NEWS:The Indian Navy commissioned two state-of-the-art stealth frigates INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri
GS-3 internal security
INS Udaygiri
🔹 Background
- A Project 17A stealth guided-missile frigate of the Indian Navy.
- Built by: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL), Mumbai.
- Named after: The Udaygiri Hills in Andhra Pradesh (also a name carried by an earlier Leander-class frigate).
🔹 Technical Features
- Displacement: ~6,700 tonnes.
- Length: ~149 m.
- Speed: 28+ knots.
- Propulsion: Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG).
- Stealth: Reduced radar, acoustic, and infrared signatures.
- Weapons & Sensors:
- Barak-8 Surface-to-Air Missiles.
- BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
- Torpedoes & Anti-Submarine Warfare rockets.
- 127 mm main gun + CIWS (Close-in Weapon System).
- Modern AESA radar, sonar, and electronic warfare suite.
INS Himgiri
🔹 Background
- A Project 17A stealth guided-missile frigate of the Indian Navy.
- Built by: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata).
- Named after: The Himgiri (snow-clad Himalayas), carrying forward the legacy of an earlier Leander-class frigate INS Himgiri (F34) (commissioned in 1974).
🔹 Technical Features
- Displacement: ~6,700 tonnes.
- Length: ~149 m.
- Speed: 28+ knots.
- Propulsion: CODAG (Combined Diesel and Gas).
- Stealth Features: Minimal radar, infrared, and acoustic signature.
- Weapons & Sensors:
- Barak-8 Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs).
- BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
- Torpedo tubes & ASW rockets for anti-submarine warfare.
- 127 mm naval gun + CIWS (Close-in Weapon Systems).
- Advanced radar, sonar, and electronic warfare systems.
NEWS:India s first global battery electric vehicle the e Vitara
GS-3 science and technology
e-Vitara
🔹 Background
- India’s first global Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) by Maruti Suzuki.
- Based on the company’s popular Grand Vitara SUV, now developed in an all-electric version.
- Designed for both domestic and export markets, marking India’s push into the global EV supply chain.
🔹 Key Features
- Powertrain: 100% battery-electric (zero tailpipe emissions).
- Range: ~500 km (on full charge, WLTP standard).
- Battery: High-density lithium-ion pack (locally manufactured in Gujarat under Suzuki–Toshiba–Denso JV).
- Charging: Fast charging capability (~80% in 50 minutes).
- Platform: Adapted version of Toyota’s 27PL EV architecture under the Suzuki–Toyota partnership.
- Safety: Equipped with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems).
🔹 Strategic Importance
- Atmanirbhar Bharat push: Significant localization of components (battery, power electronics, assembly).
- Climate Commitments: Supports India’s EV30@30 target (30% of new vehicle sales electric by 2030).
- Energy Transition: Cuts oil imports, aligns with India’s net-zero by 2070 goal.
- Economic impact: Positions India as an EV export hub.
NEWS:Bhubaneswar is hosting a two-day national conference for chairpersons of SC ST welfare committees from parliamentary and state legislature levels August 29–30
GS-2 polity and governance
- Inaugurated by: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
- Organisers: Parliament of India in collaboration with Odisha Legislative Assembly.
- Participants: Chairpersons of SC/ST welfare committees from Parliament and all State Legislatures.
- First time such a conference is being held outside New Delhi.
🔹 Objectives
- To create a common platform for interaction between central and state-level SC/ST welfare committees.
- To discuss policy interventions for the welfare, empowerment, and rights of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- To highlight cultural heritage, tribal traditions, and inclusive development models.
- To strengthen parliamentary democracy by ensuring representation of marginalized sections.
National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)
🔹 Constitutional Basis
- Article 338 of the Indian Constitution.
- Originally there was a single body (National Commission for SCs & STs).
- The 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 bifurcated it into:
- NCSC – for Scheduled Castes.
- NCST – for Scheduled Tribes.
🔹 Composition
- Chairperson
- Vice-Chairperson
- 3 other Members
(All appointed by the President of India).
🔹 Functions
- Monitoring & Safeguards
- Investigate and monitor matters relating to safeguards for SCs in Constitution & laws.
- Evaluate working of such safeguards.
- Inquiry Powers
- Inquire into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of SCs.
- Advisory Role
- Advise on socio-economic development planning for SCs.
- Report annually (or whenever necessary) to the President.
- Judicial-like Powers
- Powers of a Civil Court (summons, evidence, requisition of documents, etc.).
🔹 Reports
- The Commission presents annual reports to the President.
- President places them before Parliament along with a memorandum of action taken.
MAINS MOCK QUESTION
“The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has a constitutional mandate to safeguard the rights of Scheduled Castes. Critically examine its effectiveness in addressing issues of social justice and empowerment.”
