Daily Current Affairs and GK | 5 April 2023

Topic: Environment and Ecology

1. Scientists will start drilling in Arctic to save a sample of ancient ice for analysis.

• To save samples of ancient ice for analysis, Scientists will soon start drilling in Arctic.
• The frozen layers of ancient ice may melt away due to climate change.
• Italian, French and Norwegian researchers have set up camp in the Svalbard archipelago to preserve crucial ice records for analysing past environmental conditions.
•  Scientists will extract ice in a series of tubes from below the surface, containing frozen geochemical traces dating back three centuries.
• The analysis of chemicals in “ice cores” will give valuable data about the environment conditions of the past.
• One set of ice tubes will be used for immediate analysis. The other set of tubes will be sent to Antarctica for storage in an "ice memory sanctuary" under the snow.
• The scientists will work for three weeks in temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius (-13 Fahrenheit).

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

2. Stand Up India Scheme completed seven years.

• Union Finance Minister said that under the Stand Up India Scheme loans worth Rs 40,600 has been sanctioned so far.
• More than 1.8 lakh women and SC and ST entrepreneurs have received loans of more than Rs 40,600 crore.
• Out of the total beneficiaries, 80 per cent are women.
• Stand Up India Scheme has created an ecosystem that helps in setting up green field enterprises. It helped enterprises in getting loans from bank branches of all Scheduled Commercial Banks.
• The Stand Up India scheme is based on the third pillar of the National Mission for Financial Inclusion - "Funding the Unfunded".
• The scheme ensured the availability of credit flow to SC/ST and women entrepreneurs.
• Stand up India Scheme:
  • It was launched on 5th April 2016 to promote entrepreneurship among women, Scheduled Castes (SC) & Scheduled Tribes (ST)
  • Its tenure has been extended up to the year 2025.
  • It facilitates bank loans between Rs.10 lakh and Rs.100 lakh to at least one Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe borrower and at least one woman borrower per bank branch of Scheduled Commercial Banks.
  • Women and SC/ST entrepreneurs above 18 years of age are eligible for the scheme.

(Source: Ministry of Finance)

Topic: International News

3. Finland joined NATO and became the 31st member of military alliance on 4 April.

• Finland's membership became official as the foreign minister handed over the documents completing its accession process to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Brussels.
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Finland's move to join NATO an encroachment on Russia's security.
• There is a 1,300-kilometer-long border between Finland and Russia. Along with this, the length of the border between NATO and Russia has also doubled.
• Finland and Sweden, which remained neutral for several decades, decided to join NATO after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• To get membership, the consent of every member country of NATO is necessary. Finland got the consent of all the member countries.
• Finland started the process of becoming a member of NATO in May 2022.
• This is the first time in the history of NATO that a country has become a member so soon.
• Finland has an army of 2,80,000 soldiers in the event of war. This number makes it one of the largest armies in Europe.
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization:
  • It is an intergovernmental political and military alliance of 31 North American and European countries.
  • It was constituted in 1949 with the North Atlantic Treaty, which regulates the functioning of NATO.
  • Its headquarters is located in Brussels, Belgium.

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

4. NDRI produced Ganga, the first female Desi Gir calf to be cloned in India.

• The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal has produced the first cloned female calf of the desi breed Gir, which can produce more than 15 litres of milk per day, in amid to the government's effort to increase milk production.
• As part of a project by the NDRI, Karnal is working on cloning indigenous cow breeds like Gir and Sahiwal.
• India's first cloned Gir female calf, named 'Ganga', weighs 32 kg and is growing well.
• Indigenous cattle breed like Gir, Sahiwal, Tharparkar and Red-Sindhi play an important role in milk production and growth of the Indian dairy industry.
• NDRI had started work on cloning high-yield desi breeds like Gir, Red Sindhi and Sahiwal breeds at the NDRI in 2021.
• The NDRI, Karnal, launched the programme in association with the Uttarakhand Livestock Development Board (ULDB), Dehradun.
• A team of scientists including Dr. Naresh Selokar, Manoj Kumar Singh, Ajay Aswal, SS Lathwal, and others have been working for more than 2 years to develop an indigenous method for producing cloned cattle.
• Oocytes are isolated from live animals using ultrasound-guided needles, and then, matured for 24 h under control conditions to clone.
• Somatic cells from elite cows are used as donor genomes, which are fused with OPU-derived enucleated oocytes.
• After chemical activation and in-vitro, the developed blastocysts are transferred into recipient mothers to deliver the Gir calf.
• National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI):
  • NDRI was established in Bangalore in the year 1923.
  • In 1955, its headquarters was moved to Karnal, Haryana.
  • Dr Dheer Singh is its current director.

Topic: Defence

5. Land version of Anti-Tank Guided Missile “Amogha-3” was successfully tested.

• In a boost to 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', defense company Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has developed the third-generation man portable Amogha-3 missile, which was test fired on 28 March.
• This missile hit its designated target like other anti-tank missiles.
• Hyderabad-based defense company Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has designed the third-generation man portable Amogha-3.
• Under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), this indigenous missile has been developed.
• According to BDL, the third-generation missile will be produced in three versions, which will have land, air-launched and portable versions.
• In the test of the land variant, the missile's infrared 'thermal intelligent vision' has been used to strike its target.
• BDL unveiled the third-generation anti-tank guided missile Amogha-3 at the Defense Expo in Lucknow on February 7, 2020.
• The missile has a conventional cylindrical body, eight mid-body foldable fins and four large aft fins for flight stabilization.
• The entire system has a Command Launch Unit (CLU) with missile tripod and remote operation capability.
• Amogha-3 missile:
  • The missile is powered by a dual-thrust rocket motor with thrust vector control, which is smokeless.
  • Amogha-3 missile can lock the target before launch and hit the target in top attack and direct attack mode.
  • The air-launched version of the missile is being developed for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) attack helicopter Rudra and Prachanda helicopters.

Topic: Important Days

6. National Maritime Day 2023: 05 April

• Every year on 5 April, National Maritime Day is celebrated.
• It is celebrated to create awareness regarding support for intercontinental commerce and worldwide economy.
• The day was for the first time celebrated on 5 April, 1964.
• National Maritime Day 2023 is 60th edition of National Maritime Day.
• On this day, NMD Award of Excellence is given.
• The Sagar Samman Varuna Award is also given on this day to recognize people who made outstanding contribution to Indian Maritime Sector.
• The theme for National Maritime Week 2023 is ‘Amrit Kaal in Shipping’.
• In November 2020, PM Modi announced the ‘Maritime India Vision 2030’ at the Maritime India Summit.
• It is a 10-year blueprint for the development of the Indian maritime sector.
• It aims to improve India's waterways, support the shipbuilding sector and promote cruise tourism.

Topic: International News

7. India and Bhutan are considering setting up the first Integrated Check Post along the border near Jaigaon.

• The bilateral meeting was held between PM Narendra Modi and King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in New Delhi on 5 April.
• External Affairs Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra talked about the outcomes of the meeting.
• He said that India would step up its support for Bhutan’s upcoming 13th five-year plan.
• He also said India and Bhutan will also expedite the proposed Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link project.
• It will be the first-ever rail link between India and Bhutan.
• The King of Bhutan is on a three-day visit to India. He is accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Dr. Tandi Dorji.

Topic: Space and IT

8. Skyroot Aerospace has test-fired its 3D-printed Dhawan II engine.

• The private space vehicle company test-fired the engine for a duration of 200 seconds in Telangana.
• The company had developed the engine for its heavier vehicle, Vikram II.
• Dhawan II is a cryogenic engine. It will be used in the upper stage of the updated version of Vikram-II.
• A cryogenic upper stage enhances the payload-carrying capacity of a rocket.
• The Skyroot carried out its first sub-orbital flight in November 2022. A single-stage solid fuel Vikram S rocket was used for launch.
• The Vikram-1 rocket is the first in the series of rockets that are being developed by Skyroot Aerospace. It will use three solid-fuel stages to take satellites to orbit.
• Skyroot Aerospace is planning to conduct its 1st orbital flight by the year-end. Vikram II rocket is scheduled to become launch-ready by 2024.
• After this scheduled launch, the company will become the first private launcher from South Asia.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Indian Economy

9. ADB lowered India’s economic growth projection for the current financial year.

• Asian Development Bank lowered India’s economic growth projection for the current financial year to 6.4 per cent from its earlier forecast of 7.2 per cent.
• Asian Development Bank in its Asian Development Outlook report mentioned that India’s economic growth is likely to improve to 6.7 per cent in the 2024-25 fiscal.
• Faster growth in investment on the back of supportive government policies and performing loans in banks will support India’s economic growth.
• ADB Country Director for India Takeo Konishi said that the government of India has started various initiatives like Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti initiative to promote infrastructure development.
• As per the ADB director, despite the global slowdown, India’s economic growth rate is stronger than in many peer countries.
• ADB projected that Inflation will remain at 5 per cent for fiscal 2023-24 and 4.5 per cent for 2024-25.
• The current account deficit is projected to decline to 2.2 per cent of GDP in FY2023 and 1.9 per cent in FY2024.
• In FY 2023, the growth of goods export will remain moderate and it will improve in 2024.
• Services export growth has been robust and will strengthen India’s overall balance of payments.

Topic: Indian Polity

10. Gauhati High Court’s Platinum Jubilee celebration started from 5 April.

• The Gauhati High Court completed 75 years of its foundation on 5 April 2023.
• President will attend the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Gauhati High Court on 7 April.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the concluding event on the 14th of April.
• Justice DY Chandrachud will attend the function on the 7th of April.
• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Sandeep Mehta will attend a meeting.
• Gauhati high court will felicitate senior advocates who have completed 50 years of practice.
• On this occasion, a commemorative postal stamp and the Assamese version of the book Gauhati High Court: History & Heritage will also be released.
• A special edition of the magazine ATMA will be released on 5 April.
• Six books on Customary Laws related to different tribes such as Rabha, Tiwa, Zeme-Naga and Bodos will be released on 6 April.
• Gauhati High Court:
  • It was established on the 5th of April, 1948 for the seven North Eastern states.
  • It was originally known as the High Court of Assam and Nagaland but was later renamed as Gauhati High Court in 1971.
  • It has the largest jurisdiction in terms of states. It exercises jurisdiction over four states- Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Sandeep Mehta is the current Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court.

Topic: Personality in News

11. Anjali Sharma conquered the Kilimanjaro peak of South Africa wearing a Luanchari.

• Anjali has become the first woman who has climbed the Kilimanjaro peak wearing Luanchari.
• Lunachari is the traditional dress of Himachal Pradesh.
• Anjali Sharma, a resident of Gamru in Dharamshala, is working to promote Gaddi culture on the mountain peaks.
• At the age of 15, Anjali Sharma has already conquered the 5 thousand 289-meter-high peaks in the first attempt.
• Mount Kilimanjaro:
  • Africa's tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, which is located in Tanzania, is approximately 5,895 metres tall (19,340 feet).
  • It is the world's largest free-standing mountain rise.
  • Kilimanjaro, also known as a stratovolcano (a massive volcano formed of ash, lava, and rock). It is made up of three cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.
  • The highest of the three volcanic formations, Kibo is the mountain's summit.
  • Kilimanjaro is the fourth most prominent peak in terms of topography on Earth.

(Source: News on Air)

Topic: Environment and Ecology

12. India celebrated the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger.

• Project Tiger, the world's largest campaign to save tigers, completed 50 years on 1st April.
• India is celebrating this 5-decade long campaign.
• According to the statistics of the Government of India, there are currently 3000 tigers in India, which is 70 percent of the tiger population in the world.
• This population of tigers is increasing at the rate of 6 percent every year, but there was a time after independence when India had to run a campaign to save the tigers.
• India first launched Project Tiger on April 1, 1973 under the leadership of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• When Project Tiger started, 9 tiger reserves spread over 18278 sq km were included in it.
• Today after 50 years, it is spread over 53 tiger reserves and covers an area of 75,000 sq km.
• To commemorate the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger, the Government of India is going to start a three-day program in Mysore, Karnataka from 9th April.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach to attend it, where he will release the latest figures of the number of tigers in the country.
• Along with this, a coin will also be issued commemorating the project.

Topic: Indian Economy

13. World Bank cuts India FY 24 growth forecast to 6.3%.

• World Bank predict that India’s growth will be 6.3% in FY 24, as against earlier estimate of 6.6%.
• World Bank in its report lowered the growth forecast due to moderation in consumption in FY 24.
• India’s economic growth will be hampered due to slower consumption growth and external conditions.
• Rising borrowing costs and slower income growth will affect consumption growth.
• Government consumption will grow at a slower pace due to the withdrawal of pandemic-related fiscal support measures.
• As per the World Bank, Current Account Deficit will remain at 2.1% in FY 24.
• World Bank Report predict that Inflation will remain at 5.2% in FY 24 as against 6.6% in the current fiscal.

Topic: Space and IT

14. NASA named First Woman and First Black Astronauts for the Artemis II Moon Mission.

• NASA announced a four-member team of astronauts for the Artemis II Moon Mission.
• The team has three American and one Canadian astronaut.
• Christina Koch is set to become the first woman to fly to the Moon. Victor Glover is the first black person man to take part in a lunar mission.
• Reid Wiseman will be the commander of the Mission and Victor Glover will be the pilot of the mission.
• Christina Koch and Canada's Jeremy Hansen will work as mission specialists.
• NASA has tested its new human space exploration capabilities including the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, Orion spacecraft, and all associated ground systems.
• Artemis II mission
  • It is a mission to explore more areas of moon.
  • The 10-day Artemis II mission will test the agency's powerful Space Launch System rocket as well as the life-support systems aboard the Orion spacecraft.
  • Artemis II is expected to reach a point more than 230,000 miles (370,000 km) away from the Earth.
  • It will be launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida using the SLS rocket.