Current Affairs 13 March 2024 for UPSC And State PSC Exam

Table of Contents

Mission Divyastra

News- Recently, India’s Prime Minister announced the successful first flight test of the Agni-5 missile, featuring MIRV (Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicles) technology, dubbed Mission Divyastra. This achievement enhances India’s defense capabilities.

About

Mission Divyastra Overview

Maiden flight test of the Agni-5 missile, locally developed.
Features Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.

Agni-5 Missile Key Features

Powered by a three-stage solid-fuel engine.
Range exceeds 5,000 km.
Part of the Agni series, with ranges from 700 km (Agni-1) to over 5,000 km (Agni-5).
Agni P, tested in June 2021, is a canisters missile with a range of 1,000 to 2,000 km, launchable from road and rail platforms.

MIRV Technology Explained

Enables targeting multiple destinations hundreds of kilometers apart with a single missile.
Agni is capable of carrying nuclear warheads with a range of more than 5,000 km.
MIRVs release multiple warheads at varying speeds and directions, unlike traditional missiles which carry a single warhead.

Significance- Positions India among a select group of countries with MIRV missile capabilities, alongside the US, UK, France, Russia, and China.

Lachit Borphukan

News- Recently, India’s Prime Minister revealed a 125-foot statue made of bronze, honoring Ahom general Lachit Borphukan, located at his burial ground in Jorhat district, eastern Assam.

About:

Lachit Borphukan Overview

Served as a celebrated army commander of the Ahom kingdom, which existed from 1228 to 1826.
Most famous for leading his forces to victory in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat.

Battle of Saraighat

Successfully defeated the Mughal army commanded by Raja Ramsingh-I.
Prevented the Mughal empire from recapturing Assam after a prolonged effort.

Death and Burial

Passed away at the age of 49, a year after the Battle of Saraighat, due to illness.
Buried at the ‘maidam’ (burial grounds for Ahom royals and nobles) located in Hollongapar.

Project Details

Area spans 16.5 acres.
Aimed at developing the site into a tourist attraction.

Financial Aspects

Total project cost: Rs 214 crore.
Announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Sculptor Details

Veteran sculptor: Ram Vanji Sutar.
Recognition: Padma Bhushan awardee.
Previous notable work: Statue of Unity in Gujarat.

Statue Creation and Installation

Title: The State of Valour, depicting Lachit Borphukan.
Construction location: Sutar’s studio in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh (UP).
Transportation: Statue parts were moved from UP to Assam over recent months.
Assembly: Parts re-assembled at the site in Assam.

INS Tushil

News- Recently, INS Tushil, the newest addition to India’s navy, began its sea trials from the Baltiysk naval base in Russia.

About

INS Tushil Overview

First Krivak-III frigate acquired under Project 11356M.

Project 11356M Details

Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA): Signed in October 2016 between India and Russia.
Objective: To purchase/construct four Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates.
Partnership: Collaboration between Russian and Indian shipyards.
Delivery: Russia to supply two frigates (INS Tushil and INS Tamala); two others to be built in India.

Talwar-Class Frigates

Stealth-guided missile frigates.
Designed to meet the Indian Navy’s requirements across air, surface, and sub-surface warfare.

Features of the Ships

Incorporate stealth technology for reduced radar and underwater noise.
Equipped with Indian and Russian weaponry, including:
Indian-supplied equipment: Surface-to-surface missiles, sonar systems, surface surveillance radar, communication suites, anti-submarine warfare systems.
Russian-supplied equipment: Surface-to-air missiles, gun mounts.
Capable of engaging submarines, warships, and air threats independently or in formations.

Specifications