Current Affairs search results for tag: national-news
By admin: May 11, 2022

1. Central government will reconsider giving minority status to Hindus in some states

Tags: National News

The Centre informed the Supreme Court that the power to notify minorities is vested with the Union government and any decision in this regard will be taken after discussion with states and other stakeholders.

  • The petition, filed in the Supreme Court, had sought a direction to frame guidelines for identification of minorities at the state level.

  • The petition said that Hindus are a minority in 10 states.

  • Population of Hindus in 9 states 

  1. 1% in Ladakh

  2. 2.75% in Mizoram 

  3. 2.77% in Lakshadweep

  4. 4% in Jammu & Kashmir

  5. 8.74% in Nagaland

  6. 11.52% in Meghalaya

  7. 29% in Arunachal Pradesh 

  8. 38.49% in Punjab

  9. 41.29% in Manipur.

  • Who are the Minorities?

  • Minorities are not explicitly mentioned anywhere in the Constitution.

  • Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jain and Zoroastrians (Parsis) have been notified as minority communities under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.

  • According to the 2011 census, the percentage of minorities in the country is about 19.3% of the total population of the country.

  • The population of Muslims are 14.2%, Christians 2.3%, Sikhs 1.7%, Buddhists 0.7%, Jain 0.4% and Parsis 0.006%.

  • Article 29 of the constitution deals with the “protection of interest of minorities”.

  • The constitution recognizes religious minorities in India and linguistic minorities in India through Article 29 and Article 30.

By admin: May 11, 2022

2. India, Madagascar sign MoU to explore co-production of TV programmes

Tags: National News

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation and collaboration in Broadcasting between Prasar Bharati and ORTM (Office de la Radio et de la Television) was signed in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo on 10 May.

  • The MoU was signed by India’s Ambassador to Madagascar Abhay Kumar and ORTM Director-General BELALAHY Jean Yves.

  • Under the agreement, Madagascar National Television will broadcast programmes from internal productions by India's Prasar Bharati. 

  • The objective of the MoU is to explore the exchange of programmes, co-production of programs and training/exchange of personnel.

  • About Madagascar

  • It is an island country lying off the southeastern coast of Africa. 

  • It is the fourth largest island in the world after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo.

  • Madagascar shares maritime borders with Comoros, France, Mauritius, Mozambique and Seychelles.

  • Prime Minister : Christian Ntsay

  • Capital : Antananarivo

  • President : Andry Rajoelina

By admin: May 11, 2022

3. Govt to establish 33 new domestic cargo terminals by 2024-2025

Tags: National News

The government will set up 33 new domestic cargo terminals by 2024-2025, which will contribute significantly to the growth of India's cargo sector.

  • Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia on 11 May attended the annual event of Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) as the chief guest.

  • He said that this can be achieved by acquisition of smaller size aircraft. 

  • The theme of the annual event was “10 Million: Vision 2030; Stimulating, Scaling, Steering Air Cargo”.

  • Cargo sector in India 

  • During the last 2 years in the post-Covid era, the cargo sector has emerged as a promising sector not only for Indian aviation but also for global aviation.

  • The Indian cargo sector has witnessed a growth rate of 9-10 per cent since 2013-14.

  • During the last 2 years, the airlines have registered a growth of 520% in cargo revenue.

  • At present, Indian Cargo revenue stands at INR 2,000 crore with 3.1 million metric tonnage having a CAGR of 13%.

  • Currently, India has 21 international and 35 domestic cargo terminals.

  • About Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) 

  • It was established on 14th September 2012.

  • It is an association of various stakeholders of Air Cargo Logistic Supply Chain Trade and Industry i.e. Freight Forwarders, Airlines, Airport Operators, Cargo Terminal Operators, Customs House Agents and Express Industry.

By admin: May 10, 2022

4. Home Minister Amit Shah confers President's Colours Award to Assam Police in Guwahati

Tags: National News

Home Minister Amit Shah presented the President's Color Award to Assam Police in Guwahati and said that terrorism is almost over and talks are on for peace.

  • Assam is the 10th state in the country to receive this honour which is given in recognition of exceptional services.

  • About  President's Colours Award

  • The President's colour Award is one of the "greatest honours" given to a military unit in recognition of exceptional service rendered to the nation during both war and peace.

  • It is also known as ′Nishan′.

  • It is an emblem worn by all officers of the unit on the left hand sleeve of their uniform.

  • Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Gujarat and Tripura are the other states that have received this award.

  • Delhi is the only Union Territory to receive this prestigious award.

  • About Assam

  • Assam is known for Assam tea and Assam silk.

  • The first site for oil drilling in Asia.

  • The state shares its borders with Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, and West Bengal.

  • The state shares international borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Bhutan.

  • Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma is the 15th Chief Minister 

  • Governor - Prof Jagdish Mukhi is the 30th Governor 

By admin: May 10, 2022

5. Narayan Rane to inaugurate the first Centre of Excellence for Khadi (CoEK) in New Delhi

Tags: National News

Union Minister for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Narayan Rane will inaugurate the first Centre of Excellence for Khadi on 11th May 2022 in New Delhi.

  • The Khadi Center of Excellence has been established at the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Delhi, and has sub-branches at Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Kolkata and Shillong.

  • Its purpose is to design clothes, make curtains for homes etc. and develop accessories for people of all age groups.

  • It also aims to follow all the processes under global standards in terms of quality, design and trade.

  • Knowledge Portal for Khadi 

  • The Khadi Centre of Excellence is in the process of developing a knowledge portal for Khadi to guide all the Khadi institutions for designing.

  • The knowledge portal will guide the design, which includes colour, outline, layer, weave, print, shape, warp etc.

By admin: May 10, 2022

6. Nirmala Sitharaman launches NSDL’s investor awareness programme for students

Tags: National News

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) investor awareness program 'Market Ka Eklavya' for students.

  • The program named 'Market Ka Eklavya' is an online investor awareness program for students in Hindi and other regional languages.

  • National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) has launched this new investor awareness program as part of its Silver Jubilee celebrations.

  • The objective of the 'Market Ka Eklavya' program is to introduce the basics of the securities market in online mode and to provide training on financial markets for the students.

  • About National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) 

  • This organisation works under the Ministry of Finance of India.

  • NSDL is India's first and one of the leading Central Securities Depositories in the world.

  • It has been instrumental in transforming the Indian securities market by facilitating the holding and transfer of securities in demat form.

  • Founded- 1996

  • Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra

  • MD & CEO- Padmaja Chunduru

  • NSDL is now one of the 6 payments banks established in India.

By admin: May 10, 2022

7. Rajasthan become the First 10 GW Solar State of India

Tags: National News

According to Mercom's India Solar Project Tracker, Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to cross 10 GW of cumulative solar installations on a massive scale.

  • The total installed power capacity of Rajasthan is 32.5 GW.

  • Renewable energy contributes 55% of the electricity capacity to the total installed power capacity of Rajasthan. While thermal energy contributes 43%, and nuclear power contributes the remaining 2%.

  • Solar is the major source in Rajasthan, accounting for about 36% of the electricity capacity mix and 64% of renewable energy.

  • Rajasthan's Solar Energy Policy 2019, aims to achieve the target of 30 GW of solar power by the financial year 2024-25.

  • As of December 2021, India's cumulative solar installed capacity is 55GW. Within 55GW, grid-connected utility-scale projects contribute 77%.

  • Mercom India

  • It is a subsidiary of US-based Mercom Capital Group. It is a clean energy research and communications firm specialising in the Indian cleantech markets.

By admin: May 10, 2022

8. Monkeypox virus case confirmed in U.K.

Tags: Latest International News

A case of monkeypox virus has been reported in Britain, a person who returned after travelling to Nigeria has been confirmed with monkeypox virus.

  • Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958.

  • According to the World Health Organisation, the first case of monkeypox was reported in humans in the year 1970.

  • What is monkeypox virus ?

  • Monkeypox is a disease caused by a virus that is transmitted mostly from rats and monkeys to humans.

  • The disease belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus, which includes variola virus, vaccinia virus, and cowpox virus.

  • Monkeypox is a zoonosis, meaning it is a disease that spreads from an infected animal to humans.

  • Symptoms of monkeypox

  • Dark red spots on the body.

  • Red rash on the skin.

  • flu symptoms.

  • symptoms of pneumonia.

  • Fever and headache.

  • Muscle pain.

  • To get cold

  • treatment 

  • There is no cure available for this disease. But smallpox vaccines, antivirals and VIG can be used to prevent this disease.

By admin: May 10, 2022

9. next census will be fully digital with 100 % accuracy; Birth and death register to be linked with census

Tags: Latest National News

Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the next census will be completely digital with 100 percent accuracy.

  • The birth and death register will be linked to the census.

  • With the electronic process and enumeration of people, the census will be updated automatically after every birth and death in the country.

  • Shah was inaugurating the new office building of the Directorate of Census Operations in Assam at Amingaon in Kamrup district on 9th May.

  • The digital census will shape the 'policies of the country for the next 25 years'.

  • The 2021 census was delayed due to the Covid pandemic and will be completed by 2024.

  • The new software will have multiple uses as it will be linked to registration of births and deaths.

  • As soon as someone is born, his/her details will be updated in the software.

  • Once that person turns 18, his name will be registered in the voter list from the census office itself.

  • Details like change of residence of people will also be updated through the software.

  • About Census

  • Census involves the process of collecting, compiling, analyzing, evaluating, publishing and disseminating statistical data about a population and its characteristics.

  • The decennial census is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and the Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs.

  • It is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948.

  • Census is a union subject under Article 246 of the Constitution of India.

  • The first non-synchronous census in India was conducted in 1872 during the reign of Governor-General Lord Mayo.

  • The first synchronous census was taken under British rule in February 1881, by W C Plowden (Census Commissioner of India).

  • Since then, the census has been carried out uninterruptedly every ten years.

  • Census 2011 was the 15th National Census of the country since 1872. 

  • This was the seventh census after independence.

By admin: May 10, 2022

10. PM-WANI based public WiFi scheme launched at 100 railway stations

Tags: Government Schemes National News

RailTel, a Mini Ratna PSU, has launched Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme across 100 railway stations in the country.

  • This public-friendly service was launched by RailTel chairman and managing director Puneet Chawla on 9 May. 

  • To access this WiFi network, Android users can download the mobile app 'Wi-Dot' available on Google Play Store.

  • This app is developed in collaboration with C-DOT.

  • This method is in addition to the existing method of accessing WiFi at these stations through the conventional method of selecting RailWire Service Set Identifier (SSID). 

  • RailTel's WiFi network is now spread across 6,102 railway stations across the country and has 17,792 WiFi hotspots.

  • About PM-WANI  Scheme

  • PM-WANI is an ambitious program of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to connect all silo Wi-Fi networks for ease of use and increase broadband usage for the public.

  • The main objective of this scheme is to provide Wi-Fi facilities at all public places.

  • The government plans to extend PM-Vani-based reach of RailTel's public Wi-Fi services to all 6,102 railway stations in a phased manner by the end of June 2022.

  • Through this scheme now every citizen of the whole country can be connected to the internet.

  • It will also be easy to do business through this scheme.