Transfer of subsidies to the beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has reached about Rs 5.5 trillion so far in the current financial year i.e., 2022-23.   Details – Transfer of subsidies to the beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has reached about Rs 5.5 trillion so far in the 2022-23 FY. Given… Continue reading Direct Benefit Transfer

The Haryana government’s Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) and IT-based welfare schemes will be displayed at the first Anti-Corruption Working Group meeting under the G20 Summit in Gurugram.   What is it? It was launched by the Haryana Government in 2015. The primary objective of PPP is to create authentic, verified, and reliable data of all families… Continue reading Parivar Pehchan Patra

In order to increase domestic production, the Center plans to establish 10 “Clean Plant Centres” as the demand for fruits like apple, avocado and blueberry has increased over time. These centres will be set up under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Clean Plant Program’, which was announced by the Finance Minister in the Union Budget 2023-24.   Details… Continue reading Aatmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme

The defence ministry has set a target to raise India’s annual defence exports to $5 billion by 2024-25, from the $1.5 billion currently. This was also reiterated by PM Modi at the recently concluded Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru earlier this month.   What are the current defence export figures? As per government data, India’s… Continue reading Defence export target of $5 billion

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) recently approved confined field trials for Pink Bollworm-resistant GM cotton in Hisar, Haryana.   About ‘Pink Bollworm’ – It is one of the most destructive pests of cotton. Scientific name — Pectinophora gossypiella Distribution — Originally native to India, it is now recorded in nearly all the cotton-growing countries… Continue reading Pink Bollworm

Malabar tree toad found in Mollem National Park which is threatened by three infrastructure project finds mentioned in the updated ‘Checklist of Indian Amphibians (2023)’ released by the Zoological Survey of India.   About Malabar tree toad – The Malabar tree toad is a small species found in the forest along the Western Ghats in wet… Continue reading Malabar Tree Toad

A recent study conducted in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, suggests Bisphenol A can indirectly aid in the spread of vector-borne diseases in humans and animals.   Details – The research establishes that the human-made chemical Bisphenol A can significantly shorten the breeding time of southern house mosquitoes (Culex quinquefasciatus). This mosquito is a major carrier of the… Continue reading Bisphenol A

A recent study conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Madras and Presidency College revealed that a species of marine seagrass found in the Mandapam region near Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu has the potential to be used in chemotherapy treatment for liver cancer.   About ‘Seagrasses’ – Seagrasses are flowering plants that grow… Continue reading Seagrasses

According to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), India has recorded 30 tiger deaths within 2 months into 2023.   About the NTCA – It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It was established in 2006 under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Objectives — Providing statutory authority to Project… Continue reading National Tiger Conservation Authority

The Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA), a radio telescope comprising 66 antennas is set to get software and hardware upgrades.   About Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) Telescope – It is a state-of-the-art telescope that studies celestial objects at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths. They can penetrate through dust clouds and help astronomers examine dim and distant… Continue reading ALMA Telescope