GS3

Amid the growing competition among the world powers in the field of space, France has begun its first space military exercises to test its ability to defend its satellites. About the Exercise: The exercise drills are codenamed “AsterX” to commemorate the first French satellite Asterix from 1965. The exercises are part of France’s strategy to become …

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has amended licensing conditions for telecom companies. The new norms will be implemented from 15th June 2021. In March 2021, the Union Cabinet approved the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the telecom sector to reduce imports and move towards self-reliance. New Licensing Conditions: To include defence and national security as parameters when purchasing ‘trusted telecom products’ and sourcing equipment from ‘trusted …

An environmental regulator can work only if governments see the value of nature. The Supreme Court’s notice to the Centre government on a public interest litigation (PIL) plea to set up a national environmental regulator under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. To Oversee And Give Directions Related Environmental Clearances For Projects and …

About: IN LESS than six weeks since Finance Minister announced major financial sector reforms in the Budget for 2021-22, the Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to amend the Insurance Act, 1938, paving the way for increasing the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in the sector to 74% from 49%. A Bill …

Indian Navy’s third stealth Scorpene class Submarine INS Karanj has been commissioned at the Naval Dockyard Mumbai through a formal commissioning ceremony. About: Six Scorpene Class submarines are being built in India by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France. INS Karanj would …

The country’s biggest floating solar power plant till date, by generation capacity, which is being developed by the NTPC in the reservoir of its thermal plant at Ramagundam in Peddapalli district, Telangana, is set to be commissioned by May-June next. About: Work on this 100 megawatt floating solar power plant …

Recently, the second edition of India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise “Dustlik-2” started in Chaubatia, Uttarakhand. Aim : Counter Insurgency (CI) and Counter Terrorism (CT) operations in mountainous, rural and urban scenarios under the United Nations (UN) mandate. First Edition: Took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in November 2019. Uzbekistan is important to India for security and connectivity to the Central Asian region and also …

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted the final development test of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System, crucial for diesel electric submarines. Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System: Submarines are essentially of two types: conventional and nuclear. The conventional submarines use diesel-electric engines, which require them to surface almost daily to get atmospheric …

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways has suggested rationalisation of both freight and passenger fares. Social Service Obligations: The losses incurred by the railways in passenger services purportedly due to the social service obligations which include pricing tickets at fares lower than costs and passenger concessions. The railways incur losses to the tune of Rs. 35,000-38,000 …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) asked the government to explain the reasons for not setting up an “Independent Environment Regulator” to oversee green clearances. SC’s Order: SC had ordered the setting up of a national environment regulatory body under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to ensure independent oversight of green clearances way back in Lafarge Umiam Mining …

GS-3 NEW UMBRELLA ENTITY FOR PAYMENT SYSTEMS The private companies have shown interest in setting up New Umbrella Entities (NUEs) for payment systems – an idea floated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The aim is to create an alternate mechanism to the existing National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).     New Umbrella Entities (NUEs): About: NUEs will …

GS-3 PLI SCHEME FOR TELECOM SECTOR The Union Cabinet has approved the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI)scheme for the telecom sector with an outlay of Rs. 12,195 crores over five years. About the PLI Scheme: In order to boost domestic manufacturing and cut down on import bills, the central government in March 2020 introduced a scheme that aims to give companies …

GS-3 SUB-MISSION ON AGROFORESTRY SCHEME The Central Silk Board (CSB) under the Ministry of Textiles and the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a “convergence model” in order to implement the “Agro-forestry in silk sector” under the “Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme”. …

GS-3 SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TOWARDS AFFORDABLE TRANSPORTATION (SATAT) SCHEME Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas informed Lok Sabha about SATAT scheme.  Important points: SATAT scheme was launched on October 01, 2018 wherein Oil and Gas Marketing Companies (OGMCs) are inviting Expression of Interest (EoI) from potential entrepreneur to procure Compressed …

GS-3 DRINKING WATER According to information provided to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources, Only half of government schools and anganwadis have tap water supply, despite a 100-day campaign for 100% coverage being launched by the Jal Shakti Ministry in October 2020. Important points: Less than 8% of schools …

GS-3 WHALE SHARK Recently, fishers in Odisha rescued a whale shark. Important points: Whale sharks are the largest shark, and indeed largest of any fishes alive today and they travel large distances to find enough food to sustain their huge size, and to reproduce. The whale shark is a ‘filter feeder shark’ which means it does not eat …

GS-3 MSME CREDIT HEALTH INDEX The latest MSME Credit Health Index indicates that MSME credit growth has accelerated in the quarter ending September 2020 as compared to the quarter ending in June 2020. The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECGLS) has helped in the credit growth for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) …

GS-3 AGROFORESTRY IN THE SILK SECTOR The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare signed a MoU with the Central Silk Board on a convergence model for the implementation of Agroforestry in the silk sector under the ongoing Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme. About: This initiative in sericulture sector is especially …

GS-3  ‘MAITRI SETU’ The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, will inaugurate the ‘Maitri Setu’ between India and Bangladesh via video conferencing on March 9, 2021. He will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of several infrastructure projects in Tripura on the occasion. About ‘Maitri Setu’ The ‘Maitri Setu’ …

GS-3 BIJU PATNAIK The birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik was celebrated (5 March). He is remembered as a freedom fighter, an Indian politician, an aviator and a businessman. Brief Profile: Bijayananda Patnaik was born on 5 March 1916, he is popularly known as Biju Patnaik. He was an ace pilot …