Page 1
GS 2 (Health)
Govt. mulls lockdown extension amid requests from the States
India lifts ban on export of hydroxychloroquine
Delhi’s ‘5T’ war against virus
GS 2 (Polity)
Kerala-Karnataka border row sorted out, Centre informs SC
Page 4
GS 2 (Health)
‘Voice warriors’ help Assam in its fight against COVID 19
GS 3 (Agri)
Farmers want crop to be lifted from fiepd in Punjab , Haryana
Page 6
GS 2 (Health)
Taking a long view of the pandemic fight
Page 7
GS 2 (Health)
Taking a long view of the pandemic fight
Page 8
GS 3 (Science & Tech)
Amid lockdown in Russia, Gaganyaan trainees healthy
Page 9
GS 2 (IR)
Special UN session likely tomorrow
GS 3 (Science & Tech)
Loss of smell may be linked to cells: study
Page 10
GS 1 (Society)
Gender violence is a shadow pandemic: UN
Ministry’s move could lead to sex determination: Brinda
Page 13
GS 3 (Economy)
Markets surge on hopes of virus peaking
SBI cuts MCLR by 35 bps
GS 2 (Health)
Govt. mulls lockdown extension amid requests from the States
India lifts ban on export of hydroxychloroquine
Delhi’s ‘5T’ war against virus
GS 2 (Polity)
Kerala-Karnataka border row sorted out, Centre informs SC
Page 4
GS 2 (Health)
‘Voice warriors’ help Assam in its fight against COVID 19
GS 3 (Agri)
Farmers want crop to be lifted from fiepd in Punjab , Haryana
Page 6
GS 2 (Health)
Taking a long view of the pandemic fight
Page 7
GS 2 (Health)
Taking a long view of the pandemic fight
Page 8
GS 3 (Science & Tech)
Amid lockdown in Russia, Gaganyaan trainees healthy
Page 9
GS 2 (IR)
Special UN session likely tomorrow
GS 3 (Science & Tech)
Loss of smell may be linked to cells: study
Page 10
GS 1 (Society)
Gender violence is a shadow pandemic: UN
Ministry’s move could lead to sex determination: Brinda
Page 13
GS 3 (Economy)
Markets surge on hopes of virus peaking
SBI cuts MCLR by 35 bps
Page 1
GS 2 (Health)
It will not be possible to lift the lockdown in one go, says Modi
Page 5
GS 2 (Health)
Kerala experts for 3-phased easing of curbs
Page 6
GS 2(Health)
Needed, greater decentralisation of power
For better use
Page 7
GS 2 (Health)
It’s time for the Red Berets
GS 3 (Economy)
Financing the pandemic rescue package
Page 8
GS 3 (Environment)
Wildlife board holds virtual meet
GS 2 (IR)
‘Importance of soft power is increasing globally’
Page 10
GS 3 (Environment)
Poaching, not virus, is the bigger threat, says tiger expert
Page 11
GS 3 (Food Security)
Haryana set for staggered wheat procurement, starting April 20
Page 15
GS 3 (Economy)
IRDAI permits insurers to grant three months’ moratorium on term loans
GS 2 (Health)
It will not be possible to lift the lockdown in one go, says Modi
Page 5
GS 2 (Health)
Kerala experts for 3-phased easing of curbs
Page 6
GS 2(Health)
Needed, greater decentralisation of power
For better use
Page 7
GS 2 (Health)
It’s time for the Red Berets
GS 3 (Economy)
Financing the pandemic rescue package
Page 8
GS 3 (Environment)
Wildlife board holds virtual meet
GS 2 (IR)
‘Importance of soft power is increasing globally’
Page 10
GS 3 (Environment)
Poaching, not virus, is the bigger threat, says tiger expert
Page 11
GS 3 (Food Security)
Haryana set for staggered wheat procurement, starting April 20
Page 15
GS 3 (Economy)
IRDAI permits insurers to grant three months’ moratorium on term loans
कोरोना virus ke चलते अब आपकी पढ़ाई नहीं रुकेगी , अब अनुज सिर के द्वारा चालू की गई है इतिहास के ऊपर एक नई सिरीज़ ! कृपया इसे ज़्यादा से ज़्यादा share करें
1.CPI inflation likely to ease from 4.8% in Q1 to 4.4% in Q2: RBI report
(source : The Hindu)
Context :
Consumer price index based inflation which stayed elevated in the last few months is expected to soften during the course of the financial year.
CPI inflation is tentatively projected to ease from 4.8% in Q1:2020-21 to 4.4% in Q2, 2.7% in Q3 and 2.4% in Q4, with the caveat that in the prevailing high uncertainty, aggregate demand may weaken further than currently-anticipated and ease core inflation further, while supply bottlenecks could exacerbate pressures more than expected.
Inflation :
RBI has reduced the repo rate and cash reserve ratio by 75 bps in the monetary policy review. The central bank refrained from giving any projection on growth and inflation while announcing the review.
For 2021-22, assuming a normal monsoon and no major exogenous or policy shocks, structural model estimates indicate that inflation could move in a range of 3.6-3.8%.
The inflation target has been set at 4% with +2% and -2% as target bands on either sides.
Consumer price index :
The Consumer Price Index is weighted average of prices of consumer goods and services such as food, transportation and medical care. It is calculated by taking price changes of every item in the basket and averaging them.
2.COVID-19 tests must be done free, orders Supreme Court
(Source : The Hindu)
Context :
Tests relating to COVID-19, whether done in approved government or private laboratories, shall be free of cost, the Supreme Court ordered
SC Ruling :
A Bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and S. Ravindra Bhat held that tests relating to COVID-19 must be carried out only in NABL accredited Labs or any agencies approved by the WHO or the ICMR.
the court issued notice to the government on the plea, which challenged the legality of a March 17 advisory capping the price for Coronavirus testing at Rs. 4500 in private labs and hospitals. Mr. Sudhi had argued that the advisory was both discriminatory and a violation of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The court said that private hospitals, including laboratories, have an important role to play in containing the scale of the pandemic by extending philanthropic services in the hour of national crisis. Reimbursing private labs of their expenses was a matter to be considered later on and not now
Concerns :
GOI provides adequate security to the health care workers. Actions should be taken against people impeding the works of doctors and other medical staffs.
The Supreme Court also raised concerns over shortage of PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) for doctors and other medical professionals.
3.Government of India launches a training module for management of COVID-19 named ‘Integrated Government Online training’ (iGOT) portal on DIKSHA platform of MHRD
(Source PIB)
Context:
the Government of India has launched a training module for management of COVID-19 named ‘Integrated Govt. Online training’ (iGOT) portal on Ministry of HRD’s DIKSHA platform for the capacity building of frontline workers to handle the pandemic efficiently. Courses on iGOT have been launched for Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, Hygiene Workers, Technicians, Auxiliary Nursing Midwives (ANMs), State Government Officers, Civil Defence Officers, Various Police Organisations, National Cadet Corps(NCC), NehruYuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), National Service Scheme, Indian Red Cross Society, Bharat Scouts and Guides and other volunteers at the stage.
Vision:
MHRD’s ‘Digital Infrastructure Knowledge Sharing’ (DIKSHA) platform - an initiative for education & training has been leveraged by Government of India to launch iGOT portal to train all frontline healthcare and COVID Warriors of India to meet Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s vision to care for those ‘who care for the nation’
Uniqueness of Diksha :
The uniqueness of the DIKSHA platform is its federated architecture which makes it possible for iGOT portal to leverage it and help train lakhs of 'Corona warriors' including government o
(source : The Hindu)
Context :
Consumer price index based inflation which stayed elevated in the last few months is expected to soften during the course of the financial year.
CPI inflation is tentatively projected to ease from 4.8% in Q1:2020-21 to 4.4% in Q2, 2.7% in Q3 and 2.4% in Q4, with the caveat that in the prevailing high uncertainty, aggregate demand may weaken further than currently-anticipated and ease core inflation further, while supply bottlenecks could exacerbate pressures more than expected.
Inflation :
RBI has reduced the repo rate and cash reserve ratio by 75 bps in the monetary policy review. The central bank refrained from giving any projection on growth and inflation while announcing the review.
For 2021-22, assuming a normal monsoon and no major exogenous or policy shocks, structural model estimates indicate that inflation could move in a range of 3.6-3.8%.
The inflation target has been set at 4% with +2% and -2% as target bands on either sides.
Consumer price index :
The Consumer Price Index is weighted average of prices of consumer goods and services such as food, transportation and medical care. It is calculated by taking price changes of every item in the basket and averaging them.
2.COVID-19 tests must be done free, orders Supreme Court
(Source : The Hindu)
Context :
Tests relating to COVID-19, whether done in approved government or private laboratories, shall be free of cost, the Supreme Court ordered
SC Ruling :
A Bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and S. Ravindra Bhat held that tests relating to COVID-19 must be carried out only in NABL accredited Labs or any agencies approved by the WHO or the ICMR.
the court issued notice to the government on the plea, which challenged the legality of a March 17 advisory capping the price for Coronavirus testing at Rs. 4500 in private labs and hospitals. Mr. Sudhi had argued that the advisory was both discriminatory and a violation of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The court said that private hospitals, including laboratories, have an important role to play in containing the scale of the pandemic by extending philanthropic services in the hour of national crisis. Reimbursing private labs of their expenses was a matter to be considered later on and not now
Concerns :
GOI provides adequate security to the health care workers. Actions should be taken against people impeding the works of doctors and other medical staffs.
The Supreme Court also raised concerns over shortage of PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) for doctors and other medical professionals.
3.Government of India launches a training module for management of COVID-19 named ‘Integrated Government Online training’ (iGOT) portal on DIKSHA platform of MHRD
(Source PIB)
Context:
the Government of India has launched a training module for management of COVID-19 named ‘Integrated Govt. Online training’ (iGOT) portal on Ministry of HRD’s DIKSHA platform for the capacity building of frontline workers to handle the pandemic efficiently. Courses on iGOT have been launched for Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, Hygiene Workers, Technicians, Auxiliary Nursing Midwives (ANMs), State Government Officers, Civil Defence Officers, Various Police Organisations, National Cadet Corps(NCC), NehruYuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), National Service Scheme, Indian Red Cross Society, Bharat Scouts and Guides and other volunteers at the stage.
Vision:
MHRD’s ‘Digital Infrastructure Knowledge Sharing’ (DIKSHA) platform - an initiative for education & training has been leveraged by Government of India to launch iGOT portal to train all frontline healthcare and COVID Warriors of India to meet Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s vision to care for those ‘who care for the nation’
Uniqueness of Diksha :
The uniqueness of the DIKSHA platform is its federated architecture which makes it possible for iGOT portal to leverage it and help train lakhs of 'Corona warriors' including government o
fficials, frontline health workers & volunteers from organizations like NCC, NSS, NYKS etc, to prepare them to fight against the pandemic. The portal will provide agencies like the Health Department and NCC with the ability to upload their content suited for its various users and users to take training using mobile app(diksha app) and online.
4.TRIFED to launch a digital campaign in collaboration with UNICEF for self help groups to ensure Tribal Gatherers carry on their work safely
(source : PIB)
Context :
To ensure tribal gatherers carry on their work safely, TRIFED has collaborated with UNICEF for developing a digital communication strategy for promoting a digital campaign for Self Help Groups (SHGs) involved in this work, highlighting the importance of Social Distancing.
Features :
The webinar, for the promotion of the campaign is scheduled to be held tomorrow i.e. on 9th April, 2020. It is aimed to reach more than 18,000 participants and would cover tribal regions across all the 27 States.
Plan :
A total of 1205 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) have been sanctioned in 27 States and 1 Union territory involving around 18,075 Van Dhan Self Help Groups. This involves over 3.6 Lakhs tribal gatherers in the Scheme. To start with, 15,000 of these SHGs will be promoted as Van Dhan Social Distancing Awareness cum Livelihood Centers’ through a digital training program. The SHGs will create awareness among the community about social distancing and steps to be followed.
5.India's GDP may grow at 4.8% in FY21, Covid 19 to have adverse economic impact globally: UN report
(Source : Economics Times)
Context :
India's GDP growth for the current fiscal is expected to slow down to 4.8 per cent, a UN report has said, warning that the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to result in significant adverse economic impacts globally.
The UN 'Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2020: Towards sustainable economies' said that COVID-19 is having far-reaching economic and social consequences for the region, with strong cross-border spillover effects through trade, tourism and financial linkages
Hit to Govt. Aspiration :
The Economic Survey, released a day before Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented Union Budget for 2020-21 on February 1, had projected a GDP growth of 6-6.5 per cent, up from 5 per cent estimate for 2019-20.
"As the COVID-19 pandemic is still evolving rapidly and showing no signs of abating as of March 31, 2020, its negative impacts on economic performance of countries and territories in Asia and the Pacific will likely be very significant
6.Biofortified carrot variety developed by farmer scientist benefits local farmers
(Source : PIB)
Context: Biofortified carrot variety developed by farmer scientist benefits local farmers.
Details:
The bio fortified crop- Madhuban Gajar was developed by Shri Vallabhhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya, a farmer scientist from Junagadh district, Gujarat.
It contains high β-carotene and iron content.
It is being planted in an area of over 200 hectares in Junagadh, and the average yield, which is 40-50 t/ha, has become the main source of income to the local farmers.
The variety is being cultivated in more than 1000 hectares of land in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh during the last three years.
Madhuban Gajar carrot variety possesses a significantly higher root yield (74.2 t/ha) and plant biomass (275 gm per plant) as compared to check variety.
What is biofortification?
Biofortification is the process of increasing nutritional value of food crops by increasing the density of vitamins and minerals in a crop through either conventional plant breeding; agronomic practices or biotechnology.
How are crops fortified?
Conventional crop breeding techniques are used to identify varieties with particularly high concentration of desired nutrients. These are cross-bred with varieties with other desirable traits from the target areas to develop biofortified varieties that have high levels of micronutrients.
Agr
4.TRIFED to launch a digital campaign in collaboration with UNICEF for self help groups to ensure Tribal Gatherers carry on their work safely
(source : PIB)
Context :
To ensure tribal gatherers carry on their work safely, TRIFED has collaborated with UNICEF for developing a digital communication strategy for promoting a digital campaign for Self Help Groups (SHGs) involved in this work, highlighting the importance of Social Distancing.
Features :
The webinar, for the promotion of the campaign is scheduled to be held tomorrow i.e. on 9th April, 2020. It is aimed to reach more than 18,000 participants and would cover tribal regions across all the 27 States.
Plan :
A total of 1205 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) have been sanctioned in 27 States and 1 Union territory involving around 18,075 Van Dhan Self Help Groups. This involves over 3.6 Lakhs tribal gatherers in the Scheme. To start with, 15,000 of these SHGs will be promoted as Van Dhan Social Distancing Awareness cum Livelihood Centers’ through a digital training program. The SHGs will create awareness among the community about social distancing and steps to be followed.
5.India's GDP may grow at 4.8% in FY21, Covid 19 to have adverse economic impact globally: UN report
(Source : Economics Times)
Context :
India's GDP growth for the current fiscal is expected to slow down to 4.8 per cent, a UN report has said, warning that the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to result in significant adverse economic impacts globally.
The UN 'Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2020: Towards sustainable economies' said that COVID-19 is having far-reaching economic and social consequences for the region, with strong cross-border spillover effects through trade, tourism and financial linkages
Hit to Govt. Aspiration :
The Economic Survey, released a day before Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented Union Budget for 2020-21 on February 1, had projected a GDP growth of 6-6.5 per cent, up from 5 per cent estimate for 2019-20.
"As the COVID-19 pandemic is still evolving rapidly and showing no signs of abating as of March 31, 2020, its negative impacts on economic performance of countries and territories in Asia and the Pacific will likely be very significant
6.Biofortified carrot variety developed by farmer scientist benefits local farmers
(Source : PIB)
Context: Biofortified carrot variety developed by farmer scientist benefits local farmers.
Details:
The bio fortified crop- Madhuban Gajar was developed by Shri Vallabhhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya, a farmer scientist from Junagadh district, Gujarat.
It contains high β-carotene and iron content.
It is being planted in an area of over 200 hectares in Junagadh, and the average yield, which is 40-50 t/ha, has become the main source of income to the local farmers.
The variety is being cultivated in more than 1000 hectares of land in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh during the last three years.
Madhuban Gajar carrot variety possesses a significantly higher root yield (74.2 t/ha) and plant biomass (275 gm per plant) as compared to check variety.
What is biofortification?
Biofortification is the process of increasing nutritional value of food crops by increasing the density of vitamins and minerals in a crop through either conventional plant breeding; agronomic practices or biotechnology.
How are crops fortified?
Conventional crop breeding techniques are used to identify varieties with particularly high concentration of desired nutrients. These are cross-bred with varieties with other desirable traits from the target areas to develop biofortified varieties that have high levels of micronutrients.
Agr
onomic biofortification entails application of minerals such as zinc or iron as foliar or soil applications, drawing on plant management, soil factors, and plant characteristics to get enhanced content of key micronutrients into the edible portion of the plant.