Vyommitra
Why in News?
The Indian Orbit Research Organization (ISRO) recently introduced Vyom Mitra as its first humanoid astronaut.
About Vyommitra:
- VyomMitra will fly into space during Gaganyaan’s first test flight.
- ISRO’s Vyommitra (vyoma = space, mitra = friend) is the prototype for a “half-humanoid”.
- She is also referred to as a half-humanoid because she will only have a head, two hands, and a torso, with no lower limbs.
About Gaganyaan :
- Gaganyaan is a mission by the ISRO.
- The Gaganyaan system module, known as the Orbital Module, will house three Indian astronauts, one of whom will be a woman.
- For 5-7 days, it will circle the Earth in a low-Earth orbit at an altitude of 300-400 km.
- The three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle GSLV Mk III, also known as the LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), will be used to launch Gaganyaan
The payload will include:
- Crew module: A spacecraft that carries humans.
- Two liquid propellant engines power the service module.
- It will have emergency escape and mission abort capabilities.
Delimitation commission
Why in News?
Judicial declaration back to increase in number of assembly seats from 107 to 114(including 24 seats in Pakistan occupied Kashmir).
Delimitation:
- The act or process of defining the limits or boundaries of a country’s territorial constituencies.
- In India, Delimitation is the act of redrawing the boundaries of Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats to reflect population changes.
Delimitation commission:
- Appointed by: The President of India appoints the Delimitation Commission, which collaborates with the Election Commission of India.
- After each Census, Parliament passes a Delimitation Act under Article 82.
- Article 170 states that after each census, states are divided into territorial constituencies based on the Delimitation Act.
- When the Act becomes effective, the Union government appoints a Delimitation Commission.
- In 1950-51, the President (with the assistance of the Election Commission) conducted the first delimitation exercise.
- In 1952, the Delimitation Commission Act was passed.
- Delimitation Commissions were established four times under the Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972, and 2002; in 1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002.
Following the 1981 and 1991 Censuses, there was no delimitation.
Composition:
- Retired judge of supreme court
- Chief election commissioner
- State election commission.
Functions:
- To determine the number and boundaries of constituencies in order to have a population that is nearly equal in all constituencies.
- Identify seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in areas where their populations are relatively large.
- In the event of a disagreement among Commission members, the majority opinion takes precedence.
- In India, the Delimitation Commission is a high-level body whose orders have the force of law and cannot be challenged in court.
- Final order will be published in gazette of India and state government gazette.
Forex reserves:
Why in News?
India’s forex reserves slide to more than two year low.
Forex – foreign exchange reserves:
- Foreign exchange reserves are assets held on reserve by a central bank in foreign currencies, which can include bonds, treasury bills, and other government securities.
- It should be noted that the vast majority of foreign exchange reserves are held in US dollars.
Importance of reserves:
- Forex reserves helps to put the government and the RBI in a comfortable position as they manage India’s financial problems both internally and externally.
- Stables the rupee’s position in world market. Also helps rupees appreciation against dollar.
- Reserves will give markets and investors some assurance that a government can fulfil its international obligations.
- Act as the buffer in case of any crisis in Balance of payment (BOP).
Forex reserves consists of:
- Foreign Currency Assets.
- Assets that are valued using a different currency than the nation’s native currency are known as FCAs.
- The FCA makes up the majority of the forex reserve. It is stated in terms of dollars
2. Gold.
3. Special drawing rights.
- The SDR is a type of international reserve asset that was developed by the IMF to supplement the official reserves of its member nations.
- The US dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen, the Chinese yuan, and the British pound are used to determine the SDR’s value.
- These currencies can be exchanged for SDRs.
4. Reserve tranche position.
- The reserve tranche is the portion of a member country’s IMF quota that is in the form of gold or foreign currency.
- Out of the total quota, 25% should be paid in foreign currency or gold by any member country.
As a result, this is known as the reserve tranche or gold tranche
Future Officers 