The Union Cabinet has approved the categorisation of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as an ‘International Organisation’ and signing of the Headquarters Agreement (HQA) with CDRI for granting it the exemptions, immunities and privileges as contemplated under the United Nations (Privileges & Immunities) Act, 1947.   Impact – Categorization of CDRI as an… Continue reading Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

Recently, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved the two-dose mRNA vaccine – country’s first homegrown mRNA Covid-19 vaccine, for emergency use for the age group 18 and above. The vaccine – GEMCOVAC-19, developed at Pune’s Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, is stable for storage at 2-8 degree C.   Details – Gennova already has a… Continue reading GEMCOVAC-19

Lookout, a cloud-based security company, has recently discovered a new spyware called “Hermit” that is capable of affecting both Android and iOS devices.   What is it? Hermit is a commercial spyware that is known to be used by governments with victims in Kazakhstan, Italy and northern Syria. The spyware was first detected in Kazakhstan… Continue reading Hermit Spyware

The Union Cabinet was apprised of a Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).  The Agreement  was signed in January 2022.   Purpose – The aim of the Agreement is to drive ambition, leadership and knowledge on green energy transitions… Continue reading IRENA

The Supreme Court (SC) recently granted interim relief to rebel MLAs of the Shiv Sena amid Maharashtra political crises and has sought a counter-affidavit from the Maharashtra Deputy Speaker.   What is the issue? This crucial but unusual judicial intervention by SC raises questions on the powers of the Speaker under the Tenth Schedule of… Continue reading Nabam Rebia judgement

Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved the setting up of wayside amenities with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), to be branded as ‘BRO Cafes’, at 75 locations in 12 States and Union Territories on different sections of roads.   What is the scheme? The scheme provides for wayside amenities in public-private partnership mode with agencies,… Continue reading BRO Cafes

India, along with G7 countries and four invited countries, signed the G7 joint statement on ‘Resilient Democracies’. This statement called for protecting the freedom of expression and opinion, both online and offline.   2022 Resilient Democracies Statement — India, along with other countries at G7 summit, signed the 2022 Resilient Democracies Statement. Through this statement,… Continue reading 2022 Resilient Democracies Statement

Government of India has announced the launch of the pilot phase of Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) in five cities in April 2022 with an aim to “democratise” the country’s fast growing digital e-commerce space that is currently dominated by the two U.S.-headquartered firms — Amazon and Walmart.   Details – As per the… Continue reading Open Network for Digital Commerce

A bronze statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, credited to be the founder of Bengaluru, will be unveiled soon at the premises of the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), situated on the outskirts of the city.   Who was Nadaprabhu Kempegowda? Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, a 16th century chieftain of the Vijayanagara empire, is credited as the founder of Bengaluru.… Continue reading Nadaraprabhu Kempegowda

A Vitamin D3-rich weed and a shrub with roots that wild boars love to gorge on are among the 18 invasive plants stifling the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, the best-known address of the greater one-horned rhinoceros on the Earth.   Details – The list released by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) did… Continue reading Invasive Weeds