Department of Posts releases beta version of DIGIPIN (Digital Postal Index Number) for public comments and expert opinion.

About DIGIPIN

• It is an initiative to establish a geo-coded addressing system in India.
• It is aimed at developing National Addressing Grid and ensuring simplified addressing solutions for citizen-centric delivery of public and private services.
• Department developed it in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad.

• Significance of DIGIPIN:
  • It can be used for logically locating addresses with directional properties built into it.
  • It will act as a strong and robust pillar of Geospatial Governance and base layer for other ecosystems.

Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has recognized the Indian Kalarippayattu Federation as the Regional Sports Federation to promote ‘Kalarippayattu’ in the country.

About Kalarippayattu

• Developed in Kerala, it is considered as one of the most ancient martial arts in the world.
• It is noted for its high-flying acrobatics, graceful movements, and employs deadly weapons at ease.
• 2 main styles:
  • Vadakkan or Nothern style predominantly practiced in the Malabar region of Kerala.
  • Thekken or Southern Style practiced mainly in the Travancore region.

ISRO successfully carried out the second experimental flight for the demonstration of Air Breathing Propulsion Technology.

About Air Breathing Propulsion Technology

• It utilizes atmospheric oxygen for combustion, eliminating the need to carry oxidizer.
• It provides a technological key for low cost space transportation system and improves the payload fraction.
• 3-main types:
  • Ramjet: Work most efficiently at supersonic speeds around Mach 3.
  • Scramjet: Efficiently operates at hypersonic speeds.
  • Dual mode Ramjet (DMRJ): Can be operated in both subsonic and supersonic combustion mode.

Ministry of Culture has initiated the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM).

Objectives of NMCM

• To create awareness about the strengths of cultural heritage and its interface with development and cultural identity.
• Cultural Mapping of 6.5 Lakh villages along with their geographical, demographic profiles, and creative capitals.
• Creation of National Registers of Artists and Art practices.
• Development of a web portal and mobile app to function as a National Cultural Work Place (NCWP).

Scientists have discovered a new species of Shield-tailed snake (Uropeltis Caudomaculata) in Western Ghats’ Meghamalai-Munnar landscape.

About Shield-tail Snake

• Shield-tail snakes belong to the family Uropeltidae and are endemic only in peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
• There are over 62 species of Shield tailed snakes, of which 44 species are found in India.
• Habitat: Inhabit hilly forests & occupy tunnels in the leaves, humus, rocks & logs.
• Behavior: Spend most life underground. Come to the surface at night & active during rains.

While presenting the Union Budget, Finance Minister announced that government is going to launch Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan soon.

• Aim is to bring improvement in the socio-economic condition of tribal communities.
• Scheme will adopt saturation coverage for tribal families in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts.
  • Saturation approach aims to enhance capabilities and empower people through targeted interventions in education, health, and skill development.
• Envisages to cover 63,000 villages and aims to benefit 5 crore tribal people across the country.

Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) launched in March 2024 for a 4-month period is scheduled to end on July 31, 2024.

About EMPS

• Launched by Union Ministry of Heavy Industries to accelerate adoption of EVs in the country. 
• It is a fund-limited scheme with a total outlay of Rs. 500 crore for 4 months.
• Eligible EV categories:
  • Two Wheelers (Private, Corporate, and Commercial Vehicles)
  • Three-wheelers (including E-Rickshaws and Carts)
• Benefits will be extended only to vehicles fitted with advanced batteries.
• EVs eligible for incentivisation must be manufactured and registered within the validity period of EMPS -2024 certificate.

Government proposed to withdraw 2% equalisation levy affecting non-resident e-commerce companies.

About Equalisation levy

• Introduced in India in 2016, it was initially applied to online advertisements and related payments for utilizing digital ad space, set at 6% rate for non-residents without a permanent establishment in India. 
• In 2020, its scope was extended to cover e-commerce supplies or services to Indian residents by non-resident e-commerce operators.
  • This levy set at 2% is applicable on non-resident e-commerce operators having a permanent establishment in India. 
• Purpose: To ensure fair competition, reasonableness and exercise the ability of governments to tax businesses.

India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has been honoured with the Olympic Order for his outstanding contributions to the Olympic movement.

• Abhinav Bindra secured the gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the men’s 10-meter air rifle event.

About Olympic Order Award

• Established in 1975, it is awarded to individuals who have rendered distinguished service to the Olympic Movement.
• Highest award presented by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 
• IOC is a non-profit global organization with a vision to ‘Build a Better World through Sport’.

Researchers recently probed that how a class of synthetic drugs called macrolones disrupt bacterial cell function to fight infectious diseases. 

• Macrolones can work two different ways i.e. either by interfering with protein production or corrupting DNA structure.
  • It makes drug resistance in bacteria difficult as bacteria would need to implement defenses to both attacks simultaneously.
• Macrolones are synthetic antibiotics that combine the structures of two widely used antibiotics (Macrolids and Fluoroquinolones) with different mechanisms.
  • Macrolides, such as erythromycin, block the ribosome, the protein manufacturing factories of the cell. 
  • Fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin, target a bacteria-specific enzyme called DNA gyrase.