1) ‘Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar” (RVP): Ministry of Science and Technology called for nominations of the first-ever National Science Award, known as “Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar”.
- It will replace over 300 previously existing awards.
- It recognizes outstanding and inspiring scientific, technological and innovation contributions of researchers, technologist and innovators.
- Awards will be given across four categories:
- These awards include Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva: Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar and Vigyan Team.
- Posthumous awards will be given only in exceptional cases.
- Award will be conferred on August 23rd (National Space DayChandrayaan-3 mission’s soft landing).
2) Tibetan Brown Bear: India has recorded its first-ever confirmed sighting of a rare Tibetan brown bear (Ursus arctos pruinosus) in Sikkim.
- It is also known as the Tibetan blue bear.
- It is an omnivore (eat and survive on both plant and animal matter)
- Feature: Has a distinctive ‘V’ shaped white chest mark
- Habitat: Inhabits alpine forests, meadows, and steppe, at elevations from 2,000 to 4,500 metres.
- Mainly found in Nepal, Bhutan and the Tibetan plateau.
- Status:
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (Schedule 1)
- CITES (Appendix 1)
3) One Vehicle, One FASTag Initiative: National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI’s) ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ will come into implementation from 31st January 2024.
- It seeks to discourage use of single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.
- Users also need to complete the ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC).
- FASTag employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to enable automatic toll payments.
- RFID is a method of wireless communication involving electromagnetic waves.
- It has two components, tags and readers which do not need to be in line of sight to share information.
4) National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL): The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has invited suggestions for the revision of the NEDL.
- NEDL mainstreams diagnostics as an essential component of the healthcare system.
- India launched its NEDL in 2019, first country to do so.
- It is based on WHO’s first Essential Diagnostic List (2018).
- The list includes general laboratory tests for diagnosis of HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, dengue, malaria and imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs, etc.
- NEDL has been developed for all levels of health care.
Places in News:
1) Republic of Nauru (Capital-Yaren):
- Nauru announced to recognise the People’s Republic of China under one-China principle, breaks the diplomatic ties with the Taiwan authorities.
- As per one-China principle, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government.
- Political Features:
- It is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, lying north-east of Australia.
- Part of Micronesia (group of Islands).
- It lies south of the equator.
- Neighbouring Islands Territories: Solomon, Banaba, and Kiribati.
- Geographical Features:
- It is a Coral island with a central plateau which is largely composed of rock phosphate (leached from guano or bird droppings).
- Highest Peak: Command Ridge
