26th and 27th august 2024 current affairs

26th and 27th august 2024 current affairs

DAILY-CURRENT-AFFAIRS-BY-EDUSPRINT

National News

India Launches World’s First Mobile Hybrid Rocket: RHUMI-1
India Launches World’s First Mobile Hybrid Rocket: RHUMI-1

India’s space efforts received a significant boost with the successful launch of RHUMI-1, the world’s first mobile hybrid rocket. This achievement also marks a milestone as the first reusable hybrid rocket in India. Developed by Chennai-based startup Space Zone India in collaboration with Martin Group, RHUMI-1 represents a leap forward in rocket technology, promising to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs in space exploration.

  • Historic Launch: RHUMI-1 is the world’s first mobile hybrid rocket and India’s first reusable hybrid rocket.
  • Launch Location: Thiruvidandhai, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, using a mobile launcher.
  • Payload: Carried three CubeSats and 50 PICO satellites for climate change research.
  • Flight Details: Achieved an altitude of 35 kilometers with a brief suborbital trajectory.
  • Hybrid Technology: Combines solid fuel with a liquid or gaseous oxidizer, offering enhanced safety and performance.
  • Unique Features: Includes a generic-fuel-based hybrid motor, electrically triggered parachute, and is 100% pyrotechnic-free.
  • Significance: Advances in reusability and cost reduction, making space exploration more accessible and sustainable.
India Celebrates National Space Day with Launch of ‘Sapno ki Udaan’ E-Magazine
India Celebrates National Space Day with Launch of ‘Sapno ki Udaan’ E-Magazine

On India’s inaugural National Space Day, the nation witnessed a significant educational milestone with the release of ‘Sapno ki Udaan’, an innovative e-magazine. This launch, spearheaded by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, marks a fusion of science, creativity, and education, aimed at inspiring the next generation of Indian students.

Virtual Unveiling

The e-magazine was officially unveiled through a virtual launch event, reflecting the digital-first approach of modern educational initiatives. This format allowed for widespread participation and accessibility across the country.

Key Attendees

  • Dharmendra Pradhan: Union Minister of Education
  • Jayant Chaudhary: Minister of State for Education
  • Sanjay Kumar: Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy
  • Other notable attendees included Vipin Kumar (Additional Secretary), Prof. D.P. Saklani (Director, NCERT), Rahul Singh (Chairperson, CBSE), and Prof. Saroj Sharma (Chairperson, NIOS)

About ‘Sapno ki Udaan’

Content and Contributors

The e-magazine presents a diverse array of content, including:

  • Poetry
  • Essays
  • Stories
  • Anecdotes
  • Riddles

What makes ‘Sapno ki Udaan’ unique is its sourcing of content from a wide range of contributors, including students, teachers, and parents from across India.

Theme and Significance: The inaugural issue centers around the theme of space, chosen to commemorate the first anniversary of Chandrayaan-3’s historic landing on the lunar South Pole. This theme resonates with the vast imagination of children and India’s recent achievements in space exploration.

Publication and Vision of ‘Sapno ki Udaan’ E-Magazine

Publication Details:

  • Frequency: Initially quarterly, with plans to transition to monthly.
  • Accessibility: Available online via the NCERT portal.

Educational Impact and Vision:

  • Alignment with NEP 2020: Supports the National Education Policy 2020 by enhancing accessibility and preparing students for global challenges.
  • Fostering Inquiry: Aims to celebrate scientific achievements and encourage scientific curiosity among students.

Collaborative Effort:

  • Partners: Developed in collaboration with the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, and NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training).

Scheme news

Cabinet Approves ‘Vigyan Dhara’ Scheme by Department of Science and Technology
Cabinet Approves ‘Vigyan Dhara’ Scheme by Department of Science and Technology

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of three umbrella schemes merged into a unified central sector scheme called ‘Vigyan Dhara’ under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The scheme is designed to enhance efficiency in fund utilization and ensure better synchronization among the sub-schemes and programs. With an outlay of ₹10,579.84 crore for the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025-26), ‘Vigyan Dhara’ aims to bolster the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystem in India.

Overview:

  • Approval: Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the unified ‘Vigyan Dhara’ scheme under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
  • Purpose: Merges three existing schemes to enhance efficiency and synchronize programs in India’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystem.

Financial Details:

  • Outlay: ₹10,579.84 crore for the period 2021-2026, as per the 15th Finance Commission.

Key Components:

  1. S&T Institutional and Human Capacity Building: Strengthens S&T infrastructure and R&D labs in academic institutions.
  2. Research and Development (R&D): Promotes research in basic science, sustainable energy, water, and international collaboration.
  3. Innovation, Technology Development, and Deployment: Supports innovations across educational levels, industries, and startups.

Objectives:

  • Enhance S&T capacity building.
  • Promote research, innovation, and technology development.
  • Increase participation in STI, particularly among women, aiming for gender parity.

Alignment with National Goals:

  • Vision: Supports Viksit Bharat 2047 and aligns with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) standards and national priorities.

Background:

  • Previous Schemes: Consolidates three former DST schemes: S&T Institutional and Human Capacity Building, Research and Development, and Innovation, Technology Development, and Deployment.

Department of science and technology:

  • Central Government of India executive: Abhay Karandikar, Secretary
  • Formed: May 3, 1971
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
Spices Board Launches SPICED Scheme to Boost Spice Exports and Productivity
Spices Board Launches SPICED Scheme to Boost Spice Exports and Productivity

The Spices Board of India has launched the SPICED scheme, which stands for ‘Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development.’

Implementation Period: Throughout the remainder of the 15th Finance Commission cycle.

Objectives and Focus:

  • Export Enhancement: Improve the export of spices and value-added products.
  • Quality Upgradation: Upgrade post-harvest quality to meet international standards.
  • Cardamom Productivity: Focus on increasing cardamom yields and maintaining high product quality.

Key Programs:

  • Cardamom Replanting: Initiatives to replant cardamom and boost productivity.
  • Quality Production Programs: Enhance production quality for both small and large cardamom varieties to meet export standards.

Spice boards:

  • Headquarters: Kochi, Kerala, India
  • Chairman: Amardeep Singh Bhatia, IAS
  • Founded: 1987
Launch of Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) Project in Varanasi
Launch of Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) Project in Varanasi

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Indian Institute of Technology Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU) Varanasi and the Government of Denmark have launched a Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) Project in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

This initiative is a part of the Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark, which aims to rejuvenate small rivers through innovative and sustainable approaches.

About Denmark:

  • Prime Minister: Mette Frederiksen
  • Capital: Copenhagen
  • Currency: Danish krone (DKK)

About the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG):

  • Director-General: Rajeev Kumar Mital
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
  • Launched: 2014
Launch of Bharat Zero Emission Trucking (ZET) Policy Advisory
Launch of Bharat Zero Emission Trucking (ZET) Policy Advisory

On August 2024, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India (GoI), launched the “Bharat Zero Emission Trucking (ZET) Policy Advisory” document at the Vigyan Bhawan Annexe in New Delhi, Delhi.

Objective:

  • Goal: Achieve 100% Zero Emission Trucking (ZET) sales penetration by 2050, contributing to India’s Net Zero 2070 target.

About the Bharat ZET Policy Advisory:

  1. Guidance and Development:
    • Policy Advisory Panel (PAP):
      • Chair: Dr. Preeti Banzal, Adviser, Office of PSA
      • Vice-Chair: Prof. Karthick Athmanathan, PSA Fellow
    • Drafting: Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET), IIT Madras, Chennai
    • Project Management Unit: Established at CoEZET for drafting the advisory under PAP guidance.
  2. Key Components:
    • Document Content: 30 policy interventions to accelerate ZET adoption.
    • Categorization:
      • Incentives
      • Regulations
      • Infrastructure
      • Business and Financing
      • Stakeholder-Centric Initiatives
    • Details Included: Responsible agencies, key stakeholders, sectoral impact, and policy formulation methodology.

Significance:

  • The Bharat ZET Policy Advisory aims to create a structured and comprehensive framework to promote zero emission trucking, aligning with India’s long-term environmental and sustainability goals.

Defence news

Indian Army Transfers Cutting-Edge Technologies Xploder and Agniastra for Mass Production
Indian Army Transfers Cutting-Edge Technologies Xploder and Agniastra for Mass Production

The Indian Army has transferred the technology for the mass production of 2 indigenously developed cutting-edge technologies, namely the Xploder and Agniastra, developed by the innovator officers of the Army Design Bureau (ADB), to private Indian firms.

The Transfer of Technology (ToT) ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief Of Army Staff (VCOAS).

Technologies Transferred:

  1. Xploder:
    • Type: Advanced Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV)
    • Capabilities:
      • All-Terrain: Designed for diverse operational environments.
      • Reconnaissance: Conducts unmanned reconnaissance missions.
      • Explosive Payloads: Can deliver explosives with precision.
      • IED Disposal: Safely disposes of remote Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
      • Self-Destruct Mode: Effective for hideout clearance.
      • Disaster Relief: Usable in disaster response operations.
  2. Agniastra:
    • Details: Specific features and functions of the Agniastra are not provided in the current summary. Additional information on the Agniastra is needed to detail its capabilities and roles.

Key Points:

  • Technology Transfer: The technologies are being transferred to private Indian firms for mass production.
  • Objective: To enhance indigenous defense capabilities and innovation in the Indian military sector.

About the Indian Army:

  • Chief of the Army Staff (COAS): General Upendra Dwivedi
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
  • 2024 Theme: Year of Technology Absorption

Economy news

Goldman Sachs Lowers India’s GDP Forecast for 2024 and 2025
Goldman Sachs Lowers India's GDP Forecast for 2024 and 2025

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has revised its GDP growth forecasts for India, lowering the projections by 20 basis points (bps) for both Calendar Year 2024 (CY24) and Calendar Year 2025 (CY25).

  • Revised GDP Growth Estimates:
    • CY24: 6.7%
    • CY25: 6.4%

Reasons for Downgrade:

  1. Reduction in Government Expenditure:
  2. A significant 35% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) cut in central government spending during the April-June quarter.
  3. Fiscal Deficit Reduction:
  4. The union budget’s commitment to reducing the fiscal deficit below 4.5% of GDP is expected to impact growth negatively in CY25.
  5. Slower Real Consumption Growth:
  6. Sluggish growth in household credit, influenced by the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) stricter rules on unsecured lending by banks, is likely to dampen real consumption expansion.

About Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

  • Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO): David M. Solomon
  • Headquarters: New York City, USA
  • Founded: 1869

Banking news

Tata AIA Life Launches ‘Sampoorna Raksha Promise’
Tata AIA Life Launches ‘Sampoorna Raksha Promise’

Tata AIA Life Insurance has recently unveiled its latest offering in the term insurance segment – Sampoorna Raksha Promise. This innovative product is designed to provide enhanced financial security to policyholders and their families, addressing various aspects of life insurance needs.

Key Features:

  • Instant Payout: ₹3 lakh immediate payout upon death claim to cover urgent expenses.
  • Premium Deferral: Option to postpone premium payments for up to 12 months once every five years.
  • Terminal Illness Benefit:
    • 50% of base sum assured paid out immediately.
    • Future premiums waived, with policy benefits continuing.

Plan Options:

  1. Life Promise: Coverage up to age 100, with a sum assured payable upon death.
  2. Life Promise Plus:
    • Same coverage as Life Promise.
    • Additional benefit: 100% refund of total premiums paid if the policyholder survives to maturity (excludes modal premiums and discounts).

Additional Benefits:

  • Life Stage Facility: Increase coverage during major life events (e.g., marriage, childbirth, home loan) without additional underwriting.
  • Accelerated Instant Death Benefit: ₹3 lakh payout within one working day after a three-year waiting period.
  • Flexi Pay Benefit: Allows premium deferral for up to 12 months without extra cost, maintaining full coverage.

Discounts:

  • Digital Discount: 10% off the first year’s premium for online purchases.
  • Salaried Discount: 5% off for salaried individuals.
  • Milestone Discount: 2% off for life milestones (e.g., marriage, childbirth, first job, home loan).
  • Women’s Discount: 15% lower premium for women compared to men.

Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Limited (TALIC)

  • Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Venkatachalam H
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Established: April 1, 2001

State news

Mithun Recorded for the First Time in Assam
Mithun Recorded for the First Time in Assam

In a groundbreaking development, the state of Assam has officially recorded the presence of mithun (Bos frontalis) for the first time. This discovery comes generations after the semi-wild, gaur-like animal began to be reared by tribal communities in the state’s hill district of Dima Hasao.

Key Points:

  • Historic Discovery: Assam officially documents the presence of mithun (Bos frontalis) for the first time.
  • Previous Oversight: Mithuns were previously recorded under “others” in livestock censuses, leading to a lack of official knowledge.
  • Cultural Significance:
    • Mithun is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
    • Found in Mizoram and Manipur.
    • Important for meat and cultural traditions in Northeast India.

Discovery Expedition:

  • Date: August 21
  • Teams Involved: Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department officials, and scientists from ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun.
  • Visited Villages: Laisong, Langting, and Thaijuwari in Dima Hasao, inhabited by Zeme Nagas, 70-80 km from Haflong.

Findings:

  • Observations: 35-40 mithuns spotted.
  • Local Reports: Formerly larger mithun population in the area, now diminished.

Assam:

  • Capital: Dispur
  • Chief minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma
  • Formation: 26 January 1950

Sports news

India Shines at Asian Surfing Championships 2024: A Milestone for Indian Surfing
India Shines at Asian Surfing Championships 2024: A Milestone for Indian Surfing

In a significant achievement for Indian surfing, the national team secured a silver medal at the prestigious Maruhaba Cup, a team event at the Asian Surfing Championships 2024. The competition, held in Thulusdhoo, Maldives, concluded on Sunday, marking a new chapter in India’s surfing history.

Achievement:

  • Event: Maruhaba Cup, part of the Asian Surfing Championships 2024.
  • Location: Thulusdhoo, Maldives.
  • Result: India won the silver medal in the team event.

Indian Team:

  • Members: Kamali P, Ajeesh Ali, Srikanth D, Sanjay Selvamani.
  • Performance: Showcased exceptional skill and teamwork, leading to their podium finish.

Final Standings:

  1. Japan: Gold Medal (Score: 58.40)
  2. India: Silver Medal (Score: 24.13)
  3. Taipei: Bronze Medal (Score: 23.93)
  4. China: Fourth Place (Score: 22.10)

Road to the Final:

  • Semi-Final Performance: India won Heat 2 with a score of 32.16.
    • Competitors:
      • Taipei: Second Place (Score: 29.70)
      • Republic of Korea: Third Place (Score: 27.74)

Significance:

  • India’s silver medal represents a major milestone in its surfing history, highlighting the country’s growing prowess in the sport.

Lausanne Diamond League 2024 Highlights

Lausanne Diamond League 2024 Highlights

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finished 2nd at the Lausanne Diamond League 2024 (also known as Athletissima) with his season’s best throw of 89.49 meter.

  • Venue: Pontaise Olympic Stadium, Lausanne, Switzerland
  • Organized by: World Athletics

Javelin Throw Results:

  • 1st Place: Anderson Peters (Grenada) – 90.61 meters
  • 2nd Place: Neeraj Chopra (India) – 89.49 meters (Season’s Best)
  • 3rd Place: Julian Weber (Germany) – 87.08 meters

About the Diamond League:

  1. Organizer: World Athletics (formerly IAAF)
  2. Inaugural Season: 2010
  3. 2024 Season: 15th edition
  4. Lausanne Diamond League 2024: 11th event of the 2024 season
Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024

McLaren’s Lando Norris, a British racing driver, won the title at the Formula 1 (F1) Heineken Dutch Grand Prix (GP) 2024 held at the Circuit Zandvoort, in Zandvoort, the Netherlands. This marks Norris’s 2nd title of his F1 career.

Event Details:

  • Race: Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
  • Date: August 25, 2024
  • Location: Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands

Results:

  • Winner: Lando Norris (McLaren) – This victory marks his 2nd career F1 title.
  • 2nd Place: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – Dutch-Belgian driver.
  • 3rd Place: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – From Monaco.

Key Points:

  • Round: This was the 15th round of the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship.
  • Next Race: The 16th round will be the F1 Pirelli Gran Premio D’Italia 2024, held at Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Milan, Italy, from August 30 to September 1, 2024.

Important days

World Water Week 2024 Overview
World Water Week 2024 Overview

World Water Week (WWW), the leading conference on global water issues, is annually observed across the globe during the last week of August to address critical water-related challenges, including access to clean water, sanitation, water management, and sustainability.

Event Details:

  • Dates: August 25-29, 2024
  • Organized by: Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)
  • Location: Stockholm, Sweden
  • Theme: “Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future”

Background:

  • Inception: The first Stockholm Water Symposium was held in 1991 to celebrate clean waters, leading to the establishment of World Water Week.
  • Renaming: In 2001, the Stockholm Water Symposium was officially renamed World Water Week.

Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI):

  • Executive Director (Interim): Christel Wiman
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
  • Established: 1991

Previous Event: World Water Week 2023: August 20-24, 2023

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