GS2: Polity
- Repeal law permitting seizure of livestock: SC (TH) ‘Your Rules are plainly contrary to Section 29 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, under which only a person convicted of cruelty can lose his animal,’ says CJI Sharad A. Bobde
GS3: Economy
- Embracing energy efficiency (TH) India’s residential electricity consumption is expected to at least double by 2030. As households buy more electric appliances to satisfy their domestic needs, concerns about the ability of discoms to provide reliable supply at affordable rates will also rise. Embracing energy efficiency can be a win-win solution as this can bring down household energy bills and reduce discoms’ financial stress.
- Power ministry asks MoEF&CC to dilute emission norms for coal-based power stations (DTE) The Union power ministry has asked the environment ministry to dilute norms for sulphur dioxide emissions from coal-based thermal power plants (TPPs). ... These had to be complied with by power stations in 2017. However the industry had pushed back and committed in the Supreme Court to comply with the norms by 2022.
GS3: Science & Technology
- Six space missions to look forward to in 2021 (DTE) Artemis 1 is the first flight of the Nasa-led, international Artemis program to return astronauts to the Moon by 2024. This will consist of an uncrewed Orion spacecraft which will be sent on a three-week flight around the Moon. IT will reach a maximum distance from Earth of 450,000 kilometres – the farthest into space that any spacecraft that can transport humans will have ever flown.
- 40th Indian scientific expedition to Antarctica launched The Indian Antarctic expeditions began in 1981. The first trip comprised of a team of 21 scientists and support staff led by Dr SZ Qasim. After a humble beginning, the Indian Antarctic programme has now credited to have built three permanent research base stations in Antarctica--named Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri, and Bharati.
