IASbaba's Flagship Course: Integrated Learning Programme (ILP) - 2024 Read Details
(Topic: Society, Culture)
This bill will convert
(i) Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi
(ii) Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, New Delhi
(iii) Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Tirupati into Central Sanskrit Universities
The Central University status awarded to these 3 Universities will enhance the status of these Universities and will give boost to Post Graduate, Doctoral and Post-doctoral education and Research in the field of Sanskrit and Shastraic education. This will pave way for many people from abroad to learn Sanskrit and Shastraic lore from these prestigious Central Sanskrit Universities in our country.
Universities will have more opportunities to spread the knowledge of Sanskrit language not only in India but also across the world in a better way.
This bill is dedicated to the nation and a small example of commitment of the government towards “Har Ek Kaam Desh Ke Naam”.
(Topic: Government schemes and policies)
Social Justice and Educational Reforms – Certain Bills to further strengthen Social Justice and Educational Reforms in India were passed during this Session.
Economic Sector/Ease of doing Business measures – Some important legislations to address the economic sentiment in the country were passed during the current session.
(Topic: Government schemes and policies)
As per All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2018-19, there are 39931 colleges in India, out of which 60.53% are located in rural areas. Further, majority of the colleges provide higher education to both males and females and 11.04% colleges are exclusively for females.
(Topic: Government schemes and policies)
Objectives:
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0 is the upgraded version of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 1.0.The scheme is extended to all educational institutes; however under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0, participating institutes are selected based on the fulfillment of certain criteria.
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is inspired by the vision of transformational change in rural development processes by leveraging knowledge institutions to help build the architecture of an Inclusive India. Currently under the scheme UBA,
(Topic: Government schemes and policies)
Samagra Shiksha - an Integrated Scheme for School Education subsumes the three erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE).
It is an overarching programme for the school education sector extending from pre-school to class XII and aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education. It envisages the ‘school’ as a continuum from pre-school, primary, upper primary, secondary to senior secondary levels.
The major interventions under the scheme are:
(i) Universal Access including Infrastructure Development and Retention;
(ii) Gender and Equity
(iii) Inclusive Education
(iv) Quality
(v) Financial support for Teacher Salary
(vi) Digital initiatives
(vii) Entitlements under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 including uniforms, textbooks etc.
(viii) Pre-school Education
(ix) Vocational Education
(x) Sports and Physical Education
(xi) Strengthening of Teacher Education and Training
(xii) Monitoring of the scheme
(Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation)
In pursuance of the Judgement dated 17th February, 2020 passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the Government is committed to grant Permanent Commission to Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers in Indian Army as per their qualification, professional experience, specialization, if any and organizational requirement.
Women in Army: Background of the case
1992: Induction of Women officers into Army started. Women were commissioned for a period of five years in certain chosen streams through Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES)
WSES had a shorter pre-commission training period than their male counterparts who were commissioned under the Short Service Commission (SSC) scheme.
2003: PIL was filed before the Delhi High Court for grant of permanent commission (PC) to women SSC officers in the Army
2006: WSES scheme was replaced with the SSC scheme, which was extended to women officers.
Impact of such a system:
2008: Defence Ministry passed an order saying PC would be granted prospectively to SSC women officers in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) department and the Army Education Corps (AEC) (2 out of 10 streams in PC)
2010: Delhi High Court Order: Women officers of the Air Force and Army on SSC who had sought permanent commission but were not granted that status, would be entitled to PC at par with male SSC officers.
This order was subsequently challenged by government in the Supreme Court and also did not implement the High Court order even though it was not stayed by the apex court.
August 15, 2018: Prime Minister Modi announced that permanent commission would be granted to serving women officers of the armed forces. However, it was not implemented on the ground which led the SC to pass the present judgement
Basis of arguments put forth by the government in the Apex Court while arguing against Women’s inclusion in Permanent Commission are:
Implications of Supreme Court ruling:
(Topic: International Affairs)
Prime Minister Modi reached out to the eight-member regional grouping and pitched for a video conference among the leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation to chalk out a strong strategy to combat coronavirus outbreak. PM Modi's suggestion was backed by all member states of SAARC.
“We can respond best by coming together, not growing apart--collaboration not confusion, preparation not panic.”
Steps taken by India
Covid-19 emergency fund proposed by India: India has pledged $10 million toward a Covid-19 emergency fund
Medical Emergency Help:
Other Suggestions:
The Corona Diplomacy
Pakistan:
Afghanistan: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani referred to challenges stemming from Afghanistan’s open border with Iran, where the outbreak has been severe, and suggested that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) mechanism be used to help deal with the matter. He also proposed modelling diffusion patterns, creation of a common framework for telemedicine and greater cooperation.
Maldives: Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih cited the economic downturn in Maldives owing to the drop in tourists and sought a South Asian response to the crisis. Solih thanked the Indian government for medical assistance and for evacuating nine Maldivians from Wuhan.
Sri Lanka: The Sri Lankan President also referred to economic losses and mentioned steps taken by his government.
Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina thanked Prime Minister Modi for bringing 23 Bangladeshi students back from Wuhan. She proposed continuance of the dialogue at technical level through video conference by health ministers and secretaries.
Bhutan: Prime Minister Lotay Tshering stated that the pandemic will affect the smaller and vulnerable economies disproportionately. The pandemic does-not follow geographical boundaries, hence it is all the more important for the nations to work together.
(Topic: India’s relation with other countries)
The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Brunei Darussalam for the exchange of information and assistance in collection with respect of taxes (hereinafter referred to as the Agreement), was signed.
Cabinet approves
Scheme for Promotion of manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors:
To offer financial incentive of 25% of capital expenditure for the manufacturing of goods that constitute the supply chain of an electronic product under the Scheme for Promotion of manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS).The scheme will help offset the disability for domestic manufacturing of electronic components and semiconductors in order to strengthen the electronic manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0) Scheme
For development of world class infrastructure along with common facilities and amenities through Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs). It is expected that these EMCs would aid the growth of the ESDM sector, help development of entrepreneurial ecosystem, drive innovation and catalyze the economic growth of the region by attracting investments in the sector, increasing employment opportunities and tax revenues.
The Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0) Scheme would support setting up of both Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs) and Common Facility Centers (CFCs). For the purpose of this Scheme, an Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) would set up in geographical areas of certain minimum extent, preferably contiguous, where the focus is on development of basic infrastructure, amenities and other common facilities for the ESDM units.
The Scheme will create a robust infrastructure base for electronic industry to attract flow of investment in ESDM sector and lead to greater employment opportunities. Following are the expected outputs/outcomes for the Scheme:
Promotion of the Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices in country
Signing and ratifying of the Extradition Treaty between India and Belgium
Obligation to Extradite: Each Party agrees to extradite to the other any person found in its territory, who is accused or convicted of an extraditable offence in the territory of the other Party.
Extraditable Offences: An extraditable offence means an offence punishable under the laws of both the Parties with imprisonment for a period of one year or more severe punishment. Where extradition is sought in respect of a convicted person, the duration of the sentence remaining to be served must be at least six months at the time of making the request. Offences relating to taxation, or revenue or is one of a fiscal character also fall within the scope of this Treaty.
Mandatory grounds for Refusal: Under the Treaty, extradition shall be refused if -
Extradition of Nationals: Extradition of nationals is discretionary. The nationality will be determined at the time the offence was committed.
(Topic: Agriculture, Climate Change)
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), one of the Missions under National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC), includes programmatic interventions like Soil Health Card (SHC), Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), Rainfed Area Development (RAD), National Bamboo Mission (NBM) and Sub-mission on Agro Forestry (SMAF). These and other programmes including Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) are ensuring judicious use of natural resources.
Under NMSA following ten deliverables are monitored:
(Topic: Defence)
Industrial licensing: Industrial licensing regime for Indian manufacturers in Defence sector has been liberalized. Defence Products list requiring Industrial Licences has been rationalised and manufacture of most of the parts and components does not require Industrial Licence. The total number of Defence licences issued has more than doubled from 215 as on 31st March, 2014 to 460 till 31st December, 2019 covering total of 275 Companies.
FDI: FDI Policy has been revised and under the revised policy, foreign investment is allowed under automatic route up to 49% and above 49% through government route. Significant FDI inflows in Defence and Aerospace sectors have been witnessed.
Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP): Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) was revised in 2016 and specific provisions have been introduced for stimulating growth of the domestic defence industry.
“Make” Procedure: To promote industry participation in indigenous development of defence items
‘Strategic Partnership (SP)’ Model envisages establishment of long-term strategic partnerships with Indian entities through a transparent and competitive process, wherein they would tie up with global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to seek technology transfers to set up domestic manufacturing infrastructure and supply chains.
iDEX: Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework was launched with the aim to achieve self-reliance and to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace Sector by engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia.
Indigenisation policy: Government has notified a Policy for indigenisation of components and spares used in Defence Platforms in March, 2019 with the objective to create an industry ecosystem which is able to indigenize the imported components (including alloys & special materials) and sub-assemblies for defence equipment and platforms manufactured in India.
Defence Corridors: Government has decided to establish two defence industrial corridors to serve as engines of economic development and growth of defence industrial base in the country. They span across Chennai, Hosur, Coimbatore, Salem and Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu and Aligarh, Agra, Jhansi, Kanpur, Chitrakoot and Luchnow in Uttar Pradesh.
Testing facilities: The Test facilities/infrastructure available with various Government agencies have been made available to private sector with the objective to assist them in design and development of defence systems. An ‘SoP for allocation and utilization of Proof Ranges/Field Firing Ranges for Private Industry’ has also been notified.
The Ministry has instituted a new framework titled ‘Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti’ which aims to provide boost to the IPR culture in indigenous defence industry.
Defence Investor Cell has been created in the Ministry to provide all necessary information including addressing queries related to investment opportunities, procedures and regulatory requirements for investment in the sector.
The process for export clearance has been streamlined and made transparent & online.
Offset guidelines have been made flexible by allowing change of Indian Offset Partners (IOPs) and offset components, even in signed contracts.
Government has signed Agreements on Defence Cooperation with Argentina, Russia, Serbia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Comoros, Jordan, Madagascar, Uganda, Zambia, Saudi Arabia and Finland.
(Topic: Energy)
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has brought out following policies/notifications after Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Policy 1997:
(Topic: Development of new technology)
The mission was set up to provide the country with supercomputing infrastructure to meet the increasing computational demands of academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups by creating the capability design, manufacturing, of supercomputers indigenously in India.
A first of its kind attempt to boost the country’s computing power, the National Super Computing Mission is steered jointly by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) and implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
The target of the mission was set to establish a network of supercomputers ranging from a few Tera Flops (TF) to Hundreds of Tera Flops (TF) and three systems with greater than or equal to 3 Peta Flops (PF) in academic and research institutions of National importance across the country by 2022. This network of Supercomputers envisaging a total of 15-20 PF was approved in 2015 and was later revised to a total of 45 PF (45000 TFs), a jump of 6 times more compute power within the same cost and capable of solving large and complex computational problems.
With the revised plan in place, the first supercomputer assembled indigenously, called Param Shivay, was installed in IIT (BHU) and was inaugurated by the Prime Minister. Similar systems Param Shakti and Param Brahma were installed at IIT-Kharagpur and IISER, Pune. They are equipped with applications from domains like Weather and Climate, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Bioinformatics, and Material science.
Prelims oriented News:
World Tuberculosis Day: 24th March
Public Health and Hospitals: State subject
MSME SAMADHAAN portal: To facilitate online registration of references related to delayed payments
Pradhan Mantri YUVA (PM YUVA) Yojana: Towards creating an enabling ecosystem through entrepreneurship education, training, advocacy and easy access to entrepreneurship network.
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana: To provide the senior citizens, living below poverty line and suffering from any of the age related disability/ infirmity, with such assisted living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions, overcoming the disability/ infirmity manifested.
National Entrepreneurship Awards Scheme (NEAS): Set up with an aim to promote a culture of entrepreneurship among India’s youth and inspire them to set-up their own enterprise and create employment opportunities for others. Under the scheme, awards are conferred to the aspiring first generation entrepreneurs including women and those individuals/ organizations who are working as eco-system builder in the field of entrepreneurship development. The awards also seek to highlight model of excellence for others to emulate and improve upon.
Providing clean drinking water to people
To enable every rural household in the country to have potable water at service level of 55 litre per capita per day (lpcd) through Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) by 2024, Government of India, in partnership with the States, has launched Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with an estimated cost of Rs. 3.60 lakh Crore.
Uranium Contamination in Ground Water
Mission Solar Charkha
By: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
Till date, 10 projects have been approved under Mission Solar Charkha. One Solar Charkha cluster has been identified in Andhra Pradesh. The scheme envisages to generate direct employment to nearly one lakh persons.
Steps to encourage BOT Road Projects
NHAI has taken several steps to rekindle the interest of private investors and lenders in the Build-Operate- Transfer (BOT) projects which include:
Apart from above, a new mode “Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM)” has been introduced where part construction cost is funded by NHAI and post construction, return of investor is assured through Annuities paid by Authority.
Further, NHAI is also trying to revive the private investments in the highway projects by amending the Model Concession Agreement for BOT model.
Bharatmala Pariyojana” Phase–I
Includes development of
The programme is targeted for completion in 2021-2022.
Mission Raksha Gyanshakti: Mission Raksha Gyanshakti was launched with the objective of creating greater Intellectual Property in Defence Production Ecosystem.
Artificial Intelligence in Defence: For greater thrust on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Defence, formulation of an AI roadmap for each Defence PSU and OFB to develop AI-enable products and insertion of 3 percent points in MoU with Defence PSUs for AI products being developed.
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): The objective of iDEX is bringing start-ups to innovate, develop technology and solve problems related to defence and aerospace.
Name of the Waterway and States
1.River Barak (NW-16) in Assam |
2. River Gandak (NW-37) in Bihar |
Waterways in Goa 3. NW-27-Cumberjua 4. NW-68 – Mandovi 5. NW-111 – Zuari |
6. Alappuzha – Kottayam – Athirampuzha Canal (NW-9) in Kerala |
7. River Rupnarayan (NW-86) in West Bengal |
8. Sunderbans Waterways (NW-97) in West Bengal |
India has 38 World Heritage Sites
S. No | Name of Site | State |
|
Agra Fort (1983) | Uttar Pradesh |
|
Ajanta Caves (1983) | Maharashtra |
|
Ellora Caves (1983) | Maharashtra |
|
Taj Mahal (1983) | Uttar Pradesh |
|
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984) | Tamil Nadu |
|
Sun Temple, Konarak (1984) | Odisha |
|
Churches and Convents of Goa (1986) | Goa |
|
Fatehpur Sikri (1986) | Uttar Pradesh |
|
Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986) | Karnataka |
|
Khajuraho, Group of Temples (1986) | Madhya Pradesh |
|
Elephanta Caves ( 1987) | Maharashtra |
|
Great Living Chola Temples at Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram (1987 & 2004) | Tamil Nadu |
|
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987) | Karnataka |
|
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989) | Madhya Pradesh |
|
Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993) | Delhi |
|
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993) | Delhi |
|
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003) | Madhya Pradesh |
|
Champaner-Pavagarh Archaeological Park (2004) | Gujarat |
|
Red Fort Complex, Delhi (2007) | Delhi |
|
Hill Forts of Rajasthan (Chittaurgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Jaisalmer and Ranthambhore, Amber and Gagron Forts) (2013) (Amber and Gagron Forts are under protection of Rajasthan State Archaeology and Museums) | Rajasthan |
|
Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan (2014) | Gujarat |
|
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) at Nalanda (2016) | Bihar |
Under Protection of Ministry of Railways (2)
23. | Mountain Railways of India ( Darjeeling,1999), Nilgiri (2005), Kalka-Shimla(2008) | West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh |
24. | Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004) | Maharashtra |
Under Protection of Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (1)
25 | Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya, (2002) | Bihar |
Under Protection of Rajasthan State Archaeology and Museums (1)
26. | The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010) | Rajasthan |
Under Protection of Chandigarh Administration (1)
27. | The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (2016) | Chandigarh |
Under Protection of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (1)
28. | Historic City of Ahmedabad (2017) | Gujarat |
Under Protection of Bombay Municipal Corporation (1)
29. | Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai (2018) | Govt of Maharashtra |
Under Protection of Jaipur Municipal Corporation (1)
30. | Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2019) | Govt of Rajasthan |
NATURAL SITES: (7)
Under Protection of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Changes
31. | Kaziranga National Park (1985) | Assam |
32. | Keoladeo National Park (1985) | Rajasthan |
33. | Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985) | Assam |
34. | Sunderbans National Park (1987) | West Bengal |
35. | Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005) | Uttarakhand |
36. | Western Ghats (2012) | Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra,Tamil Nadu |
37 | Great Himalayan National Park (2014) | Himachal Pradesh |
MIXED SITE: (1)
Under Protection of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Changes
38. | Khangchendzonga National Park (2016) | Sikkim |
Person in News: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Father of Nation in Bangladesh