PRELIMS PUNCHERS
1. COMCASA
COMCASA stands for Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement and is one of the four foundational agreements that the U.S. signs with allies and close partners to facilitate interoperability between militaries and sale of high end technology. It is an India-specific version of the Communication and Information on Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA). It comes into force immediately, and is valid for a period 10 years.
COMCASA allows India to procure transfer specialised equipment for encrypted communications for US origin military platforms like the C-17, C-130 and P-8Is. Currently, these platforms use commercially available communication systems.
Sources : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-is-comcasa/article24881039.ece
2. Bryocrumia malabarica
It is discovered in the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary along the Western Ghats. This tiny bryophyte is only the second species to be identified in the genus Bryocrumia which has for long thought to be monotypic that is represented by just one species.
They are found on rocky patches along a stream in the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary. The plant, which is light green in colour, differs from Bryocrumia vivicolor in the structure of its leaves. “Bryophytes are a group of plants that play significant roles in the ecosystem. They arrange the suitable microclimate in the forest ecosystem, and provide suitable microhabitats for many other organisms, especially small insects,”
Sources : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/botanists-spot-new-bryophyte-species-in-kerala/article34458753.ece
3. Net Zero Producer Forum
Five of the world’s major oil and gas producers are working together to ‘develop pragmatic net-zero emission strategies’. Qatar, the US, Saudi Arabia, Canada and Norway, collectively responsible for 40% of global oil and gas production, will come together to form a cooperative forum that will develop pragmatic net zero-emission strategies.
Energy producers are faced with unique responsibilities to furnish the world with energy but the climate crisis requires serious leadership and a strong alliance to deliver a path to net-zero. It consider strategies and technologies which include methane abatement, circular carbon economy approach, development and deployment of clean energy and carbon capture and storage technologies
Sources : https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/working-towards-climate-justice-in-a-non-ideal-world/article34047239.ece
4. Mount Meron
It is a mountain in the Upper Galilee region of Israel. It has special significance in Jewish religious tradition and parts of it have been declared a nature reserve. Mount Meron is the highest peak in Israel within the Green Line, though many peaks in the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon, which was occupied during the Six Day War in 1967 and annexed and removed from military jurisdiction in 1981, are higher.
The mountain has extensive undergrowth and cannot be climbed from every direction. It has a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and damp and cool winters. It snows briefly on Mount Meron a few times during every winter
Sources : https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/10-boys-and-teens-among-the-dead-in-israel-festival-stampede/article34462302.ece
5. ALH Mk-III
It is an indigenously built multi role helicopter with Shakti engine manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL). The Mk III version of the ALH has an all glass cockpit with HAL’s integrated architecture display system (IDAS) and will be used for search and rescue special operations and coastal surveillance.
The customized Mk III is powered by ‘Shakti’ (Safran Ardiden 1H1) engines
Sources: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hals-advanced-light-helicopter-dhruv-demonstrates-deck-operations-capabilities-in-ship-borne-trials/article34441490.ece
6. CLAWS
The Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi, India is an autonomous think tank on strategic studies and land warfare. The mandate of CLAWS covers national security issues, conventional military operations and sub-conventional warfare. It is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and is a membership-based organisation. It is governed by a Board of Governors and an Executive Council.
Research at CLAWS is futuristic in outlook and policy-oriented in approach. CLAWS disseminate the products of its research to its members, members of the armed forces, decision makers, members of the strategic community and interested civilians. It also seeks to contribute to developing a pro-active strategic culture for India. The objective of the organization is to convey policy recommendations based on interactions, consensus and research projects to policymakers and experts.
Sources : https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1712692
7. India US clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership
The United States and India are launching the “U.S.-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership .The Partnership will represent one of the core venues for U.S.-India collaboration and focus on driving urgent progress in this critical decade for climate action. Both the United States and India have set ambitious 2030 targets for climate action and clean energy.
In its new nationally determined contribution, the United States has set an economy-wide target of reducing its net greenhouse gas emissions by 50–52 percent below 2005 levels in 2030. As part of its climate mitigation efforts, India has set a target of installing 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030. Through the Partnership, the United States and India are firmly committed to working together in achieving their ambitious climate and clean energy targets and to strengthening bilateral collaboration across climate and clean energy.
he Partnership will proceed along two main tracks that is the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership and the Climate Action and Finance Mobilization Dialogue, which will build on and subsume a range of existing processes. Through this collaboration, the United States and India aim to demonstrate how the world can align swift climate action with inclusive and resilient economic development, taking into account national circumstances and sustainable development priorities.
Sources: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/a-green-partnership-the-hindu-editorial-on-us-india-climate-pact/article34408913.ece
8. Defence Acquisition Council
The Defence Acquisition Council is the highest decision-making body in the Defence Ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) and the Indian Coast Guard. The Minister of Defence is the Chairman of the Council.
It was formed, after the Group of Ministers recommendations on ‘Reforming the National Security System’, in 2001, post Kargil War (1999). The SRIJAN is a portal launched by Ministry of defence in order to take up the products imported for indigenization. It displays defence products that have been imported recently and will tag with the Defence Public sector undertakings, Ordinance Factory Board and others in order to push for its domestic manufacturing for exports in future
Sources : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/defence-ministry-to-take-up-big-deals-for-armed-drones-submarines-in-april/article34020546.ece
Prelims question
Qn 1. Consider the following statement with reference to CLAWS
1. It is an NGO on strategic studies and land warfare
2. The mandate of CLAWS covers national security issues, conventional military operations and sub-conventional warfare.
Select the correct statement using code given below.
(a). 1only (b) 2 only
(c). Both of them (d). None of the above
Answer : B
The Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi, India is an autonomous think tank on strategic studies and land warfare. The mandate of CLAWS covers national security issues, conventional military operations and sub-conventional warfare. It is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and is a membership-based organisation. It is governed by a Board of Governors and an Executive Council.
Research at CLAWS is futuristic in outlook and policy-oriented in approach. CLAWS disseminate the products of its research to its members, members of the armed forces, decision makers, members of the strategic community and interested civilians. It also seeks to contribute to developing a pro-active strategic culture for India. The objective of the organization is to convey policy recommendations based on interactions, consensus and research projects to policymakers and experts.
2. Consider the following statement with reference to Bryocrumia malabarica
1.It is discovered in the along the Eastern Ghats
2, This tiny bryophyte is first species to be identified in the genus Bryocrumia
Select the correct statement using code given below.
(a). 1only (b) 2 only
(c). Both of them (d). None of the above
Answer : D
It is discovered in the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary along the Western Ghats. This tiny bryophyte is only the second species to be identified in the genus Bryocrumia which has for long thought to be monotypic that is represented by just one species.
They are found on rocky patches along a stream in the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary. The plant, which is light green in colour, differs from Bryocrumia vivicolor in the structure of its leaves. “Bryophytes are a group of plants that play significant roles in the ecosystem. They arrange the suitable microclimate in the forest ecosystem, and provide suitable microhabitats for many other organisms, especially small insects,”