
GS2: Polity
- Union Budget set to be presented on Feb. 1 (TH) President Ram Nath Kovind will address the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on January 29.
GS2: International Relations
- Explained: On Nile, a Grand Dam divides African nations (IE) Spearheaded by Ethiopia, the 145-meter-tall (475-foot-tall) Grand Renaissance Dam hydropower project, when completed, will be Africa’s largest. The main waterways of the Nile run through Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan and Egypt, and its drainage basin runs through several countries in East Africa, including Ethiopia, the portion where this dam is being constructed.
GS3: Economy
- Global, India output set to expand in FY22: World Bank (TH) Global economic output is projected to grow by 4% in 2021 assuming widespread roll-out of a COVID-19 vaccine throughout the year, as per the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report.
GS3: Schemes
- Govt of India’s UJALA and SLNP completes six years of Illuminating India efficiently (PIB) Both the programmes are being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the Ministry of Power, Government of India since their inception. Under UJALA, EESL has distributed over 36.69 crore LED bulbs across India. This has resulted in estimated energy savings of 47.65 billion kWh per year with avoided peak demand of 9,540 MW and estimated GHG emission reduction of 38.59 million tonnes CO2 per year. Additionally, over 72 lakh LED tube lights and over 23 lakh energy efficient fans have also been distributed at affordable price under this programme.
GS3: Environment
- Two day Asian Waterbird Census off to a flying start (TH) On the endangered Indian Skimmer more study was still required to establish that the species breeds on the Kakinada coast, which supports a great number of Indian Skimmer.
GS3: Science & Technology
- Explained: What is bird flu and how severe is the latest outbreak in India? (IE) Wild aquatic birds such as ducks and geese are the natural reservoir of Influenza A viruses and the central players in the ecology of these viruses.