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By admin: Nov. 18, 2024

​Exercise Poorvi Prahar

Tags: Defence

Exercise Poorvi Prahar

Why in news?

• The Indian Armed Forces are conducting Exercise Poorvi Prahar,a tri-services joint operation in Arunachal Pradesh from November 10th to 18th, 2024.

About Exercise Poorvi Prahar:

• The Army, Navy and Air Force held a joint exercise in Arunachal Pradesh's Shi-Yomi district.
• The exercise, 'Poorvi Prahar', validated the effectiveness of joint structures in intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, rapid mobilisation, deployment and operational logistics.

Objective:

• To enhance combat effectiveness of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force in executing Integrated Joint Operations in the challenging mountainous terrain of the region, thereby enhancing inter-service coordination and operational readiness.

K. Sanjay Murthy to be next Comptroller and Auditor General of India

Tags: Person in news

K. Sanjay Murthy to be next Comptroller and Auditor General of India

Why in news?

• President Droupadi Murmu on Monday (November 18, 2024) appointed 1989 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer K. Sanjay Murthy as the new Comptroller and Auditor.
• Murthy, a 1989 batch IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, will succeed Girish Chandra Murmu

About Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG):

• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is the supreme audit institution of India,established under Article 148 of the Constitution of India.
• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is the country's auditor, responsible for auditing the government's programs and activities. 
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One Day One Genome’ initiative

Tags: Science and Technology

One Day One Genome’ initiative 

Why in news?

• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) introducesthe 'One Day One Genome' initiative to showcase the enormous microbial potentialof India.

What is One Day One Genome’ initiative ?

•  Shri.Amitabh Kant, India’s G-20 Sherpa and Former CEO NITI announced the launch of ‘One Day One Genome Initiative’ on the 1st foundation day of BRIC held in National Institute of Immunology (NII),New Delhion 9th November 2024.
• 'One Day One Genome’ initiative will highlight the unique bacterial species found in our country and emphasize their critical roles in environment, agriculture and the human health.

Significance:

• One Day One Genome’ initiative to harness the microbial potential of India.
• Microorganisms are crucial for our ecosystem.They play an important role in all biogeochemical cycles, soil formation, mineral purification, degradation of organic wastes and toxic pollutants along with methane production.
• Cumulatively they help to maintain the homeostasis in our planet. In agriculture, they help in nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation, maintaining soil fertility, controlling pest and weeds and stress responses. 
• There are much more microbial cells than the number of human cells in a human body. They are essential for our digestion, immunity and even mental health.
• Genome sequencing will allow the visualization of the hidden potential of the microbial world to the community at large. 
•  Research in this field will lead to the benefit of better protection and management of our environment, development in agriculture and improvement in human health.
• This initiative aims a release a fully annotated bacteriological genome isolated in the country freely available to the public.
•  This initiative coordinated by Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (BRIC-NIBMG) an institute of the Department of Biotechnology.
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56th Tiger Reserve of the country notified in Chhattisgarh

Tags: Environment

56th Tiger Reserve of the country notified in Chhattisgarh

Why in news?

• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, informed the Nation about the notification of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh, as the 56th Tiger Reserve of the country. 

About  Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve: 

• The Government of Chhattisgarh, on advice of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), notified the Guru Ghasidas Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve across Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Korea, Surajpur and Balrampur districts of Chhattisgarh. 
• The tiger reserve, encompassing a total area of 2829.38 sq.kms, includes a core/critical tiger habitat of 2049.2 sq.kms, comprising the Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary, and has a buffer of 780.15 sq.kms. 
• This makes it the third largest tiger reserve in the country after Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh and Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is astatutory body that works to strengthen tiger conservation in India.
• The NTCA is part of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and was established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
• The NTCA is chaired by the  Union Minister for Environment and Forests, and the Minister of State for Environment and Forests serves as the vice-chairperson. 
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Bharat National Cyber Security Exercise (Bharat NCX 2024)

Tags: National News

Bharat National Cyber Security Exercise (Bharat NCX 2024)

Why in news?

The Bharat National Cyber Security Exercise (Bharat NCX 2024), a landmark initiative to fortify India’s cybersecurity resilience, was inaugurated today at a high-profile ceremony organized by theNational Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in collaboration with Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU).

Key Features of Bharat NCX 2024:

• The event runs from November 18 to November 29, 2024, culminating in a comprehensive debrief to consolidate lessons learned and establish best practices in cybersecurity.
• The exercise includes immersive training on cyber defense and incident response, live-fire simulations of cyberattacks on IT and OT systems, and collaborative platforms for government and industry stakeholders. 
• A Strategic Decision-Making Exercise will bring together senior management from across sectors to simulate decision-making in a national-level cyber crisis, enhancing their ability to respond to high-pressure situations with strategic acumen. 
• On the sidelines, theBharat Cybersecurity Startup Exhibitionwill showcase innovative solutions from Indian startups, emphasizing their role in enhancing the nation's cybersecurity infrastructure.

Significance:

• The 12-day exercise is a critical step in preparing India’s cybersecurity professionals and leadership to tackle evolving threats with advanced cyber defense, incident response capabilities, and strategic decision-making.
• Bharat NCX 2024 equips our nation’s cyber defenders and leaders with the skills to mitigate complex threats. From technical exercises to strategic decision-making, this initiative ensures our preparedness to manage crises at all levels.”
•  “This exercise not only strengthens technical skills but also prepares leadership to navigate national-level cyber crises through informed decision-making.”
• The exercise also highlights leadership engagement and capacity building, fostering a unified approach to emerging cyber challenges.

19th G20 Summit -2024

Tags: Summits

19th G20 Summit -2024

Why in the news?

1. The 19th G20 Summit 2024,officially known as the Summit Rio 2024, is set to convene onNovember 18 and 19, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2. Brazil took over the rotating presidency of the G20 on December 1, 2023 fromIndia.

What is the G20?

• The G20 (Group of Twenty) comprises 19 countries(Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom and United States) and two regional bodies: the European Union and the African Union (as of 2024). 
• The G20 members represent around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.
• The G20 doesnot have a permanent secretariat or headquarters. Instead, the presidency rotates annually among member countries, which host the summit and set the agenda for the year.

G20 Summit 2024 Theme:

• The theme for the G20 Summit 2024 is “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet.”
• This theme underscores Brazil’s commitment to addressing global inequalities, promoting environmental sustainability, and reforming international institutions to better reflect the current global landscape.

Significance of G-20:

• It was established in 1999, its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable development by facilitating dialogue among major economies. 
• This pivotal gathering brings together leaders from the world’s major economies to address pressing global challenges and shape international economic policies.