October 2024 Monthly Magazine by Bhadra IAS Academy PDF

BHADRA IAS ACADEMY OCTOBER 2024 MONTHLY MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2024 8638391721 BHADRA IAS ACADEMY  OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) ABOUT BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Welcome To Bhadra IAS Academy...

BHADRA IAS ACADEMY OCTOBER 2024 MONTHLY MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2024 8638391721 BHADRA IAS ACADEMY  OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) ABOUT BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Welcome To Bhadra IAS Academy We have been relentlessly trying to help and guide the civil service aspirants of the North Eastern region to realize their dream of becoming a Civil Servant. With the experienced guidance of our well-qualified faculty, we have been performing consistently which is attested by our proven track record. Why Choose us We have been training the ambitious youth of Northeast perfectly with well- structured and updated study material so that they can serve the country well. Our Mission To become a leading institution producing eminent and responsible civil servants from Northeast for the country. Our Vision We endeavour to develop a competitive attitude with a sound academic base amongst the students by emphasizing leadership development, ethics & social responsibility. Our Branches Offline Branches: Guwahati and Jorhat Classes are also available in Online Mode (Live + Recorded Classes) BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) ECONOMICS (1-16) SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (32- 41) 1. 10 Year of Make in India 1. INSPIRE- MANAK Programme 2. Global Innovation Index 2. Llama 3.2 3. GST Compensation Cess 3. PARAM Rudra Supercomputers 4. Central Silk Board 4. India to launch its first mission to Venus in 2028 5. Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) 5. Project 200 6. Periodic Labour Survey 6. Nuclear Reactor 7. Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme 2024 7. Europa Clipper Mission 8. Invest India 8. Chamran-1 Research Satellite 9. Nidhi Companies 9. OpenAI o1 10. Trade Connect e-Platform 10. NIDHI Programme 11. PM E-DRIVE Scheme 11. Helium 12. SAMRIDH Scheme 13. AgriSURE Fund INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (42-57) 14. e-Shram Portal 1. India-China Relations 15. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2. Mineral Security Network 16. Digital Agriculture Mission 3. Pact for the Future POLITY & GOVERNANCE (17-31) 4. India-Palestine 1. Law Commission of India 5. India-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity 2. Poshan Tracker Initiative 6. Visit of PM-Modi to USA 3. Smart Cities Mission (SCM) 7. QUAD Group 4. INDIAsize Initiative 8. Visit of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to India 5. Sugamya Bharat App 9. Colombo Security Conclave 6. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana 10. UNSC 7. Mission Mausam 8. Saarthi App ENVIRONMNET (58-62) 9. SUBHADRA Scheme 10. Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan 1. Loss and Damage Fund (PM-AASHA) 2. Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant 11. Supreme Court Seeks Government’s 3. Air Quality Management Exchange Platform response on Delayed Judicial Appointments 4. Bio-decomposer 12. Fast Track Immigration- Trusted Traveller 5. Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) Programme 13. Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 14. Doctrine of ‘Constructive Possession’ BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) ASSAM (63-82) HISTORY & CULTURE (99- 103) 1. Clause 6 of Assam Accord 1. Guru Padmasambhava 2. Poba Reserve Forest 3. Key Facts about Greater One-Horned Rhino 2. Pashmina Shawl 4. The significance of Assam’s historical 3. Karam Festival ballads 4. The Great Stupa of Sanchi 5. Assam’s changing demography 6. Assam honours 7 athletes 7. Shiksha Setu Axom App EDITORIAL ANALYSIS (104-125) 8. Assamese AI Awakening 1. India’s Neighbourhood Watch, Past and Present 9. The Bard of the Brahmaputra 2. Stick to Fiscal Deficit as the Norm for Fiscal 10. Human trafficking in Assam Prudence 11. Bangladesh Crisis: Impact on NE 3. Five Sutras for Digital Infrastructure: What we 12. PRANAM ACT Mean by Good Digital Public Infrastructure 13. Remembering Toshen da’s charisma 4. How Swachh Bharat Mission Advanced Progress 14. Assam’s Orunodoi Scheme to Cover 37.2 on Safety and Dignity, Health and Economy Lakh Beneficiaries 5. The Shock of Crumbling Infrastructure and the 15. Khel Maharan 2.0 Solution 16. Best Tourism Village Contest 6. A Human Touch to India’s Mineral Ecosystem 17. Tourism in Assam and NE 18. Rich tributes paid to Swahid Mukunda 7. Why Digitisation is Not Enough to Reform Land Kakati Laws 8. A Legal Void: How to Deal with the National Security Risk from FDI and Trade GEOGRAPHY (83-88) 1. Philadelphi corridor 2. Three Gorges Dam 3. Taiwan Strait s4. Lebanon 5. Mini- moon 6. Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas 7. Gulf of Mexico SOCIAL ISSUES (96- 98) 1. Passive Euthanasia 2. SC Strengthening Law Against Child Pornography in India 3. Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Urban 2.0 4. Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance for Senior Citizens 5. Centre relaxes norms under PMAY-Gramin BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 1 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) ECONOMICS 1. 10 Year of Make in India could elevate India's economic position and provide employment to its vast workforce. GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS  The initiative emphasized the importance Why in news? of making India a global hub for design,  Launched on September 25, 2014, by PM innovation, and manufacturing across a wide Modi, the "Make in India" initiative marked range of sectors. a pivotal shift in India's economic strategy.  The 10th anniversary of the initiative in 2024 Key Sectors Under MII celebrates its success in reinvigorating the  The initiative focused on 27 sectors, grouped Indian economy, boosting global under two broad categories:  Manufacturing Sectors: Aerospace and competitiveness, and setting India on a path to self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat). Defence; Automotive and Auto Components; Pharmaceuticals and Background Medical Devices; Biotechnology; Textiles  Make in India came in response to a critical and Apparels; Chemicals and economic situation where, by 2013, India's Petrochemicals; Electronics System growth rate had plummeted to its lowest in Design and Manufacturing (ESDM); a decade. Food Processing; Gems and Jewellery; Railways, and more.  The promise of the BRICS Nations (Brazil,  Service Sectors: Information Technology Russia, India, China and South Africa) had (IT) and IT-enabled Services (ITeS); faded, and India was tagged as one of the Tourism and Hospitality; Medical Value so-called ‘Fragile Five’. Travel; Transport and Logistics Services;  The country stood at a crossroads, with Accounting and Finance Services; Audio questions arising about whether it was too Visual and Legal Services, among others. large to succeed or too large to fail, necessitating an urgent and substantial Pillars of MII economic push. About Make in India  In September 2014, PM Modi launched the "Make in India" initiative as part of a broader strategy to revitalize the nation's economy.  The initiative aimed to transform India into a global design and manufacturing hub.  At its core, "Make in India" sought to create a robust manufacturing ecosystem that BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 2 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) Major initiatives under MII airports, mass transport, and logistics infrastructure—drive economic growth and job creation.  Semiconductor Ecosystem Development  To reduce dependence on foreign imports and establish self-reliance in critical technologies, the government launched the Semicon India Programme with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore.  National Logistics Policy (NLP)  Unveiled in 2022, the NLP complements the PM GatiShakti by focusing on reducing logistics costs, improving India’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) ranking, and building a sustainable logistics network.  It aims to streamline logistics through  Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes digital systems, standardization, and  The PLI schemes have provided a human resource development. financial outlay of ₹1.97 lakh crore ($26  Industrialization and Urbanization billion) across 14 key sectors, including  The National Industrial Corridor electronics, automobiles, Development Programme is India's pharmaceuticals, and textiles. largest infrastructure initiative aimed at  As of 2024, these schemes have creating "Smart Cities" and advanced approved 755 applications, leading to industrial hubs. ₹1.23 lakh crore in investment and  The program promotes manufacturing generating employment for around 8 growth and systematic urbanization lakh individuals. through integrated industrial corridors  PM GatiShakti with multi-modal connectivity.  Introduced in 2021, PM GatiShakti is a  The recent approval of 12 new projects, national infrastructure plan aimed at with an investment of ₹28,602 crore, achieving multimodal connectivity strengthens India’s position as a global through the integration of manufacturing and investment transportation, energy, and destination. communication networks.  Startup India  The program brings together 36  Launched on January 2016, the Startup ministries and departments to enhance India initiative supports entrepreneurs logistics efficiency and synchronize and aims to build a robust startup project implementation. ecosystem.  The "seven engines" of the program—  By September 2024, India has the third- railways, roads, ports, waterways, largest startup ecosystem, with 148,931 BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 3 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) DPIIT-recognized startups generating Key Achievements over 15.5 lakh jobs.  Manufacturing Growth  Tax Reforms  India has emerged as the world's  The introduction of the GST on July 1, second-largest mobile phone 2017, streamlined India's tax system by manufacturer. unifying 36 states and union territories  Mobile exports surged from Rs into a common market. 1,556 crore in 2014 to Rs 1.2 lakh  Unified Payments Interface (UPI) crore by 2024.  India’s UPI has become a global leader  The electronics sector grew to USD 155 in digital payments, processing 46% of billion in FY23, with mobile phones the world’s real-time transactions. accounting for 43% of production.  Between April and July 2024, UPI  Self-Reliance in Defence processed nearly ₹81 lakh crore,  India has made strides in defence highlighting its robust infrastructure and production, highlighted by the launch of growing consumer trust. INS Vikrant, the country’s first  Ease of Doing Business indigenous aircraft carrier.  India made remarkable progress in  Defence production has reached ₹1.27 improving its business environment, lakh crore, with exports to over 90 climbing from 142nd in 2014 to 63rd in countries. the World Bank’s Doing Business Report  'Made in Bihar' boots are now part of (DBR) 2020, published in October 2019. the Russian Army’s equipment  This jump reflects the government’s  Global Export Growth sustained efforts to simplify regulations,  India recorded merchandise exports reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and create worth $437.06 billion in FY 2023-24, a more business-friendly environment, marking its growing role in global trade. significantly boosting investor  Employment Creation confidence.  The initiative has generated millions of  Record FDI to Boost MII jobs across various sectors, including 8  MII has been significantly boosted by lakh jobs through PLI schemes alone. record FDI inflows, driven by simplified FDI rules and improved ease of doing Other achievements business.  Kashmir willow bats have become a global  FDI inflows increased from $45.14 favourite. billion in 2014-15 to a record $84.83  Amul has expanded its presence by billion in 2021-22. launching its dairy products in the US.  Between 2014 and 2024, India attracted  The textile industry has created a staggering $667.41 billion in FDI, with total inflows 14.5 crore jobs across the country. reaching $70.95 billion in FY 2023-24.  India produces an impressive 400 million toys annually, with 10 new toys being created every second. BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 4 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) Criticism 2. Global Innovation Index  Experts highlights that the scheme has largely been ineffective in either increasing GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS the share of manufacturing in GDP or What is in News? attracting major investments in the country. India has moved up to 39th place among 133  Even on the employment front, global economies in the Global Innovation manufacturing jobs remain few and far Index (GII) 2024. between.  The share of value addition by manufacturing sector is 15.9 percent in 2023-24 compared to 16.7 percent of GDP (in constant price) in 2013-14.  Even in terms of FDI, net FDI inflows have come down from 1.5 percent of GDP in 2013-14 to 0.8 percent in 2023-24. Challenges About Global Innovation Index:  Ease of doing business is still a far cry from  It is published by the World Intellectual what is claimed on paper. Property Organization.  High incidence of taxation and high  It is a reliable tool for governments across handedness in dealing with tax litigation the world to assess the innovation-led cases. social and economic changes in their  Scarcity of skilled workers in India and respective countries competition from Vietnam and Bangladesh for low-skilled manufacturing. Key Highlights of the Global Innovation Index 2024 Conclusion  India has been ranked first among 10  As "Make in India" enters its second decade, economies in Central and Southern Asia, it stands as a testament to India's further emphasizing its regional dominance determination to reshape its manufacturing in innovation. landscape and enhance its global standing.  India has also secured the 4th position in the  With the support of strategic reforms, such World Intellectual Property Organization as the PLI schemes, PM GatiShakti, and the (WIPO) Science and Technology (S&T) National Logistics Policy, India has emerged Cluster Ranking. as a competitive and self-reliant economy.  Major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru,  The success of indigenous projects like the and Chennai are listed among the Vande Bharat trains, the INS Vikrant, and the world's top 100 S&T clusters, which are growing electronics sector signals a hubs for research, development, and promising future for India’s industrial and technological advancements. manufacturing sectors. BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 5 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024)  India has achieved the 7th rank About GST Compensation Cess: globally in intangible asset intensity, which  It is levied under Section 8 of The Goods and measures the strength of non-physical Services Tax (Compensation to State) Act, assets like patents and trademarks, essential 2017. for driving innovation. Why is GST Cess Levied? Key points about the World Intellectual  As GST is a consumption-based tax, the Property Organisation state in which the consumption of goods  It works with the vision of and supply happen would be eligible for the encouraging creative activity and indirect tax revenue. promoting the protection of Intellectual  Hence, after GST comes into effect, Property throughout the world. some states that are net exporters of  WIPO is one of the 15 specialised goods and/or services are expected agencies of the United Nations. to experience a decrease in indirect tax  Currently, there are 193 members of the revenue. World Intellectual Property Organisation.  To compensate the States for the loss in tax revenue, the GST Compensation Cess has been declared by the Central Government. 3. GST Compensation Cess Usage of GST Cess: GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS  All the proceeds received from the GST What is in News? compensation cess would be credited to a The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council non-lapsable fund known as the GST recently set up a 10-member GoM to decide on Compensation Fund. the taxation of luxury, sin, and demerit goods  The funds would then be used for once the compensation cess ends in March compensating tax revenue loss to States on 2026. account of GST implementation.  If any funds are unutilized, then at the end of the transition period, it would be shared in half by the Central Government and all State Governments.  The State government’s share would be distributed in the ratio of their total revenues from the State tax or the Union territory goods and services tax, in the last year of the transition period. Applicability:  GST Cess would be applicable to both the supply of goods or services that have been notified by the Central Government. BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 6 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024)  Also, both intrastate supplies of goods or  It functions under the administrative control services and interstate supplies of goods or of the Union Ministry of Textiles, services would attract GST cess. Government of India.  All taxable persons under GST,  It comprises 39 members appointed as per except taxpayers registered under the GST the powers and provisions conferred by Sub- composition schemeis expected to collect Section 3 of Section 4 of the CSB Act 1948, and remit GST cess. for a period of 3 years.  In the GST regime, compensation cess at  The Chairperson of the Board to be varied rates is levied on luxury, sin, and appointed by the Central Government. demerit goods (cigarettes, pan masala, gutkha, and other tobacco products, soft Functions drinks, cars, etc.).  It advises the Central Government on all  In 2022, the GST Council decided to extend matters relating to production, supply, the levy till March 2026 to repay the distribution, trade and commerce in silk- interest and the principal amount of the Rs worm seed, the development of the silk 2.69 lakh crore worth loan taken in the 2021 industry and its products including export and 2022 fiscal years to make good states' and import. revenue loss during Covid years.  It has established 6 Regional Offices at New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, 4. Central Silk Board Bhubaneshwar and Guwahati.  Headquarters: Bengaluru GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS What is in News? Silk Production in India  India has the unique distinction of being the Recently, the Union Minister of Textiles unveiled the Commemoratory coin, celebrating only country producing all the five known the Platinum Jubilee of the Central Silk Board commercial silks, namely, mulberry, tropical (CSB) at Mysuru. tasar, oak tasar, eri and muga.  India is the second largest producer of silk in the world. 5. Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS What is in News? Recently, NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL) announces the launch of Unified About Central Silk Board Logistics Interface Platform Hackathon 2.0.  It is a Statutory Body established in 1948, by an Act of Parliament. BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 7 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) with various Govt. agencies across the value chain.  To provide visibility for optimal usage of various modes of transportation.  To provide data which can be utilized by the stakeholders for simplification of complicated processes like compliance, document filing, certifications, and approvals.  To offer a platform for data exchange Why in the news? among government and private entities  Hackathon 2.0 is a competitive event, aimed who are directly or indirectly involved in at fostering innovation and developing the Indian Logistics ecosystem. digital solutions to tackle pressing challenges in the logistics industry. Benefits:  It invites developers, start-ups, and industry  It will give direct and indirect benefits players to come together. to all logistics stakeholders like  The focus of this year's hackathon is on verification of drivers addressing key logistics challenges such and vehicle details, tracking & tracing of as sustainability, complex supply chain consignment, Route Optimization processes, unified documentation, and Planning and timely update on the multimodal logistics optimization. destination of the consignment etc.  It will enable structured planning by About Unified Logistics Interface Platform: helping in decision making on optimum  ULIP is a digital gateway that allows industry use of modes of logistics thereby saving players to access logistics-related datasets cost and time. from various Government systems through API-based integration.  Currently, the platform integrates 6. Periodic Labour Survey with 37 systems from 10 ministries via GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS 118 APIs, covering over 1800 data fields. What is in News?  It was launched by the Prime Minister as Recently, the Periodic Labour Force Survey part of the ‘National Logistics Policy (NLP)’ (PLFS) for the period between July 2023 and on September 17, 2022. June 2024 was released by the Labour Bureau. Objectives: Key Findings:  Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for  To create a nationwide single window logistics platform for end-to-end persons of age 15 years and above was visibility. 60.1%. The same for male and female was  To develop a logistics gateway 78.8% and 41.7% respectively. by integrating information available BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 8 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024)  Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for persons Status’ (ps+ss) and CWS in both rural of age 15 years and above was 58.2%. The and urban areas annually. same for male and female was 76.3% and  The indicators of this survey are defined as 40.3% respectively. follows:  Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): LFPR is defined as the percentage of persons in labour force (i.e. working or seeking or available for work) in the population.  Worker Population Ratio (WPR): WPR is defined as the percentage of employed persons in the population.  Unemployment Rate (UR): UR is defined as the percentage of persons  Unemployment Rate (UR) was 3.2% for both unemployed among the persons in the male and females of age 15 years and above. labour force.  Unemployment Rate for male has  Current Weekly Status (CWS): The shown a marginal decline from 3.3% activity status determined on the basis during July 2022 – June 2023 to 3.2% of a reference period of last 7 days during July 2023 – June 2024, preceding the date of survey is known among females it has increased from as the current weekly status (CWS) of 2.9% to 3.2% during the same time the person. span.  This survey is conducted by the National Sample Survey (NSO), working under the About Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS): Ministry of Statistics  Considering the importance of availability of and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). labour force data at more frequent time intervals, the National Statistical Office (NSO) launched the Periodic Labour Force 7. Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme 2024 Survey in April 2017.  Objective: GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS  To estimate the key employment and What is in News? unemployment indicators (viz. Worker The second edition of the Direct Tax Vivad se Population Ratio, Labour Force Viswas scheme 2024 (VSV 2.0) will be Participation Rate, Unemployment Rate) operational soon, the Finance Ministry has said in the short time interval of three in a notification. months for the urban areas only in the ‘Current Weekly Status’ (CWS).  To estimate employment and unemployment indicators in both ‘Usual BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 9 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024)  The primary goal of VSV 2.0 is to provide a cost-effective mechanism for settling disputed issues, thereby alleviating the burden of litigation on taxpayers and the judicial system. 8. Invest India GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS About Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme 2024 (VSV 2.0): What is in News?  The scheme aims to reduce ongoing The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry litigations related to income tax. recently announced the Centre’s Start-up India  VSV 2.0 will enable taxpayers initiative will be moved out of the aegis of and the Income Tax Department to resolve Invest India to a new non-profit company that disputes through a streamlined appeals could also house the National Start-up process. Advisory Council.  It will provide a mechanism for filing appeals across various appellate forums, including the Joint Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals), the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), and higher courts.  The scheme covers appeals, writ petitions, and special leave petitions pending as of July 22, 2024, and will waive penalties and interest for settlements, ensuring no About Invest India: prosecution will be initiated for cases  It is the National Investment Promotion and resolved under the scheme. Facilitation Agency of India and acts as the  The scheme also covers cases with first point of reference for investors in India. objections filed before the Dispute  It was set up as a non-profit venture Resolution Panel (DRP) where no final under the aegis of the Department for assessment order has been issued and Promotion of Industry and Internal pending revision applications before the Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Commissioner. Industry, Government of India.  However, certain cases are excluded from  It facilitates and empowers all investors eligibility, including those involving under the ‘Make in India’ initiative to searches, prosecutions, and undisclosed establish, operate, and expand their foreign income. businesses in India.  Taxpayers under specific legal restrictions  The agency aims at sector-specific investor or serious offenses will also not benefit targeting and development of partnerships, from the scheme. thereby channelising sustainable investments in the country. BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 10 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024)  It is also engaged in developing partnerships  It is a one of its kind congregation wherein with investment promotion agencies and the policy making process is driven as part of multilateral organisations. collaboration between all the key  Its domain and functional experts provide stakeholders of the startup ecosystem. sector- and state-specific inputs and hand-  NSAC is playing an important role holding support to investors through in identifying areas of intervention for the the entire investment cycle, from pre- expansion of the startup ecosystem and investment and decision-making to after- ideating and nurturing national programs care. under the Startup India initiative.  It provides multiple forms of support, such as market entry strategies, deep dive 9. Nidhi Companies industry analysis, partner search and location assessment, and policy advocacy GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS with decision makers.  Headquarters: New Delhi Key Facts about National Start-up Advisory Council:  It was constituted by the DPIIT under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.  Objective: To advise the Government on measures needed to build a strong About Nidhi Companies: ecosystem for nurturing innovation and  A NIDHI Company is recognised under startups in the country to drive sustainable Section 406 of the Companies Act 2013 and economic growth and generate large-scale typically operates in the Non-Banking employment opportunities. Financing Sector of India.  Composition:  It is formed to borrow and lend money to its  Chairman: Minister for Commerce & members. It inculcates the habit of saving Industry. among its members and works on the  Ex-officio Members:Nominees of the principle of mutual benefit. concerned  It is not required to receive the license from Ministries/Departments/Organisations the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as these are not below the rank of Joint Secretary. registered with the Companies Act.  Besides the ex-officio members, the  Members: A minimum of seven members is council has non-official required to start a Nidhi Company out of members, representing various which three members must be the directors stakeholders such as founders of of the company. successful startups and veterans who  Activities Prohibited in a Nidhi Company have grown and scaled companies in  It can’t deal with chit funds, hire- India. purchase finance, leasing finance, insurance or securities business. BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 11 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024)  It is strictly prohibited from accepting Services (DFS) and the Ministry of External deposits from or lending funds to, any Affairs (MEA). other person except members.  Significance  Nidhi companies should not issue  This initiative aligns with the preference shares, debentures or any government’s broader vision of other debt instrument in any manner, promoting a Digital India, fostering name or form. greater transparency, and empowering  Nidhi companies should not open businesses by providing them with current accounts with their members. seamless access to crucial trade information. 10. Trade Connect e-Platform  It will reduce the costs, lead times and complexities associated with global trade, GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS ultimately ensuring that Indian businesses can thrive in the international marketplace. 11. PM E-DRIVE Scheme GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS What is in News? Recently, the Union Cabinet chaired by the What is Trade Connect e-Platform? Prime Minister of India has approved the  It is a new digital initiative aimed at proposal of the Ministry of Heavy Industries transforming the landscape of international (MHI) for the implementation of a scheme trade for Indian exporters, especially titled PM E-DRIVE Scheme'. MSMEs (Medium, Small and Medium Enterprises).  It will connect Indian Exporters, MSMEs and Entrepreneurs with various stakeholders including Indian Missions Abroad, Export Promotion Councils, and other Partner Government Agencies.  The platform will provide information on trade events taking place in different parts of the world, benefits available due to India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and other international trade-related information and data.  The platform, developed in collaboration with key partners including the Ministry of MSME, EXIM Bank, Department of Financial BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 12 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) About PM E-DRIVE Scheme: 12. SAMRIDH Scheme  PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative  GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme has an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over What is in News? a period of two years for the promotion Recently, the Union Ministry of Electronics & IT of electric mobility in the country. secretary launched the 2nd Cohort of Startup  Components of the scheme Accelerators of MeitY for Product Innovation,  Subsidies and Demand Incentives: The Development and Growth (SAMRIDH) scheme. scheme allocates Rs 3,679 crore to incentivise the purchase of electric two- wheelers (e-2Ws), three-wheelers (e- 3Ws), electric ambulances, trucks, and other emerging EV categories.  E-Vouchers for EV Buyers: Buyers of electric vehicles will be issued an e- voucher under the scheme to avail demand incentives. The e-voucher will About SAMRIDH Scheme: be Aadhaar-authenticated and sent to  SAMRIDH is the Union Ministry of the buyer's registered mobile number Electronics & IT (MeitY) 's flagship after the purchase. programme for startup acceleration under  E-Ambulance Deployment: A budget the National Policy on Software Products— of Rs 500 crore has been allocated to 2019. deploy electric ambulances. This new  It was launched in August 2021 and supports initiative aims to provide comfortable 300 software product startups with an and environmentally friendly patient outlay of ₹99 crore over a period of 4 years. transport.  It aims to support existing and upcoming  Incentives for E-Trucks: Under this Accelerators to select and accelerate component Rs 500 crore has been potential IT-based startups to scale. allocated to promote the deployment of  Among others, the program focuses e-trucks, a major contributor to air on accelerating the startups by providing pollution. Those who hold a scrapping customer connect, investors connect and certificate from authorised MoRTH connect to international markets Vehicle Scrapping Centres (RVSFs) will  Eligibility of Accelerator be eligible for the incentives.  Should be a registered Section-8/Society,  Charging Infrastructure: To address [Not-for-Profit Company (eligible to hold range anxiety and support the growth of equity)] having operations in India. electric vehicles, Rs 2,000 crore will be  The Accelerator and the team are used to install public charging recommended to have more than 3 years stations (EVPCS) in cities with high EV of startup experience and should have penetration and along selected supported more than 50 start-ups of highways. which at least 10 startups should have BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 13 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) received investment from external  Focus area: It mainly focuses on technology- Investors driven, high-risk, high-impact ventures.  The Accelerator should have experience  It is designed to fuel growth and foster in running startup program cohorts with innovation in the agricultural and rural start- activities listed as desirable under the up ecosystem. SAMRIDH program.  Funding Pattern: A Blended capital fund  It is being implemented through potential of ₹750 crore with SEBI Registered Category and established accelerators across India II, Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), which provide services like making products contributions from the Government of India market fit, business plan, investor connect is ₹250 crore, NABARD is ₹250 crore and and international expansion to startups plus ₹250 crore is being mobilized from banks, matching funding up to ₹40 lakh by MeitY. insurance companies and private investors.  Implemented by: The scheme is being  Its main focus areas include promoting implemented by MeitY Start-up Hub innovative, technology-driven initiatives in (MSH), Digital India Corporation (DIC). agriculture, enhancing the farm produce value chain, creating new rural ecosystem 13. AgriSURE Fund linkages and infrastructure, generating  employment and supporting Farmers GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS Producer Organisations (FPOs). What is in News?  The fund would encourage Recently, the Union Minister for Agriculture entrepreneurshipthrough IT-based solutions and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development and machinery rental services for farmers, launched the AgriSURE Scheme in New Delhi. driving sustainable growth and development in the agricultural sector.  NABVENTURES a fully owned subsidiary of NABARD will act as the fund manager. 14. e-Shram Portal  GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS What is in News? The Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) stated that eShram has registered more than 30 crore unorganised workers, showcasing its About AgriSURE Fund: rapid and widespread adoption among the  Agri Fund for Start-ups & Rural unorganised workers. Enterprises (AgriSURE) is an innovative fund which is a pioneering step toward revolutionizing the agricultural landscape in India. BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 14 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) 15. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)  GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS About e-Shram Portal:  It was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in 2021 for the registration and creation of a About India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): comprehensive National Database  ISM is a specialized and independent of Unorganized Workers. Business Division within the Digital India  It is a “One-Stop-Solution” for Unorganised Corporation. Workers of the country.  It aims to build a vibrant semiconductor and  The registration in the portal is fully Aadhaar display ecosystem to enable India’s verified and Aadhaar seeded. emergence as a global hub for electronics  Any unorganised worker can register himself manufacturing and design. or herself on the portal on a self-declaration  ISM has all the administrative and financial basis. powers and is tasked with the responsibility  It allows an unorganised worker to register of catalysing the India Semiconductor himself or herself on the portal on a self- ecosystem in manufacturing, packaging, declaration basis, under 400 occupations in and design. 30 broad occupation sectors.  ISM has an advisory board consisting of  The Ministry aims to facilitate access to some of the leading global experts in the various social security schemesbeing field of semiconductors. implemented by various  ISM has been working as a nodal agency for Ministries/Departments for the benefit of the schemes approved under the Semicon the unorganised workers through the e- India Programme. Shram portal.  The portal is presently integrated with the Key Facts about the Semiconductor India National Career Service(NCS) Portal, Skill Programme: India Digital Hub (SIDH), myScheme portal  The ISM was launched in 2021 with a total and Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi financial outlay of Rs. 76,000 crores under Mandhaan (PMSYM) scheme. the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), Government of India.  It is part of the comprehensive program for the development of sustainable BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 15 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) semiconductor and display ecosystems in other IT initiatives by the Central the country. Government, State Governments, and  The programme aims to provide financial Academic and Research Institutions. support to companies investing in  Three major components of DPI are semiconductors, display manufacturing and envisaged under the Digital Agriculture design ecosystem. Mission: AgriStack, Krishi Decision Support  It also promotes and facilitates System (DSS) and Soil Profile Maps. Indigenous Intellectual Property  Each of these DPI components will provide (IP) generation and encourages, enables, solutions that will allow farmers to access and incentivizes the Transfer of and avail of various services. Technologies (ToT).  The following four schemes have been introduced under the aforesaid programme:  Scheme for setting up of Semiconductor Fabs in India.  Scheme for setting up of Display Fabs in India.  Scheme for setting up of Compound Semiconductors/Silicon Photonics/ Sensors Fab and Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP)/OSAT facilities in India.  Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme. 16. Digital Agriculture Mission  AgriStack: The farmer-centric DPI AgriStack  consists of three foundational agri-sector GS PAPER: 3: ECONOMICS registries or databases: Farmers’ Registry, What is in News? Geo-referenced Village Maps and Crop Recently, the Union Cabinet Committee Sown Registry, all of which will be created chaired by the Prime Minister of India and maintained by state/ UT governments. approved the Digital Agriculture Mission with  Farmers’ Registry: It will be given a an outlay of Rs. 2817 Crore, including the digital identity (‘Farmer ID’) similar to central share of Rs. 1940 Crore. Aadhaar, which will be linked dynamically to records of land, About Digital Agriculture Mission: ownership of livestock, crops sown,  It is conceived as an umbrella scheme to demographic details, family details, support digital agriculture initiatives, such schemes and benefits availed, etc. as creating Digital Public Infrastructure,  Pilot projects for the creation of Farmer implementing the Digital General Crop IDs have been carried out in six districts Estimation Survey (DGCES), and taking up — Farrukhabad (Uttar BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 16 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) Pradesh), Gandhinagar (Gujarat), Beed (Maharashtra), Yamuna Nagar (Haryana), Fatehgarh Sahib (Punjab), and Virudhunagar (Tamil Nadu).  Crop Sown Registry: It will provide details of crops planted by farmers. The information will be recorded through Digital Crop Surveys — mobile-based ground surveys — in each crop season.  Geo-referenced Village Maps: It will link geographic information on land records with their physical locations.  Krishi DSS: It will create a comprehensive geospatial system to unify remote sensing- based information on crops, soil, weather and water resources, etc.  This information will support crop map generation for identifying crop sown patterns, droughts/flood monitoring and technology/model-based yield assessment for settling crop insurance claims by farmers.  Soil Profile Maps: Under the Mission, detailed Soil Profile Maps (on a 1:10,000 scale) of about 142 million hectares of agricultural land are envisaged to be prepared. A detailed soil profile inventory of about 29 million ha has already been completed. BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 17 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) POLITY AND GOVERNANCE 1. Law Commission of India  The first Law Commission of independent India was established in 1955 under the GS PAPER: 2: POLITY & GOVERNANCE chairmanship of the former Attorney What is in News? General for India, C. Setalvad. The President of India recently sanctioned the  This Commission was created for a period of formation of the 23rd Law Commission for a three years, and this practice has persisted three-year term. ever since then, resulting in the reconstitution of Law Commissions every three years via executive orders. How is the Law Commission Created?  A law commission is created when the Union government passes a resolution for the formation a new commission after the expiry of the last one.  After the resolution is passed, and the President gives assent to it, the government has the liberty to choose the About Law Commission of India: chairperson for the new commission.  It is a non-statutory bodyand is constituted Functioning: by a notification of the Government of India,  The Commission works on projects based on Ministry of Law & Justice. the references received from the Central Government and/or from the Supreme  It is constituted with definite terms of Court and High Courts. reference to carry out research in the field  At times, keeping in view the importance of of law, and the Commission makes the subject matter, the Commission initiates recommendations to the Government (in the studies on specific subjects, suo moto. form of Reports) as per its terms of reference.  The Commission is aided in its work on the legal side by the law officers of the Indian  It functions to the Ministry of Law and Legal Service and on the administrative side Justice as an advisory body. by the officers of the Central Secretariat History: Service.  The first pre-independence law commission  The Commission always welcomes was established in 1834 by the British suggestions from any person, institution, or Government in India. organization on the issues under  It was established by the Charter Act of consideration of the Commission. 1833and was chaired by Lord Macaulay. BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 18 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) Reports: facilitate accurate data collection and regular  The Reports of the Law Commission are laid monitoring. in Parliament from time to time by  The program's real-time growth monitoring the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of has significantly improved child health Law and Justice, and forwarded to the outcomes in India, covering millions concerned administrative of children under Mission Poshan 2.0. Departments/Ministries for implementation.  They are acted upon by concerned Key points about Poshan Tracker App Departments/Ministries depending on the  This application provides a 360-degree Government’s decision. view of the activities of the Anganwadi  Invariably, the reports are cited in Courts, Centre (child care centres), service deliveries Parliamentary Standing Committees, and of Anganwadi Workers and complete academic and public discourses. beneficiary management for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under six. 2. Poshan Tracker Initiative  It also digitizes and automates physical registers used by workers to help improve GS PAPER: 2: POLITY & GOVERNANCE the quality of their work. What is in News?  The Anganwadi workers are being provided Recently, the Ministry of Women and Child smartphones procured through Government Development received the National Award for e-Market (GeM) for efficient service delivery. e-Governance 2024 (Gold) for the Poshan  A nodal person has also been appointed to Tracker initiative. provide technical support and resolve any issue with downloading the new Poshan About Poshan Tracker initiative: Tracker application and its functioning in  The Poshan Tracker program identifies and each state. addresses growth issues among children  The sources that each migrant worker who aged 0-6 years, utilizing real-time monitoring had registered in their original state could go and WHO growth charts to ensure optimal to the nearest Anganwadi in their current nutritional outcomes. place of residence and avail of the schemes  Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) play a crucial and services offered. role in evaluating children's health  It was launched by the Ministry of Women status and implementing timely and Child Development (MoWCD). interventions when deviations from expected growth patterns are detected.  The Poshan Tracker employs advanced ICT tools and Growth Measuring Devices (GMD) at each Anganwadi Center (AWC) to BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 19 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) 3. Smart Cities Mission (SCM) years from their selection to complete the projects. GS PAPER: 2: POLITY & GOVERNANCE  It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under What is in News? the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The Smart Cities Mission (SCM), which was launched to enhance the quality of life in urban  Some of the core infrastructure elements in spaces, has completed more than 90% of the a Smart City would include adequate water total projects, the Ministry of Housing and supply, assured electricity supply, sanitation, Urban Affairs has said recently. including solid waste management, efficient urban mobility and public transport, affordable housing, especially for the poor, robust IT connectivity and digitalization, good governance, especially e-Governance and citizen participation, sustainable environment, safety and security of citizens, particularly women, children, and the elderly, and health and education.  The strategic components of the Smart Cities About Smart Cities Mission (SCM): Mission are city improvement  It was launched on 25 June 2015. (retrofitting), city renewal (redevelopment), and city extension  The main objective of the SCM is to promote (Greenfield development), plus a Pan-city cities that provide core infrastructure, initiative in which Smart Solutions are a clean and sustainable environment, and applied, covering larger parts of the city. a decent quality of life to their citizens through the application of ‘smart solutions’.  Funding:  The mission aims to drive economic growth  The Central Government will give and improve quality of life through financial support to the extent of Rs. comprehensive work on the social, 48,000 crores over 5 years, i.e., on an economic, physical, and institutional pillars average of Rs.100 crore per city per year. of the city.  An equal amount on a matching basis is  The focus is on sustainable and inclusive to be provided by the State/ Urban Local development through the creation of Bodies (ULBs). replicable models that act as lighthouses for  Additional resources are to be raised other aspiring cities. through convergence, from ULBs’ own  100 citieshave been selected to be funds, grants under the Finance developed as Smart Cities (through a two- Commission, innovative finance stage competition) in various rounds from mechanisms such as Municipal Bonds, 2016 to 2018, with each getting five BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 20 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) other government programs, and for garments, having 'small', 'medium' borrowings. and 'large' sizes.  However, Western body types differ  Emphasis has been given on the from Indians in terms of height, weight, participation of the private sector or specific measurements of body parts. through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).  It fails to account for the diversity in Indian body types, leading to frequent fitting issues and consumer dissatisfaction. 4. INDIAsize Initiative GS PAPER: 2: POLITY & GOVERNANCE  The Ministry of Textiles sanctioned the INDIAsize project to develop standard body What is in News? sizes for the Indian apparel sector to The government will soon roll out the much- address the prevailing disparities and awaited 'INDIAsize' initiative, the Union Textiles inconsistencies in provided fits. Minister said recently.  The project entails gathering anthropometric data pan India from more than 25000 (Twenty-Five Thousand) male and female persons between the age group of 15 years and 65 years using human safe 3D whole body scanning technology.  The created body size chart will help national and international retailers and manufacturers to produce goods which are best suited for Indian body types and create a balance between demand and supply of well fitted garments.  Once rolled out, INDIAsize will serve as a benchmark for Indian and international fashion brands selling in the country. About INDIAsize Initiative:  It is an initiative of the Ministry of Textiles which aims to establish standardized 5. Sugamya Bharat App measurements designed to better suit GS PAPER: 2: POLITY & GOVERNANCE Indian body types.  Need: What is in News?  Presently, international and domestic More than 1,400 complaints related to brands available in India use accessibility have been lodged through the measurements from the US or the UK Sugamya Bharat mobile application since its BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 21 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) launch in 2021, with approximately 75 percent  Complaints are filed by uploading photos, of those resolved, according to official data. which are then forwarded to relevant authorities.  To enhance the app's features, the government plans to redesign it with AI capabilities.  The upgraded version will include an AI- powered chatbot and multilingual interface, improving its overall functionality.  A partnership has been established with the NGO Mission Accessibility and the research institute I-STEM to develop the About Sugamya Bharat App: AI-enabled app.  It is an initiative of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. 6. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana  Designed to aid people with disabilities and GS PAPER: 2: POLITY & GOVERNANCE the elderly, the Sugamya Bharat app allows What is in News? users to report accessibility problems in The government recently made changes to the public infrastructure, transportation and rules of the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, which buildings. are planned to come into force from the 1st of  Objectives: October 2024.  Identification of issues/complaints from the public related to accessibility at public places (Need to capture location of the place through Google Maps).  Uploading geotagged pictures: To understand and identify which type of public place is having issues related to accessibility for disabled people.  Any person facing difficulty or issue related to accessibility in India can raise their concerns/grievances on the App. About Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY):  Only accessibility-related issues pertaining  SSY is a savings scheme launched to Buildings, Transportation Systems and in 2015 under the Government of India's '' ICT (websites and TV viewing) can be Beti Bachao Beti Padhao'' campaign, which registered at the App. aimed to promote the education of girl children. BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 22 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024)  SSY is a small-deposit scheme tailored  Such withdrawal shall specifically for the girl child. be allowed only after the account  This scheme enables guardians to open a holder has attained the age of savings account for their girl child with an 18 years or has passed the 10th authorised commercial bank or India Post standard, whichever is earlier. branch.  Tax benefits: To encourage investments  Eligibility: in SSY, the scheme offers the following  The girl must be an Indian resident. tax benefits:  The account can be initiated by the  Section 80C Deductions: Investments parent or legal guardian of the girl child. made in the SSY scheme can be  The girl child must be below the age of deducted under Section 80C of the 10at the time of opening the account. Income Tax Act up to a maximum cap  Only one SSY account is allowed per of Rs. 1.5 lakh. girl child.  Tax-Exempt Interest: The interest  A family is limited to opening a that accrues on the Sukanya maximum of two SSY scheme accounts. Samriddhi Yojana account,  NRIs are not eligible to open these compounded annually, is exempt accounts. from tax under Section 10 of the  The girl must operate the account once Income Tax Act. she attains the age of 18 years.  Tax-Free Proceeds: The proceeds  Features: received upon maturity or  The minimum and maximum deposits withdrawal from the SSY account that can be made in an account in a are also exempt from income tax. financial year are 250 and Rs.1.5  New Rules: lakh, respectively. The deposits can be  Guardian Changes: In case made in multiples of 100. of accounts opened under the  Deposits towards the scheme should be guardianship of grandparents (who made for a period of 15 years. However, are other than legal guardians), the the scheme matures after 21 years. guardianship shall be transferred to a  No interest will be payable once person entitled under the law in force, the account completes twenty-one that is, to the natural guardian (alive years from the date of opening. parents) or Legal Guardian. If it is not  Partial Withdrawal: done, the account will be closed and  Withdrawal up to a maximum of this will be a permanent closure. 50%of the amount in the account at the end of the financial year Irregular Accounts: Families with more than two preceding the year of application for SSY accounts will face closures of excess withdrawal shall be allowed for the accounts, deemed to be in violation of scheme purpose of education of the account rules. holder. BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 23 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) 7. Mission Mausam  Air Quality Alerts: Providing accurate air quality forecasts to help manage GS PAPER: 2: POLITY & GOVERNANCE pollution.  Extreme Weather Events: Timely alerts What is Mission Mausam? for cyclones, floods, and other extreme  The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime weather conditions. Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the  Weather Interventions: Techniques for ambitious Mission Mausam with an outlay managing fog, hail, and rain to minimize of ₹2,000 crore over two years. disruptions in daily life and business  This initiative, led by the Ministry of Earth activities. Sciences (MoES), aims to revolutionize India's capabilities in weather and climate Technological Advancements Under Mission science, research, and services. Mausam:  Mission Mausam will leverage cutting-edge Objectives of Mission Mausam: technologies to enhance India's weather  The key objectives of the mission include: forecasting systems:  Improving Weather Prediction Accuracy:  Advanced Observation Systems: The By utilizing advanced technologies, mission will deploy next-generation Mission Mausam aims to provide highly radars, satellite systems, and sensors accurate and timely weather and climate to capture real-time data. forecasts.  High-Performance Computing:  Strengthening Climate Resilience: The Supercomputers will be integrated mission will equip various stakeholders, into the system to process vast including citizens and last-mile users, to amounts of data efficiently. better tackle extreme weather events  Artificial Intelligence (AI) and and the impacts of climate change. Machine Learning (ML): AI and ML  Broadening Capacity in Weather technologies will be used to predict Sciences: Through research and weather patterns with higher development, the mission will strengthen precision. India's capability in atmospheric sciences,  Earth System Models: Improved including weather modelling, forecasting, models will help forecast a variety of and surveillance. weather conditions, including monsoon patterns, cyclones, and Key Focus Areas: extreme weather events.  Mission Mausam will focus on several critical  GIS-Based Automated Decision areas that impact India’s economy and Support Systems: These systems will public safety: provide real-time data dissemination  Monsoon Forecasts: Enhanced and alerts. predictions for the monsoon season, critical for agriculture and water management. BHADRA IAS ACADEMY Website: www.bhadraiascademy.in Address: Guwahati and Jorhat Call: 8638391721  Page | 24 OCTOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE (2024) Sectors Benefiting from Mission Mausam:  These institutions will be supported by other  The mission will have a widespread impact MoES bodies such as the Indian National across multiple sectors in India, including: Centre for Ocean Information Services  Agriculture: Accurate weather forecasts (INCOIS), National Centre for Polar and will help farmers plan crop cycles and Ocean Research (NCPOR), and National reduce losses due to unpredictable Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT). weather.  Disaster Management: Early warnings Conclusion: and accurate predictions will enhance Mission Mausam is a transformative step disaster preparedness and reduce the towards strengthening India’s weather and impact of natural calamities. climate resilience. By harnessing cutting-edge  Defence and Aviation: Real-time technology and international collaborations, it weather data will support operations in will enhance the country’s ability to manage defense and aviation by ensuring safer extreme weather events, making India a global travel and military operations. leader in climate sciences.  Environment and Health: Better environmental monitoring will Through this initiative, various sectors of the contribute to sustainable development, Indian economy will benefit from more accurate while improved air quality forecasts will and reliable weather data, driving better protect public health. decision-making and planning for a sustaina