National Current Affairs – UPSC/IAS Exams- 19th October 2019

World intellectual property indicators 2019

Topic: Reports and indices

In News: United Nations released World Intellectual Property Indicators Report-2019.

More on the Topic:

• In 2018, patent filings around the world exceeded by around 3.3 million, representing a 5.2% growth over 2017 figures.
• Asia accounted for two-thirds of these applications.
• China has been at the leading position of global growth in worldwide IP filings in 2018 whereas the United States of America marked its first decline since 2009.
• In India, there was a large increase in the number of filings with respect to
• Trademark filing activity (+20.9%), Patent filings (+7.5%), and Industrial design filing activity (+13.6%) marking almost double-digit growth in 2018. For India, this was the third successive year of double-digit growth.

Source: Economic Times

Draft Notification for Medical devices

Topic: Governance

In News: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has published a draft notification on medical devises and sought recommendations from different stake holders.

More on the Topic:

• The notification has proposed to bring “all devices” used for medical application, under the purview of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. This will make “all devices” to be termed as “drugs”.
• This move is intended to improve the safety and quality of medical devises including implants and contraceptives.
• After classification as drugs, the Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO) will be responsible for regulating them.
• Manufacturers will also have to seek licences from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).
• The increased scrutiny on medical devices comes in the aftermath of Johnson & Johnson’s faulty hip implants.
• The reclassification is according to the recommendation by Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), the government’s top advisory body on drugs.

Source: The Hindu

Northeast Monsoon

Topic: Indian Geography

In News: The southwest, or summer, monsoon, withdrew from the country, having overstayed and delayed its retreat by a record time. The same day, the northeast, or winter, monsoon made its onset, on time.

More on the Topic:

• The northeast monsoon does not have anything to do with the Northeast region of the country, though a part of the system does originate from the area above it.
• The northeast monsoon derives its name from the direction in which it travels – from the northeast to the southwest.
• On the other hand, the summer monsoon, at least the Arabian Sea branch of it, moves in exactly the opposite direction – from the southwest to the northeast.
• That is why it is also called the southwest monsoon.

Mechanism of NE Monsoon:

• The months of October, November and December are supposed to comprise the northeast monsoon season, though the normal date for the onset of this monsoon is only around October 20.
• The southern peninsular region receives rains in the first half of October as well, but that is attributable to the retreating summer monsoon.
• The summer monsoon season ends on September 30 but the withdrawal does not happen overnight.
• From the beginning of the season, as it starts its northward journey over the Indian landmass, the monsoon takes a month and a half to cover the entire country.
• The southward withdrawal takes place over a period of three to four weeks.
• It usually starts around the second week of September and continues till about the second week of October, bringing rain as it retreats.
• ITCZ and ELNINO has important role to play in Indian Monsoon system.

Model Mains Question: Explain The Mechanism And Impact Of North East Monsoon In India?

Source: Hindu

Skandagupta

Topic: History/ Culture

In News: Union home minister inaugurated an international seminar on the role of Gupta dynasty emperor Skandagupta at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi.

More on the Topic:

• The Gupta period is known as the golden period of ancient Indian history.
• Skanda Gupta ascended the throne in 455 AD and ruled till 467 AD.
• During the 12 year rule, he not only defended the great culture of India but also from external aggression and defeated the Huns (Bhitari pillar inscription), who had invaded India from the north west.
• He defeated Pushyamitras during his initial years of ascendancy and took upon himself the title of Vikramaditya.
• The Junagadh rock, which contains inscription of the earlier rulers Ashoka and Rudradaman, has an inscription engraved on the orders of Skandagupta’s governor Parnadatta.
• The inscription states that Skandagupta appointed governors of all provinces, including Parnadatta as the governor of Surashtra.
• Skandagupta issued five types of gold coins: Archer type, King and queen type, Chhatra type, Lion-slayer type and Horseman type.
• Silver coins issud by him are of four types: Garuda type, Bull type, Altar type and Madhyadesha type.

Source: Hindu

Vikram Sarabhai

Topic: Important Personalities in News

In News: Department of Atomic Energy organizes a Curtain Raiser programme to mark the Centenary Celebrations of Dr Vikram Sarabhai.

More on the Topic:

• Vikram Sarabhai was born on August 12, 1919. Sarabhai was instrumental in forming India’s future in astronomy and setting up the country’s space research facilities.
• He founded the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad in the year 1947. The laboratory started its operation from RETREAT, Sarabhai’s residence in Ahmedabad. Its first topic of research was cosmic rays.
• Based on his persuasion, the Indian government agreed to set up the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962. He became the first chairman of the committee.
• He also set up India’s first rocket launch site in Thumba, a small village near the Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala.
• Vikram Sarabhai was also responsible for bringing cable television to India. His constant contact with NASA paved a way for the establishment of Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) in 1975.
• Sarabhai was the mastermind behind building India’s first satellite, Aryabhata.
• He was one of the founding members of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA).
• Vikram Sarabhai received the Padma Bhushanin 1966 for his contribution to India’s progress. He was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972, posthumously.

Source: Hindu

Admission of girls in Sainik schools

Topic: Social Issues

In News: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal for admission of girl children in Sainik schools across the country.

More on the Topic:

• These admissions will start from next academic session (2021-22) in a phased manner. For the smooth implementation of this directive, Defence Ministry has directed all concerned authorities for ensuring availability of necessary infrastructure as well as sufficient female staff in Sainik schools.
• This decision is in line with Government’s objective towards gender equality, greater inclusiveness and enabling greater participation of women in Armed Forces. It also strengthens the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’
• Sainik schools are a system of schools in India established and managed by Sainik Schools Society under Union Ministry of Defence.
• These schools were conceived by V. K. Krishna Menon (then Defence Minister) in 1961. The objective behind establishing these school was to rectify the regional and class imbalance amongst Officer cadre of Indian Military, and to prepare students for entry into National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy.
• As of now there are 27 sainik schools running and proposed for future covering all the Indian states.

Source: PIB

Shirui Lily Festival, 2019

Topic: Cultuture

In News: The northeastern state of Manipur is hosting the 3rd state level Shirui Lily Festival.

More on the Topic:

• The annual festival is hosted by state Department of Tourism in Ukhrul district. The event features demonstrations of age-old traditions and culture of inhabitants of district of Ukhrul.
• The festival is organized during this time keeping in mind the peak blooming season of flower. Festival seeks to spread the awareness about the endangered Shirui Lily and promote the district of Ukhrul as a tourist destination in Manipur.

Source: Hindu