#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.
#Economy_Current #PT2020
NIP part 2/2
Infrastructure Vision 2025
- To provide affordable and clean energy
- To provide 100% digital coverage to all
- To provide world class quality education.
- To provide housing and water supply
- To double farmers’ income by 2022
NIP part 2/2
Infrastructure Vision 2025
- To provide affordable and clean energy
- To provide 100% digital coverage to all
- To provide world class quality education.
- To provide housing and water supply
- To double farmers’ income by 2022
#Polity_current #PT_MAINS2020
SC Judgement - Rights of Minority Institutes are not Absolute
- SC held that the fundamental and religious rights of minorities and rights available under Article 30 are not violated by provisions carved out in Section 10D of the MCI and Dentists Act(Provisions regarding NEET Exam).
- The right to freedom of trade or business is not absolute, but subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of the students’ community to promote merit, recognition of excellence, and to curb the malpractices.
- The constitutionality of the NEET examination has been upheld.
- Providing admission to non-minority students will also not interfere with the right of a Minority Educational Institution to manage its affairs for the benefit of the Minority Community.
SC Judgement - Rights of Minority Institutes are not Absolute
- SC held that the fundamental and religious rights of minorities and rights available under Article 30 are not violated by provisions carved out in Section 10D of the MCI and Dentists Act(Provisions regarding NEET Exam).
- The right to freedom of trade or business is not absolute, but subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of the students’ community to promote merit, recognition of excellence, and to curb the malpractices.
- The constitutionality of the NEET examination has been upheld.
- Providing admission to non-minority students will also not interfere with the right of a Minority Educational Institution to manage its affairs for the benefit of the Minority Community.
#Polity_BasicsInNews #PT2020
Article 30 of the Constitution
Article 30 (1) promises to all linguistic and religious minorities the ‘right to establish’ and the ‘right to administer’ educational institutions of their own choice.
Article 30 (2) restricts the State from making discrimination in the matter of providing help to any educational institution on the ground that it is managed by a religious minority or linguistic minority.
Article 30 of the Constitution
Article 30 (1) promises to all linguistic and religious minorities the ‘right to establish’ and the ‘right to administer’ educational institutions of their own choice.
Article 30 (2) restricts the State from making discrimination in the matter of providing help to any educational institution on the ground that it is managed by a religious minority or linguistic minority.
#IR_InNews #ReportsInNews #PT2020
Annual Special 301 report - 2020
- By United States Trade Representative (USTR)
- It identifies trade barriers to United States companies and products due to the intellectual property laws, such as copyright, patents and trademarks, in other countries.
- 'Priority Foreign Countries' List - countries with inadequate intellectual property laws; these countries may be subject to sanctions.
- “Priority Watch List” and “Watch List” ,
countries whose intellectual property regimes are deemed of concern.
India has been placed on Priority Watch List
Annual Special 301 report - 2020
- By United States Trade Representative (USTR)
- It identifies trade barriers to United States companies and products due to the intellectual property laws, such as copyright, patents and trademarks, in other countries.
- 'Priority Foreign Countries' List - countries with inadequate intellectual property laws; these countries may be subject to sanctions.
- “Priority Watch List” and “Watch List” ,
countries whose intellectual property regimes are deemed of concern.
India has been placed on Priority Watch List
#IR_OrgInNews #PT2020
News - APEC has been expected to post an economic decline by 2.7 percent in 2020 because of the CoVID-19 pandemic.
News - APEC has been expected to post an economic decline by 2.7 percent in 2020 because of the CoVID-19 pandemic.
#Govt_Initiative #SnT_Currents
YASH Programme
- Launched by the Department of Science and Technology.
- YASH is the Year of Awareness on Science and Health.
- The awareness is being created to focus on COVID-19.
- The programme will include health, science and risk communication software, audio-visual, folk performances, digital platforms and communicators to address the challenges.
- The programme is to be launched in regional languages.
YASH Programme
- Launched by the Department of Science and Technology.
- YASH is the Year of Awareness on Science and Health.
- The awareness is being created to focus on COVID-19.
- The programme will include health, science and risk communication software, audio-visual, folk performances, digital platforms and communicators to address the challenges.
- The programme is to be launched in regional languages.
#SnT_Currents #PT2020
Atulya
- It is a microwave steriliser that can disintegrate and kill the novel coronavirus.
- Developed by Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), under DRDO.
- Virus gets disintegrated by differential heating in the range of 56 degrees to 60 degrees Celsius
Atulya
- It is a microwave steriliser that can disintegrate and kill the novel coronavirus.
- Developed by Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), under DRDO.
- Virus gets disintegrated by differential heating in the range of 56 degrees to 60 degrees Celsius
#Mains_Fodder #PT2020 #2MinRead
Global Energy Review Report 2020
- By International Energy Agency (IEA)
- Global energy demand declined by 3.8% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to that of 2019
- CO2 Emissions decline in 2020 could be 8% lower than in 2019, which would be the lowest level of emissions since 2010.
- India experienced a reduction in its energy demands by 30% as a result of the nation-wide lockdown.
Global Energy Review Report 2020
- By International Energy Agency (IEA)
- Global energy demand declined by 3.8% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to that of 2019
- CO2 Emissions decline in 2020 could be 8% lower than in 2019, which would be the lowest level of emissions since 2010.
- India experienced a reduction in its energy demands by 30% as a result of the nation-wide lockdown.
#IR_OrgInNews #PT2020 #1MinRead
International Energy Agency (IEA)
-Intergovernmental autonomous organisation which works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy.
- Established 1973 after the oil crisis
- Headquarter - Paris, France.
- World Enegry Outlook report annually
- Members - 30
- India became an associate member in 2017.
International Energy Agency (IEA)
-Intergovernmental autonomous organisation which works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy.
- Established 1973 after the oil crisis
- Headquarter - Paris, France.
- World Enegry Outlook report annually
- Members - 30
- India became an associate member in 2017.
#Economy_Current #PT2020
Maharatna status to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Power Grid Corporation of India
- In October 2019
- by Ministry of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises
Total Maharatna Public Sector Enterprises (PSUs): 10 nos.
1. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
2. Coal India Limited (CIL)
3. Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL)
4. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
5. National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC)
6. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)
7. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
8. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
9. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
10. Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCI)
Maharatna status to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Power Grid Corporation of India
- In October 2019
- by Ministry of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises
Total Maharatna Public Sector Enterprises (PSUs): 10 nos.
1. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
2. Coal India Limited (CIL)
3. Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL)
4. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
5. National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC)
6. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)
7. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
8. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
9. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
10. Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCI)