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Current Affairs News Analysis for UPSC | 17th Dec 2020
Today's Must Read Articles :Covaxin Phase-1 trials
HEADLINES:
Covaxin Phase-1 trials show promising results
WHY IN NEWS:
- It triggered ‘robust immune response’
- Phase-1 results show that Covaxin, a COVID-19 vaccine candidate, is safe.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Diseases
ISSUE:
COVAXIN PHASE-1 TRIALS
DEVELOPED BY
KEYPOINTS
- The Phase-1 placebo-controlled randomised double-blind trial on the safety and immunogenicity of three different formulations of BBV152 reported the results of the trial on 375 participants.
- The majority of adverse events were mild and were resolved.
- One serious adverse event was reported, which was found to be unrelated to vaccination.Vaccines were administered on a two-dose intramuscular accelerated schedule on day 0 (baseline) and day 14.
- The primary outcomes were reactogenicity and safety.
[wc_highlight color=”yellow” class=””]ALSO READ : PFIZER [/wc_highlight]
IASbhai WINDUP:
- Researchers from Bharat Biotech, ICMR, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences at New Delhi and Patna, and several other institutes participated in the analyses.
SOURCES: THE HINDU | Current Affairs News Analysis for UPSC | 17th Dec 2020
Spectrum auction
HEADLINES:
Spectrum auction
WHY IN NEWS:
The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal of the Department of Telecommunications to conduct spectrum auction
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Telecommunications
ISSUE:
ALLOCATION OF SPECTRUM
TOTAL REVENUE
- A total of 2251.25 MHz is being offered with total valuation of Rs. 3,92,332.70 crore (at reserve price).
- Whereas new players will be able to start their services.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
- Successful bidders may pay entire bid amount in one go (upfront) .
- They may also exercise an option to pay a certain amount upfront and remaining amount in a maximum up to 16 equated annual instalments, after a moratorium of two years.
IASbhai WINDUP:
SOURCES: THE HINDU | Current Affairs News Analysis for UPSC | 17th Dec 2020
Human Development Index 2020
HEADLINES:
India drops two ranks in Human Development Index
WHY IN NEWS:
UNDP Resident Representative Shoko Noda said the drop in India’s ranking doesn’t mean “India didn’t do well but other countries did better”.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Reports
ISSUE:
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX REPORT
PUBLISHED BY
HIGHLIGHTS
- No country has yet been able to achieve a very high level of development without putting a huge strain on natural resources.
- Cambodia, India and Thailand show more malnutrition-related issues such as stunting and wasting.
KEYPOINTS
- India dropped two ranks in the United Nations’ Human Development Index this year, standing at 131 out of 189 countries.
- For the first time, the United Nations Development Programme introduced a new metric to reflect the impact caused by each country’s per-capita carbon emissions and its material footprint.
SOURCES : THE HINDU
GLOBAL RANKINGS
- Norway, which tops the HDI, falls 15 places if this metric is used, leaving Ireland at the top of the table.
- In fact, 50 countries would drop entirely out of the “very high human development group” category, using this new metric, called the Planetary Pressures-adjusted HDI, or PHDI.
- Australia falls 72 places in the ranking, while the United States and Canada would fall 45 and 40 places respectively, reflecting their disproportionate impact on natural resources.
- The oil and gas-rich Gulf States also fell steeply.
- China would drop 16 places from its current ranking of 85.
IASbhai WINDUP:
- However, if the Index were adjusted to assess the planetary pressures caused by each nation’s development, India would move up eight places in the ranking.
SOURCES: THE HINDU | Current Affairs News Analysis for UPSC | 17th Dec 2020
Aircraft leasing regulations
HEADLINES:
Aircraft leasing regulations
WHY IN NEWS:
International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has issued consultation paper on proposed Aircraft Leasing Regulations.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Transport
ISSUE:
AIRCRAFT LEASING REGULATIONS
- In January 2019, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation published a report, ‘Project Rupee Raftar’, that provided roadmap to developing an aircraft financing and leasing industry in India.
- The report identified International Financial Services Centre (GIFT city) for developing aircraft leasing and financing eco-system in the country.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
- In October, 2020, Government of India , on the recommendation of IFSCA, had notified ‘Aircraft lease which shall include operating and financial lease of aircraft or helicopter and their engines’ as a financial product under International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019.
- Considering, Aircraft leasing is a relatively new industry in India.
IASbhai WINDUP:
- Aircraft Leasing related regulations are different across various financial centres, IFSCA has prepared draft regulations for Aircraft Leasing and in order to get inputs from stakeholders as well as public comments.
SOURCES: PIB | Current Affairs News Analysis for UPSC | 17th Dec 2020
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