PSLV-C46 successfully launches RISAT-2B                                                             

Successful Firing of BrahMos Air Launched Missile from Su-30 MKI Aircraft      

Supreme Court to be at full strength of 31 judges after five years                         

Water experts warn of ‘desertification’ of Marathwada                                            

Panel submits a report on reducing oil import dependency                                    

Shyam Saran to be conferred with Japan’s ‘Order of the Rising Sun’ award        

UAE launches ‘Golden Card’ scheme to woo wealthy investors, exceptional talents                                                                                                                            

PSLV-C46 successfully launches RISAT-2B

GS PAPER - 03 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Context :

• India’s PSLV-C46 successfully launched RISAT-2B satellite from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.

More about the launch :

• This was the 72nd launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota and 36th launch from the First Launch pad.

• It was the 48th flight of PSLV and the 14th flight in 'core-alone' configuration where solid strap-on motors were not used.

RISAT - 2B :

• It is built to work for at least five years and would replace the RISAT-2 that has been in use for monitoring activities in camps in Pakistan and thwarting infiltration bids by terrorists from across the border.

• This is the third Indian RISAT in ten years and has been placed at a low earth 557-kilometre orbit.

• RISAT-2B’s X-band synthetic aperture radar can give details such as size of objects on Earth, structures, movement and change.

  • The information will complement data from the normal optical remote sensing satellites.

  • The data from this satellite are vital for the Armed Forces as well as agriculture forecasters and disaster relief agencies.

• The satellite is intended to provide services in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Disaster Management.

Background :

Two previous radar-enabled satellites launched by India into space were RISAT-1 and RISAT-2, the latter being an acquisition from Israel.

• These satellites helped security and intelligence agencies to plan surgical strike in 2016 on terror launchpads in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and the Balakot aerial strike in February this year.

• The first satellite in the RISAT series – RISAT-2 – was launched in 2009. The 300 kg satellite used an X-band synthetic aperture radar sensor made by Israel Aerospace Industries.

• RISAT-1, an indigenously developed radar imaging satellite, was launched in 2012. The launch of RISAT-1 was postponed to prioritise the launch of RISAT-2 after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

                                                                                                                                                                 Source :- PIB

Successful Firing of BrahMos Air Launched Missile from Su-30 MKI Aircraft

GS PAPER - 03 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Context :

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully test fired the air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from its frontline Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft.

          Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missile :

• Brahmos is a two stage (solid propellant engine in first stage and liquid ramjet in second) air to surface missile with a flight range of around 300 km.

• Brahmos is the heaviest weapon to be deployed on Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft, with weight of 2.5 tonne.

• Brahmos is a multiplatform i.e it can be launched from land, air and sea and multi capability missile with pinpoint accuracy that works in both day and night irrespective of the weather conditions.

• It operates on "Fire and Forget" principle i.e it does not require further guidance after launch.

• It is a joint venture between Defence Research and Development Organisation of india (DRDO) and NPOM of Russia.

• Brahmos is named on the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva.

• Brahmos is one of the fastest cruise missiles currently operationally deployed with speed of Mach 2.8, which is 3 times more than the speed of sound.

• Brahmos Missile also created history on 22 Nov 2017 after it was successfully flight tested for the first time from Indian Air Force’s (IAF) frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30 MKI against a sea based target in bay of bengal.

                                                                                                                                 Source :- PIB

Supreme Court to be at full strength of 31 judges after five years

GS PAPER - 02 POLITY - Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

Context :

• The centre cleared the elevation of four judges to the Supreme Court.

More about the news :

• As of now, the apex court is functioning with 27 judges.

• The sanctioned strength is 31, including the Chief Justice.

•  In the recent past, this is for the first time that the SC will have a full sanctioned strength.collegium system of appointment of judges

• The Collegium System is a system under which appointments/elevation of judges/lawyers to Supreme Court and transfers of judges of High Courts and Apex Court are decided by a forum of the Chief Justice of India and the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court.'

• There is no mention of the Collegium either in the original Constitution of India or in successive amendments.

• The Collegiums System of appointment of judges was born through “three judges case”which interpreted constitutional articles on October 28, 1998.

• The recommendations of the Collegium are binding on the Central Government; if the Collegium sends the names of the judges/lawyers to the government for the second time.

Eligibility criteria to become a SC Judge :

• To become a judge of the Supreme court, an individual should be an Indian citizen.

• The norms relating to the eligibility has been envisaged in Article 124 of the Indian Constitution.

•  In terms of age, a person should not exceed 65 years of age.

• The person should serve as a judge of one high court or more (continuously), for at least five years or the person should be an advocate in the High court for at least 10 years or a distinguished jurist.

                                                                                                                                                         Source :- The Hindu

Water experts warn of ‘desertification’ of Marathwada

GS PAPER - 03 ENVIRONMENT - Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Context :

• Economists and water experts have warned of “desertification” in the water scarce Marathwada region of Maharashtra.

  • They have further said that the water crisis in the region is a policy induced failure.

Facts and Datas :

• According to experts, though rainfall in Marathwada is below normal, it is enough to meet the basic drinking water and household needs of the populace besides leaving enough water for one crop.

• However, an unsustainable cropping pattern which has led to indiscriminate pumping of groundwater has depleted groundwater tables to an extent where rejuvenation has become impossible.

• According to data by the Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency, the water table had dropped alarmingly in 70 of the 76 talukas, with more than 25 reporting a drop of more than two metres.

Reasons for Water Scarcity :

•  Changes in Cropping pattern:

•  Government neglect:

                                                                                                                             Source :- The Hindu

Panel submits a report on reducing oil import dependency

GS PAPER - 03 ECONOMY - Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Context :

• A High-Level Committee constituted by the government has submitted its recommendations to bring down India’s dependence on crude oil imports.

Why we need to reduce oil import dependency ?

• During 2018, India consumed 204.92 million tonnes of petroleum products and 58.64 billion cubic metres of natural gas while the domestic production of crude oil and natural gas almost stagnated.

• The import dependency of crude oil and LNG during the year was 82.59 per cent and 45.89 per cent, respectively, which is likely to increase in days to come

• India's projected oil demand is going to grow at CAGR 4 per cent during 2016-2030 against the world average of 1 per cent though the projected oil demand will be much lower as compared to the US and China.

• India is thus at a very precarious situation and to secure its energy needs in a sustainable manner, out-of-box solutions are needed.

More about the news:

• The high-level committee (HLC) was constituted

  • To examine the issues relating to the preparation of action plan

  • To create synergy among R&D centres of oil and gas PSUs,

  • Tax issues and ways to benefit from GST

  • possibilities of mergers,

  • Acquisition and consolidation of oil and gas PSUs and their joint ventures.

  • Explored the need and possibility of formation of new entity dealing with oil services and supply of qualified manpower to the oil and gas sector around the world

Recommendations :

• The committee has recommended short term, medium term and long term strategies in the report by clearly bringing out the strategy to reduce the import dependency of the nation.

• The ministry has said that it will consider the recommendations submitted by the committee while formulating policies in the matter.

                                                                                                                                               Source :- Economic Times

Shyam Saran to be conferred with Japan’s ‘Order of the Rising Sun’ award

GS PAPER - 03 AWARDS AND HONORS

Context :

• Former foreign secretary Shyam Saran will be conferred with Japan's second highest national award for his contributions to strengthen the strategic ties and enhancing mutual understanding between India and Japan.

Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star :

• ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star’  is the Japanese government’s Second Highest National Honour.

• It was established by Japanese Emperor Meiji in 1875.

• It is awarded for an exceptional civil or military merit.

                                                                                                                                              Source :- The Hindu

UAE launches ‘Golden Card’ scheme to woo wealthy investors, exceptional talents

GS PAPER - 02 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS  - Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

Context :

• The United Arab Emirates(UAE) has launched a permanent residency scheme called as Golden Card programme.

Golden Card Scheme :

• The programme has launched a permanent residency scheme to woo wealthy individuals and exceptional talents, a move that could attract more Indian professionals and businessmen to the Gulf nation.

• Golden Card programme  is open to investors and "exceptional talents" such as doctors, engineers, scientists, students and artists.

Gold card Visa Includes :

• General investors who will be granted a 10 year permanent residency visas .

• Real Estate Investors, who can get a visa for 5 year visa.

• Entrepreneurs and Talented Professionals like doctors, researchers and innovators can get 10 years visa.

• ‘Outstanding students’. These will also be permitted 5 years permanent residency visas.

Benefits :

• The Golden Card offers permanent residency and unprecedented benefits to cardholders as well as to their families while creating an attractive environment for growth and business.

• The benefits of PR also includes spouse and children of cardholder so as to ensure cohesive social ties.

                                                                                                                                                          Source :- Livemint

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