About Zonal Councils

• The idea of the creation of Zonal Councils was mooted by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, in 1956.
• In the light of the vision of Pandit Nehru, five Zonal Councils were set up vide Part-III of the States Re-organisation Act, 1956. Hence, they are statutory bodies.
• The act divided the country into five zones (Northern, Central, Eastern, Western and Southern) and provided a zonal council for each zone.
• The Zonal Councils provide an excellent forum where irritants between Centre and States and amongst States can be resolved through free and frank discussions and consultations.
• The main objectives of setting up Zonal Councils are under
  • Bringing out national integration;
  • Arresting the growth of acute State consciousness, regionalism, linguism and particularistic tendencies;
  • Enabling the Centre and the States to cooperate and exchange ideas and experiences;
  • Establishing a climate of cooperation amongst the States for successful and speedy execution of development projects.
• Each Zonal Council is an advisory body and may discuss any matter in which some or all of the States represented in that Council, or the Union and one or more of the States represented in that Council, have a common interest and advise the Central Government and the Government of each State concerned as to the action to be taken on any such matter.
• In particular, a Zonal Council may discuss and make recommendations with regard to:
  • any matter of common interest in the field of economic and social planning;
  • any matter concerning border disputes, linguistic minorities or inter-State transport;
  • any matter connected with or arising out of the reorganization of the States under the States Reorganization Act;
• Organizational Structure:
  • Chairman: The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these Councils.
  • Vice Chairman: The Chief Ministers of the States included in each zone act as Vice-Chairman of the Zonal Council for that zone by rotation, each holding office for a period of one year at a time.
  • Members: Chief Minister and two other Ministers as nominated by the Governor from each of the States and two members from Union Territories included in the zone.
  • Advisers: One person nominated by the Planning Commission for each of the Zonal Councils, Chief Secretaries and another officer/Development Commissioner nominated by each of the States included in the Zone.
  • The Chief Secretaries of the States represented in such Zonal Councils act as the Secretary of the respective Council by rotation, holding office for a period of one year at a time.
  • The Joint Secretary of Zonal Councils is a Director Level officer from All India Services or Central Secretariat Services.
• North Eastern Council:
  • The North Eastern States i.e. (i) Assam (ii) Arunachal Pradesh (iii) Manipur (iv) Tripura (v) Mizoram (vi) Meghalaya and (vii) Nagaland, are not included in the Zonal Councils and their special problems are looked after by the North Eastern Council, set up under the North Eastern Council Act, 1972. 
  • The State of Sikkim has also been included in the North Eastern Council vide North Eastern Council (Amendment) Act, 2002

Q1) Who are linguistic minorities?

The linguistic minorities are considered as a group or collectivities of individuals residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language or script of their own. Although the word linguistic minorities has not been defined in the Constitution of India, the language of the minority group need not be one of the twenty two languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Source: Amit Shah To Head Western Zonal Council Meet At Gandhinagar Today

About Chokuwa rice: 

• It is also known as Magic rice cultivated in Assam.
• It is a part of Assam culinary heritage, this unique rice has been a staple of the troops of the mighty Ahom dynasty.
• This unique and healthy rice is cultivated around the Brahmaputra River area.(In several parts of Assam like Tinsukia, Dhemaji and Dibrugarh etc.)
• It is basically semi-glutinous winter rice, known as Sali rice.
• The sticky and glutinous variety is categorized as Bora and Chokuwa based on their amylose concentration.
• The low amylase Chokuwa rice variants are used to make soft rice, which is known as Komal Chaul or soft rice.
• This whole grain can be consumed after soaking the rice in the cold or lukewarm water. This rice variety is widely consumed for its convenience of preparation and nutritional value.
• This unique rice variety is consumed with curd, sugar, jaggery, bananas to name a few.
• This rice is also used in making several Assamese delights like Pithe and other local dishes.

What is a Geographical Indication Tag?

• It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• This is typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and industrial products.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
• This GI tag is valid for 10 years following which it can be renewed.

Q1) What is Amylose?

Amylose is a type of polysaccharide, which is a complex carbohydrate composed of multiple sugar molecules linked together. It is one of the two main components of starch, the other being amylopectin. Starch is the primary storage form of energy in plants, and it serves as a crucial source of nutrition for humans and animals that consume plant-based foods.

Source: What is Magic rice? What is special about this rice that it got GI tag

About Nabhmitra device: 

• It is a satellite-based communication system developed for the safety of fisherman.
• It enables two-way messaging services from and to the sea.
• The weather and cyclone warnings will be communicated in the local language, the boats can also send distress messages to the authorities.
• In emergency situations like capsizing and fire, fishers can press a button on the device and get in touch with the control centre.
• While the control centre will receive the alert including the location of the boat, the crew on the boat will get a response message from the control centre.
• Apart from providing information about shipping channels and maritime boundaries, the device will also help to identify fishing fields.
• It was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Q1) What is a cyclone?

A cyclone is a large-scale weather system characterized by low pressure at its center and circulating winds around it. Cyclones are also known as hurricanes or typhoons, depending on the region in which they occur. They are some of the most powerful and destructive natural phenomena on Earth.

Source: ISRO-developed device for fishers’ safety successfully tested at Neendakara

About ORON Aircraft:

• It is an Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) mission aircraft.
• It was developed by the Israel defense ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), the Israel Air Force and the Israel Defense Force (IDF) Intelligence unit’s naval arm and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
• Features:
  • It is based on the Gulfstream G550 executive jet platform, which has been outfitted with a bevy of sensors and data collection equipment that allows it to rapidly locate targets in all weather conditions.
  • The aircraft combines several capabilities, including aerial imaging, control and radar, and maritime intelligence gathering for the Navy.
  • It will be equipped with layers of automatic data systems based on advanced algorithms and AI.
  • It will enable the IDF to create a real-time comprehensive intelligence picture, including deployment of ground forces, near and far, in routine times and during warfare.

Q1) What is a radar?

A radar, which stands for "Radio Detection and Ranging," is a technology that uses radio waves to detect, locate, track, and identify objects, both stationary and moving, in the surrounding environment. Radars are widely used in various applications, including military, aviation, meteorology, navigation, and traffic control.

Source: After 2 years, tech is fully integrated into Israel’s newest spy plane, says defence ministry

About EXERCISE BRIGHT STAR-23: 

• It is a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise. 
• This multinational exercise was launched in 1980 as part of the US-brokered peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
• This is for the first time that IAF is participating in Ex BRIGHT STAR-23.
• Participating countries: United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar.
• The Indian Air Force contingent will consist of five MiG-29, two IL-78, two C-130 and two C-17 aircraft.
• Personnel from the IAF's Garud Special Forces, as well as those from the Numbers 28, 77, 78 and 81 Squadrons will be participating in the exercise.
• Objective: To practice planning and execution of joint operations. Besides leading to the formation of bonding across borders, such interactions also provide a means to further strategic relations between participating nations.
• India and Egypt have had exceptional relationship and deep cooperation wherein the two jointly undertook development of aero-engine and aircraft in 1960s and training of Egyptian pilots was done by Indian counterparts.

Q1) What is a C-17 Globemaster aircraft?

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster is a large military transport aircraft developed by Boeing's Defense, Space & Security division in the United States. It is used by various countries around the world for airlift missions, strategic and tactical transport, and humanitarian relief operations.

Source: PARTICIPATION OF THE INDIAN AIR FORCE IN EXERCISE BRIGHT STAR-23 AT CAIRO AIR BASE, EGYPT

About National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)

• The NFRA was constituted on 01st October 2018, by the Government of India under the Companies Act, 2013.
• It is an independent regulator to oversee the auditing profession and accounting standards in India.
• Objective: To continuously improve the quality of all corporate financial reporting in India.
• Functions and Duties:
  • Recommend accounting and auditing policies and standards to be adopted by companies for approval by the Central Government;
  • Monitor and enforce compliance with accounting standards and auditing standards;
  • Oversee the quality of service of the professions associated with ensuring compliance with such standards and suggest measures for improvement in the quality of service;
• Composition: It consists of a chairperson, who shall be a person of eminence and having expertise in accountancy, auditing, finance, or law to be appointed by the Central Government and such other members not exceeding fifteen consisting of part-time and full-time members.
• Powers:
  • NFRA have the power to investigate, either suo moto or on a reference made to it by the Central Government into the matters of professional or other misconduct committed by any member or firm of chartered accountants registered under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.
  • It has the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 while trying a suit.
• HQ: New Delhi

Q1) What is Auditing?

Auditing is a systematic and independent examination of financial information, statements, records, operations, or processes to determine their accuracy, completeness, compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and overall reliability. The primary purpose of an audit is to provide assurance to stakeholders, such as shareholders, investors, regulators, and the public, that the information being audited is free from material misstatements and is presented fairly.

Source: NFRA to list out frequent lapses to alert auditors, managements

About C-DOT’s TRINETRA: 

• It is a combination of multiple Security systems like Security information and Event Management (SIEM), Security Orchestration and Automated Response (SOAR), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), User Entity and Behaviour Analytics (UEBA), Multi-Source Threat Intelligence and others.
• The solution provides 24x7 near real-time actionable cyber-security status and detection aand resolution of cyber-threats (Virus, Malware, Ransomware, Spyware etc.).
• It also performs security evaluation of organization’s IT assets by protecting endpoints including PC, Laptop, Servers and VMs by detection, analyses and mitigation of vulnerabilities and giving AI enabled automated responses to the cyber threats ensuring protection of sensitive data. 
• The solution is capable of protecting critical digital infrastructure of various Government departments from ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.

Key facts about C-DOT

• It was established in 1984 as an autonomous Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
• It is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• It is a registered ‘public funded research institution’ with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.

Q1) What is Malware ?

It refers to any software specifically designed to harm, disrupt, steal information, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, and devices. Malware is a broad term that encompasses various types of malicious software, each with its own specific characteristics and purposes.

Source: C-DOT celebrated its 40th Foundation Day. The Function was Inaugurated by Shri Devusinh Chauhan, Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications, Government of India

About XRISM Mission

• The X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) is a joint mission of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), involving contributions from the European Space Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency as well.
• Objective: The mission aims to observe X-rays coming from deep space and to identify their wavelengths with unprecedented precision.
• It will use state-of-the-art spectroscopy to measure changes in the brightness of celestial objects at different wavelengths.
• It detects X-rays with energies ranging from 400 to 12,000 electron volts. (For comparison, the energy of visible light is 2 to 3 electron volts.)
• This range will provide astrophysicists with new information about some of the universe's hottest regions, largest structures, and objects with the strongest gravity.
• Instruments onboard: The mission has two instruments, Resolve and Xtend.
  • Resolve:
    • It is an instrument that will collect spectroscopic data with far more resolution than X-ray observatories orbiting the Earth do.
    • Resolve must be cooled to just a fraction above absolute zero in order to measure tiny changes in temperature when X-rays hit the instrument’s surface.
• Xtend:
  • It will operate simultaneously to photograph the cosmos with a resolution comparable to the way our eyes might perceive it if we were to have X-ray vision. 
  • While Resolve zooms in, Xtend will zoom out, providing scientists with complementary views of the same X-ray sources over a larger area.

About SLIM

• SLIM, or Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, is a compact robotic moon lander with no astronauts aboard.
• Called ‘Moon Snipper’ in the Japanese language, it has lightweight equipment for advanced observations and adaptable landings on resource-scarce planets, advancing exploration strategies.
• The most important aim of the lander is to demonstrate accurate lunar landing techniques with a precise touchdown. 
• The mission plan calls for a landing no more than 328 feet (100 m) from a target inside the moon's Shioli Crater.

Q1) What are X-rays?

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light, radio waves, and microwaves. However, X-rays have much higher energy and shorter wavelengths compared to visible light. They were discovered in 1895 by German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, who named them "X-rays" because of their mysterious and unknown nature at the time.

Source: Japan Scrubs Launch of X-Ray Telescope and Experimental Moon Lander

About Common Research and Technology Development Hub: 

• It is part of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)-Industrial R&D Programme (IRD).
• This programme aimed at creation of Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRTDHs) to encourage research and technology development activities by Micro and Small enterprises (MSEs).
• Partial financial support would be provided to eligible institutions as grant-in aid to establish CRTDHs for enabling MSEs conduct industrial R&D and innovation activities.
• These hubs would facilitate MSEs to undertake new/improved product/process development and skill enhancement activities.
• The collaborating institutions would extend hands-on training, skill development and research information facilities to the MSEs, apart from research and technology development infrastructure.
• Creation of these CRTDHs will enhance productivity, increase the innovative skills of the MSEs and help them become globally competitive, and also generate more employment.
• Eligibility: Public funded bodies or Institutions having a distinct legal entity, which are willing and capable of setting up these CRTDHs.

Q1) What is CSIR ?

CSIR stands for the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. It is an autonomous organization in India that is among the largest and oldest publicly-funded research and development institutions in the country. Established in 1942, CSIR operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology and is headquartered in New Delhi, India.

Source: One day Chintan Shivir on “CRTDH Empowering MSMEs” concluded at IITR, Lucknow