Q. What is Raman Spectroscopy?A. Raman Spectroscopy is a non-destructive chemical analysis technique which provides detailed information about chemical structure, phase and polymorphs, crystallinity and molecular interactions. It is based upon the interaction of light with the chemical bonds within a material.Q. What is Raman Scatter?A. It is a light scattering technique, whereby a molecule scatters incident light from a high intensity laser light source. Read More...
Discuss the Draft National Food Processing Policy released for public feedback.The Ministry of Food Processing Industries released the Draft National Food Processing Policy, 2019 for public comments. The draft policy aims for the development of the food processing sector and addressing the critical gaps hampering its growth. It also aims to increase the investment in the sector by six-fold by 2035. Key features of the draft policy include:Objectives: Key objectives include: (i) reducing wastage at the farmer level to increase their incomes, (ii) supporting... Read More...
Indo – France RelationsRafale fighter jet: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally received the first Rafale fighter jet built for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in France. However, the first batch of the jets will arrive in India only in May 2020.India and BRICSThe 11th BRICS Summit took place from 13th-14th November 2019 in Brasilia, Brazil. ... Read More...
Discuss the conservation efforts being taken for the conservation of the rare Great Indian Bustard.The Great Indian Bustard (GIB), is one of the heaviest flying birds, and is found mainly in the Indian subcontinent has long been on the brink of extinction. Barely 150 of these birds are estimated to be surviving now globally. However, a major conservation effort launched about four years ago is bringing a ray of hope.Since June last year, nine GIB eggs collected from the Desert National Park in Jaisalmer where a conservation centre has been set up, have hatched, and the... Read More...
Why in news?The Honorable PM on the Independence Day Speech, 15th August 2019, had announced for creation of a post of Chief of Defense Staff (CDS). Hence, the government on 30th December through official gazette notification created such post with Ex-Army Chief, Bipin Rawat as the first CDS.What is CDS?The CDS is a high military office (4 star General equivalent in rank to other service chiefs) that oversees and coordinates the working of the three Services, and offers seamless tri-service views and single-point ... Read More...
Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) 2.0Diksha Portal was launched in 2017 for providing digital platform to teachers giving them an opportunity to learn and train themselves and connect with teacher community.This initiative has been taken forward to enhance coverage and improve the quality of e-content for teachers.What is DIKSHA Portal?DIKSHA will serve as National Digital Infrastructure for Teachers. All teachers across nation will be equipped with advanced d... Read More...
Q. Why is this in news?A. The Russian citizens have supported a set of constitutional amendments including continuation of presidency by Vladimir Putin in a recently held referendum in the country.The referendum also included clauses related to the reorganisation of the government, introducing a higher minimum pension and wages, a ban on gay marriage, restricting top officials from holding dual citizenship, enshrining “faith in God” as a core value and emphasising the primacy of the Constitution over international treaties and rulings. ... Read More...
Q. What is Line of Actual Control?A. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the demarcation that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory.Q. How is LAC is different from the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan?A. The LoC emerged from the 1948 ceasefire line negotiated by the United Nations (UN) after the Kashmir War. It was designated as the LoC in 1972, following the Shimla Agreement between the two countries. It is delineated on a map signed by the Dir... Read More...
Discuss the trend of retail inflation in the last few months across multi commodities.India's retail inflation surged to the highest in over three years in November, led by a steep rise in prices of vegetables, such as onions, and pulses. Consumer Price Index inflation jumped to 5.54 percent in November 2019 compared to 4.62 percent in October, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation on Thursday.Rural inflation stood at 5.3 percent in November 2019 as against 4.3 percent in October 20... Read More...
Indo – Myanmar RelationsBorder security: A stable and peaceful border will help the bilateral partnership to expand further, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. He also asked her to prevent insurgent groups from finding a space to operate across the India-Myanmar border.Rohingya issue: India said that the speedy return from Bangladesh of the displaced Rohingya Muslims to their homes in Rakhine was in the interests o... Read More...
Why in news?The National Ganga Council (NGC), which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met for the first time at Kanpur on Saturday with the proposal to save and enhance the population of the Gangetic Dolphin. There was an expectation that at the meeting a programme called “Project Dolphin”, along the lines of “Project Tiger” would be cleared to enhance the population of these dolphins.What is status of the status of Gangetic dolphins in India?The Gangetic river dolphins were officially discovered in... Read More...
The Union Cabinet has approved the “Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)” for Flood Management Works in entire country and River Management Activities and works related to Border Areas for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20. How the FMBAP has been framed?The Scheme “FMBAP” has been framed by merging the components of two continuing XII Plan schemes titled “Flood Management Programme (FMP)” and “River Management Activities and Works related to Border Areas (RMBA)” Read More...
What is NISHTHA?NISHTHA – National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic AdvancementIt is a National Mission to improve learning outcomes at the elementary level through an Integrated Teacher Training Programme of Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of HRD as part of its National Mission to improve learning outcomes at the Elementary level under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha.It is an integrated programme aims to build the capacities of around 42 lakh teachers and Heads of Schools, faculty members of SCERTs and DIETs and Block Resource Coordinators and Cluster Resource Coordinators.Basica... Read More...
Q. What is Prerak Dauur Samman?A. Recently, a new category of awards titled ‘Prerak Dauur Samman’ has been announced as part of Swachh Survekshan 2021.Q. What are categories under it?A. The Prerak Dauur Samman has a total of five subcategories namely, Divya (Platinum) Anupam (Gold)Ujjwal (Silver) Udit (... Read More...
Q.What is Winter Diesel ?A. It is a specialised fuel specifically for high altitude regions and low-temperature regions such as Ladakh, where ordinary diesel can become unusable. The winter diesel was introduced as a technological solution by the Indian Oil Corporation an oil PSU of GOI in 2019 in high-altitude sectors like Ladakh, Kargil, Kaza and Keylong, which face the problem of freezing of diesel in their vehicles in extreme weather conditions.Q. Why is Winter Diesel in News?A.&... Read More...
What is WPI? Discuss the latest data and trends.The Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation, base year 2011-12, rebounded to 3-months high of 0.6% in November 2019.It was falling consistently for last six straight months to 0.2% in October from 3.2% in April 2019.Among the three major sub-groups(Primary products, Manufacturing and electricity), the inflation for primary articles and fuel and power increased, while inflation for manufactured products group was steady i... Read More...
Indo – Nepal RelationsMotihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum product pipeline: Prime Ministers of India and Nepal have jointly inaugurated a cross-border petroleum products pipeline. Pipeline carries petroleum products from Motihari in India to Amlekhgunj in Nepal. This is South Asia’s first cross-border petroleum products pipeline.Territory of Kalapani: India’s new mapof the country did not revise anything as far as the border with Nepal is concerned. The response came after Nepal’s Foreign Ministry complained tha... Read More...
The Centre has launched a programme to reduce particulate matter (PM) pollution by 20-30% in at least 102 cities by 2024.The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which was formally unveiled on Thursday, is envisaged as a scheme to provide the States and the Centre with a framework to combat air pollution.What is the NCAP?The National Clean Air Programme is a pollution control initiative that was launched by the Ministry of Environment with the intention to cut the concentration of coarse (particulate matter of diameter 10 mi... Read More...
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the National Policy on Electronics 2019 (NPE 2019), proposed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).What does the Policy envision? The Policy envisions positioning India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing - (ESDM) by encouraging and driving capabilities in the country for developing core components, including chipsets, and creating an enabling environment for the industry to compete globally.The new National Policy on Ele... Read More...
What is this DHRUV program of government?Union HRD Ministry launched a unique initiative for talented students Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme- DHRUV, which will act as a turning point in the lives of extra ordinarily talented students. Salient Features of the DHRUVThe programme is named after a pole star called DHRUV TARA. The main objective of the program is to allow students to realize their complete potential and contribute to the society.The programme will be c... Read More...