Isro successfully launches remote sensing satellite RESOURCESAT-2A

Isro successfully launches remote sensing satellite RESOURCESAT-2A
Isro’s PSLV-C36 placed the 1,235-kg RESOURCESAT-2A satellite in an 817-km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit
India’s latest remote sensing satellite, RESOURCESAT-2A, was on Wednesday successfully launched by the Indian Space Research Organization’s (Isro) workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle from the launch pad at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

RESOURCESAT-2A, intended for resource monitoring, is a follow-on mission to RESOURCESAT-1 and RESOURCESAT-2, launched in 2003 and 2011 respectively.It is intended to continue the remote sensing data services to global users provided by RESOURCESAT-1 and 2.
“PSLV-C36 successfully launches RESOURCESAT-2A,” Isro said. Describing it as a “successful” launch, Isro chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar said it is going to provide continuity to “our three tier imaging data, which will be extremely useful for various applications of land and water.”
Kumar said “it has been a perfect launch.” “I wish to congratulate the entire ISRO team for the wonderful job they have done and for putting one more operational satellite into orbit,” he added.
PSLV-C36, the 38th flight of PSLV, blasted off at 10:25am from the first launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota and injected RESOURCESAT-2 into the orbit in a flawless flight lasting about 18 minutes.
The 1,235-kg RESOURCESAT-2A was placed in an 817-km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO), Isro said. In this flight, the ‘XL’ version of PSLV with six solid strap-on motors was used. RESOURCESAT-2A carries three payloads which are similar to those of RESOURCESAT-1 and 2.
They include a high resolution Linear Imaging Self Scanner (LISS-4) camera operating in three spectral bands in the Visible and Near Infrared Region (VNIR), medium resolution LISS-3 camera operating in three-spectral bands in VNIR and one in Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) band, and coarse resolution Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWiFS) camera operating in three spectral bands in VNIR and one band in SWIR, with specified spatial resolutions, Isro said.
RESOURCESAT-2A also carries two Solid State Recorders with a capacity of 200 gigabits each to store the images taken by its cameras which can be read out later to ground stations, it added. The mission life of RESOURCESAT-2A is five years.
The satellite was earlier planned for launch on November 28.
PSLV, Isro’s versatile launch vehicle, has 36 successful launches to its credit so far. During the 1994-2016 period, PSLV has launched a total of 121 satellites, including 79 from abroad.

India and Israel to step-up Science and Technology Cooperation

India and Israel to step-up Science and Technology Cooperation

A high level Israeli delegation led by Minister for Science, Technology and Space Mr.Ofir Akunis, including three members of Israeli parliament met Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences. The visit of the Israeli S&T and Space Minister to India follows the visit of the President of Israel to India last month. In the meeting between the two Minister’s both sides agreed to give boost to the bilateral cooperation in science and technologyunder the aegis of the S&T Agreement concluded between India and Israel in 1993. Next year will mark 25 years of diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Harsh Vardhan remarked that India values its science and technology cooperation with Israel which is a leading innovative nation of the world. He further added that we would like to identify new opportunities and mechanisms to expand and upscale our cooperation agenda by creating a value based relationship which can contribute to the 21st century knowledge economy.
India and Israel together have implemented a large number of cutting edge research projects in applied areas covering Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology; Human Genomics; Advanced Materials & Nanotechnology; Imaging Sensor & Robotics; Solar Energy; Communication & Information Technology; and Lasers & Electro-optics. This has led to new knowledge creation through high impact publications in peer reviewed international journals.
As a follow-up to the India-Israel Joint S&T Committee meeting which was held in Jerusalem earlier this year, the two Ministers agreed to step up the collaboration in the next two years by providing U.S. dollar 1 million from each side to support new R&D projects in the cutting edge areas of ‘Big Data Analytics in Health Care’ and ‘Security in Cyber Space’. The joint projects will be awarded to the partnering academic and R&D laboratories from the two countries during the next year. As a part of these projects, student exchanges will be encouraged in order to connect the next generation and sustain the pipeline of future collaboration.
In recognition of the importance of promoting women in science it was agreed to consider special initiatives to support women in science and technology through new joint programs in this area. Further, in order to engage best and bright researchers from India and Israel who can provide the future excitement in the science and technology relationship, it was suggested to hold ‘Frontiers of Science and Engineering Symposium’ targeted to the next generation future leaders, cutting across disciplinary and institutional boundaries.
The potential avenues and mechanism for collaboration particularly leading to establishment of ‘Networked Research Centers’ between the academic and R&D institutions from the two countries was also mooted. The virtual networked centre mechanism will help to leverage collaborative advantage by connecting the best performing research groups. To this effect, a joint declaration of intent was signed by the two Ministers for further follow-up.
The science and technology relationship between India and Israel has been unique in also promoting industrial R&D cooperation through academia-industry participation which has the potential to create new intellectual property, prototypes and products. This collaborative program is particularly significant in context to the Make in India and other national missions of the Indian government. The international industrial R&D cooperation of Department of Science & Technology (DST) with MATIMOP, the Israeli Industry Center for R&D, is administered through the Global Innovation and Technology Alliance (GITA) - platform of Confederation of Indian Industry(CII).
Dr. Harsh Vardhan remarked that by connecting the academic institutions and industries from both countries we will not only stimulate new knowledge creation but also foster innovation and techno-entrepreneurship. Both countries should continue their commitment to further strengthen this strand of our bilateral S&T cooperation which is of mutual relevance and in line with our national priority.

Environment Ministry issues final notification on Eco-Sensitive Zone in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai

Environment Ministry issues final notification on Eco-Sensitive Zone in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai

The Government today issued the Final Notification for an Eco-Sensitive Zone area of 59.46 sq kms of which 19.25 sq km is forest land and 40.21 sq km is non-forest land in Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai suburb. Announcing the decision, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave, said, "After completing all processes, the final notification has been done. Now from its boundary, 100 metres to upto 4 kms, we have marked it. The extent (of ESZ) varies at different places taking into consideration its geographical area. No construction will take place in this (ESZ) area”.  The Minister added that the step has been taken with a view to avoid man-animal conflict.

The Eco-Sensitive Zone has a minimum extent of 100 metres and maximum extent of up to 4 km from the Park boundary.   The objective of notifying Eco-Sensitive Zones is to create a buffer as further protection around Protected Areas (PAs) such as National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries. 

The Notification also provides that in areas around Housing Societies and with high human habitation, and in view of the fact that the National Park has a large population of leopards, a high wall with fencing may be erected to ensure that man-animal conflict is avoided.

Background

 In order to conserve and protect the unique habitat in and around the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, a draft notification S.O (229 (E) was published on 22.01.2016 around the Park as Eco-Sensitive Zone from ecological and environmental point of view and for regulating development around the National Park. 

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had received a large number of responses from elected representatives, various organisations and agencies such as the Bombay Municipal Corporation, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation and others on the Draft Notification. 

Taking these into consideration, an area of 1.65 sq km land for the Mumbai Metro Rail Shed of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, temple etc has been excluded in the Final Notification published on 05.12.2016. 

Due to its unique location in the middle of a bustling city, any new construction within ESZ shall be in accordance with Bombay Municipal Bye-Laws and Approved Development Plans and applicable laws and regulations under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act and vide provisions of the ESZ notification. 

About Sanjay Gandhi National Park 

Sanjay Gandhi National Park is spread over three districts – Palgar, Thane and Mumbai Suburb and falls within the Tehsils of Kurla, Borivalli and Thane. The National Park is home to a number of endangered species of flora and fauna and harbours approximately 800 species of flowering plants, 45 species of mammals, 43 species of reptiles, 38 species of snakes, 12 species of amphibians, 300 species of birds, 150 species of butterflies. Notable amongst them are large mammalian species such as leopard, wild boar, four-horned antelope, black-naped hare, wild cat, jackal and porcupine and many bird species such as Lesser grebe, Purple Heron, Smaller Egret, Lesser Whistling Teal, Pariah Kite. Many reptiles, including snakes as Indian Cobra and Viper are also found in the National Park. 

UPSC IAS-2016 MAINS GS PAPERIV

 

UPSC IAS-2016 MAINS GS PAPERIV

Analysis:Easy questions in theoretical part .new type of question and format in case studies.over all lengthy and still marks fetching.

 

UPSC (IAS)-2016 MAINS GS PAPER 3

UPSC (IAS)-2016 MAINS GS PAPER 3

Analysis: GS PAPER III is as usual current affairs based but more related to socio economic policy rather than basic part. New programmes and policies and challenges in their implementation was main concern of UPSC .

11 questions were covered by samveg ias mains test series -2016.

Q1 How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian economy? Is increased informalization detrimental to the development of the country?

Q3 Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poor section of the Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion.

Q4 What are ‘Smart Cities’? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for ’Smart Villages’ in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission.

Q5 Justify the need for FDI for the development of the Indian economy. Why there is gap between MOUs signed and actual FDIs? Suggest remedial steps to be taken for increasing actual FDIs in India.

Q6 What is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing the water-use efficiency.

Q9 Discuss the role of land reforms in agricultural development. Identify the factors that were responsible for the success of land reforms in India.
Q10 Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

Q11 Give an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved pertaining to renewable energy sources in the country. Discuss in brief the importance of National Programme on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Q12 Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development?

Q16 With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand.
Q17 The terms ‘Hot Pursuit’ and ‘Surgical Strikes’ are often used in connection with armed action against terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions.

UPSC (IAS) -2016 MAINS GS PAPER II

UPSC (IAS) -2016 MAINS GS PAPER II

Analysis: GS PAPER II was moderately difficult.but as we suspected that this time upsc may ask question from basic part ,this has happened .questions were lengthy but approachable.

Nearly 8 questions directly can be traced to samveg ias mains test series.

Q1 Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any, that have led to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and the institution of the Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of the Indian federal politics?
Q4 Exercise of CAG’s powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and the States is derived from Article 149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether audit of the Government’s policy implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction.

Q8 What is quasi judicial body? Explain with the help of concrete examples.
Q13 Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsive to this important change?
Q16 “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable?
Q17 The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seem doomed due to differences between the developed and the developing countries.” Discuss in the Indian perspective.
Q18Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post Cold War international scenario.
Q19 “Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).” Explain with suitable examples.

GS2 Mains-Topicwise Questions since Syllabus change

GS2 Mains-Topicwise Questions since Syllabus change

In 2013, UPSC changed the syllabus-pattern of Mains examination and the number of general studies (GS) papers were increased from two to four. Out of them, GS Paper-2 deals with Polity, Governance, Welfare and International-Relations (IR)

Category	GSM-2	2013	2014	2015	2016
Polity	Basic Str.	10	12.5	37.5	12.5
Polity	Executive	10	25	0	0
Polity	Legislature	10	12.5	0	12.5
Polity	Power Sep.	10	12.5	12.5	12.5
Polity	Fed-Local	30	12.5	25	37.5
Polity	Bodies	20	25	25	25
Welfare	Social Service, Sectors	50	62.5	37.5	50
Governance	Accountability	20	0	25	25
Governance	Groups-NGO,Pressure,IAS	20	25	37.5	25
IR	Neighbours	50	12.5	25	12.5
IR	Non-Neighbours	10	0	12.5	12.5
IR	Inst., Group,Agreements	10	50	12.5	25
	Total	250	250	250	250