TNPSC Current Affairs November 29, 2019

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs Nov 29, 2019 (29/11/2019)

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Topic: Public Awareness and General Administration, Latest Diary of Events

FASTags

From December 1, FASTags will be mandatory for toll payment on National Highways.

The objective is to remove bottlenecks and capture all toll electronically. All 560-odd plazas under the control of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will collect toll without human intervention, and vehicles need not stop to pay toll.

How does FASTag work?

The device employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for payments directly from the prepaid or savings account linked to it. It is affixed on the windscreen, so the vehicle can drive through plazas without stopping.

It is valid for five years, and can be recharged as and when required. The payment method is a part of the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) programme. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) collects the payments.

Why do we need this scheme?

According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), these devices will make passing through tolls considerably smoother since drivers will no longer have to carry cash or stop to make a transaction.

Cameras at toll booths will take photos of passengers in a vehicle, which will be useful for the Ministry of Home Affairs as there will be a record of a vehicle’s movement.

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Topic: World Organizations, International Diary of Events

EU declares climate emergency

European Union (EU) has become the first multilateral bloc to declare climate emergency. A resolution in this regard was recently passed. The symbolic move is expected to pressurise countries to act ahead of the United Nations summit on climate change that starts on December 2 in Spain.

The resolution will have more symbolic effect than practical impact, and is designed to pressure EU governments to adopt a commitment for all of the EU to reduce emissions to net zero.

Who else have declared climate emergency?

Similar climate emergency declarations have already been made in several EU member states, including Spain, France and the United Kingdom. Outside Europe only Canada, Argentina and Bangladesh have declared a climate emergency.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events

Dendrochronology Conference

The 6th Asian Dendrochronology Conference being held at the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences in Lucknow. This is the first time that the conference is being held in India.

What is it? Dendrochronology is the study of tree rings that hold a wealth of information about not only a tree’s past but also that of the ecosystem in which it lives.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events

‘YuWaah’- Generation Unlimited initiative

Launched by UNICEF. It brings young people together with the private sector, governments, international and local organisations. The aim is to tackle the urgent challenge of investing in their learning and training so that they are prepared for the complex and fast-changing world of work and can be active and engaged citizens.

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Topic: Profile of States, Latest Diary of Events

Govt propose to set up new rocket launch pad near Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu

Union Government is planning to set up a new rocket launch pad near Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu. At present, the Indian Space Research organisation (ISRO) has two launch pads at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDCC) in Sriharikotta, Andhra Pradesh.

The development comes on the backdrop of increasing launches from India, both for domestic as well as international customers.

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Topic: Indian Army, Navy and Defense activities

Indian Army successfully test-fires Spike LR missile

Indian Army has successfully test fired two Spike long- range Anti-Tank Missiles from an Infantry School at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.

What is Spike LR missile?

Spike anti-tank missiles is a 4th generation missile which can engage any target with precision at ranges up to 4 km. It is developed and designed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The missile is man-portable and has its own vehicle-launch and helicopter-launched variants. It will bolster Indian Army’s fire power capability.