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One Liners 05-03-2025
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Bilateral Relations
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India-Japan S&T Collaboration
- Indo-Japan S&T cooperation was formalized through Inter-Governmental Agreement signed in 1985.
- Indo-Japan Joint S&T Committee – Is the apex body which provides vision and direction to the cooperative S&T activities.
- The committee is Co-chaired by Department of Science & Technology (DST) India and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Japan.
- Celebrated on – India’s National Science Day (28 Feb, 2025) at Indian Embassy, Tokyo in Japan.
- Collaboration in – Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Quantum Technology, and Space.
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Economy
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India's Research and Development (R&D) Spending
- R&D funding – Led to India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) more than doubling in the last decade (i.e Rs 60,196 cr-Rs 1,27,381 cr).
- It is shaping the future economy in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum computing.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat – It is not only investing in research but also ensuring that these innovations are seamlessly transitioned from labs to industries, strengthening the foundation of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
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Navratna Status
- Navratnas – It is a 2nd category of the central government-owned ‘Ratna’ companies, placed between the Maharatnas and the Miniratnas based on criteria.
- Navratna status in Indian Railways (IR):
- Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) – 25th
- Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) – 26th
- IR CPSEs – Totally 12, out of which 7 are listed Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) have Navratna status.
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Agriculture
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Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI)
- Established in – 1970, under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
- Headquarters – Kasaragod district, Kerala.
- It is one of the agricultural research institutes in the National Agricultural Research System (NARS).
- It is mandatory for the Institute to conduct research on coconut, arecanut, Palmyrah and cocoa.
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Environment
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Vantara
- About – It is a large-scale animal (wildlife) rescue center, that operates through caves, conservation, and rehabilitation measures.
- Located in – Jamnagar, Gujarat.
- Established by – Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation.
- Area – 3,000 acres.
- Fauna – It is home to over 2,000 animals across 43 species.
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Carbon Intensity (CI)
Recently, China lowered its carbon intensity by 3.4% in 2024, by missing its target of 3.9%.
- About – It is a useful way to measure how much carbon a particular sector is emitting and how it has increased or decreased over time.
- Measurement – An entire country’s carbon intensity can be calculated by dividing the growth in GDP per capita by the amount of carbon dioxide emitted.
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Science
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Agentic AI
- About – It is meant to automate tasks for users so that they do not have to prompt the systems to take actions for them.
- It has the potential to be the next multi-billion business.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) – It forms a new group to focus on agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- SMR – It is an advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW (e) per unit.
- Deployed in – Industrial zones, remote areas, and hard-to-abate sectors like cement and steel manufacturing.
- India’s aim – To develop at least 5 indigenously SMRs by 2033.
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Miscellaneous
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Penshurst Estate
- Established in – 1875.
- Located in – Peerumade hills of Idukki, Kerala.
- It is Kerala’s 1st commercial tea plantation industry that has reached a historic milestone of 150 years.
- FY2023-24 – It was ranked 1st in South India for tea productivity per hectare, yielding 4,735 kg per hectare.
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Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025
- About – It is the world’s biggest mobile industry trade show.
- Location – Barcelona, Spain.
- Agenda – It’s the place where leaders of business, nations, and startups come together to set the agenda for the year ahead.
- Tech and telecom companies gearing up to launch new smartphones, AI hardware, and concept devices.
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