Top 5 Current Affairs: 26 March 2019

Chandrayaan-2 to carry NASA instruments; ISRO to launch 29 satellites

Chandrayaan-2, the second moon mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will be carrying laser retroreflector arrays owned by the US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch 29 satellites including the primary payload EMISAT on April 1, 2019. The PSLV-C45 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), carrying these satellites onboard, will take off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

CBSE to include AI, yoga as new subjects

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to introduce artificial intelligence (AI), early childhood care education and yoga as new subjects in the school curriculum from the upcoming academic session.

CBSE would be introducing artificial intelligence as an optional sixth subject in Class IX from the 2019-2020 session onwards. The central board has decided that schools may start AI ‘inspire module’ of 12 hours in Class VIII itself, in order to enhance the multidisciplinary approach in teaching learning and also to sensitise the new generation.

INS Kadmatt participates in LIMA-19

Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvette, INS Kadmatt will participate in the 15th edition of Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA-19). The corvette arrived at Langkawi, Malaysia on March 25, 2019 for seven days official visit.

Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, the newly named Chief of the Indian Navy, would be attending various engagements as part of LIMA 19.

Pakistan to open Sharada Peeth Corridor

Pakistan government on March 25, 2019 approved a proposal to open the Sharada Peeth Corridor for Hindu pilgrims. Pakistan government to establish a corridor that will allow Hindu pilgrims from India to visit Sharada Peeth located in PoK.

Sharada Peeth is an ancient Hindu temple and cultural site in PoK. This would be second religious corridor after Kartarpur Sahib that will connect the two neighbouring countries.

Indian Navy’s nuclear training facility launched

The Indian Navy's state of the art Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Training Facility (NBCTF) was inaugurated on March 25, 2019 by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba at INS Shivaji, Lonavala.

The training facility has been named ABHEDYA, which means impenetrable in Sanskrit. The Goa Shipyard Limited had signed the contract with the Indian Navy for the construction of the facility in March 2016. It was handed over to the Indian Navy on September 28, 2019, well ahead of schedule.