News In Short 17-10-2024

International 6G Symposium

Syllabus: GS/ Governance

Context

• The Union Minister of Communications, inaugurated the International 6G Symposium during the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24).

About

• The symposium aims to explore and understand local and global developments, cutting-edge research, key   architectural principles, and emerging technologies that will shape the 6G landscape.
• The event is organized by the Bharat 6G Alliance, and marks a milestone in India’s journey towards global leadership in 6G technology. 

Bharat 6G Alliance

• The Bharat 6G Alliance is a collaborative initiative of Indian industry, academia, national research institutions and standards organizations. 
• It brings together various stakeholders to foster innovation, and to contribute to global 6G standards through bodies like the ITU and 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project).

Source: PIB

AMRIT Pharmacies

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

Context

• South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), subsidiary of Coal India, inaugurated the country’s 216th AMRIT Pharmacy.

About

• AMRIT Pharmacies (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) is a government initiative launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2015.
• It provides a wide range of generic and life-saving branded drugs, implants, and surgical consumables at highly subsidized rates.
• The pharmacies established under this initiative complement the government’s universal healthcare goals, alongside schemes like Ayushman Bharat.

Source: PIB

Five Eye Alliance

Syllabus: GS2/ International Organisation

In News

• The Five Eye Alliance has backed Canada, urging India to cooperate with the Canadian legal process.

About Five Eye Alliance

• It is a multilateral intelligence-sharing network shared by over 20 different agencies of five English-speaking countries — Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. 
• Formed in the aftermath of World War II, the alliance was rooted in the UK-USA Agreement of 1946.
• The alliance is known for its comprehensive global surveillance capabilities, through various methods such as intercepting data from satellites, telephone networks, and fibre optic cables.

Source: TH

Hand-in-Hand Initiative

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

In News

• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has inaugurated the 2024 Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum.

About Hand-in-Hand Initiative

• It is a flagship program of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched in 2019.
• The initiative focuses on fostering partnerships and targeted investments to address food security, reduce poverty, and promote inclusive economic growth in low- and middle-income countries.
• The initiative focuses on achieving three key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
  • Eradicating poverty (SDG 1)
  • Ending hunger and malnutrition (SDG 2)
  • Reducing inequalities (SDG 10)
• India has not joined the Hand-in-Hand Initiative.

Source: TH

‘Zero Defect, Zero Effect’ Initiative

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, during the Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM) Symposium, emphasized the importance of the ‘Zero Defect and Zero Effect’ initiative.

‘Zero Defect and Zero Effect’ initiative

• It is an integrated and comprehensive certification system, launched in 2016 by the Ministry of MSME.
• The objective of the Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) scheme is to;
  • Encourage and enable MSMEs for manufacturing of quality products using latest technology
  • Encourage MSMEs to achieve higher ZED Certification levels through graded incentives
  • To support the “Make in India” campaign.

Source: PIB

Minimum Support Price For Rabi Crops

Syllabus: GS3/Agriculture

Context

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the  Prime Minister, has approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2025-26.

MSP

• It is a form of market intervention by the Government to insure agricultural producers against any sharp fall in farm prices. 
• The prices are announced by the Government at the beginning of the sowing season for certain crops on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). 
• The major objectives are to support the farmers from distress sales and to procure food grains for public distribution. 

Crops Covered under MSP

• Kharif Crops (total 14) like paddy, jowar, bajra, maize, ragi, tur/arhar, moong, urad, groundnut, soyabean, sunflower, sesamum, niger seed, cotton;
• Rabi Crops (total 06) like wheat, barley, gram, masur/lentil, rapeseed and mustard,and safflower;
• Commercial Crops(total 02) like jute and copra.
  • MSP for Toria and de-husked coconut is also fixed on the basis of MSPs of rapeseed & mustard and copra respectively.

Source: PIB

Mechazilla

Syllabus  :GS 3/Science and Tech 

In News

• SpaceX successfully landed its Starship rocket using a new structure called “Mechazilla.”

About Mechazilla

• It is a 400-ft rocket-catching structure at SpaceX’s Starbase in South Texas.
• It is equipped with two large mechanical arms, nicknamed “chopsticks,” designed to catch the Super Heavy booster midair.
• It is custom-built to catch the heaviest flying object ever made, weighing about 250 tons.

Importance of Mechazilla:

• This innovative landing technique reduces wear and tear on the booster and minimizes the time required to prepare it for subsequent launches. 
• By enabling quick refurbishment and reuse, Mechazilla significantly lowers launch costs and enhances the sustainability of space missions.

Source :BT

Ossification Test

Syllabus  :GS 3/Science and Tech 

In News

• An accused in the murder case of NCP leader Baba Siddique, underwent an ossification test to determine if he was a minor.

About Ossification Test

• An ossification test involves X-rays of certain bones, such as the clavicle, sternum, and pelvis, to assess growth and developmental changes that occur with age. 
• This test is significant in criminal justice as individuals under 18 are treated as minors, with different legal processes focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
• Issues : While useful in age determination, these tests are not considered highly accurate.
• The Supreme Court has noted that while radiological examinations can provide guidance, they do not offer conclusive evidence.
  • Courts emphasize that age determination should prioritize documentary evidence, such as birth certificates, over ossification tests. The Supreme Court stated that such tests should only be a last resort. 

Do you know ? – The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 mandates that minors cannot be imprisoned with adults and instead face consequences determined by a Juvenile Justice Board. Following a 2021 amendment, those above 16 accused of serious offenses may undergo a preliminary assessment to decide if they should be tried as adults.

Source :IE

INS Samarthak

Syllabus : GS 3/Defense

In News

• The Indian Navy celebrated a significant milestone with the launch of Samarthak

About INS Samarthak

• It  is designed for various roles, including towing, launching and recovering targets, operating unmanned vehicles, and testing indigenous weapons.
• It is  the first vessel under the Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) project at L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli. 
• Importance : The launch, aligned with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
  • This launch underscores the Indian Navy’s commitment to enhancing indigenous shipbuilding capabilities and self-reliance in maritime defense.

Source :ET

National Security Guard (NSG)

Syllabus :GS 3/Defence

Context

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the National Security Guard (NSG) on their 40th raising day (16 Oct 1984).

About

• Commonly known as the Black Cats, NSG is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and works under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• It is a task-oriented Force and has two complementary elements in the form of the Special Action Group (SAG) comprising Army personnel and the Special Ranger Groups (SRG), comprising personnel drawn from the CAPFs/State Police Forces.
• Key Responsibilities: counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, bomb disposal.
• Key Operations: Operation Black Thunder (1986, 1988), Operation Vajra Shakti (2002), Operation Black Tornado (Mumbai, 2008), Operation Dhangu Suraksha (Pathankot, 2016).
• Regional Hubs: NSG currently operates from five regional hubs located in Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Gandhinagar.
• NSG’s Global Influence: The NSG is modelled after elite forces such as Germany’s GSG-9 and the United Kingdom’s SAS.
• Motto: Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha (Excellence in Security Everywhere).

Source: AIR

Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra)

Syllabus: GS3/Species in News

Context

• Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is an antelope native to India, which were once abundant in many parts of undivided India.

About

• Appearance: Males have striking spiral horns that can reach up to 75 cm (30 inches) in length, and their coat is a dark brown to black color.
  • Females are smaller and have a reddish-brown coat without horns.

• Habitat: They are typically found in grasslands, savannas, and open forests. They prefer areas with short grass for grazing.
• Threats: Earlier extensively hunted in the princely states of India, Habitat destruction,  Illegal Hunting for economic consumption
• Conservation Status: IUCN Status: Least Concern
  • CITES: Appendix III
  • Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
  • Declared as state animal of Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Cultural Importance: In Hinduism, the Blackbuck is considered a symbol of purity, with its skin and horns revered as sacred objects. In Buddhism, it represents good luck.

Source: DTE