Elephant Tusks are government property : SC VERDICT

Environment and Biodiversity; Animal Conservation In news: The Supreme Court has ruled that tusks are the property of the government. The Supreme Court observed that there is a clear “declaration” in the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 on elephant tusks being government property. The ruling, however, may not affect individuals who have ownership certificates for...

Polluted Cities in India: WHO report 2018

In news: The latest survey by the World Health Organisation (WHO) — conducted every two years — of the most polluted air in cities around the world- shows that 14 of the 15 worst cities were from north India, forming a band from Jodhpur in the west to Muzaffarpur in the east. India cities: Kanpur...

Shangri-La dialogue and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit

 India and the world, International relations In News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to make a “major” speech on India’s defence and security outlook at the Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore (which will be held on June 1 and 2). PM will also fly to Qingdao city in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) summit which will be...

Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP)

    In news:The Directorate General of Hyrdrocarbons (DGH) had recently announced the completion of the first round of bidding under its new Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP), a part of its revamped Hyrdrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) unveiled in March 2016.   What is OALP? The policy was brought out in June 2017...

ISRO Making HAN -based Green propellant

In news: Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have reported progress in the development of an environment-friendly propellant to power satellites and spacecraft. The new propellant is a blend based on hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN).   About the new propellant: The new HAN-based monopropellant is already being tested. A monopropellant is a chemical propulsion fuel which...

South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN)

  In news: SAWEN recently its first ever meeting in India. Representatives of seven countries participated in the meeting and the members agreed on having an operational framework for strengthening the regional body to combat wildlife crime. During the meet six proposals, including tracking of wildlife smuggling route, review of existing laws and a structure for...

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act

    In news: The government is planning to bring an ordinance to overturn the Supreme Court verdict putting safeguards on arrests under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and subsequently introduce a bill to insulate it from further judicial scrutiny. The government is likely to introduce the bill in monsoon session of Parliament to incorporate...

Forward Market Commission: FC Act 1952

The Forward Markets Commission (FMC): It is a statutory body set up under the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1952. It functions under theadministrative control of the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance since September 2013. (Before this, FMC used to function under Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Govt....