Current Affairs 26th Aug 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO)

Context: A recent study conducted by the Research Design and Standards Organisation has found that train controllers face multiple challenges at work.

About RDSO

• It is the sole Research and Development organisation of Indian Railways.
• Headquarters: Lucknow (UP).
• The KAVACH system was developed by RDSO.
• Functions:
  • Technical advisor to Railway Board, Zonal Railways and Production Units.
  • Develops new and improved designs for railway equipment.
  • Develops standards for materials and products, and provides detailed technical specifications for vendors.

Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPDMA)

Context: Recently the Union Defence Minister visited the USA. During the visit Defence Minister’s of both the countries appreciated the progress made in operationalising the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness.

What is IPDMA?

• It is a technology and training initiative to enhance maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Objective:
  • To develop and disseminate real-time information on activities like dark shipping in the Indian Ocean.
  • To integrate 3 critical regions in the Indo-Pacific — the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Launched: During QUAD leaders summit in Tokyo (2022)
  • QUAD members: USA, India, Australia and Japan

Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)

Context: The Union Government recently introduced a Unified Pension Scheme replacing the 21-year-old National Pension System (NPS).

About UPS

• Launched: On 24 August, 2024
• Key Features:
  • Assured pension: Government employees will get 50% of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months prior to superannuation.
    • Minimum tenure of service for pension – 25 years
  • Assured Minimum pension: A minimum pension of ₹10,000 per month is assured for those who complete at least 10 years of central government service.
  • Family pension: The next of kin of the deceased employee will receive 60% of the pension that the employee was getting just before his/her death.
  • Superannuation payout: A lump sum payment in addition to gratuity benefits will be provided at the time of retirement.
  • Dearness Relief: based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW) for in-service employees.
• Contributions under UPS:
  • Employees: 10% of their salary.
  • Government: 18.5% of the salary.
• Beneficiaries: UPS applies to all those who retired under the NPS from 2004 onwards and is currently applicable to Central Government Employees only.

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