1. IIT Madras researchers partner for development of materials and micro-device processing techniques
Tags: Science and Technology National News
IIT Madras researchers have partnered withDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists to develop sensor technology for underwater communications, which will be advantageous to defence applications, especially in the Navy.
An overview of the news
'Piezoelectric MEMS technology' is needed to develop high-performance thin films and to convert 'piezo-thin films' into future naval sensors and devices for underwater applications.
Piezo thin film is an important component of piezo MEMS devices and is considered for acoustics and vibration-sensing applications.
The installation of state-of-the-art Piezo MEMS technology enables India to advance defense efficiency and allows the nation to execute strategic operations of critical applications.
The large area piezo thin film and MEMS process technology will support the ongoing/future technologies for DRDO's next generation sonar program for the Indian Navy.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
It is a premier defence research and development agency under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
It is working on several cutting-edge military technology areas, including aeronautics, armaments, combat vehicles, electronics, instrumentation, engineering systems, missiles, materials, naval systems, advanced computing, simulation, cyber, hypersonic technology, quantum computing and communications
DRDO's first project for the Indian military was in surface-to-air missiles (SAM) known as Project Indigo.
Since inception, DRDO has made several breakthroughs in developing key systems and critical technologies such as aircraft avionics, UAVs, small arms, artillery systems, EW systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, sonar systems, command and control systems and missile systems
It aims to make India self-reliant in critical defence technology and systems.
It was set up in 1958.
Headquarters - New Delhi
Chairman - Samir V Kamat
2. Pakistan and China agree to extend CPEC to Afghanistan
Tags: International News
Pakistan, China and Afghanistan have agreed to forge closer economic ties by extending the Beijing-backed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan to fully exploit the country's potential as a hub of regional connectivity.
An overview of the news
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang and Taliban-appointed Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaki held the 5th China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Talks.
The ministers held in-depth talks on various issues and agreed on good neighbourhood, mutual trust, security cooperation, counter terrorism, connectivity and trade and investment.
The three countries reiterated their resolve to fully utilize the potential of Afghanistan as a hub of regional connectivity
The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to further trilateral cooperation under the "Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)" and to jointly extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan.
About China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
Launched in 2015, CPEC is the flagship project of the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
It aims to increase Beijing's influence around the world through China-funded infrastructure projects.
The3,000 km long China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) comprises highways, railways and pipelines.
The CPEC aims to eventually link the city of Gwadar in southwest Pakistan with Xinjiang, the northwestern region of China, through a vast network of highways and railways.
The proposed project will be financed by heavily subsidized loans.
India has objected to the CPEC as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
3. PM Modi lay foundation stone of scientific projects worth over Rs 5,800 cr
Tags: National Science and Technology National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation several scientific projects worth over Rs 5,800 crore on the occasion of National Technology Day in New Delhi on May 11.
An overview of the news
The Prime Minister inaugurated an event to mark the day.
This year, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has received special attention in the celebration of National Technology Day.
The AIM Pavilion will showcase a range of innovative projects and provide an opportunity to the visitors to witness live tinkering sessions, engage in tinkering activities and witness outstanding innovations and products by startups.
During the event, the Prime Minister also inaugurated an exposhowcasing the scientific and technological advancements made in India in the recent past.
Prime Minister Modi also released a commemorative stamp and coin on the occasion.
The projects whose foundation stone was laid by the PM
Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory - India (LIGO-India), Hingoli.
Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Jatni in Odisha.
Platinum Jubilee Block of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
About LIGO-India Project
It will be an advanced gravitational-wave observatory located in Maharashtra, India, as part of a worldwide network.
It is envisaged as a collaborative project between a consortium of Indian research institutions and the LIGO Laboratory in the United States of America as well as its international partners.
It will be built by the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Science and Technology with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Science Foundation, US, along with several national and international research and educational institutions.
It was given "in-principle" approval by the Union Cabinet in February 2016 with the objective of providing wider opportunities to Indian youth to pursue research careers in cutting-edge areas of science and technology.
4. RBI imposed fine of Rs 1.73 crore on HSBC bank
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
HSBC Bank has been fined Rs 1.73 crore by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for violating the Credit Information Companies Rules 2006 (CIC Rules).
An overview of the news
The central bank has accused the bank of providing false information about its credit cards to credit information companies.
An investigation by the RBI has revealed that the bank had given wrong information about its expired credit cards as well.
The RBI has imposed a hefty fine of Rs 1.73 crore on the bank for violating its rules.
The RBI had inspected the financial position of HSBC Bank as on March 31, 2021, as part of its surveillance checks.
It was found in the inspection that the bank is not following many rules of RBI related to credit cards.
RBI has issued a show cause notice to HSBC Bank asking why it did not provide correct information as per CIC norms.
Penalties on two cooperative banks
Apart from HSBC Bank, RBI has also imposed penalties on two co-operative banks for violation of norms.
Thrissur Urban Cooperative Bank Ltd has been fined Rs 2 lakh for flouting gold loan norms.
Bhilai Nagrik Sahakari Bank has been fined Rs 1.25 lakh for not depositing unclaimed deposits in time under the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund Scheme (DEAF Scheme).
About Reserve Bank of India
RBI was established on April 1, 1935 as per the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
It started functioning from 1 April 1935.
The central office of the Reserve Bank was established in Kolkata which was permanently shifted to Mumbai in the year 1937.
It was nationalized in 1949 and now the government of India is the owner of RBI.
It has the power to regulate Banks under the Banking Regulation Act 1949.
It has the power to regulate the Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) under the RBI act 1934.
RBI is also the regulator of the digital payment system under the Payment and settlement act 2007.
Before independence till 1942 RBI used to issue currency not only for India but also for Myanmar which was then known as Burma. However, it was discontinued after 1947.
Headquarters of RBI: Mumbai
Governor of RBI : Shaktikanta Das
5. First Airbus C295 for India successfully completes its maiden flight
Tags: Defence National News
India's first Airbus C295 successfully completed its maiden flight on 8th May. This is an important milestone towards its delivery by the second half of 2023.
An overview of the news
This maiden flight marks a significant milestone for the first Make in India aerospace programme.
With the Indian Air Force becoming the largest operator of the C295 in the world, this program exemplifies our commitment to improve the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
This maiden flight represents a significant milestone for the first Make in India aerospace programme.
With the Indian Air Force becoming the largest operator of the C295 in the world, this program exemplifies India's commitment to improving the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Background of Airbus C295
The aircraft was tested in Seville, Spain and flew for three hours to check various onboard systems.
The first 16 such aircraft are being built in Spain, while 40 are to be built in Gujarat by Tata Advanced Systems Limited in collaboration with Airbus.
The first aircraft is likely to be delivered by September 2023 and Indian Air Force personnel are already being trained in Spain.
Tata is setting up a main manufacturing facility at Vadodara and will also set up an aerospace and defense complex at Dholera.
The company hastied up with Airbus which signed a Rs 21,935 crore contractto supply 56 transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force in 2021.
The new complex will be India's first private sector aircraft manufacturing facility.
While small aircraft have been built in India in the past, the projects were executed by public sector enterprises, primarily Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
Features of C-295
It is a medium tactical transport aircraft that was designed by the Spanish aerospace company CASA.
The manufacturing and final assembly of the C-295 is normally done at the Airbus Defense and Space facilities at San Pablo Airport in Seville, Spain.
As a tactical transporter, the C-295 is capable of effectively carrying out a variety of missions.
6. Union Health Ministry launched SAKSHAM, a learning management information system
Tags: National National News
On 10 May the Union Health Ministry launched the SAKSHAM Learning Management Information System and it was launched by Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan.
An Overview Of the News
SAKSHAM stands for Stimulating Advanced Knowledge for Sustainable Health Management.
It aims to provide online training and medical education to all health professionals across the country.
This digital learning platform will facilitate comprehensive capacity building among health professionals.
Currently, it offers over 200 public health and 100 clinical courses in an online format.
Health professionals can register for these courses by visiting the website lmis.nihfw.ac.in.
After completing the required training and meeting the evaluation criteria, participants will receive certification.
SAKSHAM was developed by the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi.
About New Delhi
It serves as the capital of India and is located within the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The city is home to the administrative headquarters of all three branches of the Government of India, the executive, legislative and judicial branches.
One of the notable landmarks in New Delhi is the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which serves as the official residence of the President of India.
Sansad Bhavan, also known as Sansad Bhawan, is another prominent structure in the city where the sessions of the Parliament of India are held.
Establishment - 1911
Inauguration - 1931
Mayor - Shelly Oberoi
7. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana completes 8 years
Tags: Government Schemes National News
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana completed eight years on 9th May.
An overview of the news
These schemes are playing a vital role in providing social security and affordable insurance to the people.
These three schemes were started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this day on May 9, 2015 from Kolkata in West Bengal.
The government had launched two insurance schemes Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana to make the people belonging from unorganised sections financially secure.
The government also introduced Atal Pension Yojana to cover the exigencies in the old age.
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
This plan is a one-year life insurance plan that is renewable from year to year to offer coverage for death due to any reason.
The plan provides life cover of Rs 2 lakh in case of death due to any reason for a premium of Rs 436 per annum.
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
This is a one-year accidental insurance scheme renewable from year to year offering coverage for death or disability due to an accident.
The scheme provides accidental death cum disability cover of two lakh rupees against a premium of 20 rupees per annum.
Atal Pension Yojana
Under this scheme subscribers would receive the guaranteed minimum monthly pension ranging from one thousand to five thousand after the age of 60 years, based on the contributions made by the subscriber.
8. Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates Sittwe Port in Myanmar
Tags: International Relations International News
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal and Deputy Prime Minister of Myanmar Admiral Tin Aung San jointly inaugurated Sittwe Port in Myanmar on 9 May.
An overview of the news
Admiral Tin Aung San also received the first Indian cargo ship which was flagged off from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata.
The development of Sittwe port will reduce the cost and time of movement of goods between Kolkata and Agartala and Aizawl by 50 per cent.
It will promote trade links and people-to-people ties between India and Myanmar and the wider region and help boost the economic development of the northeastern states.
About Sittwe port
The project was envisaged to provide alternative connectivity of Mizoram with Haldia, Kolkata or any Indian port through Kaladan River in Myanmar.
Sittwe Port has been developed as a part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) funded under grant-in-aid assistance from the Indian government.
Once the waterway and road components of the KMTTP are fully operational, the east coast of India will be connected to the north-eastern states through the Sittwe port.
The commissioning of Sittwe port will increase bilateral and regional trade as well as boost the local economy of Myanmar's Rakhine state.
The greater connectivity provided by the Port will lead to employment opportunities and enhanced growth prospects in the region.
About Myanmar
It is a country located in Southeast Asia and is bordered by India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand.
The capital city of Myanmar is Naypyidaw, which was officially designated as the capital in 2005.
President - Myint Swe (Acting)
Prime Minister - Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing
Currency - Myanmar kyat
9. India Post signs MoU with CAIT and Tripta Technologies
Tags: National National News
India Post has signed an MoU with Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and Tripta Technologies for logistics services.
An overview of the news
The MoU will benefit small and medium traders as they will be able to use India Post as a single logistics service provider across the country.
The partnership between India Post, CAIT and Tripta Technologies will provide shipping and last mile delivery services to CAIT's strong merchant base and small and medium business in the unorganized sector.
The MoU is a significant milestone in taking e-commerce to smaller towns and rural areas and is expected to benefit thousands of merchants.
India Post Payment Bank (IPPB)
It is a payment bank started by the Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
IPPB was launched as a pilot project on 30 January 2017 in Ranchi (Jharkhand) and Raipur (Chhattisgarh).
It was formally launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 September 2018.
Headquarters of IPPB: New Delhi
Bank's Punchline: Apna Bank Aapke Dwaar
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer: J Venkataramu
10. Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar launches Phase-III of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana
Tags: Government Schemes National News
Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare on 8th May launched the third phase of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY) of the Health Ministry.
An overview of the news
She also launched the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana Portal.
Dr Pawar also released the Standard Treatment Workflow for Sickle Cell Disease on the occasion. This has been developed by ICMR.
The Union Minister further highlighted the need to take advantage of various initiatives of the Union Government for treatment of diseases like sickle cell anemia such as the e-Raktkosh portal for blood transfusion requirements.
Phase-III of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana
The third phase of the program will continue to provide financial assistance towards the package cost of 10 lakh per HSCT, which will be directly transferred from CIL to the institutions performing HSCT.
The program will benefit underprivileged thalassemia patients and people with aplastic anaemia.
10 reputed hospitals across India have been empaneled under the programme.
About Thalassemia
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes the human body to have less haemoglobin than normal.
World Thalassemia Day is observed every year on 8 May to spread awareness about this condition.
Iron deficiency is the most common and can cause extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, weakness and cold hands and feet.
Iron is a mineral that our body needs for growth, development and making haemoglobin.
Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body.
Iron is a cofactor for neurotransmitters and is important for the synthesis and metabolism of hormones.
