Major Headlines (May 08 & 09, 2022)
- UNSC jointly backs peace bid in Ukraine; This is its first statement since the Russian invasion
- Sinn Fein hails ‘new era’ as it wins Northern Ireland vote; The party has secured 27 assembly seats, ahead of the DUP
- Ukraine says it sank Russian landing craft; No confirmation yet from Moscow
- Sri Lankan Emergency sparks criticism; Diplomats, rights group and Opposition call the move counter productive
- North Korea fired missile from submarine: Seoul
- Anonymity is innate risk in blockchain; Sitharaman says use of the technology is imperative but uncertainty is a ‘powerful imponderable’
- Russia bombs shelter, 60 dead; G7 leaders hold online talks with Zelensky, stress phasing out of Russian oil
- Beijing loyalist John Lee elected as Hong Kong’s leader; He will replace current leader Carrie Lam on July 1
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (May 06 & 07, 2022)
- WHO estimates 4.7 million COVID-linked deaths in India; The figure is nearly 10 times the government’s official count for 2020 and 2021
- Delimitation commission notifies new J&K Assembly constituencies; Jammu to get 43 seats, Kashmir 47
- NASA climate scientist Cynthia Rosenzweig wins World Food Prize
- U.K. and Japan reach new defence agreement; Japan condemned Russia’s invasion and joined Western nations in imposing sanctions against Moscow
- Sri Lankan President Gotabaya declares Emergency yet again
- Italy, India discuss Ukraine, energy and G-20 cooperation; Italian Foreign Minister made no criticism of Russia’s actions
- Fertility rate falls further, obesity rises; Stunting among children marginally dipped, number of women with bank accounts surged: NFHS
- Cyclonic storm brewing over Bay of Bengal, Odisha on alert
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (May 05, 2022)
- RBI surprises with 40 bps rate increase, amid inflation ‘alarm’; Inflationary pressures becoming acute
- J&K delimitation panel award likely to be notified today; Completion of the exercise will pave way for the polls, the first in the Union Territory
- PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Nordic leaders; Blue economy, clean energy, IT and innovation discussed
- Highest sex ratio at birth in Ladakh; Manipur has lowest followed by Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu in 2020: Says Annual Report on Vital Statistics based on 2020 Civil Registration System report
- Sri Lanka’s usable reserves are negligible: Finance Minister; Aid from IMF might take up to 6 months to come through
- EU proposes phased Russian oil embargo, more sanctions
- In latest show of force, North Korea fires ballistic missile; Pyongyang has conducted 14 weapons tests so far this year
- Foiled 18 lakh cyberattacks in January-March in India: Norton; Criminals use deepfakes, romance scams, crypto channels
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (May 04, 2022)
- April exports cross $38 bn, deficit widens; Outbound shipments slip 9.5% from March 2022 levels
- India, Denmark to strengthen green strategic partnership; Focus to be on green hydrogen, renewable energy
- India slips to position 150 out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index compiled by the Reporters Sans Frontiers
- India extends more aid to Sri Lanka; New Delhi will offer fuel worth $200 million based on a short-term loan facility
- Slovakia wants to be left out of embargo on oil; EU to declare sanctions on Russian oil
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (May 03, 2022)
- No one can be forced to get vaccinated: Supreme Court; Some state-level curbs on unvaccinated disproportionate
- Manufacturing quickens input costs rise, shows PMI; Consumer goods producers report a contraction
- Ministry of Home Affairs report flags NSCN-IM attacks; The Naga group was responsible for 44% of insurgency-related incidents in 2020
- China’s economy falters amid COVID woes; Companies and investors unsure about how government plans to balance ‘zero-COVID’ approach and growth
- EU slaps anti-trust charge against Apple; The tech firm is accused of blocking rivals from its iPhone payment system
- Tata Steel to stop Russia coal imports on supply uncertainty; Supplies from U.S., other markets to make up for shortfall
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (May 01 & 02, 2022)
- Dry spell sparks wildfires across Himachal; Several acres of forest have been destroyed
- ‘Invest Rajasthan’ summit targets Rs. 10-lakh-crores outlay; Major focus on infra, industrial growth
- Gross green violations in Sunderbans: CAG; Construction at East Kolkata Wetlands is also against CRZ norms, says report
- Heatwaves are starting earlier than before: World Meteorological Organisation; Weather body sounds note of caution
- North Korean leader Kim threatens ‘pre-emptive’ use of nuclear weapons; He plans to continue developing his nuclear-armed military
- April GST revenues go past Rs. 1.67 lakh crore; Finance Ministry terms collection a sign of ‘faster recovery’
- E-Shram to help settle workers’ accident claims; Direct benefit transfer via unique ID
- Indian-origin IT expert to head tech department at Central Intelligence Agency; Nand Mulchandani picked for the post
- Saudi Arabia offers Pakistan $8 billion in financial support; Islamabad is plagued by inflation and sliding forex reserves
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 29 & 30, 2022)
- 5G service roll-out likely in August-September; Plans afoot for spectrum auction in June: Minister
- India, Bangladesh discuss high-level visits; The two sides highlight trade, commerce and connectivity, affected by different restrictions
- Xi’s ‘Global Security Initiative’ looks to counter Quad grouping; This is to ‘oppose unilateralism, and say ‘no’ to group politics’
- Antitrust regulator CCI said to raid 2 of Amazon’s top sellers; Cloudtail, Appario are accused of violating India’s competition laws
- Reporting of cyber breaches made mandatory for all firms; Escalation must within 6 hours of detection: MeitY
- Coal will be key energy source even in 2040; India pragmatic in coal debate: World Coal Association
- China to ease curbs on entry of Indian students; Embassy in Beijing compiling list of those stranded in India
- Heatwaves linked to man-made climate change; Scientists say carbon emissions must be curbed
- Economy may take till FY35 to overcome COVID-19 losses; Feasible range of medium-term GDP growth works out to 6.5-8.5%: RBI report
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 27 & 28, 2022)
- Act against communal hate, SC tells two States; Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh told to take preventive steps
- U.S. hosts weapons summit as Moscow warns of world war; NATO, in essence, in engaged in a war with Russia through a proxy, says Lavrov
- Countries will have to ‘justify’ veto votes at UN; Reform prompted by Ukraine invasion
- China, India add coal plants as global capacity addition dips 13%; China leads coal power expansion trailed by India, which aims to add 6,100 MW
- CBDT aims to lift tax-GDP ratio to 15-20% from the current 12%; India logs record net direct tax revenue in FY22: Mohapatra
- Plan for 4G upgrade in LWE areas; BSNL will maintain the sites for another five years: official
- Russia stops gas supply to 2 NATO nations; European leaders decry the move as ‘blackmail’
- China reports first human case of H3N8 bird flu; Risk of spread among people is low
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 25 & 26, 2022)
- After a hiatus, household consumer spending survey to resume in July; It helps arrive at estimates of poverty levels
- ‘Nagas without borders’ spreads message of unity; On its 75th anniversary, the students’ body brings Nagas from across northeast, Myanmar together
- French President Emmanuel Macron projected to win second term; Early projections show incumbent President winning 57-58% of the vote against Le Pen’s 41-43%
- No limits to Russia-China ties, says EU chief amid Ukraine war; Ursula von der Leyen seeks ‘diplomatic solution’ to Ukraine crisis
- Tamil Nadu clips Governor’s power to appoint Vice Chancellors; Two Bills seek to empower State in appointments
- Indian entities filed 1.38 lakh patents from 2015 to 2021; They also filed more than 9,500 patents in U.S.: Nasscom
- Labour participation dips to 40% from 46% in six years; Labour force participation for women drops to 9.2% from 15%, CMIE data show
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 23 & 24, 2022)
- India-U.K. defence, trade ties to get a booster shot; U.K. likely to offer series of technological collaborations
- India extends duration of $400 mn currency swap; Sri Lanka also draws on $1 bn credit line
- Global sanctions on Russia may help spur Indian exports: EEPC; Maintaining current export trend unlikely to be easy
- WTO may ease curbs on Indian grain exports; Where there is hunger, there are grains to go, says Minister
- NSA Ajit Doval to lead first international intelligence heads’ Delhi meet; 20 nations to participate in conference just ahead of the Raisina Dialogue
- Delhi reports first case of BA.2.12 strain; Doctors recommend targeted testing and more genome sequencing
- Loyalists turn on Sri Lanka PM as street protests continue; Media Minister announces his support for protesters
- Russia to deploy Sarmat missiles by autumn; The ICBMs are capable of carrying nuclear warheads and decoys, and striking targets in U.S., Europe
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 21 & 22, 2022)
- PM Modi announces visas for AYUSH therapy; Modi says traditional medicine practices could attract people from across world
- Sixth and last Scorpene takes to water; INS Vagsheer to be inducted next year
- Russia tests nuclear-capable Sarmat ballistic missile
- Government to tweak e-commerce portal rules including amendments to ensure ‘algorithmic fairness’
- Maldives bans ‘India Out’ campaign; President Solih calls it a ‘threat’ to national security, says it ‘exploited’ freedoms
- Prime Ministers’ Museum thrown open to the public; Exhibits on Constitution, personal effects on display
- Expert body needed on man-animal conflict: House Panel; Standing Committee on Science says the issue needs legislative backing
- NITI Ayog targets EV push with battery-swapping policy; Draft plan aimed at electric two and three wheelers
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 19 & 20, 2022)
- Wholesale price inflation climbs to 14.55% in March; The broad-based inflation is led by fuel and power
- New Cabinet in Sri Lanka amid protests; Gotabaya, Mahinda retain their posts; a total of 17 members, including former Ministers, inducted
- North Korea urged to return to talks after missile tests; U.S., South Korea call for ‘strong response’
- China Q1 GDP tops forecast, expands 4.8%; March weakness raises outlook risks
- Government proposes law to aid lessors repossess aircraft; Ministry seeks stakeholder comments
- Russian air strikes kill seven in Lviv, forces amass in east; Moscow says it hit 16 military targets across Ukraine
- Sri Lanka’s PM Mahinda for clipping President’s power; He moots restoring 19th amendment empowering PM
- Star rating for packaged food unlikely to help, say global experts; They write to Health Minister against the system that is to be adopted by FSSAI
- China, Solomon Islands sign landmark security agreement; No plan for a Beijing military base, says Pacific island nation
- IMF cuts India forecast to 8.2% on war; Fund downgrades growth projections for world, most major economies from its January forecasts
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 17 & 18, 2022)
- Fuel ship sinks off Tunisia, threatens marine life; Navy rescues crew; authorities activate ‘national emergency plan’ to prevent pollution from oil spill
- Chinese astronauts back on earth after six months; This was China’s longest crewed mission
- BRICS meet likely in June, India to attend China-based event; Delhi’s confirmation comes weeks after visit of Foreign Minister Wang Yi
- China deploying UAVs near LAC; Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance are core tasks
- Boris Johnson to start India visit from Gujarat; Ukraine to feature prominently in official exchanges
- Sri Lankan delegation heads to U.S. to seek $4-bn IMF package; It had resisted seeking help till now; Colombo Stock Exchange shut for a week
- North Korea tests new weapon bolstering nuclear capability
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 16, 2022)
- Sri Lanka will not ignore poor while seeking IMF assistance
- e-DAR portal to speed up accident compensation claims; It will be linked to other databases for instant information
- India gets S-400 training equipment; Second regiment from Russia likely to see some delay due to Ukraine war
- As COVID cases rise in north India, experts urge action; Social gatherings, non-masking could lead to spread of new variants, say doctors
- Navy accelerates indigenisation efforts, focus on weapons and aviation items
- Nepal running low on foreign exchange reserve; Central bank advices cutting imports
- Russia may be in default by paying in roubles: Moody’s; Russia last defaulted on foreign bonds after 1917 revolution
- China reduces reserve norms for banks as economy slows; PBOC’s 25 basis points cut to release about $83.25 billion in long-term liquidity
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 14 & 15, 2022)
- India to grow at 8%: World Bank; Due to Ukraine war, growth in South Asia expected to be slower than expected
- Sri Lanka seeks help for funds; Colombo has reached out to Delhi and Beijing for $3 billion in ‘bridge finance’
- UGC issues norms for students to do two programmes at once; The guidelines are applicable to academic programmes other than Ph.D.
- Finland to decide on NATO membership ‘within weeks’
- IMD forecasts ‘normal monsoon’, no El Nino; Met Department updates long period average rainfall to 87 cm
- Russia warns against NATO enlargement; Medvedev says Moscow will deploy nuclear weapons if Finland and Sweden join the U.S.-led alliance
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 13, 2022)
- Sri Lanka announces $51-billion debt default to combat crisis; ‘Emergency measures’ come ahead of negotiations with IMF for a loan package
- India, U.S. hold broad 2+2 discussions; India joins Bahrain-based multilateral partnership Combined Maritime Force as associate partner
- No El Nino expected, it will be a ‘normal’ monsoon, says Skymet; Private agency says rain will be subdued in August; IMD forecast later this week
- MEA’s inter-ministerial group to focus on South Asia; ‘Neighbourhood first’ policy under consideration
- Russian forces close in on Mariupol; We are not getting as much weapons as we need to end this war sooner, says Ukraine’s Zelensky
- Taiwan issues wartime survival handbook; It is to prepare public before a disaster
- February industrial output growth inches up to 1.7%; Manufacturing shrinks 5.5% from January; consumer goods take a hit
- WTO slashes global trade growth outlook amid war; Cuts 2022 forecast to 3%, from 4.7%
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 12, 2022)
- Modi pushes for peace as Shehbaz flags Kashmir; Elected unopposed, new Pakistan PM raises issues of Article 370
- Ukraine dominates Modi-Biden talks; Consultation with India to continue, says U.S. President
- NITI puts out Energy and Climate Index list; Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab emerge on top; parameters include discoms’ performance, sustainability
- Russian troops readying for offensive in east, says Zelensky; Kremlin says operation won’t halt for talks; rebels claim they control Mariupol
- TRAI moots up to 40% spectrum price cut; Authority also recommends 36% lower prices for 5G airwaves, easier spectrum surrender norms
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 11, 2022)
- Pakistan’s Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif nominated for PM post; Imran’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party to protest
- NSCN(K) seeks united push for solution; Head of the Khaplang group advocates a ‘common draft for all Naga groups’
- Ukraine crisis to headline India-U.S. ‘2+2’ meet; Defence, science and technology, climate and public health, building supply chains are high on agenda
- Bengal coast faces most erosion; About 34% of Indian coastline in under varying degrees of the threat: Ministry
- Sri Lankan doctors seek urgent medical supplies to save babies; Disruption in supply of essentials has put public health system in distress
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 09 & 10, 2022)
- All adults to get precaution jab; It will be available at private centres from tomorrow; nine-month gap mandatory
- Home Ministry seeks six more months to frame rules of CAA
- India studying U.S. sanctions on Alrosa; Diamonds have been a major component of trade between India and Russia in the recent years
- Centre sets up task force to promote animation, gaming; Move follows announcement made by Finance Minister
- World food prices rose to a new record in March; Malnourishment may rise on war: FAO
- Imran Khan government ousted in trust vote; Opposition wins 174 votes in the 342-member House
- Iran President vows to continue nuclear development projects; Tehran imposes sanctions on another 16 U.S. officials
- Protesters take over Colombo seafront; Families of Easter blast victims join demonstrators; Sri Lanka witnesses its largest agitation yet
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 08, 2022)
- Pakistan SC restores Parliament; orders no-trust vote tomorrow; Bench declares as unconstitutional the controversial ruling by Deputy Speaker
- Chandigarh wants to retain its U.T. tag, passes resolution; City should get its own Legislative Assembly, it says
- Russia suspended from rights council; India abstains from vote at UNGA
- India-U.S. 2+2 will discuss key issues, says MEA; Disagreement over New Delhi’s position on Russia continues
- Sri Lanka braces for more shortages; Amid plunging currency, traders seek urgent action to avert an ‘economic catastrophe’
- Ukraine calls on NATO to provide more weapons; It seeks arms as Russia refocuses its offensive on the east
- GatiShakti, PLI will offset global headwinds, spur growth: Finance Ministry; Impact of geopolitical tensions on food, fertilizer, oil prices clouding prospects
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 07, 2022)
- India offers help to end Russia-Ukraine conflict; Russia is ‘very important partner’: External Affairs Minister
- President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has no reason to resign; President was elected by 6.9 million people: Chief whip
- EPFO issues guidelines on taxing interest; 20% tax if PAN is not linked to account
- Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022 cleared; Home Minister says data collected will be protected; The Bill seeks to authorize the collection, storage and analysis of biometric samples of convicts and others involved in criminal matters
- UNGA to vote on Russia’s Human Rights Council suspension; India’s vote after it called for inquiry into excesses in Bucha to be watched closely
- Israeli government loses majority; Conservative MP quits coalition
- ADB projects India FY23 growth at 7.5%; Asian leader sees average inflation at 5.8% this fiscal; says States’ finances pose a key challenge
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 06, 2022)
- Gotabaya government loses majority in Parliament; Over 40 MPs of Sri Lanka’s ruling alliance sit separately
- Let dam committee continue for a year; Centre presents before SC interim Mullaperiyar plan
- BrahMos sale to Philippines a bilateral deal; Envoy says though Russia was part of its development, its sale is a transaction between two countries
- IPCC report endorses India’s position on climate finance; Climate change is a global action problem, says Bhupender
- Ministry of Information & Broadcasting blocks 22 YouTube-based news channels for spreading fake news
- EU allies expel over 200 Russian envoys; The bloc proposes new sanctions, including a ban on coal imports, for alleged war crimes in Ukraine
- Global bond sales to surpass $10 trillion in 2022, says S&P; Borrowing to stay elevated on high debt rollovers needs, war
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 04 & 05, 2022)
- No-trust vote dismissed, Imran gets Pakistan Parliament dissolved; Opposition turns to top court after President acts on Prime Minister’s advice
- All Cabinet Ministers quit in Sri Lanka; Mahinda remains PM, to meet Gotabaya today
- IPCC report talks going down to the wire; Emerging economies insist that their right to development must be recognised
- Pakistan SC promises a ‘reasonable order’; President asks Imran to stay till caretaker PM is appointed
- Opposition rejects Gotabaya offer; President’s invite to all parties to join Cabinet came amid escalating protests
- IPCC report may spell death knell for coal-based units; Central Electricity Authority said India has about 211 GW of operational coal-fired power plants, 10% of global capacity
- Biological E. to receive mRNA vaccine technology from WHO; Hub can manufacture products beyond COVID vaccines
- 99% of world’s population is breathing polluted air: WHO; Study covered 6,000 cities, other settlements in 117 nations
- Parent HDFC to merge with HDFC Bank; Deal to create financial behemoth with assets of over Rs. 27.24 lakh crore, help boost bank’s market share
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 03, 2022)
- India-Australia deal seeks to double bilateral trade in 5 years; Significant economic pact for New Delhi amid Canberra’s tensions with Beijing
- Pakistan Army chief calls for talks with India; General Bajwa hints at China role in talks
- WHO records new SARS-CoV-2 variant; XE recombinant reported in U.K.
- Nepal PM seeks steps to resolve border dispute; Modi, Deuba hold bilateral talks in New Delhi, flags off the first cross-border railway link between India and Nepal
- Army inducts Russian Man portable air defence systems (MANPADS); Igla-S is a short-range weapon
- Amid unrest, Sri Lanka imposes curfew; President says Emergency was declared in the interests of public security; protesters ask government to go
- Amazon workers in New York vote to unionise; First labour win in retail firm’s history
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 02, 2022)
- CJI flags ‘falling credibility’ of CBI; Justice Ramana calls for umbrella probe body to avoid multiple proceedings
- Day after unrest, Sri Lanka government declares Emergency
- Centre introduces Antarctica Bill; It envisages regulating visits and activities to the continent without a permit
- Punjab passes resolution to transfer Chandigarh to itself; The Union Territory serves as joint capital with Haryana
- Record nesting of Olive Ridley turtles; Scientists tagged over 6,000 turtles to gather information on breeding behaviour
- Ukraine talks to resume amid tensions; Putin says European countries must pay for Russian energy in roubles; EU rejects ultimatum
- China slams Russia sanctions in summit with EU; At virtual meet, Beijing blames U.S. for pushing to expand the NATO closer to Russia’s borders
- GST collections hit new high in March; Finance Ministry terms record Rs. 1.42 lakh crore of receipts an indicator of a ‘faster recovery’
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (April 01, 2022)
- Supreme Court strikes down T.N. Vanniyar quota; Reservation was based on antiquated quota
- U.S. Deputy NSA warns India of ‘consequences’; Daleep Singh cautions against trade deals with Russia
- India prepared for climate refugees, Centre tells LS; Opposition seeks strategy on tackling emissions from coal
- Hundreds march to Gotabaya’s house; Amid rising costs, shortages of essentials and long power cuts, people call for government to step down
- China, Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to boost three-way ties; Wang Yi calls for extending CPEC to Afghanistan
- Core sector output rises 5.8%; Economists cite low base effect; output shrank 5.3% from January’s level
- Trade gap widens Q3 current account deficit to $23 billion; FDI slumps to $5.1 bn, portfolio investments log net outflow
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 31, 2022)
- Imran loses majority after key partner sides with Opposition; Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif will be next PM, says Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari
- Modi moots free trade agreement for BIMSTEC; MEA says India will be the ‘security pillar’ of the grouping
- ISRO to step up tracking of space debris; New radars and optical telescopes under NETRA project being deployed
- India, Germany discuss Ukraine situation; Berlin’s Foreign and Security Adviser says ‘there is a solid basis of commonality of view with our friends in India’
- Sri Lankan hospital suspend surgeries after 10-hour outage; No oil in power thermal generators, diesel stocks dry up
- Russian, U.S. ISS space travellers return to Earth; U.S. astronaut ends record 355-day stay
- Axis to buy Citi’s India consumer arm for $1.6 bn; Acquirer to absorb 3,600 employees
- Make cotton stock declaration mandatory; Textile sector says reliable data lacking
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 30, 2022)
- Indian power projects replace Chinese ventures in Sri Lanka; Concerns were raised over projects’ proximity to T.N.
- India seeks closer BIMSTEC partnership; Members should create supply and value chains to prevent ‘external shocks’: Jaishankar in Colombo
- Russia to scale back attack near Kyiv; In Istanbul talks, Ukraine proposes neutrality in return for guarantees, signals compromise on Crimea
- Moscow insists on payment in rouble; G7 Ministers call is ‘unacceptable’
- ICRA cuts FY23 growth forecast to 7.2% on Ukraine war, oil costs; Agency sees impact on demand as high fuel, commodity prices squeeze incomes
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 29, 2022)
- Protest in Lok Sabha as Bill envisages lifting biometrics of detainees; New Criminal Procedure Bill violates rights: MPs
- No-confidence motion tabled against Imran government; Opposition says it has 172 votes in 342-seat House
- Zojila tunnel work apace, deadline advanced to 2024; 1,000 workers toiled through winter to speed up project
- Pramod Sawant takes over as Goa CM for a second term; Eight BJP legislators inducted in Cabinet in the first round
- Full passenger traffic recovery by end of FY23, says AAI; Airlines, airports, allied sectors shed 19,200 jobs: MoS Singh
- Eleven crypto exchanges probed for tax evasion: Minister; Almost Rs. 96 crore recovered by GST authorities
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 27 & 28, 2022)
- Ahead of no-trust vote, Imran says no deal with Opposition; Beleaguered Pak. PM says he will continue fight against ‘white collar corruption’
- Russian Foreign Minister to visit Delhi this week; Focus on oil purchase, payment, defence supply hurdles
- India’s ‘space economy’ valued at Rs. 36,794 crore; The sector has evolved considerably and now accounts for about 0.23% of the GDP, says a study by two premier institutions
- India, UAE trade pact likely from May 1; Exporters of almost 6,090 goods will get duty-free access to the UAE market
- U.S. not seeking regime change in Russia; Blinken’s course-correction comes after Biden’s comments suggested a desire for Putin’s ouster
- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets Nepal leaders, signs 9 MoUs; Railway, PowerGrid deals discussed
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 25 & 26, 2022)
- Government steps in to tackle Russian trade hurdles; Jaishankar does not rule out reviving rupee-rouble trade; India abstains in UNGA
- India to be TB-free by 2025: Mansukh; 19% increase in patients in 2021 as compared to previous year, says latest report
- West to bolster Ukraine aid as war enters second month; NATO leaders to boost defences in Eastern Europe, deploy four new combat units
- North Korea fires new ICBM in largest test since 2017; Pyongyang has launched nearly a dozen weapon tests this year in defiance of UN sanctions
- India will need 2,210 new aircraft in the next two decades, says Airbus
- UGC draft rules make entrance test must for PhD admissions; Doctoral candidates would be required to take up 3 courses
- Coal mining operations resume in Assam reserve; It was temporarily suspended in 2020
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 24, 2022)
- Exports cross $400-bn annual target as goods shipments jump; Prime Minister congratulates farmers, weavers and MSMEs on the achievement
- Centre to recall order on COVID containment; Use of masks, hand hygiene to continue
- Pushkar Singh Dhami takes oath as Uttarakhand Chief Minister; Kumaon, Garhwal get representation
- Shringla calls for alignment between UN and LAS; Foreign Secretary spotlights Middle East peace process while battling for a two-state solution in Israel-Palestine conflict
- China: Russia can’t be ousted from G20; U.S., allies assessing its membership
- Poland expels 45 Russian diplomats; Warsaw says they were involved in espionage; Moscow denies allegation, threatens to retaliate
- American mathematician Sullivan wins Abel prize; His ‘ground-breaking contributions to topology’ is honoured
- Domestic air traffic will exceed pre-COVID level by 2023-24; Government to focus on ‘inclusion, access, affordability’, says Aviation Minister Scindia
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 23, 2022)
- Fuel price hike sparks uproar in Parliament; Petrol, diesel to cost 80 paise more; LPG cylinder up by Rs. 50
- Sri Lankan Tamil families flee to India citing economic crisis; 16 people clandestinely reach Rameshwaram in two batches
- Haryana passes Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2022, against religious conversion by allurement, coercion or fraudulent means
- FTA talks expected during Israeli PM’s visit; Five agreements to be signed
- Most of Ganga clean, claims Jal Shakti Ministry; Water clean enough for bathing, capable of supporting river ecosystem
- Biden flags India’s ‘shaky’ response to Putin’s actions; NATO, Pacific presented a united front
- Search on for survivors in China crash; Officials try to locate black box; airline to ground its entire Boeing 737-800 fleet
- Troops roped in to oversee fuel distribution in Sri Lanka; Four die in queues at fuel stations, clashes reported too
- Fitch cuts India’s FY23 growth forecast to 8.5% from 10.3%; Rating firms raises inflation forecast, says it could surpass 7% on higher fuel prices
- Oil climbs close to $116 as EU weighs embargo on Russia; European Union Foreign Ministers are split on oil sanctions
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 22, 2022)
- Indo-Pacific should be free of conflicts, says Morrison; Modi seeks cooperation among democracies of the region
- Plane with 132 on board crashes in China; The Boeing 737 flight suffered a sudden descent and crashed into a mountain
- SC to hear petitions on criteria for EWS quota next month; Court has questioned setting Rs. 8 lakh as annual income limit for reservation
- India puts Boeing 737 fleet under surveillance; Three airlines operate 64 such aircraft
- Less than 1% of oil imports from Russia; Hardeep Singh Puri says India’s major sources of crude are Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Nigeria and U.S.
- 29 stolen antiquities brought back to India from Australia; They will be sent to the States from where they were stolen
- Sri Lanka turns to China for further $2.5 bn assistance; Debt restructuring in the work, says Chinese Ambassador
- World sleepwalking to climate disaster; Plan to cap temperature rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius in on life support: UN Chief
- India comfortably placed to deal with any effect of war; RBI chief says central bank, MPC see no fear of stagflation in the country
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 21, 2022)
- Japan still hopes India will join RCEP; Collaborations between the two countries may suffer if it stays out, says Kishida Cabinet official
- Covishield second dose eight weeks after first dose; Government has to take the final call: NTAGI
- India hopes to put down roots in Arctic; Nations aspires to have a permanent presence with more research and satellite stations in the region
- Ukraine colleges offer online classes; Indian panel, however, does not recognise or approve any medical course held only in online mode
- Islands brace for cyclone, ship services suspended; People evacuated from coastal areas of Andaman: Officials
- Yemen rebels launch strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities; Oil production at one site was affected temporarily
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 19 & 20, 2022)
- India plans to introduce 8 deep ocean gliders; Ocean mission is aimed at studying climate conditions, monsoon patterns
- Restart monitoring respiratory infections; Alert follows COVID-19 surge in southeast Asia, Europe
- Suspected poisoning kills 100 vultures in Assam; Experts at the conservation centre save 12 Himalayan griffons and a steppe eagle
- Moscow using UN to spread propaganda, say six nations; Meet convened to discuss claims about Kyiv’s bioweapons
- Great Barrier Reef suffers severe coral bleaching; UN set to reconsider its heritage status
- Finland ranked happiest country for fifth year; Afghanistan, Lebanon come last on list
- India, Japan set target for $42 bn investment; Kishida discusses Ukraine conflict, LAC situation with Modi
- Study reveals major decline in golden langur habitat; Impact of land-use change will be fatal to them, says officer
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 17 & 18, 2022)
- Neutrality for Ukraine is on the table: Lavrov; There’s hope for compromise, says Russian Foreign Minister
- India and China in talks over Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit; Month-end visit could mark turnaround in relations between the neighbours
- Patent rights on COVID-19 jabs may be waived; The reprieve will, however, not apply to drugs, diagnostic devices, says European Union proposal
- Stress for banks likely on Russia-Ukraine crisis: S&P; Progress slow on existing weak assets
- Indian firms buy more oil from Russia, energy ties may deepen; After IOC, HPCL buys two million barrels of crude
- South Korea registers over 6 lakh COVID-19 cases in a day; WHO warns nations to be more vigilant as global cases spike
- Sustainability the focus at Dubai Expo; Event with 192 pavilions coming to a close on March 31
- Ukraine war could cut 1% off global growth: OECD; It urges targeted government spending hikes
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 16, 2022)
- Wearing hijab is not essential part of religion: Karnataka HC; Ban in schools constitutionally permissible
- Apex court stays telecast ban on MediaOne; Channel can operate as before January 31
- SOPs under review after accidental missile launch; We attach highest priority to safety and security of our weapon systems, says Defence Minister
- U.S. warns China against Russia support; Jake Sullivan and Yang Jiechi held substantial discussion on Russia’s war against Ukraine: White House
- Russian forces press in on Kyiv as talks resume; 35-hour curfew to come into effect
- No question of national unity government now, says Ranil; National consensus needed to tide over economic crisis
- High crude oil prices are unsustainable; India is well braced to cope with surge in import costs; WPI inflation to ease soon: Finance Ministry
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 15, 2022)
- COVID jab for 12-14 age group from tomorrow; They will get Corbevax; precaution dose for all above 60
- Retail inflation climbs to 6.07%; Touches an eight-month high in February
- China backs Pakistan call for investigation; Spotlight on missile firing incident
- Ukraine, Russia cite progress in talks; Putin’s forces edge closer to capital Kyiv, keep up siege of southern port city of Mariupol
- Iran Foreign Minister heads to Moscow for nuclear talks; Negotiations stalled after Russia demanded new guarantees
- Maldives lifts health emergency, mask mandate; The government will draw up and implement a ‘national strategy’ going forward
- Merchandise exports rose 25%, imports surged 36% in February; Trade deficit widens to $20.9 billion on sharper growth in non-gold imports
- February wholesale price inflation quickens to 13.11%; Inflation in manufactured products picks up pace
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 14, 2022)
- PM briefed on missile issue, reviews defence situation; Cabinet Committee on Security meeting also discusses fallout of Ukraine war
- With the Russian forces stepping up their attack on Ukrainian cities, India relocates embassy in Ukraine to Poland
- Ukraine crisis delays AK-203 retrials; While the production activities are on, manufacturing of rifles will start after the tests
- Russian airstrike hits Army base, kills 35; Over 30 cruise missiles pound the facility used to train Ukrainian military personnel, host NATO drills
- Adani group inks deal for power projects in Sri Lanka; The renewable energy projects aim at generating combined capacity of 500 MW, at a cost of $500 mn
- Government drugstores to sell nutraceuticals; Currently, there are 8,675 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendras operational across the country
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 12 & 13, 2022)
- EPF rate cut to 8.1% to hit savings; Trade union representatives decry decision
- ‘Positive shifts’ in talks with Ukraine: Putin; Russian President plays down sanctions
- India orders inquiry into accidental firing of missile; Caused due to a glitch, it tells Pakistan
- India, China holds 15th round of military talks; Focus on PP 15 in Gogra-Hot Springs
- U.S., allies to end normal trade ties with Russia; President Joe Biden also announces ban on imports of seafood, vodka and diamonds
- North Korea may fire missile to put satellite in space; South Korea detected 2 launches last week
- India, Canada to reboot trade agreement talks; Investment protection treaty on cards
- Iran deal could collapse on Russian demands; Conclude deal with urgency: E3 group
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 09, 10 & 11, 2022)
- Ukraine drops pitch for NATO; Zelensky says open to compromise on breakaway regions; Zelensky asks Modi to help end conflict
- All international flights to resume from March 27; Move ahead of summer travel season could bring down fares
- Bangladesh, India, Nepal to move ahead on Motor Vehicles Agreement pact; Bhutan has not endorsed the plan for now
- ICRA sees serious downside risks to growth; Current account deficit to cross 3.2%
- Overthrowing Ukraine government is not our goal, says Russia; Will prefer to achieve Kyiv’s neutral status through talks
- Cabinet nod for new firm to monetise land assets; Government eyes substantial revenues
- EU tightens sanctions on Russia, blacklists lawmakers; Three Belarusian banks cut off from the SWIFT system
- Soaring energy prices could hurt growth, consumption, warns S&P; It says large net energy importers like India could face ‘terms of trade’ shock
- Kremlin hits back at Western sanctions with export bans; Putin says actions are hurting U.S., where inflation is rising
- Iran won’t accept curbs on its defensive power; Talks on nuclear deal in final stages
- Inflation may stay below 6% even if oil averages $100: Crisil
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 08, 2022)
- Labour Ministry launches ‘donate a pension’ scheme; It allows a citizen to pay premium for unorganised workers
- DD India is now on OTT platform; Prasar Bharati signs MoU with Yupp TV to expand channel’s reach to U.S., Europe
- China says U.S. is trying to build ‘Indo-Pacific NATO’; Wang Yi describes ties with Russia as being ‘rock solid’
- Russia give hearing at UN top court a skip; Kyiv lodged a case at the ICJ on February 27
- Sensex plunges 2.74% as crude price surges; Impact on fiscal deficit, CAD feared
- Exports of processed agri foods rise 23%: Government; Rice top forex earner in April-January
- China’s export growth slows, Ukraine crisis poses risk; Exports rose 16.3% in Jan-Feb, slower than 20.9% in December
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 06 & 07, 2022)
- Putin warns against imposing any no-fly zone over Ukraine; He says a third party declaration means joining war
- FATF retains Pakistan on its terror funding ‘grey list’; Country meets 32 of 34 action points
- 2 rare spiders rediscovered after a century; Species spotted on campus of Christ College at Irinjalakuda in Kerala
- Naval exercise MILAN concludes in Vishakapatnam; The sea phase of the 11th edition saw the participation of 26 ships, one submarine and 21 aircraft from over 40 countries
- China hikes military spending by 7.1%, sets 5.5% GDP target; A draft budget says defence spending would be hiked to 1.45 trillion Yuan
- Europe’s fastest rising refugee crisis since Second World War; Over 1.5 million refugees from Ukraine crossed into neighbouring nations: UN
- Locally made trainer aircraft trainer aircraft finishes sea trials; HANSA-NG is reportedly one of the most advanced trainers
- North Korea confirms tests on reconnaissance satellite; Data transmission, reception and control system tested
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 05, 2022)
- India abstains again on vote at the UNHRC as the Council decided to set up an international commission of enquiry into Russia’s actions in Ukraine
- Halt hostilities for evacuation, India urges Russia and Ukraine; Over 1,000 students trapped in Kharkiv, Sumy
- Russia seizes Europe’s largest nuclear plant; Fears of a potential disaster at the Ukrainian facility sparks alarm; ‘No signs of elevated radiation levels’
- China Parliament to meet amid economy, Ukraine challenges; Beijing may raise defence budget by around 7%: reports
- UNSC holds meet to discuss Zaporizhzhia fire; Several western countries, including the U.S., U.K., slammed Russia for endangering nuclear facilities
- Conflict will worsen chip shortage: Moody’s arm; ‘Neon, palladium supplies may be fit’
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 04, 2022)
- Andhra Pradesh government can’t change capital: A.P. High Court; HC directed state government to construct and develop Amaravati within six months
- High death toll among unvaccinated; ICMR chief says 92% of those who died of COVID-19 this year had not received the doses
- Huge tax evasion done by multinational group: I-T Department; It manipulated books of account to show reduced income
- Beijing-based AIIB puts Russia, Belarus projects on hold; Adherence to international law lies at core of institution
- Sri Lanka reels under fuel crunch, power cuts; Energy, Industries Ministers sacked after both criticised government response to the dollar crisis
- Trade deficit seen high, to widen CAD; Nomura sees oil surge, gold demand swell import bill; conflict may broaden current account gap
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 03, 2022)
- UN General Assembly asks Russia to pull back troops; India abstains from voting on resolution
- U.S. imposes sanctions on Belarus; Biden slams Putin, outlines fight against inflation in U.S.; Won’t send troops to Ukraine, he says at SOTU address
- Trade deficit widens to $21 bn again as imports climb 35%; Cumulative exports near $400 bn target, gold imports regain momentum
- Banks fret as sanctions stall Russia trade settlements; RBI meets with select bankers to assess lenders’ exposure
- February manufacturing PMI signals uptick in output, orders; Margin worries continue to spur job losses, says IHS Markit
- Oil spikes as Russian supply concerns rise; Sanctions on Russian banks takes toll
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 02, 2022)
- Six days and 6.7 lakh refugees: the world is in throes of a crisis; Around a million are estimated to be internally displaced in Ukraine, says UN
- JEE-Main 2022 first phase to begin on April 16, says NTA
- Geotagging of Waqf properties picks up pace; Project under Quami Waqf Boards Taraqqiati Scheme’s deadline revised to November 2023
- Doubts over defence supplies to India; Deliveries from Moscow, Kyiv could be delayed; threat of sanctions loom large
- Washington expels 12 Moscow UN diplomats on spying charges; Russia says the move curtailed chances for diplomacy
- Cash-strapped Egypt hikes Suez Canal transit fees for ships
- War may spur shift of IT jobs from Russia, Ukraine to India; About 70% of these 80,000-1 lakh jobs may come to India
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (March 01, 2022)
- Fighting in Ukraine must stop: UN chief; Ukraine, Russia spar at UN General Assembly meet; Talks between Moscow, Kyiv to continue
- Ukraine seeks to join EU as first round of talks with Russia ends; Russia economy reels under array of sanctions
- Diplomats reconvene for Iran nuclear talks; Tehran says it awaits West’s political decisions; France calls for restoring agreement soon
- Core sector growth moderates to 3.7%, cement expands 13.6%; Crude oil output slips for 50th month in a row, fertilizer production dips 2%
- Fiscal deficit stood at 58.9% of target in January; FY22 estimate revised upwards
- Former banker Madhabi Puri Buch has been appointed as the new chairperson of the SEBI; She is SEBI’s first women chief
- Russia placed in ‘restricted’ cover list amid conflict: ECGC; Move based on near-term outlook, says the corporation
- India faces limited commodity price risk; Primary risk is from oil price rise: ICRA
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 27 & 28, 2022)
- ‘Disturbed’ India abstains from vote against Russia at UNSC; ‘Saddened’ Ukraine refers to plight of Indians in country under Russian attack
- Researchers report new plant variety belonging to ginger family; New variety spotted in Mizoram
- France seizes Russia-bound ship ‘violating’ EU sanctions; the vessel transporting cars was headed for St. Petersburg
- U.S. slaps sanctions on Putin, Lavrov; Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says ‘further costs’ could be imposed on Russia
- ECGC halts credit guarantee for shipments to Russia; FIEO chief terms move a ‘huge setback’ for exporters
- India is engaged with all parties on Ukraine: Foreign Secretary; Shringla says nation has direct interest in the region, dialogue only way forward
- India to face tough choices at UNGA; Pressure on from the U.S., European countries seeking to ‘isolate’ Russia
- DRDO, Safran to develop engine for aircraft; India, France to ink deal to develop 125KN engine for indigenous fighter soon
- West unleashes SWIFT bans, more harsh blows on Moscow; The disruption could create unrest against Putin at home
- UN flags Colombo’s efforts on rights; New report comes ahead of the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 25 & 26, 2022)
- World shocked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine; Eight killed, nine wounded, says Ukraine official; U.S. unveils more sanctions
- U.S. group hacked Indian research institutes: China firm; Websites of Institute of Microbial Technology, Indian Academy of Sciences, Banaras Hindu University among those reportedly compromised
- Crisis a chance for India to export more wheat; 18% of global exports are from Russia
- Moody raises India’s 2022 GDP outlook to 9.5% from 7%; Sanctions on Russia may spur oil, gas prices
- Pakistan National Bank fined $55 mn by U.S.; Analyst says no significant impact on FATF review
- Radiation spike in Chernobyl: Ukraine; Russia has seized the nuclear plant
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 24, 2022)
- Indian stand ‘balanced, independent’, says Russia; U.S. sanctions over Ukraine won’t stop S-400 delivery: Envoy
- Ukraine mobilises troops amid and tensions; Over 2 lakh reservists summoned to their units; Kiev urges its citizens in Russia to leave immediately
- China accuses U.S. of raising tensions on Ukraine issue; It slams U.S. for Russia sanctions, sending weapons to Kiev
- U.S. and allies unveil more Russia sanctions; EU adds members of Parliament to blacklist; U.K. bans trading of new Russian bonds in security markets
- Macron to kick off re-election bid on March 5; Two rounds of voting on April 10, 24
- Russia-Ukraine conflict to lift oil, gas prices; Moody’s; India imports about 85% of its crude
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 23, 2022)
- De-escalation of Russia-Ukraine tensions top priority, says India; All sides should exercise utmost restraint and engage in dialogue, it says at UN
- J&K delimitation panel gets 2-month extension; Move will further delay elections
- Russia faces sanctions after Putin move; U.S. terms Russia’s troops deployment in eastern Ukraine invasion; West to announce new sanctions
- China walks tightrope on Ukraine crisis; Beijing has packed Moscow’s security concerns but also called for Kiev’s sovereignty to be respected
- Crude oil poses key risk to financial stability: Finance Minister; Keeping an eye on global headwinds and extreme volatility in markets, but no plans to defer LIC IPO
- Centre may auction more debt in FY22; Aim is to take advantage of low yields
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 22, 2022)
- Ukraine keeps India in loop, alleges disinformation drive; Separatists making provocative allegations: Kiev
- India and France discuss Afghanistan, Ukraine crisis; Jaishankar holds talks with his French counterpart
- Union Budget will help in implementing NEP: Modi; PM Modi moots National Digital University
- Russia to recognize Ukraine rebel regions; Kremlin says Putin will sign orders on independence of breakaway Lugansk and Donetsk territories
- Pakistan brings in cybercrime law targeting criticism of military; Five years in prison and no bail for posting ‘fake news’
- Australia calls for ‘full probe’ by China into laser incident; PLA vessel directed a laser at aircraft within Australia’s EEZ
- Iran makes ‘significant progress’ in nuclear talks; Key negotiator says talks to continue
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 20 & 21, 2022)
- Russia starts nuclear drills; Biden says war imminent; Forces moving closer to border: Austin
- Russia, Belarus extend military drills; NATO says Russia has stationed 30,000 troops in Belarus and could use them to invade Ukraine
- Iran MPs set conditions for N-deal; Seek guarantee nations won’t pull out of pact or trigger snapback mechanism
- Putin, Macron agree to work for ceasefire; Foreign Ministers set to meet
- Government flags off 100 kisan drones; New chapter in modern farming facilities, PM Modi says
- First batch of MH-60R copters to arrive by July; They are likely to be based in Kochi
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 18 & 19, 2022)
- Supreme Court lifts stay on Haryana quota for private jobs; Court requests HC to decide on plea again within 4 weeks
- Jaishankar leaves for Germany, France; Focus remains on Russia; EU counterparts to push for a tougher line from New Delhi on Moscow’s actions
- India’s first water taxi service inaugurated in Maharashtra; Project connects Navi Mumbai with the main city
- France to withdraw troops from Mali after 10 years; This comes after breakdown in relations with ruling junta
- China asks India to ensure fair treatment of Chinese firms; Chinese statement follows ban on 54 apps, searches at premises of telco Huawei
- Russia welcomes India’s stand on eastern Ukraine situation; Issue can be resolved only through diplomatic dialogue, says India at UNSC
- Hydrogen policy calls for more incentives: Experts; Production target of 5 mn tonne set
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 15, 16 & 17, 2022)
- Inflation edges past 6% in January; Rural India bears the brunt of spike
- ISRO puts 3 satellites into orbit aboard PSLV C-52; The first launch of the year under the new Chairman S. Somanath went off without a glitch
- Sensex slides 3% on worries over Russia-Ukraine tensions
- January wholesale price inflation slows a tad to 12.96%; Rate remains above 10% for the tenth successive month
- Russia says some troops pulling back from areas near Ukraine; But military exercises to continue; Putin says ‘ready to work further’ with the West
- Anti-lynching Bills passed by four states hanging fire; Lynching not defined as a crime under IPC, Centre has said
- SVAMITVA scheme: India to make digital maps of all villages; Updated guidelines to make it easier for surveys to be undertaken using drones
- India lacks solar waste handling policy; IRENA has estimated that global photovoltaic waste will touch 78 million tonnes by 2050
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 13 & 14, 2022)
- UN World Food Programme to allot Indian wheat in Afghanistan; India signs agreement with the UN wing to manage the distribution of the humanitarian assistance
- India reaches out to nationals in Ukraine; It gears up for possible evacuation
- Last batch of Rafale jets to arrive next week; India-specific enhancements are being incorporated on all the aircrafts, say defence officials
- U.S. to open Solomon Islands embassy to counter China; Beijing using loans, debts to hold sway over Pacific nation
- Centre readies for LIC listing, to offload 5% stake in insurer; Union government files draft red herring prospectus with the regulator
- Untie noose around Kiev, Germany tells Russia; Ukraine vows to keep its airspace functioning
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 11 & 12, 2022)
- Country records 57,471 new COVID-19 cases; TPR at 3.8%; Total infections reach 4.24 crore; Active cases down to 9.4 lakh
- Russia launches Belarus military drills; Ukraine denounces the exercises as ‘psychological pressure’, France terms them ‘a very violent gesture’
- Indo-Pacific region will shape the century: Blinken; More than ever before, we need partnerships
- RBI retains ‘status quo’ to spur growth; Central Bank’s MPC holds interest rates, keeps stance ‘accommodative’ to ensure durable recovery
- Cryptos are a threat to financial stability: RBI Governor; Lack of underlying is risk to investors
- Will continue to support India’s rise and regional leadership: U.S.; Collective action is key to Washington’s new Indo-Pacific strategy
- IIP growth slowed to 0.4% in December; Data shows capital goods, consumer durables output shrank signalling poor investment, consumption
- Global stocks slip as U.S. inflation hits 40-year high; U.S. price-rise is a story of overheating
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 10, 2022)
- Scientists set new record in nuclear fusion energy; Team at JET near Oxford generated 59 megajoules of sustained energy
- 66,871 new COVID-19 cases recorded; Active cases down to 8.1 lakh
- Over 40% of teaching posts in IITs vacant: Government; Data show poor representation for reserved groups
- India bans drone import to help domestic sector; Exceptions given for R&D, defence
- Quad Ministers set to meet in Australia; Jaishankar will join other Foreign Ministers to discuss cooperation on vaccines, tech and security
- Iran’s missile puts Israel, U.S. bases within range; The missile has ‘high accuracy’
- GST reset report to be in by April; Group of Ministers led by Bommai could review 18% rate on health insurance too
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 08 & 09, 2022)
- One-third of Rs. 10,990 crores in PM CARES fund spent: Audit; Rs. 100 crore promised for vaccine development not allotted
- India records 65,513 new cases, 1,169 deaths; Most cases from Kerala; Test positivity rate stands at 5.6%
- Iran nuclear deal talks to resume in Vienna: EU; Significant progress made, says Tehran
- Haryana Cabinet nod for anti-conversion Bill; Umpteen cases of religious conversions recorded
- EU joins chips race with $49.1 billion bid to rival Asia; Bloc aims for 20% of global market by quadrupling efforts
- Sri Lanka to launch its own ‘Aadhaar’; India agrees to provide a grant to implement the ‘digital identity framework’
- Bharti Airtel Q3 net slips 2.8% as network, finance costs rise; Telecom operator logs Rs. 830 crore profit as revenue rises 12.6% to Rs.29,867 crore
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 06 & 07, 2022)
- U.S. restores sanction waiver to Iran; The waiver on the civilian programme is a technical step needed to revive deal
- India risks being edged out of patent waiver plan at WTO
- Many seats redrawn in J&K delimitation draft; NC rejects interim, calls it unconstitutional
- Active COVID-19 case load in country crosses 11 lakh; 84,474 new cases, 887 deaths recorded in last 24 hours
- Russia 70% combat-ready for invasion: U.S.; National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says Russia could invade Ukraine within days or weeks
- North Korea is continuing its nuclear programmes: UN; DPRK is seeking material, technology
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 04 & 05, 2022)
- Indian diplomats to boycott Beijing games; Selection of PLA’s Galwan soldier as torchbearer sparks row
- HC stays Haryana job quota for locals; Industry bodies welcome order; Government vows to ensure local employment
- Active cases breach 15 lakh mark; 1,056 deaths recovered; Country records 1.47 lakh fresh COVID-19 cases
- Chandrayaan-3 set for launch in August; It is a follow-up to Chandrayaan-2 launched in 2019
- Russia deploys more troops in Belarus; NATO: 30,000 combat troops are in Ukraine’s northern neighbour for joint drill
- U.S. sends military aid to UAE after Houthi attacks; Warship, fighter jets part of package
- India’s EXIM Bank, Sri Lanka sign $500-mn loan agreement
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 02 & 03, 2022)
- Union Budget 2022-23 highlights:
- 5G services to roll out in FY23; TRAI setting auction terms : Government
- FM retains tax slabs, allowed updated returns
- Budget extends more sops for IFSC; International Arbitration Centre to be set up in GIFT City
- Cooperative societies get tax, surcharges relief; Alternate Minimum Tax slashed to 15%
- Textile sector allocation to increase 8.1% for FY23; Bulk to fund CCI for cotton purchases
- Emergency credit line for MSMEs extended till March 2023; Budget provides additional credit to more than 130 lakh units
- ‘Green Bonds’ target carbon neutrality; To help India achieve net zero by 2070
- Digital rupee to arrive in new fiscal, to use blockchain technology; It will lead to a cheaper currency management system
- 16% hike in healthcare sector allocation; Zero allocation for emergency response fund
- Amnesty International labels Israel an ‘apartheid state’ that treats Palestinians as ‘an inferior racial group’
- Chinese, French firms ink Uganda oil deal; $10 billion project invites wrath of environmental groups
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (February 01, 2022)
- Economic Survey pegs growth at 8-8.5% in 2022-23; Concerns remain over hardening inflation, liquidity woes
- World Heritage tag: India nominates Hoysala temples; Dossier submitted to UNESCO
- Ministry cancels broadcasting licence for MediaOne channel; Ministry of Home Affairs denies security clearance
- India, Russia hold discussion on UN Security Council agenda; Moscow to assume Presidency of Council in February
- India records 1.65 lakh new COVID cases; Active cases cross 18.2 lakh mark; Kerala reports most deaths at 729, followed by Karnataka 56
- India ranks third globally in forest area again: Survey; Forest covered 24% of area in 2020
- India calls for ‘quiet diplomacy’ on Ukraine; It backs ‘immediate de-escalation’
- Adopt UNCITRAL for cross-border insolvency; Framework is widely accepted: Survey
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 31, 2022)
- Pegasus issue to roil Budget session; Congress demands privilege motion against Information Technology Minister
- EPFO to appoint auditor to track fund managers; Investments to be scrutinised daily
- Another BrahMos deal in the pipeline; It could be linked with Philippines Army
- India records a spike with 404 COVID-19 deaths; Along with 28,264 infections, Karnataka tops the list and 68 casualties, followed by Maharashtra at 50 and T.N. at 38
- Britain to widen sanctions on Russia to deter Ukraine invasion; New law to target more firms linked to Kremlin
- North Korea test-fires most powerful missile since 2017; Sunday’s test was Pyongang’s seventh launch this month
- ‘Bomb cyclone’ hits eastern U.S., triggers transport chaos, outages; Residents in towns and cities urged to avoid all unnecessary travel
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 30, 2022)
- Active caseload hovers around 20 lakh; As many as 2.3 lakh fresh cases and 872 fatalities were recorded across the country
- Opposition slams government as report says India bought NSO spyware
- BSF, Pakistan Rangers resume dialogue; Indian side raised drone incursions
- Parasitic plant found in Nicobar eco hotspot; Septemeranthus partially depends on its host but also has leaves capable of photosynthesis
- India, Oman to hold 10th military cooperation meeting; Defence Secretary General to visit New Delhi
- Biden to send troops to Europe amid Ukraine diplomacy push; Russia has enough troops, facilities in place to threaten Kiev, says Pentagon
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 29, 2022)
- Willing to talk to Pakistan on pilgrim flights: India; Officials to meet to upgrade 1974 protocol on religious travel
- 2.34 lakh fresh cases in India, 857 deaths recorded; Number of fatalities higher than last week’s average
- Don’t want wars, but won’t let interests be ignored: Russia; Putin will decide response to U.S. proposals: Lavrov
- States must decide on SC/ST quota in promotions, says Supreme Court; Bench refuses to set norm on poor representation
- Philippines inks $375 mn BrahMos missile deal; This is the first export order for missile
- Engage in debates in the House, not in ridiculing each other: SC; Elected members are expected to show statesmanship and not brinkmanship
- Study raises concerns on NeoCov; Wuhan researches say single molecular change in virus can infect humans
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 28, 2022)
- Central Asia meet forms Afghan group; PM says countries concerned about the developments in Afghanistan; leaders discuss connectivity
- Early signs of a flat COVID-19 caseload, says government; Need to track changes: Health Ministry
- Russia sees room for dialogue with U.S.; Kremlin says it would take more time to review the written response from U.S. to its security demands
- North Korea fires 2 missiles as testing blitz continues; Record launches in a single month
- EU launches WTO case against China for ‘targeting’ Lithuania; Beijing allegedly blocked imports, launched trade sanctions
- India seen boosting budget spending on infrastructure; Fiscal constraints limit room for concessions to pandemic-hit households
- Bonds, rupee weaken as Fed tone sparks outflow concerns; U.S. central bank says interest rate increase likely in March
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 27, 2022)
- Fewer hospitalisations in third wave, data from States show; Though active COVID cases are at 22.2 lakh, 95% of hospital beds remain vacant
- India slams Pakistan at UN Security Council; Islamabad supporting terrorists, it says
- PM Modi to hold Central Asia summit today; Trade, connectivity on the agenda for the conference; Afghanistan situation also to be taken up
- Decommissioned INS Khukri to be converted into museum; The Navy vessel handed over to Diu administration
- Xi offers Central Asian nations $500 mn; He chaired a virtual summit with regional leaders, two days before India’s virtual summit with them
- U.S. should give legal security guarantees on NATO : Russia; Envoy says Moscow expects a written response from U.S.
- Oil rises towards $89 on Russia tension; Biden threatens sanctions on Putin over any invasive of Ukraine; West Asia adds to supply worries
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 26, 2022)
- Centre to remind States again of IAS cadre rules; Plans to acquire powers to depute IAS/IPS and IFoS officers to the Central Government and Ministries without necessarily taking the States’ nod
- ‘Inaccuracies, procedural violations’ in Great Nicobar EIA report; Public hearing scheduled for tomorrow
- India’s active case tally crosses 22.3 lakh mark; Country recorded 2.84 new cases
- West is ‘united’ against Russia : Biden; Pentagon says 8,500 U.S. troops were put on standby for possible deployment to boost NATO
- Pfizer-BioNTech starts trials for Omicron-specific vaccine; Goal is to examine immune response of inoculated persons
- Russia launches new military exercises near Ukraine border
- Norway wants to put ‘tangible demands’ on Taliban at talks; Sharing stage with the world is a success in itself, says group
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 25, 2022)
- Pakistan sends India a plea by Hindu body for air pilgrimage; Officials in Delhi, Islamabad cautious, say government clearances may take time
- India’s total case tally reaches 3.95 crore; Tamil Nadu reports most number of deaths at 46, Punjab follows with 39 and West Bengal 37
- Amid Ukraine crisis, NATO sends planes, ships to eastern Europe; U.S., Britain and Australia order diplomats’ families to leave Kiev
- China sends 52 aircraft towards Taiwan zone; Taipei scrambles jets, issues warnings
- India can make $300-bn electronics by 2026; Challenges must be overcome : Report
- COVID 3.0 drags activity lower by 20% in less than a month; Nomura business resumption index slides to 100.5, from 120.2 a month ago
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 24, 2022)
- Omicron in community transmission: INSACOG; Most cases mild, but hospitalisations, ICU cases up; 3.05 lakh cases on Sunday
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change : Ranking of State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities will bring in efficiency in decision making without diluting any regulatory safeguards
- Competition Commission of India imposes penalty on maritime transport companies for indulging in cartelisation
- Moscow may install proxies in Kiev: U.K.; Britain claims to have evidence of Kremlin trying to install pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine
- Taliban, Afghan civil society members begin Oslo talks; Women activists, journalists meet ruling dispensation
- Peru declares environmental emergency following oil spill; Waves from Tonga eruption hit a tanker unloading at refinery
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 22 & 23, 2022)
- Amar Jawan Jyoti now merged with War Memorial flame: Government; Congress and some veterans oppose removal of tribute to 1971 Bangladesh war
- People can soon invest in infra projects: Gadkari; SEBI nod awaited, says Minister
- 3.33 lakh new cases reported; Active cases crossed the 20.18-lakh mark; total number of infections at 3.88 crore
- Antrix-Devas may not be last such high-profile row; Many challenges faced by tech firms entering private sector
- U.S., Russia seek to ease Ukraine tensions; Russia seeks exit of NATO from Bulgaria, Romania
- Taliban delegation heads for Oslo talks; Afghan regime’s meeting with Western officials to focus on human rights and humanitarian aid
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 21, 2022)
- Supreme Court upholds OBC quota in NEET; Open exam only ensures formal equality, does not end ingrained inequalities
- Assam, Meghalaya CMs meet Amit Shah on boundary issues; Home Ministry to examine regional committee reports further talks
- Extended range BrahMos tested; Launch conducted by BrahMos Aerospace in coordination with DRDO teams
- Active cases breach 19.7 lakh; Country sees 3.43 lakh new cases, 682 deaths were recorded; positivity rate stands at 17.7%
- U.S. warns Russia on invading Ukraine; Any incursion would be met with a ‘severe’ response from the U.S. and its allies, says White House
- U.S. warship’s South China Sea passage sparks row; PLA says forces deployed to drive it away
- India Ratings pegs FY23 GDP growth at 7.6%; Agency expects fiscal deficit at 5.8-6%
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 20, 2022)
- States weigh options on IAS cadre rule changes; Six of them have written to Centre opposing any such move
- No foreign dignitary as chief guest at Republic Day event; PM will meet five Central Asian leaders virtually
- Special camps to register workers on e-Shram portal; 21 centres to aid migrant workers reactivated
- New COVID-19 cases cross 3 lakh mark; 18.9 lakh active cases across India; 475 deaths on Wednesday, higher than the average levels last week
- U.S. boosts military aid to Kiev, asks Russia to choose ‘peaceful path’
- Economic recovery is yet to attain durability, says ICRA; Early data for January is weak following reimposition of curbs to check third wave
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 19, 2022)
- Government : No one died of hunger in recent times; Comprehensive steps have been taken, it tells Supreme Court
- Tableaux selection fair, says Rajnath; Well-established system in place, Defence Minister tells CMs of Bengal, Tamil Nadu over rejection of their State tableaux
- Saudi Arabia hits back at Houthi rebels after UAE drone attack; 14 persons dead in strike on Sana’a; the coalition also intercepted eight drones
- Rising sea levels prompt Indonesia to relocate capital from Jakarta to “Nusantara”
- Cyberattacks surge as COVID spurs digital rush; Ransomware incidents rose 151%: WEF’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2022
- India extends $500-mn credit to Sri Lanka for fuel imports; Move part of $1.5bn facility, follows recent $900 mn relief
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 17 & 18, 2022)
- India records a 40% spike in COVID infections over a week; 2.55 lakh new cases in 24 hours; Maharashtra, Karnataka register most cases
- MeitY invites applications under Chips to Startup Programme from academia, R&D organisations, startups and MSMEs
- Ukraine says it has ‘evidence’ that Russia’s behind cyberattack; Microsoft says more organisations could be affected
- Tsunami threat around Pacific basin from huge undersea volcanic eruption begins to recede
- COVID-19 spike continues, 2.32 lakh cases on Monday; At 17.7%, test positivity rate the highest in the ongoing wave
- Two Indians, a Pakistani killed in UAE tanker blasts; Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim responsibility for attack
- North Korea fires more missiles; Country’s fourth weapons test this month as it ignores offer for talks by U.S.
- Impact of tsunami being assessed in Tonga; Ash, contaminated water pose threat
- Xi Jinping rejects ‘Cold War mentality’; Chinese President pledges to send an additional 1 billion doses of COVID vaccine to other countries
- Germany vows ‘to do all’ to guarantee Ukraine’s security; NATO, Kiev sign agreement to bolster cybersecurity
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 16, 2022)
- Election Commission ban on rallies in five poll-bound States till January 22
- Daily COVID-19 cases remain high; Recorded 2,62,938 cases and 305 deaths; Kerala records the highest number of casualties
- Philippines approves deal for BrahMos missile; The contract is worth $374.96 mn
- China, Iran start implementing sweeping strategic agreement; Beijing says it will continue to oppose illegal sanctions against Tehran
- U.S. coast on tsunami alert after Pacific volcano; Waves lash island nation of Tonga
- Russian invasion of Ukraine likely; U.S. cites intelligence reports stating Moscow will conduct ‘a false-flag operation’
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 13 & 14, 2022)
- Retail inflation accelerates to 5.59%; Industrial output growth slows to 1.4% in November : NSO
- S. Somanath appointed new Chairman of ISRO; He played a major role in development of the GSLV Mk-III
- Assam, Meghalaya to end border dispute by January 21; Amit Shah to seal deal on six of the 12 areas
- Broadcast Audience Research Council ratings for news channels to resume soon; It was suspended after Mumbai police busted a TRP racket
- India reports 2.41 lakh new cases, 372 deaths; 165% rise in infections compared with a week ago
- Russia, NATO lay out stark differences on Ukraine crisis; The alliance defends its ‘open-door-policy’, invites Moscow for more talks
- Omicron is ‘dangerous’ for unvaccinated : WHO; Risk of a deadline variant remains
- India, China agree for more LAC talks; 14th round of talks between military commanders did not yield breakthrough
- India extends $900 mn aid to Sri Lanka; It includes a $400 mn currency swap and deferred payment of $500 mn
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 12, 2022)
- BrahMos advanced variant test fired; The extended range naval version of the missile was launched from a destroyer
- India’s passport rank improves to 83 from 90 in the Henley Passport Index
- India records a whopping 1.85 lakh cases; Highest single-day rise in infections in the third and ongoing wave; active cases cross nine-lakh
- Ties with NATO have reached a ‘moment of truth’ : Russia; Moscow has demanded security guarantees from alliance
- Ukrainian President Zelensky calls for international summit to end Ukraine crisis
- Corporate profitability likely fell in Q3 after 11 quarters : Crisil; But, revenue momentum was sustained by price increases
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 11, 2022)
- Two lakh more got jobs in 9 sectors in July-September last year; The Quarterly Employment Survey was released by Union Labour Ministry
- Ministry of Home Affairs seeks more time to frame CAA rules; Without the rules being framed, the Act cannot be implemented; the third extension expired on January 9
- India, South Korea to hold bilateral talks; Focus mainly on large trade deficit, market access issues and non-tariff barriers faced by Indian exporters
- Test positivity rate in India climbs to 12%; Nearly 1.61 lakh new cases and 428 deaths reported in country, active cases surge towards 8-lakh mark
- Suu Kyi sentenced to 4 years in prison; Charges include illegal possession of walkie-talkies; ousted leader faces a total six-year prison term
- No one should interfere in China-Sri Lanka ties; Chinese Foreign Minister proposes a forum on the development of Indian Ocean island countries
- India IT firms to log 20-30% growth in 2022 : Analysts; Digital transformation to power deals
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 10, 2022)
- NEET-PG counselling from January 12: Centre; Supreme Court order paves the way for process to begin
- India adds 1.79 lakh COVID-19 cases; Infections surge in big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai
- Centre yet to notify rules of Citizenship Amendment Act; January 9 was the last day of the third extended deadline
- Former RBI Governor Urjit Patel joins Beijing-based AIIB; Will be Vice-President at Beijing-based multilateral bank
- Indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant heads out for next set of sea trials; Readings on performance to be taken
- 164 dead, nearly 6,000 held after Kazakhstan protests; Detainees include ‘substantial number of foreign nationals’
- Russia to stand firm on Ukraine in talks with U.S.; Kremlin disappointed with signals coming from NATO, EU
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 08 & 09, 2022)
- SC permits NEET counselling under present OBC, EWS quota; Final hearing on validity of Rs. 8 lakh annual family income limit in March, it says
- NSO estimates FY22 GDP growth at 9.2%; COVID-19 could impact final numbers
- Kazakh leader issues ‘shoot to kill’ order for those participating in unrest
- U.K. calls in military to help hospitals facing staff crunch; they are also assisting with COVID-19 testing, vaccination
- Japan, U.S. expand defence cooperation; Amid tensions with China, Tokyo agrees to continue hosting 50,000 U.S. troops
- India to surpass Japan as Asia’s 2nd largest economy by 2030; IHS Markit sees consumption spending doubling over a decade to $3 tn by 2030
- Maldives inks key deals with China; Beijing agrees on visa exemption for Maldivians, signs aid pact on infrastructure
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 07, 2022)
- Government says Rs. 8 lakh EWS cap derived after study; SC probes Centre on the reasoning behind income limit
- TTD, Ramakrishna Mission lose FCRA nod; They are among the 6,000 NGOs whose registration was not renewed by Centre
- Daily COVID-19 cases cross one-lakh mark; highest in more than 200 days
- Russia-led troops deployed in Kazakhstan; Dozens killed in Central Asia Republic as protests over rising prices escalate
- Use drones more effectively : Civil Aviation Ministry; Several Ministries receive suggestions for a range of uses, from surveillance to disaster management
- North Korea tests hypersonic missile; Hypersonic missiles are harder to intercept by missile defence systems
- Bankers’ asset quality at risk from COVID-19 third wave, says ICRA
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 06, 2022)
- Government says Rs. 8 lakh EWS income cap ‘best way forward’; Allow NEET counselling, it urges Supreme Court
- North Korea fires ballistic missile in first test in two months; U.S., Japan, South Korea raise alarm, China remains passive
- PMI : December services activity hits 3-month low; COVID wave fear, price pressures drag
- Russia-led military alliance to send peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan
- Australia, Japan to sign treaty to beef up defence & security cooperation at virtual summit today
- Kazakhstan declares state of emergency after protests over fuel price rises turned violent
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 05, 2022)
- Supreme Court to hear EWS quota case today; Centre cites urgency, says NEET-PG counselling in limbo
- States told to share intel through the Multi Agency Centre, a common counter-terrorism grid under the Intelligence Bureau which was made operational in 2001 following the Kargil War
- Centre tells States to set up field hospitals to tackle COVID; NTAGI chief says it may be the third wave
- Chinese President Xi Jinping signs combat training order for PLA; The armed forces must redouble their efforts to better combine training with combat operations
- China to ‘modernise’ nuclear arsenal; Beijing defends its atomic weapons policy, urges U.S., Russia to reduce stockpiles
- Omicron spread may hit Q4 GDP outlook by 20-30 bps; Reserve Bank may delay raising reverse repo rate, says HDFC Bank economists
- India spent record $55.7 bn on gold imports in 2021; Deferred weddings conducted last year spurred demand
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 04, 2022)
- China constructing bridge on Pangong lake in Ladakh; It will bring down time to move troops and equipment
- Centre seeks urgent listing of EWS reservation case today; Challenge to 10% quota has delayed postgraduate medical admissions
- 33,000 new cases in India; All States record rise; Maharashtra leads surge with 12,160 new infections, Delhi reports 4,099 cases
- Sudan’s PM Hamdok resigns amid crackdown on protesters; He cites lack of political consensus, conflict with military as reasons for move
- World powers vow to stop spread of nuclear weapons; China, Russia, U.S., U.K., France issue statement after NPT review scheduled today was postponed due to COVID-19
- Jobless rate hit high of 7.9% in December; Third wave may undo economic gains
- India, Israel in talks for free trade agreement; UAE pact close to finalisation : Goyal
- India wants WTO meet on COVID package; Discussions on patent waiver sought
- RBI approves small, offline e-payments; It aims to promote usage in rural areas
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 03, 2022)
- Six lakh adolescents register for vaccination; India’s daily caseload rises to 27,553, while Omicron cases surge to 1,525
- Rs. 8 lakh income ‘reasonable’ cap for EWS quota, Centre tells SC; The criterion is ‘more stringent’ than the one for OBC creamy layer, the government says
- Census first phase, NPR data collection deferred till September; The exercise was scheduled to begin in April 2020
- Draft national air sports policy pushes for safety standards; It will cover activities like aerobatics, ballooning, paragliding and micro lighting
- Kaziranga elevated road plan awaits nod; The 35-km stretch will run over nine corridors used by animals of the park
- Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba scheduled to attend Vibrant Gujarat Summit; Deuba visit ideal to resume India-Nepal talks : Envoy
- Telangana tops Open Defecation Free plus list; 13,737 of 14,200 villages in State feature on the Central list
Source: The Hindu and other government website
Major Headlines (January 01 & 02, 2022)
- Disorientation of crew in poor weather likely cause of crash; Tri-service probe complete; findings sent for legal review ahead of submission
- GST Council defers tax rate increase on textiles; Gujarat, West Bengal, Delhi, T.N. had opposed the hike
- Rajya Sabha annual productivity drops to 59%; The lowest reported was in 2018 with 36% productivity
- Sri Lanka to ink pact with India to develop oil tanks; Lease agreements are expected to be signed soon : Minister
- Biden, Putin warnings over Ukraine; U.S. President warns of sanctions, Russian leader says such a move will rupture ties between the nations
- Core sector output rose 3.1% in November; Crude and cement buck trend
- COVID-19 cases cross 20,000 yet again; It could put stress on health infrastructure, says official and directs States to ramp up facilities
- Rockets fired from Gaza Strip land off central Israel’s coast; They fell in the Mediterranean Sea off Tel Aviv, says Army
- Nuclear, gas energy likely to receive ‘green tag’ in European Union; France and Austria are at loggerheads
- Use of IPO funds to become transparent with new rules; Cap on acquisition portion serves interests of investors
Source: The Hindu and other government website