“NAMO DRONE DIDI”

Context: The Government of India has launched the “Namo Drone Didi” scheme to empower women Self Help Groups (SHGs) by providing them with drones for agricultural services.

What are self help groups?

• These are informal associations of the people who come together to address issues and improve their lives. 
• Objective: This group focuses on uplifting the social and economic well – being of their members. 

About “Namo Drone Didi” scheme

• Launch Year: 2024
• Funding: ₹1261 Crores
• Objective: To provide 14,500 selected Women SHGs with drones for agriculture rental services.
• Duration: 2024-25 to 2025-26
• Purpose: Facilitate agriculture services like liquid fertilizer and pesticide application through drone technology.

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Key Features of the Scheme

• Central Sector Scheme. 
• Drone Provision: 14,500 women SHGs will receive drones to offer rental services to farmers for tasks like spraying fertilizers and pesticides.
• Financial Assistance: The Central government will provide 80% of the cost of drones and accessories, up to a maximum of Rs. 8 lakh per SHG.
• Training and Support: SHG members will undergo training to operate drones and maintain them.
• Implementation: Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) will be responsible for implementing the scheme at the state level, coordinating with state departments, drone manufacturers, and SHGs.
• Monitoring: A dedicated IT-based management information system (MIS) will track drone operations and service delivery.

Iron Beam

Context: Israel signed a deal worth approximately 2 billion shekels ( monetary unit of Israel)  for the Iron Beam laser-based missile defense system.

About Iron Beam 

• It is a high-powered laser system. 
• Purpose and Necessity of Iron Beam
  • Enhanced Defense: The Iron Beam aims to improve Israel’s interception capabilities, especially for small aerial threats like drones and short-range projectiles.
  • Complement to Iron Dome: Iron Beam will work alongside systems like the Iron Dome, which provides short-range defense against rockets.
  • Response to Multi-Pronged Threats: Israel faces ongoing aerial threats from regions such as Gaza and Lebanon, including recent projectile attacks from Hezbollah in support of Hamas.

Advantages of Iron Beam

• Cost Efficiency: The laser-based system offers a cheaper alternative to traditional interceptor missiles.
• Increased Protection: It enhances Israel’s multi-layered defense system, improving response to high-volume rocket and drone attacks and reducing reliance on costly missile interceptors.

Challenges for the Iron Beam Defense System

• Technical Challenges
  • Targeting Accuracy: It’s difficult to precisely target many fast-moving objects at the same time.
  • Size Reduction: Making the system small enough to fit on aircraft is challenging.
• Operational Challenges
  • Weather Impact: Bad weather, like clouds or fog, can reduce the laser’s effectiveness.
  • Low Visibility: Poor visibility makes it harder to detect and intercept threats accurately.
• Logistical Challenges
  • System Compatibility: Connecting Iron Beam with current defense systems, such as Iron Dome, requires careful planning.
  • High Initial Costs: Although operational costs may be lower, the initial development and deployment are expensive.

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Return of Chinese Astronaut from the Tiangong Space Station

Context: Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth  after a six-month stay on the Tiangong space station.

• The crew touched down at 1:24 a.m at a remote landing area in China’s Inner Mongolia region.
• The taikonauts (Chinese astronauts) conduct experiments, carry out spacewalks and install equipment to protect the station from space debris.

About Tiangong Space Station

• Built by: The Tiangong space station is a T shaped space stations which means “Heavenly Palace” and  was built by The Chinese Manned Space Agency (CMSA)
• Orbit: It orbits Earth at low Earth orbit with an altitude between 217 and 280 miles (340 to 450 kilometers)
  • It is approximately the same orbital height as the International Space Station (ISS). 
• Launch: The space station was built in 3 modules and was launched  between 2021 and 2022

About Space Station

• Space Stations are artificial satellites in the form of spacecraft that orbit the Earth and are designed to support human habitation for extended periods of time.
  • These are equipped with pressurized enclosures, power, supplies, and environmental systems
• Example: The International Space Station (ISS) is a well-known example of a space station orbiting the Earth every 90 minutes at a speed of about 17,500 miles per hour.
  • The ISS is a “co-operative programme” between Europe, the United States, Russia, Canada and Japan and not owned by one single nation.
• Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS): India is planning its own modular space station called the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS)  as part of its larger space ambitions. 
  • Expected Launch: The first module is expected to launch in 2028, and the remaining modules are expected to launch by 2035

ICMR ‘First in the World Challenge’ initiative to tackle health issues

Context:  The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has announced a new a high risk, high reward initiative called “First in the World Challenge”

• Aim: To encourage Indian scientists to come up with innovative ideas and find solutions to difficult health problems.
• Proposal: The scheme proposes to fund research ideas with significant wide-ranging impact with a potential ‘first of its kind’ biomedical and technological innovations for better health outcomes.
  • Proposals which aimed  for ‘incremental knowledge’ or ‘process innovation’ will not be funded through this scheme.
• Criteria: Ideas that are novel, out of the box, futuristic and generate new knowledge. Discovery / development of breakthrough health technologies (vaccines, drugs/ therapeutics, diagnostics etc) which has never been thought of, tested or tried in the world till date will be considered.
• Participants: The proposals can be submitted by an individual or by a team of researchers (either from a single institute or from multiple institutes). 

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Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

• It is the apex body in India for formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
• Establishment: It was established In 1911 as  Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) and is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world.
  • In 1949, the IRFA was re-designated as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) 
• Funding: The ICMR is funded by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Headed: The governing body of the council is presided over by the Union Health Minister
• National Registry: In 2007, the organisation established the Clinical Trials Registry – India, which is India’s national registry for clinical trials

India, Algeria sign pact to boost defence cooperation

Context: The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Algeria on bilateral defense cooperation marks a significant step in deepening strategic partnership. 

Key highlights of the MoU

• Enhanced Defence Collaboration: The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in defence, focusing on mutual understanding, knowledge sharing, and collaborative efforts to strengthen strategic interests.
• Exchange of Expertise: It includes provisions for sharing military experiences and expertise, particularly in areas where India has expertise, such as defence production, as part of its ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for the World’ initiatives.
• Commitment to Peaceful Resolutions: India emphasised its stance on peaceful resolution of conflicts, showcasing India as a reliable global partner, or Vishwa Bandhu.
• Reopening Defence Wings: India re-established its defence wing in Algeria, welcoming the reopening of Algeria’s defence wing in India, signalling a renewed commitment to bilateral defence diplomacy.

Digital India Common Service Centre (DICSC) project

Context: MeitY is launching the DICSC project in Pilibhit and Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, with plans to expand to 4,740 centres across 10 districts in India.

About DICSC

• Objective: To bridge the digital divide in rural India by providing accessible e-governance, financial, and commercial services to citizens, ensuring digital inclusion and empowerment.
• Service Offerings: Each DICSC centre will provide a range of essential services, including Aadhaar registration, banking, financial planning, tele-law, telemedicine, education, and e-commerce, functioning as multi-functional hubs with high-speed broadband.
• Budget Allocation:  Rs 31.6 crore 
• Centralised Monitoring: CSC e-Governance Services India Limited will handle project implementation and technical monitoring, promoting transparency and efficient service delivery.

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