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Polity & Governance

ECI develops remote voting machine prototype

The election Commission of India (ECI) has developed a prototype for the Remote Electronic Voting Machine (RVM) aimed to facilitate voting for domestic migrants across India.

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The multi-constituency remote EVM, developed by a public sector undertaking, can handle up to 72 constituencies from a single remote polling booth, the statement issued by the poll watchdog said.
The ECI "has now explored the option of using a modified version of the time-tested model of M3 (Mark 3) EVMs to enable voting at remote polling stations -- polling stations outside home constituency, for domestic migrants.
The Representation of the People Act, 1950 and 1951, The Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, and The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, will need to be amended to introduce remote voting.

Polity & Governance

Centre gives nod for DPR of Kalasa Banduri Nala project

The Center has given its nod for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Kalasa Banduri Nala Project.

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The project proposes to divert water from two tributaries of the Mahadayi river (also known as Mandovi) – Kalasa and Banduri – to the Malaprabha river, providing much needed drinking water to regions in Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkote and Gadag among others.
These areas together make up the country’s second most arid region after Rajasthan.
The approval would help Karnataka to get 1.5 tmc ft for drinking and irrigation purposes and can divert 2.18 tmc ft to Bhandura and 1.72 tmc ft to Kalasa dams.

Science & Technology

IAF test-fires extended-range BrahMos

For the second time this year, the Indian Air Force (IAF) fired the “extended-range” version of the BrahMos air-launched missile from a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft.

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The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has a two-stage solid propellant booster engine as its first stage which takes it to supersonic speed.
The second stage is the liquid ramjet engine which takes it closer to Mach 3 (3 times the speed of sound) speed in the cruise phase.
The BrahMos missile is universal for multiple platforms and can be launched from air, land, and sea platforms.
The missile works on the 'Fire and Forget principle', meaning it doesn't require further guidance after launch, and it maintains a high supersonic throughout the flight.
The missile is said to have a low radar signature.

“Extended-Range” version

The “extended-range” version means the missile can travel more than 300 km.
Before India joined the MTCR, the Russian technology of the BrahMos was restricted as the MTCR limits the export of missile technology which can travel beyond 300 km.
The missile cap of 300 km range on India was lifted after it was inducted into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) six years ago.