Why in News?

• Recently, the state government has introduced a scheme designed specifically for mango cultivation to provide targeted assistance and support to farmers engaged in mango production.
• Bihar produces 15.84 lakh Metric Tons (MT) of mango and ranks third in the country in mango production.

Key Points:

=> Mango Development Scheme is introduced for enhancing mango’s area expansion with a 50% subsidy at the unit cost of Rs 60,000 per hectare.

=> The state is facilitating a micro irrigation scheme extending 80% support on Drip, Mini, and Micro sprinkler to small and marginal farmers (70% for other farmers) and 80% support on community borewells.

=> Bihar is home to many unique flavours of mango, including Dudhia Malda, Jardalu, and Amrapali.

=> Proper marketing and branding can make a significant difference in how fruits from the state are perceived and valued in the market.

=> With support from the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Bihar exports around more than 1200 MT of fresh mango to the UK, Middle East, and New Zealand.

Zardalu Mango:

• Zardalu is a unique mango variety from Bhagalpur.
• It is known for its light yellow skin and distinct special aroma.
• It was accorded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2018.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA):

• It was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985.
• It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The Authority has its headquarters in New Delhi.
• In 2020, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) to bring in better synergy in agricultural activities.

Sopna Kallingal, a farmer from the Kallingal Plantation in Thrissur was recently given the prestigious Spice Award 2024. This award was given to her by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research in honor of her great work in business growth and integrated crop management.

She received the award at a function held in Kozhikode under the leadership of Ms. Kallingal, Kallingal plantation has a diverse range of crops, embodying a dedication to enterprise diversification and agriculture innovation, according to the award citation.

About the Spice Award

The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) created the Spice Award to recognize and encourage new and environmentally friendly farming methods in India’s spice business. The goal of the award is to honor people and businesses that make a big difference in the growth of the industry by using safe and effective farming methods.

Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) – a joint venture between Russia and India – has completed the delivery of 35,000 7.62 mm Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles to the Indian Army.

• Delivery of the rifles represents the initial tranche of a larger Indian military requirement for 600,000 AK-203s.
• IRRPL – headquartered in Korwa, Uttar Pradesh, in northern India – was set up in 2019 to produce the rifles in India.
• The IRRPL joint venture has completed the first phase of the project to manufacture Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles in India

Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA) Rajinder Khanna was appointed as the additional NSA , while Intelligence Bureau special director TV Ravichandran was named deputy NSA.

• This marks the first time the post of additional NSA has been filled, despite its longstanding existence, according to government sources.
• Khanna, a 1978-batch IPS officer from the Odisha cadre, served as the chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) from December 2014 to December 2016.
• He was appointed deputy NSA in January 2018, overseeing the Technology and Intelligence section.

India successfully test-fired an air-surface anti-radiation missile from a Su-30MKI fighter jet. The Rudram-II anti-radiation supersonic missile is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

• The flight test met all the trial objectives, validating the propulsion system and control & guidance algorithm.
• Rudram missile is the first indigenously developed anti-radiation missile designed to target enemy ground radars (surveillance, tracking) and communication stations in Suppression of  Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) missions. 
• The Rudram-II is the latest version after the mark-1 version was tested four years ago by Su-30MKI, the backbone of India's fighter fleet. 

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari inaugurated the newly established Weapon Systems School (WSS) at Air Force Station Begumpet, Hyderabad. This follows the approval for the creation of a new Weapon System (WS) branch in 2022.

• Aimed at recalibrating and transforming the Indian Air Force as a future-oriented force, the formation of this new training establishment is a gigantic leap for the Armed Forces in general, and Indian Air Force in particular.
• The CAS was welcomed by Air Vice Marshal Premkumar Krishnaswamy. Commandant, Weapon Systems School. 
• The WSS will impart effect based training that is contemporary in nature and prepare officers of the newly formed branch in line with the requirements of the IAF.
• With inauguration of the WSS, Flight Cadets of WS Branch will undergo their second semester of training at this institute.

The Indian Army contingent departed for the 13th edition of India- Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 1st to15th July 2024 at Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province of Thailand.

The Indian Army contingent comprising 76 personnel is being represented mainly by a Battalion of the LADAKH SCOUTS along with personnel from other arms and services.

The Royal Thailand Army contingent also comprises 76 personnel mainly from 1st Battalion, 14 Infantry Regiment of 4 Division.

Aim of Exercise MAITREE is to foster Military Cooperation between India and Thailand. The Exercise will enhance combined capabilities in executing Joint Counter Insurgency/ Terrorist Operations in Jungle and Urban Environment under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter.

The Exercise will focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and joint tactical drills.

Indian army has inducted the first-ever indigenous chip-based 4G mobile base station, which it procured from Bangalore-based firm Signaltron through the government e-marketplace portal, a top company official said.

Signaltron founder Himamshu Khasnis told that the chip used in the Sahyadri LTE base stations has been developed by Signalchip.

Earlier in 2010, Khasnis and his team founded a fabless semiconductor company Signalchip to make chips for 4G and 5G networks.

About Signaltron

SEBEX 2, an all-new explosive said to be two times more lethal than standard Trinitrotoluene (TNT), has been certified by the Indian Navy. Touted to be among the world's most powerful non-nuclear explosives,

• SEBEX 2 is aimed at revolutionising artillery shells and warheads by further enhancing their destructive power without adding extra weight to them, reports said.
• The new formulation of SEBEX 2 was rigorously tested under the Defence Export Promotion Scheme of the Navy.
• A total of three new explosive formulations have been developed by Economic Explosives Ltd, a subsidiary of the Nagpur-based Solar Industries.

The Indian Army has announced that the 16th edition of the Joint Military Exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant’ with the Mongolian Army will take place in Umroi, Meghalaya, from 3 to 16 July.

The Additional Directorate General of Public Information of the Indian Army’s MoD stated that the exercise in Meghalaya is designed to improve interoperability between the two armies during semi-conventional operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrains.

Earlier this year, the 12th Joint Working Group meeting of the Defence Ministries of both nations was held in Ulaanbaatar on May 16-17 this year.

The meeting reviewed the progress of various defence cooperation initiatives and explored ways to further strengthen the partnership.

The Indian Ambassador to Mongolia, Atul Malhari Gotsurve, was present at the meeting, where both parties expressed contentment with the ongoing defence cooperation between the two countries.

Nomadic Elephant’ Exercise 2024

Nomadic Elephant’ is an annual bilateral training event conducted alternately in Mongolia and India. The previous, 15th edition was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as per the Ministry of Defence. It was conducted with the participation of the Mongolian Armed Forces Unit 084 and the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment of the Indian Army in 2023.

The Bihar government has decided to offer Bachelor of Medicine, and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) courses in Hindi, making it the second state to do so after Madhya Pradesh.

• The state health minister Mangal Pandey announced that from the upcoming academic session, medical students will have the option to study MBBS in Hindi.
• The new Hindi course will follow the AIIMS Delhi syllabus for students who pass the NEET UG 2024 exam. 
• In Bihar, there are about 85,000 government schools and Hindi is the primary medium of instruction.
• The first state to offer the MBBS programmes in Hindi was Madhya Pradesh. 

The IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) has launched a Master’s course in the study of the holy book, Bhagavad Gita. As per the notification, the course will commence in the session of 2024-2025.

• The course is expected to start this July and will be available through open and distance learning.
• The duration of the course is set between two to four years, and a total of 500 seats are available for admission. It is a course carrying 80 credits and will be taught in Hindi.
• The name of the course is Masters in Bhagavad Gita Studies or MABGS.
• Professor Devesh Kumar Mishra has developed and designed the course, and he is also the coordinator of the same.
• At the moment, the course is only available in Hindi, though plans to teach it in English are also being made for the future. 

One 97 Communications Limited (OCL), which owns brand Paytm, has rolled out ‘Paytm Health Saathi’, an exclusive health and income protection plan for its merchant partners. This plan is available on the ‘Paytm for Business’ app.

The launch of ‘Paytm Health Saathi’ aims to safeguard the wellbeing of its merchants, ensuring their health and business continuity. 

The pilot for ‘Paytm Health Saathi’ started in May and has already seen over 3,000 merchant partners avail the plan.

Following its initial success, the company rolled out this feature to all its merchants earlier this month.

International Plastic Bag Free Day, celebrated on July 3, is a global initiative that aims to eliminate the use of plastic bags. Plastic bags may seem like a grocery shopping convenience, but they are also a huge strain on the environment.

It can take up to 500 years for plastic bags to disintegrate, so they make up a large portion of what stays in our landfills and pollutes our waterways. 

NITI Aayog today launched a nationwide campaign namely Sampoornata Abhiyan with a focus to attain saturation in 12 key social sector indicators in 500 aspirational blocks and 112 aspirational districts.

This comprehensive three-month campaign to be focused on themes including health, nutrition, agriculture, social development and education, will continue till September this year.

As part of the campaign, district and block officials along with elected people’s representatives will organise awareness activities including Gram Sabhas, Nukkad Natak, Paushtik Aahar Mela, Health camps, Exhibitions, Poster making and Poem competitions around 12 themes identified in all aspirational blocks and districts.

The launch events were organised across all these aspirational districts and aspirational blocks .

The aspirational districts and blocks pledged their commitment to the Sampoornata Abhiyan by reiterating its principles through the Sampoornata Pledge committing to fulfil the campaign’s goals and accelerating progress towards full saturation of the identified indicators.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G Kishan Reddy launched a portal “Noble Initiative for Rewarding Mains Aspirants of National Civil Services Examination (NIRMAN)” in New Delhi.

• NIRMAN is a unique CSR scheme by Coal India Limited for meritorious youth of its operating districts who have qualified the Preliminary round of UPSC examination (for Civil Services & Forest Service) in 2024. 
• Secretary, Ministry of Coal Shri Amrit Lal Meena, other senior officers of the Coal Ministry and CMDs of Coal Companies were present on the occasion.
• The scheme is aimed towards providing support of Rs 1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh) to the Preliminary examination qualified candidates with annual family income less than 8 lakhs and belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, female or third gender; who are permanent residents of any of the 39 operational districts of CIL.

As part of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, has issued the Tobacco Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) Guidelines for safeguarding minors and youth from tobacco use.

Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education has developed a “ToFEI Implementation Manual” for schools and launched it on World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) which was observed on 31st May, 2024.

• The objective is to make educational institutions across the nation comply with the ToFEI guidelines and become #Tobacco Free Area.
• Tobacco use is one of the major causes of preventable deaths and diseases in India and accounts for nearly 1.35 million deaths every year in the country. India is also the second largest consumer and producer of tobacco.
• According to Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2019, 8.5 percent of school students in the age group of 13 to 15 consume tobacco in different forms across the country.

In a move signaling a new chapter, Indiabulls Housing Finance Limited (formerly Indiabulls Housing Finance Limited) has officially completed its rebranding and name change to Sammaan Capital Limited.

The company received the necessary approvals from the Registrar of Companies and the Reserve Bank of India, solidifying the transition.

"Sammaan," meaning "respect," "honor," "courtesy," and "dignity" in Indian languages, reflects Sammaan Capital's commitment to a customer-centric approach, fostering pride in homeownership and business ownership, and upholding dignified business practices.

This new identity aligns with the company's values and operations as a systemically important lender.

NIC and Spices Board Sign MOU to collaborate for study of Cardamom diseases in Sikkim using Artificial Intelligence.

National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India and Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India has signed the memorandum of Understanding for the project named Development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) aided tools for detection and Classification of Large cardamom diseases on 3rd July 2024.

The project, spearheaded by NIC’s Centre of Excellence in AI in Kolkata, aims to analyze images of cardamom leaves to identify diseases early.

This initiative follows three months of discussions and marks a significant step in leveraging AI for agricultural advancements in Sikkim.

Tata Group is India’s most-valuable brand for the 15th consecutive year, with an impressive 9% growth over 2023, new rankings by Brand Finance showed.

• Brand value of  Tata Group is $28.6 billion, 
• This is the first time an Indian brand has come close to the $30-billion brand value benchmark, according to the report.
• Brand value is the net economic benefit that a brand owner would achieve by licensing the brand in the open market, as per Brand Finance.

Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer officially became prime minister, leading his party back to government less than five years after it suffered its worst defeat in almost a century. 

Britain's Labour Party swept to power after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory — but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation.

With all but two of the individual election results in, Labour had won 412 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons and the Conservatives 121.

Former spy chief Dick Schoof was sworn in as the new Dutch prime minister on Tuesday, leading a broad right-wing coalition cabinet promising to implement the country's "strictest-ever" immigration policy.

• The 67-year-old independent has taken over from the departing PM Mark Rutte, who is set to become the next secretary-general of NATO later this year after 14 years of holding office in The Hague.
• The passing of the baton comes after more than seven months of protracted negotiations following far-right leader Geert Wilders' electoral victory last November.
• Wilders had to give up on his ambition to become prime minister to keep strained coalition talks on track.

Japan will start issuing new banknotes with the first-ever use of cutting-edge holographic technology.

• Holographic portraits of historical figures appear to rotate in 3D on the bills, serving as an anti-counterfeit measure, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.
• In the first design change in 20 years, the 10,000-yen, 5,000-yen, and 1,000-yen bills will have larger face value numbers printed on them than the current versions for greater visibility.
• Tactile marks for the visually impaired will also make them recognisable to touch.
• Eiichi Shibusawa (1840-1931), known as "the father of Japanese capitalism" who helped establish around 500 companies, will be featured on the 10,000-yen note, while the 5,000-yen note will feature educator Umeko Tsuda (1864-1929), a staunch advocate of women rights.

Hungary will take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Council of the EU is led by one member state for a period of 6-months on a rotating basis.

Holding the Presidency entails chairing the meetings of the Council and representing the institution to other EU bodies as well as to the European public.

This is the second time that Hungary will hold the Presidency since joining the European Union in 2004. 

During the recent state visit of PM Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina to India Prime Minister India Narendra Modi said: “A technical team will soon visit Bangladesh to discuss conservation and management of the Teesta river in Bangladesh.”

The remark triggered fresh speculation about the Teesta water sharing treaty with Bangladesh, a key bilateral agreement that has been pending between the two countries for over a decade.

After Mr. Modi’s comment, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told the media that the discussion “between the two leaders was less about water sharing per se, and more about the management of the water flows within Teesta”.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took issue with the Centre’s stand. On June 24, she wrote a letter to Mr. Modi conveying her strong reservation that no discussion on the sharing of Teesta waters should be taken up with Bangladesh without the involvement of the State. She was worried that sharing Teesta’s water would have bad effects on the people in north Bengal.

What is Teesta Dispute ?

Teesta Water dispute is a dispute on Teesta river sharing agreement between India and Bangladesh. Bangladesh wanted equitable distribution of Teesta water with India on the lines of Ganga Water Treaty of 1996, but nothing materialised. This article lucidly explains the background behind Teesta Water Dispute, origin and tributaries of the river.

South Korea Military reported that North Korea fired two ballistic missiles over the sea off its east coast, said South Korea’s military, after the North vowed to take countermeasures against a joint military exercise held by South Korea, the United States and Japan.  

One short-range ballistic missile was launched from the Jangyon area in South Hwanghae Province at about 5:05 a.m. in a northeastern direction, said the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, or JCS.

Another unidentified ballistic missile was launched at around 5:15 a.m, it added, without providing further details.  

South Korea, the U.S. and Japan wrapped up their first, three-day trilateral multi-domain military exercise, codenamed “Freedom Edge,” aimed at strengthening their deterrence against North Korean threats.

The three countries have staged combined maritime and aerial exercises before, but Freedom Edge was the first trilateral exercise held across multiple domains, including air, maritime, underwater and cyber.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the international body in charge of coordinating and assessing policies to fight money laundering and terrorism financing, said on June 28 that it removed Turkey from its ‘grey list’ of jurisdictions under special scrutiny.

• Turkey has made significant progress in improving its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime, the Paris-based body said in a statement.
• The ATF decision marks a significant victory for Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, who has been steering a major economic overhaul since his appointment following President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s re-election last year.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and ENGIE group have signed a long-term loan agreement to construct and operate a 400MW solar PV power plant in Surendranagar District, Gujarat, India.

• ADB was the mandated lead arranger for the loan totaling 14.6 billion Indian rupees (approximately $175.9 million).
• Enren Energy Private Limited, a special-purpose vehicle owned by the ENGIE group, will implement the project, while state-owned electricity distribution company Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited will be the sole offtaker.
• The plant will use locally produced bifacial PV modules and generate an average of 805GWh annually over the next 25 years.

The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $170 million policy-based loan to consolidate and strengthen India’s health system preparedness and response capacity to future pandemics.

The signatories to the ‘Strengthened and Measurable Actions for Resilient and Transformative Health Systems Programme (Subprogramme 1)’ were Ms. Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of India and Ms. Mio Oka, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission for ADB.

Ms. Mukherjee said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the government adopted several practices to significantly strengthen its pandemic preparedness and response capability.

She said that the ADB programme will help the government’s ongoing efforts in further strengthening disease surveillance, ensure sufficiency and quality of health professionals and promote climate-resilient public health infrastructure and service delivery.

Robert Towne, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Chinatown, considered one of the greatest screenplays of all time, has died at age 89.

• Towne, the screenwriter also nominated for his films Shampoo and The Last Detail, died on Monday(1 July 2024) among family members at his Los Angeles home, said his publicist, who did not disclose a cause of death.
• Towne won an Academy Award for Chinatown and was nominated three other times, for The Last Detail, Shampoo and Greystoke.
• In 1997, he received a lifetime achievement award from the Writers Guild of America.

The central government through the Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification for the transfer of Justice Sheel Nagu (Acting Chief Justice) from Madhya Pradesh High Court to Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Notification issued stated that, in the exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Justice Sheel Nagu, Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, to be the Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.

Justice Sheel Nagu was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 27 May 2011 and has been functioning there since then.

In a strategic move to enhance the government’s communication framework, senior Indian Information Service (IIS) officer Dhirendra K Ojha has been appointed as the principal spokesperson of the Central government.

• This pivotal appointment brings fresh leadership to crucial information dissemination roles. A 1990-batch IIS officer, Ojha will also serve as the principal director general of the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
• This dual role places him at the forefront of government-media relations and public information dissemination.
• In his new position, Ojha will coordinate with various ministries and departments to ensure effective communication.

Medical Assessment and Rating Board President Dr B N Gangadhar has been appointed the chairperson of the National Medical Commission (NMC).

• The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed various individuals to posts of the NMC and the autonomous boards.
• The appointments are for a period of four years until the appointee attains the age of 70 years or until further orders.
• Dr Gangadhar is Former Director of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences and has been the officiating chairman of the NMC since September last year.
• He took over after the tenure of first chairman Dr S C Sharma ended in September last year.

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval has appointed TV Ravichandran and Pawan Kapoor as the new deputy NSAs in the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) team.

• Rajendra Khanna, who served as the deputy NSA, has been appointed as the Additional NSA.
• TV Ravichandran is a 1990 batch IPS office and is currently the special director in the Intelligence Bureau.
• Pawan Kapoor is a 1990 batch IFS officer and has served in several missions abroad for India. He has served in the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Prime Minister's Office. He also served as an international civil servant with the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.

Senior IAS officer Sujata Saunik on Sunday( 30 June 2024) took over as Maharashtra's Chief Secretary, becoming the first woman in the state's 64-year-old history to occupy the top post.

Sujata Saunik, an IAS officer of the 1987 batch, succeeds Nitin Kareer who retired as the chief secretary on Sunday.

She will have a year's tenure before retiring in June next year, an official said.

Nitin Kareer handed over the charge to Sujata Saunik at a ceremony held at Mantralaya, the state secretariat in south Mumbai Monday evening.

SBI General Insurance Company announced the appointment of Naveen Chandra Jha as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. He was nominated by the parent company, State Bank of India, for the position.

• He succeeds Kishore Kumar Poludasu.
• Jha has been associated with the State Bank of India since 1994 and has held several key positions during his tenure.
• Prior to his current role at SBI General Insurance, Jha served as Deputy Managing Director of SBI.

Frank Duckworth, the man whose mathematical knowledge helped to revolutionise rain-affected cricket, died overnight aged 84.

The English statistician created the Duckworth-Lewis method with Tony Lewis, a model to recalculate scores when limited-over matches were curtailed by weather conditions.

Duckworth spent his entire career working in the nuclear industry.

Originally employed as a metallurgist, he found he had an ability to extract useful information from masses of numerical measurements.

Air India will set up South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation (FTO) at Amravati in the Vidarbha area. This FTO will strengthen the available pilot training capacity in India.

• The Amravati airport runway was recently expanded by the state-owned Maharashtra Airport Development Company.
• The flying school will be operational by mid 2026 and 180 commercial pilots will pass out every year.
• The FTO, the first by any Indian airline in the country, will have 31 single-engine and 3 twin-engine aircraft for training.
• Air India was awarded a tender by the MADC to establish and operate this DGCA-licensed FTO for a period of 30 years.

•  It found that a significant share of the 33,000 yearly deaths attributable to air pollution in 10 cities examined was recorded in coastal centers like Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai, where air quality is considered to be moderate.
• The researchers looked at 3.6 million deaths between 2008 and 2019 across the sample areas, and overlapped them with a detailed map of the distribution of PM 2.5, a compound of cancer-causing pollutants so small they can penetrate the bloodstream. 

The ministry of housing and urban affairs on July 3 said that it has extended the deadline for the Smart Cities Mission till March 2025, allowing cities to complete ongoing projects, which account for around 10% of the total projects.

Taking cognizance of multiple rewquests requests, the Government of India has extended the Mission period up to March 31, 2025 to complete these balance 10% projects.

This extension has been informed to the cities that it would be without any additional cost, beyond the already approved financial allocation under the Mission, it said.

SpaceX is gearing up for one of its biggest missions as it plans to launch private astronauts to space on a mission that aims to deepen human space exploration.

The company led by Elon Musk has set its sights on July 31, 2024, as the earliest possible launch date for the groundbreaking Polaris Dawn mission, marking a significant milestone in private space exploration.

The mission, part of the ambitious Polaris Program, aims to push the boundaries of human spaceflight capabilities and pave the way for future lunar and Martian expeditions.

 The Polaris Dawn mission will use SpaceX's reliable Falcon 9 rocket to propel the Dragon spacecraft into orbit.

The four-person civilian crew, led by billionaire Jared Isaacman as Mission Commander, will embark on a journey lasting up to five days, during which they will attempt to reach the highest Earth orbit ever achieved.

Christina Ernst, a software engineer at Google, has taken the internet by storm with her latest creation: a "robotic Medusa dress."

• This one-of-a-kind invention, described by Ernst as the “world’s first AI dress,” features robotic snakes that can detect and follow faces, making it both a technological marvel and a fashion statement.
• Ernst shared the video of her dress on her Instagram page, "She Builds Robots," which she uses to inspire girls to explore robotics. The post quickly went viral, amassing over 2.9 million views.
• In the video, Ernst expresses her excitement about completing the project and takes viewers through her journey of building the dress, including the various challenges and prototypes she encountered along the way.

NASA has selected SpaceX to destroy the International Space Station, the orbiting laboratory where astronauts lhave been iving and conducting experiments for 24 years.

• The International Space Station is a collaboration between 15 countries and five space agencies. Europe, Japan, Canada and the U.S. are committed to operating the station through 2030.
• Russia plans to continue operations through at least 2028, according to NASA. However, all five space agencies are responsible for the safe deorbit of the space station.  
• NASA announced that SpaceX was awarded a contract with a potential value of $843 million to develop a deorbit vehicle to help the space station position itself to avoid populated areas as it is pulled down through Earth's atmosphere and burns up. 

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a 'Maharatna' and a Fortune Global 500 Company, proudly announces its partnership with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as the official Principal Partner for four years, starting from Paris Olympics '24 through Los Angeles Olympics '28.

• This four-year partnership supports and salutes the sheer grit and determination of Indian athletes, many of whom come from humble backgrounds and remote corners of India.
• As part of this collaboration, BPCL will launch series of campaigns designed to support and uplift the Indian contingent heading to Paris.
• These initiatives aim to inspire the nation, galvanize support for our athletes, and celebrate their relentless pursuit of excellence on the global stage. 

Hardik Pandya Reaches ICC T20I Ranking Pinnacle, First Indian All-Rounder Ever To Do So India all-rounder Hardik Pandya became the first all-rounder from the country to be placed No. 1 in ICC T20I rankings.

• Hardik Pandya rose two places to go level with Sri Lankan star Wanindu Hasaranga as the top-ranked men's T20I all-rounder, as per the ICC official website.
• The all-rounder, who made a big contribution in the final with the crucial wickets of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, had a good tournament with bat and ball and became the first Indian man to reach No.1 in the category.
• Hardik Pandya made impactful cameos down the order with the bat and made breakthroughs with the ball when the team needed him to. He finished with 144 runs at a batting strike rate of over 150 and also took 11 wickets.

India finished on top at the Under 23 Asian Wrestling Championship 2024, in Amman, Jordan. The young Indian grapplers clinched a total of eight medals in freestyle wrestling, including four gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

• Abhimanyu in the 70 kg category, Jointy Kumar in 92 kg, Sahil Jaglan in 97 kg and Anirudh Kumar in the 125 kg category bagged the gold medals.
• Rohit in 65 kg and Jaideep at 74 Kg contributed with silver medals, while bronze medals were secured by Shubham in 57 kg and Amit in 79 kg.
• This is an all-time performance by the Indian contingent at the prestigious event. Kazakhstan took second place while Kyrgyzstan won third.

Sports brand Puma India, has roped  Riyan Parag and Nitish Kumar Reddy, country’s promising cricketers and batters. This is in line with the brand’s commitment to nurturing young talent and solidifying the sports brand’s connect with youth culture in the country.

Riyan Parag, a 22-year-old right-hand batsman from Guwahati, is the highest run-getter among uncapped players in the recent cricket league and was part of the victorious Indian Under-19 team at the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

• Likewise, Nitish Kumar Reddy, a 21-year-old all-rounder from Andhra Pradesh, has been making headlines for earning the Emerging Player title in the recent cricket league.'
• The two brand  ambassadors will promote Puma’s footwear, apparel, athleisure, and accessories through various events and initiatives.
• The company’a roster of brand ambassadors include Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Harmanpreet Kaur, MC Mary Kom, to Avani Lakhera and Gen Z sensations in Ibrahim Ali Khan and Shanaya Kapoor.

The 2026 edition of the T20 World Cup tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

• The tournament is expected to be held in February and March 2026.
• The tournament will be contested by 20 teams like the previous edition.
• The two host nations ( India and Sri Lanka) and the top eight teams from the 2024 World Cup will automatically qualify for the tournament.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have named Dinesh Karthik as the batting coach and batting mentor of their men's team.

Karthik, 39, was part of the RCB squad until IPL 2024 before retiring from all forms of representative cricket at the end of the season.

The wicketkeeper-batter was picked by the RCB franchise at the IPL 2022 mega auction and stayed with them for three seasons.

He also had a stint with them in 2015 for one season.

JMM’s executive chief Hemant Soren took oath as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, days after he walked out of jail in a money laundering case.

• Governor C P Radhakrishnan invited the leader to form the government, a day after his predecessor Champai Soren stepped down as Chief Minister.
• Champai met the Governor to submit his resignation after the ruling coalition’s 45 MLAs elected Hemant Soren as their leader.
• Hemant was released from jail after the Jharkhand High Court granted him bail on June 28, five months after he was arrested.

Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, launched the 'Lokpath Mobile App'. This innovative initiative aims to address and resolve road-related issues faced by the public within a seven-day timeframe.

The app was developed by the Public Works Department (PWD) and represents a significant step towards improving transparency and accountability in public infrastructure management.

The Andhra Pradesh government led by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu began implementing the first of its pre-election promises by launching the NTR Bharosa pension scheme, aimed at distributing enhanced amounts of pensions among various sections of people.

•  According to an official statement, the pension for old-aged people, widows, weavers, toddy tappers, fishermen, single women, traditional cobblers, transgenders and artistes has been increased from Rs.3,000 to Rs. 4,000 per month.
• For disabled and multi-deformity leprosy patients, the pension has been increased from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 6,000 per month.
• For fully disabled people confined to beds or wheelchairs and those with severe muscular dystrophy, the pension amount has gone up three-fold from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 15,000.
• And for people suffering from chronic diseases like kidney diseases and thalassemia, the pension has been enhanced from ?5,000 to ?10,000.

Laos authorities have discussed preparations for the 57th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings, which will take place in the Laos capital Vientiane from the 21st to the 27th of July.

• Laos National Radio reported that a preparatory meeting was chaired by Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith.
• During the meeting, participants were briefed about the progress made by sub-committees in preparation for the major regional events.
• The preparatory work covers accommodation for ministers and delegations from more than 34 countries, delegate vehicles, transport, communication and internet facilities, among others.
• Speaking at the meeting, Saleumxay urged relevant authorities to continue their efforts in preparing for the upcoming regional events.

The four-day Global Conclave on Plastic Recycling and Sustainability (GCPRS) kicked off today( 4 July, 2024) at the Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, with Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary, Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, inaugurating the conference as the Chief Guest.

• Smt. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary of the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, graced the event as the Guest of Honor.
• Smt. Nivedita Shukla Verma lauded the efforts of the AIPMA and the CPMA for organizing a conclave on such a critical issue.
• She also underscored the importance of organizations like CIPET and DCPC in implementing these regulations and stressed the urgency of transitioning to a sustainable circular economy.
• Mercy Epao announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art export center in Hyderabad as part of their 100-day program to double exports.
• Arvind D. Mehta, Chairman of the Technology and Entrepreneurship Center (AMTEC), spoke about preparing skilled professionals for India’s advancing plastic industry.

The 46th meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will be held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from July 21st to July 31st.

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, will inaugurate the event.

Over 2,500 delegates from 195 countries, including state parties, advisory groups, and heritage experts, will attend, marking a significant moment in global cultural diplomacy.

Significance for India

India’s decision to host the 46th session shows its dedication to being a world leader in culture and its active participation in UNESCO. India has 42 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the newly added Santiniketan. These sites show off India’s rich cultural and political tapestry, making it a good place to talk about how to protect global heritage.

India is among the 25 countries participating in the third UN-led conference on Afghanistan in Doha, looking to find ways to improve the lives of the Afghan people in the Taliban ruled country.

• The meeting is significant as it is the first time that the Taliban are attending the talks.
• The UN has denied that the latest round of talks in Doha are meant to pave the way for international recognition for the Taliban.
• The conference has also come under strong criticism from rights groups for not engaging Afghan women and civil society members.
• India is being represented in the meeting by MEA joint secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran (PAI) division J P Singh.
• The official, who visited Kabul in March this year, also met Taliban leaders in Doha.

Global IndiaAI Summit 2024’ will be held in New Delhi on July 3-4, organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

This summit is set to bring together international AI experts to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange, highlighting India’s commitment to ethical and inclusive AI development.

The Ministry of Electronics and IT announced that the summit will be a significant gathering for stakeholders from various sectors, including science, industry, civil society, governments, international organizations, and academia.

These experts will discuss crucial AI issues, share insights, and address challenges within the AI ecosystem.

Union minister of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC), Shri Bhupender Yadav said that India has become the first country in the world to prepare a checklist of its entire fauna, covering 104,561 species, positioning itself as a global leader in biodiversity documentation.

Shri Yadav launched the Fauna of India Checklist Portal on the occasion of 109th Foundation Day of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in Kolkata.

The Fauna of India Checklist Portal

The Fauna of India Checklist Portal is the first comprehensive document on the faunal species reported from India. He said, the faunal checklist will be an invaluable reference for taxonomists, researchers, academicians, conservation managers, and policymakers. It comprises 121 checklists of all known taxa covering 36 phyla. Endemic, threatened, and scheduled species have also been included in the list.

Maharashtra’s Pench Tiger Reserve has installed an AI-based fire detection system. The system, a first of its kind for any tiger reserve in India will help detect any forest fires within the confines of the tiger reserve well in time.

• The artificial intelligence system features a high-resolution camera with a visual range that covers up to 15 kilometers.
• This new system will better increase the efficiency and allow for a more effective way of responding to forest fires in the area.
• Name of the AI system is Named Pantera..
• It incorporates a mix of satellite-based data and camera feed and provides alerts for forest fires in real time.

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched a checklist of India’s fauna covering 1,04,561 species on the occasion of the 109th Foundation Day of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).

• India has become the first country in the world to prepare a checklist of its entire fauna.

India adds 641 new animal species, 339 new plant taxa in 2023

• The Union Environment Minister also released a publication of ZSI, ‘Animal Discoveries – 2023’ comprising 641 new animal species and ‘Plant Discoveries – 2023’ of Botanical Survey of India with 339 plant species.

Crucial Insights from the recently released documents:

• Fauna of India Checklist Portal: It is the first comprehensive document on the faunal species reported from India. 

• Comprises: 121 checklists of all known taxa covering 36 phyla. 

• Endemic, threatened, and scheduled species have been included in the list.

• Endemic species are found only in some particular areas, usually isolated by natural or even geographical barriers. Example: Asiatic lion

• Threatened Species are vulnerable to endangerment shortly. Example: Bengal tigers

• Scheduled Species are completely protected from hunting, and trade and commerce.

• Fauna Species: 641 new species added to Indian fauna in 2023, including 442 entirely new species and 199 species which have been newly recorded in the country. 

• Example: Capra himalayensis, proves that the Himalayan Ibex, distributed in the trans-Himalayan ranges of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, is a distinct species from the Siberian Ibex. 

• Miniopterus srinii, a new species of bent-winged bat, was found in Karnataka.

• Trend for Fauna Species: The vast majority of these new discoveries have been recorded in the invertebrate category and only from vertebrate species, the majority were fish species.

• The trend of new discoveries in different groups remains the same as previous years, with Insects dominating among invertebrates, whereas Fishes dominated among vertebrates followed by Reptiles, Amphibia, Mammals and least with Aves.

• Flora Species: India also added 339 taxa to its plant database, including 326 species, and 13 infraspecific taxa. 

• Of these, 171 taxa are new to science and 168 taxa are new distributional records from India. 

• Taxa: It can refer to a sub-species or variety of a plant species.

• Example: Curcuma kakchingense, a new species of turmeric found in Manipur’s Kakching, and Asystasia venui, a flowering plant discovered in the Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden at Howrah in West Bengal.

• Plant Discoveries 2023: It is an annual publication by the Botanical Survey of India, according to it, there are 106 angiosperms, 2 Pteridophytes, 16 Bryophytes, 44 lichens, 111 fungi, 50 algae and 10 microbes. 

• The hotspot regions such as Western Ghats, and North Eastern Regions have contributed 14% of total discoveries.

States on the Top

• New Fauna: Most of the new animal discoveries were reported from southern India. Kerala topped the list, with 101 additions, followed by West Bengal with 72 new species, and Tamil Nadu with 64.

• New Wild Plants: West Bengal recorded the highest number of new plant discoveries, with 52 new taxa, followed by Kerala and Uttarakhand. 

Significance of Fauna of India Checklist Portal

• Conservation and Protection: By documenting all known animal species in India, this list provides a baseline to track changes in biodiversity and identify threatened or endangered species that require targeted conservation efforts. 

• Scientific Research: The detailed inventory of India’s fauna will serve as an invaluable resource for scientists, researchers, and policymakers to better understand the country’s rich ecological diversity and make informed decisions about sustainable management of natural resources. 

• International Leadership: As India is the first country in the world to prepare such a comprehensive national-level checklist of its entire fauna, it positions India as a global leader in biodiversity documentation and conservation, setting an example for other countries to follow. 

• Informing Policy and Planning: It will help the government develop more effective policies and programs for wildlife protection, habitat preservation, and environmental management across India. 

• It will serve as an invaluable reference for taxonomists, researchers, academicians, conservation managers, and policymakers. 

Initiatives by India to Promote Biodiversity Conservation

India’s tradition, ethos and values respect nature and promote biodiversity conservation. 

• ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Programme

• PM’s Mission LIFE 

• India Business and Biodiversity Initiative (IBBI)

• Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010

• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystem

• Establishment of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

• The Global Tiger Initiative (GTI)

• Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE)

Global Initiatives to Promote Biodiversity Conservation:

• Nagoya Protocol

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

• World Wide Fund for Nature

• International Big Cat Alliance 

• Emphasis on Recycle Economy: It means whatever we take from nature, efforts should be made to return the same in pristine, pure form.

• It is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. It implies reducing waste to a minimum.

About Zoological Survey of India

• It is a subordinate organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests and was founded in 1916. 

• It serves as a national faunistic survey center, advancing knowledge about India’s diverse fauna. 

• Headquarters: Kolkata

• It has 16 regional stations across the country.

Context: Recently the Government approved for viability gap funding (VGF) covering 36 per cent of the total project cost for offshore wind energy projects.

• The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Union Ministry of Power are responsible for the cost and construction of the entire power evacuation infrastructure.

National Offshore Wind Energy Policy 2015

• Objective: It is designed to stimulate the expansion of offshore wind energy within the nation. 

• The policy established a regulatory structure for offshore wind energy growth, spanning up to 200 nautical miles from the coastline and encompassing the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Wind Energy in India

• India’s installed wind power capacity is the 4th largest in the world. 

• The wind power capacity is mainly spread across, southern, western and north-western regions of India.

• Wind power accounts for nearly 10% of India’s total installed utility power generation capacity in the fiscal year 2022–23, which is nearly 4.43% of total electricity generation.

• Gujarat has the highest share (around 24%) and Tamil Nadu’s was 2nd highest (around 23% share)  of the total installed wind power capacity of the country.

Viability Gap Funding Scheme

• It provides financial support in the form of grants, one time or deferred, to economically desirable but commercially unviable infrastructure projects undertaken through PPPs with a view to make them commercially viable.

• Administered by:  Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance 

• AIM: This funding attracts private investment into sectors where projects would otherwise be financially unfeasible due to high initial costs or long gestation periods. Both of which we witness in wind energy installations.

Viability gap funding set to boost offshore wind energy space

• The VGF scheme is a major step towards implementation of the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy notified in 2015 with an aim to exploit the vast offshore wind energy potential that exists within the exclusive economic zone of India.  

• Benefits: VGF support from the Government will reduce the cost of power from offshore wind projects and make them viable for purchase by DISCOMs.

Anticipated Benefits Of This Initiative

• Clean Energy: 1 GW offshore wind projects are expected to generate approximately 3.72 billion units of renewable electricity annually 

• This significant production of clean energy will lead to a reduction of 2.98 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, sustained over a 25-year period. 

• India’s ocean-based economic activities (blue economy): It is projected to create a robust ecosystem for offshore wind energy, facilitating the development of an initial 37 GW with an estimated investment of Rs 4,500 billion.

• Infrastructure Development: Upgraded port facilities will ensure the efficient transport and installation of heavy and large-dimension equipment, which is crucial for the smooth execution of offshore projects. 

• It will be supported by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

• Economic growth and energy security: This infrastructure development is expected to drive job creation, attract investment and foster the development of indigenous manufacturing capabilities, contributing to economic growth and energy security.

• No Land Acquisition barrier: It solves the issue of land inadequacy and remains unaffected by physical barriers that can interrupt wind flow over land, overcoming some of the challenges faced by the wind energy sector currently

Offshore Wind

• It is the energy derived from winds blowing across the sea, transformed into electricity and supplied into the electricity network onshore.

• MNRE has set a target of 30 GW offshore wind installations by 2030.

• Potential with India: India is blessed with a coastline of about 7600 km surrounded by water on three sides and has good prospects of harnessing offshore wind energy.

Why Prefer Offshore than Onshore? 

• Onshore wind energy: It is the power that’s generated by wind turbines located on land driven by the natural movement of the air. 

• Less Obstruction: Absence of any obstruction in the sea offers much better quality of wind and its conversion to electrical energy. 

• Larger in Size: Offshore wind turbines are much larger in size (in range of 5 to 10 MW per turbine) as against 2-3 MW of an onshore wind turbine. 

• Higher efficiencies: Cost per MW for offshore turbines are higher because of stronger structures and foundations needed in marine environments, the desirable tariffs can be achieved on account of higher efficiencies of these turbines after development of the ecosystem.

Anticipated Challenges & Road Ahead

• Financial Challenges: Would VGF amount be sufficient for Independent Power  Producers (IPPs) to generate and sell offshore wind power at competitive rates to state DISCOMs. 

• Power Purchase agreement (PPA) tariff is a critical factor: The current rates may not fully cover the costs without further additional support in implementation. 

• To address the financial challenges: Considerations for waiving customs duty on offshore wind turbine generators (WTGs), submarine cables and foundations, as the supply chain for these components is not well established currently in India. 

• Regulatory Challenges: The support measures must be direct in resolving power procurement risks from DISCOMS and define various environmental standards on off-shore wind which will strengthen India’s wind energy value chain development.

• Restrict Movements: Development of off-shore activities comes under ambit of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone regulatory rules that govern exploration and extraction. 

• Current rules restrict movements, which may enhance cost-effectiveness of construction and installations. Such as specialized marines vessels to construct large turbines, off-shore platforms, etc.

• Building Institutional capacity: At the National Institute of Wind Energy needs to be strengthened

• Coordination between Departments: Offices in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu linked to the maritime, fisheries, and environment departments, to help guide, process, coordinate and approve every project’s EIA, development and other statutory process smoothly with no congestion-based barriers. 

Context: Recently, the World Bank approved the 1.5 billion dollars for the First Low-Carbon Energy Programmatic Development Policy Operation. The fresh funding is expected to help India expand its green hydrogen production and boost the mobilisation of finance for low-carbon investments.

Background

• In June 2023, the World Bank approved the 1.5 billion dollars for the First Low-Carbon Energy Programmatic Development Policy Operation.

• The fresh funding is expected to help India expand its green hydrogen production and boost the mobilisation of finance for low-carbon investments.

India’s Green Energy Transition

• India, as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, faces a critical challenge in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.

• Central to this challenge is the transition from conventional fossil fuels to cleaner, renewable energy sources. 

• This shift is not merely a trend but a necessity driven by global environmental concerns, energy security, and economic imperatives.

• India is pursuing energy transition in various sectors including electricity, industry, transport, agriculture, cooking, etc

Present Status 

• India stands 4th globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity (including Large Hydro), 4th in Wind Power capacity & 5th in Solar Power capacity (as per REN21 Renewables 2024 Global Status Report).

• India saw the highest year-on-year growth in renewable energy additions of 9.83% in 2022. 

• The installed solar energy capacity has increased by 30 times in the last 9 years and stands at 84.27 GW as of May 2024. 

• India has been ranked 63rd on a global Energy Transition Index released June 2024 by the World Economic Forum.

Advantages

• Environmental: With cities grappling with severe air pollution and concerns over climate change growing, reducing dependency on coal and fossil fuels is crucial to improving air quality and mitigating global warming.

• Energy Security: Diversifying energy sources enhances India’s energy security by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, thus stabilising energy prices and mitigating geopolitical risks.

• Economic Opportunities: The renewable energy sector offers significant economic opportunities, including job creation, technological innovation, and attracting investments.

• India has become a global hub for solar energy manufacturing, driving down costs and increasing accessibility.

• Inspiration  for World: India can serve as an example for the world by fostering what is potentially the largest green workforce in the world and building a domestic supply of critical battery materials via recycling, contributing significantly to the fight against climate change on both national and international scales.

Challenges 

• Financial Viability and Cost Competitiveness: the costs of renewable energy technologies, particularly solar and wind, have decreased significantly over the years, achieving cost competitiveness with conventional sources remains a challenge.

• Factors such as initial capital costs, land acquisition, and financing barriers can make renewable projects financially challenging, especially for smaller developers and in rural areas.

• Infrastructure Development: Building the necessary infrastructure to support renewable energy deployment, such as transmission lines, substations, and energy storage facilities, is essential but often faces logistical and bureaucratic hurdles.

• Delays in infrastructure development can hinder the timely commissioning of renewable projects and affect grid connectivity.

• Policy and Regulatory Framework: Inconsistencies in policies across different states, regulatory delays in project approvals, and evolving regulatory frameworks pose challenges for investors and developers.

• Lack trained manpower: there is a shortage of trained professionals and technicians with specialized skills in renewable energy technologies.

Initiatives 

• India has taken bold action to develop a domestic market for green hydrogen, underpinned by rapidly expanding renewable energy capacity.

• The first tenders under the National Green Hydrogen Mission’s incentive scheme have demonstrated significant private sector interest

• Permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route for renewable energy projects

• Launch of Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop etc.

• Panchamrit: The country has set an enhanced target at the COP26 of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030. This has been a key pledge under the Panchamrit. 

• India has implemented various measures, including the waiver of transmission system charges for inter-state solar and wind power sales, establishing renewable power purchase obligations, and creating Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks.

• In October 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) for the first time at the First Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). 

Road Ahead

• India’s resources, including its long coastline, abundant sunshine, and various vacant lands, can facilitate renewable power generation via hydro, solar, and wind. 

• The nation thus has the potential to rank among the top global producers of both wind and solar energy.

• Continued commitment to renewable energy targets, supportive policies, technological advancements, and international collaborations will be key to accelerating India’s green energy transition.

• By addressing existing challenges effectively, India can not only meet its energy needs sustainably but also emerge as a global leader in renewable energy innovation and implementation.

Context: Kenya is grappling with a severe financial crisis triggered by a heavy debt burden, compounded by a controversial finance bill proposing tax hikes. The issue has resulted in widespread protests, showcasing the delicate balance between debt management and public welfare.

Controversy Surrounding the Finance Bill

• Introduction to the Issue: The Kenyan government's decision to introduce an IMF-backed finance bill to increase taxes on essentials sparked protests. This move, aimed at stabilizing the country's debt-laden economy, faced significant backlash.

• Debate Over Public Sentiment: The bill's proposal to raise taxes on items such as sanitary pads, fuel, and bread led to public outrage, resulting in violent protests that left at least 23 people dead and 200 injured.

• Government's Response: Following the protests, President William Ruto announced he would not sign the bill, highlighting the government's need to consider public sentiment while addressing economic challenges.

Impact on Kenya's Economy and Debt Situation

• Debt Burden: Kenya's debt, both domestic and foreign, reached $80 billion last year, accounting for nearly three-fourths of its GDP. The country spends over half of its revenue on debt servicing.

• Economic Strain: The COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war exacerbated Kenya's financial woes, with rising global food and energy prices impacting the economy.

• Reliance on Multinational Lenders: Kenya's development model relies heavily on loans from the IMF, World Bank, and bilateral partners like China. However, the rising debt burden poses significant challenges for economic stability.

Challenges and Policy Implications

• Implementation Hurdles: The proposed tax hikes were intended to raise an additional 200 billion Kenyan shillings ($1.55 billion) but faced strong public opposition and implementation challenges.

• IMF's Role: The IMF's stringent conditions for additional lending and tax reforms have been criticized for being one-sided, potentially exacerbating public discontent and economic instability.

• Need for Balanced Measures: Moving forward, President Ruto must balance austerity measures with the needs of the populace. International lenders should support African countries in debt distress without further impoverishing their citizens.

Context: According to the latest report by the World Bank, the growth in remittances to India is likely to halve in 2024 compared to 2023. 

• This slowdown is attributed to "reduced outflows from GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, amid declining oil prices and production cuts.

About Remittances

• Remittances are the funds or goods that migrants send back to their families in their home country to provide financial support.

• They are an important source of income and foreign exchange for many developing countries, especially those in South Asia.

• Remittances can help reduce poverty, improve living standards, support education and health care, and stimulate economic activity.

• India sent out 18.7 million emigrants in 2023.

Growth of Remittances

• India received USD 120 billion in remittances in 2023 with growth at 7.5%.

• It is forecasted to grow at 3.7% in 2024 to reach USD 124 billion, while the growth estimate for 2025 is 4% and it is expected to reach USD 129 billion by 2025. 

Remittances Inflows in Countries

• In 2023, India topped in remittances inflow list, followed by Mexico (USD 66 billion), China (USD 50 billion), the Philippines (USD 39 billion), and Pakistan (USD 27 billion).

• India's foreign assets increased more than liabilities in 2023-24 according to RBI data.

Migration Trends

• In 2023, there were approximately 302.1 million international migrants globally, according to World Bank data.

• Economic migrants constituted an estimated 252 million of the total international migrants.

• Refugees and asylum seekers numbered around 50.3 million in 2023, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

What are the Factors Affecting Remittance Flows to India?

Top Sources of Remittances for India:

• Around 36% of total remittance flows to India are sent by high-skilled Indian migrants residing in 3 high-income countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore.

• The post-pandemic recovery led to a tight labour market in these regions, resulting in wage hikes that boosted remittances.

• Among the other high-income destinations for Indian migrants, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, UAE accounted for 18% of India's remittance flows, while Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar collectively accounted for 11%. 

Reason for Consistent Remittance Inflow

• 1) Strong Economic Conditions

• In developed economies like the US, UK, and Singapore, lower inflation and strong labour markets have benefited skilled Indian professionals, resulting in increased remittance inflows to India.

• High employment growth and a general decrease in inflation in Europe contributed to the increase in remittances worldwide.

• 2) Diversified Migrant Pool

• India's migrant pool is no longer concentrated solely on high-income countries. A significant portion resides in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), offering a buffer during economic downturns in either region.

• Favorable economic conditions in GCC, including high energy prices and curbed food price inflation have positively impacted employment and incomes for Indian migrants, especially those in less-skilled sectors.

• India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a pact in 2023 to establish a Local Currency Settlement System (LCSS) to promote the use of the Indian rupee (INR) and UAE Dirham (AED) for cross-border transactions further boosting remittance flows.

Improved Remittance Channels

• Initiatives like Unified Payment Interface (UPI) have enabled real-time fund transfers, allowing remittances to be sent and received instantly.

• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has allowed NRIs to use UPI in several countries including Singapore, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, USA, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Mauritius, France, Nepal.

How can Remittance Inflow in India be Increased?

• Boosting Financial Inclusion: World Bank data indicates only 80% of Indians have bank accounts. Expanding formal financial services, especially in rural areas can facilitate easier remittance transfers through a wider network of bank branches, ATMs, and digital platforms.

• Reducing Remittance Costs: As per World Bank data, India has high remittance costs (5-6%).

• Introducing competition between remittance service providers and promoting digital channels can lower transaction costs, while government incentives for formal channels can boost adoption.

• Enhancing Remittance Infrastructure: Upgrading payment systems and leveraging new technologies like blockchain can streamline the remittance process. 

• The Reserve Bank of India's Centralized Payment System such as Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) is a step towards this goal.

• Targeted Diaspora Engagement: Increased government engagement with the Indian diaspora through programs like Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and the Know India Programme can strengthen connections. 

• Offering attractive investment options and tax breaks, as suggested by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) data can incentivize higher remittance inflows.

• Promoting Economic Stability: Implementing sound macroeconomic policies, improving the ease of doing business, and addressing corruption is crucial for diaspora confidence which can create a more attractive environment for remittance flows .

Context: Recently, NITI Aayog launched a nationwide campaign namely Sampoornata Abhiyan with a focus to attain saturation in 12 key social sector indicators in 500 aspirational blocks and 112 aspirational districts.

About Sampoornata Abhiyan

• It is a 3-month campaign to achieve saturation of 6 key indicators in Aspirational Districts and 6 key indicators in Aspirational Blocks.

• It seeks to achieve saturation in each of the 6 identified indicators in the 112 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks under the Aspirational Districts Programme and Aspirational Blocks Programme.

• Districts and blocks are under the Aspirational Districts Programme and Aspirational Blocks Programme respectively.

• Key indicators across aspirational districts include number of Soil Health Cards distributed, percentage of schools with functional electricity at the secondary level, percentage of children fully immunized, etc.

• Key indicators across aspirational blocks include percentage of persons screened for Diabetes and hypertension, Percentage of SHGs that have received a Revolving Fund, etc.

• The campaign emphasizes collaboration among local and state governments, central ministries, and NITI Aayog officials to support and guide local governance.

About  Aspirational Districts 

• Launched in 2018 under NITI Aayog.

• Aims to quickly and effectively transform 112 districts across the country.

Focuses on five themes

1. Health & Nutrition 

2. Education

3. Agriculture & Water Resources 

4. Financial Inclusion & Skill Development

5. Infrastructure

Progress is measured on 81 indicators of development.

About Aspirational Blocks Programme

• Launched in 2023 under NITI Aayog.

• Aims for saturation of essential government services in 500 Blocks(329 Districts) across the country.

Focuses on five themes

1. Health & Nutrition

2. Education

3. Agriculture and Allied Services 

4. Basic Infrastructure

5. Social Development

Progress is measured on 40 indicators of development.

Context: The updated new base year for national accounts and other macro-indicators is expected to come into effect from January-February 2026, coinciding with the first and second advance estimates of national income for FY26.

What is base year?

• The base year for national accounts and macro-indicators such as GDP, CPI, WPI, and IIP serves as a benchmark to measure economic performance and inflation trends accurately.

• Previous Base Year: India's last update was in January 2015, setting 2011-12 as the base year, replacing the older 2004-05 base year. This update was in line with NSC recommendations for periodic revisions.

• Establishment of ACNAS: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has set up the Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics (ACNAS). ACNAS will advise on the selection of the new base year for GDP and ensure alignment with other macro-indicators.

• The new base year is slated to take effect from January-February 2026. This timeline coincides with the release of the first and second advance estimates of national income for FY26, ensuring a seamless transition.

• The development comes at a time when the government is planning to update the base year for major macro-indicators such as:

1. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

2. wholesale price index (WPI) used for wholesale inflation

3. consumer price index (CPI) used to determine consumer inflation,

4. index of industrial production (IIP) used for calculation of industrial growth

Important Concepts

• GDP (Gross Domestic Product): GDP measures the total monetary value of all finished goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period (usually annually or quarterly). It is a key indicator of the economic health and size of a country's economy.

• WPI (Wholesale Price Index): The WPI measures and tracks changes in the price of goods traded in bulk by wholesale businesses. It is used to calculate inflation at the wholesale level and serves as an indicator of cost pressures in production.

• CPI (Consumer Price Index): The CPI measures changes in the prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services. It is a crucial indicator of inflation as experienced by households and is used to adjust income and assess economic policies.

• IIP (Index of Industrial Production): The IIP measures the changes in the volume of production in the industrial sector of an economy over a specific period. It provides insights into the growth or contraction of industrial output, including manufacturing, mining, and electricity generation.

Context: The recent factory explosion in the Dombivli Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) area highlights systemic issues in industrial safety and the effectiveness of the labour inspection system in India. 

• This incident, along with previous accidents, underscores the need for comprehensive reform in the inspection and regulatory mechanisms to ensure worker safety and compliance with industrial regulations.

Issues with Industrial Safety and Inspections

• Frequency of Accidents: Industrial accidents in Maharashtra have been frequent, with significant incidents reported in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2023. The recent explosion in 2024 further exemplifies ongoing safety issues.

• Inspection Rates and Personnel Shortages: In Maharashtra, only 23.89% of hazardous factories and 8.04% of registered factories were inspected in 2021. Personnel shortages contribute to this low inspection rate, with only 39.34% of sanctioned officers appointed.

• Prosecution Rates: The low prosecution rates in states like Gujarat (6.95%), Maharashtra (13.84%), and Tamil Nadu (14.45%) diminish the deterrent effect of inspections, leading to persistent safety violations.

Challenges and Criticisms of the Inspection System

• Inspector-Raj and Corruption: Employers often criticize the inspection system as "inspector-raj," citing harassment and bribery. While there are instances of misuse of power by inspectors, employers are also complicit in avoiding compliance through corrupt practices.

• Self-Certification and Randomized Inspections: Reforms like self-certification, randomised inspections, and third-party certification have been introduced but fail to address the core issues. These measures violate the International Labour Organization’s Labour Inspection Convention (081), 1947, which mandates qualified inspectors and unannounced inspections.

• Ineffective Reforms: The current reforms have not strengthened labour market governance. Instead, they have weakened the inspection system, failing to ensure compliance with safety regulations and exposing workers to greater risks.

Recommendations for Effective Inspection Reforms

• Strengthening Labour Market Governance: Governments should implement the provisions of the ILO Convention, ensuring sufficient qualified inspectors and unannounced inspections to secure compliance with labour laws.

• Penalties for Government Failures: There should be a penal system for government officials who fail in their duty to enforce safety regulations, ensuring accountability and compliance.

• Balancing Inspection and Facilitation: Inspectors should not only enforce laws but also provide advice to employers and unions, helping them comply with regulations and improving overall industrial safety.

Consequences of Such Industrial and Chemical Accidents

• Loss of Life and Injuries: Industrial accidents result in numerous fatalities and serious injuries.

• Environmental Damage: Chemical leaks, explosions, and improper waste disposal can cause severe environmental damage (air, water, and soil pollution).

• Economic Disruptions: The cost of repairing damage to facilities, compensating victims’ families, and treating injured workers can be substantial.

• A study by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that chemical accidents can decrease property values in surrounding areas by 5-7%, further impacting the local economy.

• Psychological Trauma: The trauma associated with industrial accidents can have long-lasting psychological effects on survivors, witnesses, and families of victims.

• Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common consequences.

• Loss of Public Trust: Frequent industrial accidents can erode public trust in regulatory bodies and industries. This can lead to public fear and resistance to new industrial projects.

Reasons for frequent Industrial disasters

• Lax safety standards: Some factories prioritize production over safety, neglecting proper inspections and certifications.

Inadequate Inspections

• Low Inspection Rates: For example, Maharashtra had inspection rates of 23.89% for hazardous factories and 8.04% for general factories in 2021.

• Staff Shortages: Insufficient number of inspectors; Maharashtra filled only 39.34% of sanctioned positions.

Compliance Issues

• Unregistered Equipment: Instances of crucial safety equipment, like boilers, being unregistered and unchecked. Eg. Bhopal gas tragedy due to faulty storage and lack of safety measures.

• Prosecution Inefficiency: Low prosecution rates dilute the deterrent effect of inspections.

Institutional and Structural Problems

• Inspector Workload: Inspectors face an overwhelming number of factories to inspect annually, reducing the effectiveness of inspections.

• Corruption and Bribery: Accusations of inspectors demanding bribes and compromising safety standards.

• Employer Negligence: Instances of employers bypassing safety protocols through “understandings” with auditors and inspectors.

• Delayed relocation of hazardous facilities: Despite plans, states like Maharashtra has not relocated dangerous factories, keeping workers and residents at risk.

Reforms Needed

Increase Inspection Coverage

• More Inspectors: Fill all sanctioned inspector positions and consider increasing the number of positions to reduce individual workload.

• Regular and Random Inspections: Ensure that inspections are conducted regularly and randomly to prevent predictability and complacency.

Improve Compliance and Monitoring

• Digital Tracking Systems: Implement digital systems to track compliance and inspection status of factories.

• Transparency in Inspections: Publish inspection reports and compliance statuses online for public access.

• Comprehensive Training: Provide rigorous training for inspectors on the latest safety standards, technologies, and inspection techniques.

• Adequate Resources: Ensure inspectors have the necessary tools and resources to conduct thorough inspections.

Stricter Penalties

• Penalties for Non-Compliance: Increase fines and penalties for factories found non-compliant with safety regulations.

• Accountability for Inspectors: Introduce penalties for inspectors found engaging in corrupt practices or negligence.

• Legislative Reforms: Update and strengthen existing labor and safety laws to reflect current industrial practices and technologies.

• Safety Training for Workers: Regular safety training programs for workers to educate them on best practices and emergency procedures.

• Safety Audits: Encourage third-party safety audits to provide an unbiased review of factory safety standards.

• Incentives for Compliance: Introduce incentives for factories that consistently comply with safety regulations and demonstrate best practices.

• Adopt ILO Guidelines: Align national safety regulations with the International Labour Organization’s Labour Inspection Convention (081) to ensure comprehensive and effective inspections.

• Global Best Practices: Study and adopt best practices from countries with exemplary industrial safety records.

About the labour codes

• The new set of regulations consolidates 44 labour laws under 4 categories of Codes namely:

1. Wage Code

2. Social Security Code

3. Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions Code

4. Industrial Relations Code.

The Code on Wages, 2019

• It applies to all the employees in the organized as well as unorganized sector

• It aims to regulate wage and bonus payments in all employments and aims at providing equal remuneration to employees performing work of a similar nature in every industry, trade, business, or manufacture.

The Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions, 2020

• It seeks to regulate the health and safety conditions of workers in establishments with 10 or more workers, and in all mines and docks.

The Code on Social Security, 2020

• It consolidates nine laws related to social security and maternity benefits.

The Code on Industrial Relations, 2020

It seeks to consolidate three labour laws namely:

1. The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

2. The Trade Unions Act, 1926

3. The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.

• The Code aims to improve the business environment in the country largely by reducing the labour compliance burden of industries.

Occupational Safety in India

• In India, the statistics concerning industrial accidents and eventually occupational safety are produced by the Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020

• spells out duties of employers and employees

• envisages safety standards for different sectors

• focusing on the health and working condition of workers, hours of work, leaves, etc.

• The code recognises the right of contractual workers.

• The code provides for statutory benefits like social security and wages to fixed-term employees at par with their permanent counterparts.

• The code brings in gender equality and empowers the women workforce.

• Women will be entitled to be employed in all establishments for all types of work and, with consent, can work before 6 am and beyond 7 pm subject to such conditions relating to safety, holidays and working hours.

Conclusion

• The recurring industrial disasters in India underscore the need for robust regulatory reforms. A strong, ethical, and efficient labour inspection system, aligned with ILO conventions, is essential to prevent future tragedies and ensure a safe working and living environment for all.

Context: Recently, the 1st International Conference on Steel Slag Road jointly organized by CSIR-CRRI (Central Road Research Institute) and PHDCCI( PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry) at New-Delhi, 

• It released the Guidelines for Utilization and Processing of Steel Slag as Processed Steel Slag Aggregates in Road Construction.

Steel Slag

• Steel Slag is a by-product of steel making, produced during the separation of the molten steel from impurities in steel-making furnaces. 

• The slag occurs as a molten liquid melt and is a complex solution of silicates and oxides that solidifies upon cooling.

• Composition: The composition of steel slag varies depending on the process and type of steel production. It generally consists of lime (CaO), silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), and magnesia (MgO) in varying proportions.

• Applications: Road base course material, Raw material for rock wool, Calcium silicate fertiliser, Fine aggregate for concrete, Soil improvement, raw material for cement etc.

• Uses of Steel Slag: It is used as an aggregate and is considered a standard practice with applications that include its use in granular base, embankments, engineered fill, highway shoulders, and hot mix asphalt pavement.

• Steel slag can be used in the agricultural sector:  It has the ability to correct soil acidity. 

• In fact, developed countries like Japan, the USA have taken the lead in making fertilisers using steel-making slag.

Steel Slag Road Technology

• The Steel Slag Road Technology has been developed by the Central Road Research Institute under a research project in collaboration with the Ministry of Steel, Government of India and four major steel manufacturing companies of the country.

• It uses steel slag (metal waste) from steel production, to create stronger and more durable roads. 

• The process involves removing impurities and metal content from the slag and using it as an aggregate for road construction. 

• This processed steel slag has high strength, hardness, abrasion resistance, skid resistance, and drainage capacity, making it ideal for road building. It is eco-friendly, cost-effective and durable.

• Every year in India, approximately 1.8 billion tonnes of natural aggregates are needed for construction and maintenance projects. This demand can be partially met by using processed steel slag aggregates as a substitute.

• India's First Steel Slag Road was built at Surat.

Advantages

• Eco-friendly waste management:

• Utilises steel slag waste in road construction, providing an environmentally friendly solution.

• Reduces landfill burden and environmental impact from steel slag disposal.

• Cost-effective and long-lasting:

• Steel slag roads are approximately 30 per cent cheaper to construct than traditional paving methods.

• These roads are highly durable and weather-resistant, leading to significantly lower maintenance costs.

• Minimising natural resource depletion:

• Reduces the reliance on natural ballast and aggregates, conserving valuable resources.

• Helps preserve natural ecosystems by eliminating the need for traditional road construction materials.

• Managing steel slag waste:

• India produces around 19 million tonnes of steel slag annually, expected to reach 60 million tonnes by 2030.

• Inefficient disposal methods have led to large slag piles around steel plants, causing pollution.

• Challenging terrain success: Border Roads Organisation (BRO), in collaboration with CRRI and Tata Steel, constructed a steel slag road in Arunachal Pradesh, showcasing the technology’s suitability for difficult terrains and essential infrastructure.

• Waste to Wealth:

• This technology is making significant contributions to realize the vision of “Waste to Wealth”. 

What is Waste to Wealth?

• It seeks to convert wastes from environmental and economic liabilities to valuable resources that create livable jobs and provide community development opportunities.

• It includes take-back, recycling and final disposal at the end of their useful life, in a way promoting circular economy.

Context: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India has released the 29th issue of the Financial Stability Report (FSR).

• The latest report shows that India’s financial system is strong and stable. Non-performing assets are low, but risks like shadow banking and climate change need monitoring. 

• The report highlights global monetary trends, lower demand, and the impact of climate risks on the economy.

RBI’s Financial Stability Report reveal about India’s financial system

• The RBI’s Financial Stability Report highlights a strong and stable financial system in India.

• A key indicator, the gross ratio of non-performing assets, is at a multi-year low of 2.8%, suggesting improved bank health.

• The report anticipates a continued decrease in non-performing assets, underscoring a positive outlook for the banking sector.

Potential risks

• Shadow Banking Sector: The Financial Stability Report highlights the potential risks from non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). Despite stricter regulations post the IL&FS collapse, the heavy borrowing by NBFCs from banks poses a systemic risk.

• Maturity Transformation: The activities of NBFCs involve maturity transformation, where they fund long-term loans with short-term borrowings. This can lead to instability if there are sudden shifts in market conditions.

• Climate and Cyber Risks: Both climate change and cyber threats are identified as significant macro-financial risks in the report. The increasing incidence and potential impact of climate-related events and cyber-attacks require urgent attention and preparation from financial regulators and institutions.

• Consumer Demand and Economic Growth: Lower consumption and demand are also noted as increasing risks, impacting overall economic growth and potentially leading to broader financial instability. Concerns about stagnant wages and employment contribute to these risks.

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has joined Project Nexus, a multilateral international initiative to enable instant cross-border retail payments by interlinking domestic Fast Payments Systems (FPSs). 

• India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and FPSs of Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand will be interlinked through Nexus. Going ahead, the platform can be extended to more countries.

• In over 70 countries today domestic payments reach their destination in seconds at near-zero cost to the Sender or Recipient. 

• This is thanks to the growing availability of instant payment systems (IPS). Connecting these IPS to each other can enable cross-border payments from Sender to Recipient within 60 seconds (in most cases).

What is Project Nexus?

• Project Nexus is a multilateral international initiative among central banks and financial authorities to enable instant cross-border retail payments.

• Initiated by: Innovation Hub of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS)

• It is the first BIS Innovation Hub project in the payments area to move towards live implementation

• It focuses on linking domestic instant payment systems (IPS) globally, enabling near-instantaneous transactions between countries.

• Founding members of Project: Central banks of India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

• The platform standardizes the connection process, making it easier for countries to join and allowing for rapid expansion of cross-border payment capabilities.

Key Objectives

• Standardization of IPS Connections: Instead of creating custom connections for each country, Nexus provides a unified platform where a single connection enables access to all member countries.

• Facilitation of Instant Cross-Border Payments: By interlinking FPSs, Project Nexus aims to reduce the time and cost associated with cross-border transactions, aiming for transaction times within 60 seconds in most cases.

• The platform is expected to go live by 2026.

Benefits of Project Nexus

• Enhanced Efficiency: Standardized connections streamline the process of linking domestic FPSs, reducing the complexities involved in establishing cross-border payment networks.

• Reduced Costs: Near-zero costs to both senders and recipients are expected due to the efficiency gains and elimination of intermediary fees associated with traditional cross-border transactions.

• Improved Accessibility: Enables broader access to instant cross-border payments, promoting financial inclusion and facilitating smoother international transactions for individuals and businesses alike.

Context: The coexistence of labour shortages in a labour surplus economy is not just a matter of skills but also of a conducive employment market. This challenge calls for the setting up of a smooth online mechanism for labour demand and supply to meet.

Key issue

• The Indian labour market faces a paradox of labour shortages despite a surplus workforce. This is compounded by skill gaps and search frictions that prevent efficient matching between employers and job seekers. 

• The rapid spread of digital public infrastructure offers a potential solution to enhance labour market efficiency.

Labour Market Paradox

• Skill Gaps: Many graduates lack the skills demanded by employers, contributing to the paradox of labour shortages in a surplus economy.

• Search Frictions: Search costs, risks, and imperfect information hinder the seamless matching of employers and job seekers, as highlighted by economists like Peter A. Diamond, Dale T. Mortensen, and Christopher A. Pissarides.

• Informal Networks: Informal job searches through social networks help reduce search costs but are limited in scope and efficiency.

Role of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

• Reducing Transaction Costs: Digital platforms like the United Payments Interface and Open Network for Digital Commerce have reduced transaction costs in various sectors. A similar platform for the labour market could enhance job matching efficiency.

• Connecting Employers and Job Seekers: A digital platform could facilitate connections between employers and potential workers, addressing search frictions and improving labour market dynamics.

• Boosting Wages and Productivity: By improving information flow and matching efficiency, a digital platform could help workers find better-paying jobs, thereby boosting wages and productivity.

Steps to Enhance Labour Market Efficiency

• Developing a Digital Platform: Building a digital public platform to connect employers with job seekers, similar to successful models in other sectors.

• Integrating Welfare Schemes: Incorporating key welfare schemes into the platform to support job seekers and enhance their bargaining power.

• Addressing Skill Gaps: Focusing on skill development initiatives to align the workforce with industry demands, complementing the digital platform's job matching efforts.

Context: The discussion on whether India needs a new poverty line centers on the criteria used to measure poverty and its implications for welfare benefits. This issue addresses the adequacy of current poverty thresholds, regional economic disparities, and the capacity of statistical machinery to capture accurate data.

What is Poverty?

• Poverty goes beyond income scarcity, encompassing challenges like poor health, inadequate education, unsafe living conditions, and vulnerability to violence.

• The NITI Aayog currently measures poverty through Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). The MPI captures overlapping deprivations (dimensions of poverty) in health, education and living standards.

• Multidimensional Poverty: Measures multiple deprivations in daily life such as poor health, lack of education, inadequate living standards, disempowerment, poor quality of work, the threat of violence, and living in areas that are environmentally hazardous, among others.

• Multidimensionally poor: An individual who is deprived of one-third or more of the weighted indicators.

• Extreme Multidimensional Poverty: Any person deprived of one-half or more of the weighted indicators.

Challenges

• As India progresses towards equitable development, adapting social protection programs becomes crucial.

• Required measures: The research emphasizes that traditional strategies for chronic poverty may need revision, as economic growth shifts the focus towards addressing transient factors like natural disasters, health crises, and changes in employment opportunities.

Government Measures to eliminate poverty

• October 17 is observed as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

• National Food for Work Programme: The National Food for Work Programme was launched on November 14, 2004 in 150 most backward districts of the country with the objective to intensify the generation of supplementary wage employment.

• Swaranjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY): SGSY, launched in April 1999, aims at bringing the assisted poor families (Swarozgaris) above the poverty line by organizing them into Self Help Groups (SHGs) through a mix of Bank credit and Government subsidy.

• Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY): SGRY, launched in 2001, aims at providing additional wage employment in all rural areas and thereby food security and improve nutritional levels. The SGRY is open to all rural poor who are in need of wage employment and desire to do manual and unskilled work around the village/habitat. The programme is implemented through the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

• Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY): PMGY launched in 2000-01 envisages allocation of Additional Central Assistance (ACA) to the States and UTs for selected basic services such as primary health, primary education, rural shelter, rural drinking water, nutrition and rural electrification.

• Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP): To create self-employment opportunities in rural areas and small towns, it is being implemented by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

• Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana (PMRY): The objective is making available self-employment opportunities to the educated unemployed youth by assisting them in setting up any economically viable activity.

Poverty Thresholds in India

• Introduction to the Issue: The poverty line in India has evolved over time, with various committees proposing different definitions based on calorie intake and non-food expenditures. The Tendulkar Committee's thresholds from 2009 and 2011 remain the official benchmarks.

• Calorie-Based Definition: Initially, poverty was measured by calorie intake, determining the income needed to consume around 2,000 calories per day. This simplistic approach was later expanded to include essential non-food expenditures.

• Committee Recommendations: The Tendulkar Committee set the poverty line at Rs 447 per month in rural areas and Rs 579 in urban areas in 2009, revised to Rs 816 and Rs 1,000 respectively in 2011. Despite subsequent recommendations from other committees, these thresholds persist.

Measuring Poverty for Welfare Transfers

• Urban vs. Rural Perspectives: It's crucial to avoid judging poverty thresholds through an urban lens, as purchasing power varies significantly across regions. A single definition may not encompass India's economic heterogeneity.

• Relative Poverty: Poverty can be viewed as relative to societal standards. A poverty threshold could be defined as an income below a certain percentage of the median income, varying by region.

• Statistical Machinery: Accurate poverty measurement requires robust statistical tools to capture household expenditures and incomes. The absence of a recent Census hampers this effort, making it difficult to implement effective poverty measurement on the ground.

Expansive Definition of Poverty

• Amartya Sen’s Perspective: Economist Amartya Sen's view of development emphasizes expanding people's freedoms. Poverty should be seen as a lack of agency to aspire for a better life.

• Escaping State Dependence: In India, escaping poverty often means minimizing dependence on the state by accessing private services. This includes private security, healthcare, education, and other amenities.

• Measurement of Agency: Household surveys should include questions about interactions with the bureaucracy and government services. The fewer interactions needed, the greater the indicator of prosperity and reduced poverty.

What is the Need of a New Official Poverty Line in India?

• Outdated Data: India's poverty line estimate based on the Tendulkar Committee (2005) is two decades old. 

• Estimating poverty on the basis of this data is a futile exercise and this grossly underestimates poverty.

Inconsistent with Global Data

• The World Bank's 2022 report says, India saw "an increase of 56 million poor people" in 2020 (at USD 2.15) due to the pandemic. 

• Pew Research Institute's March 2021 report said the number of Indian poor increased by 75 million and added that  its middle class shrinking by 32 million. 

• But India never acknowledged that poverty increased due to the pandemic or due to pre-pandemic economic shocks of demonetisation of 2016 and GST of 2017.

• Less Realistic Data

• The poverty threshold varies from state to state according to people’s social and economic conditions but the current poverty estimation is based on rural, urban and pan-India level.

• This data is less realistic due to inadequate customised measurement and inconsistent data collection methods.

• Accuracy Issues

• There is a lack of comprehensive consumption and inflation data making it impossible to get an accurate picture. 

• Indian authorities do not provide inflation data segmented by household income.

• Multidimensional poverty Index (MDPI) evaluates health, education and standard of living across 12 indicators. It relies more on survey-based data rather than actual consumption metrics.

• Institutional Issues

• India’s statistical system, which was applauded globally in the early 1950s, had been criticised by people outside as well as inside the government system in recent times.

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has failed to provide empirical data and struggled to effectively communicate its actions to the relevant stakeholders.

• Example: The findings of the Consumption Expenditure Survey 2017-18 were so abysmal that they were withdrawn by the government. 

Conclusion

• Poverty and inequality are deeply interconnected issues that affect societies worldwide, hindering social and economic progress. 

• Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes equitable economic policies, access to quality education, healthcare, and social protection. 

• India needs to address data uncertainties by establishing a more accurate and reliable measure of the poverty line and the number of people living in poverty. A revamping of poverty data for equitable distribution of income will be a step in the right direction.

Context: The article emphasizes the need for increased financial support to urban local bodies, considering their significant contribution to the national economy.

• The Finance Commission is established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution. Since the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments, local bodies have become more important in the federal system. 

• These amendments added sub-clauses 280 (3) (bb) and (c) that require the Finance Commission to suggest ways to increase state funds to support panchayats and municipalities.

What is the Importance of Cities for India?

• Cities contribute around 66% of India’s GDP and about 90% of total government revenue.

• Cities have been described as “engines of growth” by the National Commission on Urbanization.

What are the challenges faced by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India regarding financial devolution?

• Financial Devolution to Cities: Efforts by five commissions since the 11th Finance Commission have not adequately improved financial devolution to cities. The poor fiscal health of municipalities affects both city productivity and quality of life.

• Intergovernmental transfers (IGTs): Intergovernmental transfers (IGTs) to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India are about 0.5% of GDP, significantly lower than those in other developing nations like South Africa (2.6%), Mexico (1.6%) etc. These transfers constitute approximately 40% of ULBs’ overall revenue.

• State Finance Commissions: State Finance Commissions have recommended only approximately 7% of States’ own revenue in 2018-19.

• Parallel Agencies: The 13th Finance Commission noted that parallel agencies undermine local governments financially and operationally. Programs such as MPLADS and MLALADS disrupt the federal structure.

• Census Data: Without the 2021 Census, using 2011 data is insufficient for informed fiscal planning.

• Lack of Adequate Investment- A McKinsey Global Institute report warns that if India continues investing in urban infrastructure at current levels, there will be shortages in urban infrastructure, resulting in issues with water supply and untreated sewage.

• The World Bank estimates that $840 billion is needed for basic urban infrastructure in the next decade.

Key recommendation can be made by the 16th Finance Commission to overcome the financial challenges of cities

• 1) Revisit the 15th FC’s guiding principles such as-

• Enhancement of property tax collection in relation to state GST

• Maintenance of accounts

• Resource allocation for pollution mitigation

• Focus on primary health care, solid waste management, and drinking water

• 2) Consider India’s urbanization dynamics

• The 16th Finance Commission needs to recognize India’s dynamic urbanization and ensure that intergovernmental transfers (IGTs) to urban areas are doubled at the minimum.

Road Ahead

• Enhanced Intergovernmental Transfers (IGTs): Increase IGTs from States to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to at least 2% of GDP, ensuring predictability and earmarking for vulnerable groups.

• Reform in Urban Governance and Fiscal Autonomy: Strengthen constitutional provisions to empower ULBs further, reducing dependence on parallel agencies like MP/MLA Local Area Development Schemes.

Context: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam -- came into effect across the country on July 1.

• These laws will replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

Significance of new criminal laws

• Reformative justice: Such as community service instead of imprisonment. 

• Modernising the justice system: for ex Indian Penal Code (1860) is outdated and does not reflect current norms of criminal jurisprudence.

• Seamless flow of information: Designed to improve coordination and collaboration between parties involved in investigation and judicial proceedings.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

• UAPA’s definition of ‘terrorist act’ adopted: Section 113 of the Act has modified the definition of the crime of terrorism to entirely adopt the existing definition under Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).

• Damage to monetary stability of India by way of production or smuggling or circulation of counterfeit Indian paper currency, coin or of any other material has also been added as a terrorist offense.

• The offense is punishable with death or imprisonment for life. 

• Cruelty defined: The Act proposes to define “cruelty” against a woman by her husband and his relatives, which is punishable with a jail term of up to three years. The newly inserted section 86 defines ‘cruelty’ as 

• Wilful conduct likely to drive a woman to commit suicide or cause grave injury or danger to the life, limb, or health (whether mental or physical); 

• Harassment of a woman to coerce her or any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for property or valuable security.

• Crimes against Women and Children: Provisions related to the gang rape of a minor woman are consistent with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso).

• A provision for life imprisonment or death penalty in the case of girls below 18 years of age has also been made.

• There is the provision of 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment in all cases of gang rape and the new crime category of gang rape of a woman under 18 years of age in the Sanhita.

• Innovative Legal Procedures: Features like Zero FIR allow complaints to be filed at any police station, streamlining the initiation of legal action.

• Mental illness replaced by ‘unsoundness of mind’: The revised Act replaces the term ‘mental illness’ with ‘unsoundness of mind’ in a majority of the provisions.

• It has also added the term ‘intellectual disability’ along with unsoundness of mind in section 367.

• Enhancement of minimum punishment for ‘mob lynching’: It has removed the minimum punishment of seven years and now penalises mob lynching at par with murder.

• Petty organized crime: It includes a more precise definition; ’Whoever, being a member of a group or gang, either singly or jointly, commits any act of theft, snatching, cheating, unauthorised selling of tickets, unauthorised betting or gambling, selling of public examination question papers or any other similar criminal act, is said to commit petty organised crime.’ 

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

• Community service defined: Under Section 23, ‘work which the Court may order a convict to perform as a form of punishment that benefits the community, for which he shall not be entitled to any remuneration.’

• A Magistrate of the First or Second Class has been specifically empowered to impose this punishment, to encourage a more reparative approach to minor crimes.

• Handcuffing: It should be restricted to select heinous crimes like rape and murder instead of extending its usage to persons who have been accused of committing ‘economic offences.’

• In another significant change, the power of the police to use handcuffs has been expanded beyond the time of arrest to include the stage of production before court as well.

• Preventive detention powers: The detained person must be produced before the Magistrate or released in petty cases within 24 hours.

Bharatiya Sakshya (Second), 2023

• Admissibility of electronic evidence: Section 61 of the original Bill allowed the admissibility of electronic evidence by underscoring that an electronic record shall have the same legal effect as a paper record.

• This provision has now been revised to state that the admissibility of an electronic record is subject to section 63 (corresponding to the requirement of a certificate under section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act).

Context: Oran Knowlson, a teenager from the UK, recently made headlines for becoming the first person worldwide to receive a brain implant aimed at reducing epileptic seizures. 

• This deep brain stimulation (DBS) device, surgically implanted into his skull and connected to electrodes targeting the brain's thalamus, has successfully reduced his daytime seizures by an impressive 80%.

About DBS device

• The DBS device delivers constant electrical impulses to disrupt seizure-causing brain signals.

• It offers a promising alternative for patients resistant to traditional anti-seizure medications or those for whom surgery is not viable.

• It is surgically placed in the skull, electrodes inserted into the thalamus (brain's relay station).

• Effectiveness: Reduced Knowlson’s seizures by 80%.

How does the device work?

• The neurostimulator delivers constant electrical impulses to the brain to disrupt or block abnormal seizure-causing signals.

• The device was surgically implanted in Knowlson’s skull and anchored using screws.

• The device was switched on after Knowlson recovered from his surgery. It can be recharged by a wireless headphone.

Comparison with Existing Treatments

• Medication: Many patients are resistant (30%) to available anti-seizure drugs.

• Surgery: Effective but invasive; removes seizure-originating brain areas.

• Ketogenic Diet: High-fat, low-carb diet also used to control seizures.

What is Epilepsy?

• Epilepsy, a condition that leads to recurring seizures, sees a person experience jerking of arms and legs, temporary confusion, staring spells, or stiff muscles.

• It is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

• Cause: The disease has no identifiable cause in nearly 50% of the cases. However, head trauma, tumors in the brain, some infections like meningitis, or even genetics can lead to epilepsy. 

• Impact: It can increase the risk of accidents, drownings, and falling.

Prevalence 

• Around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy and nearly 80% of people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries. 

• According to a Lancet study, 2022, In India, between 3 and 11.9 per 1,000 people suffer from epilepsy.

WHO Response

• The ?rst global report on epilepsy produced in 2019 by WHO, Epilepsy: A public health imperative, highlighted the available evidence on the burden of epilepsy and the public health response required.

• The 75th World Health Assembly adopted the Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders 2022–2031, which recognizes the shared preventive, pharmacological and psychosocial approaches between epilepsy and other neurological disorders.

Context: Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) launched an Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Index (AIPI) Dashboard, evaluating 174 economies worldwide for their AI readiness.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans.

• These intelligent systems can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as recognizing speech, making decisions, understanding natural language, and identifying patterns.

About Intelligence Preparedness Index

• The Index assesses countries based on Digital infrastructure, Human capital, Labor policies, Innovation & Economic Integration, and Regulation and Ethics.

• The given image shows the broad categories and various reports from institutes / organizations such as  World Bank (WB), United Nations (UN), World economic forum(WEF), International Labour Organization(ILO) , International Telecommunication Union(ITU), Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics(STEM);Universal Postal Union(UPU) used by IMF to prepare the AIPI.

Key Findings

• The AIPI categorizes countries into Advanced Economies (AE), Emerging Market Economies (EM), and Low-Income Countries (LIC).

• India is categorized as an EM with a 0.49 rating. India ranks 72 in a total of 174 countries, with Bangladesh (0.38) on 113, Sri Lanka (0.43) on 92, and China (0.63) on 31. 

• Singapore (0.80), Denmark (0.78), and the United States (0.77) are among the highest-rated AEs.

AI's Impact on the Global Economy

• IMF research indicates that AI is set to reshape the global economy, potentially endangering 33% of jobs in advanced economies, 24% in emerging economies, and 18% in low-income countries. 

• Despite these risks, AI also holds immense potential to enhance job productivity, create new roles, and establish new industries.

Disparities in AI Adoption

• Emerging market economies and low-income countries typically have fewer high-skilled jobs than advanced economies, suggesting they may experience fewer immediate disruptions from AI. 

• However, these countries often lack the necessary infrastructure and skilled workforce to fully benefit from AI, potentially exacerbating global inequality.

• The IMF's analysis highlights that wealthier economies are generally better equipped for AI adoption compared to low-income countries. 

• The varied stages of AI readiness across countries highlight the need for tailored policies to manage risks and maximize benefits.

Addressing Inequality

• Policymakers are urged to take proactive measures to mitigate the inequality.

• The AIPI Dashboard aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and the public to assess AI preparedness and formulate policies that ensure AI advancements benefit all sectors of society.

Some common Application of AI include

• Healthcare: AI algorithms can analyze medical data, such as imaging and patient history, to assist doctors in diagnosing diseases and recommending treatments.AI accelerates the process of discovering new drugs by predicting how different compounds will interact with targets in the body.

• Finance: AI systems analyze transaction patterns to identify and prevent fraudulent activities.AI models can predict market trends and execute trades at optimal times for maximum profit.

• Customer Service: AI-powered chatbots provide instant responses to customer inquiries, improving customer service efficiency and availability.Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa help users manage tasks, answer questions, and control smart home devices.

• Transportation: AI enables self-driving cars to navigate and make decisions on the road, aiming to reduce accidents and improve traffic flow. AI systems optimize traffic signals and manage congestion in urban areas.

• Retail: E-commerce platforms use AI to suggest products based on user behavior and preferences.Inventory Management: AI predicts demand and optimizes stock levels, reducing waste and improving efficiency.

• Manufacturing: AI monitors equipment to predict failures and schedule maintenance, minimizing downtime.AI systems inspect products for defects, ensuring high quality in production lines.

• Education: AI tailors educational content to individual students' learning styles and paces.AI helps automate administrative tasks such as grading and scheduling.

• Agriculture: AI analyzes data from sensors and drones to optimize planting, watering, and harvesting. AI identifies pest infestations early, allowing for timely and targeted interventions in Precision Farming.

Road Ahead

• Expanding social safety nets.

• Invest in worker training.

• Prioritize AI innovation and integration.

• Strengthen regulations to protect against potential risks and abuses.

• By coordinating globally, countries can build trust in AI and work towards inclusive and equitable AI adoption.

Context: Recently, two Geoportals namely ‘Bhuvan Panchayat (Ver. 4.0)” portal for rural land records and “National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM Ver. 5.0)” launched at Prithvi Bhavan.

About National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM Ver. 5.0)

• The National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM Ver. 5.0) is a geo-portal designed to disseminate crucial space-based information and services related to natural disasters across India and neighboring countries.

• The database provides comprehensive geospatial data essential for addressing emergency situations and disaster management efforts nationwide.

• Purpose: NDEM serves as a centralized repository for space-based inputs, aimed at enhancing disaster management and reducing risks associated with natural calamities.

• It covers a wide spectrum of natural disasters, extending its services beyond India to neighboring countries.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Data: NDEM offers a structured, multi-scale geospatial database covering the entire nation.

• Situational Assessment: It supports informed decision-making during emergencies by providing up-to-date situational assessments.

• Early Warning System: NDEM plays a crucial role in establishing an early warning system, helping to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and safeguarding citizens from unpredictable natural events.

• Technology and Scope: NDEM leverages advanced geospatial tools to monitor and manage emergencies effectively.

About Bhuvan Panchayat (Ver. 4.0)

• The geoportal is an advanced online platform developed by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

• Purpose: This portal serves as a comprehensive WebGIS (Web Geographic Information System) which is designed to support “Space-based Information Support for Decentralized Planning (SISDP)” and empower citizens at the grassroots level in Panchayats across India.

• Features: It provides high-resolution satellite imagery at a scale of 1:10K, enabling visualization and planning for infrastructure development, land use, and disaster risk reduction.

• Benefits: By digitalizing rural land records and improving land revenue management, Bhuvan Panchayat aims to reduce corruption, enhance transparency, and promote ease of living by giving citizens direct access to real-time data.

Role of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

• ISRO, India's space agency, is responsible for scientific, engineering, and technological advancements to harness the benefits of space for the nation and humanity as a whole.

Core Responsibilities

• Space Exploration: ISRO designs and develops launch vehicles, satellites, and spacecraft to explore outer space, including missions to the Moon and Mars.

• Earth Observation: ISRO operates a large constellation of remote sensing satellites that provide valuable data for weather forecasting, disaster management, resource monitoring, and urban planning.

• Communication and Navigation: ISRO's satellite systems enable communication, broadcasting, and navigation services across the country, bridging the digital divide and enhancing connectivity.

• Scientific Research: ISRO conducts scientific research in space science, astrophysics, and planetary exploration, contributing to the global understanding of the universe.

• Technological Development: ISRO promotes the development of indigenous space technology, including launch vehicles, satellite platforms, and ground infrastructure, promoting self-reliance and reducing dependence on foreign technology.

Contributions to National Development

• Agriculture: ISRO's satellite data helps in crop yield estimation, drought monitoring, and precision farming, benefiting farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity.

• Disaster Management: ISRO's early warning systems and satellite imagery aid in disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation, minimising the impact of natural calamities.

• National Security: ISRO's satellite-based communication and surveillance systems contribute to national security and defense capabilities.

• Socio-Economic Development: ISRO's space applications, such as telemedicine, distance education, and e-governance, enhance the quality of life and empower communities, especially in rural areas.