Weekly Current Capsules
September(1st week) 2022

Health
India gets first Covid-19 nasal vaccine

What's the NEWS

• India's first intra-nasal vaccine - delivered through the nose instead of a shot in the arm - has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use in those aged above 18 years /emergency use in adults.
• The vaccine, which has been developed by Bharat Biotech with technology in-licensed from Washington University-St Louis, has been approved for primary immunisation, meaning it can be given to the unimmunised to protect against Covid-19.

• Bharat Biotech's ChAd36-SARS-CoV-S Covid-19 (Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vectored) recombinant nasal vaccine approved
• Being an intranasal vaccine, BBV154 may produce local antibodies in the upper respiratory tract which may provide the potential to reduce infection and transmission."
• An intranasal vaccine can help act against the virus as soon as it enters the body, experts say, as opposed to the intramuscular vaccines that use immune cells to fight infection.

 

Factoids
Manthan

 

 

• Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, inaugurate , "Manthan",
• Manthan- a three-day by-invitation conference cum public EXPO organised by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
• Aims - to anchor discussions across multiple issues and opportunities in the roads, transport and logistics sector
• The theme of Manthan is ‘'IDEAS TO ACTION: Towards a smart, sustainable ,road infra, mobility and logistics ecosystem.''

Discussion on

• Road development
• New materials and technology
• EVs and vehicle safety
• Future mobility - ropeways, multimodal logistics parks, Parvatmala

Science and Technology
Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST)

 

 

What's the NEWS

• Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST), a new I-STEM (Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map) initiative called "Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST)" was launched by, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India on 5th September 2022.
• The WEST programme will cater to women with a STEM background and empower them to contribute to the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.
• Through the WEST initiative, I-STEM shall provide a separate platform to scientifically inclined women researchers, scientists, and technologists for pursuing research in basic or applied sciences in frontier areas of science and engineering.
• I-STEM shall provide a platform/forum for women researchers to deliberate on achievements, issues, and exchange ideas on taking the country forward through advances in science, technology, and innovation.

 

 

 

Indian Science, Technology and Engineering facilities Map (I-STEM)

• It is a national web portal for sharing research equipment/facilities and is the umbrella under which many programmes for promoting collaborations in R&D and technological innovation among and between academia and industry, especially startups, are underway.
• It is a dynamic and interactive national portal, which hosts various scientific programs, initiated by office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Govt. of India.
• The main objective of having this portal is to provide support to needy researchers in different ways and strengthen the R&D ecosystem to fulfil the necessity of people of the country.

 

Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA)

• The Government of India established the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) in November 1999.
• The PSA's office aims to provide pragmatic and objective advice to the Prime Minister and the cabinet in matters of Science and Technology.
• The Office of PSA was placed under the Cabinet Secretariat in August, 2018.
• It is currently a Secretary level position created in 1999 by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
• At the time, the position was a Cabinet rank position, with the first PSA being A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
• The 'Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser', through the Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) helps scientific cross-sectoral synergy across ministries, institutions and the industry.

 

Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC)

 

• An overarching council that facilitates the PSA's Office to assess the status in specific science and technology domains, comprehend challenges, formulate interventions, develop a futuristic roadmap and advise the Prime Minister accordingly.

PSA's Role

• Research collaboration with multiple stakeholders
• Future preparedness in emerging domains of S&T
• Inter-ministerial S&T missions
• Providing an enabling ecosystem for techno-entrepreneurship
• Solving socio-economic challenges through innovation
• Public-private linkages for driving research and innovation

 

The Office of PSA supported by the project management team at Invest India, is facilitating the delivery and progress of all Nine national missions under PM-STIAC.

The Nine missions under the PM-STIAC initiative

1. Natural Language Translation
2. Quantum Frontier
3. Artificial Intelligence
4. National Biodiversity Mission
5. Electric Vehicles
6. Bio Science for human health
7. Waste to wealth mission
8. Deep ocean exploration
9. AGNIi

Other Major Projects of PM-STIAC

• S&T Clusters
• Earth Museum
• Brahmaputra River System
• I-STEM
• Energy Security

 

Invest India

• It is the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of India, set up as a non-profit venture under the aegis of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
• It facilitates and empowers all investors under the ‘Make in India' initiative to establish, operate and expand their businesses in India.
• Invest India is envisaged as a one stop shop specially created to attract and retain high quality investments into India.
• It provides a comprehensive facilitation to investors interested in India, including strategic business advisory, policy guidance, location assessment, issue redressal and expansion support.

Cyber Awareness
International Counter Ransomware Initiative

 

What's the NEWS

• India's National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and the UK Government in collaboration with BAE Systems successfully designed & conducted the Cyber Security Exercise for 26 Countries as part of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative- Resilience Working Group which is being led by India under the leadership of National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC).
• The aim to organise this virtual Cyber Exercise on Ransomware Resilience is to simulate a large, wide-spread cyber security incident affecting organisations within a country.

National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC)

• Headed by National Cyber Security Coordinator
• Objective: To help the country deal with malicious cyber-activities by acting as an Internet traffic monitoring entity that can fend off domestic or international attacks
• The National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) is an operational cybersecurity and e-surveillance agency in India.
• It is jurisdictionally under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• It coordinates with multiple security and surveillance agencies as well as with CERT-In of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• Components of the NCCC include a cybercrime prevention strategy, cybercrime investigation training and review of outdated laws.
• NCCC is India's first layer for cyber threat monitoring and all communication with government and private service providers would be through this body only.

Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN)

• CERT-IN is an office within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• It is the nodal agency to deal with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing.
• It strengthens the security-related defence of the Indian Internet domain.
• It was formed in 2004 by the Government of India under the Information Technology Act, 2000 Section (70B) under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

Government Schemes
PM-SHRI Yojana

 

 

What's the NEWS

• On the occasion of Teacher's Day, the Prime Minister, has announced the Pradhan Mantri Schools For Rising India (PM-SHRI) Yojana.

 

Know! about the scheme

• This will be a new centrally sponsored scheme for upgradation and development of more than 14500 Schools across the country by strengthening the selected existing schools from amongst schools managed by Central Government/ State/ UT Government/ local bodies.
• PM SHRI Schools will showcase all components of the National Education Policy 2020 and act as exemplar schools and also offer mentorship to other schools in their vicinity.
• The aim of these schools will not only be qualitative teaching, learning and cognitive development, but also creating holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st century skills.
• The PM-SHRI schools will have a modern, transformational and holistic method of imparting education.
• These will become model schools which will encapsulate the full spirit of NEP.
• Emphasis will be on a discovery oriented, learning centric way of teaching.
• These schools will be equipped with modern infrastructure including labs, smart classrooms, libraries, sports equipment, art room etc. which is inclusive and accessible.
• These schools shall also be developed as green schools with water conservation, waste recycling, energy-efficient infrastructure and integration of organic lifestyle in curriculum.

 

Space Awareness
Ladakh to have India's first ‘Dark Sky Reserve' to promote astronomy tourism
What's the NEWS

 

• By the end of 2022, India will establish the country's first Dark Sky Reserve in the cold desert regions of Ladakh.

 

Know! about it

 

• A Dark Sky Reserve is public or private land with a distinguished nocturnal environment and starry nights that has been developed responsibly to prevent light pollution.

 

According to the International Dark Sky Association (IDSA) website, these reserves consist of:

 

1. a core area meeting minimum criteria for sky quality and natural darkness, and
2. a peripheral area that supports dark sky preservation in the core.

 

Process of site becoming a Dark Sky Reserve

• Individuals or groups can nominate a site for certification to the International Dark Sky Association (IDSA).
• IDSA is a United States based non-profit organization.
• It is the recognized authority on light pollution and is the leading organization combating light pollution worldwide.
• There are five designated categories, namely International Dark Sky parks, communities, reserves, sanctuaries and Urban Night Sky Places.
• The certification process is similar to that of a site being awarded the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag or getting recognised as a Biosphere Reserve.

 

The IDSA considers a piece of land suitable for dark sky place only if:

 

• It is either publicly or privately owned;
• It is accessible to the public partially or entirely during the year;
• the land is legally protected for scientific, natural, educational, cultural, heritage and/or public enjoyment purposes;
• the core area of the land provides an exceptional dark sky resource relative to the communities and cities that surround it and
• the land offers prescribed night sky brightness either for a reserve, park or sanctuary.

 

India is still in the process of filing its nomination to IDSA.

Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR)

 

• The country's first Dark Sky Reserve is going to be situated at a height of 4,500 metres above sea level at Hanle. The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR) will come up within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The Department of Science and Technology and experts from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, are providing scientific and technological support.
• The IIA already manages the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) complex at Hanle, Ladakh.
• The Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT), High Energy Gamma Ray telescope (HAGAR), the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment Telescope (MACE) and GROWTH-India are prominent telescopes located at the Hanle observatory.

 

Location - Ladakh WHY?

 

• Ladakh is a unique cold desert located about 3,000 metres above sea level with high mountainous terrains.
• Long and harsh winters with minimum temperatures dropping to minus 40 degrees Celsius make large parts of the UT highly inhabitable.
• This aridity, limited vegetation, high elevation and large areas with sparse populations - all make it the perfect setting for long-term astronomical observatories and dark sky places.
• The primary objective of the proposed Dark Sky Reserve is to promote astronomy tourism in a sustainable and environment-friendly manner.

 

Factoids
CREATIVE MINDS OF TOMORROW

What's the NEWS

 

• The information and Broadcasting Ministry has invited entries for 75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow.

 

Know! about it

 

• The segment is an annual platform at the International Film Festival of India to identify, encourage and nurture young creative talents from across various aspects of filmmaking. The entries will be open till 23rd of this month.
• The initiative was launched last year, as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• It was conceptualised by Information and Broadcasting Minister to provide a platform and connect young talent with the masters of industry from the media and entertainment sector.
• The initiative is also an another step in the direction of making India a content and post-production hub for the world, by identifying, nurturing and up-skilling young talent.
• The 75 creative minds will be shortlisted and selected on the basis of their submissions by an eminent jury, under the aegis of the National Film Development Corporation.
• This program identifies young budding film makers and provides them a platform to interact and learn from national as well as international film makers during the period of IFFI, Goa.

 

Factoids
Ramon Magsaysay Award

What's the NEWS

• Former Kerala Health Minister K.K. Shailaja,has declined the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation's offer to consider her for the international honour in 2022.
• The foundation wanted to honour Ms. Shailaja for the public service and community leadership during the Nipah outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic in Kerala.
• However, Ms. Shailaja felt she could not accept the offer extended to her as an individual since the effort was collective.

 

The Ramon Magsaysay Award

 

• The Ramon Magsaysay Award, widely considered to be Asia's equivalent to the Nobel Prize, recognises outstanding leadership and communitarian contributions in Asia.
• The prize was established in April 1957 by the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund based in New York City with the concurrence of the Philippine government.
• The Ramon Magsaysay Award is presented in formal ceremonies in Manila, Philippines on August 31st, the birth anniversary of the much-esteemed Philippine President whose ideals inspired the Award's creation in 1957.
• From 1958 to 2008, the Award was given in six categories annually: (1) Government Service, (2) Public Service, (3) Community Leadership, (4) Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts, (5) Peace and International Understanding and (6) Emergent Leadership.
• Starting in 2009, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is no longer being given in fixed Award categories, except for Emergent Leadership.

 

Indian winners on the list

 

• Prominent Indians who have won the award include Vinoba Bhave in 1958, Mother Teresa in 1962, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay in 1966, Satyajit Ray in 1967, Mahasweta Devi in 1997 , Arvind Kejriwal (2006), Anshu Gupta of Goonj (2015), human rights activist Bezwada Wilson (2016), and journalist Ravish Kumar (2019) have won the award.

 

Factoids
SAVAJ

 

What's the NEWS

 

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the mascot and the anthem for the 36th National Games at Trans Stadia in Ahmedabad.

 

Know! about it

 

• The mascot is named as Savaj which means cub in Gujarati. The anthem is based on the theme of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
• The National Games will be organised between 29th of this month to 12th of next month at six cities in the state namely Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Bhavnagar.
• The event also witnessed the closing of 11th Khel Mahakumbh. Winners of Khel Mahakumbh were given away prizes at the hands of Mr. Shah.

 

Recent Military Exercises
Exercise Pitch Black

 

EXAM Highlights

 

• Organised between 19 Aug 22 to 08 Sep 22.
• Incepted in - In the 1980s
• Objective - to practice new doctrines, combat and most importantly interoperability
• Biennial, multi-national exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
• Almost 2,500 personnel from over 17 countries and 100 aircraft will engage in both Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) combat drills.
• Australia is the host, and others attending include India, Germany, France, UAE, Malaysia, the US, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the UK, the Philippines, Thailand, Canada, and the Netherlands.
• The last edition was conducted in 2018. The 2020 edition of the exercise was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• This year's exercise will see the participation of over 100 aircraft and 2500 military personnel from various air forces.
• It is conducted on Royal Australian Air Force's Bradshaw Field Training Area and Delamere Air Weapons Range - one of the largest training airspaces in the world.
• In 2018, India participated in the exercise for the first time.

 

Exercise SAREX 22

 

EXAM Highlights

• Mode - Biennial
• Conducted by -Indian Coast Guard r
• Exercise Name - National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise SAREX 22
• Exercise Theme - ‘Capacity Building Towards Maritime Security'.
• Location - Chennai coast.
• Exercise objective - to avoid accidents at sea and save lives by conducting rescue operations.
• Participants - 16 countries
• Exercise Edition - 10th

 

About Indian Coast Guard

 

• Armed force, search and rescue agency
• Protects maritime interests of India.
• It is a Maritime Law Enforcement Agency.
• It was established in 1978 by coast Guard Act, 1978.
• It operates under Ministry of Defence.

 

Indian Coast Guard (mission)

• To protect artificial Islands
• To protect marine ecology and environment
• To protect fishermen and mariners at sea
• National maritime search and rescue
• Coastal security.

 

Ex VINBAX 2022

 

EXAM HIGHLIGHTS

 

• Edition - 3rd
• Bilateral exercise
• Location - Chandimandir
• Countries involved - India -Vietnam
• Previous Edition - Vietnam 2019
• Theme - "employment and deployment of an Engineer Company and a Medical Team under United Nations Contingent for Peacekeeping Operations".
• Objective - strengthening mutual confidence and interoperability and sharing best practices

 

United Nations Contingent for Peacekeeping Operations.

 

• India has a rich heritage of locating troops in United Nations missions.
• It has best capabilities to impart United Nations peace operations training

 

 

Naval Ex Kakadu

 

EXAM Highlights

• Location - Darwin in Australia
• Type - Multinational Exercise
• Hosted by - Royal Australian Navy
• India Contingency - INS Satpura and a P8 I Maritime Patrol Aircraft
• of the Indian Navy reached Darwin in Australia on 12 Sep 22, for participation in the multinational Exercise Kakadu - 2022, hosted by the.
• Duration - The two week-long Exercise, both in harbour and sea, involves ships and maritime aircraft from 14 navies.

 

 

Jimex 2022

 

EXAM Highlights

 

• Type - Bilateral Exercise
• Edition - 6th
• Hosted by - Indian Navy
• Location - Visakhapatnam , Bay of Bengal.
• Japan Navy - The Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF)
• JIMEX 22 involves two Phases; exercises at sea and a harbour phase at Visakhapatnam.
• This edition marks the 10th anniversary of JIMEX, which began in Japan in 2012.
• It also coincides with the 70th anniversary of establishing of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.
• JIMEX 22 seeks to consolidate the high degree of interoperability that exists between maritime forces of the two countries

 

EXERCISE PARVAT PRAHAR

 

EXAM Highlights

• Location - Ladakh plateau at an altitude of 14,000 feet.
• Duration - 20 days
• Participant - Indian Army
• Conducted by - One Strike Corps of the Indian Army.
• One Strike Corps of the Indian Army - if China or Pakistan act anywhere, they will first enter and eliminate it.
• The exercise saw the deployment of all new major inductions of the Army.
• The exercise involved high altitude infantry personnel, T-90S and T-72 tanks, mechanized infantry, K-9 Vajra, Bofors and M-777 howitzers, helicopters and aircraft.
• The exercise used newly inducted all-terrain vehicles transported by Chinook heavy lift helicopters and K9-Vajra howitzers, among others.
• The exercise comes as India and China are undertaking disengagement from Patrolling Point-15 (Gogra-Hot Springs) in eastern Ladakh, as announced on September 8.

 

 

Exercise Gagan Strike

 

 

EXAM Highlights

 

• Indian Army, air force conduct joint exercise ‘Gagan Strike' in Punjab
• On the western front, Exercise Gagan Strike culminated with a fire power display of attack helicopters supporting deep operations by Strike Corps
• Termed "Gagan Strike", the exercise was conducted over a period of four days in several areas of Punjab, bordering Ambala in Haryana.
• The operation validated the Apache 64E and Advanced Light Helicopter WSI as potent weapon delivery platforms.
• The force multiplier effect of combining these machines with ground operations has enhanced the combat superiority of our forces.
• The exercise comprised the deployment of attack helicopters as the aerial arm in support of ground forces carrying out drills, practising annihilation of enemy defences and deep penetration.
• It also showcased the precision firepower of the attack helicopters in coordination with ground forces' mechanised columns.

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