Indian Pharmacopoeia
- The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) is an officially recognized book of standards as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 1945 thereunder.
- It specifies the standards of drugs manufactured and marketed in India in terms of their identity, purity and strength.
- The standards are provided by Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) based on the 2nd schedule of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
- IP is designated as the official book of standards for drugs imported and/or manufactured for sale, stock or exhibition for sale or distribution in India.
- Its mission is to promote public and animal health in India.
- In addition, IPC also develops IP Reference Substances (IPRS) that act as fingerprint for identification of an article under test and its purity as prescribed in the IP monographs.
- Recent Development - IP has been recognised formally by the Public Health Ministry of Afghanistan.
- Afghanistan is the first country to recognise IP.
- IP will be used based on the requirement in the laboratory of medicines and health products quality.
Silver Line project
- The Silver Line project is a proposal of the Kerala government that aims to connect major districts and towns with semi high-speed trains that will run on their own tracks.
- Ministry of Railways have recently granted in-principle approval for the project.
- It involves laying the railway lines from Kasaragod in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south.
- It aims to cut the travel time between the two corners (532 km) from 12 hours to less than four hours with a maximum speed of 200 km/h.
- The project is scheduled to be commissioned by 2024.
- The Kerala Rail Development Corporation (K-Rail), a joint venture between the Ministry of Railways and the Kerala government will be the nodal agency.
EChO Network
- EChO Network is a national program aimed at increasing research, knowledge, and awareness of Indian ecology and the environment.
- It will provide a template for cross-disciplinary leadership in India.
- It could develop a national network to catalyse a new generation of Indians who can synthesize interdisciplinary concepts and tackle real-world problems in medicine, agriculture, ecology and technology.
- There is no precedent for such a network anywhere in the world.
- It establishes a new platform to change how science is embedded in our modern society.
- The purpose of this Network is to bring all those together to share knowledge and synergize efforts under the umbrella of science
Apache Helicopters
- Apache is the most advanced multi-role heavy attack helicopter in the world.
- Its modern capabilities include, fire-and-forget, anti-tank missiles, air-to-air missiles, rockets, and other ammunition.
- Apaches has their ability to operate at much higher altitudes, unlike the aging Russian Mi-24/Mi-35 attack helicopters.
- It also has modern electronic warfare capabilities to provide versatility in network-centric aerial warfare.
- It carries a 30 mm chain gun with 1,200 rounds as part of the area weapon subsystem.
- The helicopter carries the fire control Longbow radar, which has 360-degree coverage.
- It also has a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night-vision systems.
- The Radar systems in the helicopter will enhance the capability of the IAF in providing integrated combat aviation cover.
- It is day/night, all weather capable, and have high agility and survivability against battle damage.
- These are easily maintainable even in field conditions and are capable of prolonged operations in tropical and desert regions.
- Recent Developments - The deal for 6 Apache attack helicopters for the Indian Army is likely to be signed early next year.
- These are in addition to 22 Apaches being inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) which are expected to be delivered by 2020.
- In 2017, the Defence Acquisition Council approved the purchase of six Apache attack helicopters from the U.S. for the Army.
- It will replace the ageing Russian Mi-35 attack helicopters in service.
Digital Communications Commission
- The Digital Communications Commission (DCC) has recently approved plans to auction over 8,300 MHz of spectrum to be used for offering 5G services.
- The proposal will now be sent to the Cabinet for approval.
- DCC is erstwhile Telecom Commission, created under the government resolution in 2018.
- It consists of a
- Chairman - The Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Telecommunications
- Four full time members - Ex-officio Secretaries to the Government of India in the Department of Telecommunications and
- Four part time members - CEO, NITI Aayog, Secretary (Department of Economic Affairs), Secretary ( Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology) and Secretary (Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion).
- It is responsible for,
- Formulating the policy of Department of Telecommunications for approval of the Government;
- Preparing the budget for the Department of Telecommunications for each financial year and getting it approved by the Government; &
- Implementation of Government's policy in all matters concerning telecommunication.
Source: PIB, The Hindu, The Indian Express
