Bilateral Relations
India-UK Virtual Summit

Relevance IN -Mains (GS II -bilateral relations)
What's the NEWS

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will hold a Virtual Summit with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom The Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson on 4 May 2021.

Know! the summit highlights

• India and UK enjoy a Strategic Partnership since 2004.
• It has been marked by regular high level exchanges and growing convergences in diverse areas.
• The Summit will be an important opportunity to elevate our multi-faceted strategic ties and enhance cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
• Both leaders will also discuss Covid19 cooperation and the global efforts to fight the pandemic.
• A comprehensive Roadmap 2030 will be launched during the Summit, which will pave the way for further expanding and deepening India-UK cooperation over the next decade across five key areas, namely people-to-people relationship, trade and prosperity, defence and security, climate action and healthcare.

Science and Technology
Converting Nitrogen plants to Oxygen Plants

Relevance IN -Prelims (about the process of converting existing nitrogen plants to produce oxygen) + Mains ( GS III awareness in the field of science and technology)
What's the NEWS

• Considering the requirement of medical oxygen amidst the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the Government of India explored the feasibility of conversion of existing nitrogen plants to produce oxygen.
• Various such potential industries, wherein existing nitrogen plants may be spared for production of oxygen were identified.

Know! the process of conversion

• The process of converting the existing Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) nitrogen plants for production of oxygen
• In the nitrogen plants Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) is used whereas Zeolite Molecular Sieve (ZMS) is required for producing oxygen.
• Therefore, by replacing CMS with ZMS and carrying out few other changes such as oxygen analyzer, control panel system, flow valves etc. existing nitrogen plants can be modified to produce oxygen.

So far 14 industries have been identified where conversion of plants is under progress. Further 37 Nitrogen plants have been also identified with the help of industry associations.

• A nitrogen plant modified for the production of oxygen can be either shifted to a nearby hospital or, in case it is not feasible to shift the plant, it can be used for on-site production of oxygen, which can be be transported to hospital through specialized vessels/cylinders.
• In the existing nitrogen plants, replacing Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) with Zeolite Molecular Sieve (ZMS) and few other changes such as installation of oxygen analyzer, change in control panel system, flow valves etc., oxygen for medical use can be produced.
• With the availability of ZMS, such modified plant can be set-up in 4-5 days while installation of new oxygen plant may take minimum 3-4 weeks.
• Oxygen produced in on-site plants has to be compressed and filled in cylinders/special vessels using high pressure compressor for transporting to hospitals.
• Facilitation is being provided to these industries for completion of work at the earliest.

Health and Family Welfare
Oxygen Concentrators
Relevance IN -Prelims (all about oxygen concentrators)
What's the NEWS

• As India battles the 2^nd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the surge of new infections has resulted in an alarming increase in the number of active cases.
• The resultant stress on our public health infrastructure has led to a big spike in demand for oxygen concentrators.

Know! what's the need of oxygen concentrators.

• To survive, we need a steady supply of oxygen, flowing from our lungs to various cells in the body. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease which affects our lungs and can cause the oxygen level to drop to dangerous levels.
• In such a situation, we would need to undergo what is known as oxygen therapy - using oxygen for medical treatment, to enhance our oxygen levels to clinically acceptable levels.
• Oxygen level is measured by oxygen saturation, known briefly as SpO2.
• This is a measure of the amount of oxygen-carrying haemoglobin in the blood. A healthy individual with normal lungs, will have an arterial oxygen saturation of 95% - 100%.
• According to a WHO training manual on pulse oximetry, if the oxygen saturation is 94% or lower, the patient needs to be treated quickly. A saturation of less than 90% is a clinical emergency.
• Now, according to the latest clinical guidance for management of adult COVID-19 patients, issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, an oxygen concentration less than or equal to 93% on room air requires hospital admission, while that below 90% is classified as a severe disease, requiring admission in ICU.

Oxygen Concentrator - how does it work ?

• Atmospheric air has roughly 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.
• Oxygen concentrators are simple devices which do precisely what its name promises - they take in ambient air and increase the oxygen concentration, by filtering out and throwing away nitrogen.
• These Oxygen concentrators work the same way in supplying oxygen needed by the body such as oxygen tanks or cylinders, with the use of a cannula, oxygen masks or nasal tubes.
• The difference is that, while the cylinders need to be refilled, the Oxygen Concentrators can work 24 x 7.

O2 Concentrators market in India

• India has seen a big spurt in manufacture and sale of Oxygen concentrators.
• Besides multi-national brands, several Indian start-ups, funded under the CAWACH (Centre for Augmenting War with Covid 19 Health Crisis) programme of Department of Science & Technology, have developed efficient and cost effective Oxygen Concentrators.
• Given their usefulness during the second wave of Covid Pandemic, 1 lakh Oxygen Concentrators are being procured through PM CARES fund.

Defence
Op Samudra Setu II

Relevance IN -Prelims (about operation Samudra Setu II)
What's the NEWS

• In support of the nation's fight against Covid-19 and as part of operation 'Samudra Setu II', seven Indian Naval ships viz. Kolkata, Kochi, Talwar, Tabar, Trikand, Jalashwa and Airavat have been deployed for shipment of liquid medical oxygen-filled cryogenic containers and associated medical equipment from various countries.
• Indian Navy also has the surge capability, to deploy more ships when the need arises to further nation's fight against COVID-19.
• It is pertinent that the ships are combat ready and capable of meeting any contingency in keeping with the attributes of versatility of sea power.

Operation Samudra Setu

• It was launched last year by the Navy and around 4000 Indian citizens stranded in neighbouring countries, amidst COVID 19 outbreak, were successfully repatriated back to India.

Science & Technology
MACS 1407
Relevance IN -Prelims (about newly developed variety of soybean MACS 1407 )
What's the NEWS

• Indian Scientists have developed a high-yielding and pest-resistant variety of soybean.

Know! all about MACS 1407

• This newly developed variety called MACS 1407 is suitable for cultivation in the states of Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and North-Eastern states and its seeds will be made available to farmers for sowing during the 2022 Kharif season.
• In 2019, India produced around 90 million tons of soybean, widely cultivated as oil seeds as well as a cheap source of protein for animal feed and many packaged meals and is striving to be among the world's major producers of soybean. High-yielding, disease resistant varieties of the legume can help achieve this target.
• Accepting this challenge, scientists from MACS- Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India in collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi have developed higher yielding varieties and improved practices for the cultivation of soybean.
• Using the conventional cross breeding technique they developed MACS 1407 which gives 39 quintals per hectare making it a high yielding variety and is also resistant to major insect-pests like girdle beetle, leaf miner, leaf roller, stem fly, aphids, white fly and defoliators.

Defence
DRDO conducts maiden trial of Python-5 Air to Air Missile

Relevance IN -Prelims (about 5^th generation Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM)
What's the NEWS

• Tejas, India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, added the 5th generation Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) in its air-to-air weapons capability

Know! all about the 5th generation Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM)

• Trials were also aimed to validate enhanced capability of already integrated Derby Beyond Visual Range (BVR) AAM on Tejas.
• The test firing at Goa completed a series of missile trials to validate its performance under extremely challenging scenarios.
• Derby missile achieved direct hit on a high-speed maneuvering aerial target and the Python missiles also achieved 100% hits, thereby validating their complete capability. The trials met all their planned objectives.
• Prior to these trials, extensive missile carriage flight tests were conducted at Bengaluru to assess integration of the missile with aircraft systems on board the Tejas, like Avionics, Fire-control radar, Missile Weapon Delivery System and the Flight Control System.
• At Goa, after successful separation trials, live launch of the missile on a Banshee target was carried out. Python-5 missile live firing was conducted to validate target engagement from all aspects as well as beyond visual ranges. In all the live firings, missile hit the aerial target.
• The missiles were fired from Tejas aircraft of Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) flown by Indian Air Force (IAF) Test pilots belonging to National Flight Test Centre (NFTC).

Defence
EXERCISE VARUNA - 2021 CONCLUDED

Relevance IN -Prelims (about bilateral exercise ‘VARUNA-2021')
What's the NEWS

• The 19^th edition oftheIndian and French Navy bilateral exercise ‘VARUNA-2021' concluded
• Exercise VARUNA has been a key enabler in building interoperability and strengthening the coordination between the two navies.

Know! the Exercise highlights

• This exercise has matured over the years with increase in scope, complexity of operations and level of participation. Conducted from 25-27 Apr 2021 in the Arabian Sea, the exercise witnessed high tempo-naval operations at sea, including advanced air defence and anti-submarine exercises, intense fixed and rotary wing flying operations including cross deck helicopter landings, tactical manoeuvres, surface and anti-air weapon firings, underway replenishment and other maritime security operations.
• Units of both navies honed and enhanced their war-fighting skills to demonstrate their ability as an integrated force to promote peace, security and stability in the maritime domain.
• The seamless coordination, precise execution of manoeuvres, and accuracy in complex exercises characterized the conduct of Varuna-2021 and has helped further strengthen mutual confidence, inter-operability and sharing of best practices between both Navies.
• Indian Navy's guided missile frigate Tarkash will continue to exercise with the French Navy's Carrier Strike Group (CSG) from 28th April to 1^st May 2021 participating in advanced surface, anti-submarine and air-defence operations with the French CSG.

NITI Aayog
CSIR adopts 295 Atal Tinkering Labs established by Atal Innovation Mission nationwide

Relevance IN -Prelims (about the collaboration between Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) + Mains (GS III awareness in the field of science and technology)
What's the NEWS

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog's flagship 295 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) were officially adopted today by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) across the country in an ambitious step towards inculcating scientific research and innovation culture among students.

Know! the benefits of getting adopted by CSIR

• CSIR with their 36 labs have adopted 295 ATLs and their students across the country.
• This is going to be a path breaking opportunity for young innovators across India to learn from the best minds and scientists of the nation.
• The opportunity will enable innovative students to become living inspirations for their school, families, and local communities.
• CSIR will be nominating top research scholars and scientists who will mentor each of the ATLs and act as resource persons.
• AIM and CSIR will also conduct a series of webinars for students on various topics related to scientific and technological concepts, ideas or societal issues.
• This partnership with CSIR is a crucial landmark achievement for Atal Innovation Mission spurring STEM research and innovation collaborations with public and private organizations playing a pivotal role.
• This collaboration with CSIR will add great impetus to the opportunities provided by ATLs to young school students in the country by providing access to the latest technologies and scientific research through the CSIR labs
• CSIR has always been connected with the people of India through its innovations, science and technology and through its flagship "JIGAYASA" program has connected to more than 3 lakh students in the past few years.
• CSIR has significant capability with CSIR labs in every zone can connect in regional languages in the country and become local ambassadors.
• AIM can become a partner is CSIRs Virtual Lab initiative under JIGAYSA 2.0 program which has been taken up by CSIR as desired by Hon'ble PM.
• This partnership can leverage the innovation strength of AIM and the R&D capability and capacity of CSIR for the benefit of the youth of the country.

Environment
Dolphin boom in Odisha's Chilika lake
Relevance IN -Prelims ( about Chilika lake + about Irrawaddy dolphin + Humpback dolphins +Bottlenose dolphins)
What's the NEWS

• The population of dolphins in Chilika, India's largest brackish water lake, and along the Odisha coast has doubled this year compared with last year.
• The wildlife wing of the State Forest and Environment Department released the final data on the dolphin census conducted in January and February this year, indicating a spectacular growth in numbers.
• Divided into 41 units, wildlife activists, academicians, Forest Department officials, NGO members, boat operators and researchers from the Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai, participated in the estimation exercise.

Population estimation exercise for dolphins

• The population estimation exercise for dolphins and other cetacean species covered almost the entire coast of Odisha.
• Three species were recorded during the census, with 544 Irrawaddy, bottle-nose and humpback dolphins sighted this year, compared with 233 last year.
• Wildlife activists are elated over the sizeable growth in the population of endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, which are mostly found in Chilika lake, jumping from 146 in 2020 to 162 this year.
• Apart from Chilika, 39 Irrawaddy dolphins were sighted in the Rajnagar mangrove division, though their number has come down from 60 in 2020.
• The highest growth has been noticed in the case of humpback dolphins. Only two humpbacks were sighted in the Rajnagar mangrove in 2020. In 2021, however, this population grew astronomically to 281.
• These humpback dolphins were not part of any riverine systems, so they cannot be identified as residential mammals. They were spotted travelling along the Odisha coast and the number is likely to fluctuate in the next census

The Irrawaddy dolphin

• It is a euryhaline species of oceanic dolphin found in discontinuous subpopulations near sea coasts and in estuaries and rivers in parts of the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia.
• Irrawaddy dolphins are found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three rivers: the Ayeyarwady (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and the Mekong.
• Although found in much of the riverine and marine zones of South and Southeast Asia, the only concentrated lagoon populations are found in Chilika Lake in Odisha, India and Songkhla Lake in southern Thailand.
• IUCN Status - endangered

Humpback dolphins

• The humpback dolphin is a coastal dolphin that can be found along the coast of Africa and India south to Australia,
• There are four recognized species of humpback dolphins with very little overlap between their ranges: the, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin, the Atlantic humpback dolphin and the Australian humpback dolphin

Bottlenose dolphins

• Bottlenose dolphins are marine mammals that live in tropical and temperate oceans (oceans with mild temperatures) around the world. This includes the waters off the UK and Ireland,

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