NATIONAL:
1. Deemed to be University
Why in news – Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) has been declared as a deemed to be University by the Education Ministry.
Key Points –
• An Institution of Higher Education, other than universities, working at a very high standard in specific area of study, can be declared by the Central Governmentt on
the advice of the UGC as an Institution ‘Deemed-to-be-university’.
• Institutions that are ‘deemed-to-be-university’ enjoy academic status and privileges of a university.
• It is declared under section 3 of University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956.
2. Moh Jooj (Buffalo Fights)
Why in news – People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have challenged the revival of practises of buffalo and bulbul fighting in the Gauhati High Court.
Key Points –
• Traditional buffalo fights are popularly known as Moh Jooj in Assam.
• These fights are part of the folk culture associated with the Assamese winter harvest festival of Magh Bihu (January).
Value Addition –
• The fights had been stopped after the Supreme Court’s 2014 judgement which forbid the use of bulls as performing animals in jallikattu events and bullock-cart races in Tamil Nadu.
• The Supreme Court May 2023 overruled its 2014 judgement, upholding amendments made by Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka governments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 to allow jallikattu, kambala and bullock cart racing.
ECONOMY:
1. Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)
Why in news – Union Cabinet approved the signing and ratification of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Key Points –
• Existing Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement with UAE will expire in September 2024.
• Treaty is aimed to improve confidence of investors to increase foreign investments and Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) opportunities in India.
• BIT is a reciprocal agreement for according protection to investments by nationals and companies of one State in another State.
• FDI from the UAE to India tripled from $1.03 billion in 2021-22 to $3.35 billion in 2022-23.
• UAE is the fourth largest investor in India after Singapore, Mauritius, and the USA during the fiscal year 2022-2023.
2. Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)
Why in news – Union Cabinet approved extension of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) till 2025-26.
Key Points –
• Along with the extension, new eligible entities and investment sphere have been included under the scheme.
• AHIDF was launched in 2020-21 under the Prime Minister’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stimulus package, for three years.
• AHIDF aims to incentivize investments in sphere such as –
(a) Dairy processing, meat processing, and value-addition infrastructure.
(b) Now, it has also included Animal Feed Plant, breed multiplication farm, Animal Waste to Wealth Management, etc.
Features of AHIDF –
• It is a Central Sector Scheme.
• It is under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• Loan Facility - Government provides 3% interest subvention for 8 years for loans up to 90% by scheduled banks, NABARD, NDDB, etc.
• Beneficiaries - Individual entrepreneurs, private Companies, Farmer Producer Organization (FPOs), MSMEs, and Section 8 companies (non-profit organizations) under Companies Act, 2013.
Other Schemes for Animal Husbandry Promotion –
• Pashudhan Sanjivani
• e-Pashudhan Haat portal
• E-Gopala App
• Rashtriya Gokul mission
• National Kamdhenu breeding centre
• Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog
• Dairy Sahakar
3. Oil Imports
Why in news – Russia remains India’s top oil exporter despite supply hitting 12-month low.
Key Points –
• Russia supplied 1.2 million barrels per day of crude oil to India in January 2024.
• India’s top 3 oil supplier – Russia (1st), Iraq (2nd) and Saudi Arabia (3rd).
• India is the world’s third-largest energy consumer.
• India is more than 85% dependent on imports for its needs of crude oil.
SECURITY:
1. MQ-9B Armed Drones
Why in news – The United States approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India for an estimated cost of $3.99 billion (Rs 33,060 crore).
Key Points –
• Termed "hunter-killer," the MQ-9B is a next-generation remotely-piloted aircraft manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical.
• Also known as "Predators," these drones can also carry four laser-guided Hellfire missiles and 450 kg bombs.
• Indian Navy will get 15 SeaGuardian drones, while the Army and the Indian Air Force will get 8 each of the land versions named SkyGuardian.
• They can fly over the horizon via satellite for up to 40 hours or more in all types of weather.
• The Indian Navy already operates two unarmed Predator drones from Rajali air base in Tamil Nadu, which are on lease from the US.
Strategic Significance –
• For USA, it will support the foreign policy and national security objectives by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the
security of a major defence partner.
• India is an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.
• With its long-endurance, persistent surveillance and strike capability, the MQ-9 Reapers can enhance the Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of India’s Armed Forces.
• It provides a unique capability to perform strike, coordination, and reconnaissance against high-value, fleeting, and time-sensitive targets.
• Armed drones can help Indian forces to “launch remote-controlled operations and surgical strikes, such as on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and
engage targets on the Himalayan borders with China.”
• Long-range surveillance and strike capabilities both in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and on the land borders.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Sunrise Technologies
Why in news – Interim Budget 2024-25 proposed a corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore to boost Sunrise Technologies.
Key Points –
• Corpus will be established with a fifty-year interest-free loan.
• It will encourage the private sector to scale up research and innovation. India’s R&D spending as a percentage of GDP is only 0.7%.
• Sunrise technologies includes emerging technologies which are currently in their nascent stage of development but have immense potential to offer in future.
• It includes Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), Robotic Process Automation
(RPA), Blockchain, Quantum Computing, Digital Twins, 3D Printing etc.
STATES/UTs:
1. Digital Detox
Why in news – Karnataka Government announced the launch of Digital Detox Initiative.
Key Points –
• Digital Detox is a period of time during which one intentionally reduces amount of time spent online on electronic devices, like mobiles, laptops, etc.
• Initiative seeks to ensure responsible gaming, through Awareness, Digital Detox centres for personalized guidance, Community connection through workshops, etc.
• It will be launched collaboration with All India Game Developers Forum (AIGDF) and NIMHANS.
BIHAR:
1. Comprehensive Cancer Care Programme
Why in news – CM Nitish Kumar launched the first-of-its-kind cancer treatment machine at Jayaprabha Medanta Superspecialty Hospital, Patna.
Key Points –
• It was launched under the ‘Comprehensive Cancer Care Programme’.
• It was the first modern machine in eastern India and the second in the country for the treatment of cancer.
• With this technology, the patients require fewer radiation therapies than the traditional method.
2. NIT Patna Incubation Centre
Why in news – NIT Patna would get an incubation centre.
Key Points –
• Incubation Centre is a space for new age entrepreneurs and young minds to transform their innovative ideas into viable business propositions.
• The erstwhile Bihar College of Engineering (BCE, 1924) was converted into NIT Patna in 2004.
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