India successfully test fires SANT Missile

On October 19, 2020, India successfully test fired the Stand-Off Anti-Tank Missile called SANT. It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization for the Indian Air Force. The missile was test fired at the Chandipur test range. Highlights The missile has both lock-on before launch and lock-on after launch capabilities. SANT SANT missile ..

Category: Defence Current Affairs

Topics: Chandipur • Dhruvastra missile • Helina missile • Missile • SANT

Singapore: First Country to attach Facial Verification in National Identification Database

Singapore recently included facial recognition to its National Identity Database. And thereby, it has become the first country to include the technology in its national database. Highlights The system introduced is called “SingPass Face Verification”. Though this, a number of government services can be accessed online. It provides 400 online services including public housing applications ..

Category: Awards, Honors, Persons & Places in News • International Current Affairs • Places in News Current Affairs

Topics: Automated Facial Recognition System • Competitiveness Index • Facial recognition • Facial recognition software • In Singapore

Heeng Cultivation introduced in Indian Himalayas

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Institute of Himalayan bioresource Technology has taken up Heeng cultivation in the Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh. Around 750 hectares are to be covered under Heeng cultivation. Background The IHBT had earlier partnered with Department of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh to boost production of Heeng and Saffron in the ..

Category: Economy & Banking Current Affairs

Topics: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research • CSIR • GI tag • heeng • India-Iran • Jammu & Kashmir • Saffron

Ayushman Sahakar Scheme: Key Facts

On October 19, 2020, the Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme. The scheme has been launched to assist the cooperatives in the country. The scheme will assist the cooperatives to play a crucial role in creating health care infrastructure in the country. Highlights The scheme was formulated by the National ..

Category: Government Schemes Current Affairs

Topics: Ayushman Sahakar scheme • Cooperative • Ministry of Ayush • Narendra Singh Tomar • National Cooperative Development Corporation

Indo-Pacific: Japan and Vietnam sign Agreements

On October 19, 2020, Japan and Vietnam signed agreements to ensure “free and open Indo-Pacific”. Also, the agreement will allow Japan to export its defence equipment to Vietnam. Highlights Recently, the QUAD grouping held in Tokyo, reaffirmed the significance of “free and open Indo-Pacific” and raised concerns over increasing Chinese influence in the region. The ..

Category: International Current Affairs

Topics: Indian Ocean • Indian ocean region • Indo-Pacific • Quad • South China Sea