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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Prime Minister’s Visit to Jammu and Kashmir on 20th – 21st June 2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) on the 20th and 21st of June 2024 and inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects.
- He also participated in the ‘Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K’ event at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, J&K.
- He also launched the Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP).
About the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD):
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized agency of the United Nations, was formed to finance agricultural development projects, primarily for food production in developing countries.
IFAD was set up as an international financial institution in 1977.
President– Alvaro Lario
Headquarters– Rome, Italy
>> Read Full News
BIS Introduces 2 New Standards IS 18590: 2024 & IS 18606: 2024 To Enhance Safety & Quality of EVs in India
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced 2 new standards, IS 18590: 2024 and IS 18606: 2024, aimed at enhancing Electric Vehicles (EVs) safety and quality in India. These standards are applied to the L (2-wheelers), M (4-wheelers), and N (goods trucks) categories of EVs.
- It particularly focussed on the crucial components of the EVs (cars, buses, and trucks) such as the powertrain (including motor and transmission), and battery safety.
- With these new standards, the BIS now has 30 Indian Standards (IS) dedicated to EVs and their accessories, including charging systems.
Note: BIS is the National Standards Body of India, operating under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution(MOCAF & PD).
Key Points:
i.These standards ensure vehicles meet stringent safety and performance criteria, crucial for fostering sustainable and efficient transportation solutions.
ii.Recognising the growing popularity of E-rickshaws and E-karts, BIS also introduced IS 18294: 2023, which establishes safety standards for E-rickshaws and E-Karts.
- Setting these standards ensures the safety, and protection of both the drivers and the passengers, promoting the adoption of these eco-friendly vehicles.
About the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):
BIS came into existence, through an act of parliament dated 26 November 1986, on 1 April 1987.
Director-General(DG)– Pramod Kumar Tiwari
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
SAMEER, MeitY Signed MoU with MCTE, Indian Army for Technological Advancement
On 22nd June 2024, the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER), an autonomous Research & Development (R&D) institute under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Indian Army, to promote collaboration in “Next Generation Wireless Technologies for Indian Army”.
- This strategic partnership aims to bolster the Indian Army’s technological capabilities which are aligned towards vision for 2024 as “Year of Technological Absorption for Indian Army” declared by Chief of Army Staff.
- This aims to improve national security and technological infrastructure with significant benefits and will not just limited to military but will go much beyond.
Signatories: The MoU was signed by Lt. General KH Gawas,Commandant MCTE and Colonel Commandant Corps of Signals and Dr. P Hanumantha Rao, Director General(DG), SAMEER.
Key Points:
i.The primary objectives of the MoU include joint research and development projects which will specifically target deployable solutions, leveraging combined expertise in 5G, 6G, advanced cellular technologies, Software defined radios and cognitive radios, Satellite communications, Antenna design, Free space optics and Tropo-scatter communications, as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum, and military specific chip design.
ii.Under this MoU, an ‘Advanced Military Research and Incubation Centre’ at MCTE will be established.
- The incubation centre will provide support to the development of military-specific innovative solutions from conceptualization to large-scale production including, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups.
- It also aims to share knowledge, training and development features.
About Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER):
Director General (DG)- Dr. P Hanumantha Rao
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established- 1984
About Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE):
MCTE is the engineering training establishment for the Corps of Signals of the Indian Army.
Headquarters- Indore, Madhya Pradesh (MP)
Established- 1967
MoE Constitutes 7 Member Committee To Reform Examination Process, NTA Functioning
The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE) has constituted a seven-member high-level committee to make recommendations on reform in the examination process, improvement in data security protocols and functioning of the National Testing Agency(NTA).
- The committee is headed by Dr K. Radhakrishnan, the former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Chairman Board of Governors (BoG), Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.
Note: The committee shall submit its report to the MoE within two months from the date of issue of this order.
About the committee:
i.The objective of the committee is to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through NTA.
ii.The terms of reference of the committee includes analysing the end-to-end examination process and suggest measures to improve efficiency of the system, conduct review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) of the NTA.
iii.The committee examines existing security protocols related to the paper-setting and other processes for different examinations and makes recommendations to enhance the robustness of the system.
Members:
The other six members of the committee are:
- Dr Randeep Guleria (Former Director, of All India Institute of Medical Sciences-AIIMS Delhi)
- Professor B J Rao (Vice Chancellor, Central University of Hyderabad, Telangana)
- Prof. Ramamurthy K (Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras)
- Pankaj Bansal (Co-Founder, People Strong and Board Member- Karmayogi Bharat)
- Prof. Aditya Mittal (Dean of Student Affairs, IIT Delhi)
- Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary, MoE).
Background:
This development comes after the irregularities/ paper leaks of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET-UG) and cancellation of University Grants Commission–National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET).
About Ministry of Education (MoE):
Union Minister – Dharmendra Pradhan (Lok Sabha Constituency – Sambalpur, Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS) – Sukanta Majumdar (Lok Sabha Constituency – Balurghat, West Bengal, WB); Jayant Chaudhary (Independent Charge) (Rajya Sabha, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
IRM India Affiliate Licenses SSU to Setup India’s 1st Global Centre for ERM in East India
The India Affiliate of the Institute of Risk Management (IRM) has licensed Sri Sri University (SSU), Odisha to set up India’s first and East India’s only Global Centre for ‘Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)’.
- The signing ceremony was conducted at the Art of Living International Centre in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
i.The global centre’s objective is to build a safer and secure environment for communities throughout East India by establishing partnerships with government agencies and local organisations.
ii.It provides the students with access to IRM’s global resources and training, allowing them to develop skills in risk-informed business leadership, entrepreneurship, and corporate management.
iii.It also addresses key areas such as disaster risks, safety risks, cyber risk management, women and child safety risks and financial risks.
iv.This partnership enhances opportunities for continuous learning and networking within the IRM India community.
v.With the potential to develop over 10,000 IRM-certified risk-intelligent graduates and professionals, this partnership will contribute significantly to building a resilient and sustainable business environment.
Note: IRM, which is headquartered at United Kingdom (UK), is the world’s leading professional certifying body for ERM qualifications, exams and memberships (Level 1 to 5).
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Highlights of MEA, Dr. S. Jaishankar Visit to Sri Lanka on 20th June 2024
Union Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GoI) visited Sri Lanka on 20th June 2024. This marked his 1st bilateral visit to any country after being sworn-in as External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India for 2nd consecutive term.
He was received by Tharaka Balasuriya, State Minister of Foreign, Sri Lanka and Senthil Thondaman, Governor of Eastern Province on his arrival in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Key Points:
i.Union Minister S. Jaishankar and Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka jointly unveiled the virtual plaque to mark the formal commissioning of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)on 20th June 2024 in Sri Lanka.
ii.Both leaders virtually handed over 24 houses in each model village in Colombo and Trincomalee built under the Model Village Housing Project sponsored by Government of India (GoI).
iii. EAM S.Jaishankar visit to Sri Lanka reinforces India’s “Neighbourhood First” Policy.
About Sri Lanka:
Capital- Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (legislative capital), Colombo (judicial and executive capital)
President- Ranil Wickremesinghe
Prime Minister (PM)- Dinesh Gunawardena
Currency- Sri Lankan Rupee (SLR)
>> Read Full News
Israel Armed Forces and Hamas Placed on the UN List for Violations of Children’s Rights
According to the United Nations (UN) annual report on Children and Armed Conflict, for the 1st time, Israel Armed Forces, Hamas armed wing, IZZ al-Din al-Qasssam and Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s armed wing, Al-Quds Brigades, has been placed to the list in gross violation of children’s rights.
- The report has also placed Sudan’s Army and rivalry military the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the blacklist for the killing and maiming of children and for attacks on schools and hospitals, as both have been battling for more than a year.
- The report is released annually by UN Secretary-General, António Guterres and is presented at the UN Security Council (UNSC).
Note: The listed organisations in the list may be subject to UN Sanctions.
Key Findings:
i.As per the report, the conflict the occupied in Israel and Palestinian territories specially Gaza, has led to a 155% increase of grave violations against children.
ii.The report verified over 30,000 grave violations which affected more than 22,500 children globally in 2023 which saw increase of 21% compared to 2022.
- Also, the number of children killed or maimed in 2023 increased by 35% compared to 2022.
- The report verified over 8,000 grave violations against 4,247 Palestinian children and 113 Israeli children in 2023.
iii.The report highlighted that about 2/3rd of the global grave violations occurred in mainly 6 countries: Israel/Palestine, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Myanmar, Somalia, Nigeria, and Sudan.
India Becomes World’s 3rd largest Domestic Airline Market: OAG Report
According to the Official Airline Guide (OAG) report, India becomes the 3rd largest domestic airline market in the world. India jumped from 5th position in 2014 as it saw the significant increase in it’s domestic airline capacity from 7.9 million (in April 2014) to 15.6 million (in April 2024).
- As per the report, the United States of America (USA) and China retained their ranks at 1st and 2nd position with 86.1 million and 67.8 million capacities, respectively. Brazil and Indonesia at 4th and 5th position.
i.The report highlighted that India is the fastest growing market across all 5 domestic markets worldwide as it noted that India’s capacity growth rate of seats is increasing at 6.9% per annum which is the highest over a 10-year average.
ii.According to the report, India has the highest Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs) among the top 5 countries. As of April 2024, LCCs accounted 78.4% of India’s domestic capacity.
- India’s LCC growth has been mainly driven by IndiGo in last 10 years as its market share has nearly doubled from 32% to 62%.
Note:
i.On 19th November, 2023, India airlines carried almost 4.56 lakh domestic passengers, the highest since COVID-19, and has surpassed pre-COVID averages by 7.4%.
ii.The number of airports increased from 74 (in 2014) to 157 (2024).
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Nasscom-Zinnov DeepTech Start-up Report: India Ranks 6th Amongst the Top 9 DeepTech Ecosystems Globally
According to the 2nd edition of the Nasscom–Zinnov‘s DeepTech start-up landscape report series, “India’s DeepTech Dawn: Forging Ahead“, India ranks 6th among the top 9 DeepTech ecosystems globally, with over 3,600 deep-tech startups, which secured USD 850 million funding in 2023, a 77% drop from 2022.
- The report explores trends in ecosystem expansion, technology focus, funding, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), Intellectual Property (IP), and sectoral focus.
Note:
i.Nasscom, a not-for-profit industry association, is the apex body for the USD 245 billion technology industry in India.
ii.Founded in 2002, Zinnov is a global management and strategy consulting firm.
iii.Nasscom-Zinnov is a collaboration between Zinnov and Nasscom, a trade association for India’s Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM).
Key Insights from the DeepTech Report:
i.Of the 3,600+ DeepTech startups, 480 were established in 2023—double the number (higher) from 2022. Notably, 74% focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), up from 62% between 2014 to 2022.
ii.Of these 480 startups, over 100 are Inventive DeepTech firms that have developed IP or innovative solutions in new domains.
- Key startups such as Agnikul, GalaxyEye, HealthPlix, Sarvam AI, and Peptris are emerging in health, sustainability, AI, space tech, etc.
Funding Trends and Challenges:
i.Both early and late-stage deals saw a reduction of over 60% in 2023, with investors cautious due to the extended gestation periods.
ii.31 M&A deals were reported in 2023, a 45% decline as the focus shifted to accelerating AI capabilities.
Regional Growth and Future Prospects:
i.Over 110 DeepTech startups were incepted in emerging hubs in 2023, with a twofold increase from 2022 and the highest growth in the last 5 years.
- This is mainly due to the growing talent pool and supportive ecosystems.
ii.Deep tech, including AI, Quantum Computing, Space tech, and robotics, is becoming integral to innovation across various domains.
Note: Space and Defence, Healthcare, Automotive, and Industrial Manufacturing are key sectors, with over 500 startups working on electrification, industrial robotics, cancer diagnostics, and more.
Challenges and Strategic Actions:
i.Despite having the 3rd largest pool of DeepTech startups in the world (excl. China), India lacks patient capital for DeepTech startups, which limits their ability to scale.
ii.Key areas needing support include access to strong Research and Development (R&D) partnerships, streamlined government procurement, and the implementation of the 2023 National DeepTech Startup Policy (NDTSP).
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Atul Kumar Chaudhary Appointed as Secretary of TRAI
The Government of India (GoI) has appointed Atul Kumar Chaudhary as the new Secretary of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on a deputation on foreign service terms, initially for a period of two years.
- This appointment comes after the superannuation of V Raghunandan on May 31 2024.
- Currently, he has been serving as the Deputy Director General (DDG) in Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) since 2021.
About Atul Kumar Chaudhary:
i. Atul Kumar Chaudhary is an Indian Telecommunication Services (ITS) officer of 1989-batch.
ii.He served as Deputy Director General (DDG) in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under the Ministry of Communications (MoC).
iii.He held multiple roles in Personnel management, Human resources (HR), Administration, Licencing, Vigilance wing of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and DoT.
About Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI):
TRAI is a statutory body that regulates the telecommunications sector in India.
Chairman – Anil Kumar Lahoti
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1997
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
China-France Satellite SVOM Launched to Monitor Gamma-Ray Bursts in Space
On 22nd June 2024, China successfully launched the Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM), a space science satellite, through the Long March 2–C carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, Southwest China, China.
- It was co-developed by China National Space Administration (CNSA) in partnership French space agency, Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES).
- The launch of SVOM marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France.
- At present, this satellite is considered as the most powerful satellite in the world for multi-band comprehensive observation of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), the light from which has travelled billions of light years to reach the earth.
Note: GRBs usually occur following the explosion of huge stars which is more than 20 times as big as the sun.
Background:
i.The SVOM project was initiated in 2005 which resulted in a long term collaboration between CNSA and CNES in 2014.
ii.It is the 2nd satellite jointly developed by CNSA and CNES after, the successful launch of Chinese-French Oceanography Satellite (CFOSAT) in 2018.
Key Features of SVOM:
i.It is a 930 kilogram (kg) spacecraft built by Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IAMCAS) in Shanghai, China.
ii.The satellite will be placed at a orbit 625 Kilometers (Kms) above the Earth. It will send real-time data to ground observatories.
iii.It carries 4 scientific payloads i.e. the ECLAIRs coded mask camera and the Micro-channel X-Ray telescope made by French scientists, and the Gamma –Ray Burst monitor, to measure the spectrum of emissions from GRBs and the Visible Telescope, will monitor light emitted in optical wavelengths immediately after a GRB event, made by Chinese scientists.
iv.It is also equipped with the BeiDou Navigation Satellite (BDS) System of China that will help to use BDS short message services.
- It will also use French Very High Frequency (VFH) network that will enable the SVOM to transmit an alert signal back to the ground station within 5 minutes, after detecting a GRB event.
v.It comprises hundreds of cubesats and each cubesat has lightweight Lithography, Electroplating, and Molding (LIGA) -Micro-Slot –Optics which is designed specifically focusing on high-sensitivity soft X-Ray.
About China National Space Administration(CNSA):
Administrator- Zhang Kejian
Headquarters- Beijing, China
About Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES):
President- Philippe Baptiste
Headquarters- Paris, France
Founded- 1961
IMPORTANT DAYS
United Nations Public Service Day 2024 – June 23
The United Nations (UN) Public Service Day is annually observed across the globe on 23 June to celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community and emphasise the contribution of public service in the development process.
Background:
i.On 20 December 2002, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/57/277, proclaiming 23 June as UN Public Service Day.
ii.The UN Public Service Day also marks the anniversary of the date when the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted the Convention on Labour Relations (Public Service) in 1978 (ILO Convention No. 151).
Events 2024:
The 2024 UN Public Service Forum and Awards Ceremony takes place from 24 to 26 June 2024 in Incheon, Republic of Korea, under the theme ‘Fostering Innovation amid Global Challenges: a Public Sector Perspective’.
>> Read Full News
International Olympic Day 2024 – June 23
International Olympic Day is annually observed across the globe on 23 June to promote participation and peace in sports across the globe regardless of age, gender, or athletic ability.
- This Day commemorates the founding of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the Sorbonne, Paris, on 23 June 1894, where Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the French Historian revived the Olympic Games of ancient Greece.
The 2024 theme of International Olympic Day is, “Let’s Move and Celebrate.”
Background:
i.In 1947, during the 41st IOC Session in Stockholm (Sweden), Dr. Josef Gruss, a member of the IOC (1946-65) in Czechoslovakia proposed the concept of a World Olympic Day to promote the Olympic spirit.
ii.The idea was officially adopted during the 42nd IOC Session in St Moritz, Switzerland in January 1948. The 1st Olympic Day was celebrated on 23 June 1948 by 9 countries.
About the International Olympic Committee (IOC):
President– Thomas Bach
Headquarters– Lausanne, Switzerland
Motto – Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter or Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together
>> Read Full News
International Widows Day 2024 – June 23
The United Nations (UN)’s International Widows Day is annually observed across the globe on 23rd June to raise awareness about the plight of widows worldwide and advocate for their rights and well-being.
- The theme of International Widows Day 2024 is ‘Accelerating the achievements of Gender Equality’.
Background:
i.The International Widows Day was initiated by the Loomba Foundation in 2005.
ii.In December 2010, the United Nations 65th General Assembly (UNGA) formally adopted June 23rd as International Widows Day.
About United Nations (UN):
Secretary General – António Guterres
Headquarters – New York, United States of America (USA)
Established in – 1945
About Loomba Foundation:
The Loomba Foundation is a registered charity in the United Kingdom (UK), India and USA.
Founder and Chairman – Lord Raj Loomba
>> Read Full News
STATE NEWS
UP To Set Up World’s 1st Conservation & Breeding Centre For Asian King Vultures
Uttar Pradesh(UP) is set to establish the ‘Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre’, world’s first conservation and breeding centre for Asian king vultures or red-headed vultures or Pondicherry vultures in Maharajganj, UP.
i.This initiative aims to improves the population of the Asian king vultures, which has been listed as critically endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s red list since 2007.
- Asian king vultures are endangered due to habitat degradation and the overuse of diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in domestic animals, which becomes poisonous for vultures.
ii.This centre aims to ensure the good health of growing vultures and provide them with a pair. After the female lays an egg, the pair will be left free in their natural environment.
iii.The enclosure is only accessible to the keeper and 24×7 Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) monitoring is being done at the centre.
Note: Asian King Vulture is one of the 9 species of Vulture which are found in India
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