GS3

Recently, Hara Bhara, India’s first aerial seeding campaign in Telangana using the Seedcopter drone was launched. Earlier, in August 2015, Andhra Pradesh government had launched the aerial seeding programme using Indian Navy helicopters. Important points: The idea of the campaign is to accelerate the mission of reforestation by planting one billion trees using drones by 2030 in the country. The project uses drones to disperse seed …

Recently, NTPC Renewable Energy (NTPC-REL), a subsidiary of NTPC, has signed its first Green Term Loan agreement for installation of Solar Projects in Rajasthan & Gujarat. NTPC-REL is also constructing India’s largest single local solar power park of 4.75 GW in Kutch. NTPC is taking various steps to make its energy portfolio greener by adding significant …

Recently, as per a report from the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, genes that can increase the grain size of sorghum have been discovered. Important points: As many as 125 regions in the sorghum genome have now been identified where variation in the DNA sequence was associated with grain size and response to environmental conditions. New variants have also …

According to a report, the lockdowns slowed renewable energy installations in the country and the pace of such installations is lagging India’s 2022 target. The report was released by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). IEEFA is a US non-profit corporation. India stands at 4th position in the world in terms of installed Renewable Energy capacity, 5th in solar and …

Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved capital infusion in the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) and its listing through an initial public offering. The government will inject Rs 4,400 crore in the ECGC over a period of five years beginning 2021-22. The Cabinet also approved continuation of the National Export Insurance Account (NEIA) scheme and infusion …

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) tested a new version of the Akash Missile – ‘Akash Prime’ – from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. Earlier, DRDO launched the Akash-NG (New Generation) and the Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM). Defence Research & Development Organisation It is the Research & Development wing of the Ministry …

Recently, the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directed Karnataka to immediately release the balance quantum of water to Tamil Nadu. However, CWMA dropped discussion on the Mekedatu reservoir project following “strong protest” from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. Important points: It involves 3 states and one Union Territory (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry). The genesis …

Recently, NASA has launched an earth monitoring satellite called Landsat 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellite is a joint mission of NASA and the US Geological Survey (USGS). This satellite is referred to as NASA’s’ new eye in the sky’ that will help study climate change. Important points: Landsat-9 is the continuation of a …

Recently, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has developed the country’s first-ever non-GM (genetically modified) herbicide-tolerant rice varieties (Pusa Basmati 1979 and Pusa Basmati 1985). These varieties can be directly seeded and significantly save water and labour compared to conventional transplanting. Important points: The new varieties contain a mutated AcetoLactate Synthase (ALS) gene making it possible for farmers …

Recently, China has cited a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution to question India’s missile programme amid reports of an upcoming test for the Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile. UNSC Resolution 1172 was issued after India’s 1998 nuclear tests. Important points: Agni-V is the most advanced surface-to-surface indigenously built ballistic missile. It is a three-stage, solid fuelled, 17-metre tall …