ETEN Enlightens-Daily Current Capsules (Prelims Prep ... · 1. Short-range surface-to-surface...
Transcript of ETEN Enlightens-Daily Current Capsules (Prelims Prep ... · 1. Short-range surface-to-surface...
ETEN Enlightens-Daily Current Capsules (Prelims Prep. Prominence) 04th June 2018
Defence
Agni-5 successfully test-fired
Agni-5 is a three-stage, 17-metre tall, two-metre wide missile, capable of
carrying a nuclear warhead of about 1.5 tonnes. IT has a range of 5,000
km.
Long-range ballistic missile Agni-5 was successfully test-fired off the Odisha
coast on Sunday, proving its reliability.
This is the sixth successful test of the missile and the second in its pre-induction
configuration.
The surface-to-surface missile was launched with the help of a mobile
launcher from launch pad number 4 of the Integrated Test Range at Dr
Abdul Kalam Island, earlier known as Wheeler Island, in the Bay of
Bengal
Enlighten about Agni -5
Agni-5 is the most advanced with new technologies in terms of
navigation and guidance, warhead, and engine
Agni-5's navigation systems, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based
Inertial Navigation System or RINS, and the most modern and accurate
Micro Navigation System or MINS ensured that the missile reached its
target with precision.
The Agni-5 missile has a high speed on-board computer and fault tolerant
software along with a robust and reliable bus. Its path is precisely
directed by the advanced on-board computer and inertial navigation
system.
The three-stage, 17-metre tall, two-metre wide Agni-5 missile is capable
of carrying a nuclear warhead of about 1.5 tonnes. The missile also has
higher reliability, longer shelf life, less maintenance and enhanced
mobility.
Enlighten about Agni Family
36COMMENTS
At present, apart from the Agni-5, other Agni missiles that India has in its
armoury are: Agni-1 with a 700-km range, Agni-2 with a 2,000-km range,
Agni-3 and Agni-4 with 2,500 km to more than 3,500 km range.
Enlighten about The Integrated Guided Missile Development
Programme (IGMDP)
It was conceived by renowned scientist Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam to enable
India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology.
Keeping in mind the requirements of various types of missiles by the
defence forces, the team recommended development of five missile
systems.
The missiles developed under the programme were:
1. Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Prithvi-
The Prithvi missile is a family of tactical surface-to-surface short-range
ballistic missiles (SRBM) and is India’s first indigenously developed
ballistic missile.
Development of the Prithvi began in 1983, and it was first test-fired on 25
February 1988 from Sriharikota, SHAR Centre, Pottisreeramulu Nellore
district, Andhra Pradesh.
It has a range of up to 150 to 300 km.
The land variant is called Prithvi while the naval operational variant of
Prithvi I and Prithvi II class missiles are code named Dhanush
2. Intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni
The Agni missile is a family of Medium to Intercontinental range
ballistic missiles developed by DRDO of India.
The initial Technology demonstrator version had a range of 1500 km
but were based on a solid and a liquid stage making for long
preparation before firing.
Learning from this the production variants of Agni are solid fuel based
to allow for swift retaliation against adversaries.
3. Short-range low-level surface-to-air missile Trishul
Trishul is the name of a short range surface-to-air missile developed
by India as a part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development
Program.
It has a range of 9 km and is fitted with a 5.5 kg warhead. Designed to
be used against low-level (sea skimming) targets at short range, the
system has been developed to defend naval vessels against missiles
and also as a short-range surface-to-air missile on land.
Guidance consists of three different guiding beams, with the guidance
handed over progressively to a narrower beam as the missile
approaches the target.
4. Medium-range surface-to-air missile Akash
Akash is a medium range surface-to-air missile developed as part of
India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme to achieve
self-sufficiency in the area of surface-to-air missiles.
It is the most expensive missile project ever undertaken by the Union
government in the 20th century.
Development costs skyrocketed to almost US$120 million which is
far more than other similar systems.
5. 3rd generation anti-tank missile Nag
Nag is India’s third generation “Fire-and-forget” anti-tank missile. It
is an all weather, top attack missile with a range of 3 to 7 km.
State Specific Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana
Odisha’s Health Insurance Scheme for Journalists
Enlighten about the health scheme
This scheme provides Rs. 2 Lakh per annum health insurance cover to all
working journalists of the state.
This insurance scheme has come into effect from June 1, 2018 and will
initially cover around 3200 journalists and their family members from
various media groups.
The insurance coverage will be applicable for cashless treatment in
government and private hospitals.
The scheme will also cover the injuries and illness faced by journalists
while performing their duties.
Enlighten about Gopalbandhu Dasa
A prominent social worker, reformer, political activist, journalist, poet
and essayist of Odisha.
His contribution to art, culture and society to Odisha earned him the
epithet of Utkalmani (jewel of Odisha).
Environment
Ensemble Prediction Systems (EPS)
IMD’s new forecast model
Concerned agency/launched by
The Ministry of Earth Science (MoES)
Specific purpose
It will generate more accurate and area specific forecast of extreme
weather events including rains, heat wave and cold wave.
Enlighten about Ensemble Prediction Systems (EPS)
Developed by -
Three bodies under Ministry of Earth Sciences viz. Indian Meteorological
Department (IMD), National Centre for Medium Range Weather
Forecasting (NCMRWF) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.
Features of EPS
It is equipped with high resolution for short-medium range weather
forecasts.
With the implementation of the new EPS the area of spatial resolution
(currently 23 km grid scale) will come down to 12 km.
This new system will helps in sending out district level warning and
forecast extreme weather events as before as five days.
The new system will generate more accurate and better area specific
forecast of extreme weather events
Economy
Online Analytical tool to Monitor foreign contributions
Concerned/implementing Ministry
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
Specified purpose
To ease closer monitoring of flow and utilisation of foreign contributions
received by various organisations registered or permitted under Foreign
Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.
It will effectively monitor hundreds of thousands of transactions
undertaken by such organisations and help stakeholders in Government to
better regulate acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions.
This web baes tool will scrutinise source of foreign funds and their actual
use in India. It will give them capacity to take evidence-based and data-
driven decisions regarding compliance of provisions of FCRA, 2010.
FCRA 2010
FCRA 2010 provides for regulation of acceptance of foreign
funds/foreign hospitality by certain individuals, associations,
organisations and companies.
Bilateral Agreements
Agreement between Finance Ministry and World Bank
For financing of for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
Union Finance Ministry and World Bank have signed US $500 million
(Rs 3,371 crore) loan agreement to provide additional financing for
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) rural road projects.
The loan has maturity of 10 years along with 3 year grace period.
It will provide additional financing for PMGSY Rural Roads Project to
build 7,000 km of climate resilient roads, out of which 3,500 km will be
constructed using green technologies.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
PMGSY fully funded centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2000.
It aims to provide single all-weather road connectivity to all eligible
unconnected habitations in the rural areas with population of
500 persons and above (in plain areas) and 250 persons and above (in
Hilly States , desert Areas, Tribal areas and selected Tribal and
Backward Districts).
The scheme encourages use of “Green Technologies” and non-
conventional materials (like waste plastic, geo-textiles, fly-ash, iron and
copper slag etc) for constructing rural roads.
Specially for this project 75 paise per litre has been earmarked
out of cess levied on high speed diesel.
Union Ministry of Rural Development is nodal ministry for
implementation of Scheme.
Sources – PIB, The Hindu, Ministry of defence, liveMint, Vikaspedia