GS3

GS-3 4.DOMESTIC EXPLORATION OF LITHIUM Recent surveys by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) have shown the presence of lithium resources in Mandya district, AMD is the oldest unit of the Department of Atomic Energy. ABOUT LITHIUM: PROPERTIES: It is a chemical element with the symbol Li …

GS-3 2.QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY The detailed project report for a National Mission on Quantum Technology and Applications (NMQTA) has been drawn out and finalised. BACKGROUND: Union Budget 2020-21 proposed to spend Rs 8,000 crore on the newly launched NMQTA. In 2018, the Department of Science & Technology unveiled a programme called …

GS-3 4.NATURAL CAPITAL ACCOUNTING AND VALUATION OF THE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES PROJECT Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation of the Ecosystem Services (NCAVES)India Forum-2021 is being organised by the Ministry of Statistics and ProgrammeImplementation (MoSPI) in virtual format. The MoSPI has taken up several initiatives under the project “Natural Capital Accounting and …

GS-3  5.RASTRIYA KAMDHENU AAYOG Recently, the RastriyaKamdhenuAayog has announced ‘KamdhenuGau-VigyanPrachar-Prasar Exam’ with an aim to “infuse curiosity” among people about the importance of cows, and to “sensitise and educate” them about the bovine species. IMPORTANT POINTS RastriyaKamdhenuAayog is an agency under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying)established for …

GS-3 3.PAYMENT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FUND SCHEME Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the operationalisation of the Payment Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) scheme. OBJECTIVE: Develop payment acceptance infrastructure in tier-3 to tier-6 cities (centres), with a special focus on the north-eastern states of the country. The fund will be operational for three years effective from 1st January, 2021 and may be extended …

GS-3  1.SULFUR DIOXIDE EMISSION NORMS DELAYED The Ministry of Power has proposed pushing back the deadlines for adoption of new emission norms by coal-fired power plants, stating “an unworkable time schedule” would burden utilities and lead to an increase in power tariffs. India initially had set a 2017 deadline for thermal power plants to comply with emissions standards …

GS-3 5.FREIGHT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PORTAL: RAILWAYS The Ministry of Railwayshas launched an exclusive portal to promote and develop the railways’ freight business – Freight Business Development Portal. With passenger train services suspended due to the coronavirus crisis, the railways is banking heavily on freight revenues for its earnings. The Dedicated …

GS-3 3.ASIAN WATERBIRD CENSUS The two-day Asian Waterbird Census-2020 has commenced in Andhra Pradesh under the aegis of experts from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). IMPORTANT POINTS: Every January, thousands of volunteers across Asia and Australasia visit wetlands in their country and count waterbirds. This citizen scienceprogrammeis the Asian …

GS-3 4.SAGARMALA SEAPLANE SERVICES The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is starting the ambitious Project of Sagarmala Seaplane Services (SSPS) with potential airline operators. A seaplane is a fixed-wing aeroplanedesigned for taking off and landing on water. MECHANISM: The project is being initiated under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) …

GS-3 3.NATIONAL METROLOGY CONCLAVE 2021 Recently, the Prime Minister has inaugurated the National Metrology Conclave 2021and also laid the foundation stone of National Environmental Standards Laboratory through a video conference. BACKGROUND: The Conclave was organised by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research- National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi, on its …