RARE EARTH ELEMENTS For: Mains Topic covers: Rare elements – details, uses, China-US-Japan on rare earth News Flash Rising tensions between the United States and China have sparked concerns that Beijing could use its dominant position as a supplier of rare earths for leverage in the trade war between the two global economic powers. Rare Earth Elements Rare earths are used in rechargeable batteries for electric and hybrid cars, advanced ceramics, computers,…
Continue readingKRUSHAK ASSISTANCE FOR LIVELIHOOD AND INCOME AUGMENTATION (KALIA) SCHEME For: Preliminary Topic covers: Details about scheme, its significance and importance News Flash The Odisha government started disbursement of funds to farmers under the ‘KALIA’ scheme. The target of KALIA beneficiaries has increased to 75 lakh farm families from 42 lakh families. The scheme involves payments to encourage cultivation and associated activities via direct benefit transfer (DBT) method. KALIA Scheme The scheme’s primary…
Continue readingJALYUKT SHIVAR ABHIYAN: DROUGHT-FREE MAHARASHTRA BY 2019 For: Preliminary Topic covers: About Abhiyan, its progress, significance News Flash As of February 2019, the state government declared drought in 151 of the 358 talukas. In these talukas, 28,524 villages have been declared drought affected. Of this, 112 are severe drought hit. While activists say that the Jalyukt scheme has failed after a spectacular start. Despite the allocation, 40 per cent of the state is…
Continue readingTADVI BHIL MUSLIMS For: Preliminary Topic covers: Tribal information News Flash Payal Tadvi, the medical student who committed suicide in Mumbai belonged to this community. Tadvi Bhil, a tribal community listed under Scheduled Tribes, is found in small pockets of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Who are Tadvi Bhil Muslims? The community is concentrated in four states (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra) of India. They are a sub-caste of the larger…
Continue readingREAL TIME GROSS SETTLEMENT (RTGS) For: Preliminary; Economics Topic covers: RTGS, RBI’s guidelines, Significance News Flash To ease online fund transfers, the Reserve Bank of India extend the time window for online fund transfer through Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) transactions beginning June 1, 2019. Earlier customers could do online RTGS transactions till 4:30 pm, it has now been extended till 6pm. The RTGS system is primarily meant for large value transactions. RBI…
Continue readingIMD WORLD COMPETITIVENESS RANKINGS 2019 For: Preliminary & Mains; Economics – GS III Topic covers: Outcomes of the study, about the Index and rankings, India’s dimensions News Flash India has moved up one place to rank 43rd most competitive economy in the world on the back of its robust economic growth, a large labour force and its huge market size. Highlights Singapore has moved up to the top, from the third position…
Continue readingEAST CONTAINER TERMINAL AT COLOMBO PORT For: Preliminary & Mains Topic covers: Container terminal- Significance, Role of India and Japan, India’s benefit, News Flash Sri Lanka, Japan and India signed an agreement to jointly develop the East Container Terminal at the Colombo Port. Japan is likely to provide a 40-year soft loan with a 0.1 percent interest rate. As per the agreement signed, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) retains 100% ownership of…
Continue readingTRIPLE TALAQ BILLS LAPSE For: Preliminary & Mains Topic covers: Triple Talaq Bill News Flash With the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, the contentious Citizenship (amendment) Bill and the one on banning triple talaq have lapsed as they were not passed by Rajya Sabha. Background The term of the present Lok Sabha was to end on June 3, but with the election process over, President Ram Nath Kovind dissolved the lower house…
Continue readingSEAWEED POSES THREAT TO CORAL REEF For: Preliminary & Mains Topic covers: Seaweed threat, coral reef, Negative impact, Gulf of Munnar News Flash The invasive Kappaphycus alvarezii seaweed, which smothers and kills coral reefs, has spread its wings to coral reef areas in Valai island in the Gulf of Mannar (GoM) and set to invade new coral colonies in the marine national park. Highlights Research team observed that the destructive algae had…
Continue readingMASALA BOND For: Preliminary & Mains Topic covers: Masala Bonds – objectives, significance, who can issue or buy; Benefits to India Masala Bonds Masala Bonds are rupee-denominated borrowings issued by Indian entities in overseas markets. Masala Masala means spices and the term was used by International Finance Corporation (IFC) to popularise the culture and cuisine of India on foreign platforms. Objective The objective of Masala Bonds is to fund infrastructure projects…
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