1. India Crosses Covid Vaccination Milestone
Tags: National News
- Half of the eligible population(18 Years and above ) in the country is now fully vaccinated against COVID.
- In total, 85% of the eligible adult population has now received the first dose, while 50.35% are fully vaccinated.
- The milestone was achieved in 11 months since the drive began on 16 January 2021.
- Himachal Pradesh is the first state in India to achieve 100% vaccination in India.
- The first person to receive the Covid vaccine was Manish Kumar, an employee of AIIMS, Delhi.
2. Maitri Diwas
Tags: National News
India and Bangladesh celebrate 6 December as Maitri diwas to commemorate the recognition of the day when India recognised Bangladesh as an Independent country.
The war to liberate Bangladesh began on December 3, 1971 and ended with the signing of the Instrument of Surrender by Pakistani General A.A.K. Niazi on December 16.
Three days after the beginning of the war on 6 December , the Government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi recognised Bangladesh as an independent nation.
3. Russian President Visit to India
Tags: National News
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India for the 21st India – Russia Annual summit with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
This will be the first in-person meeting between Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Brasilia in November 2019.
Since the outbreak of the COVID Pandemic this is the second time that the Russian President has left Russia. Once to meet the U.S president Joe Biden on 16 June 2021 in Geneva ,Switzerland and he came to Delhi to meet P.M modi . This reflects the importance Russia attaches to its ties with India .
After their meeting in New Delhi both the country issued a Joint Declaration titled “India-Russia: Partnership for Peace, Progress and Prosperity”
The two countries signed 28 agreements, including 9 government-to-government agreements and those that spanned areas of defence, space, finance, power, culture, scientific research, education and health among others.
At the 20th India Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) meeting between the Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh and Russian Defence minister Gen. Sergey Shoigu four agreements. Important agreement are as follows:
- The India Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) was extended by 10 years till 2031.
- The deal for 6.1 lakh Ak-203 assault rifles is estimated at over ₹5,000 crore and will be manufactured by a joint venture, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Ltd (IRRPL) at Korwa, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. IRRPL was set up jointly between the erstwhile OFB [now Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd.] and Munitions India Ltd. of India and Rosoboronexport (RoE) and Kalashnikov of Russia.
- The two sides also signed a pact on amending the agreement on cooperation in the field of manufacturing of the Kalashnikov series of small arms that was originally sealed in February 2019.
Trade and Business deal
- Both countries have set a target to boost their bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2025 . Last Year the bilateral trade was $ 9.1billion.
- Russian oil company Rosneft said it signed a contract with Indian Oil to supply up to 2 million tonnes of oil to India by the end of 2022.
- The countries also signed a memorandum of understanding for Russia to send an uninterrupted supply of coal to India to support its steel production,
Russia will continue to supply the S-400 missile systems under the 2018 agreement
The next India -Russia annual meeting 2022 will be held in Russia .
First India-Russia 2+2 meeting
India and Russia held first 2+2 meeting during the visit of Russian President Putin Visit
2+2 refers to the meeting of the Defence and Froeign affairs ministers of both the countries to deepen and strengthen strategic ties between two countries .
The Russian Defence minister Gen. Sergey Shoigu held a meeting with his Indian counterpart, Defence minister Rajnath Singh and the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar.
At present India has 2+2 meetings with Japan, Australia and the United States.
4. Mount Semeru erupted in Indonesia
Tags: International News
- Mt Semeru (3676 m above sea level) is the biggest mountain on the island of Java.
- Semeru is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia
- The volcano is part of a chain of volcanic mountains stretching from northern Sumatra to the Lesser Sunda Islands.
- Volcanism in Indonesia is mainly associated with the offshore subduction of the Australian Plate beneath the Sunda Plate.
- The oldest record of an eruption of Mt Semeru was from 1818
- Indonesia has more active volcanoes than any other country in the world.. Indonesia is one of many places located within the world's most volcanically, and seismically, active zone, known as the Pacific Ring of Fire.
- The Only active volcano in India is found at Barren Island in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
Volcano A volcano is an opening in the earth’s crust through which gases, molten rocks materials (lava), ash, steam etc. are emitted outward in the course of an eruption. Such vents or openings occur in those parts of the earth’s crust where the rock strata are relatively weak. Volcanic activity is an example of an endogenic process. |
5. Anemia in Children: leading to child growth failure
Tags: National News
According to the 5th report of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of 2019-2021, a higher proportion of children aged 6 to 59 months have been found to be anaemic compared to NFHS-4 (2015-2016).
Highlights:
- The share of anaemic children in NFHS-5 (2019-21) increased by 8.5% points compared to NFHS-4 (2015-16) and was closer to levels of NFHS-3 (2005-2006).
- In 30 out of 36 states/UT’s one half the children in age group 6-59 months are found to be anaemic.
- The high share of children were found anaemic in the several north and western states in rural and urban areas.
- Assam, Mizoram and Chattisgarh recorded the highest increases.
- Gujarat had the highest share of children (79.7%) who were anaemic.
State-wise percentage of children aged 6-59 months who were anaemic according to NFHS-5
Ladakh - 92.5%
Madhya Pradesh - 72.7%
Rajasthan - 71.5%
Uttar Pradesh - 66.4%
Gujarat - 79.7%
Bihar - 69.4%
Kerala - 39.4%
Tamil Nadu 57.4%
Anaemia Anaemia results from a lack of red blood cells or dysfunctional red blood cells in the body. This leads to reduced oxygen flow to the body's organs. Symptoms may include fatigue, skin pallor, shortness of breath, light-headedness, dizziness or a fast heartbeat. |
National Family Health Survey National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a country-wide survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, with the International Institute for Population Sciences serving as the nodal agency. |
6. 57th Raising Day of BSF held at Jaisalmer
Tags: National News
- Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah addressed the 57th Raising Day celebrations of the Border Security Force in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
- On this occasion, the Union Home Minister said that for the first time after the establishment of the BSF in 1965, the Modi government has decided to celebrate the Foundation Day of the BSF in a border district.
- It was decided to create the BSF after the 1965 war and today it is the largest border guarding force in the world.
7. India -Maldives military exercise
Tags: National News
11th Edition of Exercise EKUVERIN between India & Maldives will be conducted at Kadhdhoo Island, Maldives from 06 to 19 December 2021.
- The exercise will enhance synergy & inter-operability between Armed Forces of both the Nations in terms of understanding transnational terrorism both on land & at sea, conducting Counter Terrorism & Counter Insurgency Operations and sharing best military practices and experiences.
8. India’s first privately build Cryogenic Engine
Tags: National News
Hyderabad based Skyroot Aerospace successfully tested Dhawan1, thus making it country’s first privately developed, fully cryogenic rocket engine.
The Cryogenic engine has been named after Satish Dhawan, who was the third chairman of ISRO. He pioneered the development of advanced space launch capabilities of India.
It runs on two high performance rocket propellants — liquid natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen (LoX).
The company has been founded by ex-IITians Naga Bharath D. and C. Pawan Kumar.
The company will use the engine as the upper stage of its Vikram-2 launch vehicle that can carry payloads up to 720 kg to low earth orbit.
The engine has been completely 3D printed and made in India. The company used a superalloy for 3D printing the engine, which reduced the manufacturing time by 95%.
Cryogenic engines are one of most complex technologies to develop and so far only six countries have these launch vehicles including the US, China, Russia, France, Japan, and India. India used its first GSLV in 2001.
In India the Cryogenic Engine is being developed by ISRO(Indian Space Research Organisation).
At least two private space companies – American Blue Origin and European Arianespace – have developed cryogenic engines as well.
Cryogenic Engine Cryogenics is the branch of Physics that deals with the production, effects and uses of a wide variety of materials at very low temperatures. The cryogenic temperature range has been defined as from −150 °C (−238 °F) to absolute zero (−273 °C or −460 °F), A Cryogenic rocket stage is more efficient and provides more thrust for every kilogram of propellant it burns compared to solid and earth-storable liquid propellant rocket stages. Specific impulse (a measure of the efficiency) achievable with cryogenic propellants (liquid Hydrogen and liquid Oxygen) is much higher compared to earth storable liquid and solid propellants, giving it a substantial payload advantage. Oxygen liquifies at -183 degree C and Hydrogen at -253 degree C. |
Superalloy Superalloys are high-strength, often complex alloys that are resistant to high temperatures and severe mechanical stress and that exhibit high surface stability. They are commonly classified into three major categories: nickel-based, cobalt-based, and iron-based. Nickel-based superalloys predominate in the turbine section of jet engines where temperatures reach 1200–1400 °C. Although they have little inherent resistance to oxidation at high temperatures, they gain desirable properties through the addition of cobalt, chromium, tungsten, molybdenum, titanium, aluminum, and niobium. |
3D Printing 3D printing or additive manufacturing uses computer-aided designing to make prototypes or working models of objects by laying down successive layers of materials such as plastic, resin, thermoplastic, metal, fibre or ceramic.It is basically a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. This is opposite of “Subtractive Manufacturing” which works on removal of material to create a desired object. It is similar to a man who cuts a stone to create a sculpture. The first working 3-D printer was created in 1984 by Charles W. Hull of 3-D Systems Corp. One of the key applications for such products is in the medical and allied sector. The USA remains the global leader in 3D printing, with more than 35% market share |
9. International News
Tags: International News
1. Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir to form the new government in Iceland
- Katrin Jakobsdottir has been chosen by the coalition parties in Iceland to be their leader and the Prime Minister of Iceland.
- She became the Prime minister of Iceland in 2017for the first time.
- Capital of Iceland: Reykjavík
2. Barbados becomes a Republic
The Caribbean island nation of Barbados declared itself a republic on 30 November, a move that coincides with the 55th anniversary of its independence from Britain.
Barbados capital Bridgetown
Currency: Barbados Dollar
Prime Minister: Mia Mottley
3. EU announces BRI alternative
- European Union (EU) plans 300 Billion Euro Infrastructure Fund to Counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by 2027.
- Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission calls it “The Global Gateway Plan” and describes it as “roadmap for major investment in infrastructure development around the world”
4. Sri Lanka Finance Minister Visit to India
India has agreed to help Sri Lanka to deal with its food and energy crisis .
This was agreed by the visiting Sri Lankan Finance Minister Mr. Basil Rajapaksa and the Finance Minister Mrs. Nirmala Sithraman and External Affairs minister Mr. S. Jaishanker.
5. Russia warns US to stop NATO’s Eastward Expansion
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Moscow needed “long-term security guarantees” that would halt NATO’s eastward expansion.
Mr. Lavrov and Mr. Blinken was in Stockholm for a meeting of the ministerial level meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
10. National News
Tags: National News
1. Panels are formed to look into EPFO functioning.
For ad-hoc board-level committees to oversee the functioning of various aspects of the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) approved by the Union Labor and Employment cabinet Minister Bhupendra Yadav.
- The committee headed by Labour Secretary “Sunil Barthwal”:
- Committee on ‘pension reforms’ and
- Committee on ‘IT and Communications’
- The committee headed by Minister of State for Labour and Employment Rameswar Teli:
- Committee on ‘EPFO’s internal human resources and establishment matters’ and
- Committee on ‘finding ways to enhance EPFO’s coverage and reducing related litigation’.
2. National Health Accounts(NHA) report for 2007-18 released
- There has been an increase in the share of government health expenditure from 1.15% in 2013-14 to 1.35% of the GDP in 2017-18.
- The share of Government Health Expenditure in total health expenditure has also increased from 28.6%in 2013-14 to 40.8% in 2017-18.
- The government’s health expenditure as a share of total Government expenditure has increased from 3.78% to 5.12% between 2013-14 and 2017-18.
- In per capita terms, the government health expenditure has increased from Rs 1042 to Rs.1753 between 2013-14 to 2017-18.
- The share of primary healthcare in current government health expenditure has increased from 51.1% in 2013-14 to 54.7% in 2017-18.
- The out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) as a share of total health expenditure has come down to 48.8% in 2017-18 from 64.2% in 2013-14. The fall in out-of-pocket expenditure is a good sign as it indicates that government expenditure on health is increasing.
3. Admiral R. Hari Kumar takes charge as the new Chief of Naval Staff
Admiral R Hari Kumar became the 25th Chief of Naval Staff succeeding Admiral Karambir Singh.
4. Accidental Death and Sucide Report 2020
The National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB) released its report on ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India’ (ASDI) for 2020.
Highlights of the report
- The number of deaths by suicides rose by 10% from 2019, taking the total figure to an all-time high of 1,53,052.
- Accidental deaths fell by 11% from 2019 to 2020 to 374, 397, the lowest figure since 2009.
- Daily wage earners made up the largest proportion of people who died by suicide in the country in 2020 at 24.6%.
- Tamil Nadu was the state with the highest number of deaths by suicides among daily wage earners with 6,495, followed by Madhya Pradesh (4,945), Maharashtra (4,176), Telangana (3,831) and Gujarat (2,745).
5. Supreme Court to allow setting up of medical board for Jayalalitha Death inquiry
The Supreme Court said it will pass orders to allow the setting up of a medical board of AIIMS doctors to help Justice A. Arumugasamy Commission of Inquiry to gather the facts on the death of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at Apollo Hospital in Chennai in 2016.
6. Center appoints committee to review EWS criteria
The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has appointed a three-member committee to review the criteria for 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in educational institutions and government jobs in terms of the provisions of the Explanation to Article 15 of the Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act 2019.
- The Central government gave an undertaking to the Supreme Court on a petition regarding EWS reservation in NEET(National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) to explain the reason behind fixing the criteria for EWS.
- The panel members are
- Ajay Bhushan Pandey, former Finance Secretary
- V.K. Malhotra; Member Secretary, Indian Council of Social Science Research, and
- Sanjeev Sanyal Principal Economic Adviser to the Government of India.
7. Elephants Death
A whopping 1,160 elephants were killed in the country due to reasons other than natural causes in the past 10 years up to December 31, 2020, according to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
8. UAPA Trials cannot be held indefinitely - Supreme Court
Hearing a petition of an undertrial arrested under UAPA(Unlawful Activities Prevention Act), the Supreme Court gave a landmark judgment on the right of the undertrials.
- The Supreme Court said that putting a person accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act behind bars for an unduly long time with no progress in the trial or appeal process is a violation of his or her fundamental right and a threat to public confidence in the administration of justice,
- The Court held that timely delivery of justice is part of human rights.
9. Paika Rebellion to be added as case study in NCERT book
Union Culture Minister, Mr. Kishen Reddy said in the Rajya Sabha that the 1817 Paika Revolution of Odisha will be included in the NCERT textbook as one of the beginnings of the popular uprising against the British.
- The Paika Rebellion, also called the Paika Bidroha, was an armed rebellion against Company rule in India in 1817.
10. Government seeks 62000 Crore for Air India
- The Government has sought Parliament’s nod to infuse ₹62,000 crore as a supplementary grant to Air India Assets Holding Limited (created for disinvestment of Air India and its subsidiaries), for debt and other liabilities of Air India.
11. Government seeks Rs 25,000 crore for MGNREGS from Parliament
Central Government has put before the parliament a supplementary demand of grant in the amount of Rs 25000 Crore for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme
- Initial budgetary allocation for MGNREGA in the financial year 2021-22 was Rs 73000 Crore
12. "6 Lakh Indians renounced citizenship in last 5 years"
- More than Six lakh Indians renounced citizenship in the past five years, as per the data shared by the Ministry of Home Affairs to Lok Sabha.
- About 40% of the citizenship renunciation requests come from the United States, followed by Australia and Canada, which amount to a chunk of around 30% of such requests.
13. Indian Government brings bills to extend the tenure of ED and CBI
The Government of India has introduced two bills, the Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Bill 2021 and Delhi Special Establishment (Amendment) Bill 2021 in the Lok Sabha which seek to replace theThe Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 and The Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 promulgated on 14 November 2021.
- The bill was introduced by the Minister of State for Personnel and Training Dr. Jitendra Singh.
