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Exercise Dustlik-II between India and Uzbekistan Exercise Dustlik-II between India and Uzbekistan will be held in Uttarakhand from March 10 to 19. About Exercise Dustlik-II: Exercise Dustlik is a military exercise between the Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army. First Edition: The first edition of the Exercise Dustlik was held in 2019 at Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Aim: The aim of the exercise is strengthening Counter Insurgency (CI) and Counter-Terrorism (CT) operations. Es

US-Afghanistan Doha Peace Talks

US-Afghanistan Doha Peace Talks The U.S Secretary of State has confirmed the US intention to fully withdraw all forces from Afghanistan as per the Doha Agreement. About Doha Agreement: In 2020, the United States signed a historic deal with the Taliban. aiming to end the 18-year-war in Afghanistan The deal was signed in Doha (Qatar) and thus termed as Doha Agreement. The key features of the Doha agreement are: Troops Withdrawal: The US will withdraw its troops from

Mobilising Electric Vehicle Financing in India Report by NITI Aayog

Mobilising Electric Vehicle Financing in India Report by NITI Aayog NITI Aayog and Rocky Mountain Institute(RMI) India jointly releases a new report titled ‘Mobilising Electric Vehicle Financing in India’. Aim: The report highlights the role of finance in India’s transition to electric vehicles(EVs). Further, the report also identifies solutions for capital and financing to aid in India’s EV transition. What does the report say about Electric Vehicle Fi

Parliamentary Standing Report Committee on National Social Assistance Program

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development has submitted its report to the Lok Sabha. It suggests that the Central Government must increase the small number of pensions provided for poor senior citizens, widows and disabled people under the National Social Assistance Programme(NSAP). About National Social Assistance Programme(NSAP): Nodal Ministry: It was launched in 1995. It is a welfare programme administered by the Ministry of Rural Development. The pro

Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act

Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act The Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) informed Lok Sabha about the number of cases registered under the Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act(UAPA) in 2019. About Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act(UAPA): UAPA was introduced in 1967 to target secessionist organizations. It is primarily an anti-terror law aimed at preventing certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations. Investigation: The cases under the UAPA

Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission

Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission SPMRM is a scheme launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in 2016 to deliver integrated project-based infrastructure in rural areas, which will also include the development of economic activities and skill development. A predecessor to SPMRM was the Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA), announced in 2003. Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (

Sattras in Assam

Sattras in Assam Political parties often go to different Sattras to seek the blessings of Sankardeva. About Sattras: Sattras are monastic institutions in Assam. They were created as part of the 16th century Neo-Vaishnavite reformist movement. Movements started by the Vaishnavite saint-reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva(1449-1596). Why were they established? They were established to spread Sankardeva’s unique “worship through art” approach. They are