DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Jan. 28, 2025

DDWS announces Launch of WhatsApp Version of SBM Academy.

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, convened a meeting with representatives from 22 States and Union Territories to review the findings of Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2024 and discuss the strategic planning for the upcoming Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) 2025-26, which begins in February.

Important points:

• This platform facilitated candid discussions on key recommendations emerging from the SSG findings, ensuring an evidence-based approach to accelerating progress towards Sampoorna Swachhata including enhanced waste management systems.
• A key highlight of the meeting was the launch of the WhatsApp version of the SBM Academy, an innovative step towards enhancing accessibility and engagement with training content. 
• The revamped SBM Academy course has undergone a significant overhaul, incorporating interactive elements to make learning more practical, dynamic, and widely available.

This initiative ensures that all users and citizens have the choice to complete their training through:

• IVRS by dialing 1800 1800 404
• WhatsApp by sending a message to 1800 1800 404
• Currently available in Hindi and English, the platform allows users to earn a training certificate upon achieving a minimum score of 50 out of 100 marks. 
• This platform will enable frontline workers, Swachhagrahis, and all users and stakeholders across rural India to access crucial sanitation and hygiene information in a more user-friendly and accessible format.
• As the nation observes Martyrs' Day (30th January), the meeting also reflected on the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, who championed sanitation as a fundamental national priority. Marking the occasion, officials reiterated the need for cross-sector collaboration across departments, ministries, and other stakeholders to safeguard rural sanitation gains and advance waste management solutions.

DeepSeek’s ‘Sputnik moment’ exposes holes in U.S. curbs on chip export

Tags: International News

Why in the news?

• U.S. export controls on high-tech chips may have inadvertently fuelled the success of start-up DeepSeek’s AI chatbot, sparking fears in Washington there could be little it can do to stop China in the push for global dominance in artificial intelligence.

Important points:

• For years many hadassumed U.S. supremacy in AI was a given, with the field dominated by big Silicon Valley names like OpenAI and Facebook-parent Meta.
• The firm, based in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, has stunned investors and industry insiders with its R1 programme, which can match its American competitors seemingly at a fraction of the cost.

Government approves National Critical Minerals Mission with outlay of Rs.34,300 crore in 7 years

Tags: Science and Technology

Why in the news?

• The government approved aRs.16,300-crore National Critical Mineral Mission, envisaging a total outlay of Rs.34,300 crore spread over seven years.

Important points:

• with an aim to achieve self-reliance and accelerate India’s journey towards green energy transition.
• National Critical Mineral Mission aims to promote exploration of essential minerals, reduce import dependence, and ensure self-reliance in India.

What are Critical minerals ?

• Critical minerals are non-fuel minerals, elements, or substances that are essential to the economy and national security of many countries.
•  They are used in a wide range of technologies, including energy technologies, electric vehicles, and defense applications. 

Examples of critical minerals

• Copper:A key component of electricity networks and other electricity-related technologies .
• Lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese:Crucial to the performance of batteries .
• Rare earth elements: Essential for permanent magnets used in wind turbines and electric vehicle motors .
• Titanium minerals:Used in nuclear and defense applications .
• Zircon: Used in nuclear and defense applications .
• Monazite:A source of rare earth elements .

Why are critical minerals important?

• They are vital to the economy and national security.
• They are essential components of many of today's rapidly growing energy technologies.
• Demand for these materials is growing quickly.

S. Venkata Mohan, appointed as Director of CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute

Tags: Person in news

Why in the news?

• Chief Scientist at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) in Hyderabad, S. Venkata Mohan has been appointed as the Director of CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur.

About  S. Venkata Mohan:

• Dr. Mohan has been the Chief Scientist at the IICT since 1998 and has earned his B.Tech in civil engineering, M. Tech in environmental engineering, and a Ph.D. from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati.
• His academic experience includes positions as a visiting professor at Kyoto University and an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the Technical University of Munich, Germany.

About CSIR-NEERI:

• CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) is a research institute in India that focuses on environmental science and engineering.
•  It was established in 1958 in Nagpur, India.

What does CSIR-NEERI do? 

• Conducts research and development in environmental science and engineering.
• Helps industries, local bodies, and others solve environmental pollution problems.
• Collaborates with academic and research institutions on environmental science and engineering.
• Participates in CSIR thrust area and National mission projects.
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ISRO successfully launches NVS-02 satellite

Tags: Science and Technology

Why in the news?

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)  launched its historic 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

Important points:

• The GSLV-F15 with the NVS-02 satellite lifted off from the spaceport’s second launch pad at 6.23 a.m. and 19 minutes later the GSLV-F15 with indigenous cryogenic stage placed the NVS-02 satellite in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit as intended.
• The NVS-02 satellite is the second satellite in India's next-generation NavIC system, a regional satellite navigation system designed to provide precise positioning, velocity, and timing data for users across India and up to 1,500 km beyond its borders.

About ISRO:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation is India's national space agency.
•  It serves as the principal research and development arm of the Department of Space (DoS), overseen by the Prime Minister of India, with the Chairman of ISRO also serving as the chief executive of the DoS. 
• It is primarily responsible for space-based operations, space exploration, international space cooperation and the development of related technologies. 
• The agency maintains a constellation of imaging, communication and remote sensing satellites. 
• It operates the GAGAN and IRNSS satellite navigation systems.
• The Secretariat of DOS and ISRO Headquarters are located at Antariksh Bhavan in Bangalore.