TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 09.09.2024

1. BILATERAL

ZELENSKYY SEEKS TIE-UP WITH INDIA FOR PRODUCING DRONES, ELECTRONIC WARFARE SYSTEMS

• India-Ukraine Cooperation in High-End Technologies Areas of Cooperation:
• Agriculture: Technological Advancements: Ukraine is willing to share its advancements in agricultural technologies with India. This could include innovations in crop management, precision farming, and sustainable agricultural practices.
• Cybersecurity: Enhanced Security Measures: Ukraine has developed robust cybersecurity measures, especially in response to the ongoing conflict. Cooperation in this area could help India bolster its cybersecurity infrastructure.
• Defense: Co-Production of Drones: Ukraine has made significant strides in drone technology, including sea drones. Co-production of these drones could benefit both nations by enhancing their defense capabilities.
• Electronic Warfare Systems: Collaboration in electronic warfare systems could provide India with advanced technologies to counter modern threats.
• Joint Ventures: Some joint ventures between Ukrainian manufacturers and Indian private sector companies are already in the works to produce spares and carry out maintenance in India.

2. NATIONAL

NICOBAR PROJECT WILL NOT DISTURB OR DISPLACE TRIBES – YADAV

• The Great Nicobar Project is a significant development initiative aimed at enhancing India’s strategic and economic capabilities in the Nicobar Islands.
• Key Features: Development Components:
• Port and Airport: The project includes the development of a port and an airport in the Nicobar Islands.
• Budget: The project is valued at ₹72,000 crore.
• Strategic Importance: Countering China: The development aims to counter expansionist actions by China in the region.
• Marine Resource Protection: It will help curb the stealing of marine resources by Myanmarese poachers. Infrastructure and Trade: The project aims to bridge infrastructural gaps and promote international trade.
• Environmental and Social Concerns: Indigenous Tribes: Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav assured that the project would not disturb or displace the Shompen, an indigenous tribe.
• Earthquake Risk: The site is unlikely to experience an earthquake of the scale seen in 2004 for another 400 to 700 years.
• Consultation and Consent: Tribal Councils: Consultations were conducted with the Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti and the Chairman of the Tribal Council attended these meetings.
• Forest Rights Act: The administration has not recognized or granted ownership of forest land to local tribes as per the Forest Rights Act. However, no objections were raised during the statutory period prescribed in the Act

3. ENVIRONMENT

PUNJAB, KERALA, GUJARAT REPORTED MOST OF THE H1NI DEATHS, SAYS NCDC

• Disease: Influenza A (H1N1)
• Nature: Swine flu is a respiratory infection caused by a subtype of the influenza A virus.
• Transmission: Airborne: Spread through coughing, sneezing, talking, and exhaling by an infected person.
• Surface Contact: Virus can enter the body from contaminated surfaces.
• Children and immunocompromised individuals may spread the virus for a longer period.
• First Case in India: Documented: May 2009
• Zoonotic Diseases:
• Definition: Infectious diseases that can transfer between animals and humans.
• Examples: Rabies, anthrax, influenza (H1N1 and H5N1), Nipah, COVID-19, brucellosis, tuberculosis.
• Causes: Pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.
• Prevention and Control: Vaccination: Immunization against specific zoonotic diseases.
• Hygiene Practices: Maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene.
• Animal Husbandry: Proper care and management of animals to prevent disease spread.
• Vector Control: Measures to control vectors that transmit diseases.

4. BILATERAL

IN U.S RAJNATH DISCUSSES DEFENCE PARTNERSHIP WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS

• Engagement with American Defence Companies:
• Round-Table Discussion: Rajnath Singh interacted with senior leadership of American defence companies at a round-table organized by the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).
• Co-Development and Co-Production: Singh outlined various emerging opportunities for co-development and co-production in the defence sector in India, inviting U.S. companies to collaborate with Indian partners to accelerate the “Make in India” program and achieve self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in defence.
• Possible Sale of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Sonobuoys:
• Notification to U.S. Congress: The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified the U.S. Congress about a possible sale of ASW sonobuoys for the Indian Navy’s MH-60R multi-role helicopters.
• Details of the Sale: The sale, estimated at $52.8 million, includes various types of sonobuoys, technical publications, data documentation, and engineering and technical support.
• MH-60R Helicopters: Ongoing Induction: The Indian Navy is in the process of inducting 24 MH-60R helicopters from Lockheed Martin, under a $2.2-billion deal signed in February 2020. Deliveries are expected to be completed by 2025.
• Progressive Reforms and Foreign OEMs:
• Encouragement for Foreign OEMs: Progressive reforms by the Indian government have encouraged many foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including those from the U.S., to set up manufacturing units in India, develop joint ventures, and make India their alternate export base.
• GE414 Aero-Engines: The planned co-production of GE414 aeroengines in India is highlighted as a significant milestone in India-U.S. bilateral relations.
• Security of Supply Agreement (SOSA): Signing of SOSA: India and the U.S. signed a Security of Supply Agreement, one of the two broad-based defence industrial cooperation agreements under discussion.
• Reciprocal Defence Procurement Agreement: Another agreement, the Reciprocal Defence Procurement agreement, is also under discussion.
• Meeting with U.S. National Security Adviser: Discussion with Jake Sullivan: Rajnath Singh met U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to deliberate on the evolving geopolitical situation and key regional security issues.
• Defence Industrial Collaboration: They discussed ongoing defence industrial collaboration projects and potential areas for future cooperation between the defence industries of both countries.

5. NATIONAL

ASSURED PENSIONS RETURN AS GOVERNMENT BACKTRACKS ON NPS

• The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) is a significant policy shift by the NDA government, reverting to a pension system similar to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) while incorporating some elements of the National Pension System (NPS).
• Superannuation Payout: Lumpsum Payment: Employees will receive a lumpsum payment equivalent to a tenth of monthly emoluments (pay plus Dearness Allowance) for every completed six months of service, in addition to gratuity benefits at the time of retirement.
• Contributory Scheme: Employee Contribution: 10% of salary.
• Government Contribution: 18.5% of salary, with potential adjustments based on periodic actuarial assessments.
• Comparison with Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and National Pension System (NPS): 
• Old Pension Scheme (OPS): Non-Contributory: No contributions from employees or the government.
• Unfunded Liabilities: Pension liabilities were unfunded.
• National Pension System (NPS): Market-Linked: Pension payouts were linked to the accumulated value of contributions invested in equities and other market-linked securities.
• Contributions: Both employees and the government contributed to the pension fund.
• Unified Pension Scheme (UPS): Contributory: Both employees and the government contribute, but with a fixed employee contribution rate.
• Guaranteed Pension: Assures a fixed percentage of the last drawn salary as pension, unlike the market-linked NPS.
• Implementation and Options:
• Effective Date: The UPS will be implemented from April 1, 2025.
• Option to Switch: Employees who joined service since 2004, including retirees, can switch from NPS to UPS.
• State Governments: They have the option to adopt the UPS architecture.

ONE LINER

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