# Emergency use authorisation

• With Pfizer/biontech’s m-RNA vaccine having been approved in the United Kingdom.

• Experts in India, also says that India’s own vaccines could be available “almost immediately” for public use after the phase 3 trials were completed and the drug regulator was convinced of a vaccine’s potential efficacy.

• Emergency use authorisation(EUA) procedure in India is similar to that in the European union, the UK and the US.

• Global pharma major Pfizer has said that they are committed to engage with Indian government to explore opportunities to make Pfizer vaccine available in India.

# Farmer’s protest

• Central government offers to make 8 changes to farm laws including assurances on MSP.

• Still, the talks between the farmers and the central government ended inconclusively as the farmers are demanding complete repealing of three laws.

• Former punjab CM and Siromani Akali Dal leader Prakash singh badal has returned his padmavibhushan in protest against these farm laws and in the support of farmers.

# Opening of schools

• The council for the Indian school certificate examination (CISCE) has written to all CMs asking that its schools be allowed to reopen partially for class x and class xii students from january 4, 2021.

• Earlier, CBSE has said that board exams will be held offline. So, CISCE says, it is necessary to conduct offline classes to clear doubts and prepare students for board exams.

# Barring for life from polls

• The central government has told the SC that it rejected the idea of barring convicted legislators for life from contesting elections.

• The union ministry of law and justice said an elected representative of the people cannot be equated with public dervants who are banned for a lifetime on conviction.

# India at United Nations

• India has asked the United nations to expand its criticism of hatred and violence against religions beyond the three Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity and islam.

• These remarks were made by first secretary at India’s permanent mission to the UN Ashish sharma at a “culture of peace” session organised by UN general assembly.

# Today in India’s history

• 1976 – Bajirao became the second peshwa

• 1829 – British government in India abolished ‘sati’.

• 1924 – Gateway of India was inaugarated by lord riding.