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MoU signed between India Textiles Ministry and Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre Japan Part of: GS Prelims and GS- II – International Relations; GS-III – Economy In news A formal MoU signing ceremony was held between Textiles Committee, Ministry of Textiles, India, and M/s. Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre Japan. Key takeaways Objective: To provide the required support to the textile trade and industry for ensuring quality as per the requirement of Japanese buyers through Testing, Inspection & Conformity Assessment. It is expected that the MoU will strengthen the bilateral trade by enhancing India’s export of Textile and Apparels (T&A) to Japan, which is the third-largest export destination of the world. Do you know? The Textiles Committee was established in the year 1963 by an Act of Parliament. It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Textiles to ensure the quality of all textiles and textile products for domestic and export markets. The Textiles Committee is the only body providing for all the quality-related needs of the entire Textiles Value Chain (TVC) in an integrated format on a pan-India basis. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

Framework for Strategic Partnership signed between the International Energy Agency and India Part of: GS Prelims and GS- II – International Relations In news The Framework for Strategic Partnership between the International Energy Agency (IEA) members and the Government of India was signed. Key takeaways Aim: To strengthen mutual trust and cooperation & enhance global energy security, stability, and sustainability. This partnership will lead to an extensive exchange of knowledge and would be a stepping stone towards India becoming a full member of the IEA. Important value additions The International Energy Agency (IEA) is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organisation. It was established in the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1974 in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis. The IEA is made up of 30 member countries. Also, the IEA family includes eight association countries which include Brazil, China, and India. Three countries are seeking accession to full membership, Chile, Israel, and Lithuania. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

Restoring Cross Border Mobility by WEF’s Common Trust Network Part of: GS Prelims and GS- II – International Relations In news Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare addressed the event on Restoring Cross Border Mobility by World Economic Forum’s Common Trust Network through Video Conference. Key takeaways Background: As countries around the world work to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and restart their economies, they all face the challenge of how to reopen their borders and allow travel and commerce to resume while protecting their populations’ health. To address this challenge, The Commons Project Foundation and the World Economic Forum have launched the Common Trust Network in collaboration with a broad voluntary network of public and private stakeholders. The Common Trust Network is designed to: empower individuals with digital access to their health information, make it easier for individuals to understand and comply with each destination’s requirements, ensure that only verifiable lab results and vaccination records from trusted sources are presented for cross-border travel and commerce. The Network is enabled by a global registry of trusted laboratory and vaccination data sources, standard formats for lab results and vaccination records, and standard tools to make those results and records digitally accessible. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

2021: Year Of Indo-French Alliance Towards A Greener Planet Part of: GS Prelims and GS- II – International Relations In news Union Minister for Environment and French Minister for Ecological Transition launched the Indo-French Year of the Environment recently. Key takeaways Objective: To strengthen Indo-French cooperation in sustainable development, increase the effectiveness of actions in favour of global environment protection and give them greater visibility. The Indo-French Year of the Environment over the period 2021-2022 would be based on five main themes: (1) Environmental protection; (2) Climate change; (3) Biodiversity conservation; (4) Sustainable urban development; (5) Development of renewable energies and energy efficiency. It is also a platform for engaging in discussions on critical areas of collaboration relating to the environment and allied areas. From the Indian side, it will be coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) along with the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and other concerned Ministries/Departments/Organisations. A joint screening committee will also be set up to finalize the calendar of the events for the Indo-French Year of the Environment. Do you know? India-France alliance is the main pillar of the International Solar Alliance launched by Inidan PM. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

National Marine Turtle Action Plan Part of: GS Prelims and GS- III – Environment; Biodiversity In news The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has released ‘Marine Mega Fauna Stranding Guidelines’ and ‘National Marine Turtle Action Plan’. Key takeaways The documents contain ways and means to guide improved coordination amongst the government, civil society, and all relevant stakeholders on the response to cases of stranding, entanglement, injury or mortality of marine mammals, and also conservation of marine turtles. These two documents highlight: actions to be taken for handling stranded animals on the shore, stranded or entangled animals in the sea or on a boat, management actions for improved coordination, reducing threats to marine species and their habitats, rehabilitation of degraded habitats, enhancing people’s participation, advance scientific research and exchange of information on marine mammals and marine turtles and their habitats. Important value additions Status of turtles in India Five species of Indian turtles along with their IUCN status are as follows: Olive Ridley – Vulnerable Green turtle – Endangered Loggerhead – Vulnerable Hawksbill – Critically Endangered Leather back – Vulnerable They are protected in Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, under Schedule I. They are also protected under the Biodiversity Conservation and Ganga Rejuvenation programme. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

What is EDISON Alliance? The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced the launch of an Essential Digital Infrastructure and Services Network (EDISON) Alliance. The peculiarity of name 'EDISON Alliance' creates a hotspot here for prelims. UPSC may either crate confusion over purpose or parent organization. The alliance is yet to take shape completely; hence there is an ambiguity over its members. EDISON Alliance Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF), which describes itself as an international organisation for public-private partnership, will serve as the secretariat and platform for the EDISON Alliance. A wider group of 'Champions Leaders' will advise and support the Alliance, the WEF said while announcing the launch. Alliance aims to work towards ensuring global and equitable access to the digital economy. Its prime goal is to ensure an unprecedented level of cross-sectoral collaboration between the technology industry and other critical sectors of the economy, according to the WEF. Why need such an alliance? Access to digital technologies has enabled many to work, learn and live during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic has exposed and exacerbated existing gaps and inequalities almost half of the global population. Some 3.6 billion people, remain offline and broadband services are too expensive for 50 per cent of the population in developed countries, the WEF said. These hampers access to health, education and economic inclusion. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

LECTURETTE by an SSB Aspirant @ Tourism in India 2021 https://youtu.be/emeAlRndrmw

Climate Adaptation Summit 2021 Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – International relations & GS- III – Climate change In news Indian Prime Minister addressed the Climate Adaptation Summit 2021 recently. Hosted by: Netherlands Key takeaways The summit will have a significant focus on securing new investments to ensure that millions of smallholder farmers can adapt to the stresses of climate on food production. During the summit, it was said that India is targeting 450 gigawatt of renewable energy capacity by 2030. It is also promoting LED lights and saving 38 million tons of carbon-di-oxide emissions annually. India is going to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. Clean cooking fuel is being provided to 80 million rural households. 64 million households are being connected to piped water supply. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

USA restores relations with Palestine Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – International relations In news U.S. President’s administration announced it was restoring relations with the Palestinians and renewing aid to Palestinian refugees. Key takeaways It is a reversal of the Donald Trump administration’s cutoff and a key element of its new support for a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict agreed to by Israelis and Palestinians. Palestine is recognized officially as the State of Palestine by the United Nations and other entities. It is a de jure sovereign state in Western Asia claiming the West Bank (bordering Israel and Jordan) and Gaza Strip (bordering Israel and Egypt) with Jerusalem as the designated capital, although its administrative center is currently located in Ramallah. The entirety of territory claimed by the State of Palestine has been occupied since 1948, first by Egypt and Jordan and then by Israel after the Six-Day War in 1967. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

AMPHEX – 21 A large-scale tri-service joint amphibious exercise AMPHEX – 21 was conducted in Andaman & Nicobar group of islands from 21 – 25 Jan 2021. The exercise involved participation of Naval ships, amphibious troops of the Army and different types of aircraft from the Air force. Aim: Validating India’s capabilities to safeguard the territorial integrity of it’s island territories. It also sought to enhance operational synergy and joint warfighting capabilities amongst the three Services. The exercise involved multi-faceted maritime operations by synergised employment of amphibious assault ships, surveillance platforms, execution of maritime air strikes and complex manoeuvres at sea. Ex KAVACH for defence of Andaman & Nicobar Islands formed a part of AMPHEX – 21. A joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance exercise under the aegis of HQ Integrated Defence Staff was also run concurrently to achieve Maritime Domain Awareness by employment of a multitude of sensors. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

[pib] International Energy Agency (IEA) The Framework for Strategic Partnership between the International Energy Agency (IEA) members and India was signed yesterday to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation & enhance global energy security, stability and sustainability. International Energy Agency The IEA is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organisation established in the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1974 in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis. It was initially dedicated to responding to physical disruptions in the supply of oil, as well as serving as an information source on statistics about the international oil market and other energy sectors. At the end of July 2009, IEA member countries held a combined stockpile of almost 4.3 billion barrels of oil. They are required to maintain total oil stock levels equivalent to at least 90 days of the previous year's net imports. The IEA acts as a policy adviser to its member states but also works with non-member countries, especially China, India, and Russia. The Agency's mandate has broadened to focus on the "3Es" of effectual energy policy: energy security, economic development, and environmental protection. Greater role play The latter has focused on mitigating climate change. The IEA has a broad role in promoting alternate energy sources (including renewable energy), rational energy policies, and multinational energy technology co-operation. Why need a partnership with IEA? This partnership will lead to an extensive exchange of knowledge and would be a stepping stone towards India becoming a full member of the IEA. India and the IEA members will work as Energy Security, Clean & Sustainable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Enhancing petroleum storage capacity in India, Expansion of gas-based economy in India etc. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

Expedition to Ram Setu In possibly a first, Indian scientists will undertake a scientific expedition to date the chain of corals and sediments forming the Ram Setu. Ram Setu Also known as Adam's bridge, Ram Setu is a 48-km long bridge-like structure between India and Sri Lanka. It finds mention in the Ramayana but little about its formation is known or proven, scientifically. What is the underwater archaeological project at Ram Setu? The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) will undertake a three-year scientific project. The idea is to see whether Ram Setu is a man-made structure or not. The most important aspect of the project is to establish its age, scientifically. The explorers will apply a number of scientific techniques while attempting to date the Ram Setu, study its material composition, outline the sub-surface structure along with attempting to excavate remnants or artefacts, if any, from the site. Once it is known, the information can be verified and co-related with its mention in the Ramayana and similar scriptures. How is the project planned? An initial survey will make use of underwater photographs to check if any habitation remains inundated in the area. A geophysical survey will be performed to understand the structure. Over the years, several kinds of depositions, including sand, have covered the actual structure. Initially, only physical observation, and no drilling, will be done. NIO operates two oceanographic vessels - RV Sindhu Sankalp (ability to go up to and remain 56 metres underwater) and RV Sindhu Sadhana (ability to go up to and remain 80 metres underwater). For collecting core samples at greater depths and for bathymetry purposes, Sindhu Sadhana will be deployed for the Ram Setu project. Two of the planned tests: Side-scan SONAR Will provide bathymetry which is similar to studying the topography of a structure on land. Soundwaves signals will be sent to the structure which will provide an outline of the physical structure of the Ram Setu. Silo seismic survey - Mild earthquake-like tremor shocks will be sent at shallow depths close to the structure. These energized shockwaves are capable of penetrating into the structure. The reflected or refracted signals will be captured by instruments that will provide sub-surface structure. Significance of such exploration India has a vast coastline of over 7,500 kilometres. Oceans are a treasure trove of the past records climate, evolutionary changes of the underwater fauna, coastal lives, habitations, settlements and civilizations. Of these, the sea-level changes remain the most significant of all with respect to climate studies. History has records of sailors who set out on unknown voyages to later discover new lands and islands. They ventured into deep seas even before the advent of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Using such underwater exploration studies, scientists say that it is possible to trace numerous ship-wreckages and remains from the past. Studies of ship wreckage, artefacts or remains could reveal a lot of information. Recently a 60000 YO submerged forest was explored off the Alabama coast in the USA. Has India undertaken underwater archaeological explorations? A part of Dwarka, along with coastal Gujarat, is underwater, confirming the sea-level rise. The NIO has been studying this site, and so far, traced large amounts of scattered stones which were retrieved at the depth between three to six metres beneath. Stone anchors, too, were found at the site, suggesting it to be part of an ancient harbour. In the past, NIO had initiated studies to trace the missing shore temples of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu. Presently, several ship wreckage studies, including the one-off the Odisha coast, are going on. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

US-Russia to extend New START Treaty The Russian lower house of Parliament, the Duma has ratified a new START nuclear treaty with the US. Both countries had "agreed in principle" to extend the arms treaty by five years with Joe Biden swearing-in. The New START, INF and the Open Skies . Be clear about the differences of these treaties. For example- to check if their inception was during cold war era etc. New START Treaty The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) pact limits the number of deployed nuclear warheads, missiles and bombers and is due to expire in 2021 unless renewed. The treaty limits the US and Russia to a maximum of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers, well below Cold War caps. It was signed in 2010 by former US President Barack Obama and then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. It is one of the key controls on superpower deployment of nuclear weapons. A reset to Trumps policies In February 2020, the US withdrew from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), accusing Moscow of violating the agreement. Russian then had proposed a one-year extension without conditions of the last major nuclear arms reduction accord, the New START Treaty between Russia and the U.S. If it had fallen, it could have been the second nuclear weapons treaty to collapse under the leadership of Trump. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) Part of: GS Prelims and GS- III – Defence & History In news DRDO successfully conducted captive and release trial of indigenously developed Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) from Hawk-I of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) off the Odisha coast. Key takeaways The smart weapon was successfully test fired from Indian Hawk-Mk132 of HAL. This was the 9th successful mission of SAAW conducted by DRDO till now. Indigenously designed and developed by: DRDO This is 125 Kg class smart weapon, capable of engaging ground enemy airfield assets such as radars, bunkers, taxi tracks, and runways etc. up to a range of 100 kms. The high precision guided bomb is light weight as compared to weapon system of the same class. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

Place in news: Leang Tedongnge Cave Archaeologists have discovered the world’s oldest known cave art — a life-sized picture of a wild pig that was painted at least 45,500 years ago in Indonesia. The Sulawesi warty pig painting was found in the limestone cave of Leang Tedongnge. The warty pig depicted in the painting is endemic to this Indonesian island. The cave is in a valley that is enclosed by steep limestone cliffs, and is only accessible by a narrow cave passage in the dry season. The isolated Bugis community living in this hidden valley claim it had never before been visited by Westerners. The previously oldest dated rock art ‘scene’ at least 43,900 years old, was a depiction of hybrid human-animal beings hunting Sulawesi warty pigs and dwarf bovids. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

Tripura government planning to promote Risa as the signature textile Part of: GS Prelims and GS- III – Banking In news Tripura government is now eyeing to promote Risa as the signature textile of Tripura nationally. Important value additions Risa is a customary handwoven cloth used by Tripura’s indigenous tribal communities. It is used as a head gear, stole, female upper cloth or presented to honour a distinguished recipient. The Risa also plays a host of crucial social utilities. Adolescent Tripuri girls are first given risa to wear when she reaches 12-14 years in an event called Risa Sormani. It is also used in religious festivals like the Garia Puja, a customary festival of the tribal communities, or as a head turban by male folks during weddings and festivals. Do you know? Risa is one of the three parts of a customary Tripuri female attire, the other two being the Rignai and Rikutu. It is primarily used to cover lower part of the body and literally translates into ‘to wear’. The Rituku covers the upper half of the body, wrapping it all around. However, it is also used like a ‘chunri’ or a ‘pallu’ of the Indian saree. It is also used to cover the head of newly married Tripuri women. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

Regulatory Compliance Portal launched Part of: GS Prelims and GS- III – Economy In news Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched a Regulatory Compliance Portal to minimize Regulatory Compliance Burden for Businesses and Citizens. Key takeaways Objective: To act as a bridge between citizens, industries and the Government in order to minimize burdensome compliances. It will also act as a first-of-its-kind central online repository of all Central and State-level compliances. All Central Ministries/Departments and States/UTs would examine laws/regulations/rules under their purview and implement an Action Plan to rationalize and simplify all the processes and remove burdensome compliances. These details would be captured and tracked on the Regulatory Compliance Portal. Industry stakeholders from Trade bodies such as CII, FICCI and ASSOCHAM would also be able to submit compliances and proposed recommendations. This will be assessed by concerned Government authorities and suitable action would be undertaken to minimize the regulatory compliance burden. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom

Quantum Computing Applications Lab to be established Part of: GS Prelims and GS- III – Sci & Tech In news The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in India will establish a Quantum Computing Applications Lab in India, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Objective: To accelerate quantum computing-led research and development and enable new scientific discoveries. Key takeaways The Lab will provide quantum computing as a service to government ministries and departments, researchers, scientists, academia, and developers, to enable advances in areas such as manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and aerospace engineering. AWS will provide hosting with technical and programmatic support for the Lab. The lab is World’s first quantum computing applications lab on AWS to support a national government’s mission to drive innovation. Do you know? Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a subsidiary of Amazon providing on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individuals, companies, and governments, on a metered pay-as-you-go basis. 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 Join >> @dailynewscom