Bharat Skills Forum
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Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) |
Context:
- A new feature called the Bharatskills Forum has been added to the Bharatskills learning platform that allows sharing of books, notes, videos, question banks, etc and other relevant skill-related content for learners.
About:
- Launched by: Directorate General of Training(DGT) in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE)
- Purpose: It is a Central Digital Repository for the trainees and trainers of the ITI ecosystem, providing easy access to updated curriculum, e-books, Question Banks, mock/practice papers, learning videos for courses under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), Craft Instructor Training Scheme(CITS) and the Apprenticeship Training Scheme(ATS).
- Significance: This platform presents unique access to a centralized, scalable, and thriving support ecosystem through its industrial partners for the students and teachers who can now learn the new age (Industrial Revolution 4.0) skills to meet the demands of the industry.
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Operation Garuda
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Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) |
Context:
- The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has launched a multi-phase ‘Operation Garuda’ against an illicit drug trafficking network.
About:
- Aim: To disrupt, degrade and dismantle drug networks with international linkages through the rapid exchange of criminal intelligence on drug trafficking and coordinated law enforcement actions across international jurisdictions.
- The operation was initiated in close coordination with Interpol and the Narcotics Control Bureau for combating the smuggling of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances, with a special focus on the Indian Ocean region.
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National Health Mission (NHM)
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) |
Context:
- The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister was informed about the progress under the National Health Mission(NHM) during FY 2020-21.
About:
- National Health Mission(NHM) was launched by the government of India in 2013 subsuming the National Rural Health Mission (Launched in 2005) and the National Urban Health Mission (Launched in 2013).
- Aim: To provide financial and technical support to States enabling them to provide accessible, affordable, accountable, and effective healthcare to District Hospitals (DHs), especially to the poor and vulnerable sections of the population.
- Components: The main programmatic components include Health System Strengthening in rural and urban areas, Reproductive-Maternal- Neonatal-Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A), and Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases.
- Beneficiaries: NHM is implemented for universal benefit – i.e. entire population; services are offered to everyone visiting the public healthcare facilities with a special focus on vulnerable sections of society.
- Targets:
- Reduce MMR to 90 from 113,
- Reduce IMR to 23 from 32,
- Reduce U5MR to 23 from 36,
- Sustain Total Fertility Rate(TFR) to 2.1,
- Reduce the prevalence of Leprosy to <1/10000 population and incidence to zero in all districts,
- Annual Malaria Incidence to be <1/1000,
- Prevent and reduce mortality & morbidity from communicable, non-communicable; injuries and emerging diseases,
- Reduce household out-of-pocket expenditure on total health care expenditure and
- Ending the TB epidemic by 2025 in the country
- Achievements:
- Under-five mortality rate(U5MR): declined from 49 in 2013 to 36 in 2018. As per SRS 2020, U5MR has further reduced to 32.
- Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): declined by 443 points from 556 per one lakh live births in 1990 to 113 in 2016-18.
- The infant Mortality Rate (IMR): declined from 80 in 1990 to 32 in the year 2018. As per SRS 2020, IMR has further reduced to 28.
- Total Fertility Rate(TFR): As per Sample Registration System (SRS), TFR in India declined from 2.3 in 2013 to 2.2 in the year 2018. As per SRS 2020, TFR has further reduced to 2.0.
- Malaria: In the year 2020, malaria cases and deaths declined by 46.28% and 18.18%, respectively.
- TB Cases: The incidence of TB per 1,00,000 population has been reduced from 234 in 2012 to 193 in 2019. The mortality due to TB per 1,00,000 populations in India reduced from 42 in 2012 to 33 in 2019.
- Kala Azar: The percentage of Kala Azar (KA) endemic blocks, achieving the elimination target of < 1 KA case per 10000 population, increased from 74.2% in 2014 to 97.5% in 2020-21.
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Operation Megh-Chakra
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CBI |
Context:
- The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has conducted an operation code-named “Megh Chakra”.
About:
- Operation Megh Chakra is a pan-India drive against the circulation and sharing of Child Sexual Abuse Material(CSAM).
- The operation is being carried out following the inputs received from Interpol’s Singapore special unit.
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PM KISAN
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MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE |
- Context:
- According to the Agriculture Ministry’s response to an RTI query, the number of farmers who received the 11th instalment of funds from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Status by 67%.
- About Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi:
- It is implemented as a central sector scheme by the Government of India.
- This scheme was introduced to augment the source of income of many small and marginal farmers.
- Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs.6000/- per year is transferred directly into the bank accounts of the farmers, subject to certain exclusion criteria relating to higher-income status.
- The entire responsibility of identification of beneficiaries rests with the State / UT Governments.
- Ambit:
- The Scheme initially provided income support to all Small and Marginal Farmers’ families across the country, holding cultivable land up to 2 hectares. Its ambit was later expanded w.e.f. 01.06.2019 to cover all farmer families in the country irrespective of the size of their landholdings.
- Exceptions:
- Affluent farmers have been excluded from the scheme such as Income Taxpayers in the last assessment year, professionals like Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, etc and pensioners drawing at least Rs.10,000/- per month (excluding MTS/Class IV/Group D employees).
- Similar programmes by states:
- Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana- MP.
- The Rythu Bandhu scheme- Telangana.
- Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA)- Odisha.
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Swachh Toycathon
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Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA) |
Context:
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA) has launched the “Swachh Toycathon” under the Swachh Amrit Mahotsav.
About the Scheme:
- Swachh Toycathon is a convergence between the National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT) and Swachh Bharat Mission phase two(SBM 2.0).
- Aim: To explore solutions for the use of waste in manufacturing toys.
- Eligibility: The Toycathon will be open to individuals and groups to bring forth innovation in toy designs using dry waste.
- Focus: The focus will be on efficient designs that can be replicated on a larger scale, toys that comply with minimum safety standards and aesthetics of the toys.
- Knowledge Partner: The Center for Creative Learning, IIT Gandhinagar is the knowledge partner for the initiative.
National Action Plan for Toys
- Launched in 2020 to promote the Indian toy industry including traditional handicrafts and handmade toys with the objective of establishing India as a global Toy hub.
- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry along with 14 ministries of the Central government are currently implementing various aspects of the NAPT.
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Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India
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MeitY
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Context
- The government of India has approved several changes in an existing scheme named ‘Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India’.
About:
- Aim: To provide attractive incentive support to companies that are engaged in Silicon Semiconductor Fabs (Fabrication plants), Display Fabs, Compound Semiconductors / Silicon Photonics / Sensors (including MEMS) Fabs, Semiconductor Packaging (ATMP / OSAT),
- Components:
- Semiconductor Fabs and Display Fabs
- Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL)
- Compound semiconductor units
- Semiconductor Design Companies or Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme
- India Semiconductor Mission
- Chips to Startup Programme
Key Modifications made under the Scheme
- Semiconductor Labs: Aiming to boost semiconductor manufacturing in India, the government will provide uniform fiscal support of 50% of the project cost for setting up of semiconductor fabrication plants.
- The 50% incentive is applicable to semiconductor fabrication across the technology nodes as well as for compound semiconductors, packaging and related facilities.
- Display Labs: Fiscal support of 50% of Project Cost will be provided under Scheme for Setting up of Display Fabs.
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Production Linked Incentive Scheme on ‘National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules
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Ministry of New & Renewable Energy |
Context
- Cabinet has approved the implementation of the Production Linked Incentive Scheme on ‘National Programme on High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules’.
About
- Aim: To build an ecosystem for manufacturing of high-efficiency solar PV modules in India and thus reduce import dependence in the area of Renewable Energy.
- Under the scheme, Solar PV manufacturers will be selected through a transparent selection process. The PLI will be disbursed for five years post-commissioning of solar PV manufacturing plants on sales of high-efficiency solar PV modules from the domestic market will be incentivised.
- Expected Benefits of the scheme: 1) It is estimated that about 65,000 MW per annum manufacturing capacity of fully and partially integrated, solar PV modules would be installed, 2) Generate employment and direct investment, 3) Import substitution of approximately Rs.1.37 lakh crore and 4) Provide impetus to Research and Development to achieve higher efficiencies in Solar PV Modules
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| Convergence module between Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme, Prime Minister’s Formalisation of Micro Food Enterprises Upgradation Scheme and PM Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) |
Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Food Processing Industries |
Context
- The Government of India has launched a joint convergence portal for different schemes run by Food Processing and Agriculture ministries.
About
- The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries has jointly launched a convergence portal between the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana(PMKSY).
- AIF
- The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
- It is a medium to long-term debt financing facility launched for the creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and the building of community farming assets.
- Benefits under the scheme include 3% interest subvention and credit guarantee support.
- AIF scheme has the facility of convergence with any other scheme of the State or Central Government.
- PMFME
- Nodal Ministry- Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme
- Objectives
- Credit access to existing micro food processing businesses, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), co-operatives, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), for technology boost.
- Contribution to 200,000 existing micro food processing units to convert them into methodical units, by amplifying their marketing & branding and incorporating the supply chain with formal units
- Improved access to shared services, such as storage, incubation facilities, and packaging
- Professional and technical aid for food processing entrepreneurs
- Proper training and analysis for individual or group-owned food processing establishments
- Features
- One District One Product
- Other focus areas like Waste to wealth products, minor forest products and Aspirational Districts; Capacity building and research
- Financial Support
- PMKSY
- In the year 2016, MoFPI introduced an umbrella Scheme Called “Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters” or SAMPADA, which was proposed to be implemented with an allocation of Rs 6,000 crore for the period of 2016-20.
- In the year 2017, the government renamed the SAMPADA scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY).
- It is a Central Sector Umbrella Scheme.
- Objectives
- To supplement agriculture.
- To create processing and preservation capacities.
- To modernise and expand existing food processing units with a view to increasing the level of processing.
- To add value leading to the reduction of wastage.
- Components
- Mega Food Parks,
- Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure,
- Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters,
- Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages,
- Creation/Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities,
- Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure, and
- Human Resources Institutions.
- Operation Greens.
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| Bharat Pravah-India along its Shores |
Ministry of Shipping, Waterways, and Ports |
Context
- Recently, the Ministry of Shipping, Waterways, and Ports has launched ‘Bharat Pravah-India along its Shores’, an initiative to highlight the significance and imagery of rivers, ports, and shipping in everyday life through a series of nationwide events.
About
- Bharat Pravah will serve as a common platform to bring together stakeholders from different walks for the purpose of creating a larger vision of shipping, rivers, seas & people.
- It will highlight the challenges, policy issues and future goals relating to the maritime sector.
- Themes
- Rivers and Sea-Centric Development in India- the Historical Lens.
- Sea, River, Ports and Ship in Folk Culture and Literature.
- Representation of Ports and Shipping in Popular Culture.
- Role of Shipping and Ports in India’s Development in the Last 30 years.
- The Politics and Economy of Privatisation of Ports.
- Inland Waterways – Arteries of Growth, their Role and Significance.
- Greening Ports and Shipping Industry.
- Future of Ports and Shipping Industry- Management, Challenges and Policies.
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| National Metallurgist Award Scheme |
Ministry of Steel |
Context
- The Ministry of Steel has given approval for the National Metallurgist Award 2022.
About
- National Metallurgists Day Awards was instituted in 1962 by the then Ministry of Steel & Mines.
- Objective: To recognise & honour the outstanding contributions of Metallurgists in the metallurgical field covering operation, research, design, education, waste management and energy conservation.
- The awards are given on an annual basis. The first award was given in the year 1963 and subsequently every year thereafter.
- Mode of Nominations: Nominations for the award shall be invited online on the Ministry of Steel’s Portal or the centralized portal being developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA). Nominations will be through companies/ organizations or from the public through self-nomination.
- Date of Award: 3rd February every year. (It was on 3rd Feb 1959 when the then President Dr Rajendra Parasad commissioned the first Blast Furnace of the country after independence, at Rourkela)
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| Swachh Amrit Mahotsav |
MoHUA |
Context
- The Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs has announced the commencement of ‘Swachh Amrit Mahotsav’ and the first-ever Indian Swachhata League(ISL).
About
- It is a fortnight of activities to galvanize action around Swachhata from 17th Sept. 2022(Seva Diwas) till 2nd Oct. 2022 (Swachhata Diwas).
- The fortnight will focus on mobilizing citizen action and commitment towards the vision of building ‘Garbage Free Cities’.
- The official logo for the fortnight is ‘Swachh Amrit Mahotsav: Ek Aur Kadam Swachhata Ki Ore’ signifying the resolve to intensify and reinvigorate the Jan Andolan in the world’s largest sanitation programme.
- ISL
- It is an inter-city competition to take place between the youth of the cities on the 17th of Sept. 2022.
- For the maiden edition of ISL, more than 1,850 city teams from across the country have officially registered to compete.
- Each team will compete in the League by creating its own unique sanitation initiatives to focus on creating garbage-free beaches, hills and tourist places.
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| PM SHRI Schools (PM ScHools for Rising India) |
Ministry of Education |
Context
- The Union Cabinet has approved the PM SHRI Schools (PM ScHools for Rising India) Scheme.
About
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme
- Aim: To upgrade and develop more than 14500 schools across the country as PM SHRI Schools by strengthening select existing schools being managed by Central Government/ State/ UT Government/ local bodies. These schools will also showcase all components of the National Education Policy 2020.
- Duration Period: 2022-23 to 2026-27.
- Salient Features
- PM SHRI schools will provide high-quality education in an equitable, inclusive and joyful school environment.
- These schools will provide leadership to other schools in their respective regions by providing mentorship.
- The schools will be developed as Green schools. The focus will be on the learning outcomes of every child in every grade.
- Linkage with Sector Skill Councils and local industry for enhancing employability and providing better employment opportunities will be explored.
- A School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) is being developed, specifying the key performance indicators to measure outcomes
- Implementation
- Through the existing administrative structure available for Samagra Shiksha, KVS & NVS.
- The other autonomous bodies would be involved on a specific project basis as required.
- Selection of Schools
- Selection of PM SHRI schools will be done through Challenge Mode wherein Schools compete for support to become exemplary schools.
- Schools would be required to self-apply on the online portal.
- The portal will be opened four times a year, once every quarter, for the first two years of the scheme.
- Schools will be selected only if the State government agrees to implement the NEP in its entirety with the Centre.
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| Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission |
Ministry of Rural Development(M/oRD) |
Context
- The Ministry of Rural Development(M/oRD) through its Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission leveraged the occasion of Rashtriya Poshan Maah to intensively disseminate key messages to all intended beneficiaries on positive nutritional behaviours and practices.
About
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme
- Launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in 2011 as a restructured version of Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna(SGSY).
- 2015- renamed as Deendayal Antayodaya Yojana(DAY-NRLM).
- Objective:
-
- It looks to create efficient and effective institutional platforms for the rural poor.
- It will enable SHGs to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improved access to financial services.
- World Bank Support: The mission is aided in part by investment support from the World Bank.
- Target: The mission has set out an agenda to cover 7 Crore rural poor households through self-managed Self Help Groups(SHGs) and federated institutions. It will support them for livelihoods collectives in a period of 8-10 years.
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| Rashtriya Poshan Maah |
Ministry of Women and Child Development |
Context
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development is celebrating the 5th Rashtriya Poshan Mah during the month of September 2022.
About
- Rashtriya Poshan Maah is being celebrated as part of the POSHAN Abhiyaan
- Aim: To serve as a platform to bring focus to the discourse of nutrition and good health.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development being the nodal Ministry for POSHAN Abhiyaan is celebrating it in convergence with partner Ministries and departments at the National, State/UTs, Districts and grass root levels.
- Themes for 2022: The activities during the month will be centred on key themes like Mahila and Swasthya, Bachcha and Shiksha – Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, gender-sensitive water conservation and management, and traditional food for women and children in tribal areas.
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| Nikshay Poshan Yojana |
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. |
Context
- Only two-thirds of people living with tuberculosis benefitted from the Nikshay Poshan Yojana scheme in 2021.
About
- Launched- 2018
- Under the scheme, every TB patient in India, seeking treatment in both government and private sector hospitals is eligible for a direct benefit transfer(DBT) of Rs 500 per month to support their nutritional needs.
- Performance of the Scheme
- As per India TB Report 2022, only 62.1 % of 2.1 million notified cases across the country received at least one payment in 2021.
- In Delhi, which has the highest burden of all forms of TB at 747 cases per 100,000 people, only 30.2 % of patients have got at least one DBT.
- Other poor performers are Punjab, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. In the North East, Manipur and Meghalaya fared the worst.
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| Grameen Udyami Project |
National Skill Development Corporation(NSDC) |
Context
- National Skill Development Corporation(NSDC) in partnership with Seva Bharti and Yuva Vikas Society has launched the second phase of the Grameen Udyami Project to augment skill training in tribal communities for their inclusive and sustainable growth.
About
- Aim: To multiskill India’s tribal youth and impart functional skills to them for enabling livelihoods.
- Coverage: implemented in six states— Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gujarat.
- Implemented under Sansadiya Parisankul Yojana.
- Funded by: National Skill Development Corporation(NSDC)
- The training under the project will be conducted in the following Job roles: Electrician & Solar PV Installation Technician Plumbing & Masonry 2-Wheeler Repair & Maintenance IT/ITES with e-Governance and Farm Mechanization.
- Phases:
-
- Phase I- candidates were mobilized from rural and tribal areas of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
- Phase II – launched in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
- Significance of the project:
-
- Increase in Rural/Local Economy,
- Enhance employment opportunities,
- Reduce forced migration due to a lack of local opportunities and
- Conservation of natural resources.
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| Modified Interest Subvention Scheme(MISS) |
Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare(DA&FW) |
Context
- The Union Cabinet has approved the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme(MISS).
Background
- The Kisan Credit Card scheme was introduced by the Government to empower farmers to purchase agriculture products and services on credit at any time.
- To ensure that the farmers have to pay a minimal interest rate to the bank, the Government of India introduced Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS), now renamed as Modified Interest Subvention Scheme(MISS).
Aim
- To provide short-term credit to farmers at subsidized interest rates.
Features
- a short-term agriculture loan up to Rs. 3.00 lakh is available to farmers engaged in Agriculture and other allied activities including Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Poultry, and fisheries at the rate of 7% p.a.
- An additional 3% subvention (Prompt Repayment Incentive – PRI) is also given to the farmers for prompt and timely repayment of loans. Therefore, if a farmer repays his loan on time, s/he gets credit at the rate of 4% p.a.
- This support is 100% funded by the Centre.
Significance
- Second-largest scheme of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare(DA&FW) as per budget outlay and coverage of beneficiaries.
- Will ensure the sustainability of credit flow in the agriculture sector as well as ensure the financial health and viability of the lending institutions.
- Will also lead to a generation of employment since short-term agri-loans are provided for all activities including Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Poultry, and fisheries.
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| Bal Aadhaar initiative |
UIDAI |
Context
- Over 7.9 million children aged up to five were enrolled under the Unique Identification Authority’s Bal Aadhaar initiative from April to July.
About
- Baal Aadhaar is a blue-coloured variant of the Aadhaar Card. It is issued for children below the age of 5 years.
- How is it different from Aadhar Card?
- Biometrics to establish uniqueness for the Bal Aadhar is not collected unlike in the case of Aadhaar. A facial image of a child is instead taken for enrolment.
- Moreover, biometric authentication of the parent/guardian and a proof of relationship document, preferably a birth certificate, are collected at the time of enrolment.
- What happens to the Baal Aadhar after the children turn five?
- On attaining the age of five, the child is required to furnish his or her biometrics at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra to complete a process called mandatory biometric update(MBU).
- The MBU process goes through a de-duplication process. After completion of this process, the child is issued a normal Aadhaar without any change in the Aadhaar number.
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| Manthan platform |
Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser(PSA) to the Government of India (GoI) |
Context
- The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser(PSA) to the Government of India (GoI) has announced the launch of the Manthan platform.
About
- Manthan is a platform to promote collaboration at scale between industry and the scientific research and development ecosystem to help meet India’s scientific missions and goals in alignment with the UN-defined Sustainable Development Goals(SDG) charter.
- Features:
-
- The platform will facilitate knowledge transfers and interactions through information exchange sessions, exhibitions and events to develop a framework for future science, innovation, and technology-led growth.
- It will also provide the necessary fulcrum for transforming the nation through innovative ideas, inventive minds and public-private-academia collaboration to achieve the country’s sustainability goals.
- Powered by: The platform is powered by NSEIT.
- NSEIT:
- A 100% subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India.
- It is a global technology enterprise that offers a range of digital, data analytics, automation, cybersecurity, and technology-enabled services.
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| Paalan 1000 Campaign |
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) |
Context
- The Union Minister of State for Health has virtually launched the Paalan 1000 National Campaign and Parenting App to reduce child mortality.
About
- The paalan 1000 campaign focuses on the cognitive development of children in the first two years of their life.
- Features:
-
- The app will provide practical advice to caregivers on what they can do in their everyday routine and will help clear doubts.
- The app combines coaching for parents, families and other caregivers with services designed to meet the family’s basic needs.
- Significance: The campaign is aligned with the mission of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram(RBSK) which emphasizes responsive care and focused interventions during the first 1,000 days of a child.
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| National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem(NAMASTE) |
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment(MoSJ&E) and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA) |
Context
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment(MoSJ&E) is now preparing to undertake a nationwide survey to enumerate all people engaged in the hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
About
- Aim: To eradicate unsafe sewer and septic tank cleaning practices.
- It will replace the Self-Employment Scheme for the Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), which was started in 2007.
- Features:
- Capital subsidies of up to ₹5 lahks on sanitation machinery costing up to ₹15 lahks will be provided so that workers will be able to own sanitation machines themselves
- Interest subsidies on loans will also be provided where interest rates will be capped between 4-6% for the beneficiaries with the government taking care of the rest of the interest
- Provides for training the workers in the use of these machines, during which time a stipend of up to ₹3,000 per month will be provided
- Provide for sanitation workers to train for and go into any of the approved lists of alternative occupations in sectors like agriculture, services, electronics assembling, handicrafts and so on
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| National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) |
Ministry of Commerce and Industry |
Context
- National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission(NIPAM) has achieved a target of imparting Intellectual Property(IP) awareness and basic training to 1 million students on 31st July 2022, ahead of the deadline which was 15 August 2022
About
- Launched in: 2021 as part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebrations.
- Aim:
-
- To provide awareness on intellectual property and its rights to 1 million students and
- To inculcate the spirit of creativity and innovation to students of higher education (classes 8 to 12) and ignite and inspire the students of college/Universities to innovate and protect their creations
- Implemented by: Intellectual Property Office, the Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks(CGPDTM), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
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| SMILE-75 Initiative |
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment |
Context
- The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has launched the “SMILE-75 Initiative”.
About
- Aim: To make cities/towns and municipal areas begging-free and make a strategy for comprehensive rehabilitation of the persons engaged in the act of begging through the coordinated action of various stakeholders.
- Under the initiative, seventy-five (75) Municipal Corporations in collaboration with NGOs and other stakeholders will cover several comprehensive welfare measures for persons who are engaged in the act of begging.
- These measures will focus extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling, awareness, education, skill development, economic linkages and convergence with other Government welfare programmes etc.
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| Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) – “Housing for All” |
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) |
Context
- The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) up to 31st December 2024.
About
- Aim: To provide all-weather pucca houses to all eligible beneficiaries in the urban areas of the country through States/UTs/Central Nodal Agencies.
- Coverage: The scheme covers the entire urban area of the country, i.e., all statutory towns as per Census 2011 and towns notified subsequently, including Notified Planning/ Development Areas.
- It is being implemented through four verticals:
- Beneficiary Linked Construction (BLC): Subsidy for beneficiary-led individual house construction /enhancement.
- Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS): Promotion of affordable housing for weaker sections through credit subsidy.
- Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP): Creation of houses by both public and private sectors.
- In-Situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR): Rehabilitation of slum dwellers with the participation of private developers using land as a resource.
- Features
- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), except for Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS), which is a Central Sector Scheme.
- The Mission promotes women’s empowerment by providing the ownership of houses in the name of a female member or in a joint name.
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| Badhe Chalo Movement |
Ministry of Culture |
Context
- Badhe Chalo Movement under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav has started.
About
- Aim: To connect with the youth of the nation and to instil a deeper sense of patriotism among them.
- The movement will feature Flash Dances happening across 75 cities where dancers will perform on a specially created ‘Youth Anthem’.
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| Experiential Learning for 21st Century Programme |
National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
Context
- The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in collaboration with TATA Trusts and others have launched the “Experiential Learning for 21st Century Programme”.
About
- Experiential Learning for the 21st Century Programme has been launched for the Eklavya Model Residential School(EMRS) Principals and Teachers.
- Purpose: It is conceptualized as an online programme for educators i.e teachers and principals to help them adapt classroom learning to real-life experiences.
- The program was offered free of cost to all the selected teachers and principals.
- The selected teachers were trained as “Teacher Leaders” who shall be espousing the Experiential Learning Pedagogy to all EMRS teaching fraternity in a phased manner.
NESTS (National Education Society for Tribal Students)
- NESTS is an autonomous organization established under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs(MoTA).
- Aim: To provide high-quality education to the tribal students in their own environment.
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| State University Research Excellence(SERB-SURE) Scheme |
Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) |
Context
- The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has launched a new scheme titled “State University Research Excellence(SERB-SURE)”.
About
- Aim: To augment the research capabilities in a structured way to create a robust R&D ecosystem in the state and private universities and colleges, including self-financed institutions working within these universities.
- Features:
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- The scheme provides research support to active researchers belonging to the state and private universities and colleges.
- This includes self-financed institutions working within universities, across India to undertake research and development in frontier areas of science, engineering, and quantitative social science.
- Significance of the scheme:
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- The scheme will help bring the university system, which was so far mostly limited to teaching, into mainstream research and enable the young faculty there to participate in cutting-edge research.
- The scheme will also provide much-needed research opportunities to the faculties of state universities, 45% of which are located in rural areas.
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| Coastal Clean Up Campaign |
Ministry of Earth Sciences |
Context
- The Union Minister of Earth Sciences has convened a meeting of Union Ministers and Members of Parliament from coastal states of the country to discuss the ongoing countrywide Coastal Clean Up Campaign launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
About
- Coastal Clean-Up campaign is a 75-day campaign launched by the government to clean up coastal beaches and raise awareness about “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar”.
- Aim: To make awareness about reducing marine litter, minimal use of plastics, segregation at source and waste management.
- The campaign will culminate on “International Coastal Clean-up Day” (17th September 2022).
- Impact: Through this campaign, a mass behavioural change among the masses is intended by raising awareness about how plastic usage is destroying our marine life.
- Eco Mitram
- It is a mobile app launched to spread awareness about the campaign and also for the common people to voluntary registration for the beach cleaning activity on the 17th of September 2022.
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| Suryamitra Skill Development Programme |
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy |
Context
- The Minister for New and Renewable Energy has informed Lok Sabha about the Suryamitra Skill Development Programme.
About
- Aim: To train the youth of age above 18 years as solar PV technicians for the installation, operation and maintenance of solar power projects.
- Implemented by: National Institute of Solar Energy(NISE) since 2015-16.
- Significance of the scheme: The impact assessment report for Suryamitra training programme reported that more than 90% of the trainees have reported improvement in technical know-how, and improved performance in the sector and 88% of trainees reported an increase in job opportunities.
- National Institute of Solar Energy(NISE):
- An autonomous specialized institute under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
- Aim: It is mandated for research and development, solar component testing and certification, capacity building and development of solar products and applications.
- Located at: Gurugram, Haryana
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| Scheme to provide enhanced export credit risk insurance cover |
Export Credit Guarantee Corporation(ECGC) |
Context
- Export Credit Guarantee Corporation(ECGC) has introduced a new scheme to provide enhanced export credit risk insurance coverage to the extent of 90% to support small exporters.
About
- Launched by: ECGC under the Export Credit Insurance for Banks Whole Turnover Packaging Credit and Post Shipment(ECIB- WTPC & PS).
- Objective: To provide small exporters with enhanced export credit risk insurance coverage of up to 90%.
- ELIGIBILITY
- Manufacturers and exporters availing fund-based export credit working capital with a limit of up to Rs 20 crore (Packaging Credit and Post Shipment limit per exporter/exporter-group), excluding the gems, jewellery and diamond sector and merchant exporters.
- SIGNIFICANCE
- The scheme is expected to benefit a number of small-scale exporters availing of export credit with banks which hold the ECGC WT-ECIB covers.
- This will also enable the small exporters to explore new markets/new buyers and diversify their existing product portfolio competitively.
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| National Overseas Scholarship Scheme |
Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment |
Context
- The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment has informed Rajya Sabha about the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for SCs and others.
About
- Central Sector Scheme
- Aim: To facilitate the low-income students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans category to obtain higher education viz., Master’s degree or Ph.D courses by studying abroad thereby improving their Economic and Social status.
- Features
- 30% of the scholarships for each year shall be earmarked for women candidates.
- Bachelors Level courses in any discipline are not covered under the Scheme.
- Candidates already staying or studying or having completed studies abroad by utilizing any other scholarship from the State Government or through their own funds are not eligible to apply under the scheme.
- Candidates having an unconditional offer of admission to top 500 ranked foreign Institutes /Universities as per the latest available QS rankings only will be selected for grant of scholarship during the first round of selection. In the second round, other students will be selected.
- Eligibility: In order to be eligible for the scholarship, at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade in the qualifying examination would be required.
- Age: Age Not more than 35 (Thirty-Five) years, as on the first day of April for selection year.
- Income Criteria: Income Ceiling Total family income from all sources shall not exceed Rs. 8.00 lakh per annum in the preceding financial year.
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| GOAL Programme (GOAL 2.0) |
Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
Context
- The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs has informed the Lok Sabha about the GOAL Programme.
About
- GOAL (Going Online as Leaders) is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Meta (formerly Facebook).
- Aim: To digitally empower tribal youth and women through the concept of mentor and mentee.
- Funded by: The programme is fully funded by Meta (Facebook India).
- Phases
- 1st Phase: Launched as a pilot project in May 2020, and it was completed by Dec 2021. The mentees in the first phase were provided with training across three-course pillars: (1) Communication & Life Skills; (2) Enabling Digital Presence, and (3) Leadership & Entrepreneurship.
- 2nd Phase: Launched in June 2022 with an aim to digitally upskill tribal youth by promoting entrepreneurship and opening up opportunities for them using digital technology. There will be a special focus on more than 10 lakh members of 50000 Vandhan Self-Help Groups.
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| Schemes for Strengthening Pharmaceuticals Industry(SPI) |
Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers |
Context
- The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers is planning to roll out a series of initiatives under the banner of “Schemes for Strengthening Pharmaceuticals Industry(SPI)”.
About
- Aim: To further enhance India’s existing manufacturing prowess in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by addressing issues related to technology up-gradation among MSMEs at the unit level and cluster level.
- Sub Schemes
- Pharmaceuticals Industry Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (PTUAS): Under this, the Government will incentivise MSMEs for getting Schedule M certification or Good Manufacturing Practice(GMP) certification by the World Health Organization(WHO).
- MSMEs will have the option to choose from either capital subsidy or interest subvention to upgrade their production facilities as per WHO-GMP or Schedule-M standards.
- Assistance to Pharmaceuticals Industry for Common Facilities(APICF): Under this, Government will support the creation of common facilities like Testing Labs, Common Effluent Treatment Plants and other such common facilities by providing Govt support in the form of capital grants to the extent of up to 70% subject to a ceiling of a maximum of Rs. 20 crores.
- Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Promotion and Development Scheme (PMPDS): Under this, a series of awareness programs, sectoral studies and similar programs will be organized to generate soft inputs for policy advocacy.
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| Mission Shakti |
Ministry of Women Child Development (MWCD) |
Context
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued detailed guidelines for the ‘Mission Shakti’ scheme.
About
- Aim: It is a mission-mode scheme aimed at strengthening interventions for women’s safety, security and empowerment.
- Objective: To provide to all women and girls including differently-abled, socially and economically marginalized and vulnerable groups, in need of care and protection, with short-term and long-term services and information for their holistic development and empowerment.
- Sub Schemes:
- Sambal: It is for the safety and security of women. The components consist of erstwhile schemes of One Stop Center (OSC), Women Helpline (WHL), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) with a new component of Nari Adalats – women’s collectives to promote and facilitate alternative dispute resolution and gender justice in society and within families.
- Samarthya: It is for the empowerment of women. The components consist of erstwhile schemes of Ujjwala, Swadhar Greh and Working Women Hostel have been included with modifications. In addition, the existing schemes of National Creche Scheme for children of working mothers and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana(PMMVY) under umbrella ICDS have also been included. Moreover, a new component of Gap Funding for Economic Empowerment has also been added.
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| Mission Vatsalya Scheme |
Ministry of Women and Child Development |
Context
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued Guidelines for Mission Vatsalya Scheme.
About
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme
- It replaces the Child Protection Services(CPS) Scheme implemented in 2009-10.
- Objectives:
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- To secure a healthy and happy childhood for each and every child in India,
- To ensure opportunities to enable them to discover their full potential,
- To assist States/UTs in delivering the mandate of the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 and achieve the SDG goals and
- To promote family-based non-institutional care of children in difficult circumstances.
- Components
- Improve the functioning of statutory bodies,
- Strengthen service delivery structures,
- Upscale institutional care/services,
- Encourage non-institutional community-based care,
- Emergency outreach services
- Training and capacity building.
- Funding: Funds to states will be approved through the Mission Vatsalya Project Approval Board (PAB) which will be chaired by the Ministry of Women and Child Development Secretary.
- Monitoring Mechanism: At the state level, there will be a committee headed by the Chief Secretary to monitor, review and promote convergence in the implementation of the scheme. There will also be a district-level committee.
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| National Industrial Corridor Development Programme(NICDP) |
National Industrial Corridor Development & Implementation Trust (NICDIT) |
Context
- The Finance Minister chaired the 1st meeting of the Apex Monitoring Authority constituted to review the activities of the National Industrial Corridor Development programme.
About
- National Industrial Corridor Development Programme is India’s most ambitious infrastructure programme aiming to develop new industrial cities as “Smart Cities” and converge next-generation technologies across infrastructure sectors.
- Objective: To expand the industrial output, increase employment opportunities, and provide better living and social facilities for the new and growing workforce by way of providing plug n play infrastructure at the plot level for industries.
- NICDC is developing Eleven(11) Industrial corridors comprising 32 projects in four Phases.
- Funding: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India have signed a $250 million loan to support the NICDP.
- Implementing Agency: National Industrial Corridor Development & Implementation Trust (NICDIT)- a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the Administrative Control of DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- Apex Monitoring Authority: An Apex Monitoring Authority under the chairmanship of the Finance Minister has been set up to periodically review the activities of the programme.
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| National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) |
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) |
Context
- The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) has announced that the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) will be a part of Direct Beneficiary Transfer(DBT) Scheme providing direct government benefits to all apprentices.
About
- Launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE).
- Aim:To promote apprenticeship training and incentivize employers who wish to engage apprentices.
- Target:To increase the engagement of apprenticeship from 2.3 Lakhs to 50 Lakhs cumulatively by 2020.
- Components
- Stipend support : reimbursement of 25% of prescribed stipend subject to a maximum of Rs 1500/- per month per apprentice with employers.
- Sharing of cost of Basic Training: Rs7500/- for a maximum of 3 months or 500 hours in respect of apprentices who come directly to apprenticeship training without any formal trade training.
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| Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance(RAMP) scheme |
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME) |
Context
- The Prime Minister has participated in the ‘Udyami Bharat’ programme.
- During this, he launched several initiatives like 1) Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme, 2) Capacity Building of First-Time MSME Exporters(CBFTE) scheme, and 3) new features of the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) to ramp up the MSME sector.
About
- Funding: It is a World Bank assisted programme
- Committees: The RAMP programme was formulated based on the recommendations made by U K Sinha Committee, KV Kamath Committee and Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (PM-EAC).
- Aim: To provide support to the MSMEs by improving access to market and credit, strengthening institutions and governance at the Centre and State, improving Centre-State linkages and partnerships, addressing issues of delayed payments and greening MSMEs.
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| Capacity Building of First-Time MSME Exporters(CBFTE) scheme |
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME).
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- Aim: To encourage MSMEs to offer products and services of international standards for the global market.
- This will enhance the participation of Indian MSMEs in the global value chain and help them realize their export potential.
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| Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) |
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME). |
- It is a credit-linked subsidy scheme launched in 2008-09 by the Ministry of MSME.
- Aim:To promote self-employment through setting up of micro-enterprises where subsidy up to 35% is provided by the Government through Ministry of MSME for loans up to ₹25 lakhs in manufacturing and ₹10 lakhs in the service sector.
- Implementation:Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) at the national level.At the State level,the Scheme is implemented through State Khadi and Village Industries Commission Directorates among others.
- Eligibility:Any individual above 18 years of age, Self Help Groups, Institutions registered under Societies Registration Act 1860, Production Co-operative Societies and Charitable Trusts are eligible.
- New Features
- Firstly, increase in the maximum project cost to Rs 50 lakhs (from Rs 25 lakhs) for the manufacturing sector and Rs 20 lakhs (from Rs 10 lakhs) in the service sector.
- Secondly, the inclusion of applicants from Aspirational districts & Transgenders in the Special Category applicants for availing higher subsidies.
- Thirdly, handholding support is being provided to applicants/entrepreneurs through the engagement of banking, technical & marketing experts.
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| National Air Sport Policy 2022 (NASP 2022) |
Ministry of Civil Aviation |
Context
- The Minister of Civil Aviation has launched National Air Sport Policy 2022 (NASP 2022).
About
- Aim: To lay out the vision of making India as one of the top sports nations by 2030 by providing a safe, affordable, accessible, enjoyable and sustainable air sports ecosystem in India.
- Objectives
- Promote an air sports culture in the country.
- Enable adoption of international good practices in safety including but not limited to, air sports infrastructure, equipment, operations, maintenance and training.
- Develop a simple, stakeholder-friendly and effective governance structure.
- Enhance participation and success of Indian sportspersons in global air sports events; and
- Promote design, development and manufacturing of air sports equipment in India in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
- Sports Covered
- Air sports such as aerobatics, aeromodelling, model rocketry, amateur-built and experimental aircraft, ballooning, drones, gliding and powered gliding.
- It also covers hang-gliding and powered hang-gliding, parachuting (including skydiving, BASE jumping and wingsuit flying), paragliding and paramotoring (including powered parachute trikes), powered aircraft and rotorcraft.
- Four Tier Governance Structure:
- Air Sports Federation of India(ASFI) is the apex governing body
- National associations for individual air sports or a set of air sports, as appropriate
- Regional (e.g. West/ South/ North East etc.) or State and Union Territory level units of the national air sports associations, as appropriate and
- District-level air sports associations as appropriate.
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| Jan Samarth Portal |
Ministry of Finance |
Context
- While launching an Integrated Credit Portal ‘Jan Samarth”, Prime Minister said that India is moving ahead with the approach of Citizen-Centric Governance, which is the fundamental aspect of Good Governance, leaving behind the government-centric approach.
About
- The portal, an initiative of the Ministry of Finance, is a one-stop gateway for over a dozen of the government’s credit-linked schemes directly connecting beneficiaries to lenders.
- The portal will act as a single platform for loan application and processing under Credit-Linked Government Schemes.
- The portal will improve the lives of students, farmers, businessmen, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises entrepreneurs and will also help the start-up ecosystem.
- The idea behind launching this portal is to encourage inclusive growth and development of several sectors.
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| Lifestyle for the Environment – LiFE Movement |
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Context
- The Prime Minister has launched a global initiative ‘Lifestyle for the Environment – LiFE Movement’.
About
- The idea of LiFE was introduced by the Prime Minister during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in 2021.
- Aim: To promote an environment-conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilization’ instead of ‘mindless and destructive consumption’.
- Vision: To live a lifestyle that is in tune with our planet and does not harm it and those who live such a lifestyle are called Pro-Planet People.
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