1. Short-range ballistic missile Prithvi-II successfully tested
India successfully launched the Prithvi-II short-range ballistic missile in the night on June 15 from an integrated test range at Chandipur in Odisha.
Prithvi-II Missile
It is an indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile, which has a range of about 250 km and can carry one tonne of payload.
It was developed by DRDO and first used by the Indian Air Force.
It is a proven system and is capable of hitting targets with a very high degree of accuracy.
The user training launch successfully validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile.
Prithvi Missiles of India
Prithvi missile is a tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile developed by DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
Prithvi was the first missile to be developed under this programme.
Three variants of Prithvi Missiles
Prithvi-I - Army version -150 km range with a payload of 1,000 kg.
Prithvi II – Air Force version 250-350 km range with a payload of 500 kg
Prithvi III – Naval version 350 km range with a payload of 1,000 kg
The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)
It was started by the Government of India in 1982-83, it included the following projects -
Prithvi - Short range surface to surface missile
Trishul - Short range surface to air missile
Aakash - Medium range surface to air missile
Nag - Third generation anti-tank missile
Agni-I -Agni missile was later separated from the IGMDP due to its strategic importance
2. Four holy relics of Lord Buddha from Kapilvastu placed at Gandan Monastery in Mongolia
Tags: Popular International News
Four sacred relics of Lord Buddha were kept at the Gandan Monastery in Mongolia from Kapilvastu, India, to mark the Mongolian Buddha Purnima celebrated on June 14.
Four sacred Kapilavastu relics brought from India by a delegation led by Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju, and other relics from Mongolia will be displayed at Gandan for Buddhist devotees to visit till June 24.
Four holy relics from India were brought to Mongolia on 13 June.
A 25-member delegation led by Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju has arrived in Mongolia with the holy relics.
The main Buddha statue at Gandan Monastery was gifted to the people of Mongolia by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 and was installed in 2018.
The Kapilvastu relic is one of the 22 special relics housed in the National Museum of the Ministry of Culture.
What are the holy relics?
According to Buddhist belief, Buddha attained salvation at the age of 80 in Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh).
The Mallas of Kushinagar performed his last rites as a universal king.
The relics from the funeral pyre were collected and divided into eight shares.
It was distributed among the Licchavis of Vaishali, Sakyas of Kapilavastu, Ajathsatrus of Magadha, Mallas of Kushinagar, Mallas of Pava, Bullies of Allakappa, Koliyas of Ramagrama and a Brahmana of Vethadipa.
Its purpose was to build stupas over the sacred relics.
The stupas over the bodily remains of Buddha (Sarrika Stupa) are the oldest surviving sacred places of Buddhism.
Ashoka (272-232 BCE), an ardent follower of Buddhism, is believed to have built seven stupas.
Kapilvastu Relics
The discovery of an inscribed coffin at the stupa site at Piprahwa (near Siddharthnagar in Uttar Pradesh) helped identify ancient Kapilavastu.
The inscription on top of the coffin mentions the relics of the Buddha and his community, the Shakyas.
Records from the Union Ministry of Culture show that this discovery was followed by several explorations.
The excavation of the stupa by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1971-77 led to the discovery of two other relic coffins containing 22 sacred bone remains, which are now under the supervision of the National Museum.
This was followed by the discovery of more than 40 terracotta ceilings which establish that Piprahwa was the ancient city of Kapilvastu.
3. India expanding its nuclear arsenal - SIPRI
Stockholm-based defence think tank SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) claimed on June 13 that India had 160 nuclear warheads as of January 2022, indicating India's expansion of nuclear arsenal.
India's nuclear stockpile increased from 156 in January 2021 to 160 in January 2022.
Nuclear stockpile of neighbouring countries
Pakistan's nuclear stockpile remains at 165 in January 2021 and January 2022.
In January 2021 and January 2022, China had 350 nuclear warheads.
China is nearing substantial expansion of its nuclear weapons arsenal, satellite images indicate, including the construction of more than 300 new missile silos.
India and Pakistan appear to be expanding their nuclear arsenals, and both countries introduced the new type of nuclear system in 2021 and continue to develop it.
Countries with nuclear weapons
As per SIPRI, the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea have nuclear weapons.
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. It is funded mainly by the Swedish Government.
Established in 1966
Headquarters : Solna, Sweden
4. PM will inaugurate the Sant Tukaram Shila Mandir at Dehu in Pune
Tags: Popular National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Sant Tukaram Shila Mandir in the temple town of Dehu in Pune district on 14 June.
About the Shila Mandir
The shila refers to a rock that is currently in the Dehu Sanatan temple complex, and has been the starting point of Wari, the annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur for centuries.
Bhakti saint Tukaram sat on this rock for 13 consecutive days when challenged about the authenticity of the abhyangas he had written.
About Sant Tukaram
Tukaram was born in Maharashtra. His full name was Tukaram Bolhoba Ambile.
He was a 17th-century poet-saint who lived with Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj.
His poetry was dedicated to Vithoba or Vitthala, an avatar of Vishnu (Hindu God).
He is best known for his Marathi Abangas (dohas), a rich legacy of gathas (devotional poetry).
He was also instrumental in laying the foundation of Maratha nationalism.
He emphasised community based worship through spiritual melodies called Kirtans.
The Warkari sect
Sant Tukaram and his works are at the heart of the Varkari sect spread across Maharashtra.
His message about a casteless society and his denial of customs had given rise to a social movement.
Sant Tukaram has credit for starting the Wari pilgrimage.
5. Microplastics found in Antarctica for first time
Tags: Popular Science and Technology
Scientists have found microplastics in fresh ice in the Antarctic for the first time.
Scientists have warned that the microplastics in the fresh snow of Antarctica would accelerate the process of melting of ice.
The researchers found an average of 29 microplastic particles per litre of melted snow.
There were 13 different types of plastic found.
The findings, published in The Cryosphere Journal, point to a serious threat to the Antarctic region.
Impact of microplastic on environment
Studies have shown that microplastics negatively impact the health of the environment, as well as limit the growth, reproduction and normal biological functions of organisms.
Studies show that the global usage of plastic is set to increase by three fold by the year 2060.
Microplastics have been discovered inside fish and under Arctic ice in the deepest ocean depths.
Microplastics if found in humans have negative health effects.
In 2019, Alex Aves, a PhD student at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, collected ice samples from the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica.
The researchers found in the laboratory that every sample from even remote sites on the Ross Ice Shelf contained plastic particles.
Microplastics were found in ice samples from 19 sites in the Ross Island region of Antarctica.
What are Microplastics?
These are defined as plastics less than five millimetres in diameter.
They are small plastic particles that result from commercial product development and the breakdown of larger plastics.
Microplastics are non-degradable and insoluble in water.
As a pollutant, microplastics can be harmful to the health of the environment, humans and organisms.
6. Amit Shah chairs the Western Zonal Council in Diu
Tags: Popular State News
Union Home and Co-operation Minister Amit Shah chaired the Western Zonal Council meeting at Diu on 11 June.
Various issues related to border, security, infrastructure, transport and industries in western states were discussed in the meeting.
About zonal council
In 1956 first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru give the idea of creation of Zonal Councils.
In the light of Pandit Nehru's vision, five Zonal Councils were established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
These are is as under-
The Northern Zonal Council - States of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, National Capital Territory of Delhi and Union Territory of Chandigarh are included.
The Central Zonal Council - States of Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are included.
The Eastern Zonal Council - States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Sikkim and West Bengal are included.
The Western Zonal Council - States of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra and the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli are included.
The Southern Zonal Council - States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry are included.
A Standing Committee is constituted by each Zonal Council consisting of the Chief Secretaries of their respective Zonal Councils of the Member States.
These Standing Committees meet from time to time to resolve the issues.
Chairman - The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these Councils
Objectives of the Zonal Councils
National integration
Enabling Centre and States to collaborate and exchange ideas and experiences
Stopping the growth of regionalism, linguism and specific tendencies
To establish an environment of cooperation among the states for successful and speedy execution of development projects
7. Presidential elections on July 18 : Election Commission
Tags: Popular National News
On 9 June, the Election Commission announced the election date as 18 July for the election of the 16th President of India.
The notification for the election will be issued on June 15, the last date for nomination is scheduled June 29.
Counting of votes, if required, will be done on July 21.
The term of President Ram Nath Kovind will end on July 24, 2022, and according to Article 62 of the Constitution, elections are required to be completed before term to fill a vacancy caused by the expiration of the term.
The President of India
The President of India is recognized as the first citizen of the country and the head of state.
He is a part of the Central Executive along with the Vice President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers and Attorney General of India.
How is the President elected?
There is no direct election for the Indian President, an electoral college elects The President.
Votes are cast by national and state level MPs and MLAs.
The electoral college is made up of all the elected members of both Houses of Parliament.
Elected Members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union Territories are also part of the electoral college.
The provisions of the election of the President are given in Article 54 of the Constitution of India.
Status of The electoral college
There will be a total of 4,809 members in the electoral college for the elections.
Rajya Sabha MPs - 233
Lok Sabha MPs - 543
MLAs of State Assemblies and the Assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry - 4,033
Total value of the votes - 10 lakh 86 thousand 431
Constitutional provisions
Article 54 - Election of President
Article 55 - Manner of election of President.
Article 56 - Term of office of President
Article 57 - Eligibility for re-election.
Article 58 - Qualifications for election as President
8. NCPCR launches “CiSS application” under Baal Swaraj portal
Tags: Popular National News
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has launched a “CiSS Application” under Bal Swaraj Portal to help in the rehabilitation process of Children in Street Situations (CiSS).
About CiSS Application
It is used to collect data of children found abandoned on roads from all states and union territories.
The application tracks their rescue and rehabilitation process.
This initiative has been started under the direction of the Supreme Court of India.
This program is in conformity with the provision given in Article 51(a) of the Constitution of India.
This platform serves to collect data and report to the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) for taking necessary action for such children.
It also provides a platform for professionals and organizations to provide any help to children in need.
Its working framework
It categorises any child under ‘Children in Street Situation’ if the child -
is living on the streets alone
is living on the streets during the day
or living on the streets with the family.
The root cause of this phenomenon is the migration of families from rural to urban areas in search of better living standards.
9. PM Modi inaugurated Biotech Startup Expo 2022
Tags: Popular National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Biotech Startup Expo – 2022 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on 9 June.
The Biotech Startup Expo – 2022 is a two-day event being held on June 9 and 10.
The organiser of the expo is the Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
This expo is being organised to commemorate the ten years of the establishment of BIRAC.
The theme of the Expo - ‘Biotech Startup Innovations: Towards AatmaNirbhar Bharat’.
The expo will act as a platform to connect entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, scientists, researchers, bio-incubators, manufacturers, regulators, government officials, etc.
Around 300 stalls will be set up at the expo, showcasing the applications of biotechnology in various sectors such as healthcare, genomics, biopharma, agriculture, industrial biotechnology, waste-to-value, clean energy.
The event will also witness the launch of an e-portal of 750 biotech products.
About Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
It was set up by the Department of Biotechnology on 20th March, 2012.
It is an industry-academia interface agency to strengthen and empower the emerging biotech enterprise.
It conducts strategic research and innovation while addressing nationally relevant product development needs.
DBT and BIRAC have been at the forefront of India's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by intervening in the development of indigenous vaccines etc.
India ranks among the top 12 biotechnology destinations in the world and third in the Asia-Pacific.
10. Environmental Performance Index 2022
Tags: Popular National News
Recently, India has been ranked 180th out of 180 countries in the 'Environmental Performance Index' released biennially by 'Yale University'.
The 'Environmental Performance Index' is a joint initiative of Yale University's Centre for Environmental Law and Policy and Columbia University's Centre for International Earth Science Information Network.
The 'Environmental Performance Index'(EPI) is prepared in collaboration with the 'World Economic Forum'.
The EPI scores 180 countries based on climate change performance, environmental health and ecosystem status using 40 performance indicators across 11 categories.
Denmark tops the list
Denmark topped the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), followed by Britain and Finland.
These countries have received the highest scores for greenhouse gas emissions reductions in recent years.
India ranks lowest
According to the report, India stood at the bottom (180th) with the lowest score (18.9).
India's neighbouring countries have performed better, with Pakistan at 176th and Bangladesh at 177th.
Ranking of other major countries
In the Environmental Performance Index, America was ranked 43rd, France 12th, Germany 13th, Australia 17th, Italy 23rd and Japan 25th.
China has been ranked 161 in the report with 28.4 points.
Top 10 countries
Country | Ranking |
Denmark | 1 |
United Kingdom | 2 |
Finland | 3 |
Malta | 4 |
Sweden | 5 |
Luxembourg | 6 |
Slovenia | 7 |
Austria | 8 |
Switzerland | 9 |
Iceland | 10 |
