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09 FEB 2024 Daily Current Affairs for UPSC CDS, CAPF, NDA & SSB

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Written by NDI EDITOR

Feb 09 2024

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09 FEB 2024 Daily Current Affairs for UPSC CDS, CAPF, NDA & SSB
1. What is Open Network Digital Commerce?
In a first, the Centre has on boarded 11 fair price shops on the state-run e-commerce portal Open Network Digital Commerce (ONDC).

About the Open Network Digital Commerce:

  • It is an open-source network set up to enable buyers and sellers to transact with each other irrespective of the e-commerce platform on which either of them are registered.
  • It will enable local commerce across segments, such as mobility, grocery, food order and delivery, hotel booking and travel, among others, to be discovered and engaged by any network-enabled application.
  • It is an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • Purpose:
    • To promote open networks for all aspects of the exchange of goods and services over digital or electronic networks. 
    • To create new opportunities, curb digital monopolies and support micro, small and medium enterprises and small traders and help them get on online platforms.
    • It seeks to democratise digital or electronic commerce, moving it from a platform-centric model to an open-network.
  • Benefits:
    • It offers small retailers an opportunity to provide their services, and goods to buyers across the country through an e-commerce system.
    • It enables merchants to save their data to build credit history and reach consumers.
    • It is expected to digitise the entire value chain, promote inclusion of suppliers, derive efficiencies in logistics and enhance value for consumers.
    • ONDC protocols would standardise operations like cataloguing, inventory management, order management and order fulfilment.
2. Quantum Internet
A team of Stony Brook University physicists and their collaborators have taken a significant step toward the building of a quantum internet testbed by demonstrating a foundational quantum network measurement that employs room-temperature quantum memories.

About Quantum Internet:

  • It is a theorised and much sought-after network of interconnected quantum computers that will allow people to send, compute, and receive information using quantum technology.
  • A quantum internet would be a network of quantum computers, sensors, and communication devices that will create, process, and transmit quantum states and entanglement.
  • It is anticipated to enhance society's internet system and provide certain services and securities that the current internet does not have.
  • The purpose of the quantum internet is not to replace the internet we know today, but to instead create a co-existent network that can be used to solve specific types of problems.
  • Working:
    • Quantum computers use fundamental units of information similar to the bits used in classical computing. These are called “qubits.”
    • However, unlike conventional computer bits—which convey information as a 0 or 1—qubits convey information through a combination of quantum states, which are unique conditions found only on the subatomic scale.
    • Qubits are not either 0 or 1, but rather both and neither, in a quantum phenomenon called superposition.
3. What is Gas flaring?
Recently, natural gas flare samples collected by aircraft in the USA regions revealed high variation in nitrogen oxide emission estimates.

About Gas flaring:

  • It is the burning of the natural gas associated with oil extraction. 
  • Flaring persists to this day because it is a relatively safe, though wasteful and polluting, method of disposing of the associated gas that comes from oil production.
    • Utilising associated gas often requires economically viable markets for companies to make the investments necessary to capture, transport, process, and sell the gas.
    • Firms usually resort to flaring when they lack adequate infrastructure or financial incentives to bring the gas to market, or when it needs to be released for safety reasons to manage changes in pressure during crude oil extraction.
  • Most flared gas, primarily associated gas, is very similar to the natural gas used worldwide for power generation, as feedstock for the manufacture of chemicals, distributed to homes, etc.
  • However, it may require processing to remove contaminants before it can be used.
  • Associated gas can also be used on-site for generating electricity, compressed or liquefied for transportation as compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquified natural gas (LNG) respectively, or converted into liquid form (e.g., synthetic oil, diesel, methanol, DME) by using gas-to-liquid (GTL) technologies.
  • Impacts on the environment:
    • The flare's combustion converts hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water, which lessens the climate impact and reduces the safety concerns of the natural gas on site but also produces nitrogen oxides, or NOx.
    • NOx—which includes the highly reactive gases nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide—directly and indirectly impacts air quality.
  • How to reduce gas flaring? Oil producers can either re-inject associated gas or use it for productive purposes.

What is associated gas?

  • It is a by-product of oil extraction and is often considered a waste product if there is not an easily accessible gas market. However, associated gas can be used in several productive ways, including to generate electricity.
  • Its composition can vary widely at different locations, from almost pure methane with some ethane to gas that also contains heavier hydrocarbons like propane and butane.
4. Kilkari programme
Recently the Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare virtually launched the Kilkari programme, a Mobile Health (m-health) initiative for beneficiaries in local content in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

About the Kilkari programme:

  • ‘Kilkari’ (meaning ‘a baby’s gurgle’), is a centralised interactive voice response (IVR) based mobile health service.
  • Features:
    • It delivers free, weekly, time-appropriate 72 audio messages about pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare directly to families’ mobile phones from the second trimester of pregnancy until the child is one year old.
    • Women who are registered in the Reproductive Child Health (RCH) portal based on the woman’s LMP (last menstrual period) or the child’s DoB (Date of Birth), receive a weekly call with pre-recorded audio content directly to the mobile phones of pregnant women and mothers with children under the age of one year.
    • Kilkari audio messages are present in the form of the voice of a fictitious doctor character called Dr. Anita.
  • It is centrally hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) for all the States/UTs and no further investment in the technology, telephony infrastructure or operational costs is required to be borne by States/UTs.
  • This service is FREE of cost for States/UTs and beneficiaries.
  • The programme is integrated with the centralised Reproductive Child Health (RCH) portal of MoHFW and is the single source of information for this mHealth service.
  • Currently, Kilkari is under implementation in 18 States / UTs of India.

What is Mobile Academy?

  • It is a free audio training course designed to expand and refresh the knowledge of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and improve their communication skills via their mobile phones, which is both cost-effective and efficient.
  • It is an anytime, anywhere training course that can train thousands of ASHAs simultaneously via mobile phone.
  • It is operational in 17 States/UTs except Chandigarh with six languages viz. Hindi, Bhojpuri, Oriya, Assamese, Bengali & Telugu versions.
5. PLI scheme for White Goods
An official statement said that applications of certain companies for claiming incentives under the Production-linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for white goods (Air Conditioners and LED Lights) are under examination and there is no delay in disbursement.

About the PLI scheme for White Goods:

  • It is designed to create a complete component ecosystem for the Air Conditioners and LED Lights industry in India and make India an integral part of the global supply chains.
  • The scheme was notified by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in 2021.
  • The scheme will be implemented as a pan-India scheme and is not specific to any location, area or segment of population.
  • Objectives: It proposes a financial incentive to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the White Goods manufacturing value chain.
    • Its prime objectives include removing sectoral disabilities, creating economies of scale, enhancing exports, and creating a robust component ecosystem and employment generation.
  • Incentives: The scheme will extend an incentive of 4-6% on incremental turnover over the base year (2019-20) of goods sold in India and exported to global markets, to eligible companies for a period of 5 years.
  • Eligibility:
    • Applicant can be any company that should be incorporated in India under the provisions of the Company Act, 2013.
    • Eligibility shall be subject to the achievement of thresholds of net incremental sales of Eligible Products for the respective financial year over the base year and cumulative incremental investment in the preceding financial year.
    • Any entity availing benefits under any other PLI Scheme of Govt. of India will not be eligible under this scheme for the same products.
6. World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2024
The Vice-President inaugurated the World Sustainable Development Summit in New Delhi recently.

About the World Sustainable Development (WSDS) Summit:

  • It is the annual flagship event of the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
  • Instituted in 2001, the Summit series has a legacy of over two decades of making ‘sustainable development’ a globally shared goal.
  • It is the only independently convened international summit on sustainable development and environment, based in the Global South.
  • WSDS strives to provide long-term solutions for the benefit of global communities by assembling the world’s most enlightened leaders and thinkers on a single platform.
  • WSDS 2024 is the 23rd edition of the summit.
  • WSDS 2024 will take place on the theme ‘Leadership for the Sustainable Development and Climate Justice’. 

Key Facts about The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI):

  • TERI is a leading think tank dedicated to conducting research for the sustainable development of India and the Global South.
  • It is an independent, multi-dimensional organisation, with capabilities in research, policy, consultancy, and implementation.
  • History:
    • TERI was established in 1974 as an information centre on energy issues. 
    • Research activities, initiated towards the end of 1982, were rooted in TERI’s firm conviction that efficient utilisation of energy and sustainable use of natural resources would propel the process of development.
  • Its work across sectors is focused on:
    • Promoting efficient use of resources
    • Increasing access to and uptake of sustainable inputs and practices
    • Reducing the impact on the environment and climate
  • It is headquartered in New Delhi.
7. What are MXenes?
Researchers recently reported on the potential of using MXene coatings that can guide microwaves in space and lighten satellite payloads.

About MXenes:

  • MXenes, first discovered in 2011, are ceramics that comprise one of the largest families of two-dimensional (2D) materials.
  • Unlike most 2D ceramics, MXenes have inherently good conductivity and excellent volumetric capacitance because they are molecular sheets made from the carbides and nitrides of transition metals like titanium.
  • They are made from a bulk crystal called MAX. 
  • Among various types of MXenes, titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) is the most widely used.
  • Some potential applications of MXenes include energy storage (such as lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors) due to their high conductivity and large surface area, electromagnetic interference shielding, catalysis, sensors, and water purification, among others.

What are Transition Metals?

  • A transition metal is any of various chemical elements that have valence electrons—i.e., electrons that can participate in the formation of chemical bonds—in two shells instead of only one.
  • They occupy the middle portions of the long periods of the periodic table of elements between the groups on the left-hand side and the groups on the right.
  • Compared to other metals, transition metals have high melting points and densities, and they (and their compounds) can act as catalysts.
  • They are good conductors of heat and electricity. 
  • Many transition metals are technologically important, including titanium, iron, nickel, and copper. 
  • The most abundant transition metal in Earth's solid crust is iron.
8. Raman Research Institute (RRI)
Indian scientists at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) recently designed a new image-correction algorithm that significantly enhances the study of ultracold atoms.

About the Raman Research Institute (RRI):

  • It is an autonomous research institute engaged in research in basic sciences.
  • Location: Bengaluru
  • The institute was founded in 1948 by Indian physicist and Nobel Laureate Sir C.V. Raman, with funds from private sources.
    • Sir C.V. Raman served as its director, carrying on his personal research until his demise in 1970. 
  • It was restructured in 1972 to become an aided autonomous institute receiving funds from the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India.
  • The Governing Council is the executive body of the Institute and conducts the administration and management of the Institute.
  • Today, the main areas of research at the Institute are Astronomy & Astrophysics, Light & Matter Physics, Soft Condensed Matter, and Theoretical Physics.

What are Ultracold atoms?

  • The atoms whose temperatures are near absolute zero (zero Kelvin) are known as ultracold atoms.
  • At low temperatures near absolute zero, atoms behave according to the principles of quantum mechanics rather than classical physics.
9. Ajanta and Ellora Caves
The Ministry of Tourism recently included the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora caves in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in its Swadesh Darshan Scheme II.

About Ajanta and Ellora Caves:

  • Ajanta and Ellora caves, considered to be one of the finest examples of ancient rock-cut caves, are located in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) in Maharashtra.
  • The Ajanta and Ellora cave complex is adorned with beautiful sculptures, paintings, and frescoes and includes Buddhist monasteries and Hindu and Jain temples.
  • The Ajanta caves are 29 in number and were built between the 2nd century BC and the 6th century AD, whereas the Ellora caves are more spread out and 34 in number and date to the period between the 6th and 11th Centuries AD.
  • Ajanta Caves are mostly Buddhist sites and were used as a retreat by Buddhist monks.
    • The caves consisted of cells for meditation, assembly halls for discussions, and stupas for rituals.
  • Ellora has a better mix of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist structures. 
  • The caves are adorned with sculptures that reflect the spiritual beliefs of the time.
    • The sculptures range from depictions of deities, celestial beings, and mythological scenes to portraits of royalty and everyday life.
  • The Kailash Temple in Ellora is an architectural marvel. It is one of the largest monolithic structures in the world. 
    • The structure is carved vertically from a single rock.

Key Facts about the Swadesh Darshan Scheme

  • It was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in the country. 
  • It is a 100% centrally funded
  • Under the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to State governments, Union Territory Administrations, or Central Agencies to develop tourism infrastructure in the country.
  • Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of the projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme is the responsibility of the respective State Government/UT Administration.
  • Swadesh Darshan 2.0:
    • The Ministry of Tourism has revamped its Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) for the development of sustainable and responsible tourist destinations, covering tourism and allied infrastructure, tourism services, human capital development, destination management, and promotion, backed by policy and institutional reforms. 
    • The objective of the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme envisages an increase in private-sector investment in tourism and hospitality.
    • It may help in increasing Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in the field of tourism and the operation and maintenance of the assets created under the scheme.
10. Support to Students for Participating in Competitions Abroad (SSPCA) Initiative
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) recently introduced a scheme named 'Support to Students for Participating in Competitions Abroad' (SSPCA).

About Support to Students for Participating in Competitions Abroad (SSPCA) Initiative:

  • It is an initiative of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) aimed at bolstering the global competitiveness of Indian students in technical education.
  • It is designed to financially support students aspiring to compete in international scientific events.
  • Financial Assistance and Mentorship:
    • Under the SSPCA scheme, individual students or student teams are eligible to receive travel grants to partake in international competitions.
    • The assistance encompasses financial aid, mentorship, logistical support, and networking opportunities, enabling students to represent India on a global platform effectively.
    • Financial aid provided by the AICTE scheme reaches up to Rs 2 lakh per student, covering various expenses like international and domestic travel, registration fees, visa applications, accommodation, airport taxes, travel insurance, and equipment costs related to the competition.
  • Eligibility:
    • Eligibility extends to students enrolled in diploma, B.E./B. Tech, integrated M. Tech, and M./M. Tech programs in AICTE-approved institutions.
    • Each team of students is eligible for financial support under the scheme once during their course of study.

About the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE):

  • It is the statutory body and the national-level council for technical education in the country.
  • It was set up in 1945 as an advisory body and later, in 1987, given statutory status by an Act of Parliament. 
  • Functions:
    • It grants approval for starting new technical institutions, for the introduction of new courses, and for variations in intake capacity in technical institutions. 
    • The AICTE has delegated to the concerned state governments powers to process and grant approval for new institutions, starting new courses and variations in the intake capacity for diploma-level technical institutions.
    • It also lays down norms and standards for such institutions. 
    • It also ensures the quality development of technical education through the accreditation of technical institutions or programmes.
    • In addition to its regulatory role, the AICTE also has a promotional role, which it implements through schemes for promoting technical education for women, handicapped, and weaker sections of society promoting innovations, faculty, research and development, and giving grants to technical institutions.
  • The technical institutions under the AICTE include post-graduate, undergraduate, and diploma programs in the whole spectrum of technical education, covering engineering/technology, pharmacy, architecture, hotel management and catering technology, management studies, computer applications, and applied arts and crafts.
  • The AICTE has its headquarters in New Delhi.
About Authour
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Written by NDI EDITOR

National Defence Institute's Editor

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