The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) is an officially recognized book of standards as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 1945 thereunder.
It specifies the standards of drugs manufactured and marketed in India in terms of their identity, purity and strength.
The standards are provided by Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) based on the 2nd schedule of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
IP is designated as the official book of standards for drugs imported and/or manufactured for sale, stock or exhibition for sale or distribution in India.
Its mission is to promote public and animal health in India.
In addition, IPC also develops IP Reference Substances (IPRS) that act as fingerprint for identification of an article under test and its purity as prescribed in the IP monographs.
Recent Development - IP has been recognised formally by the Public Health Ministry of Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is the first country to recognise IP.
IP will be used based on the requirement in the laboratory of medicines and health products quality.
Silver Line project
The Silver Line project is a proposal of the Kerala government that aims to connect major districts and towns with semi high-speed trains that will run on their own tracks.
Ministry of Railways have recently granted in-principle approval for the project.
It involves laying the railway lines from Kasaragod in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south.
It aims to cut the travel time between the two corners (532 km) from 12 hours to less than four hours with a maximum speed of 200 km/h.
The project is scheduled to be commissioned by 2024.
The Kerala Rail Development Corporation (K-Rail), a joint venture between the Ministry of Railways and the Kerala government will be the nodal agency.
EChO Network
EChO Network is a national program aimed at increasing research, knowledge, and awareness of Indian ecology and the environment.
It will provide a template for cross-disciplinary leadership in India.
It could develop a national network to catalyse a new generation of Indians who can synthesize interdisciplinary concepts and tackle real-world problems in medicine, agriculture, ecology and technology.
There is no precedent for such a network anywhere in the world.
It establishes a new platform to change how science is embedded in our modern society.
The purpose of this Network is to bring all those together to share knowledge and synergize efforts under the umbrella of science
Apache Helicopters
Apache is the most advanced multi-role heavy attack helicopter in the world.
Its modern capabilities include, fire-and-forget, anti-tank missiles, air-to-air missiles, rockets, and other ammunition.
Apaches has their ability to operate at much higher altitudes, unlike the aging Russian Mi-24/Mi-35attack helicopters.
It also has modern electronic warfare capabilities to provide versatility in network-centric aerial warfare.
It carries a 30 mm chain gun with 1,200 rounds as part of the area weapon subsystem.
The helicopter carries the fire control Longbow radar, which has 360-degree coverage.
It also has a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night-vision systems.
The Radar systems in the helicopter will enhance the capability of the IAF in providing integrated combat aviation cover.
It is day/night, all weather capable, and have high agility and survivability against battle damage.
These are easily maintainable even in field conditions and are capable of prolonged operations in tropical and desert regions.
Recent Developments - The deal for 6 Apache attack helicopters for the Indian Army is likely to be signed early next year.
These are in addition to 22 Apaches being inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) which are expected to be delivered by 2020.
In 2017, the Defence Acquisition Council approved the purchase of six Apache attack helicopters from the U.S. for the Army.
It will replace the ageing Russian Mi-35 attack helicopters in service.
Digital Communications Commission
The Digital Communications Commission (DCC) has recently approved plans to auction over 8,300 MHz of spectrum to be used for offering 5G services.
The proposal will now be sent to the Cabinet for approval.
DCC is erstwhile Telecom Commission, created under the government resolution in 2018.
It consists of a
Chairman - The Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Telecommunications
Four full time members - Ex-officio Secretaries to the Government of India in the Department of Telecommunications and
Four part time members - CEO, NITI Aayog, Secretary (Department of Economic Affairs), Secretary ( Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology) and Secretary (Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion).
It is responsible for,
Formulating the policy of Department of Telecommunications for approval of the Government;
Preparing the budget for the Department of Telecommunications for each financial year and getting it approved by the Government; &
Implementation of Government's policy in all matters concerning telecommunication.
