These current affairs are written in a easy to remember format and are useful for competitive exams like - UPSC Civil Services, UPPSC, BPSC, MPPPSC, State PSCs and other competitive examinations.
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)'s proposal to facilitate talks between New Delhi and Islamabad.
Established in 1969, the OIC was conceptualised as a congregation of Muslim countries.
Its 57 members, with 49 being Muslim-majority countries include Pakistan, Turkey, the UAE, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
The organisation states that it is "the collective voice of the Muslim world" and works to "safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony".
The OIC has permanent delegations to the United Nations and the European Union.
The official languages of the OIC are Arabic, English, and French.
India is not a member of the OIC, but was invited as a "Guest of Honour" at its plenary in 2019.
It was attended by then Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj.
International Relations
What is "dbGENVOC" ?
DBT, National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), Kalyani an Autonomous Institute funded by the Department of Biotechnology, GoI has created a database of genomic variations in oral cancer.
It is the first of its kind in the world, NIBMG has made this database publicly-accessible.
Science & Tech
"A future for all - the need for human-wildlife coexistence" - Report
The report, titled, A future for all - the need for human-wildlife coexistence is released by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
According to the report - Conflict between humans and animals is one of the main threats to the long-term survival of some of the world?s most iconic species.
Environment
"Agriculture Infrastructure Fund" Scheme
It is a central sector scheme to provide medium - long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management Infrastructure and community farming assets.
The funds will be provided for setting up of cold stores and chains, warehousing, grading and packaging units, e-marketing points linked to e-trading platforms, besides PPP projects for crop aggregation sponsored by central/state/local bodies.
Duration: Financial Year 2020 to 2032-33.
Eligible Beneficiaries are Farmers, FPOs, PACS, Marketing Cooperative Societies, SHGs, Joint Liability Groups (JLG), Multipurpose Cooperative Societies, Agri-entrepreneurs, Start-ups, and Central/State agency or Local Body sponsored Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Projects.
Financial Support of Rs. 1 Lakh Crore will be provided by banks and financial institutions as loans to eligible beneficiaries.
Loans will have interest subvention of 3% per annum up to a limit of Rs. 2 crore. This subvention will be available for a maximum period of seven years.
A credit guarantee coverage will be available for eligible borrowers from the scheme under Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme for a loan up to Rs. 2 crore.
Economy
What is "Polavaram project" ?
Odisha government appealed against a NGT order of accepting the recommendations of a committee on a range of issues concerning the Polavaram project, including the submergence and displacement of families across Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.
The Polavaram Project is an under construction multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari River in the West Godavari District and East Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh.
Its reservoir back water spreads into parts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha States.
Gov. Schemes