#Environment_Current #PT2020 #2MinRead
Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD)
- It is a quantitative estimate of the amount of aerosol present in the atmosphere.
-measures the extinction of a ray of light as it passes through the atmosphere.
- can be used as a proxy for surface PM2. 5
News - aerosol levels in northern India at the beginning of April were the lowest in 20 years.
(Resason- Lockdown). Aerosols contribute significantly in DELHI-NCR Pollution.
Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD)
- It is a quantitative estimate of the amount of aerosol present in the atmosphere.
-measures the extinction of a ray of light as it passes through the atmosphere.
- can be used as a proxy for surface PM2. 5
News - aerosol levels in northern India at the beginning of April were the lowest in 20 years.
(Resason- Lockdown). Aerosols contribute significantly in DELHI-NCR Pollution.
#Environment #PT2020
Aerosols
- Tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere are called aerosols.
- Examples - Windblown dust, sea salts, volcanic ash, smoke from wildfires, pollutents from factories etc
- Depending upon their size, type, and location, aerosols can either cool the surface, or warm it.
Aerosols
- Tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere are called aerosols.
- Examples - Windblown dust, sea salts, volcanic ash, smoke from wildfires, pollutents from factories etc
- Depending upon their size, type, and location, aerosols can either cool the surface, or warm it.
#Polity_Constitutional_Evolution #PT2020 #2MinRead
Indian councils Act 1861
- Beginning of representative Institutions by associating Indians
- Viceroy to nominate some Indian members as non-official members.
- Decentralization process initiated Legislative powers restored to Bombay and Madras.
- new legislative Councils for North West frontier province and Punjab.
- Portfolio system was recognised (introduced by Canning)
member of Viceroy Council was made in charge of particular department.
- Viceroy empowered to issue emergency ordinances valid for 6 months
Indian councils Act 1861
- Beginning of representative Institutions by associating Indians
- Viceroy to nominate some Indian members as non-official members.
- Decentralization process initiated Legislative powers restored to Bombay and Madras.
- new legislative Councils for North West frontier province and Punjab.
- Portfolio system was recognised (introduced by Canning)
member of Viceroy Council was made in charge of particular department.
- Viceroy empowered to issue emergency ordinances valid for 6 months
#Economy_Current #PT2020
Special Liquidity Facility for Mutual Funds (SLF-MF) Of 50k Crores.
- RBI is to conduct repo operations of 90 days at the fixed repo rate.
- The SLF-MF is on-tap and open-ended. Banks would submit their bids to avail funding.
- The scheme is available from 27 April till May 11 or up to utilization of the allocated amount.
- Funds to be used exclusively for meeting the liquidity requirements of
(1) extending loans,
(2) undertaking outright purchase of and/or repos against the collateral of investment grade corporate bonds, commercial papers (CPs), debentures and certificates of Deposit (CDs) etc.
Special Liquidity Facility for Mutual Funds (SLF-MF) Of 50k Crores.
- RBI is to conduct repo operations of 90 days at the fixed repo rate.
- The SLF-MF is on-tap and open-ended. Banks would submit their bids to avail funding.
- The scheme is available from 27 April till May 11 or up to utilization of the allocated amount.
- Funds to be used exclusively for meeting the liquidity requirements of
(1) extending loans,
(2) undertaking outright purchase of and/or repos against the collateral of investment grade corporate bonds, commercial papers (CPs), debentures and certificates of Deposit (CDs) etc.
#IR_OrgInNews #PT2020 #2MinRead
Export Control Regimes Part 1/4
Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)
- formed in 1987 by the G-7 counries.
- Members - 35 (India - 35th Member- joined in 2016)
- Informal, voluntary grouping of countries
- Aims to check the proliferation of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) Capable of Min 500kg (WMD) payload, with range of at least 300km.
# also focuses on any equipment/ software/technology that can enable a nation to produce such systems.
# not a treaty, hence not legally binding
# It coordinates individual national export licensing policies towards a common export policy that regulates the sale of any such systems.
# MTCR maintains a common list of items, including dual-use technology and components, which can be used to deliver WMDs.
Export Control Regimes Part 1/4
Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)
- formed in 1987 by the G-7 counries.
- Members - 35 (India - 35th Member- joined in 2016)
- Informal, voluntary grouping of countries
- Aims to check the proliferation of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) Capable of Min 500kg (WMD) payload, with range of at least 300km.
# also focuses on any equipment/ software/technology that can enable a nation to produce such systems.
# not a treaty, hence not legally binding
# It coordinates individual national export licensing policies towards a common export policy that regulates the sale of any such systems.
# MTCR maintains a common list of items, including dual-use technology and components, which can be used to deliver WMDs.
#IR_OrgInNews #PT2020 #2MinRead
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)
News - Recently, USA has accused China and Russia of conducting nuclear tests with low yields, in violation CTBT.
- It is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions, for both civilian and military purposes, in all environments.
- adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1996.
- 168 states have ratified the CTBT and another 17 states have signed but not ratified it
- will enter into force 180 days after the Treaty has been ratified by 44 States, listed in Annex 2 of the Treaty.
- Eight States that needs to ratify - China, North Korea, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan and the United States.
- States NOT Signed - India, North Korea and Pakistan
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)
founded - 1996
headquartered - Vienna.
It promotes the Treaty so that it can enter into force.
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)
News - Recently, USA has accused China and Russia of conducting nuclear tests with low yields, in violation CTBT.
- It is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions, for both civilian and military purposes, in all environments.
- adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1996.
- 168 states have ratified the CTBT and another 17 states have signed but not ratified it
- will enter into force 180 days after the Treaty has been ratified by 44 States, listed in Annex 2 of the Treaty.
- Eight States that needs to ratify - China, North Korea, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan and the United States.
- States NOT Signed - India, North Korea and Pakistan
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)
founded - 1996
headquartered - Vienna.
It promotes the Treaty so that it can enter into force.
#SnT_Currents #PT2020 #2MinRead
Spike LR Missiles
- Recently, Indian Army successfully test fired these missiles at Mhow(MP)
- 4th generation Anti-Tank missiles
with Fire and forget capability
Target Range up to 4 km.
- India - 33rd country in the world to have Spike missile.
- developed by Israel. India acquired them through transfer of technology.
It is man-portable and has its own vehicle-launch and helicopter-launch variants.
Spike LR Missiles
- Recently, Indian Army successfully test fired these missiles at Mhow(MP)
- 4th generation Anti-Tank missiles
with Fire and forget capability
Target Range up to 4 km.
- India - 33rd country in the world to have Spike missile.
- developed by Israel. India acquired them through transfer of technology.
It is man-portable and has its own vehicle-launch and helicopter-launch variants.
#SnT_Currents #PT2020 #2MinRead
ASTRA Missiles
News - India to increase the range of ASTRA missiles.
- It is Beyond-visual-range all-weather air-to-air missile developed by DRDO.
- first air-to-air missile developed by India.
- Current Target Range up to 110 km
Planned Range would be 160km
- Speed - Mach 4.7
- They are integrated with Sukhoi Su-30 MKI aircrafts.
There are also plans to integrate the missiles with other aircrafts like Dassault, MiG-29, HAL Tejas.
ASTRA Missiles
News - India to increase the range of ASTRA missiles.
- It is Beyond-visual-range all-weather air-to-air missile developed by DRDO.
- first air-to-air missile developed by India.
- Current Target Range up to 110 km
Planned Range would be 160km
- Speed - Mach 4.7
- They are integrated with Sukhoi Su-30 MKI aircrafts.
There are also plans to integrate the missiles with other aircrafts like Dassault, MiG-29, HAL Tejas.
#IR_OrgInNews #PT2020 #2MinRead
Export Control Regimes Part 2/4
Australia Group
- an informal group - estbd in 1985 (after the use of chemical weapons by Iraq in 1984)
- to help member countries to contain the spread of chemical and biological weapons, through regulation of exports.
- Members - 43
- Mexico, all OECD members, the European Commission, European Union, Ukraine, and Argentina.
India joined in 2018
-It maintains export controls on a uniform list of 54 compounds, that can be used in the manufacture of chemical weapons.
- Delegations representing the members meet every year in Paris, France.
Export Control Regimes Part 2/4
Australia Group
- an informal group - estbd in 1985 (after the use of chemical weapons by Iraq in 1984)
- to help member countries to contain the spread of chemical and biological weapons, through regulation of exports.
- Members - 43
- Mexico, all OECD members, the European Commission, European Union, Ukraine, and Argentina.
India joined in 2018
-It maintains export controls on a uniform list of 54 compounds, that can be used in the manufacture of chemical weapons.
- Delegations representing the members meet every year in Paris, France.
#Environment_Current #PT2020
Ozone Layer Hole Over Arctic Closed
- Reason is the recent polar vortex. ( and Not reduced pollution levels amidst Covid-19 lockdowns)
Ozone Hole
It refers to a region in the stratosphere where the concentration of ozone becomes extremely low in certain months.
Polar vortex
- It is a large area of low pressure and cold air that surrounds both of Earth's poles.
- They always exist, but weakens during the summer and strengthen in the winter.
Ozone Layer Hole Over Arctic Closed
- Reason is the recent polar vortex. ( and Not reduced pollution levels amidst Covid-19 lockdowns)
Ozone Hole
It refers to a region in the stratosphere where the concentration of ozone becomes extremely low in certain months.
Polar vortex
- It is a large area of low pressure and cold air that surrounds both of Earth's poles.
- They always exist, but weakens during the summer and strengthen in the winter.
#Environment_Current #PT2020
REducing PLAstic in Nature (REPLAN) project
- By Khadi and Village Industries Commission’s (KVIC)
- launched in September 2018
- To remove existing waste plastic material from nature and use it in semi-permanent manner.
- Under the project, KVIC manufactures plastic-mixed handmade paper.
- the waste plastic is collected, chopped, cleaned, beaten and treated for softness.
REducing PLAstic in Nature (REPLAN) project
- By Khadi and Village Industries Commission’s (KVIC)
- launched in September 2018
- To remove existing waste plastic material from nature and use it in semi-permanent manner.
- Under the project, KVIC manufactures plastic-mixed handmade paper.
- the waste plastic is collected, chopped, cleaned, beaten and treated for softness.
#Environment_Current #PT2020
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
- It is a statutory body established under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956.
- works under Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
-Objective - to plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assist in the establishment and development of khadi and village industries in the rural areas
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
- It is a statutory body established under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956.
- works under Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
-Objective - to plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assist in the establishment and development of khadi and village industries in the rural areas
#IR_OrgInNews #PT2020 #2MinRead
Export Control Regimes Part 3/4
Wassenaar Arrangement
- The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies
- established 1996, Wassenaar( Netherlands)
- Secretariat - Vienna, Austria.
- Members - 41
- Objective - to contribute to regional and international security and stability
- Means - by promoting transparency and greater responsibility, in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies such as
battle tanks, armored combat vehicles (ACVs), large-caliber artillery, etc
- not a treaty, hence is not legally binding
Export Control Regimes Part 3/4
Wassenaar Arrangement
- The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies
- established 1996, Wassenaar( Netherlands)
- Secretariat - Vienna, Austria.
- Members - 41
- Objective - to contribute to regional and international security and stability
- Means - by promoting transparency and greater responsibility, in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies such as
battle tanks, armored combat vehicles (ACVs), large-caliber artillery, etc
- not a treaty, hence is not legally binding
#Polity_Constitutional_Evolution #2MinRevise #PT2020
Indian Council Act 1892
- Introduced Limited and indirect election
- Increased non-official members in Central and provincial legislative councils but official majority retained
-Increased functions of Legislative councils such as discussing budget and asking questions to executive
- provided for nomination of some non-official members to Indian Legislative Council and provincial legislative councils.
Indian Council Act 1892
- Introduced Limited and indirect election
- Increased non-official members in Central and provincial legislative councils but official majority retained
-Increased functions of Legislative councils such as discussing budget and asking questions to executive
- provided for nomination of some non-official members to Indian Legislative Council and provincial legislative councils.
#Geography_Current #PT2020 #2MinRead
New Names for Trppical Cyclones
- 169 names released by IMD(Indian Meteorological Department) for Indian Ocean Region.
- contributed by 13 countries - India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Thailand, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Iran.
Regional Specialize Meteorological Centre(RSMC)
-works under WMD - 6 centres worldwide
- responsible for the distribution of information, advisories, warnings and Naming of the Tropical Cyclones.
- RSMC - New Delhi works under IMD and is responsible to name the cyclones in the region of Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.
The suggestion of names of cyclones is given by India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Oman, Sri Lanka and Thailand
News - The decision was taken during the 45th session of Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) held by World Meteorological Organization(WMO).
New Names for Trppical Cyclones
- 169 names released by IMD(Indian Meteorological Department) for Indian Ocean Region.
- contributed by 13 countries - India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Thailand, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Iran.
Regional Specialize Meteorological Centre(RSMC)
-works under WMD - 6 centres worldwide
- responsible for the distribution of information, advisories, warnings and Naming of the Tropical Cyclones.
- RSMC - New Delhi works under IMD and is responsible to name the cyclones in the region of Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.
The suggestion of names of cyclones is given by India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Oman, Sri Lanka and Thailand
News - The decision was taken during the 45th session of Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) held by World Meteorological Organization(WMO).
#IR_OrgInNews #PT2020 #2MinRead
Export Control Regimes Part 4/4
Nuclear Suppliers Group
Formed - 1974 ( as a response to Indian Nuclear Test of 1974)
Members- 48
Objective - to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.
India has not been able to secure membership due to opposition from China.
Trigger List - maintained by IAEA.
These items could only be exported to non-nuclear states if certain International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards were agreed to or if exceptional circumstances relating to safety existed.
Export Control Regimes Part 4/4
Nuclear Suppliers Group
Formed - 1974 ( as a response to Indian Nuclear Test of 1974)
Members- 48
Objective - to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.
India has not been able to secure membership due to opposition from China.
Trigger List - maintained by IAEA.
These items could only be exported to non-nuclear states if certain International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards were agreed to or if exceptional circumstances relating to safety existed.
#Environment_Current #2MinRead
Petersberg Climate Dialogue
News - 11th meeting(through Video Conferencing) was held on April 28th 2020.
- Participated by 30 countries including India.
- Initiative and Hosted by Germany since 2010
Objective: To provide a forum for informal high-level political discussions, focusing both on international climate negotiations and the advancement of climate action
Petersberg Climate Dialogue
News - 11th meeting(through Video Conferencing) was held on April 28th 2020.
- Participated by 30 countries including India.
- Initiative and Hosted by Germany since 2010
Objective: To provide a forum for informal high-level political discussions, focusing both on international climate negotiations and the advancement of climate action
#Mains_Fodder #PT_ReportsInNews #PT2020
GRID Report 2020
- Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID)
- released by Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre( IDMC), Genava.
- India - 5 million people have been displaced. World - 33 Million
- Reasons - social and economic vulnerability, hazard intensity and high population.
GRID Report 2020
- Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID)
- released by Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre( IDMC), Genava.
- India - 5 million people have been displaced. World - 33 Million
- Reasons - social and economic vulnerability, hazard intensity and high population.
#Economy_Current #PT2020 #2MinRead
NIP part 1/2
National Infrastructure Pipeline Project(NIP)
Announced in 2019
is a group of social and economic infrastructure projects over a period of 5 years(2019 - 2025)
The emphasis would be on ease of living: safe drinking water, access to clean and affordable energy, healthcare for all, modern railway stations, airports, bus terminals and world-class educational institutes etc.
Budget - 102 lakh crore (US$1.4 trillion)
78% projects - by centre and states,
22% projects - by the private sector.
The NIP is a pillar of GoI's aim to become a $5 trillion economy by 2025.
News- The task force on NIP has submitted its final report to the Finance Minister.
NIP part 1/2
National Infrastructure Pipeline Project(NIP)
Announced in 2019
is a group of social and economic infrastructure projects over a period of 5 years(2019 - 2025)
The emphasis would be on ease of living: safe drinking water, access to clean and affordable energy, healthcare for all, modern railway stations, airports, bus terminals and world-class educational institutes etc.
Budget - 102 lakh crore (US$1.4 trillion)
78% projects - by centre and states,
22% projects - by the private sector.
The NIP is a pillar of GoI's aim to become a $5 trillion economy by 2025.
News- The task force on NIP has submitted its final report to the Finance Minister.