Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 323, the first unit of the indigenously built ALH Mk III aircraft, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik and Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command, at INS Hansa, …

Recently, Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 323, the first unit of the indigenously built ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) Dhruv Mk III aircraft, was commissioned into the Indian Navy. Important points: The indigenously designed and developed Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-DHRUV) is a twin engine, multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter in the …

Recently, NASA’s miniature robot helicopter Ingenuity performed a successful takeoff and landing on Mars. It was the first powered, controlled flight on another planet. The first powered flight on Earth was achieved by the Wright brothers in 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Important points: Ingenuity is the first helicopter …

The Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) emissions from a volcanic eruption in the Caribbean (La Soufriere Volcano) have reached India, sparking fear of increased pollution levels in the northern parts of the country and acid rain. The Caribbean is the region roughly south of the United States, east of Mexico and north …

The Department of Science and Technology has released a report titled ‘The Report Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Planning in India Using a Common Framework’. Important points: It identifies the most vulnerable states and districts in India with respect to current climate risk and key drivers of vulnerability. It aids …

The retirement of Raul Castro as the first secretary of Cuba’s ruling Communist Party brings to an end the six-decade-long rule of the “historic generation”, who, under the leadership of Fidel Castro, captured power in 1959 through an armed revolution. Earlier in January 2021, the US State Department had designated …

British authorities are exploring the possibility of creating a Central Bank Digital Currency, being touted as “Britcoin.” It is a step towards future proofing Pound Sterling (currency of the United Kingdom) against cryptocurrencies and improving the payments system. Important points: In the wake of declining cash payments in the country …

Recently, the European Union (EU) approved conclusions on a European Union strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The renewed EU commitment to the Indo-Pacific will have a long-term focus and will be based on upholding democracy, human rights, the rule of law and respect for international law. Indo-Pacific is a …