• A new international study has suggested that the smallpox was in existence as early as during the Viking age in the 8th century CE. Until now, the earliest confirmed case of the disease was found in the mummified remains…
• Affordable rental housing complexes (ARHC) scheme was recently launched as a sub scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U). • PMAY-U, launched in 2015, intends to provide housing for all in urban areas by year 2022.…
• Muslim Women’s Rights Day is observed in India on 1 August 2020. The Day is observed to mark the first anniversary of the law against instant triple talaq. Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani, Union Law Minister…
• The paper titled ‘A strategic road map for conserving the endangered dhole Cuon alpinus in India’, was published recently in Mammal Review by Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society-India, the University of Florida, the Wildlife Conservation Trust, and the…
• The Supreme Court of India has initiated contempt proceedings, on its own motion, against advocate-activist Prashant Bhushan. About: • Contempt of court is a concept that seeks to protect judicial institutions from motivated attacks and unwarranted criticism, and as…
• China has unveiled a sweeping new national security law for Hong Kong giving China more controls on city state. The law is aimed at the pro-democracy movement that had captured global attention since last year. Background: • A former…
• The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India released data on Young Population as part of the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2018 report. Key findings: • For the first time, more than half of India’s population, irrespective of gender…
• Data from the recently released Sample Registration System’s 2018 report shows that India’s “demographic dividend” continues to swell, with the share of working-age population in the country’s total population increasing. Key findings: • The SRS 2018 report estimates that…
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has published a notification to amend Rule-93 relating to dimensions of motor vehicles under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989. These amendments would provide for standardization in the dimensions of the Motor…
• HLEG was set up to recommend measurable performance incentives for States to encourage agricultural exports and to promote crops to enable high import substitution. Key findings of HLEG: • Agricultural export has potential to grow from USD 40 billion…
• Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s 100th death anniversary is being observed on 1 August. About: • Keshav Gangadhar Tilak, popularly known as Lokmanya Tilak, was among the first leaders of the Indian independence movement. • He belonged to extremist faction…
• Code was introduced in LokSabha in 2019 and then referred to the Standing Committee by the Speaker. • CSS replaces nine laws related to social security, including Employees’ Provident Fund Act, 1952, Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, and Unorganised Workers…
