External Affairs Ministry recently said that India will assume chairmanship of Wassenaar arrangement on 1st January 2023.   What is ‘Wassenaar Arrangement’? The Wassenaar Arrangement has been established in order to contribute to regional and international security and stability, by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies,… Continue reading Wassenaar Arrangement

Union Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia has recently launched Digi Yatra from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi for three airports in the country, namely New Delhi, Varanasi and Bengaluru.   About ‘DigiYatra’ – Digi Yatra is conceived to achieve contactless, seamless processing of passengers at airports based on Facial Recognition Technology… Continue reading DigiYatra

The 12th Edition of Exercise Agni Warrior recently concluded.   About the exercise – It is a bilateral exercise between the Singapore & Indian Army. Exercise Agni Warrior, involved showcasing joint firepower planning, execution and use of New Generation Equipment by the Artillery arm of both armies. Exercise also included participation by both sides in… Continue reading Exercise Agni Warrior

European researchers have recently revived 13 “zombie viruses” from Russia’s Siberian permafrost.   Details – The virus emerged due to the thawing of permafrost as the global temperature is rising. The new strain is one of 13 viruses outlined in the study, each of which possessed its own genome. The oldest, dubbed Pandoravirus yedoma after… Continue reading Zombie Virus

Baguette — the staple French bread — was recently inscribed into the UN’s list of intangible cultural heritage (ICH).   What is it? The baguette is a long and thin loaf made of flour, water, salt and yeast, and is consumed as a staple in France. Some believe that it was invented by August Zang,… Continue reading Baguette

National Anti-Doping Agency will host an Inclusion Conclave to sharpen the focus on anti-doping education and processes for athletes with disabilities.   About National Anti-Doping Agency – NADA was established by the Government of India, with the objective of acting as the independent Anti-Doping Organisation for India having a vision of dope-free sports. It was… Continue reading National Anti-Doping Agency

Delhi High Court has recently passed an interim order to prevent the unlawful use of Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan’s name, image and voice. The court, through its order, restrained persons at large from infringing the personality rights of the actor.   What are ‘personality rights’? Personality rights refer to the right of a person to… Continue reading Personality Rights

Natovenator Polydontus’s well-preserved remains – a skeleton about 70% complete – were recently unearthed in the Gobi Desert.   Details – The dinosaur, called Natovenator polydontus, lived about 72 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period and was built like a diving bird with a streamlined body while possessing a goose-like elongated neck and a… Continue reading Natovenator Polydontus

Coming to the rescue of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB), the Supreme Court has mooted the idea of launching ‘Project GIB’ on the lines of ‘Project Tiger’. Project Tiger was started in 1973 to save the big cats. The apex court has sought the government’s view on the proposal.   About the ‘Great… Continue reading Project Great Indian Bustard

The Kirit Parikh Committee, which was set up by the government to review the gas pricing formula, has submitted its recommendations to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.   About ‘gas pricing in India’ – Much of the natural gas being produced in the country does not command a market-determined price — that is,… Continue reading Gas Pricing Formula