ICAT signs MoU with Northcap University for emerging technologies
ICAT
signs MoU with Northcap University for emerging technologies
Why
is it in news?
The International
Center for Automotive Technology (ICAT) has partnered with Northcap University
(NCW) to foster industry-academic partnerships to conduct short- and
medium-term courses and research in the field of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and
related emerging technologies as per industry needs. ) has signed MoU with
Gurugram. The MoU was signed by the Acting Director of ICAT Smt. Pamela Tikku
and the Vice Chancellor of NCU, Prof. Nupur Prakash signed in the presence of
other senior officials of both the organisations.
Highlights
• On the occasion, Mrs.
Pamela Tikoo in her address said that we are looking forward to a long-term
relationship through cooperation to develop the skills needed for the emerging
field of electronic mobility and also to improve the resourcefulness of ICAT.
• It is to be noted
that the International Center for Automotive Technology (ICAT) is located at
Manesar since 1996 as a division of NATRIP (NAB) Implication Society (NAITS)
under the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
• It is one of the
independent investigation agencies under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules
(CMVR) notified by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of
India for testing and certification of automotive and their critical safety
components.
• Northcap University
(NCU) was established in 1996 in Gurugram. NCU is a National Assessment and Accreditation
Council (NAAC) 'A' recognized University. The university has been ranked among
the top 100 in the engineering category under the National Institutional
Ranking Framework (NIRF) by the Ministry of Human Resource Development,
Government of India.
• The institute has
also been awarded as the top 30 universities of India in the Atal Ranking of
Institutions on Innovation Achievements, 2021 (ARIIA) and the best performing
university in the Deemed Universities category.
• The university offers
various undergraduate and postgraduate programs in disciplines such as
engineering, management, applied science and law. NCU is recognized by
University Grants Commission (UGC) and Bar Council of India (BCI).
• This university is a
member of Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Apart from this, the
university is also a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities
(ACU), UK.
• In addition to being
a member of the American Society for Quality (I) Pvt Ltd, NCU is accredited by
the Accreditation Services for International Colleges (ASIC), UK in the
category of 'Premier' Universities with a 'Commendable' grade.
E-Marketplace Progress Review
E-Marketplace
Progress Review
Why
is it in news?
The Union Minister of
Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles,
Shri Piyush Goyal reviewed the progress of Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
Highlights
• It is worth noting
that among many other things, various functions of GeM as well as timeline of
procurement and delivery were reviewed in detail. It was highlighted that since
April 22, more than 95 per cent of all physical orders were delivered on time,
especially in cases where online fulfillment and payment were done through GeM.
• On-time delivery for
all types of transactions (Direct Buy, L1, Bids / Inverse Auction) through GeM
has seen a steady improvement. The Minister shared specific suggestions
regarding revising the thresholds and facilities to further accelerate the
delivery time and flexible approach for Government buyers to choose the
products as per their requirements.
• Shri Goyal suggested
end-to-end online completion and payment of all buyer transactions on the GeM
portal and improved monitoring of delivery of goods in line with the timelines.
• The Minister
emphasized the need to bring all public procurement on a completely online and
transparent portal like GeM, so as to promote the economy of large scale and
social inclusion by promoting micro and small enterprises.
• GeM's initiatives to
closely monitor government procurement and anomaly detection, including use of
AI-ML to detect and report potential collusion and fraud, were reviewed.
• Shri Goyal suggested
strict legal and penal action against the buyers and suppliers involved in such
activities.
• Apart from anomaly
detection, GeM also plans to use AI-ML to simplify the process, provide better
product recommendations to buyers and thus ensure savings in public expenditure
can go.
• Significant
technology upgrades are planned by GeM to enable state-of-the-art usage
practices and improve user experience on the platform. The Minister lauded
GeM's MSME inclusion and several other initiatives including the Har Ghar Tiranga
Abhiyan.
Germany launches fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains
Why
is it in news?
Germany recently
launched the world's first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains to
replace 15 diesel trains running on non-electrified tracks in the state of
Lower Saxony.
Introduction
• Hydrogen trains are
equipped with fuel cells that combine hydrogen with oxygen to generate
electricity. This conversion process emits only steam and water, thus producing
zero emissions. The excess energy produced is stored in an ion-lithium battery
on the train.
• These trains make
very little noise. In addition, hydrogen fuel cells have advantages over
batteries. They can be easily refueled like a gas or diesel engine instead of
recharging.
• It is also easy to
build refueling infrastructure for these trains at railway stations.
• These trains can run
on a single tank of hydrogen for about 1,000 km, which is similar to the class
of diesel trains.
• These trains offer
attractive possibilities to many cities to tackle air pollution. The only
disadvantage of these hydrogen trains is that they are more expensive than
fossil fuel based trains.
• The new trains are
equipped with hydrogen tanks and fuel cells on the roof and will produce
electricity by combining water and hydrogen. The company revealed that the
excess energy produced will be stored in ion-lithium batteries.
The estimated cost of
the project is approximately 93 million euros (US$92 million).
• These bright blue
Coradia iLint trains, made by French TGV-maker Alstom, are costlier than
diesel-powered trains but more environmentally friendly.
• Green trains can
travel 600 miles (1,000 km) on a single tank of hydrogen and a maximum speed of
140 kmph (87 mph), the same range as diesel trains.
National Small Industries Day
Why
is it in news?
• National Small Industries Day is celebrated on 30
August every year to mark the value of small businesses that exist in India.
• It may be noted that
on August 30, 2000, the Ministry of Small Scale Industries had launched a comprehensive
policy package for the small scale sector. This policy provides significant
support to small firms in India. The ministry later agreed to designate 30
August as "SSI Day".
Highlights
• It is an annual
festival dedicated to encourage small businesses across the country.
• This day is
celebrated with the aim of encouraging small businesses and providing job
opportunities to the unemployed.
• Importance of Small
Scale Sector
• Small-scale
industries play an important role in the economic development of a developing
nation like India. Considering the strategic relevance of these areas, special
emphasis is given on its development.
• Significantly, the
central government has made several efforts to set up small scale enterprises
across India to help people find work.
• The day is observed
to highlight the importance of small scale enterprises in creating work
opportunities for individuals in rural and urban areas.
• This is because small
businesses are labor intensive and the units of capital employed in them retain
a high proportion of employment. Moreover, it helps in equitable allocation of
economic power.
BSNL and BBNL will be merged
Why
is it in news?
The Union Cabinet
recently approved the merger of Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) with
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). BSNL will work as the executive arm of the
government and the assets will be owned by the government.
Introduction
Bharat Broadband
Network Limited is also known as BharatNet. It is owned by the government and
provides broadband infrastructure. It was set up by the Department of
Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications. It is involved in the
establishment, management and operation of the National Optical Fiber Network,
under which the government seeks to provide a minimum of 100 Mbit/s broadband
connectivity to 2,50,000-gram panchayats in India.
Highlights
• At present, BSNL has
an optical fiber cable network of over 6.83 lakh kms.
• BSNL will get 5.67
lakh km of additional optical fiber by the merger of BSNL and BBNL.
• 67 lakh km of optical
fiber has been laid in 1.85 lakh gram panchayats of India using Universal
Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
• USOF is a strong
reserve of Rs 55,000 crore, designed to provide connectivity to rural and
remote areas of India.
• The merger of BBNL
with BSNL was first announced in April 2022. BBNL is a Special Purpose Vehicle
(SPV), which was set up to implement the BharatNet project.
Bharat
Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)
• The headquarter of
BSNL is in New Delhi. It works under the ownership of the Department of
Telecommunications.
• It was established on
1 October 2000.
• BSNL is the largest
state-owned, wireless telecom service provider in the country.