08 July 2024 PIB
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. PLI Scheme for White Goods 2. Project PARI 3. Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement 4. Effect of plasma composition on dynamics of astrophysical jets from celestial bodies 5. Agnibaan
1. PLI Scheme for White Goods
Syllabus: GS-2, Schemes
Prelims: PLI Scheme, White Goods
Context:
The government reopens the application window for the PLI Scheme for White Goods (ACs and LED Lights) for 90 days from 15th July 2024.
Details:
- The application window for the PLI Scheme for White Goods (ACs and LED Lights) is being reopened based on the appetite of the Industry to invest more under the Scheme.Â
- This is an outcome of the growing market and confidence generated due to the manufacturing of key components of ACs and LED Lights in India under the PLIWG Scheme.Â
- The application window for the Scheme shall remain open for the period from 15th July 2024 to 12th October 2024 (inclusive) on the same online portal (https://pliwhitegoods.ifciltd.com/).
- To avoid any discrimination, both new applicants, as well as existing beneficiaries of PLIWG who propose to invest more by way of switching over to a higher target segment or their group companies applying under different target segments, would be eligible to apply subject to fulfilling the eligibility conditions mentioned in the scheme guidelines.
- Further, to maintain liquidity in the business, better working capital management, and enhance the operational efficiency of beneficiaries, it has been decided to introduce the system of quarterly claims processing of PLI in place of processing of claims on an annual basis.
2. Project PARI
Syllabus:
GS-2, Schemes; GS-1, Art & Culture
Prelims: Project PARI
Context:
The Ministry of Culture initiated Project PARI (Public Art of India) on the occasion of the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting, which is being held in New Delhi from 21st-31st July 2024.
Project PARI:
- Project PARI aims to provide a platform to uplift the aesthetic and cultural outlook of Delhi while adding grandeur to the rich historical legacy of our national capital.
- Under it, Lalit Kala Akademi, an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, has invited more than 150 visual artists from all over the country.
- Traditional art forms as well as sculptures, murals, and installations have been created under this beautification project.Â
- It includes Phad paintings (Rajasthan), Thangka painting (Sikkim/Ladakh), miniature painting (Himachal Pradesh), Gond art (Madhya Pradesh), Tanjore paintings (Tamil Nadu), Kalamkari (Andhra Pradesh), Alpona art (West Bengal), Cheriyal painting (Telangana), Pichhwai Painting (Rajasthan), Lanjia Saura (Odisha), Pattachitra (West Bengal), Bani Thani Painting (Rajasthan), Warli (Maharashtra), Pithora Art (Gujarat), Aipan (Uttarakhand), Kerala Murals (Kerala), Alpana art (Tripura) and more.
Significance of Project PARI:
- The representation of Art in public spaces is particularly significant as it showcases the nation’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.Â
- The democratization of art through public installations transforms urban landscapes into accessible galleries, where art transcends the confines of traditional venues such as museums and galleries.Â
- By integrating art into streets, parks, and transit hubs, these initiatives ensure that artistic experiences are available to one and all.
3. Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement
Syllabus: GS-3, Environment
Prelims: Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement
Mains: BBNJ, UNCLOS
Context:
Union Cabinet approves India’s signing of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
Details:
- This landmark decision marks a significant step towards the conservation and sustainable utilisation of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.Â
- Often referred to as the ‘High Seas’, areas beyond national jurisdiction are the global common oceans open to all for internationally lawful purposes such as navigation, overflight, laying submarine cables and pipelines, etc.Â
- The Ministry of Earth Sciences will spearhead the country’s implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.
BBNJ Agreement, or the ‘High Seas Treaty’:
- It is an international treaty under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that aims to address the growing concerns over the long-term protection of marine biodiversity in the high seas.Â
- It sets precise mechanisms for the sustainable use of marine biological diversity through international cooperation and coordination.Â
- Parties cannot claim or exercise sovereign rights over marine resources derived from the high seas and ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits.Â
Read more on the Treaty of the High Seas in the linked article.
Significance of India signing the treaty:
- Allows India to enhance its strategic presence in areas beyond our EEZ.
- Provides shared monetary benefits.
- Further strengthen India’s marine conservation efforts and collaborations.
- Open newer avenues for scientific research and development.
- Improve access to samples, sequences and information, capacity building and technology transfer, etc.
4. Effect of plasma composition on dynamics of astrophysical jets from celestial bodies
Syllabus: GS-3, Science and technology
Prelims: Latest scientific advancements and discoveries
Context:
Scientists discover the effect of plasma composition on the dynamics of astrophysical jets from celestial bodies.
Details:
- Scientists have traced the effect of plasma composition of astrophysical jets which are outflows of ionized matter that are emitted as extended beams from celestial objects like black holes, neutron stars and pulsars.
Background:
- Despite years of research, it is not known what kind of matter astrophysical jets are composed of, whether they are made of bare electrons or protons or whether positively charged electrons called positrons are also present.Â
- Knowing the jet composition is vital as it will allow us to pinpoint the exact physical process at work near black holes and neutron stars.Â
- In general, in theoretical studies, the relation between thermodynamic quantities of the jet like mass density, energy density and pressure does not have the information of composition.Â
- Such a relation is called the equation of state of the jet matter.Â
Current Study:
- Scientists from the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India, used a relativistic equation of state which was partly proposed by them in an earlier paper on the role of composition of relativistic plasma in the actual evolution of jets.
- The researchers showed that the change in plasma composition leads to the difference in propagation velocities of the jets even if the initial parameters for the jets remain the same.Â
- Jets composed of electrons and positrons were found to be slowest in comparison to jets containing protons, contrary to expectation. Protons are about two thousand times more massive than electrons or positrons.
- It is essential to understand the plasma composition of jets as the change in plasma composition changes the internal energy of the jet which is reflected in the change in propagation speeds.Â
- In addition, the plasma composition also affects the jet structures like the number and strength of recollimation shocks, shape and dynamics of reverse shock and so on.Â
- Recollimation shocks are the regions in the jet beam that form due to the interaction of the jet beam with the backflowing material.
- The electron-positron jets show more pronounced turbulent structures.Â
- The growth of these structures also results in the deceleration of the jets. The formation and growth of turbulent structures are known to affect the stability of the jets. Hence, plasma composition may also influence the long-term stability of the jets.
5. Agnibaan
Syllabus: GS-3, Science and technology
Prelims: Agnibaan
Mains: Space sector developments, Private sector in the space sector
Context:
An innovative two-stage orbital launch vehicle called Agnibaan powered by India’s first patented Single-Piece 3D-printed Semi-Cryogenic Engines developed and incubated at IIT Madras was launched on 30th May 2024.
Details:
- Agnibaan was developed by Agnikul, a startup in space tech that was incubated at Incubation Cell, IIT Madras [a TBI supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST)]
- The startup works out of the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) at IIT Madras which is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
NCCRD:
- NCCRD supported by DST develops state-of-the-art capabilities in combustion research.Â
- It is the world’s largest combustion research centre working on automotive, thermal power and aerospace propulsion, fire research and microgravity combustion.Â
- Apart from academic research and training, NCCRD works closely with industrial and R&D organizations. Â
- NCCRD supported by DST has been the training ground for Agnikul, where they learnt the intricacies of building a rocket and this helped the startup figure out the technology in the initial phases.Â
Agnikul:
- The Chennai-based Agnikul has developed a range of technologies that can improve the reliability of space engines and speed up their manufacturing, making it easier to organize space missions.Â
- The startup has successfully launched its first inaugural mission – Agnibaan SOrTeD.Â
- Agnibaan SOrTeD (Agnibaan Sub-Orbital Technology Demonstrator) is a single-stage vehicle propelled by a single semi-cryogenic pressure-fed engine which has been used for Agnibaan.Â
- This endeavour took place from India’s first private launchpad at SDSC SHAR.
Read previous PIB articles here.
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