IN-SPACe invites proposals to establish Antariksh Prayogshala
Context: Recently, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has rolled out a Request for Proposal (RfP) to establish Antariksh Prayogshala (Space Labs) at select academic institutions across India.
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- This scheme aims to provide hands-on training and practical exposure to students pursuing space technology-related courses.
- IN-SPACe will provide financial support of up to 75 percent of the total project cost, with a cap of ₹5 crore per institution, to be released on a milestone-linked basis.
- The selection process will be carried out in two stages. Institutions will first be screened based on eligibility criteria outlined in the RfP. Shortlisted applicants will then be evaluated and ranked by an Empowered Committee (EC), following which final selections will be made on a zone-wise basis.
- This scheme will select up to seven academic institutions in a phased manner from different geographical zones of the country.
- This zonal approach ensures balanced regional representation, with one laboratory proposed in each zone.
- These labs will provide hands-on training and exposure to students pursuing space tech courses in academic institutes spread across the country.
- This facility will also be accessible to Non-Government Entities operating within the respective zones.
- This programme is designed to strengthen industry and academia collaboration and support applied research and innovation.
IN-SPACe
- The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is a single-window, autonomous nodal agency established in 2020 under the Department of Space (DOS), Government of India.
- Its primary mission is to promote, enable, and regulate the participation of Non-Government Entities (NGEs) and private players in the Indian space sector.
Risk-based deposit insurance premium framework
Context: Recently, the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved a risk-based deposit insurance framework for banks at its meeting in Hyderabad, Telangana.
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- This decision was taken by the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India at its 620th meeting held in Hyderabad.
- This approval allows a transition from the existing flat-rate premium system to a risk-based deposit insurance framework for banks.
- This framework will be formally notified soon and is scheduled to take effect from the next financial year.
Risk-Based Deposit Insurance Framework
- This system charges banks insurance premiums based on their individual risk profiles rather than a uniform rate.
- This framework replaces the long-standing flat premium model operated by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation since 1962.
- This model ensures that financially stronger and well-managed banks pay lower premiums, while riskier banks pay higher premiums.
- This approach reduces moral hazard by discouraging excessive risk-taking under deposit insurance protection.
- This framework promotes fairness by ensuring that safer banks do not subsidise riskier institutions.
- This system will retain the current premium rate of 12 paise per one hundred rupees of deposits as the upper limit.
- This change does not affect depositors, as deposit insurance coverage remains capped at five lakh rupees per depositor per bank.
- This insurance cover applies to savings current fixed and recurring deposits, including both principal and accrued interest.
India–France Defence Manufacturing Collaboration
Context: Recently, India Optel Limited (IOL), a Mini Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking, signed an agreement with Safran Electronics & Defence, a French company to manufacture two high-precision, combat-proven systems in India.
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- This agreement covers the SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System and the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight.
- This partnership enables local manufacturing, final assembly, testing and quality control of the two systems in India.
- This collaboration builds upon the memorandum of understanding signed between the two companies in January 2024.
Key Features of the Agreement
- Under the partnership, IOL will be responsible for manufacturing, final assembly, testing, quality control and full life-cycle support, ensuring the systems meet the operational needs of the Indian Army.
- The systems to be manufactured under this collaboration includes:
- SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System used in artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles and radars
- CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight designed for artillery guns and anti-drone systems.
Significance of the Agreement:
- The agreement will pave the way for local manufacturing in line with the vision of Make in India.
- The partnership contributes to strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem while enhancing the readiness and performance of its land forces.
- The navigation system will provide autonomous operational capability even in the absence of Global Positioning System signals.
- The agreement contributes to reducing import dependence and promoting technology transfer.
Agreement signed between DRDO and Rashtriya Raksha University
Context: Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in research and development (R&D) for defence and internal security.
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- The MoU aims to strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence and internal security technologies, aligned with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and the whole-of-nation approach during Amrit Kaal.
- Under the MoU, both organisations will collaborate on joint research projects, PhD & fellowship programmes and specialised training & capacity-building programmes for security forces.
- The collaboration will also include studies on emerging operational challenges, technology gaps, future needs, and life-cycle management of DRDO-developed systems.
About DRDO
- DRDO is the R&D arm of the Ministry of Defence, focused on developing cutting-edge defence technologies to achieve self-reliance and equip the armed forces with state-of-the-art systems as per the needs of the three Services (Indian Army, Air Force and Navy).
- The organisation was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the then already functioning Technical Development Establishment (TDEs).
- It is a network of around 50 laboratories which are deeply engaged in developing defence technologies
High Aluminium levels in Kuttanad paddy fields
Context: Recently, Soil tests in Kuttanad, Kerala, have revealed dangerously high aluminium concentrations in paddy fields, posing a serious threat to crop health and productivity.
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- The test was conducted by the Kerala Centre for Pest Management (KCPM) and tested at the Rice Research Station, Vyttila, under the Kerala Agricultural University.
- The samples were collected from 12 paddy fields in different parts of Kuttanad and upper Kuttanad and all of them showed very high aluminium concentrations
- Itshowed aluminium levels ranging from 77.51 parts per million (ppm) to 334.10 ppm.
- In highly acidic soils, iron, along with aluminium, is also present in quantities harmful to plants.
- It is about 39 to 165 times higher than the permissible level of two ppm or two mg per kg of soil for rice cultivation.
- It is due to increasing soil acidity (Potential of Hydrogen (pH) of 7 is neutral, greater than 7 basic or alkaline and below 7 acidic).
Impacts of Aluminium
- Aluminium becomes more soluble and toxic as soil pH drops below five, with its availability increasing tenfold for every unit decline in pH.
- Excessive aluminium damages the plant root system and severely interferes with the absorption of essential nutrients such as phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
- High aluminium contamination pointed to a “grave environmental imbalance”.
- It will decrease soil productivity, and that will result decline in paddy yields, posing a direct threat to the livelihoods of thousands of small and marginal farmers.
About Kuttanad
- Kuttanad is a recognised Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), a status designated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in 2013.
- It is one of only three such sites in India, alongside the Saffron Heritage of Kashmir and the Koraput Traditional Agriculture in Odisha.
- Kuttanad is unique as the only system in India where rice is cultivated 1.2 to 3.0 meters (4 to 10 ft) below sea level.