- Young Scientist Programme (YUVIKA):“Young Scientist Programme”, or “YUva VIgyani KAryakram” YUVIKA, is a learning and awareness-creating programme of the ISRO to impart basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science, and Space Applications to younger students with a preference for rural areas. The programme is also expected to encourage more students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based research /careers.
Those who have finished class 8 and are currently studying in class 9 can apply for the programme.
Three students from each state/Union Territory will participate in this programme every year, covering CBSE, ICSE, and state-board syllabus.
The selection is based on 8th Standard academic performance and extracurricular activities.
Students belonging to the rural area have been given special weightage in the selection criteria.
In case there is a tie between the selected candidates, the younger candidates will be given priority.
- Coal Gasification: It is the process of producing syngas, a mixture consisting primarily of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapour (H2O) – from coal and water, air and/or oxygen.
Gasification occurs in a gasifier, generally a high temperature/pressure vessel where oxygen and steam are directly contacted with the coal or other feed material causing a series of chemical reactions to occur that convert the feed to syngas and ash/slag.
Syngas can be used for electricity production, used in energy-efficient fuel cell technology, or as chemical “building blocks” for industrial purposes. The hydrogen can also be extracted for use in fueling a hydrogen economy.
It is considered a cleaner option compared to the burning of coal. It will help in reducing reliance on imports of natural gas, methanol, ammonia and other essential products.
- European Free Trade Association: India has rejected the demand of the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA) for ‘data exclusivity’ provisions in the free trade agreement that both sides are negotiating.
It is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1960 by the Stockholm Convention.
Objective: Promotes free trade and economic integration between its members within Europe and globally.
Member Countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
The members of this organisation are all open, competitive economies committed to the progressive liberalisation of trade in the multinational arena as well as in free trade agreements. In contrast to the European Union (EU), it is not a customs union.
Governance: Its highest governing body is the EFTA Council. It generally meets 8 times a year at the ambassadorial level and twice a year at the ministerial level.
EFTA Court: It is based in Luxembourg and has the competence and authority to settle internal and external disputes regarding the implementation, application or interpretation of the EEA agreement.The headquarters of the EFTA Secretariat is located in Geneva.
