Several automobile manufacturers are advocating for less stringent emission limits than those prescribed under Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) – III norms.

About CAFE Norms

• CAFE norms were first notified in 2017, under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
• Objective: To mitigate fuel consumption by lowering CO₂ emissions; aiming to reduce oil dependency and air pollution.
• It is estimated by averaging the standard fuel consumption of all vehicles sold each year. 
• Applicability: For petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), CNG, hybrid, and electric passenger vehicles with gross vehicle weight (GVW) <3500kgs.
• CAFE – III norms have been notified for the 5 year period during 2027 – 2032.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) inaugurated the 2nd edition of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Ports Conclave.

About BIMSTEC

• Genesis: It was established in 1997 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. 
• Purpose: Promotion of economic cooperation between countries bordering the Bay of Bengal
• It is a grouping of 7 Member States lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal. 
• Members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand.
• It is a unique link connecting South Asia with South-East Asia.
• Secretariat: Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The US plans to send the PATRIOT Missile Air Defence System (PMADS) to Ukraine.

About PMADS

• PATRIOT (Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target) is a mobile surface-to-air missile defence system developed by Raytheon Technologies.
• A typical battery of PATRIOT missile includes radar and control systems, a power unit, launchers, and support vehicles. 
• It is equipped with a track-via-missile (TVM) guidance system. Midcourse correction commands are transmitted to the guidance system from the mobile engagement control centre.
• It can intercept aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, depending on the interceptor used.

Union Government’s 2022 Annual Report shows the number of criminal cases registered under Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act, 1955 declined.

About PCR Act, 1955

• Previously known as Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955, it was renamed as Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 through an amendment in 1976.
• Objective: To prescribe punishment for the preaching and practice of Untouchability.
• It defines various manifestations of untouchability, including in social and religious spheres, and prescribes penalties.
• It mandates an annual review report with inputs from States and Union Territories, covering aspects such as case registration, pendency in police and courts, among others.

Recently, DRDO handed over 6 indigenous RMS to Indian Navy.

• These include Gamma Radiation Aerial Surveillance System, Environmental Surveillance Vehicle, Vehicle Radiological Contamination Monitoring System, etc. 

About RMS

• It measures radiation fields in the vicinity of a radiation source, measurement of surface contamination, and airborne radioactivity.
• Instruments Involved
  • Radiation survey meters, also called Geiger counters or Geiger-Mueller meters. 
    • Cannot detect beta or alpha radiations
  • Newer, portable and compact radiation monitor with digital readouts and alarm systems measures alpha, beta, and/or gamma radiation.
• Key Applications: Nuclear power plants, medical facilities, environmental monitoring, national security, etc. 

India received the second GE-F404 engine from the United States for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark-1A fighter jet programme.

About LCA Mark-1A

• It is the most advanced version of the LCA Tejas.
  • LCA Tejas is a 4.5 generation, all weather and multi-role fighter aircraft capable of offensive air support, close combat, ground attack and Ground Maritime Operations. 
• It is equipped with AESA Radar, EW suite consisting of radar warning and self-protection jamming, Digital Map Generator (DMG), Smart Multi-function Displays (SMFD), etc. 

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) announced the Prime Minister Professorships.

About PM Professorships

• Objective:  Leveraging expertise of active, eminent and superannuated/retired scientists in engineering, science and technology.
• Eligibility: Retired scientists including overseas scientists, Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin, and Overseas Citizens of India.
  • Eligible host institutions are state universities which have been qualified as spoke institutions in Category A of Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) program of ANRF.
• Funding Support: Annual fellowship of ₹30 lakh, along with ₹24 lakh as a research grant and overhead of ₹1 lakh. 
• Duration:  5 years 

Study finds four proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects in Cabo Delgado region could use at least 17% of world’s remaining carbon budget. 

• Cabo Delgado has been the site of insurgency since 2017.

About Cabo Delgado

• Location:Northernmost province of Mozambique, East Africa. 
  • The Rovuma river forms the border with Tanzania in the North; and has Indian Ocean on the East.
• Population:  Women forms 51% of its population. 
• Cultural Composition: Home to Makonde ethnic group having a natural talent for wood and ivory carving. 
• Houses Quirimba Archipelago and Quirimbas National Park (centre for slave trafficking in the past).