Current Context : The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO’s) uncrewed Gaganyaan mission in 2025 will carry the female half humanoid Vyomitra (literally “space friend”).

• The design for Vyomitra’s skull, fashioned by ISRO’s Inertial Systems Unit in the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• The humanoid skull model has dimensions of 200mm x 200mm, and weighs only 800 grams.
• Robotic systems are used to assist astronauts in performing repetitive and/or dangerous tasks in space, like cleaning of solar panels or fixing faulty equipment located outside the spacecraft.
• This protects astronauts, and allows them to work on the scientific mission at hand.

WHAT ARE HUMANOIDS?

• Humanoids (or half-humanoids) are robotic systems designed to resemble humans.
• Vyomitra comes with movable arms, a torso, a face, and a neck and function autonomously in space.

Current Context : Union Cabinet approved the expansion of Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF).

• Aim : to bolster agricultural infrastructure, support viable community farming assets, include integrated processing projects, align with PM-KUSUM Component-A.
• It allow all eligible beneficiaries to create infrastructure under ‘viable projects for building community farming assets.’

AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND (AIF) SCHEME

• Aim : to improve agricultural infrastructure across the country by modernize agriculture, increase farmers’ income, and reduce post-harvest losses.
• Launched in 2020
• Implement Agency : Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare

Current Context : Sunil Kumar, a disabled teacher from Chamba district, has been selected for the prestigious National Teachers award.

• He is the only teacher from the state to be nominated for the award this year.
• President Draupadi Murmu will confer the award on 5^th September (Teachers’ Day) at a ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

ABOUT NATIONAL TEACHERS’ AWARD

• It is a prestigious recognition given annually by the Government of India to honor the extraordinary contributions of teachers in the field of education.
• The awards are typically presented by the President of India on Teachers’ Day, which is celebrated annually on September 5th.
• This day also marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a distinguished teacher and the second President of India.
• It is one of the highest recognitions for educators in India.
• Eligibility : Teachers from primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools across the country are eligible for this award.

Current Context : The government has banned 156 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs, including popular medicines such as Cheston Cold and Foracet, used for cold and fever and pain respectively.

ABOUT FIXED-DOSE COMBINATION

• Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) drugs are pharmaceutical products that contain two or more active ingredients combined in a single dosage form, such as a tablet or capsule.
• These combinations are designed to improve patient compliance, enhance therapeutic efficacy, and simplify treatment regimens, particularly for chronic conditions where multiple medications are required.
• FDCs are meant for patients with conditions such as tuberculosis and diabetes for which they need to take multiple medicines regularly.
• FDCs reduce the number of pills the patient needs to take each day, and help improve adherence to the treatment.

Current Context : The meteorological agency issued an emergency warning due to Japan’s strongest typhoon made landfall in the country’s south-west, bringing torrential rain and winds of up to 252 km/h (157 mph).

ABOUT TROPICAL CYCLONE

• Tropical cyclones are powerful and destructive weather systems characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges.
• Formation : over warm ocean waters, where sea surface temperatures are above 26.5°C (80°F).
• They develop from tropical depressions, which are low-pressure areas with organized thunderstorms.
• The Coriolis effect, which is caused by the Earth’s rotation, helps in the spinning and development of the cyclone.
• Movement: Tropical cyclones move from east to west, are influenced by trade winds, and are seasonal.
• They are known by different names in various parts of the world, such as
  • Hurricanes : North Atlantic, Northeast Pacific.
  • Typhoons : Northwest Pacific.
  • Cyclones : Indian Ocean, South Pacific.

Current Context : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has fined the Punjab government a huge amount Rs 1,000 crore for failed to manage its solid and liquid waste properly, despite many warnings and legal obligations.

ABOUT NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL (NGT)

• It is a specialized judicial body in India that handles cases related to environmental protection and conservation.
• It was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
• Objective : providing a dedicated platform for addressing environmental issues and ensuring effective and timely justice in environmental matters.
• Jurisdiction: wide range of environmental issues, including air and water pollution, hazardous waste management, forest conservation, and biodiversity protection.
  • It has the authority to handle cases arising under various environmental laws, including the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, among others.

Current Context : Solar paraboloid technology is emerging as a potentially transformative solution to grapple the urgent need to transition to renewable energy in the world.

ABOUT SOLAR PARABOLOIDS

• It is an advanced form of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) and operates using a Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) system.
• It consists of long, parabolic mirrors that focus sunlight onto a receiver tube positioned at the focal line of the mirror.
• Advantages : it has ability to operate at higher temperatures, up to 300C, significantly increasing thermal efficiency and reduce heat loss.

Current Context : Department Of Pension And Pensioners’ Welfare Organises 7th Anubhav Awards Ceremony.

ABOUT ANUBHAV PORTAL

• Launched in 2015
• ‘Anubhav’ is an online initiative that enables submission and display of commendable work done by retiring employees.
• It is a platform for the retiring Central Government employees to showcase commendable work done during service, to share their experiences of working in the Government and to give suggestions for improvement in governance.
• It is an initiative of the Department of Pensions & Pensioners’ Welfare, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.

Current Context : Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched the National Medical Register Portal for the registration of all MBBS doctors in India.

• National Medical Register will be a comprehensive and dynamic database for all allopathic (MBBS) registered doctors in India.

ABOUT NATIONAL MEDICAL REGISTER (NMR)

• It is mandated under Section 31 of the NMC Act, 2019.
• It states that the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of NMC shall maintain a National Register in electronic form containing the name, address, and all recognised qualifications possessed by a licensed medical practitioner.
• It is linked with the Aadhaar ID of the doctors which ensures the individual’s authenticity.
• It strengthens the digital healthcare ecosystem, ensures transparent access to quality medical professionals, consolidates public trust in healthcare etc.

ABOUT NATIONAL MEDICAL COMMISSION (NMC)

• It is the apex regulatory body for medical education and practice in India.
• Established by the National Medical Commission Act, 2019,
• NMC was created to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI)
• Aim : to improve the quality and accessibility of medical education and healthcare services in the country.
• It sets standards for medical education and training across India.

Current Context : Recently, PM Modi marked ten years of the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).

• It is a national mission for financial inclusion. Over the last decade,13 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been opened, with 29.56 crore women beneficiaries.

ABOUT PRADHAN MANTRI JAN DHAN YOJANA 

• Launched: August 28, 2014
• Objective: To provide financial inclusion to all households, ensuring access to banking services for the unbanked and underserved populations in India. The scheme aims to bring people into the formal banking system.

FEATURES:

• Zero Balance Accounts: Individuals can open bank accounts without the need for an initial deposit.

INSURANCE AND BENEFITS:

• Accidental Insurance: ₹2 lakh for death or permanent disability due to an accident.
• Life Insurance: ₹30,000 cover for eligible accounts (subject to conditions).