Deep Space Network

Deep Space Network (DSN) is the world’s largest and most sensitive scientific telecommunication system operated by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It has three facilities located at equal distance from each other in California (US), Madrid (Spain) and Canberra (Australia). It ..

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

The International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed on January 27 each year to commemorate the Holocaust tragedy that occurred during the Second World War. On this day in 1945, the USSR’s Red Army liberated inmates in Aushwiz-Birkenau – the largest ..

One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act

‘One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act’ is a US law enacted on December 31, 2020. This law makes the US the first country in the world to pass a law to protect human artefacts in space. ..

New Variant Assessment Platform

The New Variant Assessment Platform was launched by the United Kingdom to provide its genomics expertise of identifying new SARS-CoV-2 variants to countries lacking the necessary resources. This is to help in the global response against the pandemic and reduce ..

International Energy Agency

The International Energy Agency is an intergovernmental organisation set up in 1974 in response to the 1973 oil crisis. Its 30 member nations hold 1.55 billion barrels in public emergency oil stocks. India is not a member of this agency. ..

Poland’s demographic crisis

Poland is facing demographic crisis as its population declined exponentially, with the increased number of deaths (largest since Second World War) and the declining birth rates. This demographic crisis is attributed to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2020, the country registered ..

Nishan Sahib

Nishan Sahib is a triangular saffron flag with a blue Sikh insignia called Khanda in the middle. The insignia consists of a double-edged sword and a chakram (chakra). It is revered by the Sikh community, who believe the Khanda to ..

Disinvestment

Disinvestment involves the sale or liquidation of assets or subsidiaries. The disinvestment of public sector undertakings involves selling of PSUs’ assets via public offerings or bidding. Such asset sales can either reduce the government’s share or transfer the ownership to ..

Off-budget borrowings

Off-budget borrowings are loans borrowed by public institutions under the direction of the Central Government. The government’s expenditure is met using these loans. They are not included in national fiscal deficit since the liability to pay these loans does not ..

China-New Zealand trade deal

The China-New Zealand trade deal was inked to upgrade the existing free trade agreement between the two countries. The recently signed deal provides for the removal or reduction of tariffs on many of New Zealand’s exports. These include dairy, timber, ..