CA: 18 and 19 August 2023

 

Daily Current Affairs 18 and 19 August 2023

3D Printing (Additive Manufacturing) :

• Why in News:INDIA’S FIRST 3D-printed post office was inaugurated  in Bengaluru’s Cambridge Layout on Friday.

• Source: Indian Express

3D Printing :

• 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process that uses computer-created design to make three- dimensional objects, layer by layer. 

• It is an additive process, in which layers of a material like plastic, composites or biomaterials are built up to construct objects of various shapes, sizes, rigidity and colour

Process of 3D Printing:

• Design: Create a 3D model of the desired object using computer-aided design (CAD) software.

• Printing: Connect the computer to a 3D printer and initiate the printing process. The 3D printer follows the instructions from the digital model.

• Layering: The printer adds material layer by layer, typically using materials like plastic, composites, metals, or bio-materials. Each layer fuses to the previous one to build up the object.

• Comparison to Subtractive Manufacturing:3D printing is additive, building objects from the ground up by adding material layer by layer. This contrasts with subtractive manufacturing, where material is removed from a solid block to create the desired shape.

Applications of 3D Printing:

• Industries: 3D printing is used across various industries, including healthcare, automotive, aerospace, architecture, consumer goods, and more.

• Healthcare: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 3D printing was crucial in producing medical equipment such as swabs, face shields, masks, and components for ventilators.

• Aerospace: Some companies have developed 3D-printed components for rockets and spacecraft, demonstrating the technology's potential in aerospace engineering.

• Automotive: 3D printing is employed to manufacture prototypes, customised parts, and even entire vehicles, showcasing its versatility in the automotive sector.

Advantages of 3D Printing:

• Customisation: Enables the creation of complex and customised designs that might be difficult or impossible to produce using traditional manufacturing methods.

• Reduced Waste: Minimises material wastage since the object is built layer by layer.

• Rapid Prototyping: Speeds up the prototyping process, allowing for faster iterations and design improvements.

Monsoon Breaks: 

Why in News: Third-longest monsoonal break in this century has ended, according to the regional centre of India Meteorological Department, Pune.

What is Monsoon Break ?

• Monsoon breaks are periods during the Southwest Monsoon season when there is a temporary interruption in rainfall after a few days of consistent rainy weather. 
• These breaks can last for one or more weeks and are relatively common during the rainy season. They occur due to various climatic factors,

Factors associated with Breaks in the Monsoons:

ITCZ related factors : 

• Fluctuations or weakening in the location of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), also known as the monsoon trough—a low-pressure area that attracts rain-bearing monsoon winds—can occur due to various climatic conditions. 

• These conditions include fluctuations in pressure belts and jet streams, among others.

Parallel Winds Along the West Coast:  

• Dry spells along the west coast are often associated with winds blowing parallel to the coast due to specific climatic conditions.

• These conditions can inhibit the influx of moisture-laden winds necessary for rainfall.

Subtropical Westerly Jetstream (STWJ): 

• The re-establishment of the Subtropical Westerly Jetstream (STWJ) south of the Himalayas, along with its meandering nature, can lead to the reestablishment of high pressure over Tibet. 

• This, in turn, has the potential to block or weaken the southwest monsoon winds that typically move towards South Asia. 

• This climatic phenomenon has the potential to create breaks in the monsoon rains until normal conditions return.

These climatic phenomena can cause temporary disruptions in the monsoon rains, leading to periods of reduced or no rainfall. These breaks can have significant impacts on agriculture, water availability, and other aspects of society that rely on consistent monsoon rainfall. 

INS Vindhyagiri :

• INS Vindhyagiri is the sixth ship of the Project 17A Frigates series, 

• After INS Nilgiri, Udaygiri, Himgiri, Taragiri, and Dunagiri, INS Vindhyagiri derives its name from a mountain range in Karnataka.

• These frigates are a follow-on class of the Project 17 (Shivalik Class) Frigates, integrating improved stealth, advanced weapons, and cutting-edge sensors.

• It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, India.

• Under the Project 17A programme, four ships by Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and three by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) are under construction.

• The project’s first five ships were launched by MDL and GRSE, between 2019-2022.

• These ships have been designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.

• As much as 75% of the orders for equipment and systems of Project 17A ships are from indigenous firms, including MSMEs.

• INS Vindhyagiri Employs a cutting-edge propulsion system enabling speeds of over 28 knots, ensuring rapid response and agility in various operational scenarios.

About Frigates:

• These are a type of warship that falls within the category of naval vessels. 

• They are generally larger and more heavily armed than corvettes and patrol boats but smaller and less powerful than destroyers and cruisers.

• Frigates are versatile ships designed for a variety of roles, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-aircraft defense, surface warfare, and maritime patrol.

UDGAM Portal :

• Unclaimed Deposits Gateway to Access Information(UDGAM), a centralised portal is launched by RBI.

• This web portal will Enable the Customers to identify and approach their banks for either claiming unclaimed deposits or making their deposit accounts operative.

• reserve Bank Information Technology Pvt Ltd (ReBIT), Indian Financial Technology and Allied Services (IFTAS), and Partcipating Banks have jointly worked to set up the Portal.

Unclaimed Deposits:

• According to RBI, "Unclaimed Deposits" refers to funds held in savings or current accounts that have remained inactive for a duration of 10 years, or

• In the case of fixed deposits (FDs), have not been withdrawn within 10 years from the date of maturity.

Terms in News:

Headline Inflation:

• Headline inflation refers to the overall increase in the average prices of goods and services in an economy over a specific period of time.

• It includes the price changes across a broad range of items, including essential consumer goods such as food, energy, housing, transportation, and other everyday products. 

• In other words, it captures the general price level across the entire basket of goods and services that consumers typically purchase.

Core Inflation:

• Core inflation refers to the increase in the average prices of goods and services in an economy, which excludes certain volatile components like food and energy from the calculation to provide clearer picture of the underlying inflation trend.

• Core Inflation = Headline Inflation - ( Food and Fuel) Inflation

T-Bills :

Why in News: Bond, T-Bill yields see sharp rise as inflation spikes, liquidity tightens

Source: IE

• T-Bills or treasury bills are Short term, money market Instruments for raising fund by the Government.

• These bills are issued by the Central government only and interest rate is determined by the market forces. It is issued at a discount to original value and the buyer gets the original value upon maturity.

• They are issued via auctions conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) at regular intervals. Individuals, trusts, institutions and banks can purchase T-Bills.

• T-bills, have a maximum maturity period of 364 days and hence called money-market instruments.

Miscellanious:

Matti Banana:

• Matti Banana of Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu was granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

• They are known as ‘Baby Banana’ and it is known for its distict fragrance and honey like taste.

• Its low total soluble solids content (TSSC) recommends it as a baby food.

• There are six known types of Matti bananas, each with unique attributes like colour, aroma, and taste.

Geographical Indication Tag:

• GI Tag is issued by the GI Registry in Chennai under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999

• It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

• This GI tag is valid for 10 years following which it can be renewed.

Places in News:

Katchatheevu:

• The Katchatheevu is a tiny uninhabited island located in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka.

• It is no more than 1.6 km in length and slightly over 300 m wide at its broadest point.

• It lies northeast of Rameswaram, about 33 km from the Indian coast and 24 km away from the inhabited Delft Island, belonging to Sri Lanka.

• The island, which was ceded to Sri Lanka by the Indian government in 1974, has sparked ongoing debates and protests in Tamil Nadu due to its historical and cultural significance, as well as its impact on fishermen’s livelihoods.

UPSC Previous Year Question :

Q. Consider the following statements: (2018)

1. The Reserve Bank of India manages and services Government of India Securities but not any State Government Securities.
2. Treasury bills are issued by the Government of India and there are no treasury bills issued by the State Governments.
3. Treasury bills offer are issued at a discount from the par value.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: Option(c)

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