#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 .
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Democracy Index 2020
- This index report titled "Democracy in sickness and in health?"
- Released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
- Democracy Index had classified 167 countries.
- Based on full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes and authoritarian regimes.
- It looks at the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on freedom and democracy around the world.
- India had slipped two places to 53rd position in the Democracy Index.
- India has been classified as a 'flawed democracy' along with countries such as the U.S., France, Belgium and Brazil.
Democracy Index 2020
- This index report titled "Democracy in sickness and in health?"
- Released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
- Democracy Index had classified 167 countries.
- Based on full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes and authoritarian regimes.
- It looks at the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on freedom and democracy around the world.
- India had slipped two places to 53rd position in the Democracy Index.
- India has been classified as a 'flawed democracy' along with countries such as the U.S., France, Belgium and Brazil.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
- SISFS has been approved for starting from 2021-22.
- It is a very early investment to a business to help it grow.
- It will be implemented with effect from 1st April 2021.
Significance:
- It will provide seed funding to eligible startups through eligible incubators
- Applicable across India.
- It will provide financial assistance to start ups for followings:
1. Proof of concept
2. prototype development
3. Product trials, market entry and
commercialization.
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
- SISFS has been approved for starting from 2021-22.
- It is a very early investment to a business to help it grow.
- It will be implemented with effect from 1st April 2021.
Significance:
- It will provide seed funding to eligible startups through eligible incubators
- Applicable across India.
- It will provide financial assistance to start ups for followings:
1. Proof of concept
2. prototype development
3. Product trials, market entry and
commercialization.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Production-Linked Incentive Scheme
- PLI Scheme was introduced in 10 more key sectors
- Aims: to give companies incentives on incremental sales from products manufactured in domestic units.
Features:
1. It invites foreign companies to set shop in India
2. It encourages local companies to set up or expand existing manufacturing units.
Significance:
1. It would boost domestic manufacturing and cut down on import bills.
2. would help in achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat agenda.
Production-Linked Incentive Scheme
- PLI Scheme was introduced in 10 more key sectors
- Aims: to give companies incentives on incremental sales from products manufactured in domestic units.
Features:
1. It invites foreign companies to set shop in India
2. It encourages local companies to set up or expand existing manufacturing units.
Significance:
1. It would boost domestic manufacturing and cut down on import bills.
2. would help in achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat agenda.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020
- Aim: Decentralizing decision making and to infuse professionalism in governance of major ports.
Significance:
1. It will empower the Major Ports to modernize
expand port infrastructure
2. Facilitate trade and commerce.
Key features:
- The Bill is more compact in comparison to the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963
- Tariff Authority for Major Ports can now fix tariff
- An Adjudicatory Board has been proposed
- A simplified composition of Board of Port Authority has been proposed.
- Provisions of CSR & development of infrastructure by Port Authority.
Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020
- Aim: Decentralizing decision making and to infuse professionalism in governance of major ports.
Significance:
1. It will empower the Major Ports to modernize
expand port infrastructure
2. Facilitate trade and commerce.
Key features:
- The Bill is more compact in comparison to the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963
- Tariff Authority for Major Ports can now fix tariff
- An Adjudicatory Board has been proposed
- A simplified composition of Board of Port Authority has been proposed.
- Provisions of CSR & development of infrastructure by Port Authority.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Shramik Shakti Manch
- It is an initiative of Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council.
- It is a dynamic job portal for Shramiks(labour)
Significance:
- It will help in identifying skill proficiency level
- Development of Skill Cards for Shramiks.
- Eliminating middlemen
- It will facilitate placement of 10 lakh blue-collar jobs.
- This portal will reduce the hardship of Shramiks in finding jobs in nearby MSMEs
Shramik Shakti Manch
- It is an initiative of Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council.
- It is a dynamic job portal for Shramiks(labour)
Significance:
- It will help in identifying skill proficiency level
- Development of Skill Cards for Shramiks.
- Eliminating middlemen
- It will facilitate placement of 10 lakh blue-collar jobs.
- This portal will reduce the hardship of Shramiks in finding jobs in nearby MSMEs
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Seaweed Mission
- It is an initiative for commercial farming of seaweeds and it’s processing for value addition
Significance :
1. It will boost national economy.
2. It is initiated by Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council.
Key Features:
1.Set up new seaweed industry
Provide employment to people and Contribute to national GDP
2. Improve ocean productivity 3. Create a healthier ocean
4. Abate algal blooms
5. Sequester millions of tons CO2.
6. Produce bio-ethanol approx. 6.6 billion liters.
Seaweed Mission
- It is an initiative for commercial farming of seaweeds and it’s processing for value addition
Significance :
1. It will boost national economy.
2. It is initiated by Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council.
Key Features:
1.Set up new seaweed industry
Provide employment to people and Contribute to national GDP
2. Improve ocean productivity 3. Create a healthier ocean
4. Abate algal blooms
5. Sequester millions of tons CO2.
6. Produce bio-ethanol approx. 6.6 billion liters.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
India’s First CNG Tractor
- India’s first ever CNG Tractor was launched.
Benefit :
1. Farmer will Save up to 50% on the fuel cost, as CNG is only Rs. 42 / kilogram.
2. It is a clean fuel with lowest carbon and pollutant content.
3. it has zero lead and is non-corrosive, non-dilutive
4. Non-contaminating which helps in increasing the life of the engine.
5.Stubble can be used as a raw material for producing bio-CNG
6. It will help the farmers to earn money by selling it to the bio-CNG production units in their locality.
India’s First CNG Tractor
- India’s first ever CNG Tractor was launched.
Benefit :
1. Farmer will Save up to 50% on the fuel cost, as CNG is only Rs. 42 / kilogram.
2. It is a clean fuel with lowest carbon and pollutant content.
3. it has zero lead and is non-corrosive, non-dilutive
4. Non-contaminating which helps in increasing the life of the engine.
5.Stubble can be used as a raw material for producing bio-CNG
6. It will help the farmers to earn money by selling it to the bio-CNG production units in their locality.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Tholpavakkoothu Robots
- First-ever robotic shadow leather puppet was installed
- Location: Palakkad District Heritage Museum.
Key Features:
- Tholpavakkoothu is Kerala’s famous temple art, in which shadow leather puppets are used to tell stories from the epic Ramayana.
- It is also known as Nizhalkkoothu and Olakkoothu,
has its roots in Palakkad and neighbouring regions.
- It used to be performed in the Bhadrakali temples of Palakkad.
- This art is confined largely to Pulavar families of Palakkad district.
Tholpavakkoothu Robots
- First-ever robotic shadow leather puppet was installed
- Location: Palakkad District Heritage Museum.
Key Features:
- Tholpavakkoothu is Kerala’s famous temple art, in which shadow leather puppets are used to tell stories from the epic Ramayana.
- It is also known as Nizhalkkoothu and Olakkoothu,
has its roots in Palakkad and neighbouring regions.
- It used to be performed in the Bhadrakali temples of Palakkad.
- This art is confined largely to Pulavar families of Palakkad district.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis
- In News: NSP for Tuberculosis (2017-25) was approved by Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare in 2017.
- Goal : Ending TB by 2025.
- Under NSP, 20%, 22% and 24% of the funds have been earmarked for social welfare assistance for 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively.
National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis
- In News: NSP for Tuberculosis (2017-25) was approved by Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare in 2017.
- Goal : Ending TB by 2025.
- Under NSP, 20%, 22% and 24% of the funds have been earmarked for social welfare assistance for 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Pangolins
- Pangolins in Cameroon are on the verge of extinction.
Key Features:
1. A scaly nocturnal anteater
is one of the world’s most trafficked mammals.
2. Threat: rampant poaching and mushrooming international wildlife trade.
3. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified,
Indian Pangolin as Endangered and
4 Chinese Pangolins as Critically Endangered.
5. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has placed all 8 pangolin species to Appendix I.
Pangolins
- Pangolins in Cameroon are on the verge of extinction.
Key Features:
1. A scaly nocturnal anteater
is one of the world’s most trafficked mammals.
2. Threat: rampant poaching and mushrooming international wildlife trade.
3. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified,
Indian Pangolin as Endangered and
4 Chinese Pangolins as Critically Endangered.
5. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has placed all 8 pangolin species to Appendix I.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
- Six elephants died of haemorrhagic septicaemia (Sahana disease).
- Location: In Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha’s Kalahandi district.
- It is a contagious bacterial disease that occurs in parts of Asia and Africa.
- Causes: contaminated food and water or soil or through respiratory secretions.
- It generally spreads in the period right before and after the monsoons.
- It can affect cattle, buffalo and other animals.
Symptoms:
1. Respiratory tract and lungs of the animals are affected
2. Severe pneumonia and is often fatal.
Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
- Six elephants died of haemorrhagic septicaemia (Sahana disease).
- Location: In Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha’s Kalahandi district.
- It is a contagious bacterial disease that occurs in parts of Asia and Africa.
- Causes: contaminated food and water or soil or through respiratory secretions.
- It generally spreads in the period right before and after the monsoons.
- It can affect cattle, buffalo and other animals.
Symptoms:
1. Respiratory tract and lungs of the animals are affected
2. Severe pneumonia and is often fatal.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Sandes
- National Informatics Centre has launched an instant messaging platform called Sandes.
Key features:
1. Just like WhatsApp.
2. The app, which is available for Android and iOS users, is a government instant messaging system.
3. Used by both the central and state government officials for intra and inter-organisation communication.
4. The chats can be backed up to a users’ email.
Significance:
1. It allows a user to mark a message as confidential
2. It will allow the recipient to be made aware the message should not be shared with others.
Limitation:
- The app does not allow the user to change their email id or registered phone number.
Sandes
- National Informatics Centre has launched an instant messaging platform called Sandes.
Key features:
1. Just like WhatsApp.
2. The app, which is available for Android and iOS users, is a government instant messaging system.
3. Used by both the central and state government officials for intra and inter-organisation communication.
4. The chats can be backed up to a users’ email.
Significance:
1. It allows a user to mark a message as confidential
2. It will allow the recipient to be made aware the message should not be shared with others.
Limitation:
- The app does not allow the user to change their email id or registered phone number.