{"id":28695,"date":"2024-08-31T19:28:44","date_gmt":"2024-08-31T13:58:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=28695"},"modified":"2025-07-12T18:25:34","modified_gmt":"2025-07-12T12:55:34","slug":"news-in-short-31-08-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/31-08-2024\/news-in-short-31-08-2024","title":{"rendered":"News In Short \u2013 31-08-2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Cabinet Secretary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, Dr. T.V. Somanathan assumed as the Cabinet Secretary after the superannuation of his predecessor, Shri Rajiv Gauba.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Cabinet Secretary<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>He is the<strong> administrative head<\/strong> of the Cabinet Secretariat who is also the<strong> ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board, <\/strong>and <strong>serves as the head of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He plays a critical role in <em>coordinating policy implementation, inter-ministerial communication, and administrative matters at the highest level.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Roles and Functions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coordinating Cabinet Meetings:<\/strong> It ensures smooth functioning of Cabinet meetings, where crucial decisions are made. These meetings involve discussions on policy matters, legislative proposals, and administrative issues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Inter-Ministerial Coordination:<\/strong> It acts as a bridge between various ministries and departments by facilitating communication, resolves conflicts, and ensures effective implementation of government policies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Advising the Prime Minister:<\/strong> It provides expert advice to the Prime Minister on administrative matters, policy formulation, and governance. Its insights are invaluable in shaping the country\u2019s direction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Administrative Leadership:<\/strong> As the senior-most civil servant, the Cabinet Secretary leads the bureaucracy. His decisions impact the functioning of the entire administrative machinery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Cabinet Secretariat<\/strong><br>&#8211; It is responsible for the administration of the <strong>Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961<\/strong> and the <strong>Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961, <\/strong>facilitating smooth transaction of business in Ministries\/Departments of the Government.<br>&#8211; It provides <strong>Secretarial assistance to the Cabinet and its Committees,<\/strong> and also assists in decision-making in Government by <strong>ensuring Inter-Ministerial coordination<\/strong>, ironing out differences amongst Ministries\/Departments and evolving consensus through the <strong>instrumentality of the standing\/ad hoc Committees of Secretaries<\/strong>.<br>&#8211; It ensures that the <strong>President, the Vice President and Ministers<\/strong> are <strong>kept informed of the major activities of all Ministries\/Departments<\/strong> by means of a monthly summary of their activities.<br>&#8211; <strong>Management of major crisis situations<\/strong> in the country and coordinating activities of various Ministries in such a situation is also one of the functions of the Cabinet Secretariat.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/dr-t-v-somanathan-takes-over-as-cabinet-secretary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: News On AIR<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Listeria&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Health<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The US has reported more than 50 illnesses and nine deaths in the Listeria outbreak.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is listeria and listeriosis?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Listeria or Listeria monocytogenes is a <strong>type of bacteria<\/strong> that can survive on surfaces, such as meat slicers, and in foods, even at <strong>refrigerated<\/strong> <strong>temperatures<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Listeria-contaminated food can lead to an infection called<strong> listeriosis<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The infection is especially <strong>dangerous for people<\/strong> with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and people over 65.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its <strong>symptoms<\/strong> include fever, chills, and headache and can take up to ten weeks to manifest in some individuals.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Prevention and Treatment&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reheating foods to a sufficiently high temperature before consumption can eliminate the bacteria.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Also, listeriosis is treatable and one of the most prescribed drugs is <strong>Ampicillin<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/us-9-death-reported-and-more-than-50-ill-due-to-listeria-outbreak\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Private FM Radio Channels in 234 New Cities<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for conduct of <strong>3rd batch <\/strong>of ascending e-auctions for<strong> 730 channels<\/strong> in <strong>234 new cities<\/strong> with estimated reserve price of Rs.784.87 crore under <strong>Private FM Radio Phase Ill Policy.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Cabinet also approved the proposal to charge <strong>Annual License Fee (ALF)<\/strong> of FM channels as <strong>4% of Gross Revenue <\/strong>excluding <strong>Goods and Services Tax (GST).<\/strong> This will be applicable for 234 new cities \/ towns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It will lead to creation of new employment opportunities, boost to local dialect and culture and <strong>\u2018vocal for local\u2019<\/strong> initiatives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Many of these cities and towns are located in <strong>aspirational districts<\/strong> and areas affected by <strong>Left-Wing Extremism.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FM Radio Phase-III Policy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Phase III of the FM Radio Policy was introduced to expand <strong>private FM radio broadcasting<\/strong> to cover more cities, particularly those that remained uncovered in previous phases.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The first two batches were auctioned in <strong>2015 <\/strong>and<strong> 2016<\/strong> respectively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under phase III, the<strong> Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) <\/strong>and <strong>Foreign Institutional Investor (FII)<\/strong> limits in private FM radio companies were increased from <strong>20% to 26%.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2049325\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>University of Southampton&#8217;s New Campus<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 2\/Education&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The University of Southampton (UK) has been granted a license by the Indian government to set up a comprehensive campus in Gurgaon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The campus will be located in Gurugram, National Capital Region (NCR).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is expected to begin offering programs in July 2025.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This initiative is part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/survey\/yojana\/yojana-february-2022\"><strong>National Education Policy (NEP) 2020<\/strong><\/a>, aimed at enhancing India\u2019s educational standards and providing world-class education domestically.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Courses Offered: <\/strong>The campus will offer programs in business and management, computing, law, engineering, art and design, biosciences, and life sciences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Degrees awarded <\/strong>by the Indian campus will be equivalent to those from the main University of Southampton in the UK.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regulatory Framework: <\/strong>The University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations for setting up foreign higher educational institutions in India were notified in November 2023.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Importance of the Initiative<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Addresses challenges like visa restrictions and job uncertainties for Indian students pursuing education abroad.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provides access to top international education without leaving India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The initiative aims to develop world-class, work-ready graduates and contribute to India\u2019s growing knowledge economy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source:BS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to the State Governments for Development of Hydro Electric Projects<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Union Cabinet has approved the Central Financial Assistance towards Equity Participation by the State Governments of the North Eastern Region for development of Hydro Electric Projects in the region.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Scheme formulated by the <strong>Ministry of Power <\/strong>provides for formation of a <strong>Joint Venture (JV) Company<\/strong> for all the projects of a Central PSU with the State Govt.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A cumulative hydro capacity of about <strong>15000 MW<\/strong> would be supported under the scheme.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This scheme has an outlay of<strong> Rs. 4136 crore<\/strong> to be implemented from <strong>FY 2024-25 to FY 2031-32.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The scheme would be funded through <strong>10% Gross Budgetary Support (GBS)<\/strong> for North Eastern Region from the total outlay of the <strong>Ministry of Power.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Participation of the State Governments<\/strong> in the hydro development shall be encouraged and risk and responsibilities shall be shared in a more equitable manner.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The issues such as<strong> land acquisition, rehabilitation &amp; resettlement and local law &amp; order issues<\/strong> would be reduced with the State Governments becoming stakeholders.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Development of hydroelectric projects shall also contribute towards realization of <strong>India\u2019s Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) <\/strong>of establishing<strong> 500 GW <\/strong>renewable energy capacity by <strong>2030 <\/strong>and would help integration of Renewable Energy sources in the grid thus enhancing flexibility, security and reliability of the national grid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Other initiatives<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To promote the hydro power sector and to make it more viable, the <strong>Government of India in 2019,<\/strong> approved measures, such as;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Declaring large hydro power projects as Renewable Energy sources,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hydro Power Purchase Obligations (HPOs),&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tariff rationalization measures through escalating tariff,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Budgetary support for flood moderation in storage HEP and&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Budgetary support for the cost of enabling infrastructure, i.e., construction of roads and bridges.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2049321\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>World Gold Council (WGC)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ International Organisation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The World Gold Council (WGC) has raised its projection for India&#8217;s gold consumption in 2024 to 850 tonnes from 750 tonnes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>World Gold Council (WGC)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>WGC is an<strong> international trade association<\/strong> for the gold industry <strong>formed in 1987<\/strong> by some of the world\u2019s most forward-thinking mining companies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Governance: <\/strong>The World Gold Council is governed by the Board of Directors, composed of member company representatives (Chairperson or Chief Executive Officer) and the World Gold Council\u2019s Chief Executive Officer.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Members:<\/strong> The World Gold Council\u2019s <strong>32 Members.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is <strong>headquartered in London <\/strong>and has offices in India, China, Singapore, the UAE and the United States.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: ET<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Payment Passkey Service<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, <strong>Mastercard <\/strong>chose India for the global launch of <strong>Payment Passkey Service<\/strong>, recognising its tech-savvy population and vibrant e-commerce landscape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Passkeys<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These<strong> replace traditional passwords<\/strong> by leveraging biometric authentication methods\u2014such as facial recognition, fingerprints, or swipe patterns\u2014across all your devices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It combines the phone\u2019s biometrics (like fingerprint or face unlock) with robust encryption.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In October 2023, <strong>Google<\/strong> declared passkeys as <strong>its default login method<\/strong> worldwide.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The state of Michigan implemented passkeys on its website, resulting in 1,300 fewer calls related to password resets in just one month.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Do Passkeys Work?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Key Creation:<\/strong> When one signs into an account, its <strong>device generates a pair of keys<\/strong>\u2014<strong><em>one shared with the website and one private on your device<\/em><\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This dynamic duo ensures secure access without the hassle of passwords.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Passkeys?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Password Fatigue:<\/strong> Multiple passwords, each requiring a unique combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Data Breaches:<\/strong> <strong>In 2023 alone<\/strong>, 353 million Americans were impacted by breaches. <strong>In the first half of 2024<\/strong>, over a billion people had their data stolen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindubusinessline.com\/money-and-banking\/mastercard-chooses-india-for-world-debut-of-payment-passkey-service\/article68582167.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: BL<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd Granted Navratna Status<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI),<\/strong> a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been granted the <strong>Navratna status by the Ministry of Finance.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India&#8217;s central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) are classified into <strong>three major categories &#8211; Miniratna, Navratna and Maharatna CPSEs.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The main <strong>aim of assigning the &#8220;ratna&#8221; statuses<\/strong> was to give<strong> operational freedom and decision-making power to the state-run entities.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Classification&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Miniratna Status: <\/strong>CPSEs are put in two sub-categories under the Miniratna status &#8211; Miniratna-I and Miniratna &#8211; II.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Category-I status:<\/strong> CPSEs which reported profits in three consecutive years, have a pre-tax profit of \u20b930 crore or more in at least one of the three years, and have a positive net worth are classified as a Miniratna-I PSU.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Category-II status:<\/strong> PSUs with a profit for the last three successive years and have a positive net worth are classified as Miniratna-II companies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Navratna status: <\/strong>PSUs that have a Miniratna-I status and have obtained an &#8220;Excellent&#8221; or &#8220;Very Good&#8221; MoU rating in three out of the last five years and have a composite score of 60 or more in six selected performance indicators are eligible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maharatna status: <\/strong>A PSU is eligible for being granted a &#8220;Maharatna&#8221; status, in case it meets the following criteria:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Should have a &#8220;Navratna&#8221; status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Should be listed on the Indian stock exchanges<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Should be compliant with minimum shareholding norms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average annual turnover of more than \u20b925,000 crore and average annual net worth of over \u20b915,000 crore in the last three years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average annual net profit of over \u20b95,000 crore in the last three years along with significant global presence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BHEL, BPCL, Coal India, GAIL, HPCL, Indian Oil, NTPC, ONGC are some of the Maharatna PSUs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2050232\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Samudra Pratap<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Defence&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The indigenously built pollution control vessel of the <strong>Indian Coast Guard (ICG), <\/strong>Samudra Pratap, was launched in Goa.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Ship has been built by <strong>Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) <\/strong>for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The vessel will <strong>help to check the oil spillage<\/strong> in the country\u2019s sea coast. It contains specialized equipment for the containment, recovery, separation, and dispersal of pollutants.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Samudra Pratap can recover oil at a rate of <strong>300 tonnes per hour<\/strong> and has a storage capacity for 300 tonnes or 1,000 tonnes in inflatable barges.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Indian Coast Guard (ICG)<\/strong><br>&#8211; ICG is a maritime law enforcement and search and rescue agency of India with jurisdiction over its territorial waters including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.<br>&#8211; <strong>Established<\/strong> in 1977 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of the Parliament of India.<br>&#8211; <strong>Parent Agency:<\/strong> Ministry of Defence<br>&#8211; <strong>Headquarters: <\/strong>New Delhi<br>&#8211; <strong>Head:<\/strong> Director General Indian Coast Guard (DGICG)&nbsp;<br><strong>Missions of Indian Coast Guard<\/strong><br>&#8211; Safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore terminals and other installations.<br>&#8211; Protection and assistance to fishermen and mariners at sea.<br>&#8211; Preservation and protection of marine ecology and environment including pollution control.<br>&#8211; Assistance to the Department of Customs and other authorities in anti-smuggling operations.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2049860\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Project NAMAN&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 3\/Defense<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Indian Army launched the first phase of Project NAMAN&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Project NAMAN&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Project NAMAN is designed to provide dedicated support and services to Defence Pensioners, Veterans, and their families.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It centers around the <strong>SPARSH (System for Pension Administration Raksha<\/strong>) digital pension system, aiming to streamline pension processes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Partnership and Implementation: <\/strong>The project involves a tripartite MoU between the Indian Army\u2019s Directorate of Indian Army Veterans, Common Service Centre (CSC) e-Governance India Limited, and HDFC Bank Limited.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Phase One Expansion: <\/strong>14 CSCs established in key locations: New Delhi, Jalandhar, Leh, Dehradun, Lucknow, Jodhpur, Bengdubi, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Secunderabad, Saugor, Guntur, Ahmedabad, and Bangalore.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Plan to expand to approximately 200 centres nationwide in the next 2-3 years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact and Benefits: <\/strong>Project NAMAN enhances welfare for veterans and their families, provides commonly required e-Governance services, and creates entrepreneurial opportunities for Veterans and Next of Kin (NOK) , empowering them to contribute to their communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source:PIB<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Vulture Count 2024<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>World Wide Fund for Nature-India<\/strong> has launched Vulture Count 2024.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a nationwide <strong>citizen-science initiative<\/strong> designed to monitor and conserve the country&#8217;s rapidly declining vulture populations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The launch of the initiative coincides with <strong>International Vulture Awareness Day<\/strong> on <strong>September 7, 2024<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Vulture&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Vultures are one of the<strong> <\/strong>22 species of large <strong>carrion-eating birds<\/strong> that live<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>mostly in the tropics and subtropics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>India is home to nine species of Vulture<\/strong> namely the Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous and the Eurasian Griffon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Importance of Vultures<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They serve as <strong>nature\u2019s clean-up crew <\/strong>by feeding on the infected carcass which kills the Pathogens and breaks the chain of infections.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vultures are critically important to the<strong> Parsi community<\/strong> as it leaves its dead bodies atop the <strong>Towers of Silence<\/strong> to be consumed by vultures.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Major Threats<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use of&nbsp; toxic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like <strong>Diclofenac,<\/strong> Lack of Nesting Trees, Electrocution by power lines, Food Dearth and Contaminated Food, Pesticide poisoning etc. threaten vultures across the country.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>According to <strong>BirdLife International<\/strong>, the vulture population declined from over <strong>40,000<\/strong> in 2003 to <strong>18,645<\/strong> in 2015.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India has <strong>lost 99 percent<\/strong> of the population of the three species \u2014 Oriental White-Backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture and Slender-billed Vulture.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conservation Status<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972:<\/strong> Bearded, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Oriental white-backed.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rest are protected under \u2018<strong>Schedule IV\u2019.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>IUCN Red List;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Critically Endangered: <\/strong>Oriental White-backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture and Red-headed Vulture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Endangered: <\/strong>Egyptian Vulture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Least Concerned: <\/strong>Eurasian Griffon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Near Threatened:<\/strong> Himalayan, Bearded and Cinereous.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/wildlife-biodiversity\/vulture-count-2024-wwf-india-launches-tracking-initiative-to-take-stock-of-natures-sanitation-workers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DTE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Metal-organic Frameworks (MOF)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Researchers of Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), have developed <strong>electrochemical and optical biosensors <\/strong>based on <strong>nano polymers multifunctional Metal-organic framework (MOF) and 2-dimensional (2D) materials.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The researchers have utilized MOFs, 2D nanomaterials (e.g., MoS2, MXenes) and their composites.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Properties: <\/strong>Both MOFs and 2D classes of materials are known for their large surface area, functionality, and optoelectronic properties.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They also have a wide range of synthesis methods and can be developed into disposable electrodes, optical kits, fiber optic sensors, colorimetric strips, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The application of MOFs, 2D materials and their composites allows <strong>greater sensitivity<\/strong> over many of the existing methods for the <strong>electrochemical and optical sensing of analytes<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Application: <\/strong>Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) and 2-dimensional (2D) materials, can be used for <strong>rapid and convenient detection of several health, food quality, and environmental parameters.&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They can pave the way for <strong>low-cost point of care devices<\/strong> for quick detection and screening of diseases such as <strong>anaemia, cancer and so on.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some of these sensors can be deployed as <strong>gas and heavy metal detection tools <\/strong>to monitor the environmental quality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2050175#:~:text=Novel%20electrochemical%20and%20optical%20sensors,food%20quality%2C%20and%20environmental%20parameters.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recently, Dr. T.V. Somanathan assumed as the Cabinet Secretary after the superannuation of his predecessor, Shri Rajiv Gauba.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28695","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28695"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28695\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28696,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28695\/revisions\/28696"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28695"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28695"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}