Mihir Shah Committee: Water Managment

In news: In order to meet the above demands, Committee on Restructuring the Central Water Commission and the Central Ground Water Board (chaired by Mihir Shah) was constituted. Mihir Shah Committee has called for a user-centric approach to water management, especially in agriculture. User-centric approach Mihir Shah Committee advocates decentralisation of irrigation commands, offering higher financial flows to well-performing States...

The international crude oil price of Indian Basket: PPAC

In news: Periodically, the international crude oil price of Indian Basket is computed/published by the PPAC, which is under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The mandate of PPAC is to assist the government in the following functions: Administration of subsidy on PDS Kerosene and domestic LPG and freight subsidy for far flung areas....

Kunar Province, Afganistan

In news Pakistani Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah has been killed in a U.S.-Afghan air strike in Afghanistan, a senior Afghan Defence Ministry official said on Friday, a killing likely to ease tension between the United States and Pakistan.   source:  The Hindu

FIFA World Cup 2018 : Russian Citites

The cities that are hosting the 2018 Fifa World Cup matches.   See image: Kaliningrad corresponds to #9 Petersburg: #8 Moscow: #1 and #2 Ekaterinburg: #7 Nizhny Novgorod: #3 Saransk: #4 Kazan: #5 Samara: #6 Volgograd: #10 Rostov-on-Don: #11 Sochi: #12

Dhanush: Indigenous artillery gun

In news:The indigenously upgraded artillery gun Dhanush has successfully completed final user trials and is ready for induction into the Army. Key notes: Dhanush is an upgraded version of the Swedish Bofors gun procured by India in the mid-1980s. Dhanush is a 155-mm, 45-calibre gun with a maximum range of 40 km in salvo mode....

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: 17 June

In news: The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification. The day is a unique moment to remind everyone that land degradation neutrality is achievable through problem-solving, strong community involvement and co-operation at all levels. 2018 Theme: “Land has true value –...

GLONASS-M Satellite: Russia

In news: Russia has successfully launched a Glonass-M positioning satellite using a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket from Plesetsk space center. With this launch, there are now 26 Glonass satellites in orbit.   About GLONASS: GLONASS is an acronym, which stands for Globalnaya Navigazionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema, or Global Navigation Satellite System. GLONASS is Russia’s version of GPS...

India has the trade deficit with 10 RCEP Members

In news: India's trade deficit with seven countries (Indonesia, Thailand, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand) of RCEP has in fact increased in 2017-18 as compared to the previous fiscal. However, the trade gap has dipped with the remaining three nations - Lao, Brunei, Malaysia -in 2017-18. What is India’s concern? The strength...

SAARC fund to launch social enterprise programme

In news: Thimpu-based SAARC Development Fund will soon be launching a social enterprise development programme (SEDP) to fund 80 entities annually across eight-member states, including India. Key notes: SAARC fund to launch social enterprise programme in India and 7 other member nations SAARC Development Fund (SDF) will soon be launching a social enterprise development programme (SEDP)...

Article – Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)

In news: GANHRI in its report released in January 2017 reveals the following Issues with NHRC. • Lack of Pluralism: The majority of members in NHRC being from senior judiciary severely restrict the representation of various sections of the society. Further not enough has been done to ensure "pluralism" in the Commission's members. This means...