1) Holocene Epoch: It is the current period of geologic time.
- The Holocene Epoch began 12,000 to 11,500 years ago at the close of the Paleolithic Ice Age and continues through today.
- The Holocene begins at the end of the last major ice age and marks a “warm period” between ice ages.
- The Holocene is characterized with variable climate changes, from both natural and anthropogenic (human) causes.
- Another term that is sometimes used is the Anthropocene Epoch, because its primary characteristic is the global changes caused by human activity.
2) Magh Bihu: cultural event of Assam celebrating the changing seasons.
- The festival of Bihu has three forms: Bohag Bihu, Kati Bihu and Magh Bihu. Each of these falls in the agriculture calendar.
- This day is considered auspicious in the Hindu lunar year as well and is known as the Makar Sankranti, i.e., the day when the sun begins its northward journey or Uttarayan and transitions into the Hindu zodiac sign of Makara.
- On this day the Sun God is worshipped in various parts of India in the form of different festivals such as Pongal (Tamil Nadu), Maghi (Punjab) and Uttarayan (Gujarat).
3) Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA): It is a regulatory body established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
- It will have a Chief Commissioner as head, and only two other commissioners as members one of whom will deal with matters relating to goods while the other will look into cases relating to services.
- The CCPA will have an Investigation Wing that will be headed by a Director General
- District Collectors too, will have the power to investigate complaints of violations of consumer rights, unfair trade practices, and false or misleading advertisements.
4) Digital India Awards: DIA aims to encourage and honour innovative digital solutions and initiatives by various government entities and startups (included in 2022 awards)
- Nodal Agency: Ministry for Electronics and Information Technology. Implementation Agency: National Portal of India
5) National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET): NMET is a Trust set up as a non-profit body by the Central Government for the purposes of regional and detailed exploration of minerals using the funds accrued to it and in such manner as prescribed by the Central Government.
- The Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, (MMRDA) mandated the setting up of the NMET. NMET has a two-tier structure.
- The apex body/Governing Body, chaired by Minister of Mines. It has control of the Trust.
- The Executive Committee, chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Mines, administers and manages its activities.
- Funding: To implement mandated activities an NMET Fund has been established. The NMET Fund receives money from holders of mining lease or a prospecting license-cum-mining lease, an amount equivalent to two percent of royalty paid in terms of the Second Schedule of the MMDR Act.
