TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System
2. Scientific convention on World Homoeopathy Day
3. Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet Technology (SFDR)

1. Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System

Syllabus: GS III, Indigenisation of technology and developing new technology

Prelims: Relevant facts about Pinaka, DRDO

Mains: Developments made in the field of defence in India.

Context: The successful flight testing of Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System and Pinaka Area Denial Munition rocket system has been carried out by DRDO and the Indian Army at Pokhran firing ranges. 

Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System (EPRS) : Salient Features

• The Pinaka rocket system has been developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (a laboratory of the DRDO )  in Pune and is also supported by the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory which is another Pune-based laboratory of DRDO. 
• The EPRS is an upgraded version of the Pinaka variant which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade. 
• After the completion of the performance and efficacy of the enhanced range version of Pinaka, the technology was transferred to industries like Munitions India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur.
• Different variants of munitions and fuzes which can be used in the Pinaka rocket system were also successfully tested in the Pokhran field firing range.  

Get a comprehensive idea about Pinaka in the linked article

2. Scientific convention on World Homoeopathy Day

Syllabus: GS II, Issues relating to health

Prelims: About World Homoeopathy Day, National Ayush Mission

Mains: Scope of Homoeopathy in India

Context: To mark the onset of the World Homoeopathy day which is celebrated on every 10th of April, a two-day scientific convention has been inaugurated

Theme of the World Homoeopathy Day 2022:

• Homoeopathy: People’s Choice for Wellness 

Why is this day celebrated?

• World Homoeopathy Day is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann who was the founder of Homoeopathy. 

Role of the Scientific Convention:

• The scientific convention will review the progress made in the field of homoeopathy and will also offer a guiding roadmap for future strategies to further the development of homoeopathic medicines.
• The convention will engage with the stakeholders to meet the standards in clinical research informatics, data standards in clinical research, policy issues, educational standards and instructional resources. 
• In order to meet such standards, there is a need for a changing paradigm in global health-care delivery and research through technology interventions. This forms an integral part of the objectives of the convention. 

Read more about World Homoeopathy Day in the linked article

3. Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet Technology (SFDR)

Syllabus: GS III, Achievements of Indians in science and technology

Prelims: About SFDR

Context: The successful flight testing of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet Technology was carried out by DRDO off the Odisha coast. 

About SFDR:

• The SFDR based propulsion system facilitates the missiles to intercept aerial threats at very long supersonic speeds.
• This makes use of a solid fuelled air breathing ramjet engine.
• It differs from solid propellant rockets by using the atmospheric oxygen during flight. It is light and is capable of higher fuel efficiency. 
• It has been developed by DRDO laboratory in Hyderabad in collaboration with Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad and High Energy Materials Research LAboratory, Pune. 
• This ramjet technology is considered as the cornerstone for the development of missile technology in the country. 
• The ramjet technology will assist in the development of long-range air-to-air missiles.

Read about SFDR in CNA dated 9 April’22

Read previous PIB here.

April 9th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here