{"id":39240,"date":"2025-03-17T18:28:06","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T12:58:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=39240"},"modified":"2025-03-17T19:50:25","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T14:20:25","slug":"news-in-short-17-march-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/17-03-2025\/news-in-short-17-march-2025","title":{"rendered":"News In Short-17-03-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Starlink<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3-Science and Tech<\/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>Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio have signed distribution pacts with <strong>SpaceX&#8217;s Starlink service <\/strong>to bring satellite internet access to India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Starlink&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a low-earth orbit satellite constellation of over 7,000 satellites providing internet access globally.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Launched in 2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It offers speeds of around 100 megabits per second, comparable with many home broadband connections.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&nbsp;However, the \u201clatency,\u201d or the time it takes for a given data packet to travel between a user and terrestrial internet networks, is higher than wired broadband connections in offices and homes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It works by connecting ground stations to satellites to provide internet access.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Status in India&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starlink may not be as useful in cities with good 5G or wired broadband, but can be beneficial in rural and remote areas where terrestrial networks are lacking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio have signed distribution pacts with SpaceX to bring Starlink to India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>&nbsp;Regulatory Challenges<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starlink must obtain a Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) authorization under India&#8217;s Telecommunications Act, 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SpaceX faces hurdles related to corporate ownership disclosure, security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and obtaining wireless spectrum for the service.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Indian government has not yet issued rules for satellite spectrum allocation, and telecom companies have insisted that it be auctioned.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reliance Jio has taken legal positions arguing that spectrum should be auctioned.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Future Outlook&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starlink\u2019s availability in India is uncertain due to regulatory hurdles, including the security clearance and spectrum allotment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Speculation exists that Musk\u2019s influence and U.S. trade pressure may facilitate faster regulatory approval.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/what-is-elon-musks-starlink-all-about-explained\/article69336733.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Indian Long-billed Vulture<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: Species in News<\/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, an <strong>Indian long-billed vulture<\/strong> was spotted with its chick at <strong>Ramadevarabetta in Karnataka, India\u2019s only vulture sanctuary.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Indian Long-billed Vulture (Gyps Indicus)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a medium-sized bird with pale brown body feathers, and a semi-bald head.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its <strong>long bill and broad wings<\/strong> are distinctive features.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It primarily inhabits <strong>cliffs, hilly crags, and open landscapes<\/strong> in central and southern India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vultures are <strong>nature&#8217;s most efficient scavengers<\/strong>, and play a crucial role in <strong>preventing the spread of diseases<\/strong> by efficiently disposing of animal remains.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Concerns<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Indian long-billed vulture <\/strong>has experienced a <strong>population decline of over 97% since the 1990s, <\/strong>primarily because of <strong>poisoning from the<\/strong><strong>veterinary drug diclofenac<\/strong>, associated with fatal kidney failure.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Although the <strong>drug was banned in India, Pakistan, and Nepal<\/strong> in 2006, its illegal use continues to pose a threat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Declining vulture population<\/strong> has led to an increase in feral dogs and other scavengers, which can<strong> spread diseases like rabies and anthrax.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conservation Status (IUCN Red List)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"96b9cb\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"806\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Indian-Long-billed-Vulture.png\" alt=\"Indian Long billed Vulture\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-39241\" style=\"--dominant-color: #96b9cb; width:498px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Indian-Long-billed-Vulture.png 806w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Indian-Long-billed-Vulture-300x147.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Indian-Long-billed-Vulture-768x375.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 806px) 100vw, 806px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/124218\/OPS\/G8LE3GU90.1+G0UE4HN0B.1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Bodo Peace Accord<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Internal Security<\/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, the Union Home Minister addressed the <strong>57th annual conference of the All Bodo Students\u2019 Union (ABSU)<\/strong> in Kokrajhar, Assam, where he highlighted the success of the <strong>Bodo Peace Accord.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Background: Bodo Movement<\/strong><br>&#8211; The <strong>Bodos<\/strong> are <strong>one of the largest tribal communities in Assam<\/strong>, with a rich cultural and linguistic heritage.&nbsp;<br>1. However, they have <strong>long felt marginalized<\/strong> in Assam\u2019s political and administrative landscape.<br>&#8211; It led to the <strong>demand for a separate Bodoland in the 1980s<\/strong>, which resulted in agitation, violence, and insurgency led by groups like the <strong>NDFB and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT).<\/strong><br><strong>Earlier Attempts To Resolve Issue<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Bodo Accord (1993):<\/strong> It led to the creation of the <strong>Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC).<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Accord (2003):<\/strong> It formed the<strong> Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Bodo Peace Accord (2020)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was aimed at bringing peace and stability to the <strong>Bodo-dominated areas of Assam<\/strong>, particularly the <strong>Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The agreement was signed between the Government of India, the Assam Government, and Bodo organizations, including the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Features:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>BTC was renamed as the<strong> Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR)<\/strong> with greater autonomy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Non-Bodo villages within the existing BTC were excluded.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BTC\u2019s powers were <strong>expanded under the Sixth Schedule.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bodo was recognized as an associate official language of Assam.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/home-minister-amit-shah-addresses-all-bodo-students-union-absu-in-assam\/article69336441.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Fourth Conference on Global Intelligence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Internal Security<\/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 fourth conference of global intelligence and security chiefs, hosted by India\u2019s National Security Advisor (NSA), brought together high-ranking officials from over 28 countries.<\/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 conference was held for the first time in <strong>2022.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The conference took place a day before the annual <strong>Raisina Dialogue,<\/strong> India\u2019s flagship conference on \u201cgeopolitics and geo-strategy\u201d, organised by the <strong>Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The discussions were centered around the following pressing global concerns:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Counterterrorism and Intelligence Sharing: <\/strong>Terrorism remains a major global threat, making intelligence-sharing a key focus.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indo-Pacific Cooperation: <\/strong>Strategic collaboration in the Indo-Pacific was highlighted as crucial for regional trade, security, and political stability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transnational Crimes and Terror Funding: <\/strong>Countries discussed tackling organized crime, narcotics trade, and terror financing through joint efforts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Immigration and Extradition:<\/strong> Strengthening legal frameworks for handling illegal immigration, extradition, and human trafficking was a major topic of discussion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Five Eyes Representation:<\/strong> The presence of the Five Eyes intelligence chiefs underscores India\u2019s increasing role in global intelligence-sharing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/amid-global-uncertainties-global-spy-chiefs-converge-in-delhi\/article69337785.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Menhir<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 1\/History&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Mudumal megalithic menhirs in Telangana\u2019s Narayanpet district will soon be the second UNESCO World Heritage Site in the state following a nomination in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Menhirs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Menhirs are upright, man-made, large stones, typically tapered at the top.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The largest known menhir is the Grand Menhir Bris\u00e9 in France, once 20.6 meters tall.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Historical Linkages <\/strong>: The word \u201cmenhir\u201d comes from the Brittonic words \u201cmaen\u201d (stone) and \u201ch\u00eer\u201d (long).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was first used by French military officer and Celticist antiquarian Th\u00e9ophile Corret de la Tour d\u2019Auvergne.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Culture Reference<\/strong>: Menhirs are popularly known through the character Obelix from the Asterix comics, who carries them due to his superhuman strength.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Age of Menhirs: <\/strong>European menhirs date back to the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age (4,800 to 3,800 years ago).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Mudumal menhirs are about 3,500 to 4,000 years old, making them the oldest in India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Purpose&nbsp; :&nbsp; <\/strong>Menhirs may have had ceremonial functions, acted as grave markers, or served astronomical purposes, such as tracking solstices.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Mudumal menhirs are aligned with the sun\u2019s rising and setting during solstices, suggesting they were used as an ancient observatory.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Significance<\/strong>: The Mudumal menhirs are associated with local legends, such as the worship of one menhir as Goddess Yellamma.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Importance of UNESCO Recognition<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Menhirs show early human understanding of physics and astronomy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They help us understand ancient cultures that left no written records, reflecting the cultural significance to the people who built them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :TH<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Chandrayaan-5 Mission Approval<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 3\/Space&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Indian government has approved the Chandrayaan-5 mission to study the Moon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chandrayaan Missions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Chandrayaan-1(<\/strong>2008)<strong> <\/strong>: Made chemical, mineralogical, and photo-geological maps of the Moon in&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chandrayaan-2 (2019):<\/strong> Its lander crashed, but the orbiter sent hundreds of images of the Moon\u2019s surface.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chandrayaan-3 (2023)<\/strong>: It was a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2, to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface. It was able to have the Vikram lander successfully soft-land on the moon\u2019s south pole region on August 23, 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chandrayaan-4 Mission : <\/strong>It is expected to be launched in 2027. It will aim to collect samples of the lunar soil from the moon and bring the back to the earth for further study.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chandrayaan-5 Collaboration with Japan:<\/strong> The mission will be conducted in association with Japan.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Unlike the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which carried a 25-kg rover, Chandrayaan-5 will carry a 250-kg rover to study the Moon\u2019s surface.<\/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>Do you know ?<\/strong><br>&#8211; Apart from various missions including Gaganyaan, plans are afoot to establish India&#8217;s own space station, called Bharatiya Antariksh Station.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Gomira Dance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ Art and Culture<\/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>Artists performed the \u2018Gomira\u2019 dance during the Chanchala Kali Mata Puja in West Bengal.<\/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 Gomira <strong>masked dance<\/strong> is a traditional folk performance primarily practiced by the <strong>Rajbongshi and Polia<\/strong> communities of North Bengal.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is influenced by <strong>Mahayana Buddhism, Tantric Buddhism, and Shaivite and Shakta <\/strong>traditions. The dance emerged from a fusion of these spiritual influences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Masks:<\/strong> The masks used in the dance are made from various materials like papier mache, sholapith, bamboo, wood, sponge wood, clay, and paper.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Performance Style: <\/strong>The Gomira dance is performed to the rhythmic beats of traditional percussion instruments like <strong>Dhak and Kansar.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"532318\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gomira-Dance-1024x684.png\" alt=\"Gomira Dance\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-39242\" style=\"--dominant-color: #532318; width:386px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gomira-Dance-1024x684.png 1024w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gomira-Dance-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gomira-Dance-768x513.png 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gomira-Dance-1536x1025.png 1536w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gomira-Dance.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/124218\/OPS\/G8LE3GU93.1+GV1E4HUQP.1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Birefringence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3-Science and Tech<\/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>A study reveals that Birefringent materials are used in LCD screens, medical microscopes, optical switches, waveplates, frequency converters, and high-power lasers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Birefringence (aka double refraction)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is an optical phenomenon where a material splits a single light ray into two distinct rays, each traveling at different speeds and refracting in different directions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It arises due to the anisotropic nature of certain materials, meaning their optical properties vary depending on the direction of light propagation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Science Behind Birefringence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Birefringence occurs in materials that <strong>lack isotropy,<\/strong> such as <strong>calcite, quartz, and certain polymers.<\/strong> When unpolarized light enters a birefringent material, it splits into two rays:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ordinary ray (o-ray):<\/strong> It follows the standard laws of refraction; and,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Extraordinary ray (e-ray):<\/strong> It deviates due to the material&#8217;s directional dependence on refractive indices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Types of Birefringence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Intrinsic Birefringence: <\/strong>Found in materials with non-cubic crystal structures, such as calcite and quartz.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stress-Induced Birefringence: <\/strong>Occurs in isotropic materials like glass or plastics when subjected to mechanical stress.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electric Field-Induced Birefringence:<\/strong> Observed when an external electric field alters the optical properties of a material.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Applications of Birefringence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Optics and Photonics:<\/strong> Used in polarizing filters, wave plates, and optical fibers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Material Science: <\/strong>Helps in stress analysis of transparent materials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biology: <\/strong>Assists in studying the structural properties of biological specimens under polarized light microscopy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/124218\/OPS\/G8LE3GU96.1+GNPE4I0T4.1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Pravaah and Sarthi initiatives of RBI&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: <\/strong><strong>GS 3\/Economy&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>Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been awarded the Digital Transformation Award 2025 for Digital Initiatives by Central Banking, London.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It highlights the RBI&#8217;s commitment to innovation and efficiency in governance through its groundbreaking digital initiatives, Pravaah and Sarthi.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Digital Initiatives By RBI<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sarthi System:<\/strong> It is an internal workflow digitization system that has streamlined record management, automated processes, and enhanced data analysis.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It has eliminated the reliance on manual paperwork, boosting operational efficiency across RBI departments by enabling secure digital submissions and improving collaboration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pravaah System:<\/strong> It serves as a digital regulatory application platform for external users.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It allows seamless submission and processing of regulatory applications, integrating directly with the Sarthi database.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It has significantly reduced paperwork, enhanced transparency, and improved cybersecurity in financial documentation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Impact of the Initiatives<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Both the initiatives have empowered RBI employees and external stakeholders by providing user-friendly platforms for data management and regulatory processes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The success of these projects underscores the importance of in-house innovation and collaboration in achieving digital excellence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/rbi-awarded-digital-transformation-award-2025-for-digital-initiatives\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">AIR<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio have signed distribution pacts with SpaceX&#8217;s Starlink service to bring satellite internet access to India.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39240","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\/39240","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\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39240"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39240\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39254,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39240\/revisions\/39254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}