SCIENCE BEHIND AIR-BREATHING SCRAMJET ENGINE
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) performed a major technological feat when it flew a cruise vehicle at a hypersonic speed of Mach six for 20 seconds. Details The DRDO called the cruise vehicle Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV). The centrepiece of the HSTDV was the […]
ANY NON-POLITICAL ORGANISATION CAN GET FCRA EXEMPTION
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? The Home Ministry has clarified that it has the power to exempt in the public interest “any person or association or organisation” not being a political party or a candidate for election from the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. Details According to the Ministry, Parliament […]
INDIA LOGISTICS PACTS: RUSSIA, U.K. AND VIETNAM
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? After concluding a logistics support agreement with Japan in recently, India is now working on three such agreements with Russia, the U.K. and Vietnam. Logistics agreements are administrative arrangements facilitating access to military facilities for exchange of fuel and provisions on mutual agreement simplifying logistical support and increasing […]
SINGAPORE CONVENTION ON MEDIATION
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The Singapore Convention on Mediation came into force on 12th September 2020 and will provide a more effective way for enforcing mediated settlements of corporate disputes involving businesses in India and other countries that are signatories to the Convention. Details The Singapore convention is also known as the […]
INDIA-CHINA STANDOFF AND NATHU LA BORDER TRADE
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy, GS-II International Relations Why in news? Sikkim’s Minister for Industries and Commerce expressed concerns over the future of the border trade through Nathu La. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which started via Sikkim a few years ago, was also suspended in 2020. The border trade via the Old Silk Route at Nathu […]
KARNATAKA’S STARTUP INITIATIVE GETS RECOGNITION
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? An initiative of the Centre to encourage competition between States has seen Karnataka come up trumps. Karnataka has been identified as one of the top performers in 2019, alongside Kerala, as per the latest States Startup Ranking Framework, set up by the Department for Promotion of Industry […]
HIMALAYAN ATMOSPHERIC TURBULENCE
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? Weather predictions becoming more certain and help in preventing air traffic disasters may now be easier and, especially in the Himalayas region because of atmospheric turbulence parameters specific to the Himalayas region. Details Scientists have estimated turbulence parameters in the lower troposphere over the central Himalayan region […]
HINDI DIWAS -2020
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? Streaming of well-researched documentaries leading to the historic occasion of adoption of Hindi as an official language of the Union of India on 14th September, 1949, mock enactment of the meeting of the Constituent Assembly by children and travelogues showing growth and popularity of Hindi in different States will […]
WEB-BASED COVID PREDICTOR
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? A group of scientists in India is working on genomic sequences of SARS-CoV-2 around the World, including India, to identify genetic variability and potential molecular targets in virus and human to find the best possible answer to combat the COVID 19 virus. Details A professor and his […]
KRISHNA-GODAVARI (KG) BASIN AND METHANE
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Introduction The methane hydrate deposit in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin is a rich source that will ensure adequate supplies of methane, a natural gas. Methane hydrate is formed when hydrogen-bonded water and methane gas come into contact at high pressures and low temperatures in oceans. It is estimated that one […]