New Disability Certificate Rules
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of India introduced the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Amendment) Rules, 2024.
- Only a designated medical authority at the district level can issue disability certificates.
- Color-coded Unique Disability Identity (UDID) cards—white, yellow, and blue—were introduced to indicate disability levels. Blue represents a disability level of 80% or higher.
- New norms make it mandatory to apply for the disability certificate online.
- Issuance period for disability certificates has been extended from 1 month to 3 months.
Livestock Census
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched 21st Livestock Census to have updated data on livestock population
- Key Features of 21st Livestock Census Schedule –
- Fully digitized (similar to 20th census)
- Covers data on pastoralists for the first time.
- Focus on Gender Roles in Livestock Rearing
- Livestock census has been conducted every 5 years
Nature Conservation Index
Recently, the Nature Conservation Index(2024) was released.
- India’s Rank – 176 out of 180 countries.
- Developed by – Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change
- Purpose – Evaluates conservation efforts using 4 markers – Land management, Threats to biodiversity, Capacity and governance, and Future trends.
Doctrine of Coverture
Supreme Court (SC) is to hear petitions challenging Marital Rape Exception (MRE)
- Joseph Shine Vs Union of India (2018) – Supreme Court held that MRE stems from the doctrine of coverture.
- Doctrine of Coverture – Legal doctrine under English common law, that places a married woman under the cover of her husband treating them as a single entity.
Pandemic Fund Project
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying launches Pandemic Fund Project
- Aim – Enhance low- and middle-income country’s capacity to respond to animal health threats and pandemic through financing investments
- Funded by – G20 Pandemic Fund
- Implementing Entities – Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)