India is facing its worst water crisis: NITI Aayog

In news: NITI Aayog released the results of a study warning that India is facing its “worst” water crisis in history. Important notes: Nearly 600 million Indians faced high-to-extreme water stress and about 2,00,000 people died every year because of inadequate access to safe water. Worst affected cities – Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad Critical...

Apache helicopter

The US has approved a deal to sell six AH-64E Apache helicopters to India for $930 million as well as Hellfire and Stinger missiles to bolster the country’s ability to defend its homeland and deter “regional threats”. About Apache helicopters: The AH-64 Apache is a multi-role combat helicopter and is used by the US Army...

Pinaka rocket

The indigenous Pinaka rocket system of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is being evolved into a precision-guided missile, with enhanced range and accuracy to hit its targets.   About Pinaka: The rocket has been developed by the Armament cluster of the DRDO, with a lead from Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE)....

Central Adoption Resource Authority

In news: The central adoption body CARA is planning to set up a portal to help prospective parents from outside India track the status of their applications instead of relying solely on their country's authorised agency. The move will help non-resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) as well as foreign nationals who apply...

Swajal Yojana: under NRDWP Budget

  In news: The government recently launched Swajal schemes in 115 aspirational districts of the country. It will involve an outlay of Rs 700 crores through flexible-funds under the existing National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) budget.   About Swajal: Swajal is a community owned drinking water programme for sustained drinking water supply. Under the scheme,...

Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)

In news: Recently, AWBI has released a directive to all state departments that it is their responsibility to protect all strays – cattle, dogs and cats wandering on streets. Animal welfare officers for each district will be appointed and they would have a critical role to play in ensuring that strays are not mistreated. About...

Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array

In news: Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array has uncovered convincing evidence for three young planets orbiting within a protoplanetary disk – or planet-forming disk – around an infant star. The star is called HD 163296. It’s 330 light-years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Sagittarius.   About ALMA telescope: The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA)...

Cabinet approves Dam Safety Bill ,2018

In news: The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for introduction of Dam Safety Bill, 2018 in the Parliament.   Highlights of the Bill: The Bill provides for proper surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all specified dams in the country to ensure their safe functioning. The Bill provides for constitution of a National Committee on...

North Eastern Council (NEC)

    In news: The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) for the nomination of the Union Home Minister as ex-officio Chairman of North Eastern Council (NEC). The Cabinet has also approved that Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of DoNER would serve as Vice Chairman...

Wuhan Summit -2018(India-China)

In news:  Indian PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had an informal meet recently in the Chinese city of Wuhan.  China's assent to going for an informal summit with India needs a deeper analysis in the prevailing geo-political scenario. What was China's possible motive?  India by itself may not be a...