1. India’s lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 achieves another milestone
Tags: Science and Technology National News
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 19 February said that the 'Chandrayaan-3' lander has "successfully" underwent the Electro-Magnetic Interference/Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMI/EMC) test at the U R Rao Satellite Centre.
An overview of the news
The EMI-EMC test is conducted for satellite missions to ensure functionality of the satellite subsystems in space and their compatibility with the expected electromagnetic levels.
The purpose of this test is to ensure that the satellite's systems work properly in conjunction with the expected electromagnetic levels in space.
This is an important step in preparing the test satellites.
The test was conducted between January 31 and February 2 at the UR RAW Satellite Center in Bengaluru.
During this test several points related to the post-landing phase of Chandrayaan's mission were checked.
These include a number of tests including launch capability, polarisation of antenna for radio frequency systems and compatibility of lander and rover.
All the systems performed satisfactorily during the test.
The complexity of this operation relates to the establishment of radio frequency communication links between these modules.
2. UAE and India launch the UAE Chapter of the Business Council
Tags: International News
The UAE and India launched the UAE India Business Council - UAE Chapter (UIBCUC) on 18 February to strengthen economic ties and enhance bilateral trade and investment.
An overview of the news
It was launched by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade in Dubai.
One year of signing of the India-UAE comprehensive free trade agreement, completed.
The UIBCUC aims to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion and attract investments of $75 billion from the UAE to India.
The council will bring together key partners and stakeholders from both countries and encourage innovative collaboration between Emirati and Indian businesses.
The Council will play a key role in supporting the two governments in their joint mission to promote bilateral trade and investment.
It will operate under the supervision of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
It is registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce as a legal and financial entity.
UIBC-UC will have its office in Dubai.
Faizal Kottikollon of Kef Holdings has been appointed as the Chairman of UIBC-UC.
Major General (Retd.) Sharafuddin Sharaf, the Chairman of the UIBC (India Chapter), will serve as the Vice Chairman.
Key partners and stakeholders
Sovereign Wealth Funds from the UAE and large conglomerates from India such as - TATA group, Reliance, and Adani, as well as tech innovators like OLA, Zerodha, and EaseMyTrip.
The founding members of the UIBC-UC from the UAE side
Mubadala - Sovereign Wealth Fund of the UAE, Wizz Financial, DP World, EMAAR, Emirates Airlines, Emirates NBD Bank.
The founding members of the UIBC-UC from Indian side
TATA, Reliance, and Adani, OLA, Zerodha, Udaan, and EaseMyTrip.
Prominent Indian entrepreneur-led corporations based in the UAE such as KEF Holdings, Buimark Corporation, Apparel Group, EFS and Lulu Financial.
3. Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates SemiconIndia Conference of Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Ecosystem in New Delhi
Tags: Summits National News
The Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology and Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the ‘SemiconIndia Conference of Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Ecosystem’, on 18 February in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
He highlighted the success achieved in telecom manufacturing and the Vande Bharat development supported by the government.
He highlighted 'Your success, our success and the success of the global semiconductor industry'.
He highlighted that 'Electronics manufacturing is not sustainable in India without the development of semiconductor ecosystem which plays a major role in driving the overall economic growth in automotive, power, telecom, electronics etc.
Conference is being organised by the Institute of Supply Management (ISM).
Prominent sessions
Panel discussion on the existing semiconductor ecosystem in India.
Presentation on facilitating the development of the semiconductor ecosystem.
Panel discussion regarding the fab construction and availability of requisite chemicals, gasses.
Presentation on vision for skilled workforce generation.
Panel discussion regarding the industry readiness, challenges for materials and equipment with panellists.
Panel Discussion regarding Policies and readiness of State Governments for semiconductor ecosystem.
Panel discussion regarding the concerns of the industry.
India’s Semiconductor Mission
On 29 December 2022, the Information Technology Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, launched the India Semiconductor Mission.
Under the policy, the government will provide Rs 76000 crore incentives for companies setting up manufacturing facilities in India.
This was done by the government to encourage companies to set up chip manufacturing plants in India.
What is semiconductor?
Semiconductors are materials which have a conductivity between conductors and insulators.
They can be pure elements, silicon or germanium or compounds; gallium, arsenide or cadmium selenide.
They are the basic building blocks that serve as the heart and brain of all modern electronics and information and communications technology products.
These chips are now an integral part of contemporary automobiles, household gadgets and essential medical devices such as ECG machines.
4. 49th meeting of GST Council to take place in New Delhi
Tags: National Economy/Finance National News
The 49th meeting of the GST Council was held on 18 February in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
The meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, discussed setting up appellate tribunals and mechanisms to prevent tax evasion in the pan masala and gutkha business.
After the Union Budget was presented earlier this month, the GST Council meeting has offered to extend the 50-year interest-free loan to states for one more year.
About GST Council
To implement GST, the Constitutional (122nd Amendment) Bill was passed by both the Houses of the Parliament in 2016.
The GST Council has been notified as a constitutional body to deal with issues related to GST.
It is a joint forum of the Center and the States which was established by the President in accordance with Article 279A (1) of the amended Constitution.
Members of GST Council
Union Finance Minister (Chairman), Union Minister of State (Finance) from the Centre.
Each state minister in charge of finance or taxation or any other minister may be nominated as a member.
Functions of GST Council
To make recommendations to the Center and the States on important issues relating to GST.
It also decides on various rate slabs of GST.
What is the Goods and Services Tax (GST)?
It was introduced through the 101st Constitution Amendment Act, 2016.
It is one of the biggest indirect tax reforms in the country and was introduced with the slogan of ‘One Nation One Tax’.
GST subsumes indirect taxes like excise duty, value added tax (VAT), service tax, luxury tax etc.
5. 49th meeting of GST Council to take place in New Delhi
Tags: National Economy/Finance National News
The 49th meeting of the GST Council was held on 18 February in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
The meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, discussed setting up appellate tribunals and mechanisms to prevent tax evasion in the pan masala and gutkha business.
After the Union Budget was presented earlier this month, the GST Council meeting has offered to extend the 50-year interest-free loan to states for one more year.
About GST Council
To implement GST, the Constitutional (122nd Amendment) Bill was passed by both the Houses of the Parliament in 2016.
The GST Council has been notified as a constitutional body to deal with issues related to GST.
It is a joint forum of the Center and the States which was established by the President in accordance with Article 279A (1) of the amended Constitution.
Members of GST Council
Union Finance Minister (Chairman), Union Minister of State (Finance) from the Centre.
Each state minister in charge of finance or taxation or any other minister may be nominated as a member.
Functions of GST Council
To make recommendations to the Center and the States on important issues relating to GST.
It also decides on various rate slabs of GST.
What is the Goods and Services Tax (GST)?
It was introduced through the 101st Constitution Amendment Act, 2016.
It is one of the biggest indirect tax reforms in the country and was introduced with the slogan of ‘One Nation One Tax’.
GST subsumes indirect taxes like excise duty, value added tax (VAT), service tax, luxury tax etc.
6. Twelve cheetahs brought from South Africa to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh
Tags: National National News
Twelve cheetahs from South Africa were brought to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on 18 February. Of the 12 cheetahs, seven are male and five are female.
An overview of the news
The first group of Namibian cheetahs reached Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on 17 September 2022 under the cheetah reintroduction programme.
The second batch of Cheetahs started their journey to Kuno on 17 February 2023 from Tambo International Airport in Gauteng.
The aircraft landed at Gwalior Air Force Base in Madhya Pradesh on 18 February.
The onward journey was undertaken in Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force.
Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released the cheetahs in their quarantine enclosures.
The health of the cheetahs will be checked and then they will be kept in quarantine for a month.
Reintroduction Action Plan
Reintroduction of a species means releasing it in an area where it is capable of surviving.
Under the scheme, 50 cheetahs will be released in various national parks of the country over a period of 5 years.
Extinction of cheetahs
The last cheetah of the country was found dead in the year 1947 in Chhattisgarh and in the year 1952 it was declared extinct in the country.
Habitat loss, conflict with humans, poaching and high susceptibility to diseases are the major causes of their extinction.
About ‘Project Cheetah’
This is a one of its kind project in which a species is being brought out of the country (from South Africa / Namibia) and restored to the country.
The subspecies of the extinct cheetah in India was the Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) and the subspecies of the cheetah being brought back to the country is the African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus).
Research has shown that the genes of both these subspecies are similar.
7. Twelve cheetahs brought from South Africa to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh
Tags: National National News
Twelve cheetahs from South Africa were brought to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on 18 February. Of the 12 cheetahs, seven are male and five are female.
An overview of the news
The first group of Namibian cheetahs reached Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on 17 September 2022 under the cheetah reintroduction programme.
The second batch of Cheetahs started their journey to Kuno on 17 February 2023 from Tambo International Airport in Gauteng.
The aircraft landed at Gwalior Air Force Base in Madhya Pradesh on 18 February.
The onward journey was undertaken in Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force.
Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released the cheetahs in their quarantine enclosures.
The health of the cheetahs will be checked and then they will be kept in quarantine for a month.
Reintroduction Action Plan
Reintroduction of a species means releasing it in an area where it is capable of surviving.
Under the scheme, 50 cheetahs will be released in various national parks of the country over a period of 5 years.
Extinction of cheetahs
The last cheetah of the country was found dead in the year 1947 in Chhattisgarh and in the year 1952 it was declared extinct in the country.
Habitat loss, conflict with humans, poaching and high susceptibility to diseases are the major causes of their extinction.
About ‘Project Cheetah’
This is a one of its kind project in which a species is being brought out of the country (from South Africa / Namibia) and restored to the country.
The subspecies of the extinct cheetah in India was the Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) and the subspecies of the cheetah being brought back to the country is the African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus).
Research has shown that the genes of both these subspecies are similar.
8. Qatar lifts ban on frozen seafood from India
Tags: International News
Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA) has said that Qatar partially lifted a ban imposed last year on the import of frozen seafood from India on 18 February.
An overview of the news
The ban will continue on exports of chilled seafood, which accounts for about a third of the West Asian country's total seafood exports in 2021-22 with the worth of Rs 143 crore.
Frozen seafood is stored at minus 20 degrees, while chilled seafood is stored at 3-4 degrees Celsius.
In the current financial year, India's seafood exports to the West Asian country stood at around Rs 90 crore, with prawns taking the number one spot.
China has also lifted the suspension of shipments from 99 Indian seafood processing and export units.
Now seafood exports are expected to cross USD 8 billion in the current fiscal.
Why was the ban imposed?
This ban was imposed in November 2022.
Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria that causes cholera infection, was reportedly detected in consignments exported from India to Qatar ahead of the FIFA World Cup. After this these food products were banned.
9. Railways launches Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train
Tags: National National News
Indian Railways on 17 February launched Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train - Shri Ram-Janaki Yatra: Ayodhya to Janakpur from Safdarjung Railway Station, Delhi.
An overview of the news
This train will cover two most important pilgrimage sites Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh and Janakpur in Nepal.
The train will pass through Ayodhya, Nandigram, Sitamarhi, Janakpur, Varanasi and Prayagraj during its seven-day journey.
The train has four first-AC coaches, two second-AC coaches, two rail restaurants and a library.
It can carry 156 tourists.
The fare will start from Rs 39,000 per person.
The tour package also includes night stay in an AC hotel and vegetarian food.
This initiative will strengthen bilateral ties and also promote cultural ties between India and Nepal.
The introduction of Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train is in line with the "Dekho Apna Desh" initiative of the Government of India to promote domestic tourism.
10. Railways launches Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train
Tags: National National News
Indian Railways on 17 February launched Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train - Shri Ram-Janaki Yatra: Ayodhya to Janakpur from Safdarjung Railway Station, Delhi.
An overview of the news
This train will cover two most important pilgrimage sites Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh and Janakpur in Nepal.
The train will pass through Ayodhya, Nandigram, Sitamarhi, Janakpur, Varanasi and Prayagraj during its seven-day journey.
The train has four first-AC coaches, two second-AC coaches, two rail restaurants and a library.
It can carry 156 tourists.
The fare will start from Rs 39,000 per person.
The tour package also includes night stay in an AC hotel and vegetarian food.
This initiative will strengthen bilateral ties and also promote cultural ties between India and Nepal.
The introduction of Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train is in line with the "Dekho Apna Desh" initiative of the Government of India to promote domestic tourism.
