#MainsFodder #PT2021
Swachh Iconic Places (SIP)
News: Ministry of Jal Shakti has selected 12 iconic sites.
SIP comes under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen
Sites - Ajanta Caves, Sanchi Stupa, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, Sun Temple, Ramdevra, Golconda Fort, Chandigarh Rock Garden, Dal Lake, Mathura Banke Bihari Temple, Agra Fort, Bengal Kalighat Temple.
- Aim: enhancing the experience of visitors by improving the sanitation and cleanliness standards at and around the sites.
- It is coordinated by the:
1. Department of Drinking Water 2.Sanitation Ministry of Jal Shakti
3. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
4. Tourism Ministry
5. Ministry of Culture and the concerned State/UT governments.
Swachh Iconic Places (SIP)
News: Ministry of Jal Shakti has selected 12 iconic sites.
SIP comes under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen
Sites - Ajanta Caves, Sanchi Stupa, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, Sun Temple, Ramdevra, Golconda Fort, Chandigarh Rock Garden, Dal Lake, Mathura Banke Bihari Temple, Agra Fort, Bengal Kalighat Temple.
- Aim: enhancing the experience of visitors by improving the sanitation and cleanliness standards at and around the sites.
- It is coordinated by the:
1. Department of Drinking Water 2.Sanitation Ministry of Jal Shakti
3. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
4. Tourism Ministry
5. Ministry of Culture and the concerned State/UT governments.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Cadmium doped Silver Antimony Telluride
- Founded by Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research.
- This new material called Cadmium doped Silver Antimony Telluride (AgSbTe2)
Features:
- This material can efficiently convert waste heat to electricity
- It has 3 seemingly different properties –
1. high electrical conductivity of metals
2. high thermoelectric sensitivity of semiconductors
3. low thermal conductivity of glasses.
4. No lead in this new material, it can be used for mass-market applications.
Cadmium doped Silver Antimony Telluride
- Founded by Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research.
- This new material called Cadmium doped Silver Antimony Telluride (AgSbTe2)
Features:
- This material can efficiently convert waste heat to electricity
- It has 3 seemingly different properties –
1. high electrical conductivity of metals
2. high thermoelectric sensitivity of semiconductors
3. low thermal conductivity of glasses.
4. No lead in this new material, it can be used for mass-market applications.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
E-Daakhil Portal
- For online redressal of consumer grievances
- It is now operational in 15 States/UTs.
Developed by National Informatics Centre
launched by National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC) in 2020.
Significance:
1.It empowers the consumers to file the consumer complaints and payment of requisite fees online.
2. facilitates the consumer commissions to scrutinize the complaints online
3. accept, reject or forward the complaint to the concerned commission for further processing.
4. facilitate the rural consumers for e-filing
5. it has been decided to integrate the Common Service Centres
E-Daakhil Portal
- For online redressal of consumer grievances
- It is now operational in 15 States/UTs.
Developed by National Informatics Centre
launched by National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC) in 2020.
Significance:
1.It empowers the consumers to file the consumer complaints and payment of requisite fees online.
2. facilitates the consumer commissions to scrutinize the complaints online
3. accept, reject or forward the complaint to the concerned commission for further processing.
4. facilitate the rural consumers for e-filing
5. it has been decided to integrate the Common Service Centres
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Chandrayaan-3
- Chandrayaan-3 is likely to be
- launched in 2022
- ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 is India's third mission to Moon.
- Aim: to make a soft-landing in the Lunar South Pole’s Aitken basin.
- It will consist of only a lander and rover, as the orbiter of Chandrayaan-2 is still functioning and providing data.
Chandrayaan-3
- Chandrayaan-3 is likely to be
- launched in 2022
- ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 is India's third mission to Moon.
- Aim: to make a soft-landing in the Lunar South Pole’s Aitken basin.
- It will consist of only a lander and rover, as the orbiter of Chandrayaan-2 is still functioning and providing data.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Gaganyaan
- ISRO is targeting December, 2021 to launch the unmanned test mission of Gaganyaan project.
- ISRO’s Gaganyaan is India's first manned space mission.
- It envisages sending three Indians to space by 2022.
key features:
1. Four pilots have been selected for the mission
2. They are undergoing training in Russia.
3. It will involve Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV Mark III rocket
4. A modified upper stage compatible with a crew module and crew escape system.
Gaganyaan
- ISRO is targeting December, 2021 to launch the unmanned test mission of Gaganyaan project.
- ISRO’s Gaganyaan is India's first manned space mission.
- It envisages sending three Indians to space by 2022.
key features:
1. Four pilots have been selected for the mission
2. They are undergoing training in Russia.
3. It will involve Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV Mark III rocket
4. A modified upper stage compatible with a crew module and crew escape system.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Dekho ApnaDesh Campaign
- Initiated by the Ministry of Tourism
- Released the content of the pledge during a function on Mygov platform.
- It promotes domestic tourism in India
- Aim: To enhance tourist footfalls in places of tourist interest - to develop local economy.
- Tourism Ministry organised webinars on the overall theme of 'DekhoApnaDesh'.
- Objective of the webinars - To create awareness, provide and in-depth knowledge on and promote several tourism destinations in India.
Dekho ApnaDesh Campaign
- Initiated by the Ministry of Tourism
- Released the content of the pledge during a function on Mygov platform.
- It promotes domestic tourism in India
- Aim: To enhance tourist footfalls in places of tourist interest - to develop local economy.
- Tourism Ministry organised webinars on the overall theme of 'DekhoApnaDesh'.
- Objective of the webinars - To create awareness, provide and in-depth knowledge on and promote several tourism destinations in India.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Etikoppaka Bommalu
- Etikoppaka is a small village on the banks of the river Varaha in Vishakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh.
- Etikoppaka Bommalu (or Etikoppaka toys), which have Geographical Indication (GI) Tag
- These are the toys made of soft wood in this region.
- They are also called as lacquer toys because of application of Turned Wood Lacquer Coating.
- They are coloured with natural dyes derived from seeds, lacquer, bark, roots and leaves.
Etikoppaka Bommalu
- Etikoppaka is a small village on the banks of the river Varaha in Vishakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh.
- Etikoppaka Bommalu (or Etikoppaka toys), which have Geographical Indication (GI) Tag
- These are the toys made of soft wood in this region.
- They are also called as lacquer toys because of application of Turned Wood Lacquer Coating.
- They are coloured with natural dyes derived from seeds, lacquer, bark, roots and leaves.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Nirmal Art
- Nirmal Art is 400-year-old rich tradition
- It encompasses wood toys and attractive duco paintings as well as furniture.
- This traditional art has a geographical indication tag.
- Nirmal wooden toys are exclusively made in Nirmal town in Adilabad district of Telangana.
- Rajasthan’s Naqqash families,brought this art to Nirmal.
- It flourished due to the legacy of Hyderabad Nizam.
- These toys were made of finely carved softwood called Ponki chekka or white sander.
- They are even painted in enamel colours.
Nirmal Art
- Nirmal Art is 400-year-old rich tradition
- It encompasses wood toys and attractive duco paintings as well as furniture.
- This traditional art has a geographical indication tag.
- Nirmal wooden toys are exclusively made in Nirmal town in Adilabad district of Telangana.
- Rajasthan’s Naqqash families,brought this art to Nirmal.
- It flourished due to the legacy of Hyderabad Nizam.
- These toys were made of finely carved softwood called Ponki chekka or white sander.
- They are even painted in enamel colours.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Swachhta Saarthi Fellowships
- Launched by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA)
- This fellowship comes under the “Waste to Wealth” Mission.
- This mission is one of the 9 national missions of the PM’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council.
- There are three categories of awards under this fellowship
1. School students from 9th to 12th standards
2. College students (UG, PG, Research students)
3. Citizens working in the community.
- It recognizes people engaged in tackling the challenge of waste management, scientifically and sustainably.
Significance:
1. It will empower young students and innovators as Swachhta Saarthis
2. implement actions to reduce waste for a greener planet.
Swachhta Saarthi Fellowships
- Launched by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA)
- This fellowship comes under the “Waste to Wealth” Mission.
- This mission is one of the 9 national missions of the PM’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council.
- There are three categories of awards under this fellowship
1. School students from 9th to 12th standards
2. College students (UG, PG, Research students)
3. Citizens working in the community.
- It recognizes people engaged in tackling the challenge of waste management, scientifically and sustainably.
Significance:
1. It will empower young students and innovators as Swachhta Saarthis
2. implement actions to reduce waste for a greener planet.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Land Ports Authority of India
- LPAI celebrated its 9th Foundation Day at its headquarters in New Delhi.
- LPAI is a statutory body established under Land Ports Authority of India Act, 2010.
Role:
- It develops, sanitizes and manages the facilities for cross-
border movement
- It includes movements of passengers and goods along the international borders of India.
- Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) on the border.
- Manage various activities like infrastructure facilities, communication, security, etc.
- It can regulate and control the movement of vehicles, people and goods.
- It can develop and provide consultancy, construction or management services.
Land Ports Authority of India
- LPAI celebrated its 9th Foundation Day at its headquarters in New Delhi.
- LPAI is a statutory body established under Land Ports Authority of India Act, 2010.
Role:
- It develops, sanitizes and manages the facilities for cross-
border movement
- It includes movements of passengers and goods along the international borders of India.
- Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) on the border.
- Manage various activities like infrastructure facilities, communication, security, etc.
- It can regulate and control the movement of vehicles, people and goods.
- It can develop and provide consultancy, construction or management services.
UPSC CSE 2021 NOTIFICATION.pdf
1.6 MB
Notification is out... Time to Gear Up for Prelims.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
GMO Threshold
- According to The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
- Food crops imported into India would need a ‘non-GM-origin-cum-GM-free certificate’.
- It is issued by a competent authority.
- The FSSAI has set 1% threshold for Genetically Modified Organisms in 24 imported food crops.
- The ‘Coalition for a GM-Free India’ said that this threshold is unacceptably high.
- It wants to limit the threshold for presence of GMO in imported food products to 0.01% as Indian labs can detect as little as 0.01%.
GMO Threshold
- According to The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
- Food crops imported into India would need a ‘non-GM-origin-cum-GM-free certificate’.
- It is issued by a competent authority.
- The FSSAI has set 1% threshold for Genetically Modified Organisms in 24 imported food crops.
- The ‘Coalition for a GM-Free India’ said that this threshold is unacceptably high.
- It wants to limit the threshold for presence of GMO in imported food products to 0.01% as Indian labs can detect as little as 0.01%.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2020
- The government finalised a draft.
- ‘Fifth Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, 2020’.
- STI Development Bank will direct long-term investments in select strategic areas.
- Strategic Technology Development Fund is to be set up:
1. Home-grow strategic technologies in areas such as nuclear science, space etc.
2. This fund is managed by a Strategic Technology Development Board.
Role:
- It will also provide finance to the private sector and higher education institutions for research with specific goals.
- An engagement portal exclusively to bring together Indian scientists and technocrats worldwide.
- Science diplomacy - Role of S&T in defining foreign policy priorities will be vitalized.
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2020
- The government finalised a draft.
- ‘Fifth Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, 2020’.
- STI Development Bank will direct long-term investments in select strategic areas.
- Strategic Technology Development Fund is to be set up:
1. Home-grow strategic technologies in areas such as nuclear science, space etc.
2. This fund is managed by a Strategic Technology Development Board.
Role:
- It will also provide finance to the private sector and higher education institutions for research with specific goals.
- An engagement portal exclusively to bring together Indian scientists and technocrats worldwide.
- Science diplomacy - Role of S&T in defining foreign policy priorities will be vitalized.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Malaria Elimination Certificate
- El Salvador has become the first country in Central America to get the malaria-free certificate
- This certificate from WHO.
- Eligibility: a country when the chain of indigenous transmission of the disease has been disrupted nationwide for at least three consecutive years.
- Countries that eliminated Malaria Turkmenistan, Maldives, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka etc.
- Half the global malaria-related deaths (2019) were in 6 African countries.
- World Malaria Report 2020 - In India, malaria infections fell by 14.4 million (2000-2019)
- The largest reduction in South-East Asia.
- In 2019, India accounted for 86% of all malaria deaths in the region.
Malaria Elimination Certificate
- El Salvador has become the first country in Central America to get the malaria-free certificate
- This certificate from WHO.
- Eligibility: a country when the chain of indigenous transmission of the disease has been disrupted nationwide for at least three consecutive years.
- Countries that eliminated Malaria Turkmenistan, Maldives, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka etc.
- Half the global malaria-related deaths (2019) were in 6 African countries.
- World Malaria Report 2020 - In India, malaria infections fell by 14.4 million (2000-2019)
- The largest reduction in South-East Asia.
- In 2019, India accounted for 86% of all malaria deaths in the region.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Freedom in the World Report 2021
- This report: India’s status as a “free” country has declined to “partly free”.
- Titled as “Democracy Under Siege”
- It was released by Freedom House
- Freedom House a watchdog of human rights.
- It rates people’s access to political rights and civil liberties in 210 countries and territories.
- These countries are declared as “free”, “partly free” or “not free”.
- Indicators -
Electoral process
political pluralism and participation, government functioning
Freedom of expression and belief etc.
Freedom in the World Report 2021
- This report: India’s status as a “free” country has declined to “partly free”.
- Titled as “Democracy Under Siege”
- It was released by Freedom House
- Freedom House a watchdog of human rights.
- It rates people’s access to political rights and civil liberties in 210 countries and territories.
- These countries are declared as “free”, “partly free” or “not free”.
- Indicators -
Electoral process
political pluralism and participation, government functioning
Freedom of expression and belief etc.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
World Report on Hearing
- Released by World Health Organization (WHO).
Key points:
- One in every four individuals across the world will experience mild-to-profound hearing loss by 2050.
- At least 700 million people will suffer from disabling hearing loss and require ear and hearing care.
(Disabling hearing loss as greater than 40 decibels (dB) loss in adults as and greater than 30 dB in children.)
- Reasons for the disability
1. Exposure to excessive noise
2. genetic causes,
3. complications at birth certain 4. infectious diseases
5. chronic ear infections etc
- Over 5% of the global population have disabling hearing loss.
- Only 17% of those who required hearing aid, actually used one.
World Report on Hearing
- Released by World Health Organization (WHO).
Key points:
- One in every four individuals across the world will experience mild-to-profound hearing loss by 2050.
- At least 700 million people will suffer from disabling hearing loss and require ear and hearing care.
(Disabling hearing loss as greater than 40 decibels (dB) loss in adults as and greater than 30 dB in children.)
- Reasons for the disability
1. Exposure to excessive noise
2. genetic causes,
3. complications at birth certain 4. infectious diseases
5. chronic ear infections etc
- Over 5% of the global population have disabling hearing loss.
- Only 17% of those who required hearing aid, actually used one.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
AI Gamechangers’ Programme
- Launched by National
- Association of Software and Services Companies
- It promotes artificial intelligence led innovation in India
- Microsoft as the ‘Innovation Partner’.
Significance:
1. It will be a platform for startups, enterprises, academia for their AI-based products and solutions.
2. It will recognise innovators for
their successful AI implementation.
AI Gamechangers’ Programme
- Launched by National
- Association of Software and Services Companies
- It promotes artificial intelligence led innovation in India
- Microsoft as the ‘Innovation Partner’.
Significance:
1. It will be a platform for startups, enterprises, academia for their AI-based products and solutions.
2. It will recognise innovators for
their successful AI implementation.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Red Rice
- In a major boost to India’s rice exports potential
- The first consignment of ‘red rice’ was flagged off to the USA.
Key features:
- This rice variety is called ‘Bao-dhaan’ - Integral part of Assamese food.
- ‘Red rice’ is grown in Brahmaputra valley of Assam
- No use of any chemical fertilizer.
- It is rich in iron.
- Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority has promoting rice exports through the Rice Export Promotion Forum.
Red Rice
- In a major boost to India’s rice exports potential
- The first consignment of ‘red rice’ was flagged off to the USA.
Key features:
- This rice variety is called ‘Bao-dhaan’ - Integral part of Assamese food.
- ‘Red rice’ is grown in Brahmaputra valley of Assam
- No use of any chemical fertilizer.
- It is rich in iron.
- Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority has promoting rice exports through the Rice Export Promotion Forum.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Municipal Performance Index 2020
- Released by The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
- The final rankings of the Municipal Performance Index (MPI) 2020.
- The framework for this assessment was prepared by MoHUA
- The Institute for Competitiveness as the knowledge partner.
- The MPI has classified municipalities based on their population as-
1. Million+ category (Municipalities having over a million population) - Indore (Top), Surat, Bhopal.
2. Less than Million Population category (Municipalities with a population of less than a million) - New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) (Top), Tirupati and Gandhinagar.
Five verticals -
1. Services
2. Finance
3. Policy
4. Technology
5. Governance.
- The MPI is an effort to assess and analyse the performance of Indian municipalities based on their defined set of functions.
Municipal Performance Index 2020
- Released by The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
- The final rankings of the Municipal Performance Index (MPI) 2020.
- The framework for this assessment was prepared by MoHUA
- The Institute for Competitiveness as the knowledge partner.
- The MPI has classified municipalities based on their population as-
1. Million+ category (Municipalities having over a million population) - Indore (Top), Surat, Bhopal.
2. Less than Million Population category (Municipalities with a population of less than a million) - New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) (Top), Tirupati and Gandhinagar.
Five verticals -
1. Services
2. Finance
3. Policy
4. Technology
5. Governance.
- The MPI is an effort to assess and analyse the performance of Indian municipalities based on their defined set of functions.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Sattras
- Sattras are monastic institutions
- A part of the 16th century Neo-Vaishnavite reformist movement
- Started by Vaishnavite saint-reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449-1596).
Key features :
- These Sattras/Thans were established as centres of religious, social and cultural reforms
- 16th century across Assam.
- Sattras promulgate Sankardeva’s unique “worship through art”
- It approach with music (borgeet), dance (xattriya) and theatre (bhauna).
- Each Sattra has a naamghar (worship hall) as its nucleus and is headed by an influential “Sattradhikar”.
- Monks, known as bhakats, are inducted into Sattras at a young age.
- Monks may or may not be celibate, depending on the kind of Sattra they are inducted into.
Sattras
- Sattras are monastic institutions
- A part of the 16th century Neo-Vaishnavite reformist movement
- Started by Vaishnavite saint-reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449-1596).
Key features :
- These Sattras/Thans were established as centres of religious, social and cultural reforms
- 16th century across Assam.
- Sattras promulgate Sankardeva’s unique “worship through art”
- It approach with music (borgeet), dance (xattriya) and theatre (bhauna).
- Each Sattra has a naamghar (worship hall) as its nucleus and is headed by an influential “Sattradhikar”.
- Monks, known as bhakats, are inducted into Sattras at a young age.
- Monks may or may not be celibate, depending on the kind of Sattra they are inducted into.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme.
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has signed a MoU with the Central Silk Board
- On a convergence model for the implementation of Agroforestry in the silk sector under the ongoing Scheme.
Significance:
1. incentivize the farmers to take up sericulture based
2. Agroforestry models
contributing to the Make in India
3. Make for the World vision.
4. faster returns to the growers as well as support the
5. production of the range of silks.
Aim:to encourage farmers to plant multi-purpose trees together with the agriculture crops for
1.climate resilience
2. an additional source of income to the farmers
3. enhanced feedstock to inter alia wood-based and herbal industry.
Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme.
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has signed a MoU with the Central Silk Board
- On a convergence model for the implementation of Agroforestry in the silk sector under the ongoing Scheme.
Significance:
1. incentivize the farmers to take up sericulture based
2. Agroforestry models
contributing to the Make in India
3. Make for the World vision.
4. faster returns to the growers as well as support the
5. production of the range of silks.
Aim:to encourage farmers to plant multi-purpose trees together with the agriculture crops for
1.climate resilience
2. an additional source of income to the farmers
3. enhanced feedstock to inter alia wood-based and herbal industry.