and Ophiuchus. The
Milky Way is brighter in Sagittarius probably due to the presence of a black hole.
In 2020, Andrea Ghez and Reinhard Genzei received Nobel Prize in Physics. They discovered that black hole
is the only explanation for the mass and brightness around Sagittarius A.
Biggest Floating Solar Power Plant of India
The biggest floating solar power plant of India is to be set up at Ramagundam in Telangana.
About Ramagundam Solar Power Plant
The capacity of the solar power plant is 100 MW.
It is expected to be opened in May 2021.

The solar power plant is being set up at the Ramagundam Thermal Power Plant reservoir.
The solar power plant is to be set up in 450 acres of the reservoir.
The project is commissioned by NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation). NTPC aims to reduce
its carbon footprints and increase its green energy production to 30% of its capacity through this
solar power plant.
The cost of the project has been estimated as Rs 423 crores.
The power plant will have 4.5 lakh photovoltaic panels.
World largest Floating Solar Power Plant
The largest solar power plant in the world is being set up by India on Omkar Eshwar Dam on Narmada river
in Madhya Pradesh. The cost of this project is estimated to be Rs 3,000 crores. The project is expected to
start its power generation by 2022-23.
The panels of the solar power plant are capable of adjusting their positions when the water level of
the dam is low.
The World Bank, Power Grid and International Finance Corporation are providing financial aid for the
project.
The power plant is designed in such a way to withstand strong waves and floods and continue to
generate power at the same time.
Floating Solar Power Plants in India
The first floating solar power plant in India was installed in Kolkata in 2014. Currently, the largest floating
solar power plant of India is located in Banasura Sagar reservoir in Wayanad, Kerala. The capacity of this
plant is 500 KW.
Types of Solar Power Plants
The two major types of solar power plants are Floating Photo Voltaic Solar Power Plant and Concentrated
Solar Power Plant. The concentrated solar power plants use mirrors to redirect the solar power. On the
other hand, the floating solar power plants are mounted on a structure that floats on a water body.
Advantages of Floating Solar Power Plants
As floating solar power plants are compact, installation and decommissioning are much easier.
No land is required
The cooling system of floating solar power plants is simpler. It is natural.
Environment friendly.
IRDAI: Health Insurance and Motor Insurance Filing Process Standardised
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) recently standardised the technical
notes for filing health and motor insurance policies.
The IRDAI has lately been taking up several initiatives to standardise the health insurance products in the
country. This is mainly being done to reduce the complexities faced by the customers at the time of renewal
or buying an insurance policy.
What are the new rules introduced?
The IRDAI has standardised the technical notes to file health and motor insurances. The insurers will now
need to submit a technical note detailing the price of his or her insurance product (Insurer is the person who
offers the insurance). In other words, the insurer should explain the pricing of every feature of the insurance
product. By this, the customers can make an informed and calculative choice. Also, this will ensure
uniformity among insurers.
Background
Earlier there were huge price hikes in the health insurance sector because of new feature additions. Now
with this new change, the insurance company is answerable to every penny charged over a feature.

What is the issue?
IRDAI recently modified the guidelines on health insurance products. Accordingly, the health insurers were
not allowed to modify existing benefits. However, they shall add new benefits to their existing products.
This increased the prices of the insurance policies.
Legal Parameters of the new changes
The changes are being introduced under the provisions of Section 34 of Insurance Act, 1938 and Schedule
III of IRDAI (Health Insurance) Regulations, 2016.
IRDAI
The IRDAI is the apex body that regulates and develops the insurance industry of India. It was established
under the IRDAI Act, 1999. The headquarters of IRDAI is located in Hyderabad, Telangana. The main
functions of IRDAI are as follows
It protects the rights of policy holders
It provides the registration certificate to insurance companies in India.
It is also responsible for modification, renewal and cancellation of insurance policies.
It creates guidelines and regulations to protect the interests of policy holders in the country.
Insurance sector in India
The insurance sector in India has witnessed several changes over the years. They are as follows
LIC Act, 1956.
GIC Act, 1972.
IRDAI Act, 1999.
Opening up of the insurance sector to private and foreign players in 2000.
In 2015, the foreign investment in the insurance sector was increased from 26% to 49%.
In 2019-20 Union Budget, 100% FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in the insurance sector was
announced.
Thermal Power Plants Emission Standards
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently amended the rules of thermal power
plants emission standards. The new rule has extended the deadline for the thermal power plants within ten
kilometres of National Capital Region and in cities with more than ten lakh population to comply with the
new emission norms by the end of 2022. Earlier these power plants were required to comply with the
revised norms by December 2019.
What is the plan?
A task force is to be constituted by the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board). The task force will
categorise thermal power plants in three categories based on their location.
The deadline for the thermal power plants in “Non-Attainment Cities” to meet the emission norms has been
extended till December 31, 2023. The non-attainment cities are those that have consistently failed to meet
the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Around 124 such cities have been identified by the CPCB.
The coal fired power plants in the rest of the areas have to comply the new standards by December 2024.
Background
In 2015, the Environment Ministry revised the emission norms for Sulphur Dioxides, Nitrogen Oxides and
Particulate Matter released from thermal power plants. According to these norms, the thermal power plants
have to install emission control systems by 2017. However, the deadline was pushed to 2022 due to
implementation issues.
Pollutants from Thermal Power Plants
The pollutants released from a thermal power plant are Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxide, carbon monoxide,
ozone, Suspended Particulate Matter, non-methane hydrocarbons and lead. However, Sulphur Dioxide is the

major pollutant released from a thermal power plant.
Sulphur Dioxide in India
According to a report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, the Sulphur Dioxide emissions
in India declined by 6% in 2019 as compared to 2018. Still, India is the largest emitter of Sulphur Dioxide.
India has chosen the Flue Gas Desulphurization technique to reduce the emissions of toxic Sulphur Dioxide.
Flue Gas Desulphurisation
The removal of Sulphur Dioxide is called Flue Gas Desulphurization. The method removes gaseous
pollutants such as Sulphur Dioxide from exhaust flue gases generated from boilers and furnaces.
Initially, India had set 2017 as deadline to install Flue Gas Desulphurization Units. However, it was later
changed to 2022.
National Register for Driving Licenses: Key Facts
The Ministry of Road Transport recently announced that the National Register for Driving Licenses is to be
created. This is being done to remove duplication of driving licenses in the country. Most of the states are
already on the SARATHI portal of National Informatics Centre. These states have been instructed to migrate
to the newly created national register.
About the register
Around 1.5 lakh deaths occur in India annually due to road crashes. Most of these accidents are due to
driver’s fault. The register will include separate section to show the names of the people whose driving
licenses were revoked. Also, the register will red-flag them. This will help to minimise rash driving in the
country.
Driving License in India
Indian driving license norms permit use of electronic document for a learner’s license, medical
certificate and renewal of driving license.
The complete process of obtaining the learner’s license has been made online.
The driving licenses shall be renewed one year before the date of expiry.
The need to furnish vehicles for inspection at the RTO (Regional Transport Office) for registration has
been cancelled.
Types of Driving License in India
The different types of permanent driving license in India are as follows
Motorcycle without gear: The applicant should be at least sixteen years old to get this license. Also,
he or she should get a consent from his or her parent or guardian.
Motorcycles with gear: The applicant should be at least eighteen years old to get this license.
Commercial Heavy Vehicles: The applicant should have completed eighth standard and should be at
least eighteen years old.
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
The eligibilities and rules to obtain a driving license have been provided under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
According to the act, a theoretical test (15 multiple choice questions) on basic driving and traffic rules
should be conducted at the RTO when a person applies for license.
Section 130 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 allows a police officer to ask for vehicle related documents.
When asked, the driver should produce the documents within fifteen days at the police station or at the
concerned department.
Speed Limits in India
In April 2018, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways fixed the maximum speed on expressways as
120 km/hr. The speed limit for national highways is 100 km/hr. The speed limit for urban roads is 70 km/hr
for M1 category vehicles. The M1 category vehicles are those that have less than eight seats.

Indian Railway Electrification: New record
The Indian Railways has achieved the highest ever electrification of sections during 2020-21. It has covered
6,015 kilo metres of electrification in a single year. This is 37% higher than that achieved in 2019-20.
About the achievements
The Broad-Gauge network of Indian Railway currently stand at 63,949 kilo metres. Of this 71% has
been electrified.
In the last seven years, the electrification of Indian Railways has increased by seven times.
Totally 45,881 kilometres has been electrified. Of this 34% were electrified in the last three years.
The Indian Railways has also commissioned a record of 56 Traction Substations in 2020-21. In
2019-20, this was 42. Thus, the traction sub stations have increased by 33%.
Some of the major routes electrified in 2020-21 are Delhi-Darbhanga-Jaynagar, Mumbai-Howrah,
Gorakhpur-Varanasi, Chennai-Trichy and Jabalpur-Nainpur-Gondia-Ballarshah.
What is a Traction Substation?
A Traction Substation is an electrical substation. It converts electric power provided by the electric power
industry to a suitable power to be used in electric trains.
Electric Rail Transport in India
India uses 25 KV 50 Hz AC traction on its electrified tracks. DC traction is used for metros.
The first railway electrification in India began between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Kurla in
1925.
In 2017, Indian Railways announced that the entire rail network in the country is to be electrified by
2022. The deadline has been extended to 2024.
Central Organisation for Railway Electrification
The CORE is the centralised agency for railway electrification of Indian Railways. It was founded in 1961.
The headquarters of CORE is located in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Benefits of Railway Electrification
100% Electrification provides seamless train operation. This is because it will eliminate the need to
change the traction from diesel to electric and vice versa.
The line capacity shall be enhanced due to higher haulage capacity and higher speed.
The safety of the trains increase as the signalling system in electric traction is better.
The electric traction is much cheaper than diesel traction.
The electric trains are ideal for suburban services as they require higher acceleration and braking
features.
Electric Locomotive manufacturing units in India
Electric Locomotives are mainly manufactured in Chittaranjan Locomotive Works located in West Bengal. It
was founded in 1950. It is the largest locomotive manufacturer in the world. In 2019-20, it produced 431
locomotives.
The Madhepura Electric Locomotive Factory is located in Bihar. It is a joint venture between Alstom and
Ministry of Railway. It was established in 2015.
Tribes India Contest by TRIFED
The TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation Limited), Ministry of Tribal Affairs and
the Government of India have launched two interesting competitions for the tribal people. They are “Be the
Brand Ambassador of Tribes India” and “Be a Friend of TRIBES INDIA” contest. The contests were launched
in association with MyGov.in.
About the Contests
The contests were launched mainly to promote tribal crafts, lifestyle and culture. These contests will help in

increasing the awareness about tribal heritage, crafts and art among the general public. With more
awareness, the citizens will contribute more towards the tribal empowerment by purchasing more tribal
products.
Be the Brand Ambassador of Tribes India
This contest invites stories featuring a tribal product across the country. The story should highlight the
experience of the customer in using the tribal product.
Be a “Friend” of TRIBES INDIA
It is a quiz contest on Indian culture.
Significance
Tribes constitute to 8% of Indian population. However, they are the most disadvantaged sections of the
society. A general attitude that prevails among the public is that the tribes have to be taught and helped.
However, the truth is that the tribal population have a lot to teach the urban India. Their handicrafts, arts and
skills need to be preserved and promoted. The contests will help to achieve these objectives.
The contest is primarily held by TRIFED. TRIFED works towards improving the livelihoods of tribal people.
Other Initiatives of TRIFED
The Van Dhan Yojana was launched in 2018. It aims to promote the minor forest produce by establishing
Van Dhan Vikas Kendras. These kendras provide training facilities, infrastructure support, skill building
support, working capital to the tribal population. In August 2020, TRIFED launched TRIFOOD project along
with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. These TRIFOOD parks operate along with Van Dhan Yojana.
In March 2020, the Tech for Tribals scheme was launched. It aims to provide training to the forest product
gatherers. The scheme empowers the tribal entrepreneurs to run their business with marketable products.
The Van Dhan Samajik Doori Jagrookta Abhiyan was launched to educate the tribal population in COVID-19
related safety measures. This programme was launched in association with UNICEF.
Pakistan’s stand on Trade with India
Pakistan had stopped all the trade with India after Abrogation of Article 370 by the Indian Government. Also,
the Pakistani Government had announced that it would not talk to India until the Indian Government
completely rolled back the changes in Jammu and Kashmir. Lately, Pakistan has been softening its stand.
The Wagah border has been reopened for cotton and sugar imports from India almost after two years!
India-Pakistan Trade
The Indian exports to Pakistan fell by 16% in 2016-17 after the Uri attacks. In 2015-16 India exported
2.17 billion USD. In 2016-17, the Indian exports to Pakistan fell to 1.82 billion USD. On the other hand,
India imported 454.49 million USD from Pakistan in the same year.
In 2017-18, Indian exports increased by 6% and were at 1.92 billion USD. Indian imports increased by
7.5% and were at 488.56 million USD.
In 2018-19, the Indian exports to Pakistan again increased by 7.5% and were at 2.07 billion USD.
However, India reduced its imports from Pakistan in this financial year. In 2018-19, the imports from
Pakistan to India were at 494.87 million USD. This is just 1% increase and is highly low as compared
to the previous import growth.
In 2019 the political relations between the countries entered a deep freeze and India further reduced
its imports from Pakistan.
Why is Pakistan easing out its stand?
India has had trade surplus with Pakistan over the years. In 2018-19, Pakistan was one of the top fifty trade
partners of India. However, Pakistan was pushed out of the list in 2019-20. This affected Pakistan badly as
the country is heavily dependent on India for its raw materials, especially in pharmaceuticals and textiles
industries.

In 2018-19, organic chemicals and cotton accounted for half of Pakistani imports from India. The other
major Pakistani imports from India are nuclear reactors, plastic, dyeing extracts, boilers, mechanical
appliances, machinery. After the ban, the imports of these products fell drastically. The COVID-19 crisis
worsened the situation for Pakistan. This is now forcing Pakistan to ease trade relations with India.
Impacts on India
While Pakistan is facing troubles due to the trade ban, India has been stable in spite of the issue. This is
because India has found alternate trading destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Chile and UAE.
India mainly imports oil, Sulphur, edible fruits, mineral fuels, plastering materials, leather, slag and ash and
ores from Pakistan.
HSN Code: New rules
The Ministry of Finance recently announced that the businesses with annual turn over of more than Rs 5
crores will have to furnish six-digit HSN code on their tax invoices. The businesses with an annual turn over
of less than five crores of rupees have to furnish four-digit HSN code. Previously, the requirement was four
digits and two digits respectively.
What is HSN Code?
HSN is Harmonised System of Nomenclature. It was adopted by World Customs Organization in 1988. It is a
six-digit code that classifies various products. India adopted the HSN coding system in 1986 (even before
WCO) mainly to classify commodities for Customs and Central Excise.
The HSN codes apply to both GST and Customs.
It is used all over the world.
HSN codes make the process of filing GST easy as they remove the need to upload details about the
goods.
Understanding the HSN Code
The HSN code consists of 21 sections. Each section is divided into 99 chapters. Each chapter is divided
into 1244 headings. Each heading is divided into 5,224 sub headings. India uses eight-digit HSN code.
The first two digits of the HSN code denotes the chapter of the goods. It can be edible goods, non-
edible goods, perishable goods, inflammable goods, etc.
The next two digits in the HSN code denote headings in the chapter. This can be tomato, fish, petrol,
etc.
The rest of the code denotes the subheading. It can be chilled, fresh, dry, etc.
Who needs HSN code in India?
In India, the importers, exporters and manufactures have been using the HSN codes for a long time. Indian
dealers with an annual turn over of less than Rs 1.5 crores need not adopt HSN codes for their
commodities.
Significance of HSN code
More than 200 countries are using the HSN codes to gather international trade statistics, make trade
policies and to monitor goods. Thus, the HSN system helps to maintain a harmonized trade procedure all
over the world. It also helps to reduce the costs in international trade.
What is SAC HSN Code?
SAC Code is Services Accounting. The SAC HSN codes are issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes
and Customs (CBIC). These codes are used in invoices generated for the services delivered.
In December 2020, the CBIC had made it mandatory to mention the eight digit HSN code in tax invoices for
49 chemical based products.
Why did Haryana Government amend the Rules for conduct of business in Assembly?
The Haryana State Government recently added several new provisions to maintain the decorum of the State

Assembly. The provisions have been included based on the recommendations made by the committee
constituted by the Speaker of the Haryana State Legislative Assembly.
New Rules
The following are the new rules added to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Haryana
State Legislative Assembly:
A new provision has been added to Rule 76. According to the new rule, at least two ministers should
be present at every sitting of the house.
The members shall not tear off the documents in the House in protest.
The Sub Rule 46(11) has been substituted with a new rule. The new Sub Rule says that the question
asked by the members during the sitting of the house shall not contain more than 150 words. This
will help the ministers get a better clarity and provide proper reply to the query raised.
Another new provision says that a supplementary question shall be held out of order by the speaker if
in his opinion if the question has following issues
If the question does not arise from the main question.
If it provides information instead of seeking information.
If the question seeks confirmation or denial of an opinion.
If the question infringes any of the rules regarding the questions.
Rule 243 (A) has been added. The rule states that timely action should be taken when the committees
constituted by the Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha make recommendations.
New Definition to the Leader of Opposition
The new rules have given different definition to the Leader of Opposition. According to the new definition,
the Leader of Opposition is the leader of the legislative party with largest number of members other than the
party that has formed the government. If more than one party has got equal number of members then the
party with greater number of votes is to be chosen. If the number of votes received are also equal, then the
Office of the Leader of Opposition shall be held alternatively.
April 4, 2021
World in 2030: Public Survey Report
The World in 2030: Public Survey Report was recently published by UNESCO. The report was published by
the organisation based on the survey held between May 2020 and September 2020. The survey collected
responses from more than 15,000 people from all over the world.
Key Findings of the Report
According to the report, Climate Change, Violence and Conflict, Loss of Biodiversity and
discrimination and inequality, water and housing, lack of food are the four biggest challenges to
peaceful societies of 2030.
According to the participants, education is the only crucial solution to many difficulties to be faced in
2030. However, the North Americans (US, Canada) believe in science and not in education.
Apart from education, the only other solution is international cooperation.
Challenges
The top challenges to be faced in 2030 according to the report are as follows:
Violence and Conflict
Discrimination and Inequality
Disinformation and Freedom of Expression
Climate Change and Loss of Biodiversity
Lack of food, water and housing
Health and Disease

Lack of Decent work and opportunities
Political Participation and Democratic Principles
Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies
Traditions and Culture at risk
Asia Pacific
Climate change and biodiversity loss were the top concern in the Asia and Pacific region. The Asia Pacific
respondents of the survey highlighted natural disaster risk, localised impacts and importance of culture as
the other major challenges. The top solutions to address the concerns in Asia Pacific are as follows:
Effective Health education
Sharing of research and scientific knowledge
Effective international cooperation
Ensuring a health relationship with nature
Ensuring access to reliable and accurate information
The top challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, Arab states, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean was
also Climate change and biodiversity.
UNESCO
UNESCO is United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
It was established in 1945.
The headquarters of UNESCO is located in Paris, France.
Some of the major initiatives of UNESCO are as follows:
World Heritage List: UNESCO is responsible in providing the tag, “World Heritage Site” to a
place. According to UNESCO, there are 1,121 World Heritage sites located in 167 countries.
Man and the Biosphere Programme: The programme aims to establish biosphere reserves.
There are currently 701 biosphere reserves located in 124 countries. India has 18 biosphere
reserves. Of these eleven have been recognised by the Man and the Biosphere Programme.
NSO report: Women and Men in India, 2020
The National Statistical Office operating under Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
(MoSPI) recently released the Women and Men in India report. The report consolidates the crucial socio-
economic indicators that portray gender situation in the country. This is the twenty second issue in its
series. The report is published annually by the MoSPI.
Population related Statistics
The projected population of India in 2021 is 136.13 crores.
Sex ratio has increased from 933 in 2001 to 943 in 2011.
Delhi recorded the highest increase in sex ratio followed by Chandigarh, Arunachal Pradesh.
On the other hand, Daman and Diu had the highest decline in sex ratio.
Health Statistics
The Age Specific Fertility Rate for the females belonging to the age group 25-29 years was the
highest at 146.4.
The Infant Mortality Rate decreased from 39 in 2014 to 32 in 2018.
The Maternal Mortality Rate decreased from 212 in 2007-09 to 113 in 2016-18.
The Total Fertility Rate of rural India was 2.3 in 2018. It was 1.7 in urban areas in 2018.
The Adolescent Fertility Rate declined from 13 in 2017 to 12.2 in 2018.
According to National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), almost 100% institutional delivery was
observed in the states of Goa, Kerala, Lakshadweep.
The HIV incidence per 1000 people decreased from 0.07 in 2017 to 0.05 in 2019.

Education
The literacy rate of India increased from 73 in 2011 to 77.7 in 2017.
The Gender gap in literacy rates was the highest in Rajasthan, Bihar, UP.
Only 8.3% of females of age 15 years had completed graduation. On the other hand, 12.8% of males
of the same age had completed graduation.
8% of female students were pursuing education up to tenth standard.
Participation in Economy
According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey, 2018-19, the worker population ratio in rural sector
was 52.1 for males and 19 for females. In urban areas, it was 52.7 for males and 14.5 for females.
The average wage per hour earned by female population in the age group of 15 years was highest in
Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Rs 147 per hour). It was followed by Lakshadweep, Nagaland. The
lowest was in the states/UTs of Daman and Diu, Odisha.
The average wage per hour earned by male population in the age group of 15 years was the highest in
Lakshadweep (Rs 121 per hour).
Participation in Decision Making
The representation of women in the Central Council of Ministers is 9.26% in 2020.
In 2019 Lok Sabha election, there were 437.8 million women electors. This is higher as compared to
that of the 2014 election (397 million).
Highest women participation in the Panchayati Raj institutions was observed in the states of
Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh.
PM SVANidhi Scheme: 1.6% loans from private sector
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs recently announced that over twenty lakh street vendors have
been provided loans under the PM SVANidhi scheme till March 29, 2021. Of this, eighteen lakh loans were
provided by the Public Sector Banks. On the other hand, the private sector banks have provided only 32,534
loans. Bottom line, the private sector banks have provided only 1.6% loans under the PM SVANidhi scheme.
Top performers in PM SVANidhi Scheme
Among the public sector banks, the State Bank of India topped the list and has provided 5.8 lakh
loans under the scheme. The SBI was followed by Union Bank of India and Bank of Baroda.
Among the private banks, Jammu and Kashmir Limited was the largest contributor. It had disbursed
9,595 loans under the scheme.
Among the States and Union Territories, Uttar Pradesh has disbursed maximum number of loans
under the scheme. UP was followed by Madhya Pradesh, Telangana.
Of the total beneficiaries, fruits and vegetable vendors accounted to 45%. The hawkers selling fast
food accounted to 21%. The hawkers selling cloth and handloom material accounted to 13%.
Why are the private sector banks reluctant?
The private sector banks are reluctant to provide loans under the PM SVANidhi scheme due to the following
reasons
The private sector banks are scared that the free loan might turn into a non-performing asset.
When it comes to opening an account, private sector banks are not the first choice of street vendors.
Without a bank out, the loan processes automatically get affected.
What is PM SVANidhi scheme?
The PM SVANidhi scheme is the Prime Minister Street Vendor Atma Nirbhar Nidhi. The scheme was
launched in June 2020. The scheme aims to provide credit facilities to street vendors affected by
COVID-19. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Under the scheme, the vendors are provided with an initial capital of Rs 10,000. The vendor availing

the loan facility will get an interest subsidy of 7%.
The vendor does not need to provide collateral security to access the loan.
The main objective of PM SVANidhi scheme was to help the street vendors resume their livelihood
activities that was affected largely due to the lockdown (due to COVID-19).
April 5, 2021
Small Savings Schemes: West Bengal becomes the highest contributor
The National Savings Institute operating under the Ministry of Finance recently announced that West Bengal
is the top contributor to the Small Savings Scheme in the country. The state contributes 15% of the total
corpus. It has so far collected Rs 90,000 crores under the Small Savings Scheme.
Top performers of Small Savings Scheme
West Bengal was followed by Uttar Pradesh with a contribution of 15.09%. The state of Uttar Pradesh
has collected Rs 69,660 crores.
Maharashtra was ranked third. The state of Maharashtra contributed 10.57%, which is Rs 63,026
crores.
Gujarat was ranked fourth. Gujarat contributed 8.16%, that is Rs 48,645 crores.
Tamil Nadu ranked fifth contributing 4.8%, which is Rs 28,598.
Recent Developments of Small Savings Schemes
The Small Savings Schemes attracted deposits of Rs 6 lakh crores in 2017-18.
The Government of India recently announced that the interest rates of Small Savings Schemes are
being lowered. The interest rates of Public Provident Funds are lowered from 7.1% to 6.4$. The
interest rates of National Savings Certificate are lowered from 6.8% to 5.9%. The interest rates of
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is to be lowered from 4% to 3.5%.
What are Small Savings Schemes?
The Small Savings Schemes consist of twelve instruments. The major Small Savings Schemes are as
follows:
National Savings Certificate
Public Provident Fund
Kisan Vikas Patra
Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme
National Savings Certificate
It is a fixed income investment that can be opened at any post office. It helps small to mid income investors
to invest while saving on income tax. There is no maximum limit on purchase of National Savings
Certificate. However, according to Section 80 of Income Tax Act, only investments up to Rs 1.5 lakhs can
bring tax breaks.
Public Provident Funds
The Public Provident Fund was introduced in India in 1968. The main objective of Public Provident Funds is
to mobilize small saving in the form of investment. Basically, Public Provident Funds is a long-term
investment. The interests earned under the scheme are not taxable.
Kisan Vikas Patra
It was launched in 1988. Kisan Vikas Patra is a small saving certificate scheme. It is a long-term
investment.
Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme
The scheme was launched for the parents of girl child. It encourages the parents of a girl child to build
funds for her future education.

Digital India: India leads in Digital Payments
The UK based payments system company ACI recently released a report on digital payments. According to
the report, India has the highest number of real-time online transactions in 2020.
The Digital payment market of India is led by Paytm, PhonePe, BharatPe, Pine Labs, etc.
The UPI (Unified Payment Interface) transaction increased by 18.7% in March 2021 as compared to
February 2021. In February 2021, the UPI transaction was Rs 4.25 lakh crores and in March 2021, it
was Rs 5.05 lakh crores.
India was ahead of China, US, South Korea, UK, Thailand in number of online transactions.
According to the report, the share of electronic transactions in India will exceed 50% by 2024.
How did COVID-19 accelerate India’s digitisation?
According to Reserve Bank of India, India is now clocking around 100 million digital transactions in a
day. This is five times as compared to that in 2016. Much of these transactions are powered by UPI.
The acceleration of India’s digitisation during COVID-19 was mostly through JAM. JAM is Jan Dhan
Aadhaar Mobile. The JAM trinity was proposed by Economic Survey 2014-15. It is an initiative to link
Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhar cards and mobile numbers. JAM played the role of safety net during
lockdown.
During COVID-19, several e-retailers requested payments via digital mechanisms which is contactless
and also reduces the risk of spread of the virus. This was another major reason for the increase of
digital transactions during COVID-19.
India also moved towards UPI from card segment for money transactions during COVID-19 times. UPI
touched new highs every month during COVID-19.
Looking at the promising digital growth in India, Google announced an additional investment of 10
billion USD in India to provide internet access to the country.
Challenges in Digital Transformation in India
Most of the central digital services function in Hindi or English. With India being highly diverse in
culture, more services should be launched in local languages. Launching digital services in multiple
languages is one of the main objectives of Google’s 10 billion USD investment plan.
Unreliable performance and poor technical support, poor web or mobile application designs are
creating loss of faith and confidence in government digital channels.
ARWU Ranking, 2020
The ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) is also called Shanghai Ranking. Around fifteen Indian
Universities have made it to the ARWU, 2020.
Indian Universities in ARWU Ranking, 2020
The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore has secured the top position among the higher education
institutes in India.
Calcutta University secured third position among the higher education institutes in India.
The other top performing institutes that were included in the ranking were as follows:
IIT Madras
IIT Delhi
IIT Kharagpur
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Aligarh Muslim University
Vellore Institute of Technology
All India Institute of Medical Sciences

Anna University
Bharathiar University
IIT Kanpur
IIT Roorkee
IISER (Indian Institute of Science and Education Research)
Though, the above institutes were included in the ranking, none of them were in the top 100 list. All the
Indian institutes were placed in the category of 501-600.
About ARWU
The ARWU ranking is prepared by the Shanghai Ranking consultancy. It is an independent organisation that
is dedicated to research on higher education, intelligence and consultation. The consultancy has been
publishing the Academic Ranking of World Universities since 2009.
How are the universities ranked in ARWU ranking?
The ARWU ranking uses six indicators to rank the universities. They are as follows:
Number of alumni and staff winning Nobel Prizes
Number of persons winning Field medals
Number of published journals of science and nature
Number of articles indexed in Social Sciences Citation Index
Number of articles indexed in Science Citation Index
Per Capita performance of the universities
More than 1800 universities are ranked every year.
Top performers of ARWU Ranking
The top performers of ARWU ranking are as follows:
Harvard University topped the list.
Stanford University occupied the second position.
Cambridge University was ranked at third position.
WITH (4th place)
Berkeley (5th place)
Princeton University (6th place)
Columbia University (7th place)
Climate Change: Japan sees the earliest Cherry Blossoms ever
The Japan Meteorological Agency recently announced that the Cherry Blossom season of Japan is in full
bloom. Usually, the Cherry trees of Japan reach their full bloom in April. This time the Cherry Blossom has
occurred ten days earlier. This is the first time the Cherry trees have bloomed this earlier in Japan.
Previously, the earliest Cherry Blossoms in Japan occurred before 1,200 years.
Earliest Cherry Blossom
According to Osaka University of Japan, the flowering of the Cherry trees was this earlier in 812 AD. This is
mainly due to Climate Change and global warming. The average temperature of Japan increased from 47.5
degrees Fahrenheit in 1953 to 51.1 degrees Fahrenheit in 2020.
Cherry Blossom in Japan
The emergence of Cherry blossoms in Japan is often a sign that the spring season is in its full bloom.
The Cherry Blossom in Japan is called Sakura.
During the Cherry Blossom season, Japan organises Hanami or flower viewing. Hanami has a long
history in the land of Japan. Hanami was started in 710 AD.
Cherry Blossom
Cherry Blossom is a flower. The Cherry Blossom trees are ornamental Cherry trees. They are different from

edible Cherry trees.
How is Climate Change affecting Cherry Blossom trees?
The leaves of the Cherry trees secrete a hormone that stops the flowers from blooming further. The
secretion of this hormone stops when the temperature increases. After the weather becomes warm, the
flowers bloom completely. This year, due to climate change, the flowers reached this stage earlier than
usual as the hormones stopped secreting.
Where are Cherry Blossom trees found?
Cherry Blossom trees are found throughout the world. They are usually common in Northern Hemisphere,
especially in regions with temperate climate. This includes Japan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, China, Korea, USA,
UK, Indonesia, etc.
Cherry Blossom in India
In India, Cherry Blossom is common in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Garo
Hills and Khasi Hills in the north east. Cherry Blossom festivals in India are held during autumn, that is, in
October and November. Shillong is known for its Cherry Blossom.
Police and Crime Bill: Why are people protesting in UK?
In the United Kingdom, thousands are protesting against the new legislation introduced in the British
Parliament. The new legislation is called the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, 2021. The protests
against the bill have been named as “Kill the Bill” protest.
Why is Police and Crime Bill being passed?
Currently, the British Police is using public order legislation called the Public Order Act passed in 1986 to
manage the protests in the country. However, according to the British Government, this legislation is no
longer fit to manage the types of protests that are faced in the country. The “April Uprising” is being cited as
an example where the protests went out of control. The British Police spent 16 million USD to control the
April Uprising.
Police and Crime Bill features
The bill widens the range of conditions that the police shall impose on protests. They can impose
conditions such as start and finish times. Also, they can fix maximum permissible noise in static
protests.
The bill will introduce a statutory offence of public nuisance. This means that it will provide clarity on
forbidden conducts such as producing smells or noise, dangerous behaviour in public (like hanging
from bridges, etc).
If the protestors fail to follow police directions in conducting the protests, they shall be fined up to
2,500 Euros.
Maximum sentences for assaults against the emergency service workers.
The bill provides powers to closely monitor offenders released from prison.
Why are people protesting against the bill?
According to the critics, the provisions of the bill will provide more rights to the police to control and
monitor the protests.
The Labour Party of UK opposes the following provisions of the bill:
The bill criminalises protestors even for making noise.
It also accuses persons for creating serious annoyance or serious inconvenience. Such
persons can be imprisoned for a period for ten years.
Shantir Ogroshena, 2021
On April 4, 2021, the multinational military exercise “Shantir Ogroshena, 2021” was begun at Bangabandhu
Senanibas, Bangladesh. The exercise is being held to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He is the Father of Bangladesh.
Shantir Ogroshena
The exercise is to be held between April 4, 2021 and April 12, 2021.
Indian Army contingent of thirty personnel are participating in the exercise.
The other participants in the exercise are Sri Lankan Army, Royal Bhutan Army, Bangladesh Army.
Also, military observers from UK, USA, Turkey, Kuwait, Singapore and Saudi Arabia are to participate
in the exercise.
The main objective of the exercise is to enhance interoperability among neighbourhood. This will help
in peace keeping operations.
The armies of the participating nations are to share their experiences in peace keeping during the
exercise.
The theme of the exercise is:
“Robust Peace Keeping Operations”
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a Bangladeshi politician. He was the first president of Bangladesh. He is
popularly called as “Bangabandhu”.
He was a leading figure in Awami League political party that was founded in 1949. He later became
the leader of the party. The party played a major role in the Bangladesh Liberation war in 1971.
His daughter Sheikh Hasina is the current President of Bangladesh.
In 1975, Rahman and most of his family members were killed by a group of young Bangladesh Army.
On March 17, 2020, the Bangladesh Government celebrated the 100 th birth anniversary of
Bangabandhu.
The Indian Government conferred the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020 to Bangabandhu.
Other Military Exercises between India and Bangladesh
SAMPRITI is a joint military training exercise held between India and Bangladesh.
India and Bangladesh Navies hold CORPAT exercises annually.
In October 2020, the countries held BONGOSAGAR Naval exercise.
Plant-Insect Gene Transfer reported for the first time
The Chinese scientists have recently identified the transfer of genes from plants to insects. Usually transfer
of genes happen among the same family. For instance, the genes of a human parent get transferred to his
or her child. However, this is not the case in the recent discovery. Here the insect called whiteflies has
incorporated a portion of DNA from plants into their genome.
About the Gene Transfer
The transfer of gene from one family to another is referred to as horizontal gene transfer. Here, in the
recent discovery the transfer of gene is from the plant family to insect family.
The Chinese scientists have found that the insect whiteflies use the stolen gene to degrade common
toxins in plants. Plants use these toxins to defend themselves against insects. The incorporation of
the plant gene in the whiteflies allow the insects to feed on the plants safely.
The incorporated gene found was BtPMaT1. The whiteflies use this gene to neutralise the toxic
compounds produced by the plants against them.
According to the scientists, the whiteflies have incorporated the gene from the plants more than 35
million years ago.
This is one of the main reasons why whiteflies still prevail as the major threat to agricultural crops.
This is because they have built a strong defence mechanism against the plants using this gene
incorporation.

Whiteflies
Whiteflies are one of the major agricultural pests in the world. They are capable of attacking 600
different plants all over the world. Lately, these pests have acquired incredible adaptations to
circumvent plant defences.
Using this discovery, the Chinese scientists have now developed a strategy to counter back the super
power of whiteflies. They have developed a new molecule that will interfere with the gene BtPMaT1.
Whiteflies Resistant Cotton
In 2020, the National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow developed a Whiteflies resistant cotton
variety. Cotton is one of the worst hit crops by whiteflies in India.
Whiteflies are the greatest threat to agriculture in warm and tropical regions and also in green
houses.
Miami Open: Hubert Hurkacz of Poland wins the title
Hubert Hurkacz of Poland has won the Miami Open title. He won the title playing against Jannik Sinner.
Hubert has become the Poland’s first Masters 1000 Champion.
Hubert Hurkacz
In 2018, Hubert qualified for the Next Gen ATP Finals held in Milan.
In 2019, he won his first ATP title in Winston-Salem.
His best performance in Grand Slam has been reaching the third round at Wimbledon in 2019.
In 2020 French Open, he was seeded at No.29.
In 2021, he was seeded 4th at the Delray Beach Open.
He reached quarter finals at the 2021 Great Ocean Road Open. It was held in Melbourne, Australia.
Strategies Used
Hubert Hurkacz uses an all-court game strategy. The other tennis strategies used by the players are
baseliners and volleyers.
A baseliner plays from back of the tennis court. He prefers to hit ground strokes. These players allow
more time to react to their opponent’s shots.
A volleyer prefers to hit volleys. He allows less time for his opponent to react to his shots. Volley is a
shot in tennis where the ball is struck before it bounces on the ground. The main objective of volley is
to cut the reaction time of the opponent.
An all-court player plays somewhere between the above two strategies.
Miami Open
The Miami Open is also called the Miami Masters. The tournament is held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami,
Florida. The tournament is being held from 1987.
ATP Masters
It is a series of nine tennis tournaments that features top ranked players. Novak Djokovic holds the record
for winning most of the titles in this series. He is the only tennis player to complete Career Golden Masters.
IIT Kanpur develops touch sensitive watch for visually impaired
A professor and a research associate of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have developed a
sensitive watch for the use of visually impaired people. The watch has tactile hour indicators of different
shapes. These indicators help the visually impaired persons to recognize the time easily.
About the Touch Sensitive Watch
The user has to touch and scan the hour indicator of the watch to know the time. The watch then
communicates back to the user with the help of different vibration patterns. The watch provides user
privacy as it does not require audio feedback.
Currently, mechanical watches are available for the visually impaired. Here the user has to feel the needles

of hour and minute hand to know the time. On the other hand, the touch sensitive watch developed has no
moving parts. Thus, there is no scope of breakage in the touch sensitive watch.
National Programme for Control of Blindness
The programme was launched in 1976.
The main objective of the programme was to reduce the prevalence of blindness in the country from
1.4% to 0.3%. The prevalence of blindness was 1% in 2007.
In 2016, under the National Programme for Control of Blindness, cataract surgeries were performed
on 6.5 million people.
Main causes of blindness in India
The main causes of blindness in India are refractive error, cataract, corneal blindness, surgical
complication, Glaucoma, Posterior Capsular Opacification, Surgical Complication, posterior capsular
opacification.
Blindness in India
According to World Vision Report of World Health Organization, the rate of cataract surgery has increased
by nine-fold between 1981 and 2012 in India.
Major barriers to access treatment
Financial constraint is the main barrier for men to access blindness treatment in India.
Local reasons and financial constraints are the main barriers for the women to access treatment for
blindness.
SANKALP SE SIDDHI launched by TRIFED
The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) operating under Ministry of
Tribal Affairs recently launched the “SANKALP SE SIDDHI”.
SANKALP SE SIDDHI
It is a hundred-day drive. The main aim of the drive is to activate the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras located
in tribal villages.
It aims to cover 1,500 villages in India in hundred days.
Around one hundred and fifty teams have been formed to roll out the drive. These teams will identify
the locations for clustering them as TRIFOOOD and SFURTI units.
SFURTI is Scheme for Fund for the Regeneration of Traditional Industries.
TRIFOOD is a joint initiative of Ministry of Food Processing and TRIFED. It was launched in
August 2020. The TRIFOOD parks will produce processed foods from minor forest produce and
also from the food gathered by the tribal people in that region.
What is the plan?
After the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras are activated in the selected 1,500 villages, these kendras will work
towards achieving Rs 200 crores of sales target.
Van Dhan Vikas Kendras
The Van Dhan Vikas Kendras were established under the Van Dhan Yojana. The Government of India
provides capacity building training and skill upgradation facilities for the tribal population in these
Van Dhan Vikas Kendras.
A Van Dhan Vikas Kendra is formed by fifteen tribal Self-Help Groups. Each group consists of twenty
artisans or tribal food gatherers.
The first Van Dhan Vikas Kendra was established in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh.
Tribal Issues
According to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the following are the problems faced by the tribal population in
India:

The tribal population in India has the largest number of anaemic women.
The mortality rates such as infant mortality rates and child mortality rates are the highest among the
tribal population.
The Gross Enrolment Ratio among tribal students has declined from 113.2 in 2014 to 109.4 in 2016.
The Gross Enrolment Ratio is used to determine the number of students enrolled in schools at
different grade levels.
As of 2015, there has been a short fall of 1,267 primary health centres and 309 community health
centres in the tribal areas.
Due to developmental projects, 85 lakh tribal people had to be rehabilitated. However, only 21 lakh
tribal members have been rehabilitated so far.
National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently approved the “National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021”.
Key Features of National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021
The policy focuses on early screening and prevention of rare diseases. This is to be achieved through
Health and Wellness Centres. The screening is to be supported by the Nidhan Kendras set up by
Department of Biotechnology.
Around eight health facilities are to be designated as Centres of Excellence of rare diseases. They
will focus on prevention and treatment of rare diseases. These centres are to be provided with a one-
time financial support of Rs 5 crores.
The Government of India has announced a financial support of Rs 20 lakhs under the Rashtriya
Arogya Nidhi for treatment of rare diseases. This financial assistance is to be extended to 40% of the
population. It is to be noted that the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi is allocated only to Below Poverty Line
people. However, this time it is being extended.
Challenges to be addressed by the policy
The National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021, will address the following challenges:
The research and development for majority of rare diseases is less as very little is known about
pathophysiology of these diseases.
The patient pool of rare diseases is less.
Lack of availability and accessibility of medicines to rare diseases.
Cost of treatment of rare disease is highly expensive.
What are Rare Diseases?
According to the World Health Organization, the rare diseases are those diseases with a prevalence of 1 or
less per thousand population. However, several other countries use their own definitions. Some even define
as prevalence of 1 per 10,000 population.
Rare Diseases in India
The rare diseases recorded in India are primary immunodeficiency disorder, Cystic Fibrosis, Pompe disease,
Gaucher’s disease, fabry disease, maple syrup urine disease, etc.
Preventive measures adopted by the policy
The preventive measures adopted by the National Policy for Rare Diseases are as follows:
Preventing birth of an affected child.
Prenatal Screening
Prenatal Screening by invasive testing
New born screening
Early postnatal diagnosis and treatment

Implementation of the policy
A National Registry for rare diseases is to be set up in ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research).
A digital platform is to be created to bring the notified centres of excellence together.
Ministry of Finance will be requested to reduce custom duties on import medicines related to rare
diseases.
The State Governments will be requested to create Department of Medical Genetics at least in one
medical college in the state.
AIIMS, Delhi is to act as the head in coordinating all the other centres of excellence to be established
under the policy.
February 28 is observed as Rare Disease Day every year.
What is Advanced Chaff Technology?
The Defence Research and Development Organisation recently developed an Advanced Chaff Technology to
safeguard naval ships against missile attacks. One of the DRDO laboratories located in Jodhpur developed
three variants of the Advanced Chaff Technology. They were Short Range Chaff Rocket, Long Range Chaff
Rocket and Medium Range Chaff Rocket.
Key Features of the Technology
The Chaff technology is used in Naval ships worldwide to self-defend against enemy radar and radio
frequency missile seekers.
The most significant fact of the Advance Chaff Technology developed by DRDO is that it uses very
less chaff material to deflect enemy missiles.
The technology is now ready for mass production.
Chaff
Chaff is originally called Window. The idea of using Chaff developed in the era of second world war.
It is basically a radio frequency counter measure.
It consists of aluminium coated glass fibres ranging in lengths of 0.75 centimetres to 0.8
centimetres. They are released in packets of 100 million such fibres.
Most of the modern armed forces use chaff to distract the missiles from their targets.
The warships use chaff for self-defence.
An intercontinental ballistic missile releases chaff in its mid-course.
Recent Developments by DRDO
In March 2021, the UXOR (Unexploded Ordnance Handling Robot) completed its user trials. The UXOR
was developed for Indian Air Force and Indian Army. It can handle 1,000 kg of ordnance.
In March 2021, NMRL conducted successful tests of indigenous air independent propulsion systems.
Sindhu Netra satellite developed by DRDO was deployed in space on February 28, 2021. The main
objective of the satellite is to boost the surveillance capability of India and monitor military warships
and merchant shipping in the Indian Ocean Region.
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Amendment Ordinance, 2021
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind recently promulgated the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code
(Amendment) Ordinance, 2021. The ordinance will allow pre-packaged insolvency resolution process for
MSMEs. The Pre-packaged Insolvency Resolution Process is called PIRP.
About the Ordinance
The ordinance introduces a pre-packaged insolvency resolution process for corporate persons classified as
MSMEs under the MSME Development Act, 2006. Chapter III-A has been introduced to the Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Code, 2016 under the amendment. It explains the initiation of resolution, duties of resolution
professional and eligibilities to take the benefits of pre-packaged insolvency resolution processes, etc.

What is the main objective of the ordinance?
The ordinance aims to provide an efficient alternative insolvency resolution process for the corporate
persons classified as MSMEs.
How will the ordinance benefit the corporates?
The ordinance allows the corporate debtor to submit a “base resolution plan” to the resolution professional.
However, the debtor should have the plan ready before approaching the creditors to initiate PIRP. If the
committee of creditors did not approve the plan, then the resolution professional shall invite applicants to
submit different plans.
Applicability
The new pre-pack framework is applicable to MSMEs with a maximum default value of Rs 1 crore.
A PIRP cannot run in parallel to a CIRP. CIRP is Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process.
The PIRP should have a three-year cooling off period from the closure of the other PIRP or CIRP.
Control of Company during PIRP
During the PIRP framework, the management of affairs of the corporate debtor will continue to vest with the
Board of Directors.
What is the difference between PIRP and normal IBC process?
PIRP is applicable only to MSMEs. On the other hand, IBC is applicable to all the corporate debtors.
PIRP has a default threshold of Rs 1 crore. IBC deals with threshold greater than Rs 1 crore.
PIRP provides 90 days of timeline to submit a resolution plan. On the other hand, the IBC provides
180 days.
The management control lies with the corporate debtor in possession with creditor in control. On the
other hand, the management control in IBC lies with the creditor in control.
April 6, 2021
National Maritime Day: April 5
Every year the National Maritime Day is celebrated on April 5 in India. The first National Maritime Day was
celebrated in 1964. The day is dedicated to seafarers.
About National Maritime Day
The National Maritime Day is celebrated every year to support global economy through sea transport. It also
supports safe and sound environmentally responsive way of transporting goods from one part of the world
to the other. The theme of National Maritime Day, 2021 is as follows:
Theme: ‘Sustainable Shipping beyond COVID-19’ on the lines of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ initiative
History
Indian shipping began on April 5, 1919. This is why India celebrates National Maritime Day on April 5 every
year. The first ship of India The SS Loyalty sailed from Mumbai to United Kingdom. It was manufactured by
the Scindia Steam Navigation Company Limited. This is highly historic as the sea routes were completely
under the British control in those days.
Awards
On National Maritime Day, the National Maritime Day Awards are presented. The awards recognise the
efforts of people from the Indian Maritime Sector. Varuna award is presented for their long and exceptional
contribution. The award consists of a statue of Lord Varuna. Also, the NMD Award of Excellence is
presented on this day.
Maritime Day in other countries
The other countries that celebrate Maritime Day are China, Mexico, Pakistan, United States.
World Maritime Day
World Maritime Day is celebrated on September 30 every year by United Nations and also by other

international organisations. Just like National Maritime Day, the World Maritime Day is also dedicated to the
seafarers. The theme of 2021 World Maritime Day is as follows
Theme: Seafarers at the core of Shipping’s future
Significance of National Maritime Day
India has 43 shipping companies that own more than 1,400 ships. They have a capacity of 12.69 million
tonnes. Shipping is the most efficient and cost-effective method of transportation of goods. Therefore,
India focuses on maritime security, maritime infrastructure, maritime education and development of
maritime standards in its policies.
Day of Seafarer
The Day of Seafarer is celebrated on June 25. The day is celebrated by the International Maritime
Organisation and also by other international organisations.
International Maritime Organisation
The organisation is responsible for maritime protection and preventing pollution from ships. India became
the member of IMO in 1959.
India sets new record in ethanol blend with petrol
In the first four months of ethanol supply year 2020-21, India has reached more than 7.2%. This is the first
time India has reached this level. This puts the country right on its course of achieving the target of 10%
blending by 2022.
Current Scenario
If oil marketing companies lift the ethanol they had contracted for, then by November 2021, India
shall reach an average blending of 8%. So far, the best ever ethanol blend with petrol in India was
5.2%.
In states of Karnataka, Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi,
Daman and Diu, Himachal Pradesh, 9.5% to 10% ethanol is being blended with petrol. These states
and union territories are so close to achieving 2022 target.
Issues
According to ethanol policy, the sugar companies should deliver the contracted ethanol to the nearest Oil
Marketing Company (OMC) depot. The OMCs are to pay transportation charges. Here, the problem is that
the sugar companies are not getting full transport reimbursement. This is because, the base rate for
transport was fixed in October 2020, that is, before the current increase in fuel price.
Ethanol Blended Programme
It was launched in 2003. The OMCs are advised to acquire ethanol on the following priority order under the
programme
Sugarcane
B-Heavy molasses
C-Heavy molasses
Damaged food grains
Ethanol
Ethanol can be produced from maize, sugarcane, wheat, etc. In India, ethanol is mainly produced by
fermentation process.
As ethanol consists of oxygen, it allows easy and complete combustion of the fuel.
Ethanol is considered as a renewable fuel as ethanol is produced from plants that use the power of
sun.
Once blended ethanol cannot be separated from petrol.
Ethanol can be mixed with gasoline to form different blends.

However, the major disadvantage is using ethanol is that as ethanol can absorb moisture from
atmosphere it can cause issues with vehicle engines.
What is NFT Marketplace?
The WazirX, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges has recently launched India’s first market place
for NFT. NFT is Non-Fungible Tokens. The launch will now allow Indian creators to place their digital assets
(such as images or videos, music, etc) for auction and earn royalty.
What is Non-Fungible Token?
It is a unit of data on a digital ledger called a block chain. Every NFT data represents a unique digital item. It
can be audios, art, videos, video games or other forms of creative works. Now the question arises if a
painting can be placed for auction here? No. Only those things that can be used simply by buying or
downloading online can be placed here for auction. If an art work has been created using computer, then it
can be placed here for auction.
The NFTs, that is, the digital assets in these block chains can be bought from NFT markets. One such
market has now been established in India. In this system, the access to the copies of the original file is not
restricted to the owner of the token. As the digital files are infinitely reproducible, the NFTs representing
them provide the buyers with proof of ownership of the NFT.
How is NFT different from cryptocurrency?
A NFT is a cryptographic token. However, unlike cryptocurrencies, the NFTs are not mutually
interchangeable, that is, not fungible.
How is NFT created?
NFT is created when a file of art work is uploaded to the NFT auction market. From then on, the file can be
bought and resold with crypto currency.
Blockchains used in NFTs
NFTs were first created on Ethereum standard. The other block chains used to create NFT assets are Flow
and Tezos. However, there has been constant criticism that Ethereum and Bitcoin networks consume high
electric power.
Word Highest Bridge: Chenab Bridge Arch Closure Completed
The Indian Railways recently completed the arch closure of the world highest railway bridge, Chenab bridge.
The bridge is a part of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project.
About the Arch Closure
Arch Closure was one of the most difficult parts of the bridge.
The Arch consists of steel boxes. To improve the stability of the arch, concrete is to be filled in the
boxes. The two main benefits of using concrete filling are as follows:
The filled in concrete assist in controlling wind induced forces.
Also, using concrete filling removes the necessity of internal painting.
The overall weight of the Arch is 10,619 metric tonnes.
“Tekla” software was used for structural detailing of the arch.
The steel used in the arch can withstand -40 degrees Celsius.
The Arch span is 467 metres and arch length is 480 metres.
The Arch of the bridge is highly important to sustain vertical loads.
Chenab Bridge
The Chenab bridge is located in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. The height of the bridge is 359
metres.
The deck height, that is, the height above the river bed is 359 metres. The length of the bridge is 650
metres.

The construction of Chenab bridge was declared as a national project in 2002.
The most challenging aspect of this rail link was the large number of tunnels and bridges to be
constructed in the rugged mountainous terrain. Of all this, the most difficult part was to cross the
deep gorge of Chenab river whose arch closure has now been completed.
Another small arch bridge proposed in the same route is Anji Khad bridge.
Standards used in Chenab Bridge construction
The arch rail bridges at such heights require number of additional parameters such as global stability,
fatigue, composite action, second order effects, etc. In order to achieve these parameters, Indian
Construction Standards such as Indian Road Congress, Indian Standards and Indian Railway Standards were
inadequate. This is because the Indian Railway Standards are primarily intended for simply supported
bridges up to 100 metres of span. The span of Chenab bridge was greater than this. Thus, international
standards such as International Union of Railways, British Standards were supplemented to construct the
Chenab bridge.
Monthly Economic Review: March 2021
The Ministry of Finance recently released the Monthly Economic Review for March 2021. According to the
report, the Indian Economy is recovering from COVID-19 crisis. The report has highlighted several indicators
that prove economic recovery in the country.
Key Findings of the report
The Agricultural sector remains the bright spot of the Indian Economy. The food grain production
touched 303.3 million tonnes in 2020-21. This is the highest in the five years.
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has acted as the strong pillar to
insulate the rural economy during the COVID-19 crisis. The MGNREGS has achieved this by creating
383.8 crore person days of employment in 2020-21. This is 44.7% higher as compared to that of the
previous year. The Central Government used the MGNREGS working hours to complete Jal Jeevan
mission during COVID-19 crisis. This was mainly done to support the livelihood of migrant workers
and also to support workers in informal sectors. Also the GoI had increased the wages under the
scheme.
Monthly GST collections attained an all-time high in March 2021 since its inception.
The PMI Manufacturing Index for the month of March 2021 was 55.4.
Power consumption showed a strong consistent recovery registering 22.8% growth.
Railway freight transport achieved a double-digit growth of 23.7%.
Exports climbed up to the highest since the inception of COVID-19 crisis and stood at 34 billion USD.
Healthy growth of exports was observed mainly in jewellery, engineering, gems and pharmaceuticals.
Crude oil prices increased averaging 64.7 USD/bbl in March 2021. In February 2021, the crude oil
prices stood at 61.2 USD/bbl.
Money supply growth stood at 12.6% in March 2021.
Conclusion
The report concluded that India is currently facing gradual yet steady recovery in overall credit growth.
What is Ingenuity Helicopter?
NASA recently announced that its Ingenuity Helicopter has been dropped on the surface of mars
successfully and is in preparation for its first flight.
Ingenuity Helicopter
Ingenuity is a technology demonstration of powered flight in another planet.
NASA is to perform a series of test flights over thirty Martian days with the help of Ingenuity
helicopter.

The main challenge of Ingenuity Helicopter is that it would have to survive temperatures as low as
-130 degrees Fahrenheit. Such low temperatures could freeze and crack the onboard batteries in the
craft. The helicopter has successfully survived the temperature.
The helicopter weighs 1.8 kilograms.
It is a solar powered helicopter. The energy from the solar array in the helicopter will power the
helicopter and also keep it warm during night.
The full speed of the helicopter is 2,400 rpm.
It is to reach a maximum height of 4.6 metres in Mars.
The Ingenuity helicopter was dropped on the Martian surface by the Perseverance rover as a part of
Mars 2020 mission.
Perseverance Rover
The Perseverance rover is an astrobiology mission. The mission aims to search signs of ancient
microbial life in mars.
The mission will characterize the geology and past climate of the planet.
Perseverance is the first mission to collect Martian rock and regolith (broken rock and dust).
Curiosity is the predecessor of Perseverance rover.
The rover carries seven payload instruments, two micro phones and nineteen cameras.
It will drill the Martian soil and collect core samples of martian rocks.
Mars 2020 Mission
Mars 2020 mission was launched in July 2020. It is a part of Mars Exploration Programme of NASA. Mars
2020 mission was launched from Atlas V Launch vehicle.
It is one of the three missions launched to Mars in 2020. The other two Mars missions were as follows:
Tianwen-1 mission launched by China
Hope Orbiter by UAE
Integrated Health Information Platform: Key Facts
The Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan recently launched the Integrated Health Information Platform.
According to the health ministry, India is the first country to adopt such an advanced surveillance system.
About the Platform
The Integrated Health Information Platform is to operate under the Integrated Disease Surveillance
Programme.
The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme operates under the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare.
The platform aims to strengthen the disease surveillance in the country. This is to be achieved by
establishing a decentralised state-based surveillance system for epidemic prone diseases.
The key features of the platform are real time data reporting through use of mobile applications, geo-
tagging of health facilities, etc.
The platform aims to provide better care and maintain confidential health data.
The platform will hold information about prevalence of disease in different districts of the country.
The information is to be collected through ASHA workers and ANMs.
How is the information collected?
The information for the platform is to be collected in the following way:
Every health worker is to be provided with a type of form namely S, P and L.
The S-form will be provided to the ground workers involved in surveys. They will help collect on spot
information about the prevalence of the disease.
The P-form is to be provided to the doctors. Through this form, the doctors will collect patient name,

address, contact number along with his diagnosis.
The L-form is provided to the laboratory personnel. Through this form, they will collect details of
pathological investigation.
Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme
The IDSP was launched in 2004. The programme is assisted by the World Bank. The main objective of the
programme is to detect and respond to disease outbreaks quickly.
E9 Education Ministers Meet
Minister of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre is to attend the Education Ministers meet of E9 countries. The
meeting is to be held under the following theme:
Theme: E9 initiative: Scaling up digital learning to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development
Goal 4
About the meet
During the meet, the leaders are to create an initiative on digital learning and skills. The initiative is to target
marginalised children and youth. The initiative will mainly accelerate three of the 2020 Global Education
Meeting objectives. They are as follows:
Support to teachers
Investment in skills
Narrowing of the digital divide
The 2020 Global Education Meeting was organised by UNESCO. It acted as a unique platform for exchange
among high-level political leaders and policy makers.
E9 initiative
E9 is a forum of nine countries. It was created to achieve the goals of “Education for All” initiative of
UNESCO. In E9, E stands for Education and 9 represents nine member countries. The member
countries of E9 initiative are Brazil, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Mexico and
Nigeria. These countries represent half of the world population. 70% of the world’s literate adults are
from these countries.
The E9 initiative was launched at the EFA Summit in New Delhi. The E9 initiative has become a forum
for countries to discuss their experiences related to exchange of best practices, education, etc.
The E9 members that are also G20 members are India, China, Brazil, Indonesia and Mexico.
Mexico is an OECD member.
In 1993, the E9 countries accounted only to 16.5% of the world GDP. However, today they account to
30% of the world GDP.
Education for All
It is a global movement led by UNESCO. It aims to meet the learning needs of youth, children and adults.
The Education for All initiative was adopted by the Darkar Framework in April 2000.
Longi Green Enters Hydrogen Market
The World largest solar company Longi Green is to enter the Hydrogen Market. Longi Green is a Chinese
company that manufactures solar panels, wafers and solar cells. Today several such solar companies are
entering the hydrogen market. This is mainly because hydrogen is a carbon-free fuel that can be produced
by electrolysis of water and then stored and transported and used in every possible machinery such as cars
to electrical generators to steel mills.
Longi Green
Longi Green was founded in 2000. The headquarters of Longi Green is located in Xi’an, China. Longi Green
has plants in India, Malaysia and China. In 2019, Longi Green brought 300 MW monocrystalline PV products
to India.

Hydrogen Market in India
The Hydrogen market in India is valued at 50 million USD. It is projected to reach 81 million USD by 2025. In
India, the major end use of hydrogen is in petroleum refining industry. Here, hydrogen is used to refine crude
oil.
Though India is moving towards clean fuel, the high transportation and high storage cost is hampering the
growth of hydrogen market in the country. However, the emerging liquid organic hydrogen carrier
technologies (LOHC) will make storage and transportation of hydrogen easier.
Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC)
They are organic compounds that can absorb and release hydrogen through chemical reactions. Thus,
LOHCs are ideal for hydrogen storage and transportation.
In 2020, Japan built the first international hydrogen supply chain in the world using LOHC. It was built
between Brunei and Kawasaki city using toluene based LOHC technology.
Working of LOHC
The dehydrated form of LOHC reacts with hydrogen in a hydrogenation reaction. The end product thus
formed can be stored or transported under ambient conditions. Whenever hydrogen is needed the hydrogen
rich form of LOHC is dehydrogenated.
Hydrogenation is an exothermic reaction and dehydrogenation is endothermic reaction.
What is the new Russian Legislation signed by Putin?
The Russian President Vladimir Putin recently signed a legislation that will allow him to stay in power till
2036. The Russian leader had already been in power for more than two decades. And he is 68 years old.
Background
According to the previous constitution, Putin should have stepped down after his second consecutive term
that is to end in 2024. Now, with the new constitutional amendment, he can stay in power till 2036.
In 2020, the Russians voted for constitutional amendments that will allow Putin to recontest after 2024.
Majority voted in favour of the amendment.
Why the changes?
According to Article 81 of Russian Constitution, the same person cannot hold the office of President more
than two terms in a row. Vladimir Putin was elected as president in 2012 and again re-elected as president
in 2018. He will now stay in power till 2024. The term of a president in Russia is six years.
What are the changes made to the Russian Constitution?
The new constitution has not changed the two-term limit. However, it has removed the words “in a row”.
With this, Putin will be able to run for President elections for another two terms under the new constitution.
2020 Referendum
A Constitutional referendum was held in Russia in 2020. In this, 79% of the voters supported the changes to
the constitution.
The amendments increased the powers of advisory bodies and State councils. Bottom line, the amendments
tightened Putin’s grip over Russia.
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin was a former intelligence officer. According to Putin, India is one of the best Strategic
Partners of Russia.
Facebook Data leak, 2021
The personal data of more than 533 million Facebook users has been leaked online recently. The exposed
data included personal information of the Facebook users from more than 106 countries. This also included
records of 32 million users in the US, 11 million in UK and 6 million in India.

What is Facebook Data Leak, 2021?
The Facebook data leaked included personal details such as names and phone numbers associated with the
user accounts. They are now available in several online forums for free!
The current data leak is being considered as the biggest data breach as the phone number of Facebook CEO
Mark Zuckerberg was found in the leaked data. Also, his birth date and marriage details have been hacked.
The data breach comes during the time when Facebook owned WhatsApp is shifting to a safer alternative
such as Signal. These new terms of WhatsApp are creating controversies.
WhatsApp new terms
The new terms of WhatsApp are creating controversies as under the new terms Facebook can access user
chats with business accounts.
What caused the data breach?
The data leak is related to 2019 vulnerability that exposed the phone number linked to every Facebook
account. Facebook claimed that it had been fixed long back. However, the recent data breach says that still
flaws exist in the system that are aiding the hackers.
How can the data be misused?
The breached data has been put up in several forums. These details can be exploited by the advertisers.
Also, anyone with rudimentary skills can use these data to commit a cyber crime. Earlier in March 2018,
Facebook data were accessed by the UK-based Cambridge Analytica. The data gathered was used to help
the political candidates all over the world to win elections. This included data of more than 5.62 lakh
Indians.
India and Facebook
According to GoI, India has more than 52 crore WhatsApp users, 21 crores of Instagram users and 41
crores of Facebook users.
Several countries in the west have data protection regulations. However, India is yet to catch up. The
Sections 43A and 72A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 provides for compensation in case of
data misuse.
The Personal Data Protection Bill is yet to be passed in Lok Sabha. The bill has provisions relating to
data breach.
FPI inflows in India: Rs 2.74 lakh crores in 2021
In 2021, India has emerged as the largest recipient of Foreign Portfolio Investments. The net FPI inflow for
the fiscal year 2020-21 was Rs 2.74 lakh crores.
Investment in equity segment
The investments in the equity segment for the year 2020-21 touched Rs 2,74,503. This is the highest
quantum of money recorded since the National Securities Depository Limited began to make the Foreign
Portfolio Investment data publicly available. Earlier to this, the highest inflow in the equity segment was in
2012. And it has been recorded as RS 1.4 lakh crores.
Foreign Portfolio Investment in 2021
In the fiscal year 2020-21, the foreign portfolio investors have been the net buyers in all months except for
September, March, April and May 2020. In the previous fiscal year, the foreign portfolio investors were net
sellers.
The highest inflow of foreign portfolio investment seen in India has not been seen in other emerging
markets. This clearly proves that the foreign portfolio investors had been expecting India’s economic
recovery to be much faster than the other emerging economies.
What is the difference between FPI and FDI?
The Foreign Portfolio Investment refers to the purchase of securities and assets by investors from

other country. This can be mutual funds, bonds, stocks, etc.
On the other hand, Foreign Direct Investment is the investment made by an individual or a firm
(located in one country) in a business (located in another country). This includes establishing a
subsidiary in another country, merging or acquiring an existing foreign company or starting a joint
venture partnership with a company from a foreign land.
Portfolio Investment is seen as a short term move and direct investment is seen as a long-term move.
Chief Justice of India: Justice Ramana to assume charge
Justice N V Ramana, who was recently appointed as the Chief Justice of India is to assume charge on April
24, 2021. He is to take charge a day after the retirement of CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde. Justice Ramana is to
take over as the 48th Chief Justice of India.
Justice Ramana
Justice Ramana was born in 1957 in Ponnavaram village of Andhra Pradesh. He was enrolled as an
advocate in 1983. He became the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court in 2013. In 2014, he was appointed as
the judge of the Supreme Court. Justice Ramana had been a part of the following popular cases:
Justice Ramana was a part of a five-judge constitution bench that declined to refer to a seven bench,
a batch of pleas that challenged the constitutional validity of GoI decision to abrogate Article 370.
In November 2019, he was a part of a five judge Constitution bench that held that the office of Chief
Justice is a public authority under Right to Information Act.
In January 2020, Justice Ramana led bench had pronounced that freedom of speech and conducting
business on internet are protected under the Constitution. The bench had directed the Jammu and
Kashmir administration to review the curb orders.
In 2016, he was a part of the five-bench Constitution bench that ordered restoration of Congress
Government in Arunachal Pradesh.
In November 2019, Justice Ramana led bench ordered floor test for the then Chief Minister Devendra
Fadnavis to prove his majority in the house.
Constitutional Provisions
According to Clause (2) of Article 124, the President appoints the Chief Justice of India.
The Clause (3) of Article 124 provides the eligibility criteria for a person to become the Chief Justice
of India. They are as follows:
He or she should be a citizen of India
He should have acted as the Judge of High Court for at least five years. Or he should have
acted as an advocate in High Court for at least ten years.
He should be a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President
The Clause (4) of Article 124 provides regulations for removal of Supreme Court Judge.
SEBI: India should separate the roles of Chairperson and Managing Director
The Securities and Exchange Board of India recently announced that it will not extend the deadline to
separate the posts of Managing Director and Chairperson. In April 1, 2020, SEBI asked the Indian companies
to separate the roles of chairperson and Managing Director. However, a time period of two years was
provided for compliance. Now the regulator has issued a warning that this deadline will not be extended.
The announcement comes as by the end of December 2020, only 53% of top 500 entities had complied with
this provision.
Why should the roles be separated?
The main objective in separating the roles is to provide a better and more balanced governance structure.
Separation of roles in other countries
Globally, the world seems to move towards separation of the posts. UK and Australia have already moved in

favour of the separation. Germany and Netherlands have a two-tier board structure that separates the roles
of the board and management.
Legal Provisions
The Section 203 of the Companies Act, 2013 says that an individual shall not be appointed as the
chairperson of a company as well as the Managing Director or Chief Executive Officer.
Chairman
Chairman is the person responsible for leading the board. He focuses on strategic matters, sets governance
standards and oversees group’s businesses. He plays a crucial role in bringing the effectiveness of the
board and individual directors.
Managing Director
A Managing Director is a whole-time director controlling the day-to-day affairs of the company.
SEBI
SEBI is a statutory body established on 1992 under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.
The main objective of SEBI is to protect the interests of the investors and regulate securities market. SEBI
has the power to appoint committees. A Securities Appellate Tribunal has been constituted to protect the
interest of entities that feel aggrieved by SEBI’s decision.
Under the Securities Laws (Amendment) Act, 2014, SEBI shall regulate any money scheme of worth Rs 100
crores.
DRDO to partner with Private Sector in Missile Production
The Defence Research and Development Organisation recently allowed the private sector firms to develop
and produce missile systems. Also, they can make partnership with DRDO in Missile production. This is
being done under the Development cum Production Partner Programme. The organization has already
received bids for the Vertically-launched Short range Surface to Air Missile System. With this, VL-SRSAM
has become the first missile programme to receive DRDO-private sector partnership.
Why are the private sectors allowed in Missile Production?
The DRDO has opened up its partnership with the private sectors in order to develop complex military
systems under the Make in India project.
What are the recent DRDO-Private sector projects?
Recently DRDO helped TATA and Baba Kalyani industries to develop ATAGS howitzer. It is an artillery gun
for the Indian Army.
Private Sector Participation in DRDO
In 2010, the then Defence Minister A K Antony ordered the restructuring of DRDO by ensuring
effective participation of the private sector in defence technology.
So far, DRDO has been transferring technologies to the private sector for the mass production of
ordnances. For instance, the Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar was developed by DRDO with the
assistance from Israel. The radar is capable of tracking 200 targets and has a range of five hundred
kilo metres. This technology acquired from Israel had been transferred to the public and private
manufacturers.
In August 2020, DRDO identified 108 military systems for production by domestic industries.
Significance of DRDO-Private Partnership
DRDO recently banned 101 military systems and weapons such as light combat helicopters, cruise missiles,
transport aircraft. This is to be achieved in a staggered manner by 2024. This was done to promote the
domestic defence industry. Now, this partnership will boost the foreign companies (where the import ban
was imposed) to set up manufacturing units in India. They can also partner with DRDO.
A target of 25 billion USD turnover has been set in defence manufacturing. In order to achieve such high

targets, several hands need to work together. Thus, the private partnership will help in achieving the target.
April 7, 2021
Uttar Pradesh Regulation of Urban Premises Tenancy (second) Ordinance 2021
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet recently approved the Uttar Pradesh Regulation of Urban Premises Tenancy
(second) Ordinance, 2021. The ordinance will reduce the tenancy disputes.
Key Features of the Ordinance
The ordinance makes it mandatory to sign contract will to rent out a property. This is being done to
safeguard the interests of both the tenant and the owner.
The ordinance will establish rent authority and rent tribunal to solve disputes. Currently there are no
clear mechanisms for conflict resolution.
Significance
The ordinance will help 1.1 crore vacant homes in the urban region to get suitable tenants in the state
of Uttar Pradesh.
It will encourage people to invest in more properties for renting purposes.
It will help in bringing robustness and dynamism to the real estate market. This is because the
provisions in the ordinance will reduce the friction between property owners and tenants.
The ordinance is very much similar to the Draft Model Tenancy Act.
Model Tenancy Act
The Model Tenancy Act was framed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It is yet to be passed in
the parliament. The key features of the Model Tenancy Act are as follows:
Formation of Rent Authority. Every tenancy agreement should be reported to this rent authority.
For non-residential tenancy, the residential housing security deposit is to be capped at one month
interval and for residential-housing security deposit is to be capped at two months interval.
The landlords should provide access to basic amenities.
The landlords cannot hike the property rent in the middle of a tenancy term.
The tenants shall not sublet the property without the permission of the landlord.
What is RXIL?
RXIL is Receivables Exchange of India. Recently RXIL has become the first TReDS platform to cross monthly
throughput of Rs 1000 crores. The transaction volume in the platform grew from Rs 69 crores in April 2020
to Rs 1,105 crores in March 2021. This shows economic recovery in the country. Also, it shows that the
MSME sector that was badly hit during COVID-19 is getting revived.
About RXIL
RXIL was incorporated in 2016.
It is a joint venture between Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and National Stock
Exchange of India Limited.
It operates TReDS.
It was the first entity to receive approval from RBI to launch the first TreDS Exchange of India.
RXIL is an integrated provider of financial platform that supports growth and development of MSMEs.
What is TReDS?
TReDS is an electronic platform that facilitates financing of MSMEs through multiple financiers.
The main three participants in the TreDS are MSMEs (sellers), financiers and Corporate entities
(buyers).
According to RBI, only MSMEs can participate as sellers in TReDS.
In 2015, RBI granted approval for SIDBI and NSICL to set up and operate TReDS.
It can help the MSMEs unlock their working capital.
It ensures higher efficiency and capital management.
How does TReDS work?
The seller first uploads an invoice. This invoice waits for an acceptance from a buyer. After the buyer
accepts the invoice, it goes for auction. The financiers enter discounting rates. The party bearing the
interest cost will accept the best bid. Later the financier account is debited and seller account is credited.
Legality of TReDS
The RBI granted permission for the operation of TReDS in the country based on the guidelines under
Payment and Settlement System Act, 2007.
Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Government
The President of Israel recently issued a mandate for Benjamin Netanyahu to try and form the Government.
Benjamin has been given twenty-eight days to form the government.
Israel Election
In March 2021, Israel conducted elections. This is the fourth election in two years. However, the election
results ended with no majority. Neither Netanyahu nor his opponent Benny Gantz secured the required
majority to form the government. However, in consultations with the political parties, Netanyahu received
more endorsements and thus the president has invited him to try and form the government.
What is the issue?
The thirty fifth Government of Israel was sworn in on May 17, 2020. It was originally to be established
following the April 2019 election. However, Knesset dissolved by itself as none could form a majority
Government. Knesset is the Unicameral National Legislature of Israel. Following this a third election was
held in 2020. After this election, Netanyahu and Gantz finally reached on an agreement to form a national
unity Government. A National Unity Government is a coalition government that consists of all parties in the
legislature. However, this government was dissolved in December 2020. Thus, Israel went for elections
again in 2021.
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu served as the Prime Minister of Israel between 1996 and 1999. Also, he served as the Prime
Minister since 2009. During his fourth term as Prime Minister of Israel, that is, in 2017, the police
investigation on Netanyahu began. He was investigated in two cases namely Case 1000 and Case 2000. He
was charged of crimes involving fraud, bribes and breach of trust in both the cases. In 2018, he was
charged of corruption. Some critics consider this as the major cause of 2019-2021 Israeli political crisis
that began after April 2019 elections.
FDA approves ADHD Drugs
The FDA of the US recently approved the ADHD drug for treating patients in the age group of 6 to 17 years.
ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The ADHD drug belongs to a group of medicines called
stimulants. These drugs work by increasing the activity of the brain. Several controversies have arisen in the
US as the FDA has approved the ADHD drug. This is the first ADHD drug approved by FDA in ten years.
What are the controversies over the approval?
The ADHD drug that has been approved by the FDA is called Qelbree. Qelbree was developed by Supernus
Pharmaceuticals of Rockville, Maryland. The controversies over the approval of Qelbree are due to the fact
that it carries a warning of “potential for suicidal thoughts and behaviour”.
ADHD in the US
The ADHD affects more than six million American children and adolescents in the United States. These
children struggle to pay attention and complete tasks. They also show signs of impulsiveness and fidgeting.
ADHD Drugs
There are two categories of ADHD Drugs. They are Stimulants and Non-Stimulants. According to FDA, the

stimulant medications increase dopamine levels in brain. Dopamine is a brain chemical that is associated
with motivation and attention. However, stimulant medications can bring side effects such as high blood
pressure, headaches, insomnia and decreased appetite. Most of the ADHD drugs are classified as Schedule
II substances as they pose risk of abuse and dependence.
Non-stimulant ADHD drugs include duanfacine, atomoexetine and clonidine.
ADHD in India
The ADHD affects 2% to 7% of children globally. In India more male child were found to have ADHD. 83.3%
of the patients in India discontinue taking their medicines within the first month. The Indian parents cite the
following reasons for stopping the medication:
Lack of effectiveness
Side-effects
Problems at the hospital
Fear that the child might become addicted.
Robots made from stem cells of frogs
The scientists have used the stem cells of frogs to create a new living robot. These robots have been
named Xenobots.
About Xenobots
Xenobots are capable of healing themselves.
They can record memories.
Xenobots are made from frog cells. They have been named after the Xenopus laevis frog that
supplied its cells to create the robot. Xenopus laevis is an African frog.
These robots are to be used to detect diseases and deliver drugs to specific areas of the body.
Xenobots are less than 1 milli metre long.
They are comprised of 500-1000 living cells.
Xenobots come in different basic shapes and can scoot themselves in linear or circular directions.
They are capable of joining up together to act collectively.
They can move small objects by harnessing their cellular energy for a maximum of ten days.
How were the Xenobots created?
The Xenobots were created by microengineering amphibian eggs with RNA. The biologists later removed
the egg membrane after 24 hours. They then harvested the stem cell tissue from the embryo. The tissues
then formed into spheres with tiny hair like structure called cilia. The cilia moved to propel the bots across a
surface creating a Xenobot.
How was the memory of the Xenobots created?
The memory retaining capability of the Xenobots was propelled by a protein called EosFP. This
protein normally glows green. However, it emits red colour when exposed to a light of 390 nm
wavelength.
The cells of frog embryos with messenger RNA coding enabled the Xenobots to record when exposed
to blue light (at around 390 nm of wavelength).
The scientists tested the above function on ten Xenobots that were swimming around a surface
where one spot was illuminated by the light of 390 nm of wavelength. After two hours, three of the
bots emitted red light and the rest remained green. This provides a memory of their travel experience.
World Health Day: April 7
Every year the World Health Day is celebrated by the World Health Organization on April 7. This year, the
World Health Day is celebrated under the following theme
Theme: Building a fairer, healthier World for everyone

World Health Day
The World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 as the World Health Organisation held its first World
Health Assembly on April 7, 1948.
The World Health day is seen as an opportunity to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major
importance to global health each year.
The first World Health Day was observed in 1950.
The World Health Day is one of the eleven official global health campaigns of WHO.
Global Health Campaigns of WHO
The eleven Global Health Campaigns of WHO are as follows:
World Tuberculosis Day
World Malaria Day
World Immunization Day
World No Tobacco Day
World Blood Donor Day
World AIDS Day
World Chagas Disease Day
World Hepatitis Day
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week
World Patient Safety Day
World Health Assembly
The World Health Assembly is governed by 194 member states. It is composed of health ministers
from the member states and is the highest health policy setting body in the world.
The World Health Organization is governed through the World Health Assembly.
The current chairperson of World Health Assembly is Dr Harsh Vardhan. He is the Minister of Health
and Family Welfare in India.
The main tasks of World Health Assembly are to decide major policy question and approve WHO work
programme and budget.
Major Action plans of World Health Assembly
The worldwide eradication of smallpox was endorsed in 1959 and achieved in 1980.
Worldwide eradication of polio was endorsed in 1988. India has been declared polio free under the
action plan.
Control of harmful use of alcohol was endorsed in 2010.
Global Actions for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases was endorsed in 2011.
RBI Monetary Policy
On April 7, 2021, the Monetary Policy Committee of Reserve Bank of India announced the outcome of its bi-
monthly monetary policy review.
Key Highlights
The repo rate has been kept unchanged at 4%.
The reverse repo rate has been kept at 3.35%.
The real GDP growth for the Fiscal Year 2022 is predicted to be 10.5%.
The CPI of 2022 is predicted to be at 5.1%.
The MSF rate has been kept unchanged at 4.25%.
The Bank rate has been kept unchanged at 4.25%.
RBI is to buy Rs 1 lakh crores of G-Sec under the G-Sec Acquisition Programme.
The Apex Bank has increased the centre’s Ways and Means Advances by 46%. The current limit is Rs

32,225 crores. It has now been increased to Rs 47,010 crores.
Maximum End of Pay balance for payment banks has been doubled to Rs 2 lakhs.
Additional liquidity facility of Rs 50,000 crores announced for NABARD, SIDBI and NHB in 2021-22.
Softening of cereal prices are expected.
The mitigation of price pressure on key food items is to depend on supply side measures.
The global growth is to gradually recover from slowdown.
Repo Rate
The repo rate is the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India lends money to the commercial banks in the
country.
Reverse Repo Rate
The reverse repo rate is the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India borrows money from the commercial
banks in the country.
CPI
CPI is Consumer Price Index. It is the measure that examines the weighted average of prices of goods and
services purchased by households.
MSF Rate
MSF is Marginal Standing Facility. It is the rate at which RBI lends funds to scheduled banks against
Government securities.
World Economic Outlook
The International Monetary Fund recently released the World Economic Outlook titled “Managing Divergent
Recoveries”.
The report has predicted GDP growth of India for the current fiscal year 2022 to be 12.5%. This is 1%
higher than the previous projection of 11.5% in January 2021. This is the highest among the emerging
economies and also among the elite group of advanced economies.
Also, the growth projection of India for the year 2023 has been increased from 6.8% to 6.9%. Earlier
the IMF had predicted the growth rate of India to be 6.8%.
The global economy is to grow at 6% in 2021 and is expected to moderate to 4.4% in 2022. In 2020,
the global economy contracted by 3.3%.
According to the report, China has returned to pre-COVID GDP in 2020. However, many others are not
expected to return till 2023.
Hotel and Restaurant sector has suffered huge production and employment losses due to COVID-19.
According to the report, good recovery is expected in North America, India and China.
UK and US are outperforming on vaccine front. On the other hand, Asia is lagging on vaccine roll out.
The economies that are dependent on Tourism are severely hit. Eg: Spain.
Unlike 2008 financial crisis, the global economic recovery looks lopsided (one side is higher than the
other). This is mainly because the roll out of vaccines is different in different parts of the world. Also,
the fiscal support differs across the border.
International Monetary Fund
The IMF was set up after the Second World War to assist in the reconstruction of war-ravaged countries. It
was created in 1945. It is governed by and accountable to 189 countries. India joined the IMF in 1945. Apart
from World Economic Outlook, the IMF also releases Global Financial Stability Report.
Atal Innovation Mission, CIPS join hands for Innovation in Public System
The Atal Innovation Mission, Centre for Innovations in Public Systems (CIPS) and NITI Aayog recently
announced collaboration to reinforce entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in India.

What is the plan?
The CIPS and Atal Innovation Mission signed a Statement of Intent to promote innovation in the area
of public system. This is to be achieved with the help of knowledge and experience of AIM and CIPS.
The CIPS and AIM will organise round tables involving local level administration officials. This is to
create awareness about the innovative products and solutions. Also, it will help them understand the
standard policies and processes around procurement. Ultimately, it will aid in quicker implementation
of innovative solutions.
They will together host e-exhibitions supported by relevant startups. Through this their innovations
are to be showcased.
Innovative Learning Management System is to be created. This is to ensure capacity building to
teachers and mentors at grass root levels. It will promote innovative learning among the students.
Benefits of the partnership
The partnership will help to promote programmes launched by AIM.
The partnership will strengthen AIM Mentor of Change Programme.
The beneficiaries will be able to harness CIPS research capacities.
Centre for Innovation in Public System
It is an autonomous Centre for Administrative Staff College of India. It was established by Government of
India in 2010. It was established based on the recommendation made by the Thirteenth Finance
Commission for the years 2010-15. The Finance Commission also suggested to release a grant of Rs 20
crores to establish Centre for Innovation in Public System.
BRICS Finance Ministers Meet, 2021
India recently hosted the BRICS Finance Ministers Meet. This was the first BRICS meet under the
chairmanship of India in 2021. As 2021 BRICS Chair, India aims to focus on strengthening intra-BRICS
cooperation based on continuity, consolidation and consensus.
Discussions held at the meet
The following discussions were held by the leaders during the meet:
Global Economic Outlook and Response to COVID-19 pandemic
Activities of New Development Bank
Social Infrastructure Financing
Use of Digital Technologies
Cooperation on Customs related issues
International Monetary Fund reforms
Financial Inclusion
Fintech for SMEs
BRICS Bond Fund
BRICS Rapid Information Security channel
India as BRICS host
India will host the BRICS meeting for the year 2021. The 2021 BRICS Summit is the thirteenth summit of the
grouping. Also, 2021 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the international grouping. This is the third time
India is hosting BRICS Summit. Previously India hosted BRICS Summit in 2012 and in 2016.
About 2021 BRICS Summit
The 2021 BRICS Summit will focus on three main pillars. They are:
Political and Security
The summit will discuss on reforms of multilateral system and counter terrorism cooperation
Economic and Financial relations

BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy 2020-25 is to be implemented.
BRICS Agriculture Research Platform operations are to be discussed
Innovation Cooperation
Digital Health and Traditional Medicine
Cultural and People to people relations
BRICS
BRICS is the acronym of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
The first BRICS summit was held in the year in 2009 in Russia.
In 2010, South Africa joined the BRICS grouping. Earlier to this, the grouping was called BRIC.
The association holds more than 40% of global population and 25% of global GDP.
In 2020, the New Development Bank of BRICS approved 1 billion USD. It was COVID-19 Emergency
Programme Loan for supporting India’s Economic Recovery.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: 92% Target achieved
The Ministry of Rural Development recently announced that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin
(PMAY-G), 92% target has been achieved in the first phase of the scheme. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is a
flagship scheme (that is, GoI gives utmost importance to the scheme) of Government of India. This
achievement has been made between 2016 and 2019.
According to the Ministry of Rural Development, all the houses in the Permanent Wait List are to be
completed by the end of Amrit Mahotsav.
About the achievement
A target of 1 crore houses was set for completion in Phase I of the scheme. Of this, 92% target has been
completed. This was mainly possible because of the timely release of funds required for the scheme. In
2020-21, Rs 19,269 crores was made available as budgetary support. Later an extra budgetary support of Rs
20,000 cores was provided. This is the highest budget allocation to the scheme in any year since its launch.
Permanent Wait List of PMAY
The Permanent Wait List of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana was prepared based on the Socio-
Economic Caste Census (SECC), 2011.
According to the census, 2.14 crores of beneficiaries were eligible to receive the benefits of Pradhan
Mantri Awas Yojana.
To identify the beneficiaries those who are eligible and not included in the survey, the Awaas+ survey
was conducted.
Awaas+ survey
The Awaas+ survey was conducted by all the states and Union Territories to identify the beneficiaries not
included in the Permanent Wait List. The survey identified 0.81 beneficiaries. They were included in the
Permanent Wail List in July 2020. With this the Permanent Wait List of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana was
ceiled at 2.95 crores.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana: 1.12 crore employment generated
The Ministry of Finance recently announced that nearly Rs 15 lakh crores have been sanctioned under
Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY).
What are the achievements of PMMY?
More than 28 crore 68 lakh loans have been sanctioned since the launch of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA
Yojana.
Of the total loans provided, 68% were provided to women entrepreneurs.
51% of the total loans provided under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana were provided to SC, ST and
OBC borrowers.

The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana has helped to generate 1 crore 12 lakh net additional employment
between 2015 and 2018. Of this, women accounted for 62%.
Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana
The PMMY was launched in 2015.
The full form of MUDRA is Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Limited.
The main objective of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana was to refinance collateral free loans given by
the lenders to small borrowers.
The scheme shall lend between Rs 50,000 and Rs 10 lakhs.
The PMMY loans are available to non-agricultural activities up to Rs 10 lakhs.
PMMY loans are available for agricultural activities as well. This includes Poultry, Dairy, Bee Keeping
and farming.
Interest Subvention Scheme for PMMY
In June 2020, the Government of India approved a 2% interest subsidy scheme for Shishu loan
account holders under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. Shishu loans are those loans that provide funds
upto Rs 50,000 under PMMY. The other two categories are Kishor and Tarun. The fund limit of Kishor
loans is between Rs 50,000 and Rs 5 lakhs. Tarun loans are those loans that provide funds upto Rs 10
lakhs.
The Interest Subvention Scheme was launched to help small businesses survive the difficulties
created by lockdown due to COVID-19.
The scheme was implemented through Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).
The estimated cost of the scheme was Rs 1,542 crores.
The scheme was to run for a period of one year.
Forbes list of India’s 10 richest billionaires
The Forbes recently released its list of wealthiest people in the world. Forbes is an American business
magazine owned by the Integrated Whale Media Investments and the Forbes family.
Forbes list of India’s ten richest billionaires
The following are the top ten richest billionaires in India according to Forbes:
Mukesh Ambani. Net Worth: 84.5 billion USD
Gautham Adani. Net Worth: 50.5 billion USD
Shiv Nadar. Net Worth: 23.5 billion USD
Radhakishan damani. Net Worth: 16.5 billion USD
Uday Box. Net Worth: 15.9 billion USD
Lakshmi Mittal. Net Worth: 14.9 billion USD
Kumar Birla. Net Worth: 12.8 billion USD
Cyrus Poonawalla. Net Worth: 12.7 billion USD
Dilip Shanghvi. Net Worth: 10.9 billion USD
Sunil Mittal and family. Net Worth: 10.5 billion USD
Of the ten richest billionaires in India, only two earned their spot owing to investments in healthcare sector.
They were Cyrus Poonawala of Serum Institute and Dilip Shanghvi of Sun Pharmaceutical.
Forbes list of richest World Billionaires
Jeff Bezos. Net Worth: 177 billion USD
Elon Musk. Net Worth: 151 billion USD
Bernard Arnault. Net Worth: 150 billion USD
Bill Gates. Net Worth: 124 billion USD
Mark Zuckerberg. Net Worth: 97 billion USD

About Forbes
The headquarters of Forbes is located in New Jersey. It has an international edition in Asia and also Forbes
editions are produced under license in 27 countries. In 2014, Forbes was sold to a Hong Kong based
investment group Integrated Whale Media Investments.
Other popular Forbes lists
Forbes is well known for the following lists:
Forbes 400: It lists top 400 richest Americans.
Forbes Global 2000: Annual ranking of top 2000 public companies in the world
Forbes list of World’s Most Powerful people
The motto of Forbes magazine is “Change the World”.
Second Wave of Bird Flu in Himachal Pradesh
In January 2021, Bird Flu was confirmed among the migratory water birds at Pong Dam Lake Wildlife
Sanctuary. The disease then killed more than 5,000 birds. It was contained in February 2021. However, it
has resurfaced since late March.
What is the issue?
Recently, around 99 birds were found dead at Pong Dam Lake. The officials of National Institute of High
Security Animal Diseases have confirmed that the recent death of birds is due to the presence of H5N8
Avian Influenza. However, this strain is different from the previous outbreak. Previously the outbreak was
due to H5N1. The bird fatalities are higher during days of adverse weather as it is when the geese tend to
flock together instead of flying out.
Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
The Pong Wetland is an international Ramsar site. It extends up to 220 square kilometres during wet
season.
The Pong wetland becomes home to flocks of migratory waterfowl every winter.
Several birds migrate here as the wetlands in Europe, North and Central Asia become frozen during
winter.
More than one lakh migratory water birds of different species arrive at the lake. This includes 40,000
bar-headed geese as well.
Avian Influenza
The bird flu or Avian Influenza has been reported in Rajasthan, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh in the recent days. The two main virus types causing the recent
outbreaks are H5N1 and H5N8. They belong to the category of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
(HPAI).
The Centre issued an alert to the states to stick to the National Action Plan for Prevention, Control
and Containment of Avian Influenza.
The HPAI outbreaks have been identified in other countries such as Ukraine, UK and Russia. This has
led to a loss of more than 4.8 million birds by December 2020.
What are Prepaid Payment Instruments?
The Reserve Bank of India recently made three main changes to the Prepaid Payment Instruments.
What are Prepaid Payment Instruments?
The Prepaid Payment Instruments or PPI are means through which purchase of goods and services shall be
made against the value stored in such instruments. The Prepaid instruments shall be used as magnetic
stripe cards, smart cards, internet accounts, mobile accounts, online wallets, paper vouchers or any other
instrument used to access a prepaid amount.

What are the three changes RBI made in prepaid instruments (PPI)?
In 2018, the PPIs were provided the option of becoming interoperable. Under this option, the customers of
one company shall send funds to the customers of other company or bank or PPI. RBI provided this option
only to those cases where a complete KYC is done. Even after two years, the migration towards KYC PPIs
has not been achieved. KYC is Know Your Customer.
Thus, to increase the migration of PPIs to full KYC, the following changes have been introduced
The limit of outstanding balance in PPIs is to be increased from the current level of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2
lakhs.
The facility of cash withdrawal is to be permitted for full KYC PPIs of non-bank PPI issuers.
The membership to RBI-operated Centralised Payment Systems (NEFT and RTGS) are to be opened to
non-banks such as the Central bank regulated payment system operators.
What are the categories of PPIs used in India?
The following are the categories of Prepaid Payment Instruments used in India:
Closed System Payment Instruments
Semi-Closed System Payment Instruments
Semi-Open System Payment Instruments
Open System Payment Instruments Mobile Prepaid Instruments
The Closed System Payment Instruments are issued by a person. They are issued to facilitate purchase of
goods from him or her.
The Semi-Closed System Payment Instruments are redeemable only at a group of identified merchants.
They do not permit cash withdrawal or redemption by the holder.
The Semi-Open System Payment Instruments can be used at any card accepting merchant sale terminals.
They do not allow cash withdrawal or redemption.
The Open System Payment Instruments allow cash withdrawals at ATMs and can be used for purchase of
goods.
The Mobile Prepaid Instruments are issued by the mobile service providers.
What is India H2 Alliance (IH2A)?
The Global energy and industrial majors have joined together to form a new coalition called the India H2
Alliance. The initiative to form the alliance was begun by the Reliance industries and Chart Industries. The
India H2 Alliance, IH2A mainly focuses on commercialising hydrogen technologies. It will work towards
boosting the hydrogen economy and supply chain in India.
About India H2 Alliance
The IH2 alliance will mainly focus on industrial clusters such as refineries, steel, cement, fertiliser, ports and
logistics and heavy-duty transport use cases. It will also create standards for storage and transport of
hydrogen in pressurised and liquefied form.
The following are the main objectives of IH2A:
To build hydrogen economy and supply chain in India
To help develop blue and green hydrogen production and storage
To build hydrogen-use industrial clusters
To increase hydrogen-powered fuel cells-based transport
What are the major works of India H2 Alliance?
The India H2 Alliance will closely work with the Government of India on the following five areas:
To develop National Hydrogen Policy and roadmap 2021-30.
To create National H2 Task Force and Mission in a PPP model
To identify National Large H2 Demonstration Stage Projects

To create a National India H2 Fund
To create a good hydrogen linked capacity. This includes production, distribution, storage, industrial
use-cases, standards and transport use-cases.
What is Blue Hydrogen?
Blue Hydrogen is produced from the splitting of natural gas into carbon dioxide and hydrogen. This is
achieved by Steam Methane Reforming or Auto thermal Reforming.
What is Green Hydrogen?
Green Hydrogen is made from non-fossil sources.
National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules
The Union Cabinet recently approved the Production Linked Incentive Scheme called the “National
Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules”. PV stands for Photo Voltaic. They are units that convert
light energy into electrical energy.
National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules
The programme aims to achieve manufacturing capacity in Giga Watt scale in high efficiency solar PV
modules.
The total outlay of the scheme has been estimated as Rs 4,500 crores.
The programme aims to bring additional 10,000 MW capacity of integrated solar PV manufacturing
units in India.
It will bring in direct investment of Rs 17,200 crores in solar Photo Voltaic manufacturing projects.
The demand for “Balance of Materials” is expected to touch Rs 17,500 crores in five years after the
launch of the scheme.
It will bring indirect employment of 1,20,00 and direct employment of 30,000.
It will stimulate research and development that will achieve higher efficiency in solar PV modules.
What is the plan?
The solar Photo Voltaic manufacturers are to be selected through transparent competitive bidding process.
The scheme will reward manufacturers with higher efficiencies of solar Photo Voltaic modules. Also, they
will be incentivised for sourcing their material from the domestic markets.
Why is the scheme important?
The solar capacity addition in the country largely depends on imported solar Photo Voltaic Cells and
modules. The National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules will help to reduce the dependence
on imports of solar PV cells and modules. Also, it will support Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative.
PLI Scheme
The main objective of PLI Scheme is to make manufacturing in India globally competitive. The scheme will
generate large scale employment opportunities and will enhance exports substantially.
Other Schemes approved
Apart from this scheme, the union cabinet has also approved the Production Linked Scheme for White
Goods-LED Lights and Air Conditioners.
Union Cabinet: PLI Scheme for Air Conditioners and LED Lights approved
The Union Cabinet recently approved the Production Linked Scheme for White Goods such as Air
conditioners and LED lights. The main objective of the scheme is to make manufacturing in India globally
competitive. This is to be achieved by creating economies of scale, removing sectoral disabilities and
ensuring efficiencies. The scheme will make India an integral part of the global supply chain.
It is expected that the scheme will attract global investment, enhance exports and generate large scale
employment.

PLI Scheme for White Goods
The budget allocated for the scheme is Rs 6,238 crores. The amount has been approved by the
cabinet.
The scheme will help to facilitate additional investments of Rs 7,920 crores.
It will create four lakh jobs.
The scheme will generate direct and indirect revenues of Rs 49,300 crores.
The scheme will provide incentive of 4% to 6% to the companies engaged in the manufacturing of Air
Conditioners and LED lights.
The incentives are to be provided for a period of five years.
The scheme is expected to increase production worth Rs 1,68,000 crores and exports worth Rs
64,000 crores.
What are White Goods?
Generally large home appliances such as refrigerators, dish washers, washing machines, air conditioners
are referred to as white goods. Traditionally the household goods were available in white colour and hence
the name.
What are brown goods?
The Consumer Electronics such as computer, Television, games consoles, radios are referred to as brown
goods.
Other Schemes approved
Along with the PLI Scheme for Air Conditioners and LED lights, the PLI Scheme for high efficiency Solar PV
module called the “National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules” was also approved.
April 8, 2021
India-Japan: MoU signed for Academic and Research Cooperation
The Union Cabinet recently apprised a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed between India and
Japan. The MoU was signed between National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL) that operates
under Department of Space, GoI and the Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere called the RISH
that operates under Kyoto University of Japan.
What are the objectives of the MoU?
The main objectives of the MoU are as follows:
According to the MoU signed, the NARL and RISH will continue their cooperation in the areas of
technology, atmospheric sciences, collaborative scientific experiments and other related modelling
studies.
They will exchange scientific materials, information, publications, students, faculty members and
researchers.
The MoU will allow the countries to utilize the facilities such as Middle and Upper atmosphere radar
in Japan, Mesosphere-Stratosphere-Troposphere radar, Equatorial Atmosphere Radar in Indonesia.
Background
NARL and RISH have been working together since 2008. This MoU was formalised in 2008 and was renewed
earlier in 2013. In November 2020, NARL and RISH signed a fresh MoU to promote collaborative research
under new guidelines.
India-Japan
India and Japan hold 2+2 dialogue annually. Japan is the second country after the United States with
which India has such a dialogue format.
The major exports of India to Japan are petroleum products, chemicals, etc.
The major imports of India from Japan are transport, machinery, iron and steel, electronic goods.

The Foreign Direct Investment of Japan in India are mainly in electrical equipment, automobile,
telecommunication, pharmaceutical sector.
Japan has invested 90 billion USD in the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial corridor. This will set up industrial
parks, new cities, ports and airports.
Japan supplies nuclear reactors and nuclear technology to India. India is the only non-signatory of
Non-Proliferation Treaty to receive the exemption from Japan.
INS Sarvekshak: Joint Hydrographc Survey in Mauritius
The INS Sarvekshak is on a deployment to Mauritius for undertaking Hydrogrpahic surveys along with
Mauritius. It will also provide training to the Mauritian personnel on advanced hydrographic equipment and
practices during the deployment.
Hydrographic Survey
INS Sarvekshak has visited Port Louis and commenced the hydrographic survey of “Deep Sea Area off
Port Louis”.
The Hydrographic surveys help in the measurement of ocean features that affect marine dredging,
maritime navigation, offshore oil exploration and drilling and other related activities.
INS Sarvekshak
The INS Sarvekshak is fitted with survey equipment such as Side Scan Sonars, Deep Sea Multi Beam
Echo Sounder and a completely automated digital surveying and processing system.
It operates under the Southern Naval Command.
INS Sarvekshak had earlier been deployed in Mauritius for surveys in 2006, 2011, 2015. It has
conducted Survey of Rodrigues for delineation of continental shelf, survey of passes off Mauritian
coast, survey of Port Harbour.
The survey works of INS Sarvekshak are of immense help to the Mauritius Government in the field of
fishing, establishment of artificial reefs, ecosystem preservation and management.
In 2007, INS Sarvekshak surveyed Port Mathurin located in Rodrigues of Mauritius that was last
surveyed more than hundred years ago.
The INS Sarvekshak carries an integral Chetak helicopter. The helicopter is deployed during the
survey.
It has also undertaken various foreign surveys along the coasts of Tanzania, Seychelles and Kenya.
INS Sarvekshak was the first ship of Indian Navy to deploy solar power.
Indian Naval Ships for surveys
The Indian Naval ships involved in surveying are INS Darshak, INS Sagardhwani, INS Investigator, INS
Sarvekshak, INS Sandhayak, INS Sutlej, INS Nirupak, INS Jamuna, INS Makar.
IRDAI Guidelines on Trade Credit Insurance
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) recently issued draft guidelines for
general insurance companies. The guidelines mainly focus on credit insurance products with customised
covers for MSMEs.
Guidelines on Trade Credit Insurance
The guidelines will enable general insurers to offer trade insurance covers to financial institutions
(mainly licensed banks). This will help companies manage their risks overseas, manage non-payment
risks associated with trade financing portfolio and open up access to new markets.
The trade credit insurance that has now been introduced with the new guidelines will protect the
businesses against the risk of non-payment of goods and services by the buyers.
According to the guidelines, the trade credit insurance can cover commercial and political risks as
well. However, the option of political risk is available only to buyers outside India. But still, for MSMEs

the policy can cover 95% in case of political risks. The commercial risk covers risk of insolvency as
well.
A Trade Credit policy can grant an indemnity of maximum 60% of trade receivables from each buyer
for all financial institutions. Indemnity is the security or protection against a loss or other financial
burden.
Significance
The new guidelines will open up opportunities to offer credit insurance-backed financing solutions to
corporates and MSMEs. Also, changes such as enhanced indemnity of 90% and pre-shipment risk coverage
will make the credit insurance product more comprehensive.
What is Credit Insurance?
Credit Insurance is an insurance policy that is designed to cover the cost of the debt. It is purchased by a
borrower that pays off one or more existing debts in case of death or unemployment. It protects businesses
from non-payment of commercial debt. It ensures that the capital is protected.
The three main types of credit insurance are disability, life and unemployment.
S Ramann: New Chairman and Managing Director of SIDBI
The Government of India recently appointed S Ramann as the Chairman and Managing Director of Small
Industries and Development Bank of India.
About the Appointment
The appointment is for a period of three years.
The name of the new Chairman and Managing Director was recommended by Banks Board Bureau.
Banks Board Bureau
It is an autonomous body of Government of India. It is an advisory body.
It is tasked to improve governance of Public sector banks. The Banks Board Bureau recommends
selection of chiefs of government owned banks and financial institutions.
It assists banks with the strategies to deal with non-performing assets and bad loans.
It recommends the top level appointments of financial institutions (includes non-banking) to the GoI.
The Banks Board Bureau was set up in 2016.
It works towards reforms in Public Sector Banks as recommended by P J Nayak Committee.
P J Nayak Committee
The P J Nayak Committee was set up in 2014 by the Reserve Bank of India. The committee reviewed the
governance of board of banks. The recommendations made by the committee are as follows
Repeal the Bank Nationalisation Act, 1970, SBI Subsidiaries Act and SBI Act. This was recommended
as these acts required the Government to have above 50% shares in the banks.
After repealing the above act, the GoI should set up Bank Investment Company (BIC). The shares of
the Government in the banks should be transferred to the BIC.
S Ramann
S Ramann is currently the CEO of National E-Governance Services Limited. The National E-Governance is the
first Information Utility of India. He is a 1991 batch Indian Audit and Accounts Service Officer.
What is Jordan Crisis?
Jordan is a unitary state that is ruled under a Constitutional Monarchy. Unitary state is a state that is
governed as a single entity where the central government is ultimately supreme. In a Constitutional
monarchy, a monarch (ruler or king) exercises authority in accordance to a written or unwritten constitution.
What is Jordan Crisis?
The former crown prince Hamzah was recently placed under de facto house arrest. He is the half-brother of
the King Abdullah. Hamzah was accused of undermining national security. This was because he attended

the meetings with tribal leaders that openly criticized the ruling monarch. According to Jordanian
Government, there had been an attempt for a political coup to destabilize the country. The Government also
says that foreign entities also attended the meeting.
What is the significance of stability in Jordan?
Jordan was created after the first world war. It has remained stable for decades in a part of the world
that is prone to conflict and political uncertainty. According to the Gulf and Western countries, Jordan
is a strategic partner that can be relied upon for further political objectives in the region. The support
of Jordanian intelligence is highly important to fight against terrorism in the region. The conflicts in
the region include Syrian crisis, Israel-Palestine conflict, etc. Jordan has served as a good host to the
refugees from the war prone zones. Today refugees make up half of population of Jordan.
During 2003 US invasion of Iraq, Jordan had welcomed refugees from Iraq. It currently hosts 10 lakh
refugees from Syria.
Jordan is highly important for the future peace deals between Israel and Palestine.
How did Jordan get amidst regional powers?
Initially Jordan maintained close relations with the US and also with the Sunni Muslim powers of UAE
and Saudi Arabia. They together stand against the Shia of Iran.
In 1994, Jordan signed a peace deal with Israel and since then the two countries maintain diplomatic
relations. However, the friction began after the Saudi-UAE’s blockade of Qatar in 2017. Saudi and UAE
moved to punish Qatar for its ties with extremist groups. Jordan too downgraded its relations with
Qatar. However, it maintained cordial terms with Qatar. It even accepted financial assistance from
Qatar. This created tensions between Jordan and Saudi Arabia and its allies in the region.
Jordan also faced criticisms for maintaining strong ties with Turkey.
Jordan disagreed to back Syrian crisis along with UAE and Saudi Arabia. Later Jordan ended up in
trouble after being exposed for munitions support for Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar.
After UAE normalized its relations with Israel, the role of Jordan as the Interlocutor of the region has
diminished. Interlocutor is a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation.
G-sec acquisition programme - G-SAP 1.0
The Reserve Bank of India recently announced a Government Security Acquisition Programme, GSAP 1.0.
Under the programme, the central bank will purchase government bonds of worth Rs 1 trillion (or one lakh
crores of rupees). The first purchase of Rs 25,000 crore is to be made on April 15, 2021.
GSAP 1.0
The GSAP 1.0 will provide more comfort to the bond market. As the borrowing of the Government
increased this year, RBI has to ensure there is no disruption in the Indian market.
In the fiscal year 2021, the Reserve Bank of India purchased Rs 3.13 trillion worth bonds from the
secondary market. However, it was carried out in an ad hoc manner.
The programme will help to reduce the spread between repo rate and the ten-year government bond
yield.
It will also help to reduce aggregate cost of borrowing for the centre and states in fiscal year 2022.
Impacts of GSAP
The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex had fallen in February and March, 2021 due to rising bond yields.
However, after RBI announced the GSAP in its Monetary Policy announcements, the ten-year G-Sec bond
yield dropped by 0.6%.
The rise in bond yields led to weakness in the equity markets. Now, the yields will once again stabilize. With
this, the FPI inflow into equities could regain momentum.

What are Government Securities?
Government Securities are debt instruments that are issued by GoI to borrow money. There are two types
namely short-term instruments that mature in 91 days and long-term instruments that mature anywhere
between five years and forty years.
RBI Consumer Confidence Index
The Reserve Bank of India recently released the report of Consumer Confidence Survey. The survey was
conducted in major cities of the country over 5,000 respondents.
Key Highlights of the survey
The Consumer Confidence Index declined from 55.5 points in January 2021 to 53.1 points in March
2021.
The Future Expectations dipped from 117.1 in January 2021 to 108.8 in March 2021.
When the index measure is above 100, it signals optimism and while it is below 100, it represents
pessimism.
Most of the consumers reported higher overall expenditure. According to the survey, this scenario is
to continue in the coming year despite the moderation in discretionary spending.
The consumers expectation on general economic situation and employment situation for the year
ahead was also pessimistic.
About Consumer Confidence Survey
The Survey measures consumer perception on five economic variables such as employment, economic
situation, price level, spending and income. The Consumer Confidence Survey has two main indices namely
current situation index and future expectations index. The future expectations index measures what
consumer thinks about the change in an economic issue one year ahead. The current situation index
measures the change in consumer perception over an economic issue in the last year.
The Consumer Confidence Survey is conducted every two months by the Reserve Bank of India. The survey
is conducted to measure how pessimistic or optimistic the consumers are regarding their financial
situation.
How was the survey conducted?
The survey was conducted through telephonic interviews. It was conducted in major cities such as
Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai.
MCA: 60% Eligible for pre-pack turnaround Scheme
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) recently announced that six out of ten active Indian companies are
eligible for the new pre-packaged bankruptcy scheme. This is because out of the 1.3 million active
companies in India, 60% belong to the category of MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises).
Background
The President of India recently promulgated an ordinance, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Amendment
Ordinance, 2021. The ordinance will allow pre-packaged insolvency resolution process for the MSMEs.
Now, the GoI has announced that it has decided on a minimum payment default threshold of Rs 10 lakhs for
the initiation of pre-pack resolution process.
Benefits of Pre-Pack Insolvency Bankruptcy resolution scheme
The main advantage of the scheme is that the major part of the work is done informally. This includes
the turnaround plan for the business as well.
Unlike the general provisions that are provided for the larger companies, this resolution scheme does
not displace the existing management.
The scheme includes several provisions to prevent abuses.

How is Pre-Packaged Deal different?
In the Pre-packaged insolvency framework, the stressed borrower can prepare a plan for settlement or
resolution. This will avail the option of sale of the company before going to the IBC court. In other words,
the pre-packaged insolvency framework is a kind of restructuring where the borrower can benefit from the
approval of the creditors without going through IBC process.
Bottom line, the scheme helps the MSME borrowers to retain control of the enterprise till a settlement is
reached. Therefore, his chances to regain control of the company increases. In the usual IBC cases, the
borrowers do not have a role when the case reaches NCLT court.
World Bank-IMF launch Climate Change platform for poor countries
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund have launched a platform to advise the poor countries on
funding for conservation and climate activities. Both the financial organizations will use the platform to
factor climate change into negotiations about reducing debt burdens of poor countries.
Current Scenario
According to the World Bank and IMF, there prevails twin global problems. They are as follows:
The need to restructure or reduce the heavy debt burden of poor countries
The need to reduce fossil fuel emissions contributing to climate change
Therefore, the solution of including climate change into debt restructuring process will help motivate
sovereign lenders to write off certain percentage of debt of poorer countries. Basically, the international
financial organizations will negotiate in reducing the debt of poorer countries citing climate change and
COVID-19 crisis.
The Climate change platform is highly important as several poor countries are struggling to shore up their
food supplies and infrastructure due to climate change. These countries are not emitting the green houses
in large amounts. However, they are bearing the brunt of the impact from the rest of the world. The platform
will address this issue.
About the platform
The advisors in the platform will include officials from United Nations, private investors and ratings
agencies.
The platform is supported by the G20 economies as well.
Three countries such as Chad, Ethiopia and Zambia have initiated the negotiations with the creditors
under the new platform.
Apart from the initiations of World Bank and International Monetary Fund, there has been other initiatives to
reduce the debt of poor countries. One such is the Debt Service Suspension Initiative.
Debt Service Suspension Initiative
China, USA and G20 members offered a temporary relief to the poor countries by suspending the debt
service payment from the countries. This is referred to as Debt Service Suspension Initiative.
RBI: Inflation Forecast Model Amended
The Reserve Bank of India recently revised its Inflation Forecast Model. The new model will capture how
fiscal and monetary policy interact with real economy elements in a better way.
About the New Inflation Forecast Model
The new model is broken into three blocks. The first block decomposes the primary deficit of the
Government into structural and cyclical components. It is also called fiscal block. A structural increase in
deficit of the Government will create a positive output gap. This will in turn make borrowings costlier and
will eventually depreciate the currency. This means country will face higher inflation. On the other hand, the
cyclical shock is negligible.
The second block includes the complex system of pricing in India. It includes items such as diesel and

petrol that are priced on the basis of international oil prices, local taxes and exchange rates. This block is
also called the fuel block.
The third block is the Balance of Payment block. This block recognizes the costs that are associated with
spurts in volatility in exchange rate.
How is inflation measured in India?
In India, inflation is measured using two main indices namely Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and Consumer
Price Index (CPI). The Consumer Price Index measures the weighted average of prices of basket of
consumer goods and services such as food, transportation and medical care. It is measured by calculating
the average of price changes of each item in the predetermined basket of goods. On the other hand, the
Whole Price Index is measured based on prices at wholesale level.
IMF: Solidarity Tax on Pandemic Winners
The International Monetary Fund recently announced Solidarity Tax on Pandemic Winners. That is, the
companies that prospered during COVID-19 crisis should pay additional tax to show solidarity towards
those hit hardest by the pandemic.
About the Solidarity Tax suggested by IMF
It is a temporary tax.
It shall be imposed to reduce social inequalities that increased during the recent health crisis.
The Solidarity Tax was introduced by IMF citing Germany’s Solidarity tax after reunification.
Background
According to IMF, several countries are not facing the crisis in public finances. The advanced economies
have borrowed 11.7% of their National income, emerging countries have borrowed 9.8% and low-income
countries have borrowed 5.5%. However, it is the low-income countries that are suffering the most even to
achieve basic needs. Therefore, it is essential to bring in a mechanism that will help in their upliftment.
The current COVID-19 recovery in uneven unlike to that happened after 2008 financial crisis.
Solidarity Tax in other countries
The solidarity tax was introduced in Germany in 1991 after the East and West Germany were joined
together. It was collected for only one year.
Solidarity Tax is levied on wealth in France. It is also known as wealth tax. It is paid by households with a
net worth greater than 1.3 million Euros. It was first introduced in 1981 and terminated in 1986. Again, it
was reintroduced in 1988.
Recommendations made by IMF
The countries should invest in the production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations.
According to IMF, this will cost tens of billions of dollars but will boost growth prospects to raise tax
revenues in advanced countries by 1 trillion USD by 2025.
What is Solidarity Tax?
Solidarity Tax is a government-imposed tax that is levied to provide funding towards unifying projects. It
acts in conjunction with income taxes. The solidarity tax is an additional burden on tax payers including
sole proprietors, individuals and corporations.
PM FME Scheme: Ministries Converge
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries, earlier launched an all India Pradhan Mantri Formalization of
Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) Scheme. The scheme is to be implemented between 2020-21
and 2024-25. It is to implemented at an outlay of Rs 10,000 crores.
Convergence of Ministries
Recently, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) agreed to work with the Ministry of Rural
Development (MoRD) to implement the PM FME scheme. The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural

Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) operating under MoRD is to work with the MoFPI to implement the scheme.
What is the plan?
The Ministries are to provide seed capital support to the Self-Help Group members. Accordingly, Rs
40,000 is to be provided to every Self-Help Group member.
The State Rural Livelihood Missions in the States and Union Territories are responsible for identifying
eligible beneficiaries.
In 2020-21, around 17,427 beneficiaries were recommended for seed capital support of Rs 51.85
crores. So far, Rs 29.01 crores has been approved towards seed capital support covering 6,694
enterprises. These enterprises are located in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Chhattisgarh,
Haryana, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Sikkim,
Tripura, Sikkim, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY)
It is also called National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). The DAY-NRLM is the new name given to
Aajeevika-NRLM. It was renamed in 2015. The programme is partly supported by World Bank. The main aim
of the programme is to increase the household income of rural poor. The scheme was begun with an
agenda to cover seven crore rural poor households.
Scheme for Formalisation of Micro Processing Enterprises
The scheme was launched for the unorganized sector in India. It aims to increase access to finance by
micro processing units. It also aims in compliance with food quality and safety standards. The scheme
focuses on women entrepreneurs and aspirational districts.
Madhukranti Portal and Honey Corners launched
The Union Agricultural Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the Madhukranti portal and Honey Corners
of NAFED to promote the Honey Mission in India.
Madhukranti portal
The Madhukranti portal is an initiative of National Bee Board. It is operated under the National Beekeeping
and Honey Mission.
The main objectives of the Madhukranti portal are as follows:
The portal has been developed to achieve the traceability source of honey and bee hive products on
the digital platform.
Also, the platform will help in checking the quality and source of adulteration of honey.
Significance of Madhukranti Portal
The portal will help in increasing income of the farmers, boost exports and increase employment
generation. The portal will hold the database of all the stakeholders involved in honey production, marketing
chains, hive production and sales. This will increase the reach of honey to international markets. By this, the
stakeholders can easily be contacted.
Honey Corners
The Honey Corners are special spaces for the sale of honey. It is operated by NAFED. NAFED is National
Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation. NAFED has developed 14-15 honey corners. More honey
corners are to be developed in most of the upcoming major 200 NAFED stores. This will promote market
support for honey.
Banking
Indian Bank is the technical and banking partner for the development of digital platform. The bank has
signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Bee Board to implement the platform.
National Beekeeping and Honey Mission
It is a central sector scheme that was approved by the Government of India for Rs 500 crores. It aims at

scientific bee keeping and production of honey. The main objective of the mission is to achieve the goal of
“Sweet Revolution”. The Government of India has been establishing quality testing labs to address the
issues related to quality of honeybees under the mission.
Anamaya: Tribal Health Collaborative
The Union Health and Family Welfare Minister recently launched the Tribal Health Collaborative called
“Anamaya”.
Key Features of Anamaya
It is a multi-stake holder initiative.
It was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the Ministry of
Tribal Affairs.
The initiative will also be supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Piramal
Foundation.
The main objective of the initiative is to enhance health and nutrition eco-system of tribal
communities in India
The collaborative will set up the National Council on Tribal Health and a Tribal Health Cell to monitor
the health care needs in tribal areas.
Also, Anamaya will implement the Tribal Health Action Plan.
It will converge efforts of government agencies and organizations to enhance the health and nutrition
status of tribal communities in the country.
Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs together launched the
Tribal Tuberculosis Initiative to fulfil the goal of “TB Mukt Bharat”, that is, “Tuberculosis Free India” by 2025.
Need for the initiative
The Abhay Bang Committee submitted a report on “Tribal Health in India”. The findings of the committee
are as follows:
Child mortality halved among the tribal population in 26 years. It was 90 in 1988 and has reduced to
44 in 2014.
The Under-five mortality rate has declined from 135 in 1988 to 57 in 2014.
The prevalence of Tuberculosis in rest of India is 256 per 100,000 cases. However, in case of tribal
population, it is 703 cases per 100,000.
One in four tribal adult suffers from hypertension.
The findings of the committee clearly shows that more care should be taken towards improving health of
tribal population in India.
Robo Plant: Technology to interact with plants
The scientists from Singapore have developed a technology to interact with plants. The technology has
been named as “Robo Plant”.
About the Robo Plant Technology
The technology helps to control the plants using smart phone applications.
In future, this technology can be further used to enable farmers to detect diseases in plants. The
plants can tell farmers that they are hit by diseases through this technology.
The Singapore scientists achieved in building the technology by linking plants to electrodes. These
electrodes were capable of monitoring weak electrical pulses that are naturally emitted by green
plants.
How did the scientist build the technology?
The scientists used the technology to trigger a Venus flytrap to snap its jaws when a button on a smart
phone is pressed. One of the jaws of the plant was then connected to a robotic arm that enabled the

contraption to pick up a piece of wire (that was half a milli metre thick) and catch a small falling object.
Venus Flytrap
It is a carnivorous plant. It is native to subtropical wetlands that are located in the East Coast of United
States. It catches prey such as insects with a trapping structure. When the prey touches a hair, the plant
prepares to close. The IUCN has put the plant under “Vulnerable” status.
Electrical Signals in Plants
The Electrical Signals in plants were first revealed in insectivorous plants by Burdon Sanderson in 1873 and
by Darwin in 1875. Plants exhibit several methods of delivering electrical signals. The four commonly used
propagation methods are as follows:
Action Potential
Variation Potential
Local Electric Potential
Systematic Potential
Plants also have the capability to sense and respond to the environment. They react to chemicals, light,
gravity, moisture, infections, oxygen, infection, temperature, parasite infestation, sound, physical disruption
and touch.
MoU signed between Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Ministry of AYUSH
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying operating under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal
Husbandry and Dairying and Ministry of AYUSH signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce
the concept of Ayurveda and its allied disciplines into veterinary science.
About the MoU
The cooperation between the ministries will help to develop a regulatory mechanism for the use of
Ayurveda in veterinary sector.
It will also focus on capacity building in related areas through training.
The MoU will explore marketing possibilities for herbal veterinary medicines on a sustainable basis.
It will provide services for cultivation, conservation and preservation of medicinal plants.
The cooperation will develop herbal veterinary education programmes.
It will create awareness among agro-farmers and dairy farmers about the importance and utilization
of herbal veterinary medicine and cultivation of medicinal herbs.
Animal Husbandry in India
According to the Economic Survey 2021, the contribution of livestock has increased from 24.32% in
2014-15 to 28.63% in 2018-19.
According to the twentieth livestock census, the total livestock population in India is 535.78 million.
India has the highest livestock population in the world.
In June 2020, the Government of India established the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development
Fund. It was set up with an outlay of Rs 15,000 crores.
Th Government of India launched the National Animal Disease Control Programme. The programme
was launched for Brucellosis and Foot and Mouth Diseases. Around Rs 13,343 crores were allocated
for the programme.
The National Livestock Mission was launched in 2014-15. This was to ensure the qualitative and
quantitative improvement in livestock production system.
The National Artificial Insemination Programme was launched to suggest novel methods to bring
about impregnation in female breeds.
April 9, 2021

Copyright (Amendment) Rules, 2021
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently notified Copyright (Amendment) rules, 2021. The
amendment has been made to bring the existing Copyright rules in the country with parity with the other
relevant legislations.
Current Scenario
Currently, the Copyright regime of India is governed by Copyright Act, 1957 and the Copyright rules 2013.
Why were the amendments made?
The main objective of the amendment of Copyright Rules is to ensure smooth and flawless compliance in
the light of technological advancement in digital era. The new rules will help India adopt towards electronic
means as primary mode of communication. It is highly important to achieve the goals of Digital India.
What are the amendments made?
The Copyright societies will have to make an Annual Transparency Report for each financial year.
The amendments have harmonised the Copyright rules with the provisions of Finance Act, 2017. This
has been achieved by merging Copyright Board with the Appellate Board.
The compliance requirements of registration works have been largely reduced. The applicant now has
the liberty to file the first ten and last ten pages of source code with no blocked out or redacted
portions.
The time limit of the Central Government to respond to an application has been extended. When an
applicant applies to get registered as a copyright society, the central government shall now respond
in one hundred and eighty days. This has been done to provide enough time so that the application
can be comprehensively examined.
What is Copyright?
Copyright is a type is intellectual property.
It gives the owner exclusive right to make copies of his or her creative work. It can be education,
artistic, literary or music.
According to World Intellectual Property Organisation, Copyright protects two types of rights. They
are Economic rights and moral rights. Economic rights allow the owners to derive financial reward
from the use of their works. On the other hand, the moral rights allow authors to take certain actions
to protect their link with their work.
Committee: 3 out of every 1,000 pregnant women in Meghalaya test positive for HIV
The Assembly Committee on Women Empowerment recently submitted its report to the Meghalaya
Government. The Committee was led by Ampareen Lyngdoh. The Committee has found that three out of
every thousand pregnant women in the state are testing positive for HIV in the state.
Key Findings of the Committee
According to the Committee, there are five thousand plus cases of HIV/AIDS in Meghalaya. The
number of cases in the state is increasing alarmingly.
With the discussions made with the police department and social welfare department, the committee
has identified that there is an urgent need to address the issue of commercial sex workers.
The Government of Meghalaya has been suggested to frame a policy to address the issue of
HIV/AIDS.
The committee has recommended to conduct a study to find out the reason on why HIV is more
prevalent among the pregnant women in the state.
The major concern that needs immediate action is the prevalence of HIV among sex workers in the
East Khasi hills.
According to MACS (Meghalaya AIDS Control Society), there are more than two hundred sex workers

in the state that test HIV positive.
There are schemes of the Central Government that try to rehabilitate sex workers in the state.
However, it is currently not functioning due to very slow flow of funds from the centre.
Meghalaya Health Policy
In March 2021, the Meghalaya State Government adopted a new Health Policy. The policy does include
AIDS. However, it has not prioritised the issue. The seriousness of the problem does not reflect in the
policy. Also, the policy lacks to provide a detailed plan to eliminate AIDS in the state. The policy simply
states the following:
The policy will aim to achieve “Global Target of 2020” where 90% of the people living with HIV will
receive antiretroviral therapy.
Background
According to NACO (National AIDS Control Organisation), 0.54% of population in Meghalaya are living with
HIV. Also, Meghalaya has the highest Syphilis cases in the country according to HIV Surveillance Sentinel,
2017. Around 1.03% of all pregnant have tested positive for the disease.
ADB approves 484 million USD for CKIC Project
The Asian Development Bank recently approved 484 million USD for CKIC (Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial
Corridor) in Tamil Nadu.
About the Project
The project will upgrade 590 km of state highways in the CKIC influence areas.
The Climate Change adaptation measures are to be incorporated in the highway upgrades. This
includes improved drainage, resizing of bridges and culverts, raised road embankments in critical
sections.
The project is to strengthen road safety programmes through advanced technologies for road
monitoring.
The project will also improve the planning capacity of Tamil Nadu Highway and Minor Ports
Department.
About CKIC
CKIC is a part of East Coast Economic Corridor.
The main objective of CKIC is to increase the participation of manufacturing industry in production
networks and create jobs along the corridor.
Need for the project
The state of Tamil Nadu has strong state of economy with several manufacturing industries such as
engineering, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, garments, and aerospace. However, central and southern
regions of the state that are far away from the current industrial hubs around Chennai need better
connectivity for inclusive growth. This is the main objective of the project.
East Coast Corridor
It stretches from West Bengal to Tamil Nadu.
The East Coast Economic Corridor connects India to the production networks of south east and east
Asia.
The complete East Coast Corridor was developed with the help of funds from Asian Development
Bank. It is a multimodal regional maritime corridor that plays a vital role in unifying the domestic
market.
In 2016, ADB approved Phase 1 of the East Coast Corridor, which is, Vishakhapatnam-Chennai
Industrial Corridor.
The East Coast Corridor plays a crucial role in Make in India campaign.

It supports port-led industrialisation strategy under the Sagar Mala initiative.
The project also supports Act East Policy of India by linking domestic companies with global
production networks in South East and East Asia.
What are Quasars? How do they help in understanding Universe?
Recently, a group of astronomers have discovered a dozen of quasars that were warped by naturally
occurring cosmic lens. Warping is twisting. With this discovery, the number of known quasars have
increased by 25%. This can help to determine the expansion rate of the universe and will also help address
other mysteries.
What are Quasars?
Quasars are luminous cores of distant galaxies that are powered by black holes. The mass of
Quasars is millions to billions of times the mass of the sun. The most powerful quasars have
luminosities thousand times greater than the Milky Way galaxy.
The nearest Quasar to the earth is Markarian 231. It is 600 million years away from the earth.
Quasars are usually found in the centres of active galaxies.
Hubble’s Constant
Recently, several discrepancies have emerged over the precise value of the expansion rate of the universe.
The expansion rate of the universe is called Hubble’s constant. There are two primary means that can be
used to determine Hubble’s constant. One is through measurement of distance and speed of objects in the
local universe. The other method to find the Hubble’s constant is by extrapolating the rate from models
based on distant radiation left over from the birth of the universe. The later is called the Cosmic Microwave
background.
How will Quasars help in understanding the Universe?
The main issue is that the two methods of Hubble Constant determination do not match. However, the
discovery of Quasars will help to solve the controversies around Hubble Constant. A Quasar based
determination of Hubble constant will allow the astronomers to conclude which of the value is correct.
Hubble’s Constant describes how fast the universe is expanding. It is one of the keystones to understand
the expansion of the universe. Thus, Quasars will help in understanding the Universe by solving the
discrepancies around Hubble’s constant.
Three-branded Rosefinch: New bird species in India
A team of scientists from the Bombay Natural History Society recorded a new species of bird. It has been
identified as the three banded Rosefinch. The new bird species was identified while exploring the high-
altitude coniferous forests of Arunachal Pradesh.
Three branded Rosefinch
The three branded Rosefinch is a resident of southern China and a vagrant in Bhutan. Vagrant is a
person with no home.
The bird was first photographed at an altitude of 3,852 meters above the sea level. It was seen along
with the flock of white browed Rosefinch. The white browed Rosefinch is commonly seen in this
landscape.
According to the scientists the three branded rosefinch may be using the high altitude temperate
coniferous forests of Arunachal Pradesh as a passage while they were migrating from China to
Bhutan.
New Bird Species in India
Since 2016, 104 new species of birds have been added to the checklist of India. This has been possible
mainly because of intensive surveys especially in the least studied landscapes such as eastern Himalayas.

Three Branded Rosefinch
The Three Branded Rosefinch belongs to the finch species of birds.
Finch birds have world wide distribution except for Australia and polar regions.
State of India’s Bird, 2020
The State of India’s Bird, 2020 report was released at the thirteenth Conference of Parties of Convention on
the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. The report categorised 101 species of birds in India
as “high concern”, 319 as “moderate concern” and 442 as “low concern”. The following was found by the
report:
The Indian Vultures experienced catastrophic population decline. The White-rumped Vulture suffered
the most severe decline followed by Indian Vulture and Egyptian Vulture.
On the other hand, the Indian Peacock, the National bird of the country has increased dramatically in
the last few decades. The increase in numbers has been attributed mainly to the penalties for
poaching peacocks under Schedule I of Wildlife Act. They have been categorised as “Least Concern”
in the IUCN Red List.
IMF: India’s Debt to GDP increased to 90%
The International Monetary Fund recently announced that the debt to GDP ratio of India increased from 74%
to 90% due to COVID-19 crisis. This is to increase to 99% in 2021. The international financial organisation
has also stated that this is to reduce to 80% after economic recovery.
What is Debt to GDP ratio?
The Debt to GDP ratio is the ratio between the debt of the Government measured in the units of its currency
to the GDP measured in the same unit. When the Debt to GDP ratio is low, it means that the country
produces and sells goods and services that are sufficient to pay back debts without incurring further debts.
The Debt to GDP ratio of India has remained 70% since 1991. The current increase is mainly due to
COVID-19 crisis.
Debt to GDP ratio of other countries
At the end of third quarter of 2020, the Debt to GDP ratio of USA was 127.3%.
During the same period, it was:
246.1% in Japan
46.7% in China
What is Public Debt?
The Public Debt in India is the total liability of the Union Government that must be paid from the
Consolidated Fund of India. Almost one-fourth of the government expenditure goes into the interest
payment.
Public Debt Management Agency
It was established in 2016 by the Ministry of Finance. The Public Debt Management Agency streamlines the
borrowings of the Government and helps in achieving better cash management. It was an interim
arrangement in the RBI itself. However, it was provided a separate statutory status from that of RBI.
The PDMA plans government borrowings. It manages the liabilities of the Government. It monitors cash
balances and improves forecasting of cash. The agency will work towards enhancing the liquidity and
efficiency of the market.
India-Seychelles High level Virtual Event
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a high-level programme with the President of Seychelles.
The Prime Minister presented several gifts to Seychelles during the meet.
Key Highlights of the Event
During the meet, the two leaders jointly inaugurated the new Magistrate Court building in Seychelles.

The Prime Minister handed over a Fast Patrol Vessel of worth Rs 100 crores and a Solar Power Plant
with a capacity of 1 MW.
The leaders also inaugurated ten High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP).
Seychelles appreciated Indian aid during COVID-19 times. India has so far sent 50,000 doses of
COVISHIELD vaccine to Seychelles.
President of Seychelles
The current President of Seychelles is Wavel Ramkalwan. His grandfather was from Bihar, India. However,
the president was not born in India. He was born in Mahe, Seychelles.
India-Seychelles
In May 2020, India launched Mission SAGAR. Under the mission, COVID-19 related essential
medicines were sent to Mauritius, Seychelles, and Maldives.
India also sent INS Kesari to the countries in Indian Ocean during COVID-19 times. The ship carried
medicines to countries such as Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Maldives and Comoros.
India and Seychelles has close defence ties.
In 1986, India deployed INS Vindhyagiri at Port of Victoria to abort an attempted coup against the
then President Rene by the Defence Minister of the country.
The Seychelles Government has leased the Assumption Island to the Indian Navy to build overseas
base operations in the island. The Island was leased to India for 30 years under an agreement signed
in 2015. The agreement allows India to station Indian military personnel on the ground.
In 2018, PM Modi announced that India is to extend 100 million USD credit to Seychelles to develop
defence capabilities.
Central Mine Planning and Design Institute gets Drone Use Permission
The Ministry of Civil Aviation recently granted permission to the Central Mine Planning Design Institute to
survey the coal field areas of Coal India Limited. According to the permission granted, the drones shall be
deployed to monitor the mapping and surveying activity, inspection of coalfield. This is a conditional
exemption and is valid till April 4, 2022.
The Standard Operating Procedure to the Central Mine Planning Design Institute for flying the Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle in the coalfield areas says that exemption from Ministry of Civil Aviation must be obtained
from UAS Rules, 2021 before operation.
UAS Rules, 2021
No Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) shall carry payload except as permitted by DGCA.
No person shall drop from a UAS in motion.
Only Nano class drones can operate in India. However, a qualified remote pilot will be permitted to
operate heavy drones.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has full powers to inspect the manufacturing of
Unmanned Aerial System or its maintenance facility.
One must be at least eighteen years old to own a drone.
The Food Startups have been permitted to conduct trials for drones.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation will issue a separate set of rules to enable use of drones for
delivering medical supplies or e-commerce.
Central Mine Planning and Design Institute
It is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited. It is a Public Sector Undertaking. It has been rated as a Schedule B
and Mini Ratna-II company. It is engaged in field of environmental engineering and provides consultancy
and engineering services all over the world.

Jal Jeevan Mission: State-Wise Planning Exercise started for 2021–22
The Ministry of Jal Shakti recently announced that it is to roll out annual planning exercise with the States
and Union Territories.
What is the plan?
The exercise is to be conducted by a committee chaired by the Secretary of Department of Drinking
Water and Sanitation.
The Committee will take up two states or Union Territories per day.
The Committee is to do a rigorous scrutiny of the proposed Annual Action Plan for the year 2021-22
prepared by the States and the Union Territories. The plan will then be finalised.
Priorities provided in the Annual Action Plan
The States and Union Territories have given priority to water quality affected areas, Scheduled Caste and
Scheduled Tribe majority villages, villages in drought prone and desert areas in their proposed annual action
plan.
Fund allocated to Jal Jeevan Mission
The Government of India has allocated Rs 50,000 crores to the Jal Jeevan Mission for the financial
year 2021-22.
In addition, Rs 26,940 crores has been assured under the Fifteenth Finance Commission.
In 2021-22, the Government of India has planned to invest more than Rs 1 lakh crore to ensure tap
water supply to rural homes.
Jal Jeevan Mission
The Jal Jeevan Mission was announced in 2019. The main objective of the mission is to provide
functional household tap connection to every home in India by 2024.
The mission envisages to supply 55 litres of water per person per day.
During the COVID-19 lock down, the Government of India exponentially increased the level of
implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission. This was done to boost Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) working hours. The GoI supported the livelihood of migrant
workers and workers of unorganised sector through MGNREGA. Also, the wages of MGNREGA were
increased. Therefore, a greater number of working hours was needed. This was provided by Jal
Jeevan Mission. The working hours of MGNREGA was used to implement Jal Jeevan Mission (pipe
laying, plumbing work, digging, establishing rain harvest systems, etc). Apart from Jal Jeevan
Mission, the Indian Railways also supported MGNREGA by providing work hours during lock down.
What is KVIC’s RE-HAB Project?
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari recently announced that the project of
Khadi and Village Industries (KVIC) called RE-HAB has become a huge success. Thus, it is to be
implemented in other states as well. This includes Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Chhattisgarh,
Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
What is Project RE-HAB?
Project RE-HAB is Reducing Elephant Human Attacks using Bees. It was launched at four spots in the
Nagarhole National Park of Karnataka. The project aims to prevent elephant human conflicts without
creating harm to either of them. The project is highly cost effective.
How does RE-HAB work?
The project uses bee boxes as fence to prevent elephants from entering human habitation. The buzz
of the bees irritates elephants. Also, elephants fear that the bees might sting them in the inner side of
the trunk and in their eyes.
The bee boxes were provided as a part of Honey Mission.

Honey Mission
The Honey Mission was launched by KVIC in 2017. The main aim of the mission is to provide awareness
and training in bee keeping.
Need for the Project
The Man-Animal Conflict has increased in the country lately. More than 2,400 people have been killed in
conflicts with wild elephants all over India since 2015. On the other hand, more than 510 elephants were
killed since 2015 in man-elephant conflicts.
Nagarhole National Park
The Nagarhole National Park is also called the Rajiv Gandhi National Park. It was established in 1955.
In 1999, the GoI declared the park as a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger. In 2021, the Srivilliputhur
Meghamalai Tiger Reserve was added to the list.
Nagarhole National Park is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
ULPIN: Unique Land Parcel Identification Number
The Government of India recently launched the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) scheme
in ten states. The system is to be rolled out in the country by March 2022.
Land parcel is nothing but a portion of large area of land.
What is ULPIN?
The ULPIN is described as “Aadhaar for land”.
The ULPIN is a fourteen-digit Alpha Numeric ID.
The number will be used to identify every surveyed parcel of land.
The identification number is to be launched based on latitude and longitude coordinates of the land
parcel.
The pilot testing of ULPIN has been successfully carried out in the states of Haryana, Bihar, Odisha,
Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Sikkim, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
The ULPIN has been included in Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP). The
DILRMP was begun in 2008 and has been extended several times. The current launch of ULPIN is also
under DILRMP. While the programme is to end soon, it has been extended till 2023-24.
India is also implementing National Generic Document Registration System. Recently, the system was
implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.
Benefits of ULPIN
The ULPIN will help to develop a land bank.
The ULPIN system will lead India towards Integrated Land Information Management System.
The system will always help to keep the land records up to date.
All the property transactions shall be linked and will get established through the system.
The number will help in preventing land fraud especially in rural areas. This is because, the land
records are outdated in rural areas.
Delivery of citizen services of land records through a single window shall be achieved through the
system.
The system will make sharing of land record data across the departments easier. This will
standardize land data and will eventually bring in effective integration and interoperability across
departments.
ULPIN and International Standards
It complies the following international standards:
Electronic Commerce Code Management Association standard
Open Geospatial Consortium Standards

Who recommended ULPIN?
The ULPIN system was recommended by Parliamentary Standing Committee that recently submitted its
report to Lok Sabha.
Estimated Cost of ULPIN
According to the Parliamentary Standing Committee Report, it would cost Rs 50 lakh per district to
create a modern land record structure in each district.
The report also said that it would cost Rs 270 crores to combine the land records with the Revenue
Court Management System.
Way Forward
After implementing ULPIN, the GoI is to link the land record databases with the banks.
Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme
The DILRMP has three main components as follows:
Computerisation of land record
Survey or Re-survey
Computerisation of registration
The progress of DILRMP is as follows:
The basic requirement of computerisation of Land records, that is, Record of Rights has been
completed in more than 90% of the country.
The Cadastral Maps have been digitised in more than 90% of the country. Cadastral maps are maps
that show the extent, value and ownership of land.
Computerisation of registration and integration of SROs with Land Records have been completed in
more than 90% of the country.
US Navy conducted Freedom of Navigation Operation in Indian Ocean Region
The US Navy recently conducted Freedom of Navigation Operation in the Indian Ocean Region near
Lakshadweep. During the operation, the US warship entered the Exclusive Economic Zone of India without
seeking prior consent from India. The warship that entered Indian EEZ was a Arleigh Burke-class guided
missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones.
United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
According to the UNCLOS, countries cannot prevent ships from using Exclusive Economic Zone. However,
according to Indian laws, any foreign military must inform before conducting any activity in the Exclusive
Economic Zone of India.
US Stand on the issue
The US Government said that the US forces operate in the Indo-Pacific region on daily basis. All such
operations are designated in accordance with international law. Also, the US Government stated that US
Forces will continue such operations in the future.
Reasons behind US Freedom of Navigation Operation in IOR
The US Defence publishes an annual Freedom of Navigation Report. According to the report, excessive
maritime claims by coastal countries restrict freedom of navigation and overflight. It also restricts lawful
uses of the sea. These claims are made through regulations and laws that are inconsistent with the
international UNCLOS. If left unchallenged these excessive maritime claims will infringe upon the freedom
of the seas enjoyed by all countries. According to the report, India is among the twenty-one other nations
where the US forces challenged the claims. The other countries are Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia,
Bangladesh, Russia, Maldives.
What is Freedom of Navigation?
The Freedom of Navigation is an international law according to which ships flying the flag of a sovereign

state shall not suffer interference from other states unless otherwise provided in the international laws.
Article 87 of UNCLOS
Article 87 of the UNCLOS says that the high seas are open to all the states whether land locked or coastal. It
mentions “Freedom of Navigation” as the right for all states.
Why is India concerned about the US Freedom of Navigation Operation in the Indian Ocean?
The Article 87 of UNCLOS remains a trade off between the developed and the developing countries. This is
because, the developed world is interested in maximizing their freedom to sail and explore their seas. On
the other hand, the developing countries want to protect their offshore resources and their independence.
India being a developing nation is yet to explore its EEZ to the fullest. And thus, is interested in protecting
its EEZ. This is one of the main reasons India is concerned about the US Freedom of Navigation Operation in
the Indian Ocean Region.
Tika Utsav: COVID-19 Vaccination Drive
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently appealed to the Chief Ministers of the States to organise “Tika
Utsav”.
What is Tika Utsav?
Tika Utsav is a vaccine festival. It is to be held between April 11, 2021 and April 14, 2021. The main
objective of the festival is to vaccinate as many people as possible. It will also focus on zero wastage of
COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccination Drive in India
Currently, three states are receiving maximum number of COVID-19 doses. They are Maharashtra,
Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
COVAXIN and COVISHIELD are the two major COVID-19 vaccines that are currently administered in
India.
So far, India has shipped 64 million doses of vaccines to 84 countries in Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.
The major recipient countries of the Indian COVID-19 vaccines are Mexico, Canada, and Brazil.
The GoI has planned to cover 250 million people included in “high priority” category by July 2021
under its vaccination programme.
COVAXIN
COVAXIN is a government backed vaccine produced by Bharat Biotech. It has an efficacy rate of 81%. More
than 27,000 participants have participated in the phase three trials of COVAXIN vaccine. COVAXIN is given
in two doses. The time gap between the doses is four weeks. The COVAXIN was prepared from the dead
COVID-19 virus.
COVISHIELD
The COVISHIELD Vaccine is manufactured by Astra Zeneca. Locally, COVISHIELD is produced by Serum
Institute of India. It was prepared from a weakened version of a common cold virus called Adenovirus from
Chimpanzees. The virus has been modified to look more like COVID-19 virus. It is administered in two
doses.
Why did India stick to COVAXIN and COVISHIELD?
Unlike several other COVID-19 vaccines, COVAXIN and COVISHIELD can be stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius.
Other COVID-19 vaccines like that of Moderna vaccine must be stored at minus seventy degrees Celsius
temperature and can only be moved a limited number of times. Administering such vaccines in India is
highly challenging as the summer temperatures in India reach fifty degrees Celsius.
PM Modi releases Hindi Translation of Odisha Itihaas
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently released the Hindi translation of “Odisha Itihaas”. The book is
available in Odia and English so far. It was translated to Hindi by Shankarlal Purohit.

About Odisha Itihaas
The book was written by Utkal Keshari Dr Harekrushna Mahatab.
He wrote the book Odisha Itihaas in Ahmednagar Fort Jail. He was imprisoned here for two years
between 1942 and 1945.
Harekrushna Mahatab
He was the first Chief Minister of Odisha. He served as the Chief Minister of Odisha between 1946
and 1950 and again between 1956 and 1961.
He was popularly known as Utkal Keshari.
Utkal Keshari was the leader of the Indian National Congress.
He was born in Bhadrak district of Odisha.
He joined the Independence struggle in 1921.
He was the chairman of the Balasore District Board between 1924 and 1928.
He joined the Salt Satyagraha Movement and was imprisoned in 1930.
He participated in untouchability movement and opened his ancestral temple to all.
He participated in Quit India Movement and was imprisoned again for two years.
He founded the Prajatantra Prachar Samiti.
He started the weekly magazine Prajantantra in 1923. It later became the Daily Prajatantra.
Roles of Mahatab after independence
He acted as the Governor of Bombay from 1955 to 1956.
He played a significant role in the merger and integration of princely states. Dr Mahatab wanted to
integrate twenty six Oriya speaking princely states with the Odisha province in 1946 and took several
steps to achieve it.
He shifted the capital of Odisha from Cuttack to Bhubaneshwar.
It was Mahatab who sanctioned the construction of Hirakud Dam.
He was imprisoned in 1976 for protesting against the emergency rule.
Net Tax Collection exceeds revised estimates in FY21
In the fiscal year (2020-21) that ended on March 31, 2021, the corporate tax and income tax collected were
Rs 9.45 lakh crores.
About the Tax Collections
The tax collections in the fiscal year 2021 exceeded the revised target by 5%.
The tax collected in 2021 was 10% lower than the direct tax collected in the previous year.
In the Union Budget 2020-21, the Government of India predicted that Rs 13.19 lakh crores will be
collected from direct taxes. However, this was before the inception of COVID-19 pandemic. After the
pandemic, the estimate was reduced to Rs 9.05 lakh crores.
The Net Corporate tax collection for the year 2020-21 was RS 4.57 lakh crores.
The net personal income tax collected was Rs 4.71 lakh crores.
In 2020-21, the issuance of refund has grown by 42%.
Direct Tax Collection: Comparative Analysis
In the financial year 2019-20, the direct tax collected was Rs 10.49 lakh crores.
In the year 2020-21, the direct tax was Rs 9.45 lakh crores.
The target of direct taxes for the fiscal year 2021-22 has been set at Rs 11.08 lakh crores.
Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme
The scheme was launched to settle cases of disputed tax, penalty, interest. It will benefit the taxpayers
whose tax demands are locked in multiple disputes solving forums. The scheme aims to settle 483,000
direct tax related disputes that are pending in appellate forums. It provided complete waiver on interest to

the taxpayers who paid their taxes by March 31.
So far, the scheme has collected Rs 54,000 crores of tax. The last date for payment under the scheme has
been extended to April 30, 2021.
India-US to focus on Climate Finance
The US Climate Envoy John Kerry was on a four-day visit to India. During his visit he met the Union Minister
of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Shri Prakash Javadekar. During the meet, the leaders discussed
several issues including joint research and collaboration and Climate Finance.
India’s Emissions
According to International Energy Agency, India is the third largest emitter of Carbon Dioxide. US is the
largest emitter of Carbon Dioxide in the world. China follows US as the second largest emitter of Carbon
Dioxide. India has set an ambitious target to produce 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022 and 450 GW by
2030.
Climate Finance
According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Climate Finance is the finance
that aims at reducing the emissions and maintains the increase of resilience of human and ecological
systems.
Need for Climate Finance for India
India has set ambitious targets of reducing its carbon emissions. It is estimated that India will require 2.5
trillion USD between 2015 and 2030 to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions.
Background
John Kerry visited India aiming at consultations that will increase climate ambition ahead of “Leader’s
Summit on Climate”.
Leader’s Climate Summit
The Leader’s Climate Summit is hosted by the US. The US President Joe Biden has invited forty world
leaders including PM Modi to the Leader’s Climate Summit. The Summit is a key milestone to the United
Nations Climate Change Conference, COP-26, that is to be held in Glasgow in November 2021. The main
objective of Leader’s Climate Summit and COP-26 is to catalyse efforts to keep limiting global warming to
1.5 degrees Celsius goal.
During the Summit, the US is to announce its ambitious 2030 Emissions target as its new Nationally
Determined Contribution.
April 10, 2021
HDFC Bank SmartUp Grants to 21 Social Sector Start Ups
The HDFC Bank recently announced the winners of the SmartUp Grants, 2021. This is the fourth edition of
the SmartUp Grants of HDFC.
Key Highlights
Around twenty-one startups that are working in the social sector have been selected to receive the
grants.
The startups were selected through rigorous screening of three hundred applications received from
different parts of the country.
About SmartUp Grants
The SmartUp Grants was first instituted in 2017. In the last four years, HDFC has supported more
than eighty-seven startups. It has disbursed Rs 19.4 crores under this initiative.
HDFC provides preference to the startups working in the field of skill development and education.
To shortlist the winner, the HDFC bank has partnered with IIT Delhi, IIM Kashipur, AIC-BIMTECH, IIT
BHU, GUSEC, C-CAMP, Banasthali University, etc.
The criteria used to evaluate the startups are sustainability of the idea, how does the idea benefit the
society, potential to scale up and uniqueness of the project.
Significance
Funding is the major challenge faced by the startups in the country. The other challenges faced are
corruption, securing loans and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Startup also face pressure over controversies in
tax, especially in Angel Tax.
What is Angel Tax?
Angel Tax is the 30% Tax that are levied over the funding received by the startups from an external investor.
This tax was introduced in 2012 mainly to fight money laundering. However, it is levied only when the
startups receive angel funding higher than its “fair market value”. The issue around Angel Tax is that there
is no objective way to measure “fair market value” of a startup.
Startup in India
India now has more than 38,756 startups. Also, India is the third largest tech startup hub in the world.
AI for Agriculture Hackathon: Key Highlights
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Agriculture Hackathon was begun by Google, MyGov and HUL to improve
AI solutions in the field of Agriculture.
About AI for Agriculture Hackathon
Under the AI for Agriculture Hackathon, the participants will develop ideas and will build prototypes
that solve the challenges faced by farmers in water usage and sustainability. Basically, the initiative
aims to conserve water and bring upon innovative methods to utilise minimal amount of water.
The initiative was launched on World Water Day.
More than 80% of fresh water in India is used in agriculture. Therefore, it is important to improve the
efficiency of usage of water in the field of agriculture.
AI in Indian Agriculture
The AI applications in agriculture have reached a value of 1 billion USD and is expected to grow till 8 billion
USD by 2030. Currently, the agriculture market of India is valued at 204 billion USD. However, the Indian
Agriculture Market has reached only 1% of its potential in the field. With diversity in soil types, topography
and climate, India has huge potential for AI experts and data scientists to develop AI solutions for
agriculture.
Significance of AI in Agriculture
AI will help farmers analyze variety of things such as temperature, weather conditions, water usage
and soil conditions. This will help them in making better decision.
AI Sensors will help in detecting and targeting weeds. This will help to prevent over-application of
herbicides and will eventually prevent high levels of toxins in food.
AI technology shall be used in detecting diseases in plants.
As very few people are entering farming profession, Artificial Intelligence will help to overcome the
problem of shortage of workers in the field of agriculture.
Online Dispute Resolution Handbook of NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog is to launch Online Dispute Resolution handbook. It is an invitation to business leaders to adopt
Online Dispute resolution.
About the Handbook
The Handbook highlights the need for the businesses to adopt Online Dispute Resolution mechanism.
According to the handbook, the Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) is the resolution of disputes outside
courts. This is mainly used to solve small and medium cases using digital technology. The Online Dispute
Resolution adopts techniques of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) such as mediation, negotiation, and

arbitration.
United Nations
The United Nations Commission on International Law adopted the UNCITRAL Conciliation Rules in
1980 and Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration in 1985. The UN has recommended the
use to the Model Law and the rules to solve disputes that arises in international commercial
relations.
India enacted the Arbitration and Conciliation Act in 1996. The act incorporates several uniform
principles of Alternate Dispute Resolution of UNCITRAL.
Benefits of Online Dispute Resolution
The Alternate Dispute Resolution was brought as an alternative to going to court. However, it has
become expensive lately. On the other hand, Online Dispute Resolution is inexpensive.
There are shortages in availability of arbitrator in Alternate Dispute Resolution. This is issue is also
addressed by Online Dispute Resolution as searching an arbitrator online is simple and quick.
Challenges in Online Dispute Resolution
Lack of trust among consumers in Online Dispute Resolution.
Most of the people are new to Digital Ecosystem and are hesitant to adopt a new method.
What is the difference between ODR and ADR?
ODR is a process that settles disputes outside courts using digital technology. It combines the technologies
of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms. However, both ODR and ADR work towards achieving the
same goal.
Online Dispute Resolution in India
The Online Dispute Resolution is in its infancy stage in India. With the E-Commerce industry growing in India
rapidly, the number of disputes related to online transactions are increasing at faster rate. The Department
of Consumer Affairs has rolled out Online Consumer Dispute Resolution Platform to address this issue.
NanoSniffer: Microsensor based Explosive Trace Detector
The Union Education Minister recently launched the world’s first Microsensor based Explosive Trace
Detector called the “NanoSniffer”.
About NanoSniffer
The NanoSniffer was developed by an IIT Bombay incubated startup called NanoSniff Technologies. It
is marketed by the IIT Delhi incubated startup Kritikal Solutions.
The NanoSniffer can detect explosives in less than ten seconds.
It can detect all class of military, homemade and conventional explosives.
It uses MEMS system. MEMS is Micro-Electromechanical System.
It can detect even nano gram quantities of explosives.
The device is priced at Rs 10 lakhs. This is one-third of the price of existing devices.
It had been patented in Europe, India, and US.
Patents in India
Several technology patents as that of NanoSniffer must come up in India. In India only one in 300
papers is patented. On the other hand, in the US, one in five research paper is patented. To change
this scenario, more academic institution backed incubation centres should be set up.
Incubation Centre is designed to grow new and small businesses by supporting them through early
stages of development and change.
Significance of NanoSniffer
The value of Global Explosives trace detector industry has been estimated as Rs 10,000 crores. India forms
only 2% to 3% in the industry. NanoSniffer is to be marketed internationally and will thus help in growth of

Indian Explosives trace detector industry.
Explosive Trace Detection
The Explosive Trace Detection is the technology used to detect explosives of small magnitude. The three
main characteristics of Explosive Trace Detection are sensitivity, light weight, and size. The sensitivity or
detection limit is the lowest amount of explosive matter a detector can detect. The NanoSniffer can detect
even nano quantities of explosives.
Crushing the Curve Mass Vaccination Drive
The Kerala Health Department is to launch a mass vaccination drive called the “Crushing the Curve”.
Why is the drive launched?
Kerala has recently witnessed a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases after the assembly elections. The number of
COVID-19 cases is increasing at 700 to 1000 per day.
Health sector in Kerala
The Health sector of Kerala had been outperforming in recent times. In September 2020, Kerala won
the UN Award for Control of Non-Communicable diseases.
Also, Kerala emerged as the most successful state in fighting against COVID-19.
When the transmission rate of primary carrier was 6 in the country, it was only 0.4 in Kerala.
Kerala’s initiatives
The Aardam Health Mission was launched in Kerala to transform the PHCs into health centres.
Break the Chain campaign was launched to promote social distancing in the state.
Reasons behind success of Kerala
The Kerala Authorities have good access to World Health Organisation Data. It includes two-thirds of
the state’s population.
Testing of COVID-19 was launched in massive scale in Kerala.
The Health sector of Kerala received a big push of Rs 4,000 crores from the Kerala Infrastructure
Investment Fund Board.
The training of health personnel in Kerala is provided focusing on improving their morale. In general,
the morale of health personnel in Kerala is high. High literacy rate in the state is the main reason for
such good morality among the people.
Several lessons and experiences learnt from Nipah outbreak in the state made it easier to fight
COVID-19.
Around 55 lakh elderly and disadvantaged received Rs 8,500 as welfare payments during lockdown.
Way Forward
Kerala is planning to use big data analytics to frame COVID-19 recovery strategies.
India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership in Water Sector
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a virtual summit with his Netherlands counterpart Mark Rutte.
The leaders agreed to diversify the ties in trade and economy between the countries. They also agreed to
expand their relations in smart cities, agriculture, science and technology, healthcare, and space.
A fast-tracking mechanism is to be set up between the two countries to facilitate bilateral trade and resolve
issues of the companies in both countries. For the investors in India and Dutch companies, it is to be set up
in Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
Partnership in Water Sector
During the summit, India and Netherlands launched a strategic partnership on water. Under the partnership,
the countries agreed to alleviate the joint working group on water to ministerial level. It also aimed to
broaden bilateral cooperation in new areas of water.
Under the partnership the countries will focus on water budgeting, converting wastewater to energy and

decentralized treatment technologies and cost effective water technologies.
Why did India sign the water sector partnership with the Dutch?
Netherlands is the world leader in water management. One-fourth of Netherlands lies under sea level. Yet,
the Dutch have successfully comprehended water related challenges and have tested technologies and
solutions in delta management, desalination, flood control.
What is India’s plan?
Water Security is currently the highest priority of India. The Union Government is focusing on promoting
water efficiency, water safety and quality. This is achieved under initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchayee Yojana, Namame Gana Mission, and Jal Jeevan Shakti.
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana was launched in 2015. It aims to provide end to end solutions
in irrigation supply. The scheme promotes micro irrigation to ensure Per drop more crop.
Atal Innovation Mission: CSIR Adopts 295 Atal Tinkering Labs
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research recently adopted 295 Atal Tinkering Labs established
under Atal Innovation Mission. This will help young innovators associated with the Atal Tinkering Labs to
learn from the best scientists in the country. It will pave way for them to become living inspirations for their
schools and local communities.
What is the plan?
The CSIR scientists are to mentor each of the Atal Tinkering Labs.
CSIR and Atal Innovation Mission will conduct series of webinars for the students.
Significance of the adoption
The pandemic has reinforced the importance of scientific and industrial research. Therefore, the partnership
will boost Atal Innovation Mission and will push it towards STEM research and innovation collaborations.
The collaboration with CSIR will provide great opportunities for the best young minds in the country to get
access to the latest technologies.
Atal Innovation Mission
Atal Innovation Mission was launched in India to promote culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. The
Mission has identified seventeen focus areas. They are waste in public spaces and dissuading public
littering, decentralized composting, mixing blades for composting, quality of compost, waste management
recycling, garbage composition devices, safe transport, instant portable water quality testing, electric
mobility, alternate fuel-based transportation, smart mobility, predictive maintenance of rolling stock, fog
vision system, prevention of rail failure using emerging technologies, climate smart agriculture, etc.
Atal New India Challenge
Under the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog launched the Atal New India Challenge. The main aim of the
challenge is to bring innovations and technologies relevant to the people of India.
Supreme Court: Adults are free to choose their religion
The Supreme Court recently refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) of a BJP leader that
sought directions to ban superstition, black magic, and fraudulent religious conversions.
SC Judgement
The Apex court pronounced that the PIL violates Article 25 of the Constitution. According to the bench
headed by Justice R F Nariman, that pronounced the judgement, the word “propagate” in Article 25 of the
Constitution guarantees right to religion.
Constitution on religion
The Right to Freedom is guaranteed to all religious followers under the following articles:
Article 25
Article 26

Article 27
Article 28
Article 25
Article 25 guarantees freedom to propagate, practice and profess religion to all citizens. The article allows
the states to make laws:
Regulating and restricting economic, financial, political, and secular activities associated with
religious practices.
To provide social welfare and reform or opening Hindu religious institutions to all classes of Hindus.
Article 26
Article 26 speaks about Freedom to manage religious affairs.
Every religion has the right to form and maintain institutions for charitable intents.
Every religion has the right to acquire movable and immovable property.
Every religion has the right to manage its own affairs in the matter of religion.
Every religion has the right to administer properties according to law.
Article 27
The Article 27 of the constitution prevents payment of taxes for promotion of a particular religion.
According to the article, there shall be no taxes imposed by any institution or organisation or by the
Governments (both state and centre) for the promotion or maintenance of a particular religion.
Article 28
The Article 28 of the Constitution speaks about freedom to attend any religious instructions or religious
worships in educational institutions. No religious instructions shall be issued in state run educational
institutions.
India’s Petroleum consumption contracts 9.1% in FY21
The Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell operating under Ministry of Petroleum recently released a report
on petroleum consumption of India. According to the report, fuel consumption of the country reduced by
9.1% in the year 2020-21 as compared to that of the previous year. This is the first time the petroleum
consumption contracted to the highest since 1998-99.
Diesel Consumption fell 12% and petrol consumption fell to 6.7%.
The Diesel consumption in 2020-21 was 72.72 million tonnes and petrol consumption was 27.95
million tonnes.
Overall, India consumed 194.63 tonnes of petroleum products as compared to 214.12 million tonnes
the previous year.
The jet fuel consumption fell by 53.6% as the airlines remained shut for most of the period throughout
the year.
Domestic cooking gas, LPG was the only fuel whose consumption increased in 2020-21. The
consumption of LPG increased by 4.7%. In 2019-20, the LPG consumption was 26.33 million tonnes
and in 2020-21 the LPG consumption was 27.59 million tonnes.
Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell
The Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) was created in 2002. It was created after dismantling the
Administered Pricing Mechanism in the petroleum sector. Also, the Oil Coordination Committee was
abolished and replaced with PPAC. The PPAC assists the Ministry of Petroleum in administering subsidies
on domestic LPG, kerosene, and freight subsidies for far flung areas. Also, it assists in maintaining data or
information to deal with emergencies and unforeseen situations.
The expenditure of PPAC is borne by Oil Industry Development Board.

Objectives of PPAC
The main objectives of PPAC are as follows:
To make sure, if the subsidy schemes of GoI are implemented properly.
To analyse the trends in prices of petroleum products and crude oil.
To collect data on domestic oil and gas sector.
What are Dark Sirens?
A team of scientists have recently found a way to solve cosmological tensions through dark sirens.
What are Dark Sirens?
The Dark Sirens are nothing but gravitational waves from neutron stars or black holes. The Dark sirens can
be picked up by gravitational wave detector but not by ordinary telescopes.
What are the Cosmological tensions that can be solved through Dark Sirens?
The Cosmologists have been facing the crisis that the universe is expanding, and it cannot be deciphered
how fast it is moving away. This is mainly because, different ways of measuring Hubble’s constant provide
different results.
Hubble Constant in simple terms
When the Universe is moving away from the earth, the relationship between speed and distance between the
earth and the universe is called Hubble Constant. Here Universe can be any celestial body, a star, or a black
hole. The Constant has been named after Edwin Hubble who first calculated the value of Hubble Constant in
1920.
How will Dark Sirens solve Cosmological crisis?
When massive neutron stars or black holes smash together they release huge amount of energy sending out
gravitational waves. The LASER Inferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) has been listening to
such massive crashes since 2015. Based on the sound heard, LIGO will help the scientists calculate how far
they happened.
Recently, the discovery of dozens of Quasars have also given hope of determining Hubble’s constant.
Way Forward
The LIGO detectors are expected to get an upgrade over the next five years. The European and the US
facilities were recently joined by the Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector in Japan. Also, an Indian detector
is to go online in 2024. With these advancements, the scientists will be able to pinpoint where exactly did
the Dark Siren crash happen. And such predictions will be four hundred times better than the current
detections.
Volcano erupts in Southern Caribbean
The La Sourfriere Volcano located on the eastern Caribbean island recently erupted after decades of
inactivity. The volcano forced thousands in the surrounding villages to evacuate.
About the Volcano
The Volcano was dormant since 1979.
It started showing signs of activity in December 2020.
When the volcano erupted in 1979 it created 100 million USD of damages.
Earlier to 1979 eruptions, the La Sourfriere volcano erupted in 1902 and killed more than thousand
people.
La Sourfriere means “Sulphur Outlet” in French.
It has erupted five times since 1718.
The La Sourfriere Volcano is a stratovolcano.
It is the youngest and northernmost volcano in the island.
La Soufriere Volcano is in the Caribbean tectonic plate.

Caribbean
The Caribbean is a region of the Americas that comprises of the Caribbean Sea. The region has more than
seven hundred islands. The Climate Change poses major risks to the islands in the Caribbean region.
The name Caribbean comes from the Caribs. Caribs are one of the dominant native American groups in the
region.
Caribbean Tectonic plate
The Caribbean Tectonic plate is mostly an oceanic tectonic plate. The Caribbean plate borders the Nazca
plate, Cocos plate, North American plate and South American plate. The borders are the regions of intense
seismic activity.
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is bounded by Mexico in the west and Central America in the south west. In the north of
Caribbean Sea is the Greater Antilles and to the east is the Lesser Antilles.
The second largest barrier reef in the world called Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is in Caribbean Sea. The reef
runs along the coast of Honduras, Gautemala, Belize and Mexico.
NASA’s Ingenuity to make first flight attempt
The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter of NASA is to make its first flight. With this, Ingenuity will make history of
becoming the first controlled aircraft to fly in another planet.
The Ingenuity Helicopter is a part of the Mars 2020 Mission of NASA.
It will serve as a technology demonstrator for the potential use of flying probes in other worlds.
It was carried to the Martian surface by the Perseverance rover that landed at the Octavia Butler
Landing site in Jezero crater.
The Ingenuity carries a piece of fabric from the wing of Wright Flyer. The Wright Flyer is the airplane
of the Wright Brothers.
Challenges
The atmosphere of Mars is only one-hundredth as dense as that of the atmosphere of the earth. It is harder
for an aircraft to generate a lift at such less dense atmospheric conditions. Such conditions are equivalent
to the earth’s atmosphere at a height of 30,000 metres. The existing helicopters on the earth have never
reached such a height. However, Ingenuity cleared all the tests that were held on the earth in 2019 in
simulated Mars atmosphere.
Mars 2020
The Mars 2020 mission is a part of Mars Exploration Programme of NASA. It was launched from the earth in
July 2020. It reached Mars in February 2021.
Mars Exploration Programme
The Mars Exploration Programme is an effort to explore planet Mars. It was initially formed in 1993.
However, in 2013, due to 40% cut in NASA’s budget, the programme was reformulated. There are four major
goals of Mars Exploration Programme. They are as follows:
To determine if life ever arose on Mars
To characterize the climate of Mars
To characterize the Geology of Mars
To prepare for the Human Exploration of Mars
Mask Abhiyan of Odisha
The Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik recently launched a fourteen day “Mask Abhiyan” initiative to
prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Mask Abhiyan
The main objective of the initiative is to turn the use of mask into a habit. This will play a huge role in
controlling the current resurgence of COVID-19. Also, the Odisha State Government has increased the fines
for violators from Rs 1000 to Rs 2000.
The Odisha Government had also made amendments to the COVID-19 regulations under the Epidemic
Diseases Act, 1897. Accordingly, people who do not wear masks in public places will be fined up to Rs
2,000 for violations for the first time. When violated for the second time, people will be charged with Rs
5,000 of fine.
On what legal grounds has Odisha Government introduced the fines?
In May 2020, the Union Government directed the states to invoke Epidemic Diseases Act. The act empowers
the state governments to take special measures during an epidemic. It also defines penalties for defying
the regulations provided under the act. Under these provisions, the Odisha Government has introduced the
fines.
Provisions of Epidemic Act, 1897
Health is a state subject. However, Section 2A of the Epidemics Act empowers the Union Government
to take steps to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
Section 3 of the act provides penalties for disobedience.
Section 4 of the act provides legal protection to the officers implementing actions taken under the
act.
Recent Amendments to the Epidemic Act, 1897
The Union Government recently made amendments to the act stating that acts of violence against
healthcare service personnel shall be punished. The accused will be imprisoned for three months to five
years and will be fined till Rs 2 lakhs.
Many Endemic species may go extinct if GHG emissions rise
A new study published in the journal Biological Conservation says that many animals and plants might face
extinction if green house gas emissions continue to rise.
Key Findings of the Study
All the Endemic species in islands are at high risk of extinction due to climate change.
Four out of every five endemic species in mountains are at the high risk of extinction due to climate
change.
95% of marine species and 92% of land-based species will face reduction in numbers.
In tropical region, over 60% of endemic species are facing extinction due to climate change.
By maintaining the global heating well below two degrees Celsius as mentioned in the revised Paris
Agreement will help to save majority of the species.
What is Global temperature increases by three degree Celsius?
According to the study if the global temperature increases by three degree Celsius, then a third of the
endemic species living on land and half of endemic species living in sea will face extinction. At these
temperatures, around 84% of species will face extinction in mountains. On Islands, all the 100% of the
species will become extinct at these temperatures.
What will be the scenario in 2050?
According to the report, the following will occur in 2050:
By 2050, the islands in Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and the Western Ghats will lose most of
their endemic plants if the current situation prevails.
If the Greenhouse Gas Emissions increase, then the places such as Madagascar and Caribbean
Islands will lose all their endemic plants by 2050.

How will Climate Change affect Endemic Species?
According to the report, the endemic species will be affected as follows:
The Endemic species are the most iconic plants and animals in the world. The species that are highly
threatened by climate change are lemurs (especially those that are unique to Madagascar), snow
leopard.
As compared to the species that are widespread, the endemic species are 2.7 times more likely to go
extinct with unchecked temperatures.
Who was Samuel Hahnemann?
Every year, the World Homeopathy day is celebrated on April 10. The day is celebrated to commemorate the
birth anniversary of the founder of Homeopathy Dr Samuel Hahnemann. In India, the Homeopathy Day was
celebrated under the following theme:
Theme: Homeopathy: Roadmap for Integrative Medicine
Who was Samuel Hahnemann?
Dr Samuel Hahnemann was born on April 10, 1755. He was a German physician and was best known for
creating pseudoscientific system of alternative medicine. The pseudoscientific system is called
Homeopathy. Pseudoscience is a set of practices that are scientific and factual but are incompatible with
scientific methods.
Dr Hahnemann was dissatisfied of the fact that the medicines in his time at times created more harm than
good. Thus, he gave up practicing medicine in 1784. Then on, he started investigating causes of alleged
errors in the medicines.
How did Samuel invent Homeopathy?
He encountered the fact that Cinchona, the bark of Peruvian tree was effective in treating malaria.
According to him, this was possible because of the astringency of the Peruvian tree. Astringency is the
property that causes skin cell or other body cells to contract.
To research about the effect of Cinchona on human body he self-applied it. The drug then induced malaria
like symptoms in him. With this he concluded that it would do so in any healthy individual.
Based on the above invention, he framed the concept that “Like Cures Like”, that is, “that which can produce
symptoms in healthy individuals can treat a sick patient who is suffering from same kind of symptoms”.
This principle was named by him as “Homeopathy”. This is the base of homeopathic treatment.
The World Homeopathy Day is different from World Health Day.
World Health Day
The World Health Day is celebrated on April 7. This year, the World Health Day was celebrated on the
following theme:
Theme” Building a fairer, healthier world
April 12, 2021
Basic Savings Account can be opened in Post Offices
The Ministry of Finance recently notified changes in Post Office Savings Account Scheme, 2019. The
ministry notified that a beneficiary of Government welfare scheme can open a basic savings bank account
with any post office in the country.
What are the changes introduced?
The accounts can be opened in an India Post Payment Bank or a Scheduled Commercial Bank.
The deposit required to open this account is NIL.
The account shall be opened by a beneficiary of any Government Welfare Scheme. The account shall
also be opened by a beneficiary who is a minor. However, it is mandatory for the minor to assign a
guardian.
The Basic Savings Accounts that were opened under Post Office Savings Account Rules, 1981 are not
covered under the new notification.
What are the rules in operating Basic Savings Account?
The Basic Savings Account is very much like that of the Basic Saving Bank Deposit Account. However, the
Basic Savings Account has certain conditions of operations. They are as follows:
The beneficiary can open the Basic Savings Account only in a post office or in a bank.
According to the RBI Guidelines to the Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts, the users can deposit or
withdraw money from these accounts any number of times in a month. On the other hand, in a Basic
Savings Account, withdrawal can be made only four times per month.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Account
The accounts opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana are Basic Savings Account. So far 42.2 crores
of such accounts have been opened. They currently hold Rs 1.45 lakh crores of balance.
Post Office Savings Account
The Post Office Savings Account is also a Basic Savings Account. It shall be opened with a minimum
amount of Rs 500. It allows to deposit a minimum of Rs 10 and there is no maximum deposit limit.
GoI to launch National Programme on Artificial Intelligence
The Government of India is to launch National Programme on Artificial Intelligence. Under the programme,
high value data sets in Public Sector Units are to be identified. These data will then be put under an Artificial
Intelligence control framework. The framework will provide access to the appropriate units. This is being
done to increase the safety of the data and its accessibility.
What is the plan?
Under the National Programme on Artificial Intelligence, a Centre for Transformational Artificial Intelligence
to tap the data in various models is to be made available for the Artificial Intelligence model.
The Government of India has also planned to launch Digital India 2.0. This will boost National Programme
on Artificial Intelligence.
Digital India 2.0
The main aim of Digital India 2.0 is to take cybersecurity, digital service offerings and infrastructure
to next level.
Under Digital India 2.0, the Government of India will develop indigenous cybersecurity products and
robust digital infrastructure.
It will also aim to create robust Direct Benefit Transfer.
A Nationwide Enterprise Architecture is to be established under Digital India 2.0.
Role of MSMEs in the plans
Both Digital India 2.0 and the National Programme on Artificial Intelligence will be implemented in
such a way that they support MSMEs and startups in the respective fields.
To achieve this, the MSME Ministry will set up Rs 1,000 crores of fund. The fund will provide access
capital to these companies.
To help the startups in the field, the Department of Electronics and Information Technology will set up
Digital Product Fund. The fund will be invested in startups through incubators and accelerators.
Indian National Young Academy of Sciences: COVID-19 Vaccination Awareness Campaign
The Department of Science and Technology recently launched nationwide mass awareness campaign called
the “COVID-19 Vaccination Awareness Campaign”. The campaign will bust myths about COVID-19
vaccination. To achieve this, the Department launched information packages in eleven languages including
Hindi and English. The main objective of the campaign is to make COVID-19 immunization programme
successful.

About the Campaign
The campaign is to be organized by Indian National Young Academy of Science.
The campaign is to be held using the mobile application COVACNEWS. The application was created
by INYAS to ensure that the information about COVID-19 reaches the people. Also, it aimed at
removing misconceptions about COVID-19.
INYAS
INYAS is the only recognized young scientist academy of India.
INYAS is also the first young scientist academy in the country.
It was founded in 2014.
INYAS was established by Indian National Science Academy Council in 2014.
The main aim of INYAS is to promote Science Education and networking among young scientists in
the country.
Young Scientists Programmes in India
The Government of India has lately been launching several initiatives to create young innovative minds in
the country.
The Atal Tinkering Labs were launched under Atal Innovative Mission to inculcate scientific desire
and boost innovative skills among students in their early stages of life.
The Indian Space Research Organization had launched the Young Scientist Programme. The main aim
of the programme is to inculcate space research passion in young minds.
The Defence Research Development Organisation launched five young scientist laboratories. They are
in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. These labs will work on technologies that
hold importance in the development of futuristic defence systems such as Quantum technologies,
Artificial Intelligence, Asymmetric Technologies, and Smart materials.
UAE names first Female Astronaut
Noura al Matroushi has been named as the first Female Astronaut of UAE.
First Female Astronaut of UAE
Noura al-Matroushi was selected as the first female astronaut of UAE from four thousand other applicants.
She is to be trained with NASA for future space exploration missions. Noura is to be accompanied by
Mohammed al-Mulla. Both astronauts are to be trained with Johnson Space Centre of NASA located in
Houston, Texas.
About Noura al-Matroushi
Noura was born in 1993. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the UAE University.
She is currently working as an engineer at the National Petroleum Construction Company. She acted as the
Vice President of the Youth Council of the company. Noura is also a member of American Society of
Mechanical Engineers.
Space plans of UAE
UAE does not have any manned mission in near future. However, the country has plans to send unmanned
space mission to the moon in 2024. Also, UAE has launched “Amal Satellite” to the Mars in 2020.
First UAE astronaut to enter space
In 2019, Hazza al-Mansoori was the first UAE astronaut to enter the space. He spent eight days at the
International Space Station.
First Muslim Woman to enter space
Noura is the first Arab woman to enter space. However, the first Muslim woman to enter space was
Anousheh Raissyan. She was also the first Iranian woman to enter space. She is an Iranian American
telecommunications entrepreneur. In 2006, she paid 20 million USD to travel to the International Space

Station as a self-funded tourist.
Little Guru: World’s First Gamified Sanskrit Learning Application
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) tied up with the Gamapp Sportswizz Tech Private Limited to
launch “LITTLE GURU” application. It is a specialized mobile application for learning Sanskrit.
About “Little Guru”
Little Guru is a gamified application.
It teaches Sanskrit in an interactive platform. This makes learning easier.
The app was launched during the celebrations of the 71st Foundation Day of ICCR.
It is world’s first Gamified Sanskrit learning application.
It will help people to learn Sanskrit in an easy manner based on competition, games, peer to peer
interactions, etc.
Significance of the Application
The application is of great help to the Indian Diaspora wishing to stay connected with their roots.
It will also help number of students and faculties associated with Sanskrit Universities located all
over the world.
ICCR role in India-China relations
The ICCR has provided scholarships to more than three hundred Chinese students. The aim of these
scholarships is to promote cultural, intellectual, and academic exchanges between India and China.
There are several Chinese kids learning Indian culture in the country. During the 71st foundation
celebrations of ICCR, Chinese kids of age 6-7 years who are learning Indian dance forms in India
performed Indian dances. Their dance performances were based on the theme “Azadi ka Amrit”.
Azadi ka Amrut
The idea of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav was launched by PM Modi in March 2021. It is a series of events
organized by the Government of India to commemorate the 75th anniversary of independence. It was
launched 75 weeks ahead of the 75th anniversary. It was launched on March 12, 2021 to commemorate 91
years of Dandi March.
Iran launches advanced nuclear centrifuges
Iran recently launched Advanced Nuclear Centrifuges at the Natanz Nuclear Plant to mark its National
Nuclear Technology Day.
Key Highlights
On April 10, 2021, Iran celebrated its National Day on Nuclear Technology. The celebrations were held in
several Nuclear sites of Iran. As a part of the celebrations, Iran began operating IR-6 Centrifuges. Also, Iran
unveiled more than hundred nuclear industry innovations on the same day. Iran also unveiled the assembly
of the first protype of IR-9S and IR-9-1 B Centrifuges. The capacity IR-9 Centrifuges are more than fifty to
sixty times higher than the old centrifuges of Iran.
Nuclear Centrifuge
A Centrifuge is used to separate particles suspended in a medium. In a Nuclear Centrifuge, Uranium-235 is
separated from Uranium-238. It is basically enrichment of Uranium or making it an ideal fuel for the nuclear
reactor.
Significance
The Nuclear Fuel used in nuclear reactor must have higher concentration of Uranium-235 isotope than that
of its natural form, that is, Uranium-238. The Uranium-235 is more radioactive than Uranium-238. There are
currently 2,000 tonnes of enriched Uranium in the world. They are predominantly used for preparing nuclear
weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency aims to control and monitor supplies of enriched
Uranium to ensure safe nuclear power generation.

JCPOA
Under the Joint comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the 2015 Nuclear Agreement, Iran is
restricted to use only certain number of Uranium enrichment centrifuges of IR-1 till 2025. However, in May
2018, the US Government under Donald Trump abandoned the agreement and reimposed sanctions on Iran.
Way Forward
The current US Government under Joe Biden has pledged to return to JCPOA. However, it demands Iran to
fully comply with its commitments.
Endangered Irrawaddy dolphins count increase in Chilika Lake
The Chilika Development Authority and the State Wildlife Wing recently carried out an annual dolphin census
in the Chilika lake. According to the report of the census, the overall Irrawaddy dolphin population in the
lake has increased from 146 to 162 in 2021.
What are the reasons behind the increase in Irrawaddy Dolphins population?
The main reason behind the increase in the population of the Endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin
population is the persistent enforcement by the Chilika Development Authority (CDA). The authority
has taken strict actions against the encroachment in the Chilika lake. Around 25,223 hectares in the
lake were under illegal prawn gheries.
In 2019, the Odisha High Court ordered to demolish prawn gheries in the wetlands of the state.
Since 2018, the CDA has freed up 15,163 hectares from encroachment.
Also, restriction on tourism in 2020 due to COVID-19 gave the dolphins an inviolate space.
Key Findings of the Census
The census found 342 dolphins of three species in the lake. There were only 62 of these species the
previous year.
Around 281 humpback dolphins and twenty-two bottle nose dolphins were sighted by the survey.
Irrawaddy Dolphins
The Irrawaddy Dolphins have been listed under Endangered category in the IUCN Red List.
The Dolphin distribution in Chilika lake is the highest single lagoon population.
These dolphins are mainly found in three rivers namely Mekong (China), Irrawaddy (Myanmar) and
Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo).
Chilika lake
It is the world second largest lagoon.
In 1981, the lake was designated as the first Ramsar site of India.
The main attraction of the Chilika lake is the Irrawaddy Dolphins. They are often spotted off the
Satpada island.
The Nalabana island in the lake was declared as bird sanctuary in 1987.
Artemis Programme: NASA to land first person of colour on the moon
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration programme will land the first person of colour on the
moon as a part of its Artemis Programme. In addition, NASA will also land first woman on the moon under
the programme.
Key Highlights
NASA had finalised around 18 astronauts under its Artemis Programme. It included the Indian American
Raja Chari. However, NASA is yet to announce the first two crew members of the Artemis programme. NASA
has now planned to include a person of colour in the crew. With this, NASA will be landing the first person of
colour on the moon under the programme. Currently, NASA faces huge funding problems. This has been one
of the major obstacles in implementing the mission. NASA has requested 24.7 billion USD of funding for
2022.

Artemis Programme
Artemis Programme is an international human space flight programme funded by the US Government.
The main objective of the programme is to launch a manned mission to the south pole region of the
moon by 2024.
The programme is predominantly carried out by NASA. The other international partners in the
programme are JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Italian Space Agency, UK Space
Agency, UAE space Agency, Brazilian Space Agency, Australian Space Agency, State Space Agency of
Ukraine, Canadian Space Agency, and the European Space Agency.
The total cost of the programme is estimated to be 35 billion USD.
The programme is to be implemented in three parts. They are as follows:
Artemis I: To be launched in 2021 and is an uncrewed flight. It will test the Space Launch
System and the Orion spacecraft.
Artemis II: It is the first crewed flight test and is targeted to be launched in 2023.
Artemis III: It will land astronauts on the south pole of moon in 2024.
Lilavati Awards, 2020
The Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank recently presented the AICTE Lilavati Awards,
2020 in New Delhi. The awards were presented based on the theme “Women Empowerment”. The winners
were selected by AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) in six sub themes.
Winners of Lilavati Awards, 2020
The winners selected in six sub themes were as follows:
SWEAT (Sona Women Entrepreneurship and Training) from Sona College of Technology, Tamil Nadu
won the award under the ‘Women Entrepreneurship’ sub theme.
Another college from Tamil Nadu, Paritrana from St. Joseph’s College of Engineering won the award
for the ‘Self Defense’ sub theme.
Under the ‘Literacy’ sub theme, Bharatiya Vidyapeeth of Institute of Management and
Entrepreneurship Development Pune won the award.
The Lilavati Award under “Women’s Health” sub theme was won by WIT Women Health Coalition from
Walchand Institute of Technology, Maharashtra.
Radiant Seetha from Thiagarajar Polytechnic College won the contest in the ‘Legal Awareness’ sub
theme.
About Lilavati Awards
The prize has been named after the twelfth century book called “Lilavati”.
The book was written by the mathematician Bhaskara II. Lilavati was the daughter of Bhaskara II.
The award is presented annually as a part of AICTE Innovative education programme to empower
women.
Other GoI initiatives to empower women
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a small savings scheme that encourages parents of girl child to build a
fund for their future education and marriage expenses.
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative aims to promote gender equality in the country. It also aims at
educating girls in India.
Smart India Hackathon is a platform to solve problems of women in daily life.
India: Second most hit by COVID-19 in the world
On April 12, 2021, India reported 168,912 new COVID-19 cases in the last twenty four hours. With this, the
total number of COVID-19 cases in India increased to 13.53 million making India, the second most COVID-19
struck country in the world. Previously, Brazil was the second most COVID-19 hit country in the world. The

US remains the most COVID-19 affected country in the world. The number of COVID-19 cases in the US has
touched 31.2 million.
Current Scenario of COVID-19 in India
The national COVID-19 recovery rate has fallen below 90%. The death toll has increased to 170,179.
The ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) has so far tested 1,180,136 samples.
The current increasing COVID-19 infections in India is mainly due to a double mutant COVID-19 variety
found in the country.
Double Mutant COVID-19 variety
The India SARS-COV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG) recently carried out a genomic sequencing on
the latest samples of COVID-19. Accordingly, an increase in the fraction of samples with L452 and E484Q
mutations has been discovered. These two mutations in COVID-19 virus have come together and are
causing the double mutation problem in India. The double mutant variant of COVID-19 has been named as
B.1.617.
INSACOG is a group of ten national laboratories that have come together under Ministry of Health to
address COVID-19 issues. The laboratories under INSACOG carry out testing process to map the genetic
code of the virus. So far, the double mutant variety has been found in eight countries. They are UK,
Australia, Singapore, US, etc.
How serious is the problem?
If the double mutation occurs in the spike protein of the virus, then the chances of the virus escaping the
immune system is high.
G20 nods to IMF for fresh SDR issue
The G20 Finance Ministers recently nodded to the International Monetary Fund to provide fresh Special
Drawing Rights to its member countries. The IMF has been permitted to provide SDR of worth 650 million
USD to the member countries. This will help boost the reserves of all nations and will avoid pushing low-
income countries into further distress.
What are Special Drawing Rights?
The Special Drawing Rights is an international reserve asset. It was created by the IMF in 1969 to
supplement the official reserves of its member countries.
The value of Special Drawing Rights is based on five currencies of the world. They are US dollars,
Japanese Yen, Chinese Renminbi, British pound sterling and Euro.
In 2009, the IMF allocated 182.6 billion USD of SDR in the wake of global financial crisis.
The SDR is neither a claim on the IMF nor a currency. It is a potential claim on the freely usable
currencies of IMF members.
The value of SDR is calculated every day.
The voting power of a member country in IMF is based on the quota that is measured in terms of SDR.
It is primarily based on the economic position of a country.
What is the issue?
The G20 Finance Ministers including India opposed the general allocation of new Special Drawing Rights by
the IMF. This is because this will not ease financial pressures created by COVID-19.
Why is the new SDR being issued?
The new Special Drawing Rights is being issued by the International Monetary Fund to help the least
developed and developing countries that are facing high foreign exchange crisis due to COVID-19.
How does SDR help IMF?
The SDR is mainly used as a unit of account for internal accounting purposes. It helps the IMF manage
exchange rate volatility of any single currency.

Working of SDR
When SDRs are allocated to an IMF member country, the members are given two positions. They are the
SDR allocations and SDR holdings. The countries receive interest on their SDR holdings and pay interest
based on their SDR allocations.
Bhutan: 93% of adults vaccinated in 16 days
The Himalayan kingdom Bhutan has recently completed vaccinating 93% of its adult population in the world.
How did Bhutan succeed in its vaccination programme?
The population of Bhutan is small. This is one of the main reason behind the rapid vaccination in the
country.
Apart from this, the success has also been attributed to “Dessuups”.
In January 2021, Bhutan received 150,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from India. This was the
first COVID-19 vaccine shot received by the country.
How did Bhutan begin its COVID-19 vaccination programme?
Bhutan is a Buddhist country. The first dose of COVID-19 vaccine was administered to a woman born in the
year of the monkey along with Buddhist prayers. This depicts the seriousness of the Bhutanese towards the
vaccination. Also, an auspicious Buddhist date was chosen to administer the vaccines. In fact, they waited
till March 27th to begin the vaccination!
What is Dessuup?
Dessuup is the highest form of voluntary act in Bhutan. They are trained volunteers wearing an orange
uniform. The Dessuup programme was first started in 2011. Under the programme, Bhutan has so far
trained 4,457 Bhutanese.
India-Bhutan
India has a major role in the vaccination success of Bhutan. India has been constantly supporting Bhutan in
the fields of Defence, Education, Health, Science and Technology.
Bhutan is currently receiving help from the Indian Space Research Organisation to launch its own satellite in
2021. India and Bhutan are to jointly develop INS-2B. As a part of this, Bhutan scientists were trained in
India.
India stood by Bhutan during the Doklam crisis. Doklam is a disputed region between China and Bhutan.
India does not claim Doklam but supports Bhutan’s claim over the region. During the stand off, India
launched Operation Juniper. Under the operation, India sent 270 Indian troops to stop the Chinese troops
from constructing a road in the disputed region (dispute between China and Bhutan).
BAFTA Awards: Nomadland wins four prizes
The film “Nomadland” won four prizes at the BAFTA awards. BAFTA is British Academy of Film and
Television Arts.
About Nomadland
The Nomadland won the best picture, best director, best actress and best cinematography.
The film maker Chloe Zhao became the first woman of colour and the second woman to win BAFTA
for best director.
Frances McDormand won the best actress.
It is an American drama. The film had also won People’s Choice Award, Golden Globe Awards.
Other BAFATA awards
The revenge comedy “Promising Young Woman” of Emerald Fennell was named the best British film
at the BAFTA Awards.
The best actor trophy was received by eighty-three-year-old Anthony Hopkins.
Indian Netflix film “The White Tiger” was nominated for two categories best actor and best adapted

screenplay. Neither of nominations won the award.
British Academy Film Awards
The BAFTA is presented to honour the best international and British contributions to films.
It was founded in 1947 as the British Film Academy. In 1976, it merged with the Guild of Television
producers and directors and became The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).
Other Biggest Film Awards in the world
Golden Lion: It is the highest prize given to a film at the Venice film festival.
Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards are presented in the United States. It is presented by the
Hollywood Foreign Press Association since 1943.
The Golden Leopard: It is the presented at the Locarno International Film Festival.
Filmfare Awards: Focuses on Hindi film industry. It is run by the Times Group.
The Golden Bear: It is presented at the Berlin International Film festival.
What is Historical Nihilism commonly used phrase in China?
The Chinese Cyber Regulator recently launched a hotline to report online criticism that defame the ruling
Communist Party and its history. The regulator has vowed to crack down “Historical Nihilists” ahead of the
hundredth anniversary of the Communist party that falls in July 2021.
About the initiative
The hotline launched will allow people to report fellow netizens who create defaming comments about the
ruling communist party and its history. The defaming also includes attacking policies, leadership, defaming
political heroes and denying the excellence of advanced socialist culture.
Why is it being referred to Historical Nihilism?
The “Historical Nihilism” has become a phrase used in China to describe scepticism and public doubt over
the ruling communist party. This is because people in the country have been strongly criticising several
policies of the Chinese Government. In return, the government has been increasing restrictions to bring
such criticisms under control. The following are some of the strict and widely criticised control measures of
the Chinese Government:
The censorship of internet is often increased ahead of political meetings, historical anniversaries,
and sports events.
The Chinese are already facing jail time and other legal punishments for posing content against the
ruling communist party of China.
Legal amendments released in 2021 say that people who insult the memory of national heroes of
China will face imprisonment up to three years.
The foreign search engines and social media networks are banned in China.
What is Nihilism?
Nihilism is expressing some form of negation towards life or towards fundamental concepts such as
existence, knowledge and meaning of life.
April 13, 2021
Punjab to involve Arhtiyas in Direct Payments to Farmers
The Punjab State Government recently told the Union Government that it will pay the Minimum Support Price
directly into the accounts of farmers starting this procurement season. However, the Arhtiyas in the state
have been opposing to the direct payment. Arhtiyas are Commission Agents in the state. They used to pay
the farmers earlier in Punjab. To solve the issue, Punjab has now amended the procurement software to
include Arhtiyas in the direct payment process as well.
Arhtiyas and farmers in the state have strong and age-old trust in the state of Punjab. However, according
to the Government, several Arhtiyas are looting the money and the allocated funds do not reach the farmers.
How will Arhtiyas be involved in Direct Payment System?
The State of Punjab has around 28,000 registered Arhtiyas. Each of them has twenty to two hundred
farmers associated with them. Earlier, the Minimum Support Price payments to the farmers used to come in
accounts of Arhtiyas. They will then pay the farmers. Now, the amount will directly come in the accounts of
the farmers. However, this will happen after the Arhtiyas click the pay now button. They will have to do so
within 48 hours of receiving the MSP. If they fail to transfer the amount within 48 hours, the amount will
directly get credited to the farmers in 72 hours.
Arhtiyas
The Arhtiyas provide various services in Punjab mandis. This includes unloading to cleaning, filling,
weighing, and loading the crop to government godowns. The Government pays 2.5% commission to them
for these works.
What changes have been made?
The Punjab Government has modified the Anaaj Kharid Portal. The Arhtiyas will get a message on the
portal. The message will provide the name of the farmer linked with him whose amount is ready to transfer.
The respective Arhtiya has to click on Pay Now to transfer the money.
Melting of Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier “Doomsday Glacier”
The researchers from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden recently used an uncrewed submarine to go
under the Thwaites Glacier to make observations. According to the researchers, the melting of the glacier is
worse than previously thought.
The Thwaites Glacier is also called “Doomsday Glacier”. It has been a cause of concern for a long time as it
has high potential to speed up the global sea level rise.
Thwaites Glacier
The Thwaites Glacier or the Doomsday Glacier is 120 km wide at its broadest. It is spread over 1.9 lakh
square kilometres. It is fast moving and has been melting in the recent years. The glacier has high potential
to raise the world sea level by more than a metre. According to researchers, the amount of ice flowing out
of the glacier has doubled in the past thirty years.
Previous Studies about Doomsday Glacier
According to a 2019 study, a fast-growing cavity was discovered in the glacier that sized two-third of the
area of Manhattan. The cavity is growing mainly due to the warm water detected below the glacier. This
warm water has been found at two degrees above freezing point at the Grounding Zone or Grounding line of
the Doomsday Glacier.
Grounding point or Grounding Zone of Glaciers
The Grounding line of a glacier is the place below the glacier where the ice transits between resting fully on
bedrock and floating on ocean as an ice shelf.
The Grounding line retreats when the glaciers melt and lose weight. This in turn exposes more of the
underside of the glacier to the seawater. As the exposed surface area increases, the melting of the glacier
increases.
Key Findings of the new study
The recent findings made by the Sweden researchers are the first measurements performed beneath the
glacier. The submarine sent to go under the glacier was called “Ran”. It measured temperature, strength,
salinity, and oxygen content of the ocean currents that go under the glacier. With this data, the researchers
have mapped the ocean currents beneath the glacier.
There are three inflows of warm water beneath the glacier. Among them the damaging effects of one of the
currents had been underestimated in the past.
The main concern according to the study is that warm water is approaching the pinning points of the glacier

from all sides.
Draft Electricity (Rights of Consumers) (Amendment) Rules, 2021
The Ministry of Power recently issued a Draft Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2021. These new
rules allow net metering of roof top solar systems.
About the new Rules
The net metering of roof top has been allowed up to 500 KW in the new rules.
The following definitions were added:
Gross Metering means a mechanism where the total solar energy generated from a grid
interactive rooftop solar system and the energy consumed are accounted separately.
Net metering is defined as the mechanism where solar energy is exported to the grid from grid
interactive rooftop solar PV (Photo Voltaic) system.
The energy imported from the grid and the energy exported to the grid are valued at two
different tariffs.
These amendments have been made to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020. Electricity is a
concurrent subject.
Electricity (Right of Consumers) Rules, 2020
The rules mainly cover aspects of power supply to the consumers. It mainly includes metering
arrangements, obligations of distribution licenses, release of new connections, grievance redressal,
modifications of existing connections and compensation mechanisms.
No connection shall be provided without meters.
The meter used should be prepayment meter or smart prepayment meter.
The meters should have provisions for testing.
The consumer shall have the option to pay bills offline or online. Also, he shall be provided with
advance payment of bills.
A prosumer will enjoy the same rights as that of a consumer. A prosumer is a person who produces
and consumes power.
Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum should include prosumer and consumer representations.
India: Expert panel recommends approval to Sputnik V vaccine
An Expert panel of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) recently approved the
Emergency Use of COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik-V. However, the Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) is to
take a final call on the recommendation. When approved, Sputnik will be the third COVID-19 vaccine to be
available in India.
Sputnik V Vaccine
The Sputnik V is a Russian vaccine. The Dr Reddy’s Laboratories partnered with the Russian Direct
Investment Fund to conduct clinical trials on the vaccine and for its distribution rights in India. The vaccine
has proved 91.6% of efficacy during its phase 3 trials.
Emergency Use Authorisation
Currently, the vaccines COVAXIN of Bharat Biotech and COVISHIELD of AstraZeneca are under
administration. They have been given Emergency Use Authorisation. Emergency Use Authorisation is an
interim approval of vaccine.
The fastest approval for a vaccine until now took about four and a half years. This approval was for the
mumps vaccine developed around 1960s. Therefore, to use vaccines in emergency situations as that of
COVID-19, Emergency Use Authorisation is provided.
How is Emergency Use Authorisation granted in India?
A company seeking Emergency Use Authorisation must conduct local trials to prove that the vaccine is safe

and effective on Indian population.
What are the risks with Emergency Use Approved Vaccines?
After every clinical trial, the vaccine is upgraded by nullifying its side effects and potential risks. In case of
Emergency Use Authorisation, there is no time for these rigorous clinical trials.
The Emergency Use Authorised vaccines might have potential risks. The people should be informed about
the extent of risks of the vaccine.
Other drugs that received Emergency Use Authorisation in India
The other drugs that received Emergency Use Authorisation in India are Favipiravir, Remdesivir and
Itolizumab.
Sushil Chandra: Next Chief Election Commissioner
Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra recently took over as the new Chief Election Commissioner of India.
About Sushil Chandra
Sushil Chandra was appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner by the President of India, Shri Ram
Nath Kovind.
He was appointed as the Election Commissioner along with Ashok Lavasa and Arora in 2019.
He will oversee the completion of the ongoing assembly elections.
His term will end in 2022. Before that assembly elections will be held in the states of Uttar Pradesh,
Punjab, Goa, Manipur, and Uttarakhand.
Earlier he had served as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Direct Taxes.
In 2017, he launched “Operation Clean Money” to curb illegal wealth and black money in the country.
Constitutional Provisions
Article 324 of the Constitution provides the provisions of Chief Election Commissioner. The provisions
under the article are as follows:
Article 324 provides powers to the Chief Election Commissioner to control and direct elections to the
state legislature, parliament and to the offices of President and Vice President of the country.
The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election commissioners shall be appointed by the
President of India.
It also says that, the Chief Election Commissioner shall be removed from office only on the like
grounds of the Supreme Court Judge.
The State Election commissioner shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief
Election Commissioner.
The staff requested by the Election Commission to discharge its functions shall be provided by the
Governor of the state and by the President of India.
Election Commissioner Amendment Act
The Election Commissioner Amendment Act, 1989 made the Election Commission a multi-member body.
Under the act, two additional election commissioners were appointed to the Election Commission. However,
the decision of the Chief Election Commissioner is final.
India Energy Dashboards (Version 2.0) by NITI Aayog
The Niti Aayog recently launched the India Energy Dashboards Version 2.0. It will provide single window
access to the data related to utilisation, pricing, production, distribution of energy in the country. It will
provide data from Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and from Coal
Controller’s Organisation. The India Energy Dashboard Version 1.0 was launched in 2017.
Key Features of India Energy Dashboards Version 2.0
The new version of the India Energy Dashboard provides data between the financial years 2005-06
and 2019-20.

It will provide enhanced data download. It allows data download in convenient spreadsheet formats.
Also, the new India Energy Dashboard provides data in sub-yearly frequencies. It includes monthly
data from portals maintained by Government agencies. The monthly data in India is regularly
published for petroleum, electricity, and natural gas sectors.
It will provide technical and financial data of electricity utilities.
The India Energy Dashboard will also provide data from schemes such as Saubhagya, PRAAPTI,
UJALA and Vidyut PRAVAH.
UJALA
UJALA is Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All. The scheme was launched by PM Modi in 2015. It replaced
the Bachat Lamp Yojana. UJALA is also called as DELP. DELP is Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme. It
aims to promote the efficient usage of energy for all. Under the scheme, the LED bulbs were distributed to
the Electricity Distribution Companies at subsidised rates. The scheme also aimed to reduce the green
house gas emission by 79 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
PRAAPTI
PRAAPTI is a web portal launched by the Ministry of Power in 2018. PRAAPTI is Payment Ratification and
Analysis in Power procurement for bringing transparency in invoicing of generators. Under the portal, the
power distribution companies will clear the invoices and reply to the claims raised by the generators in the
portal.
DGFT Trade Facilitation App launched
The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal recently launched the DGFT Trade
Facilitation Mobile Application. DGFT is Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
Key Features of DGFT
The DGFT Trade Facilitation application provides the following features :
Real-time trade policy updates and event notifications.
It provides options to explore Export-Import policies and statistics
Virtual Assistance to trade related queries
It provides access to all the services provided by DGFT.
Raise and track help requests in real time.
The application will be available on both iOS and Android platforms.
DGFT
DGFT is the government body that implements the foreign trade policy of India.
It promotes exports of India.
It operates under Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
It is headed by the Director-General. He or she is the head of Indian Trade Services.
DGFT was known as the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports till 1991.
DGFT was formed as a part of Economic Reforms in 1991 when the Liberalisation, Globalisation and
Privatisation policies began in India.
It provides licenses to the import and export businesses in India.
It holds complete data about the importers and exporters in the country.
It provides EIC number. EIC is Exporter Importer Code. It is a ten-digit number that is needed for all
people conducting import or export business in the country.
It regulates and permits the transit of goods between India and its neighbours according to the
bilateral agreements.
It controls the DEPB rates. DEPB is Duty Entitlement Pass Book. It is an export incentive scheme of
Government of India.

Central Asia: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan trans-border trade center
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have launched the construction of an international center for trade and
economic cooperation called “Central Asia”. The Central Asia Trade center has been launched on the
borders of the two countries.
About the center
The Center is to be constructed in an area of 400 hectares of land. It will have a capacity to
accommodate 35,000 people and five thousand trucks. After completion, the center will become a
large trade and industrial platform to implement joint projects of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
The center is located near the border check post of Gisht Kuprik.
After China and Russia, Kazakhstan is the third largest trade partner of Uzbekistan.
India-Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan holds one of the largest Uranium reserves in the world. In 2019, India and Uzbekistan
signed a Nuclear Agreement. Under the agreement, Uzbekistan agreed to export 2,000 tonnes of
Uranium to India.
Uzbekistan supports permanent membership of India in the United Nations Security Council.
The countries had set a bilateral trade target of 1 billion USD by 2020.
India-Central Asia
Central Asia is highly important to India as it serves as a land bridge between Asia and Europe. India is to
use the Chabahar port as a gateway to access the Eurasian markets. Also, the development of International
North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) will help India increase its trade with Central Asia.
INSTC
It is a multi-modal transportation that was established in 2000 in St Petersburg by India, Iran, and
Russia. It mainly aims to promote transport of freight.
At the Maritime India Summit that was held in March 2021, India proposed to include Chabahar port
in the INSTC project.
Remdesivir Shortage in India
Remdesivir is an injectable anti-virus. It is injected to prevent replication of the virus. The Remdesivir was
created in 2014. It was manufactured in large scale to treat Ebola. Later it was used to treat SARS and
MERS. Recently, after the COVID-19 crisis, it has been repurposed for COVID-19 treatment.
What is the issue around Remdesivir in India?
The State Governments of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh have been
complaining about shortage of Remdesivir. Following this, the Directorate of Foreign Trade operating under
the Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued an order to prohibit the export of Remdesivir. Also, the export
of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients used in the production of Remdesivir has been prohibited.
Why did the shortage occur?
The shortage of Remdesivir is increasing day by day mainly because of rising COVID-19 cases. It is also
increasing due to manufacturing and supply issues. Madhya Pradesh complained that it has received only
half of its requirement. Around 70% of the total production of Remdesivir in the country is diverted to
Maharashtra.
How did the issue arise?
In December 2020, manufacturers were left with huge piles of Remdesivir. They expected increase in sales
of the drug. However, the drop in COVID-19 cases in November and December 2020 reduced the demand of
the drug. Some even destroyed expired stocks. Later the COVID-19 infections began rising exponentially
after double mutant variety started spreading in the country. This began around February 2021. However,
the manufacturing resumed only by the end of March 2021. This is mainly because Remdesivir requires

twenty-five different raw materials in its production. The supply chain in India was not strong enough to
collect all the raw materials in a short span of time.
The cycle from production to transportation of Remdesivir takes 20-25 days. Thus, the supply chain of the
country must strengthened more to avoid similar crisis in the future.
How will Japan release contaminated Fukushima water into the ocean?
The Japanese Government recently approved a plan to release more than 1 million tonnes of treated
radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. In 2011, there occurred a nuclear disaster in the
plant due an earthquake and tsunami. It was the most severe Nuclear accident that was classified as Level
7 on the International Nuclear Event Scale.
What is the issue?
The release of the treated radioactive water could take several years to begin and will take decades to
complete. Also, Japan is facing opposition from the anti-nuclear activists and fishing communities for the
release of the water into the sea.
Is the release safe?
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the release of the water from the Fukushima nuclear
power plant is similar to disposing wastewater from nuclear plants elsewhere in the world.
Where did such huge amount of radio active water come from?
To bring the damaged nuclear reactor under control a makeshift system of pumps and piping was used.
Tonnes of water was injected into the damaged nuclear reactors to keep the melted Uranium rods cool. The
water got contaminated as it contacted the fuel. The contaminated water has now piled up to 1.3 million
tonnes.
What is the plan to release the water?
The Operator TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings) has planned to filter the contaminated
water leaving only tritium. This is because, it is highly complicated and difficult to remove tritium from
water. However, the filtered water is to be diluted till tritium levels fall below regulatory limits before
dumping into the ocean.
Tritium is less harmful as compared to other radioactive wastes. It does not emit enough energy to
penetrate human skin. However, it can cause cancer when ingested.
Tax collections for FY 21
The Ministry of Finance recently released the tax collection figures for the financial year 2020-21. According
to the ministry, the direct tax collections for the financial year 2020-21 are Rs 9.45 lakh crores.
Tax collections for the fiscal year 2020-21
The Direct Tax Collections include Personal Income Tax collections and Corporation Tax collections.
The Personal Income Tax collected for the year 2020-21 was Rs 4.88 lakh crores.
The Corporation Tax (or Corporate Tax) collected for the year 2020-21 was Rs 4.57 lakh crores.
Dross Collection of Direct Tax
The Gross Collection of Direct Tax for the year 2020-21 was Rs 12.06 crores. The gross collection of direct
tax is the net amount before adjusting refunds. The other components of Gross Collection of Direct Tax are
as follows:
Corporation Tax: Rs 6.31 lakh crores
Personal Income Tax: Rs 5.75 lakh crores
Advance Tax: Rs 4.95 lakh crores
Tax deducted at Source: Rs 5.45 lakh crores
Self-Assessment Tax: Rs 1.07 lakh crores
Regulator Assessment Tax: Rs 42,372 crores

Dividend Distribution Tax: Rs 13,237 crores
Refunds Issued
In 2020-21, the GoI refunded Rs 2.61 lakh crores. This is 42.1% higher than that of 2019-20. In 2019-20, the
GoI refunded Rs 1.83 lakh crores.
Definitions of Taxes
Corporate Tax: It is the tax levied on profits of the companies.
Personal Income Tax: It is the tax levied on salaries, wages, and other types of income of a person.
Advance Tax: It is the income tax that should be paid in advance instead of lump sum payment at
year end. The Advance Tax is also called earn Tax. It is the income tax a person must pay if his
payable tax exceeds Rs 10,000. In such cases, the taxpayer pays in instalments.
Tax Deducted at Source (TDS): It is the tax deducted from the money paid at the time of making
specified payments such as commission, rent, salary, professional fees, etc.
2021 Global food policy report
The Global Food Policy Report is published by the International Food Policy Research Institute. This year the
institute has released the report based on the theme “Transforming Food Systems After COVID-19”.
Key Findings of the report: India
The lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 crisis closed schools and day care centres. This affected
the availability of nutritious perishable food products. Several households shifted from expensive
nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables towards cheaper staple foods.
The midday meal programme of India that covers 80% of primary school age children in the country
was affected due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The school closures are likely to exacerbate nutrition
and food insecurity in the country especially in girls and disadvantaged population.
50% of households in India reported that women spent more time in fetching firewood and water in
comparison with the previous year.
Efforts of India to incorporate migrant workers into social protection programmes was a huge
success.
Around 80 million hectares of land in India have been classified as commons. This included forest,
water bodies, and pastures. The Commons provide source of livelihood for more than 350 million
people in the country. They are dependent on these areas for their forest products and fodder.
Recommendations
The governments should use global events such as COP26, UNFSS (United Nations Food Systems
Summit) and Nutrition for Growth Summit to put food system transformation rightly on the
development agenda.
The resilience for all food systems should be increased.
The flexibility of social protection policies to protect the vulnerable population during the time of
health crisis should be expanded.
Key Findings of the Report: World
Around 95 million people, mostly in Africa are living in extreme poverty.
Number of poor people living under poverty are to increase by 150 million as compared to the pre-
pandemic levels.
Women accounted to 39% of employment globally. However, they incurred 54% of job losses during
pandemic.
Odyssey Completes 20 years: NASA releases Electric Blue Dune Images
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the US recently released the image of Mars
to mark the 20th anniversary of Odyssey. The image depicted Dunes in Mars.

About the images
The set of images released were clicked on the Mars at 172.1 degrees east longitude and 80.3
degrees north latitude. The planet looked in electric blue in the image.
The title of the image was “Blue Dunes on the Red Planet”.
The image combines shots taken by the Mars Orbiter Odyssey in December 2002 and November
2004.
The image had two types of dunes. One set of dunes were bluish representing colder climates. The
other set of dunes were yellowish in colour and represented warmer climates.
About the Dunes
Dune is a landform made by wind or water driven sand.
The Dunes captured were as big as the American state of Texas.
The THEMIS instrument on the Mars Odyssey captured the shots. THEMIS is Thermal Emission
Imaging System. It had sent more than one million images since it began orbiting the planet.
Odyssey entered the Mars orbit in 2001.
Odyssey
Odyssey is the longest lasting spacecraft in Mars till date. It was launched on April 7, 2001. It arrived
at Mars on October 24, 2001.
Odyssey detected large amounts of Hydrogen. It is a sign that ice should be lying within a metre of
the surface of the planet.
Odyssey also discovered water ice near the surface of equatorial regions of the red planet.
Objectives of Odyssey
The main objectives of the mission were as follows:
To map the levels of elements across the entire Martian surface.
To determine how much hydrogen exists in shallow sub surfaces of the planet.
To provide information about the morphology of the surface of the planet.
To identify radiation induced risks to humans in the planet.
Aahaar Kranti: Mission launched by Health Minister
The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan recently launched “Mission Aahaar
Kranti”. The mission aims to spread the message of the importance of nutritionally balanced diet. It will
also promote the importance of accessibility to local fruits and vegetables.
About the mission
The Mission is designed to address the major problem faced by India and the world, which is, “Hunger
and Diseases in Abundance”.
India produces two times the amount of calories it consumes. Still, several people are malnourished
in the country.
The mission is also co-launched by the Vijnana Bharti and Global Scientists and Technocrats Forum.
The motto of the mission is “Good Diet-Good Cognition”.
The mission will train the teachers. The teachers in turn will pass on the message to students.
Through the students the mission aims to pass on the message to the families and societies at large.
Malnutrition in India
According to UNICEF, India is at the tenth spot among countries with highest number of underweight
children. Also, the organisation says that India is at the seventeenth spot among countries with
highest number of stunted children. Both the problems of stunting and underweight are caused by
malnutrition.
Malnutrition is the major contributing factor to one-third child deaths in the country.

According to the recent National Family Health Survey, the percentage of stunted children in 2015-16
was 38.4%. The percentage of children wasted were 21%. Wasting is prevalent in Goa, Punjab,
Karnataka, Sikkim, and Maharashtra.
More than half of Indian children are anaemic.
Apart from children, 23% of women and 20% of men in the country are malnourished.
Astronomers discover the farthest Gamma-ray emitting active galaxy
The scientists from Aryabhatta Research Institute have discovered a new galaxy that emits gamma rays.
The galaxy has been categorised as Narrow Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1). However, it is unique and different from
the other NLS1s discovered so far.
About NLS1
It is 31 billion light years away from the earth. The galaxy is located at a high redshift.
The galaxy was discovered when scientists tried to trace red shifted galaxies. The redshifted galaxies
are those galaxies that emit longer wavelength. As the wavelength of light gets longer the light turns
redder. This is termed as “redshifted” in astronomy.
The discovery was made when scientists were studying about 25,000 luminous Active Galactic
Nuclei.
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey was used during the study that discovered the galaxy.
The researchers used Subaru Telescope located in Hawaii, USA to conduct their study.
How is the newly discovered NLS1 different from the other NLS1?
The discovery of NLS1 has challenged the idea of how relativistic jets are formed. Relativistic Jets
are ionised matter that travel at speed of light. They are associated with Quasars, pulsars, neutron
stars. They are produced by Active Galactic Nuclei. These nuclei are powered by large black holes in
giant elliptical galaxies. However, NLS1 discovered recently is a unique Active Galactic Nuclei that is
powered by a black hole of low mass.
The NLS1s discovered so far that emitted gamma rays were at lower redshifts. This is the first
gamma emitting NLS1 discovered to be at higher redshift.
The newly discovered gamma ray emitting NLS1 is 13.8 billion years old. It was formed when the
universe was 4.7 billion years old.
Way forward
The discovery has opened up a new study to find gamma ray emitting NLS1 galaxies.
April 14, 2021
eSanta: Platform for Marine Products
The Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal recently launched a platform called “eSanta” for marine products. The
main aim of the platform is to empower aqua farmers.
About eSanta
The farmers can sell their produce in eSanta portal.
It is a bridge between the buyers and the farmers.
The eSanta portal eliminates the necessity of middlemen completely.
The portal is available in languages such as English, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Odiya and Bengali.
The initiative to launch eSanta portal was taken by NaCSA.
NaCSA
National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture is an arm of Marine Products Export Development Authority
(MPEDA) that operates under Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The main objective of NaCSA is to
encourage and uplift small and marginal farmers through organisation of clusters and also by adopting best
practices in shrimp culture.
Benefits of the portal
The use of modern tools and techniques like that of eSanta will help to increase shrimp production
from the current 40,000 tonnes to six to seven lakh tonnes.
The portal will benefit 18,000 farmers who are currently contributing to marine exports of the country.
Need for eSanta portal
The aqua products are exported to America, European Union, China, Japan and other Asian countries. In
spite of ranking second in aquaculture in the world, aqua farmers in India are facing difficulties to get best
price from the market. The portal will help to address this problem.
Fishing in India
The fishing in India employs 14.5 million people. It contributes to 1.07% of total GDP.
National Fish Farmers Day
Every year, India celebrates National Fish Farmers Day on July 10.
Issues of Fishing Economy in India
The fish production in India has increased from 7.52 lakh tonnes in 1950-51 to 125.90 lakh tonnes in
2018-19. In spite of the rapid growth in the industry, annual production of an individual fish farmer is only 2
tonnes. On other hand, it is 6 tonnes in China, 72 tonnes in Chile and 172 tonnes in Norway.
Ambedkar Jayanti: April 14
Every year India celebrates Ambedkar Jayanti or Bhim Jayanti on April 14. The day is also called Ambedkar
Remembrance Day. Since 2015, April 14 is observed as an official public holiday in India.
About Ambedkar
Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891.
He struggled for equality throughout his life. Thus, his birthday is also celebrated as “Equality Day”.
India has placed a demand to celebrate his birthday as International Equality Day to the United
Nations.
He was also known as Babasaheb Ambedkar.
In 1956, he converted to Buddhism.
In 1932, he signed Poona Pact with Madan Mohan Malaviya. Malaviya signed it on behalf of Gandhi.
According to the agreement, reserved seats were provided for depressed classes. Because of the
pact, the depressed classes received one hundred and forty-eight seats instead of seventy one seats.
In 1936, Ambedkar founded Independent Labour Party.
After Lahore resolution, in 1940, he wrote a book called “Thoughts on Pakistan”. The book analysed
the concept of Pakistan.
In his other book called “Who were the Shudras?”, Ambedkar wrote about the untouchables.
Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of Constituent Assembly.
Tributes
In 1990, Ambedkar was bestowed with Bharat Ratna.
His portrait was unveiled in the Central Hall of Parliament in 1990.
The period between April 14, 1990 and April 14, 1991 was observed as “Year of Social Justice”.
In 2015, the Government of India issued ten rupees and 125 rupees coins to mark his 125 th birth
anniversary.
The United Nations celebrated Ambedkar Jayanti for three consecutive years, in 2016, 2017 and
2018.
In 2020, Canada decided to celebrate Ambedkar birthday as Dr B R Ambedkar Day of Equality.
In 2021, the Government of British Columbia decided to celebrate his birthday as Dr B R Ambedkar
Equality Day.

Raisina Dialogue, 2021
The Raisina Dialogue was recently organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and Observer Research
Foundation. The dialogue was held under the theme:
Theme: viral World: Outbreaks, Outliers and Out of Control
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the dialogue virtually.
Raisina Dialogue
It is an annual Geo-political event. It is named after Raisina Hill where the seat of Government of India
is located. It is a conference on geoeconomics and Geopolitics.
It was structured on the lines of Shangri-La-Dialogue.
It was held for the first time in 2016.
Objectives of Raisina Dialogue
To explore future opportunities for Asian integration.
To explore advancement in integration of Asia with the world
It also asserts the crucial role played by India in the Indian Ocean Region.
It also focuses on how India can build a stable, regional and world order.
It addresses the most challenging issued faced by the global community.
Raisina Hills
Raisina Hill is an area in New Delhi that houses the most important buildings of India namely Rashtrapati
Bhavan and the secretariat building that houses Prime Minister Office and several other ministers. The
Raisina Hill is surrounded by other important buildings including Rajpath, Parliament of India and India Gate.
Earlier, the Viceroy’s House was constructed acquiring land from three hundred families in the local
villages. This was done under the 1894 Land Acquisition Act. After independence, it was turned into the
permanent residence of President of India.
Shangri-La Dialogue
It is an inter-government security forum held annually. It is attended by defence ministers, military chiefs of
twenty-eight states including India.
What is Currency Chest?
Currency Chests are places where RBI (Reserve Bank of India) stocks money meant for banks and ATMs.
The Currency Chests are located in different banks and are administered by the Reserve Bank of India.
Why is Current Chest in news recently?
A private security guard has looted Rs 4.04 crores from the currency chest of Axis Bank in Chandigarh. This
has brought currency chests in spotlight.
What is Currency Chest?
The Currency chests are places where RBI stores money meant for ATMs and banks. The representatives
from RBI inspect these currency chests from time to time. These currency chests are placed in banks
spread all over the country. The money in the currency chest belongs to RBI and the money placed outside
currency chest in the strong room belongs to the bank.
Whenever RBI prints new currency notes, it first delivers them to these currency chests. The banks holding
the currency chests will then deliver them to the other banks.
Who will fulfil the losses?
Now, RBI is prone to losses due to the theft. The entire money in the chest belongs to RBI. Now the question
arises who will bear the losses? The bank that holds the currency chest should bear the losses. The bank
should also submit a Fraud Monitoring Report to RBI.
Security of the Currency Chest
The RBI reimburses the security expenses to the bank. The reimbursement includes transportation of money

from one bank to another as well. It is the sole responsibility of the banks to safeguard the cash.
How is currency distributed in India?
RBI has thirty-one offices in India. When new currencies are printed, RBI sends them to these offices.
These offices then send the notes to the currency chests and small coin depots.
There are 4,075 currency chests in the country.
Around 3,746 banks act as small coin depots.
Bohag Bihu Bird Count 2021 begins
On April 14, 2021, the Bohag Bihu Bird count began in Assam. The Bohag Bihu Bird count was launched by
Bird Count of India (BCI). The BCI is a Non-Governmental Organisation. This is the first time BCI is launching
Bohag Bihu bird count.
Bohag Bihu
Bohag Bihu is also called Xaat Bihu. It is the traditional ethnic festival celebrated in Assam. It marks the
beginning of Assamese new year. Bohag is Assamese calendar. The onset of Bohag marks the starting of
Rongali Bihu. Rongali Bihu is one of the three most important festivals of Assam. The other two festivals
are Kati Bihu and Kongali Bihu.
Rongali Bihu
During Rongali Bihu, many migratory species of birds that visited Assam and its surrounding regions during
winter start flying back to their homes.
Significance
It is highly important to organise such bird counts as the birds in India are facing growing threats due to
habitat losses. According to State of India’s Birds, 2020, the loss of habitat is mainly due to human
activities, toxins, hunting and trapping for pet trade.
State of Birds 2020
The following are the key findings of State of Birds report, 2020:
50% of 867 bird species in India are exhibiting population decline.
The number of birds in Western Ghats have declined by 75% since 2000.
Around 101 bird species in India have been placed under “high concern” category, 442 in “low
concern category” and 319 in “moderate concern” category.
The population of House Sparrow was stable. However, their population was declining in major cities.
The House Sparrow has been declared as the “State Bird of Delhi”.
The House Sparrow population is declining in cities mainly due to decreasing insect
population.
The Bustards in India are facing severe population decline. All the four bustards namely the Great
Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican, Macqueen’s Bustard and Bengal Florican are suffering from
population decline.
Poshan Gyan: Digital Repository on Nutrition Information
NITI Aayog recently launched Poshan Gyan along with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Centre
for Social and Behaviour Change, Ashoka University. Poshan Gyan is a National Digital Repository on health
and nutrition.
Poshan Gyan
Poshan Gyan is basically an online resource for any person working in nutrition sector. It is also
accessible for any person seeking information to improve nutritional outcomes.
It holds communication materials that were created by government agencies and other
developmental organisations. The communication materials are available in different languages and
for different target audience.

The materials held by Poshan Gyan cover wide range of topics such as complementary feeding,
antenatal care, adolescent health, anaemia prevention, diet diversity, etc.
Health and Nutrition in India
In Global Hunger Index, 2020, India ranked 94th out of 107 countries. This says that India is suffering from
serious hunger problems. Also, in India, only a tenth of children between 6 and 23 months are fed with
minimum acceptable diet.
National Nutrition Mission
The National Nutrition Mission or the Poshan Abhiyan aims to improve nutritional outcomes in
children, lactating mothers and pregnant women. The mission aims to reduce undernutrition, stunting,
anaemia and low birth weight by 2%, 2%, 3% and 2% respectively. This is to be achieved by 2022.
50% of the budget for the National Nutrition Mission comes from World Bank.
The National Nutrition Mission is backed by the National Nutritional Strategy. The National Nutrition
Strategy was prepared by NITI Aayog. The main aim of the strategy is to attain “Kuposhan Mukt
Bharat” or malnutrition free India by 2022.
ITCN Programme
The National Institute of Urban Affairs recently launched the Infant Toddler and Caregiver friendly
Neighbourhoods Training and Capacity Building Programme. The Institute is partnered by Bernard van Leer
Foundation in implementing the programme.
About the Programme
The ITCN programme is designed to build capacities of young professionals and city officials to
develop young children and family friendly neighbourhoods in the country.
The programme is to provide certified training and capacity building modules.
The training is to be delivered through National Urban Learning Platform. The platform operates
under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
National Institute of Urban Affairs
The National Institute of Urban Affairs was established in 1976. The institute was established for capacity
building for the urban sector in India.
National Urban Learning Platform
The main aim of the platform is to empower the functionaries, elected representatives, administrators,
industry actors, civil society and other ecosystem players to build smart, resilient, sustainable cities. Making
cities resilient has been included in United Nations sustainable Development Goal (SDG) as well.
SDG
United Nations SDG 11 says “Make cities inclusive, resilient, safe and sustainable”.
Significance
According to United Nations, more than half of the world population has been living in the cities since
2007. This is projected to increase by 60% by 2030.
The cities contribute about 60% of global GDP. They also account to 70% of global carbon emissions.
It is estimated that the urban population in India is to increase to 600 million by 2030.
As more people move towards cities from their home town, the joint family culture is getting dissolved.
Thus, the need for day care is increasing in India.
PLI Scheme: Critical Bulk Drugs approved
The Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers recently approved sixteen applicants under Production Linked
Incentive scheme. The approvals will promote domestic manufacturing of drug intermediates and Active
Pharmaceutical Ingredients in the country.

What is the plan?
The approved applicants will set up pharmaceutical manufacturing plants in the country. They will invest
around Rs 348 crores in establishing these units. These plants are expected to create employment for more
than 3,042 people. The operation of these plants is expected to commence from April 2023.
Significance
The Indian Pharmaceutical industry is the third largest in the world. The markets for Indian pharmaceuticals
are good in advanced economies such as European Union and the United States. Also, the Indian
Pharmaceutical industry is well known for producing affordable medicines.
The only issue is that the Indian pharmaceutical industry is heavily dependent on foreign countries,
especially China, for its Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. The launch of these sixteen plants will reduce
dependence of India over foreign countries.
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
The Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients are the same as that of the bulk drugs. India was actually self-
reliant in API in 1990s. However, with cheaper products China captured the Indian pharmaceutical markets
in foreign countries. China created an unbeatable low-cost API manufacturing industry. This was mainly
through tax incentives and aggressive government funding. The cost of operation of Chinese
Pharmaceutical companies is one-fourth the Indian cost!
Thus, it is important for India to push in more funds in the pharmaceutical industry and recapture the lost
markets.
COVID-19 lessons
In 2018-19, GoI imported 2.4 billion USD worth API from China. However, due to COVID-19, India was force
to stop these imports. This affected the Indian Pharmaceutical companies very badly. Therefore,
Government of India is now implementing alternative route of domestic production of APIs.
Why is GoI fast tracking the Emergency use of foreign made COVID-19 Vaccines?
The Government of India recently announced that it is speeding up the Emergency Usage Approvals of
foreign made COVID-19 vaccines. This includes COVID-19 vaccines that have been granted Emergency Use
Authorisation (EUA) in other countries.
Role of NEGVAC in the approval
The foreign vaccines for EUA were recommended by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration
for COVID-19 (NEGVAC).
Why is India fast tracking EUA of foreign COVID-19 vaccines?
India is fast tracking the EUA of foreign COVID-19 vaccines to expand the basket of vaccines for domestic
use. This will speed up the pace and coverage of vaccination in the country. It selected those vaccines that
received EUA from USFDA, PMDA of Japan, MHRA of UK and also those listed in World Health
Organisation’s Emergency Use Listing.
What is the plan?
The first hundred beneficiaries of the foreign vaccines are to be assessed for seven days for safety
outcomes.
Current Scenario
India is the second most COVID-19 affected country in the world. India overtook Brazil to reach the second
position. US is still the most COVID-19 affected country in the world.
Currently India has provided Emergency Use authorisation for three vaccines namely COVAXIN, SPUTNIK V
and COVISHIELD. The COVAXIN is produced by Bharat Biotech of Hyderabad along with the Indian Council
of Medical Research. The COVISHIELD is produced by the Serum Institute of India. The SPUTNIK V is a
Russian vaccine.

Recently, the SPUTNIK V received EUA. The Dr Reddy’s Laboratories will import the vaccine from Russia to
be used in India.
IMF's Asia Growth Forecast
The International Monetary Fund recently released its World Economic Outlook report. Under its report, IMF
has downgraded the forecasts for the South East Asian economies. On the other hand, it has been more
optimistic about Asia-Pacific and Global economies.
Key Findings of IMF
According to the World Economic outlook report of IMF, the countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia,
Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam are to grow by 4.9% in 2021. Previously IMF projected that these
countries were to grow by 5.2%.
Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia are expected to tighten their restrictions as they are facing surge
in COVID-19 cases.
Only 3.76% of people in Indonesia have received COVID-19 vaccines. This is lower than the global
level, which is, 5.76%.
Around 1.8% of Malaysians and 0.96% of Philippines have received COVID-19 vaccine so far.
IMF has increased the growth rate of countries bordering Indo-Pacific from 7.3% to 7.6%.
Predictions for China
According to IMF, China is to grow by 8.4% in 2021. Earlier, IMF had predicted that China will grow by 8.1%.
Predictions for India
According to IMF, India is to grow by 12.5% in 2021. Earlier, the international organisation had predicted
that India will grow by 11.5%. However, the current COVID-19 wave in India might hinder its growth. This
double mutant variety is bringing back lock down in several states of the country. India is now the second
largest COVID-19 affected country in the world.
World Economic Outlook
The IMF has projected that the global economy is to grow by 5.5% in 2021 and 4.2% in 2022. The oil prices
have increased by 20% in 2021 as compared to 2020 globally. Also, non-oil commodity prices are expected
to increase, especially, in metals.
Apart from World Economic outlook, the IMF also generates Global Financial Stability Report.
Mandatory Gold Hallmarking from June 1
The Government of India recently announced that it is fully prepared to implement mandatory hallmarking of
gold artefacts and jewellery from June 1, 2021. Currently, Gold Hallmarking is voluntary in the country.
What is Gold Hallmarking?
Gold Hallmarking is providing purity certification to the gold jewellery and artefacts.
Only three grades of jewelleries will now be hall marked under the new regulations. They are 14-carat,
18-carat and 22-carat. Earlier, ten grades of gold jewelleries were hall marked.
The new Gold Hallmark will contain four marks. They are purity in carat, BIS mark, assay centre’s
name and the identification mark of the jeweller.
The system is also available for consumers who want their old jewelleries hallmarked.
A person found violating the provisions will have to pay a minimum fine of Rs 1 lakh or five times the
price of the article.
Importance of Gold Hallmarking
The mandatory hallmarking of gold will protect the public against lower carat. This will ensure that
the consumers are not cheated.
It will bring in transparency and will assure quality to the consumers.
It will remove corruption in the system of manufacturing of jewellery.

Legality of Gold Hallmarking
The BIS Act, 2016 made gold hallmarking mandatory in India. The act has also identified new areas in
standardisations such as E-mobility, alternate fuels, medical devices, digital technologies, smart
cities and new renewable energy.
The Hallmarking scheme for gold artefacts is run by BIS since 2000.
Also, the BIS Hallmarking Regulations, 2018 called for hallmarking of silver jewellery and silver
artefacts and also gold jewellery and gold artefacts. Uhe regulations, the penal provisions were made
stringent.
National Housing Bank: Rs 10,000 crore Special Refinance Facility launched
The National Housing Bank recently launched the “Special Refinance Facility”, 2021. Rs 10,00 crores has
been allocated to this facility.
Special Refinance Facility, 2021
The main objective of the facility is to provide short term refinance support to the housing finance
companies and other eligible Primary Lending Institutions.
The facility will aid in meeting the short-term liquidity requirement in the Public Lending Institutions.
Background
The National Housing Bank has launched the initiative with the support from Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The RBI had recently announced under its Monetary Policy Review that Special Liquidity Facility-2 of Rs
10,000 crores will be allocated to National Housing Board for one year. This was done to support the
housing sector. The NHB has now launched the refinancing facility based on this allocation made by the
Reserve Bank.
Refinance Support in recent times
Between May 2020 and August 2020, the National Housing Board provided refinance support of Rs
14,000 crores under the Additional Special Refinance Facility and Special Refinance Facility. It was
under another short term liquidity support provided by RBI under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
In May 2020, the RBI had announced refinance facility of Rs 15,000 crore for SIDBI.
In April 2020, RBI announced refinance facility of Rs 25,000 crores for NABARD. This was to refinance
regional rural banks, micro finance institutions and cooperative banks.
Legality of Special Refinance Facility
The Special Refinance Facility is provided by the Reserve Bank of India under Section 17 (3) of Reserve Bank
of India Act, 1934. Basically, the Section 17 defines how the apex bank shall conduct its business.
Section 17 of RBI Act, 1934
The Section allows the RBI to perform the following functions:
The Apex Bank shall accept deposit from the state and central governments without interest.
It can discount and purchase bills of exchange from commercial banks.
It can buy and sell foreign exchanges.
It can provide loans to state and central financial institutions.
It can buy and sell government securities.
It can deal with repo and reverse repo rates.
April 15, 2021
New Zealand Climate Change law for Financial firms
New Zealand recently introduced a bill on Climate Change for financial firms. The bill is the first of its kind
in the world. New Zealand has fixed 2050 as the deadline to become carbon neutral.
Key Features of the Bill
It will require the insurers, banks and investment managers to report the impacts of their funding on
the effect of climate change.
It will also force the financial firms to evaluate the companies they are lending in terms of
environmental impacts.
All the banks in New Zealand with total asset more than 1 billion New Zealand dollars (703 million
USD) will now have to make disclosures about their asset management.
The financial firms will now have to explain how they will manage climate related risks and
opportunities.
Other New Zealand Legislations on Climate Change
The New Zealand Government has lately taken several climate changes measures to lower green house gas
emissions in the country. Some of them are as follows:
In 2019, the Climate Change Response Act, 2002 was amended. According to the amendment, New
Zealand intended to implement climate change policies in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
Carbon Neutral Government Programme was set up to accelerate the reduction of emissions within
the public sector.
New Zealand Green Investment Finance was launched to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions. The
main objective of the finance is to accelerate funding of projects that have the potential to reduce
emissions.
Nationally Determined Contributions of New Zealand
In 2015, New Zealand ratified the Paris Agreement. The Nationally Determined Contributions of New
Zealand under the agreement are as follows:
To reduce green house gas emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030.
US Climate Change targets
More than three hundred investors and businesses have called on the Biden administration to set an
ambitious climate change goal. They aim to cut US greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% below 2005
levels. This is to be achieved by 2030.
Deadly algae kill 4,000 tonnes of Salmon in Chile
Deadly algae have killed more than 4,000 tonnes of Salmon in Chile. The algal bloom in the water reduced
the amount of oxygen suffocating the salmon fishes.
Impacts
More than eighteen salmon fish farms that produce 26% of world salmon have been affected.
What are the reasons for the death of the Salmons?
The presence of urea and ammonia in the salmon farms led to the algal bloom. Three different types of
harmful algae were detected in eighteen farms.
Salmon Production in Chile
Chile is the second largest producer of Salmon in the world after Norway. It exported more than 4.4 billion
USD of fish in 2020. Chile produces more than 26% of world Salmon.
What is Algal Bloom?
Algal Bloom is rapid increase of algal population in marine water or fresh water. It occurs due to the
nutrients from phosphorous or nitrogen fertilizer run off. They create harmful effects such as blocking of
sunlight. This causes depletion of oxygen level in water.
Oxygen in Water
The Dissolved oxygen in water is the most important water quality factor. A pond supporting an aquatic
ecosystem will have more than 10 ppm oxygen dissolved in it. On the other hand, atmosphere has 200,000
ppm of oxygen. The oxygen concentrations below 3 ppm will stress the species of fish in the water. The
oxygen concentrations below 2 ppm will kill the fishes.

Oxygen dissolves in water in two ways. One is through atmospheric contact that happens at the surface.
The other primary source of dissolved oxygen is from algae. The algae add dissolved oxygen to the water by
photosynthesis, thereby supporting lives in the water system. In that case, how did the algal bloom in Chile
kill thousands of fishes?
How does Algal Bloom kill fishes?
During day, the algae produce oxygen through photosynthesis. While at night, in the absence of sunlight, it
stops photosynthesis and starts respiring just like other organisms in the water system. Respiration is
taking in Oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. Thus, during night the dissolved oxygen drops too low
suffocating the fish in the water system.
Also, as the algal bloom increases, it forms thick blanket over the water surface. This prevents sunlight
from penetrating the water. Thus, the second source of oxygen where the oxygen dissolves in water at the
surface contacts is blocked.
What is eFuel?
The Porsche has joined with Siemens Energy to produce eFuel by 2022. The project of eFuel production is
called Haru Oni project. It is based in Chile due to its windy climate. The joint project aims to produce
130,000 litres of eFuel by 2022. Later this is to be increased to 550 million by 2026.
What is eFuel?
eFuel is a complex hydrocarbon. It is created based on the following process:
Water is separated into hydrogen and oxygen using wind generated electricity.
This hydrogen is then combined with the carbon dioxide filtered from the air to form methanol.
The methanol is then converted into gasoline using ExxonMobil licensed technology.
The eFuel shall be used in any cars.
The cost of production of eFuel is 10 USD per litre. Over time, this is expected to come down to 2 USD
per litre.
The eFuel is a kind of Electro Fuel.
Electro Fuels
The Electro Fuels are the emerging class of carbon neutral fuels. They are also called Synthetic fuels. They
are seen as an alternative to biofuels. They are made by storing electrical energy from renewable sources in
chemical bonds of liquid of gas fuels.
Other Electro Fuels
Audi is working on E-gasoline synthetic fuel. It is a liquid iso octane fuel. It is a carbon-neutral fuel.
Also, E-Gasoline is free from sulphur and benzene.
Audi is also working on E-diesel. E-diesel is also called Synthetic diesel. It is created from carbon
dioxide, electricity and water with a process powered by renewable energy. This creates liquid energy
carrier called blue crude (just like crude oil). The blue crude is refined to get e-diesel.
Agriculture Ministry sign MoU with Microsoft for farmer welfare
The Agricultural Ministry of India recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft to
implement a pilot project for farmer welfare.
About the Project
The project will focus on technology boosted agriculture.
It will provide smart agricultural techniques to the farmers especially during post-harvest season.
The project is to be launched in hundred villages of six states.
The six states selected for the project are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat,
Haryana and Andhra Pradesh.
It will carry out various tasks for the betterment of farmers.

Microsoft Welfare Programmes in India
In 2019, Microsoft India launched Project ReWeave to help handloom weavers. The project aims to
revive handloom weaving ecosystem in India. An E-Commerce platform was launched under the
project. It will help weavers to increase their income.
Microsoft has partnered with AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) to empower educators
and learners with future ready skills.
It has joined with the National Skill Development Corporation to provide digital skills to more than
one lakh underserved women in India. Under the programme, Microsoft will provide a series of live
training sessions and help create opportunities for women and young girls.
Agriculture in India
India ranks second in farm output in the world. More than 50% of workforce in India are employed in
agriculture. They contribute 17% to 18% of GDP of India.
India exports 38 billion USD worth agricultural products. This makes India the seventh largest
agricultural exporter in the world.
Though, the output of Indian agricultural sector is good, productivity is low. Agricultural Productivity
is the ratio between agricultural output to input.
Himachal Day: April 15
Every year, the state of Himachal Pradesh celebrates Himachal Day on April 15. The day is celebrated to
commemorate the creation of Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal Day
On April 15, 1948, Himachal Pradesh was formed as the province to be administered Chief Commissioner.
Later, it was made a “C” category state on January 25, 1950.
Three main types of States
The 1950 Constitution distinguished three main types of states. They were as follows:
Part A states: They were the former provinces of British India. They were ruled by the governors
appointed by the president. Nine states belonged to this category. They were Bihar, Bombay, Assam,
Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Madras, Punjab, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
Part B states: They were the former princely states. They were governed by Rajpramukh. The system
of Rajpramukh existed in India between 1947 and 1956. The Rajpramukh was appointed by the
President of India. They were Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad, Mysore, Madhya Pradesh, East Punjab
States Union, Rajasthan, Saurashtra and Travancore.
Part C states: These states included both the former chief commissioners’ provinces and the princely
states. Part C states were Bhopal, Ajmer, Bilaspur, Delhi, Coorg, Cutch, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura and
Vindhya Pradesh.
Formation of Himachal Pradesh
Till 1956, Himachal Pradesh was a C category state. In 1956, it was declared as a Union Territory. Later in
1970, Parliament passed the Himachal Pradesh Act. Since then, Himachal Pradesh came into existence as a
full-fledged state. The official recognition of Himachal Pradesh as a state was provided on January 25,
1971.
About Himachal Pradesh
Himachal means “Snow covered area”. The official language of Himachal Pradesh is Hindi and Sanskrit.
WHO Guidelines on Zoonosis
The World Health Organisation, United Nations Environment Programme and the World Organisation for
Animal Health laid down fresh guidelines to reduce the risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens to
humans in food production.

Guidelines
Suspension of trade in live caught wild animals of mammalian species for food or breeding.
To shut down food markets that sell wild animals of mammalian species.
To strengthen standards of hygiene, sanitation in traditional food markets to reduce the risk of
transmission of zoonotic diseases.
To conduct risk assessment. They will provide evidence based developing regulations to control the
risks of transmission of zoonotic microorganisms.
To strengthen animal health surveillance systems.
To develop and implement food safety information campaigns for stall holders, market traders,
consumers and wide general public.
What is Zoonosis?
Zoonosis is an infectious disease that transfers from non-human animals to humans. These pathogens may
be viral, bacterial or parasitic. They spread to humans through direct contact, water, food and environment.
One-Health
The guidelines issued were in line with the concept of “One Health”. This term was first used in 2003-2004.
It was associated with the emergence of SARS and Avian Influenza H5N1. SARS is Severe Acute Respiratory
Disease. According to One-Health, the health of human beings is associated with the health of environment
and animals.
Zoonotic Diseases
Some of the modern-day Zoonotic diseases are Ebola, Salmonellosis. HIV was a zoonotic disease that
transmitted to humans from animals. However, it has now mutated to human-only disease. Influenza, Bird
Flu, Swine Flu, Spanish flu are all zoonotic diseases.
Withdrawal of US Forces from Afghanistan
US President Biden recently announced that America is to withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan. The
new deadline announced by US coincides with the twentieth anniversary of 09/11 attacks.
9/11 attacks
On September 11, 2001, the terrorists of Al-Qaeda conducted a series of four attacks against the United
States. The terrorists hijacked four passenger airliners. Two of the planes hit the World Trade Center
Complexes located in Manhattan. Within an hour, the 110-storey tower collapsed. The third plane crashed
into the Pentagon. Pentagon is the headquarters of US Department of Defence. The fourth plane crashed
into a field in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania.
Deal Signed
In February 2020, US and its NATO allies signed a deal to withdraw all troops in fourteen months if Taliban
upheld all its promises.
Impact of the withdrawal
The peace processes in Afghanistan will hasten in its pace. Taliban had earlier announced that it will
not attend any peace summit with Afghanistan till all the foreign forces leave the country. The
summit is due to be held in Turkey in April 2021.
According to some observers, the withdrawal of US troops might compromise the political, social and
humanitarian gains made since 2001.
The illicit drug trafficking in the region might increase. Afghanistan is a part of Golden Crescent.
Impact of withdrawal on India
The arrival of Taliban on the centre stage will put economic interests of India in the country of Afghanistan
at stake. It will also put India under high security threat as prominence of Pakistan in Afghanistan will
increase.

India-Afghanistan
The five main pillars that drive India’s development partnership with Afghanistan are humanitarian
assistance, economic development, infrastructure, connectivity and capacity building.
India supplied 1.1 million metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan.
India helped Afghanistan to establish the Indira Gandhi Institute of Health. It is a four hundred bed
hospital that caters to the well being of children in the country.
India is funding 116 new High Impact Community Development Projects in thirty one provinces of
Afghanistan.
The direct flight connectivity between India and Afghanistan was established in 2017. India is also
developing Chabahar port to increase its connectivity with Afghanistan.
A 218 km road from Zaranj to Delaram is to be constructed to help move goods and services to Iran
border.
Online Grievance Management Portal of NCSC launched
The Union Minister for Communication and IT and Law and Justice recently launched the “Online Grievance
Management portal of NCSC”. NCSC is National Commission of Scheduled Castes.
About the Portal
The portal was launched on the occasion of 130th birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar.
The Scheduled Caste community in the country can register their complaints in the portal from any
part of the country.
The portal was designed by Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Application and Geoinformatics. The
institute operates under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
National Commission for Scheduled Caste
The commission was established under Article 338 of the Constitution of India. The main objective of the
commission is to investigate and monitor issues pertaining to the safeguard of Scheduled Castes in the
country.
The 65th Constitution Act, 1990 amended Article 338 of the constitution. The amendment replaced the
commission from its one-member system to multi-member system.
The 89th amendment of the constitution introduced in 2003 separated the National Commission for
Scheduled Caste into two different commissions. One was National Commission for Scheduled Caste and
the other was National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
Structure of National Commission for Scheduled Caste
The Commission consists of a chairperson, vice-chairperson and three other members. All the members of
the commission are appointed by the President of India.
Functions of NCSC
To monitor and investigate all issues that are concerned with the safeguards of the Scheduled Caste
people provided under the Constitution of India.
To enquire complaints that are related to deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Schedules
Castes.
To advise central and state governments in planning socio-economic development of the Scheduled
Castes.
MANAS Application launched
The Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India recently launched a mobile application to promote
the mental wellbeing of the people of India. It is called the MANAS App.
About the MANAS App
MANAS stands for Mental Health and Normalcy Augmentation System.

It is a comprehensive and national digital wellbeing platform.
The MANAS integrates indigenous tools developed and researched by various national bodies and
research institutions.
The MANAS app was jointly executed by NIMHANS Bengaluru, C-DAC, AFMC. However, it was mainly
developed by C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing).
The app is supported with tele consultation especially for mental health related problems.
The app was launched during the 34th Foundation celebrations of C-DAC.
COVID-19 and mental health
The pandemic is increasing mental health problems. According to Practo, an integrated health care
company, there has been 665% jump in the number of mental health consultations. Most of them
were in the age group of 21 to 40 years.
In United States, 90% of the survey respondents of Harvard Medical School complained of frustration,
worry and anxiety.
The Global economic cost of mental illness has been estimated as 16 trillion USD in the next twenty
years. This is more than the cost estimated for any other non-communicable disease.
The pandemic increased isolation and loss of income. These were the two main reasons for
increased mental problems due to the pandemic.
Also, COVID-19 has halted mental health care services in 93% of the world.
According to WHO, the countries are spending less than 2% of health budget on mental health.
ISRO Espionage Case
On April 15, 2021, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe into the role of
Kerala Police officers in framing Nambi Narayanan in the 1994 Espionage Case. Nambi Narayanan was a
scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation.
When did ISRO Espionage case begin?
The case began with the arrest of Maldivian woman Mariam Rashida in 1994. She was arrested on the
charges of overstaying her visa. Her arrest led to the arrest of Narayanan. Nambi Narayanan was the
director of the cryogenic project lab of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Why was Nambi Narayanan arrested?
In 1994, Nambi Narayanan was charged for leaking vital defence secrets to Maldivian intelligence
officers Fauzia Hassan and Mariam Rashida. He was accused of selling confidential flight test data
from the experiments with satellite and rocket launches. He was arrested and he spent fifty days in
jail.
In May 1996, the charges against the scientist were dismissed. It was later dismissed in Supreme
Court in April 1998.
In 1999, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) passed strictures against the Kerala
Government for damaging Narayanan’s career in space research. He was then given desk job at ISRO.
In 2001, the National Human Rights Commission ordered the Kerala Government to pay a
compensation of Rs 1 crore. He then retired in 2001.
Narayanan’s fight for Justice
In 2013, Narayanan pushed to get justice and bring out the people involved in framing a false case on him.
In 2018, the Supreme court appointed a three-member panel to probe the case. Later a three-judge bench
headed by Justice Dipak Misra ordered to award Rs 50 lakh compensation for the mental cruelty suffered by
the scientist all these years.
In 2019, GoI conferred Padma Bhushan to Nambi Narayanan.

BRICS seminar on Misuse of Internet by Terrorists
The National Investigation Agency recently organised a two-day virtual event with BRICS countries on
“Misuse of Internet by terrorists”. India hosted the seminar as it is holding the BRICS chair for the year
2021.
About the Seminar
The seminar was held on emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, dark web and anonymisers,
exploitation of social media as an arsenal, crypto currency and virtual assets, equipping law enforcement
agencies.
Internet Radicalisation
Use of internet by the terrorists for terror financing and for radicalisation is generally referred to as Internet
radicalisation. Radicalisation is Changing something. The terrorist use internet to spread use of violence
against a religious, political or ideological cause. It might contain images, videos, speeches that encourage
violence or hatred. This mainly affects the youth who are vulnerable in becoming radicalised.
India and Internet Radicalisation
Many youths in the western coast of India are reported in becoming victims of Internet radicalisation. The
growth of internet in India is now close to 500 million and is still growing. This shows the scale of challenge
in bringing Internet radicalisation under control.
Plans to contain misuse of internet by terrorists
The responses to this form of terrorism should be similar across different cultures and geographies.
This why BRICS seminar is being held.
The data centres and internet resources should be redundant to mitigate impacts of major terror
attacks.
The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism was formed by Twitter, Microsoft, Facebook and
YouTube. More such platforms should be brought to contain internet terrorism.
The United Nations has reaffirmed to prevent internet from being misused by terrorists. The other
international organisations should also come forward in taking similar actions.
Flipkart to acquire Cleartrip
Flipkart recently announced that it is to acquire Cleartrip. Cleartrip is a leading online travel and technology
company.
About Cleartrip
Cleartrip was founded in 2006. The company books train and flight tickets, hotel reservations and other
activities in India and in middle east countries. The company has offices in Saudi Arabia, UAE, India and
Egypt.
Flipkart
Flipkart is an E-Commerce company headquartered in Bangalore, India. It initially focused on book
sale. Later it expanded to other products such as fashion, consumer electronics, home essentials,
lifestyle products and groceries. Flipkart is the major competitor of Amazon’s Indian subsidiary and
Snapdeal.
Till 2017, Flipkart held 39.5% of market share of E-Commerce industry of India. After acquiring Myntra
it gained a dominant position in apparel segment.
Today it is described as being neck and neck with Amazon.
Flipkart also owns Phonepe.
In 2018, Walmart acquired 77% of controlling stake in Flipkart.
Founders of Flipkart
Flipkart was founded by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal. They were alumni of IIT Delhi and also former

employees of Amazon.
E-Commerce in India
About 40% of Indian population used internet as of May 2020. With this, India has the second largest
internet user base in world after China. However, the penetration of E-Commerce is less as compared
to markets in US and France. More than 84% of US citizens use E-Commerce platforms.
The Indian E-Commerce industry is expected to grow to 200 billion USD by 2026.
The issues faced by E-Commerce industries in India are domestic trade, consumer protection,
competition policy, information technology, etc.
Facebook’s First Renewable Project in India
The Facebook has recently signed a deal to buy renewable energy in India from a local firm called
CleanMax. This is the first renewable project of Facebook in India.
About the project
The project is located in Karnataka.
The project capacity of 32 MW.
Under the project Facebook and CleanMax will work together to provide renewable energy into the
electrical grid of India.
Facebook is to use the renewable energy purchased from CleanMax to power its data centre. The
Facebook is to start the operations of the data centre in 2022.
Facebook had made similar agreements with energy providers in Singapore such as Terrenus Energy,
Sunseap Group, Sembcorp industries. These projects are capable of producing 160 MW of solar
power.
Data Centres in India
The revenue of Indian data centres is expected to grow at 20% year on year.
COVID-19 has increased data consumption in India by 38% as compared to the previous year.
The India data centre industry accounts to only 1% to 2% of the global share. It is expected to grow to
8.4% in 2023.
The Data Centres are mainly established for collection of data, processing of data, distribution of
data and processing of data.
The data centres are set to account for 14% of carbon emissions by 2040. This is one of the main
reasons why Facebook is turning towards green energy options to power its data centres.
Draft Data Centre Policy
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has released the Draft Data Centre Policy. It aims to
simplify the clearances to establish data centres in India.
IMF to distribute SDR to member countries by August
The International Monetary Fund recently announced that it will distribute the Special Drawing Rights to its
member countries by mid-August.
Key Highlights
The IMF has agreed to support SDR allocation of 650 million USD. This is the largest in the history of IMF.
Recently, the G20 Finance Minsters agreed to the International Monetary Fund to provide fresh SDR to its
member countries. Earlier the ministers were concerned that liquidity injection could produce costly side
effects if countries used the funds for irrelevant purposes.
Special Drawing Rights
The Special Drawing Right is neither a currency nor a claim on the IMF. The private entities cannot hold
SDRs.

International Treaties
The international treaties that use Special Drawing Rights are Montreal Convention, Convention on
Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims. The convention caps personal liability for damage to shops at
330,000 XDR. XDR is the unit of Special Drawing Rights.
International Organisations
The international organisations using Special drawing rights are as follows:
Japan External Trade Organisation
Islamic Development Bank
African Development Bank
Asian Development Bank
International Fund for Agricultural Development
Currencies used
The value of SDR changes every day. The IMF uses a basket of currencies to determine the SDR value, The
weightage of the currencies depends on its prominence in international trade and the foreign exchange
reserves of the respective nation. The weightage given to the currencies are as follows:
US Dollar: 41.73%
Euro: 31%
Chinese Renminbi: 11%
Japanese Yen: 8.33%
British Pound: 8.09%
These currencies are reviewed once in five years. The Chinese Renminbi was added to the basket in 2016.
120 Multiple Choice Questions
The below MCQs are select 120 questions sourced from GKToday’s Current Affairs 2021 Daily 20 MCQ
Series in GKToday Academy Android Application.
1. Which institution releases the annual flagship report “World Economic Outlook”?
[A] World Bank
[B] Asian Development Bank
[C] International Monetary Fund
[D] United Nations Development Program
Answer: International Monetary Fund
“World Economic Outlook” is the annual flagship report released by the International Monetary Fund
(IMF). This year, the report is to be released on April 6. The International Monetary Fund has announced
that India’s economy is on the path of gradual recovery. It highlighted the return to positive territory in
fourth quarter of 2020.
2. What is ‘Ever Given’, that was making news recently?
[A] Covid Vaccine Candidate
[B] Cargo Ship
[C] Cruise missile
[D] UN resolution
Answer: Cargo Ship
A skyscraper-sized cargo ship MV Ever Given recently stuck in the Suez Canal near Suez, Egypt. As it
stuck across the canal, over 150 other vessels which were to pass the waterway were waiting for the
obstruction to clear. Ever Given vehicle was carrying cargo between Asia and Europe. The Suez Canal is
a narrow, man-made canal that divides continental Africa from the Sinai Peninsula.

3. Which state has announced to launch the Affordable Rental Housing and Complexes (ARHC)
scheme?
[A] Bihar
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Answer: Uttar Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet headed by the Chief Minister has approved the Affordable Rental Housing and
Complexes (ARHC) scheme. he scheme would offer affordable rental housing for poor people living in
cities, urban migrants/poor labourers, those belonging to economically weaker sections, including
factory workers, educational institutions, and those associated with hospitality and students.
4. Where is the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) located?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Kerala
[C] Odisha
[D] Maharashtra
Answer: Kerala
The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) is an autonomous institution under the
Department of Space (DoS) and a ‘Deemed to be University’, based at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has partnered with the IIST, similar to the JPL-Caltech model
in the United States. A Capacity Building Programme Office (CBPO) located at Bengaluru will coordinate
joint research activities between ISRO centres and IIST.
5. Who has been appointed as the Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI)?
[A] Injeti Srinivas
[B] Y M Deosthalee
[C] Sanjeev Kumar
[D] Rajeshwara Rao
Answer: Sanjeev Kumar
Sanjeev Kumar, a 1991 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre, has been appointed as the Chairman of
the Airports Authority of India (AAI), it said. As per the order issued by the Personnel Ministry, Atish
Chandra will be Chairman and Managing Director, Food Corporation of India in the rank and pay of
Additional Secretary. As many as 22 bureaucrats have been appointed to different ministries.
6. When is the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic
Slave Trade observed by UN?
[A] March 1
[B] March 10
[C] March 15
[D] March 25
Answer: March 25
Every year on 25th March, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the
Transatlantic Slave Trade is observed by the United Nations. This day remembers those who suffered
and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system. It also aims to raise awareness about the dangers of
racism and prejudice.
7. SEBI modified the requirement to formulate dividend distribution policy by top 500 listed
companies to how many companies?

[A] Top 100
[B] Top 250
[C] Top 1000
[D] Top 2000
Answer: Top 1000
The Market Regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India approved amendments to SEBI (Listing
Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. It extended the requirement for
formulation of dividend distribution policy by the existing top 500 listed companies to the top 1,000
listed companies. It also relaxed norms for listing of start-ups.
8. Who has been appointed as the CEO of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).?
[A] Rajeev Kumar
[B] Rajeev Sinha
[C] Sanjay Agarwal
[D] Saurabh Garg
Answer: Saurabh Garg
Saurabh Garg – a senior bureaucrat and 1991 batch IAS officer of Odisha cadre, has been appointed as
the Chief Officer (CEO) of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). This has been announced by
the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). The committee has appointed him in the rank of
Additional Secretary.
9. 'DIKSHA' web portal is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[C] Ministry of Skill Development
[D] Ministry of Agriculture
Answer: Ministry of Education
Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' launched 100+ comic books created by
teachers and students of CBSE schools. The comics, which are aligned with topics of NCERT textbooks,
can be accessed online on DIKSHA web portal or via the DIKSHA app on any android Smartphone. They
can also be accessed through a new WhatsApp powered Chatbot. DIKSHA is a online learning portal.
10. Which Union Ministry has chalked out a four-point strategy to handle the blockage at Suez
Canal?
[A] Ministry of Petroleum
[B] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[C] Ministry of Heavy Industries
[D] Ministry of External Affairs
Answer: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
The Union Commerce Ministry laid down a four-point strategy to handle the situation of total blockage at
the Suez Canal. It organised a meeting with the Ministry of ports, shipping and waterways and other
stake holders. As per the government's assessment, total backlog at the waterway will likely be cleared
in a week's time.
11. Which country has proposed retaliatory trade actions against India for imposing Equalisation
levy on e-commerce companies?
[A] Russia
[B] USA
[C] China

[D] UK
Answer: USA
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed retaliatory trade actions against India and
some other countries for imposing Equalisation levy on e-commerce companies. In June 2020, the US
initiated an investigation under Section 301 of the US Trade Act, 1974 against the taxation on the digital
services or the Equalisation levy by India, Italy, Turkey, UK, Spain and Austria.
12. The International Theatre Institute (ITI), the world’s largest performing arts organization, is
headquartered in which city?
[A] Rome
[B] Paris
[C] Geneva
[D] Moscow
Answer: Paris
The International Theatre Institute (ITI) is the world’s largest performing arts organization. It was
founded in 1948 by theatre and dance experts and the UNESCO. World Theatre Day is celebrated
annually on March 27th by the centres of ITI and the theatre community across the world. On the same
date in 1962, the "Theatre of Nations" season was inaugurated in Paris.
13. HEAL-COVID, which was making news recently, is a nation-wide trial to be implemented in
which country?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Russia
[D] Taiwan
Answer: UK
The United Kingdom is set to launch HEAL-COVID (Helping to Alleviate the Longer-term consequences of
COVID-19), a national drug trial. The trials would test the selection of safe, existing drugs already
available in the market on patients across the country, in order to find effective treatments. The trial
aims to find drugs to reduce deaths and hospital readmissions among patients.
14. Which country is set to host the two-day climate summit of world leaders starting on Earth Day,
April 22?
[A] France
[B] USA
[C] India
[D] Australia
Answer: USA
The United States is set to host the two-day climate summit of world leaders starting on Earth Day, April
22. During the summit, the President Joe Biden is expected to announce the nationally determined
contribution of the US. In this regard, the US President has invited 40 world leaders, including Prime
Minister Narendra Modi to attend the summit.
15. Soma Mondal, who has been appointed as the new chairperson of SCOPE, is presently the
chairperson of which company?
[A] Indian Oil
[B] SAIL
[C] NTPC
[D] BHEL

Answer: SAIL
The present chairperson of state-owned PSU – Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has been
appointed as the new chairperson of Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE). She will be
serving a term of 2 years, starting April 2021. She has been the chairperson of SAIL since January 2021.
16. Who was Kamalesh Chandra Chakrabarty, whose name is in news recently?
[A] Former CMD of SBI
[B] Former Deputy Governor of RBI
[C] Former Chief Vigilance Commissioner
[D] Former Chief Justice of Supreme Court
Answer: Former Deputy Governor of RBI
Reserve Bank of India’s former Deputy Governor Kamalesh Chandra Chakrabarty passed away recently
after suffering a heart attack. He was 68 years old. He also served as the Chairman and Managing
Director of Punjab National Bank (2007-2009) and Indian Bank (2005-2007).
17. Which armed force has decided to employ retired combat dogs as 'therapy dogs'?
[A] Indian Navy
[B] Indian Army
[C] Indo Tibetan Border Police
[D] Indian Coast Guard
Answer: Indo Tibetan Border Police
The Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has decided to utilise the services of retired combat canines /
dogs as 'therapy dogs'. They would help early recovery of personnel undergoing medical treatment. Also,
they are to be used in treatment of the soldier’s specially abled children. This is the first time in India,
that retired canine elements are being used to serve the soldiers.
18. Anil Dharker, who has been in the news recently, was associated with which field?
[A] Cricket
[B] Space Science
[C] Politics
[D] Journalism
Answer: Journalism
Renowned journalist and author Anil Dharker died recently in Mumbai at the age of 74 years. He was the
founding person and director of the Mumbai International Literary Festival which is celebrated in
November every year. He was also the founder and director of Literature Live, which conducts literary
events throughout Mumbai.
19. Which country has launched the 'Tribal TB initiative'?
[A] Nepal
[B] India
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] Bangladesh
Answer: India
The Union health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has recently launched the “Tribal TB Initiative”. This is a
part of the TB Mukt Bharat. He inaugurated the initiative via videoconference from his office. This is a
part of the Union Government to eliminate Tuberculosis from India by the year 2025, much ahead of the
global target of eliminating TB by 2030.
20. Which Ministry has invited research proposals with focus on female participation in economic
activities?

[A] Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Social Justice
[C] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[D] Ministry of HRD
Answer: Ministry of Women and Child Development
The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) has recently invited research proposals for
projects with special focus on improving female participation in economic activities of India. The
Ministry has announced grants in aid to NGOs, Universities, institutions etc for research, publication, and
monitoring.
21. Where is the Indo-South Korean friendship park constructed?
[A] Seoul
[B] Chennai
[C] Beijing
[D] New Delhi
Answer: New Delhi
The Indo-South Korean friendship park has been constructed in New Delhi – Cantonment. It has been
built to commemorate the contribution of Indian peacekeeping force during the Korean war of 1950-53.
The park was jointly inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of National Defence of
South Korea Suh Wook.
22. The Indian Prime Minister launched the 'Swarna Jayanti' scholarships for the youth of which
country?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Nepal
[D] Myanmar
Answer: Bangladesh
The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is on a 2-day official visit to Bangladesh as a part of National
Day celebrations in Bangladesh. He has announced the 'Swarna Jayanti' scholarships for the youth of
Bangladesh to mark half a century ling ties between the two countries. PM has invited 50 entrepreneurs
of Bangladesh to visit India and to join India’s start-up and innovation ecosystem.
23. In which country is the Bangabandhu-Bapu Museum located?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Myanmar
[C] Bangladesh
[D] China
Answer: Bangladesh
The Prime Minister of India Shri. Narendra Modi is on a 2-day official visit to Bangladesh as a part of
National Day celebrations in Bangladesh. During his visit, he has inaugurated the "Bangabandhu-Bapu
Museum" together with his counterpart of Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu International Conference
Centre.
24. As per the World Development Report, what is the per centage of low-income countries had an
open-date policy?
[A] 5%
[B] 11%
[C] 22%

[D] 33%
Answer: 11%
As per the recent World Development Report by the World Bank, most countries have not implemented
the open-data policy, particularly the developing economies. Only 11 per cent low-income countries
consistently made their data available with an open license. The per centage in lower-middle-income
countries was 19 per cent; for upper-middle-income countries is 22 per cent and high-income countries
at 44 per cent.
25. What is the new milestone reached by the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme across the country, as on
March 31, 2021?
[A] 1 Crore
[B] 2 Crore
[C] 4 Crore
[D] 5 Crore
Answer: 4 Crore
Jal Jeevan Mission was announced on 15th August, 2019, with the aim to provide tap water supply to
every rural home by 2024. The scheme has recently reached a new milestone of providing over 4 Crore
rural households with tap water supply. Goa has become the first State in the country to provide 100 per
cent tap water supply.
26. In which year, the Government e-Market (GeM) portal was launched?
[A] 2014
[B] 2016
[C] 2018
[D] 2020
Answer: 2016
The Government e-Market (GeM) portal was launched on August 9, 2016, for online purchases of goods
and services by all the central government ministries and departments. Recently, the public procurement
of goods and services has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore from the GeM since the platform was launched. The
main reason is the sharp increase in buying activities by various ministries.
27. ‘Earth Hour Day’ is annually observed on the last Saturday of which month?
[A] April
[B] March
[C] February
[D] January
Answer: March
Earth Hour, is being held annually on the last Saturday of March across the world. This year, the Earth
Hour Day was observed on March 27. The Earth hour began as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney by
WWF and partners in 2007. It has turned into one of the world’s biggest events. The event calls for
actions to raise awareness about the importance of nature and the role people can play in global efforts
for nature.
28. The Union Jal Shakti Minister has approved Rs 465 crore performance incentive to how many
states in India?
[A] 7 states
[B] 10 states
[C] 20 states
[D] 28 states

Answer: 7 states
The Union Jal Shakti Ministry approved Rs 465 crore performance to 7 states under the Jal Jeevan
Mission. These states are Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Gujarat and
Himachal Pradesh. The Ministry has stated that Gujarat was among the best performing in implementing
the Jal Jeevan Mission.
29. Which country has approved a grant of ₹265 crore for improving the power supply of Andaman
& Nicobar Islands?
[A] China
[B] USA
[C] Russia
[D] Japan
Answer: Japan
The Government of Japan has approved a grant of ¥4.02 billion, or ₹265 crore under the official
development assistance (ODA) project for Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The grant is aimed to improve
the power supply in the islands. Additionally, Japan has also extended financial assistance for execution
of 4 projects pertaining to Delhi Metro’s Phase 4 and Bengaluru Metro’s Phase 2 expansion. An
agreement in these regards have been signed by JICA and Government of India.
30. Who is the author of the new version of 'Exam Warriors' book?
[A] President of India
[B] Prime Minister of India
[C] ISRO Chairman
[D] DRDO Chairman
Answer: Prime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has written the new version of Exam Warriors. It contains
many new mantras for students and for parents to cope with the anxiety and stress caused during
examinations. This is available in leading retail stores as well as in online stores. The Exam Warriors
module is also made available on the NaMo App.
31. Which state has the largest number of old vehicles in India, as per the recent Road Ministry
Data?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Haryana
Answer: Karnataka
As per the data released by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Karnataka has the
highest number of vehicles which are older than 15 years are plying on roads. The number of such
vehicles pan India is more than four crore vehicles and Karnataka has topped the list with 70 lakh
vehicles.
32. As per the annual report of the Central Information Commission, which Union ministry made the
highest rejections of requests?
[A] Agriculture Ministry
[B] Defence Ministry
[C] Home Ministry
[D] External Affairs Ministry
Answer: Home Ministry

According to the Central Information Commission’s annual report, the Centre has only rejected 4.3% of
all Right to Information (RTI) requests in 2019-20. Almost 40% of these rejections did not include any
valid reason and did not come under the permissible exemption clauses in the RTI Act. 90% of rejections
were done by the Prime Minister’s Office. Home Ministry had the highest rate of rejections, at 20% of all
RTIs received.
33. Garhwal Himalaya, a sub-range of the Himalayas, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Bihar
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] Sikkim
Answer: Uttarakhand
Garhwal Himalaya, a sub-range of the Himalayas, is located in the state of Uttarakhand. It is named so
because of several Garhs (forts) found in this mountainous region. Recently, a team of researchers
found that during 8th Century CE, these forts were strategically built to form clusters and varied levels
like valleys, ridges and hill tops. The rulers used them to relay information signals using smoke and fire
when facing enemy attack.
34. Which institution released the “Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2021” and
estimated India’s growth at 7% in 2021-22?
[A] IMF
[B] UNESCAP
[C] World Bank
[D] ADB
Answer: UNESCAP
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) released a
report titled Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2021. As per the report, India is
estimated to record an economic growth of 7% in 2021-22. It also highlighted that maintaining low
borrowing costs while controlling non-performing loans would be a challenge.
35. P. K. Mishra, Anil Ghanwat and Ashok Gulati are the members of the Supreme Court-appointed
committee to study which issue?
[A] Disinvestment
[B] Agricultural Laws
[C] Occupational Health
[D] Anti-conversion Laws
Answer: Agricultural Laws
The Supreme Court appointed a four-member committee to study the three new controversial
agricultural laws in January 2021. It had temporarily suspended the implementation of the three farm
laws until further notice. The members include P. K. Mishra, Anil Ghanwat, Ashok Gulati and Bhupinder
Singh Mann. The panel has submitted its report to the Supreme Court recently.
36. What is the outlay made for the Production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the food processing
sector?
[A] Rs 5900 crores
[B] Rs 8900 crores
[C] Rs 10900 crores
[D] Rs 15900 crores
Answer: Rs 10900 crores

The Union Cabinet has recently approved a Production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the food
processing sector, with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore. This scheme is expected to boost production of
value-added food products, attract foreign investment and create job opportunities for over 2.5 lakh
people. It also aims to help farmers receive remunerative prices.
37. Which institution in its report “South Asia Vaccinates”, estimates India’s GDP growth in FY 22
would be in the range from 7.5% to 12.5%?
[A] IMF
[B] World Bank
[C] ADB
[D] S&P
Answer: World Bank
World Bank has recently released a report titled “South Asia Vaccinates”. It highlighted that private
consumption and public investment will make the Indian economy grow by 10.1% in 2021-22 (FY22). It
also estimated that on account of uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, it said India’s economic
growth in FY22 will be in the range from 7.5% to 12.5%. It also forecasts that the Indian economy to
contract by 8.5% in FY21.
38. ‘AIM-PRIME’ programme launched by the NITI Aayog, is associated with which objective?
[A] Promote innovation among students
[B] Promote Science-based start-ups
[C] Promote AI & ML in schools
[D] Support student entrepreneurs
Answer: Promote Science-based start-ups
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog has launched AIM-PRIME (Program for Researchers on
Innovations, Market-Readiness & Entrepreneurship). It aims to promote and support science-based start-
ups & ventures across India. AIM has partnered with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to launch
this program. It will be implemented by Venture Center - a non-profit technology business incubator.
39. The Lakhta Centre that was recently awarded with Emporis Skyscraper award 2019, is located in
which country?
[A] UAE
[B] Saudi Arabia
[C] USA
[D] Russia
Answer: Russia
The Lakhta Centre, which is located in St.Petersburg of Russia, has been awarded with the Emporis
Skyscraper award 2019. This is the most prestigious award given to high rise architecture. This building
is 462 m tall. Russia has for the first time bagged this award since inception of this award 20 years ago.
40. In which year was the system of E Way Bills was introduced in India?
[A] 2000
[B] 2010
[C] 2015
[D] 2018
Answer: 2018
The system of E Way Bill was introduced in India under the GST regime on 01.04.2018. It was launched
by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). Recently, the E Way Bill has system has reached a new
milestone of generating 7.12 crore bills, in the month of March 2021. This number is the highest since

the last 3 years.
41. How many companies have been registered with Ministry of Corporate Affairs during the
Financial Year 2020-21?
[A] 1.55 Lakh
[B] 1.00 Lakh
[C] 0.50 Lakh
[D] 0.20 Lakh
Answer: 1.55 Lakh
As per a recent release by the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), it has registered more than
1.55 lakh companies in the financial year 2020-21 compared to a registration of to 1.22 Lakh companies
during the previous FY 2019-20. This increase in number of company registration is significant amidst
the COVID 19 pandemic. It has been the result of various measures undertaken by the Government of
India under “Ease of Doing Business” reforms.
42. The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) between India
and which country has come into force from 1st April, 2021?
[A] Japan
[B] USA
[C] Mauritius
[D] Sri Lanka
Answer: Mauritius
The Government of India had signed the India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and
Partnership Agreement (CECPA) on 22nd February, 2021. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and
Customs (CBIC) has notified that all the legal formalities pertaining to the CCEA has been completed
and the agreement has come into force on 1st April 2021.
43. ‘CACTus and CIISCO’ are the software launched by the Department of Science and Technology,
associated with which field?
[A] Solar Mission
[B] Sustainable Agriculture
[C] Himalayan Ecosystem
[D] Water Mission
Answer: Solar Mission
The Department of Science and Technology announced that Scientists have developed a new technique
to track the huge bubbles of gas, which are ejected from the Sun. This new technique will be used in
India's first solar mission Aditya-L1. A software named Computer Aided CME Tracking Software
(CACTus) and CMEs Identification in Inner Solar Corona (CIISCO) algorithm have been developed.
44. ‘La Pérouse’ is a Defence Exercise to be conducted by which country?
[A] Italy
[B] Israel
[C] France
[D] UAE
Answer: France
France is set to conduct the joint naval exercise, La Pérouse, in the Bay of Bengal from April 5 to 7. India
is set to join its Quad partners — Australia, Japan, and the United States in the exercise. Two French
Navy ships will be joined by ships from India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S. to promote multilateralism at
sea and create free and open Indo-Pacific. India and France will also hold the bilateral naval exercise,

Varuna later this month.
45. Which body decides the interest cut on small saving schemes such as the PPF and NSC?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Finance Commission
[C] Department of Economic Affairs
[D] Department of Financial Services
Answer: Department of Economic Affairs
The Department of Economic Affairs, Union Finance Ministry decides the small saving schemes such as
the PPF, NSC and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana. The Government announces interest rates for small saving
schemes at the end of every quarter. Recently after announcing steep cuts in the rates, the Finance
Minister rolled back the changes to previous rates for the next quarter.
46. Which country has created a world record for Fastest Road construction?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] India
[D] UAE
Answer: India
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that India holds the world record for fastest road construction.
India has entered Guinness World Records by building a 2.5 km 4-lane concrete road within 24 hours. It
also built 25-km bitumen Solapur-Bijapur road within 24 hours. A record construction of 37 km per day
was achieved in financial year 2020-21.
47. As per a recent report available on Global Forest Watch, which region lost 12.2 million hectares
of tree cover in 2020?
[A] Tropical Region
[B] Temperate Region
[C] Sub-Tropical Region
[D] Equatorial Region
Answer: Tropical Region
As per the recent report from the University of Maryland and available on Global Forest Watch, the
tropical region has lost 12.2 million hectares of tree cover in 2020. Out of the total cover, deforestation
of around 4.2 million hectares occurred within humid tropical primary forest. The resulting carbon
emissions from this primary forest loss is about 2.64 Gt CO2. The Primary forest loss was also 12%
higher in 2020 than the year before.
48. Which bank has partnered with Japan’s JBIC to extend loans to Japanese automobile
manufacturers in India?
[A] Punjab National Bank
[B] State Bank of India
[C] Canara Bank
[D] ICICI Bank
Answer: State Bank of India
India’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) announced that it has signed a loan agreement of up to
USD 1 billion with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). JBIC is wholly owned by the
Government of Japan. This loan intends to promote smooth flow of funds for the business operations of
Japanese automobile manufacturers in India. SBI had signed a similar deal with JBIC in October last
year. The beneficiaries include suppliers, dealers and the end users.

49. In which state is the India’s largest floating solar power plant is proposed to be set up?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Telangana
[D] Tamil Nadu
Answer: Telangana
In the state of Telengana, India’s largest floating solar power plant is proposed to be set up with a
generation capacity of 100MW. The unit is coming up in Ramagundam. The project is being
commissioned by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) at an estimated cost of Rs.423 crore with
4.5 lakh photovoltaic panels.
50. Which Ministry has introduced ‘National Register’ for driving licenses (DLs)?
[A] Ministry of Road Transport
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of Information and Technology
[D] Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievance
Answer: Ministry of Road Transport
The Union Road Transport Ministry has introduced the ‘National Register’ for driving licenses (DLs) and
National Register for Registration Certificates. These registers have come into effect from March 31,
2021 and are intended to make all changes in Driving Licenses done electronically. This would prevent
duplication or misuse of DLs.
51. “Be the Brand Ambassador of Tribes India” has been launched by which organization?
[A] NABARD
[B] NHB
[C] TRIFED
[D] Tribal Corporation of India
Answer: TRIFED
The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation Ltd (TRIFED) has launched two competitions
namely “Be the Brand Ambassador of Tribes India” and “Be a friend of TRIBES INDIA”. This has been
launched in association with MyGov.in. These competitions are intended to promote tribal craft, culture
and lifestyle.
52. Which country has rejected the proposal for imports of sugar and cotton from India?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Pakistan
[C] Afghanistan
[D] China
Answer: Pakistan
Pakistan has recently rejected the proposal for trade relations with India. Prime Minister of Pakistan has
denied to allow imports of sugar and cotton from India, in order to control prices and overcome a
shortage. Pakistan has stated that no bilateral trade would be encouraged with India till Article 370 is
not restored in Jammu and Kashmir.
53. What is the full form of HSN?
[A] Harmonised System of Nomenclature
[B] Heart and Spine Network
[C] Hearing System Network
[D] Health System Network

Answer: Harmonised System of Nomenclature
The Union Minister of Finance has notified that business entities with turnover of more than Rs 5 crore
will have to furnish six-digit HSN – Harmonised System of Nomenclature on the invoices issued for
supplies. HSN is an internationally standardized system of names and numbers to classify traded
products which came into effect in 1988.
54. Which international organization has released the “World 2030: Public Survey” Report?
[A] IMF
[B] World Bank
[C] UNDP
[D] UNESCO
Answer: UNESCO
The UNESCO has recently released a report titled “World 2030: Public Survey Report”. This report is
based on surveys conducted around the world from May 2020 to September 2020. As per the report,
climate change, violence and conflict, loss of biodiversity, discrimination and inequality etc are some of
the important challenges affecting a peaceful society.
55. What is the name of the scheme that intends to provide working capital facility of Rs.10,000 per
year to urban street vendors of the country?
[A] PM KISAN
[B] MUDRA Yojana
[C] PM SVANIDHI
[D] TLTRO
Answer: PM SVANIDHI
Under the PM SVANIDHI scheme, urban street vendors are sanctioned with working capital credit
facilities upto Rs,10,000 per year by banks. This scheme was launched by the Government of India to
provide micro-credit facility to vendors during Covid-19 lockdown. As per a recent data by the Ministry of
Home Affairs, out of the total disbursement under the scheme, private banks have contributed only
1.6%.
56. As per the data by National Savings Institute, which state has made highest contribution to
government’s small savings schemes?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] West Bengal
[D] Haryana
Answer: West Bengal
As per the data released by National Savings Institute under the Ministry of Finance, West Bengal has
made the highest contribution to government’s small savings schemes and has a share of more than
15% in deposits at post offices and banks. West Bengal is followed by Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Gujarat and Tamil Nadu in the list.
57. As per the report by FIS (leading provider of financial technology solutions), what quantum of
real-time financial transactions are made in India?
[A] 10 million per day
[B] 41 million per day
[C] 50 million per day
[D] 100 million per day
Answer: 41 million per day

As per a recent release by FIS (leading provider of financial technology solutions to banks and
merchants), the number of real-time financial transactions in India has grown to 41 million transactions
per day. This number is more than double that of the last year. In terms of growth rate of real time
financial transactions, the list is topped by Bahrain with 657% growth.
58. Who has clinched the Miami Open Men’s tennis title recently?
[A] Hubert Hurkacz
[B] Novak Djokovic
[C] Roger Federer
[D] Andy Murray
Answer: Hubert Hurkacz
Hubert Hurkacz of Poland has recently clinched the Miami Open Men’s title. He defeated Jannik Sinner
of Italy to take away the cup. Presently, he is ranked 37th in the world. He has defeated two top 10
opponents in this tournament. With this he is projected to move up to 16th in world ranking.
59. Researchers of which Indian institution have developed touch-sensitive, tactile, haptic watch for
assisting visually impaired people?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IIT Kanpur
[C] IIM Ahmedabad
[D] JNTU
Answer: IIT Kanpur
Two researchers from IIT Kanpur have recently developed touch-sensitive, tactile, haptic watch. This is
intended to measure time by touching the face of the clock. This model of watch conveys time via
vibrations when an individual touches the proper spoke on the face.
60. Up to what value of default, “pre packs” can be used a tool for insolvency resolution for MSMEs?
[A] Rs.1 lakh
[B] Rs.10 lakh
[C] Rs. 1 crore
[D] Rs. 10 crore
Answer: Rs. 1 crore
The Government of India has promulgated an Ordinance that allows the use of pre-packs as an
insolvency resolution mechanism for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This is applicable
for defaults upto an amount of Rs. 1 crore. A pre-pack is an agreement for the resolution of debt of a
distressed MSME through an agreement between secured creditors and investors instead of a public
bidding process.
61. What is “Ingenuity”, which is in news recently?
[A] Meteor
[B] Covid Vaccine
[C] NASA’s Mars Helicopter
[D] Oxford Word of the year
Answer: NASA’s Mars Helicopter
Ingenuity is a mini-helicopter developed by NASA for propulsion in Mars. This was fixed with the NASA’s
Perseverance rover that successfully landed in Mars recently. The helicopter has been dropped
successfully on Mars’s surface and is expected to make its flight through Mars atmosphere on 11th
April.
62. In which state / UT is the 1.3-kilometre-long Chenab Bridge being constructed?
[A] Uttarakhand Uttarakhand Uttarakhand Uttarakhand
[B] Assam
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Answer: Jammu and Kashmir
The 1.3-kilometre-long Chenab Bridge is being constructed in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. It is being
placed 359 metres above the bed of the Chenab river and is considered the world’s highest railway
bridge. Recently, construction of the arch of the bridge has been completed, which is termed as a
milestone achievement by the Northern Railways zone of Indian Railways.
63. Which organisation has allowed private sector firms to partner in production of missile systems?
[A] ISRO
[B] DRDO
[C] BEML
[D] HAL
Answer: DRDO
The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has allowed private sector firms to join hands
with it in development and production of missile systems. This announcement has been made under the
Development-cum-Production Partner programme. The programmes covered under the programme
include the Vertical Launched Short Range Surface to Air Missile system (VL-SRSAM).
64. Which state has approved ordinance to regulate rent and tenancy agreements, which was
promulgated in January 2021?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Bihar
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Answer: Uttar Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved the Uttar Pradesh Regulation of Urban Premises Tenancy
(second) Ordinance 2021. It aims to reduce tenancy disputes as it makes signing of contract
compulsory to rent out a property. There is no clear mechanism for conflict resolution under the present
law. It was promulgated and implemented in the state of January 2021.
65. Receivables Exchange of India (RXIL), which was making news recently, is associated with which
sector?
[A] Agriculture
[B] Foreign Exchange
[C] MSMEs
[D] Gold Import
Answer: MSMEs
Receivables Exchange of India (RXIL) is the invoice discounting platform for MSMEs. It is a TReDS
(Trade Receivables Discounting System) Exchange Platform accredited by the RBI. RXIL recently
announced that it has discounted receivables of Rs 1,000 crores in a month. The platform has over 7000
registered MSMEs and have processed over 5,00,000 invoices, since its launch in 2017.
66. Which country has approved Qelbree, the first new drug for children with Attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
[A] India
[B] USA

[C] Russia
[D] Germany
Answer: USA
The Food and Drug Administration of the USA have approved the first new drug in over a decade for
children aged 6 to 17 with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is said to cause
inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. This new medicine is different from the traditional ADHD
medicines as it is not a stimulant or a controlled substance, which makes it hard to abuse.
67. A massive data leak has been witnessed by which social networking giant, recently?
[A] WhatsApp
[B] Orkut
[C] Twitter
[D] Facebook
Answer: Facebook
A massive data leak has been recently reported on Facebook. Information of about 533 million
Facebook users has been leaked online, which includes contact numbers, IDs, birth dates and more
personal information. Among the affected, were the Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other co-
founders.
68. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers organised a National Dialogue on Chemicals
Manufacturing along with which organisation?
[A] ADB
[B] UNIDO
[C] IMF
[D] AIIB
Answer: UNIDO
The Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers organised a “National Dialogue on 'Manufacturing
Excellence & Innovation for Competitiveness & Sustainability of Chemicals Manufacturing'. The United
Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) promotes industrial development for poverty
reduction and environmental sustainability. UNIDO jointly organised this national dialogue as well as a
dialogue under ‘Clean Manufacturing in India’ (Swachh Udyog).
69. When is the “International Day of Sport for Development and Peace” observed?
[A] April 4
[B] April 6
[C] April 8
[D] April 10
Answer: April 6
“International Day of Sport for Development and Peace” is observed across the world on April 6, after the
United Nations General Assembly resolution in 2013. It is marked to celebrate the positive contribution
of sports towards sustainable development and advancement of human rights. This year’s theme is
around recovery from the pandemic and the importance of equity in that recovery.
70. Which country has hosted the Meeting of BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors
2021?
[A] Brazil
[B] Russia
[C] India
[D] China

Answer: India
India recently hosted the Meeting of BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors 2021. It was
co-chaired by Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and RBI governor Shaktikanta Das. Finance
Minister addressed the meeting virtually from New Delhi. Issues regarding New development bank,
social infrastructure, IMF reforms, fintech for SME and financial inclusion, customs cooperation were
discussed during the meeting.
71. What was the target for number of houses in the 1st phase of PMAY- Gramin?
[A] 1 crore
[B] 75 lakhs
[C] 60 lakhs
[D] 50 lakhs
Answer: 1 crore
Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G), 92% target of completion has been
achieved in the 1st phase of the scheme. A target of 1 crore houses was set for completion in the 1st
phase of the scheme- from 2016-17 to 2018-19. It aims constructing 2.95 crore PMAY-G houses with all
basic amenities by the year 2021-22.
72. Which Union Ministry implements the PM Mudra Yojana?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[C] Ministry of Social Justice
[D] Ministry of Finance
Answer: Ministry of Finance
The Union Ministry of Finance implements the Government’s flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Mudra
Yojana, which was launched in the year 2015. The Finance Ministry has recently stated that nearly 15
lakh loans have been sanctioned under the scheme and 68 percent of loans have been given to women
entrepreneurs.
73. PLI scheme for White Goods has been approved recently. What are the goods covered under the
tag?
[A] Pharmaceutical Ingredients
[B] Air Conditioners and LED Lights
[C] Telecom Devices
[D] Petroleum Products
Answer: Air Conditioners and LED Lights
The Union Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister has approved a production linked incentive (PLI)
scheme for white goods (i.e) Air Conditioners and LED Lights. The scheme has been approved with a
budget of Rs.6238 crores. This scheme aims to make manufacturing in India globally competitive and
enhance the manufacturing efficiency.
74. Who has been appointed as the Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)?
[A] Amit Khare
[B] Chintan Vaishnav
[C] Amitabh Khant
[D] Rajiv Kumar
Answer: Chintan Vaishnav
Dr Chintan Vaishnav has been appointed as the Mission director of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), the
flagship initiative under NITI Aayog. He will take over from Ramanathan Ramanan, who has been leading

AIM as its first mission director since June 2017. Chintan Vaishnav is a socio-technologist who is
currently serving at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US.
75. INS Sarvekshak has been deployed in which country, for conducting joint hydrographic surveys?
[A] Maldives
[B] Mauritius
[C] Japan
[D] Vietnam
Answer: Mauritius
INS Sarvekshak is a hydrographic survey ship, is on a deployment to Mauritius for conducting joint
hydrographic surveys along with their Mauritian counterparts. The ship visited Port Louis, Mauritius and
has started the hydrographic survey of ‘Deep sea area off Port Louis’. The survey will also include
training of Mauritian personnel on advanced hydrographic equipment and practices.
76. Who has been appointed as the new Chairman and Managing Director of SIDBI?
[A] Rajnish Kumar
[B] S Ramann
[C] Arundhati Bhattacharya
[D] R Gandhi
Answer: S Ramann
The Government has appointed S Ramann as the new Chairman and Managing Director of Small
Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). Banks Board Bureau had recommended his name for the
post and the appointment is for a period of three years. Ramann is an Indian Audit & Accounts Service
officer, is currently the CEO of National E-Governance Services Ltd.
77. “Copyright (Amendment) Rules, 2021”, which was seen in the news recently, has been notified
by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Answer: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Ministry of Commerce & Industry notifies Copyright (Amendment) Rules, 2021. It also added a new
provision regarding publication of a copyrights journal, thereby eliminating the requirement of
publication in the Official Gazette. In India, the copyright regime is governed by the Copyright Act, 1957
and the Copyright Rules, 2013.
78. In which state, the Assembly Committee has revealed that three out of every 1,000 pregnant
women test positive for HIV?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Bihar
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Mizoram
Answer: Meghalaya
Meghalaya’s Assembly Committee on Women Empowerment has said that three out of every 1,000
pregnant women test positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The panel headed by Ampareen
Lyngdoh has also sought a scheme to rehabilitate commercial sex workers in the state. The increase in
HIV cases observed in the state is increasing at an alarming rate.
79. PDOT (Pre-Departure Orientation Training) Programme for migrant workers, which was seen in

the news, was launched by which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[B] Ministry of Skill Development
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of External Affairs
Answer: Ministry of External Affairs
The Ministry of External Affairs has launched the first online Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDOT)
Programme for migrant workers. It has associated with Protector of Emigrants (POE) Mumbai and other
POEs for the online session, to supplement physical training being held in PDOT Centres. The
programme aims to train maximum number of prospective migrants before their departure.
80. Which development bank has approved a loan of USD 484 million to improve connectivity in
Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor (CKIC)?
[A] AIIB
[B] ADB
[C] IBRB
[D] IMF
Answer: ADB
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of $484 million to improve transport
connectivity and road maintenance in the Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor (CKIC). CKIC extends
from West Bengal to Tamil Nadu and it connects India to the production networks of Southeast and East
Asia. This project will upgrade about 590 km of State highways in the CKIC influence area.
81. Nethra Kumanan, who was in news recently, is the first Indian woman to qualify for which sport
in the Tokyo Olympics?
[A] Weight Lifting
[B] Sailing
[C] Fencing
[D] Table Tennis
Answer: Sailing
Four sailors created history from India by qualifying for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Nethra Kumanan
became the first Indian woman sailor to qualify for the Olympics, during the Mussanah Open
Championship. Other three men sailors are Vishnu Saravanan and the pair of Ganapathy Chengappa and
Varun Thakkar. They were announced qualified during the ongoing Asian Qualifiers in Oman.
82. Which Ministry along with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries will converge to implement
“Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme”?
[A] Ministry of Agriculture
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of Rural Development
[D] Ministry of Commerce
Answer: Ministry of Rural Development
The Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries and the Ministry of Rural Development has agreed to
converge for successful implementation of Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing
Enterprises Scheme. Under the convergence, MoFPI and DAY NRLM (Ministry of Rural Development)
agreed to work together on implementation of PM-FME to support Self Help Groups (SHGs) in food
processing.
83. Which model of the Reserve Bank of India has been modified to better capture how fiscal and

monetary policy interact with real-economy elements?
[A] Repo Rate model
[B] Reverse Repo model
[C] MCLR Model
[D] Inflation forecasting model
Answer: Inflation forecasting model
The Reserve Bank of India has revised and modified its inflation-forecasting model. This has been done
to better capture the relationship between monetary policy and real economic elements. fiscal-monetary
dynamics, fuel pricing, exchange-rate fluctuations etc have been incorporated in the revised model to
adjust inflation. This is termed as the Quarterly Projection Model 2.0.
84. Which international organisation has proposed imposing “solidarity tax” on high earners and
companies?
[A] RBI
[B] IMF
[C] World Bank
[D] ADB
Answer: IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has proposed the imposition of “solidarity tax” on high earners
and companies that prospered in the coronavirus crisis to show solidarity with those who were hit
hardest by the pandemic. IMF has stated that this temporary tax would help to reduce social inequalities
and help countries recover from COVID 19 disruptions.
85. Which two organisations are planning to launch a platform for advising poor countries on climate
changing funding?
[A] RBI and SEBI
[B] ADB and AIIB
[C] World Bank and IMF
[D] NDB and ADB
Answer: World Bank and IMF
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have planned to launch a dedicated platform
that would advise the poor nations on funding their climate and conservation activities. It is proposed
that the platform would consist of UN officials, non-governmental organisations, private investors and
rating agencies, to aid and advise the funding activities.
86. What does “A” stand for, in “G-SAP 1.0”, which was seen in the news recently?
[A] Acquisition
[B] Awareness
[C] Aid
[D] Across
Answer: Acquisition
In the first bi monthly monetary policy statement for the year 2021-22, RBI has stated that it would
conduct open market purchase of government securities amounting Rs.1 lakh crore, under its G-sec
Acquisition Programme (G-SAP 1.0). The first tranche of G sec purchase operations amounting
Rs.25,000 crore is scheduled on 15th April 2021.
87. ‘SARTHAQ’, which was seen in the news recently, is an implementation plan related to which
policy?
[A] Agriculture Laws

[B] New Education Policy
[C] Public Sector Enterprises Policy
[D] Environment Impact Assessment
Answer: New Education Policy
Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal chaired a high-level meeting on implementation of National
Education Policy (NEP) 2020. A suggestive implementation plan for school education named ‘Students’
and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement through Quality Education (SARTHAQ) was also released.
88. ‘Blue Flag’ is a globally recognised eco-label certification provided to beaches, from which
country?
[A] Germany
[B] USA
[C] Denmark
[D] France
Answer: Denmark
Blue Flag is a globally recognised eco-label certification provided to beaches by the Foundation for
Environment Education, Denmark. It is based on water quality, environment education, conservation and
safety and services. Recently, the fishermen of Odisha have been staging protests against the Odisha
state’s move to get Blue Flag certification for five beaches. They demand an alternative sea mouth to
anchor their boats before being removed from the beaches.
89. As an acknowledgement of gender equality, which country replaced the term “Airmen” by
“Aviators”?
[A] France
[B] Germany
[C] Australia
[D] New Zealand
Answer: Australia
Australian air force personnel will be known as aviators rather than airmen, as per the Australia’s Chief
of Air Force. Australia has the highest female participation in any branch of the country’s military at over
20% of the 15,000 personnel in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It also aims to have 25% women
strength in the force by 2023.
90. Which Bank announced the winners of “SmartUp Grants 2021”?
[A] Reserve Bank of India
[B] Indian Bank
[C] ICICI Bank
[D] HDFC Bank
Answer: HDFC Bank
India’s leading private sector bank – HDFC Bank instituted the SmartUp grants in 2017 and over the last
4 years, it has supported 87 start-ups across the country. The Bank has announced the SmartUp Grants
2021 recently. 21 start-ups have been selected for the grant from more than 300 applications received.
91. What is India’s net direct tax collection (excluding refunds) for FY 2020-21?
[A] Rs.5.45 trillion
[B] Rs.7.45 trillion
[C] Rs.9.45 trillion
[D] Rs 12.45 trillion
Answer: Rs.9.45 trillion

India’s net direct tax collection (excluding refunds) for FY 2020-21 stood at Rs.9.45 trillion. This is for
the first time in 4 years, the direct tax collection has fallen below Rs 10 trillion mark. But this year’s
actual tax collection is more than the revised estimates by around 4.5 per cent.
92. What is the name of the book written by 'Utkal Keshari' Dr Harekrushna Mahtab, whose Hindi
translation was launched by the Prime Minister?
[A] Odisha Itihaas
[B] Bharat Samrat
[C] Mission India
[D] Ignited Minds
Answer: Odisha Itihaas
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has recently released the Hindi translation of the book ‘Odisha
Itihaas’, which was authored by 'Utkal Keshari' Dr Harekrushna Mahtab. Dr Harekrushna Mahtab was a
leader of Indian National Congress and had played a vital role in the freedom struggle. He had served as
the CM of Odisha from 1946 to 1950 and 1956 to 1961.
93. The “Freedom of Navigation operation” has been conducted by which country in the Indian
Ocean Region?
[A] Japan
[B] USA
[C] China
[D] Malaysia
Answer: USA
The US Navy has recently carried out a freedom of navigation operation in the Indian waters in Indian
Ocean Region near Lakshadweep Islands. Any maritime operations in Indian water require prior approval
from the Government of India. But, the US Naval forces had conducted this operation without the
consent of Indian authorities.
94. Which organization has launched the RE-HAB project?
[A] RBI
[B] NABARD
[C] SIDBI
[D] KVIC
Answer: KVIC
The Chairman of KVIC Vinai Kumar Saxena had launched the RE-HAB project (i.e) Reducing Elephant –
Human Attacks using Bees. It has been first implemented at four locations on the periphery of
Nagarhole National Park in Kodagu district of Karnataka. Under this project, bee boxes are used as a
fence to prevent elephants from entering human habitation
95. As per the IMF's recent statement, what is India's debt to GDP ratio during the Covid-19
pandemic?
[A] 60 per cent
[B] 75 percent
[C] 90 percent
[D] 105 per cent
Answer: 90 percent
As per the Fiscal Affairs Department of the Internatioanl Monetary Fund, India's debt to GDP ratio
increased from 74 per cent to 90 per cent during the COVID-19 pandemic. IMF also expects that the
ratiop would drop down to 80 per cent as a result of the country's economic recovery.

96. As per a recent notification from the Finance Ministry, a basic savings bank account can be
opened in which institution?
[A] Payment Bank
[B] Foreign Bank
[C] Post office
[D] Small Finance Bank
Answer: Post office
The Finance Ministry has notified changes in Post Office Savings Account Scheme, 2019. As per the
notification, a beneficiary of the Government welfare scheme can open a basic savings bank account
with a post office. As per the notification, there is no minimum deposit required for opening of such an
account. There will also be no requirement for maintaining minimum balance. The ministry also reduced
fee for not maintain the balance in a savings account.
97. Which constitutional body has recently stated that all adults above 18 were free to choose a
religion of their choice?
[A] National Human Rights Commission
[B] National Administrative Tribunal
[C] Supreme Court of India
[D] National Commission for Backward Classes
Answer: Supreme Court of India
The apex judicial body of India – The Supreme court has recently held that the word “propagate”
mentioned in Indian Constitution permits any above the age of 18 to freely a religion of his / her choice.
Quoting the above, the supreme court has dismissed a public interest litigation which had sought court
intervention to stop “fraudulent” conversions in India.
98. Which Municipal Corporation of India issued the first 'Green Bonds' in the country?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Greater Noida
[C] Ghaziabad
[D] Ahmedabad
Answer: Ghaziabad
The Green bonds issued by Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation was the first of the kind in India.
Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation raised a sum of Rs.150 crores through green bond route The proceeds
of the bond were being used for creating tertiary water treatment infrastructure in the city. These bonds
have been listed in BSE recently.
99. Which body collaborated with Hindustan Unilever and Google, for conducting "AI for Agriculture
Hackathon"?
[A] UNESCO
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] AIM
[D] MyGov India
Answer: MyGov India
Hindustan Unilever, Google and MyGov India have collaborated together for conducting a hackathon in
the field of agriculture. The three entities have come together to find innovative solutions for water
conservation in agriculture and to bring start-ups in designing sustainable solutions for farmers.
100. Which institution is set to launch a hand book for Online Dispute Resolution (ODR)?
[A] SEBI

[B] RBI
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] IRDAI
Answer: NITI Aayog
Indian Government’s think tank – NITI Aayog has planned to launch a hand book for Online Dispute
Resolution (ODR). This book would serve as an invitation to business leaders to adopt ODR in India. The
book would be published in association with organizations like Agami and Omidyar Network India, ICICI
Bank, Ashoka Innovators for the Public etc.
101. Which country has launched a hotline to report online defamatory comments done by
“Historical nihilists”?
[A] North Korea
[B] China
[C] Brazil
[D] Cuba
Answer: China
“Historical nihilism” is a phrase used in China which describes public doubt over the description of past
events by Chinese Communist Party. Recently, China’s cyber regulator has launched a hotline to report
online comments that tend to defame the ruling Communist Party and its history. The Party’s 100th
anniversary falls on July this year.
102. Sputnik V, the Covid-19 vaccine, which was approved by the Indian Experts panel, was
launched by which country?
[A] China
[B] Russia
[C] Germany
[D] UAE
Answer: Russia
The Subject expert committee recommended the emergency use of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine in India.
Now, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) will consider this recommendation and authorise the
restricted emergency use in India. The other two vaccines are Covishield by Serum Institute and Covaxin
by Bharat Biotech. Sputnik V will be manufactured in India by several companies in India.
103. What is the original name of the Antarctica’s “Doomsday Glacier”, which was making news
recently?
[A] Thwaites Glacier
[B] Pine Island Glacier
[C] Jakobshavn Glacier
[D] Helheim Glacier
Answer: Thwaites Glacier
Thwaites Glacier – also called the “Doomsday Glacier” is present in Antarctica and has been melting
fast over the years. Due to its large size of 1.9 lakh square km, it contains enough water to raise the
world sea level by more than half a metre. Recently, Researchers at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg
have found that the glacier is melting at a higher rate than it was originally thought.
104. Which state is to involve “Arhtiyas” in the direct payment process for Farmers?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Punjab
[C] Madhya Pradesh

[D] Uttar Pradesh
Answer: Punjab
The Punjab government has said to the central government that it will pay the Minimum Support Price
(MSP) directly into the accounts of farmers. Earlier, the Arhtiyas (commission agents) used to pay the
farmers. Punjab Chief Minister captain Amarinder Singh announced that the State Food Department has
amended the procurement software so that the Arhtiyas will continue to be involved in the direct
payment process.
105. Shantir Ogrosena-2021 is a multinational military exercise held between which two countries?
[A] India-Sri Lanka
[B] India- Bangladesh
[C] Pakistan- Bangladesh
[D] Pakistan – Myanmar
Answer: India- Bangladesh
Exercise Shantir Ogrosena-2021 is a 10 day long multinational military exercise, held between India and
Bangladesh. The exercise started on April 4 2021 and ended on April 12 2021 at Bangabandhu
Senanibas (BBS), Bangladesh. Troops from four countries participated in this exercise with observers
from various countries including USA, UK, Russia, Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and
Singapore.
106. Which Ministry has presented the AICTE Lilavati Awards 2020?
[A] Union Home Ministry
[B] Union Ministry of Education
[C] Union Ministry of Women and Child Development
[D] Union Ministry of Social Justice
Answer: Union Ministry of Education
The Union Education Ministry headed by Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' has presented the AICTE
Lilavati Awards 2020. The theme of the awards was “women empowerment”. Under the awards, AICTE
has finalized the winners from a total of 456 entries who competed across 6 sub themes, like Women’s
Health, Self-Defence, Sanitation, literacy etc.
107. As per recent data, the population of which species has doubled in the Chilika lake?
[A] Dolphins
[B] Crocodiles
[C] Cat Fish
[D] Turtle
Answer: Dolphins
Chilika Lake is India’s largest brackish water lagoon, which is spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam
districts of Odisha. As per a recent data release by the State Forest and Environment Department, the
number of dolphin populations in the lake has doubled this year compared with last year. The state’s
Chilika lake is known for its Irrawady dolphins
108. Artemis program is undertaken by which organization?
[A] DRDO
[B] ISRO
[C] NASA
[D] World Bank
Answer: NASA
The Artemis program is NASA’s manned mission to the moon which is set to be executed in the year
2024. Recently, NASA has stated that it will land the first person of colour on the moon and the first
woman on moon as a part of the mission in 2024.
109. Which country has unveiled advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges, recently?
[A] USA
[B] Iraq
[C] Saudi Arabia
[D] Iran
Answer: Iran
The Government of Iran has unveiled advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges recently and has stated
that it has commenced the process of uranium enrichment using the new centrifuges. The three
centrifuges namely 164 IR-6, 30 IR-5 and 30 IR-6 devices have been placed at the Natanz uranium
enrichment plant.
110. Noura al-Matroushi has been identified as the first female astronaut by which country?
[A] USA
[B] India
[C] UAE
[D] Iran
Answer: UAE
The United Arab Emirates has named the next two astronauts for its space programme. The ruler of
Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has named Noura al-Matroushi as the UAE's first
female astronaut. The two astronauts have been identified among more than 4000 applications
received. The two astronauts will undergo special space training at NASA's Johnson Space Center in
Houston.
111. What is the name of the tropical cyclone that has made landfalls in Western Australia?
[A] Seroja
[B] Bob
[C] Nivar
[D] Fani
Answer: Seroja
Tropical cyclone Seroja recently hit and damaged a 1,000km stretch of Western Australia. With a
windspeed of up to 170km/h, the category three storm made landfalls. As per the country’s Bureau of
Meteorology the storm had weakened yet it would cause damages wi the peak winds of 110 km/hr.
112. The day on which the Indian Army launched Operation MEGHDOOT is observed as which
special Day?
[A] Vijay Diwas
[B] Kargil Diwas
[C] Siachen Day
[D] Rakshak Diwas
Answer: Siachen Day
On 13 April 1984, the Indian Army launched ‘Operation MEGHDOOT’ to secure Bilafond La and other
passes on the Saltoro Ridgeline. Siachen Day every year commemorates the courage displayed by
troops of the Indian Army in securing Siachen Glacier, the highest and coldest battlefield in the world.
113. “Sajibu Cheiraoba”, is the lunar new year festival celebrated in which Indian state?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Odisha
[C] Manipur
[D] Bihar
Answer: Manipur
Sajibu Cheiraoba is the Lunar New year Festival celebrated by the people who follow the religion of
Sanamahism in the Indian state of Manipur. It falls on the day of the Month of Sajibu. The lunar new year
is celebrated on the same day in different names in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and many
other Indian states.
114. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is to deploy “NSV” to provide better roads.
What does NSV stand for?
[A] National Standard Vehicle
[B] Network Survey Vehicle
[C] National Signal Variance
[D] New Standard Vehicle
Answer: Network Survey Vehicle
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is set to deploy Network Survey Vehicle (NSV), to
provide better roads to commuters. NHAI has made road condition survey using NSV mandatory at the
time of certifying completion of the project and every six months thereafter. This has also been included
as a part of the standard bidding document of consultancy services.
115. What is the name of the farthest gamma-ray emitting galaxy that has been discovered recently?
[A] Narrow-Line Seyfert 1
[B] Andromeda
[C] Sky Way
[D] Milk Line
Answer: Narrow-Line Seyfert 1
Recently, space scientists have discovered a new active galaxy, which is considered to be the farthest
gamma-ray emitting galaxy discovered so far. This galaxy is named Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxy,
which is about 31 billion light-years away from earth. This has been described as a rare space entity.
116. Which organization has released the picture titled 'Blue Dunes of Red Planet'?
[A] ISRO
[B] DRDO
[C] NASA
[D] ESA
Answer: NASA
The American Space Agency – NASA has recently shared an image of Mars titled 'Blue Dunes of Red
Planet'. This picture has been released to mark the 20 years of NASA’s Odyssey mission to Mars. The
picture combines shots captured between December 2002 and November 2004 by the robotic spacecraft
orbiting the planet Mars.
117. By what percentage, the net indirect tax collection in 2020-21 has grown over the previous
year?
[A] 1%
[B] 10%
[C] 12.3%
[D] 15%
Answer: 12.3%
As per the data released by the Union Finance Ministry, net indirect tax collection in 2020-21 grew 12.3%

over the previous financial year. The total collection stood at Rs.10.71 lakh, thereby exceeding the
indirect tax collection target of Rs.9.89 lakh set for the FY 2020-21.
118. “Central Asia” center for trade and economic cooperation is being constructed by which
countries?
[A] Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
[B] USA and India
[C] China and Japan
[D] USA and UK
Answer: Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
'Central Asia' is the name of an international center for trade and economic cooperation, being
constructed by Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan at the borders of the two countries. The center would have a
capacity of accommodating 35,000 people and 5,000 trucks per day in both directions. It would serve as
a large industrial, trade and logistics platform for both countries.
119. The month of April is dedicated for awareness generation of which disease?
[A] Diabetes
[B] Anemia
[C] Parkinson’s
[D] Cancer
Answer: Parkinson’s
The month of April is considered to be Parkinson’s Awareness Month. On April 11 every year,
communities from around the world come together to raise awareness about the disorder. Parkinson's
disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects the movement of the human body.
120. The India Energy Dashboard (IED) 2.0 has been launched by which organization?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Planning Commission
[C] GST Council
[D] Planning Commission
Answer: NITI Aayog
India’s policy think tank – NITI Aayog has launched the Version 2.0 of the India Energy Dashboards
(IED). The dashboard has been launched to achieve the development goals (SDGs) and India’s Nationally
Determined Contributions. It provides a single window access to the energy data for the country.

ARPITA SINGH | [email protected] |
GKTODAY
Current Affairs [PDF] - April 16-30, 2021
Last Updated: May 6, 2021

Published by: GKTODAY.IN
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Contents
......................... _ ......... ........ ..... ......... ...............................................
News Headlines ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
April 16, 2021 .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
April 17, 2021 .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
April 18, 2021 .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
April 19, 2021 .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
April 20, 2021 ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
April 21, 2021 .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
April 22, 2021 ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
April 23, 2021 ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
April 24, 2021 ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
April 25, 2021 ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
April 26, 2021 ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
April 27, 2021 ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
April 28, 2021 ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
April 29, 2021 ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
April 30, 2021 ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
April 16, 2021 ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13
Gaganyaan: ISRO signs agreement with France ............................................................................................................................ 13
UNFPA Study on Bodily Autonomy ................................................................................................................................................. 13
What is Adenovirus? ............................................................................................................................................................................ 14
What is Forest fire Season? ................................................................................................................................................................ 14
Facebook Inclusive Internet Index ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
PM CARES Fund: Oxygen Plant for 100 new hospitals ............................................................................................................... 15
IMD: Monsoon to be normal in India in 2021 .............................................................................................................................. 16
IMF: Sub-Saharan Africa to see world's slowest growth in 2021 ............................................................................................. 17
COVAXIN: Transfer of Technology from Bharat Biotech to Haf ine ...................................................................................... 17
NASA to launch SpaceX Crew 2 ...................................................................................................................................................... 18
National Dialogue on UN Food Systems Summit 2021 .............................................................................................................. 18
S-400 Triumf SA-21 Growler ........................................................................................................................................................... 19
National level Climate Vulnerability report to be released ........................................................................................................... 19
ROPAX Jetty Project on River Dhamra ........................................................................................................................................... 20
Current Affairs – April 16, 2021 [Daily News Digest] ................................................................................................................. 21
April 17, 2021 ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 22
World Haemophilia Day: April 17 .................................................................................................................................................... 22
Rural Health Statistics Report ............................................................................................................................................................ 22
Regulations Review Authority 2.0 .................................................................................................................................................... 23
National Startup Advisory Council ................................................................................................................................................... 24
EatSmart Cities Challenge and Transport 4 All Challenge ......................................................................................................... 25
What is Double Mutant Corona Virus Variant? ............................................................................................................................. 25
Right to Privacy, Reputation extinguishes after death: Madras High Court ........................................................................... 26
What is Lyrid Meteor Shower? ......................................................................................................................................................... 26
Asian Wrestling Championship: Vinesh Phogat wins Gold ........................................................................................................ 27
US Treasury report: India placed on currency watch list ........................................................................................................... 28
US on Refugee Cap ............................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Gender Samvaad Event ....................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Turkey bans Crypto Currency payments ....................................................................................................................................... 29
Health sector included in ECLGS scheme ...................................................................................................................................... 30
April 19, 2021 ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 31
National Climate Vulnerability Report .............................................................................................................................................. 31
Italy: First Food Park in India ............................................................................................................................................................ 32
China-US Climate Change Cooperation ......................................................................................................................................... 33
Luna 25: Russian Moon mission ....................................................................................................................................................... 33
Tribunal Reforms Ordinance, 2021 ................................................................................................................................................. 34
National Internet Exchange of India Initiatives .............................................................................................................................. 35
Pressure Swing Adsorption Plants to increase oxygen ................................................................................................................ 35
Israel Greece sign Defence Deal ....................................................................................................................................................... 36
Study: Only 3% of land areas unspoiled by humans .................................................................................................................... 36
Tyrannosaurus rex outnumbered 2.5 billon ................................................................................................................................... 37
Syria Presidential Election ................................................................................................................................................................... 37
Ecocide Bill of France .......................................................................................................................................................................... 38
Drugs and Cosmetics Act: New Regulatory Regime for eight medical items ........................................................................ 38
What is Table Mountain National Park? ......................................................................................................................................... 39
April 20, 2021 .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 40
DRDO develops Supplemental Oxygen Delivery System ........................................................................................................... 40
India, Germany MoU on Cities combating plastic entering the marine environment ......................................................... 40
Israel: National plan to reduce 80% GHG emissions by 2050 .................................................................................................. 41
Report: One in two Indian adults experienced cybercrime in last 12 months ........................................................................ 42
Tourism and Culture Ministry inaugurates online exhibition on Ramayana .......................................................................... 42
World Press Freedom Index, 2021 ................................................................................................................................................... 43
Indian Railways runs Oxygen Express ............................................................................................................................................. 44
Vaccination Strategy of Phase 3 ....................................................................................................................................................... 44
NASA Ingenuity Helicopter makes historic flight ......................................................................................................................... 45
Sudarshan Sen Committee of RBI .................................................................................................................................................... 45
Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme .................................................................................................................................................. 46
Khanjar: India-Kyrgyztan Military Exercise .................................................................................................................................... 46
What is Deepwater Horizon Disaster? ............................................................................................................................................ 47
World Heritage Day: April 18 - Update (April, 2021) ................................................................................................................ 48
What is Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) alert? ........................................................................................... 48
Online Portal: For trusted telecom gear makers ........................................................................................................................... 49
Dracopristis hoffmanorum: Godzilla shark discovered in New Mexico ................................................................................. 49
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme ..................................................................................................................................................... 50
State of the Global Climate 2020 Report ....................................................................................................................................... 50
Union Cabinet approves India-Bangladesh Cooperation in Trade ............................................................................................. 51
April 21, 2021 ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 52
People's bank of china report on India's demographic advantage ............................................................................................ 52
Insurance Scheme for Health Workers under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana ................................................................................ 52
AAYUDH Advance Controversy ....................................................................................................................................................... 53
Civil Services Day: April 21 ................................................................................................................................................................ 54
Cabinet approves Subsidy for Urea produced via Coal Gasification ........................................................................................ 54
Crude oil output of India drops ........................................................................................................................................................ 55
Australia-India Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative ................................................................................................................................. 55
COVAXIN neutralises double Mutant Strain ................................................................................................................................. 56
Amnesty International: Global review of the death penalty ....................................................................................................... 57
India elected to three bodies of the UN ECOSOC ....................................................................................................................... 57
Russia to launch its own Space Station ........................................................................................................................................... 58
Blue Nature Alliance- Global Marine initiative .............................................................................................................................. 58
George Floyd: Ex-policeman found guilty of murder .................................................................................................................. 59
New Zealand set to consolidate healthcare into National service ............................................................................................. 60
What is Air Independent Propulsion? How is it used in Submarines? .................................................................................... 60
What is Potamophylax coronavirus? ................................................................................................................................................. 61
April 22, 2021 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 62
World Earth Day: April 22 ................................................................................................................................................................. 62
US Leaders Summit: Xi Jing Ping to attend the Summit ............................................................................................................ 62
Triple Mutant Variant ......................................................................................................................................................................... 63
What is Beal seed viability experiment? ........................................................................................................................................... 63
US House passes No Ban Act ........................................................................................................................................................... 64
Cosmic Rose of NASA ....................................................................................................................................................................... 64
Israel: Google and AWS chosen for 1 billion Nimbus Project ................................................................................................... 65
Australia cancels deals on China’s Belt and Road ......................................................................................................................... 66
US Commission proposes adding India to CPC list ..................................................................................................................... 66
Who are FACT rebels of Chad? ....................................................................................................................................................... 67
Global Energy Transition Index ........................................................................................................................................................ 67
Global Energy Review ......................................................................................................................................................................... 68
MOXIE- Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment .............................................................................................. 69

COVIRAP Technology ........................................................................................................................................................................ 69
April 23, 2021 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 70
World Book and Copyright Day: April 23 ..................................................................................................................................... 70
India-US 2030 Climate Partnership ................................................................................................................................................ 70
Indian women win 7 gold in AIBA Youth World Boxing Championship ............................................................................... 71
NASA SHIELDS Mission: To Study Interstellar Space ................................................................................................................ 71
SC asks for National plan on COVID-19 situation ....................................................................................................................... 72
S&P: Growth of 11 per cent for India in 2021 ............................................................................................................................... 73
State of Emergency in Ethiopia ......................................................................................................................................................... 73
Statehood Movement in Columbia .................................................................................................................................................. 74
GC Murmu chosen as external auditor by OPCW ...................................................................................................................... 74
US passes bill to fight hate crimes against Asian Americans ..................................................................................................... 75
Earth Day Summit ............................................................................................................................................................................... 75
IndRa: Cost of vaccinating India's population above 18 years 0.36% of GDP ...................................................................... 76
Second World Ocean Assessment .................................................................................................................................................... 76
Japan to host first joint military exercise with US and France ................................................................................................... 77
SBI Report: FY22 growth at 10.4%, ................................................................................................................................................ 78
What is Proning? .................................................................................................................................................................................. 78
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana: Free Food Grains till June ................................................................................... 79
April 24, 2021 .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 79
National Panchayati Raj Day ............................................................................................................................................................. 79
NBFCs to function in GIFT city, Gujarat ....................................................................................................................................... 80
GoI targets 17 million tonnes of Mustard Production ................................................................................................................ 80
Zydus drug Virafin gets DCGI nod .................................................................................................................................................. 81
Glacier burst reported in Sumna, Neeti Valley .............................................................................................................................. 82
Export of processed food products increase by 27% during April-February 20-21 ............................................................ 82
COVISHIELD protects against Double Mutant ............................................................................................................................. 83
116 Indian districts reported zero malaria cases in 2020 ............................................................................................................ 83
Basic customs duty and health cess on medical oxygen, equipment launched ...................................................................... 84
SVAMITVA E-Property Cards distributed ..................................................................................................................................... 84
April 25, 2021 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 85
World Malaria Day: April 25 ............................................................................................................................................................. 85
April 26, 2021 .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 86
World Intellectual Property Day: April 26 ..................................................................................................................................... 86
International Climate Finance Plan of the US ............................................................................................................................... 86
Gambia eliminates Trachoma ........................................................................................................................................................... 87
Russia’s central bank increases interest rates ................................................................................................................................. 87
SpaceX Crew 2: Key Facts ................................................................................................................................................................ 88
Infections after COVID Vaccination ................................................................................................................................................ 89
NASA helicopter makes third flight on Mars ............................................................................................................................... 89
CSIR Sero survey Results ................................................................................................................................................................... 90
Zhurong: China's first Mars rover .................................................................................................................................................... 91
ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand: April 25 ................................................................................................................. 91
New Zealand's action to save Maui dolphins ................................................................................................................................. 92
Zhao: 1st Asian woman to win best director Oscar ..................................................................................................................... 92
What is an Oxygen Concentrator? ................................................................................................................................................... 93
Unicorn Black Hole ............................................................................................................................................................................. 94
April 27, 2021 .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 94
What are Tissue Chips? ...................................................................................................................................................................... 94
Ladakh Ignited Minds Project ........................................................................................................................................................... 95
WHO's E-2025 initiative ..................................................................................................................................................................... 95
Google, Microsoft announce funding to help India tackle COVID-19 .................................................................................... 96
World Immunisation Week ................................................................................................................................................................ 96
ASEAN Initiative on Myanmar ......................................................................................................................................................... 97
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day: April 26 ............................................................................................... 98
UK to build World’s most powerful climate-change forecasting supercomputer ................................................................. 98
RBI’s State of the Economy Report - Update (April, 2021) ....................................................................................................... 99
Forest Fire in Mizoram ....................................................................................................................................................................... 99

ADB provided $1.5-billion to India for CovidARPITA SINGH | [email protected] |

response ............................................................................................................ 100
Large Area Certification (LAC) Scheme of PGS-India- A&N gets certification ................................................................... 101
Aditya-L1 Support Cell (AL1SC)- Key Facts ................................................................................................................................. 101
DRDO Single Crystal Blade Technology ...................................................................................................................................... 102
Current Affairs – April 27, 2021 [Daily News Digest] .............................................................................................................. 102
April 28, 2021 ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 103
US Population increases by 7.4% ................................................................................................................................................... 104
Genome Study on Endangered Sumatran rhinoceros ............................................................................................................... 104
SIPRI report on Military Spending ................................................................................................................................................. 105
RBI Guidelines for Tenure of Bank CEOs and MDs ................................................................................................................. 106
Chandler Good Government Index ............................................................................................................................................... 106
What is Cycle threshold (Ct) Value in a RT-PCR Test? ........................................................................................................... 107
NEO-01: China's robot prototype to catch space debris ........................................................................................................... 108
WHO to provide 4,000 oxygen concentrators to India ........................................................................................................... 108
Earthquake in Assam ......................................................................................................................................................................... 109
ADB raises India GDP forecast by 11% ........................................................................................................................................ 109
Cabinet approves Agreement between India and UK on Customs Cooperation ................................................................. 110
GNCTD (Amendment) Act comes into force in Delhi .............................................................................................................. 111
Python 5 Air to Air Missile ................................................................................................................................................................ 111
Varuna 2021: India-France Naval Exercise .................................................................................................................................... 112
April 29, 2021 .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 112
Inter-Ministerial group set up to clear global relief materials ................................................................................................... 112
PM CARES Fund: 1 Lakh Portable Oxygen Concentrators ....................................................................................................... 113
Somanathan: New Finance secretary .............................................................................................................................................. 114
Brazil: Sputnik V vaccine supply had live cold virus .................................................................................................................... 114
First indigenous vaccine for fish developed in India .................................................................................................................... 115
NITI calls for EV purchase subsidy in addition to FAME-II subsidy ....................................................................................... 115
Who was Michael Collins? ................................................................................................................................................................ 116
Where is Plain of Jars located? ......................................................................................................................................................... 116
India’s first 3D printed house at IIT-M ......................................................................................................................................... 117
China launches Tianhe space station core module ...................................................................................................................... 118
UK to allow Driverless cars on roads ............................................................................................................................................. 118
What is IA 2030? ................................................................................................................................................................................ 119
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund crosses Rs. 8,000 crores mark ............................................................................................ 120
Supply Chain Resilience Initiative .................................................................................................................................................... 120
April 30, 2021 .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 121
Ayushman Bharat Diwas: April 30 .................................................................................................................................................. 121
Russia expels European Diplomats .................................................................................................................................................. 122
Why were the Goa Infra Projects red flagged? ........................................................................................................................... 122
National Commission for Women: WhatsApp Number for Pregnant Women .................................................................... 123
Import of 17 medical devices allowed ............................................................................................................................................ 123
Mining Robot Stranded in the Pacific ............................................................................................................................................ 124
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 60 Starlink satellites ............................................................................................................ 125
Char Dham Yatra suspended ........................................................................................................................................................... 125
Stampede at Israeli Pilgrimage site ................................................................................................................................................. 126
Global Electric Vehicle Outlook, 2021 ........................................................................................................................................... 127
Japan's Order of the Rising Sun honour to Bengaluru Teacher .............................................................................................. 127
Net Zero Producer Forum ............................................................................................................................................................... 128
RBI joins Network for Greening the Financial System- NGFS ............................................................................................... 128
NATO Military Exercises launched ................................................................................................................................................ 129
120 Multiple Choice Questions ............................................................................................................................................................... 130
Notice ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 158

News Headlines
April 16, 2021
India
India hosts BRICS seminar on misuse of Internet by terrorists; organised by National Investigation
Agency (NIA)
ISRO, French Space Agency CNES to cooperate on India’s Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight programme
Indian Coast Guard apprehends Pakistani boat with 30 kgs of heroin off Jakhau, Gujarat
Hardeep S. Puri, MoS (I/C), Housing and Urban Affairs launches EatSmart Cities Challenge, aim is to
nudge the urban populace to make the right food choices
Hardeep S. Puri, MoS (I/C), Housing and Urban Affairs launches Transport 4 All Challenge; aim is to
develop digital solutions that will make public transport safe and affordable for all
Economy & corporate
2020-21: Exports at $290.63 billion (–7.26%), Imports: $389.18 billion (–18%)
Wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation at over 8-year high of 7.39% in March
RBI to set up new Regulations Review Authority (RRA 2.0) for a period of 1 year, to be headed by
Deputy Governor M. Rajeshwar Rao
India ranked 49th among 120 countries on Facebook ‘Inclusive Internet Index’ compiled by Economist
Intelligence Unit (EIU)
World
US President Joe Biden announces new sanctions on Russia, expulsion of 10 diplomats for
interference in the 2020 US presidential election and the hacking of federal agencies
US President Joe Biden announces complete withdrawal of US, NATO troops from Afghanistan by
September 11
Haiti: PM Joseph Jouthe resigns as the country faces a spike in violence
Cricket: Wisden awards
England all-rounder Ben Stokes is ‘Cricketer of the Year’
Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, West Indian Jason Holder, Mohammed Rizwan and Darren Stevens named
Wisden Cricketers of the Year in the 2021 edition of Wisden Almanack
Australia’s Beth Mooney is ‘Leading Women’s Cricketer in the World’
India captain Virat Kohli Wisden Almanack’s ODI player of the 2010s
Sachin Tendulkar is the ODI Cricketer of the 1990s
Kapil Dev was named as the ODI Cricketer for the 1980s
April 17, 2021
India
3-day Indian Air Force Commanders’ Conference 2021 concluded in New Delhi; theme: ‘Reorienting
for the Future’
Monsoon to be ‘normal’ in 2021: India Meteorological Department
Former CBI chief Ranjit Sinha passes away at 68; also headed ITBP and Railway Protection Force
Noted radiologist and former director of NIMS (Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences), Hyderabad,
Kakarla Subbarao dies at 96; awarded Padma Shri in 2000
Economy & corporate
Ashok Leyland delivers first lot of light bullet proof vehicles to Indian Air Force; developed in in
collaboration with Lockheed Martin of US
Foreign exchange reserves rose USD 4.34 billion to USD 581.21 billion in the week ended April 9.
Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launches “World 1st affordable and long-lasting
hygiene product DuroKea Series”, developed by IIT Hyderabad researchers
PNB fraud: UK Home Secretary approves extradition of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi
World
United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) flagship State of World Population Report 2021 titled ‘My
Body is My Own’ launched
Turkey bans use of cryptocurrencies to purchase goods and services
Italian film-maker Roberto Benigni to receive Venice Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement award
Sports
Asian Wrestling Championship in Almaty, Kazakhstan: India’s Sarita Mor won gold medal in women’s
59 kg
April 18, 2021
India
National climate vulnerability assessment identifies eight states as highly vulnerable: Jharkhand,
Mizoram, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal
Delhi govt deputes 10 IAS Officers in private hospitals for better Covid management
Railways to impose fine up to Rs 500 for not wearing masks in trains and stations premises
Tamil actor Vivekh dies at 59 in Chennai; was Tamil Nadu’s ambassador for creating public health
messages
Economy & corporate
Italy launches its first ever mega food park project in India, at Fanidhar in Mehsana district of Gujarat
Star India bags broadcast rights of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) for the next five seasons
World
UN Security Council agrees to deploy cease-fire monitors in Libya; country facing civil war since
ouster of dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011
US, Japan pledge to strengthen Quad to build free, open Indo-Pacific region during meeting between
President Joe Biden and PM Yoshihide Suga at White House
France: National Assembly approves ‘ecocide’ offence to punish environmental damage
Cuba: Raul Castro (89) steps down from leadership of ruling Cuban Communist Party
Sports
India women win four gold medals in Asian Wrestling Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan: Vinesh
Phogat in 53-kg, Anshu Malik in 57-kg, Divya Kakran in 72-kg and Sarita Mor in 59-kg
India beat Argentina 4-2 in final practice match in men’s hockey at Buenos Aires
Uttarakhand: Water Sports and Adventure Institute opens on the bank of the Tehri lake; will be run by
ITBP
Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium will host T20 World Cup final in November 2021
April 19, 2021
India
162 Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen plants sanctioned for installation in public health facilities in
all States; 33 already installed
Railways to run ‘Oxygen Express’ to transport liquid medical oxygen and oxygen cylinders

Economy & corporate
Indian pharma exports grow at 18% to USD 24.4 billion in in 2020-21
Gold imports rose by 22.58% to USD 34.6 billion during 2020-21
Flavoured milk taxable at 12% under GST: Gujarat Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) rules in Amul
dairy case
World
US., China agree to cooperate on climate crisis with urgency following talks between U.S. special
envoy for climate John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi confirms Iran started enriching Uranium upto 60% at the
Natanz Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant
Charles Geschke, co-founder of Adobe and developer of PDFs, dies at 81
April 20, 2021
India
All above age of 18 years to get COVID-19 vaccine from May 1
States allowed to use 50% of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in 2021-22 to curb pandemic
surge
INAS 323 commissioned at Goa as first unit of indigenously built ALH MK III enters Naval Service
Indian Navy’s INS Suvarna seizes over 300 kgs of narcotic substances in the Arabian Sea
National Film Award-winning Marathi Director Sumitra Bhave passes away at 78
J&K: Red flags on Indian Army vehicles replaced with white-and-blue ones
Indian Army’s mobile training team (IA-MTT) trains Nigerian Army in guerrilla warfare in Nigeria
Railways to map festivals along the tracks to prevent fatalities
Nagaland govt. sets up panel on the issue of preparing RIIN (Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of
Nagaland)
SpO2
DRDD’s DEBEL (Defence Bio-Engineering and Electro Medical Laboratory), Bengaluru develops SpO2
(Blood Oxygen Saturation) Supplemental Oxygen Delivery System
SpO2 is an automatic system that delivers supplemental oxygen based on the SpO2 levels and
prevents the patient from sinking into a state of Hypoxia, which is fatal in most cases, if sets in
SISFS
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal launches Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
(SISFS)
SISFS aims to provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development,
product trials, market entry and commercialization
Seed funding will be provided to eligible startups (incubatees) through eligible incubators across
India
Economy & corporate
US retains India in currency manipulator watch list due to huge dollar purchases by RBI
Sivasubramanian Ramann takes charge as CMD of SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of
India)
Advertising professional and former FCB Ulka Chairman Anil ‘Billy’ Kapoor dies at 74
World
NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter makes history with successful flight on planet Mars
Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul awarded Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize by PACE (Parliamentary

Assembly of the Council of Europe)
World Heritage Day (International Day for Monuments and Sites) celebrated on April 18, theme:
“Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures”
World liver day observed on April 19, theme: ‘Keep your liver healthy and disease-free.’
Sports
Indian men at Asian Wrestling Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan: Gold won by Ravi Kumar Dahiya
(57kg), silvers won by Deepak Punia (86kg) & Bajrang Punia (65kg), bronze medals won by Karan Mor
(70kg), Narsingh Yadav (79kg) and Satyawart Kadian (97kg)
India’s women’s tennis team lose 1-3 to Latvia in the Billie Jean King Cup World Group playoff
IAS officer Siddharth Singh Longjam appointed new Director-General of National Anti-Doping Agency
(NADA)
Football Olympian Ahmed Hussain Lala dies in Bengaluru at 89, played in 1956 Melbourne Olympics
Hockey player-turned-umpire Anupama Puchimanda dies in Bengaluru at 40
Barcelona win Copa del Rey football tournament at Seville in Spain
Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge wins Enschede marathon in Netherlands
Stefanos Tsitsipas wins men’s singles title at Monte Carlo Masters tennis in Monaco
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins Formula One Emilia Romagna
April 21, 2021
India
Cyclone Amphan of 2020 resulted in $14 billion economic losses in India: UN’s ‘State of the Global
Climate 2020’ report
Covid-19: First ‘Oxygen Express’ train leaves from Mumbai region to Vizag in AP
Australia-India Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Partnership (AIIPOIP) grant program launched to widen
Indo-Pacific partnership with India
Economy & corporate
Former RBI Governor (1977) Maidavolu Narasimham dies in Hyderabad at 94
India’s crude oil output drops 5% to 30.5 million tonnes, gas production falls 8% to 28.67 billion cubic
meters in 2020-21: Govt data
Cabinet gives ex-post facto approval for amendments to Finance Bill, 2021
Cabinet gives ex post facto approval to MoU between DG of Trade Remedies, India and the
Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission
Cabinet approves MoU between Competition Commission of India (CCI) and Administrative Council
for Economic Defense of Brazil, (CADE)
Cabinet approved MoU between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and Chartered
Accountants Australia and New Zealand, (CA ANZ)
Cabinet approved an exclusive subsidy policy for urea produced through coal gasification by Talcher
Fertilizers Limited.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) allows Boeing 737 MAX 8s to overfly India after 2-year
ban
World
Global CO2 emissions set for second-biggest spike in history: says IEA in its Global Energy Review
2021
Cuba’s Communist Party chooses President Miguel Díaz-Canel as leader
Former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale (1977-81) dies at 93

April 22, 2021

India
India ranked 142nd on 2021 World Press Freedom Index by French NGO Reporters Without Borders
(RSF)
Civil Services Day celebrated on April 21
You are not exploring all avenues to augment oxygen supply: Delhi HC to Centre
Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin neutralises the double-mutant coronavirus strain: ICMR
Nashik (Maharashtra): 24 patients die due to interrupted supply of oxygen at hospital run by
municipal corporation
Control rooms for migrant workers reactivated by Union Labour and Employment Ministry
Noted Bengali poet Sankha Ghosh dies at 90; had won Padma Bhushan, Jnanpith and Sahitya
Akademi awards
Economy & corporate
Covid-19 surge: Govt waives import duty on Remdesivir API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients),
injections and specific inputs till Oct 31
IIT Kharagpur commercialises its COVIRAP diagnostic technology that detects infectious diseases
including COVID-19
CEA, CEEW launch Renewable Dashboard for detailed operational info on RE projects in India
India ranks 87th in WEF’s global Energy Transition Index (ETI) among 115 countries
ECOSOC
India elected by acclamation to three bodies of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a
three-year term beginning January 1, 2022
Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
Executive Board of the U.N. Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (U.N.
Women)
Executive Board of the World Food Programme
World
India should be a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ for Religious Freedom: US Commission on
International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)
Sri Lanka asks Chinese ship to leave Hambantota port after radioactive material found
Australia cancels deals of Victoria state with China on “Belt and Road” infrastructure building signed
in 2018-19
U. proposes rules for high-risk artificial intelligence uses such as live facial scanning
Indonesian submarine ‘KRI Nanggala 402’ goes missing with 53 people on board
Former Minneapolis (US) police officer Derek Chauvin convicted for killing George Floyd
EU nations agree to cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030, from 1990 levels
Greece lends Patriot air defence system to Saudi Arabia to protect critical energy facilities
World Creativity and Innovation Day celebrated by UN on April 21
Chinese Language Day observed by UN on April 20
April 23, 2021
India
Covid-19: Supreme Court asks centre for a “national plan” on oxygen supply, essential drugs and

vaccination
Centre invokes Disaster Management Act to ensure unhindered inter-State movement of vehicles
carrying medical oxygen
Registration process for COVID vaccination (from May 1) to all above 18 years to start from April 28
Govt permits Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to conduct study on using drones to deliver
COVID-19 vaccine
IAF’s first Rafale squadron based in Ambala completed with arrival of 4 Rafale from France
Renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan dies at 86; awarded Padma Bhushan in 2000 &
Padma Vibhushan in 2021
Economy & corporate
S&P forecasts 11% growth for the Indian economy in 2021-22, flags impact of lockdowns
Fitch affirms India’s rating at ‘BBB-’; outlook negative due to Covid surge
India needs $401 bn capital investment to fight climate change: Bank of America Securities Report
MeitY announces #FOSS4GOV Innovation Challenge to accelerate adoption of Free and Open Source
Software (FOSS) In Government
Accenture India head Rekha Menon to take over as NASSCOM (National Association of Software and
Services Companies) Chairman for FY22
World
US organising the Leaders’ Summit on Climate on a virtual platform on April 22-23
PM Modi announces launch of ‘India-US climate and clean energy Agenda 2030 partnership’ with US
President Joe Biden
S. House of Representatives passes bill to make Washington, D.C., the 51st state; bill goes to Senate
UK’s parliament declares China’s treatment of Uighur community in Xinjiang as genocide
NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars makes oxygen from planet’s carbon dioxide atmosphere
International Mother Earth Day observed on April 22, theme: ‘Restore Our Earth’
International Girls in ICT (Information & Communications Technology) Day celebrated on April 22;
theme: ‘Connected Girls, Creating Brighter Futures!’
April 24, 2021
India
Defence ministry to airlift 23 oxygen generation plants from Germany, will be deployed at AFMS
(Armed Forces Medical Services) hospitals treating Covid-19 patients
Music composer Shravan Rathod, of Nadeem-Shravan duo, passes away due to Covid at 66
Economy & corporate
Foreign exchange reserves rise $1.193 billion to $582.406 billion in the week ended April 6
Govt to provide 5 kg extra food grains free to beneficiaries of NFSA (National Food Security Act) over
and above their regular quota in May and June
RBI restricts American Express Banking Corp, Diners Club International Ltd from adding new
customers for not storing customer data in India
Banks must halve their dividends to conserve capital in view of Covid: RBI
RBI approves appointment of Atanu Chakraborty as part-time chairman of HDFC Bank
World
Chad: President Idriss Deby Itno dies at 68 from wounds sustained in battle
4 astronauts reach International Space Station after launch by SpaceX from NASA’s Kennedy Space
Center in Florida

US Senate passes bill to fight hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
World Book and Copyright Day celebrated by UNSECO on April 23
English Language Day, Spanish Language Day celebrated by UN on April 23
Sports
World Youth Boxing championships in Kielce, Poland: Indian women win seven gold medals
April 25, 2021
India
5 kg per person per month foodgrains to be given in May and June to the beneficiaries covered under
the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Householders category of the National Food Security
Act (NFSA)
National Panchayati Raj Day celebrated on April 24; marks the passage of Constitution (Seventy-third
Amendment) Act, 1992 that became effective from April 24, 1993
National Panchayat Awards include Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar, Nanaji
Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar conferred by PM
PM launches the distribution of e-property cards under the SVAMITVA scheme on National
Panchayati Raj Day
SVAMITVA: Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas
Indian and French Navy bilateral exercise ‘VARUNA-2021’ to be conducted in the Arabian Sea from
April 25 to 27
A glacier burst near Niti Valley in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand kills 10
Supreme Court judge Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar dies at 62
‘Mukti Bhawan’ and ‘Titli’ actor Lalit Behl passes away due to Covid-19 at 71
Congress launches its digital media platform ‘INC TV’
Economy & corporate
Customs duty on Covid vaccine, oxygen, equipment exempted till July-end
World
Indonesian submarine named ‘KRI Nanggala’, which went missing on April 21, declared sank with all
53 sailors killed
ASEAN leaders hold emergency summit with Myanmar coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in
Jakarta
S. President Joe Biden calls 1915 killings of Armenians by Turkey’s Ottoman forces as genocide
International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace celebrated by UN on April 24
World Immunization Week being celebrated from April 24 to 30 by WHO, theme: Vaccines bring us
closer
China’s first Mars rover named Zhurong after a traditional fire god
April 26, 2021
India
COVID-19 surge: PM CARES Fund allocates funds for 551 oxygen plants in public health facilities
COVID 19: Kochi-based Southern Naval Command of Indian Navy launches OXYGEN EXPRESS to
support UT of Lakshadweep
Govt bars use of liquid oxygen for non-medical purposes amid acute shortage
Covid-19: Saudi Arabia to ship 80 metric tonnes of oxygen to India in cooperation with Adani group
and Linde company

Padma Bhushan awardee classical singer Rajan Mishra dies at 70, belonged to Benaras gharana and
was known for Khayal style
Senior IIS officer Manikant Thakur dies in Delhi due to Covid-19, was Chief of Media in the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare
Economy & corporate
Major Ports waive-off all charges for ships carrying oxygen and oxygen related equipment cargo
Petroleum & Natural Gas Ministry unveils 7-point action plan ‘ONGC Way Forward’ for ONGC to raise
oil and gas production by one-third by 2023-24
World
Saudi Arabia, US, Canada, Norway, and Qatar to set up ‘Net Zero Producers Forum’ to support
implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change
World Malaria Day observed on April 25, theme: ‘Reaching the zero malaria target’
International Delegate’s Day observed on April 25 to raise awareness of the role of the
representatives and delegates of the Member States to the UN
Missing Indonesian submarine KRI Nanggala 402 found broken in three parts in the Bali Sea; 53-
member crew died
Sports
Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur in final at London to win League Cup football tournament
Governor’s Cup Boxing in St. Petersburg, Russia: India’s Amit Panghal (52kg) wins bronze
Indian women’s team of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and Komalika Bari wins gold in Recurve event
at Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Guatemala City
L Sabaretnam, director and chairman of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited, dies in Chennai at 80
April 27, 2021
India
Election Commission ‘most irresponsible institution’ in country: Madras HC on Covid surge
Armed forces recall retired medical staff to work to battle COVID-19 pandemic
Waman Bhonsle, national award-winning film editor who worked on over 230 movies, passes away at
87
Economy & corporate
‘Not more than 15 years’: RBI’s new guidelines for tenure of bank MDs, CEOs
US govt lifts export ban on essential raw materials required for manufacturing COVID vaccine in India
Oxford Economics lowers India’s 2021 GDP growth forecast to 10.2%
DRDO develops critical crystal blade technology for aero engines
Former Maruti Suzuki MD Jagdish Khattar passes away at 79
Academy awards
Best Picture: Nomadland
Best Director: Chloe Zhao for ‘Nomadland’
Best Actor: Anthony Hopkins for ‘The Father’
Best Actress: Frances McDormand for ‘Nomadland’
Best International Feature Film: Another Round (Denmark) in Danish
World
World Intellectual Property Day celebrated on April 26, theme: ‘IP & SMEs: Taking your ideas to the
market’
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day observed on April 26

Indonesian brigadier general killed in in restive Papua province
Global military spending rises 2.6% in 2020: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Sports
India finished with three gold medals and one bronze at Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Guatemala City;
Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das won gold medals in women’s and men’s recurve individual events
respectively
Australian swimming great John Konrads dies at age 78; won 1,500-meter freestyle gold at 1960
Olympics in Rome
April 28, 2021

India
India ranked 49th in the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI), which ranks 104 countries in terms
of government capabilities and outcomes
Rush to hospitals, big gatherings worsen India’s Covid crisis: WHO
Aditya-L1 Support Cell provides all data on board India’s first dedicated solar space mission; joint
effort of ISRO and Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences
Padma Shri awardee Gujarati poet Dadudan Gadhvi dies in Gujarat
Padma Shri awardee Hindi litterateur Manzoor Ahtesham dies in MP
Economy & corporate
RBI issues guidelines for appointment of statutory auditors of banks, NBFCs regarding the number of
auditors, their eligibility criteria, tenure and rotation, etc
Trade Ministers of India, Japan and Australia launch Supply Chain Resilience initiative
SC allows Vedanta’s Tuticorin plant to operate to produce only Oxygen in view of ‘national need’; not
allowed to restart copper smelting plant
Asian Development Bank raises growth forecast for Indian economy in 2021-22 to 11% (from 8%
earlier) in its Asian Development Outlook report
Over 14,400 hectares area in Andaman & Nicobar becomes first large territory to get organic
certification
Exports of organic food products rose by 51% to USD 1 billion (Rs 7,078 crore) in 2020-21: Commerce
ministry
World
Coronavirus: Brazil regulator rejects Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine due to lack of consistent and
trustworthy data
Vaccinated Americans can now go out without a mask: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)
WHO, UNICEF and Gavi vaccine alliance unveil global immunization strategy to save 50 million lives
by 2030
Sports
Indian GM Arjun Kalyan wins Rujna Zora-3 2021 chess tournament in Serbia
Spain’s Rafael Nadal wins men’s singles title at Barcelona Open tennis
April 29, 2021
India
PM sanctions procurement of 1 lakh Portable Oxygen Concentrators under PM Cares Fund

DRDO to set up 500 medical oxygen plants under PM CARES Fund
PM CARES: Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations
India, Russia to establish a ‘2+2 ministerial dialogue’ between foreign, defence ministers
LCA Tejas cleared to carry Python-5 air-to-air missile
Covishield maker, Pune-based Serum Institute of India’s (SII) Adar Poonawalla to get ‘Y’ category
security
Odia author Manoj Das dies at 87, won Padma Shri in 2001, Padma Bhushan in 2020, Kendra Sahitya
Akademi award in 1972 and Sahitya Akademi Award Fellowship in 2006
Krithi Karanth wins ‘Wild Innovator Award’, is Chief Conservation Scientist at Bengaluru-based Centre
for Wildlife Studies (CWS)
Economy & corporate
Jio Platforms, Byju’s figure in Time Magazine’s first-ever list of 100 Most Influential Companies
Cabinet approves signing pact with UK for info sharing, prevent customs offences
Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin found to neutralise 617 variants of COVID-19: America’s top pandemic
expert Dr Anthony Fauci
Pune based Serum Institute of India (SII) cuts Covishield price for States to ₹300 a dose
World
World Day for Safety and Health at Work observed on April 28; 2021 focus: Anticipate, prepare and
respond to crises – Invest Now in Resilient Occupational Safety and Health Systems (OSH)
Russia orders expulsion of 7 diplomats from Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, in retaliation for
expulsion of Russian envoys
Australia to spend 747 million dollars for upgrading four defence bases to boost Indo-Pacific
engagements
South Korea: Samsung family to pay $10.8 billion in inheritance tax following chairman death of Lee
Kun-Hee in 2020
Canada to provide 10mn dollars to India to support fight against COVID-19: PM Justin Trudeau
Indian-American NGO Sewa International USA raises $4.7 million for COVID-19 relief efforts in India
April 30, 2021
India
Centre, States failed to prepare for predictable second wave: International Commission of Jurists
National Commission for Women (NCW) launches WhatsApp helpline number 9354954224 for
pregnant women
HAL’s Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv demonstrates deck operations capabilities in ship-borne trials
Covid-19: Bharat Biotech reduces price of Covaxin to Rs 400 for states
Covid-19: India turns down UN integrated supply chain help, says it has robust system
Facebook blocks #ResignModi posts, restores it calling it a mistake
Karnataka ministers to donate one-year salary for Covid-19 relief work
Economy & corporate
Operation Twist: RBI to buy and sell Rs 10,000 cr market bonds simultaneously under OMO (open
market operations)
ICICI Bank launches Merchant Stack set of digital banking services for retail merchants
Axis Bank board approves re-appointment of Amitabh Chaudhry as MD & CEO for 3 years
CSIR-CMERI (CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute), Durgapur transfers technology
of Oxygen Enrichment Unit to private sector companies

World
China launches Tianhe module, the core module of its space station Tiangong
Philippines: President Rodrigo Duterte refuses to stop South China Sea patrols over China’s
objections
Astronaut Michael Collins of NASA’s 1969 Apollo 11 moon mission dies at 90
April 16, 2021
Gaganyaan: ISRO signs agreement with France
The Indian Space Research Organisation recently signed an agreement with the French Space Agency CNES.
CNES is National Centre for Space Studies. CNES stands for Centre National d’etudes Spatiales. According
to the agreement, CNES is to help India in its first Human Space Mission called the Gaganyaan.
About the Agreement
The French Space Agency is to supply with space equipment to the Indian crew. According to France,
these equipment were tested and are still operating in the International Space Station.
The CNES will also supply fireproof carry bags to shield equipment from radiation and shock.
Under the agreement, CNES will train Indian flight physicians and CAPCOM mission control teams in
France. The training is to be held at the CADMOS centre and at the European Astronaut Centre.
CAPCOM is Capsule Communicator. It is the spacecraft communicator.
CNES will also exchange information on food packaging and nutrition programme.
India-France in Space Relations
India and France share a robust ties in the area of space cooperation. The first space agreement
between the countries was signed in 1964.
India is to launch joint Oceansat 3-Argo mission in 2021. It will track movement of ships globally and
particularly those ships moving in the Reunion Islands of France in the Indian Ocean Region.
India and France have agreed to work on inter-planetary missions to Venus and Mars.
Agreements with other countries
India had already signed agreements with Russia to train four astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission. India
is also in talks with Australia to have a ground station for the Gaganyaan mission at the Cocos island.
UNFPA Study on Bodily Autonomy
The United Nations Population Fund recently released a report “My Body is My Own”. The report is about
women’s power to make decisions on their bodies. It also reported about the laws in different countries that
support women rights in this matter.
Key Findings
Nearly half of the women in the world cannot make their own decisions on controlling their body. This
mainly includes in using contraception and also in decisions about physical intercourse.
According to the report, in 57 developing countries where the data was available, 45% of women were
not fully empowered to make their own choices.
76% of women make their own decisions in controlling their body in southeastern and eastern Asian
countries.
50% of women make their own decisions in sub–Saharan Africa and south and central Asian
countries.
More than 90% of women were deprived of their bodily rights in Niger, Mali and Senegal.
Key Findings about laws
Twenty countries in the world force the women to marry their rapist. In these countries the criminals
can escape prosecution if he married the woman or girl he raped.
More than thirty countries in the world restrict women from moving around outside the home.
In some countries, in spite of constitutional guarantees, women enjoy only 75% of legal rights as that
of men.
71% of the countries guarantee access to overall maternity care.
75% of countries ensure equal and full access to contraception.
The existence of sexual and reproductive laws did not depend on the income level of a country. For
instance, the countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Mozambique have enacted laws that guarantee
equal access to sexual and reproductive health care to both men and women in health care,
education and information.
What is Adenovirus?
The US health authorities recently paused the rollout of one-shot Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
The vaccine uses similar technology as that of the Astra Zeneca vaccine. Both the vaccines are developed
from adenoviral vectors.
Why did the US stop Adenovirus based vaccines?
Around six women in the US suffered from blood clots out of seven million administered doses. The vaccine
has been found to have a link with a very rare vaccine induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia.
The Astra Zeneca Vaccine uses Adeno virus from Chimpanzee. Other companies use Adenovirus from
humans to develop COVID-19 vaccine.
What is Adenovirus?
Adenovirus causes wide variety of illness in humans. This includes from gastrointestinal infections to
common cold.
Scientists use these viruses as “Viral Vectors” in making vaccines. Viral vectors are tools used to
deliver genetic material into cells.
How is Adenoviral vector made?
The Adenoviral vector is made by removing the genetic material that could allow the virus to replicate or
spread disease. This adenoviral shell is then inserted with genetic instructions on how to target another
virus (like COVID-19 virus).
An adenovirus looks like a serious vector to the immune system of human body. Thus, the immune system
responds seriously. This is why people have been reporting fatigue, fever or sore arm after receiving vaccine
dose.
Why are Adenovirus based COVID-19 vaccines mostly single shot vaccines?
The Adenovirus infections are common in humans. Thus, human immune system would have already
developed certain antibodies against them. This limits the number of administered doses. This is why
several Adenovirus based COVID-19 vaccines are stopped with single shot. For instance, the Johnson and
Johnson vaccine and Casino vaccine of China are both single dose vaccines.
What is Forest fire Season?
In April 2021, Uttarakhand recorded 361 forest fire incidents in just five days. During this period, over 567
hectares of forests have been destroyed. This includes 380 hectares of reserve forest areas. Though forest
fire seasons occur every year, the damaged caused this year is high.
What is a forest fire season?
Every year forest fires begin in mid-February in the state of Uttarakhand. It is the season between winter and
monsoon. This happens on the onset of spring when the trees shed their dry leaves. Also, during this period
the soil loses moisture due to increase in temperature. The forest season continues till June. This season is
now increasing mainly due to climate change and scarce rainfall in the Himalayas.
This year, the forest fires that began in October 2020 are still burning even in April 2021.

What causes forest fires?
The three main factors that cause forest fires are oxygen, fuel load and temperature. The dry leaves are the
main fuel for the forest fires. They are in higher quantity during this period of time as compared to the rest
of the year.
Also, the surface of hilly areas gets dried faster than the plains. This is mainly due to the lower
accumulation of rainwater in the hills.
Current Scenario in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand has 38,000 square kilo metres of forests. This is around 71% of its geographical area. Since
2000, the forest fires have affected more than 48,000 hectares. (Uttarakhand was formed in 2000).
As the forest fires began to increase in the state, the Chief Minster of Uttarakhand Tirath Singh Rawat
sought help from the Union Minister Amit Shah. To this, the centre has sent two MI-17 helicopters to fight
forest fires. These helicopters have been deployed in the Kumaon and Garhwal regions.
Way Forward
The Van Panchayats should be given incentives and rights to protect forest areas. The Forest Act, 1988
dissociates local community with forests. The local community villagers do not initiate dousing fires in the
absence of a sense of belonging. More water holes should be developed to recharge groundwater and to
maintain moisture in the soil.
Facebook Inclusive Internet Index
The Economist Intelligence Unit along with Facebook recently released the Inclusive Internet Index.
According to the index, India is at the 49th spot when it comes to internet inclusion and gender equality in
accessing the internet.
The Facebook Inclusive Internet Index looked at 120 countries. These countries represented 96% of global
population and 98% of global GDP.
Key findings
Along with India, Thailand was also at the 49th
As of 2020, there were 687.6 million internet users in India. The number of internet users in India is
set to reach one billion by 2025.
Around 77 of the 120 countries showed improvement in internet inclusion.
People in low-income and lower-middle-income countries relied on online education more than the
high-income countries during the pandemic.
The school children in lower-middle income countries and low-income countries lost sixteen weeks of
schooling by October 2020 due lower internet access as compared to loss of six weeks in high-
income countries.
Sweden ranked first in the ranking followed by US and Spain. In Inclusive Internet Index, 2020, the US
was ranked first followed by Sweden and New Zealand.
About Rankings
The rankings were done based on availability, affordability, relevance and readiness of internet. Based on
availability of internet India was ranked 77th. Based on affordability of internet, India was ranked 20th. Based
on relevance, India was ranked 49th. Based on readiness to access the internet, India was ranked 29th.
India was ranked at 52nd on Inclusive Internet Index, 2020.
Economic Intelligence Unit
It is the research and analysis division of economist group based in London. It provides advisory services
such as five year country economic forecasts, monthly country reports and industry reports.
PM CARES Fund: Oxygen Plant for 100 new hospitals
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently announced that around hundred new hospitals are to

have their own oxygen plant under the PM CARES Fund. PM CARES Fund is Prime Minister’s Citizen
Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund.
What is the plan?
The Government of India has sanctioned 162 Pressure Swing Adsorption Plants to manufacture oxygen.
This is to make hospitals self sufficient in oxygen. Around hundred of these plants were sanctioned under
PM CARES Fund. The Health Ministry will identify hundred hospitals in far flung locations to sanction
installation of Pressure Swing Adsorption plants.
What is Pressure Swing Adsorption?
It is a technology that is used to separate gas species from a mixture of gases under pressure. The plant
operates at near ambient temperatures. It uses adsorbent materials such as activated carbon, zeolites and
molecular sieves to adsorb the target gas.
Adsorption is the process in which a solid holds the molecules of gas or liquid.
PM CARES Fund
It was set up to deal with any kind of emergency of distress situation like that of COVID-19. The Prime
Minister is the chairman of the charitable trust of the fund. The other members of the trust include Home
Minster, Defence Minister and Finance Minister.
The contributions to PM CARES fund will qualify CSR (Corporate Social Responsibilities). That is the
contributions made towards PM CARES Fund is counted as CSR expenditure. Under the Companies Act,
2013, the companies with a minimum net worth between Rs 500 crores and Rs 1000 crores are required to
spend at least 2% of their average profit on CSR activities.
IMD: Monsoon to be normal in India in 2021
The Indian Meteorological Department recently announced that the southwest monsoon is expected to be
normal at 98% of the Long Period Average. This is mainly because the La Nina or El Nino weather conditions
that affect monsoon rains in India are likely to be absent. Also, Indian Ocean Dipole that has direct bearing
on Indian monsoon is also expected to be neutral this year.
Long Period Average
The Long Period Average of monsoon is 88 centimetres. The rainfall between 96% and 104% of LPA
is considered as normal rainfall.
In 2020, rainfall in India was 109% of Long Period Average.
In 2019, the rainfall in India was 110% of Long Period Average.
Indian Ocean Dipole
The Indian Ocean Dipole is an irregular sea surface temperature fluctuation in Indian Ocean. During Indian
Ocean Dipole, the western Indian Ocean becomes alternately colder and warmer than the eastern part of the
ocean.
How are Monsoons predicted in India?
The IMD uses three approaches to predict monsoons in India. They are statistical method, dynamical
method and the dynamical cum statistical method.
Under statistical method, the predictors are identified. They are then related to historical occurrence
of Monsoon in the past.
Under the dynamic method, the atmospheric and oceanic conditions are simulated.
The dynamic cum statistical method is empirical in nature. That is, it is verifiable and is based on
observation or experience rather than theory. The empirical methods are used in countries such as
US, UK, South Africa, Australia, Brazil.
When are Long Range Forecasts issued by IMD?
IMD issues Long Range Forecasts for rains in two stages. They are

The first stage is issued in mid-April. It consists of quantitative forecast of the season. That is
between June and September.
The second stage forecast is issued by the end of June. This gives detailed forecasts about the rains.
Apart from this, the IMD also prepares forecasts for winter precipitation (January to March) and also a
forecast for the north east monsoon (October to December).
IMF: Sub-Saharan Africa to see world's slowest growth in 2021
The International Monetary Fund recently released the Regional Economic Outlook for Sub Saharan Africa.
According to the report the Sub Saharan region is to witness the world’s slowest growth in 2021.
Key Findings
The sub-Saharan region is projected to grow by 3.4% in 2021. This is way below the global growth
prediction of 5.5% in 2021.
The region had faced 1.9% contraction in growth in 2020. This resulted in large increase in poverty.
Around 32 million people fell into extreme poverty in 2020 in the region.
In several Sub-Saharan countries, the per capita income will not return to pre-crisis levels even by
2025.
The rebound of Africa is to be uneven. South Africa, the most developed economy in the region is to
grow by 3.1%. It faced a contraction of 7% in its growth in 2020. The oil producers in the region such
as Nigeria and Angola are to grow by 2.5% and 0.4% respectively.
In East Africa, the GDP growth of Kenya is to be 7.6%. It faced a 0.1% of contraction in its growth in
2020.
Seventeen countries in the Sub Saharan region are under debt stress.
The employment in the region has fallen by 8.5%.
For most of the countries in the Sub Saharan region, they will require to increase up to 50% of their
spending in health care for vaccinating 60% of their population.
Issues
The WHO backed COVAX facilities are ready to help the Sub Saharan countries in administering vaccines.
However, the financing and investment are not matching to scale up the supply of vaccines as quickly as
possible. On the basis of current trends, very few African countries will be able to make vaccines widely
available before 2023.
Way Forward
A Debt Service Suspension Initiative launched in December 2020 should help these countries.
Also, the new allocation of 650 million USD worth Special Drawing Rights by the IMF should provide
23 billion USD to some of the African governments.
COVAXIN: Transfer of Technology from Bharat Biotech to Haffkine
The Government of India recently approved the transfer of technology from Bharat Biotech to Hafkine
Institute.
COVAXIN
COVAXIN is one of the two drugs that is currently administered in India.
It is manufactured by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research.
The COVAXIN is produced by making the Corona Virus incapable of reproduction.
COVAXIN can be stored in 2 to 8 degrees Celsius temperature. This is one of the main reasons why
India has chosen COVAXIN and COVISHIELD. Both these vaccines are highly suitable for Indian
temperatures. Other vaccines such as Moderna require minus twenty degree Celsius and Pfizer
require minus seventy degrees Celsius.
According to World Health Organisation, around half of the vaccines manufactured in the world go

waste because of their failure to maintain storage temperatures.
Haffkine Institute
It is one of the oldest biomedical research institutes of India. It was established in 1899 by Dr
Waldermar Mordecai Haffkine. He initially formed the institute as Plague Research Laboratory. It was
established as a bacteriological research centre. It is now affiliated to University of Mumbai.
The institute is located in Sans Pareil. Sans Pareil was the official residence of Governor of Bombay.
It was built as a part of Jesuit Monastery on Parel Island. Jesuit is a member of the Society of Jesus.
William Hornby was the first Governor of Bombay to take up Sans Pareil as his residence.
In 1885, the Governor residence was moved to Malabar Hill. And thus, Haffkine moved into the
building to set up the Plague Research Laboratory.
NASA to launch SpaceX Crew 2
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is to launch four astronauts to the International Space
Station on World Earth Day (April 22). NASA is to launch the mission along with SpaceX.
About SpaceX Crew 2
It is the second crewed operational flight of Crew Dragon Spacecraft.
The mission will transport four scientists to the International Space Station.
The astronauts to travel to the International Space Station are from NASA, JAXA and ESA. JAXA is
Japanese Space Agency and ESA is European Space Agency.
About Crew Dragon
Crew Dragon was the first space vehicle to launch humans from American soil in nine years. It was first
launched in May 2020. It was funded through NASA’s commercial Crew Programme. It evolved from an
earlier design called Dragon 1. Dragon 1 was launched more than twenty times on missions to deliver cargo
to the International Space Station between 2012 and 2020.
SpaceX Crew 1 was the first time astronauts used a spaceship developed and launched by a private
company. Also, it carried back astronauts to the earth.
How does Crew Dragon return to the Earth?
It detaches from the International Space Station.
The trunk section on the top burns up in the atmosphere.
The thrusters then fire for fifteen minutes of de-orbit burn. The De-orbit burn is firing of engines of
spacecraft to enable it to re-enter the earth.
The temperature of the space craft touches 1,600 degrees Celsius as it re-enters the atmosphere.
Parachute deploy from just below the nose cone to angle capsule to cut into the water and reduce
impact.
National Dialogue on UN Food Systems Summit 2021
The United Nations General Secretary recently called for the first United Nations Food Systems Summit to
be held in September 2021. The summit is to strategize actions for positive change in Agri-food systems.
About the Summit
The Summit will focus on pathways to shape food systems globally to accelerate progress in Sustainable
Development Goals. The summit will focus on five action tracks. They are as follows:
Safe and nutritious food
Sustainable Consumption patterns
Nature-Positive production
Advance equitable livelihoods
Resilience to vulnerabilities, stress and shocks
India has volunteered to Action Track 4, which is, Advance Equitable Livelihood. In order to take this further,

the Government of India has constituted a high level Inter Departmental Group. The main objective of the
group is to hold National Dialogues with all the stake holders of agriculture and food systems to explore
national pathways in creating sustainable food system in India.
National Dialogues
The first National Dialogue on Agri-Food System was held on April 12, 2021. The dialogue was attended by
farmer organisations, civil society organisations, farmer producer organisations, research institutions and
other government agencies.
Apart from these National Dialogues on UN Food Systems Summit, the state governments will also hold
state level dialogues.
Purpose of Action Track 4
It aims to review issues and evidences that prevent the emergence of “Advance Equitable Livelihoods”. It
will study the inequality and power imbalances at community and household level. Climate Change is one of
the major factors that hinder advance equitable livelihoods. The Climate change is threatening food
production. Also, the increase in sea level is increasing the risk of catastrophic flooding.
S-400 Triumf SA-21 Growler
The Russian Government has agreed to deliver the first regimental set of S-400 Triumf SA-21 Growler Air
Defence System to India. India and Russia have signed a 5.43 billion USD contract on the defence system.
The NATO reporting name of the defence system is SA-21 Growler.
About S-400 Triumf SA-21 Growler
It is a long-range surface-to-air missile system.
The system has the capability to form an impenetrable grid of missiles.
It has four different types of missiles with ranges between 40 km, 100 km, 200 km and 400 km.
It can be deployed in a very short time.
It has been mainly designed to destroy UAVs, aerial threats, ballistic and cruise missiles.
It is capable of providing Point Defence and Area Defence anti-air capabilities.
China was the first country to buy the defence system. Following China, the other countries such as
Saudi Arabia, India, Turkey and Belarus have now acquired the system.
China-Russia
China had received the second batch of S-400 Triumph SA-21 Growler in 2020. Now both India and China
are to possess same defence systems.
India-China
India and China are currently negotiating disengagement process to pull back their men and weapons in the
border. If the border dispute escalates, then the Indian Air Force will be playing a crucial role. In such cases
both the countries might use S-400 SAMs considering the inhospitable Himalayan terrain.
With creation of road infrastructure by Border Road Organisation, the S-400 SAM shall easily be traversed to
borders using heavy trucks.
US on the defence system
In 2017, the US had imposed CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act). India was
consistent that the process of procuring the missiles from Russia had started way before CAATSA was
introduced.
National level Climate Vulnerability report to be released
The Department of Science and Technology is to release a National Level Climate Vulnerability report. The
title of the report is “Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Planning in India using a Common
Framework”.

About the report
The report was generated based on a joint exercise by the Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation and Department of Science and Technology.
The report identifies the most vulnerable states and districts to climate change.
Around 24 states and two Union territories participated in the nation-wide exercise.
Importance of Common Framework used in the report
Several climate vulnerability assessments for different states and districts already exists. However, these
assessments cannot be compared with each other as the framework used for the assessment is different.
This limits the decision-making capabilities at administrative and policy levels. Thus, a Common
vulnerability Framework was created.
The Common Framework for Vulnerability Assessment was created based on the fifth Assessment report of
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This framework was developed by IISc Bangalore, IIT
Guwahati and IIT Mandi. The framework was applied to the Indian Himalayan regions involving twelve
states. It was highly successful. Thus, the framework was rolled out based on the framework for the entire
country.
Significance
This vulnerability is highly important, especially in developing countries like India. It will help to develop
suitable adaptation projects and programmes.
The report will help policy makers to initiate appropriate climate actions.
Mission of DST
The DST is implementing two main national missions. They are National Mission on Strategic Knowledge
for Climate Change and National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem.
ROPAX Jetty Project on River Dhamra
The Government of India recently approved Rs 50 crores to develop an all-weather ROPAX in Odisha. The
total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 110 crores. The project aims to launch Roll-on or Roll-off
Passenger Jetty connecting Kaninali in Bhadrak district and Talachua in Kendrapara district.
About the project
The project will reduce passenger travel time from six hours to one hour. The connecting points of the jetty
are located in the northern and southern banks of river Dhamra.
The launch of the jetty service will increase business activities and commercial activities and also will uplift
the economic status of the region.
Dhamra River
The Dhamra river is a joint stream formed by the confluence of Baitarani and Brahmani rovers.
It empties into the Bay of Bengal.
It lies in the Bhadrak district of Odisha.
The Dhamra port is located to the north of its mouth.
The Gahirmatha sanctuary is located near the mouth of Dhamra river.
Also, the Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary lie on the Dhamra estuary.
The Wheeler island is also located at the mouth of Dhamra. The Wheeler Island is a DRDO launch
centre.
Gahirmatha Sanctuary
It is the most important nesting site of Olive Ridley sea turtles. The Gahirmatha beach separates
Bhitarkanika Mangroves and the nesting site of the turtles. The Olive Ridley sea turtles have been put under
the Vulnerable category in the IUCN Red List of threatened species. Also, they have been put under
Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Bhitarkanika
It is a mangrove wetland in Odisha. It is famous for estuarine crocodiles.
Current Affairs – April 16, 2021 [Daily News Digest]
GKToday provides daily summary of important Current Affairs Topics selected from National and
International News. Here is the list of articles covered under Current Affairs April 16, 2021.
Gaganyaan: ISRO signs agreement with France
The Indian Space Research Organisation recently signed an agreement with the French Space
Agency CNES. CNES is National Centre for Space Studies. CNES stands for Centre National
d’etu…..Read Here
UNFPA Study on Bodily Autonomy
The United Nations Population Fund recently released a report “My Body is My Own”. The report is
about women’s power to make decisions on their bodies. It also reported about the …..Read Here
What is Adenovirus?
The US health authorities recently paused the rollout of one-shot Johnson and Johnson COVID-19
vaccine. The vaccine uses similar technology as that of the Astra Zeneca vaccine. Both the…..Read
Here
What is Forest fire Season?
In April 2021, Uttarakhand recorded 361 forest fire incidents in just five days. During this period,
over 567 hectares of forests have been destroyed. This includes 380 hectares of rese…..Read Here
Facebook Inclusive Internet Index
The Economist Intelligence Unit along with Facebook recently released the Inclusive Internet Index.
According to the index, India is at the 49th spot when it comes to internet inclusion…..Read Here
PM CARES Fund: Oxygen Plant for 100 new hospitals
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently announced that around hundred new hospitals
are to have their own oxygen plant under the PM CARES Fund. PM CARES Fund is Prime
Ministe…..Read Here
IMD: Monsoon to be normal in India in 2021
The Indian Meteorological Department recently announced that the southwest monsoon is expected
to be normal at 98% of the Long Period Average. This is mainly because the La Nina or El N…..Read
Here
IMF: Sub-Saharan Africa to see world’s slowest growth in 2021
The International Monetary Fund recently released the Regional Economic Outlook for Sub Saharan
Africa. According to the report the Sub Saharan region is to witness the world’s slowes…..Read
Here
COVAXIN: Transfer of Technology from Bharat Biotech to Haffkine
The Government of India recently approved the transfer of technology from Bharat Biotech to
Hafkine Institute. COVAXIN COVAXIN is one of the two drugs that is currently administered in
…..Read Here
NASA to launch SpaceX Crew 2
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is to launch four astronauts to the International
Space Station on World Earth Day (April 22). NASA is to launch the mission along with…..Read
Here
National Dialogue on UN Food Systems Summit 2021
The United Nations General Secretary recently called for the first United Nations Food Systems
Summit to be held in September 2021. The summit is to strategize actions for positive chan…..Read
Here
S-400 Triumf SA-21 Growler
The Russian Government has agreed to deliver the first regimental set of S-400 Triumf SA-21
Growler Air Defence System to India. India and Russia have signed a 5.43 billion USD
contract…..Read Here
National level Climate Vulnerability report to be released
The Department of Science and Technology is to release a National Level Climate Vulnerability
report. The title of the report is “Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Plann…..Read
Here
ROPAX Jetty Project on River Dhamra
The Government of India recently approved Rs 50 crores to develop an all-weather ROPAX in
Odisha. The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 110 crores. The project aims to
lau…..Read Here
April 17, 2021
World Haemophilia Day: April 17
Every year, the World Haemophilia Day is celebrated on April 17 by the World Federation of Haemophilia.
This year, the World Haemophilia Day is celebrated under the following theme
Theme: Adapting to Change
What is Haemophilia?
Haemophilia is a rare disorder where the human blood does not clot normally. This is because, the
blood lacks sufficient blood clotting proteins.
It is an inherited genetic disorder.
Women rarely suffer from the disease.
World Haemophilia Day
The day is being celebrated since 1989 by the World Federation of Haemophilia. Every year several iconic
structures in the world are lighted in red to raise awareness and help those affected by the disorder.
Why is World Haemophilia Day celebrated on April 17?
The day is celebrated on April 17 to commemorate the birthday of Frank Schnabel. Frank founded the World
Federation of Haemophilia.
World Federation of Haemophilia
It was founded in 1963. The headquarters of the World Federation of Haemophilia is located in Montreal,
Canada.
Significance
75% of the people affected from bleeding disorder do not know it. Several others do not receive proper care.
Therefore, it is essential to celebrate the day and increase awareness about the disease.
GoI measures on Haemophilia
The National Blood Transfusion Council has instructed to the states and union territories that
patients suffering from haemophila, sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia should be provided with
blood free of cost. The National Blood Transfusion Council operates under National AIDS Control
Organisation (NACO).
The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram was launched by the National Health Mission. It provides early
detection and treatment of children suffering from genetic disorders such as Haemophilia.
Rural Health Statistics Report
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently released the Rural Health Statistics Report. According to
the report, there is an overall shortage of specialist doctors at the Community Health Centres.
Key findings of the report
There is an overall shortfall of 76.1% specialist doctors at the Community Health Centres in rural
areas.
There are 5,183 Community Health Centres currently functioning in India.
There is a shortfall of 78.9% of surgeons, 78.2% of physicians, 69.7% of gynecologists and 78.2% of
pediatricians.
Around 63.3% of sanctioned posts of specialists at the Community Health Centres are vacant.
Out of the sanctioned posts, the percentage of vacancy in individual posts is as follows:
68.4% of Surgeons
56.1% of gynecologists
66.88% of physicians
63.1% of pediatricians
The requirement of physicians in the CHCs is 5,183. However, there is a shortfall of 4,087. This has
grown from 3,881 shortfall in 2019. The shortfall has increased by 27.7% in one year.
Under the category of Surgeons, the five states with maximum shortfall of physicians in CHC are
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.
Under the category of Gynecologists, the five states with maximum shortfall of physicians in CHC are
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The number of doctors required in Primary Health Centres in rural area is 24,918. And around 8,638
positions are vacant.
The shortfall of doctors in PHCs were the highest in Odisha, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh,
and Karnataka.
The shortfall in the posts of health workers was 2%.
Rural Health System in India
Community Health Centres
The Community Health Centres are considered as the backbone of rural health care system of India. These
Centres should have at least thirty beds. They should cover at least four primary health centres with
specialized services. Every Community Health Centre should be manned by four medical specialists such as
physician, surgeon, gynecologist and a pediatrician.
Primary Health Centre
The Primary Health Centre should consist of four to six beds, 14 subordinate paramedical staff.
Sub Centres
These are the most peripheral contact point between primary health care system and the community. It
should consist of on HW (Female) or ANM and one HW (male). HW is Health Worker and ANM is Auxiliary
Nurse Midwife.
GoI measures to improve rural health care system
During the Union Budget 2021-22, the Finance Minister announced that a new centrally sponsored
scheme will be launched under Pradhan Mantri Atma Nirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana.
Around 1, 50, 000 Health and Wellness Centres are to be created to transform the existing sub
centres and PHCs.
The National Health Policy, 2017 aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
The National Rural Health Mission was launched to provide affordable, accessible and quality health
care to the rural population.
Regulations Review Authority 2.0
The Reserve Bank of India recently established the Regulations Review Authority (RRA) 2.0. The authority is
to function for a period of one year.
Functions of RRA 2.0
The RRA will review the regulatory prescriptions internally.
It will also review the regulatory prescriptions by seeking suggestions from regulated entities and
stakeholders.

It will work towards easing the implementations of the regulatory prescriptions.
Deputy Governor Rajeshwar Rao has been appointed as the head of RRA.
It will work in reducing the compliance burden on regulated entities. This is to be done by
streamlining the reporting mechanism, removing paper-based submission of returns wherever
possible and revoking obsolete instructions.
The RRA will also obtain feedback from regulated entities on simplification of procedures and
enhancing the ease of compliance.
The RRA will also examine and suggest the changes required in the dissemination process of RBI
instructions and circulars.
RRA in 1999
Earlier, RRA was set up in 1999-2000. The authority then reviewed the regulations of the apex bank,
simplified regulatory prescriptions, reduced reporting burden.
Deputy Governors of RBI
The RBI is governed by a governor, four deputy governors, two finance ministry representatives and
four directors representing the local board headquarters in Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi.
The concept of RBI was based on the strategies formulated by Dr Ambedkar in his book “The Problem
of the Rupee”.
Recent Developments in RBI
In February 2021, RBI set an expert committee under NS Vishwanath. The committee was established to
review the Urban Cooperative Banks. It will assess the impact of the Urban Cooperative Banks over the last
five years.
National Startup Advisory Council
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal recently chaired the first meeting of the National
Startup Advisory Council.
National Startup Advisory Council
It was constituted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
The main objective of the council is to advise the Government of India on measures needed to build
strong ecosystem to nurture innovation and startups in the country. This is to drive sustainable
economic growth in the country and also to generate large scale employment opportunities.
The council is constituted with both Ex-officio and non-official members. These members are
nominated by the Government of India. They include members from the central ministries and also
founder of successful startups.
Startups in India
India now has 38,756 officially recognised startups. Of this twenty-seven are Unicorns. Unicorns are
startups that have a market valuation of at least 1 billion USD.
India is the third largest tech startup hub in the world.
The demographics of Indian population is highly advantageous. This is because half of the Indian
population are below the age of twenty years old.
The GoI launched Startup India in 2016 to build a strong ecosystem for the growth of startups in the
country.
Startup India
It mainly aims on simplification and handholding, industry-academia partnership and funding support
and incentives.
India has been organising Prarambh (Startup India International Summit). It is organised by the
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

Definition of Startup in India
The Government of India defines startup as an entity that is headquartered in India, has an annual turn over
less than Rs 100 crores and has opened less than ten years ago.
EatSmart Cities Challenge and Transport 4 All Challenge
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs recently launched the EatSmart Cities Challenge and Transport 4
All Challenge. The main objective of the EatSmart Cities Challenge is to create an environment of right food
practices and habits. The Transport 4 all challenge aims to make public transport safe, comfortable,
affordable and reliable.
EatSmart Cities challenge
It aims to create a competitive spirit in the cities. Through this it will recognise the efforts that scale
up various initiatives under Eat Right India.
The challenge has been opened in all smart cities of India. Also, it has been opened in cities with a
population of more than five lakh.
The challenge will motivate smart cities to develop a plan to support sustainable food environment.
Also, it will support them in developing physical, economic and social infrastructure along with the
application of smart solutions.
Transport 4 All Challenge
The challenge was launched in collaboration with the Institute for Transportation and Development
Policy.
The main objective of the challenge is to bring together cities, startups and citizen groups in
developing solutions that help improve public transport.
The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy is a non-governmental organisation. It
mainly focuses on developing transit systems and promote walking and biking. Also it will improve
private bus operator margins.
The transport sector was hit badly as COVID-19 crisis brought the entire world to a halt. This
challenge has the potential to support cities to recover from this crisis.
GoI measures to address urban transport issues
The National Electric Mobility Mission plan was launched to promote hybrid and electric vehicles. The FAME
India mission was launched to expand the market of electric vehicles by increasing their production in the
country.
What is Double Mutant Corona Virus Variant?
The National Institute of Virology recently shared a data showing the break up of 361 genome sequenced
samples that were collected between January and March 2021.
Key Findings
The study detected the presence of double mutation in almost 61% of the samples collected in
Maharashtra.
The double mutant has been classified as B.1.617 recently.
What is Double Mutant Corona Virus Variant?
It is a variant of Corona Virus that carries two mutations namely E484Q and L452R. They have been
reported together for the first time in India.
The mutation in E484Q is similar to E484K mutation. The E484K mutation was found in UK and South
Africa.
The L452R mutation was found spreading rapidly in California. This mutation increases the binding
power of the spike protein of the virus. This makes the virus more transmissible. Also, it enhances
viral replication.

India recently became the second most COVID-19 infected country in world. This was mainly due to
the double mutant variant as they spread faster.
The transmission of the mutant is 20% greater than the other mutant varieties of COVID-19.
It reduces the antibody efficacy by more than 50%.
B.1.617
The B.1.617, that is, the double mutant corona virus variant was first reported in Maharashtra. In February
2021, around eighteen districts of Maharashtra reported about the variant.
Immune Escape
Immune Escape is the ability of the pathogen to evade immunity response of human bodies. In simple
words, the antibodies created after vaccination may not protect a person from getting infected. If the new
double mutant variant shows immune escape, it will have deep ramifications for the vaccination
programmes of India.
Right to Privacy, Reputation extinguishes after death: Madras High Court
The Madras High court recently pronounced that the Right to Privacy of a deceased person cannot be
inherited.
What is the issue?
J Deepa, niece of former Chief Minister J Jayalalitha filed a plea in the High Court to stop the release of a
biopic “Thalaivi”. The movie is based on the life of the former CM. According to the petitioner, the movie is
defaming her reputation. Also, life story of Jayalalitha cannot be filmed without adding the life of her
relatives into it. By this it will amount to invade her (Deepa’s) privacy as well.
Judgement
The High Court pronounced that the movie is subjected to the certifications given by CBFC. And the CBFC is
yet to go through the contents of the movie. Also, personality, privacy and reputation enjoyed by a person
during his or her life time ends with his or her death.
CBFC
CBFC is Central Board of Film Certification.
It is a statutory body that operates under the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
It regulates the provisions of Cinematograph Act, 1952.
The films that are streamed in India shall be exhibited only after being certified by CBFC.
Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
The rules were recently released in February 2021. After COVID-19, the movies were released in digital
platform like amazon prime, Netflix. These new rules largely cover Over the Top (OTT) media services.
There are currently forty OTT service provides in India. OTT market in India is growing largely. In 2018, the
OTT market value was Rs 21.5 billion and in 2019 it grew to Rs 35 billion.
What is Lyrid Meteor Shower?
The Lyrid Meteor shower is active each year in the month of April. In 2021, they are expected to begin on
April 19, 2021. They are generally referred to as April Lyrids.
About Lyrid Meteor Shower
The radiant of the meteor shower is located in constellation Lyra. Radiant of a meteor shower is the
point from which the paths of the meteors originate.
The count of Lyrid Meteor Showers range between five to twenty per hour.
It has been classified as the medium strength meteor shower.
They are caused due to a cloud of dust or debris left behind by the Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher.
They are best viewed in northern hemisphere.

Meteor Showers
A meteor shower occurs when the earth passes through the path of a comet. As the earth moves nearby, the
bits of comet debris comes under the influence of the earth’s gravity. As they are pulled by the gravitational
force of the earth, they begin to move towards the earth. When this happens, they burn up due to the friction
created by the Earth’s atmosphere. The burning up of these debris is seen as streaks of light in the night sky
and are called meteor showers.
Famous Meteor Showers
The International Astronomical Union has listed the famous meteor showers. The following are the popular
and well-established meteor showers in the world:
Quadrantids – Early January
Lyrids – Late April
Pi Puppids – Late April
Eta Aquariids – Early May
Arietids – Mid June
Beta Taurids – Late June
June Bootids – Late June
Southern Delta Aquariids – Latte July
Alpha Capricornids – Late July
Perseids – mid-August
Kappa Cygnids – mid August
Aurigids – Early September
Draconids – Early October
Orionids – Late October
Southern Taurids – Early November
Northern Taurids – mid November
Andromedids – mid November
Alpha Monocerotids – mid November
Leonids – mid-Novmeber
Phoenicids – early December
Geminids – mid December
Ursids – Late December
Asian Wrestling Championship: Vinesh Phogat wins Gold
The Indian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has won her maiden Gold at the Asian Wrestling Championship. She won
the medal beating Taipei’s Meng Hsuan Hsieh.
Key Highlights
Vinesh had earlier won four bronze and three silver medals. This is her third gold medal, but first at the
Asian Wrestling Championship.
Vinesh Phogat
Vinesh Phogat is an Indian wrestler. She was the first Indian woman to win gold at Asian Games and
Common Wealth. Also, she was the first Indian athlete to be nominated for Laureus World Sports Awards.
She won Arjuna Award in 2016, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in 2020. Also, she was a Padma Shri nominee
in 2018 by the Sports Authority of India.
Other Indian players at Asian Wrestling Championship
Anshu Malik and Sonam Malik have been included in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme. Their names were
included in the scheme after they attained their Tokyo Olympic Quotas at the Asian Wrestling Olympic

qualifier.
Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Six athletes were recently added to the Target Olympic podium Scheme. This includes four sailors and two
athletes. This decision was taken during the fifty sixth meeting of Mission Olympic Cell. The cell also
decided that all the Olympic qualified athletes will be supported through Target Olympic Podium Scheme.
The scheme was launched under the ambit of National Sports Development Fund. The main aim of the
scheme is to identify and prepare potential medal prospects for the Olympic games. Currently nine sports
disciplines have been identified as “high priority category” under the scheme. They are badminton, athletics,
hockey, shooting, weight lifting, tennis, wrestling, boxing, archery.
The National Sports Development Fund was established under the Charitable Endowment Act, 1890. It was
established in 1998.
US Treasury report: India placed on currency watch list
The United States recently released its report on Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major
Trading Partners of the United States. The report reviewed currency practices of the biggest trading
partners of the US.
About the report
The three main criteria used by the report to review the trading partners of US are as follows:
Material Current Account Surplus
Bilateral Trade surplus
Persistent one-sided intervention in forex markets
The report has placed India on the “Monitoring list”. Totally eleven trading partners of the US were
placed in the list. The other ten countries were Japan, China, Germany, Korea, Italy, Ireland, Singapore,
Malaysia, Mexico and Thailand. India met two of the three criteria. They were the persistent one sided
intervention and trade surplus.
All the three criteria were met by Vietnam, Switzerland and Taiwan.
This time, the US has removed China from its list of manipulators.
However, Taiwan has been placed in the watch list. In 2020, Taiwan gained 5.6% against the US
dollar. The report says that Taiwan accumulated 530 billion USD in foreign exchange reserves. This
was 79% of GDP of the country.
India’s trade surplus with the US was 24 billion USD in 2020.
The trade surplus of China with the US was the highest. It stood at 311 billion USD.
The US Government had removed Vietnam and Switzerland from the list of currency manipulator.
According to the US, currency manipulation is deliberately influencing the exchange rate between
one’s currency and US dollar. This is being done to gain unfair competitive advantage in international
trade.
US on Refugee Cap
The US President Joe Biden has planned to lift the refugee cap by May 2021. The former President Donald
Trump had imposed historically low cap, on refugees. Trump had earlier set the Refugee cap to 15,000. This
was the lowest in the history of the US.
What is the issue?
President Joe Biden recently signed an order to keep the refugee cap to 15,000 as of now. This is the same
numbers as proposed by Trump. This is creating controversies in the United States as Biden had proposed
to increase the refugee cap by four times as compared to that of Trump administration. This was one of the
major instruments of campaign during US Elections that was held in 2020. Biden is facing criticism that he

is postponing his promises.
Biden’s Proposals
Mr Biden had earlier proposed to the US Congress that he will increase the refugee cap to 62,500. Under his
proposal, 7,000 slots were reserved for refugees from Africa, 1,500 from Europe and Central Asia, 1,000
from East Asia, 3,000 from Latin America, 1,500 from south Asia, 3,000 from Latin America and Caribbean.
And a reserve of thousand slots shall be used as needed.
Refugee Crisis
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, there are 79.5 million forcibly displaced people in
the world. This includes 26 million refugees, 4.2 million asylum seekers, 3.6 million Venezuelans
displaced abroad, 45.7 million internally displaced people.
The top source countries of refugees are Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Myanmar.
Around 1% of refugees have fled their homes due to conflicts or persecution.
Current Scenario
As of March 31, 2021, the United States has so far admitted 2,050 refugees. This is under Trump
administration cap of 15,000.
Gender Samvaad Event
The Ministry of Rural Development recently launched the Gender Samvaad Event. It is a joint initiative
between DAY-NRLM and IWWAGE. The main objective of Gender Samvaad event was to create awareness
on gender related interventions under the DAY-NRLM.
DAY-NRLM is Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihood Mission. IWWAGE is Initiative for What
Works to Advance Women and Girls in the Economy.
About Gender Samvaad
It provides opportunities to understand the best practices of other states to improve women
agencies. For instance, facilitating women’s access to land rights and their engagement in Farmer
Producer Organisations, establishing strong institutions for public service delivery, best practices
around Food, nutrition, health and water and sanitation.
It helps to understand Gender Interventions globally.
Also, the event provides opportunities to engage with experts on suggestions to handle
implementation barriers.
It aims to promote the need to focus on gender issues.
Women in DAY-NRLM
More than sixty million women are now part of DAY-NRLM. It plays a major role in organising them into Self
Help Groups. These platforms facilitate livelihood support services for women and facilitates financial
opportunities.
DAY-NRLM on Gender issues
The DAY-NRLM launched a gender operational strategy in 2016 to mainstream gender issues. This was
achieved through training and capacity building of staff. Also, institutional platforms were established so
that women could approach them for their grievances.
DAY-NRLM
It is a poverty relief programme. It is partially supported by the World Bank. It was begun with an agenda to
cover seven crore rural poor households through Self Help Groups and support them for livelihoods.
Turkey bans Crypto Currency payments
The Bitcoin currency tumbled more than 4% after the Central Bank of Turkey banned the use of Crypto
currencies and crypto assets for purchases. The bank cited possible irreparable damages and transaction
risks as the reason for the ban.

The ban followed actions of Morocco in banning the currency and is expected to be implemented in India as
well.
What is the issue?
In March 2021, the Turkish President Erdogan fired the top central banker Naci Agbal. This forced several
businessmen to turn towards crypto currency as an alternate method. This increased the growth of crypto
currency market in Turkey. Bitcoin had surged by 111% and the second largest crypto currency Ethereum
jumped by 225%.
However, after the ban, the Bitcoin was down by 4.6%. The Bitcoin was at 60,333 USD after the ban. The
other smaller coins such as XRP, Ethereum that tend to move in tandem with bitcoin fell between 6% and
12%.
Regulations
The recent Turkey regulations of Crypto currency mainly targets payments using crypto currencies for
goods and services. It also prohibits companies from handling electronic fund transfers that involve crypto
currency platforms.
The consumer complaints against crypto currencies increased by 8,616% in February 2021 as compared to
that of the previous year.
Why did Turkey ban Crypto Currencies?
According to Turkey, the Turkish Government was finding it difficult to monitor and control the market
volatility and illegal activities in the crypto currency market. Also, the wallets were highly vulnerable to
thefts.
The Turkish Government predicts that the anonymity behind the digital tokens will bring risks of non-
recoverable losses.
Health sector included in ECLGS scheme
The Ministry of Finance recently expanded the scope of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme to Rs 3
lakh crores. It aims to provide relief to stressed companies in the country. This mainly includes business
enterprises in tourism, hospitality, travel and sporting sector.
The National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company is the guarantee provider of the ECLGS Scheme.
Key Highlights
The scheme has been expanded to health care and other stressed sector companies that have loan dues up
to sixty days (SMA-1 accounts). The validity of all the three ECLGS, that is, ECLGS 1.0, ECLGS 2.0 and
ECLGS 3.0 have been extended till June 2021.
What are SMA accounts?
SMA accounts are Special Mention Accounts. These accounts show signs of incipient stress.
The SMA accounts whose payments are partially or wholly overdue for 1-30 days are called SMA-0
accounts.
The SMA accounts that have payments overdue for 31-60 days are called SMA-1 account.
The SMA accounts that have payment overdue for 61-90 days are SMA-2 account.
ECLGS
The scheme was launched as part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The main objective of the scheme is to
mitigate the distress caused by COVID-19 induced lock down. The scheme mainly aims to ease livelihood of
people dependent on MSMEs.
ECLGS 1.0
It provides collateral free and fully guaranteed additional credit to MSMEs, MUDRA borrowers and business
enterprises. It provides additional credit to MUDRA borrowers to the extent of 20% of their credit
outstanding. Also, it provides additional credit to MSMEs with Rs 25 crores of outstanding. However, only

those MSMEs with more than Rs 100 crores of turnover are eligible.
ECLGS 2.0
The Kamath Committee identified twenty-six stressed sectors. The ECLGS scheme was extended to these
sectors as ECLGS 2.0. It mainly focused on entities in health care sector with an outstanding credit between
Rs 50 crores and Rs 500 crores.
ECLGS 3.0
This is the recently launched scheme. It extended the credit up to 40% of the total credit outstanding.
April 19, 2021
National Climate Vulnerability Report
The Department of Science and Technology recently launched the National Climate Vulnerability Report.
According to the report, eight Eastern States in the country are highly vulnerable to climate change. They are
Mizoram, Bihar, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Assam.
The report has developed state level “vulnerability indices” over 0.42 to 0.67.
Assam, Jharkhand and Bihar have more than 60% of districts in the category of “highly vulnerable
districts”.
Vulnerability Indices
Jharkhand received the highest Vulnerable Index of 0.67. Maharashtra received the lowest
Vulnerability Index of 0.42. This means that Jharkhand is highly vulnerable to Climate Change and
Maharashtra is least vulnerable.
Jharkhand was followed by Mizoram, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Bihar and Arunachal Pradesh in
the descending order of the index. They were named as “Relatively highly vulnerable state”.
Apart from Maharashtra, the other comparatively least vulnerable states are Goa, Nagaland, Kerala,
Tamil Nadu, Haryana. They were named as the “Relatively Low Vulnerable states”.
“Relatively Moderately vulnerable states” were Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir,
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Meghalaya. Their Vulnerability
Index was between 0.42 and 0.50.
Major Drivers of Vulnerability
The states were ranked based on their drivers of vulnerability. The drivers are as follows:
High yield-variability of food grains
Very low coverage of crop insurance
Prevalence of rainfed agriculture
High incidence of vector-borne diseases
High Proportion of Below Poverty Line population
Prevalence of marginal and small landholdings
Lack of forest area per 1,000 rural population
Low road density and lack of railway network
Low number of health care workers
High proportion of natural resource-based income
lack of implementation of MGNREGA
Low road density
Lack of rail network
Low dependence on horticulture trees
The Rankings of the states are as follows:
Rank 1: Jharkhand

Rank 2: Mizoram
Rank 3: Odisha
Rank 4: Chhattisgarh
Rank 5: Assam
Rank 6: Bihar
Rank 7: Arunachal Pradesh
Rank 8: West Bengal
Rank 9: Uttar Pradesh
Rank 10: Tripura
Rank 11: Gujarat
Rank 12: Meghalaya
Rank 13: Jammu and Kashmir
Rank 14: Rajasthan
Rank 15: Madhya Pradesh
Rank 16: Manipur
Rank 17: Andhra Pradesh
Rank 18: Karnataka
Rank 19: Himachal Pradesh
Rank 20: Telangana
Rank 21: Sikkim
Rank 22: Punjab
Rank 23: Uttarakhand
Rank 24: Haryana
Rank 25: Tamil Nadu
Rank 26: Kerala
Rank 27: Nagaland
Rank 28: Goa
Rank 29: Maharashtra
Italy: First Food Park in India
Italy recently launched the first “Mega Food Park” in India involving food processing facilities. It is the first
Italian-Indian Food Park project launched in the country.
About the Project
The name of the project is “Mega Food Park”.
The main aim of the project is to develop an interaction between agriculture and industry.
Also, the project will focus on the research and development of efficient technologies in the sector.
It is to be implemented by a Special Purpose Vehicle. The SPV is a registered corporate under the
Companies Act.
It will link agricultural production and markets. This is to be achieved by bringing together
processors, farmers and retailers to ensure maximizing value addition, increasing farmers income,
minimizing wastage and creating employment opportunities.
Mega Food Park Scheme in India
The Mega Food Park is a scheme implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing. The main aim of
the scheme is to establish direct linkage from farms to processing and consumer markets.
The main purpose of the scheme is to increase the perishables from 6% to 20%.
Also, the scheme aims to increase India’s share in global food trade by at least 3%.

Under the scheme, the Government of India provides Rs 50 crores to each food park.
The scheme aims to implement around 30 to 35 food processing units.
It aimed to provide a turnover of Rs 400 to Rs 500 crore and employment generation of at least
30,000 from each food park.
So far, forty-two Mega Food Parks have been sanctioned in six phases.
Each Mega Food Park aims to connect at least 25,000 farmers.
China-US Climate Change Cooperation
The two biggest polluters of the world China and US have agreed to work together in tackling climate
change issues. They recently issued a joint statement that they will work together to uphold Paris
Agreement. The announcement comes days before the Earth Day Leaders Summit.
The announcement was made after Kerry, the former US Secretary met China’s special envoy for Climate
Change. Kerry is the first official to visit China from President Biden’s administration.
Earth Day Leaders Summit
The US President Joe Biden has invited forty world leaders including PM Modi and President Xi Jing Ping to
the World Leaders Summit on Climate. The summit is to be held on World Earth Day, that is on April 22.
Nationally Determined Targets of China
China had set NDC targets to be achieved by 2020 and also by 2030. They were as follows:
To reduce the share of non-fossil fuels between 60% and 65% by 2030 as compared to 2005. As of
2019, China has achieved 48.1%
To increase forest volume by 4.5 billion cubic metres by 2030 and 6 billion cubic metres by 2020 as
compared to the level of 2005. As of 2019, the country increased its forest cover by 5.1 billion cubic
metres as compared to that of 2005.
The wind and solar power generating capacity was to be increased by 1,200 GW by 2030.
In December 2020, the Chinese President Xi Jingping announced new 2030 Climate Targets. They were as
follows:
To increase solar power generating capacity to 1,200 GW by 2030.
To aim for Carbon Neutrality by 2060.
Nationally Determined Contributions of the US
To reduce Green house gas emissions by 26% to 28% by 2025 as compared to that of 2005.
US had withdrawn from the Paris Agreement in 2020.
Luna 25: Russian Moon mission
The Roscosmos is to launch Luna 25 by October 2021. The Roscosmos is the State Space Corporation of
Russia that is responsible for space flights, aerospace research and cosmonautics programmes.
About Luna 25
The Mission will carry a lander. The primary objective of Luna 25 is to prove landing technology.
It is to carry thirty kilo grams of scientific instruments including a robotic arm and drilling hardware to
collect soil samples.
It will study the exosphere around the south pole of the moon. Till date no spacecraft has been to this
region of the moon. Several countries look at the site as future moon bases.
The project is financed by Roscosmos.
Payloads of the Lander
The lander of Luna 25 will carry the following National Science instruments:
ADRON-LR. It is an active gamma ray and neutron analysis instrument to study the regolith. Regolith
is the unconsolidated rocky material that covers bedrock.
ARIES-L. It will measure plasma in the exosphere.

LASMA-LR. It is a mass spectrometer
PmL. It measures micro-meteorites and dust
LIS-TV-RPM. It is an infrared spectrometry of imaging and minerals
STS-L. It is local imaging and panoramic instrument
BUNI. It is science data and power support instrument
Moon libration, LASER retroreflector and ranging experiments
ESA role in Luna 25
The European Space Agency has been developing a package called PROSPECT for Luna 25. It is to be used
for lunar drilling and sample analysis. PROSPECT is Package for Resource Observation and in-Situ
Prospecting for Exploration.
Earlier Luna missions
The last of the Luna series was Luna 24 that was launched in 1976. It was the third Soviet Union mission to
retrieve lunar surface samples. The first Luna mission was launched in 1970.
Lunar-A
Lunar-A was a proposed orbiter of Luna 25 mission. It was to be developed through a merger between
Roscosmos and JAXA (Japanese Space Agency). However, the merger was aborted.
Tribunal Reforms Ordinance, 2021
The President of India recently promulgated “The Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and conditions of
Service)” Ordinance, 2021. It dissolved appellate authorities under nine acts and transferred their functions
to high courts.
Amendments
The ordinance dissolved appellate tribunals under nine acts as follows:
Cinematograph Act, 1952
Copyrights Act, 1957
Trade Marks Act, 1999
Customs Act, 1962
Airports Authority of India Act, 1994
Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act, 2001
Patents Act, 1970
Also, the ordinance said that the chairperson and members of tribunals will be appointed by the Central
Government based on the recommendations made by a Search-cum Select Committee. The committee will
consist of Chief Justice of India, secretaries nominated by the central governments, secretary of the
ministry under which the tribunal is constituted and the outgoing chairperson or a retired CJI or a retired
supreme court judge.
Section 184 of Finance Act, 2017
Apart from these nine acts, the Tribunal Reforms Ordinance, 2021 also amended Section 184 of the Finance
Act, 2017. It has added the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission within the purview of
Finance Act, 2017. It has removed the following bodies from the purview of Finance Act, 2017:
Airport Appellate Tribunal established under the Airports Authority of India act, 1994
the Film Certification Appellate Authority established under the Cinematograph Act, 1952
the Authority of Advanced Ruling established under the Income Tax Act, 1961
the Appellate Board established under the Trade Marks Act, 1999,

Article 123
The Article 123 of the Indian Constitution provides powers to president to promulgate an ordinance. An
ordinance laid under the act has the same effect as that of an act.
National Internet Exchange of India Initiatives
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology recently launched three new initiatives of National
Internet Exchange of India. They were NIXI Academy, IP Guru and NIXI-IP-INDEX.
Three Initiatives of NIXI
IP Guru: It is also called IPv6 that extends support to all Indian entities that are finding it challenging
to adopt IPv6. The IPv6 is to offer its services free of cost. It is a joint effort of Ministry of Electronics
and Information Technology, Department of Telecom.
NIXI-IP Index: It is a portal developed for the internet community. It will showcase IPv6 adoption rate
in India and in the world.
NIXI Academy: It has been created to educate non-technical and technical people in the country. It
will teach technologies like IPv6 that are usually not taught in educational institutes.
IPv6
IP stands for Internet Protocol. It sets rules on data delivery over the public network. Version 6 is the most
recent version of IP. It is also called IPng, which is, Internet Protocol next generation.
National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)
The NIXI is a Non-Profit Organisation that was established under Section 8 of Companies Act, 2013. It was
established in 2003 to spread internet infrastructure to the citizens of India. This is achieved by the
following:
IRINN: Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers to manage and operate Internet Protocol.
.IN Registry: It manages and operates .IN country code domain.
It also operates Internet Service Providers and Content Delivery Network through which internet data
is exchanged.
The res.in, gov.in, ac.in are operated by ERNET, National Internet Exchange of India and Ministry of Defence.
Pressure Swing Adsorption Plants to increase oxygen
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently sanctioned 162 Pressure Swing Adsorption Plants to
increase oxygen capacity in the country.
Key Highlights
The new plants will reduce the burden on the National grid for its supply of medical oxygen.
Of these 162 Pressure Swing Adsorption plants, 33 have been installed. Of these five have been installed in
Madhya Pradesh, three in Chandigarh, four in Himachal Pradesh, three each in Uttarakhand and Gujarat, one
each in Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, Punjab, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh,
Puducherry. Fifty-nine of these plants are to be installed by April end and eighty are to be installed in May.
Recent Development
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently announced that hundred of these 162 Pressure
Swing Adsorption plants are to be installed under PM-CARES fund. PM-CARES is Prime Minister
Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations.
The Ministry of External Affairs recently announced that India is to import 50,000 million tonnes of
medical oxygen.
Background
The need for medical oxygen in the country has increased with raising COVID-19 infections due to the
double mutant. The double mutant COVID-19 that is increasing in the country and is spreading at a faster
rate as compared to the earlier mutants. India recently became the second most COVID-19 infected country

in the world overtaking Brazil.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is the most affected state. The consumption of medical oxygen in the state has reached its
maximum of 1,250 tonnes. Maharashtra is additionally taking fifty tonnes from Gujarat and another fifty
tonnes from Maharashtra.
Israel Greece sign Defence Deal
Israel and Greece have signed their biggest ever defence procurement deal. The agreement amounted to
1.65 billion USD. It will strengthen economic and political ties between the countries. Also, the countries
launched a joint exercise.
What is the agreement?
Under the agreement, a training centre for the operation of Hellenic Air Force (the Air Force of
Greece) is to be established by the Israeli Defence Contractor Elbit Systems for a period of twenty-
two years.
The training centre is to be modelled on the flight academy of Israel.
The centre is to be equipped with ten M-346 training aircrafts. These aircrafts were produced by
Italy’s Leonardo.
Under the agreement, Elbit of Israel will supply kits to operate and upgrade T-6 aircrafts of Greece.
Background
The agreement was signed after a meeting held in Cyprus between Greek, UAE, Cypriot and Israel. Israel and
Greece have practiced against the S-300 missiles during their exercises in the past. The S-300, a Russian
made air defence system has been deployed in Iran and Syria. However, the recent joint exercises did not
use S-300 missiles. Israel considers Iran and Syria as its foe.
Recent Developments
Greece, Cyprus and Israel have taken several steps recently to cement their ties. This includes building a
2,000 MW undersea electricity cable and 1,900 km undersea gas pipeline.
Recently, the three countries Israel, Cyprus and Greece conducted a joint naval exercise.
Issues with Turkey
Turkey recently sent gas prospecting vessels into the waters claimed by Greece. Also, Turkey sent drilling
ships into an area where Cyprus claims exclusive rights.
Study: Only 3% of land areas unspoiled by humans
The researchers from Key Biodiversity Areas Secretariat at Cambridge have figured out the amount of
“Intact Habitat” on the earth. An Intact habitat is an unbroken natural landscape with no signs of human
activity. However, the study has included an additional factor to define “Intact Habitat”, which is, in these
regions the plant and animal life has been intact as they were five hundred years ago.
Key Findings
It is widely accepted that the intact habitats are being lost. However, the study has found that the
species in intact habitats are being lost due to invasive species or diseases. That is, the intact
habitats are facing threats even without human activities.
The functionally intact regions were the northern Canada, east Siberia for boreal, Congo basin
Amazon, Sahara Desert and the Tundra Biomes.
Earlier it was claimed that 40% of the earth remained free from human development. However, the
study says that only less than 3% of land remained in the same condition with the same animal
species.
According to the study, “Targeted reintroductions” of species is the only possible solution to increase
the area with ecological intactness. By this 20% of ecological intactness shall be achieved.

Habitat Intactness
It is the region that has no sign of human disturbances.
Faunal Intactness
It is the region that retains all the original animal species that are known to reside for a particular period.
Functional Intactness
It is achieved when animal numbers in the region are high enough to support a healthy functioning
ecosystem.
Way Forward
The world is now developing post 2020 Global Diversity Framework after Convention on Biological Diversity.
Intact Habitat has been recognised as the most important target of the framework.
Tyrannosaurus rex outnumbered 2.5 billon
According to a new study at the University of California more than 2.5 billion Tyrannosaurus rex roamed the
earth more than million years ago.
Key findings of the study
The numbers of the dinosaurs were calculated based on body size and sexual maturity. These
dinosaurs lived over 127,000 generations.
Though huge in number, their population density was small.
There were probably two dinosaurs in a region that was as big as a city.
The study helped the scientists to determine the preservation rate of Tyrannosaurus rex fossils.
So far, hundred fossils of T rex have been found on the earth.
How was the population calculated?
The scientists calculated the population of the dinosaurs based on the general biological rule that the
bigger the animal, the less dense is their population. They then calculated the amount of energy needed by
T rex to stay alive. They also used the fact that these dinosaurs lived for twenty eight years and reached
maturity around fourteen to seventeen years.
Indian Fossil records of Dinosaurs
The oldest Indian Fossil record of dinosaurs belongs to the Triassic period. Triassic period is between
251.9 million years ago and 201.3 million years ago.
Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs first appeared during Triassic period.
They became the dominant terrestrial vertebrates after Triassic-Jurassic Extinction event.
Triassic-Jurassic Extinction event
The event that killed all the terrestrial ecological niches is called Triassic-Jurassic Extinction event. It killed
more than 23% to 34% of marine species. After this event, the dinosaurs became the most dominant
species.
Syria Presidential Election
On May 26, 2021, Syria is to hold Presidential elections. The elections are due in April 2021 according to
Syrian Election Law.
Syria Constitution
Syria is a unitary republic. President of Syria is the national level head of the state and legislature. In 2012,
Syria approved a new constitution. The new constitution introduced a multi party system in Syria after a
referendum. It introduced presidential elections and limited the term of office of president to seven years
with a maximum of one re-election. Previously, according to the Syria Constitution, 1973, Syria was a one-
party state.

Syrian Civil War
Syria has been facing civil war since 2011. The war displaced millions of Syrians. In 2011, Arab spring
started in Tunisia and spread to several other countries including Syria. Arab spring was pro-
democracy uprisings. Some were peaceful and in some countries the Arab Spring was violent.
In Syria, the Government retaliated strongly against these protestors. It led to a sectarian divide in the
country. The Syria civil war is still ongoing.
The civil war was also joined by the ISIS that had several parts of the country.
The Global Peace Index, 2020, ranked Syria to 162 out of 163 countries.
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, more than 6.6 million Syrians have fled their
country.
India on Syrian crisis
India has been supporting President Bashar al-Assad. India’s support to Assad is largely seen as a
reciprocation for Syria’s stance that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.
Other Countries on Syrian crisis
Russia has also been supporting Assad. The only Mediterranean naval base of Russia is located in Syria.
Iran sees Assad Government as its closest ally.
Sunni Powers like Saudi Arabia support the rebels in Syria. USA provides military assistance to the rebels in
the country. Turkey supports the rebels. However, it is against the US support in the country.
Ecocide Bill of France
The French National Assembly recently approved the bill that makes “Ecocide” an offence.
Key Features
Under the law, the transgressors are liable up to ten years in prison and a fine of 4.5 million Euros
(that is 5.4 million USD). Transgressor is person who violates a rule or law or has done something
unacceptable.
The law mainly punishes those who endanger the environment or commit a general crime of pollution.
Such persons will be punished with three years in prison and a fine of 300,000 Euros.
Background
In April 2015, the French President Emmanuel Macron announced the creation of Citizens Convention for
Climate. The convention aimed to reduce the Green House Gas Emissions by 40% as compared to their
levels in 1990.
The convention proposed the idea of making ecocide a crime.
Apart from creating a law against Ecocide, around 149 proposals were made in the convention. Some of
them were cutting VAT in train tickets, banning domestic flights, regulating advertising on polluting
products, banning domestic flights on journey that can be done by train in less than four hours.
The Convention was launched as result of Gillet Jaunes Crisis. It is also called the Yellow Vests Movement.
Yellow Vests Movement
The movement mainly began condemning the fuel price rise in France. According the French President the
fuel tax was imposed to discourage the use of fossil fuels to combat climate change.
The movement called for redistributive economic policies such as increased pensions, wealth tax, higher
minimum wages and reduced salaries for politicians.
Definition of Ecocide
The Citizens Convention for Climate defined Ecocide as “Any action that causes serious environmental
damage by contributing to overstepping the limits of the planet”.
Drugs and Cosmetics Act: New Regulatory Regime for eight medical items
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently notified eight items to be regulated under the Drugs and

Cosmetics Act. According to the ministry, this had come into effect on April 1, 2021 under the Medical
Devices Rules, 2017 that was enacted in 2017.
What are the new eight medical items?
The new eight medical items that has come under the regulation of Drugs and Cosmetics Act are as follows:
Bone Marrow Cell Separator
X-Ray machine
Dialysis machine
PET Equipment
Defibrillators
MRI Equipment
CT Scan Equipment
All Implantable Medical Devices
What are the new regulations?
According to the new order, the manufacturers and importers are required to take manufacturing license
from Central Licensing Authority or State Licensing Authority.
Earlier Developments
In 2020, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced that the medical equipment will be qualified
as “Drugs” under Section 3 of Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
It regulates the import, manufacture and distribution of drugs in the country.
The main objective of the act is to make sure that the drugs and cosmetics sold in the country are
safe.
The Drugs Technical Advisory Board is the highest decision-making body in matters related to the
technical details of the drugs. The board was constituted under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Importance of bringing more medical devices under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act
The import of medical devices in India is more than 75% of the total medical device sale in the
country.
By bringing more medical devices under the regulations of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the Indian
companies shall raise their products to International standards.
It increases the accountability of the manufacturers and the importers.
It provides an assurance of safety to the customers.
What is Table Mountain National Park?
The Table Mountain National Park is located in Cape Town of South Africa. Recently, a fire caught in the
park and is burning it rapidly. More than two hundred fire fighters have been deployed in the region to
quench the fire. A vacated vagrant fire may have caused the fire. Vagrant is a person without home or who
wanders from place-to-place begging.
Table Mountain National Park
It is a flat-topped mountain. It is a significant tourist attraction. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage
site. UNESCO is United Nations Economic and Social Commission. The two most important landmarks in
the National Park are the Table Mountains and the Cape of Good Hope. Cape Agulhas is the southern tip of
Africa.
Table Mountains
The most popular feature of the Table Mountains is the level plateau that runs approximately three
kilometres. The plateau is flanked by Devil’s Peak in the east and Lion’s head in the west.
The mountains are also known for the orographic clouds. These mountains are very frequently covered by

orographic clouds unlike any other mountains in the world. This is because of the south easterly winds.
Table Cloth of Table Mountains
The Orographic clouds covering the mountains are generally referred to Table cloth of the mountains. These
clouds are formed when the south easterly winds are directed up the slopes of the mountains into colder
air. In due process, the moisture condenses to form clouds.
Orographic clouds are formed when air mass is forced from a low elevation to a higher elevation.
April 20, 2021
DRDO develops Supplemental Oxygen Delivery System
The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has recently developed a Supplemental Oxygen
Delivery System. It is to be used for soldiers posted at extreme high-altitude areas.
About the System
The system was developed by the Defence Bio-Engineering and Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL) located
in Bengaluru. It operates under DRDO.
The system delivers supplementary oxygen based on the Blood Saturation levels. This will help soldiers
from sinking into a state of Hypoxia. Hypoxia is fatal in many cases.
Supplemental Oxygen Delivery System in COVID-19
The system shall also be used to provide medical oxygen to COVID-19 patients. India is now on high
demand of medical oxygen with COVID-19 cases increasing at great level. The Government of India is to
establish 162 oxygen manufacturing plants that will provide medical oxygen, especially to hospitals in rural.
Of these, 100 are to be funded by the PM-CARES fund. Also, India is to import 50,000 tonnes of Oxygen.
What is Hypoxia?
Hypoxia is the state where oxygen reaching the tissues is inadequate. The same condition occurs in
COVID-19.
About Supplementary Oxygen Delivery System
The electronics hardware of the system has been designed to work at extremely low temperature, low
humidity and low barometric pressures.
It reads the SpO2 levels of the person through a wrist worn pulse oximeter. The levels are read
through wireless interface.
Based on the levels of SpO2, the solenoid valve is adjusted to supply oxygen to the person.
The system supplies oxygen through nasal nares.
The system is available in different sizes from one litre and one kilogram weight supplying 150 litres
of Oxygen to ten litres and ten kilogram weight supplying 1,500 litres of oxygen.
It supplies oxygen for 750 minutes at a flow rate of two litres per minute.
It is of low weight.
The design has been sent for bulk production.
Benefits
The oximeter is completely automatic and thus can be deployed in households. This is because, it gives an
alarm for lower SpO2 levels.
India, Germany MoU on Cities combating plastic entering the marine environment
India and Germany have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on “Cities Combating Plastic
Entering the Marine Environment”. It is in line with the objective of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
About the MoU
According to the MoU, the project to be implemented mainly focuses on sustainable solid waste
management.
It will help India achieve the goal of phasing out single use plastics by 2022.
The project is being launched under the Joint Declaration made by the countries regarding
cooperation in the field of Prevention of Marine Litter. The declaration was signed by India and
Germany in 2019.
The project is to be implemented mainly in the states of Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Andaman and
Nicobar Islands.
The project is to be implemented for a period of three and a half years.
It will mainly support cities such as Port Blair, Kochi and Kanpur.
Key Features
The project will help the cities in improving their system of garbage collection, segregation.
It will also work towards enhancing marketing of plastic wastes.
Significance
Around 15% to 20% of the plastics entering the oceans are through the riverine system. Of this, 90% are
contributed by the ten most polluted rivers in the world. Two of these rivers are located in India. They are
the Ganges and Brahmaputra.
Challenges
India lags in data of exact plastics being dumped in the oceans.
With COVID-19 outbreak, the use of Personal Protective Equipment has increased that is often
discarded in unscientific ways.
Current Scenario
India is the twelfth largest source of marine litter in the world. By 2025, it is expected to become the
fifth largest source of marine litter.
India consumes 16.5 million tonnes of plastics annually. Of this, 43% are single use plastic material.
Israel: National plan to reduce 80% GHG emissions by 2050
The Ministry of Energy of Israel recently announced a National Plan to reduce 80% of Greenhouse gas
emissions by 2050 as compared to that of 2015.
About the plan
The plan aims to shut down all coal-fired power plants by 2025.
It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector by 75% to 85% by 2050.
It will increase the production of renewable energy in the country.
The plan is to be implemented through development of innovative technologies, transition to electric
vehicles, changes in energy usage in households and also through improvements in power grid.
What is the plan?
The plan will aim to make 25% of buses and vehicles in the country to be zero-emission by 2030 as
compared to that of the current level.
Also, it will work in reducing 10% of the heavy trucks, especially those trucks weighing less than 3.5
tonnes to be zero emission by 2030.
It will direct homes and businesses to adopt public transportation hubs and will create sustainable
and walkable communities.
The downtown areas are to be closed for cars. Only those vehicles that do not pollute are to be
allowed in these regions.
The country is to move towards solar and hydrogen energy to achieve the targets.
Outcomes
The plan is expected to decrease the distances travelled in cars and heavy trucks. Also, the
sustainable methods of travel are to increase to 50% in 2030 and 70% in 2050 as compared to 37% in
2018.

Around 25% of new apartment buildings are expected to become green energy buildings.
The plan will reduce 47% of methane emissions from landfill by 2030 and 92% by 2050.
It will reduce the waste reaching landfill to 20% in 2030 and 5% in 2050 as compared to 78% in 2018.
Report: One in two Indian adults experienced cybercrime in last 12 months
The NortonLifeLock recently released a report titled “2021 Norton cyber–Safety Insights Report”.
59% of Indians, that is, more than one in two adults in the country have experienced cyber crime in the
last twelve months.
The report says that seven in ten Indian adults believe that remote work atmosphere created by
COVID-19 has made it easier for the hackers and cybercriminals.
Around 52% of the adults in India do not know how to protect themselves from cybercrime.
27 million Indian adults experienced identity thefts.
90% of the consumers using online transactions are taking proactive steps to safeguard their data.
42% believe that it is impossible to protect their privacy.
66% are worried that they are more vulnerable to cybercrimes due to COVID-19 and how it is making
the world to become more reliable on digital platforms.
52% of cybercrime victims turned to their friends for help and 47% contacted the company for
resolving the issues.
Of the total cybercrimes that occurred in India, 14% occurred in 2020.
More than twenty-seven million adults have faced identity thefts in 2020-21.
Steps taken to spread awareness about Cyber crimes
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) was launched to handle issues related to cybercrimes in
the country.
Online Cybercrime reporting portal was launched to report complaints related to child sexual abuse
material or child pornography.
Cyber Swachhta Kendra was established. These are Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centres. It
provides detection of malicious programmes and free tools to remove such programmes.
National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre was launched to protect critical
information infrastructure.
Tourism and Culture Ministry inaugurates online exhibition on Ramayana
The Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Shri Prahlad Singh Patel recently inaugurated the first online
exhibition of Ramayana.
About the exhibition
The exhibition will show case 49 miniature paintings. These paintings have been collected from the
National Museum in New Delhi.
The paintings were dated between 17th century and 19th century.
Ramayana
Ramayana in one of the major epics of Indian history. It was written by Maharishi Valmiki. It was originally
written in Sanskrit. There are several versions of the epic such as Jain versions, Buddhist versions, Sikh
versions, Cambodia version, Laos versions, Thailand version, Philippines, Myanmar, etc.
UNESCO on Ramlila
In 2008, UNESCO declared Ramlila as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Ramlila festivities are
particularly popular in Varanasi, Ayodhya, Madhubani, Satna, Almora and in major cities of Uttarakhand,
Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.
Ramlila is now a part of Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia as well. This is mainly because of the Hindu

communities that moved to these countries in the 19th and 20th centuries.
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages in India
There are thirteen Indian cultural heritages that are placed under UNESCO Intangible cultural heritage
list.
The list includes expressions and traditions, artifacts, instruments, cultural spaces that are
associated with cultural heritage.
The other UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages of India are as follows:
Buddhist Chanting (by the Buddhist lamas in Ladakh region)
Chhau Dance
Kalbelia (a song and dance form of Rajasthan)
Kumb Mela
Koodiyattam of Kerala
Mudiyett (a dance of Kerala)
Nawruz (Persian new year)
Ramman (festival of Uttarakhand)
Sanskritana
Traditional copper and brass utensil making
Yoga
Vedic Chanting
World Press Freedom Index, 2021
The Reporters Without Borders, a not-for-profit body recently published the World Press Freedom Index,
2021. It ranked 180 countries. India ranked 142 in the index. India was at the same position in 2020 as well.
Key Highlights
Norway topped the index followed by Finland and Denmark. The index was topped by Norway in 2020
as well.
Eritrea received the last rank in the index. China ranked 177th out of 180 countries. North Korea was at
rank 179 and Turkmenistan was at rank 178.
India in the ranking
India was at rank 133 in 2016 and has been sliding positions since then. Amongst the Indian
neighbourhood, Sri Lanka was ranked at 127, Nepal was ranked at 106, Myanmar at 140, Bangladesh at 152
and Pakistan at 145.
What does the report say about India?
According to the World Press Freedom Index, the BJP supporters in the country have created an
environment of intimidation for critical journalists.
The report classified India under ‘’BAD” category along with Brazil, Russia and Mexico.
The report has named India as one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists. It is highly
dangerous especially for journalists trying to do their job properly.
The report has also made an open statement that Prime Minister Modi “Tightens his Grip on Media”.
According to the report, the journalists in the country are exposed to every kind of attack This
includes police violence against reporters, reprisals instigated by criminal groups and ambushes by
political activists or corrupt local officials.
The right-wing Hindu Nationalism is purging the manifestations of anti-national thought from the
public debate (Purge means to get rid of). Hate-campaigns are waged on social networks against
journalists who dare to speak or write about the subjects annoying the Hindutva followers.

Conclusion
The report says that, the main vaccine against disinformation, JOURNALISM, has been completely blocked
in 73% of 180 countries.
Indian Railways runs Oxygen Express
The Ministry of Railways recently announced that it is to create a Green Corridor to ensure fast movement
of Oxygen Express trains. These Oxygen Express trains are to be operated to help the country handle the
issue of shortage of oxygen.
What is the plan?
The Indian Railways is to move empty tankers from Boisar and Kalamboli railway stations. They are located
near Mumbai. These tankers are to be sent to Jamshedpur, Vizag, Bokaro and Rourkela to load medical
oxygen.
Background
Due to the COVID-19 double mutant variant, the number of COVID-19 infections began to increase in the
country. With this, India became the second most COVID-19 infected country in the world after USA. And
this led to the increase in oxygen demand.
Other GoI measures
The Government of India is to set up 162 Oxygen plants in thirty-two states. The funds to establish
hundred of these centres are to be provided through PM CARES Fund.
Over one lakh oxygen cylinders are to be procured.
The Ministry of External Affairs recently announced that India is to import 50,000 tonnes of oxygen.
The Union Government has exempted the interstate movement of oxygen tankers from registration of
permits. This will enable easier movement of the tankers in the country.
The Oxygen filling plants have been permitted to operate twenty four hours.
The Central Government has also permitted the use of industrial oxygen cylinders to be used as
medical oxygen after due purging. Purging is removing an unwanted quality.
The Nitrogen and Argon tankers have been allowed to be converted into oxygen tankers to overcome
the shortage of tankers.
Twelve states that are facing high shortage of oxygen supply have been identified.
Vaccination Strategy of Phase 3
The Prime Minister recently chaired a high-level meeting with the top doctors of the country. After the
meeting, it was decided to liberalize and accelerate the phase three strategy of COVID-19 Vaccination
programme in the country.
Strategy of Phase 3 of COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
Everyone above the age of eighteen years is eligible to get vaccinated.
The Union Government has empowered the states to procure additional doses directly from the
manufacturers.
Under phase III, the healthcare and frontline workers will be prioritised to get second dose of the
vaccine.
The Government of India is to provide incentives for manufacturers to increase scale of production.
This is to be done to attract new national and international players in the field.
The Manufacturers are to be empowered to release 50% of supply to states and open market at a pre-
declared price.
The Indian Vaccine Manufacturers have to sell 50% of their monthly doses to the Union Government.
The rest 50% shall be sold to states and in open market. However, there are no such restrictions to
foreign manufacturers. They can sell directly to states and open markets.

All the vaccines are to be administered under the National Vaccination Programme.
The price per vaccination in all vaccination centres should be reported in real time.
All the vaccination should follow all the protocols such as those captured on the CoWIN platform and
those linked to AEFI (Adverse Event Following Immunization) reporting.
C0-WIN
It is COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network. Basically, it is a software, a cloud-based IT Platform. It is owned
by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It was earlier used in Pulse Polio administration. It has now been
updated for COVID-19. It monitors and tracks vaccine drive in the country.
NASA Ingenuity Helicopter makes historic flight
The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter has successfully become the first aircraft in history to fly in another planet.
The helicopter was carried by the Perseverance Mars rover. Perseverance rover is a part of the Mars
2020 mission. The Mars 2020 was launched on Atlas V launch vehicle.
The success message of the flight of the helicopter was received through the Perseverance rover.
Perseverance Rover acted as the medium of communication throughout the flight of Ingenuity.
It is a solar powered helicopter.
During the flight, Ingenuity reached a maximum height of ten feet (three metres). It also maintained a
stable hover for thirty seconds at that height.
The total time of the flight was 39.1 seconds.
Ingenuity was parked at about 64.3 metres from the Perseverance rover and was well communicated.
The flight of Ingenuity was not recorded in real time due to the distance between the Mars and the
Earth. The data between the control station in the earth and perseverance rover was sent and
received through the Deep Space Network of NASA.
Deep Space Network
The Deep Space Network, also called the DSN of NASA is an international array of giant radio antennas. It
supports interplanetary space missions. It is operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA.
The DSN is located in three different locations. The locations are spaced at 120 degrees apart in longitude
around the world. The antennas of the network are located in Madrid (Spain), Goldstone (California) and
Canberra (Australia).
The sites have been chosen in such a way that they permit constant communication between NASA and
spacecraft. Also, the sites have been selected in such a way that the next site takes over before previous
site sinks below the horizon of the spacecraft.
Sudarshan Sen Committee of RBI
The Reserve Bank of India recently set up a committee to study about the Asset Reconstruction Companies
(ARC) in the country. The committee will evaluate the role of ARCs in debt resolution and will review their
business model.
About the Committee
The Committee is headed by former RBI Executive director Sudarshan Sen.
It will review the legal and regulatory framework of ARCs.
It will recommend measures to improve the efficacy of Asset Reconstruction Companies.
The Committee will also review the role of ARC in stressed asset resolution under the IBC (Insolvency
and Bankruptcy Code).
Need for the Committee
The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI)
Act was enacted in 2002. The regulatory guidelines for Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARC) were issued

under the SARFAESI Act in 2003. Since then the ARCs have grown in size and numbers. However, their
potential to resolve stressed assets is yet to be realised completely.
Background
The Reserve Bank of India had announced under its Monetary Policy Committee decisions that it will review
the working of ARCs in the country.
What is the issue?
The Asset Reconstruction Companies have been coming forward in the resolution processes under
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. In reality, this will affect the Public Sector Banks such as SBI. For
instance, UV ARC Limited came forward with a resolution plan for Aircel. However, RBI had rejected the plan
citing that the plan did not abide by SARFAESI Act. RBI had rejected several such proposals made by ARCs.
This has created controversies. Thus, RBI has formed the committee to study about the Asset
Reconstruction Companies and their potential role in debt resolution processes.
Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme
The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy recently released the first tranche of Rs 672
crores under the Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme for the year 2021-22. This reimbursed the fees for
10.88 lakh students. So far, a total of Rs 4, 879 crores have been disbursed under the Jagananna Vidya
Deevena Scheme.
Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme
The main objective of Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme is to provide scholarships to all the
students who are not able to pay their fees because of their financial burden. The scheme mainly
focuses on students seeking higher education. It aims to provide fee reimbursement to more than 14
lakh students of the state.
The scheme will directly credit the amount into the accounts of students’ mothers. Earlier, the money
was transferred to the owners of the colleges.
The number students that benefited from the scheme in 2021 has increased by 77,000 as compared
to that of 2020. In 2021, this number has increased to 10.88 lakhs.
Other Schemes
Apart from the Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme, Andhra Pradesh has also launched Jagananna amma
Vodu Scheme. Under the scheme, Rs 15,000 will be provided annually to the poor to help children studying
in Class 1 to 12.
Education Policy of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is using two-pronged strategy to improve education in the state. One is by providing
financial assistance to mothers of the students. On the other hand, the Andhra Pradesh Government is
introducing English as a medium of instruction in government schools.
Way Forward
The second instalment of the scheme is to be released in July 2021 and the third instalment is to be
released in December 2021.
Khanjar: India-Kyrgyztan Military Exercise
India and Kyrgyztan recently held a joint Special Force Military Exercise called the “Khanjar”. The exercise
was held at Bishek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
About the Exercise
The exercise was held for two weeks.
It will focus on counter-terrorism and high-altitude and mountain trainings.
The Khanjar exercise is held annually between India and Kyrgyzstan since 2011.

India-Kyrgyzstan
In 2015, India and Kyrgyzstan signed four agreements. The agreements focused on boosting defence
cooperation. Kyrgyzstan is located in Central Asia. India has been looking for several opportunities to
increase its trade in the region lately. The INSTC (International North South Transport Corridor) and
Chabahar ports were planned and developed to fulfil India’s interests in central Asia. Developing good
relations with Kyrgyzstan is thus important for India.
Terrorist threats
The Fergana valley is shared by Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The valley is home to terrorist
groups such as Hizb-ut-Tahtir and Islamic movement of Uzbekistan.
With US withdrawing its troops, Taliban might take the central stage in Afghanistan. It might expand
its presence from Afghanistan. Thus, it is essential for India to build strong defence ties with these
central Asian countries.
What is Special Force Unit of Indian Military?
The forces that are trained to operate a specific special task are special forces. For instance, Para Special
Forces of the Indian Army are trained in various roles such as counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, special
reconnaissance, counter-insurgency.
The Garud Commando Force is a special force that operates under Indian Air Force. The main tasks of this
force include counter-terrorism, providing security to IAF assets, hostage rescue.
The Marcos Special Force operates under Indian Navy. They are the Marine Commandos. The force has
earned international reputation for its professionalism. The MARCOS was founded in 1987. THE MARCOS
frequently conduct maritime operations in Jammu and Kashmir through the Wular lake and Jhelum river.
They are trained to operate in all types of environment such as air, sea and land.
What is Deepwater Horizon Disaster?
It has been eleven years since the Deepwater Horizon Oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded. The explosion
that occurred in the rig on April 20, 2010, killed eleven people.
What is Deepwater Horizon Disaster?
After two days of the explosion, oil continued to spill from the pipe for eighty-seven days. This released
377,514 tonnes of oil into the Gulf. This is considered as the largest marine oil spill in history. According to
NASA, the oil spill affected 70,000 square miles of ocean. By 2011, several coastal states such as
Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida were contaminated by oil. This is referred to as Deepwater
Horizon Disaster.
What caused the disaster?
A surge of natural gas blasted through the concrete core. The core was recently installed to seal the well for
later use. The core blasted as it was too weak to withstand the pressure of the gas. The concrete core was
weak as the mixture used nitrogen gas to accelerate the curing.
Curing of Concrete
It is a method by which concrete is protected against loss of moisture. It is important to keep the concrete
hydrated. This is because curing increases strength of the concrete. Also, it decreases the permeability of
hardened concrete.
For most of the concrete structures, the curing period is seven days.
Recent Oil Spills
In 2020, Russia declared a state of emergency after 20,000 tonnes of diesel oil escaped into the
Ambarnaya river from a nearby power plant.
In August 2020, a Japanese bulk carrier ship MV Wakaship split into two parts near a marine park in
Mauritius. The carrier was carrying fuel oil.

World Heritage Day: April 18 - Update (April, 2021)
Every year, the World Heritage Day is celebrated on April 18. The day is also called the International Day for
Monuments and Sites. This year, the World Heritage Day was celebrated under the following theme
Theme: Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures
World Heritage Day
The World Heritage Day is promoted by the International Council on Monuments and Sites
(ICOSMOS).
The celebration of the day aims to preserve human heritage, vulnerability and diversity of the world
monuments.
The World Heritage Day was proposed by ICOSMOS in 1982 and was approved by the United Nations
in 1983.
ICOSMOS
It is an organisation that was established based on the principles of Venice Charter. The Venice Charter is
also called the 1964 International Charter on the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites.
World Heritage Site
For a place to get selected as the World Heritage Site, it should be a classified landmark. That is, the site
should be unique in historical and geographic means. Also, it should have cultural significance.
The World Heritage sites are maintained by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee under the World
Heritage Programme. The World Heritage Sites are embodied in the international treaty called the
Convention concerning the Protection of the world cultural and natural heritage. The treaty was adopted by
UNESCO in 1972.
World Heritage Sites in India
There are thirty-eight UNESCO World Heritage sites in India. Of these, seven hold natural importance and
thirty hold cultural importance. The Khangchendzonga National Park is classified as “mixed”, that is, it has
both cultural and natural importance.
What is Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) alert?
The Global Forest Watch recently reported that India recorded 82,170 forest fire alerts between April 1, 2021
and April 14, 2021. This is nearly double the number reported during the same period in 2020. The alert was
based on the data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS).
What is VIIRS?
VIIRS is a weather monitoring equipment placed in satellites orbiting the earth. It is basically a sensor, that
was designed and manufactured by Raytheon company. It collects imagery and radiometric measurements
of atmosphere, land, cryosphere and oceans. The data is collected in visible and infrared bands of
electromagnetic spectrum.
VIIRS is placed in Suomi National Polar orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) and NOAA-20 weather satellites.
Objective
The VIIRS is mainly used to monitor and investigate changes and properties in surface vegetation. The
combination of MODIS, VIIRS and AVHRR help in assessing impacts of climate change on the earth surface.
MODIS is Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer. AVHRR is Advanced Very High-Resolution
Radiometer.
Application
From the combined data of MODIS, AVHRR and VIIRS, two sets of data are generated. They are as follows:
One set of data is produced by the National Polar Orbiting Partnership (NOAA). It provides data to be
used by National Weather services.
The other set of data is generated by NASA. It is to be used by scientific communities located in

different parts of the world.
Background
In January 2019, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched FAST. FAST will monitor
forest fires in India using real time information from VIIRS. FAST is Fire Alert System.
Online Portal: For trusted telecom gear makers
The Government of India recently launched an online portal to procure telecom gears from “trusted
sources”. The sources to be listed in the portal are to be identified by the highest cybersecurity offices in
the country.
About the Portal
The portal will list all the trusted companies and their gears. This will help the telecom operators in
the country to obtain quality and trusted products.
The access of the portal is currently available only to selected operators.
The portal is currently in its beta phase. GoI is to launch the portal officially in June 2021 after
removing errors if any in the portal.
What is beta phase?
Beta phase is one of the phases in the Software release cycle . It is one of the stages of development and
maturity of a software.
What is Software Release Cycle?
A software release cycle is the stage of development and maturity of a software. The states are as follows:
Pre-Alpha: Activities performed before formal testing of the software
Alpha: First phase of software testing
Beta: In this stage, the software features are complete. However, it is likely to contain known and
unknown bugs. This phase mainly focuses on reducing the impacts on users.
Release to Manufacturing: The end user is allowed to verify the integrity and authenticity of the
software
General Availability: completing all the required commercialization activities
Release to the Web: Distributing the software using the internet. That is, no physical media is used in
this type of release
Why is the portal being launched in India?
The portal is being launched to protect Indian companies from becoming victims of cyber threats from
neighbouring countries, especially China. The cybersecurity threats from China have increased lately. This is
one of the man reasons Huawei that had great impact on the rollout of 4G is not expected to make it to the
final list.
Dracopristis hoffmanorum: Godzilla shark discovered in New Mexico
In 2013, Jonh Paul Hodnett, a graduate student unearthed fossil of a shark at Albuquerque, New Mexico. It
turns out that, it is a fossil of a new shark species so far not known to man. After seven years of excavation,
it has been named as Dragon shark. It is also called Hoffman’s Dragon shark or Godzilla shark.
About Dragon Shark
The shark has 0.75-metre-long fin spines. Thus, it was named Godzilla Shark initially.
It is 2 metres long.
The teeth of the shark were the first sign that it might be a different species. The teeth of the shark
were shorter, squatter and less than an inch (2 centimetres) long.
About the Fossil
This recovered fossil is the most complete of its evolutionary branch (ctenacanthus). The
Ctenacanthus split from the modern-day sharks around 390 million years ago. They went extinct 330

million years ago. The Ctenacanthus lived during the Carboniferous period.
The discovered fossil shows that the parts of eastern Mexico was once covered by sea. This sea
extended till the current day North America.
The high desert plateaus of New Mexico have also yielded several dinosaur fossils, especially the fossils of
Tyrannosaurus. The Tyrannosaurus roamed around before millions of years ago. A recent study says that
more than 2.5 billion Tyrannosaurus once existed on the earth.
Name of the shark
Hoffman has named the shark as “Dracopristis hoffmanorum” to honour the New Mexico family that owns
the land in the Manzano mountains. The fossil was discovered in this land.
Carboniferous Period
It is a geologic period that lasted from 358.9 million years ago to 298.9 million years ago. It belongs to the
late Palaeozoic era. The earth was covered with dense and swampy forest during this period. The period
gave rise to large deposits of peat. Peat is a brown deposit that resembles soil. It is formed by partial
decomposition of vegetable matter in the wet acidic conditions. The peat transformed into rich coal stores
in the North America and Western Europe.
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry recently launched the “Start Up India Seed Fund” scheme.
The scheme aims to provide financial support to the startups for their prototype development, proof of
concept, product trials, market entry.
Startup India Fund Scheme
The scheme will provide Rs 945 crores in the next four years to the startups.
It is expected to support more than 3,600 startups through three hundred incubators.
The scheme will create robust startup ecosystem in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The startups in these
cities are often deprived of funding.
The fund will support transformative ideas and kindle startup revolution.
Disbursement
The funds under the scheme will be disbursed in following ways:
Up to Rs 20 lakhs is to be granted for prototype development, Proof of concept and product trials.
Up to Rs 50 lakhs is to be granted to scale up through convertible debentures.
Seed Funds
Seed Funds are those funds that are provided or used during the very beginning of an investment.
Need for Seed Funds
Indian startups are facing capital inadequacy especially in the seed and Proof of Concept development
stage. Capital requirement is highly crucial at this stage as it might make or break a situation for startups
that possess good business ideas.
Expert Advisory Committee
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade shall constitute an Expert Advisory Committee
to monitor the overall execution of the scheme.
Background
In February 2021, the GoI announced that a SISFS is to be established by April 2021. It is inline with Atma
Nirbhar Bharat campaign that was launched in May 2020.
State of the Global Climate 2020 Report
The World Meteorological Organisation recently released the “State of the Global Climate 2020” report.
2011-2020 was the warmest decade in record.

COVID-19 and extreme weather events were double blow to millions in the world.
The Cyclone Amphan is the costliest tropical cyclone on record in the North Indian Ocean. The
Cyclone made a landfall in May 2020 near India-Bangladesh border. The economic losses in India due
to the cyclone is approximately 14 billion USD.
2020 is one of the three warmest years on record.
The increase in global average temperature as of 2020 was 1.2 degree Celsius as compared to the
pre-industrial levels. Pre-industrial levels refer to the period before 1850. The increase has occurred
despite the cooling effect of La-Nina in 2020.
India had one of its two wettest monsoon seasons since 1994. The average rainfall between June
and September was 9% above the long-term average.
Around 2,000 deaths were reported during monsoon seasons due to flooding, landslides and heavy
rains.
The global average carbon dioxide concentrations have exceeded 410 parts per million. This is 148%
higher than the pre-industrial levels.
Current Scenario
Only 59 countries that represent 54% of global emissions have framed their net-zero targets. Of these only
six countries have legislations on net-zero emissions. Seven countries were categorised as “critically
insufficient”. The pledges of these countries will lead to four degrees increase in temperatures. This
includes US and Russia.
India, Bhutan, Costa Rica and Philippines are compliant with Paris Agreement according to Climate Action
Tracker.
About the Report
The World Meteorological Organisation is publishing the report since 1993. The report mainly documents
indicators of climate system such as increasing land and ocean temperatures, greenhouse gas
concentrations, melting ice, sea-level increase, glacier retreat and extreme weather.
The report also highlights the impacts of climate change on socio-economic development, food security,
migration and marine ecosystems.
Way Forward
According to the United Nations, the report is a warning call. The countries should commit to Net
Zero emissions by 2050 as early as possible.
The United Nations is also pushing its member countries to submit an action plan well ahead of
COP26. The action plan should be ambitious enough to cut global emissions by 45% by 2030 as
compared to 2010 levels.
Union Cabinet approves India-Bangladesh Cooperation in Trade
The Union Cabinet recently approved the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Director
General of Trade Remedies of India and Trade and Tariff Commission of Bangladesh. The agreement was
signed to increase the cooperation in the area of trade remedies. The agreement was signed on March 27,
2021.
Key Highlights
The agreement aims to promote exchange of information, trade remedies and other activities in
accordance with the provisions of World Trade Organisation.
The agreement mainly targeted on countervailing, anti-dumping and safeguard measures in bilateral
trade between India and Bangladesh.
What is Countervailing duties?
The Countervailing Duties, also called CVDs are import tariffs. They are imposed to nullify the adverse

effects of subsidies. CVDs are also called anti-subsidy duties.
Suppose a country finds out that a foreign country is subsidising its imports. This will cause harm to
domestic suppliers. Thus, the home country can impose duties on such goods to protect its domestic
suppliers. These duties are imposed only under World Trade Organisation rules.
What is difference between countervailing duties and anti-dumping duties?
The countervailing duties are imposed on subsidised products on exporting country. On the other hand, anti-
dumping duties are imposed on imports that are of low price.
Let us assume that China is exporting silicon wafer to India.
Case 1: Chinese Government provides subsidy to silicon wafer manufacturers. Now when India imposes
import duties, then it is called countervailing duties.
Case 2: No subsidies are provided to silicon wafer by Chinese Government. But the exporter is selling at
very low prices. In this case, when India imposes duty, it is called anti-dumping duties.
April 21, 2021
People's bank of china report on India's demographic advantage
The Central Bank of China, that is, the People’s bank of China recently released a report on Demographics.
Report on Demographics of China
According to the report, the strict birth policies of China has led to the problem of dwindling work
force and the problem of ageing population. Dwindling means gradually diminishing.
The report also said that Chinese Government should liberalise birth policies to tackle the problems
of ageing population.
China is to experience a negative growth after 2025.
After 2025, China will face shortage in consumer demand.
The working population of China has been declining since 2010. This has largely affected the supply
side of the Chinese economy. This is to hit China very badly as the Chinese Government has planned
to drive its growth through domestic consumption.
Report on Demographics of India
The report said that the gap between India and China has been narrowing. On one hand, the economic
growth of China has been faster than India’s. On the other hand, the demographic dividend of China is
fading. Above all, the economic growth of India is fast approaching towards China.
The declining birth rate and ageing population of China will become more serious in ten years. On the
other side, India’s demographic structure will be much optimised in ten years.
India’s labour force will exceed China’s by hundreds of millions.
By 2050, the demographics of India will have much wider workforce and narrower elderly population.
This will help India to grow in a faster rate.
Report about the US
According to the report, the United States mainly benefits from immigration.
Insurance Scheme for Health Workers under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana
The Government of India is to extend the insurance scheme for health workers under the Pradhan Mantri
Garib Kalyan Yojana for another one year.
Key Highlights
The current COVID Warrior Insurance Scheme that was launched by Government of India in 2020 was
to end by March 24, 2021. Thus, the GoI is extending the scheme.
The GoI had provided one month window to invite final claims under the scheme till April 24, 2021.
However, now the scheme has been extended for a period of one year after increasing concerns
against the closure of the scheme.
About the Health Insurance Scheme
The Insurance Scheme for Health Workers under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana was
launched in March 2020. It was launched for ninety days to provide an insurance cover up to Rs 50
lakhs to the health workers. The scheme was then extended till March 24, 2021.
The scheme provided relief to the dependents of health workers who lost their lives fighting
COVID-19. The heath insurance under the scheme was provided through New India Insurance
Company.
The scheme had approved 287 claims so far.
What is the issue?
When the time period of the scheme ended on March 24, 2021, GoI announced that the health insurance
scheme for COVID-19 warriors is coming to an end. Notices were sent to State Governments and Union
Territories regarding this. Following this, several concerns were raised that has now compelled the
Government to extend the scheme for another one year. The concerns raised were as follows:
With double mutant variant variety spreading rapidly, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country
are increasing. At this stage, the closure of the scheme will put the health workers and their
dependents in a highly distressed state.
While closing the scheme, GoI did not specify how many health workers lost their lives.
Also, it did not mention the total number of claims received by the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare under the insurance scheme.
AAYUDH Advance Controversy
In April 2021, it was claimed that a drug called Aayudh Advance was effective against COVID-19. The trials
for the drug were conducted at two government hospitals in Ahmedabad. However, Government of India has
recently rejected the claims made by the manufacturers of the drug.
AAYUDH Advance
The manufacturers of the drug claimed that the drug had positive effects against COVID-19. They
also said that the patients who took AAYUDH Advance had seen reduction of infection of the virus to
a great extent.
The first human trial of the AAYUDH Advance drug was conducted in October 2020. The second trial
was held in January 2021.
What is the controversy?
The Ministry of Ayush announced that the claims made by AAYUDH Advance are misleading. With
this, the Food and Drug Control Administration of Gujarat issued a show-cause notice to the AAYUDH
Advance drug manufacturer. The manufacturing unit of the drug is based in Rajkot.
The Shukla Ashar Private Limited, Rajkot referred the clinical study of its product, AAYUDH Advance,
to the committees operating under concerned ministries. The committees have rejected the products
as they do not follow the principles and study protocols of Ayurveda.
According to the company, the product is a liquid formulation and is made of twenty-one different
plant extracts.
Claims made by AAYUDH
AAYUDH Advance of the first clinically tested medicine for COVID-19.
The treatment of AAYUDH Advance is three times better than Remdesivir.
Background
The Ministry of AYUSH has provided separate guidelines for Practitioners of Ayurveda, Yoga, UNANI,
Siddha, Homeopathy and Naturopathy in COVID-19. Every drug produced in the respective field to treat
COVID-19 should abide by these guidelines.

Civil Services Day: April 21
Every year India celebrates National Civil Services Day on April 21.
Key Highlights
Sardar Vallabhai Patel often referred the Indian Administrative Service as “Steel Frame of India”.
The Civil Services Day is celebrated for the civil servants to rededicate themselves to the cause of
citizens of the country. Also, the day motivates civil service officers to work more efficiently.
The Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration is presented to districts for
implementing priority programmes on National Civil Services Day.
About Civil Service Day
On this day in 1947, the then Home Minister Shri Sardar Vallabhai Patel addressed the first batch of
Administrative Services Officers.
Sardar Vallabhai Patel was the first Home Minister of India.
Patel addressed the probationers at the Metcalf House, New Delhi.
Sardar Vallabhai Patel
Sardar Vallabhai Patel was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. He was a barrister. Also, he
served as the Home Minister of the country during the political integration of India.
He is called the Unifier of India for his role in unifying the princely states in the country.
On 31 October, 2018, the Statue of Unity was dedicated to him. It is the world tallest statue. The
height of the statue is 182 metres.
He was also called the Iron Man of India.
Patel was elected as the President of the Indian Nation Congress for the Karachi session of Congress
that was held in 1931.The Gandhi-Irwin pact was ratified at this congress.
The TRIUMVIRATE that ruled India between 148 and 1950 was formed by the Governor General of
India Chkravarti Rajagopalachari, Patel and Nehru.
Cabinet approves Subsidy for Urea produced via Coal Gasification
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs recently approved subsidy for Urea that are to be produced by
TFL. TFL is a state-run fertilizer plant. It is Talcher Fertilizer Plant.
About the Plant
The TFL is to commission a new fertilizer plant in Odisha. This plant will produce urea through coal
gasification. The Government of India is to provide subsidy to establish the plant. It will be the only
plant in India to produce nitrogenous soil nutrient through coal gasification process.
Talcher Fertilizers is a joint venture of Fertilizer Corporation of India, Rashtriya Chemicals and
Fertilizers, GAIL and Coal India.
Talcher Fertilizer will establish a urea plant base on coal gasification technology at an estimated
investment of Rs 13,277 crores.
The annual capacity of the plant is 1.27 million tonnes per year.
The plant is expected to be completed by 2023. It is currently facing delays due to COVID-19
pandemic.
The tender to construct the TFL project has been provided to China-based Wuhan Engineering. This
has been done to promote the innovative coal gasification technology.
Current Scenario of Fertilizer consumption in India
India consumed 61 million tonnes of fertilizers in 2020-21. Out of this, 55% was urea.
The import of fertilizers in India has been increasing since 2010 due to lack of investment.
India has set a target of investing Rs 20,000 crores in coal gasification projects by 2030. This will
help India reduce its dependence on imports.

Coal Gasification
It is the process of producing syngas. Syngas is a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, natural gas,
carbon dioxide and water vapour. It is produced from coal and water.
The Coal Gasification adopted by Talcher Unit will release negligible nitrogen dioxide and sulphur
dioxide.
Benefits of TFL plant
Currently, India produces urea using natural gas. Import of Natural Gas is highly expensive. Therefore, India
is adopting alternative routes such as coal gasification to produce urea with indigenous raw materials. The
project will help India become self-sufficient in urea, reduce its dependence on imports and also use coal in
an environment-friendly manner.
Crude oil output of India drops
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas recently released its data for the fiscal year 2020-21. According
to the data, crude oil production of India fell to 30.5 million tonnes. It was 32.17 million tonnes in 2019-20.
Key Highlights
The data released by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are as follows:
Oil
The crude oil production of India fell by 5% in 2020-21 as compared to the previous year.
The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation produced 2% less oil in 2020-21 as compared to 2019-20. In
2020-21, the oil produced by ONGC was 20.2 million tonnes. The National lock down that lasted for
more than two months shut some of its field completely.
The Oil India Limited produced 5.4% less oil.
Natural Gas
The Natural Gas production in the year 2020-21 was at 28.67 billion cubic metres. This was 8% less than the
output in 2019-20. However, in March 2021, the overall natural gas output of the country began to increase
as the Reliance industries started their output from KG basin fields. The Reliance began producing Natural
Gas in the KG basins in December 2020. It is now producing gas at the rate of 1.3 million cubic metres per
day.
Crude Oil Refineries
Both private and public sectors of India together processed 13% less crude oil in 2020-21. In 2020-21,
the total amount of crude oil that was processed in the country was 221.7 million tonnes.
The Public Sector refineries such as Indian Oil Corporation processed 12% less crude oil. In 2020-21,
the crude oil processed by public sectors was 127.5 million tonnes.
During 2020-21, the refineries produced 11.2% less petroleum products.
Imports
Around 85% of India’s crude oil is imported.
In 2020-21, India spent 61.9 billion USD on its crude oil imports.
India imported 198.2 million tonnes of crude oil in 2020-21.
In 2019-20, India spent 101.4 billion USD on its crude oil imports.
In 2019-20, India imported 227 million tonnes of crude oil.
Demand
The demand for petroleum products in the country fell by 9% in 2020-21. In 2020-21, India consumed
194.6 million tonnes of petroleum products.
In 2019-20, India consumed 214.1 million tonnes of petroleum products.
Australia-India Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative
Australia recently launched the Australia-India Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Partnership. The programme

will support free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The Government of Australia has provided a grant of
1.4 million Australian dollars (Rs 8.12 crores) to support the initiative.
Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative
The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative was launched by PM Modi at the East India Summit on 2019. The Indo-
Pacific Oceans Initiative aims to strengthen maritime boundaries. It has three main common goals namely
welfare promotion, wealth creation and cooperation win-win strategies.
The main principle is to create partnerships between like-minded countries.
Pillars of Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative
The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative focuses on the following central pillars:
Maritime Resources
Maritime Security
Maritime Ecology
Capacity Building and Resource Sharing
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Technology and Academic Cooperation
Trade Connectivity
Maritime Transport
Role of India
India has always placed ASEAN nations at the centre of the Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative. In simple terms,
Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative is an extension of Look East Policy.
India-Vietnam
In August 2020, India and Vietnam agreed to enhance their bilateral cooperation to achieve the objectives of
Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Background
The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative was also launched in the backdrop of China’s aggression in the Indo-
Pacific region and its actions along the Line of Actual Control. The South China Sea is a part of the Indo-
Pacific region. It holds huge reserves of minerals and hydrocarbons. China claims sovereignty over most of
the South China sea. The other member countries in the region such as Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei
dispute claims of China.
COVAXIN neutralises double Mutant Strain
The Indian Council of Medical Research recently announced that COVAXIN neutralises the Double Mutant
Strain of COVID-19.
Key Highlights
The National Institute of Virology recently demonstrated the neutralisation potential of COVAXIN against
the Brazil variant and UK variant. The B.1.617 is a recently spreading double mutant variant of COVID-19. It
carries the mutations of E484Q and also the mutations of L452R.
Also, the scientists at the National Institute of Virology have isolated and cultured all the variants of
COVID-19. This includes the Brazil variant (B.1.1.28.2), UK Variant (B.1.1.7) and the South African Variant
(B.1.351).
Significance
With the accelerated Phase 3 vaccination to start on May 1, 2021, it is essential to know if the vaccine is
efficient against the mutants that are spreading rapidly.
Current Scenario
The Government of India has accelerated the Phase 3 vaccination in the country. This has been done
to increase the pace of vaccination drive in the country. This is to be done by permitting state

governments to buy vaccines from the manufacturers directly. Incentives are to be provided to the
COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers to increase vaccine production.
More than 29 lakh vaccine doses are being administered in the country per day.
However, the COVID-19 cases in India have been increasing widely. This has led to shortage of
medical oxygen in the country. To handle the shortage, India is importing 50,000 tonnes of medical
oxygen. Also, India has planned to establish 162 oxygen plants with the help of PM CARES fund.
COVAXIN
The COVAXIN Vaccine is produced by Bharat Biotech placed in Hyderabad along with Indian Council of
Medical Research. The COVAXIN vaccine was chosen among all the other vaccines as it is highly suitable
for the Indian climate. This is because COVAXIN can be stored at a temperature of two to eight degrees
Celsius.
Amnesty International: Global review of the death penalty
The Amnesty International recently released the global Review of Death Penalty.
Around 483 executions were recorded in eighteen countries according to the report published by
Amnesty International.
In 2019, the number of executions recorded were 657.
The number of executions have grown by 26% in 2020 as compared to 2019.
The maximum number of executions happened in China, Iran, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia in that
order.
Around sixteen women have been executed among the 483. They were from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran
and Oman.
The countries such as India, Qatar, Oman and Taiwan have resumed executions.
The executions in Iraq have halved from hundred in 2019 to 45 in 2020.
The executions in Saudi Arabia have decreased by 85%.
The countries used beheading, hanging, electrocution, shooting and lethal injection as methods of
execution.
Iran executed three people for crimes that were committed by them when they were below 18 years
old.
China, Iran and Saudi Arabia executed at least 30 people for crimes related to drugs.
The Asia-Pacific countries that carried out executions in 2020 were India, China, Bangladesh, North
Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan. Pakistan, Singapore and Japan did not report any executions.
Executions in China
China was the leading executioner in the world. However, the exact number of executions being carried out
in China is unknown. The Chinese Government holds the data of executions as classified secret and thus
the exact number is unknown.
Abolition of Execution
Chad has abolished death penalty for all crimes.
Colorado has become the twenty second state in the United States to abolish death penalty.
India elected to three bodies of the UN ECOSOC
India was recently elected to the three bodies of the United Nations. They were the Commission on Crime
Prevention and Criminal Justice, Executive Board of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of
Women and the Executive Board of World Food Programme. All these three bodies operate under United
Nations Economic and Social Council.
India was elected to all these three bodies by acclamation. Acclamation is honouring someone. Electing a

member country through acclamation does not use a ballot. However, other member countries were elected
through secret ballot to these bodies.
India’s term to these bodies begins on January 1, 2022.
What is Election by Acclamation in the United Nations?
When a member with clean slate is presented for an election in the United Nations, the vote takes place
through acclamation. Clean Slate means there is no history of evidence of any problems or broken rules.
The Secret ballot shall be dispensed when election by acclamation takes place in the United Nations.
Election by Acclamation is not allowed in all UN bodies. Election by Acclamation is completely excluded in
some of the UN bodies such as the Human Rights Council.
Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
The other countries that were elected to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice through
secret ballot were Cuba, Chile, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Brazil. Countries such as Bahrain, Austria,
Bulgaria, Belarus, France, Canada, Libya, Ghana, Qatar, Pakistan, Togo and Thailand were elected by
acclamation.
Executive Board of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
The countries that were elected to this board through acclamation were Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Thailand,
South Africa, Poland, Monaco, Kenya, Guyana, Gambia, Egypt, Colombia, Camroon, Bangladesh, Australia,
Dominican Republic and Afghanistan.
Russia to launch its own Space Station
The agreement between Roscosmos and its international partners is to run out in 2024. With this, Russia
has planned to pull out of the International Space Station and launch its own space station in 2025.
Highlights
According to Russia, the structure of the International Space Station is ageing. With the station becoming
older, it can lead to irreversible consequences.
International Space Station
The International Space Station was launched by the US space agencies and Russian Space agencies in
1998. The other countries that were involved in the launch of the International Space Station were Canada,
European Space Agency and Japan. The ISS revolves around the earth in 93 minutes. It makes 15.5 orbits
per day. It travels at an orbital velocity of 7.7 kilometres per second.
After Russia’s withdrawal, the future of ISS is to be made based on the conditions of technical modules in
the station. Most of the technical modules in the station have reached the end of their service life.
Russian Space Station
The Roscosmos also announced that the first core module of the new Russian orbital station is ready.
Russia aims to launch the module by 2025. This new space model is being assembled at a cost of 5 billion
USD.
China-Russia
Russia recently announced that it has signed an agreement with China to establish a Lunar research station
on the moon.
Yuri Gagarin
Russia recently celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of Yuri Gagarin becoming the first human to enter into an
orbit in space. Yuri Gagarin was the first person to enter outer space. The name of his capsule was Vostok
1. He completed one orbit of the earth in his capsule on April 12, 1961.
Blue Nature Alliance- Global Marine initiative
The Blue Nature Alliance is a global partnership of five core partners and few other Non-Profit
Organisations. The core partners are Conservation International, The Global Environment Facility, the Pew

Charitable Trusts, Minderoo Foundation and Rob and Melani Walton Foundation.
The Blue Alliance was launched on April 20, 2021.
Objective
The alliance aims to protect 5% of the world ocean in five years.
Target Areas of the Alliance
The alliance aims to target seven ocean locations. They are as follows:
Antarctica
Seychelles
Canada
Palau
Western Indian Ocean
Fiji
Tristan da Cunha, an island in the South Atlantic Ocean
Need for the alliance
The world is covered by more than 70% of oceans. Oceans are highly important for human survival as they
regulate weather, rainfall and oxygen levels in the air. Currently they are under great threats from pollution,
climate change and over fishing.
According to the Marine Protection Atlas, more than 7% of the world oceans have been designated as
“protected areas”. However, in reality only 2.7% are “fully protected”.
Marine Protection Atlas
It was launched by the Marine Conservation Institute in 2012. The atlas was prepared to provide the best
available information on marine protection all over the world. This will help the marine conservation
communities to work together and protect at least 30% of the world ocean by 2030. It has been built based
on the World Database on Protected Areas.
World Database on Protected Areas
It holds the database on terrestrial and marine protected areas. It was a joint project between IUCN
(International Union for Conservation of Nature) and UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme).
George Floyd: Ex-policeman found guilty of murder
On April 20, 2020, the former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of manslaughter and murder
in George Floyd case. He has now found guilty (arrested for proven charges of murder).
The George Floyd’s case created worldwide protests and violence. It led to re-examination of racism and
policing in the United States.
What is George Floyd case?
George Floyd was an African American. A store clerk alleged that George had passed a counterfeit 20 USD.
Following the complaint, the police arrested George. During the arrest, one of the four police officers, Derek
Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck and back for nine minutes and 29 seconds. This killed George. His death was
captured on a cell phone camera.
The death of George Floyd led to worldwide protests.
George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, 2021
It is a police reform bill that was drafted by the Democrats in the US Congress. It aims to combat excessive
force by police, police misconduct, racial bias in policing. It was passed at the House of Representatives
and is yet to be voted by the Senate.
Powers of Police Officers in the US
A law enforcement officer shall handcuff and arrest a person.
The arrested person will be held in a police station.

The police officer can use force only for self defence.
Use of Deadly Force by Police in the US
In 2019, more than 1004 people were shot and killed by police.
Legal US Terms used to file Charges against Chauvin
The following are the breakdown of charges against Chauvin:
Second Degree Unintentional Murder
It is also called felony murder. According to this, Chauvin applied unlawful force that caused bodily harm to
Floyd.
Third Degree Murder
The action was “eminently dangerous”. Eminently means to a notable degree. And the action was carried
out with a reckless disregard, that is, the action that is carried out without thinking about the consequences.
Second-Degree Manslaughter
Attacking consciously and taking the chance of causing the death.
New Zealand set to consolidate healthcare into National service
On April 21, 2021 the New Zealand government announced that it is to consolidate the fragmented health
system in the country into a national service. The consolidated system is to look more like the ones
implemented in Britain.
Key Highlights
Currently the New Zealand Health System is divided into 20 District Health Boards. Each District Health
Board has its own budget. These District Health Boards are to be replaced by a single new body called
Health New Zealand.
Why the Consolidation?
The health system of New Zealand is Government subsidized. However, the patients visiting the hospital
have to pay a portion of the cost to access many health services. More than one-third of the New Zealand
citizens opt to pay additional benefits that are offered by private health insurers. The new health system is
expected to change this scenario and combine all the facilities under a single head.
Also, the health care system is uneven. For instance, only the northern region District Health Boards have
developed telehealth systems.
Healthcare system in New Zealand
New Zealand spends 8.7 % of its GDP on Health care. Among the 14 developed countries in the world, New
Zealand has the lowest level of medication use and also spends the lowest amount on Healthcare. On an
average New Zealand spends 2,510 USD per capita on its Health care as compared to 7,290 USD per capita
spent by the United States.
Subsidies
The Pharmaceutical Management Agency of New Zealand was established in 1993. This agency decides
which medication should get government subsidy. Currently there are 2000 drugs that are partly or
completely subsidised by the New Zealand Government.
Emergency Services
Most of the emergency ambulance transportation in the country is carried out by charitable organisations.
What is Air Independent Propulsion? How is it used in Submarines?
The Defence Research Development Organisation recently achieved a milestone in the development of Air
Independent Propulsion system. The system was operated in endurance mode and max power mode. The
operation was successful.
What is Air Independent Propulsion System?
The Air Independent Propulsion System is being developed by Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL)

of DRDO.
The following are the key features of the Air Independent Propulsion system:
The Air Propulsion System allows the submarines to stay for longer hours in water. The submarines
need to come to the surface of the water to charge its batteries. This is reduced by Air Propulsion
System.
It decreases the noise levels made by the submarines while travelling. This makes it hard to detect
the submarines.
DRDO is developing the Air Propulsion Systems for diesel submarines.
It is a fuel-cell based Air Propulsion System.
It uses a Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell.
How is Air Independent Propulsion System of India unique?
The Air Independent Propulsion System developed by India is unique as it generates hydrogen on board.
The system is being developed with the support of Thermax and L&T.
Significance of Air Independent Propulsion System
The system was developed under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Campaign.
Currently, this technology is available only in France, US, UK, China and Russia.
How is it used in Submarines?
An additional hull has to be added to the submarines in order to fit them with Air Independent Propulsion
Systems. These systems use Stirling engines, fuel cells, closed cycle diesel and closed cycle steam to
increase the durability of submergence under water.
What is Potamophylax coronavirus?
Kosovar Biologist Halil Ibrahimi has named a newly discovered insect after COVID-19 virus.
About the insect
Ibrahimi spent years working on a different type of Caddisfly species. The species was found in
Accursed Mountains (Kosovo’s Western Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park). It has now been named
as “Potamophylax coronavirus”.
The species is endemic to the National Park.
The newly found species of Caddisfly is different from those found in the Balkans. The new species is
considerably smaller and lives in open and high-altitude zones, that is, 2,000 metres above the sea
level.
River Pollution
During his study about the species, the scientists have also found that the Decanit River is severely
deteriorated due to the construction of a hydropower plant.
Why is the species named after Coronavirus?
The new Caddisfly species is found along the Decanit river ecosystem. The construction of the hydropower
plant across the river has a similar effect as the coronavirus creates on humans. Thus, the new species has
been named after coronavirus.
Decanit river
It is a tributary of White Drin. The Monastery of Visoki Decani is located on the bank of the River Decanit. It
is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The river drains into the Adriatic Sea.
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea separates the Italian peninsula from the Balkans. It is the northernmost arm of
Mediterranean Sea. The Adriatic Sea consists of more than 1,300 islands.
The salinity of Adriatic Sea is less than the Mediterranean Sea. This is because Adriatic Sea collects more
than a third of the fresh water flowing in to the Mediterranean.

Kosovo
The scientist belongs to Kosovo. Kosovo (a country in the continent of Europe) lies at the centre of the
Balkans. It has gained recognition as a sovereign state from 98 members of United Nations.
April 22, 2021
World Earth Day: April 22
Every year, the World Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. The first World Earth Day was celebrated in 1970.
Background
In 1969, the Peace Activist John McConnell proposed to celebrate World Earth Day to honour the earth. It
was first proposed to be celebrated on March 21, 1970, which is the first day of spring in the northern
hemisphere.
Paris Agreement
On the World Earth Day, in 2016, the landmark Paris Agreement was signed by China, United States and
other 120 countries.
World Earth Day, 2021
This year, US President Joe Biden has invited leaders of forty top economies of the world including Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jing Ping to the Leader’s Summit on Climate. The
virtual meet is to be held on World Earth Day.
This year, in 2021, the World Earth Day is celebrated under the following the theme:
Theme: Restore our Earth
About World Earth Day
The World Earth Day celebrations are organised by Earth Society Foundation. It was founded by John
McConnel.
Equinox Earth Day
Every year, the Equinox Earth Day is celebrated on March 20 (or 21). It marks the arrival of spring in the
Northern hemisphere and autumn in southern hemisphere. It is also called the Equinoctial Earth Day. The
first Equinox Earth Day was celebrated in 1970.
Japanese Peace Bell and Earth Day
The Peace Bell is rung twice or thrice a year. Once during the celebrations of World Earth Day that falls on
April 22.
It is also rung on Equinox Earth Day. The Japanese Peace Bell was donated to the United Nations by Japan.
Apart from these days, sometimes it is also rung on every opening day of the United Nations General
Assembly yearly session. This is usually held in the month of September.
US Leaders Summit: Xi Jing Ping to attend the Summit
The Chinese President Xi Jing Ping is to attend the US Leaders Summit that is to be held on World Earth Day
(April 22). Also, Xi Jing Ping will deliver an important speech at the summit. Apart from China, over forty
leaders are to attend the summit. This includes PM Modi of India as well. The summit is expected to be a
key milestone on the road to United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).
Russian President Vladimir Putin will also attend the summit and deliver an address.
India at the Summit
There have been several debates if India should announce “Net-Zero” emission during the summit. India will
have to take heavier burden if it commits to adopt net-zero emission by 2050.
What should India do to achieve Net-Zero Emission?
India should adopt sectoral low-carbon development pathways. This will help in job creation, low
pollution, competitiveness.
The Electricity sector should be decarbonised. It is the single largest source of greenhouse gas
emissions in the country. Over 40% of the total greenhouse gas emissions is from the electricity
production. That is, electricity produced from carbon sources.
India should pledge that it will not increase its coal-fired power capacity.
More innovative technologies should be adopted especially in electricity storage and smart grids.
A multi-stakeholder Commission shall be established. It should represent all levels of governments
and affected communities. The Commission should work towards ensuring decent livelihood to the
most affected people (due to the transitions). This is because, the transition costs of low-carbon
future should not fall on the backs of the Indian poor.
Triple Mutant Variant
As India is struggling to battle COVID-19 crisis, a triple mutant variant strain of COVID-19 has emerged as a
fresh threat. It is also called the “Bengal Variant”. The triple mutant variant has been identified in West
Bengal, Maharashtra, Delhi and Chhattisgarh.
What is Triple Mutant Variant?
The Triple Mutant Variant has evolved from double mutation. In the triple mutant variant, three different
COVID-19 strains have combined to form a new variant.
Recently, a double mutant variety has been spreading in India rapidly. This double mutant carried mutations
namely E484Q and L452R. The E484Q was reported to be found in UK and South Africa. The L452R mutation
was found in California. These mutations were associated with antibody escape and greater binding
capacities. However, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently announced that COVAXIN
works against these mutations. The National Institute of Virology has been successfully isolating the
mutations and testing them against the vaccines. Also, the INSACOG laboratories are processing the
genome sequencing of these mutant variants. INSACOG is Indian SARS CoV-2 Genomic Consortia
(INSACOG).
The new triple mutant variant carries the above double mutants along with another mutation in amino acids.
In the triple mutant, two amino acids such as H146del and Y145del have been deleted.
Why are mutant strains dangerous?
The transmissibility of the virus increases as it gets mutated. That is, a mutant virus spread rapidly.
A mutant virus increases the severity of the disease.
The ability of the virus to evade from getting detected by viral diagnostic tests increases.
The mutants are also capable of evading the protection against immunization.
The susceptibility to the therapeutic agents such as monoclonal antibodies decreases.
What is Beal seed viability experiment?
The Beal Seed Viability Experiment was begun by William James Beam. He was an American Botanist who
worked at the Michigan State University.
What is Beal Seed Viability Experiment?
In 1879, Beal began one of the longest running experiments in botany. The experiment aims to study
how long a weed can stay dormant in agricultural fields.
Beal filled twenty bottles with a mixture of seed and sand. Each bottle consisted of fifty seeds from
twenty-one different species. These bottles were buried with their necks pointing down to exclude
water.
The main objective of the experiment was to unearth the bottles every five years. And then plant
these seeds to observe how many of the seeds sprouted.
Later, the botanists who continued the experiment extended it to opening the bottle once in ten years.
And now it has been extended to once in twenty years.
This experiment is still running in the soil of Michigan State University. The study is due to end in

2100.
So far, the experiment has run for 142 years.
Findings of Beal Seed Viability Experiment
In 2002, the Beal Seed Viability Experiment founded that some weed seeds are capable of surviving even
hundred years if placed in an uncorked bottle with sand buried into soil.
Doomsday Vault
The Doomsday Vault is a seed bank. It houses samples of more than one million crop varieties from five
thousand different species. Around two-fifth of the world seed varieties are stored in the vault. It is located
in the Arctic region in the Island of Spitsbergen.
US House passes No Ban Act
The US House of Representatives recently passed a bill that will limit the ability of the President to impose
religion-based travel ban. It is informally called “No Ban Act”.
Why was the act passed?
The No Ban Act was passed in response to the controversial “Muslim ban” passed by the former US
President Donald Trump. The Muslim ban barred the travel from Muslim-majority countries to the US.
Full Form of NO BAN Act
NO BAN Act is the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Non-Immigrants Act.
Key Features of No Ban Act
Before imposing a restriction, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department should
report to Congress about the restriction.
The President should present his evidence of credible threat that initiated travel ban to the
Department of Homeland Security and Secretary of the State. He shall impose the ban only after
getting approval from DHS And the Secretary.
Background
In 2017, the former President Trump imposed travel ban shortly after becoming the President of United
States. It was struck down twice by the US courts. However, in 2018, the US Supreme Court upheld the act.
The travel ban was initially applied only to countries such as Yemen, Syria, Iran, Libya and Somalia.
However, it was later expanded to Eritrea, Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, Sudan, Nigeria and Tanzania.
Muslims in the US
There are more than 3.45 million Muslims living in the US. This is 1.1% of the total US population.
Around 25,000 US citizens convert to Islam annually.
50% of the Muslims are foreign born and 50% are native born.
The origin of Muslims in the US soil dates back to the slave era. Muslims were brought as slaves to
the American soil from Africa.
Cosmic Rose of NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recently shared an image of “Cosmic Rose”.
Cosmic Rose
Cosmic Rose is an image captured by Hubble Space Telescope of NASA. The image featured interacting
galaxies Arp 273.
Arp 273
It lies in the Andromeda constellation.
It is 300 million light years away from the earth.
It is a combination of spiral galaxy UGC 1810 and UGC 1813.
UGC 1810 is five times heavier than UGS 1813.
The UGC 1810 has a disc that is tidally distorted into a rose like shape. The distortion is mainly due to

the gravitational pull of UGC 1813 that lies beneath. This has been captured by Hubble Space
Telescope.
What are Interacting Galaxies?
The Interacting Galaxies are those galaxies whose gravitational fields disturb one another.
Types of Galaxy Interactions
Galaxy harassment
Galaxy harassment is an interaction between a low-luminosity galaxy and a brighter one. It is usually
common in rich galaxy clusters such as Coma and Virgo.
Galactic Cannibalism
It is a process where a large galaxy interacts with a companion through tidal gravitational interactions. A
Galactic tide is a force experienced by objects subjected to gravitational field of a galaxy.
Galaxy Collision
These are common during galaxy evolution. In these interactions, two galaxies will collide and will not have
enough momentum to continue travelling after collision.
Galaxy Mergers
Galaxy merger occurs when two or more galaxies collide with each other. They are the most violent type of
galaxy interactions. Galaxy mergers are highly important as they are the fundamental measure of Galaxy
evolution.
Hubble Space Telescope
It is space telescope that was launched in 1990 into low Earth Orbit.
Israel: Google and AWS chosen for 1 billion Nimbus Project
The Government of Israel has chosen Google and Amazon Web Services to provide cloud services for its
military and Public Sector Units. The project is to be implemented in four phases and has been named the
“Nimbus” project.
About Nimbus Project
The Nimbus Project is to be implemented at an estimated cost of 1 billion USD.
It will establish cloud sites in Israel. These sites will keep the information within the borders of Israel
under strict security guidelines.
The four phases of the project are as follows:
Acquisition and Construction of cloud Infrastructure
Formulating Government Policy for migrating to the Cloud
Integration and Migration
Control and Optimisation of Cloud Activity
In future, the project is to be extended, where dozens of local suppliers are to be selected to assist in
migration of Government Systems to the Cloud.
What is Cloud Services?
The Cloud Services refer to wide range of services delivered over the internet. The Cloud Services are highly
important as the defence industry of Israel is one of the largest in the world.
Defence Industry of Israel
Israel is one of the major exporters of military equipment in the world. It accounts to 10% of Global Defence
Exports. There are more than 150 active defence companies in the country. Their collective revenue is more
than 3.5 billion USD.
Israel and the US are considered as allies and have strong ties through defence industry. However, the
relations weakened due to the “Dotan Scandal”. It was said that Israel violated US ITAR (International Traffic
on Arms Regulations) restrictions and sold sensitive data and equipment to China. In 2020, US pressured

Israel to bar all the Chinese components including the communication systems.
Controversies
Amazon and Google beat out Oracle, Microsoft and IBM in winning the tender. Microsoft is said to have
strong hold in Israel. In fact, the company announced in 2020, that it is to invest 1 billion USD in Israel
aiming to win this project. One of the three largest Microsoft Research and Development centres is located
in Israel. With Microsoft losing the contract, critics believe that Microsoft era in Israel has come to an end.
Australia cancels deals on China’s Belt and Road
The Australian Government recently announced that it has cancelled deals on Belt and Road initiative over
national interest.
What is the issue?
The Victorian State Government had signed two agreements with China. In 2018, an agreement was signed
to promote infrastructure development initiative in the state. The second agreement was signed in 2019
that aimed to bring in Chinese investments in the state. Both these agreements were signed under the Belt
and Road Initiative of China. The Australian Government recently cancelled both these agreements.
Why did Australia cancel the deals?
According to Australia, the agreements signed were out of line with foreign policy of the government. In
December 2020, the Australian Government introduced the Australia Foreign Relations (State and Territory
Arrangement) Act. The law allows Australian Government to cancel any agreements signed between a
foreign country and the state authorities. This shall be done if the actions of the agreement threatened
national interest. The law empowers the foreign minister to cancel any of such foreign agreement.
Recently, the Australian Government had directed the states to submit the details of the agreements signed
by them with foreign countries under the law.
Indo-Pacific
Under its foreign policy, Australia sees a free and open Indo-Pacific as a key goal. Australia recently
launched the Australia-India Indo-Pacific Initiative. Also, the Australian Government allocated Rs 8.12 crores
under the initiative.
Australia-China
The diplomatic relations between China and Australia have been deteriorating since Australia called for an
international inquiry into the origins of COVID-19.
Way Forward
Australia is to revoke a 2004 MoU signed between Iran and Victoria’s Education Department as well. Also,
the Australian Government is to revoke a scientific cooperation agreement signed between Syria and the
State of Victoria that was signed in 1999.
US Commission proposes adding India to CPC list
The US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended Biden Administration to
place four countries including India under “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC). The other three
countries were Russia, Vietnam and Syria.
Also, the USCIRF recommended to redesignate ten countries as “Countries of Particular Concern”. They
were China, Iran, North Korea, Burma, Eritrea, Tajikistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria.
USCIRF
The USCIRF was established by the US Government in 1998 after the enaction of International Religious
Freedom Act. The Commissioners of USCIRF are appointed by the President. It mainly aims to review the
violations of religious freedom internationally. It makes recommendations to President, US Congress and
the Secretary of State. However, it is not mandatory for them to implement the recommendations.

Why should India be placed under CPC list?
According to the report, the Citizenship Amendment Act that was passed in 2020 led to nationwide protests.
The act was passed to fast-track citizenship to non-Muslim migrants residing in the country. These
migrants were from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The report also noted that the Government of India has amended the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.
This was done to increase restrictions on Non-Governmental Organisations and their foreign funds. The
amendments led to forced closure of human rights organisation and religious organisations. This included
Amnesty International India. The Amnesty International India was closed after the authorities froze its bank
account in October 2020.
India’s Stand
According to India, the Citizenship Amendment Act is an internal matter of the country. The act was passed
to protect oppressed minorities in the neighbouring countries.
Who are FACT rebels of Chad?
The Libya based rebels that are currently attacking Chad are called FACT. FACT is Front for Change and
Concord in Chad. On April 20, 2021, the President of Chad Idriss Deby died of injuries after fighting against
these rebels.
About FACT
FACT was formed in 2016.
A group of rebels split from the UFDD after a violent clash and formed FACT. UFDD is Union of Forces
for Democracy and Development. UFDD is the largest group of Chadian rebel forces that operated
against the former President Idriss Deby. The leader of UFDD is Mahamat Nouri.
FACT is run by Mahdi Ali Mahamat. He spent some time in exile in France and returned to Libya in
2015.
The founder of FACT is Jerome Tubiana.
The group has been fighting to overthrow Deby from power. According to them, Deby’s victory in the
elections held in 2016 and 2021 was fraudulent.
FACT has deployed more than 400-450 vehicles into Chad that carried thousands of fighters.
Idriss Deby
He came to power in 1990 through an armed uprising. Deby ruled Chad fighting against the Islamist
militants in the region. Chad is one of the most stable countries in the region. The region is surrounded by
Libya, Central African Republic and Sudan where the armed forces roam around freely.
Chad has been facing violent power struggle since its independence from France in 1960.
Way Forward
A military council led by Deby’s son is to govern Chad for the next 18 months. Mahamat Idriss Deby is to
lead the council till the elections are held.
Global Energy Transition Index
The World Economic Forum recently released the Global Energy Transition Index. The index was prepared in
collaboration with Accenture.
Key findings of the Report
The ten countries that topped the index were from the Northern and Western parts of Europe.
Sweden ranked first in the report followed by Norway and Denmark.
The other countries that topped the index were as follows:
Switzerland at Rank 4
Austria at Rank 5
Finland at Rank 6

United Kingdom at Rank 7
New Zealand at Rank 8
France at Rank 9
Iceland at Rank 10
India ranked 87th in the index.
China was ranked 68th in the index.
Around 92 out of 115 countries performed better in their aggregate score. This shows a positive
direction in global energy transition.
Report on India and China
According to the report, India is bringing in energy transitions through subsidy reforms. On the other hand,
China is focusing on expanding renewables through investments and infrastructure.
Both India and China together account to one-third of the global energy demand.
About the report
The Global Energy Transition Index benchmarks 115 countries based in their performance across three
dimensions namely Environmental sustainability, economic development and growth and energy security.
Reports of World Economic Forum
The other reports published by World Economic Forum are as follows:
Global Risks Report
Fostering Effective Energy Transition
Social Mobility Index
Global Gender Gap Report
Global Competitiveness Report
World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is an international organisation for private and public cooperation. The
headquarters of WEF is located in Switzerland.
Global Energy Review
The International Energy Agency recently released the Global Energy Review report. According to the report,
the Carbon Dioxide emissions in India is to be 1.4% higher than the levels recorded in 2019.
Key Findings of the Report: India
The coal-fired power generation is to increase by three times higher than the increase in generation
from the renewables.
The coal demand is expected to increase by 9%.
India has pledged to reduce the emission intensity of its GDP by 33% to 35% under Paris Agreement.
Currently, the carbon dioxide emissions of India is 60% below the global average and is on par with
emissions in the European Union, which is 2.35 gigatonnes.
Key Findings of the Report: World
The carbon dioxide emissions all over the world is to increase by 1.5 billion tonnes in 2021.
China is set to lead the demand in coal by more than 80% in 2021. On the other hand, China will also
lead the market for electricity generation from renewables.
The demand for coal in US and European will also increase. However, it will remain below the pre-
crisis level.
The demand for coal and gas is to rise above 2019 levels. However, the demand for oil is to stay
below its 2019 peak. This is because, the aviation sector is under high pressure due to the COVID-19
crisis.
The renewables are set to provide 30% of electricity.

The electricity generation from wind is set to grow by 275 tetra watts. This is 17% increase.
The solar PV is to increase by 145 tetra watt which is 18% increase as compared to 2020.
MOXIE- Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment
The Perseverance rover of Mars 2020 Mission of NASA recently converted carbon dioxide into oxygen. This
is the first time this has been achieved in another planet. This was achieved by MOXIE, an instrument
placed in the front side of the rover.
What is MOXIE?
MOXIE is Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilisation Experiment. It is a golden box placed in the front
side of the rover.
MOXIE is also called “Mechanical Tree”. This is because, it uses electricity and chemistry to split
carbon molecules into carbon and oxygen. In due process, it produces carbon monoxide as a by
product.
MOXIE produced five grams of oxygen in its first run. It is equal to ten minutes of breathable oxygen
for an astronaut performing a normal activity.
MOXIE is capable of generating ten grams of oxygen in one hour.
MOXIE was designed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
It was built with nickel-alloy. The alloy is heat-resistant and is designated to tolerate temperatures of
1,470 degrees Fahrenheit.
MOXIE was covered with gold coating so that the heat radiated does not harm the rover.
According to the scientists at MIT, one ton version of MOXIE is capable of producing twenty-five
tonnes of oxygen.
Earlier missions have proved the presence of ice in Mars. Scientists believe that extracting oxygen
from the Martian atmosphere, that is rich in carbon dioxide is more feasible than extracting oxygen
from ice that is present in its under surface.
Perseverance
Perseverance landed on Mars on February 18, 2021. It carried the Ingenuity helicopter. The helicopter
recently made its successful flight. This was first flight in another planet.
COVIRAP Technology
The IIT Kharagpur has successfully commercialised the healthcare product COVIRAP.
What is COVIRAP?
COVIRAP is a diagnostic technology to detect COVID-19 virus. The technology is also capable of testing
influenza, dengue, malaria. Tuberculosis and Japanese Encephalitis. Also, the technology can be used to
test other vector borne diseases.
The testing cost of the COVIRAP based device is Rs 500.
The device will minimise the need for real time PCR machines and also for thermal cyclers.
COVIRAP is a cuboid shaped portable testing device.
It is capable of delivering the results in an hour. This will help to scale up the screening of COVID-19
in rural and peripheral areas.
The COVIRAP based machines can be developed at a cost of less than Rs 10,000.
COVIRAP conducts COVID-19 test using a swab sample. It does not require a separate facility for RNA
extraction.
COVIRAP is now being launched for commercialisation after getting validated by ICMR (Indian Council of
Medical Research). Recently, the research team from IIT Kharagpur has developed a more advanced version
of COVIRAP using isothermal nuclei acid testing technology for rapid diagnostics of the infections.

Working of COVIRAP
COVIRAP has a special detection unit for genomic analysis, pre-programmable temperature control unit and
a customised smartphone app for results. It also has three master mixes that work as markers of different
genes to confirm the presence of COVID-19. The samples collected through swabs react with these mixes.
The paper strips coded with required chemicals are then dipped into the reaction products from the
samples and mixes. The coloured lines indicate the presence of the COVID-19 virus.
April 23, 2021
World Book and Copyright Day: April 23
Every year the World Book and Copyrights Day is celebrated on April 23 by UNESCO. UNESCO is United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. This year, to celebrate the World Book and
Copyright Day, UNESCO has created “Bookface Challenge”.
About World Book and Copyrights Day
The first World Book and Copyrights Day was celebrated in 1995. The UNESCO Prize for Children’s and
Young People’s Literature in the Service of Tolerance is awarded on this day. Also, the day will increase the
understanding of copyright laws and other measures that protect intellectual properties.
Why on April 23?
The UNESCO decided to celebrate the World Book and Copyrights Day on April 23 as it is the death
anniversary of William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilasco de la Vega.
World Book Day in different regions
In Catalonia (Spain), the World Book Day is celebrated as St George’s Day since 1436. On this day,
people exchange gifts between loved ones. Catalonia is an autonomous community in Spain.
In Spain, the World Book Day is being celebrated since 1926 on October 7. This is because Miguel de
Cervantes was born on October 7.
In Sweden, the World Book Day is called the Varldsbokdagen. It is celebrated on April 13.
In UK and Ireland, they organise an event called the “World Book Night” to celebrate the World Book
Day.
The World Book Day is celebrated as a street festival in the US.
World Book Capital
Every year UNESCO and other international organisations select World Book Capital for a one-year capital.
This year Tbilisi of Georgia has been selected as the World Book Capital.
India-US 2030 Climate Partnership
On April 22, 2021, India and the United States launched the US-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030
Partnership during the Leaders’ Summit. The US President hosted the Leaders Summit on Climate. The
world leaders from around forty countries attended the summit.
About the Partnership
The Partnership will proceed through the following:
Strategic Clean Energy Partnership
Climate Action and Finance Mobilisation Dialogue
India will deploy 450 GW of renewable power under the partnership with the US.
Both the countries will work together to achieve their respective targets. Through the partnership, the
countries will demonstrate how the world can align swift climate action taking into account
sustainable development priorities.
US Targets
During the Summit, the US announced that it has set an ambitious target of reducing the greenhouse gas
emissions by 50% to 52% in 2030 as compared to that of 2005 level. This was double the 2015 goal set by
the former President of the US Barack Obama. The successor of Obama, Donald Trump had withdrawn from
Paris Agreement. According the US, these steps will help the country achieve net zero emission by 2050.
The US recently re-joined the Paris Agreement.
Other announcements in the Summit
The US announced that it will double its public climate financing to the developing countries. This is
to be tripled by 2024.
Chinese President promoted the Green Belt and Road Initiative of China. Also, he announced that
China had pledged net zero emissions by 2060.
The United Kingdom announced that it is half way in achieving net zero. The UK had set a target of
reducing 78% of emissions by 2035 as compared o 1990 levels.
Germany is on the track of reducing emissions by 55% by 2030 as compared to 1990 level.
Indian women win 7 gold in AIBA Youth World Boxing Championship
Indian Women have created history at the AIBA 2021 Youth World Boxing Championship. A total of eight
Indians entered the finals. Of this, seven were women. All the women finalists finished on top.
Achievements
All the women finalists registered victories and finished top. They were as follows:
Gitika – 48 kg
Naorem Babyrojisana Chanu 51 kg
Poonam 57 kg
Vinka 60 kg
Arundhati Choudhary 69 kg
T Sanamacha Chanu 75 kg
Alfiya Pathan 81 kg
In 2017, Indian Women won five gold medals. The 2017 Youth World Championship was held in
Guwahati.
This year, India won seven gold at the AIBA Youth Women World Boxing Championships.The sixth
gold was added by Sanamacha. Sanamacha trains at boxing MC Mary Kom’s Academy in Imphal. She
outperformed Kazakhstan’s Dana Diday in 75 kg final.
Alfiya of Laharashtra clinched the seventh gold for India. She defeated a strong contender Daria
Kozorez of Moldova.
Gitika of Haryana won gold in 48 kg. She defeated a two-time European champion, Erika Prisciandaro.
Erika is from Italy. In the finals, Gitika defeated Natalia Kuczewska.
Poonam and Babyrojisana added two more gold medals. Poonam won Sthelyne Grosy in the finals
and Babyrojisana won Valeriia Linkova in the finals.
Arundhati from Rajasthan won gold in 69 kg. She beat the Polish boxer, Barbara Marcinkowska.
Men’s Section
Ankit Narwal won bronze in 64 kg. Similarly, Bishwamitra Chongthom and Vishal Gupta won bronze medal in
49 kg and 91 kg respectively.
AIBA
AIBA is International World Boxing Championships. It organises AIBA Women World Boxing Championship
and AIBA World Boxing Championships biennially.
NASA SHIELDS Mission: To Study Interstellar Space
NASA recently launched the SHIELDS Mission from the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The
Mission is to study light from interstellar particles in the heliosphere.

What is SHIELDS?
SHIELDS is Spatial Heterodyne Interferometric Emission Line Dynamics Spectrometer. It will fly to a height
of 300 kilo metres. At this height SHIELDS can see light from particles beyond the solar system.
Local Bubble
The planets, gas, asteroids and every single matter in the neighbourhood of the earth is located in a cluster
of gas called Local Bubble. This bubble is 300 light years long. It encompasses hundreds of stars including
the sun. According to the scientists, the solar system is to move out of the Local Bubble in 50,000 years. Till
date, research has led only to learn an outline about Local bubble. This mission will help to learn what
exactly is happening inside them.
Heliosphere in the Local Bubble
The magnetic bubble created by the sun is called Heliosphere. The heliosphere moves through the Local
Bubble at 52,000 miles per hour. Particles from interstellar space fall on the heliosphere.
What will SHIELDS Study?
SHIELDS will study about the hydrogen atoms that originate in interstellar space. These atoms have
equal balances of fundamental particles called electrons and protons. These interstellar hydrogen
atoms cross the magnetic lines as their positive and negative charges balance each other.
The mission will study the trajectories of the hydrogen atoms as they pass by the heliosphere.
SHIELDS will seek out light from the hydrogen atoms. It will measure how far the wavelength of these
atoms stretches or contracts.
SC asks for National plan on COVID-19 situation

The Supreme Court recently asked the Government of India to submit a National Plan on the COVID-19
situation. Supreme Court took a Suo moto cognisance and issued a notice to the central government on the
supply of COVID-19 supplies such as oxygen, COVID care essentials and medicines.
Why did SC step in?
There are several high court hearings underway regarding COVID-19 preparedness. Some are even dictating
lock down rules. Thus, SC has stepped in to control the actions of these courts and to establish that the
lock down protocol and imposition should be left to the central and state governments. The courts shall
only observe and guide them.
What did the Supreme Court say?
The Supreme Court said that the right to impose lock down should be reserved with the states and not with
the courts. The Supreme Court recently stayed an order issued by the Uttar Pradesh High Court to impose
lock down in several cities in the state.
About the Notice Issued
The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the centre on four issues. They were on supply of essential drugs,
supply of oxygen, power to declare lock down and method of vaccination.
Suo Motu Cognizance
Suo Moto Cognizance is when an Indian Court takes a case on its own. The Suo Moto Cognizance has been
awarded to the courts under Article 32 and Article 226 of the constitution.
Article 32
The Article provides powers to the Supreme Court to issue directions, orders, writs to enforce rights
conferred to the court. In simple terms, Article 32 empowers the Supreme Court to issue Suo Moto
Cognizance.
Article 226
The article empowers the High Courts to issue to persons, authorities, orders, directions, mandamus, quo

warranto, prohibition.
S&P: Growth of 11 per cent for India in 2021
The S&P Global Ratings recently said that the Indian Economy is to grow at 11% in 2021-22. Earlier, S&P had
predicted that India will grow at 10%.
Key Findings
In the next couple of years, India is to grow at 6.1% to 6.4%.
The credit conditions have improved for Asia-Pacific banks.
With countries rolling out vaccination programmes, economies are recovering and regional financial
circumstance are supportive in the Asian region.
The pandemic has left deep negative effects on lenders. The banks will take years to recover from
COVID-19 crisis.
Most of the economic activities became standstill during April-June in 2020. This contracted GDP of
the country massively by 23.9%.
Three speed recovery patterns have emerged in Asia-Pacific. China, Taiwan, New Zealand lead the
group where economic activities are above pandemic level. Australia, Korea and Japan are in the
middle group where the activities should reach pre-pandemic levels in mid 2021. India has now joined
this group.
The S and P currently has a BBB rating on India.
What is BBB rating?
BBB is Better Business Bureau. It was founded in 1912. It is a non-profit trust that focuses on advancing
market places. It has more than 106 independent organisations from USA and Canada. It is not affiliated to
any governments. It provides an A+ through F grade system. The grades offer confidence of BBB that
business is operating in a trustworthy manner. Around 400,000 local businesses are affiliated to BBB rating.
S&P Global Ratings
It is an American credit rating agency. It publishes financial research and analysis on bonds, stocks, and
commodities. It is considered as the largest of the “BIG THREE” credit rating agencies. The “BIG THREE”
credit rating agencies are Moody’s Investors, Fitch Rating and the S and P Ratings (S and P is Standard and
Poor’s).
State of Emergency in Ethiopia
Ethiopia recently declared Emergency in the southern part of Amhara region as violence broke out in various
parts. The violence in Ethiopia has been increased and insecurity is extending beyond war hit Tigray regions
of Ethiopia ahead of National Elections planned in June.
What is the issue?
The violence in the region began after an ethnic Oromo Imam was shot dead outside a mosque. This
increased the clashes between the Ethnic Oromo civilians and the Amhara Security forces. The Amhara
region is dominated by the ethnic Amhara group. On the other hand, the Oromo Special Zone is populated by
the Oromos. The Oromos are numerically dominant.
What is the issue between Amhara and Oromo?
Till 1991, the Ethiopian politics was dominated by Amhara. However, the Oromo was the largest ethnic
group in the country. This created an ethnic conflict between the groups. Due to the conflict, many moved to
the US as refugees, asylees and permanent residents.
Ethiopia Crisis
The Tigray region of Ethiopia is ruled by the powerful Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). In 2018, the
Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed made peace with Eritrea for which he won Nobel Peace Prize in
2019. TPPLF sees Eritrea as its enemy.

In August 2020, Abiy postponed the general elections to 2021 citing COVID-19 pandemic. The TPLF accused
him of power grab and held elections in Tigray region in September 2020. This increased the tensions.
Ethnic Divide in Ethiopia
The Tigray people make up 6% of the Ethiopian populations. The Oromos share 34% and the Amhara share
27%.
Statehood Movement in Columbia

The House of Representatives in the US recently passed a bill to make Washington DC, the fifty first US
state. The Washington DC Admission bill is being passed for the second time in a year. The bill will create
the state of “Washington, Douglas Commonwealth”. It has been named after Frederick Douglass.
The Washington DC is formally known as Columbia. It is the capital of United States. It is located on the
Potomac river. It borders Maryland and Virginia.
Statehood Movement in Columbia
The District of Columbia Statehood Movement aims to make the Columbia District a US state. This will
provide the taxpayers with voting representation in the Congress. Eventually they will receive full control
over the local affairs. Currently, the Columbian district is under the direct jurisdiction of the US Congress.
How can the Statehood be achieved?
The Statehood shall be achieved in the US if the US Congress passes a law. The Article IV of the US
Constitution empowers the US Congress to admit new states to the Union by passing a law.
About Columbia
If Columbia becomes a state, it will rank 49th in population. But in terms of GDP, it will rank first. And also,
first in terms of median household income.
Frederick Douglass
He was the first African American to be nominated for Vice President of USA. He was a social reformer,
orator and abolitionist. He once served as a slave in Maryland. He escaped slavery and became a national
leader of the Abolitionist movement. The Abolitionist movement sought to end slavery in the US.
GC Murmu chosen as external auditor by OPCW
G C Murmu has been chosen as the External Auditor of Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
(OPCW).
Key Highlights
G C Mumru is currently serving as the CAG of India. He has been appointed as the External Auditor of
Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. He will serve at the OPCW as an External Auditor
for three years.
Also, India was elected as the member state of the Executive Council of OPCW in the Asia region for
another two years.
About G C Murmu
He was a 1895 batch IAS officer of Gujarat Cadre.
He was appointed as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in 2020.
He had also served as the Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. He was the first Lt Governor
of Jammu and Kashmir.
He also served as the Principal Secretary of Narendra Modi during his reign as the Chief Minister of
Gujarat.
Apart from these services, he has served as the External Auditor of World Food Programme,
International Atomic Energy Agency, World Intellectual Property Organisation, UN World Tourism
Organisation, International Maritime Organisation.

OPCW
The Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has 193 member states.
It is an international organisation that works to achieve a chemical weapon free world.
OPCW is based in Hague, Netherlands.
The Chemical Weapons Convention is implemented by OPCW. The convention aims to eliminate and
destroy chemical weapons by prohibiting development, acquisition, stockpiling and use of chemical
weapons.
India is a member of Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
US passes bill to fight hate crimes against Asian Americans
The US Senate recently passed a bill to help combat the rise of hate crimes against the Pacific Islanders
and Asian Americans. The bill will support the local law enforcements in controlling the hate crimes.
Need for the Bill
The COVID-19 increased the hate crimes against the Asian Americans in the US. According to the Federal
Crime Data, the hate crimes were at the highest level in over a decade in 2019. This has increased further in
2020 after COVID-19.
The discrimination being reported in the US are Verbal harassment, physical assault, shunning, coughed or
spat on, workplace discrimination or refusal of service.
Situation in California
Of all the states, California is facing a greater number of hate crimes. More than six million Asian
Americans live in California. They make up more than 15% residents of the state. Between March, 2020 and
May 2020, California had reported more than 800 COVID-19 related hate crimes. According to a study, these
incidents have now increased by 1200%.
Hate Crimes in India
The Indian Penal Code makes hate crimes punishable. Sections 153 A, 153 B, 295 A, 505 (1), 298 and 505
(2) of the Indian Penal Code says that words spoken or written that promotes disharmony, insults, hatred on
the basis of ethnicity, religion, culture, region, community, caste, race, etc is punishable under law.
Other Indian laws that contain provisions related to hate speech are Information Technology Act, 2000,
Representation of People Act, 1951 and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Hate Crimes in India due to COVID-19
In India, the hate crimes against Muslims are increasing due to COVID-19. Rumours are spreading in the
country, especially in Jharkhand that Muslim men are deliberately splitting in public places to spread the
virus. This has even created group clashes in Gumla district of Jharkhand.
Earth Day Summit
On March 22, 2021, US President Joe Biden kick started a two-day Earth Day Summit. During the Summit,
the President pledged to halve the US emissions by the end of the decade.
Key Highlights
The United States and the other countries increased their targets of slashing the Greenhouse gas
emissions.
The US President Joe Biden unveiled a 2 trillion USD infrastructure package. The package included
several elements of climate friendly policies, investment in electric grid, development funds for clean
energy.
During the summit, around 101 Nobel Laureates made a call to sign up a “Fossil Fuel Non-
Proliferation Treaty”. They submitted a letter that called to phase out fossil fuels. The Buddhist leader
Dalai Lama was one of the signatories of the letter.

Also, other leaders announced their commitments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions during the
summit.
Current Scenario
The US has the highest amount of public money committed to the fossil fuels in COVID-19 recovery
packages.
The per capita fossil fuel consumption of USA was 66,525-megawatt hour and for India, it was 6,303
megawatt hour.
The fossil fuel sector in the US gets 20 billion USD of direct subsidies. Of this 20% is allocated to coal
and 80% to crude oil and natural gas.
Background
The Production Gap report of United Nations Environment Programme that was published in 2020 said that
the countries should decrease fossil fuel production roughly by 6% a year between 2020 and 2030 to follow
the 1.5 degrees consistent pathway. That is, to keep the increase in global temperature within 1.5 degrees
Celsius as compare to pre-industrial era.
IndRa: Cost of vaccinating India's population above 18 years 0.36% of GDP
The India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) recently said the estimated cost to vaccinate all the Indians of age
18 years will be Rs 67,193 crores. This is 0.36% of the GDP of the country.
Key Findings
The GoI recently announced the Liberalised and Accelerated Phase 3 strategy of COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the new strategy, all the persons above 18 years of age are eligible to get COVID-19 vaccine.
With this, the total size of population eligible for vaccination is 84.19 crores. The population of India is
133.26 crores. The India Ratings and Research says that it will cost Rs 67,193 to vaccinate 84.19 crores of
people. The Union Government will incur Rs 20,870 crores of the cost and the state government shall incur
Rs 46,323 crores.
Amount spent so far
The Ind-Ra also states that the Union Government has already spent Rs 5,090 crores in procuring 21.4
crores of vaccines from Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India. COVAXIN was procured from Bharat
Biotech and COVISHIELD From Serum Institute of India.
Assuming that the wastage to be 5%, the cost of procurement is to come to Rs 62,103 crores.
How can the procurement cost be split between state and the central governments?
If the cost of procurement of vaccines are split between the central and state governments, the amount to
be spent by the Union Government on the vaccination will be 0.12% of GDP and the amount to be spent by
the State Governments will be 0.24% of GDP.
The maximum impact is likely to be on Bihar. Bihar will have to spend 0.6% of its State Gross Domestic
Product (SGDP), Uttar Pradesh will have to spend 0.47% of its SGDP, 0.37% by Jharkhand, 0.36% by
Manipur, 0.35% by Assam, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh will have to spend 0.30% of their SGDP.
Second World Ocean Assessment
The United Nations recently released the Second World Ocean Assessment report. It is the work of
hundreds of scientists appointed by the members of United Nations from all over the world. It follows the
initial report, “World Ocean Assessment I” published in 2015.
The number of dead zones in the oceans have doubled. It has increased from 400 in 2008 to 700 in
2019.
90% of the Mangrove Seagrass and marsh plant species are facing extinction.
30% of seabird species are facing the threat of extinction.

Only 10% of the ocean has been explored and studied. With this minimal study, scientists have found
out that the oceans are being degraded at huge level.
The heat content in the oceans has more than doubled since 1990. This has affected the marine
lives.
15% of the Sandy beaches are seeing retreating shorelines. This is happening at the rate of 1 metre
per year or more in the last thirty-three years.
The first World Ocean Assessment report was released in 2015. The report said that Oceans have been
degrading seriously due to failure to deal with pressures caused by human activities, aquaculture, fishing,
oil and gas, shipping, pollution. According to the World Assessment Report II, these conditions have not
changed and are contnuing.
What are Dead Zones in the Ocean?
Dead Zone is a common term used for Hypoxia. That is, the areas with reduced level of oxygen. They are
those areas where the marine organisms in the ocean face Hypoxia. Hypoxia is a medical condition where
the person faces difficulty in breathing.
So far, scientists have found 400 dead zones in the ocean. The largest dead zone is located in the Arabian
sea. This covers almost 63,700 square miles in Gulf of Oman.
Japan to host first joint military exercise with US and France
Japan is to hold its first military drill with French and US troops in May 2021. According to Japan, the
exercise is being held as it is concerned about the increasing Chinese actions in the regional waters.
About the exercise
The exercise will be the first large scale exercise between Japan, US and France.
The exercise is to be held at the JGSDF Kirishima training ground.
It will include amphibious operations as well.
The exercise has come as Japan is trying to increase its defence cooperation with the US. Japan
intends to counter China’s assertiveness in the South and East China sea.
The French Government shares the vision of free and open Indo-Pacific. France has territories in the
Indian Ocean namely French Polynesia in South Pacific and French Island of Reunion in the Indian
Ocean.
Background
The US President Joe Biden and the Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga recently met at the White
House. Their conversations mainly centred around “What to do about China?”. During the meet, the leaders
agreed to take up issues such as China’s aggressions in East China sea and South China sea. The leaders
agreed to work together to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. Japan has always been open that it is
threatened by the vast military resources of China and its territorial disputes.
Major irritant between China and Japan
Japan is mainly concerned about the Chinese claims of Senkaku Islands. The Islands are currently
administered by Japan. However, China claims the Island and calls it Diaoyu.
In South China Sea
China claims most of the South China Region, It has drawn an imaginary “Nine Dash Line”. The Chinese
claim the regions of South China sea based on this line.
Nine Dash Line of China
The Nine Dash Line is a demarcation line used by China for its claim over South China Sea. In 1947, China
showed a U-shaped eleven dash line in its map. Later two dashes were removed making it a nine-dash line.
In 2010, China published a new map that incorporated a tenth dash. In 2013, China extended this line to the
east of Taiwan and further extending it to the East China Sea.

SBI Report: FY22 growth at 10.4%,
The State Bank of India recently revised the growth of India for the Fiscal Year 2021-22 to 10.4%. Earlier, the
bank had predicted the growth rate as 11%. SBI has curbed the growth rate of the country due to the
increasing COVID-19 crisis.
Suggestions made by SBI report
The report says that Government of India should increase the vaccination efforts instead of
lockdowns.
According to the report, the cost of inoculating half the population in thirteen major states will be
0.1% of GDP of the country or 15% to 20% of the health budget of the states. These estimates have
been made assuming that the Centre will bear the cost of vaccinating the other half of the population.
Economic Losses due to COVID-19
The economic losses due to the existing curbs have been estimated as Rs 1.5 lakh crores.
Maharashtra alone contributed to 54% of these losses. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
together account to 80% of the losses.
The business activities of SBI dipped to a five-month low in April 2021.
Of all the states, Maharashtra has been badly affected by COVID-19. The losses suffered by
Maharashtra have been estimated as Rs 82,000 crores. These losses are to increase if the
restrictions are increased in the state.
When will conditions normalise in India?
The report has analysed the vaccine drives in other countries. According to its analysis, the infections
stabilised in foreign countries after 15% of the population was administered with COVID-19. The report says
that India will inoculate its 15% of population only by December 2021.
What is Proning?
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently issued guidelines on proning for self-care for COVID-19
patients at home. Under the new guidelines, the ministry has advised the COVID-19 patients to practice
proning if they are facing breathing difficulties.
Background
The number of COVID-19 cases in India is increasing rapidly. This has put hospitals under stress. Therefore,
the doctors have advised self-monitoring of oxygen levels under new the guidelines. If a patient is facing
difficulty in breathing, they can lie face down.
What is Proning?
Lying face down is called proning.
When the oxygen levels of a patient in home isolation falls below 94, he or she can lie on their belly.
This helps to improve ventilation and will open the alveolar units.
Guidelines on Proning
Four to five pillows are needed for proning. One pillow is placed below the neck, one below the chest
and two below the shins. The front of the leg below the knees is called shin.
The guideline also states four conditions when proning should not be done. They are pregnancy,
major cardiac conditions, deep venous thrombosis and unstable spine, pelvic fractures.
Also, proning should not be done for an hour after meals. A patient shall lie in this position up to 16
hours.
Alveolar Units
The Alveoli is the primary structural and functional unit of lungs. There are 500 million alveoli in the human
lung. They are tiny sacs.
The oxygen breathed in from the air passes through the alveoli, into the blood and then travels to the

tissued through the blood vessels. The Carbon dioxide travels in the blood from the body tissues through
alveoli and is then breathed out. Thus, the Alveolar Units play a crucial role in respiration.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana: Free Food Grains till June
The Government of India recently announced that it will provide five kilo grams of free food grains under the
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana till June 2021. The free food grains are being provided to those
covered under the National Food Security Act, 2013. This is to continue till June 2021.
What is the plan?
Around eighty crore beneficiaries are being provided with free food grains (rice or wheat) at a scale of 5 kg
per person per month. This is over and above the monthly entitlements under the National Food Security
Act. These are the beneficiaries that are covered under both Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority
Householders.
The extension of the scheme is to cost an additional Rs 26,000 crores. The Government of India has
announced that it will bear all the expenditure. Also, the central assistance is to be provided to states and
union territories on account of intrastate transportation.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana
The scheme was launched in March 2020. It is operated by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food
and Public Distribution.
It was launched for a period of April 2020 to June 2020 at an estimated cost of Rs 1.7 lakh crores.
The scheme was extended till November 2020 with an additional allocation of Rs 90,000 crores.
The scheme provided 5 kg of rice or wheat and one kilo grams of chana to each family per month.
It was a part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
Outcome
Criticisms prevail that the scheme failed to distribute grains to the intended recipients. Eleven states
distributed less than 1% of food grains and two states failed to distribute any grains.
April 24, 2021
National Panchayati Raj Day
Every year, the National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated on April 24. The first National Panchayati Raj day
was declared by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on April 24, 2010. It is celebrated on April 24 as the
Panchayati Raj System of India came into effect on April 24, 1993.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the SVAMITVA Scheme on National Panchayati Raj Day,
2020.
This year, more than 74,000 Panchayats are to participate in National Panchayati Raj Awards, 2021.
This is 28% higher than the National Panchayati Raj Awards, 2020.
There are more than 2.6 lakh Panchayats in the country.
Awards presented
The Deen Dayal Upadhyay Pachayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar is awarded on National Panchayati Raj
Day.
Also, the Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Sabha Puraskar is awarded to Gram Sabha.
Apart from these awards, Child friendly Gram Panchayat award and E-Panchayat award are also
presented on this day
Panchayati Raj System
The Panchayati Raj Act came into effect on April 24, 1993 and thus, the National Panchayati Raj Day is
celebrated on April 24. It was introduced through the 73rd Constitutional amendment.
The establishment of Panchayati Raj System in the country was recommended by Balwant Rai Committee.
Features of 74th Amendment Act
Every state shall constitute a Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Corporation and Municipal Council.
All the seats in the municipality shall be filled by persons chosen from direct elections.
A ward Committee shall be constituted.
The seats in the local bodies shall be reserved for the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.
Establishment of Independent Election Commission in each state.
Establishment of Financial Commission in each state.
NBFCs to function in GIFT city, Gujarat
The International Financial Service Centre recently granted permission for the Non-Banking Finance
Companies to operate in Gujarat GIFT City. The NBFCs will now be allowed to offer whole range of services
such as loans, investment banking, exotic derivative trades and third-party product sales.
Significance
The move will attract top financial services from all over the world. Also, it will help to localise services that
are usually offered overseas.
GIFT City
The GIFT City was the first International Financial Service Centre (IFSC) of India. It was established under
Special Economic Act, 2005. The GIFT city provides services such as Offshore Banking, fund raising
services for individuals, Offshore Asset management, etc.
The idea of GIFT city was conceived at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit, 2007. It was established
based on Fibre to the home. It is an intelligent building with piped supply of cooking gas. Also, it the first
city if India to receive city-level District Cooling System.
The Gujarat Maritime Cluster is to be established in GIFT City. A maritime cluster is a collection of
institutions, businesses in the maritime sector.
International Financial Service Centre
The IFSC conducts business in foreign currencies. These centres deal with financial products and services
across borders.
The insurance sectors and capital markets in the IFSC were regulated by multiple regulators such as SEBI,
RBI and IRDAI. Thus, GoI passed the International Financial Service Centre Authority Act to bring all them
under a single authority called the IFSC Authority. The act was passed in December 2019.
Special Economic Zones Act, 2005
The Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 provides legal framework for establishment of Special Economic
Zones.
GoI targets 17 million tonnes of Mustard Production
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare recently announced that it is to bring nine million tonnes of
land under mustard cultivation. This will increase mustard production to 17 million tonnes by 2025-26.
Current Scenario
The average mustard production in India, that is, the mustard production between 2015 and 2019 was 7.7
million tonnes. This was produced from 5.9 million hectares of land.
What is the issue?
India imports around 70% of edible oil needs. Of this, Palm oil is the highest. There is a need to make India
self-sufficient in oil. In order to achieve this, the GoI is planning to increase oil seed production. However,
the problem is the low productivity, that is, mustards produced per hectare is low.
Currently, Rajasthan produces 40.82% of total mustards in India. It is the highest mustard producing state in
the country.

What is the plan?
In order to achieve the target, the GoI is planning to target 7.58 million hectares for the year 2021-22.
Around 12.24 million tonnes are to be produced from these lands.
In 2020, the GoI targeted 368 districts from 13 states for mustard cultivation. This was done under Mustard
Mission. In 2020, the GoI spent Rs 160 crores on mustard mission. This is to be continued for the current
fiscal year as well.
In order to increase the productivity, the GoI has planned to use mustard seeds of high quality. This will
increase the yield from 20% to 100%.
Achievement of Yellow Revolution
In 1986, the then PM Rajiv Gandhi launched the Yellow Revolution. It was based on Oilseeds Technology
Mission. It was a big success. By 1993, India became self-sufficient in edible oil production. Through Yellow
revolution India produced 97% of edible oil requirement within the country.
Sam Pitroda is called the “Father of Yellow Revolution”. It focused on nine oilseeds. They were mustard,
groundnut, soybean, sesame, safflower, niger, sunflower, Castor and linseed.
Zydus drug Virafin gets DCGI nod
The Drug Controller General of India recently provided “Restricted Emergency Use Approval” for the use of
“Virafin”. Virafin is used to treat Hepatitis B and C. Now it is to be used to treat moderate COVID-19
infections.
About Virafin
A single dose of Virafin during the early stage of infection, will help COVID-19 patients recover faster.
Also, it will help to avoid complications.
It will help to reduce the need for oxygen support.
Virafin improves recovery time in moderate cases of COVID-19.
According to Zydus 91.15% of adult patients treated with Virafin tested negative using RT-PCR in
seven days.
Zydus is also working on COVID-19 Vaccine ZyCoV-D.
ZyCoV-D
It is a DNA plasmid-based vaccine. In January 2021, the DGCI provided permission to conduct the Phase III
trials of the vaccine. The trials are expected to be completed by May 2021.
DNA Vaccine
It is a type of vaccine that is produced by transfecting antigen-coded DNA sequence into immunised cells.
Transfection is the process of introducing purified nucleic acids into Eukaryotic cells.
Eukaryotes
Eukaryotes are organisms whose cell nucleus are enclosed in a nuclear envelope (called the nuclear
membrane). On the other hand, prokaryotes are organisms that lack nuclear membrane around their
nucleus.
Antigen
Antigen is a toxin or foreign substance that induces an immune response in the body. These responses are
usually in form of antibodies.
Drug Controller General of India
The DCGI is the head of the Central Drugs Control Organisation.
DGCI regulates medical and pharmaceutical devices.
The DGCI establishes standards for manufacturing, import, sales and distribution of drugs in India.
He makes sure if there is uniformity in the implementation of Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
He issued licenses or medical devices that fall under Medical Devices Rules, 2017.

Glacier burst reported in Sumna, Neeti Valley
On April 23, 2021, a Glacier burst occurred in Sumna, Neeti Valley located in Chamoli district in India-China
border. A Border Road Organisation Camp came under the avalanche. The Indian Army has so far rescued
291 persons.
In February 2021, flash floods occurred in Chamoli district due to Glacial burst and killed dozens.
Earlier the breaking of Nanda Devi Glacier triggered avalanche, landslides and flash floods in the tributaries
of the Ganges. The floods due to the breakage damaged two hydroelectric power projects.
Criticality of the Issue
According to United Nations ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) glaciers in
India, Bhutan, Nepal and China says that these regions have lost a vertical foot and a half of ice since 2000.
This is double the amount of melting that occurred between 1975 and 2000.
What causes Glacier Burst?
The Glacier Bursts are caused by the build-up of water pressure. The high temperatures coupled with less
snowfall accelerates melting and causes water to rise to dangerous levels in glacial dams. This increases
water pressure and leads to glacier bursts. The Glacial dams are formed when glaciers block the flow of
water out of a lake. Unlike the usual lakes, the Glacial lakes are made of ice boulders that have the potential
to burst the glacier banks. The Nanda Devi Glacier Burst that occurred in Uttarakhand might be because of
one such reason. However, the real reason behind the Glacier burst is yet to be found.
The 2013 Kedarnath tragedy was due to cloudbursts.
Export of processed food products increase by 27% during April-February 20-21
The exports of processed food products during April-February 2020-21 grew by 26.51%. Their exports
amounted to Rs 43,798 crores during this period.
Exports of Processed Food Products
The major food products exported during 2020-21 were processed vegetables, pulses, processed
fruits and juices, guar gum, groundnuts, milled products, oil meals, alcoholic beverages and oil meals.
The export of processed vegetables and alcoholic beverages increased by 40% in 2020-21.
According to APEDA, the exports of processed food products is to continue in 2021-22. This is mainly
because the demand for processed fruits and vegetables, pulses are increasing in markets such as
middle east, US, UK.
Steps of GoI in Food Processing Industry
In March 2021, Government of India approved Production Linked Incentive Scheme. Through this, GoI
aims to provide Rs 10,900 crores of incentives to the Food Processing sector. The incentive is to be
paid for six years under the scheme.
Pradhan Mantri SAMPADA Yojana is being implemented to develop food processing centres in the
country. SAMPADA is Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing
Clusters. The scheme will create Mega Food Parks.
In 2020, GoI sanctioned 134 food processing projects. This includes 21 agro-processing clusters, 43
food processing units, 47 cold chains, 8 backward and forward linkages, 3 Operation Greens and
twelve food testing laboratories.
Food Processing Industry in India
The FDI inflows in Food Processing Industry increased from 628.24 million USD in 2018-19 to 904.7 million
USD in 2019-20.
Way Forward
APEDA is to make Action Plans to increase export of millet between 2021 and 2026. APEDA is Agricultural
and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.

COVISHIELD protects against Double Mutant
The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology recently announced that COVISHILED vaccine protects
against B.1.617 variant. It is also called the double mutant strain. The vaccines were tested against the
double mutant variety using the Vitro Neutralisation assay.
Vitro Neutralisation Assay
It is used to detect if an antibody is capable of preventing virus replication. This technique does not detect
all antigen-antibody reactions. It only detects antibodies that can block virus replication.
How do scientists find if the vaccine works against mutants?
The researchers first isolate the variants. In this case, it is the B.1.1.617. The National Institute of
Virology has isolated and cultured all the mutants namely B.1.351 (South African variant), B.1.1.28
(Brazil variant), B.1.1.7 (UK Variant) and the double mutant.
Later, the researchers collect the vaccinated sera samples from the people who have been
inoculated. Sera is a protein rich liquid that separates when blood coagulates. Inoculation is treating
a person with vaccine. The inoculated sera is rich in antibodies.
Later the researchers will find how the antibody titers in the new variants. Titration is a technique by
which a solution of known concentration is used to determine the concentration of an unknown
solution.
How are the Variants detected?
The variants are detected by genomic sequencing. It also helps to map the transmissibility and their
origin.
The GoI has established INSACOG labs to sequence the viral genome.
India is keeping a close watch on possible new variants from incoming travellers from overseas and also
from incoming travellers.
116 Indian districts reported zero malaria cases in 2020
The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare recently reported that as many as 116 districts in India
have reported zero malaria cases in 2020.
About the achievement
In 2020, India had reduced the disease burden of Malaria by 84.5%. Also, India has reduced the
deaths due to Malaria by 83.6%.
According to the World Health Organisation, India was able to achieve this due to strengthened
technical leadership, rejuvenated political commitment, prioritising right mix of vector control
measures.
Background
India was one of the eighteen countries that endorsed Malaria Elimination Roadmap of Asia Pacific Leaders
Malaria Alliance at the East Asia Summit that was held in Malaysia in 2015. Under the alliance, the leaders
agreed to eliminate malaria completely in the region by 2030. Under this, India launched the National
Framework for Malaria Elimination in India (2016-2030). The recent achievement is a part of this framework,
National Framework for Malaria Elimination
The framework works under four objectives. They are as follows:
To eliminate malaria from all Category 1 and Category 2 states by 2022.
To reduce the incidence of malaria to less than one per thousand population by 2024.
To interrupt indigenous transmission of malaria in Category 3 states and Union Territories by 2027.
To prevent re-establishment of local malaria and maintain national malaria free status by 2030.
Classification of States and Union Territories
Category 0: States and UTs with zero indigenous cases of Malaria

Category 1: The States and UTs with less than one case per 1000 population.
Category 2: States and UTs with less than one case per 1000 population. However, some of the
districts are reporting greater than one case.
Category 3: States and Union Territories with one person per 1000 population at risk.
Basic customs duty and health cess on medical oxygen, equipment launched
The Government of India has granted complete exemption from basic health cess on import of oxygen-
related equipment and customs duty for a period of three months.
Background
With the COVID-19 double mutant variant B.1.617 spreading rapidly in the country, the demand for medical
oxygen exploded exponentially. In order fulfil this high demand, the Government of India has been taking
several steps.
Medical Oxygen Plants
The GoI announced that 162 medical oxygen plants are to be established in public health facilities. Of this,
thirty-three has already been established in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka Bihar, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, etc.
Another 80 plants are to be installed by May 2021. The cost of establishing these plants have been
estimated as Rs 201.58 crores. Of these hundred medical oxygen plants are to be funded by the PM CARES
fund.
Import
The GoI has planned to import 50,000 tonnes of Oxygen.
Disaster Management Act
The Union Home Ministry invoked the Disaster Management Act. With the powers of the act, the Home
Ministry has directed the states to ensure free inter-state movement of oxygen carrying vehicles.
Motor Vehicle Act
The Ministry of Road Transport has exempted the requirement of permit under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 for
vehicles transporting oxygen cylinders.
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force airlifted four cryogenic oxygen tanks from Singapore to meet the immediate needs of
oxygen supply in country.
Indian Railways
The Indian Railways launched the Oxygen Express to transport oxygen in the country.
Kerala
In the current high shortage of Oxygen in the country, Kerala is the only oxygen surplus state managing the
crisis. The oxygen production of the state is 199 tonnes per day. The COVID care demand of oxygen in the
state is 35 tonnes per day. With surplus oxygen, Kerala has been sending oxygen to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
and Goa.
SVAMITVA E-Property Cards distributed
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the distribution of E-Property Cards under the Svamitva
Scheme. Around 4.09 lakh property cards were distributed. The cards were distributed on the side-lines of
National Panchayati Raj Day celebrations.
Every year, the National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated on April 24. It is celebrated on this day as the
Panchayati Raj Act was enacted on this day.
Svamitva Scheme
The Svamitva Scheme was launched in 2020 on National Panchayati Raj day.
Svamitva is Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas.

The scheme aims to provide integrated property validation solution for rural India.
Under the scheme, the mapping is to be done in a phase-wise manner between 2020 and 2024.
The scheme will map the land parcels using drone technology. Also, Continously Operating Reference
Station (CORS) will be used for demarcation.
The scheme is currently applicable only in the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,
Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
The Government of India has allotted Rs 79.65 crores for the scheme.
Objectives of the scheme
To provide financial Stability to people in rural areas as land can be used as an asset to get a loan.
To create accurate land records. This will help in better rural planning.
It will help to support the Gram Panchayat Development Plan.
It will help solve property related disputes in rural areas.
Benefits
Over six lakh rural people are to be benefitted from the scheme.
The “Record of Rights” is to be provided under the scheme through land or property registrations.
It will help monetise rural residential assets.
April 25, 2021
World Malaria Day: April 25
Every year, the World Malaria Day is celebrated on April 25 by the World Health Organisation and several
other international organisations. This year, the World Malaria Day is to be celebrated under the following
theme:
Theme: Reaching the Zero Malaria Target
World Malaria Day
The World Malaria Day is one of the eleven official Global Public Health campaigns marked by the World
Health Organisation The other ten are World AIDS Day, World Hepatitis Day, World No Tobacco Day, World
Chagas Disease Day, World Tuberculosis Day, World Patients Safety Day, World Blood Donor Day, World
Health Day, and World Antimicrobial Awareness Week.
The World Malaria Day was established by the 60th session of the World Health Assembly. Earlier it was
widely known as the African Malaria Day.
Malaria
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasite. The disease spreads to the humans through the bite of female
Anopheles mosquito.
Malaria in India
According to the World Health Organisation, India represents to 3% of the global malaria. India once nearly
eliminated Malaria. However, Malaria came back to India in the beginning of twenty first century. In 2009,
there were 1.5 million Malarial cases in India. India has set a target of becoming Malaria free country by
2027 and malaria elimination by 2030.
National Strategic Plan for Elimination of Malaria
The plan was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The above target was set under this
plan. The plan is designed based on the Global Technical Strategy of Malaria (2016-2030).
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently announced that, in 2020, 116 Indian districts reported
zero malaria cases.
Malaria Elimination
Malaria has been eliminated in Europe, United States, parts of Asia and Latin America. However, the disease
is re-emerging in these regions as drug-resistant and insecticide-resistant.

April 26, 2021
World Intellectual Property Day: April 26
Every year, the World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated on April 26. The day is celebrated to highlight
the importance of Intellectual Property. The day is celebrated by the World International Property and
several other international organisations.
This year, the World Intellectual Property Day is being celebrated under the following theme:
Theme: IP and SMEs: Taking your ideas to market
World Intellectual Property Day
The day was established by the World Intellectual Property Organisation in 2000. It aims to increase
awareness on how copyright, patents, designs and trademarks impact on daily life.
Why April 26?
April 26 was chosen to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day as “Convention Establishing the World
Intellectual Property Organisation” entered into force.
Celebrating World Intellectual Property Day was proposed by China.
World Intellectual Property Organisation
The WIPO was established in 1967. It entered into force in 1970. It is one of the fifteen specialized agencies
of the United Nations. The organisation administers 26 international treaties that ranges between protection
of broadcast and establishing international patent classification.
India is a member of WIPO. India is also a member of the following WIPO administered international
treaties:
Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate Access to Published Works by Visually Impaired Persons and Persons
with Print Disabilities.
Nairobi Treaty on the Protection of the Olympic Symbol
Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms Against Unauthorized Duplication of Their
Phonograms
Washington Treaty on Intellectual Property in respect of Integrated Circuits
Patent Cooperation Treaty
Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks-
Madrid Protocol
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property
Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization
Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes
of Patent Procedure
International Climate Finance Plan of the US
The US President recently announced the country’s new Finance Plan at the Leader’s Summit on Climate.
The Summit was hosted by the USA.
About the Plan
The US has set a new goal to cut its emissions by 50% to 52% as compared to 2005 levels.
The US will double its climate funding by 2024. It is to triple its climate funding eventually.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is to release a new Climate Change
Strategy in November 2021 at the COP26.
The United States International Development Finance Corporation is to change its development
strategy to include climate in its plan. It will prioritize climate mitigation and adaption. This is the first
time the US is including climate in its development strategy.
The Millennium Change corporation will focus on climate smart development and sustainable
infrastructure. It aims to direct more than 50% of its funding towards climate-related investments.
The US Treasury will direct the executive directors in multilateral development banks such as World
Bank to ensure that they set ambitious climate finance targets.
The plan will also focus on ending international investments in carbon-intensive fossil fuel-based
energy products.
Background
The United States is the world’s second leading emitter after China. The country will have to contribute 800
billion USD as its share in the international climate finance.
Millennium Change corporation
It is a bilateral foreign US aid agency that was established in 2004. It provides financial aid to the countries
with good economic growth through good policies.
US International Development Finance Corporation
The US International Development Finance Corporation is responsible for providing finances to private
development projects in low-income and middle-income countries. It was formed in 2019.
Gambia eliminates Trachoma
Gambia recently became the second African country to eliminate Trachoma. Trachoma is one of the leading
causes of blindness. Ghana became the first African country to eliminate Trachoma in 2018.
What is Trachoma?
It is a bacterial eye infection that damages the eye lids. It causes the eye lashes to turn inwards. Trachoma
is one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases. It leads to irreversible vision losses and blindness if not
corrected with surgery.
Trachoma is caused by bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
Trachoma in Africa
The number of people at risk from the disease decreased by more than 90% since 2000. However, more
than forty countries in Africa are still affected by Trachoma.
Success of Gambia
Gambia eliminated Trachoma after four decades of rigorous works by NGOs, health workers and local
communities. A network of eye units were created with the help of NGOs. These units identified people with
Trachoma. Thousands of heath volunteers were trained to go door-to-door to find people with the disease.
Background
The World Health Organisation launched a roadmap of Global Targets to tackle twenty Neglected Tropical
Diseases including Trachoma. The roadmap aims to eliminate all the twenty diseases by 2030.
Trachoma in India
India became free from Trachoma in 2017. According to the National Trachoma Survey Report, the overall
prevalence of Trachoma was 0.7% in the country. This is much below the elimination criteria defined by the
World Health Organisation.
What causes Trachoma?
Trachoma is caused due to poor environmental and personal hygiene. This mainly occurs when the person
faces inadequate access to water and sanitation.
Russia’s central bank increases interest rates
The Central Bank of Russia has increased the interest rate from 4.5% to 5%.
Why did the Bank increase the interest rates?
This is the second time the apex bank is increasing the interest rates due to elevated inflation pressure.
According to the bank, the inflation in the country will be in the range of 4.7% to 5.2% by 2021. It is

expecting that Russia will return to its 4% target only in 2022.
What caused inflation in Russia?
Currency Depreciation caused Inflation in Russia. The Russian currency depreciated in April 2021 due to the
following reasons:
Decrease in Russian oil prices
Decoupling moves in other emerging markets due to fears of US Sanctions
Russian military buildup near Ukraine
Relation between Currency Depreciation and Inflation
When the inflation rate of a country is high, then the prices of its goods will increase. This will make them
less competitive in the international markets. Eventually these goods will experience less demand for
exports and thus less demand for currency. This will ultimately lead to depreciation. Similarly, depreciation
of currency will also lead to Inflation in the country.
Russian Oil Prices
Russia was producing 560 million tonnes of oil prior to the pandemic at a rate of 11.3 million barrels per
day. It hit record levels in 2019. The production levels decreased for the first time as Russia agreed to cut
its production level along side OPEC+ countries to stabilize oil prices. With this, Russia decreased its oil
production by 9%.
Russia is expected to increase its oil production in 2022.
Background
Whenever the oil prices begin to decrease in the world market, the OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum
Exporting Countries) will decide on how to share the burden. They will then together to increase the oil
prices. However, the American shale producers who are not members of OPEC do not follow the actions
taken. Thus, in 2016 oil producing countries formed a cohesive bloc outside the club. Russia plays a major
role in this.
SpaceX Crew 2: Key Facts
The SpaceX Crew 2 is the second crewed flight of Crew Dragon spacecraft. It is the third overall crewed
orbital flight. Under Crew 2 Mission, NASA and SpaceX together transported four astronauts to the
International Space Station.
About Crew 2
It transported four members from international space agencies and from NASA to the International
Space Station.
It used the same capsule as Demo-2. Demo-2 is also called Endeavour. Endeavour was manufactured
and operated by SpaceX. It was used for Commercial Crew Programme of NASA.
It also used the same booster as that of Crew-1.
It will dock to the International Docking Adapter on the Harmony Module. Harmony is the utility hub of
the International Space Station. It connects the laboratory modules of Europe, United States and
Japan.
The firsts in Crew 2 Mission
It is the first commercial crew mission to fly international partners.
It is the first reuse of Crew Dragon Spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket on a crew mission.
It is the first time two commercial crew spacecrafts will be docked to the station at the same time.
Crew-1
It was the first crewed flight of Crew Dragon spacecraft.
It was also the first night launch by the United States.
It was the first operational mission to the International Space Station in the Commercial Crew

Programme of NASA.
Russia’s central bank raised its key interest rate
Commercial Crew Programme
It is a human space flight programme operated by NASA. It was launched to transport astronauts to and
from International Space Station.
SpaceX Dragon
The Crew 2 Mission used Dragon spacecraft to transport the astronauts. The first maiden flight of
Dragon was in 2010. It became the first commercially built and operated spacecraft.
It was first launched into the orbit by Falcon 9 rocket to resupply the International Space Station.
Infections after COVID Vaccination
The Indian Council of Medical Research recently reported that around two to four of the ten thousand
vaccinated people tested positive for the disease. This is referred to as “Breakthrough Infection”.
Key Findings of ICMR
According to ICMR, around 9.3 million have received the first dose of COVAXIN. Of this, 4,208 have
tested positive, which is 0.02%. Of the 1.7 million who received the second dose, 695 tested positive,
which is 0.04%.
Of the 100.3 million who received the first dose of COVIDSHIELD vaccine, 17,145 tested positive,
which is 0.03%. Of the 15 million who received the second dose of COVISHIELD, 5,014 tested positive,
which is 0.04%.
What are Breakthrough Infections?
A person who has COVID-19 antigen or RNA after 14 days of taking the vaccine is said to have
Breakthrough Infection. In simple words, the Breakthrough infections are those infections that occur
in people who are vaccinated.
This is common in any vaccine. In AstraZeneca Clinical Trials, thirty out of 5,807 tested positive after
fourteen days of the second shot.
During trials COVID-19 vaccines have shown to be between 60% and 95% effective. In actual any
vaccine is less effective than what is reported in trials.
Background
According to WHO, no vaccine offers 100% protection from any disease. It takes two weeks for the
body to build immunity after being vaccinated.
In the US, around 7% got COVID-19 infections after vaccination.
Why do Breakthrough Infections occur?
One main reason for the occurrence of the infection after vaccination is improper vaccination. This might
occur due to injecting the vaccine in the wrong place. Weak Immunity and age also cause breakthrough
infection.
NASA helicopter makes third flight on Mars
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recently announced that the Ingenuity
helicopter has completed its third flight successfully.
Third Flight of Ingenuity Helicopter
According to NASA, in its third flight, the Ingenuity helicopter flew faster and farther.
In its third flight, the helicopter rose to five metres. This is the same altitude as that of its second
flight.
It rose at a top speed of 2 metres per second.
The helicopter travelled fifty metres in its third flight.

Challenge
The Martian Atmosphere is filled with Carbon Dioxide. This is the biggest challenge for the Ingenuity
Helicopter.
Mars 2020 mission
It is part of Mars Exploration Programme of NASA.
It includes Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter.
The main objective of Perseverance rover is to investigate Astro-biologically relevant ancient
environment in mars. Astro-Biology was formerly known as exobiology. It is an interdisciplinary
scientific field that is concerned with the origins, evolution, distribution and future of life in the
universe.
Mars Exploration Programme
It was launched in 1993 to explore the possibilities of life on mars. In 2013, the US Government cut 40% of
NASA’s budget. This delayed the projects under the programme. The main objectives of the programme are
as follows:
To determine if life ever existed in Mars
To characterise the Climate of Mars
To characterise the geology of Mars
To prepare for human exploration of mars
Recent Developments of the mission
The Perseverance rover of Mars 2020 carried the MOXIE and Ingenuity Helicopter.
The Perseverance rover of the Mars 2020 mission dropped the Ingenuity helicopter in the Martian
surface.
The Ingenuity Helicopter became the first aircraft to fly in another planet.
The Ingenuity Helicopter makes historic flight.
The MOXIE in the Perseverance Rover makes history by converting carbon dioxide in to oxygen.
CSIR Sero survey Results
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research recently released the results of Sero Survey.
Key Findings of the Survey
The survey was conducted on 10,427 persons. Of these, only 10.14% showed sero positivity.
The survey suggested that the neutralising antibodies have declined. This had made people prone to
reinfections.
Around 20% of seropositive individuals lagged neutralisation activity after five to six months.
The scientists conclude from the survey that this might be one of the reasons for the recurrence of
outbreaks in March 2021.
India had large pool of recovered immune subjects in September 2020. However, the duration for
which the developed immunity can withstand is not sufficient to prevent future outbreaks.
What is sero positivity?
It is showing a positive result for a particular antibody in a blood test.
What is Antibody?
It is a blood protein that is generated to fight against a virus. The antibodies are generated against specific
antigen. More the antibodies higher is the immunity.
These antibodies are generated in response to substances that body recognises as alien. It can be bacteria,
virus or any other foreign substance in the blood.
What are Neutralising Antibodies?
They are those antibodies that are responsible for protecting cells from pathogens.

What is the issue?
A cured COVID-19 patient carries antibodies against COVID-19 virus. His immunity holds as long as he
generates these antibodies. According to CSIR, as days pass by these antibodies are reducing in recovered
patients. This means that they are again vulnerable to the virus.
Current Scenario
India is currently facing high surge in COVID-19 infections. The daily count increased to 3 lakhs in four
consecutive days.
Zhurong: China's first Mars rover
China has named its first Mars rover as Zhurong after a traditional fire god. The name signifies igniting the
flame of Planetary Explorations of China.
About Zhurong
Zhurong is on board Tianwen-1 Space probe.
It arrived at the Mars orbit in February 2021 and is due to land on the planet in May 2021.
With Zhurong, China will become the third country after Soviet Union and USA to achieve soft landing
on Mars. Also, it will become the second country put a rover on Mars after the US.
Zhurong weighs 240 kilograms and is solar powered.
Zhurong carries multispectral cameras and instruments to analyse the composition of the rocks. It
will investigate subsurface characteristics with ground penetrating radar.
Tianwen-1
The main aim of Tianwen-1 is to analyse and map the Martian surface and look for water ice and
study the climate and surface environment.
It was launched in July 2020.
Tianwen-1 was launched with an orbiter, camera, lander and the Zhurong rover.
It weighs five tonnes and is one of the heaviest probes launched to Mars.
It was launched in Long March 5 heavy lift launch vehicle.
It was the second of the three space missions sent to Mars in 2020. The other missions launched
were as follows:
The “Hope Orbiter” by United Ara Emirates
Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity helicopter on Mars 2020 by US
Recent Developments
China recently became the first country to land a space probe on the little explored far side of the moon. It
returned to the earth in December with lunar rocks for the first time since 1970s.
ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand: April 25
Every year Anzac Day is celebrated on April 25 in Australia and New Zealand. The day is celebrated as a
national day of remembrance that commemorates all the New Zealanders and Australians who died in wars,
conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
About ANZAC Day
ANZAC is Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
The day was originally planned to honour the members of New Zealand and Australian armies who
served in the Gallipoli Campaign.
Gallipoli Campaign
It was the first military campaign of First World War. It took place in Gallipoli peninsula between 1915
and 1916. It is often considered as the beginning of Australian and New Zealand national
consciousness.
In 1915, New Zealand and Australia set out to capture Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black

sea for the Allied Navies. The main objective was to capture Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman empire
was an ally of Germany during the war.
The Armies of New Zealand and Australia landed on April 25, 1915 and met fierce resistance from the
Ottoman Empire. The plan to knock the Ottomans became a stalemate.
The Gallipoli Campaign dragged for eight months.
The military objectives of Gallipoli campaign were to capture Constantinople and knock the Ottoman
Empire out of war.
Australia and New Zealand Military in Afghanistan
Australia and New Zealand will withdraw their forces from Afghanistan following the US.
NATO had planned to maintain 13,000 troops in Afghanistan earlier. Recently, the US announced that
it is to withdraw its forces completely from Afghanistan.
Australia was one of the top non-NATO troop contributors to NATO-led efforts in Afghanistan.
New Zealand signed partnership agreement with NATO in 2012.
Australia is a signatory of Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation.
New Zealand's action to save Maui dolphins
The Maui Dolphins are found only in the West Coast of New Zealand and no where else in the world. They
are one of the smallest dolphin’s subspecies globally. There are only 63 Maui dolphins left in the world.
What are recent New Zealand plans to save the Dolphins?
The New Zealand Government along with World Wide Fund and some few fishing companies is to develop a
drone that is capable of finding and tracking Maui dolphins using Artificial Intelligence.
It will collect data on dolphins’ habitat, behaviour and population size. The data can then be used to inform
the Government policy changes to stop the decline in the population. It was developed by a non-profit
organisation MAUI63.
The Artificial Intelligence based system will distinguish Maui dolphins with other species with more than
90% accuracy.
Reasons for declining population
The Maui Dolphins are threatened by commercial fisheries. This includes trawling and set-netting.
They are affected by diseases such as Brucellosis and toxoplasmosis.
Low food availability
Climate Change
In 2014, the Government of New Zealand opened 3,000 square kilometres of the West Coast for oil
drilling. This is the main habitat of Maui dolphins.
IUCN
The International Union of Conservation of Nature has listed the Maui Dolphins under Critically Endangered
species.
Toxoplasmosis
The Toxoplasmosis disease is currently the biggest threat of Maui Dolphins. It is caused by a parasite found
in cat faeces.
The parasite survives in weathering condition and is virtually indestructible. As it enters into water, it is
ingested by fish. It then reaches the dolphins when they feed on fish. The parasite causes organ failure and
it attacks the brain.
Zhao: 1st Asian woman to win best director Oscar
The Chinese born film maker Chloe Zhao has become the first Asian woman to win the Best director at the
Academy Awards. She won the award for her film Nomadland.

About Chloe Zhao
Zhao was born in China and went to a boarding school in London. She then moved to Los Angeles where
she completed her high school. Her debut film was Songs My Brothers Taught me. It was premiered at
Sundance Film Festival. Her second film was The Rider. It received nominations at the Independent Spirit
Award for the Best Film and Best Director.
Nomadland
Nomadland won three major awards namely Best Director, Best Actress for Frances McDormand and Best
Picture. The film is about a woman who leaves town after her husband dies. She also becomes houseless
as sole industry closes down. She then lives in a van and travels around the US.
Academy Awards
The Academy Awards is also known as Oscars. They are awarded for artistic and technical merit in
the film industry. They are considered as the most prestigious awards in the world.
The winners are awarded with a copy of a Golden Statuette as trophy. The trophy is officially called
“Academy Award of Merit”.
The award was designed by Cedric Gibbons and sculpted by George Stanley.
It was first presented in 1929.
India at Oscars
Bhanu Athaiya was the first Indian to win Oscar in 1982. She won the award for Best Costume Design
for the movie Gandhi.
As of 2021, thirteen Indians were nominated for Oscars and eight have won in scientific and technical
category.
What is an Oxygen Concentrator?
The Government of India is to import 10,000 oxygen concentrators.
What is an Oxygen Concentrator?
An oxygen concentrator concentrates oxygen from the atmosphere.
Working of Oxygen Concentrator
The atmospheric air has 78% of nitrogen and 21% of oxygen. The Oxygen Concentrator accumulates
air, filters through a sieve sending the nitrogen back in to the air and collects oxygen alone.
The oxygen in the oxygen concentrator is compressed and dispensed through a cannula.
The oxygen is 90% to 95% pure.
A pressure valve in the concentrators help to regulate the supply of oxygen from 1 to 10 litres per
minute.
How is oxygen from Oxygen Concentrator different from Medical Oxygen?
The Oxygen from the concentrators is not as pure as the Liquid Medical Oxygen. However, it is pure
enough for mild and moderate COVID-19 patients. It is suitable for patients who require oxygen
saturation levels of 85% or above. The Oxygen Concentrators are not advisable for ICU patients.
The Oxygen Concentrators will provide only five to ten litres per minute. The critical patients will need
40 to 50 litres of oxygen per minute.
The Oxygen Concentrators are portable. On the other hand, the Liquid Medical Oxygen needs to be
stored and transported in cryogenic tankers.
The Oxygen Concentrators only require a power source to draw in ambient air. On the other hand, the
Liquid Medial Oxygen needs refilling.
The Oxygen Concentrators are largely one-time investment. They require Rs 40,000 to Rs 90,000. The
cylinders costs Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000.
The concentrators require minimal operating cost that includes electricity and routine maintenance.

On the other hand, cylinders involve refilling costs and transportation costs.
Unicorn Black Hole
The Astronomers have discovered the smallest black holes. It has been named as Unicorn. It is 1,500 light
years away from the earth. It is the closest of all the black holes found so far.
About Unicorn
The Unicorn is three times the mass of the sun. Its size is tiny for a black hole.
It appears that the Unicorn accompanies a red giant star. The scientists were able to locate the
Unicorn by documenting the changes in the red giant star. This is because, the black holes are
generally not visible.
The black hole was discovered through an effect called Tidal Distortion.
Tidal Distortion
Tidal Distortion occurs through gravitational interaction of an astronomical body. For instance, the tidal
distortion between the Earth and the moon are higher during no moon and full moon days. The Tidal forces
stretches a body along the line towards the centre of mass of another body.
Significance of Black Holes
It is highly important for the scientists to study black holes as they tell them about the way the stars form
and die.
Why is a Black hole invisible?
A Black Hole is a region in space where the gravity pull is so high. The gravitational pull is so strong that
even light cannot get out. The gravity pull in the region is so strong as the matter has been squeezed into a
tiny space. This usually happens when a star is dying.
Are Black Holes the end stage of a star?
Yes. Most of the star material is blasted away into space during its final stages. However, the core
implodes into a neutron star called the black hole.
April 27, 2021
What are Tissue Chips?
Tissue Chips are devices designed to mimic the functions of human organs. They are also called Organ on
chips.
Why is it in News?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration recently launched Crew 2 Mission. The mission carried
four astronauts to the International Space Station.
The astronauts are to conduct more than two hundred experiments in space. One of them is using Tissue
Chips.
What is the plan?
The astronauts will use the Tissue chips and find out how bodily systems respond to spaceflight. The
following are the experiments to be conducted by the astronauts using the tissue chips:
The kidney stones happen to form in micro gravity conditions very quickly. One tissue chip
investigation will look into the reasons behind this.
The other tissue chip investigation will look at how immune system of the body respond to
microgravity conditions. This investigation on Human Immune System has been named CHIME.
About CHIME
Chime is Characterizing Human Immunodeficiency in Microgravity Environments Microgravity. This project
is sponsored by the UAE. The project will look into how microgravity affects the differentiation of
monocytes into macrophages. Macrophages are cells involved in detection and destruction of bacteria.
Monocytes are White Blood Cells.
Background
Several changes that occur in human body during spaceflight progresses aging. Also, diseases in the earth
occur much more quickly in microgravity conditions. The astronauts will conduct experiments using the
tissue chips to find out the reasons behind these things.
Crew 2 Mission
It was launched under the Commercial Crew Programme of NASA. It aims to transport cargo and crew to
and from the International Space Station.
Ladakh Ignited Minds Project
The Indian Army recently initiated the Ladakh Ignited Mines Project to provide educational opportunities for
the Ladakhi students.
About the project
The project aims to provide better future for the Ladakhi youths.
The Indian Army has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to implement the project. The MoU has
been signed with HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited) and a Kanpur based NGO called
the National Integrity and Educational Development Organisation.
The MoU was signed in Leh.
The project will train forty-five students from Kargil and Leh districts. It will train twenty girls.
The project will train the students for JEE and NEET entrance examinations.
Recent Developments in Ladakh
UPSC recently added Leh as its exam centre.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is to set up its first Geothermal Power project in Ladakh.
About the Geo Thermal Project
In the first phase, ONGC will drill up to 500 metres to tap hot sulphur and steam that spews out of the
geysers.
In the second phase, drilling will be done deeper to explore the potential of the reservoir.
In the third phase, a commercial plant will be set up. The estimated power capacity of the plant is 250
MW.
Importance of Ladakh
Ladakh produces abundant natural resources with annual solar radiation greater than the other areas
of India with high insolation.
It is popularly known as Lama Land or Little Tibet. It has numerous tourism opportunities at an
altitude of 9,000 feet and 25,170 feet. Also, it has several monasteries.
The presence of abundant resources in Ladakh is what makes India, Pakistan and China fight over
Ladakh.
WHO's E-2025 initiative
The World Health Organisation recently identified twenty-five countries with the potential to eradicate
malaria by 2025. This is called the E-2025 initiative.
What is the plan?
The identified 25 countries will work by responding to the dual threat of malaria and COVID-19. The WHO is
to provide technical guidance and specialised support to these countries under the initiative.
Three of the identified countries were from Africa namely Eswatini, Botswana and South Africa.
Malaria in Africa
Africa shares 94% of global malaria death burden. The recent evidence has shown drug resistant
mutations in Africa.
South Africa is the hotspot of COVID-19 in Africa. Malaria has increased by 44% in the country

between 2019 and 2020 due to COVID-19. This is mainly because vaccination drives could not be
conducted due to lock down.
In Botswana, Malaria has increased by five times. This was mainly because of reverse migration that
occurred from urban to rural due to lock down.
Background
The World Health Organisation launched the E-2020 initiative in 2017. The E-2020 aimed to support a group
of countries to achieve zero indigenous cases of malaria by 2020. However, certain countries are yet to
achieve this target. Thus, they were identified under the E-2025 initiative and new plan is to be launched.
How were the countries selected?
The countries were selected based on four criteria. They were as follows:
Establishment of Government-endorsed elimination plan
The country should have met the threshold of malaria case reductions in recent years
The country should have the capacity of malaria surveillance
It should have been selected by the WHO Malaria Elimination Oversight Committee
Google, Microsoft announce funding to help India tackle COVID-19
Google and Microsoft have recently pledged to help India fight COVID-19. Google is to provide 18 million
USD (Rs 135 crores). Microsoft is to help India with relief efforts to buy oxygen concentration devices. The
initiatives and the announcements about the funding were made by Sundar Pichai of Google and Satya
Nadella of Microsoft.
About the plan
The relief amounts of Google in the form of grants are to go to non-profit organisations UNICEF and
GiveIndia.
Through GiveIndia, Google is to provide cash assistance to families hit by the pandemic.
The grant being provided to UNICEF is to be used to make urgent medical supplies. This includes
testing equipment and lifesaving oxygen equipment.
Also, more than 900 Google employees paid a total of Rs 3.7 crores.
Twitter and Facebook
While Sundar Pichai and Nadella were making the announcements, Jack Dorsey and Zuckerberg were silent.
Jack Dorsey is the CEO of Twitter. Mark Zuckerberg is the CEO of Facebook. Lately, Dorsey and Zuckerberg
have had strained relations with the Indian Government due to the censorship and privacy policies of the
latter.
What is the issue between GoI and Twitter, Facebook?
In 2019, the Government of India ordered Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms to remove
3,433 URLs between January and October, 2019. The numbers have increased by five times since 2016.
This was done under Section 69A of Information Technology Act.
Section 69A of IT act
It provides powers to block public access of any information through a computer resource. Persons failing
to comply with the directions shall be punished with an imprisonment up to seven years.
World Immunisation Week
The World Immunisation Week is celebrated every year in the last week of April. It aims to promote the use
of vaccines. This year, in 2021, the World Immunisation Week is to be celebrated under the following theme:
Theme: Vaccines bring us closer
The WHO has partnered with organisations and individuals under theme to achieve the following:
To increase trust and confidence in vaccines
To increase investment in vaccines and remove barriers

Need for World Immunisation Week
There are more than twenty million children in the world that miss out vaccines.
During COVID-19, several children missed their measles and polio vaccines.
Working of Vaccines
Vaccines teach the immune system how to act against new diseases. Currently, human body is incapable to
fight against COVID-19. This is because, the human immune system is not able to recognise that COVID-19
is dangerous. The COVID-19 vaccines such as COVAXIN and COVISHIELD teach the immune system to
identify the virus as invaders and kill them.
A vaccine has two parts namely antigen and adjuvant. Antigen is a piece of the disease-causing parasite.
On the other hand, Adjuvant sends danger signals to the body and helps the immune system respond
strongly to the antigen.
Ingredients in a Vaccine
Apart from antigens and adjuvant, the vaccine also consists of preservatives, stabilizers, surfactants,
residuals, diluent. Preservatives are added to prevent the vaccine from becoming contaminated. The
Stabilisers are added to prevent the chemical reactions from occurring within the vaccine. Surfactants keep
the ingredients in the vaccine blended together. Diluent is a liquid used to dilute the vaccine.
ASEAN Initiative on Myanmar
The Government of India recently welcomed the ASEAN Initiative on Myanmar.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations released a five-point statement on Myanmar crisis. Under the
statement, the ASEAN countries have demanded “Immediate Cessation of Violence”. The five points of the
initiative are as follows:
To end violence
Organise a constructive dialogue among all parties
To appoint a special ASEAN Envoy to facilitate the all-party dialogue
Acceptance of aid
The Special ASEAN Envoy will visit Myanmar with the Military leader
What is the issue?
The military of Myanmar dismissed the Government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.
Criticisms
The five-point consensus was created between the ASEAN countries and the current military leader who
seized power. There have been massive protests in the country since the military coup. The consensus is
being criticised that ASEAN is encouraging military coup. Also, the consensus did not mention a timeline. It
also neglected the political prisoners in Myanmar.
Brunei is the current chair of ASEAN.
The Issue of Myanmar-IN DEPTH
Myanmar gained independence from Britain in 1948. Between 1962 and 2011, the country was ruled by
armed forces. It was the ruling military that changed the name of Burma into Myanmar.
Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of Father of Myanmar (Aung San) returned to Myanmar in 1988. She was put
under house arrest by the military in 1989. In 2010, Suu Kyi was freed. In 2012, she won a by-election and
took a seat in the Parliament.
In 2015, the National League for Democracy party won the elections. However, the military barred Suu Kyi
from presidency. A post of State counsellor was created for Suu Kyi to run the Government.
In February 2021 elections, the National League for Democracy won the elections again. The Tatmadaw
(Name of Myanmar military) declared state of emergency. It also declared that the power is being

transferred to the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day: April 26
Every year on April 26, the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is being observed. The day
was proclaimed by the United Nations and was first observed in 2016.
Highlights
The International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day was first observed on the 30th anniversary of 1986
nuclear disaster. It is being marked to increase awareness about the risks of nuclear energy in general.
Chernobyl Disaster
On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in today’s Ukraine faced a fore explosion. The reactor
began to emit radioactive materials. Though, the casualties are minimal, the radioactive materials are still
present in the atmosphere and are posing challenges to human survival in the region. Due to the accident,
several children even today are facing thyroid, cancer in the regions of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.
Significance
The fire explosion spread huge radioactive cloud over Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. More than 8.4 million
people were exposed to radioactive waves. In 1991, the Chernobyl Trust Fund was created by the United
Nations. It is now being managed by the OCHA-Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Role of United Nations
The United Nations that was formed for world peace after second world war is keen in addressing nuclear
issues after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki incident. The United Nations launched the International Chernobyl
Research and Information Network. The network provides support to the national, international and public
programmes that aim at sustainable development of these territories.
UK to build World’s most powerful climate-change forecasting supercomputer
Met Office and Microsoft are to build a weather forecasting supercomputer in the UK. The UK Government is
to invest 1.2 billion Pound Sterling in the project.
About the Supercomputer
The supercomputer is expected to be one of the top twenty-five supercomputers in the world.
It will help in better understanding of Climate Change.
The supercomputer will provide the following:
It will provide detailed weather models
It will help to improve localised forecasts
It will run more potential weather scenarios
It will help predict severe weather
The Supercomputer is to run completely on renewable energy. This will help to save 7,415 tonnes of
Carbon Dioxide in one year. Supercomputers release huge amounts of heat and thus a strong cooling
system is required for their operation. Thus, energy required to maintain supercomputers is high.
It will have more than 1.5 million processor cores
The supercomputer will be able to do 60 quadrillion calculations per second, which is
60,000,000,000,000,000.
Benefits
The Supercomputer will be used to create detailed city scale simulations to provide localised climate
reports.
It will help the aviation industry with an accurate forecast of temperature and wind information. This
in turn will help to improve the fuel efficiency.
It will help UK to achieve its net Zero target by 2050.

About Supercomputers
Since 2017 the top 500 supercomputers of the world are running on Linux-based Operating System.
The performance of supercomputers is now measured in Floating Point operations per second called
FLOPS. Earlier they were measured in Million Instructions per Second.
Lenovo became the largest provider of Top 500 supercomputers. It has provided 117 units of the top
500 supercomputers in the world.
RBI’s State of the Economy Report - Update (April, 2021)
The Reserve Bank of India recently released the State of Economy Report for the month of April 2021.
The resurgence of COVID-19 might bring back inflationary pressures.
Also, the restrictions and disruptions in supply chains might add up to the inflationary pressures.
Under the G-Sec Acquisition Programme, RBI aims to buy 1 trillion worth of bonds from the secondary
market in June quarter.
Solutions to handle the issue
The Reserve Bank of India has provided the following solutions in its State of Economy Report to tackle the
COVID-19 crisis in the country:
Pandemic protocols
To ramp up hospital and ancillary capacity
Speedier Vaccination
To remain focused on post pandemic future of strong and sustainable growth with financial stability
Current Pace of Vaccination in India
According to the report, India has set a vaccination target of 300 million by August 2021. This will require
3.5 million shots per day. It is 13% higher than the current pace noted. However, RBI expects that the
vaccination pace will increase due to the improvised and accelerated strategy of third phase of Vaccination
in the country.
Way Forward
The RBI is to conduct a survey in 21 states to learn about customer satisfaction in the recent bank mergers.
The recent bank mergers are as follows:
Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank was merged with Bank of Baroda
Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India was merged with Punjab National Bank
Syndicate Bank with Canara Bank
Allahabad bank with Indian Bank
Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank with Union Bank of India
Forest Fire in Mizoram
The Indian Air Force recently deployed two Mi-17V5 helicopters equipped with Bambi Bucket to control the
forest fires. The forest fires have been raging in the hills of south Mizoram.
Most Fire Prone Zones
The Lunglei and Aizwal of Mizoram where the forest fires are currently raging is the most fire-prone zone in
India according to the Forest Fire Disaster Management report, 2014. So far, Lunglei has recorded 13,453
forest fires between 2003 and 2016.
Forest Fires in Mizoram
The fire season of the state is between February and May. The maximum incidents of fires are
reported in the months of April and May.
The state has increased number of forest fires due to Slash and burn or shifting cultivation, burning
farm residues, collection of non-timber forest produces and clearance of land for other purposes.

In 2021, so far, the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) has reported 1,604 fire alerts.
Forest Fire Disaster Management Report, 2014
It was prepared by the National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi.
Strengthening Forest Fire Management in India Report
It was jointly prepared by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and World Bank.
At least 60% of Indian districts are affected by forest fires.
The states in the North East account for the greatest share of fire detections.
The Central India is the largest area affected by forest fires.
Forest Survey of India, 2019
The Survey divided the forest fire prone into following zones:
Extremely fire-prone areas accounted to 3.89% of total forest cover
Very highly fire-prone areas accounted to 6.01%
Highly fire prone areas: 11.50%
Together these three categories add up to 21.4% of forest cover.
ADB provided $1.5-billion to India for Covid response
The Asian Development Bank has provided fiscal support of 1.5 billion USD to India to fight against
COVID-19 crisis. This is according to the Annual Report, 2020 of ADB that was released recently. This is part
of the fiscal support the bank has set aside for pandemic.
The Asian Development Bank had allocated 31.6 billion USD for Asia and Pacific regions in 2020. This
is to support a green and sustainable green recovery. Also, it focused on long term development
projects.
In 2020, the Asian Development Bank allocated 16.1 billion USD for COVID-19 pandemic. This is more
than half of the total financial assistance committed by the bank.
Of the 16.2 billion USD, 2.9 billion USD was for the private sector.
The financial support committed by ADB for the Asia and Pacific regions is 32% higher than that of
2019. In 2019, the bank allocated 24 billion USD to the region. In 2019, the bank focused on equity
investments, grants and technical assistance to public and private sector.
Loans
India accounted to 16.29% of total loans at the bank and was the largest borrower. China was the second
largest borrower contributing to 15.25%.
ADB Contributions to India
The following loans were provided by Asian Development Bank in the year 2020
ADB provided 1.5 billion USD for India to fight COVID-19. This was under the CARES Programme.
ADB approved 484 million for CKIC project
100 million USD to boost power supply in Bengaluru
346 Million USD Loan under RBL Modality
177 million USD to upgrade Maharashtra State Highways
1 billion USD for 2025 visioned Delhi-Meerut Rapid transit system
177 million USD to develop roadways
133 million USD Loan for Meghalaya Power Distribution Sector
ADB is supporting the modern rapid transport system in India with a loan of 500 million USD.
ADB provided 100 million USD loan to the Smart Energy Project that will make cities livelier. The
project aims to convert overhead distribution lines to underground cables
50 million USD was provided to support public financial management reforms in West Bengal.

ADB provided 3 million USD under its Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund.
These are the loans provided by ADB to Government of India and state governments. There are other loans
granted to private companies in India as well. For instance, Reliance received loan from ADB to build a
power project in Bangladesh.
Large Area Certification (LAC) Scheme of PGS-India- A&N gets certification
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare recently announced that around 14,491 hectares of land in
Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been certified as organic. This is the first large contiguous territory to
be certified under government scheme.
Background
The organic certification was provided under the Large Area Certification Scheme of the Participatory
Guarantee System certification programme.
Large Area Certification Scheme
Under the scheme, each village is considered as one cluster or group. The farmers have to adhere to the
standard requirements without the need to undergo a conversion period to get certified. This was launched
under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana.
Basically, under the standard norms of organic production systems, the areas with chemical input usage
history will have to undergo a transition period of two to three years to get qualified as organic. This
transition period has been removed under the Large Certification Scheme.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
The scheme was launched in 2014 to promote natural farming.
Currently there are more than 30 lakh hectares of registered areas holding organic certification.
India today ranks fifth in terms of area under natural farming and first in terms of total number of
producers.
What is Participatory Guarantee Scheme?
It is a scheme that certifies organic products. The scheme is implemented by Ministry of Agriculture and
Farmer Welfare. The certification is in the form of statement or logo. The certification is issued based on
the Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations. These regulations were notified by Food
Safety and Standards Authority of India in 2017.
Aditya-L1 Support Cell (AL1SC)- Key Facts
A Community Service Centre has been set up on board India’s first dedicated Solar Space Mission. The
centre is called ALISC. ALISC is Aditya-L1 Support Cell. It is to be set up at the ARIES at Haldwani,
Uttarakhand.
About ALISC
It is a joint effort of ISRO and ARIES. ISRO is Indian Space Research Organisation and ARIES is
Arybhata Research Institute for Observational Sciences.
The Centre will accommodate guest observers and will help them by providing data from the mission
to analyse the findings.
It will bring all the data from the mission under one single interface.
Also, ALISC will establish periodic training on data analysis. It will also hold frequent E-workshops.
The knowledge to be provided by ALISC will help scientists to connect the features in heliosphere to
the surface of the sun.
Aditya-L1
Aditya-L1 is an Indian space mission that will study the sun and also the region between the earth and
the sun. It is to carry seven payloads developed by different institutions of the country.
One of the payloads is the VELC, that is, Visible Emission Line Coronograph.

The satellite weighs 400 kilograms and is to be launched in the low earth orbit at a height of 800 km.
Orbits that are at a height of less than 1000 km from the earth are called Low Earth Orbits.
Why was Adity-1 revised as Adity-L1 mission?
A satellite that is placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian point L1 has the advantage to view the sun
continuously without any obstacles such as eclipses. Thus, the satellite is to be placed in a halo orbit
around L1. This is why it was renamed as Aditya-L1 mission.
ARIES
ARIES will provide the ground support to the monitor and coordinate the work on its payloads.
DRDO Single Crystal Blade Technology
The Defence Research and Development Organisation recently developed the Single Crystal Blade
Technology. The organisation has delivered sixty of such blades to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. A
very few countries in the world possess this technology. They are UK, USA, Russia and France.
What is Single Crystal Blade?
The helicopters need powerful and compact aero engines to operate in extreme conditions. In order
to achieve this, Single Crystal Blades are essential.
The Single Crystal blades are made of nickel based super alloys. These alloys are capable of
withstanding low temperatures.
The technology is to be used in helicopters.
What is Single Crystal Blade Technology?
Normally the “Grain Boundary” technology is used in making blades. Here the metal forms grains
while solidifying.
Usually, metal alloys are used in making blades. Different metals in the alloy produce different grains
while solidifying thereby creating grain boundaries. Basically, a grain boundary is an interface
between two grains or crystals. These boundaries lead to creep in the blades.
The problem of creep is overcome in Single Crystal Blade technology by designing alloys that can be
used in single crystal form. This means that no boundaries will be formed here.
The technology uses a vacuum investment casting process to realise the blades. This includes
ceramic moulding, wax patterning, heat treatment.
It is essential to formulate special ceramic composition for the technology. This involves making
strong ceramic moulds that withstands metallostatic pressure at 1500 degrees Celsius.
What is a Creep?
Creep is the tendency of blade material to deform at low temperatures.
Benefits of Single Crystal Blade Technology
The blades created under this technology has longer life and are more corrosion resistant.
Current Affairs – April 27, 2021 [Daily News Digest]
GKToday provides daily summary of important Current Affairs Topics selected from National and
International News. Here is the list of articles covered under Current Affairs April 27, 2021.
What are Tissue Chips?
Tissue Chips are devices designed to mimic the functions of human organs. They are also called
Organ on chips. Why is it in News? The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
recen…..Read Here
Ladakh Ignited Minds Project
The Indian Army recently initiated the Ladakh Ignited Mines Project to provide educational
opportunities for the Ladakhi students. About the project The project aims to provide better
f…..Read Here

WHO’s E-2025 initiative
The World Health Organisation recently identified twenty-five countries with the potential to
eradicate malaria by 2025. This is called the E-2025 initiative. What is the plan? The iden…..Read
Here
Google, Microsoft announce funding to help India tackle COVID-19
Google and Microsoft have recently pledged to help India fight COVID-19. Google is to provide 18
million USD (Rs 135 crores). Microsoft is to help India with relief efforts to buy oxyge…..Read Here
World Immunisation Week
The World Immunisation Week is celebrated every year in the last week of April. It aims to promote
the use of vaccines. This year, in 2021, the World Immunisation Week is to be celebrat…..Read
Here
The Government of India recently welcomed the ASEAN Initiative on Myanmar. ASEAN Initiative on
Myanmar The Association of Southeast Asian Nations released a five-point statement on
Myan…..Read Here
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day: April 26
Every year on April 26, the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is being observed.
The day was proclaimed by the United Nations and was first observed in 2016. Highlights T…..Read
Here
UK to build World’s most powerful climate-change forecasting supercomputer
Met Office and Microsoft are to build a weather forecasting supercomputer in the UK. The UK
Government is to invest 1.2 billion Pound Sterling in the project. About the Supercomputer
Th…..Read Here
RBI’s State of the Economy Report – Update (April, 2021)
The Reserve Bank of India recently released the State of Economy Report for the month of April
2021. Key Findings of the Report The resurgence of COVID-19 might bring back inflationary
…..Read Here
Forest Fire in Mizoram
The Indian Air Force recently deployed two Mi-17V5 helicopters equipped with Bambi Bucket to
control the forest fires. The forest fires have been raging in the hills of south Mizoram. M…..Read
Here
ADB provided $1.5-billion to India for Covid response
The Asian Development Bank has provided fiscal support of 1.5 billion USD to India to fight against
COVID-19 crisis. This is according to the Annual Report, 2020 of ADB that was release…..Read
Here
Large Area Certification (LAC) Scheme of PGS-India- A&N gets certification
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare recently announced that around 14,491 hectares of
land in Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been certified as organic. This is the first la…..Read
Here
Aditya-L1 Support Cell (AL1SC)- Key Facts
A Community Service Centre has been set up on board India’s first dedicated Solar Space Mission.
The centre is called ALISC. ALISC is Aditya-L1 Support Cell. It is to be set up at the…..Read Here
DRDO Single Crystal Blade Technology
The Defence Research and Development Organisation recently developed the Single Crystal Blade
Technology. The organisation has delivered sixty of such blades to the Hindustan
Aeronautic…..Read Here
April 28, 2021

US Population increases by 7.4%
The Central Bureau of the United States recently announced that the population of the United States has
increased by 7.4%. This is the second slowest growth of US Population since the Great Depression.
Background
The Census Bureau recently released the first set of data on US population. The complete demographic data
of the country is expected to be released by August 2021. Based on this, the 1.5 trillion USD federal funds
will be distributed to the local communities across the country.
Key Findings
The population of the United States increased to 331,449,281 in 2020. This is 7.4% increase and the
second slowest in the history of US.
The allocation of seats to the US Congress is based on the census.
The recently released data shows that migration in the US has been increasing lately. For instance,
New York and California have lost a Congressional seat each. So did Pennsylvania and New York.
On the other hand, Montana, Florida and North Carolina have seen enough growth to add a
congressional seat.
Texas received two additional seats. Colorado and Oregon gained new seats.
The 2010 census showed the US population is shifting towards the South and the west.
How are the seats allocated in the US Congress?
US Congress has two chambers. One is the House of Representatives and the other is the Senate. There are
fifty states in the US. Each state elects two senators for a period of six years. The US is divided into 435
congressional districts. A region is made district when it reaches a population of 750,000 and will receive a
representative.
Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a period of two years. When the
threshold population decreases then the district will lose its representation at the House of Representation.
For instance, in the recent US Census 2020, New York lost a house seat as it had 89 people short to the
threshold of 750,000.
Women in the US Congress
In 2021, around 142 women are to hold seats in the US Congress. This is 26.5% of 535 members. Around
24% women serve at the US Senate and 27.1% serve in the US House of Representatives.
US Census
The first US Census was held in 1790.
What is the system in India?
In India, each state is allotted with a particular number of seats in the Lok Sabha in such a way that
the ratio between the Number of representatives from the state and its overall population is uniform
throughout the country.
Each state is divided into constituencies based on the fact that the ratio between the population of
each constituency and the number of seats is uniform throughout the state.
Genome Study on Endangered Sumatran rhinoceros
The researchers at the Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm showed that the populations of Sumatran
Rhinoceros displayed low levels of inbreeding.
About the Genome Study
In order to investigate their inbreeding levels, the researchers had sequenced the genomes from 16
rhinos on Sumatra and Borneo. The findings that the rhinos are facing low levels of inbreeding was
based on this genome sequencing.
Currently, the rhinos in Sumatra and Borneo are facing high genetic diversity and low inbreeding

levels. The low inbreeding levels are due to small population size.
The researchers found that the frequency of potentially harmful mutations was high. This means that
closely related parents produced offspring that suffer from genetic diseases.
The researchers will now study the sequenced genome to estimate their inbreeding levels, frequency
of potentially harmful mutations and genetic variations.
According to the researchers, the future study will reveal about potentially harmful mutations hidden
in the genomes of these rhinos.
Solution
The researchers suggest that the only solution to the problem of extinction faced by the rhinos is to
increase their population size. Also, the genes of Sumatran Rhinos and the Borneo rhinos should be
exchanged.
Rhinos
The IUCN classifies Sumatran and Borneo rhinos as Critically Endangered.
World Wild Life Funds: There are only eighty Rhinos left in Sumatra and Borneo
Five Different Species of Rhinos: Black Rhino, Greater One-Horned Rhino, Sumatran Rhino and Javan
Rhino. They are spread across India, Bhutan, Nepal, Malaysia and Indonesia and thus these countries
are called Asian Rhino Range countries
Of the five species, only Great One-horned rhino is found in India.
Greater One Horned Rhino has been placed under “Vulnerable” category in IUCN Red list of
Threatened species.
SIPRI report on Military Spending
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute recently released its “Trends in world Military
Expenditure” report. According to the report, the top military spenders in the world are the United States,
China and India. These three countries alone contributed 62% global military expenditure.
In 2020, the US spent 778 billion USD on its military. While China and India spent 252 billion USD and
72 .9 billion USD respectively.
The military expenditure of India has grown by 2.1% and that of China has grown by 1.9%. The military
Expenditure of US has grown by 4.4%.
Globally, the military expenditure increased to 1981 billion USD as compared to that of 2019. This is
2.6% increase. On the other hand, the global GDP shrank by 4.4% according to the International
Monetary Fund.
Military Spending in terms of GDP
The US spent 3.7% of its GDP on military.
India and China spent 2.9% and 1.7% of their GDP respectively.
Region wise military spending
The military spending in Oceania and Asia increased by 2.5% as compared to that of 2019. It was 47%
higher as compared to that of 2011.
Other top military spenders
The other countries that spent large amount on building their military were as follows:
Russia: 61.7 billion USD
UK: 59.2 billion USD
Saudi Arabia: 57.5 billion USD
Germany and France spent around 53 billion USD each.

Military Spending diverted to Pandemic
While countries were increasing their expenditure on military, some countries reallocated their planned
military expenditure towards the pandemic. They were South Korea and Chile. Some other countries like
Russia, Brazil spent less amount than their initial military budgets.
Arm Imports of India
According to the report, the arm imports of India came down to one third in 2016-20 as compared to that of
2011-15. Still India remained the second highest arms importer after Saudi Arabia. In the decline of arms
imports of India, Russia was the affected supplier. Russia had eventually increased it arms exports to
Algeria, Chin and Egypt replacing India.
The report also state that US, Russia, France, Germany and China were the top five arms importers in
2016-20.
Top Arms Imports
The arms imports of Egypt and Qatar increased by 136% and 361% respectively.
The middle east arms imports increased by 25%
Top Exporters
The top arms exporters were US, France and Germany.
Warheads in India
The deployed warheads are missiles located on bases with the operational forces. That is, they are ready to
use. The other warheads are those that are reserved or stored awaiting dismantlement. For India, the report
gave a figure of 130-140 in “other warheads”.
RBI Guidelines for Tenure of Bank CEOs and MDs
The Reserve Bank of India recently laid down set of instructions to improve the corporate bank governance.
RBI Guidelines
The post of MD and CEO shall not be held by the same person for more than 15 years. However, they
can be reappointed after a cooling period of three years. During the cooling period, the individual
shall not be appointed or associated with the bank or its group entities directly or indirectly.
The MD or the CEO shall not hold these posts more than twelve years. However, in extraordinary
circumstances, they shall be allowed to continue till 15 years.
The guidelines are not applicable to the foreign banks whose branches are operating in the country.
The maximum age limit of the Chairman or the Non-Executive Director has been fixed at 75 years.
The fixed remuneration for the Non-Executive Directors shall not exceed Rs 20 lakhs. Remuneration is
the money paid for work.
Significance of the Guidelines
In 2020, RBI released a discussion paper on governance in commercial banks in India. The changes are
being made based on this.
According to RBI, the growing size of financial systems in India makes it essential to strengthen governance
standards in the banks. The current system where the management of the banks play the role of an agent of
the board and the board in turn plays the role of agent of shareholders has led to poor allocation of
resources and poor protection of depositors. Thus, these changes are important.
Why are the guidelines needed?
Recently, the space vacated by the public sector banks have been taken by the private sector banks.
Inadequate system of checks prevails at the private banks of the country.
The lenders are at risk of default rates though there has been overall improvement in asset quality.
Chandler Good Government Index
The Chandler Good Governance Index is released by the Chandler Institute of Governance headquartered in

Singapore. The index is prepared based on seven pillars namely leadership and foresight, strong
institutions, robust laws and policies, attractive market place, financial stewardship, helping people rise,
global influence and reputation.
India ranked 49th in the Chandler Good Governance Index out of 104 countries.
Key Highlights
Finland topped the ranking following Switzerland, Singapore, Netherlands, Denmark and Norway.
Pakistan was ranked at 90th place, Sri Lanka at 74th and Nepal at 92nd.
Among BRICS countries China ranked 140th, Brazil at 67th, Russia at 48th, South Africa at 70th.
It recommends “Pracademics” in Government. Pracademics is rigorous understanding of research
and data with a practical sense of what governments need to do to succeed.
About Chandler Good Governance Index
It aims to strengthen public institutional capacity through research, training and advise. Also it supports
governments and public officers world wide in building the nation.
Good Governance in India
India celebrates Good Governance Day on December 25.
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions releases Good Governance Index assessing
the initiatives of State Governments and Union Territories.
The National E-Governance Plan of India aims to make all the government services accessible to the
common man.
The Right to Information Act, 2005 ensure transparency in governance.
NITI Aayog has been established. It is a policy commission established to achieve sustainable
development goals with cooperative federalism.
UN Good Governance
The United Nations identifies Good Governance under eight characteristics. They are Consensus oriented,
Effective and Efficient, Follows the rule of law, Participatory, Accountable, Responsive, Transparent,
Equitable and Inclusive.
What is Cycle threshold (Ct) Value in a RT-PCR Test?
The Ct Value in a RT-PCR test is cycle Threshold value. This value determines if a patient is COVID-19
positive or not.
Why is it in news?
The State Government of Maharashtra recently asked the Indian Council of Medical Research if it was
advisable to treat a person as COVID-19 negative if his Ct value was more than 24.
What is the issue?
The ICMR documents mention different Ct Values. Also, there are divergent views among the National
Centre for Disease Control and also among Niti Aayog.
What is the right Ct value for a person to test COVID-19 positive?
The ICMR recently announced that the right Ct value for a person to become COVID-19 positive is 35. If the
Ct value of a person is less than 35, he is COVID-19 positive and if it is greater than 35 then he is COVID1-19
negative.
What is Ct value?
In a RT-PCR test, the RNA extracted from the swab is converted into DNA. The DNA is then amplified.
The amplification is done to create multiple copies of the genetic material. This is done to improve
the ability of the test to detect the virus.
The amplification takes place in cycles. At first cycle, one copy of the DNA becomes two. In the
second cycle two copies become four and so on.

The Ct value is the number of cycles after which the virus was detected.
If the number of cycles is low, then the viral load is high. Because, the virus was detected in very few
cycles.
The significance of the problem
The Maharashtra State Government had asked if the Ct value can be fixed at 24. This means that the
persons with Ct values 24-35 will not be considered positive. On the other hand, the bench mark of 35
means that more patients are considered positive. Lowering the threshold may lead to missing infectious
persons.
Global Ct value
Globally, the accepted Ct value is between 35 and 40.
NEO-01: China's robot prototype to catch space debris
A Space Mining Startup of China recently launched NEO-01. It is a robotic platform launched into the low
earth orbit. It will conduct experiments on space debris removal technique.
About NEO-01
The NEO-01 robot was launched on Long March 6 rocket.
It was launched to observe the small celestial bodies in deep space.
The robot will now conduct experiments to clear space debris.
It is to use large net to capture space debris. After capturing, it will burn the debris using electric
propulsion system.
China-US hidden war in the project
The NEO-01 was developed by Origin Space. The company is based in Shenzen. The company claims itself
as the first Chinese company dedicated to explore and utilise space resources. According to the company,
NEO-01 will pave way for asteroid mining. These objectives of resource mining are in contradiction to Outer
Space Treaty of the US.
According to 1967 Outer Space Treaty, no nation can claim the sovereignty of outer space. Also, no nation
shall extract resources from space for commercial exploitation.
In 2015, the then US President Barack Obama signed a law that allowed the US companies to mine on
celestial bodies. In 2020, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced a Lunar Mining
Initiative. The initiative will offer to buy lunar rocks that are extracted by private companies. NEO-01 is seen
as a counter move of China to the US.
Current Scenario
There are 3,000 defunct satellites in the orbit of the earth. Also, there are millions of smaller pieces of
space debris that can cause serious damage to the other active satellites. The debris range from bolts,
paint flecks to frozen satellite coolants.
WHO to provide 4,000 oxygen concentrators to India
The World Health Organisation recently announced that it will provide 4,000 Oxygen Concentrators to India
to help the country in its fight against COVID-19.
Help from other countries
The following countries stepped forward to help India to combat against the Oxygen shortage:
The UK recently sent 495 Oxygen Concentrators and 140 ventilators to India.
Ireland announced that it is preparing to send 700 oxygen concentrators to India.
Saudi Arabia recently shipped 80 tonnes of Oxygen to India.
Under the Mega Vayu initiative of Amazon, 8,000 oxygen concentrators and 500 BiPAP machines are
to be airlifted from Singapore.
Australia is to send 500 ventilators, 100,000 goggles, 500,000 P2 and N95 masks, 100,000 pairs of

gloves and 20,000 face shields.
The United States is sending in a range of emergencies such as vaccine materials, oxygen-related
supplies and therapeutics.
Vayu Initiative
Amazon has joined hands with Temasek Foundation, ACT Grants and other partners to help India in its fight
against oxygen shortage under the Vayu initiate. Under the initiative, 500 BiPAP machines and 8,000 oxygen
concentrators will be transported from Singapore. Also, 1,500 concentrators are to be donated.
Google
Google recently announced that they will help India in its relief aid. The Google is to provide financial aid of
Rs 135 crores through UNICEF and Give India. These aids are to be distributed to the needy through these
international organisations.
Other MNCs
The Ethereum has donated Rs 4.5 crores.
Xiaomi announced that it will donate Rs 3 crores for oxygen cylinders.
One plus is to help India in amplifying COVID-19 emergencies through its social media reach.
Earthquake in Assam
On April 28, 2021, seven back-to-back earthquakes occurred in Assam and other north eastern states. The
first shocks were of 6.4 magnitude. Later, the jolts were at 3.2 to 3.4 magnitude in Richter scale. Roads
were cracked and buildings tilted in Sonitpur and Nagaon.
The occurrence of earthquakes was confirmed by National Center for Seismology.
About the Epicentre
The Epicentre of the earthquake was located at a depth of 17 km. The epicentre was located 9 km away
from the town of Dhekiajuli of Assam.
National Center for Seismology
It is the nodal agency that monitors earthquake activity in India
It maintains a National Seismological Network of 115 stations. Each station holds a separate
equipment.
Apart from monitory, the center also performs Seismic Hazard Microzonation and seismological
research.
Causes of the Assam Earthquake
The entire Himalayas are prone to Earthquakes. This is because the Indian tectonic plate is continuously
wedging into the Eurasian plate at a speed of 44 millimetres per year. These motions build up stress and
trigger earthquakes.
While the entire Himalayas are prone to earthquakes, the high-intensity earthquakes occur in North Eastern
India and thus these regions are classified under Zone V.
Waves generated during Earthquakes
Every earthquake occurring in the planet generates three different types of waves called P-waves, S-waves
and L-waves. The P-waves are longitudinal waves. They are analogous to sound waves. The S-Waves are
transversal waves and are analogous to light waves. The L-waves are surface waves. They originate when
the P-waves of the earthquake hits the surface of the earth.
ADB raises India GDP forecast by 11%
The Asian Development Bank recently released its Asian Development Outlook, 2021. According to the
report, India is to grow at 11%. The Asian Development Bank recently released its Annual outlook. The
outlook says that ADB has provided a financial support of 1.5 billion USD to India to fight against COVID-19

According to ADB, the South Asia is expected to rebound at 9.5% in 2021. The South Asian region had
contracted by 6% in 2020. The growth of the region will moderate to 6.6% in 2022.
The economic growth of Asia is to rebound at 7.3% in 2021. The region faced a contraction of 0.2% in
its growth in 2020. In 2022, its growth rate is to be 5.3%.
The countries such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei are expected to meet an increased
growth rate of 7.7% in 2021 and 5.6% in 2022. The report classifies these countries as newly
industrialised countries.
The GDP of East Asia is expected to grow at 7.4% in 2021 and at 5.1% in 2022.
Report about China
The GDP of China is to expand to 8.1% in 2021 and will reach a moderate value of 5.5% in 2022.
Strong exports of China is to boost the economic activity of the country in 2021.
Reasons of recovery
The progress in production and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines helped Asia in reaching the current state.
However, significant new outbreaks might undermine the growth of the region.
Challenges
The following challenges are faced by the Asian Economies:
Increasing Geopolitical tensions
Financial turmoil from tightening financial conditions
Production bottlenecks
Long term scarring. This includes learning losses due to school closures
Cabinet approves Agreement between India and UK on Customs Cooperation
On April 28, 2021, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the agreement
signed between Government of India and the Government of UK. The agreement was signed on Customs
Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs matters.
India and UK have been signing several trade related agreements after the latter moved out of European
Union.
About the Agreement
The Agreement will provide a legal framework to share intelligence and information between the
customs department of the two countries.
It will help to ensure if Customs laws are abided.
It will also help in prevention and investigation of custom offences.
Also, the agreement will help in exchange of information about origin of goods traded between the
countries, customs value, tariff classification, etc. It is important to learn about these information as
they are included in the calculation of customs duty.
How are Customs Duties calculated in India?
The Customs Duties are calculated based on the following factors:
Place of acquisition of goods
Place where the goods were made
Material of the goods
Dimensions and Weight of the goods
Customs Duty in India
The Customs Duty in India is imposed under Customs Act, 1962 and Customs Tariff Act, 1975. The Indian
Tariff System is based on the Harmonised System of Nomenclature.

Types of Customs Duties in India
Basic Customs Duty: Levied under Customs Act, 1962
Additional Customs Duty: It has been subsumed by GST now.
Protective duty: Levied to protect indigenous goods
Education Cess
Anti-Dumping Duty
Safeguard Duty
Countervailing Duties
Social Welfare Charges
Compensation Cess
Customs Handling Fee
GNCTD (Amendment) Act comes into force in Delhi
On April 27, 2021, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021 came into
effect. The act was passed by the Parliament during the budget session. The act gives more power to
Lieutenant Governor (LG).
Key Provisions
The act proposed that the word “Government” in National Capital Territory of Delhi meant the LG of
Delhi.
It provides discretionary powers to the LG even in matters where the Delhi Legislature is empowered
to make laws.
The act seeks to ensure that the LG is granted an opportunity to give his opinion before a decision
made by the Council of Ministers is implemented.
The LG opinion should be obtained before the Delhi Government takes action based on decisions
taken by the Cabinet.
It bars the Legislative Assembly of Delhi from making rules related to day-to-day administration.
Administration inf Delhi
The National Capital Region is administered with a legislature that came in to existence in 1991. The Delhi
Legislature was constituted under Article 239AA of the Constitution. By law, the Delhi Legislature has all
powers to make laws in matters except public order, land and police.
Concerns
The law will take away the autonomy of the Delhi Government.
Supreme Court on Delhi Legislative Assembly
In 2018, the Supreme Court pronounced that the LG’s concurrence is not required on issues other
than police, land and public order.
The SC had also said that the LG of Delhi is not like a Governor in other states. He is an administrator.
Python 5 Air to Air Missile
The Defence Research and Development Organisation recently test fired a series of missile trials. It
included the Derby missiles and the Python missiles. The missiles were test fired in Goa and achieved 100%
hits.
With this the DRDO announced that the Python 5 Air to Air Missile has been successfully added to the Light
Combat Aircraft Tejas.
Python 5
It is the fifth generation Python missile.
It is an air to air missile built by the Israeli weapon manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defence Systems.
The Israeli Government began manufacturing missiles in the name of “Shafir”. Later as it started

exporting missiles it selected a western name “Python” or “Derby”.
The Python-5 is currently the most capable Air to air missile in the inventory of Israel.
It is beyond visual range missile. The Beyond Visual Range missiles are those missiles that are
capable of engaging at ranges beyond 37 km.
It features an advanced seeker that includes Electro-Optical and Image Infrared Homing.
The Python 5 is capable to scan for the target area for the hostile aircraft and then locks on for
terminal chase.
It was first used in 2006 Lebanon war. It destroyed two Iran made UAVs.
Speed of the missile is Mach 4.
It weighs 11 kilograms
Derby
Just like Python, it was also made by Rafael of Israel. In fact, Python 5 is an advanced version of
Derby.
It is also a Beyond Visual Range Missile.
It is active radar homing missile. An Active Radar Homing Missile is a missile that contains a radar
transceiver to find and track the target autonomously.
Varuna 2021: India-France Naval Exercise
The Indian and French Navies recently conducted the Varuna Naval Exercise in the Arabian Sea. The Varuna,
2021 is a part of the Clemenceau 2021.
About Varuna 2021
The exercise included surface and anti-weapon firings, tactical manoeuvres, rotary wing flying
operations including cross deck helicopter landings and air defence and anti-submarine exercises.
The Indian Navy was represented by Stealth destroyer INS Kolkata, INS Talwar, INS Tarkash, Fleet
Support Ship INS Deepak, Chetak Integral helicopters and a Kalvari class submarine. Also, the P81
Long range Patrol Aircraft participated.
The French Navy was represented by E2C Hawkeye aircrafts, Rafale-M fighter, Horizon class air
defence destroyer Chevalier Paul.
After VARUNA, 2021, the INS Tarkash is to continue its exercise with the French Navy CSG. During the
exercise, the navies will conduct advanced surface, air-defence operations and anti-submarine
operations.
Clemenceau 21
On February 21, 2021, the French Carrier Strike Group set sail for a long operational deployment called
“Clemenceau 21”. With this mission, the French Navy deployed its military presence in areas of strategic
interests namely Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.
As a part of Clemenceau 21, France held the GASWEX with its allies. The other countries that participated in
the GASWEX exercise were France, Japan, Belgium and US forces. The exercise was held in the Arabian Sea
and in the Gulf of Oman.
What is CSG?
CSG is Carrier Strike Group. They are strategically pre-positioned. It is roughly composed of 7,500
personnel. It includes an aircraft carrier, a destroyer squadron, at least one cruiser, carrier wing of 65 to 70
aircrafts. Occasionally it also includes submarines.
The CSG of Japan that is participating in Clemenceau 21 is Nationale’s Charles De Gaulle.
April 29, 2021
Inter-Ministerial group set up to clear global relief materials
The Government of India has set up a High level Inter-Ministerial Group to establish procedures for
immediate clearance of relief materials from foreign countries.
About the Group
As the number of COVID-19 cases in India have started increasing to a great extent, several foreign
countries such as UK, USA, France Germany, Ireland, Kuwait have been sending essentials such as
ventilators, oxygen concentrators, respiratory materials. The high level Inter-Ministerial Group will make
sure if these materials are cleared and dispatched promptly to the recipient institutions located in different
parts of the country.
What are the relief materials received from foreign countries?
UK announced that it is to send 495 oxygen concentrators, twenty manual ventilators and 120 non-
invasive ventilators.
The relief materials from France is arriving in two phases. In the first phase, France is sending oxygen
generating plants that can be installed quickly, 200 electric syringe pushers and twenty eight
respirators. In the second phase, France will send five oxygen containers.
Ireland will send 700 oxygen concentrators.
Germany will send mobile oxygen production plants. 120 ventilators and 80 million KN95 masks.
Also, Germany is planning to conduct a webinar on testing and RNA sequencing of COVID-19.
Australia is to send 500 ventilators, 20,000 face shields, 100,000 goggles, 500,000 P2 and N95
masks, one million surgical masks.
Help from the US
The United States is to deliver raw materials for vaccines to the Serum Institute of India to produce
COVISHILED vaccine of Astra Zeneca.
The USAID is to help India in oxygen transport. US will also provide technical support to make sure if
the delivered oxygen equipment is compatible with the devices in India.
Additional technical assistance is to be provided by Centres for Disease Control to support Vaccine
readiness in the country.
The US Government has identified commercial suppliers of Remdesivir.
Also, Personal Protective Equipment and Rapid Diagnostic Testing supplies have been identified to be
transferred to India immediately.
PM CARES Fund: 1 Lakh Portable Oxygen Concentrators
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently sanctioned the procurement of one lakh oxygen portable oxygen
concentrators from the PM-CARES Fund.
Oxygen Generation Plants
Initially, 162 Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen Generation plants were sanctioned under PM CARES
Fund. Later this was increased to 551 Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen Generation Plants.
So far, 1,213 Pressure Swing Adsorption oxygen plants have been approved under the PM-CARES
fund.
France, UK and several other foreign countries have come forward to help India by supplying Oxygen
Concentrators. An inter-ministerial group has been set up to clear the relief materials immediately
and make sure they the respective institutes on time.
Why is India facing a huge Oxygen Shortage crisis?
Most of the Oxygen producing plants in India are located in the eastern part of the country. They are
thousand miles away from Mumbai and Delhi where the COVID-19 surges are at the highest.
Oxygen is not easy to transport. It should either be transported by trains or by roads. It cannot be
flown on planes.
The Cryogenic tanks that hold compressed oxygen cannot be manufactured quickly. It takes about

four to six months to produce.
Why are Oxygen levels low with COVID-19?
The COVID-19 virus causes Hypoxia. Hypoxia is difficulty in breathing. A healthy lung keeps the blood level
oxygen at 95% to 100%. When the blood level oxygen dips below 92% it causes a concern and
supplementary oxygen should be provided.
The COVID-19 virus affects the lung cells. Their infection damages the walls and linings of the air sacs
where the exchange of the gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) occurs.
Somanathan: New Finance secretary
The Expenditure Secretary T V Somanathan was recently designated as the Finance Secretary by the
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
About T V Somanathan
Currently he is the senior most officer among all the secretaries in the Ministry of Finance. He is a 1987
batch Indian Administrative Service Officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey is the current Secretary of Department of Investment Public Asset Management
(DIPAM). Ajay Seth is the current secretary of Department of Economic Affairs.
DIPAM
The Department of Disinvestment was renamed as DIPAM. DIPAM aims in efficient management of
investments of the Central Government and also its disinvestments.
Currently the Government of India is pursuing disinvestment to enhance its efficiency and not to vacate the
public sector. The current disinvestment policy aims at the following:
To minimize the interference
To allow public sector units to function along with the commercial principles
To permit managerial autonomy in decision making.
Difference between Privatisation and Disinvestment in India
If the sales of equity of a Public Sector Unit is greater than 50% it is called privatisation. On the other hand,
disinvestment is when the Government sells only a part of its stake in the PSU and retains majority of the
shares. Disinvestment is basically done to tinker the PSU. Tinkering is repairing or improving something.
Why is Disinvestment important?
Disinvestment reduces the financial burden of inefficient PSUs. This is done to improve public
finances.
NITI Aayog makes recommendations about loss making units. It values the assets of these units to
carry out possible strategic sales.
Brazil: Sputnik V vaccine supply had live cold virus
The Health Regulator of Brazil recently announced that the Sputnik V vaccines of Russia carried live cold
virus. It has thus raised questions about the integrity of the manufacturing process of the virus.
This issue has come up due to the Adeno Virus vector.
The Adeno Virus Vector
Vector means the carrier of the virus. In this case the COVID-19 virus. These vectors carry only a portion of
the virus which is generally referred to as antigen.
The Adeno Virus is normally used as a vector as they induce innate (natural) and adaptive immune
responses.
What is the issue with Adeno virus based COVID vaccines?
Adeno virus normally causes mild respiratory illness in humans. However, in vaccines, they are modified in
such a way that they cannot replicate. Their structure is edited to carry the DNA instructions for human cells
to develop immune system against COVID-19. That is, it carries a part of dead COVID-19 material and also it

trains the immune system to fight against this virus.
Adeno Virus in Sputnik V
Usually, the adeno virus-based vaccines are administered in single shot. This is because, the adeno virus
naturally occurs in humans. People with a weak immune system are more likely to get an adeno virus
infection.
However, Sputnik V which is also an adeno virus-based vaccine is administered in two shots. In the first
shot, adeno virus type 26 Ad 26 is administered and in the second shot adeno virus Ad5 is administered.
First indigenous vaccine for fish developed in India
The Central Institute of Brackish Aquaculture located in Chennai has developed an indigenous vaccine for
Viral Nervous Necrosis. The name of the vaccine is Nodavac-R
Viral Nervous Necrosis
The disease is caused by the Betanodavirus. It mostly affects teleost fish. More than forty species
are affected by this virus and most of them are marine species.
This virus transmits through passive diffusion and contact.
The disease mostly occurs in juveniles or larvae. However, it also affects the adults.
Viral Nervous Necrosis in India
In India the disease has been a serious concern affecting freshwater, marine and brackish water fishes
largely. They result in 100% mortality in fishes that are in juvenile and larval stages.
Red Spotted Grouper Nervous Necrosis Virus is the only genotype found in India. The infected adults are the
main carriers. They transmit the virus to their offspring through the eggs.
Solution
The best way to control the disease in the country is to vaccinate adult fish and also the fingerlings. The
Nodavac-R is safe for all species that are susceptible to Viral Nervous Necrosis. They are to be used in fish
hatcheries to bring down the incidence of the disease. Fish Hatchery is the place for artificial breeding of
fishes.
What are Teleost fish?
They range from giant oars fish that measure 7.6 metres in length to minute Angler fish that measure 6.2
milli metres. They are economically important. The Teleost fish are captured for food all over the world.
Significance
India ranks second in aquaculture and more than 14.5 million Indians are dependent on fish production.
NITI calls for EV purchase subsidy in addition to FAME-II subsidy
NITI Aayog recently said that the Government of India should provide incentives on purchase of electric
vehicles over and above existing subsidies being provided under FAME II scheme. Also, it has
recommended to provide interest subvention on loan amount taken for Electric Vehicle purchases.
What are the recommendations made by NITI Aayog?
Apart from interest subvention and additional subsidies, NITI Aayog has also recommended to create
non-financial incentives. This includes exclusive parking for Electric Vehicles in commercial
complexes, priority lanes for EVs.
The NITI Aayog has also recommended that the Green Zones should be demarcated within cities that
permit only electric Vehicles.
The think tank says that heavy taxes should be charged on conventional fuel vehicles.
Green corridors should be created that allow only E-Buses.
A National Level Policy should be formulated to incentivise distribution utilities that are investing on
EV charging infrastructure.
The Financial Institutions in the country should be encouraged to extend their lending facility to the

Electric Mobility sector.
The charging infra developer should allocate a portion of the land for open public amenities such as
food zones, cafeteria, etc. Such provisions have been included in the Madhya Pradesh EV Policy.
The Electricity Regulator should be mandated to provide a mechanism to approve rate-basing of
utility investments in building EV Charging infrastructure.
Why were the recommendations made?
The Government had notified National Electric Mobility Mission Plan, 2020 that aims to increase domestic
manufacturing capacities of EV. Also, the FAME II scheme was launched to stimulate the EV market. In
spite of all these measures, the share of EVs in the total sale of vehicle sales in the country is just 1%.
Therefore, NITI Aayog has come up with these recommendations.
Who was Michael Collins?
Michael Collins was an American Astronaut. He was the pilot of the Apollo 11 command module. On July
20, 1969, Michael Collins stayed behind when Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong became the first humans to
walk on the moon.
He recently died at the age of 90.
About Michael Collins
Michael is often addressed as the forgotten third astronaut in the Apollo mission. He stayed alone in
the command module for twenty-one hours till his colleagues returned.
The worst part of his twenty-one hour of lonely stay is that he lost contact with Houston when his
spacecraft circled the dark side of the moon. Only one side of the moon is visible to the earth
constantly. This is because, the rotation and revolution duration of the moon is equal.
The Autobiography written by Michael was “Carrying the Fire”.
He was born in Rome on October 31, 1930. He was the son of a US Army Major.
He started his career as an Air Force Test pilot.
His first Voyage mission was Gemini X. Gemini X was a part of the missions that prepared Apollo
Programme. His next and final spaceflight was Apollo 11.
Apollo 11
Apollo 11 was the spaceflight that landed first humans on the moon. Armstrong was the first person
to land on the moon. He was joined by Aldrin after nineteen minutes. They spent two and a quarter
hours on the moon outside the spacecraft. They brought back 21.5 kilograms of lunar material back
to the earth. They named the site they spent on the lunar surface as Tranquillity Base.
The Apollo 11 had three parts namely Command module, service module and lunar module.
The Command Module is the place where Michael spent while the others landed on the moon. It was
the only part that returned to the earth.
Service Module supported the Command Module with electrical power, propulsion, oxygen and water.
The Lunar Module had two stages. One was the descent stage to place the astronauts on the moon
and an ascent stage to place the astronauts into the orbit.
Where is Plain of Jars located?
The archaeologists recently found that the jars in the “Plain of Jars” were used as burial sites. They have
also found that though the jars could be 3,000 years old, the human remains suggest that people were
buried along side these jars 700 years ago, which is relatively recent.
About the recent Discoveries
According the scientists, the vessels in the Plain of Jars were placed in late Second millennium BCE.
On the other hand, the human remains come from 13th century. It is possible that the jars were always
used as burial sites.

Some also say that these jars were used for brewing celebratory rice wine and whiskey.
These conclusions were made only after four jar sites were studied. There are plenty of unexplored
jar sites in Laos.
The jars were made of different rock types such as Limestone, Granite, Conglomerate, Breccia,
Sandstone. However, the majority of the jars were made of sandstone.
Where is the Plain of Jars located?
The Plain of Jars is located in Laos. It is a megalithic archaeological landscape. It consists of
thousands of stone jars. These jars are found in the lower foothills of Xiangkhoang Plateau.
There are more than 90 Jar sites in the plateau. Each site has more than 400 stone jars. Some of the
jars have stone lids as well.
About the Jars
The Jars are cylindrical in shape. The bottom of the jar is wider than the top.
In 1930, a French researcher Madeleine Colani concluded that the jars were associated with burial
practices. This interpretation was supported by Japanese and Laos archaeologists with the discovery
of human remains.
The Plain of Jars became the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.
India’s first 3D printed house at IIT-M
The Union Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitaraman inaugurated the first 3D printed house at IIT Madras.
About the House
The House was constructed using indigenous 3D printing technology.
It was built in just five days.
It was built by TVASTA Manufacturing solutions based on a concept by former IIT-M students.
What is 3D printing?
3D printing is a process of making three dimensional objects through digital instructions. It is also
called Additive manufacturing. It is the opposite of Subtractive Manufacturing. Subtractive
Manufacturing is cutting away from a large material.
The Global market of 3D printing is expected to reach 34.8 billion USD by 2024.
3D Printing in India
In 2020, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released the National Strategy for Additive
Manufacturing.
India holds only 1.4% of the global market share in Additive Manufacturing. Within ASEAN grouping,
Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia account to about 80% of the Additive Manufacturing market.
National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing
The key goal is to position India as a global hub for additive manufacturing. It will address the following
challenges in 3D printing in India:
Fabrication speed
Surface finish of contoured surfaces
Data Formats
Lack of Additive Manufacturing Standards
3D Printing in Construction
In the construction sector, it takes a lot of hard work to create a detailed, handmade and scaled product.
With 3D printing the task becomes easier especially when complex geometries are involved. It can render
detailed models in terms of colour and range of materials.
Types of Additive Manufacturing
According to the National Strategy of Additive Manufacturing, there are seven types of Additive

Manufacturing processes. They are as follows:
Vat Photopolymerization
Binder Jetting
Directed Energy Deposition
Material Extrusion
Material Jetting
Powder Bed Fusion
Sheet Lamination
China launches Tianhe space station core module
On April 29, 2021, China launched the core module of its Space Station. This is an important milestone in
the country’s ambitious plan of establishing a permanent human presence in space.
The module that was launched is called Tianhe. The Space Station China is building is called Tiangong.
Tiangong
Tiangong means “Heavenly Space”.
It is to begin its operations in 2022.
Still eleven more modules are to be launched and assembled to complete the space station.
According to the Chinese Government, the completed Space Station will look like the “Mir Station”.
Mir was a Russian Space Station that orbited between 1980s and 2001.
The Chinese Space Station, Tiangong will orbit the earth in the low earth orbit at a height of 400 to
450 kilometres.
The lifespan of the space station is fifteen years.
It weighs more than 90 tonnes.
The size of Tiangong Space Station will be a quarter the size of the International Space Station.
Previous Chinese Mission
In 2011, Chinese launched the Tiangong – 1. It was the first prototype module that laid groundwork
for the permanently crewed station.
In 2016, the second lab Tiangong – 2 was launched.
International Space Station
International Space Station is a Collaboration between US, Canada, Russia, Japan and Europe. It is to
retire in 2024.
After the termination of the collaboration, Russia is to pull out of the International Space Station.
Russia has planned to launch its own space station in 2025.
After International Space Station retires, Tiangong will be the only space station orbiting the earth.
Lunar Missions
The Chinese are also planning to build a separate lunar space station with Russia. This space station might
either be placed in the orbit of the moon or on its surface.
UK to allow Driverless cars on roads
The United Kingdom has become the first country to announce regulation for the use of self-driving vehicles
at low speeds.
Background
The UK wants to be at the forefront in rolling out autonomous driving technology. The Government of UK
forecasts that around 40% of UK cars will have self-driving capabilities by 2035. This will create 38,000 jobs
in the country.
What is the plan?
The Government of UK has been working on the highway code for the use of self-driving vehicles. The

Ministry of Transport is to begin with Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS).
About the Regulations
The speed limit of the ALKS is to be set at 37 miles per hour.
The ALKS shall drive itself in a single lane.
Background
According to the UK Government, the technology will help reduce accidents caused due to human errors.
85% of accidents in UK are caused due to human errors.
How do Self Driving Vehicles work?
A self-driving vehicle is fully autonomous. No driver is required for the safe operation of the vehicle.
Self-driving technologies have been developed by Uber, Google, Nissan, Tesla.
Most of the self-driving systems maintain an internal map. They use lasers, sensors and radars to
map their surroundings. Based on the map created, instructions are delivered to the actuators of the
vehicle.
Levels of Driving
Level 0: All the major systems are controlled by humans
Level 1: It includes automatic braking or cruise control
Level 2: The cars offer at least two simultaneous automated functions such as steering and
acceleration
Level 3: The car is capable of managing all critical safety functions. However, the driver is expected
to take over when alerted.
Level 4: Almost autonomous. However, not completely
Level 5: Completely capable of self-driving in every situation
What is IA 2030?
The IA 2030 is Immunisation Agenda 2030. It was launched by World Health Organisation, GAVI and the
UNICEF. It has been titled as the “A Global Strategy to leave No One Behind”. It aims to maximise lifesaving
impact of vaccines. The Immunisation Agenda 2030 was launched during the World Immunisation Week.
Key Features of IA 2030
It aims to promote “Vaccination throughout life”, that is, from infancy to adolescent and till old age.
According to WHO, if completely implemented, the IA 2030 will avert fifty million deaths. Of this 75%
of them will be in low-income and in lower-middle-income countries.
What are the targets of IA 2030?
It aims to achieve 90% coverage of essential vaccines that are administered to infants, children and
adolescents.
Also, the IA 2030 agenda will aim to halve the number of children missing vaccines by 2030.
Also, it will complete 500 national introductions of new vaccines such as COVID-19 vaccines, Human
Papiloma Virus vaccine called the HPV and also rotavirus.
What are the priorities of IA 2030?
The seven priorities of IA 2030 are as follows:
Commitment and Demand
Coverage and Equity
Outbreaks and Emergencies
Life Course and Integration
Supply and Sustainability
Research and Innovation

Background
In August 2020, the 73rd World Health Assembly passed the resolution of “IA 2030 Agenda”.
Recent Developments
GAVI is Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation. In January 2021, the Union Minister of Health and
Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan was nominated as a member on GAVI board.
In May 2020, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan was elected as the
Chairperson of the WHO Executive Board.
In March 2021, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan was appointed as the
chairman of the Stop TB Partnership Board.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund crosses Rs. 8,000 crores mark
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare recently announced that the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
recently crossed Rs 8,000 crore mark. The Ministry has received 8,665 applications so far. The worth of
these applications has amounted to Rs 8, 216 crores. Out of this, Rs 4, 000 crores have been sanctioned by
the Ministry so far.
About the Applications and Sanctions
The states that received maximum help through the fund are Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar
Pradesh, Karnataka, and Rajasthan.
The largest share of the sanctioned application was contributed by the following sectors:
Primary Agricultural Societies: 58%
Agri-Entrepreneurs: 24%
Individual Farmers: 13%
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
In 2020, the Government of India established the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund to inject credit into
agriculture and its allied activities.
It was launched as a part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. The main objective of the fund is to make the
farmers self-reliant.
Around One Lakh Crore of rupees was allocated for the fund.
It is to be implemented between 2020 and 2029.
The fund will be used to provide loans to the Marketing Cooperative Societies, Primary Agricultural
Societies, Farmer Producers Organisation, Joint Liability Groups, Self Help Groups.
The fund is being provided for setting up of warehouses, cold stores, silos, grading, packaging units,
ripening chambers, etc.
The loans provided under the finds will receive an interest subvention of 3% per annum up to two
crores of rupees. This interest subvention is available for a period of seven years.
The Agricultural Infrastructure Funds are managed by the Management Information System Platform.
Supply Chain Resilience Initiative
On April 27, 2021, India, Australia and Japan formally launched the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative. The
initiative was launched to counter the dominance of China in the Global Supply Chain. It aims to prevent
disruptions in the supply chain as seen during COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative will mainly focus on
diversification of investment and digital technology adoption.
Objectives of Supply Chain Resilience Initiative
To increase Foreign Direct Investment and eventually turn Indo-Pacific region into an “Economic
Powerhouse”.
To build complementary relations between the partner countries
To build on the existential Supply Chain Network.

About Supply Chain Resilience Initiative
It was proposed by Japan.
It mainly aims to reduce the dependence on China.
Significance
According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the share of Chinese imports into India stood
at 14.5%. The Chinese imports dominate electronics, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts, chemicals,
shipping and textiles. In Electronics alone China accounts to 45% of imports of India. During
COVID-19, all these sectors were highly affected as India was heavily dependent on China for its raw
materials especially in the field of Electronics and Pharmaceuticals.
The COVID-19 has revealed supply chain vulnerabilities and the monopolism enjoyed by China in the
region.
Chinese moves
China recently formed an initiative with its Asian neighbours Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka
and Bangladesh to help them set up COVID-19 emergency supply reserves.
Also, the Sichuan Airlines of China recently suspended cargo flights to India that were taking crucial
supplies of Oxygen concentrators to India.
Such belligerence (aggressive war like behaviour) of China even during COVID-19 pandemic has
forced the countries to form the initiative.
April 30, 2021
Ayushman Bharat Diwas: April 30
Every year, the Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated on April 30 in India.
Why is Ayushman Bharat Diwas celebrated?
The Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated to achieve twin missions. They are to promote health and
wellness to the poor and also to provide insurance benefits to them.
Ayushman Bharat Scheme
The Scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2018.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ayushman Bharat Scheme has so far
operationalised 75,532 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre. It has fixed a target of 1.5 lakh
Health and Wellness Centre by 2022.
The beneficiaries are chosen from the Socio-Economic Census Database.
It is the largest health cover in the world.
It aims to provide five lakh rupees of health cover per family per year.
The beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is from bottom 40% of Indian Population.
The scheme also covers fifteen days of pre-hospitalisation and fifteen days of post-hospitalisation.
This includes the expenses of medicines and tests.
The scheme subsumed the Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme and Rashtriya Swasthya Bima
Yojana.
The scheme has packages that include knee replacement, bypass and other treatments provided at
15% cheaper than the Central Government Health Schemes.
Ayushman Mitra
The “Ayushman Mitra” initiative was started to provide employment to the unemployed. More than ten
lakh jobs were created under the Ayushman Mitra initiative. The Ayushman Mitras were deployed
directly in private hospitals and government hospitals.
The youth employed under the scheme will receive salary of Rs 15,000. Also, they receive incentive of
Rs 50 on every beneficiary.

The Ayushman Mitras should provide key information to the beneficiaries. They should inform the
state agency after the discharge of the patient.
Russia expels European Diplomats
Russia recently expelled diplomats of Latvia, Slovakia, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Czech diplomats. It was
retaliation from Russia after the countries expelled the Russian diplomats.
Background
The Czech Republic ordered Russian staff to leave the embassy. The order was passed based on the
accusations that Russian Intelligence Officers were behind 2014 explosion.
What is 2014 Explosion?
In 2014, two explosions occurred in a Czech Ammunition depot. Ammunition Depots are military storage
units.
Russia and Czech Republic
Czech Republic is a member of NATO, European Union and OECD. The relations of the country with Russia
after the latter annexed Crimea in 2014.
Annexation of Crimea
The political status of Crimea is disputed between Russia and Ukraine. This is called the Crimean issue. In
2014, Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine.
Baltic Countries
Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania are called Baltic countries. The region gets its name from the Baltic sea that
surrounds the region. The countries declared independence from Soviet Union in 1991.
India-Baltic Countries
The countries Latvia and Lithuania support India in its permanent membership in United Nations. In 2019,
Vice President Ram Nath Kovind visited the countries. He addressed the first India-Latvia Business Forum.
Balkan countries
The Baltic countries are different from Balkan countries. The Balkan countries are located in the
Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Ionian Sea in the southwest, Adriatic Sea in northwest and Ionian
Sea in the southwest.
They are Bosnia, Albania, Bulgaria, Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia, Romania
and Slovenia.
The region takes the name after the Balkan Mountains.
Why were the Goa Infra Projects red flagged?
The Central Empowerment Committee appointed by the Supreme Court recently raised serious concerns of
Environmental Impact in Goa. This was related to the double tracking of the railway line between Kulem of
Goa and Castle Rock in Karnataka.
What did the Committee say?
According to the committee, the Railway project will destroy the fragile eco system of the Western Ghats.
The conclusion was made by the committee after examining the proposals cleared by the Standing
committee of the National Board for Wildlife on the following projects:
Doubling of Railway tracks
Four Laning of National Highways
Goa-Tanmar Transmission Project
These projects will cut the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park in South Goa.
Significance of Western Ghats
Western Ghats is a Biodiversity hotspot and one of the most important wildlife corridor in the country. The
Western Ghats act as the huge water tank to six states. There are 13 national parks and several sanctuaries

in the Western Ghats. They source major rivers such as Godavari, Cauvery and Krishna.
Why is the Railways Double tracking the line?
According to the Railways, the traffic between Goa and Karnataka is projected to increase. The line is
mainly used to transport imported coal from Mormugao port to the steel mills in Bellary region.
Coal is being imported in the port since 1947. Around 14 million tonnes are imported annually. Currently,
the Government of Goa is working to decrease the coal imports in its ports to 8 million tonnes.
Project Update
The project aims to double track entire 342 kilometres. Of this, the South Western Railways have completed
seven kilometres so far.
National Commission for Women: WhatsApp Number for Pregnant Women
The National Commission for Women recently launched the WhatsApp number for pregnant women. The
helpline number is 9354954224. It is a “message only” helpline number. It will provide round the clock
medical assistance to expectant mothers all over the country. The National Commission for Women has set
up a dedicated team to look after the grievances raised from pregnant women on the number.
National Commission for Women
It was established under the National Commission for Women Act in 1992.
The body reviews legal and constitutional safeguards of women.
The chairperson of the commission is appointed by the Government of India. Also, the other five
members in the commission are also appointed by the GoI. These members should have experience
in women voluntary organisation, economic development, legislation, administration, etc.
Jayanti Patnaik was the first Chairperson of National Commission for Women.
Functions of National Commission for Women
Investigates and examines the matters related to the safeguards of the women as provided by the
Constitution of India
Presents reports about working on those safeguards
Recommends safeguards to enhance conditions of women in the country
It takes Suo Moto Notices in matters related to deprivation of women rights
Concerns
The National Commission for Women has no legislative powers. It shall only suggest amendments. It does
not have the power to choose its own executives. The commission is reliant on financial assistance from
the Government of India.
Pregnant Women in India
According to National Family Health Survey 5, anaemia among pregnant women has increased in
more than half of the states and union territories.
The survey also says that Child marriages have increased in the states of Assam, Tripura and
Manipur.
The states that have showed increase in teenage pregnancies are Manipur, Tripura, Himachal
Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland.
Import of 17 medical devices allowed
The Government of India recently allowed import of seventeen medical devices to provide relief to the
COVID-19 patients. However, the importer should make mandatory declarations under Legal Metrology
Rules, 2011.
Which devices were allowed?
The Department of Consumer Affairs has allowed the import of the following devices:
Nebulizers

oxygen concentrators
CPAP and BIPAP devices
Vacuum Pressure Swing Absorption
Pressure Swing Absorption
Oxygen Plants
Cryogenic Oxygen Air Separation Unit
oxygen canister
oxygen filling systems
oxygen cylinders including cryogenic cylinders
Ventilators
About the Notification
The notification issued by GoI says that the imported items should comply Rule 33(1) and Rule 6 of the
Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodity) Rules, 2011. These rules makes it mandatory for the importers to
put proper stamping or stickers or online printing revealing required information.
What are Legal Metrology Rules?
The Legal Metrology Rules were framed to regulate pre-packaged commodities. Under the rules, the pre
packaged commodities have to comply mandatory labelling requirement.
The laws related to Metrology in India are as follows:
Legal Metrology Act, 2009
Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011
Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011
About Import of Medical Devices in India
A person having license under the Drug and Cosmetics Act, 1940 can import medical devices in the country.
Import, sale, manufacturing and distribution of medical devices are regulated by the same act. The Central
Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) governs the regulations of import of medical devices in the
country.
CDSCO
It is responsible for approval of drugs. However, recently GoI included some of the medical devices under
the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Currently, there are thirty seven medical devices regulated under the act.
Mining Robot Stranded in the Pacific
A Deep-sea mining robot, Patania II got stranded on the Pacific Ocean floor.
What happened?
The Patania II robot was designed to explore rocks rich in Nickel and Cobalt in the Pacific Ocean at a
depth of 13,000 feet. The Umbilical cable of the robot got detached when its first trials were near
completion. Cobalt and Nickel are essential for low carbon technologies.
The recovery of the machine is being planned.
The exploration is being held in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean.
What is the issue?
The robot weighs twenty-five tonnes. It was developed by Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR). The GSR
company was awarded 75,000 square kilometres of contract area in the Clarion Clipperton Zone. This is 2.5
times the size of Belgium. The incident has brought back the focus on Deepsea mining and its
environmental impacts to the central stage.
Clarion Clipperton Zone
It is a geological submarine fracture zone that runs 7,240 kilo metres. It is a fracture zone of Pacific
Ocean. Fracture zones are created due to plate tectonics. It is a linear oceanic feature that runs

thousands of kilometres long. They are formed from the action of offset mid-ocean ridges. Mid-ocean
ridge is a sea floor mountain.
The Clarion Clipperton Zone is administered by the International Seabed Authority. The Authority has
divided the region into sixteen mining claims. Each mine covers 160,000 square kilo metres.
According to the International Seabed Authority, the region has 0.27 billion tonnes of Nickel, 0.05
billion tonnes of Cobalt and 0.23 billion tonnes of copper.
The region is rich is biodiversity. In 2017, more than 34 new species were discovered in the region.
Concerns against Deep Sea Mining
As Clarion Clipperton is highly rich in biodiversity, deep sea mining might have serious impacts on the
marine organisms in the region.
Samudrayaan Project of India
It is a proposed Deep Sea mining project of India. Under the project, three aquanauts are to reach the deep
sea for exploration. The project is to be implemented by the National Institute of Ocean Technology. It is in
line with Gaganyaan Mission of ISRO.
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 60 Starlink satellites
The SpaceX recently launched sixty Starlink Internet Satellites. The satellites were carried by Falcon 9
rocket. It was launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station located in Florida.
SpaceX
The company has done twelve launches in 2021 alone. The majority of those launches have been its own
Starlink satellites. SpaceX has permission to launch as much as 30,000 satellites.
Starlink Project of SpaceX
Under the Starlink project, SpaceX aims to build a constellation of 12,000 satellites. The main objective of
the project is to provide space based internet services at affordable costs.
Importance of the project
Currently there are more than four billion people in the world without internet access. This is mainly due to
the incompetent ways of delivering internet. In most of the countries, internet is being delivered through
fibre optic cables or wireless networks. These methods are highly challenging in areas with difficult terrain
where it is not feasible to set up towers or cables. On the other hand, signals from satellites can overcome
these difficulties easily.
Why does Starlink project use Low Earth Orbit?
The orbit at a height less than 1000 kilometres from the earth’s surface is called Low Earth Orbit. Satellites
in this orbit move at a speed of 11,000 kilometres per hour. They complete one revolution in 24 hours, that
is, in the same time the earth rotates its axis. Thus, the satellite in the constellation appears to be
stationary. Thus, he can get access to the satellite 24/7.
The issue is time lag called latency between the server sending data and the user. The data transfer occurs
in the speed of light. Thus, longer the distance greater is the time lag. Therefore, the satellites in the
constellation should as close to the earth as possible. This is why they are placed in Low Earth Orbit.
The latency between geostationary orbit and the earth is 600 milli seconds.
Why does the project need huge number of satellites?
The major concern with the Low Earth Orbit is that their signals cover relatively small area. Thus, more
satellites were required to reach to every part of the planet.
Char Dham Yatra suspended
The Government of India recently suspended the Char Dham Yatra due to surge in COVID-19. Only the
priests are to be allowed to conduct the daily worship and rituals. The Kedarnath is to be reopened on May
17, Gangotri and Yamunotri on May 14 and Badrinath on May 18.

Char Dham Yatra
The Char Dham Yatra is visiting four holy places in Uttarakhand. They are Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath
and Badrinath. These four holy places of Hinduism are to be connected through a highway. The Project Char
Dham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojana or Char Dham Mahamarg or Char Dham Highway is to construct the
highway.
Char Dham Pariyojana
Under the project, the roads are to be widened from 12 metres to 24 metres. It will involve bypasses,
tunnels, bridges, viaducts and subways.
Concerns
The roads are to be widened to improve the accessibility to the shrines. However, these areas are
under the dry deciduous biome. The project will uproot vegetation in the process of widening the
roads. This will be perilous to the biodiversity.
The river slopes in these regions are highly dependent on vegetation. Uprooting them will cause
landslides and floods.
The Slope Vegetation is highly important as it contributes slope stability, reduces pore water
pressure, increases resistive force against flowing water through root-cohesion, reduces weight of
the soil by absorbing moisture and reduces surface run off.
Forest loss due to the project
Around 508.66 hectares of forest area are to be diverted for non-forestry purpose. More than 33,000
to 43,000 trees will be cut down.
Currently, the forest cover of Uttarakhand is growing at the rate of 23 hectares per year. If this rate is
maintained then it will take 40-45 years to recover the loss.
Stampede at Israeli Pilgrimage site
A massive stampede at Meron, a Jewish Pilgrimage site in Israel killed at least 44 people. This was the
largest COVID-19 era gathering of Israel.
About the disaster
The stampede occurred at the most reputed tomb of Shimon Bar Yochai. He was a second century
sage.
The pilgrimage was closed in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Though Israel has vaccinated more than 9.3 million population, the restrictions on massive
gatherings still remain in place. Only 10,000 people were authorised to gather at the site. However,
more than 30,000 arrived at the site.
Shimon bar Yochai
He was a disciple of Rabbi Akiva. The works Mekhilta and Sifre are attributed to him.
He was an active participant of the destruction of the second temple.
First and Second Temples
The First temple was built in 1000 BC by King Solomon. It was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar (King of
Babylon) when he captured Jerusalem.
The time of Second temple is divided into different periods namely the Roman period (63 BC),
Hellenstic period (332 BC) and Persian period (586 BC). The temple was destroyed during the Roman
period in AD 70.
These were Jewish temples. The destruction of the temples are marked in the Jewish calendar as the
“day of mourning” called Tisha B’av.
Meron
Meron is a town in Israel. It is located on the slopes of Mt Meron. It is famous for annual mass public

commemoration of Lag Ba’Omer. Lag Ba’Omer marks the death anniversary of Shimon bar Yochai, the
Rashbi.
Global Electric Vehicle Outlook, 2021
The International Energy Agency recently released the Global Electric Vehicle Outlook.
Three million new electric cars were registered in 2020. This was 41% higher than those registered in
2019.
According to the report, if the governments will ramp up their efforts to meet international climate
goals, then the number of global electric vehicles will increase to 230 million by 2030.
Currently, there are ten million electric cars on road.
Korea has the largest number of hydrogen car distribution in the world.
Sales of Electric Cars
The sales of electric cars in 2020 contracted by 16% due to COVID-19. However, it started increasing in the
first quarter of 2021. And the sales during the first quarter of 2021 was two and a half times higher than
that during the same period in 2020.
Consumer Spending on Electric Cars
The consumer spending on Electric Cars in 2020 amounted to 120 billion USD. This has increased by 50% as
compared to that of 2019.
What did the report say about India?
According to the report, around 30% of new vehicle sales in 2030 will be Electric in India.
The Electric Vehicle penetration in the country will be led by electric three-wheelers and electric two-
wheelers.
The report also says that the electrification of buses will be lower. It will be 15% of total sale of
vehicles by 2030. This is mainly because of easier registration of two-wheelers and three-wheelers
under the FAME II scheme.
The report also says that only 3% of allocated funds under the FAME II scheme has so far been used
for 30,000 vehicles.
Japan's Order of the Rising Sun honour to Bengaluru Teacher
The Japanese Government recently awarded the “Order of Rising Sun” to a Bengaluru based Japanese
teacher, Shyamala Ganesh.
About Shyamala Ganesh
Shyamala is a Japanese teacher at the Septuagenarian institution and also at the Ohara School of
Ikebana in RT Nagar, Bengaluru. She has tutored more than hundreds of students since its inception
38 years ago. Ikebana is Japanese art of flower arrangement.
Shyamala along with her husband Ganesh started a Japanese language school in 1983 in Bengaluru.
Order of Rising Sun
The award is presented by the Emperor of Japan.
It was created in 1875.
The award is presented to those who have made distinguished achievements in promotion of
Japanese culture, achievements in international relations, advancements in their field and
conservation of environment.
It was also awarded for exemplary military service before World War II.
It is the third highest award presented by the Japanese Government.
The culture of presenting the award to Non-Japanese recipients began in 1981.
Women are presented with the award since 2003.

The award can also be presented posthumously.
Other highest Japanese awards
The highest Japanese award is the Order of Chrysanthemum. The award is reserved only for the
heads of the state.
The Order of Paulownia flowers is mostly reserved for politicians.
Order of Chrysanthemum
It was established in 1876 by Emperor Meji of Japan.
It can be conferred posthumously unlike its European counterparts.
Order of Paulownia Flowers
It was once conferred to the former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
It is the second highest award presented by the Japanese Government.
Net Zero Producer Forum
Saudi Arabia recently announced that it is to join Canada, US, Qatar and Norway in forming the Net Zero
Producers Forum.
Net Zero Producers Forum
The forum has been formed for the oil and gas producers to discuss how to support the
implementation of Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
It aims to develop pragmatic net zero emission strategies.
It will aim at Methane abatement.
Also, it will target in advancing the circular carbon economy approach.
It will promote development and deployment of clean energy.
It will support the development of carbon capture and storage technologies.
Above all, it will march towards diversifying from reliance on hydrocarbon revenues.
What are the targets of the countries?
The United States has set a target of cutting emission levels by 50% to 52% as compared to that of
2005 levels. This was announced during the Leaders Summit on Climate held in April 2021.
Saudi Arabia is to reduce its carbon emissions by generating 50% of its energy requirements from
renewable sourced by 2030. It is to be noted that Saudi Arabia is the world’s biggest crude oil
exporter.
Canada has set a target of reducing its green house gas emissions by 30% as compared to that of
2005 levels.
Climate Targets of Norway
Norway has signed an agreement with the European Union under the EU Climate Legislation. The agreement
has three pieces of legislation. They are as follows:
EU Emissions Trading System
Effort Sharing Regulation for non-ETS Emissions
Land-use, Land-use change and forestry regulation
The European Union has set a target to reduce the green house gases by 55% as compared to that of 1990
levels. Norway is not a member of European Union. However, it is associated with the grouping through its
membership of European Economic Area.
RBI joins Network for Greening the Financial System- NGFS
The Reserve Bank of India recently joined the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). By joining
the system, RBI is to learn from and contribute to the Global Climate risk management in the financial
sector. Ultimately, the apex bank will work with its global partners to support the transition towards a

sustainable economy.
Greening the Financial System
There are 83 central banks associated with the system. Of these 75 are members and 13 are
observers.
The main objective of the system is to increase and accelerate green finance.
It was announced during the One Planet Summit held at Paris in 2017.
The initiative was launched by eight central banks under the leadership of Banque de France.
It aims to help the members design policies and climate risk resilience in financial sector.
Current Functions of NGFS
The NGFS is currently working under the following:
Microprudential or Supervision: Done by Singapore
Macrofinacial works: By Bank of England
Scaling up the Green Finance: by Deutsche Bundesbank (Germany)
Bridging the data gaps: International Monetary Fund
Research: China
Background
According to the Global Risks Report, 2021 of the World Economic Forum, the infectious diseases and
climate action failure are considered as the highest risks.
According to World Economic Forum, around 5 trillion USD is needed to be invested annually in green
infrastructure. Currently the world is investing only 100 billion USD annually.
According to World Bank, the loses to GDP of India due to Climate Change will be 1,178 billion USD by
2050.
NATO Military Exercises launched
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation recently launched the joint military exercises in Albania called the
“DEFENDER-Europe 21”. Thousands of military forces from the US are participating in the exercise.
About DEFENDER-Europe
The exercise is an annual US-led multinational exercise.
It is defensive in nature.
It focuses on deterring aggression.
DEFENDER Europe 21
In 2021, the exercise is to focus on building operational readiness and interoperability.
More than 28,000 troops of the US and its allies are participating.
More than 26 countries are to conduct simultaneous operations in more than thirty training areas
from Black sea, Balkan regions to Baltics and Africa.
The USNS Bob Hope is to demonstrate unloading heavy equipment onto the smaller vessels.
NATO
NATO is North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. It is an intergovernmental military alliance between thirty
North American and European countries.
In 1947, France and UK signed the “Treaty of Dunkirk” (This was the inception of NATO). It was a
military alliance between the countries. It was signed in the event of possible attack by Germany or
Soviet Union in the post-World War II conditions. The US, Canada, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Portugal
and Iceland joined the treaty in 1949.
The first NATO military exercise was held in 1952.
Soviet Union signed the Warsaw pact to counter NATO.

Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact was signed after the integration of West Germany into the NATO. It was signed in 1955. It
was signed in Warsaw, Poland. It was signed between the Soviet Union and the seven other countries in the
central and eastern Europe. There were no military dealings between them like that of NATO. However,
conflicts were fought on ideological basis and also in proxy wars. The largest military engagement of
Warsaw pact was the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. Albania and Romania did not participate in the
invasion. Later Albania withdrew from the pact. (Albania joined NATO in 2009).
The other countries of Warsaw Pact that participated in the invasion were Poland, Soviet Union, Hungary,
East Germany and Bulgaria.
120 Multiple Choice Questions
The below MCQs are select 120 questions sourced from GKToday’s Current Affairs 2021 Daily 20 MCQ
Series in GKToday Academy Android Application.
1. Over 4200 tonnes of salmon have been killed by a killer algae in which county?
[A] UK
[B] USA
[C] Canada
[D] Chile
Answer: Chile
In the South American country of Chile, has witnessed the spread of a killer algae which has claimed the
lives of more than 4,200 tonnes of salmon. The algal bloom has led to decreased water availability in
waters that led to suffocating the salmon. This is considered to be the latest mass mortality event
recorded in Chile, which is the world's second largest producer of salmon.
2. Which Pakistani Player has topped the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings, surpassing Virat Kohli?
[A] Babar Azam
[B] Hasan Ali
[C] Mohammad Amir
[D] Fakhar Zaman
Answer: Babar Azam
Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam has topped the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings. He has clinched the top
spot after a huge gap by any one from the country since 2003. He has replaced Indian Skipper and
Batsman Virat Kohli after he gained 13 points in the Pakistan South Africa series.
3. What is the name of the tax non-resident e-commerce operators / service providers?
[A] Equalisation Levy
[B] GST
[C] Corporation Tax
[D] Tobbin Tax
Answer: Equalisation Levy
Equalisation Levy also called the Google Tax is the taxation on non-resident e-commerce operators /
service providers. The collection of Equalisation Levy in India stood at Rs.2057 crore for FY 2020-21 and
has doubled in comparison to the previous years. The increase in equalisation levy comes at the
backdrop of US proposing retaliatory tariffs of up to 25 per cent on Indian goods like shrimps, basmati
rice.
4. Which country has mandated banks, insurers and investment managers operating in the country
to report the impacts of climate change on their business?

[A] India
[B] New Zealand
[C] Australia
[D] Switzerland
Answer: New Zealand
The Government of New Zealand has introduced a new legislation, whereby banks, insurers and
investment managers operating in the country are required to report the impacts of climate change on
their business. New Zealand is the first country to bring such legislation. As per the new legislation,
banks with total assets of more than NZ$1 billion and insurers with more than NZ$1 billion in total
assets have to make the disclosure.
5. Which Financial Institution has launched Rs.10,000 Special refinance facility (SRF) 2021 to
support Housing Finance Companies?
[A] Reserve Bank of India
[B] NABARD
[C] National Housing Bank
[D] State Bank of India
Answer: National Housing Bank
National Housing Bank has launched a Rs.10,000 crore ‘Special Refinance Facility-2021’ aimed to
provide liquidity to housing finance companies and other financial institutions / banks in India. This
would infuse funds into the housing finance system and enable institutions to maintain steady growth in
housing finance.
6. As per IMF, what is the revised growth forecast for South-East Asian Nations for the year 2021?
[A] 2.9%
[B] 4.9%
[C] 6.0%
[D] 8.0%
Answer: 4.9%
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated that the collective performance of Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam would be 4.9% for the year 2021, down from its previous
forecast of 5.2%. Although the IMF’s global forecast is on the optimistic side, still there has been a
downgrade in growth projections for SE Asian nations.
7. Which institute has launched ‘Infant Toddler and Caregiver-friendly Neighbourhoods (ITCN)
Training and Capacity Building Programme’?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] IIT Bombay
[C] NIT Trichy
[D] NIUA
Answer: NIUA
National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), in partnership with Bernard van Leer Foundation (BvLF) has
launched the Infant Toddler and Caregiver-friendly Neighbourhoods (ITCN) Training and Capacity
Building Programme’. This programme is aimed to enhance the capacities of city officials and young
professionals for developing young children and family-friendly neighbourhoods within cities in India.
8. Which country is to launch "Rashid" unmanned rover to the Moon by next year?
[A] Pakistan
[B] Israel

[C] UAE
[D] Bangladesh
Answer: UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) which made up of seven emirates, is to launch its first unmanned rover
to the Moon next year- 2022. Lunar exploration firm iSpace will transport the rover, which has been
named ‘Rashid’. It will be transported to the Moon on iSpace's lunar lander.
9. Bohag Bihu Bird Count has commenced in which state?
[A] Haryana
[B] Kerala
[C] Assam
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Answer: Assam
The Bird Count India (BCI) in association with Assam Bird Monitoring Network has commenced the
Bohag Bihu Bird Count from April 14th to April 19th 2021 in the state of Assam. There are three Bihus —
Magh, Bohag and Kati — during winter, spring and autumn every year and BCI has planned to document
the avian diversity across all these seasons.
10. The Human rights activist and journalist Ibn Abdur Rehman, who died recently, was from which
country?
[A] India
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] Pakistan
Answer: Pakistan
Ibn Abdur Rehman - Human rights activist and journalist of Pakistan, died recently at the age of 90
years. He passed away at Lahore. He was awarded with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay award for his
work on fostering India-Pakistan relations. He served as the Director of Human Rights Commission of
Pakistan from 1990 – 2008 and the Secretary General from 2008-2016.
11. Which Indian organisation has collaborated with Bayer to work towards innovation and
entrepreneurship initiatives?
[A] AIM
[B] IIT Kanpur
[C] DRDO
[D] Start Up India Mission
Answer: AIM
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of NITI Aayog has collaborated with Bayer, which is a global leader in the
fields of healthcare and nutrition. A statement of Intend (SoI) has been signed between the two
organisations in this regard. The collaboration aims to work towards the AIMs’ innovation and
entrepreneurship initiatives across the India.
12. Guillermo Lasso has been elected as the President of which country?
[A] Pakistan
[B] Brazil
[C] Ecuador
[D] Jamaica
Answer: Ecuador
Former Bank and member of the conservative - Guillermo Lasso has been elected as the new President

of Ecuador. He is 65 years old and is a three time Presidential candidate. He defeated his left-wing
opponent economist Andrés Arauz by securing 52.4% of the vote compared to Mr Arauz's 47.6%.
13. Which Board / Organisation has launched the National Nursery Portal?
[A] National Housing Board
[B] National Horticulture Board
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] National Tea Board
Answer: National Horticulture Board
The National Nursery Portal has been launched by National Horticulture Board (NHB). It is a Platform
which is available both in the form of a Web Portal and a Mobile Application. It intends to create an
online market place where Nurseries and Buyers can interact for sale of plants.
14. “Special Drawing Rights (SDR)”, which is seen in the news recently, is associated with which
institution?
[A] World Bank
[B] IMF
[C] United Nations
[D] Asian Development Bank
Answer: IMF
The Special Drawing Rights (SDR) is an international reserve asset, created by the IMF in 1969 to
supplement its member countries' official reserves. Recently, the IMF Managing Director Kristalina
Georgieva announced that IMF will distribute a new allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) to
member countries by mid-August. IMF members had agreed to support a new SDR allocation of $650
billion, the largest in the history of the IMF.
15. Vaccines produced by Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca use which virus as the basis for
Covid-19 vaccines?
[A] Adeno Virus
[B] Papova Virus
[C] Herpes Virus
[D] Pox Virus
Answer: Adeno Virus
Adenoviruses are a family of viruses that can cause a wide variety of illnesses in humans, including the
common cold, gastrointestinal infections and pink eye. There are 88 types of adenovirus that would
infect humans, and these are grouped into seven different species, A-G. Recently, in several COVID-19
vaccines, including those produced by Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, these viruses are the basis
for several COVID-19 vaccines.
16. Which Union Ministry has launched the EatSmart Cities Challenge and Transport 4 All
Challenge?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[C] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[D] Ministry of Women and Child Development
Answer: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched the EatSmart Cities Challenge and Transport 4 All
Challenge. EatSmart Cities Challenge was organized in association with Food Safety and Standards
Authority of India (FSSAI) and Smart cities mission. It aims to encourage smart cities develop a

sustainable food environment. Transport 4 All Challenge was launched in association with Institute for
Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), to improve public transport.
17. Which institution is set to conduct first ever international Food Systems Summit?
[A] World Bank
[B] IMF
[C] UN
[D] NITI Aayog
Answer: UN
The United Nations is set to conduct the first ever UN Food Systems Summit in September 2021. The
Summit will focus on shaping food systems nationally and globally to accelerate progress in the SDGs.
In India, the first National Level Dialogue on Agri-Food Systems-Advancing Equitable Livelihoods was
recently conducted on 12 April, 2021. The Inter departmental Group constituted by Department of
Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers Welfare and the representatives from UN Agencies in Delhi
participated in the dialogue.
18. “Azhdarchid pterosaurs”, the ancient giant reptiles are known for which peculiar part of the
body?
[A] Tail
[B] Neck
[C] Fins
[D] Horns
Answer: Neck
Azhdarchid pterosaurs were the ancient giant reptiles that flew in the skies nearly 65 million years ago.
They had necks longer than that of a giraffe, over 6 feet long. Recently, researchers have reported a new
finding about their long necks. As per the study, the pterosaurs were supported by an intricate internal
structure, which is not like the earlier discovered ones.
19. Which e-commerce major is set to acquire Cleartrip?
[A] Amazon
[B] Walmart
[C] Flipkart
[D] E Bay
Answer: Flipkart
E-commerce major Flipkart is set to acquire Cleartrip, which is a leading online travel and technology
company. Cleartrip was founded in the year 2006 and offers personalised travel products to its
customers via desktop website and mobile application. Flipkart will acquire 100 per cent of Cleartrip’s
shareholding.
20. Which organization hosted the BRICS seminar on misuse of the Internet by terrorists?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Indian Army
[C] National Investigation Agency
[D] CDAC
Answer: National Investigation Agency
India hosted the BRICS seminar on “Misuse of Internet for Terrorist Purposes and Role of Digital
Forensics in Terrorist Investigations”, which was organised by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
It is a two-day event organized in a virtual format which emphasized on international cooperation and
seamless sharing of good practices in tackling cyber terrorism.

21. Online Grievance Management Portal of which commission has been launched on 14th April
2021?
[A] NCBC
[B] NCSC
[C] NHRC
[D] NSFDC
Answer: NCSC
The Union Minister for Communication & IT and Law & Justice Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad has recently
launched the Online Grievance Management Portal of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes
(NCSC). This was launched on the Birth Anniversary of Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
22. USA has decided to withdraw all American troops from which country by September 11?
[A] Iran
[B] Iraq
[C] Ukraine
[D] Afghanistan
Answer: Afghanistan
The United States of America headed by President Biden has decided to withdraw all American troops
from Afghanistan over the next few months. The exit of troops is set to be completed by September 11th
this year, which marks the 20th year anniversary of Twin tower attacks on the USA by the Taliban.
23. Which state is set to form a committee to prepare the “Register of Indigenous Inhabitants” of the
state?
[A] Manipur
[B] Nagaland
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] West Bengal
Answer: Nagaland
The Nagaland government has decided to form a joint consultative committee (JCC) for taking an
exercise to register the State’s indigenous inhabitants. In July 2019, the Nagaland government launched
the RIIN, seen as a variant of Assam’s National Register of Citizens. The committee will prepare the
Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN).
24. Refusal to work in essential services is prohibited under which act?
[A] Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA)
[B] Disaster Management Act
[C] Epidemic Diseases Act
[D] Pandemic Conditions Act
Answer: Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA)
The Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) was enacted in 1968, to maintain certain essential
services and the normal life of the community. The Act includes a list of essential services in its charter.
After the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases, the Chhattisgarh Government has invoked the Essential
Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). The refusal to work in essential services has been prohibited. It
includes health workers, sanitation workers, workers in water and power supply services etc.
25. Which institution launched an expert panel called “IP Guru”?
[A] MEITY
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] NIXI

[D] NASSCOM
Answer: NIXI
The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), announced some new initiatives to raise awareness of
the IPv6 protocol in India. The Department of Telecom (DoT) had, in February last year, mandated all
government organizations to transition to IPv6 by March 2020. NIXI launched an expert panel called IP
Guru to support transition to IPv6 systems. NIXI is also creating an education platform for IPv6, called
NIXI Academy and a NISI IP-Index.
26. “Exercise Khanjar”, which was making news recently, is a military exercise between India and
which country?
[A] Japan
[B] Kyrgyzstan
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Sri Lanka
Answer: Kyrgyzstan
Special forces of India and Kyrgyzstan began a two-week military exercise in Bishkek. The eighth edition
of special forces exercise, 'Khanjar' was inaugurated with a focus on counter-terror drills. Initiated in
2011, this is the eighth edition of special forces exercise. This year, the focus is on high-altitude
warfare. In 2015, India and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement on bolstering defence cooperation.
27. Which company has delivered the first lot of light bulletproof vehicles to the Indian Air Force, in
collaboration with Lockheed Martin?
[A] BEL
[B] DRDO
[C] Ashok Leyland
[D] Tata Motors
Answer: Ashok Leyland
Ashok Leyland, which is a flagship firm of the Hinduja group, has delivered the first lot of light
bulletproof vehicles to the Indian Air Force. These vehicles have been designed and developed in
collaboration with Lockheed Martin, which is a US based aerospace and defence technology company.
28. Vinesh Phogat and Anshu Malik are associated with which sport event?
[A] Cricket
[B] Tennis
[C] Archery
[D] Wrestling
Answer: Wrestling
Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Anshu Malik, have won their maiden medals at the Asian
Championship held at Almaty, Kazakhstan. These Indian players are bound for the upcoming Olympics in
Japan. At the Asian Championship, India ended with seven medals in the women's event, with four gold
medals.
29. ‘Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Planning in India’ Report is set to be released
by which department?
[A] Department of Environment
[B] Department of Science and Technology
[C] Department of Atomic Energy
[D] Department of Space
Answer: Department of Science and Technology

A report titled “Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Planning in India” is set to be released
by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The report gives a detailed national level
assessment of climate change vulnerability of states and districts all over India. The compilation of data
pertaining to the report was supported by the Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation (SDC).
30. Which institution developed the world’s first affordable and long-lasting hygiene product named
“DuroKea Series”?
[A] IISc Bangalore
[B] IIT Hyderabad
[C] IIT Madras
[D] NIT Warangal
Answer: IIT Hyderabad
Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ virtually launched world’s first affordable and
long-lasting hygiene product in the name of “DuroKea Series”. The hygiene product has been launched
by IIT Hyderabad researchers. This innovative and long-lasting technologies was developed to combat
COVID-19 virus spreading.
31. Which country is to deliver the regimental set of S-400 Triumf ‘SA-21 Growler’ to India?
[A] Israel
[B] Russia
[C] USA
[D] France
Answer: Russia
Russia is set to deliver the first regimental set of S-400 Triumf ‘SA-21 Growler’ air defence systems to
India. India and Russia have inked a USD 5.43 billion contract, for the S-400 Triumf ‘SA-21Growler’, which
is long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. This system is for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and will
help in further enhancing the air defence (AD).
32. River Dhamra, on which a ROPAX Jetty Project is to be constructed in located in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] West Bengal
[C] Gujarat
[D] Bihar
Answer: Odisha
The Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that 110 crore rupees ROPAX Jetty project is to
come up on the river Dhamra in Odisha. Centre has approved over 50 crore rupees for developing the
Roll-on/Roll-off Passenger (ROPAX) Jetty and allied infrastructure, under the Sagarmala initiative.
33. Which Ministry hosted the 40th Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA)?
[A] Ministry of Shipping
[B] Ministry of Earth Sciences
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology
Answer: Ministry of Earth Sciences
The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has hosted the 40th Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (40-ISEA).
The expedition has successfully returned to Cape Town on April 10, 2021. The team returned after
completing a journey of about 12 thousand nautical miles in just 94 days. The 40-ISEA was onboard the
chartered ice-class vessel ‘MV Vasiliy Golovnin’. This achievement concludes four successful decades
of India's scientific endeavour in Antarctica.
34. Ajay Seth, who was in the news recently, took charge as which key position in India?
[A] Chief Election Commissioner
[B] CBI Director
[C] Economic Affairs Secretary
[D] Chief Information Commissioner
Answer: Economic Affairs Secretary
Ajay Seth, a 1987-batch Karnataka cadre officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), took charge
as new Economic Affairs Secretary. Ajay Seth was previously serving as the Managing director of
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. The new economic affairs Secretary will coordinate the policy
efforts of various stakeholders of the government, the Reserve Bank of India and states to maintain the
economic growth.
35. “Kamath Committee’s proposal of 26 high stress sectors”, is associated with which Government
scheme?
[A] Start-up India
[B] Stand up India
[C] Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme
[D] PM Garib Kalyan Yojana
Answer: Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme
Kamath Committee identified 26 sectors to be included in the ₹3 lakh crore Emergency Credit Line
Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS). Recently, the Finance Ministry expanded the scope of the Emergency Credit
Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) to cover borrowers from the healthcare segment, apart from the 26
sectors. SMA-1 borrowers in the healthcare sector are covered under ECLGS 2.0.
36. In “OSH&WC Code”, what does ‘O’ stand for?
[A] Original
[B] Occupational
[C] Official
[D] Ombudsman
Answer: Occupational
‘OSH&WC’ Code stands for Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code. The Labour
Ministry has notified draft rules for setting up of a technical committee under the Occupational Safety,
Health and Working Conditions Code (OSH&WC Code), 2020. The committee would help the Government
or the National board to be set up under the Code to discharge safety and other related measures across
industrial establishments.
37. What is the outlay of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for white goods (ACs and
LED Lights)?
[A] Rs 1238 crores
[B] Rs 6238 crores
[C] Rs 12380 crores
[D] Rs 62380 crores
Answer: Rs 6238 crores
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has notified the Production Linked
Incentive (PLI) scheme for white goods (Air conditioners and LED lights). The budgetary outlay of the
PLIWG scheme was Rs 6,238 crore. An incentive of 4-6 per cent on incremental sales of goods
manufactured in India would be given for a period of five years to the companies engaged in the
production of white goods.

38. ‘Luna 25’ is the name of the Lunar Mission of which country?
[A] USA
[B] Russia
[C] China
[D] UAE
Answer: Russia
Russia has unveiled a new series of space Lunar missions. The first of those missions, named as “Luna
25”, is scheduled to launch this October. The country had a 45-year drought of moon landings. The
lander has been designed to study the ice permanently frozen below the moon's surface. The scientists
will also evaluate the dangers posed by sharp fragments of lunar dust.
39. As per a recent study, what is the percentage of global land that is unspoiled by hiuan beings?
[A] 3%
[B] 10%
[C] 15%
[D] 30%
Answer: 3%
As per a recent study, only 3% of the world’s land remains ecologically intact, without spoiled by human
beings. The undamaged lands are mainly in parts of the Amazon and Congo tropical forests, east
Siberian and northern Canadian forests and tundra, and the Sahara. The researchers suggest
reintroducing a small number of important species to some damaged areas, such as elephants or
wolves.
40. What is the percentage of Indian adults who have experienced cybercrime in the last 12 months,
as per a recent report by NortonLifeLock?
[A] 19%
[B] 39%
[C] 59%
[D] 79%
Answer: 59%
As per the '2021 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report,' by NortonLifeLock, a consumer security company,
around 59 per cent experienced cybercrime in the last 12 months. As per the report, more than 27 million
Indian adults experienced identity theft in the past 12 months and 52 per cent of Indian adults admitted
they don't know how to protect themselves from cybercrime.
41. Which country has unveiled a National plan to reduce 80% GHG emissions by 2050?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] USA
[D] Israel
Answer: Israel
The Ministry of Energy, Israel has announced a National plan which includes the main target of reducing
80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The plan aims to shut down all coal-fired power
plants by 2025, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector by 75 to 85 per cent by 2050,
increase electricity generation from renewable energy among others.
42. Table Mountain National Park, which was seen in the news recently, is located in which country?
[A] Australia
[B] South Africa

[C] New Zealand
[D] Philippines
Answer: South Africa
A massive fire, which has been burning along the Table Mountain National Park, South Africa, is said to
be damaging buildings. Around 200 firefighters along with four helicopters have been dispatched to put
off the massive blaze. Mostert's Mill, a historic windmill near the University of Cape Town built around
1796, has also been damaged by the fire.
43. Which country launched its first ever mega food park project in India, at Fanidhar, Gujarat?
[A] France
[B] Israel
[C] Italy
[D] USA
Answer: Italy
Italy has recently launched its first ever mega food park project in India involving food processing
facilities. The pilot project “The Mega Food Park” was launched in virtual mode. A Letter of Intent was
signed between the ICE Office in Mumbai and Fanidhar Mega Food Park, Gujarat. PM Narendra Modi is
scheduled to visit the country in the coming days.
44. Tehri lake, on whose bank an Adventure Sports Institute has been opened, is in which state?
[A] Jammu & Kashmir
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Answer: Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurated a water sports
and adventure institute on the bank of the Tehri lake. The institute will be run by the Indo Tibetan Border
Police and has been built at a cost of Rs 20 crore. The institute is built at a cost of Rs 20 crore and will
be run by the Indo Tibetan Border Police.
45. Israel has signed its biggest ever Defence procurement Deal with which country recently?
[A] USA
[B] China
[C] Germany
[D] Greece
Answer: Greece
Israel and Greece have signed their biggest ever defence procurement deal. It includes a USD 1.65bn
contract for establishment and operation of a training centre for the Hellenic Air Force (Greece) by
Israeli defence contractor. This deal is expected to strengthen political and economic ties between the
countries. The Air Forces of the two countries also launched a joint exercise.
46. Vera Gedroits, who featured in Google Doodle recently, is the first female military surgeon of
which country?
[A] Germany
[B] Russia
[C] Italy
[D] France
Answer: Russia
Google celebrated the 151st birthday of Dr. Vera Gedroits, a Russian surgeon, professor, poet, and

author. She is also regarded as the country’s first female military surgeon and one of the world’s first
female professors of surgery. Dr. Gedroits volunteered as a surgeon during the Russo-Japanese War in
1904.
47. What is the name of the condition in which the human body is deprived of adequate oxygen
supply at the tissue level?
[A] Myoxia
[B] Hypoxia
[C] Hyperoxia
[D] Typoxia
Answer: Hypoxia
Hypoxia is a condition in which the human body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue
level. This condition gets repeated in a Covid-19 patient due to the virus infection. Amid a massive
shortage of oxygen cylinders in the country due to raise in coronavirus cases, the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed SpO2 (Blood Oxygen Saturation) supplemental oxygen
delivery system. It saves a person from sinking into a state of Hypoxia.
48. PSA Oxygen Plants were sanctioned for installation in public health facilities. What is the
expansion of PSA?
[A] Pressure Swing Adsorption
[B] Pressure Sleep Adjustment
[C] Private School Administration
[D] Primary Sleep Adjustment
Answer: Pressure Swing Adsorption
The Health Ministry announced that 162 Pressure Swing Adsorption, PSA oxygen plants have been
sanctioned by the Government of India for installation in public health facilities in all States. This step
would enhance the local oxygen capacity by over 154 Metric Tonnes. Out of 162 PSA Oxygen plants, 33
have been installed. States have also requested the Centre to provide additional 100 oxygen plants.
49. Which authority recently ruled that Flavoured milk is 'beverage containing milk' and will attract
12 per cent GST?
[A] Finance Ministry
[B] Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR)
[C] Finance Commission
[D] Central Board of Indirect Taxes
Answer: Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR)
The Gujarat Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) has ruled that Flavoured milk is 'beverage containing
milk' and will attract 12 per cent GST. Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation, which markets
dairy product under Amul brand, had approached the AAR on the taxability under the GST of flavoured
milk.
50. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that which country started
enriching Uranium up to 60 per cent?
[A] Israel
[B] Iran
[C] Afghanistan
[D] Nigeria
Answer: Iran
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that Iran started enriching uranium up to

60 per cent. This figure is its highest-ever level of enrichment. The decision to boost uranium
enrichment and to install modernized centrifuges at the Natanz nuclear facility was made due to the
recent incident damaging the electricity distribution network in Natanz.
51. With reference to Defence, what is “INAS 323”, that was recently commissioned?
[A] Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
[B] Air Squadron
[C] Submarine
[D] Missile Launcher
Answer: Air Squadron
Indian Navy’s first unit of the indigenously-built Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk III, Indian Naval Air
Squadron 323 (INAS 323), was commissioned at INS Hansa, Goa. The Mk III version of the ALH will be
used for Search and Rescue, Special Operations and Coastal Surveillance. The squadron will operate
three ALH Mk III helicopters, a multi-role chopper with the Shakti engine manufactured by Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
52. Which organisation is to map local festivals to prevent fatalities?
[A] NHAI
[B] Indian Railways
[C] DGCA
[D] Shipping Ministry
Answer: Indian Railways
The Ministry of Railways has decided to map local festivals celebrated near railway tracks across the
country. It would issue advisory to loco pilots on speed restrictions and other safety aspects to be
followed. There are several local festivals celebrated in India during which the people gather near
railway premises and cross the track in groups as part of the event. Two years ago, 61 people who were
a part of Dussehra celebrations near Amritsar, were run over by train.
53. Sivasubramanian Ramann, who was making news recently, took over as the Chairman and MD of
which organisation?
[A] SEBI
[B] SIDBI
[C] ISRO
[D] DRDO
Answer: SIDBI
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) announced that Sivasubramanian Ramann has taken
charge as Chairman and Managing Director of the bank. The appointment is for a period of three years.
Prior to this appointment, Ramann was serving as MD and CEO of National E-Governance Services Ltd
(NeSL). He has also held the position of Executive Director in Securities and Exchange Board of India
(SEBI).
54. Who has been appointed as the Director General of “National Anti-Doping Agency”?
[A] Navin Agarwal
[B] Siddharth Singh Longjam
[C] S Ramann
[D] R Gandhi
Answer: Siddharth Singh Longjam
IAS officer Siddharth Singh Longjam is to take over as the National Anti-Doping Agency's Director
General. The officer will succeed Navin Agarwal, who introduced Athletes Biological Passport (ABP) for

around 60 elite Indian sportspersons during his tenure. Longjam is currently serving as joint secretary in
the Sports Ministry.
55. In which state, the urea plant based on coal gasification technology is being set up by Talcher
Fertilizers?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Odisha
Answer: Odisha
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved subsidy for urea to be produced by state-run
Talcher Fertilizers (TFL), by means of coal gasification technology. The company is to set up the urea
plant based on coal gasification at Odisha. Talcher Fertilizers is a joint venture company between Coal
India, GAIL, Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers, Fertilizer Corporation of India.
56. As per ICMR, which vaccine is found to be effective in neutralizing double mutant strain of
SARS-CoV-2?
[A] Sputnik V
[B] Covishield
[C] Covaxin
[D] Oxford Astra Zeneca
Answer: Covaxin
Recently the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin is found
to effectively neutralise the double mutant strain, B.1.617, of SARS-CoV-2. This vaccine is manufactured
by Hyderabad based - Bharat Biotech Also, ICMR has stated that at its National Institute of Virology,
scientists have successfully isolated and cultured the double mutant strain which has E484Q and L452R
mutations.
57. Which organization has released the “Global review of the death penalty” report?
[A] ILO
[B] Amnesty International
[C] NHRC
[D] International Court of Justice
Answer: Amnesty International
The Amnesty International has released its annual report “global review of the death penalty”. As per the
report, there is an overall decrease in the number of global death penalties in the year 2020, but some
countries have increased the death penalty of executions. As per the report, China is considered to be
the world’s most prolific executioner in the world.
58. What is the name of NASA’s helicopter that commenced its flight in Mars?
[A] Determination
[B] Mars Rover
[C] Ambition
[D] Ingenuity
Answer: Ingenuity
The American Space Agency NASA’s robot helicopter named Ingenuity has successfully flown over the
surface of Mars. This makes it the first powered – controlled flight by an aircraft on another planet. Bob
Balaram, an Indian origin NASA Engineer is considered to be the man behind Ingenuity helicopter.
59. Jagananna Vidya Deevena scheme is being implemented by which state?

[A] Kerala
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Telangana
Answer: Andhra Pradesh
The state government of Andhra Pradesh is implementing a scheme named Jagananna Vidya Deevena
scheme, under which financial assistance is given to students for pursuing higher education. Recently,
the Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy released the 1st instalment of education fee reimbursement
under the scheme to the bank accounts of 10.88 lakh mothers.
60. Who was the head of Committee on Financial System 1991 and Committee on Banking Reforms
1998?
[A] Manmohan Singh
[B] Venu Shastri
[C] M. Narasimham
[D] YV Reddy
Answer: M. Narasimham
The former RBI Governor Shri. M. Narasimham passed away recently at the age of 94 years. He was the
13th Governor of RBI and till date is the only Governor of RBI to be appointed from Reserve Bank cadre.
He chaired the Committee on Financial System (CFS) 1991 and the Committee on Banking Reforms
1998, which forms the financial sector landscape that is in existence today.
61. AIIPOIP Grant Programme has been launched by Australia in partnership with which country?
[A] India
[B] Jamaica
[C] Bolivia
[D] Nicaragua
Answer: India
The High Commissioner of Australia to India has launched the Australia-India Indo-Pacific Oceans
Initiative Partnership (AIIPOIP) grant program. This AUD 1.4 million (INR 8.12 crore) grant program aims
to support a free, open Indo-Pacific region The programme would encourage exchange of expertise and
resources between Australian and Indian stakeholders that complements regional mechanisms such as
ASEAN, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, Pacific Islands Forum etc.
62. India's first 'Oxygen Express' carried oxygen to which state?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Assam
[D] Haryana
Answer: Maharashtra
The country’s very first 'Oxygen Express' departed from Andhra Pradesh to supply oxygen to the state of
Maharashtra. The Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) service operated by Central Railways is ferrying oxygen from
Vishakhapatnam steel plant to meet the sudden surge in oxygen demand in Maharashtra due to COVID
19 pandemic.
63. “State of the Global Climate 2020” is the report released by which organization?
[A] World Bank
[B] IMF
[C] ADB

[D] United Nations
Answer: United Nations
The United Nation’s flagship report - State of the Global Climate report has been released for the year
2020. The report has stated that Cyclone Amphan that made landfall in the India-Bangladesh border last
year, was the costliest tropical cyclone on record for the North Indian Ocean. It has led to economic
losses amounting $14 billion to the affected nations.
64. FACT rebel group, who were seen in the news recently, are associated with which country?
[A] Sudan
[B] Chad
[C] Afghanistan
[D] Nigeria
Answer: Chad
Fighters of the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) rebel group was formed in 2016. The
group said to have crossed into Chad recently with the aim of overthrowing President Idriss Deby. A day
after provisional results of Deby being re-elected, the military announced that President, had died due to
wounds suffered during a battle against the rebels.
65. Which space agency released the image of interacting galaxies Arp 273, in the shape of a
‘Cosmic Rose’?
[A] ISRO
[B] NASA
[C] SpaceX
[D] JAXA
Answer: NASA
The NASA has recently released the image of interacting galaxies Arp 273, in the shape of a ‘Cosmic
Rose’. The image has been shared on the official Instagram handle of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
In the image, a group of spiral galaxies create a shape resembling a rose. This structure made of
galaxies lies in the Andromeda constellation, at about 300 million light-years away.
66. What is the theme of the ‘Earth Day 2021’?
[A] Covid and Climate Change
[B] Restore Our Earth
[C] One Earth
[D] Earth is our asset
Answer: Restore Our Earth
April 22 is observed as the Earth Day throughout the world. It is an international event celebrated around
the world to support for environmental protection. This year marks the 51st anniversary of the annual
celebrations. The theme for Earth Day 2021 is ‘Restore Our Earth’. The United Nations designated April
22 as ‘International Mother Earth Day’.
67. As per the recent report released by the S&P Global Ratings in April 2021, what is the growth
forecast of India in 2021?
[A] 6 per cent
[B] 8 per cent
[C] 11 per cent
[D] 14 per cent
Answer: 11 per cent
The S&P Global Ratings in its report on Asia-Pacific Financial Institutions, highlighted that the Indian

economy is projected to grow at 11 per cent in the current fiscal year. The agency also revealed that
some more targeted lockdowns will likely be needed and the impact of broader lockdowns on the
economy could be substantial. As per official estimates, the Indian economy contracted 8 per cent in
2020-21 fiscal.
68. What is India’s rank in WEF Energy Transition Index?
[A] 87
[B] 121
[C] 150
[D] 171
Answer: 87
India has been ranked at the 87th position among 115 countries in Energy Transition Index (ETI), which
is released by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The top spot is occupied by Sweden followed by
Norway and Denmark. The top 10 positions have been occupied by Western and Northern European
countries.
69. Which country has passed the “No Ban Act / Bill”?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] USA
[D] Saudi Arabia
Answer: USA
The House of Representatives of the United States of America (USA) has recently passed the “No Ban
Act”. This bill aims to limit the ability of any United States president to impose a travel ban on the basis
of religion. This move has been welcomed by many activists across the globe. Earlier, the US
administration headed by President Donald Trump imposed “Muslim Ban” that barred travel to the US
from several Muslim-majority countries.
70. With reference to a recent NASA project, what does “M” in MOXIE stand for?
[A] Maintained
[B] Minimum
[C] Maximum
[D] Mars
Answer: Mars
NASA’s Perseverance mission has extracted oxygen on the Mars planet, using its MOXIE (i.e) Mars
Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment. MOXIE has produced 5 grams of oxygen from carbon
dioxide in the Martian atmosphere, which is enough for an astronaut to breathe for 10 minutes. On Mars,
carbon dioxide makes up 96% of the gas in its atmosphere while Oxygen is only 0.13%. MOXIE intakes
CO2 and produces O2 from it
71. As per IEA report, by what percentage of the CO2 emissions in India in 2021 will be higher than
that of 2020?
[A] 1.4%
[B] 5.4%
[C] 10.4%
[D] 20%
Answer: 1.4%
The International Energy Agency (IEA) in its recent report has stated that the carbon di oxide (CO2)
emissions in India for the year 2021 would be 1.4% more that that in the year 2020 (i.e) 30 million tonnes

more than the year 2020. Also, the report has stated that the expected rise in coal based electricity
generation would be 3 times more than the generation from other sources.
72. What is the name of the programme which is backed by WHO, that aims to fund young people's
ideas to combat COVID 19‘s impact?
[A] Global Youth Mobilization
[B] World Covid Response Programme
[C] World Health Programme
[D] Global Economic Recovery Programme
Answer: Global Youth Mobilization
“Global youth mobilization” aims to fund young people's ideas to combat the impact of COVID-19
pandemic, in various communities. This is supported by the World Health Organization and United
Nations Foundation. It is also backed by UNICEF, USAID, UNFPA, European Commission, Salesforce,
FIFA and Heads of State and Governments from around the world.
73. As per a recent study by CII, Clean Air Fund and Dalberg, what % of India’s GDP would be the
cost of air pollution on Indian businesses?
[A] 50%
[B] 10%
[C] 3%
[D] 1%
Answer: 3%
As per a recent study by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Clean Air Fund and consulting firm
Dalberg, air pollution in India is expected to cost 95 billion every year, or 3% of the country's Gross
Domestic Product on Indian businesses. It has also stated that New Delhi is the world's most polluted
capital and that India is home to 35 of the world's 50 most polluted cities.
74. In how many bodies of the UN Economic and Social Council, India has been elected recently?
[A] One
[B] Two
[C] Three
[D] Five
Answer: Three
India has been elected to three bodies of the UN Economic and Social Council recently. These three
bodies include - Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Executive Board of the World
Food Programme and Executive Board of the U.N. Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of
Women (UN Women). India will hold these positions for a three year term in all these bodies.
75. Which space agency has launched a mission named SHIELDS?
[A] NASA
[B] ISRO
[C] ESA
[D] Roscosmos
Answer: NASA
The American Space Agency – NASA has recently launched a mission named – SHIELDS (Spatial
Heterodyne Interferometric Emission Line Dynamics Spectrometer). This mission aims to study light
from interstellar particles which have drifted into the solar system to learn about the closest reaches of
interstellar space. The mission was launched using a NASA black Brant IX sounding rocket from Mexico.
76. Which country has been validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for having

eliminated trachoma?
[A] Gambia
[B] Zimbabwe
[C] South Africa
[D] Chad
Answer: Gambia
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently validated Gambia for having eliminated trachoma as
a public health problem. With this, Gambia became the second country in WHO’s African Region to
achieve this milestone. WHO launched the 2021–2030 road map for neglected tropical diseases. Côte
d'Ivoire was the first to achieve this feat.
77. KRI Nanggala-402, is a submarine of which country, in search of which the Indian Navy has
joined the rescue operation?
[A] Nepal
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Indonesia
[D] Japan
Answer: Indonesia
The Indian Navy has recently joined the rescue operation for an Indonesian submarine KRI Nanggala-402
and its 53-member crew that went missing. After its 44-year-old submarine went missing while
conducting a torpedo drill north of the island of Bali, Indonesia had sought assistance from India. Indian
Navy's Deep-Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSVR) left from Visakhapatnam as a part of the rescue
operation.
78. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, who passed away recently, was an Islamic scholar from which
country?
[A] Pakistan
[B] Bangladesh
[C] India
[D] UAE
Answer: India
Indian Islamic scholar and peace activist Maulana Wahiduddin Khan recently passed away. He was
listed in the 500 Most Influential Muslims of the world. He was famous for having written a commentary
on the Quran and translated it into contemporary English. Earlier this year, the government had
announced that he would be awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second-highest civilian
award.
79. Who has been appointed as the Chairperson of NASSCOM?
[A] Shyam Srivatsan
[B] Krishnamurthy Subramanian
[C] Rekha M Menon
[D] Mallika Srinivasan
Answer: Rekha M Menon
The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom), has appointed Rekha M
Menon as its Chairperson for 2021-22. Rekha M Menon is the Chairperson and Senior Managing Director
at Accenture in India, succeeding U B Pravin Rao, Chief Operating Officer, Infosys. Nasscom also named
Krishnan Ramanujam, from TCS as the Vice Chairperson for this financial year.
80. When is the Earth Day observed every year?

[A] March 30
[B] April 1
[C] April 15
[D] April 22
Answer: April 22
Every year, Earth Day is observed on April 22nd. The first such day was observed in the year 1970. In this
year’s Earth Day, US President Joe Biden announced his commitment to slash the US's carbon emission
by at least 50% by the year 2030, based on 2005 levels.
81. Which country has passed a bill to combat the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and
Pacific nationals?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] USA
[D] Jamaica
Answer: USA
The Senate of the USA has recently passed a legislative bill to combat the increase in the number of
hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific people in the country. This measure is expected to
fasten the review of hate crimes and provide support for local law enforcement agencies to respond to
such crimes. The USA has reported several such hate crime incidents in the past.
82. As per the recent report of SBI Research, what would be the growth rate of India in the financial
year 2021-22?
[A] 6.4 %
[B] 8.4 %
[C] 10.4%
[D] 12.4%
Answer: 10.4%
The State Bank of India (SBI) Research, in its recent research report forecasted that India’s GDP would
grow at 10.4% in the financial year 2021-22. Earlier, SBI had forecasted a higher 11% of growth rate for
Indian Economy. The reason for the lower growth was on account of the increasing restrictions across
states. Ramping up Covid-19 vaccination efforts would be the preferred way to tackle the surging
second wave of the pandemic in India, as per the report.
83. Japan is set to hold its first joint military drill with which two countries against China’s
aggression?
[A] India and US
[B] US and France
[C] Russia and US
[D] Russia and France
Answer: US and France
Japan is set to hold its first joint military drill with the US and French troops, amidst the increased
actions of China in the regional waters. The exercise would be held from May 11 to 17 and will be the
first large-scale exercise in Japan involving ground troops from all three countries. The exercise also
would deepen the Defence cooperation between the three countries.
84. India has planned to raise the production of …...... to around 17 million tonnes (mt) by 2025-26?
[A] Cotton
[B] Mustard

[C] Palm Oil
[D] Jute
Answer: Mustard
The Government of India has planned to bring around nine million hectares of land under mustard
cultivation and increase the production to around 17 million tonnes (mt) by 2025-26. This was
announced during the 'Mission Mustard 2025’, organised by Solvent Extractors’ Association (SEA) of
India. The average normal area for five years from 2014-15 to 2018-19 was 5.9 million hectares and the
production was around 7.7 mt.
85. Which financial services company has launched the ‘ConQR’- QR code embedded credit card,
along with BOB Financial?
[A] VISA
[B] Mastercard
[C] Rupay
[D] Maestro
Answer: Mastercard
BOB Financial, the credit card arm of Bank of Baroda and Mastercard have jointly launched small
business-focussed QR code embedded credit card. Named ‘ConQR’, it enables cardholders/ SMEs to
accept cashless payments using their cards. Small businesses can use QR to make payments as well as
receive payments with affordable and simple process.
86. What is the name given to small models of human organs that contain multiple cell types that
behave similarly to the human body?
[A] Body models
[B] Tissue Chips
[C] Cell Models
[D] Tissue Genes
Answer: Tissue Chips
Tissue Chips are small models of human organs that contain multiple cell types that behave similarly to
the human body. Four astronauts were recently launched to the International Space Station (ISS) as part
of a collaboration between NASA and SpaceX under the Commercial Crew Program. Their prime focus
during this time will be to carry out a series of Tissue Chips in Space studies.
87. ‘E-2025 Initiative’, which was making news recently, is associated with which field?
[A] Climate Change
[B] Eradication of Malaria
[C] Fin-tech
[D] Nutrition
Answer: Eradication of Malaria
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 25 countries, with the potential to eradicate malaria
by 2025 under its ‘E-2025 Initiative’. As per a new report of the WHO- Zeroing in on malaria elimination,
these 25 countries including three from Africa will have to work by responding to the dual threat of
malaria and Covid-19. The WHO will provide support and technical guidance to these countries.
88. Which type of institutions have been allowed to start functioning in Gujarat’s GIFT City?
[A] Payment Banks
[B] NBFCs
[C] AIFIs
[D] Neo Banks

Answer: NBFCs
Non-bank finance companies (NBFCs) both local and global, are allowed to start operations in Gujarat’s
GIFT City, by the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). They will be allowed to offer the
complete range of financial services including loans, investment banking, and third-party product sales.
89. Which country has recently joined the Leadership Group for Industry Transition “LeadIT”?
[A] USA
[B] China
[C] Russia
[D] Japan
Answer: USA
The United States of America (USA) has joined Leadership Group for Industry Transition “LeadIT” –
which is a climate initiative by India and Sweden. With USA joining the LeadIT, it is expected that the
partnership would help meet Paris Agreement goals, strengthen competitiveness and create new
sustainable jobs in all the three countries.
90. In which year the 73rd constitutional Amendment on Panchayati Raj was enacted in India?
[A] 1972
[B] 1992
[C] 2000
[D] 2010
Answer: 1992
The 73rd constitutional Amendment on Panchayati Raj was enacted in the year 1992 and it came into
force on April 24, 1993. Under this amendment, the State Governments are allowed to make provisions
for organising village panchayats as units of self-governance. Every year 24th April is observed as
National Panchayati Raj Day, since 2010.
91. By what % India's export of processed food products has grown during April-February 2020-21,
as per APDEA?
[A] 5.51%
[B] 10.51%
[C] 26.51%
[D] 50.51%
Answer: 26.51%
As per a statement by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development
Authority), the export of processed food by India has increased by 26.51 per cent during April-February
2020-21. By value, the increase stood at Rs.43,798 crore. This increase has been achieved despite
COVID 19 pandemic prevailing throughout the world.
92. By what name is the full moon on April 26th this year called?
[A] Big Moon
[B] Pink Moon
[C] Great Moon
[D] Gigantic Moon
Answer: Pink Moon
This year, super moons would appear on two occasions – on April 26th and on May 26th. The first super
moon on April 26th is called by the name “Pink Moon”. It is so called because, it corresponds with the
springtime blooms of a certain wildflower native to eastern North America, which is commonly known as
moss pink.

93. Which Ministry implements the SWAMITVA scheme?
[A] Ministry of Skill Development
[B] Ministry of Panchayati Raj
[C] Ministry of Agriculture
[D] Ministry of Rural Development
Answer: Ministry of Panchayati Raj
SVAMITVA Scheme is a Central Sector scheme launched on National Panchayat Day i.e 24th April 2020.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is the Nodal Ministry for implementation of the scheme. Recently,
e-property cards under SWAMITVA have been distributed to 4.09 lakh property owners in 5,000 villages
by the Prime Minster of India.
94. Which Indian company has successfully completed the Phase I and II clinical trials of its Covid-19
vaccine recently?
[A] Bharat Genetech
[B] Biological E Limited
[C] Cipla
[D] Ranbaxy
Answer: Biological E Limited
Biological E. Limited (BE), which is a Hyderabad-based vaccine and pharmaceutical company has stated
that it has successfully completed the Phase I and II clinical trials of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate in
India. With this, the company has been accorded approval to start the Phase III clinical trial from the
Central Drugs Standard Control Organization’s (CDSCO) subject expert committee (SEC).
95. What is the name of the medical device which concentrates oxygen from ambient air?
[A] Nebuliser
[B] Oxygen Concentrator
[C] Oxygen Ventilator
[D] Oxygen Generator
Answer: Oxygen Concentrator
An oxygen concentrator is a medical device which concentrates oxygen from ambient air. During the
Covid pandemic, it is highly needed for treating patients. The oxygen concentrator takes in the
atmospheric air, which has 78 % Nitrogen and 21 % oxygen, filters it through a sieve, releases the
nitrogen back into the air, and works on the remaining oxygen.
96. Which Armed Force launched a Centre of Excellence and Wellness named “Ladakh Ignited
Minds”?
[A] Indian Army
[B] Indian Navy
[C] Indian Air Force
Answer: Indian Army
The Indian Army has initiated the project Ladakh Ignited Minds, a Centre of Excellence and Wellness.
This was aimed to provide better educational opportunities for Ladakhi students. Fire and Fury Corps
along with partner Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and a Kanpur based NGO, National
Integrity and Educational Development Organization (NIEDO), will provide training facilities to the
students.
97. What is the theme of the “World Immunization Week” 2021?
[A] Vaccines bring us closer

[B] Vaccine Works
[C] Educate and Immunise
[D] Vaccination Vacation
Answer: Vaccines bring us closer
The “World Immunization Week” is observed every year in the last week of April. It aims to promote the
use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. This year, the theme of the week is
‘Vaccines bring us closer’. Google also created a Doodle to thank the health workers on the onset of the
World Immunization Week 2021.
98. Which is the headquarters of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)?
[A] Rome
[B] Paris
[C] Geneva
[D] New York
Answer: Geneva
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) member states designated April 26 as World IP Day with
the aim of increasing general understanding of IP, in the year 2000. WIPO is headquartered at Geneva.
World Intellectual Property Day 2021 focusses on the critical role of small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) in the economy and how they can use intellectual property (IP) rights to build competitive and
resilient businesses.
99. Which institution released a report titled “Gender Bias and Inclusion In Advertising In India”?
[A] World Bank
[B] UNICEF
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] Amnesty International
Answer: UNICEF
UNICEF and the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media (GDI) conducted a study and released a report
titled “Gender Bias and Inclusion In Advertising In India”. As per the research that measures over 1,000
television and YouTube advertisements aired across India in 2019, the Indian advertisements on
television and YouTube increase gender stereotypes.
100. Which country has named its first Mars rover as ‘Zhurong’?
[A] South Korea
[B] Taiwan
[C] China
[D] Japan
Answer: China
Chinese Government, has named its first Mars rover as ‘Zhurong’ after the country’s traditional fire God.
The rover is aboard a Mars probe named Tianwen-1 that the recently reached the Mars orbit. It would
descend to the Mars surface shortly. Tianwen-1 has been sent to mars with an aim to analyse and map
the Martian surface, look for possible water resources and understand the environment.
101. Ingenuity – the NASA’s helicopter is sent to which place?
[A] Antarctica
[B] International Space Station
[C] Mars
[D] Moon
Answer: Mars

NASA’s mini helicopter named Ingenuity, which is presently stationed at Mars has recently completed its
third flight in the Mars atmosphere. The aircraft hovered at about 6.6 feet per second, which is the
highest speed achieved by the chopper. During this flight, it has covered a distance of 64 feet (50
meters).
102. When is the UN’s International Delegate’s Day observed every year?
[A] February 1
[B] March 1
[C] April 1
[D] April 25
Answer: April 25
Every year, 25th of April is observed by the United Nations as the International Delegate's Day. This day
marks the anniversary of the first day of the San Francisco Conference in the year 1945, during which
delegates from fifty countries came together for the first time in San Francisco.
103. What is the theme for 2021 World Malaria Day?
[A] Reaching the zero-malaria target
[B] Eliminating Malaria
[C] Zero Malaria Zero Tolerance
[D] More immunisation for better tomorrow
Answer: Reaching the zero-malaria target
The World Malaria Day for the year 2021 was observed on 25th April this year. The theme for this year’s
World Malaria Day was “Reaching the zero-malaria target”. As per a WHO Report 2019, India represents
3% of the global malaria burden and it has registered a reduction in malaria cases by 49% and reduction
in deaths by 50.5% compared with 2017 levels.
104. Which of the following countries is not a part of “Net Zero Producers Forum”?
[A] India
[B] Saudi Arabia
[C] USA
[D] Norway
Answer: India
Recently, Saudi Arabi has joined hands with the United States, Canada, Norway, and Qatar to form “Net
Zero Producers Forum ''. This forum would discuss and devise strategies for supporting the
implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change. They would strive to achieve net zero carbon
emission targets to limit global warming.
105. Which is the smallest of all living rhinoceroses and the only Asian rhinoceros with two horns?
[A] Sumatran Rhino
[B] Malaysian Rhino
[C] Assam Rhino
[D] Javan Rhino
Answer: Sumatran Rhino
Sumatran rhinos are the smallest of the living rhinoceroses. They are the only Asian rhinoceros with two
horns. They are characterised by their long hair and hence are known as the hairy rhinoceros. With just
less than 100 individuals remaining, the Sumatran rhinoceros is one of the world’s most endangered
mammal species. Recently, a study found that the remaining populations of the Sumatran rhinoceros
display very low levels of inbreeding, which is a good sign for conservation.
106. Which institution is to conduct 'Bank Customers' Satisfaction Survey' on bank mergers?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] RBI
[C] SEBI
[D] Finance Ministry
Answer: RBI
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to conduct a customer satisfaction survey to find out the
impact of the recent mergers of public sector banks. The 'Bank Customers' Satisfaction Survey' will
cover a total of 20,000 respondents from 21 states. As many as 22 questions would be asked to assess
if the merger was positive from the point of customer services.
107. Which sports personality is leading the UNICEF Global Vaccination Initiative?
[A] Usain Bolt
[B] Cristiano Ronaldo
[C] David Beckham
[D] Roger Federer
Answer: David Beckham
Football star and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham is serving as the Vaccine Ambassador,
to create awareness and confidence in the process of vaccination. HE recently featured in a video
released ahead of World Immunization Week. He has also founded ‘7 Fund for UNICEF’ to encourage
parents to vaccinate themselves and their children and protect them against diseases such as
diphtheria, measles, and polio.
108. Viverricula indica is the name of which cat-like mammal, that has been rescued recently in East
Godavari?
[A] Civet
[B] Mongoose
[C] Genet
[D] Hyena
Answer: Civet
Three number of small Indian civets have been rescued and recovered by the East Godavari Wildlife
Management authorities in two separate rescue operations. The small Indian civet, bearing scientific
name Viverricula indica, is native to South and Southeast Asia. It is categorized as Least Concern in the
IUCN Red List.
109. Which institution has released the “State of the Economy Report”?
[A] IMF
[B] World Bank
[C] Reserve Bank of India
[D] NITI Aayog
Answer: Reserve Bank of India
The country’s apex financial regulator the Reserve Bank of India has recently released the ‘State of the
Economy’ report. In the report, RBI has stated that of COVID infections are not brought under immediate
control, it would severely affect the supply chain and hence lead to inflationary pressures.
110. Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das, who were in the news recently, are associated which sports?
[A] Boxing
[B] Wrestling
[C] Table Tennis
[D] Archery

Answer: Archery
India’s lead Archery champions - Deepika Kumari and her husband Atanu Das have won Gold medals in
at the recurve event of Archery World Cup Stage 1 women’s and men’s event. This is the first World Cup
gold medal for the women's recurve team in the last seven years. Also, India’s mixed team consisting of
Atanu Das and Ankita have secure Bronze medal in the same tournament.
111. Project DANTAK, which was seen in the news recently, is the flagship project of BRO, carried
out in which country?
[A] Bangladesh
[B] Nepal
[C] Bhutan
[D] Myanmar
Answer: Bhutan
Project DANTAK was established on April 24, 1961 under the leadership of the then Prime Minister
Jawahar Lal Nehru. It is one of the oldest projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which was
tasked to construct motorable roads in Bhutan. Recently, the Diamond Jubilee of the Project was
commemorated in Bhutan, at the DANTAK Memorial.
112. ‘Varuna’ is a multilateral Defence Exercise between India and ………...?
[A] Japan
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] France
[D] Australia
Answer: France
VARUNA is a multilateral Naval Exercise between India and France. The 19th edition of the bilateral
exercise ‘VARUNA-2021’ concluded on 27th April 2021. Conducted in the Arabian Sea, the exercise
included advanced air defence and anti-submarine programmes, intense flying operations, surface and
anti-air weapon firings and other maritime security operations.
113. Which Indian Armed Force is training its non-medical personnel to function as ‘Battlefield
nursing assistants (BFNA)’?
[A] Indian Army
[B] Indian Navy
[C] Indian Air Force
Answer: Indian Navy
The Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy recently announced that it has started providing
training to its non-medical personnel to function as Battlefield nursing assistants due to the surge in
COVID-19 cases. In times of mass medical emergencies like wars, Battlefield nursing assistants play a
significant role in assisting the frontline medical teams. All medical personnel from the armed forces
who have retired in the last two years are also being called back to work.
114. What is the main objective of the Crypto Climate Accord (CCA), an alliance of crypto firms?
[A] Eliminate GHG emissions
[B] Investment in Climate Change Projects
[C] Using Block Chain for Climate change Projects
[D] Awareness Generation on Cryptocurrencies
Answer: Eliminate GHG emissions
An alliance of cryptocurrency firms and organisations have announced the Crypto Climate Accord (CCA).

It is an industry-driven agreement in which the firms vow to switch to renewable energy sources by 2025
and go completely eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. CCA is led by three non-profit groups:
The Rocky Mountain Institute; the Alliance for Innovative Regulation; and Energy Web Foundation.
115. Union Cabinet approved the signing of an agreement, between India and which country /
countries for preventing Customs offences?
[A] Australia
[B] USA and Japan
[C] UK and Northern Ireland
[D] Brazil and South Korea
Answer: UK and Northern Ireland
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the signing of an
agreement between India and the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, for sharing information and
preventing Customs offences. The proposed agreement is expected to facilitate trade and ensure faster
customs clearance between the three countries.
116. Which country launched NEO-01 robot, which aims to remove Space Debris?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] USA
[D] Russia
Answer: China
NEO 01 is a robot, launched by a Chinese space mining start-up into low Earth orbit. It has been
launched on an experimental basis to remove the space debris. The robot has been launched using
China's Long March 6 rocket. The experimental technology involves use of a large net to capture debris
and then burning it using its electric propulsion system.
117. As per the recent report of the Asian Development Bank, what is the estimated growth rate of
India in FY 22?
[A] 5.4%
[B] 7.5%
[C] 9.2%
[D] 11%
Answer: 11%
The Asian Development Bank has recently released a report titled Developing Asia’s Economic Outlook.
As per the report, India’s economy is expected to grow 11% in fiscal year (FY) 2021-22. This growth is
backed by a strong vaccination drive which is undertaken in India. At the same time, the report warned
that the surge in cases may lead to economic risks.
118. What does “Ct” indicate in RTPCR examination?
[A] Computed Tomography
[B] Computed Topography
[C] Cerebral Typography
[D] Cycle Threshold
Answer: Cycle Threshold
Ct, which is most commonly used in relation to RTPCR COVID detection test, stands for “Cycle
Threshold”. It refers to the number of cycles after which the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus can be detected.
The lower the Ct value, the higher the viral load. As per ICMR, a Ct value less than 35 may be considered
as COVID positive.

119. Dadudan Gadhvi, the Padma Shri recipient in 2021 in the field of literature, who passed away
recently, is from which state?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Sikkim
[D] West Bengal
Answer: Gujarat
Veteran Gujarati poet Dadudan Gadhvi has recently passed away. He was awarded the Padma Shri in
2021 for his contribution in literature and education. He had also won several other awards including the
Gujarat Gaurav Award as well as the Jhaverchand Meghani Award. His complete works are collected in
two literary volumes named Terva and Lachhanayan.
120. India recently agreed to establish "2+2 ministerial dialogue" between foreign and defence
ministers, with which country?
[A] UK
[B] France
[C] Russia
[D] Brazil
Answer: Russia
India and Russia recently agreed to establish a "2+2 ministerial dialogue" between foreign and defence
ministers, to promote the bilateral strategic partnership. Russian President and Indian Prime Minister
had a telephonic, wherein they reviewed bilateral cooperation, especially in the area of space exploration
and renewable energy sector, focussing hydrogen economy.
Notice
The above 120 questions are part of Daily Current Affairs 20 MCQs Series in GKToday’s Academy
Android Application. This series can be subscribed in the app only for Rs. 750/- for entire year.
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