These current affairs are written in a easy to remember format and are useful for competitive exams like - UPSC Civil Services, UPPSC, BPSC, MPPPSC, State PSCs and other competitive examinations.
Earth Observation Satellite EOS-3 or Geoimaging Satellite (GISAT-1)
India's attempt to place a geoimaging satellite EOS-3/GISAT-1 with its GSLV-F10-EOS-3 mission did not succeed.
EOS-3/GISAT-1 (2,268 kg) was the first state-of-art agile Earth Observation Satellite which would have been placed in a Geo-Synchronous orbit about 36,000 km above earth's equator
Geo-imaging satellite for earth observation EOS-03, which would enable near real-time monitoring of natural disasters like floods and cyclones, was scheduled for launch in August, 2021.
It was carried on board the 14th flight of the GSLV, the GSLV-F10.
EOS-03 is capable of imaging the whole country four-five times daily.
In addition to natural disasters, EOS-03 would also enable monitoring of water bodies, crops, vegetation condition and forest cover changes.
In February, 2021, the space agency launched Brazil's earth observation satellite Amazonia-1 along with 18 other co-passenger satellites on board the PSLV C-51.
Science & Tech
Anaimalai flying frog
Anaimalai flying frog is endemic to the Anaimalai Hills, a part of the southern the Western Ghats in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala states, India.
Also known as the False Malabar Gliding Frog, this species is usually larger than bush frogs: the female can grow up to three inches.
The female creates foam nests on leaves, into which the eggs are laid and the male fertilises them.
The outer layer of foam protects the eggs from bacteria, predators and weather changes.
When the eggs hatch, the nest disintegrates and tadpoles drop into the water body below.
This species is known from at least two protected areas, Indira Gandhi National Park and Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.
IUCN: Critically Endangered
Environment
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yoiana (PMKSY)
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched in 2015 with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm, expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc.
It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (Core Scheme), centre-states will be 75:25 per cent. In the case of the north-eastern region and hilly states, it will be 90:10.
It is formulated by amalgamating ongoing schemes:
1) Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) - Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
2) Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) - Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development.
3) On-Farm Water Management (OFWM) - Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC).
Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) is one of the components of PMKSY to expand the cultivable area under assured irrigation.
The scheme also aims to enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies under More crop per drop.
Watershed Development (WD): Ridge territory treatment, seepage line treatment, soil and dampness protection, water reaping and other watershed intercessions.
The Scheme was valid till March, 2021, the extension of the scheme for the period 2021-26 is under consideration of the Government.
Gov. Schemes
"Pani Maah" campaign in Ladakh
Ladakh launched a month-long campaign - "Pani Maah" (Water Month) to increase the pace of implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the UT and to inform and engage village communities on the importance of clean water.
Pani Maah will run at the Block and Panchayat level in two phases.
The campaign will adopt a three-pronged approach focussing on water quality testing, planning and strategizing water supply, and seamless functioning of Pani Sabha in villages.
Ladakh also announced an award of Rs. 5 lakh per village for the first 5 "Har Ghar Jal" villages of each district in UT and Rs. 25 lakh to the first "Har Ghar Jal" block in each district.
Gov. Schemes
What is "Mission Vatsalya" ?
Mission Vatsalya or Vatsalya Maatri Amrit Kosh was launched by the Ministry of health and family welfare.
It is a scheme to promote breastfeeding and thereby reduce infant mortality.
Under this mission, a national human milk bank and lactation counselling centre was established in Delhi.
Recently, the ministry of women and child development classified all of its major schemes under 3 umbrella schemes: Mission Poshan 2.0, Mission Vatsalya and Mission Shakti.
Gov. Schemes
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) e-Box
POCSO E-Box
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) e-Box launched in 2016 is an online complaint box for reporting child sexual abuse.It is an National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) initiative to help children report such crimes directly to the Commission.
E-Box is very simple to operate and will help to maintain the confidentiality of the complaint.
POCSO Act 2012
The Government of India has implemented the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 which is a comprehensive law that provides protection to children from the offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography.The Act was amended in 2019 to introduce more stringent punishment including death penalty for committing sexual crimes on children, with a view to deter the perpetrators & prevent such crimes against children.
Section 44 (1) of POCSO Act, 2012 provides that National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) shall monitor the implementation of the provisions of the Act.
Social Issues