UPSC Prelims Facts – 08 January 2025

Prelims FACTS

Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, launched the revamped e-auction portal ‘Baanknet’ in New Delhi.

  • An e-auction platform designed to streamline the recovery process for Public Sector Banks (PSBs).
  • Makes property auctions more accessible, transparent, and efficient.
  • Key Features of Baanknet:
    • Centralized Platform: Consolidates e-auction property details from all PSBs, including residential properties, commercial properties, vehicles, plant and machinery, and agricultural/non-agricultural land.
    • Integrated User Journey: Seamless pre-auction, auction, and post-auction processes on a single platform.
    • Technology-Driven Architecture: Microservices-based system with open APIs for third-party integration.

The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) launched the ‘Faral Sakhi’ initiative to empower women entrepreneurs in Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra.

  • Launched by MBMC in collaboration with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP).
  • Aims to empower women entrepreneurs in traditional snack production through training, support, and market access.

Karnataka launched the ‘Garudakshi’ online FIR system to curb wildlife crimes.

  • Software enabling an online FIR system similar to the Police Department.
  • Allows the public to register complaints on forest offences using mobile phones or email addresses.
  • Developed in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope observed that K2-18 b may have conditions suitable for liquid water and possibly life.

  • An exoplanet found in a habitable zone.
  • Discovered by: Kepler Space Telescope in 2009.
  • Features:
    • Located about 124 light-years away from Earth.
    • Radius: 2.6 times that of Earth.
    • Mass: 8.6 times greater than Earth.

Inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla.

  • Organised by National Commission for Women and Lok Sabha Secretariat in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
  • Aims to empower elected women representatives from Scheduled Tribes in Panchayati Raj institutions.
  • Enhances their knowledge of constitutional provisions, parliamentary procedures, and governance to foster effective leadership.

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