NATIONAL:
1. “Name-Change”
Why in news - The 2022 Social Science committee of NCERT has suggested that ‘India’ should be called ‘Bharat’.
Key Points –
• Committee’s chairman - Prof CI Issac.
• Speculation about a “name-change” from ‘India’ to ‘Bharat’ at the G20 Summit in New Delhi has been rife.
• The Puranas describe Bharata as the land between the “sea in the south and the abode of snow in the north”.
2. EV Charging Standard
Why in news - The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has approved a charging connector standard for light electric vehicles (LEVs).
Key Points –
• New standard name - ISI7017 (Part 2 / Sec 7): 2023.
• Indigenously developed by - NITI Aayog, the Department of Science and Technology, Ather Energy (electric 2-wheeler maker) etc.
• LEVs - Scooters, bikes, and rickshaws.
• It is the first in the world that combines alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) for LEVs.
• Benefit (Interoperability) – It can be used by different kinds of EV models and charging infrastructure providers.
3. Preventive Detention
Why in news – The Supreme Court has red-flagged the Telangana government’s use of the law.
Key Points –
• Preventive detention –
(a) It means detention of a person by the state without trial and conviction by court, but merely on suspicion.
(b) It is just a preventive measure even if he has not committed a crime.
(c) It is for a maximum period of 3 months.
(d) It can be extended up to a total of 12 months on the recommendation of an advisory board, made up of High Court judges.
(e) The Indian Constitution (Article 22) itself makes space for preventive detention. (Britain, United States and Canada - It is a wartime measure)
• Pre-trial detention – It is an undertrial accused of a crime.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. ‘One nation, One Student ID’ Initiative
Why in news – A new student identity card known as the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) is being created.
Key Points –
• APAAR is a special ID system for all students in India, starting from childhood.
• Each student would get a lifelong APAAR ID, making it easy for the learners, schools, and governments to track academic progress from pre-primary education to higher education.
• It will store all their certificates and credits, whether they come from formal education or informal learning.
• This is part of the ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ initiative, stemming from the new National Education Policy of 2020.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Vienna Convention 1961
Why in news – Canada recalled 41 diplomats from India invoking Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,1961.
Key Points –
• India had sought ‘parity’ with Canada, asking it to downsize its diplomatic staff.
• India has about 20 diplomats in Canada. Now, 21 Canadian diplomats are in India.
About Vienna Convention 1961 –
• It is a United Nations treaty.
• It sets some common principles on how countries must treat each other’s diplomatic representatives.
• Article 9 - It refuses to recognize the diplomatic agent as a member of the mission (persona non grata or unwelcome).
• Article 11 - Host state may require that the size of a mission be kept within limits considered by it to be reasonable and normal.
• Article 29 - diplomatic immunity (no arrest or detention).
2. Visa Shopping
Why in news – The practice of ‘visa shopping’ has been gaining popularity in several Indian states.
Key Points –
• It refers to obtaining visas for countries that individuals may or may not visit during the granted visa period.
• People can enter their preferred countries, particularly in Europe, even if they have obtained a visa for another European nation.
• E.g., Schengen Visa (1985) – It allows travellers to explore many European countries without the need for separate visas.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Ghost Particles
Why in news – China is building the world’s largest telescope to detect “ghost particles”, also known as neutrinos.
Key Points –
• Telescope name – Trident.
• Location - South China Sea (underwater).
• Neutrinos are a type of electron but, like neutrons, they do not have any charge.
• They are among the most abundant particles in our universe and also among the tiniest.
• They have a very small mass.
• They can only be “seen” when they interact with other particles (e.g., water molecules).
2. AI in the Indian Army
Why in news – Artificial Intelligence is shaping India's defense landscape providing a potential advantage in operations.
Key Points –
• 140 AI-based surveillance systems, which include high-resolution cameras, sensors, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) feed and radar feed have been deployed.
• AI-based real-time monitoring software generates intelligence in counter-terrorist operations.
• Hi-tech military simulator technologies are used to train first batch of recruits.
• AI-powered drones and robots patrol borders providing increased coverage and reducing the need for human intervention.
• At Aero India 2023, an AI-based surveillance software called AGNI-D was unveiled for surveillance and thwarting transgression.
• Rajnath Singh launched 75 newly developed AI technologies during the first-ever “AI in Defense” symposium in July 2022. E.g., robotics, automation tools.
• The United States and India have agreed to launch an inaugural Defense Artificial Intelligence Dialogue and expand their joint cyber training.
• The Indian military is allocating approximately US$50 million for AI spending each year.
BIHAR:
1. Millets in Bihar
Why in news – A center of excellence on millets and value chain has started functioning in the state.
Key Points –
• It would be constructed by the state government at an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore.
• Focus area –
(a) development of high-yielding varieties of millets.
(b) seed production of millets by institutions and FPOs.
(c) developing location-specific crop production technologies.
(d) development of value chain, and market linkage of millets and capacity building.
• In Bihar, finger millet, barnyard millet, proso millet, foxtail, millet and pearl millet (bajra) are preferably grown by farmers.
2. Bihar Kesari Award
Why in news – 17 eminent personalities of the state were awarded the Bihar Kesari Samman.
Key Points –
• Organized by - Bihar Intellectual Forum and Medieval Foundation.
• They were felicitated for their distinguished service spirit in medicine, service, education, social service and politics.
• Prominent personalities - Sharda Sinha, Dr. Shanti Rai, Dr. Vijay Prakash, Sudha Varghese, Khan Sir etc.
• It was given on the 136th birth anniversary of Shri Krishna Singh, the first CM of Bihar and popularly known as Bihar Kesari.
POINTERS:
• Who has launched a new program called DigiKavach to combat online financial frauds in India – Google.
• United Nations Day is an important observance that is celebrated annually on which date - October 24.
• Which ministry launched the website of “Kasturi Cotton Bharat” - Ministry of Textiles.
• Who has inaugurated an exhibition titled “Roaring Revival: Tigers of India- An Exhibition of Charcoal Sketches & Water Colour Florals” at All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society in New Delhi - Jagdeep Dhankhar.
• Which Military Station Gets 'Best Green Military Station' Award 2023 – Udhampur Military Station.
• Who has been felicitated with the "Award for Global Leadership" by the Harvard Law School - CJI DY Chandrachud.
• Which team has Afghanistan defeated for the first time in the ODI World Cup – Pakistan.
• World's first gender balance framework for the 4th Industrial Revolution held in which city - Dubai.
• When will India become the fourth largest spender on global travel – 2030.
• Which former India captain and legendary spinner, passes away at 77 - Bishan Singh Bedi.
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