Uranium in India Context The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over probe into the seizure of natural uranium worth over ₹21 crore in Mumbai. Properties Uranium is a silvery-Gray metallic radioactive chemical element. It is only naturally formed in supernova explosions. Uranium, thorium, and potassium are the main elements...
Supreme Court sets up task force for oxygen allocation Context The Supreme Court has constituted a 12-member National Task Force to streamline and ensure the “effective and transparent” allocation of liquid medical oxygen on a “scientific, rational and equitable basis” to the States and the Union Territories...
Intellectual property waiver for Covid-19 vaccines Context The United States announced support for waiving intellectual property protection for Covid-19 vaccines stating extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures. Approach it will approach through “text-based negotiations” on the waiver at the World Trade Organization (WTO). It involves negotiators exchanging texts with...
Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Environment) Context: Two Tribal settlements (Kattupatti and Kuzhipatti) of Pulayar community within the limits of Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu are gearing up for their annual festival of local deity Vairapattan. Fundamentals: Pulayar Community: The Pulayar, is one of the main social groups found in Kerala, Karnataka and in historical Tamil Nadu or...
Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant Context: The Finance Ministry released the second monthly installment of revenue deficit grant of ₹9,871 crore to 17 States. With the release of the second installment, a total amount of ₹19,742 crores has been released in the first two months of the...
RBI steps in with measures to ease COVID-19 burden Context: India’s economic recovery threatened by the COVID-19 second wave RBI's measures: Immediate Liquidity: RBI has opened an on-tap liquidity window of Rs 50,000 crores at a repo rate of 4%. . The banks shall provide fresh lending support...
Context: Supreme Court's five-judge Constitution Bench has struck down the Maharashtra law granting reservation to the Maratha community in admissions and government jobs in the state Background: The Maratha community was given the reservation under the Maharashtra State Socially and Educational Backward Act In November 2018. ...
