TNPSC Current Affairs January 08, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs January 08, 2020 (08/01/2020)

Topic: New Inventions on Science and Technology, Latest Diary of Events

NITI Aayog: List of high export potential medical devices created

The Government Think Tank Niti Aayog draws up list of medical devices that have high export potential. It has come up with 10 devices to provide priority subsidies. It includes surgical blades, orthopaedic implants, catheters, syringes and needles, X-ray machines, blood bags, MRI machines and CT scan.

Key facts:

The devices included in the list are to be prioritized in order to boost their domestic manufacturing. Also, in order to boost their exports, GoI will create a framework to accelerate their standardization and certification.

Topic: Awareness in Space, Latest Diary of Events

LIGO: Second Merger of Neutron Stars detected

The LIGO (Laser Inferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) detected gravitational waves due to collision of two neutron stars. This is the second time the gravitational waves are being detected.

Key facts:

The mass of the neutron stars detected is expected to be 3.3 times and 3.7 times as that of the sun. The scientists believe that the neutron stars were formed separately and drifted together to form a star pair. The neutron stars were at a distance of 520 million light years from the earth.

The combined mass is the heaviest of the stars known so far. The first neutron star detection was in 2017. However, the second event that was recorded now, is not as strong as the first.

Topic: Public Awareness and General Administration, Latest Diary of Events

Indian Army begins work on GOCO Model

The Indian Army began its work on the GOCO (Government Owned Contractor Operated) Model. The model is extended to base workshops and ordinance depots. The workshops play vital role as they ensure the Indian Army is operationally prepared all the time.

Key facts:

The workshops are assigned the role of overhauling (testing and repairing) of weapons. They also manufacture spares. The workshops have an annual turnover of Rs 10,000 crores. Though, the GOCO model in army workshops helps reducing government expenditure on armed forces and increase combat capability of the army, there are certain issues associated with the model.

Topic: India and its Foreign Policies, International Events

Cabinet approves India-Mongolia Agreement on exploration of outer space

The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved the agreement between India and Mongolia to explore outer space for civilian and peaceful purposes. The countries signed the agreement in September 2019.

Key facts:

The agreement enables the countries to pursue research in planetary exploration, space system, application of space technology. The plan is to set a Joint Working Group by drawing members from ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), DOS (Department of Space).

Communications and Information Technology Authority (CITA) of Mongolia. The finances for the project are to be approved in stage-by-stage basis.

Topic: Latest Diary of Events, General Administration

National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)

NAAC is established by University Grants Commission (UGC) to assess and accredit institution of higher learning in the country.

The NAAC was originally formed in 1992 as a result of recommendations from ‘National Policy on Education – 1986’ which emphasizes on deteriorating quality of higher education in the country.

Functions: The NAAC certifies institutions of higher learning (Colleges, Universities, Institutes, etc) in the country; however, it does not include the institutes providing technical education.

It is an autonomous organisation that assesses and accredits institutions of higher education in India.