Postal Examination: Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: November 3, 2016

Nov 7, 2016

Hello readers,

Here are today's important headlines with key details for UPSC, SSC, IBPS and other competitive examinations.

National

Central government launches Saur Suajal Scheme, harnessing solar energy for irrigation

Chhattisgarh is the first state to implement the scheme. Around 51,000 farmers would be benefit in the state with the launch of the scheme by 2018.
Under the scheme, solar powered irrigation pumps of 3HP and 5HP capacity will be distributed to farmers.
Beneficiaries would get the pumps at subsidized price.
Priority will be given to those areas where electricity has not reached, so that farmers can utilize these solar pumps in irrigation and agriculture.

Bindeshwar Pathak is the new ambassador of Swachh Rail Mission

Bindeshwar Pathak is a sociologist and founder of Sulabh International.
Pathak has done pioneering work in the field of sanitation and hygiene. He is the brain behind establishing Sulabh Sauchalayas - pay and use public toilets- across the country.
Under Swachh Rail Mission, Sulabh International will maintain cleanliness of railway stations across the country.
The programme includes, clean trains (Swachh Rail Gaadi), clean station complex (Swachh Parisar), clean water (Swachh Neer), clear food (Swachh Ahar)

India invited to develop fast-neutron reactor by Russia

Russia is developing a fast-neutron reactor with closed fuel cycle.
This is an attempt at developing fourth generation technology in nuclear power plants.
This idea is in consonance with International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) idea of 'collective use centers'. this means one reactor can be used by multiple international users.

Technology in Reactors which Russia is developing

Fast neutron reactor or fast reactor is a type of reactor where nuclear fission chain reaction takes place.
In such a reactor, there is no moderator like water. It will use a coolant like sodium.
Closed fuel cycle is a process where recycled nuclear waste is used as nuclear fuel.

Advantages of closed fuel cycle

Technology for nuclear power plants in India

India is developing an Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR).
AHWR is being developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC)
AHWR uses Thorium as a fuel to generate commercial power.
India has an estimated 3,60,000 tonnes of thorium deposits which are about 25 per cent of global reserves.

Pratul Joshi wins Bahrain International Challenge badminton tournament 2016

Badminton player Pratul Joshi has won his first international title, the Bahrain International Challenge badminton tournament 2016.
The tournament was established in 2013. The challenge has Men's singles, Women's singles, Men's doubles, Women's doubles and Mixed doubles competition.

BWF International Challenge

An International Challenge is sanctioned by Badminton World Federation (BWF).
There are four types of tournaments organised by BWF- Super Series, Grand Prix Gold, Grand Prix and International Challenge