Aerogels
Researchers of IISER Pune created a new aerogel that can extract gold from e-waste.
- Created by combining a polymer with a solvent to form a gel, and then removing the liquid from the gel and replacing it with air.
- Features – Lightest solid materials, translucent, extremely porous and very low in density.
- Serves as finest insulation materials
Variable Rate Repo
Recently, RBI has conducted a Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction.
- A monetary tool used by RBI for liquidity injection.
- It allows banks to borrow at rate decided by market
- It is generally lower than Repo Rate for duration more than 1 day.
Adjournment Sine Die
The winter session, 2024 of Parliament (both Houses) was adjourned sine die.
- Terminating a sitting of Parliament for an indefinite period.
- House is adjourned without naming a day for reassembly.
- Power of adjournment sine die lies with the Presiding Officer of the House.
TReDS (Trade Receivables Electronic Discounting System)
Bills financed through TReDS has seen significant growth in 2024.
- An electronic platform for online discounting of bills of MSMEs for supplies to large Corporates.
- Significance –
- Facilitates the discounting of both invoices as well as bills of exchange.
- Enables MSMEs secure financial assistance digitally at competitive terms and without any collateral security
SMILE Program
India, ADB ink $350 mn deal to boost logistics sector reforms & efficiency
- A programmatic policy-based loan (PBL) by ADB to support the government of India to undertake wide ranging reforms in the logistics sector.
- Objective – To strengthen the institutional and policy framework for interministerial coordination and planning for incentivizing private sector participation in multimodal logistics projects (MMLPs)