An advisor to the space science programme recently said that the Indian Space Research Organisation is yet to receive approval from the Indian government for the Venus mission and that the mission could as a result be postponed to 2031.   About SHUKRAYAAN-1 – It is also called the Venus Mission. The Shukrayaan I mission… Continue reading SHUKRAYAAN-1

Recently the 21st Edition of the Bilateral Naval Exercise Varuna-2023 commenced on the Western Seaboard.   About the VARUNA Exercise – It is the Bilateral Naval Exercise between India and France. This bilateral exercise between the two navies was initiated in 1993. It was named ‘VARUNA’ in 2001 and has become a hallmark of India-France… Continue reading VARUNA Exercise 2023

Recently the GST authorities found that exporters are misusing the government’s duty drawback scheme (DDS) by claiming it along with refunds of integrated goods and services tax (GST).   Details – Over 100 such exporters mainly in apparel, drugs, and leather have been “illegally” drawing benefits from two routes.   What is the Duty drawback… Continue reading Duty Drawback Scheme

A research team from the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has recently identified and reported the solitary waves in the Martian magnetosphere.   Details – With the help of high-resolution electric field data recorded by the Langmuir Probe and Waves instrument on the Mars… Continue reading Solitary Wave

Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences has said that the entire country will be covered by Doppler Weather Radar Network by 2025 to predict extreme weather events more accurately.   Details – IMD has announced to cover the entire country under sophisticated radar network by deploying 25 additional Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs). To establish… Continue reading Doppler Weather Radar Network

A day after two workers were killed in an avalanche near the Zojila tunnel in Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir, the area was struck by twin avalanches. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) issued a warning regarding avalanches above 2,000 meters over Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramula, Doda, Poonch, etc.   What is an ‘avalanche’? When a mass… Continue reading Avalanches

During the Education ministers session of ‘Voice of Global South’ summit held recently, Indian Union minister of Education talks about establishing a National Digital University, which will transform access to higher education drastically reducing all direct and opportunity costs.   Details – The UGC Chairman recently revealed the framework of India’s first-ever National Digital University… Continue reading National Digital University

The leader of the Wagner Group of mercenaries is using the Russian assault on the Donetsk town of Soledar to “elevate his political stature and indirectly criticise the conventional Russian military,” according to an update published by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).   About the ‘Wagner Group’ of mercenaries – The Wagner… Continue reading Wagner Group

Recently, the Central Government decided to give an additional ₹2,000 crore to States under the Special Assistance for Capital Investment scheme to incentivise them to scrap old vehicles and also provide tax concessions to individuals for it.   About the scheme – Under this Scheme, financial assistance is provided to the States Governments in the… Continue reading Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment

The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB), the headhunter for directors of state-owned banks and financial institutions, recently recommended names for the posts of managing directors of Bank of Baroda and Bank of India.   About Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) – It is a government body set up under the Department of Financial Services. It… Continue reading Financial Services Institutions Bureau