• The Indian Space Research Organisation is collaborating with the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru,an autonomous research institute, to build the X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) that is scheduled to be launched later in 2023.

ABOUT X-RAY POLARIMETER SATELLITE (XPOSAT)

• It is India’s first, and only the world’s second polarimetry mission that is meant to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.
• The other such major mission is NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) that was launched in 2021.
• XPoSat will carry two scientific payloads in a low earth orbit:
  • Primary payload POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) will measure polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarisation) in energy range of 8-30 keV (kiloelectron volt).
    • This is first payload in medium X-ray energy band dedicated for polarimetry measurements.
  • XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will give spectroscopic information (on how light is absorbed and emitted by objects) in energy range of 0.8-15 keV.
    • It observes several types of sources viz, X-ray pulsars, Black-hole binaries, low-magnetic field neutron star

• The Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) will continue for an additional two years beyond its original 2025 end date, as per the recent National Level Steering Committee (NLSC)

ABOUT ATAL BHUJAL YOJANA

• It is a Central Sector Scheme, launched in 2020, under Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• It demonstrates community-led sustainable groundwater management which can be taken to scale.
• It envisages people’s participation through the formation of ‘Water User Associations’, water budgeting, preparation & implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans, etc.
• The identified over-exploited and water-stressed areas for the implementation of the scheme are Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • The States have been selected according to the degree of groundwater exploitation and degradation, established legal and regulatory instruments, institutional readiness, and experience in implementing initiatives related to groundwater management.
• Funding: 50:50 between Government of India and World Bank.
• Atal Jal is active across 8,220 water-stressed Gram Panchayats within 80 districts of seven Indian states.

• More than 60000 birds of 88 Bird species were found in lake during annual summer survey of birds conducted by Chilika wildlife division of Odisha.
• The species grey-headed swamphen or purple swamphen were spotted the most number (8,386) followed by Asian Openbilled-stork, whiskered tern, little cormorant, little egret and others.

ABOUT CHILIKA LAKE

• It is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon.
• Located at the mouth of the Daya River, Chilka Lake is the largest coastal lagoon in India and also the second largest saltwater lagoon in the world after the New Caledonian barrier reef in New Caledonia.
• It is studded with small islands including Nalabana island, rajhans island, honeymoon island, breakfast island
• Chilika Lake was first Indian Wetland of International Importance (WII) to be designated under Ramsar Convention in 1981.
• It was also first site in Asia which was removed from Montreux Record (MR) in 2002.
• It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent.
• Birds from the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and Southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas come here.
• Kalijai Temple, devoted to Goddess Kalijai is situated on an island in Chilika Lake.
• Satapada side of Chilika lake is best place to observe Irrawaddy dolphins (IUCN Red List –Endangered).

• The Rajasthan government has decided to promote the use of manufactured sand (M-Sand) as an inexpensive and easy alternative to river sand.
• The state government in its M-Sand policy- 2020 has made it compulsory to use at least 25 % of it in government constructions.
  • The policy, 2020 aims to redress the problem of waste from mines along with generating employment at local level.
• Also the Sand Mining Framework, 2018, prepared by Ministry of Mines, envisages alternative sources of sand in the form of M-Sand from crushed rock fines (crusher dust), etc.

ABOUT M–SAND

• It is produced by crushing rocks, and quarry stones to a stipulated size of 150 microns.
• Properties
  • High concrete strength compared to river sand.
  • The sand particles of M sand are in cubic form making the bond stronger.
  • Zero silt content.
  • Better quality control from being manufactured in a controlled environment.
• Benefits of M- Sand
  • More cost-effective than using natural sand.
  • consistent grain size and shape.
  • it reduces the need for mining natural sand, thus prevents its negative environmental impacts.
  • it does not require washing before use. Hence, reduces the amount of water required for construction projects.
  • Helps maintaining water table.

• RECENTLY, Chief Justice of India condemned the practice of forum shopping.
• When litigants or lawyers attempt to deliberately move their case to a particular judge or Court where they think the judgment could be more favourable, they are said to be “forum shopping.”
• The Supreme Court in 1988 in Chetak Construction Ltd. vs. Om Prakash held that a litigant cannot be permitted choice of the forum.

• USA has recently approved the sale of $285 million worth NASAMS Air Defence System to Ukraine.
• National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) is a highly adaptable combat-proven medium-range air defense solution.
• It has the ability to destroy fixed and rotary wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and emerging cruise missile threats.

• Kerala has become the first full ‘e-governed state’ in India.
• It has digitized a range of government services, ensuring prompt and transparent delivery to its citizens.
• Kerala’s total e-governance initiative emphasizes the inclusion of all sections of society, including the less privileged and marginalized.
• Initiatives of Kerala:
  • Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) project, which has made internet access a citizen’s right.
  • e-Sevanam, a single portal for 900 public services to taluk-level offices.
  • e-Office File Flow system has been introduced, enabling seamless digital workflows even at the village office level.

• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has established an 11-member Cheetah Project Steering Committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Rajesh Gopal, secretary general of Global Tiger Forum, has been appointed as its chairman.
• The decision was taken after six cheetahs, which were brought as part of the translocation project, died in the last two months.
• The panel will be in force for two years and hold at least one meeting every month.
• It will provide suggestions on community interface and their involvement in project activities.
• It will also provide suggestions on opening the cheetah habitat for eco-tourism and regulations in this regard.

• The Ministry of Finance has announced the launch of a special ₹75 coin to commemorate the inauguration of India’s new parliament building.
• The circular coin will have a diameter of 44 millimeters and 200 serrations along its edges.
• It will weigh 35 grams and be composed of a four-part alloy, consisting of 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel, and 5% zinc.
• The newly minted ₹75 coin will feature the iconic Lion Capital of the Ashoka Pillar on one side, with the words “Satyamev Jayate” below it.
• The coin will bear the inscription “Bharat” in Devanagari script on the left side and “India” in English on the right.
• It will also display the rupee symbol and the denomination value of 75 in international numerals beneath the Lion Capital.
• On the reverse side, an image of the parliament complex will be depicted, with “Sansad Sankul” written in Devanagari script on the upper periphery and “Parliament Complex” in English on the lower periphery.

• The German economy has suffered an unforeseen setback, plunging the country into a formal recession, according to newly released data.
• The Federal Statistical Office’s report of Germany revealed a 0.3% decline in Germany’s gross domestic product (GDP) during the first quarter of 2023.
• This follows a 5% contraction in the previous quarter of 2022.
• These two consecutive quarters of decline fulfil the criteria for technical definition of a recession.
• This is significant because Germany is Europe’s largest and World’s 4^th largest economy.

WHAT IS A RECESSION?

• A recession is defined as a time when economic activity experiences a downturn.
• A recession is identified by two consecutive quarters of decline in a country’s real (inflation-adjusted) GDP, which takes inflation into account.
• Note- brief declines are not classified as recessions.