#MainsFodder #PT2021
Global Climate Risk Index 2021
- Released by environmental think tank Germanwatch.
Key features:
- India was ranked the 7th worst-hit country in 2019.
- This Index ranked countries according to their vulnerability to extreme weather events.
- Eight of the 10 countries most affected between 2000 and 2019 were developing countries
- It pushes for the need to support developing countries in coping with the effects of climate change.
Global Climate Risk Index 2021
- Released by environmental think tank Germanwatch.
Key features:
- India was ranked the 7th worst-hit country in 2019.
- This Index ranked countries according to their vulnerability to extreme weather events.
- Eight of the 10 countries most affected between 2000 and 2019 were developing countries
- It pushes for the need to support developing countries in coping with the effects of climate change.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Asia-Pacific Personalised Health Index
- Released by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Key features :
1. India ranked 10th out of 11 in this newly-launched health index
2. It measures the progress of 11 Asia Pacific countries across the region towards personalised healthcare.
3. Countries - Australia, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and New Zealand.
4. It measures their readiness in adopting personalised healthcare
5.It enabling the right care to be tailored to the right person at the right time.
6.It measures performance against 27 different indicators of personalised health.
Asia-Pacific Personalised Health Index
- Released by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Key features :
1. India ranked 10th out of 11 in this newly-launched health index
2. It measures the progress of 11 Asia Pacific countries across the region towards personalised healthcare.
3. Countries - Australia, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and New Zealand.
4. It measures their readiness in adopting personalised healthcare
5.It enabling the right care to be tailored to the right person at the right time.
6.It measures performance against 27 different indicators of personalised health.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Stardust 1.0
- News: The United States of America’s Stardust 1.0 became the first commercial space launch powered by biofuel.
- Manufactured by bluShift
- bluShift is an aerospace company that is developing rockets that are powered by bio-derived fuels.
Key features:
1. A launch vehicle suited for student and budget payloads.
2.Mass of 250 kg and can carry a maximum payload mass of 8 kg.
Significance:
1. These rockets will help to launch small satellites called cubesats into space.
2. It is relatively cheaper than using traditional rocket fuel.
3. It is less toxic for the environment.
Stardust 1.0
- News: The United States of America’s Stardust 1.0 became the first commercial space launch powered by biofuel.
- Manufactured by bluShift
- bluShift is an aerospace company that is developing rockets that are powered by bio-derived fuels.
Key features:
1. A launch vehicle suited for student and budget payloads.
2.Mass of 250 kg and can carry a maximum payload mass of 8 kg.
Significance:
1. These rockets will help to launch small satellites called cubesats into space.
2. It is relatively cheaper than using traditional rocket fuel.
3. It is less toxic for the environment.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Green Tax
- Approved by Union Transport Ministry
- Aim: To dissuade people from using polluting vehicles
- Key features:
1. It kept in a separate account to help States measure pollution and tackle it.
2. The policy is scheduled to come into force on April 1, 2022.
3. Lower green tax for public transport vehicles
4. Additional green tax of 10%-25%- commercial transport vehicles (older than 8 yrs)
5. Exemptions for tractors, harvesters and tillers used in farms, hybrid, electric, ethanol.
6. A higher additional 50%- vehicles in highly polluted cities.
Green Tax
- Approved by Union Transport Ministry
- Aim: To dissuade people from using polluting vehicles
- Key features:
1. It kept in a separate account to help States measure pollution and tackle it.
2. The policy is scheduled to come into force on April 1, 2022.
3. Lower green tax for public transport vehicles
4. Additional green tax of 10%-25%- commercial transport vehicles (older than 8 yrs)
5. Exemptions for tractors, harvesters and tillers used in farms, hybrid, electric, ethanol.
6. A higher additional 50%- vehicles in highly polluted cities.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
MITRA Scheme
- The Government has proposed the Mega Investment Textiles Parks (MITRA) scheme.
- It will be beneficial for the Indian Textiles Industry.
Key features:
1. It will create world class infrastructure with plug and play 2. Facilities Create global champions in exports.
3. Attract large investments, boost employment generation and exports.
4. Along with the Production Linked Incentive scheme.
MITRA Scheme
- The Government has proposed the Mega Investment Textiles Parks (MITRA) scheme.
- It will be beneficial for the Indian Textiles Industry.
Key features:
1. It will create world class infrastructure with plug and play 2. Facilities Create global champions in exports.
3. Attract large investments, boost employment generation and exports.
4. Along with the Production Linked Incentive scheme.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Shivalik Elephant Reserve
News: The Uttarakhand government issued a stay on its earlier government order to denotify the Shivalik Elephant Reserve.
About Reserve
- It is the premier and only elephant reserve of Uttarakhand.
- Home to over 2,000 elephants
- Has around a dozen elephant corridors.
- It was first identified by the central government in 1991-92 under ‘Project Elephant’.
- Objective: to arrest man-animal conflict in the region and rehabilitate elephants that were held captive.
Shivalik Elephant Reserve
News: The Uttarakhand government issued a stay on its earlier government order to denotify the Shivalik Elephant Reserve.
About Reserve
- It is the premier and only elephant reserve of Uttarakhand.
- Home to over 2,000 elephants
- Has around a dozen elephant corridors.
- It was first identified by the central government in 1991-92 under ‘Project Elephant’.
- Objective: to arrest man-animal conflict in the region and rehabilitate elephants that were held captive.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Deep Ocean Mission
- Announced by Indian government
- It will cover deep ocean survey exploration and projects for the conservation of deep sea bio-diversity.
- Under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
- There are two ongoing government projects on to study the Indian Ocean:
1. Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources, Modelling and Science (O-STORMS) project.
2. Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART) project.
Deep Ocean Mission
- Announced by Indian government
- It will cover deep ocean survey exploration and projects for the conservation of deep sea bio-diversity.
- Under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
- There are two ongoing government projects on to study the Indian Ocean:
1. Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources, Modelling and Science (O-STORMS) project.
2. Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART) project.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management(CWCM)
News: The Indian government announced the establishment of the first CWCM.
- This Centre will be a part of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai.
- Aim: It would address specific research needs and knowledge gaps.
Significance:
1. Application of integrated approaches for conservation, restoration, management and wise use of the wetlands.
2. will help in building partnership and networks with relevant national and international agencies.
3. serve as a knowledge hub and enable exchange between State/ UT Wetland Authorities, wetland users, researchers, etc.
4. Assist the national and State/ UT Governments in the design and implementation of policy and regulatory frameworks etc.
Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management(CWCM)
News: The Indian government announced the establishment of the first CWCM.
- This Centre will be a part of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai.
- Aim: It would address specific research needs and knowledge gaps.
Significance:
1. Application of integrated approaches for conservation, restoration, management and wise use of the wetlands.
2. will help in building partnership and networks with relevant national and international agencies.
3. serve as a knowledge hub and enable exchange between State/ UT Wetland Authorities, wetland users, researchers, etc.
4. Assist the national and State/ UT Governments in the design and implementation of policy and regulatory frameworks etc.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Jal Jeevan Mission Urban
- Announced by The Union Budget 2021-22
- Aim:
- To bring safe water to 2.86 crore households through tap connection with the target year as 2024.
- To ensure sustainable supply of household drinking water in urban India.
Key features:
1. This mission in line with the Centre’s rural water supply project.
2. JJM (Rural) has covered only around 34% of the targeted households in rural India.
3. An equal emphasis on treatment of faecal sludge is also necessary.
Jal Jeevan Mission Urban
- Announced by The Union Budget 2021-22
- Aim:
- To bring safe water to 2.86 crore households through tap connection with the target year as 2024.
- To ensure sustainable supply of household drinking water in urban India.
Key features:
1. This mission in line with the Centre’s rural water supply project.
2. JJM (Rural) has covered only around 34% of the targeted households in rural India.
3. An equal emphasis on treatment of faecal sludge is also necessary.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Green Hydrogen Energy Mission
- News: Praposed by the Union Budget
- Aim: generating hydrogen from green power sources.
- Key features:
1. India stresses on the hydrogen sources from renewable sources.
2. Mission would decarbonise heavy industries.
3. It holds the key to clean electric mobility that doesn’t depend on rare minerals.
4. It is vital for India to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions.
5. It ensure regional and national energy security, access and availability.
Green Hydrogen Energy Mission
- News: Praposed by the Union Budget
- Aim: generating hydrogen from green power sources.
- Key features:
1. India stresses on the hydrogen sources from renewable sources.
2. Mission would decarbonise heavy industries.
3. It holds the key to clean electric mobility that doesn’t depend on rare minerals.
4. It is vital for India to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions.
5. It ensure regional and national energy security, access and availability.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Social Stock Exchange (SSE)
- News: The Economic Survey 2021- To set up a SSE.
- Key features:
1. It will be set up within the existing stock market ecosystem under SEBI.
2. It would raise capital by organisations working for the realisation of a social welfare objective.
3. SEBI made recommendations to include participation of non-profit organisations and for-profit enterprises in SSE
4. It recommended standardisation of financial reporting by NPOs on SSE.
Social Stock Exchange (SSE)
- News: The Economic Survey 2021- To set up a SSE.
- Key features:
1. It will be set up within the existing stock market ecosystem under SEBI.
2. It would raise capital by organisations working for the realisation of a social welfare objective.
3. SEBI made recommendations to include participation of non-profit organisations and for-profit enterprises in SSE
4. It recommended standardisation of financial reporting by NPOs on SSE.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority
- It is a Statutory Authority
- Under the Department of Food and Public Distribution
- It was constituted in 2010
Under the Warehousing Act, 2007.
Function:
1. It regulates and ensures implementation of Act
2. Development and regulation of warehouses.
2. It implements and regulates the Negotiable Warehouse Receipt/electronic-NWR System in the country.
3. It promotes orderly growth of the warehousing business.
Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority
- It is a Statutory Authority
- Under the Department of Food and Public Distribution
- It was constituted in 2010
Under the Warehousing Act, 2007.
Function:
1. It regulates and ensures implementation of Act
2. Development and regulation of warehouses.
2. It implements and regulates the Negotiable Warehouse Receipt/electronic-NWR System in the country.
3. It promotes orderly growth of the warehousing business.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Solar Energy Corporation of India
- Set up in 2011
- Solar Energy Corporation of India ltd is dedicated to solar energy sector.
- Under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
- Aim: To build ‘Green India’ through harnessing abundant solar radiation.
Key features"
- It was to facilitate the implementation of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.
- It is responsible for implementation of a number of schemes of MNRE
- Viability Gap Fund schemes for large-scale grid-connected projects under JNNSM,
Solar park scheme and grid-connected solar rooftop scheme.
Solar Energy Corporation of India
- Set up in 2011
- Solar Energy Corporation of India ltd is dedicated to solar energy sector.
- Under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
- Aim: To build ‘Green India’ through harnessing abundant solar radiation.
Key features"
- It was to facilitate the implementation of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.
- It is responsible for implementation of a number of schemes of MNRE
- Viability Gap Fund schemes for large-scale grid-connected projects under JNNSM,
Solar park scheme and grid-connected solar rooftop scheme.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
MetroNeo
- MetroNeo is to be adopted for the Maharashtra’s Nashik.
- Implemented by the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.
Key features:
1. It is a rapid, energy-efficient and less noisy transport medium.
2. It consists of electric bus coaches, and Feeder Bus will be battery-powered
3. The feeder bus batteries will get charged while operating on the main corridors
4. No separate charging facility will be required.
MetroNeo
- MetroNeo is to be adopted for the Maharashtra’s Nashik.
- Implemented by the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.
Key features:
1. It is a rapid, energy-efficient and less noisy transport medium.
2. It consists of electric bus coaches, and Feeder Bus will be battery-powered
3. The feeder bus batteries will get charged while operating on the main corridors
4. No separate charging facility will be required.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
PM AtmaNirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana
- Centrally sponsored scheme
- Aim: to detect and cure of new and emerging diseases.
Functions:
- Develop capacities of primary, secondary, and tertiary care Health Systems,
- Strengthen existing national institutions, and create new ones.
- The main interventions under the scheme are:
1. Support for rural and urban Health and Wellness Centres;
2. Setting up of new integrated public health labs and public health units (PHUs);
3. Strengthening of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) etc.
PM AtmaNirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana
- Centrally sponsored scheme
- Aim: to detect and cure of new and emerging diseases.
Functions:
- Develop capacities of primary, secondary, and tertiary care Health Systems,
- Strengthen existing national institutions, and create new ones.
- The main interventions under the scheme are:
1. Support for rural and urban Health and Wellness Centres;
2. Setting up of new integrated public health labs and public health units (PHUs);
3. Strengthening of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) etc.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA)
- It is a Mini Ratna
- Under the administrative control of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
- It is a Public Limited Government Company
- Established as Non-Banking Financial Institution in 1987.
Function:
1. It is engaged in promoting, developing and extending financial assistance
2. Setting up projects relating to new and renewable sources of energy.
3. Energy efficiency/conservation.
The motto of the organisation is : “ENERGY FOR EVER”.
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA)
- It is a Mini Ratna
- Under the administrative control of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
- It is a Public Limited Government Company
- Established as Non-Banking Financial Institution in 1987.
Function:
1. It is engaged in promoting, developing and extending financial assistance
2. Setting up projects relating to new and renewable sources of energy.
3. Energy efficiency/conservation.
The motto of the organisation is : “ENERGY FOR EVER”.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
New START Treaty
Key features:
- The US has extended the New START nuclear disarmament treaty with Russia for five years.
2. New START treaty is the last remaining arms reduction pact between the Us and Russia
3. Signed in 2010, New START replaced the Treaty of Moscow (SORT)
4. It follows the START I treaty, which expired in December 2009.
5. New START Treaty caps the number of nuclear warheads to 1,550 that can be deployed by both the countries.
6. It calls for halving the number of strategic nuclear missile launchers.
7. A new inspection and verification regime was established, replacing the SORT mechanism.
New START Treaty
Key features:
- The US has extended the New START nuclear disarmament treaty with Russia for five years.
2. New START treaty is the last remaining arms reduction pact between the Us and Russia
3. Signed in 2010, New START replaced the Treaty of Moscow (SORT)
4. It follows the START I treaty, which expired in December 2009.
5. New START Treaty caps the number of nuclear warheads to 1,550 that can be deployed by both the countries.
6. It calls for halving the number of strategic nuclear missile launchers.
7. A new inspection and verification regime was established, replacing the SORT mechanism.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Government Securities (G-secs)
- News: RBI has proposed to allow retail investors to open gilt accounts with the central bank to invest in G-secs directly.
- G-sec is tradable instruement issued by the central or state gov.
- Retail Investor is a non-professional investor who buys and sells securities like mutual funds and Exchange Traded Funds.
Key features:
- Retail investors will get online access to the government securities market – both primary and secondary.
- The account will be called RBI retail direct.
- Retail investors in the bidding process will be enabled through the core banking solution of Reserve Bank of India- E-kuber.
Significance:
1. Broaden Investor Base
Pioneer in Asia:Reform India’s economy
2. Facilitate Government Borrowings
3. Financialise Domestic Savings
4. Square Kilometre Array Observatory.
Government Securities (G-secs)
- News: RBI has proposed to allow retail investors to open gilt accounts with the central bank to invest in G-secs directly.
- G-sec is tradable instruement issued by the central or state gov.
- Retail Investor is a non-professional investor who buys and sells securities like mutual funds and Exchange Traded Funds.
Key features:
- Retail investors will get online access to the government securities market – both primary and secondary.
- The account will be called RBI retail direct.
- Retail investors in the bidding process will be enabled through the core banking solution of Reserve Bank of India- E-kuber.
Significance:
1. Broaden Investor Base
Pioneer in Asia:Reform India’s economy
2. Facilitate Government Borrowings
3. Financialise Domestic Savings
4. Square Kilometre Array Observatory.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO)
- News: Recently, SKAO Council held its inaugural meeting and approved the establishment of the world’s largest radio telescope.
- SKAO is a new intergovernmental organisation dedicated to radio astronomy
- Headquartered in the UK.
Key Points:
- Radio telescope, astronomical instrumen is used to detect radio-frequency radiation between wavelengths of about 10m emitted by extraterrestrial sources, such as stars, galaxies etc.
- Radio telescopes can detect invisible gas
- They can reveal areas of space that may be obscured by cosmic dust.
Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO)
- News: Recently, SKAO Council held its inaugural meeting and approved the establishment of the world’s largest radio telescope.
- SKAO is a new intergovernmental organisation dedicated to radio astronomy
- Headquartered in the UK.
Key Points:
- Radio telescope, astronomical instrumen is used to detect radio-frequency radiation between wavelengths of about 10m emitted by extraterrestrial sources, such as stars, galaxies etc.
- Radio telescopes can detect invisible gas
- They can reveal areas of space that may be obscured by cosmic dust.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
ASP-62b
- This is an exo-planet
- It was first found in 2012.
- It is 575 light years away
- Orbits its star in just four-and-half days.
- For the first time, astronomers have come across a huge planet with about half the mass of Jupiter which is cloudless and unblocked by haze.
ASP-62b
- This is an exo-planet
- It was first found in 2012.
- It is 575 light years away
- Orbits its star in just four-and-half days.
- For the first time, astronomers have come across a huge planet with about half the mass of Jupiter which is cloudless and unblocked by haze.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
One Nation One Ration Card Scheme (ONORC)
- Announced Finance Minister
- ONORC system by March 2021.
- Current system: a ration cardholder can buy food grains only from a Fair Price Shop from locality.
Key features:
- This system, based on a technological solution
- It will identify a beneficiary through biometric authentication on electronic devices
- These devices will be installed at the FPSs.
- It will enable the person to purchase the quantity of food grains to which she is entitled under the National Food Security Act, 2013.
- Under the NFSA, people are entitled to buy subsidized food grain from their designated FPS .
One Nation One Ration Card Scheme (ONORC)
- Announced Finance Minister
- ONORC system by March 2021.
- Current system: a ration cardholder can buy food grains only from a Fair Price Shop from locality.
Key features:
- This system, based on a technological solution
- It will identify a beneficiary through biometric authentication on electronic devices
- These devices will be installed at the FPSs.
- It will enable the person to purchase the quantity of food grains to which she is entitled under the National Food Security Act, 2013.
- Under the NFSA, people are entitled to buy subsidized food grain from their designated FPS .