International Solar Alliance (ISA)
International Solar Alliance (ISA) The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a joint initiative of France and India, launched during COP21 with the aim of making an unprecedented effort to promote solar energy. The goal of the ISA is to set the ground rules, norms and standards for solar energy, in order to obtain a rapid and massive deployment in countries that are rich in solar resources but where the risks are still seen as high. The ISA is putting in place concrete tools, capacity-building measures and innovative financial instruments. One example is the harmonization of public policies, regulations and prices between the countries, which reduces the uncertainties, strengthens the economic viability of solar projects and reassures the investors. Alliance’s aims: The Alliance seeks to bring about a major decrease in the cost of solar energy so that its deployment can be scaled up in the solar-rich countries located between the two tropics. It therefore has several goals: To bring about a major decrease in the cost of solar energy To meet the high energy demand in developing countries To contribute to the fight against climate change How can these aims be achieved? Establish a political, regulatory and contractual environment that encourages investment in solar energy. Mobilize funding on an international scale. Consolidate the programmes offered by the training, research and innovation network. India’s Role: The Government of India has allotted 5 acres of land to the ISA in National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) campus, Gurugram and has released a sum of Rs. 160 crore, i.e. US$ 26 million for creating a corpus fund, building infrastructure and meeting day to day recurring expenditure of the ISA up to the year 2012-22. As per commitment, India will release additional Rs. 15 crore, i.e. US$ 2.1 million in the year 2020-21. In addition, various Public Sector Enterprises of Government of India have contributed US$ 8 million for augmenting ISA corpus fund. Apart from these, India has set aside US$ 2 Billion for solar projects in Africa out of Government of India’s US$10 Billion concessional Line of Credit (LOC) for Africa. Exim Bank of India is implementing this line of credit in close coordination with ISA countries in Africa. On the 24th September 2019, on the side-lines of the 74th UN General Assembly, India announced allocation of US$ 12 million grant, and a concessional LOC of US$ 150 Million for Pacific Islands Developing States for undertaking solar, renewable energy and climate related projects. France’s role: France uses its diplomatic network to bring the ISA’s priorities to the One Planet Summit, to all of the relevant multilateral bodies (the United Nations Secretary-General’s Climate Summit, COP25, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), the International Energy Agency (IAE), etc.) and to the multilateral development banks. France also mobilizes the private sector. The Syndicat des Énergies Renouvelables (SER) and MEDEF International, along with their Indian counterparts, co-chair an international committee of chambers of commerce that makes recommendations to the ISA on the conditions that encourage private investment in solar energy. Solar is a key source of affordable and reliable energy, thus it could play a significant role in achieving the universal energy access goal (SDG 7). Best Books for UPSC Preparation Check Now Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. contact us
Time use survey, TUS
Time use survey National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) has been conducting socio-economic surveys employing scientific methods since 1950. Time Use Survey (TUS), which will collect data on time dispositions of household members, is an area of survey introduced in response to demands from various stakeholders. The Time Use Survey (TUS) will enable measuring time spent by individuals on different activities. The primary objective of Time Use Survey (TUS) is to measure participation of men, women and other groups of persons in paid and unpaid activities. The survey will be an important source of information on the time spent in unpaid care giving activities, unpaid volunteer work, unpaid domestic service producing activities of the household members. This will also provide information on time spent on learning, socializing, leisure activities, self-care activities, etc. by the household members. The survey will cover the whole of the Indian Union except the villages in Andaman and Nicobar Islands which are difficult to access. The survey has been conducted from 1st January, 2019. The survey period will be of one year duration and will be divided into four sub-rounds of three months’ duration. Formation of sub-units (SUs) Rural areas: A rural village will be notionally divided into a number of sub-units (SU) of more or less equal population during the preparation of frame. Census 2011 population of villages will be projected by applying suitable growth rates and the number of SUs to be formed in a village will be determined apriori. The above procedure of SU formation will be implemented in the villages with population more than or equal to 1000 as per Census 2011. In the remaining villages, no SU will be formed. However, as a Special case for rural areas of (i) Himachal Pradesh, (ii) Sikkim, (iii) Andaman & Nicobar Islands, (iv) Uttarakhand (except four districts Dehradun, Nainital, Hardwar and Udham Singh Nagar), (v) Punch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Ladakh region (Leh and Kargil districts) of Jammu and Kashmir and (vi) Idukki district of Kerala, numbers of SUs to be formed in a village will be determined in such a way that each SU contains 600 or less projected population. Further, SUs will not be formed in the villages in the above mentioned districts/States with population less than 500 as per Census 2011. For rural parts of Kerala adopted with the modification that the SUs will be formed within Panchayat Wards instead of villages. (II) Urban areas: SUs will be formed in urban sector also. The procedure will be similar to that adopted in rural areas except that SUs will be formed on the basis of households in the UFS frame instead of population since UFS frame does not have population. Each UFS block with number of households more than or equal to 250 will be divided into a number of SUs. In the remaining UFS blocks, no SU will be formed. Read Also Fasal Rahat Yojana Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. contact us
Police Commissionerate System
Police Commissionerate System UP govt has approved the commissionerate system of policing state capital Lucknow and Noida . This system gives more responsibilities including magisterial powers to IPS officers of the rank of Inspector general of Police who are posted as Commissioner. Under the 7th Schedule of the Constitution, ‘Police’ is under the State list, meaning individual states typically legislate and exercise control over this subject. Significance: Many states have adopted the commissionerate system at the metropolitan level to facilitate faster decision making in solving complex urban centric issues. According to a BPRD report 61 cities in 15 states had this system in place by January , 2018 . In the arrangement in force at the district level, a ‘dual system’ of control exists, in which the Superintendent of Police (SP) has to work with the District Magistrate (DM) for supervising police administration. At the metropolitan level, many states have replaced the dual system with the commissionerate system, as it is supposed to allow for faster decision-making to solve complex urban-centric issues.’ In the commissionerate system, the Commissioner of Police (CP) is the head of a unified police command structure, is responsible for the force in the city, and is accountable to the state government. The office also has magisterial powers, including those related to regulation, control, and licensing. Sixth National police Commission report released in 1983 had recommended introduction of commissionerate system in cities with a population of 5 lakh and above. Later in 2005 a draft Model Police Act framed by a committee set up by the Union Home Ministry also made similar recommendation saying metro cities and major urban areas with a population of 10 lakhs or more should have a Police Commissioner System. Benefit: Single point of responsibility Unified organisational command Specialisation in training and personnel management Complete clarity on chain of command Accountable to the state government for his performance Challenges: Overlapping Jurisdiction Lack of Public Confidence in Police Giving More Power to Police Way forward: To setting up of a stronger municipal architecture Development of Civil Society As public order and police are part of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, it is required on part of states to carry out necessary police reforms. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. CONTACT US
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation-APEC
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation-APEC APEC is the premier Asia-Pacific economic forum.Primary goal is to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. It is regional economic forum of 21 Pacific Rim member economies that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region. These 21 member countries collectively account for nearly 50% of world’s trade and about 57% of GDP. It was established in 1989 in order to leverage growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific region’s economies and promote free trade in the region. The 21 Members Economies are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United States, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russian and Vietnam. India is an observer of APEC since 2011 and has applied for its membership. Objectives of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Free and open trade and investment. Promoting and accelerating regional economic integration. Encouraging economic and technical cooperation. Enhancing human security. Facilitating a favorable and sustainable business environment. Core Values: Professionalism – We value a work environment grounded in cooperation and a shared vision. We provide excellent service delivered in an ethical and timely manner. Respect – The Asia-Pacific region is diverse, and so is the APEC Secretariat. We treat everyone with dignity. Integrity – We are entrusted with important work which demands accountability and transparency. We strive to always stay true. We do what we know to be right. How Has the Region Benefited? APEC has grown to become a dynamic engine of economic growth and one of the most important regional forums in the Asia-Pacific. Its 21 member economies are home to around 2.9 billion people and represent approximately 60 percent of world GDP and 48 percent of world trade in 2018. As a result of APEC’s work, growth has soared in the region, with real GDP increasing from USD 19 trillion in 1989 to USD 46.9 trillion in 2018. Meanwhile, residents of the Asia-Pacific saw their per capita income rise by 74 percent, lifting millions out of poverty and creating a growing middle class in less than three decades. Bringing the region closer together, reducing trade barriers, and smoothing out differences in regulations have boosted trade which, in turn, has led to this dramatic increase in prosperity. Average tariffs fell from 17 percent in 1989 to 5.3 per cent in 2018. During that same time period, the APEC region’s total trade increased over seven times—outpacing the rest of the world with two-thirds of this trade occurring between member economies. APEC implements a wide variety of initiatives to help integrate the region’s economies and promote trade while addressing sustainability and social equity. Innitiatives: Promoting Regional Economic Integration and Trade Making it Easier to Trade Across Borders Making it Easier to do Business Faster Customs Procedures Structural Reform Connecting the Region APEC Business Travel Card Inclusive Growth: Ensuring Everyone is On Board Increasing Energy Efficiency and Renewables Green Towns in the Asia-Pacific Enhancing Social Equity in the Region Concerns: The economic rivalry between US and China appeared to have fractured the 21-nation summit into two segments. The source of the friction stemmed from the “America First” policy, under which U.S. led the charge on “unfair trade practices”. This was an implicit accusation that China was not levelling the playing field in global trade. The U.S. has been urging China so far – To increase market access and grant intellectual property protections for American corporations Cut back on industrial subsidies Bringing down the $375-billion trade gap The Belt and Road Initiative of China has worried smaller Asian nations and the U.S., particularly given that China views the Asia-Pacific landscape as a means to secure economic predominance worldwide. It also highlights the key impediments to Indian accession and suggests potential steps that India, APEC, and key APEC economies could consider to tackle these obstacles and build support for Indian membership. The Asia-Pacific region through this “Act East” initiative, and APEC membership would be a major step in that direction. Indian membership in APEC would also bolster India’s economic growth and support its development agenda. Four key steps may help India address concerns regarding its membership in APEC, particularly in the United States: A major breakthrough in India’s domestic economic and/or trade policy, such as a goods and services tax (GST) or land and labor reforms, that sends a strong signal of greater market opening. An accelerated effort to improve the ease of doing business for both foreign and domestic firms. A significant indication of India’s willingness to engage constructively in international negotiations, such as BITs. A vigorous diplomatic effort by the Indian government and key APEC members that supports India’s bid. INDIA AND APEC: APEC’s efforts have focused on simplifying regulatory arrangements; reducing barriers to foreign trade and investment; and, cultivating a culture of economic openness, dialogue, and cooperation. India has long been interested in APEC. It unsuccessfully requested APEC membership in the late 1990s and was subsequently not considered because of a moratorium on new members initiated in 1997. With the moratorium finally lifted in 2010. Integrating an economy the size of India’s would be a major step toward regional connectivity in the Asia-Pacific. India has been an important destination for APEC members’ foreign investment over the past 25 years, with three APEC economies—Singapore, Japan, and the United States—among the top five countries providing FDI inflows into India. An improvement in investment-friendly policies has contributed to India’s becoming the world’s top greenfield FDI destination in the first half of 2015, after being the ninth-largest global FDI recipient in 2014, and the fifteenth largest the previous year. SUPPORTING INDIA’S GROWTH PREPARING INDIA FOR A CHANGING GLOBAL ECONOMY Way Forward: India could take a more proactive approach in its international investment and trade negotiations. India would have to overcome strong domestic protectionist sentiments and build a robust, reliable, long-term domestic constituency for trade reform. APEC might also consider changes to its current decision-making processes to mitigate concerns among current members that expanding membership would dilute the forum’s impact APEC could welcome India as a
Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
Arogya Sanjeevani Policy In a move that helps easy availability of health insurance, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDA) has introduced a standard health cover policy that must be offered by all general and standalone health insurers. As per the guidelines issued by the IRDAI, every general and standalone health insurer should offer a standard health product, the Arogya Sanjeevani Policy, with a minimum sum insured of Rs 1 lakh, with an upper limit of Rs 5 lakh. The policy term will be for one year. The minimum entry age will be 18 years with lifelong renewability and there is no exit age. The policy covers 22 diseases and treatments with a varying waiting period of from 24 to 48 months. It will be offered on an indemnity basis, and should not be combined with critical illness covers or benefit-based covers. The premium under this product will be the same across India, and no geographic location and pricing will be allowed. The insurers will now come up with product filing to the regulator and will have to offer it from April 1, 2020. Read Also Biodiversity governance Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. contact us
Amur Falcons
Amur Falcons Amur falcons are known to breed in southeast Russia and northern China and migrate west through India and across the Arabian Sea to southern Africa where they spend their winters, making a round-trip of at least 20,000 km every year, traveling between their breeding and wintering grounds. This arduous journey includes a non-stop flight over the Arabian Sea after passing across India. The resilient falcons arrive in large numbers, during October in Nagaland and a few other places in northeastern India. As tens of thousands of Amur falcons came to roost in Pangti on the way to South Africa, Somalia, and Kenya, they were targeted by local hunters. Over thousands of the raptors were harvested every day for sale and consumption. Amur falcon range map In 2012 an estimated 120,000 to 140,000 birds were trapped in nets and killed while passing through a remote part of the Indian Nagaland region. This prompted a swift response from the Indian Government and the Naga land Forest Department, which used patrols and education initiatives for villagers as a means to halt trapping. In 2013, no falcons were trapped. The Amur Falcon exemplifies the threat of illegal trapping and killing during migration, which harms countless bird species each year. Besides this, the birds are prone to habitat loss from agricultural practices and land reclamation. Only international cooperation from organisations and governments working together will help preserve these species as they become increasingly vulnerable. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey.Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help contact us
National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)
National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) The Government of India along with participation from institutional investors such as ADIA and leading Indian private financial institutions. A collaborative investment platform focused on Indian infrastructure with best-in-class governance and a strong team with Indian and international experience in infrastructure investing. The Indian government has a 49% stake in NIIF with the rest held by foreign and domestic investors. With the Centre’s significant stake, NIIF is considered India’s quasi-sovereign wealth fund. Objectives: Commercial Collaborative Sustainable Significance: NIIFL through its funds will invest in operating assets, greenfield projects and anchor third party managed funds in core infrastructure and related segments. With USD 3 billion commitment from GOI along with commitments from other institutional investors, NIIF has the ability to operate at scale whilst providing long term and patient capital. It intends to be a key channel of investment into Indian infrastructure with a focus on transportation (roads, ports and airports), energy, urban planning and other infrastructure and allied segments. The Government of India as well as its global and domestic investors, while at the same time allowing for commercial and independent decision making by the Investment Manager. The Board has primary responsibility for NIIFL’s activities and meets periodically for the establishment and review of NIIF’s overall strategy, but it does not involve itself in investment or operational decisions. NIIF’s Executive Committee comprising of the Senior management of NIIFL including its Managing Director and CEO has the responsibility for the implementation of NIIF’s strategy and operations, including all decisions related to investments. Investment decisions are based solely on commercial objectives in order to deliver sustained ard (CPPIB) long-term financial returns. Canada’s largest pension fund Canada Pension Plan Investment Board agreed to invest about $600 million in National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) through the NIIF Master Fund. With CPPIB’s investment, NIIF Master Fund now has $2.1 billion in commitments and has achieved its initially targeted fund size. NIIF currently manages three funds each with its distinctive investment mandate. The funds are registered as Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). NIIF Master Fund NIIF Master Fund achieved its third and fourth close of USD 500 million and USD 150 million in August 2019 and December 2019 respectively with contributions from Ontario Teachers Pension Fund, AustralianSuper, and Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board. The Master Fund continues fundraising activities by exercising its green-shoe option and is in discussions with few sovereign wealth funds, large pension funds and a few other institutional investors. NIIF Fund of Funds: NIIF FOF has entered into definitive agreements with the Asian Development Bank. The FOF is in discussions for further fundraising for its subsequent closes. NIIF Strategic Fund: NIIF Strategic Fund was set up in October 2018. NIIF Strategic Fund has initiated discussions for raising further capital. Alternative Investment Fund ( AIF): It means any fund established or incorporated in India which is a privately pooled investment vehicle that collects funds from sophisticated investors, whether Indian or foreign, for investing it in accordance with a defined investment policy for the benefit of its investors. Alternative Investment Fund is described under Regulation 2(1)(b) of the Regulation Act, 2012 of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Generally, high net worth individuals and institutions invest in Alternative Investment Funds as it requires a high investment amount, unlike Mutual Funds. Alternative Investment Fund comprises pooled investment funds that invest in venture capital, private equity, hedge funds, managed futures, etc. Most alternative investment assets are held by institutional investors or accredited, high-net-worth individuals because of their complex nature, lack of regulation, and degree of risk. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
New Development Bank
New Development Bank At the fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi (2012), the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa considered the possibility of setting up a new Development Bank to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies, as well as in developing countries. During the sixth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza (2014), the leaders signed the Agreement establishing the New Development Bank (NDB). Significance of New Development Bank The daily passenger traffic along the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor of the National Capital Region is 0.69 million. Of this, around 63% use private vehicles. Due to traffic congestion, the time taken to transit between Delhi and Meerut is about 3 to 4 hours. Also, the traffic congestion in the route is adding to the air pollution in the NCR region. Thus, it is essential to implement the Rapid Transit System Project. India asked the New Development Bank (NDB) to enhance the emergency facilities to $10 billion to deal with the challenges posed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country appreciated the efforts of the multilateral lending agency on fast-tracking of financial assistance of about $5 billion to BRICS countries, including emergency assistance of $1 billion to India to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Lauding efforts of the NDB in establishing itself as a credible Global Financial Institution, India said it should take appropriate actions to join G-20 forum along with other Multilateral Development Bank (MDBs)/ International Financial Institutions (IFIs). Objectives: Fostering the development of member countries. Supporting economic growth. Promoting competitiveness and facilitating job creation. Building a knowledge-sharing platform among developing countries. Multi theme. Clean energy Social Infrastructure Environmental efficiency Urban development Irrigation, water resources and sanitation management Transport infrastructure Regional rapid transit system: The Regional Rapid Transit System connects the fastest-developing small towns in the National Capital Region. The main objective of the project is to reduce the dependence on Roadways. It is being implemented by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation. Initiatives taken: Announcement of a scheme of social support measures amounting to $25 billion (Rs 1.70 lakh crore) to alleviate the hardship of the poor and the vulnerable. Insurance cover of $67,000 (Rs 50 lakh) per person to over 2.2 million frontline health workers and others provision of relief to firms in statutory and regulatory compliance matters. Creating a COVID-19 Emergency Fund Allocation of $2 billion (Rs 15,000 crore) by the government for strengthening the healthcare system. To fulfill its purpose, the Bank supports public or private projects through loans, guarantees, equity participation and other financial instruments The NDB is building a robust and diversified portfolio of sustainable infrastructure projects, in order to fulfill its mandate and achieve strategic objectives. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey.Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. contact us
Abhayam App
Abhayam App Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched ABHAYAM Passenger App for the safety of women and girls traveling in cabs and auto-rickshaws. AP is the first state in the country to pass the Disha Act in the Legislative Assembly and Disha police stations were established in every district for the welfare of women,” women police have also been appointed in each village/ward secretariats across the state. The Abhayam app can be used for women to travel safely in autos and cabs and the device will be installed in autos and cabs across the state. The Abhayam App will be monitored by the Transport Department. The total cost of this project is estimated at Rs 138.48 Crore, where the Central government has allocated Rs 80.09 crore to the State under the Nirbhaya scheme. The state government has to allocate Rs 55.39 crore as its share. The Department of Transport aims to complete the project by November next year by phasing out tracking devices for luxury vehicles in the state. Initially, the Internet of Things (IoT) devices will be set up in a thousand autos in Visakhapatnam. After that, it will be implemented in Tirupati. Tracking devices will be installed in commercial vehicles. Read Also Polavaram Project Abhayam App – How it Works These IoT devices will be set up on Monday initially in thousand autos. The devices will be installed in 5,000 vehicles by February, 1, 50,000 vehicles by July 1 and 1 lakh vehicles by November 31 next year. The installation project will be conducted until 2025. Those traveling in autos and cabs need to install the ‘Abhayam’ mobile application on their mobile. Once they enter the vehicle, they have to scan the QR code affixed to the vehicle before boarding the vehicle. After the scan is done, the driver’s photo and vehicle details will be sent to the mobile. Women who use smartphones can find out the whereabouts of their vehicle by GPS by sending the relevant vehicle number from the mobile app if they encounter any difficulties in their journey. Passengers who do not have a “smartphone” can notify the Command Control Center by pressing the panic button on the IoT device attached to the vehicle. Once the message is passed the Cab/auto stops immediately. That immediately sends information to nearby police officers and arrests. Radio Frequency Identity Technology (RFID) cards are fitted to drivers’ licenses after IoT-based boxes are fitted to autos and cabs. These RFID license cards can be initiated by swiping them on the IoT box fitted at the engines when the autos start. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey.Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. contact us
Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope – GMRT
GIANT METREWAVE RADIO TELESCOPE NCRA, a centre of the school of natural sciences of the TIFR, has set up a unique facility, the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope for radio astronomical research at metre wavelengths. GMRT is a very versatile instrument for investigating a variety of radio astrophysical problems ranging from nearby Solar system to the edge of observable Universe. The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) has been selected as a ‘Milestone’ facility by the U.S.-based Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), which is the world’s largest technical professional organisation dedicated to advancing technology in all areas related to electrical and electronics engineering. Considering the global impact of GMRT with users from over 40 countries and the fact that it was designed and built entirely in India, the IEEE’s India office and its Pune branch had initiated the proposal to nominate GMRT for this recognition. “The GMRT has produced important discoveries in domains such as pulsars, supernovae, galaxies, quasars, and cosmology, greatly enhancing our understanding of the Universe.” “It is also a fitting tribute to the late Prof. Govind Swarup, who was the driving force behind the GMRT, and all the team members whose efforts over the last 30 years or so made the GMRT a reality, culminating in the successful upgrade of the facility. Significance of Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope: NCRA has set up a unique facility for radio astronomical research using the metre wavelengths range of the radio spectrum, known as the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), it is located at a site about 80 km north of Pune. GMRT consists of 30 fully steerable gigantic parabolic dishes of 45m diameter each spread over distances of upto 25 km. GMRT is one of the most challenging experimental programmes in basic sciences undertaken by Indian scientists and engineers. GMRT is an indigenous project. The construction of 30 large dishes at a relatively small cost has been possible due to an important technological breakthrough achieved by Indian Scientists and Engineers in the design of light-weight, low-cost dishes. The design is based on what is being called the `SMART’ concept – for Stretch Mesh Attached to Rope Trusses. Apart from the novel low-cost design of the parabolic dishes, the instrument has state-of-the-art electronics systems developed indigenously and consisting of the following main sub units. Antenna feeds at six different frequency bands between 50 MHz and 1500 MHz, having good polarization characteristics as well as simultaneous multiband operation. Low-noise amplifiers, local oscillator synthesizers, mixers, IF amplifiers. Optical fibres linking the entire array with the CEB. These are used both for the telemetry signals and local oscillator phase reference communication between the CEB and each antenna base. A digital 2,30,000-channel FX-type correlator providing upto 128 spectral channels and covering a maximum bandwidth of 32 MHz Ojectives: To detect the highly redshifted spectral line of neutral Hydrogen expected from protoclusters or protogalaxies before they condensed to form galaxies in the early phase of the Universe and To search for and study rapidly-rotating Pulsars in our galaxy. Goals of GMRT: Galactic and Extragalactic Radio Sources : Because of its large collecting area and wide frequency coverage, GMRT will be an invaluable and highly versatile instrument for studying many other problems at the frontiers of astrophysics. Pulsars and Neutron Stars : GMRT should also be an ideal instrument for the study of Pulsars (rapidly rotating neutron stars with extremely high densities of about 200 million tons per cubic cm). Epoch of Galaxy Formation : Theories of the formation of structure in the Big-Bang Universe predict the presence of proto galaxies or proto clusters of galaxies made up of clouds of neutral Hydrogen gas before their gravitational condensation into galaxies. Read Notes by UPSC Topper Ravisankar Sarma Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
