In Context  World Soil Day (WSD) is held annually on 5 December. The theme of World Soil Day (WSD) for the year 2021 is ‘Halt Soil Salinization, boosting soil productivity.  About World Soil Day 2021 It was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002.  Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has supported […]

In News  The Crime Branch in Pune and seized 550 grams of ambergris, also known as ‘floating gold’.  What is Ambergris? Ambergris means grey amber in French.   It is sometimes referred to as whale vomit. However, Christopher Kemp, the author of ‘Floating gold: A Natural and (unnatural) history of Ambergris’, says this is not right. […]

In News  General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others on board a Mi-17V5 IAF helicopter were killed after it crashed in Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor. About Mi-17V5 chopper It is a Russian-made helicopter which is produced by Kazan Helicopters. The first batch of these helicopters came to India in September 2011. It is a military […]

Why in the News? Recently, the Air version of BrahMos was test-fired from Sukhoi 30 MKI supersonic fighter aircraft. BrahMos  About: Named after the Brahmaputra river of India and Moskva river of Russia. BrahMos is a Joint Venture between India (DRDO) and Russia (NPOM) for the development, production and marketing of the supersonic cruise missile. […]

The Hindu Subject Pg No Headlines Relevance for Prelims and Mains   GS 3   1   Rawat, 12 others killed in T.N. chopper crash (Defence) Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India, What is the role of CDS?, Significance of CDS, Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17V5 helicopter, its features and, issues linked to it  GS […]

Indian Express Subject  Pg No  Headlines Relevance for Prelims and Mains   GS 3 1   Gen Bipin Rawat, highest defence officer, and wife among 13 killed in chopper crash (Defence) Know about Chief of Defence Staff, roles and responsibilities, Mi-17V5 helicopter, its features and issues linked to it. GS 2 5 Cabinet extends PMAY -rural […]

In News  The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) tested the “vertical launch-short range surface-to-air missile”, successfully. About Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) It is indigenously developed by DRDO and designed for deployment onboard Indian Naval warships. It can engage targets at around 15km It is meant for neutralising various aerial […]

In News The Ministry of Tourism has formulated a Draft National Strategy and Roadmap for Rural Tourism to develop and promote local products through tourism. The Centre has sanctioned Rs. 120 crores for Rural Circuit. Draft National Strategy and Roadmap for Rural Tourism formulated Key Strategic Pillars: In order to develop rural tourism in the […]

In News The Union Minister of State for Labour And Employment replied in the Rajya Sabha that a total 45, 77,295 unorganised workers have been registered under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) scheme.  Unorganised sectors contribute around 50% of India’s GDP. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) Scheme About: It is a Voluntary […]

In News Recently, a report stated that the tension on the Russia-Ukraine border represents a major security crisis for the region. About The crisis has the potential to convert into a broader conflict.  Ukraine says that Russia has amassed around 90,000 troops at the border, and US intelligence reports say that a Russian invasion of […]