November 6, 2025

Daily Current Affairs

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Scientists develop 3D-printed wearable ring to repel mosquitoes.

October 14, 2022
  • Scientists have developed a new 3D-printed wearable ring designed to repel mosquitoes and other insects for a long time.
  • The active ingredient is first “encapsulated” and formed into the desired shape, such as a ring, which can then be worn and releases an agent that repels insects.
  • The researchers from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) in Germany developed their prototypes using “IR3535,” a common insect repellent.
  • “Mosquito sprays containing IR3535 are very gentle on the skin and have been used all over the world for many years. That’s why we’ve been using the agent for our experiments,” said Professor Rene Androsch from the MLU.
  • It is usually applied as a spray or lotion and offers several hours of protection.
  • However, the team is looking for ways to release the agent over a much longer period, such as by encapsulating it in a wearable ring or bracelet.
  • In the research published in International Journal of Pharmaceutics, the team used a special 3D printing technology to insert the insect repellent into a biodegradable polymer in a controlled manner and to shape the mixture of substances in various ways.
  • The basic idea is that the insect repellent continuously evaporates and forms a barrier for insects,” said lead author of the study, Fanfan Du, a doctoral candidate at the MLU.
  • The rate at which the insect repellent evaporates depends on many different factors, including temperature, concentration and the structure of the polymer used.
  • After conducting various experiments and simulations, the team predicts that the insect repellent needs well over a week to evaporate completely at a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius which is the body temperature.
  • While the researchers have proven that it is absolutely possible to develop a wearable insect repellent, the rings and other forms created for the study are only prototypes.
  • Further study needs to be carried out to determine how well the rings function under actual conditions, the researchers said.
  • The encapsulation material could also be further optimised.
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Category: Health

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CIL to set up 1190 MW solar power plant in Rajasthan.

October 14, 2022
  • As part of its diversification programme for clean coal energy, the Coal India Limited (CIL), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL) for developing a solar power plant of 1190 MW in the state.
  • The MoU was signed in presence of Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot here at a luxury hotel. It will come up at Poogal Tehsil of the Bikaner district.
  • The MoU was signed and exchanged between Pramod Agrawal, Chairman of the CIL and Rajesh Kumar Sharma, CMD, the RRVUNL.
  • The proposed project shall come up in Rajasthan state’s upcoming solar park cleared under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks. It will boost CIL’s pursuit of solar power generation as part of its diversification programme for clean coal energy.
  • The project will be implemented in a phased manner and is expected to be an employment generator in the state apart from providing cleaner power.
  • The RVUNL has planned to develop a 2000 MW solar plant in Bikaner. The state government has allocated 4846 hectares in Poogal tehsil for the project.
  • The CIL has now agreed to set up 1190 MW solar park, and the remaining 810 MW would be done by the state power agency RVUNL.
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Category: States Current Affairs

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PM Gati Shakti-National Master Plan aims to cut down logistic cost by 4-5 pc.

October 14, 2022
  • India will save Rs 10 lakh crore annually if the country is able to bring down the logistic costs by 4-5 percent through PM Gati Shakti-National Master Plan for Multi-model connectivity, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
  • In India logistic cost is around 13-14 percent.
  • Our effort is to bring down the logistic cost by 4-5 percent in the coming years. It will help India save around Rs 10 lakh crore annually.
  • India is improving last mile connectivity through PM Gati Shakti, filling the infrastructure gaps, completing infrastructure projects within a short period of time through PM Gati Shakti, and if we bring down logistics costs from 13-14 percent to single digit or 4-5 percent down, it will save Rs 10 lakh crore annually.
  • “Going forward, as our target is to make the country’s economy $30 trillion by 2047, we need to reduce the logistics cost.
  • Earlier in the programme, Goyal released LEADS (Logistics Ease Across Different States) 2022 report on the ranking of states. According to the report, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Gujarat are among the 15 states and UTs categorised as achievers in the logistics index chart 2022. The index is an indicator of the efficiency of logistical services necessary for promoting exports and economic growth. Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Sikkim and Tripura are the other states categorised as fast movers in the ranking.
  • The 15 states and UTs ranked in the aspirer’s category include Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa and Mizoram.
  • The report ranks the states on the basis of their logistics ecosystem, highlights the key logistics-related challenges faced by the stakeholders and includes suggestive recommendations, according to the fourth LEADS (Logistics Ease Across Different States) 2022 report unveiled by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
  • The index aims at enhancing the focus on improving logistics performance across states which is essential for improving the country’s trade and reducing transaction costs.
  • The first logistics report was released in 2018. No ranking was released last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gujarat was in the first position in both the 2018 and 2019 ranking lists.
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Category: Economy

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Indian Railways set to operate freight versions of Vande Bharat trains.

October 14, 2022
  • Indian Railways is set to operate freight versions of Vande Bharat trains. According to the Railways Ministry, the freight trains will be operationalized to capture additional high value sensitive cargo, which is presently being transported through other modes of transport.
  • The Ministry said, these services are being planned through new freight Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) rolling stock built on Vande Bharat platform. The first service is being introduced between Delhi-NCR and Mumbai The Railways Ministry said, other potential routes for running the freight EMUs will be identified in consultation with potential customers and other stakeholders.
  • Freight EMU rakes have the potential to operate at a speed of 160 EMU rolling stock. It is designed for palletized container transportation.
  • Under the Make in India initiative, a target has been set to manufacture 400 Vande Bharat trains in the coming years.
  • The first Vande Bharat Express train was flagged off in February 2019 between New Delhi to Varanasi.
  • The Vande Bharat train is also operating between New Delhi to Katra route. Recently the Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off an upgraded version of Vande Bharat Express train between Gandhinagar to Mumbai.
  • The specialty of this new Vande Bharat Express train is that it can achieve the speed of zero to hundred kilometers per hour in just 52 seconds. This train has the capability to run at a speed of 180 kilometers per hour.
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Category: Policies and Programmes

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Cabinet approves Rs 6,600 crore scheme ‘PM-DevINE’ for North-Eastern states.

October 14, 2022
  • Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE), a Rs 6,600 crore scheme to support infrastructure, industries and other livelihood projects in the Northeastern states, was approved on Wednesday by the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
  • The new scheme, to be implemented during the remaining four years of the 15th Finance Commission from 2022-23 to 2025-26, is a 100 per cent Central government-funded plan and will be administered by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
  • Efforts will be made to complete the PM-DevINE projects by 2025-26 so that there are no committed liabilities beyond this year and this implies front-loading of the sanctions under the scheme in 2022-23 and 2023-24 primarily.
  • While expenditure would continue to be incurred during 2024-25 and 2025-26, focused attention will be given to completing the sanctioned PM-DevINE projects.
  • The PM-DevINE will lead to the creation of infrastructure, support industries, social development projects and create livelihood activities for youth and women, thus leading to employment generation.
  • Measures would be taken to ensure adequate operation and maintenance of the projects sanctioned under the PM-DevINE so that they are sustainable e.g to limit construction risks of time and cost overrun, falling on the government projects would be implemented on an engineering-procurement-construction (EPC) basis, to the extent possible.
  • The scheme will be implemented by the DoNER ministry through the North Eastern Council (NEC) or central ministries or agencies.
  • The objectives of the PM-DevINE are to: fund infrastructure convergently, in the spirit of PM Gati Shakti, support social development projects based on the needs of the NE region, enable livelihood activities for youth and women and fill the development gaps in various sectors.
  • There are other Ministry of DoNER schemes for the development of the NE region. The average size of projects under other Ministry of DoNER schemes is about Rs 12 crore only.
  • The PM-DevINE will provide support to infrastructure and social development projects which may be larger in size and will also provide an end-to-end development solution instead of isolated projects.
  • It will be also ensured that there is no duplication of project support under the PM-DevINE with any of the other schemes of the DoNER ministry or those of any other ministry and department.
  • The PM-DevINE is in addition to the quantum of resources available for the development of the NE region. It will not be a substitute for existing central and state schemes.
  • While some of the projects to be approved for 2022-23 under the PM-DevINE are part of the budget announcement, projects with substantial socio-economic impact of sustainable livelihood opportunities for the general public (e.g. basic infrastructure in all primary health care centres, comprehensive facilities in government primary and secondary schools, etc.) may be considered in the future.
  • The justification for the announcement of PM-DevINE is that the parameters of NE states in respect of Basic Minimum Services (BMS) are well below the national average and there are critical development gaps as per the District Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Index 2021-22 prepared by NITI Aayog, UNDP and the Ministry of DoNER.
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Category: Policies and Programmes

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Indo-US Vaccine Action Programme Joint Statement extended till 2027.

October 14, 2022
  • The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is implementing a focused bilateral collaborative programme known as the Indo-US Vaccine Action Programme (VAP), jointly with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, since July 1987.
  • The current five-year VAP Joint Statement has been extended till 2027.
  • Rajesh S. Gokhale, the Secretary, DBT along with the Indian delegation comprising senior officials from DBT is visiting the USA for the 34th Meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) of VAP and other scientific consultations.
  • The JWG provides oversight to VAP and comprises of Experts and the policy makers from India and US.
  • The meeting held at the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland in US. During the meeting, the Joint statement of Indo-US VAP has been signed by Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale and Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director, NIAID considering the five year extension accorded to the programme till 2027.
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Category: International

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President Droupadi Murmu inaugurates ‘PARAM KAMRUPA’ Supercomputer facility at IIT Guwahati.

October 14, 2022
  • President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated ‘PARAM KAMRUPA’ Supercomputer facility and a high-power active and passive component laboratory of SAMEER at Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati on the first day of her visit to the State.
  • The Param Kamrupa, one of its kind supercomputers in the North East region, installed under the National Supercomputing Mission.
  • The Super Computer Param Kamrupa will provide advance computing, healthcare techniques along with solutions for many issues to this region. Many components of this super computer developed indigenously.
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Category: Science and Technology

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Shoolini University top private institute.

October 13, 2022
  • Himachal Pradesh-based Shoolini University has been ranked best private universities in India in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2023.
  • Terming the achievement as a matter of national pride, university Chancellor and Founder Dr PK Khosla said, “It is a collective result of the untiring efforts of our faculty in teaching and research.”
  • The university has been ranked 351-400 overall and 39th in the category ‘Citations’ in the world.
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Category: States Current Affairs

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Drugs from Himachal units fail quality test: CDSCO report.

October 13, 2022
  • Around 45 samples of medicines were found to be of substandard quality, according to a report of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) released last month.
  • The CDSCO is the central drug authority for discharging functions assigned to the Central government under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
  • Of the failed samples, Himachal Pradesh-based manufacturing units have more than 13 samples of substandard quality.
  • The samples of the most basic drug, Paracetamol, drawn from several manufacturing units in Himachal have failed the dissolution test.
  • Dissolution testing is important for characterising the performance of oral solid dosage forms. Dissolution testing measures the extent and rate of solution formation from a dosage form, such as tablet, capsule, ointment, etc.
  • The dissolution of a drug is important for its bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness.
  • Recently, Nixi Laboratories of Kala Amb, Himachal Pradesh, was under the scanner because one of its drugs, anaesthesia Propofol, failed the quality test.
  • The samples were collected from a pharmacist at the emergency ward of the PGIMER, Chandigarh, following the death of five persons, who were administered the anaesthetic drug during a surgical procedure.
  • The Himachal Pradesh firm has been asked to recall all batches of Propofol.
  • In May this year, the Assistant Drugs Controller and Licensing Authority, New Delhi, had launched an inquiry against Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited and declared one of its drugs, Telmisartan (blood pressure medication), as “spurious” under Section 17 B (e) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
  • Ofloxacin and Ornidazole, an antibiotic of Mohali-based manufacturing firm, has also failed the “assay test”.
  • An “assay test” is an investigative procedure for assessing or measuring the presence, amount or functional activity of a drug (the analyte).
  • Gentamicin injection, another antibiotic injection manufactured by a Chandigarh-based firm, has failed the bacterial endotoxins and sterility tests.
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Category: States Current Affairs

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36th National Games comes to a close at ceremony in Surat; Goa to host 37th National Games in October next year.

October 13, 2022
  • The 36th National Games came to a close with a glittering ceremony at Surat yesterday evening.  Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar chaired the closing ceremony.
  • Services topped the medal tally with a total of 128 medals including 61 Gold, 35 silver, and 32 bronze medals.
  • Maharashtra secured the number 2 position with 140 medals including 39 gold and
  • Haryana number 3 with 116 medals with 38 Gold. The winners were awarded on the occasion.
  • Harshika Ramchandran from Karnataka won the best female player of the36h National games and Sajan Prakash from Kerala won the Best Male player of the games.
  • About 7500 players from 36 states and union territories participated in 36 types of sports competitions held in six cities of the state.
  • Goa will host the 37th National Games in October next year.
  • The Goa delegation received the IOA flag at the Closing Ceremony of the 36th National Games in Surat.
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Category: Sports

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