NAMASTE Scheme (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem)
Centre may face Contempt Of Court, for failing to implement October 2023 Judgement on manual scavenging
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
- Objective: To eliminate hazardous cleaning, stop deaths of sewer and septic tank workers and ensure their safety and dignity
- Type: Central Sector Scheme
- Nodal implementing agency: National Safai Karamchari Financial Development Corporation (NSKFDC)
ATACMS
Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that Ukraine attacked using US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles.
- A surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a 300 km range
- Ballistic Missile – A type of missile that utilizes projectile motion (utilizing gravity) to deliver warheads to a designated target.
- Launch Platforms – Launched from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
DHARANI
IIT Madras releases DHARANI.
- An open-source brain mapping dataset
- With this, IIT(M) has become the 1st research organization in the world to release such a project
- Significance –
- Advances neuroscience research and could aid in brain-related health treatments.
- It could offer insights into neurological disorders like autism and other developmental disorders
Abathsahayeswarar Temple
Abathsahayeshwarar Temple received 2024 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation
- Location – Tamil Nadu.
- Built during – Chola period
- Built By – Kings Vikrama Chola and Kulothunga Chola.
Schengen Zone
Bulgaria and Romania will become full members of Schengen from January 1, 2025.
- Largest borderless area globally
- Members –
- Comprises 29 members, 25 of the 27 EU member states (except Cyprus and Ireland)
- Other 4 members – Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
- Common Schengen Visa – Allows non-EU nationals to travel through the Schengen countries without going through border controls.