Context: On January 6 Aditya-L1 reached its destination, around the L1 Lagrange point, from where it will have an unfettered view of the sun for its expected lifetime of five years.
Overview of ISRO:
Notable Achievements:
Diverse Portfolio:
Aditya-L1 Mission:
Historical Context:
Public Perception Challenges:
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST):
Recommendations for ISRO:
About:
Concerns Associated:
Legal Interventions:
About One District One Product Initiative (ODOP)
Global Recognition:
Several ODOP products gained international exposure at the World Economic Forum in January 2023. Displayed at the Indian Pavilion in Davos, Switzerland, these products showcased the innovation and diversity inherent in India's district-specific offerings.
Origins and Adoption:
Initially launched by the Uttar Pradesh government in January 2018, the ODOP scheme proved successful in revitalizing traditional industries and crafts within the state. Inspired by this success, the central government embraced the concept, transforming it into a national initiative.
Implementation:
Key Significance:
Economic Development: ODOP strives to fortify local economies by identifying and developing a distinctive product or craft for each district, establishing it as a specialty. This approach creates a diversified and sustainable economic foundation, fostering increased income generation, employment opportunities, and overall economic growth.
Entrepreneurship and Skill Development: Encouraging local entrepreneurship, ODOP provides a focused approach to specific products and crafts. The initiative aims to offer skill development, capacity building, and technical support to artisans and entrepreneurs, enhancing their production capabilities, product quality, and market reach. This promotes self-employment and cultivates a culture of innovation.
Preserving Traditional Knowledge and Heritage: Recognizing India's rich heritage of traditional crafts deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of each district, ODOP seeks to preserve and promote these arts, crafts, and industries. This is crucial in the face of globalization and changing consumer preferences.
Market Linkages and Branding: ODOP concentrates on establishing market linkages and a robust marketing ecosystem for local products. Leveraging the unique characteristics of each district's product, the initiative facilitates the creation of niche markets, attracts buyers, and enhances exports, thereby invigorating the local economy.
The Minister of State for Defence recently flagged off the indigenously developed Astra Missiles for supply to the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Bharat Dynamics in Hyderabad.
Astra Missile
Features of ASTRA Mk-I:
Missiles Based on Speed
Missiles are classified based on their speed with respect to that of sound, expressed as Mach.
Missiles Based on the Launch Mode
Launch Mode |
Description |
Examples |
Surface-to-Surface |
Launched from land-based platforms to strike ground targets |
Prithvi, Agni, and BrahMos |
Surface-to-Air |
Launched from land to intercept aerial threats like aircraft, helicopters, and drones |
Akash, MRSAM |
Air-to-Surface |
Air launched to attack ground-based targets |
Helina anti-tank missile fired from Rudra helicopter |
Air-to-Air |
Launched from aircraft against hostile aerial targets |
Astra BVR air-to-air missile fired from Tejas |
Ship-to-Ship |
Naval anti-ship missiles launched from warships/submarines |
BrahMos anti-ship cruise missile fired from ships |
Ship-to-Air |
Naval surface-to-air missiles for fleet air defence |
Barak-8 LR-SAM deployed on ships |
Submarine-launched |
Fired from submerged submarines |
K-15 submarine-launched ballistic missile |
Shoulder-fired |
Man-portable missiles fired from launchers carried by infantry |
FIM-92 Stinger and Igla shoulder-fired SAMs |
Based on Strategic Importance
Strategic missiles encompass missiles that give a strategic edge over an opponent or provide credible deterrence to a country. In India and other powerful countries, these missiles are part of the nuclear triad.
Based on Tactical Importance
Tactical missiles are employed in the battlefield and frontline combat situations to strike and neutralise enemy assets and capabilities. India boasts an array of tactical missiles.
Types of Missiles Based on Propulsion
Missiles utilise different types of propulsion and guidance systems based on their range, launch platform and targets. Key missile propulsion systems are:
Based on Guidance Systems
Guidance systems enable missiles to accurately reach targets. Various guidance technologies are:
Integrated Missile Development Program
Objectives of the IGMDP
The IGMDP set ambitious objectives targeted at developing complete competence in guided missiles natively covering:
Kachchhi Kharek, the indigenous variety of dates of Kutch, has become the second fruit of Gujarat to get a geographical indication (GI) tag from the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDT) of India.
Kachchhi Kharek
The presence of dates in Kachchh (Kutch) is believed to be around 400-500 years old.It is believed that date palm groves along the north-western border of India have developed from the seeds thrown by the settlers, who used to visit Middle-East countries for Haj.It is also probable that the Arab gardeners working in the palaces of the former rulers of Kachchh might also have contributed to the import of the date seeds and offshoots from Arab countries.
Features
These dates in Kutch have to be harvested at khalal stage as they can’t withstand moist weather.
An interim budget serves as a framework for managing provisional expenditures over a short duration, usually spanning a few months, until a new government takes office at the central level.
As far as validity is concerned, the interim budget is valid throughout the year whereas the vote-on-account is valid only for a period of two to four months.
Recently, the maiden Bilateral Maritime Exercise -Ayutthaya’ between the Indian Navy (IN) and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) was conducted.
Exercise Ayutthaya
The IndIa-Thailand Bilateral Exercise is being named as ‘Ex-Ayutthaya’, which literally translates to ‘The Invincible One’ or ‘Undefeatable’.It symbolises the significance of two of the oldest cities Ayodhya in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand, the historic legacies, rich cultural ties and shared historical narratives dating back to several centuries.
INS Kulish?
It is a Kora-class corvette, currently in active service with the Indian Navy. She was ordered in October 1994 and the keel was laid in October 1995. The ship was launched in August 1997 and was commissioned on 20 August 2001. Kulish is the third of the four Kora-class corvettes designed under Project25A.
Scientists are finding that the gut microbiota may be linked to heart health, some cancers, and even the colour of urine.
Gut Microbiota
The human gut microbiota refers to the trillions of microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, that live in the human gut.
The gut microbiota assists in a range of bodily functions, including:
Changes in microbiota composition can affect these functions.
Disease:
Crohn’s disease?
Crohn's disease is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that causes inflammation in your digestive tract. It can affect any part of your digestive tract, which runs from your mouth to your anus. But it usually affects your small intestine and the beginning of your large intestine.Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The street will serve traditional dishes made of coarse grains like rajgira, sanwa, kuttu, ragi, dal-baffle, and more.
The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. It is one of the ‘five pillars’ of Islam.
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We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.