Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 26th August 2024

Sonoluminescence:

It is a fascinating phenomenon where small gas bubbles in a liquid emit a brief flash of light when exposed to intense sound waves.

• This phenomenon was first observed in 1934 by two German engineers studying sonar, a method of using sound waves for navigation similar to how bats operate.
• The process begins when a tiny bubble trapped in a liquid is subjected to powerful sound waves.
• These waves cause the bubble to rapidly expand and contract due to alternating high and low-pressure phases.
• During the contraction phase, the bubble compresses so rapidly that its internal temperature skyrockets to several thousand kelvins.
• This extreme heat ionizes the gases inside the bubble, resulting in the emission of light energy for a fraction of a second—about a trillionth of a second.

National Quantum Mission : India’s First Quantum Computer Set For Launch

India’s first quantum computer set for launch under National Quantum Mission. The National Quantum Mission is set to advance India’s quantum technologies across four key verticals: quantum computing, communication, measurement and sensing.

• The mission has been allocated nearly ₹6,000 crore, with plans to establish four Section 8 companies under the aegis of premier institutions like IITs and IISc. These companies will spearhead activities across the identified verticals.
• The National Quantum Mission (NQM) is a visionary initiative (2023) led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to fortify India’s research and development in the quantum domain.
• Over the next eight years (2023-2031), the mission aims to pioneer the development of intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits using cutting-edge platforms like superconducting and photonic technology.
• It seeks to establish satellite-based secure quantum communications. It spans a range of 2000 km within India and extends to other countries.
• It seeks to develop highly sensitive magnetometers in atomic systems and precision atomic clocks for timing, communications, and Navigation.
• It will provide crucial support for the design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor structures, and topological materials to fabricate advanced quantum devices.
• Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs): To catalyze research and development, four T-Hubs will be instituted in premier academic and national research and development institutes, with a focus on igniting new knowledge through fundamental and applied research, as well as driving R&D activities forward.
• It will find utility across diverse sectors including healthcare, diagnostics, defence, energy and data security.

National Medical Register (NMR) Portal:

The Union Health Minister recently launched the National Medical Register Portal in New Delhi.

• National Medical Register (NMR) Portal is a portal of the National Medical Commission (NMC) for the registration of all MBBS doctors eligible for registration in India.
• The NMR is mandated under Section 31 of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019 which states that the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the NMC shall maintain a National Register in electronic form containing the name, address, and all recognised qualifications possessed by a licensed medical practitioner.
• NMR will be a comprehensive and dynamic database for all allopathic (MBBS) registered doctors in India.
• The uniqueness of the NMR is that it is linked with the Aadhaar ID of the doctors, which ensures the individual’s authenticity.
• The whole process of registration in NMR is a very simple online process, and all the medical colleges/institutions (including the Institutes of National Importance (INIs), etc.), State Medical Councils (SMCs) are interlinked on the portal.
• Some data will be visible to the public and others will only be visible to the EMRB in the NMC, SMCs, the National Board of Examinations (NBE), and Medical Institutions (including INIs, etc.), and Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) as per the requirements.
• It offers a variety of features, including the ability to add additional qualifications, track applications, suspend licenses, and issue NMR ID cards and digital doctor certificates.
• NMR will be upgraded and augmented with continuous improvements in the registration process on the portal.

Unified Lending Interface:

Positioned as a platform to transform the lending space, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is currently running a pilot of the Unified Lending Interface (ULI).

• Unified Lending Interface (ULI) is a technological platform that aims to provide a friction-less credit by cutting down the time taken for appraisal, especially for rural and small borrowers.
• It serves as a bridge, connecting banks, Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), fintech firms, and borrowers, enabling a more efficient and transparent credit disbursement process.
• It is expected to cater to a large unmet demand for credit across various sectors, particularly for agricultural and MSME borrowers.
• It facilitates seamless flow of digital information, including land records of various states, from multiple data service providers to lenders.
• It enables the borrowers to get seamless delivery of credit, quicker turnaround time without requiring extensive documentation.
• It has common and standardised Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) designed for a plug-and-play approach to ensure digital access to information from diverse sources, i.e., information relevant to a lender giving out a loan to a potential borrower.
• The entire system is consent-based, i.e., based on the consent of the potential borrower.
• It reduces the complexity of multiple technical integrations.
• It promotes transparency by allowing borrowers to track their loan applications in real-time.

MUDRA 2.0 Loans:

The Union Budget 2024 has increased the loan limit under the scheme’s Tarun category to Rs 20 lakh, targeting those who have successfully repaid previous MUDRA loans.

• Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) is a flagship initiative by the Government of India that was launched in 2015 and aimed at providing affordable credit to micro and small enterprises.
• It focuses on integrating underserved enterprises into the formal financial system by offering them easy access to credit.
• The scheme is designed to “fund the unfunded,” enabling small borrowers to secure loans from various financial institutions including Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Cooperative Banks, Private Sector Banks, Foreign Banks, Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs), and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).
• Loan amount: Up to ₹10 lakh for non-farm income-generating activities in sectors such as manufacturing, processing, trading and services.
• Eligibility: Any Indian citizen with a viable business plan for a non-farm sector income-generating activity requiring credit below ₹10 lakh can apply for a MUDRA loan through banks, MFIs, or NBFCs.
• Categories of Loans:
  • Shishu: Loans up to ₹50,000, aimed at new and micro enterprises.
  • Kishore: Loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh, for businesses in the growth phase.
  • Tarun: Loans from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh, for businesses looking to expand further.
• Subsidy: There is no direct subsidy under PMMY. However, if a loan is linked to a government scheme that provides capital subsidies, the loan can be availed under PMMY with the associated benefits.

PARIVESH 2.0 Portal:

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has mandated the registration of exotic pets listed under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Act with state wildlife departments via the PARIVESH 2.0 portal within 6 months.

• PARIVESH 2.0 Portal (Pro-Active and Responsive facilitation by Interactive, Virtuous, and Environmental Single Window Hub) is a web-based workflow application developed by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for the online submission and monitoring of proposals related to environmental, forest, wildlife, and coastal regulation zone clearances.
• Many living specimens of exotic animal species listed in Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 are in possession of various individuals, organizations and zoos.
• These living specimens of exotic animals listed under Schedule IV of the Act are to be reported and registered by the concerned individuals, organizations and zoos. The registration of these exotic animal species is to be done in the PARIVESH 2.0 portal.

Exotic Species:

• Exotic species refer to animals or plants that are moved from their natural habitat to a new location, often due to human activities.
• According to the Living Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules, 2024, any individual possessing species listed under Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, must report and register them.
• Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022: It mandates the registration of the possession, transfer, birth, and death of species listed in the CITES Appendices and Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Polaris Dawn Mission:

It aims to revolutionise commercial spaceflight with a high-orbit mission and the first-ever private spacewalk by non-professional astronauts.

• Polaris Dawn Mission will be the first non-governmental mission to conduct a spacewalk, reaching an unprecedented altitude of approximately 700 kilometres (435 miles) above Earth.
• It will also orbit Earth through regions of a highly-charged belt of radiation. There are two of these “Van Allen Belts”, an inner and an outer one.
• This altitude surpasses that of the International Space Station (ISS), which orbits at about 400 kilometres.
• SpaceX will provide the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule for the mission.
• The spacecraft will attempt to break the altitude record set by NASA’s Gemini 11 mission in 1966, which reached 1,373 kilometres
• It is spearheaded by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, who previously financed and flew on SpaceX’s Inspiration4 mission, the first civilian mission to orbit Earth.

SPICED Scheme to Boost Spice Exports and Productivity:

The Spices Board of India has introduced the SPICED scheme, a strategic initiative to enhance spice exports and productivity. This scheme, officially named ‘Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development,’ will be implemented throughout the remainder of the 15th Finance Commission cycle.

Olympic Cyclist Daniela Chirinos Passes Away at 51:

The cycling world mourns the loss of Daniela Larreal Chirinos, a celebrated Venezuelan Olympic cyclist who passed away at the age of 51. Chirinos, known for her remarkable career spanning over a decade

International Mother Teresa Awards Celebrated in Dubai:

The 24th International Mother Teresa Awards Ceremony took place on August 26, 2024, at Millennium Plaza Dubai, marking the 114th birth anniversary of the esteemed humanitarian. Organized by the All-India Minority and Weaker Sections Council

New Guidelines for Effective Public Grievance Redressal:

The Union Government has introduced new 2024 guidelines aimed at improving the handling of public grievances, focusing on citizen empowerment and streamlining the redressal process. These guidelines are designed to enhance clarity and efficiency in addressing grievances and incorporate technological advancements through a 10-step reform process

GST Bhawan at Udaipur:

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the new GST Bhawan in Udaipur, located in the Hiran Magri area. The inauguration ceremony included Vedic chanting and the unveiling of the plaque to officially open the complex.