UPSC Prelims Bits: November 03, 2022

AD-1

Why in news?

• Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted a successful maiden flight-test of Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) interceptor AD-1 missile from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
• The flight-test was carried out with the participation of all BMD weapon system elements located at different geographical locations.

Know about AD-1

• The AD-1 is a long-range interceptor missile designed for both low exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception of long-range ballistic missiles as well as aircraft.
• It is propelled by a two-stage solid motor and equipped with indigenously-developed advanced control system, navigation and guidance algorithm to precisely guide the vehicle to the target.

Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme(EBP)

Why in news?

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA approved mechanism for ethanol procurement by public sector oil marketing companies under Ethanol Blended Petrol program.

What is ethanol blending?

• Ethanol is an agro-based product, mainly produced from a by-product of the sugar industry, namely molasses.
• The Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) seeks to achieve blending of Ethanol with motor sprit with a view to reducing pollution, conserve foreign exchange and increase value addition in the sugar industry enabling them to clear cane price arrears of farmers.
• The Central Government has scaled up blending targets from 5% to 10% under the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP).
• The procedure of procurement of ethanol under the EBP has been simplified to streamline the entire ethanol supply chain and remunerative ex-depot price of ethanol has been fixed.

• Govt. Advanced the target

  • The government has advanced the target for 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol by Five years to 2025.
  • The target was previously to be met by 2030.
  • The target of 10 per cent ethanol blending has already been achieved in May this year.

Kohima World War II Cemetery

Why in news?

President of India to visit historic Kohima World War II Cemetery.

Know about Kohima World War II Cemetery

• Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland state, is some 200 kilometres from the Indo-Burmese border (now known as the Indo-Myanmar border).
• Kohima War Cemetery is situated on the left of the Imphal-Diampur road (Highway 39) close to the centre of the town.
• The cemetery now contains 1,420 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War and 1 non-war burial.

What happened there?

• The Japanese advance into India was halted at Kohima in April 1944 and Garrison Hill, a long wooded spur on a high ridge west of the village, was the scene of perhaps the most bitter fighting of the whole Burma campaign when a small Commonwealth force held out against repeated attacks by a Japanese Division.
• The fiercest hand-to-hand fighting took place in the garden of the Deputy Commissioner’s bungalow, around the tennis court, but the heaviest casualties on both sides occurred after relieving forces reached the Garrison and the Japanese were driven off the ridge, so re-opening the road to Imphal.

UPSC Prelims Bits: November 01, 2022

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