CURRENT EVENTS OF THE DAY
NVS-01, a new NavIC satellite from ISRO
Lok Sabha’s Productivity: Implications
National Committee for Rare Diseases
The Indian Parliament Building
Lightning-fast current affairs
NVS-01, A NEW NavIC SATELLITE FROM ISRO
In News, why?
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the NVS-01 satellite with the GSLV-F12, and it was precisely positioned into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit after a 19-minute journey. The GSLV-F12 is the ninth launch of an indigenous cyro stage and the fifteenth flight of India’s GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle). This is the sixth time that the GSLV has flown with an indigenous cryogenic stage.
Describe NVS-01.
About:
This spacecraft is the first of ISRO’s NVS (Navigational spacecraft) series’ second-generation satellites. It is the heaviest object in the constellation, weighing 2,232 kg. L1, L5, and S band navigation payloads were carried by the NVS-01. Its goal is to maintain the NavIC (Navigation in Indian Constellation) services, an Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (comparable to GPS) that enables precise and real-time navigation within India and up to a 1,500 km zone around the nation. The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as NavIC, is a constellation of seven satellites in the First generation that launch at a substantially less weight of approximately 1,425 kg.
Atomic Time:
An important piece of Indian-developed technology called a Rubidium atomic clock will be housed inside the satellite. Due to malfunctioning atomic clocks, some of the current satellites in the navigation constellation lost the ability to deliver precise location information. Atomic clocks’ precise time readings are used by satellite-based positioning systems to pinpoint the locations of objects. The satellites can no longer deliver precise location data when the clocks malfunction.
L1 signals for more effective use in wearable technology
In order to improve interoperability with other satellite-based navigation systems, it will transmit signals in a third frequency, L1, in addition to the L5 and S frequency signals that the current satellites already transmit. In wearable technology and personal trackers that use low-power, single-frequency processors, the L1 frequency, one of the most often used in the Global Positioning System (GPS), will be used more frequently.
Additional Mission Life:
Its mission life will be extended to more than 12 years. The mission life of the current satellites is 10 years.
Describe NavIC.
About:
A constellation of 7 satellites and a network of ground stations that are operational constantly make up NavIC or the IRNSS. There are eight satellites in total, however only seven are still operational. There are three geostationary satellites and four geosynchronous satellites. IRNSS-1A, the constellation’s first satellite, was launched on July 1, 2013, while IRNSS-1I, the eighth satellite, was launched in April 2018. The constellation’s seventh satellite, IRNSS-1G, was launched in 2016, and the Indian Prime Minister rebranded IRNSS to NavIC. It was approved for use in the Indian Ocean Region of the World-Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS) by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 2020.
Future Applications:
navigation in the land, air, and sea;
disaster preparedness;
fleet management and vehicle tracking, particularly for the mining and transportation industries;
compatibility with mobile devices;
precise time (as in power grids and ATMs);
geodetic data collection and mapping.
What Benefits Does a Regional Navigation System Offer?
Localised Navigation System
India’s own regional navigation system, NavIC, was created by ISRO. It surrounds the Indian mainland by up to 1,500 kilometres. NavIC’s main objective is to meet the positioning and navigational requirements of users in this particular area.
Surface Stations:
Ground stations are being built by ISRO in nations including Russia, France, and Japan. Through improved triangulation, these extra ground stations will increase the NavIC signals’ accuracy and coverage.
Receiving of Signals:
NavIC signals travel at a 90-degree angle to India, which makes it simpler for them to pass through crowded regions, thick woods, and steep terrain. In contrast, the angle at which GPS signals are transmitted might occasionally make it difficult for some areas to receive them.
Availability:
The Indian subcontinent is the primary target of NavIC broadcasts. Therefore, even in remote or difficult-to-reach regions, users within the service area can expect dependable access to NavIC signals.
What other navigation systems are in use around the globe?
Four worldwide systems
GPS coming from the United States.
Russia’s GLONASS.
from the European Union, Galileo
China’s BeiDou.
a pair of regional systems
India’s NavIC
from Japan, QZSS.
Previous Year Questions (PYQ) for the UPSC Civil Services Exam
Which of the following nations has a satellite navigation system of its own? (2023)
- Australia
- Canada
- Israel
- Japan
Ans: d
Worldwide Navigation Systems in Use:
GPS coming from the United States.
Russia’s GLONASS.
from the European Union, Galileo
China’s BeiDou.
India’s NavIC
from Japan, QZSS. As a result, choice D is right.
Q.2 Take into consideration the following comments in relation to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS): (2018)
IRNSS has three geostationary satellites and four geosynchronous satellites.
IRNSS covers around 5500 square miles of India. km outside its boundaries.
By the middle of 2019, India will have its own satellite navigation system with complete worldwide coverage.
Which of the aforementioned statements is true?
(a)1only
(b) 1and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) None
Ans: (a)
Mains
What is the necessity for the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS)? In what ways is navigation aided? (2018)
Origin: TH
LOK SABHA’S PRODUCTIVITY: IMPLICATIONS
In News, why?
The 17th Lok Sabha has conducted business for 230 sitting days as it enters its final year.
The 16th Lok Sabha has the fewest sitting days (331) of all the Lok Sabhas that finished the full five-year tenure. The 17th Lok Sabha won’t likely meet for more than 331 days given that it still has one year to go and that there are 58 average sitting days per year.
The Lok Sabha could have its shortest full term since 1952 as a result.
How Has the Lok Sabha Operated Up to This Point?
Effectiveness of the 2023 budget session:
In the most recent session (the Budget session), which ran from January 2023 to April 2023, there was little legislative activity and little debate about the Budget due to frequent disruptions.
The Rajya Sabha met for 24% of its allotted time (32 hours), whereas the Lok Sabha met for 33% of its allotted time (46 hours).
Since 1952, this has been the sixth shortest budget session. The general discussion of the budget took up 16 of the 18 hours the Lok Sabha devoted to financial matters.
11 previous sessions:
150 Bills were introduced between the 2019 Budget Session and the 2023 Budget Session, and 131 Bills were passed during that time. There were 38 bills introduced in the first session, and 28 of them were passed. Since that time, fewer bills have been introduced and passed. The number of Bills introduced or passed in each of the last four sessions has been under ten.
Residence Productivity
The Lok Sabha met for 177 hours in 2022, while the Rajya Sabha met for 127.6 hours. The Lok Sabha met for 131.8 hours in 2021, while the Rajya Sabha met for 104 hours. The Lower House’s productivity hours in 2020 were 111.2, while the Upper House’s were 93.8. In contrast to the permitted 12 hours, the Lok Sabha spent a total of 14 hours and 45 minutes debating the budget during the first half of this year’s session.
Parliamentary Debate Declining:
Only 11 brief debates and one discussion lasting half an hour have taken place in the 17th Lok Sabha so far, and none during the most recent session. Only 19% of the Lok Sabha’s allotted time and 9% of the Rajya Sabha’s allotted time were used for Question Hour. There were no private member bills presented or talked about. A single Private Member Resolution was addressed in each House.
Lower Examination under a Committee of the Parliament:
Only 14 bills have thus far been referred to a Parliamentary Committee for further review during the 17th Lok Sabha. In the 16th Lok Sabha, just 25% of the introduced Bills were referred to committees, as opposed to 71% and 60% in the 15th and 14th Lok Sabhas, respectively. This shows a downward trend in the level of expert review of national law.
Election of the Deputy Speaker is delayed:
As soon as practicable, the Lok Sabha shall elect two Members of the House to serve as Speaker and Deputy Speaker, according to Article 93 of the Constitution. Even as it approaches the last year of its five-year mandate, the 17th Lok Sabha has yet to nominate a deputy speaker.
What are the Causes of Lower Lok Sabha Productivity?
Regular Interruptions
Opposition parties frequently disrupted and protested during the 17th Lok Sabha. These delays caused a considerable loss of time and reduced production. These disruptions were caused by the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and farm laws, among other significant problems.
Absence of Consensus:
Despite the strong majority held by the ruling party, there was no agreement on important issues. The passage of significant laws and legislation was delayed as a result of this lack of consensus among the parliamentarians.
Briefer Sessions:
Sessions of the 17th Lok Sabha were shorter than in earlier sessions. There was not enough time for in-depth discussion and debate of important bills and topics. As a result, many crucial issues went unattended and remained unresolved.
What effects does the Lok Sabha’s lower productivity have?
Slow-moving legislation:
The main impact is that significant bills and pieces of legislation are taking longer to pass. Bills pertaining to important topics like taxation, infrastructure, and social welfare may be delayed when the Lok Sabha is unable to work properly. The country’s progress is hampered by this delay since it makes it more difficult to enact the essential laws and changes.
Lack of Responsibility and Control:
The process of holding lawmakers accountable for their conduct is hampered while the Lok Sabha is inactive. Lack of proper discussion and scrutiny leads to a lack of in-depth analysis of proposed legislation and rulings. Due to insufficient oversight, this undercuts the democratic notion of checks and balances and permits the administration to make decisions without adequate review.
Reduced Public Trust
Citizens’ faith in democratic institutions may be harmed. Public disenchantment and disengagement increase when elected officials are unable to carry out their duties efficiently. This may result in a drop in citizen engagement, undermining the fundamentals of a robust democracy.
Resource Waste:
Due to the Lok Sabha’s reduced productivity, resources are wasted, notably public funds. The public exchequer pays for members of parliament’s wages and benefits. Public monies that could have been used for other objectives of development are wasted if these resources are not used efficiently because of disruptions or a lack of productivity.
Financial Effects:
The economy could be harmed by a less effective Lok Sabha. Growth, investment, and development can be hampered by slow or ineffective legislation on important economic issues. Investor confidence can be weakened by a lack of clarity and effective decision-making, which can impede economic growth.
Way ahead
The parliamentary democratic culture in India has to be revitalised. This entails encouraging respect, decency, and professionalism among lawmakers. Members should be urged to prioritise serving as the people’s voice and take an active part in discussions and debates. It is essential to encourage a climate of frank discussion and debate in the House of Representatives. Political leaders should be pushed to have meaningful discussions about policy issues rather than using disruptive methods or making disparaging remarks about other people. The oversight role of Parliament should be strengthened by probing inquiries, close examination of executive activities, and in-depth discussions of crucial policy choices. To accomplish this, it is necessary to make sure that lawmakers receive pertinent information in a timely and transparent manner.
Origin: TH
NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR RARE DISEASES
In News, why?
The Delhi High Court recently established a five-member panel to efficiently implement the Center’s rare illnesses policy in an effort to solve the issues faced by patients with rare diseases. The National Rare Diseases Committee, a group, seeks to guarantee that patients registered with the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, receive prompt care and gain from the policy. The Committee’s general charge would be to take all necessary actions to achieve the National Rare Disease Policy by 2021.
Rare diseases: what are they?
Less than 5% of the 6,000–8,000 rare diseases that have been designated as such have treatments.
Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSD), Pompe disease, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, haemophilia, etc. are a few examples.
Less than 1 in 10 individuals receive treatment specifically for their disease, and over 95% of uncommon diseases have no approved treatments. 80 percent of these illnesses are hereditary in nature. These illnesses range in prevalence from those that affect 1 in 10,000 of the population to 6 in 10,000, with different criteria being used in different nations. When compared to other common diseases in the general population, a “rare disease” is defined broadly as a health condition with a low prevalence that affects a relatively small number of people. Numerous cases of uncommon diseases may be severe, debilitating, and even fatal. India has between 50 and 100 million people who suffer from rare diseases or disorders; according to the policy report, nearly 80 percent of these patients are children, and the high morbidity and mortality rates of these life-threatening diseases are a major reason why most of them do not live to adulthood.
The National Rare Diseases Committee describes itself.
About:
The Delhi High Court established the National Rare Diseases Committee, a five-member group, to execute the rare diseases policy and guarantee effective patient care. The committee’s goal is to solve the issues faced by patients with rare diseases. The committee is made up of authorities from related sectors, including doctors, policymakers, and representatives from hospitals.
Objectives and Responsibilities
evaluating cases:
concentrate on the patients registered at Delhi’s AIIMS.
Analyse specific instances to identify medical requirements and choose a course of action.
Incorporating the Policy:
Create tactics and directives for putting policy provisions into practise.
Collaboration & Coordination:
Ensure that the medical community, therapeutic providers, and governmental organisations work closely together.
Establish a cooperative setting for tackling issues connected to uncommon diseases.
Accessibility of the treatment:
Make sure patients with uncommon disorders receive timely care.
Investigate options for getting the treatments and medications you need.
Create a logistical plan to ensure efficient treatment delivery.
The National Rare Disease Policy for 2021 is what.
Aim:
Increased emphasis on locally produced medicines and indigenous research.
Reduce the price of treating rare diseases.
To prevent uncommon diseases, screen for them and find them early.
Important Clauses of the Policy:
Categorization:
Group 1: Disorders that can be cured with a single treatment.
Group 2: Conditions that demand permanent or protracted medical care.
Group 3 includes illnesses for which a treatment is accessible but with difficulties in patient selection, significant costs, and lifetime therapy.
Financial Assistance:
There is a provision for patients with any category of rare diseases to receive financial assistance up to Rs. 50 lakhs for treatment at any of the Centres of Excellence (CoE) listed in NPRD-2021, outside of the umbrella programme of Rashtriya Arogaya Nidhi. For Group 1 uncommon diseases, Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi offers financial assistance of up to Rs. 20 lakhs. Regardless of their level of poverty, Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi offers support to individuals with serious life-threatening illnesses. voluntary treatment crowdfunding using a digital platform accepting contributions from both individuals and businesses.
Excellence Centres:
‘Centres of Excellence’ designation for eight healthcare establishments.
Up to Rs. 5 crore in one-time funding is available to upgrade diagnostic facilities.
Federal Register:
the establishment of a national registry for uncommon diseases housed in hospitals.
ensuring thorough definitions and data for use in research and development.
Issues Raised:
Patients with Group 3 diseases do not have reliable funding.
Exorbitant prices for medications for rare disorders.
Limited domestic and international producers of medications for rare disorders.
Previous Year Questions (PYQs) for the UPSC Civil Services Exam
- To achieve ‘Health for All’ in India, appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is required. Explain. (2018)
Origin: TH
THE INDIAN PARLIAMENT BUILDING
In News, why?
The new Indian Parliament building, which is a component of the updated Central Vista project, was just inaugurated by the Indian Prime Minister. 2019 saw the start of the new structure’s construction, which was created by architect Bimal Patel.
Why Is a New Parliament Building Needed?
MPs Have Limited Space to Sit:
The outdated structure was never intended to house a bicameral legislature for a fully functional democracy. After 2026, when the cap on the total number of seats is lifted, the Lok Sabha’s current 545 seats are anticipated to grow dramatically.
Infrastructure in distress:
Water seepage has occurred at various locations as a result of the addition of utilities such as water supply and sewer lines, air conditioning, firefighting equipment, CCTV cameras, etc. This has negatively harmed the building’s appearance. On the building, fire safety is a top priority, according to the official website.
dated communication patterns:
The former Parliament has outdated communications equipment and technology, and all of the halls might from better acoustics.
Safety Issues
Given that Delhi was in Seismic Zone II when the previous Parliament was constructed, and that it is now in Seismic Zone V, structural safety is a worry.
inadequate workplace conditions for workers
Inner service passageways were turned into offices over time, creating workspaces of inferior quality. In order to fit more workers, these workplaces were frequently divided into smaller sub-partitions.
What Constitutes the New Parliament’s Key Points?
triangular form
The new structure’s triangular shape is primarily due to the shape of the plot of land it is situated on. Sacred geometry from numerous religions has an impact on the new building’s design. Its structure and materials are intended to match the old Parliament, and the two structures are anticipated to work together as a single complex.
Friendly to the environment
The new structure, which was constructed utilising green building methods, is anticipated to use 30% less electricity than the old one. Systems for collecting rainwater and reusing water have been included. It is intended to work for the next 150 years and has been engineered to be more space-efficient.
Earthquake-Safe:
Given that Delhi is in seismic zone V, the structure is prepared to withstand earthquakes.
the Lok Sabha
The new Lok Sabha chamber features a peacock theme, with carvings of the national bird’s feathers on the walls and ceiling and teal carpets to complete the interior. The Lok Sabha chamber will contain 888 seats instead of the current 543, with the capacity to increase to 1,272. In the lack of a Central Hall, which served as the hub of the previous structure, both Houses will meet jointly in the Lok Sabha.
Maj. Senate:
Red carpets and a lotus motif were used to decorate the Rajya Sabha chamber. Two MPs will be able to sit on one bench in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, and each would have a touch screen on their desk. With 384 seats available, the Rajya Sabha can hold more MPs than its current capacity of 250. Both chambers’ expanded capacity is intended to accommodate any potential future growth in the number of MPs following Delimitation.
Hall of Constitution:
The Constitution Hall in the new structure contains information about the development of Indian democracy.
material sourced from all over India
Construction supplies for the building’s interior and exterior have been imported from all over the nation, including granite from Lakha village in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, and sandstone from Sarmathura in Dholpur. Similar to this, the decor’s wood comes from Nagpur, and the wooden architecture was designed by craftsmen in Mumbai. Traditional hand-knotted carpets were created for the structure by Bhadohi weavers from Uttar Pradesh.
Gandhi Monument
The 16-foot-tall bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi, which was first erected between the old and new buildings of Parliament in 1993, has been moved. It currently faces the historic structure and is close to the Lok Sabha Speaker’s entrance. The statue has served as a prominent location for gatherings, protests, and picture opportunities for lawmakers and students. It was made by Padma Bhushan laureate and well-known sculptor Ram V Sutar.
National Flags:
The structure is covered in numerous national emblems, including the Lion Capital of Ashoka, which is the nation’s flag and can be seen from a distance. It weighs 9,500 kg and is 6.5 metres tall. On top of the main foyer, a structure weighing 6,500 kg was built to support this enormous bronze sculpture. The Ashoka chakra and the phrase “Satyameva Jayate” are engraved into the stone at the entryway.
Sceptre of Gold
In the new Lok Sabha chamber, close to the Speaker’s podium, is a golden sceptre (Sengol), which was given to Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of Independence to symbolise the handover of authority from the British. He received this sceptre from Tamil Nadu priests.
moving online:
All records, including House proceedings, questions, and other business, are being digitalized in keeping with the new Parliament’s emphasis on environmental protection. In addition, tablets and iPads will become commonplace.
Galleries within the Structure:
Textile installations from all around India will be displayed in the “Shilp” gallery alongside ceramics fashioned from the mitti of every Indian state. The prominent monuments of India, including those from the many states and UTs, will be displayed in the gallery “Sthapatya.” Along with monuments, it incorporates yoga asanas.
Shastra Vaastu:
Based on their significance in Indian culture and vaastu shastra, auspicious animals will be displayed as guardian statues at each of the building’s entrances. These include the horse, elephant, eagle, swan, and the mythological shardula and makara monsters.
The Pendulum of Foucault
Installed inside the new Parliament building is a Foucault pendulum. One rotation takes place at Parliament’s latitude in 49 hours, 59 minutes, and 18 seconds. The earth’s rotation is demonstrated by the Foucault pendulum, which bears Léon Foucault’s name. The pendulum is made up of a heavy bob carried from a fixed point in the ceiling by a long, strong wire. The imaginary plane that the wire and bob swipe across when the pendulum swings is referred to as the swing plane.
Downtown Central
Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, North and South Block, India Gate, and the National Archives are among the buildings in New Delhi’s Central Vista. King George V announced in the Delhi Durbar (a large assembly) in December 1911 that Delhi would replace Calcutta as the capital of India. The responsibility of building a new city was handed to Herbert Baker, a well-known architect in South Africa, and Edwin Lutyens, who is renowned for his strong commitment to European Classicism. Delhi Durbar was held to commemorate the crowning of King George V. Additionally, Herbert Baker designed the Union buildings in Pretoria, South Africa. Baker and Lutyens both contributed to the design of the Parliament House structure. Edwin Lutyens was the designer of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Herbert Baker created The Secretariat, which consists of both the north and south blocks.
Origin: IE
LIGHTNING-FAST CURRENT AFFAIRS
RE-ELECTED AS A WHO EXTERNAL AUDITOR IS THE CAG CHIEF
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) external auditor, Girish Chandra Murmu, has been re-elected for a four-year term from 2024 to 2027. He is the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). Re-election proceedings took conducted in Geneva during the 76th World Health Assembly. Following his appointment as the External Auditor for the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in March 2023, this is his second significant international audit assignment for the year. The CAG of India also serves as the external auditor for a number of other global institutions, such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation. India has a significant presence and impact in global audit and governance organisations, as evidenced by the CAG’s re-election as the WHO External Auditor. The role of the WHO’s external auditor is to carry out impartial audits and offer assurance on the organization’s financial statements, compliance with laws and regulations, efficiency of operations, and risk management.
CHINESE SPACE AGENCY LAUNCHES FIRST CIVILIAN
By successfully launching the Shenzhou 16 spacecraft, which was carrying three astronauts, using a Long March 2F rocket, China’s space programme scored an important milestone. This mission is the first ever to send a citizen astronaut into space for the nation. China has poured billions of dollars into its military-run space programme in an effort to catch up to the United States and Russia. With the achievement of this milestone, the People’s Liberation Army is no longer limited to deploying astronauts. Space science experimental payloads will be handled by the citizen astronaut Gui Haichao, a payload specialist from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. By 2029, China hopes to establish a lunar outpost and send a crewed trip there. In the meantime, the Tiangong space station will serve as a platform for scientific research and the evaluation of novel technologies.
STRENGTHENING UNANI MEDICINE
To support the study and advancement of Unani medicine, a conventional medical system, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has allotted Rs 45.34 crore. To improve unani facilities in Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, Silchar, and Bengaluru, the Central Council of Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) and the National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM) Bengaluru have received grants of Rs 35.52 crore and Rs 9.81 crore, respectively. The grants were awarded under the federally funded programme Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, which aims to enhance unani medicine and increase public access to it. Along with Ayurveda and homoeopathy, unani medicine is one of the most well-liked alternative therapies in India. Its foundation is the idea of enhancing the body’s natural capacity for self-healing.
DESPITE HIGH TEMPERATURES, MORE BIRDS ARE MIGRATING TO CHILIKA LAKE
This summer, migrating birds came in greater numbers than in previous years to Chilika Lake in Odisha, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, defying the sweltering heat of 39 to 41 degrees Celsius. The biggest number of bird sightings were in the Tangi range, followed by Balugaon, Satapada, Chilika, and Rambha. Notably, the Asian Openbilled-stork, whiskered tern, small cormorant, and little egret were the next most often observed species, followed by the grey-headed swamphen or purple swamphen. The increased bird migration is a result of a number of factors, including habitat restoration, food availability, and the removal of prawn enclosures from the lake. The birds travel to the Chilika every winter and begin their return trip before the arrival of summer, with the majority of them coming from northern Eurasia, beyond the Himalayas, the Caspian Sea, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Baikal Lake, and the remote regions of Russia and adjacent nations. Despite the heat, several migrating birds decided to stay in the lake rather than travel back to their home regions. Pelicans and flamingos typically arrive in Chilika later than expected. With the arrival of monsoon, pelicans begin their migration, although some flamingos have made the decision over time to remain in the lake.