theIASHub | 14 May, 2025 | 5
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India’s First 3nm Chip Design Centres : Recently, the Union Minister for Electronics & IT, Railways, and Information & Broadcasting inaugurated two state-of-the-art chip design facilities of Renesas Electronics India Pvt. Ltd. in Noida and Bengaluru.
o These centres are India’s first to undertake 3 nm chip design, a major leap in semiconductor innovation.
o A new semiconductor learning kit has been launched to enhance hands-on training in chip design for engineering students.
o Over 270 academic institutions will receive these kits to complement their existing EDA (Electronic, Design, Automation) software tools and close the hardware-software skills gap.
o Semiconductors have become a priority area under India's self-reliance drive, with chip demand rising across smartphones, laptops, defense, automotive, and medical electronics.
Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve : Recently, the Himachal Pradesh government notified the Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve in the remote Spiti Valley as the largest conservation reserve in India.
o The declaration was made under Section 36A(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, marking a significant step in biodiversity preservation in high-altitude ecosystems.
o Located in Spiti Valley, bordered by Ladakh, Kibber and Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Kabjima Nala.
o Includes the ecologically vital confluence of the Unam River and Charap Nala.
o Known for its high snow leopard density, making it a critical site for the conservation of this elusive predator.
o Other key species include the Tibetan wolf, bharal (blue sheep), Himalayan ibex, kiang (wild ass), Tibetan argali, and rare birds like the Rose Finch, Tibetan Raven, and Yellow-billed Chough.
o A dedicated management committee will include community representatives.
o Aims to promote eco-tourism, research, and livelihoods while ensuring conservation.
Global Report on Internal Displacements 2025: Recently, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) published the Global Report on Internal Displacement 2025.
o 45.8 million people were displaced globally in 2024, the highest since tracking began in 2008, with climate-related weather events responsible for 99.5% of the displacements.
o Disasters driven by climate change affected 29 countries, including the US, marking the highest displacement figures for these nations.
o East Asia & Pacific: 16.2 million displaced, 14.8 million by disasters.
o South Asia: 9.2 million disaster-related displacements, nearly tripling due to El Niño droughts.
o It tracks forced movements of people within a country during a specific year.
o Established: 1998 , HQ: Geneva
oIt influences policy and actions of governments, UN agencies, donors, and NGOs through evidence-based advocacy.
First Geothermal Production In Northeast Region: Recently, the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) drilled the first geothermal production well in Dirang, a town in West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh.
o This groundbreaking project has the potential to make Dirang India’s first geothermal-powered town.
o It is harnessed by tapping into steam or hot water reservoirs beneath the Earth's surface.
o This energy can be used directly for heating or converted into electricity through geothermal power plants.
o Around 350 geothermal energy locations have been discovered in India by the Geological Survey of India.
o The Himalayas, Sohana, West Coast, Cambay (Gujarat), Godavari, Mahanadi, and Son-Narmada-Tapi (SONATA) geothermal provinces, as well as a number of geothermal springs, make up India's geothermal provinces.
o Geothermal resources in India have been mapped, and a broad estimate suggests that there could be a 10 gigawatt (GW) geothermal power potential (MNRE).
India’s Air Defence Shield : India's air defense strategy is centered around the Integrated Air Command and Control System( IACCS), which integrates data from various assets to respond swiftly to aerial threats.
o It played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor, enhancing military effectiveness.
o An automated command and control system that connects a range of air defence systems including: Ground-based radar, Airborne sensors, Civilian radar, Communication nodes and Air Force control centres.
o Provides a consolidated real-time feed, enhancing situational awareness for military commanders.
o Centralized control and decentralized execution allow for rapid decisions and effective response to aerial threats, improving reaction time.
o Manage overlapping radar and radio coverage to ensure effective airspace management.
o Works within a multilayered defence grid, including counter-drone systems and MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defence Systems), and progressing to advanced surface-to-air missiles at various ranges.
o Focuses on low-level airspace monitoring and connects air defence weapon systems on the ground.
o It is set to integrate with IACCS to ensure better coordination between Army and Air Force air defence operations.
PM SHRI Scheme: Recently, Kerala decided to approach the Supreme Court over the Centre’s withholding of ₹1,500 crore for education schemes, reportedly due to its non-participation in the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme.
o Objective: To establish inclusive, nurturing schools with modern infrastructure, holistic education, and competency-based learning.
o Implementation Timeline: Active from 2022–23 to 2026–27.Post-implementation, states/UTs will sustain the achieved benchmarks.
o Emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, communication; uses experiential, learner-centered pedagogy.
o Features smart classrooms, advanced labs (science, vocational, Atal Tinkering), promotes sustainability through water conservation, waste management, energy efficiency, and adopts competency-based evaluations tied to real-world applications.
o Eligible Schools(using UDISE+ data): Government-run schools at Central, State, UT, and local levels. Also includes KVs and JNVs (non-project, permanent buildings only).
WTO Agreement on Safeguards (AoS) : Recently, India formally notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its intention to impose retaliatory tariffs on $7.6 billion worth of U.S. goods.
o This move responds to the U.S. decision to reintroduce 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from March 2025, citing national security and offering no exemptions by country or product.
o Purpose: Prevent or reduce harm to domestic industries by temporarily restricting imports.
o Forms: May include import quotas or raising tariffs above bound rates.
o Nature: Unlike anti-dumping and countervailing duties, no unfair trade practice needs to be proven.
o Should apply on a non-selective, Most-Favored-Nation basis
o Requires compensation to affected trading partners.
Repairability Index (RI): The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) in India has submitted a report on the Framework for Repairability Index (RI) in the mobile and electronic sector.
Treasury Bill: India recently rolled over a $50 million treasury bill for the Maldives, continuing a Government-to-Government arrangement established in 2019, where India provides annual emergency financial aid through treasury bill rollovers.
o First issued in India in 1917.
o Issued via auctions conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) at regular intervals.
o These are short term debt instruments issued by the Government of India.
o Tenure: These are presently issued in three tenors, namely, 91 day, 182 day and 364 day.
o These are zero coupon securities and pay no interest. Instead, they are issued at a discount and redeemed at the face value at maturity.
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