Daily Current Affairs 27 September 2021

Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2021

Why in News

The central government introduced Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2021 which reduced the fee for patent filing and prosecution for educational institutions by 80 percent.

Key Points

Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2021:

High patenting fees present a restrictive element for getting technologies patented.
To encourage greater participation of the educational institutions, which play a pivotal role in the country’s innovation, official fees payable by them in respect of various acts under the Patents Rules, 2003, have been reduced by way of the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2021.
Moreover, Patents Rules have been amended in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020 to achieve the objective of removing procedural inconsistencies and unnecessary steps.
An Expedited Examination System has been introduced wherein an application for grant of patent is being decided within one year of filing such request under Expedited Examination as compared to the period of few years required in case of normal examination route.
Scheme for Facilitating Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) has been launched to provide facilitators to Startups for filing and processing of their applications.

About Patents:

A patent is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the legal right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention for a limited period of years, in exchange for publishing an enabling public disclosure of the invention.
The term of every patent in India is 20 years from the date of filing.
In India, the Patents Act, 1970 was brought into the force on 20 April 1972.

Source: PIB

Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A

Why in News

The Ministry of Defence placed an order with Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi, Chennai for supply of 118 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for the Indian Army.
Note: The Prime Minister had handed over the MBT Arjun Mk-1A to Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane in Chennai on February 14, 2021.

Key Points

About MBT Mk-1A:

The state–of-the-art MBT Mk-1A is a new variant of Arjun Tank designed to enhance fire power, mobility and survivability.
Infused with 72 new features and more indigenous content from the Mk-1 variant, the tank would ensure effortless mobility in all terrains, besides precise target engagement during day and night.

Significance:

The order, worth Rs 7,523 crore, will provide further boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative in the defence sector and is a big step towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

Developed by:

It has been designed & developed by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), along with other laboratories of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).

Source: PIB

Arctic sea ice hits its minimum extent for the year

Why in News

Recently, the Arctic sea ice reached its 2021 minimum extent, coming in at 4.72 million square kilometers, the 12th lowest on record.

Key Points

September marks the end of the summer sea ice melt season and the Arctic sea ice minimum, when sea ice over the Northern Hemisphere Ocean reaches its lowest extent of the year.
In recent years, Arctic sea ice levels have been at their lowest since at least 1850 for the annual mean and in at least 1,000 years for late summer, according to the latest climate assessment from the N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The IPCC concluded that "the Arctic is likely to be practically sea ice free in September at least once before 2050."

Impact of Melting Arctic Ice:

Danger to Coastal Communities
Global Climate Change
Food Security
Biodiversity Threat
Loss of Methane Store

Source: DTE

CSIR-CMERI Solar DC Cooking System

Why in News

The CSIR-CMERI has developed a Solar DC Cooking System.

Key Points

About Solar DC Cooking System:

It is a Solar Energy based Cooking System which consists of a solar PV panel, charge controller, battery bank and cooking oven.
The technology provides a Clean Cooking Environment, Inverter-Less Direct Operation, Fast and Uniform Heating and a potential to save 1 ton Carbon Dioxide emissions per year/household.
It has 20-25% better efficiency and is more Economical in comparison with Conventional Solar based Cooking Systems.

About CMERI (Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute):

It is a public engineering research and development institution in Durgapur, West Bengal.
It is a constituent laboratory of the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Government Schemes Related to Solar Energy:

PM-KUSUM
Rooftop Solar Scheme
International Solar Alliance
National Solar Mission
One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)

Source: PIB

Government e Marketplace (GeM) bags CIPS Award

Why in News

Government e Marketplace (GeM) was announced as the winner in the "Best Use of Digital Technology" category at the CIPS Excellence in Procurement Awards 2021 (CIPS Awards).

Key Points

GeM was shortlisted as a finalist in two additional categories as well, i.e., 'Public Procurement Project of the Year' and 'Best Initiative to Build a Diverse Supply Base'.

About CIPS Awards:

The CIPS Awards are one of the leading recognitions around procurement globally, which is conducted under the aegis of The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), London.

About Government e Marketplace (GeM):

GeM is a 100% Government owned Section 8 Company setup under the aegis of Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry for procurement of goods and services by Central and State Government organizations.

Source: PIB

National Service Scheme Awards for the year 2019-20

Why in News

The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind presented the National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards for the year 2019-20.

Key Points

Under NSS Awards 2019-20, 42 awardees in different categories such as University or (+2) Councils, NSS Units and their programme officers and NSS volunteers were conferred with these awards.

About NSS Award:

The NSS Awards were instituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports in 1993-94 on the occasion of Silver Jubilee Year of National Service Scheme.

About National Service Scheme (NSS):

It is an Indian government-sponsored flagship for public service program conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
It was launched in Mahatma Gandhi’s Centenary year in 1969.

Source: TOI

PFRDA to observe NPS Diwas on October 1

Why in News

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) will observe 1st October 2021 as the National Pension System Diwas (NPS Diwas).

Key Points

The pension regulator aims to encourage every citizen to plan towards creating a financial cushion to ensure for oneself a financially sound future after retirement.

About Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA):

It is the regulatory body under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India for overall supervision and regulation of pension in India.
The Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority Act was passed on 19 September 2013 and the same was notified on 1 February 2014.

Note: PFRDA administers two pension schemes -- National Pension System and Atal Pension Yojana (APY).

Source: PIB

Global Goalkeeper Award 2021

Why in News

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former United Nations under-secretary-general and executive director of UN Women, as the winner of the Global Goalkeeper Award 2021.

Key Points

The foundation also announced the winners of 3 additional Goalkeepers Global Goals Awards.

Changemaker Award 2021- Fairooz Faizah Beether of Bangladesh
Progress Award 2021- Jenifer Colpas of Colombia
Campaign Award 2021- Satta Sheriff of Liberia

About Goalkeepers Award:

Goalkeepers Award is the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's campaign to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals).

Source: newsonair

Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown appointed WHO Ambassador for Global Health Financing

Why in News

The World Health Organization announced the appointment of Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, as WHO Ambassador for Global Health Financing.

Key Points

More recently, Mr Brown has tirelessly called on wealthy nations as well as the private sector to ensure the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

Note: He served as the Prime Minister of the UK from 2007 to 2010.

Source: who.int

September 27, World Tourism Day

Why in News

World Tourism Day is celebrated each year on September 27 to spread awareness about the importance of tourism and its impact on our society.

Key Points

The theme of World Tourism Day 2021 is ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’.

Background:

Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has celebrated World Tourism Day as international observances on September 27.
This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted.
UNWTO is a leading UN international agency in the field of tourism.

Note: The National Tourism Day (India) is celebrated on 25 January.

Source: un.org

September 26, International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

Why in News

The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on 26 September every year.

Key Points

Background:

The General Assembly declared the International Day in December 2013, in its resolution as a follow-up to the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on nuclear disarmament held on 26 September 2013, in New York.
The resolution calls for the critical negotiation on nuclear weapons to prohibit their development, manufacturing, possession, testing, transfer, storing, and use or threat of use.

Source: un.org