1.PM to address One Ocean Summit tomorrow through virtual medium
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the high level meeting of One Ocean Summit through a video message on 11 February . The Summit will also be addressed by the Heads of State and Government of several countries including Germany, Britain, South Korea, Japan and Canada . The One Ocean Summit is being organized in Brest , France from February 9 to 11 in collaboration with the United Nations and the World Bank . The aim of the conference is to inspire the international community to take concrete action to protect and support healthy and sustainable marine ecosystems .
2.RBI announces bi-monthly policy, no change in key interest rates
The Reserve Bank of India has not made any change in its key interest rates. The Monetary Policy Committee has unanimously kept the repo rate at four per cent and the reverse repo rate at 3.30 per cent each. After the bi-monthly monetary policy review meeting, Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das said that there was no change in the Bank Rate and the Marginal Standing Facility – MSF rate and it will remain four decimal two-five percent. Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das has said that the Monetary Policy Committee has maintained a liberal stance on interest rates with a five-to-one decision.
3.ISRO has launched a total of 342 satellites since 1975: Dr Jitendra Singh
Indian Space Research Organization- ISRO has launched 129 indigenously built satellites and a total of 342 satellites from 36 other countries since 1975 . This information was given by the Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh in the Rajya Sabha. He said that at present a total of 53 satellites of India are working. Of these, there are 21 communication satellites, eight navigation satellites, 21 observation satellites and three science satellites . The data received from these satellites is being used in various fields. These include television broadcasting, direct to home service, ATM, mobile communication, tele education, tele medicine and weather.
4.President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates the annual festival of Rashtrapati Bhavan
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the annual Udyanotsav of Rashtrapati Bhavan . Mughal Gardens for general public from next Saturday 16 MarchWill be open till Tourists will be able to roam in the garden from 10 am to 5 pm. At the same time, Mughal Garden will remain closed on Monday for maintenance. This year due to the Kovid epidemic, direct entry will not be available in the Mughal Gardens. People will be allowed to visit the Garden only through online booking. It will be mandatory for people to follow the guidelines of Kovid like wearing masks and maintaining a safe distance while visiting the garden. The entry and exit of the Garden will be done from gate number 35 of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Tourists, apart from the Mughal Gardens, Rashtrapati Bhavan and Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum can also be visited through online booking.
5.Seven AAI airports selected for Voice of Customer Recognition 2021 by Airports Council International
Seven airports of AAI viz. Chennai, Kolkata, Goa, Pune, Patna, Bhubaneshwar and Chandigarh which participated in ACI-ASQ Survey 2021 have been recognized as Voice of Customer by Airports Council International (ACI) under the Voice of Customer Initiative of the World. Recognitionhas been selected for. Airports Council International has launched an initiative called ‘Voice of Customer’ initiative to recognize and recognize airports that have consistently prioritized their customers and are committed to ensuring that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues. His voice should be heard continuously even during the pandemic. The Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Survey is a world-renowned and internationally established benchmarking program conducted by the Airports Council International (ACI) to measure the satisfaction of passengers as they travel through an airport. The ASQ Awards recognize airports around the world that provide the best customer experience their passengers opine.
6.SERB invites applications for the summer session under the program ‘Exercise’ of ‘Accelerate Science’ scheme
Recently, ‘ Science and Engineering Research Board ‘ (SERB) has invited applications for the summer session under a program ‘abhyasa’ of ‘ Accelerate Science ‘ scheme . ‘Science and Engineering Research Board’ (SERB) Department of Science and Technology (DST) , Union Ministry of Science and Technologyis an autonomous body. The ‘Accelerate Science’ (AV) scheme seeks to promote scientific research and create a scientific workforce, which can pursue research careers and venture into the knowledge-based economy. The ‘Accelerate Science’ (AV) scheme aims to expand the research base in the country, with three broad goals – consolidation/aggregation of all scientific training programmes, introducing high-end orientation workshops and creating opportunities for training and skill internships. Doing. Exercise is a major component of the ‘Accelerate Science’ scheme, Whose goal is to encourage the students of Post-Graduate and PhD for skill development in their respective subject. The program has two sub-components ‘KARYASHALA’ (KARYASHALA) and ‘VRITIKA’ (VRITIKA). This is especially important for researchers who have limited opportunities to access learning capabilities/facilities/infrastructure. The ‘Hypnosis’ component The 2 sub-components of the program are Samyogika (SAONJIKA) and Seminar (SANGOSHTI).
7.Starlink loses dozens of satellites in geomagnetic storm
Elon Musk ‘s Starlink recently lost dozens of satellites that were caught in a geomagnetic storm a day after launch . High-speed Internet Starlink satellites launched by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX Some of the satellites were destroyed by a geomagnetic storm, which was launched a day before the event. Arrangements were made to burn these satellites during their re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere so that debris would not remain in space. However the loss of 40 satellites of the launch batch in this incident has been described as a colossal event. Starlink is a SpaceX project to build a broadband network with a group of orbiting spacecraft that may eventually number in the thousands. Starlink satellites that use electricity and krypton gas to generate impulses to maintain maneuverability and altitude in orbit and guide the spacecraft back into the atmosphere at the end of the mission. The Starlink network is one of several efforts being made to receive data signals from space. solar storm sun spots (on the sun)
8.Discovery of a new mammal species – ‘White-cheeked Macaque’ in the country
Recently, scientists of ‘ Zoological Survey of India ‘ ( ZSI ) have discovered a new mammal species- ‘ White-cheeked Macaque ‘ ( Macaca leucogenis ) in the country. This species was first discovered in China in the year 2015 , before that its existence in India was not known. Now Indian scientists have traced its presence in the remote Anjou district of central Arunachal Pradesh . The latest discovery shows the number of mammals in India from 437 to 438.has occurred. The white-cheeked macaque has white cheeks, long and thick hair on the neck and a long tail, making it quite different from other macaques. It is the last mammal discovered in Southeast Asia. Both the Arunachal macaque and the white-cheeked macaque exist in the same biodiversity hotspot in the eastern Himalayas.
9.Endurance 22 Expedition departs from Cape Town
The Endurance 22 Expedition recently left Cape Town on schedule. It has moved towards the Weddell Sea in Antarctica . The Endurance 22 expedition was flagged off by the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust . The mission of the expedition is to locate, survey and film the lost ship Endurance of famed polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton . This expedition will be operated at sea for a total of 35 days. The operation was conducted by SA Agulhas II., a South African ice breaker polar supply and research ship. The expedition is being led by Dr. John Shears , a polar geographer and explorer.
10.The number of working days under MGNREGA can be increased to 150
A parliamentary committee recently recommended increasing the guaranteed days of work from 100 to 150 under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) .is of. The committee made the recommendations at a time when the scheme has become a safety net for migrant workers returning to their villages amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the demand for work under the scheme has reached an all-time high in the financial year 2021-2022. It recommended the budgetary allocation in a more practical manner, So that the flow of funds for payment of wages and material part can be maintained uninterruptedly and there is no shortage of funds at any point of time. This committee also took note of the existing provisions and said that MGNREGA is the last ‘fall back’ option for rural people. It recommended the Rural Development Department to review the scheme to ensure an increase of the guaranteed days of work from 100 to 150 days. This committee has also asked the Ministry of Rural Development to increase the wage rates under this scheme by linking it with the index of inflation. The Finance Ministry has not increased the allocation for MGNREGA in the Union Budget 2022-23. The ministry has retained it at Rs 73,000 crore for the financial year 2022-23.
11.RBI announces redemption value of sovereign gold bonds
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the redemption price for the premature redemption of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) , which was due on February 8, 2022. The redemption price was Rs 4,813 per unit . This is about 85% premium over the issue price of Rs 2,600.which was fixed in January 2016. The redemption price was determined on the basis of simple average of closing price of gold for January 31 – February 04, 2022. SGBs are government securities, denominated in grams of gold. They are substitutes for physical gold. Investors are required to pay the issue price in cash and the bonds are redeemed in cash after maturity. This bond is issued by the RBI on behalf of the Government of India. As per the notification of the government, redemption may be allowed after the fifth year from the date of issue of SGB, the date on which interest is payable. In January 2016, the government released the second tranche of the government’s gold bond scheme. The Gold Bond Scheme was launched in November 2015. The first tranche of Sovereign Gold Bond was available for purchase in November 2015.
12.Sri Lanka to issue ‘Unitary Digital Identity’ on the lines of India’s Aadhaar
India has agreed to provide a grant to Sri Lanka to implement the ‘ Unitary Digital Identity Framework ‘. The Unity Digital Identity Framework is apparently modeled on the Aadhaar card . The Government of Sri Lanka would prioritize the implementation of this Framework as a national level programme. The Sri Lankan cabinet approved the proposal made by President Rajapaksa to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with India to receive the grant and take up the project . Under the Unitary Digital Identity Framework , a personal identity verification tool based on biometric data will be introduced, which is a digital tool to represent the identity of individuals in cyberspace.
13.Tamil Nadu again adopts anti-neet bill
On February 8, 2022, a special assembly session of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly re-adopted the anti-NEET bill . This bill was introduced in January by Governor R.N. Ravi returned. The governor’s decision to withdraw the bill was considered a confrontation by the state government, as he did not agree with the bill. With the bill re-adopted and sent to the governor again, the bill is likely to be sent to the President for assent. The bill seeks to abolish NEET for admission to undergraduate medical degree courses in Tamil Nadu. The bill will provide admission to undergraduate courses in Dentistry, Medicine, Indian Medicine and Homeopathy on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination. It also provides for a 7.5% horizontal quota in medical admissions for students from government schools.
14.Former World Bank advisor Pradeep Shah appointed as President of Pfizer India
Pfizer India has appointed Pradeep Shah as the chairman of its board following the resignation of RA Shah . He is the former Managing Director and founding member of CRISIL . Before founding CRISIL, he assisted in setting up HDFC in 1977. He has also served as an advisor to USAID, World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
15.Sanjay Malhotra appointed as DFS Secretary in the Ministry of Finance
Sanjay Malhotra has been designated as Secretary , Department of Financial Services in the Ministry of Finance . He is a 1990 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre . Prior to this, Sanjay Malhotra was the Chairman and Managing Director of REC Limited. He succeeds Debashish Panda, who completed his term as DFS Secretary on January 31, 2022. Malhotra has vast experience in the power sector. The reform-based outcome-linked power distribution sector scheme, to be implemented by 2025-26, aims to reduce India’s AT&C losses by 12-15% and the cost of electricity by 2024-25 and the price at which it will be reduced to ‘zero’. are supplied, reduce losses gradually.
16.US to further improve Taiwan’s Patriot missile defense system
The US government recently approved the sale of equipment worth $100 million to repair and improve Taiwan ‘s Patriot missile defense system . This will upgrade the system. This decision was made in 2019 during the Trump administration. The US does not have official relations with Taiwan. In December 2021, China warned the US that there could be a military conflict between the countries if the US is encouraging Taiwan’s independence. Patriot missile is a surface-to-air missile. It is manufactured by the American company Raytheon. Patriot missiles were created to replace the Nike Hercules system. Its range is about 70 km.
17.Number of suicides increased due to job loss in 2020: NCRB
The first pandemic year, 2020, saw the highest number of suicides among the unemployed , according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) . For the first time, the death toll has crossed the 3,000 mark. Minister of State (Home) Nityanand RaiAccording to the written reply of the C.E., 3548 people died by suicide. The total number of suicides in 2020 was 1.53 lakh, while in 2019 the number was 1.39 lakh. Between 2018 and 2020, 16,091 people died by suicide due to bankruptcy or debt. In this, 5908 people died in 2019 while 5213 people died in 2020. According to the NCRB data, Karnataka recorded the highest number of suicides (720) among the unemployed in 2020. It is followed by Maharashtra (625), Tamil Nadu (336), Assam (234), and Uttar Pradesh (227). While in terms of suicides due to debt or bankruptcy, Maharashtra tops the list with 1341 deaths. It is followed by Karnataka (1,025), Telangana (947), Andhra Pradesh (782) and Tamil Nadu (524). Except Tamil Nadu, most of the farmer suicides are common in other states.
18.India bans drone imports
On February 9, 2022, the central government has banned the import of drones other than for security, research and defense purposes . The government has banned drone imports with the aim of promoting ‘ Made in India ‘ drones. However, there will be no ban on the import of drone parts. The government has taken several steps to promote domestic manufacturing of drones and drone components. for example :
- The government announced a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme of Rs 120 crore.
- It liberalized the drone operation rules.
- The government has also restricted the import policy for drones in fully manufactured or semi-knocked down or fully knocked down form, with exceptions provided for R&D, defense and security purposes.
- Import of drones for R&D, defense and security purposes would require government approval.
- New Drone Rules, 2021 issued. This reduced the fees and compliance required to operate a drone.
- The Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched an airspace map of India, demarcating areas where drones can be used without permission as well as demarcating areas where permission is granted by the authorities. Without drones, the operation cannot be done.
19.Instagram launches ‘Take a break’ feature
Instagram has also launched the Take a Break feature in India. Earlier it was introduced in Australia last year. Instagram says that the take a break feature has been brought in the interest of users so that they can stay away from social media for a while. This feature is called ‘ We The Young ‘, ‘ Break Zaroori Hai ‘ in India.‘ will be promoted through a campaign in partnership with ‘Take a Break’ was first launched in the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand and Australia and is now available to everyone globally. Take a break is a feature that people will see when they are scrolling beyond a certain amount of time. They will be asked to take a break from Instagram and will be suggested to set reminders to take more breaks in the future.
20.Kerala signs MoU with Social Alpha to develop clean energy technology
The Government of Kerala has signed an MoU with Social Alpha’s Energy Lab – “ Clean Energy International Incubation Center (CEIIC)” to support innovative and clean energy technology programs in Kerala . The Government of Kerala through Kerala Development and Innovation Strategy Council (KDISC) and Energy Management Center (EMC) signed this agreement. The EMC represents agencies of the Department of Electricity including Kerala, Kerala State Electricity Board, Electrical Inspectorate and ANERT (Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology). To set up a Clean Energy Incubation Center to promote green energy development and energy conservation activities in Kerala.
21.India’s first biomass based hydrogen plant to be set up in Madhya Pradesh
India’s first commercial scale biomass based hydrogen plant will be set up in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh . The plant will produce one tonne of hydrogen every day from 30 tonnes of biomass feedstock . The plant is being set up by a joint venture of Watomo Energy Ltd and Biezel Green Energy with an investment of Rs 24 crore. The company has the technology of ‘thermally accelerated anaerobic digestion (TAD) reactor’ which can produce hydrogen, methane and biochar from biomass. Bezel Green will have 50 percent ownership of the yet-to-be-named joint venture; Another 50 per cent will come from interested farmers.
