DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: June 8, 2023

Indian Navy undertakes first combat firing of Varunastra torpedo

Tags: Defence Science and Technology National News

The Indian Navy and the country's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) undertook the first ‘combat' test-firing of the Varunastra heavyweight torpedo on 5 June.

An overview of the news

• It will enhance the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the indigenous Navy and give it a formidable force.

• The torpedo was fired from a submarine and successfully hit the target at a distance of 40 km.

• The test was conducted in the Arabian Sea in the presence of senior officials from the Indian Navy and the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

About Varunastra torpedo

• It has been designed and developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory at Visakhapatnam under the Defense Research and Development Organisation.

• Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is responsible for the production of the Varunastra missile system.

• This would become the mainstay of anti-submarine torpedoes for all Navy warships.

• It will replace the old torpedoes on all naval ships that can fire heavy-weight torpedoes.

Features of the Varunastra

• It is seven to eight meters long, weighs 1,500 kg and has a diameter of 533 mm.

• When fired it can travel at 40 knots, or 74 kmph. 

• The operational range is 40 km and it can carry a warhead weighing 250 kg.

• Varunastra was inducted by Indian Navy in 2016

• It can be fired from all Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships capable of firing heavy-weight torpedoes in an intense countermeasures environment.

Benefits of the Varunastra Torpedo

• It is a powerful and sophisticated weapon that will significantly enhance the Navy’s ability to detect, track, and engage enemy submarines.

• It is the first indigenously developed heavyweight torpedo that is capable of meeting the Navy’s operational requirements. 

• This will reduce the Navy’s dependence on foreign weapons systems.

• It is a cost-effective weapon that will save the Navy money in the long run.

Centre sets up 733 One Stop Centres for women security across the country so far

Tags: National Government Schemes National News

According to Union Minister Smriti Irani the government has set up 733 One Stop Centres across the country so far and also sanctioned a budget for 300 more such centers for women security.  

An overview of the news

• These one stop centers are providing a range of integrated services including police facilitation, medical aid, legal aid, counseling and temporary shelter to women affected by violence or in distress.

• In the last nine years, more than 34 women helplines are working in the country for the welfare of women in the country.

Anganwadi services

• Anganwadi services have been strengthened in the country and all Anganwadi centers have been linked through smart phone mobiles.

• So far 11 lakh smartphones have been distributed to Anganwadi workers.

Poshan Tracker

• A system called Poshan Tracker has been set up and more than nine crore beneficiaries are taking advantage of it.

Maternity Benefit Scheme

• Maternity Benefit Scheme- Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, about 3 crore 32 lakh women in the country have received Rs 13,650 crore in their bank accounts through DBT.

Fast-track courts

• The government has set up 1,023 fast-track courts in the country, of which 418 are exclusively POCSO courts.

• More than 780 district-wise anti-human trafficking units are functioning in the country.

Nirbhaya Fund

• In the last nine years, the NDA government has taken forward projects worth Rs 12,000 crore, including the Nirbhaya Fund.

One Stop Centres Scheme

• One Stop Center is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) to address the problem of violence against women.

• It is a sub-scheme of the National Mission for Empowerment of Women scheme.

• One Stop Centers have been set up across the country to provide integrated support and assistance under one roof to women affected by violence in private and public spaces.

• The scheme is funded through Nirbhaya Fund. 

‘Agni Prime’ ballistic missile successfully flight-tested by DRDO

Tags: Defence Science and Technology

 New Generation Ballistic Missile ‘Agni Prime’ was successfully flight-tested by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on June 7, 2023.

An overview of the news

• DRDO's successful test flight of 'Agni Prime' missile marks a significant achievement.

• This was the first pre-induction night launch by the users after three successful developmental trials of the missile, validating the accuracy and reliability of the system.

• Range instrumentation such as radar, telemetry and electro optical tracking systems were deployed at various locations including two down-range vessels at the terminal point to capture flight data covering the entire trajectory of the vehicle.

About 'Agni Prime' Missile

• The missile is a two-stage canisterised missile.

• It is the latest and sixth variant of the Agni series missiles, developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).

• The missile is equipped with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles, enabling it to deliver warheads to separate locations. It has a range of 1,000 - 2,000 km.

• The missile has a diameter of 1.2 m and a height of 10.5 m.

• It has a payload capacity of up to 1.5 tonnes for carrying warheads.

• The missile is capable of performing high maneuvers while homing in on its targets.

• After a series of user-associated launches, these missiles will be officially inducted into the armed forces.

RBI Monetary Policy Announcement

Tags: Economy/Finance National News

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das announced the second monetary policy of this financial year on 8 June. There has been no change in the repo rate for the second time in a row.

An overview of the news

• After the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee, the RBI announced the monetary policy, saying that the repo rate would remain unchanged at 6.5%.

• Consumer Price Inflation eased but remains above the target.

• Continued efforts to manage liquidity and currency circulation.

• The current account deficit is expected to narrow further in the fourth quarter.

• Net inflows into non-resident deposits increased to US$ 8 billion in FY23 from US$ 3.2 billion in the previous year.

• The Indian Rupee has remained stable since January this year. Conditions are favorable to accelerate capital expenditure.

Monetary Policy Committee's Decision

• Policy repo rate remains unchanged at 6.5%.

• Standing Deposit Facility (SDF rate) remains at 6.25%.

• Marginal Standing Facilityand bank rates stand at 6.75%.

Inflation Trends in India

• Consumer Price Inflation eased during March-April 2023.

• Inflation moved into the tolerance band, declining from 6.7% in 2022-23.

• Headline inflation remains above the target and is expected to continue in 2023-24.

• Projected CPI headline inflation for 2023-24 is 5.1%, assuming a normal monsoon.

Withdrawal of Rs 2000 Note

• Decline in currency circulation and increased government spending.

• System liquidity expansion due to RBI's market operations.

• Deposit of Rs 2000 banknotes in banks further augmented liquidity.

• So far ₹1.8 lakh crore worth ₹2,000 banknotes have come back after the central bank announced to take these out of circulation. 

• This is 50% of the total ₹3.62 lakh crore-worth notes in circulation as of March 31.

What is the repo rate?

• Repo rate is the rate at which the central bank of a country (RBI in India's case) lends money to commercial banks when they are short of funds. Here the central bank buys securities.

What is the Monetary Policy Committee? 

• Under Section 45ZB of the amended RBI Act 1934, the Central government is empowered to constitute a six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to determine the policy interest rate required to achieve the inflation target. 

• The first such MPC was constituted on September 29, 2016.

• As per the RBI Act, the MPC must meet a minimum of four times in a year.

• The meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee was held from 6 to 8 June 2023.

Uttar Pradesh government launches Nand Baba Milk Mission scheme

Tags: Government Schemes State News

In a bid to make Uttar Pradesh a leading state in the field of milk development and milk production, the state government has launched the Nand Baba Milk Mission scheme on 6th June at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore.

An overview of the news

• The mission is implemented to facilitate milk producers to sell their milk at reasonable prices in villages through dairy cooperatives.

• Under this mission, it is proposed to form a Dairy farmer producer organisation (Dairy FPO) in order to facilitate sale of milk in producers’ villages itself.

• There is a plan to set up five dairy FPOs in five districts of the state as a pilot project in the financial year 2023-24, in which women will also play a major role.

• Besides the opening of office of the Nand Baba Milk Mission at Gomtinagar, a ‘Dairy Development Portal’ and logo of Nand Baba Mission has also been unveiled by Cabinet Minister, Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Dharampal Singh.

Indian Dairy Sector

• India ranks first in milk production and contributes 24% to global milk production.

• The top 5 milk producing states are: Uttar Pradesh (14.9%), Rajasthan (14.6%), Madhya Pradesh (8.6%), Gujarat (7.6%) and Andhra Pradesh (7.0%).

• Dairy is the single largest agricultural item contributing 5% to the national economy, which has been 6.4% in the last 5 years.

• About 8 crore people are directly or indirectly employed in the dairy industry.

Some important facts related to milk and milk products

• India is the world's largest milk producer, accounting for 23 percent of global production. It is followed by the United States, China, Pakistan and Brazil.

• Uttar Pradesh is the largest milk producing state in India and accounts for more than 17% of the total milk production in India.

• The per capita availability of milk in India is 406 grams per day.

• Ordinary milk contains85 percent water and the remaining part consists of solid elements ie minerals and fat.

• Milk contains protein, calcium and riboflavin (vitamin B-2).

• Milk also contains vitamins A, D, K and E including phosphorus, magnesium, iodine and many minerals and fat and energy.

• The purity of milk is measured by lactometer.

• National Milk Research Institute is located at Karnal (Haryana).

• An organic compound called lactose is found in milk.

• The pH value of fresh milk is 6. When milk changes into curd, its pH value becomes less than 6.

• Lactobacillus bacteria help in curdling of milk.

India emerges as the world's second largest producer of crude steel

Tags: National National News

According to the Union Minister of Steel and Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, India has moved from the fourth largest producer of crude steel to the second largest producer.

An Overview of the News

• From 2014-15 to 2022-23, India sees a 42% increase in crude steel production, from 88.98 MT to 126.26 MT.

• China remains the largest exporter of crude steel globally and India has emerged as the second largest producer.

• India is a net exporter of steel, exporting 6.72 MT of finished steel in 2022-23, while importing 6.02 MT.

• In the financial year 2022-23, India is expected to produce 122.28 MT of finished steel, showing a growth of 49% as compared to 81.86 MT in 2014-15.

• Steel CPSEs (SAIL, NMDC, MOIL, KIOCL, MSTC, and MECON) mobilised ₹90,273.88 crore of their own resources for CAPEX from 2014-15 to 2022-23.

• Steel CPSEs paid a dividend of ₹21,204.18 crore to the Government of India during the same period.

Top 10 steel producing countries in the world by March 2023

1. People's Republic of China: 95.7 million metric tons (MT)

2. India: 11.4 MT

3. Japan: 7.5 MT

4. United States: 6.7 MT

5. Russia: 6.6 MT

6. South Korea: 5.8 MT

7. Türkiye: 3.3 MT

8. Germany: 2.7 MT

9. brazil: 2.7 MT

10. Iran: 2.2 MT

Muthamizh Selvi becomes first woman from Tamil Nadu to scale Mount Everest

Tags: Person in news

Muthamizh Selvi, 36, a resident of Johilpatti, Virudhunagar, became the first woman from Tamil Nadu to scale Mount Everest.

An Overview of the News

• Tamil Nadu Sports Development and Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin felicitated Muthamizh Selvi for his remarkable achievement.

• Mount Everest is the highest peak of the Greater Himalayan mountain range located on the border of Nepal and China (Tibet) in Asia.

• Mount Everest is called Devagiri in Sanskrit, Chomolungma in Tibetan, Chu-mu-long-ma-feng in Chinese and Sagarmatha in Nepali.

• On 29 May 1953, Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tensingh Norgay Sherpa, an Indian citizen of Nepali origin, climbed Mount Everest for the first time.

• Junko Tabei (Japan)is the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, as well as the first woman to climb the highest peaks on each of the 7 continents.

• Bachendri Pal is the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest in 1984. Santosh Yadav is the first Indian woman to climb Everest twice in a row.

About Tamil Nadu

• The state was formed on 26 January 1950 but its boundaries were redrawn on 14 January 1969.

• It is situated at the mouth of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

• Tamil Nadu is the largest producer of bananas and flowers, second largest producer of mangoes, rubber, groundnut, coconut and third largest producer of coffee.

Governor - Ravindra Narayan Ravi

Chief Minister - MK Stalin

Assembly seats - 235 seats

Rajya Sabha seats -18

Lok Sabha seats - 39

Janardan Prasad appointed as new Director General of GSI

Tags: Person in news

Janardan Prasad has been appointed as the new Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI).

An Overview of the News

• Janardhana Prasad takes over from Dr. S. Raju, who has served as the Director General since 2020.

• The GSI conducts scientific studies on the Earth's geology, mineral resources, and natural hazards.

• It contributes to areas such as mining, infrastructure development, disaster management and environmental planning.

• GSI collaborates with national and international institutions, carries out geological mapping and assessment of mineral resources.

Geological Survey of India (GSI)

• It is a scientific agency of India.

• It was established in 1851 and is one of the oldest organisations of its kind globally.

• GSI works under the Ministry of Mines, a government organisation.

• It conducts geological surveys and studies all over India.

• The GSI is the second oldest survey in India after the Survey of India(established in 1767).

• The agency provides basic Earth science information to the government, industry and the general public.

• GSI is actively involved in steel, coal, metals, cement and power industries.

Center approves new metro line between HUDA City Center and Cyber City in Gurugram, Haryana

Tags: National National News

The Union Cabinet approved the construction of a new metro line between HUDA City Center and Cyber City in Gurugram, Haryana.

An Overview of the News

• The expansion project includes Metro connectivity extension from HUDA City Center to Cyber City, which also includes the Dwarka Expressway.

• The entire project will be elevated and the estimated cost of this project is around Rs 5,452 crore.

• The metro line will cover a distance of over 28 kilometres and the line will have a total of 27 stations along the route.

• The network will also be connected to Gurgaon Railway Station and the main feature of this metro line is to connect New Gurugram to Old Gurugram.

• In the next phase, plans were made to provide connectivity to the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport).

About Haryana

• It is a state located in North India, which is bordered by New Delhi on three sides.

• The eastern boundary of Haryana is formed by the Yamuna River, which separates it from the state of Uttar Pradesh.

• It shares its western border with the state of Punjab.

• Haryana has Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, which is located in Chandigarh.

• Rock Garden is located in Chandigarh, which displays sculptures made using recycled materials.

Capital - Chandigarh

Governor - Bandaru Dattatreya

Chief Minister - Manohar Lal Khattar

The Union Cabinet approved the third revival package for BSNL

Tags: Economy/Finance National News

On June 8, the government approved a revival package of over Rs 89,000 crore for BSNL.

An Overview of the News 

Revival Package:

• The total outlay of the revival package is Rs 89,047 crore.

• The package includes allocation of 4G and 5G spectrum for BSNL through equity infusion.

• The authorised capital of BSNL will be increased from Rs 1,50,000 crore to Rs 2,10,000 crore.

Revival Package Objectives

• BSNL will emerge as a stable telecom service provider focused on providing connectivity to remote parts of India.

• The spectrum allocation will enable BSNL to provide pan India 4G and 5G services.

• BSNL will provide 4G coverage in rural and unserved villages under various connectivity projects.

• Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services for high-speed internet will be offered by BSNL.

• BSNL will provide services and spectrum for the Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN).

Previous Revival Package

• The first revival package for BSNL and MTNL was approved in 2019, amounting to Rs 69,000 crore.

• The second revival package for BSNL and MTNL was approved in 2022 amounting to Rs 1.64 lakh crore.

About BSNL

• BSNL was incorporated on 15 September 2000.

• It is a 100% Government of India owned public sector undertaking

• It is a technology oriented integrated telecom service provider company.

• It provides wire line services, 2G, 3G, 4G and GSM mobile services including Value Added Services (VAS), Internet and Broadband services, Wi-Fi services, Data Center services etc.

Headquarters -New Delhi, India

World Oceans Day - 8 June

Tags: Important Days

World Oceans Day is celebrated annually on 8 June.

An Overview of the News 

• It serves as a global reminder of the important role the oceans play in sustaining life on Earth.

• Recognized by the United Nations, it promotes ocean awareness and encourages action to protect the marine environment.

• The theme for World Oceans Day 2023 is "Planet Ocean: The Tides Are Changing".

• The theme highlights the dynamic nature of the oceans and the need to adapt to the challenges they face.

• Actions include supporting marine conservation, promoting responsible fishing practices, reducing marine pollution, and advocating for the protection of marine habitats and species.

About the history of World Oceans Day:

• It was proposed by the ICOD of Canada and the OIC in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

• Its purpose was to raise awareness about the importance of the ocean to the planet and humanity.

• It was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2008.

• It supports the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promotes public interest in ocean conservation and sustainable resource management.