10th December, 2024 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
SC Grants Permanent Commission to Woman Army Officer

The Supreme Court of India exercised its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to grant permanent commission to a woman Army officer, Lt. Col., who had been unfairly excluded from the same benefits extended to her counterparts.
This ruling highlights the ongoing efforts to ensure equal opportunities for women in the armed forces, reflecting the Court’s commitment to addressing discrimination based on gender.
The appellant, a commissioned officer in the Army Dental Corps in 2008, had been denied the third opportunity to apply for permanent commission, unlike other similarly situated officers. Despite the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) granting age relaxation to other applicants, the appellant was left out due to her non-involvement in a previous case. The Supreme Court, while setting aside the AFT’s decision, pointed out that denying her this benefit was discriminatory.
This decision is a part of a broader movement to grant permanent commissions to women in the Army, as seen in a February 17, 2024, verdict, which directed the Centre to grant permanent commission to all female officers. On December 10, 2024, the Supreme Court further gave the government one month to comply with its directive, emphasizing timely implementation of the judgment.

INTERNATIONAL
UAE Hosts Founders’ Retreat to Boost India-UAE Startup Collaboration

The United Arab Emirates hosted a three-day Founders’ Retreat in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, bringing together over 60 leading Indian startup founders with UAE business leaders and policymakers.
The UAE-India CEPA Council, the retreat was a landmark initiative fostering transformative collaborations. Participating ventures, averaging a valuation of $3.5 billion, included founders from 13 Indian unicorns and five publicly listed companies, emphasizing the potential for closer investment ties.
The UAE’s pivotal role in supporting India’s startup ecosystem was a central theme. UAE investors have infused nearly $20 billion into the Indian economy since 2000, significantly boosting its startup sector. Initiatives like the UAE-India Startup Bridge, established under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), have further strengthened this collaboration.
The event also aligned with the UAE’s broader strategy of enhancing its investment footprint in India. Recent efforts, including the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s initiatives in India’s GIFT City, underscore the commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening bilateral economic ties.

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ECONOMY
Sanjay Malhotra Appointed as New RBI Governor

Sanjay Malhotra, a seasoned bureaucrat and Revenue Secretary, has been appointed as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). A 1990-batch IAS officer from the Rajasthan cadre, he succeeds Shaktikanta Das, whose tenure ends on 10th December 2024. Malhotra brings over three decades of diverse experience spanning finance, taxation, power, IT, and mining.
As Revenue Secretary (since December 2022), he drove tax policy reforms for direct and indirect taxes, contributing significantly to India’s fiscal health.
Previously, as Secretary in the Department of Financial Services, he oversaw India’s financial and banking sectors.
During his tenure as CMD of REC Ltd., he led significant growth in the power sector.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
IIT Ropar's iHub AWaDH Unveils Cost-Effective Bluetooth

iHub – AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, with funding of ₹110 Crore has announced the launch of its state-of-the-art AWaDH’s Bluetooth Low Energy Gateway and Node System.
Developed by IIT Ropar, this first-of-its-kind cost-effective system connects Bluetooth-enabled sensors to cloud platforms, enabling seamless data transmission, real-time environmental monitoring, and advanced analytics across diverse sectors such as agriculture, logistics, and environmental resilience. With features designed to support scalable IoT deployments, the BLE Gateway system reinforces AWaDH’s commitment to sustainable and technology-driven advancements.

Key Features of the BLE Gateway

Robust Connectivity: Offers 4G, WiFi, and LAN compatibility for flexible networking.
Long-Range Communication: Supports data transmission up to 1 km in line-of-sight (LOS) scenarios.
Data Aggregation: Collects and processes data from multiple connected nodes, streamlining analysis and decision-making.
Weatherproof and Compact Design: Providing durability in extreme weather conditions while maintaining a compact and user-friendly form.
Wireless Connectivity: Eliminates the need for extensive wiring, reducing installation costs and supporting remote deployments.
Low Power Consumption: Delivers energy-efficient performance for prolonged operation.
Scalability: Manages over 100+ connected BLE nodes, ideal for large-scale IoT networks.
Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA): Allows remote firmware updates to keep the system up-to-date with minimal manual intervention.
Compatibility: Fully supports integration with mobile apps, cloud platforms, and diverse sensors for enhanced flexibility.
Enhanced Features: Includes external RTC with coin cell, USB supply/charging, humidity/temperature sensor, optional battery status indication, and a relay for switching local peripherals.