Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA)

India has simplified the payment mechanism for traders by facilitating them to use the Rupee/Kyat direct payment system through the Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA).

Key Highlights

(i) Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) is an additional arrangement to the payment settlement for international trade. 

(ii) It facilitates international trade in Indian Rupees with partner countries.

(iii) It requires prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) before opening the account.

(iv) It reduces dependency on foreign exchanges. 

(v) It facilitates global banking services without a physical presence abroad.

About Vostro Account

• It is an account that a domestic bank holds for a foreign bank in the domestic bank’s currency. I.e; Indian Rupees

• The RBI allowed nine such accounts, including IndusInd Bank and UCO Bank.

Exercise Gagan Shakti 

Indian Air Force’s (IAF) MiG-21 fighter planes are taking part in the ongoing pan-India exercise, Gagan Shakti-2024.

Key Highlights

(i) Gagan Shakti-2024 is being conducted at various locations across the country, including the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).

(ii) It is a 10-day exercise to test IAF’s capabilities and preparedness to carry out high-intensity operations and involves all air bases and assets scattered across the country. 

(iii) The Indian Army provides logistics support for the mega exercise, facilitating a comprehensive pan-India movement of IAF personnel and ammunition to validate the Operational Rail Mobilisation Plan (ORMP) aspects of the IAF.

(iv) It was last held in 2018, during which the IAF completed over 11,000 sorties during the two-phase air manoeuvres.

Genetic Profiling

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is carrying out genetic profiling to add the genetic information of the elephants to a national database.

Key Highlights

(i) It includes information about changes in specific genes, gene expression, or chromosomes in cells or tissue of a person.

(ii) It involves an examination of an individual’s DNA to detect variations or mutations linked to traits, diseases, or various conditions.

(iii) The genetic analysis provides insight into individual genetic composition and helps in multiple ways, assessing disease susceptibility, tracing ancestry, and informing personalised medical care.

(iv) Genetic profiling is also used to help diagnose disease and plant treatment.

(v) In forensic science, it is used for identifying individuals based on DNA evidence, such as in criminal investigations or paternity testing.

(vi) Recently, the Wildlife Institute of India has developed a mobile application named Gaja Suchana, enabling officials from all state forest departments to access the data.

About: Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. 

Objective: To advance wildlife research, education, and conservation in the country.

START Programme 2024 

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is conducting the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) programme 2024.

Key Highlights

Objective: To attract youngsters to the fields of space science and technology.

The training modules will comprise introductory-level topics on various verticals of space science and technology.

It includes sessions on Indian space exploration programmes and research opportunities.

Eligibility: Post-graduate students and final-year undergraduate students of Physical Sciences and Technology studying in educational institutes, universities and colleges within India are eligible to be considered for the training.

Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS)

• Food Corporation of India (FCI) has imposed quantity restrictions and has also refused to allow States to procure wheat and rice through its Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS).
• Under the OMSS, the FCI sells surplus food grains from the central pool, especially wheat and rice in the open market to traders at predetermined prices.
• The FCI does this through e-auctions where open market bidders can buy specified quantities. States are also allowed to procure food grains through the OMSS.
• The objective of OMSS is to improve and regulate domestic supply and availability of the two grains and bring down their prices in the open market.

Digital India- BHASHINI

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology recently conducted a brainstorming session with researchers and start-ups to help build the strategy for Digital India BHASHINI.

BHASINI is India’s AI-led language translation platform.

It will make Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing (NLP) resources available to Startups, Individual innovators and MSMEs.

It will create an ecosystem involving Central/State government agencies & start-ups, to develop and deploy innovative products and services in Indian languages.

AIM

BHASHINI aims to increase content in Indian languages on the internet in the domains of public interest such as governance-and-policy and science & technology, and thus encourage citizens to use the Internet in their own language.

India’s initiative for the Digital India vision

1. Unique Digital Identity (Aadhaar)
2. Digital Services (Digilocker, Umang App)
3. National Digital Health Mission

Urjit Patel appointed as a vice-president of AIIB 

• Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Urjit Patel has been appointed as a vice-president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a Beijing-based multilateral development bank.

• He will succeed outgoing Vice President D J Pandian.

• He will be one of the five Vice Presidents of the AIIB with a three-year tenure.

• Urjit Patel is currently the chairman of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy.

• China's leader Xi Jinping first proposed an Asian infrastructure bank at an APEC summit in Bali in 2013.

• AIIB began operations in 2016 and has 105 members. 

• It is a multilateral development bank whose mission is financing the Infrastructure for Tomorrow—infrastructure with sustainability at its core.

• It aims to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia and beyond.

• India is a founding member of AIIB with the second-highest voting share after China.

• Headquarters: Beijing, China.

• The bank staff is headed by a President who is elected by AIIB shareholders for a five-year term and is eligible for re-election once.

Kashi Vishwanath Corridor 

• Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated  Phase 1 of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi.

• It connects the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the ghats along the river Ganga.

• It will facilitate the pilgrims and devotees of Baba Vishwanath, who had to encounter congested streets and surroundings with poor upkeep, when they practised the age-old custom of taking a dip in the holy river, collecting Gangajal and offering it at the temple. 

• It will provide easy access for the disabled and old age people with the provision of ramps, escalators, and other modern facilities.

About Kashi Vishwanath Temple 

• It  is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples.

• It is constructed following the Nagara style of temple architecture

• The Temple was renovated in its present form in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore and Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated gold for temple shikhara in 1835.

Mr Modi said that the whole new complex of Baba Vishwanath Dham is not just a grand building, but also a symbol of the Sanatan culture of India. “It is a symbol of our spiritual soul, it is a symbol of India's antiquity and traditions

Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA)

India has simplified the payment mechanism for traders by facilitating them to use the Rupee/Kyat direct payment system through the Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA).

Key Highlights

(i) Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) is an additional arrangement to the payment settlement for international trade. 

(ii) It facilitates international trade in Indian Rupees with partner countries.

(iii) It requires prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) before opening the account.

(iv) It reduces dependency on foreign exchanges. 

(v) It facilitates global banking services without a physical presence abroad.

About Vostro Account

• It is an account that a domestic bank holds for a foreign bank in the domestic bank’s currency. I.e; Indian Rupees

• The RBI allowed nine such accounts, including IndusInd Bank and UCO Bank.

Exercise Gagan Shakti 

Indian Air Force’s (IAF) MiG-21 fighter planes are taking part in the ongoing pan-India exercise, Gagan Shakti-2024.

Key Highlights

(i) Gagan Shakti-2024 is being conducted at various locations across the country, including the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).

(ii) It is a 10-day exercise to test IAF’s capabilities and preparedness to carry out high-intensity operations and involves all air bases and assets scattered across the country. 

(iii) The Indian Army provides logistics support for the mega exercise, facilitating a comprehensive pan-India movement of IAF personnel and ammunition to validate the Operational Rail Mobilisation Plan (ORMP) aspects of the IAF.

(iv) It was last held in 2018, during which the IAF completed over 11,000 sorties during the two-phase air manoeuvres.

Genetic Profiling

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is carrying out genetic profiling to add the genetic information of the elephants to a national database.

Key Highlights

(i) It includes information about changes in specific genes, gene expression, or chromosomes in cells or tissue of a person.

(ii) It involves an examination of an individual’s DNA to detect variations or mutations linked to traits, diseases, or various conditions.

(iii) The genetic analysis provides insight into individual genetic composition and helps in multiple ways, assessing disease susceptibility, tracing ancestry, and informing personalised medical care.

(iv) Genetic profiling is also used to help diagnose disease and plant treatment.

(v) In forensic science, it is used for identifying individuals based on DNA evidence, such as in criminal investigations or paternity testing.

(vi) Recently, the Wildlife Institute of India has developed a mobile application named Gaja Suchana, enabling officials from all state forest departments to access the data.

About: Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. 

Objective: To advance wildlife research, education, and conservation in the country.

START Programme 2024 

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is conducting the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) programme 2024.

Key Highlights

Objective: To attract youngsters to the fields of space science and technology.

The training modules will comprise introductory-level topics on various verticals of space science and technology.

It includes sessions on Indian space exploration programmes and research opportunities.

Eligibility: Post-graduate students and final-year undergraduate students of Physical Sciences and Technology studying in educational institutes, universities and colleges within India are eligible to be considered for the training.

Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA)

India has simplified the payment mechanism for traders by facilitating them to use the Rupee/Kyat direct payment system through the Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA).

Key Highlights

(i) Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) is an additional arrangement to the payment settlement for international trade. 

(ii) It facilitates international trade in Indian Rupees with partner countries.

(iii) It requires prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) before opening the account.

(iv) It reduces dependency on foreign exchanges. 

(v) It facilitates global banking services without a physical presence abroad.

About Vostro Account

• It is an account that a domestic bank holds for a foreign bank in the domestic bank’s currency. I.e; Indian Rupees

• The RBI allowed nine such accounts, including IndusInd Bank and UCO Bank.

Exercise Gagan Shakti 

Indian Air Force’s (IAF) MiG-21 fighter planes are taking part in the ongoing pan-India exercise, Gagan Shakti-2024.

Key Highlights

(i) Gagan Shakti-2024 is being conducted at various locations across the country, including the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).

(ii) It is a 10-day exercise to test IAF’s capabilities and preparedness to carry out high-intensity operations and involves all air bases and assets scattered across the country. 

(iii) The Indian Army provides logistics support for the mega exercise, facilitating a comprehensive pan-India movement of IAF personnel and ammunition to validate the Operational Rail Mobilisation Plan (ORMP) aspects of the IAF.

(iv) It was last held in 2018, during which the IAF completed over 11,000 sorties during the two-phase air manoeuvres.

Genetic Profiling

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is carrying out genetic profiling to add the genetic information of the elephants to a national database.

Key Highlights

(i) It includes information about changes in specific genes, gene expression, or chromosomes in cells or tissue of a person.

(ii) It involves an examination of an individual’s DNA to detect variations or mutations linked to traits, diseases, or various conditions.

(iii) The genetic analysis provides insight into individual genetic composition and helps in multiple ways, assessing disease susceptibility, tracing ancestry, and informing personalised medical care.

(iv) Genetic profiling is also used to help diagnose disease and plant treatment.

(v) In forensic science, it is used for identifying individuals based on DNA evidence, such as in criminal investigations or paternity testing.

(vi) Recently, the Wildlife Institute of India has developed a mobile application named Gaja Suchana, enabling officials from all state forest departments to access the data.

About: Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. 

Objective: To advance wildlife research, education, and conservation in the country.

START Programme 2024 

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is conducting the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) programme 2024.

Key Highlights

Objective: To attract youngsters to the fields of space science and technology.

The training modules will comprise introductory-level topics on various verticals of space science and technology.

It includes sessions on Indian space exploration programmes and research opportunities.

Eligibility: Post-graduate students and final-year undergraduate students of Physical Sciences and Technology studying in educational institutes, universities and colleges within India are eligible to be considered for the training.

Deep Ocean Mission

For the first time, India will embark on a journey to a depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean using an indigenously developed submersible under the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM).

Key Highlights:

• DOM is implemented by the Ministry Of Earth Sciences (MoES) and was approved in 2021 at a cost of nearly Rs 4,077 crore over a five-year period in a phased manner. The mission has six pillars:

1. Development of technologies for deep-sea mining and a manned submersible to carry three people to a depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean;

2. Development of ocean climate change advisory services, involving an array of ocean observations and models to understand and provide future climate projections;

3. Technological innovations for the exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity;

4. Deep-ocean survey and exploration aimed at identifying potential sites of multi-metal hydrothermal sulphides mineralisation along the Indian Ocean mid-oceanic ridges;

5. Harnessing energy and freshwater from the ocean.

6. Establishing an advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology, as a hub for nurturing talent and driving new opportunities in ocean biology and blue biotechnology.

Carbon Nanoflorets

Recently, researchers at IIT Bombay have created carbon nanoflorets capable of converting sunlight into heat with unmatched efficiency. 

Key Highlights:

• This innovation holds the potential to revolutionize sustainable heating solutions while minimizing the carbon footprint.
• Carbon nanoflorets are a unique nanostructure composed of carbon atoms arranged in a distinctive floret-like morphology. 
• They have a high surface area and various potential applications in fields such as materials science, electronics, and nanotechnology due to their exceptional properties and structure. 
• It can remove up to 90% of pollutants containing arsenic, chromium, cadmium and mercury. 
• These can absorb light at multiple frequencies like infrared, visible and ultraviolet. 
• The nanoflorets can generate heat sustainably, without having to burn fossil fuels. 
• The nanofloret coatings can help heat up housing and sterilise surfaces in hospitals. 
• A single square meter of carbon nanofloret coating has the remarkable capacity to vaporize 5 liters of water per hour.

5G and 6G Technology

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) Secretary has said that India has the potential to lead in 6G standardization by leveraging its indigenous 5G technology.

Key Highlights:

• 5G provides speeds up to several gigabits per second (Gbps) whereas 6G expected to offer speed in the terabits per second (Tbps) range. 
• 5G utilizes technologies like massive MIMO, beamforming and network slicing whereas 6G predicted to integrate technologies such as AI-driven networks, advanced beamforming and quantum cryptography. 
• 5G enables advancements in Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, AR/VR and smart cities whereas 6G expected to support more advanced applications such as holographic communications, real-time AI and more sophisticated IoT. 
• 5G currently being deployed globally, with ongoing expansion and 6G expected to start commercial deployment around the late 2020s to 2030 and beyond.

National Efficient Cooking Programme

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) launched the National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP). 

About

• Ministry: Ministry for Power and New & Renewable Energy

• Aim: To promote affordable and energy-efficient induction cookers

• NECP is a subset of the Clean Cooking Scheme. 

• It focuses on Non-Solar/Electricity-based Induction Cookstoves, aligning with the Go- electric initiative by the Ministry of Power.

• It introduces induction-based cook-stoves that offer cost advantages of 25-30% over traditional cooking methods.

• By deploying 20 lakh (2 million) energy-efficient induction cook stoves across India, NECP seeks to reduce the environmental impact of cooking methods, resulting in cleaner air and improved health.

• EESL has partnered with Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) for the large-scale deployment of induction cooktops.

• The program is expected to accelerate the adoption of modern electric cooking devices in Indian households.

Benefits of Electric Cooking

• Energy Security and Reduced Dependence on Imports

• Cost Savings for Poor Familie

• Comparable Food Quality

• Sustainable Practices and Energy Efficiency.

• Increased Share of Non-Fossil-Fuel Energy Sources

• Panchamrit in COP-26 : Reach 500GW Non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.

• Enhanced Well-being and Environmental Impact

Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA)

India has simplified the payment mechanism for traders by facilitating them to use the Rupee/Kyat direct payment system through the Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA).

Key Highlights

(i) Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) is an additional arrangement to the payment settlement for international trade. 

(ii) It facilitates international trade in Indian Rupees with partner countries.

(iii) It requires prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) before opening the account.

(iv) It reduces dependency on foreign exchanges. 

(v) It facilitates global banking services without a physical presence abroad.

About Vostro Account

• It is an account that a domestic bank holds for a foreign bank in the domestic bank’s currency. I.e; Indian Rupees

• The RBI allowed nine such accounts, including IndusInd Bank and UCO Bank.

Exercise Gagan Shakti 

Indian Air Force’s (IAF) MiG-21 fighter planes are taking part in the ongoing pan-India exercise, Gagan Shakti-2024.

Key Highlights

(i) Gagan Shakti-2024 is being conducted at various locations across the country, including the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).

(ii) It is a 10-day exercise to test IAF’s capabilities and preparedness to carry out high-intensity operations and involves all air bases and assets scattered across the country. 

(iii) The Indian Army provides logistics support for the mega exercise, facilitating a comprehensive pan-India movement of IAF personnel and ammunition to validate the Operational Rail Mobilisation Plan (ORMP) aspects of the IAF.

(iv) It was last held in 2018, during which the IAF completed over 11,000 sorties during the two-phase air manoeuvres.

Genetic Profiling

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is carrying out genetic profiling to add the genetic information of the elephants to a national database.

Key Highlights

(i) It includes information about changes in specific genes, gene expression, or chromosomes in cells or tissue of a person.

(ii) It involves an examination of an individual’s DNA to detect variations or mutations linked to traits, diseases, or various conditions.

(iii) The genetic analysis provides insight into individual genetic composition and helps in multiple ways, assessing disease susceptibility, tracing ancestry, and informing personalised medical care.

(iv) Genetic profiling is also used to help diagnose disease and plant treatment.

(v) In forensic science, it is used for identifying individuals based on DNA evidence, such as in criminal investigations or paternity testing.

(vi) Recently, the Wildlife Institute of India has developed a mobile application named Gaja Suchana, enabling officials from all state forest departments to access the data.

About: Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. 

Objective: To advance wildlife research, education, and conservation in the country.

START Programme 2024 

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is conducting the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) programme 2024.

Key Highlights

Objective: To attract youngsters to the fields of space science and technology.

The training modules will comprise introductory-level topics on various verticals of space science and technology.

It includes sessions on Indian space exploration programmes and research opportunities.

Eligibility: Post-graduate students and final-year undergraduate students of Physical Sciences and Technology studying in educational institutes, universities and colleges within India are eligible to be considered for the training.

Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA)

India has simplified the payment mechanism for traders by facilitating them to use the Rupee/Kyat direct payment system through the Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA).

Key Highlights

(i) Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) is an additional arrangement to the payment settlement for international trade. 

(ii) It facilitates international trade in Indian Rupees with partner countries.

(iii) It requires prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) before opening the account.

(iv) It reduces dependency on foreign exchanges. 

(v) It facilitates global banking services without a physical presence abroad.

About Vostro Account

• It is an account that a domestic bank holds for a foreign bank in the domestic bank’s currency. I.e; Indian Rupees

• The RBI allowed nine such accounts, including IndusInd Bank and UCO Bank.

Exercise Gagan Shakti 

Indian Air Force’s (IAF) MiG-21 fighter planes are taking part in the ongoing pan-India exercise, Gagan Shakti-2024.

Key Highlights

(i) Gagan Shakti-2024 is being conducted at various locations across the country, including the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).

(ii) It is a 10-day exercise to test IAF’s capabilities and preparedness to carry out high-intensity operations and involves all air bases and assets scattered across the country. 

(iii) The Indian Army provides logistics support for the mega exercise, facilitating a comprehensive pan-India movement of IAF personnel and ammunition to validate the Operational Rail Mobilisation Plan (ORMP) aspects of the IAF.

(iv) It was last held in 2018, during which the IAF completed over 11,000 sorties during the two-phase air manoeuvres.

Genetic Profiling

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is carrying out genetic profiling to add the genetic information of the elephants to a national database.

Key Highlights

(i) It includes information about changes in specific genes, gene expression, or chromosomes in cells or tissue of a person.

(ii) It involves an examination of an individual’s DNA to detect variations or mutations linked to traits, diseases, or various conditions.

(iii) The genetic analysis provides insight into individual genetic composition and helps in multiple ways, assessing disease susceptibility, tracing ancestry, and informing personalised medical care.

(iv) Genetic profiling is also used to help diagnose disease and plant treatment.

(v) In forensic science, it is used for identifying individuals based on DNA evidence, such as in criminal investigations or paternity testing.

(vi) Recently, the Wildlife Institute of India has developed a mobile application named Gaja Suchana, enabling officials from all state forest departments to access the data.

About: Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. 

Objective: To advance wildlife research, education, and conservation in the country.

World Happiness Report 2024

World Happiness Report 2024 has been released by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Key Highlights

Released by: the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Frequency: Annually

It takes into account six variables: 

(i) GDP per capita

(ii) Healthy life expectancy 

(iii) Having someone to count on

(iv) Freedom to make life choices

(v) Generosity

(vi) Freedom from corruption

It is supported by taking the average life evaluation data gathered by the Gallup polls for the 2021-23 period.

Finland topped the list for the seventh year in a row, followed by Denmark, Iceland and Sweden. Israel too made it to the top five of the ranking. 

Afghanistan was deemed as the least happy country, after Congo, Sierra Leone, Lesotho and Lebanon.

India ranked 126th same as last year, China ranked 60th, Nepal at 93, Pakistan at 108, Myanmar at 118, Sri Lanka at 128 and Bangladesh at 129th spots.

United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

It is a non-profit organisation of the United Nations to promote the 17 Sustainable Development Goals at national and international levels.

Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA)

India has simplified the payment mechanism for traders by facilitating them to use the Rupee/Kyat direct payment system through the Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA).

Key Highlights

(i) Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) is an additional arrangement to the payment settlement for international trade. 

(ii) It facilitates international trade in Indian Rupees with partner countries.

(iii) It requires prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) before opening the account.

(iv) It reduces dependency on foreign exchanges. 

(v) It facilitates global banking services without a physical presence abroad.

About Vostro Account

• It is an account that a domestic bank holds for a foreign bank in the domestic bank’s currency. I.e; Indian Rupees

• The RBI allowed nine such accounts, including IndusInd Bank and UCO Bank.

Exercise Gagan Shakti 

Indian Air Force’s (IAF) MiG-21 fighter planes are taking part in the ongoing pan-India exercise, Gagan Shakti-2024.

Key Highlights

(i) Gagan Shakti-2024 is being conducted at various locations across the country, including the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).

(ii) It is a 10-day exercise to test IAF’s capabilities and preparedness to carry out high-intensity operations and involves all air bases and assets scattered across the country. 

(iii) The Indian Army provides logistics support for the mega exercise, facilitating a comprehensive pan-India movement of IAF personnel and ammunition to validate the Operational Rail Mobilisation Plan (ORMP) aspects of the IAF.

(iv) It was last held in 2018, during which the IAF completed over 11,000 sorties during the two-phase air manoeuvres.

Genetic Profiling

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is carrying out genetic profiling to add the genetic information of the elephants to a national database.

Key Highlights

(i) It includes information about changes in specific genes, gene expression, or chromosomes in cells or tissue of a person.

(ii) It involves an examination of an individual’s DNA to detect variations or mutations linked to traits, diseases, or various conditions.

(iii) The genetic analysis provides insight into individual genetic composition and helps in multiple ways, assessing disease susceptibility, tracing ancestry, and informing personalised medical care.

(iv) Genetic profiling is also used to help diagnose disease and plant treatment.

(v) In forensic science, it is used for identifying individuals based on DNA evidence, such as in criminal investigations or paternity testing.

(vi) Recently, the Wildlife Institute of India has developed a mobile application named Gaja Suchana, enabling officials from all state forest departments to access the data.

About: Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. 

Objective: To advance wildlife research, education, and conservation in the country.

START Programme 2024 

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is conducting the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) programme 2024.

Key Highlights

Objective: To attract youngsters to the fields of space science and technology.

The training modules will comprise introductory-level topics on various verticals of space science and technology.

It includes sessions on Indian space exploration programmes and research opportunities.

Eligibility: Post-graduate students and final-year undergraduate students of Physical Sciences and Technology studying in educational institutes, universities and colleges within India are eligible to be considered for the training.

Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA)

India has simplified the payment mechanism for traders by facilitating them to use the Rupee/Kyat direct payment system through the Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA).

Key Highlights

(i) Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) is an additional arrangement to the payment settlement for international trade. 

(ii) It facilitates international trade in Indian Rupees with partner countries.

(iii) It requires prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) before opening the account.

(iv) It reduces dependency on foreign exchanges. 

(v) It facilitates global banking services without a physical presence abroad.

About Vostro Account

• It is an account that a domestic bank holds for a foreign bank in the domestic bank’s currency. I.e; Indian Rupees

• The RBI allowed nine such accounts, including IndusInd Bank and UCO Bank.

Exercise Gagan Shakti 

Indian Air Force’s (IAF) MiG-21 fighter planes are taking part in the ongoing pan-India exercise, Gagan Shakti-2024.

Key Highlights

(i) Gagan Shakti-2024 is being conducted at various locations across the country, including the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).

(ii) It is a 10-day exercise to test IAF’s capabilities and preparedness to carry out high-intensity operations and involves all air bases and assets scattered across the country. 

(iii) The Indian Army provides logistics support for the mega exercise, facilitating a comprehensive pan-India movement of IAF personnel and ammunition to validate the Operational Rail Mobilisation Plan (ORMP) aspects of the IAF.

(iv) It was last held in 2018, during which the IAF completed over 11,000 sorties during the two-phase air manoeuvres.

Genetic Profiling

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is carrying out genetic profiling to add the genetic information of the elephants to a national database.

Key Highlights

(i) It includes information about changes in specific genes, gene expression, or chromosomes in cells or tissue of a person.

(ii) It involves an examination of an individual’s DNA to detect variations or mutations linked to traits, diseases, or various conditions.

(iii) The genetic analysis provides insight into individual genetic composition and helps in multiple ways, assessing disease susceptibility, tracing ancestry, and informing personalised medical care.

(iv) Genetic profiling is also used to help diagnose disease and plant treatment.

(v) In forensic science, it is used for identifying individuals based on DNA evidence, such as in criminal investigations or paternity testing.

(vi) Recently, the Wildlife Institute of India has developed a mobile application named Gaja Suchana, enabling officials from all state forest departments to access the data.

About: Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. 

Objective: To advance wildlife research, education, and conservation in the country.

START Programme 2024 

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is conducting the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) programme 2024.

Key Highlights

Objective: To attract youngsters to the fields of space science and technology.

The training modules will comprise introductory-level topics on various verticals of space science and technology.

It includes sessions on Indian space exploration programmes and research opportunities.

Eligibility: Post-graduate students and final-year undergraduate students of Physical Sciences and Technology studying in educational institutes, universities and colleges within India are eligible to be considered for the training.