PIB Summary and Analysis June 2024 PDF

Dear Students, Here I’m sharing with you the PIB and ESI Current Affairs Magazine for RBI Grade B, NABARD Grade A, and Other Regulatory and Banking Exams. This magazine has been created to meet the current need for exams. These days, most of the banking and regulatory exams have started asking mor...

Dear Students, Here I’m sharing with you the PIB and ESI Current Affairs Magazine for RBI Grade B, NABARD Grade A, and Other Regulatory and Banking Exams. This magazine has been created to meet the current need for exams. These days, most of the banking and regulatory exams have started asking more and more questions about banking, finance, and ESI Current Affairs, and this magazine covers them very well. I can assure you that we have tried our best to provide all the necessary details required so that you don’t have to invest your precious time searching, eliminating relevant articles, and making notes. Another important thing that students need to understand is that IBPS sometimes only takes reference to news available on the PIB website and asks questions based on related information, and for that, additional information has been provided in the box. Please find below the answers to the frequently asked questions related to PIB and program policies. Why Government Schemes are important? Government schemes play a very important role in Phase 1 + Phase 2 of RBI Gr B and NABARD Gr A/B, their weightage is especially high in Phase 2 of both these exams, but in recent years IBPS has started asking in general awareness of all the banking exams. How many Questions came in RBI Grade B 2023 from this Magazine? In recently conducted RBI Grade B 2023, around 45+ Questions in phase I Exam were from this Monthly PIB and ESI Current Affairs Magazine and 17 Questions in Phase II ESI Objective and 6 Question in FM Objective were also directly from Magazine, apart from that, two 15 Marks and One 10 Marks Question in ESI Descriptive was discussed in Recent months of this Magazine. Overall, we had covered 140+ Marks out of 300. How this PDF compilation is different from others? As you know most of the institutes hire content writer for these things, that content writer can be anyone, this compilation has been created by me going through each and every article and even I useed this for myself in exams while I was preparing. What does RBI Selected Candidates Say about it? Many of the Officers of 2022 and 2023 have followed it and have recommended it. This year in RBI 2023 we had many students who were using this magazine for their exam and they loved every bit of it. How to Read this PDF? As I said earlier PIB is important for Phase I as well as Phase II but in Phase II only specific ministries are important which relate to the syllabus of Economics and Social Issue, Agriculture and Rural Development and there are only 14-15 such ministries. So, for these ministries’ updates have been provided Ministry wise and for rest other such defense etc., news has been kept under Miscellaneous Updates. So, this PDF has been categorized in Eight parts namely, I. PM and President in News II. Cabinet Approvals (Most Important) III. Programs and Update under Syllabus Related Ministries IV. Miscellaneous Updates (Important for General Awareness) V. RBI, SEBI Circulars and News VI. National and International Reports VII. Mains Exam Fodder Materials Based on Current Topics. 2 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  OUR HALL OF FAME – RBI 2023 “Dear Sir, I have been selected as RBI Grade B Officer this year with AIR-12 and I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Brajesh sir for always guiding me throughout this competitive exam journey. Currently, I am working as an assistant manager in SIDBI. Brajesh sir has been really very supportive and inspirational throughout my journey. His notes had really proved to be helpful for the exam and whenever I felt low due to repeated failures, he was the one who told me that there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel and it helped in picking me up from these failures. I used to study PIBs and Phase II descriptive topics list from his study material. This material is effective and comprehensive for the preparation. For the interview stage, sir helped me by taking my mock interview and provided comprehensive feedback which helped me in getting an excellent score in real interview (I got 70 out of 75 in this stage). Before RBI, Sir has also guided me in interview stages of various other exams like NHB and SIDBI and I had got great interview marks in all of them. He is not only a mentor, but also a friend whom you can rely on.” (Our Topper, AIR - 12, RBI Grade B 2023) 3 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  OUR HALL OF FAME – NABARD 2023 Dear Brajesh Sir, Greetings, you are my inspiration , I express my gratitude to you that I have been guided by you and was fortunate enough to clear the exam in the very first attempt itself. The interview guidance program helped me a lot in overcoming the difficulties I faced. I had been your student for the mentorship of RBI grade b 2023 as well, but couldn't make it, anyways the experience helped me in cracking NABARD GRADE A. I again, thank you so much for helping in the journey of achieving this feat. Thanks to your monthly PIB Pdfs. I used to read and revise them, they are the best source, and I thank you for the efforts you put in for making the PDF available to us in a crisp format. You’re not only a mentor and a guide, but a friend of aspirants like me. (Regards, Suraj Kumar (NABARD Grade A 2023)) Our toppers love this Magazine and they also recommend it. We wish to see your name in this sacred list next time. 4 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  President & PM In News – June 2024 Prime Minister launches 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' Campaign The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has launched 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' Campaign on the occasion of World Environment Day (5th June). o He planted a Peepal tree sapling at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi. He was accompanied by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. The Prime Minister said that it would make everyone “very happy” to know that in the last decade, the country undertook several collective efforts that have led to increased forest cover across India. Five And a Half Crore Trees Will Be Planted In MP o The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign in Madhya Pradesh is being started from the birth anniversary of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. o There is a plan to plant 51 lakh saplings in Indore, the industrial capital of the state and the cleanest city of the country. o It is noteworthy that Madhya Pradesh had set a record of planting the maximum number of saplings in a day in the country during the tenure of the BJP government in 2017. During that time, more than 6 crore saplings were planted in 12 hours across the state. ALL INDIA TREE PLANTATION CAMPAIGN o In August last year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah planted the 4,00,00,000th tree as part of the ‘All India Tree Plantation Campaign’ of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The event was organized at the CRPF Group Center in Greater Noida. GREEN INDIA MISSION o The National Mission for Green India (GIM) launched in 2015 is one of the eight Missions outlined under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). It aims at protecting; restoring and enhancing India’s diminishing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures. o As part of it, the government provides financial assistance to respective states and Union Territories to supplement their tree plantation efforts. Earlier, it was reported that Rs 755 crore has been released in the last five years for afforestation activities across 17 states as well as one Union Territory. o It is run by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). o Mission Goals ▪ To increase forest/tree cover to the extent of 5 million hectares (mha) and improve quality of forest/tree cover on another 5 mha of forest/non-forest lands; ▪ To improve/enhance eco-system services like carbon sequestration and storage (in forests and other ecosystems), hydrological services and biodiversity; along with provisioning services like fuel, fodder, and timber and non-timber forest produces (NTFPs); and ▪ To increase forest-based livelihood income of about 3 million households. National Afforestation Programme o The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is implementing plantation/afforestation schemes in the forest areas with participatory approach. o The plantation species under the schemes is selected by the implementing agencies/the members of Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMC) on the basis of their needs, ecological conditions and other local factors in consultation with the Forest Department. o The overall objective of the National Afforestation Programme (NAP) scheme is ecological restoration of degraded forests and to develop the forest resources with peoples’ participation, with focus on improvement in livelihoods of the forest-fringe communities, especially the poor. ▪ The scheme is implemented by three tier institutional setup through the State Forest 5 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  Development Agency (SFDA) at the state level, Forest Development Agency (FDA) at the forest division level and JFMCs at village level. ▪ The Scheme is demand driven and afforestation area is sanctioned on the basis of past performance, potential degraded forest land available for eco-restoration and availability of budget. ▪ NAP is a centrally sponsored scheme which is implemented with the fund sharing pattern of 60: 40 percent between Centre and States wherein the sharing pattern for Northeastern and hilly States is 90:10. Nagar Van Yojana o On the occasion of World Environment Day (5th June 2020), the government today announced implementation of the Nagar van scheme to develop 200 Urban Forests across the country in next five years (2021-22 to 2024-25) with a renewed focus on people’s participation and collaboration between Forest Department, Municipal bodies, NGOs, Corporates and local citizens. o The Pilot Nagar Van scheme was started in 2020 with some modifications in existing Nagar Van Udyan Scheme launched in 2015. o The revised NVY aims at developing 400 Nagar Van and 200 Nagar Vatika with the objective to significantly enhance the tree outside forests and green cover in cities leading the better environment. o For Nagar Van the minimum area limit is 10 ha to any size, but the grant will be limited to a max of 50 ha. o In congested part of the cities minimum 1 ha to 10 ha can be taken up as Nagar Vatika. o Nagar Van site can be upto 5 km distance from city limit, taking into account future expansion of cities. o The financial Assistance will be 4 lakh/ha. o The assistance is shared with concerned State in the ratio of 80:20. o The Ministry provides one time grant to the concerned State government/ City Local Authority/ land owning agency based on the work requirement subject to the maximum Grant of Rs. 2.00 crores per City Forest. Note: In one of the PIB Article, No of Nagar Van is given as 1000. 6 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com Prime Minister reviews the impact of cyclone “Remal”. According to IMD, cyclone Remal was expected to make landfall on 26 May at midnight between the Sagar Islands of West Bengal and Khepupara of Bangladesh. It originated in Bay of Bengal. Landfall: Cyclones originate in the sea and move towards the land. When the center of the tropical storm cyclone comes over land, it is called landfall. Most deaths and destruction by a tropical cyclone are caused during landfall when the wind speed of the cyclone is at its peak, causing strong waves in the seas and heavy rains on land, causing widespread floods. Worldwide terminology of Tropical Cyclone o Typhoons in the China Sea and Pacific Ocean; o Hurricanes in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean around West Indies Islands; o Tornados in the Guinea lands of West Africa and southern USA.; o Willy-willies in north-western Australia and o Tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean. How are Cyclones named? o The name of the tropical cyclone is decided by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) set up by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) jointly. ▪ There are five such RSMCs in the world. o The naming of the cyclone originating in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea started in 2004. The names are suggested by the member countries -Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand., Maldives and Oman. o Which country has been given the name Remal Cyclone - Remal (Name given by Oman, Remal means Sand in Arabic) o Cyclone Biparjoy (2023) was a tropical cyclone which originated in the Arabian Sea, It was longest duration cyclone since 1977. (The name 'Biparjoy' was given by Bangladesh.) o Mocha (2023) became the strongest cyclone for all seasons in both Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, since 1982. The name was given by Yaman. PM addresses Kisan Samman Sammelan in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Kisan Samman Sammelan in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and released the 17th instalment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) through Direct Benefit Transfer amounting to more than Rs 20,000 crores to around 9.26 crore beneficiary farmers. o Of the 9.09 crore farmers who received the 16th instalment of PM-Kisan, a maximum of 2.03 crore were in Uttar Pradesh, and the state was followed by Maharashtra (89.66 lakh), Madhya Pradesh (79.93 lakh), Bihar (75.79 lakh) and Rajasthan (62.66 lakh). o During the program, he also granted certificates to more than 30,000 women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) as Krishi Sakhis. o The Prime Minister highlighted that the Krishi Sakhi program is a step in this direction similar to the Drone Didi program. Underlining the contribution of women as Asha workers and Bank Sakhis, the Prime Minister said that the nation will now witness their capabilities as Krishi Sakhis. What is Krishi Sakhi convergence program (KSCP)? o Under the 'Lakhpati Didi' program, the aim is to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis, one dimension of which is Krishi Sakhi. Krishi Sakhi convergence program (KSCP) aims to transform rural India through the empowerment of rural Women as Krishi Sakhi, by imparting training and certification of Krishi Sakhis as Para-extension Workers. This certification course aligns with the objectives of the “Lakhpati Didi” Program. o Initiative by: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare & Ministry of Rural Development o Selection of Krishi Sakhis: Krishi Sakhis are trusted community resource persons and experienced 7 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  farmers. o States covered under Krishi Sakhi Training Program. ▪ Krishi Sakhi Training Program has been rolled out in 12 states in Phase – 1: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Meghalaya Currently under the scheme of MOVCDNER (Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region) 30 Krishi Sakhis are working as Local resource person (LRP) visiting each farm once in every month to monitor farm activities and understand challenges faced by the farmers. They also conduct Farmer Interest Group (FIG) level meetings every week to train farmers, interact and understand challenges faced by farmers, FPO functioning and marketing activities and maintain farmer diary. The resource fee they are getting INR 4500 per month for the mentioned activities. Read Krishi Sakhi Explained by Govt.: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2026015 (Very Important) Note: We have already covered Lakhpati Didi, Namo Drone Didi in our Previous edition. Read it in detail, it could be asked in descriptive as well as Objective. SHG and Microfinance as a whole is very important for RBI and NABARD both. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) o 17th instalment amounting to more than Rs 20,000 crores to around 9.26 crore beneficiary farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) through Direct Benefit Transfer. o So far, more than 11 crore eligible farmer families have already received benefits of more than Rs 3.04 lakh crores under PM-KISAN in last 16 installments. o PM Kisan is a Central Sector scheme with 100% funding from Government of India. o It has become operational from 1.12.2018. o Under the scheme an income support of 6,000/- per year in three equal installments will be provided to all land holding farmer families. o State Government and UT administration will identify the farmer families which are eligible for support as per scheme guidelines. The following categories of beneficiaries of higher economic status shall not be eligible for benefit under the scheme. o All Institutional Land holders. o Farmer families which belong to one or more of the following categories: ▪ Former and present holders of constitutional posts ▪ Former and present Ministers/ State Ministers and former/present Members of Lok Sabha/ Rajya Sabha/ State Legislative Assemblies/ State Legislative Councils, former and present Mayors of Municipal Corporations, former and present Chairpersons of District Panchayats. ▪ All serving or retired officers and employees of Central/ State Government Ministries /Offices/Departments and its field units Central or State PSEs and Attached offices /Autonomous Institutions under Government as well as regular employees of the Local Bodies ▪ (Excluding Multi-Tasking Staff /Class IV/Group D employees) ▪ All superannuated/retired pensioners whose monthly pension is Rs.10,000/-or more ▪ (Excluding Multi-Tasking Staff / Class IV/Group D employees) of above category ▪ All Persons who paid Income Tax in last assessment year ▪ Professionals like Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, and Architects registered with Professional bodies and carrying out profession by undertaking practices. 18th Lok Sabha: Narendra Modi takes Oath as PM for the 3rd term; along with 71 Ministers BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won the 2024 Lok Sabha general election with 293 seats. The 8 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  opposition won a total of 234 seats out of 543. The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) alone has secured 240 seats, while key allies like the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] have added 16 and 12 seats, respectively, to the coalition’s tally. PM Narendra Modi is only the second Indian PM after Jawaharlal Nehru to retain power for a 3rd five-year term. The new cabinet includes 30 Cabinet Ministers, 5 Ministers of State (MoS) with independent charge and 36 Ministers of State. Cabinet Ministers Portfolio Shri Rajnath Singh Minister of Defence Shri Amit Shah Minister of Home Affairs; and Minister of Cooperation Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari Minister of Road Transport and Highways Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman Minister of Finance; and Minister of Corporate Affairs Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare; and Rural Development Dr. S. Jaishankar Minister of External Affairs Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda Minister of Health and Family Welfare; and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri Manohar Lal Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs; Minister of Power Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy Minister of Heavy Industries; and Minister of Steel Shri Piyush Goyal Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Minister of Education Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Minister of Panchayati Raj; and Minister of Fisheries, Animal Lalan Singh Husbandry and Dairying Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Dr Virendra Kumar Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Minister of Civil Aviation Naidu 9 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  Shri Pralhad Joshi Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Minister of New and Renewable Energy Shri Jual Oram Minister of Tribal Affairs Shri Giriraj Singh Minister of Textiles Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Minister of Railways; Minister of Information and Broadcasting; and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia Minister of Communications; and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region Shri Bhupender Yadav Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Gajendra Singh Minister of Culture; and Minister of Tourism Shekhawat Smt. Annapurna Devi Minister of Women and Child Development Shri Kiren Rijiju Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minister of Minority Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Minister of Labour and Employment; and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports. Shri G. Kishan Reddy Minister of Coal; and Minister of Mines Shri Chirag Paswan Minister of Food Processing Industries Shri C R Patil Minister of Jal Shakti List of Minister of State (Independent Charge) 2024 along with their portfolios: MoS (Independent Portfolios Charge) Rao Inderjit Singh Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Planning; and Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Culture Dr. Jitendra Singh Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s 10 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  Office; Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy; and Minister of State in the Department of Space Shri Arjun Ram Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice; and Meghwal Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Jadhav Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Ayush; and Minister of Prataprao State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Ganpatrao Shri Jayant Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Chaudhary Entrepreneurship; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Education Official Link: https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/whos-who/council-ministers PM condoles loss of lives due to railway accident in West Bengal. At least 15 people were killed and around 60 others injured after a goods train collided with the Sealdah- bound Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani station in West Bengal. The Prime Minister’s Office announced ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 for those injured. Besides the Rs 10 lakh each ex-gratia announced by the railway minister for the next of kin of those killed in the accident. Railway Accidents and Kavach System o Many train disasters in India are caused by derailments, with a government safety report from 2020 finding they were responsible for 70% of train crashes in the country. o Rastriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) is a safety fund for critical assets established in 2017-18 with a corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore over five years for critical safety-related works such as track renewals, signaling projects, bridge rehabilitation, etc. ▪ An unprecedented allocation for capex of over Rs 2.5 lakh crore was made during 2023-24 and again for 2024-25. Kavach System o Kavach launched in 2020, is a cab signaling train control system with anti-collision features developed by the Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) in association with three Indian vendors. o It has been adopted as National Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System. o It adheres to Safety Integrity Level-4 (SIL-4) standards and acts as a vigilant watchdog over the existing signaling system, alerting the loco pilot when approaching a 'red signal' and applying automatic brakes if necessary to prevent overshooting the signal. o Kavach aims to secure India's extensive railway network of over 68,000 km, but only 1,500 km are currently equipped with the system since its initial rollout. ▪ It costs ₹50 lakh per km for trackside installation and ₹70 lakh per train. ▪ It aims to cover 6,000 km by 2025, including key routes like Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah Vinod Rai Committee (2015): o Establishing an independent Railway Safety Authority with statutory o Setting up a Railway Accident Investigation Board to conduct independent and impartial inquiries. o Creating a separate Railway Infrastructure Company to own and maintain railway assets. 11 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com PM expresses happiness over Smritivan figuring in the World Selection for the Prix Versailles Museums 2024 Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum has been shortlisted by UNESCO as one of the seven most beautiful museums for the prestigious Prix Versailles Award. Announced each year at UNESCO since 2015, the Prix Versailles is a series of architectural competitions that shine a light on the finest contemporary projects worldwide. Covering approximately 470 acres, Smriti Van celebrates the resilience of the people who endured the 2001 earthquake, which had its epicenter in Bhuj and claimed around 13,000 lives. o The Memorial, includes the names of those who perished in the disaster, was inaugurated by PM Modi in August 2022. o The state-of-the-art Smritivan Earthquake Museum is organized into seven thematic blocks: Rebirth, Rediscover, Restore, Rebuild, Rethink, Relive, and Renew. In 2023: o Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport's Terminal 2 (T2) was marked as one of the 'World's most beautiful airports' and secured the coveted 'World special prize for an interior 2023.' PM Participates in 50th G7 Apulia Summit, Italy. Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Group of Seven (G7) upon the arrival of the Outreach session countries and international organizations. PM Modi arrived in Italy's Apulia on Thursday late at night to attend the G7 Outreach Summit. o The G7 summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attending the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Meloni. o It will be India's 11th participation and PM Modi's fifth consecutive participation at the G7 Summit. o The host country traditionally invites outside guests to join some of the sessions. Italy has 12 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  thrown open the doors and will this year welcome Pope Francis, the King of Jordan as well as the leaders of Ukraine, India, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Algeria, Tunisia and Mauritania, which holds the presidency of the African Union. About G-7 (Group of Seven) o The G7 is an informal bloc of industrialized democracies comprising the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom (UK). o It convenes annually to address global economic governance, international security, and more recently, issues related to artificial intelligence (AI). Formation and Expansion: o Originally formed as the Group of Six in 1975 by the United States, France, Italy, Japan, the UK, and West Germany. o In 1976, with the admission of Canada, the G7 took its current configuration. Since 1977, representatives of the European Economic Community, now the European Union, also participate in the work of the Group. o It was formed as a result of the oil crisis to stabilize global economic policies and international relations. o Russia joined in 1998, transforming it into the G8, aimed at enhancing its international prestige and fostering closer ties with Western nations. o Russia was suspended in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea, leading to ongoing tensions and challenges with both Russia and increasingly, China. Functioning of the G7 o Compared to an international organization, the G7 does not have a permanent administrative structure. o Each year, starting from January 1, one of the Member States takes over the leadership of the Group on a rotating basis. o The role as host, also known as the G7 presidency, rotates annually among member countries in the following order: France, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada (2025). o Policy initiatives are crafted by ministers and envoys known as Sherpas, who prepare discussions and agreements before the annual gathering. o Non-member countries are occasionally invited to participate in G7 meetings. PM address on International Day of Yoga 2024 in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the 10th International Day of Yoga (IYD) event in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir on 21st June 2024. The Prime Minister led the celebrations of International Yoga Day and took part in the Yoga session. Noting the 10th anniversary of International Yoga Day, the Prime Minister recalled that a record 177 countries endorsed India’s proposal in the UN. o He also recalled India awarding a Padma Shree this year to a 101-year-old French yoga teacher. A 101-year-old French yoga teacher named Charlotte Chopin was awarded the Padma Shri by Indian President Draupadi Murmu. Informing about the acceptance of yoga in Europe, the Prime Minister said that so far, 1.5 crore German citizens have become yoga practitioners. This year’s theme ‘Yoga for Self and Society’ highlights the dual role in fostering individual and societal well-being. The event will encourage grassroots participation and the spread of Yoga in rural areas. PM inaugurates Nalanda University Campus in Rajgir, Bihar The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University at Rajgir, Bihar. The University is conceived as a collaboration between India and East Asia Summit (EAS) countries. 13 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  Several eminent people including the Head of Missions of 17 countries attended the inauguration ceremony. The Nalanda University Campus has two Academic Blocks with 40 Classrooms having a total seating capacity of around 1900. The Campus is a ‘Net Zero’ Green Campus. It is Self-Sustainable with solar plant, domestic and drinking water treatment plant, water recycling plant for reusing wastewater, 100 acres of water bodies, and many other environment-friendly facilities. About Nalanda University Gupta Emperor Kumaragupta (Shakraditya) of the Gupta dynasty founded Nalanda University in 427 CE in modern Bihar in the early 5th century, and it flourished for 600 years until the 12th century. During the era of Harshavardhana and the Palas monarchs, it rose to popularity. During King Harshavardhana's reign (606-647 AD) Chinese scholar Xuan Zang (also known as Hiuen Tsang and Moksadeva, a 7th-century Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveler, and translator) came here and studied for about 5 years. In 670 AD, another Chinese pilgrim I-Tsing visited Nalanda. He stated that Nalanda housed 2,000 students and was supported by money from 200 villages. An abode of learning, eminence, and intellectual sharing, it is considered the world’s first residential University by historians. Great masters such as Nagarjuna, Aryabhatta, and Dharmakirti contributed to the scholarly traditions of ancient Nalanda. The university was destroyed in 1193 by Bakhtiyar Khilji, a general of the Turkish ruler Qutbuddin Aibak, with an intent to evade the roots of knowledge, Buddhism, and Ayurveda. He set fire to the library of Nalanda. Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turkish invader, captured some areas of North India and once got ill. All the treatment went in vain and he reached a moribund condition. Then someone advised him to take treatment from Acharya Rahul Sribhadra, head of Ayurveda department of Nalanda University. At first Khilji refused but then agreed with condition. He put a strange condition in front of Vaidyaraj (Acharya Rahul Sribhadra) that he will not eat any kind of medicine. Vaidyaraj used his presence of mind and then he applied the medicine on the pages of Quran and gave the Quran to Khilji. After reading that book, he recovered but he could not and was not willing to believe that Indian physicians have more knowledge than his wife and their masters. After this, he decided to destroy roots of Ayurveda. Bakhtiyar Khilji set fire in the great library of Nalanda University which is reported to have housed more than 9 million manuscripts. The library continued to burn for three months after the invaders set fire suggesting the number of books burnt. Along with the greatest library, we also lost all the literary evidences, great scholars, Acharyas, and the very powerful and widespread Ayurveda. Revival: The idea for revival emerged in the early 2000s. Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the Singapore government, and leaders of East Asian Summit (EAS) countries all advocated for Nalanda's return. The Indian Parliament passed the Nalanda University Act in 2010, providing a legal framework for the new institution. Nalanda University is envisioned as a collaborative effort between India and other East Asian nations, symbolizing a renewed focus on regional knowledge exchange. The Bihar government provided a 455-acre site near the ancient ruins. The architect, B.V. Doshi, designed an eco-friendly campus reflecting the spirit of the past while incorporating modern 14 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  amenities. The ruins of Nalanda University were declared as a UN Heritage Site in 2016. PM hails rising visibility of Indian universities on global stage Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday commended Indian universities for their advancement on the global stage, emphasizing that the government's commitment to quality education is leading to promising outcomes. The prime minister was responding to a post by Phil Baty, the Chief Global Affairs Officer at the London- based Times Higher Education Ranking. According to recent statistics shared by Phil Baty, the participation of Indian universities in global rankings has surged significantly since 2016. Back in 2016, 31 universities were part of the rankings, but this number has now grown to 133 in 2025. In 2024 alone, 124 universities from India participated, making it the fourth most represented country in these rankings. Nunzio Quacquarelli, CEO and Managing Director of QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd, made a significant observation on June 7 regarding the performance of Indian universities in the QS World University Rankings. Specifically, the number of Indian institutions participating in the rankings has increased dramatically, from just 11 in 2015 to 46 in 2024, which marks a remarkable 318 percent increase in ten years. This growth rate is the highest among G20 nations. Note: We have covered both the Reports in our AffairsTap Current Affairs Magazine for June 2024. 15 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com We reiterate our commitment to overcome Sickle Cell Disease: PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Sickle Cell Day (19th June) reiterated the government's commitment to overcoming sickle cell disease. Last year, we launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission and have been working on aspects like creating awareness, universal screening, early detection and proper care Announced in the 2023-24 budget, the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission targets the eradication of the disease by 2047. National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission o The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Program, introduced in the Union Budget 2023, focuses on addressing the significant health challenges posed by sickle cell disease, particularly among tribal populations of the country. o Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic single gene disorder causing a debilitating systemic syndrome characterized by chronic anemia, acute painful episodes, organ infarction and chronic organ damage and by a significant reduction in life expectancy. o Mission ▪ To improve care of all Sickle Cell Disease patients for their better future and to lower the prevalence of the disease through multi-faced coordinated approach towards screening and awareness strategies o Vision ▪ Eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health problem in India before 2047 there is need for increasing the awareness about the disease in the community, implementation of mass screening activities for early identification, building a strong network of diagnosis and linkages, implementing robust monitoring system. o Strategy o The strategy emphasizes on THREE pillars: ▪ Health promotion- Awareness generation & pre-marital genetic counselling ▪ Prevention: Universal screening and early detection ▪ Holistic Management & continuum of care Management of persons with sickle cell disease at primary, secondary and tertiary health care levels; treatment facilities at tertiary health care facilities Patient support system Community adoption o Beneficiaries ▪ The program shall be carried out in a mission mode covering the entire population from zero to 18 years of age and shall incrementally include the entire population up to 40 years as a part of National Health Mission and shall focus on universal population-based screening, prevention, and management of sickle cell anemia in all tribal and other high prevalent areas States/UTs of India. ▪ The mission aims to cover 7 crore people with screening, counselling for prevention and care for people with SCD in three and half years. o Focus states ▪ Implemented in 17 high-focus states (278 districts of tribal areas) across the country, this program aims to improve the care and prospects of all sickle cell disease patients while reducing the prevalence of the disease. The 17 states are- Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Uttarakhand. ▪ The program is executed in a mission mode as part of the National Health Mission 16 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  (NHM), aims to eliminate sickle cell genetic transmission by the year 2047, showing a long-term commitment to eradicating the disease. ▪ Over a period of three years, spanning from the fiscal year 2023-24 to 2025-26, the program targets screening approximately 7.0 crore people. This ambitious goal highlights the program's dedication to reaching a large portion of the population, promoting early diagnosis and intervention. What is Sickle Cell Disease? o Sickle cell anemia is one of a group of inherited disorders known as sickle cell disease. It affects the shape of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the body. o Red blood cells are usually round and flexible, so they move easily through blood vessels. In sickle cell anemia, some red blood cells are shaped like sickles or crescent moons. These sickle cells also become rigid and sticky, which can slow or block blood flow. o Typical red blood cells usually live for about 120 days before they need to be replaced. But sickle cells usually die in 10 to 20 days, leaving a shortage of red blood cells. This is known as anemia. Without enough red blood cells, the body can't get enough oxygen. This causes fatigue. PM releases three books on the life and journey of former Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi released three books on the life and journey of former Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu on the eve of his 75th birthday (1st July). The books released by the Prime Minister include: Biography of the former Vice President titled “Venkaiah Naidu – Life in Service” authored by Shri S Nagesh Kumar, former Resident Editor of The Hindu, Hyderabad edition; “Celebrating Bharat – The Mission and Message of Shri M Venkaiah Naidu as 13th Vice–President of India”, a Photo chronicle compiled by Dr I.V. Subba Rao, Former Secretary to Vice-President of India; and Pictorial biography in Telugu titled “Mahaneta – Life and Journey of Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu” authored by Shri Sanjay Kishore. Prime Minister condoles the demise of Acharya Laxmikant Dixit The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the demise of Acharya Laxmikant Dixit who was part of Ram Temple consecration ceremony and dedication of Kashi Vishwanath Dham. Acharya Laxmikant Dixit, the chief priest who had performed the consecration ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram mandir, passed away on June 22. His last rites will be performed at Varanasi's auspicious Manikarnika Ghat. Cabinet Approvals – June 2024 Cabinet approves Central Sector Scheme “National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme” (N.F.l.E.S.) The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the proposal of Ministry of Home Affairs for Central Sector Scheme “National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES) with a total financial outlay of Rs. 2254.43 crore during the period from 2024-25 to 2028-29. Financial outlay of the Central Sector Scheme will be provisioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs from its own budget. The Cabinet has approved the following components under this Scheme: o Establishment of Campuses of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in the country. o Establishment of Central Forensic Science Laboratories in the country. o Enhancement of existing infrastructure of the Delhi Campus of the NFSU. With the enactment of the New Criminal Laws which mandates forensic investigation for offences involving 17 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  punishment of 7 years or more, a significant increase in the workload of forensic science laboratories is expected. High-quality, trained forensic professionals are expected to contribute to an efficient criminal justice process, leveraging advancements in technology and evolving crime patterns. The scheme is intended to support the government's objective of achieving a high conviction rate of more than 90%. National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) o It is the world's first and only university dedicated to forensic sciences. o It was established in 2009 as Gujarat Forensic Sciences University and was later renamed to NFSU in 2020. o Its main campus is located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Do you know? o Central sector schemes: They are 100% funded by the Union government and implemented by the Central Government machinery. It covers subjects from Union List (central subjects). o Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS): It has a certain percentage of the funding borne by the States and the implementation is by the State Governments. It covers subjects from Concurrent List (shared subjects). o States have some flexibility to modify schemes to suit local needs within central guidelines. Cabinet approves development of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi The cabinet has approved the proposal of Airports Authority of India (AAI) for development of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi including Construction of New Terminal Building. The estimated financial outgo will be Rs. 2869.65 Crore for enhancing the passenger handling capacity of the airport to 9.9 million passengers per annum (MPPA) from the existing 3.9 MPPA. As per the official statement, the New Terminal Building, which encompasses an area of 75,000 sqm is designed for a capacity of 6 MPPA (million passenger per annum) and for handling 5,000 Peak Hour Passengers (PHP). It is designed to offer a glimpse of the vast cultural heritage of the city. The proposal, includes extending the runway to the dimensions 4,075m x 45m and constructing a new apron to park 20 aircraft. o Varanasi airport will be developed as a green airport with the primary objective of ensuring environmental sustainability through energy optimization, waste recycling, carbon footprint reduction, solar energy utilization. Cabinet approves Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Kharif Crops for Marketing Season 2024-25 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Kharif Crops for Marketing Season 2024-25. Government has increased the MSP of Kharif Crops for Marketing Season 2024-25, to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce. The highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year has been recommended for oilseeds and pulses viz. nigerseed (Rs.983/- per quintal) followed by sesamum (Rs.632/- per quintal) and tur/arhar (Rs.550/- per quintal). Crops MSP Cost* KMS Margin over MSP MSP Increase 2024-25 2024-25 cost (%) 2023-24 in 2024-25 over 2023-24 Cereals Paddy Common 2300 1533 50 2183 117 18 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  Grade A^ 2320 - - 2203 117 Jowar Hybrid 3371 2247 50 3180 191 Maldandi" 3421 - - 3225 196 Bajra 2625 1485 77 2500 125 Ragi 4290 2860 50 3846 444 Maize 2225 1447 54 2090 135 Pulses Tur /Arhar 7550 4761 59 7000 550 Moong 8682 5788 50 8558 124 Crops MSP Cost* KMS Margin over MSP MSP Increase 2024-25 2024-25 cost (%) 2023-24 in 2024-25 over 2023-24 Urad 7400 4883 52 6950 450 Oilseeds Groundnut 6783 4522 50 6377 406 Sunflower Seed 7280 4853 50 6760 520 Soybean (Yellow) 4892 3261 50 4600 292 Sesamum 9267 6178 50 8635 632 Nigerseed 8717 5811 50 7734 983 Commercial Cotton (Medium 7121 4747 50 6620 501 Staple) (Long 7521 - - 7020 501 Stapler Cabinet approves Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for implementation of Offshore Wind Energy Projects The Union Cabinet has recently approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for offshore wind energy projects with a total outlay of Rs.7453 crore. It includes an outlay of Rs.6853 crore for installation and commissioning of 1 GW of offshore wind energy projects (500 MW each off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu), and grant of Rs. 600 crores for upgradation of two ports to meet logistics requirements for offshore wind energy projects. Offshore wind energy projects refer to developing and operating wind farms located offshore, typically in 19 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  coastal waters or oceans. What is VGF Scheme? o The VGF scheme is a financial tool to support infrastructure projects that are economically justified but face financial viability challenges. o It was launched in 2004 to address the gap between economically viable infrastructure projects and their financial feasibility under traditional financing models. o VGF is a government grant of up to 40% of the total project cost, provided to support infrastructure projects that are economically justified but not financially viable. About VGF Scheme for Offshore Wind Energy Projects o 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. o The VGF support from the Government will reduce the cost of power from offshore wind projects and make them viable for purchase by DISCOMs. o The power excavation infrastructure, including the offshore substations, will be constructed by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL). o Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, as the nodal ministry, will coordinate with various Ministries/Departments to ensure successful implementation of the scheme. Environmental and Economic implications: o 1 GW projects will generate 3.72 billion units annually, reducing CO2 emissions by 2.98 million tons per year for 25 years. o Expected to kickstart India’s offshore wind sector, supporting initial development of 37 GW capacity with an investment of Rs. 4,50,000 crores. o Creates an ecosystem for ocean-based economic activities, contributing to India’s energy transition goals. Offshore Wind o It is the energy derived from winds blowing across the sea, transformed into electricity and supplied into the electricity network onshore. o MNRE has set a target of 30 GW offshore wind installations by 2030. o 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. Case Study: China Did the Same o China, which struggled to install offshore wind projects in 2010 due to lack of expertise and technology, had taken a similar step. o In 2017: It provided funding support through subsidies of up to 48 per cent of project cost to developers, leading to capacity addition of around 4.1 GW between 2014 and 2018. o At present: China is the leader in this segment with 30 per cent global share. Government to provide assistance to construct 3 crore rural and urban houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Govt of India is implementing Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana since 2015-16 to provide assistance to the eligible rural and urban households for construction of houses with basic amenities. Under PMAY, total 4.21 Crore houses have been completed for the eligible poor families under the housing schemes in the last 10 years. All the houses constructed under PMAY are provided the other basic amenities such as Household Toilets, LPG connection, Electricity connection, Functional Household Tap Connection etc. through convergence with other schemes of Central Government and State Governments. The Government of India has decided to provide assistance for the construction of houses to an 20 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  additional 3 crore rural and urban households under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Note: There are many components of PMAY Scheme, we have covered this in Our Previous edition, you should know everything about this scheme in Detail. https://pmay-urban.gov.in/ https://pmayuclap.gov.in/ https://pmayg.nic.in/netiayHome/home.aspx Cabinet approves ‘Development of an all-Weather Greenfield deepdraft Major Port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra'. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved setting up a Major Port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Maharashtra. The Project will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), an SPV formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) with a shareholding of 74% and 26%, respectively. o The Vadhavan Port will be developed as an all-weather Greenfield deep draft major port in Vadhavan, Palghar District, Maharashtra. o The total project cost, including the land acquisition component is Rs.76,220 Crore. o Vadhavan will be India’s 13th major port and the first major port to be developed in partnership with a state government (Maharashtra). o Kamarajar Port in Tamil Nadu, which started operations in February 2001, was the last major port to be developed by the Union government. o The new port will be constructed by Vadhvan Port Project Ltd, a joint venture between state-owned Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (74 percent stake) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (26 percent equity), in two phases, under the landlord model, per the government policy. The cabinet also approved establishing the road connectivity between the Port and National Highways by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and rail linkage to the existing rail network and the upcoming Dedicated Rail Freight Corridor by Ministry of Railways. o The Port will comprise nine container terminals, each 1000 meters long, four multipurpose berths, including the coastal berth, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a Coast Guard berth. o The capacities created will also aid EXIM trade flow through IMEEC (India Middle East Europe 21 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  Economic Corridor) and INSTC (International North South Transportation Corridor). World's Largest Port: o The Shanghai Port, owned by the Shanghai International Port Company Ltd, tops the list of the busiest ports in the world in 2024. o Singapore Port is the second largest and Busiest Port. o The Ningbo Port is situated on the coast of the East China Sea. In 2023, it became the third busiest Port in the world after handling more than 35 million TEU. o The largest port of India is situated in the east of Mumbai, it is known as The Jawaharlal Nehru Port. It is also known as Nhava Seva. The JN port was established on May 26, 1989. o Among the top hundred container ports in the world, the Jawaharlal Nehru port is ranked 28th. More than fifty five percent of India’s containerized cargo is handled by the port. Ministry of Commerce & Industry Quality Council of India celebrates World Accreditation Day (9th June) in more than 20 cities across India. On June 9th of each year, the world comes together to observe World Accreditation Day, a global initiative established by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). The event in New Delhi was inaugurated by Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The central event was held in New Delhi, focusing on the theme "Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future." India's accreditation infrastructure is robust, comprising two main bodies: o NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories): Responsible for accrediting laboratories. o NABCB (National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies): Responsible for accrediting Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs). ▪ NABL, which oversees more than 8,000 accredited laboratories, and NABCB, with over 260 accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), are signatories to the Multilateral Recognition Arrangements (MLAs) of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). About the Quality Council of India (QCI) o The Quality Council of India (QCI) was established in 1997 as a public-private partnership, modeled after the system in the Netherlands at the time. It was a collaborative initiative between the Government of India and three key industry associations: ▪ Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) ▪ Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) ▪ Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) o Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) 2021 Rankings ▪ India’s national accreditation system under the Quality Council of India (QCI) has been ranked 5th in the world. ▪ The GQII ranks 184 economies based on their quality infrastructure (QI). ▪ India’s overall QI system is ranked 10th, with the standardization system (under BIS) at 9th and the metrology system (under NPL-CSIR) at 21st. o Quality Infrastructure (QI) in India ▪ QI includes metrology, standardization, accreditation, and conformity assessment services, which are essential for international trade. ▪ In India: 22 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  National Physical Laboratory (NPL-CSIR): National metrology institute. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): National standards body. Quality Council of India (QCI): Custodian of the national accreditation system through its constituent boards. Ministry of Education Department of School Education signs MoU with the National Book Trust under Department of Higher Education to develop an institutional framework for Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya. A first-of-its-kind digital library, Rashtriya e-Pustakalya, will seek to instill a lifelong love of reading among Indian children and youth by offering over 1,000 non-academic books to children and adolescents published by over 40 reputed publishers in more than 22 languages besides English. It will be aimed at facilitating the availability of quality books across geographies, languages, genres, and levels and providing device-agnostic accessibility for children and adolescents in the country. The books will be categorized by four age groups, as per NEP 2020, for readers aged 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years. The books will thus be available to read anytime and anywhere. By signing this MoU, DoSEL and the National Book Trust, India, will commit to collaborating to improve the educational environment. NBT, is an apex body established by the GoI (Department of Higher Education (DHE), Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD)) in 1957. NCTE Organizes Orientation Sessions on NMM and NPST for PM SHRI School teachers National Council for Teacher Education, under the direction of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, conducted a five-day virtual orientation program on the National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) and the National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) for teachers of PM SHRI schools from 29 States/UTs/KVS/NVS across the country covering more than 1 lakh teachers. The sessions, held from 10-14 June 2024, aimed at the capacity building of PM SHRI school teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 effectively. What is PM Shri School? o The PM SHRI School is a centrally sponsored scheme initiated by the Government of India. Its objective is to establish over 14,500 PM SHRI Schools, overseen by the Central Government, State/UT Governments, local bodies, as well as Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS). o These schools aim to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for every student, ensuring their well-being and providing a secure and enriching learning environment. o Scheme of PM SHRI schools (PM ScHools for Rising India) is to be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a total project cost of Rs. 27360 crore which includes a central share of Rs. 18128 crores for the period of five years from year 2022-23 to 2026-27. ▪ The PM SHRI Schools will be developed as Green schools, incorporating environment friendly aspects like solar panels and LED lights, nutrition gardens with natural farming, waste management, plastic free etc. o A School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) is being developed, specifying the key performance indicators to measure outcomes. Quality evaluation of these schools at regular interval will be undertaken to ensure the desired standards. 23 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com Read More in Detail: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1857409 21 students to participate in Sakura Science Programme 2024 in Japan To develop the intellectual horizon and scientific exploration among young learners, the JST with the DoSEL has been implementing the Sakura Science High School Programme under the Sakura Science Programme (SSP) since 2014. India participated in the program for the first time in April 2016. So far 532 students and 83 supervisors have visited Japan under this programme. The last batch visited Japan in December 2023. Visiting a country like Japan always provides an enriching experience and an opportunity to explore its innovative practices. Ministry of Education rolls out a nationwide campaign on Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) 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 o 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. 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. Ministry of Finance Centre releases Rs 1.39 trillion instalment of tax devolution to states The Central government has devolved ₹1.39 lakh crore to states as devolution of its tax revenue in June, finance ministry stated on Monday. The Interim Budget for FY25 had earmarked Rs. 12.19 trillion towards devolution of taxes to states. With this release, the total amount devolved for FY25 to states till 10 June stands at Rs. 2.8 trillion. The existing devolution formula is set by the Fifteenth Finance Commission for the five-year period till FY26. The Sixteenth Finance Commission chaired by Arvind Panagariya is currently working on evolving the framework for tax devolution for the period from FY27-31. Finance ministry stated that in the latest round of fund release, Uttar Pradesh received ₹25,069.88 crore while West Bengal received ₹10,513.46 crore. Rajasthan received ₹8,421.38 crore, while Madhya Pradesh received Rs. 10,970.44 crore. Devolution of Taxes to States - Article 270 of the Constitution provides for distribution of net tax proceeds collected by the Union government (corporation tax, personal income tax, central GST, etc.) between Union and states. - This devolution is based on the recommendation of the Finance Commission (FC) constituted every five years as per Article 280. - This divisible pool does not include cess and surcharge levied by the Centre. Basis of Devolution - Vertical Devolution: Share of states from divisible pool which presently stands at 41% based on the recommendations of the 15th FC. - Horizontal Devolution: It refers to distribution among the states from the share allocated to states based on various criteria. - As per 15th FC, the assigned criteria with their weights are: Income Distance (45%), Area (15%), Population, 2011 (15%), Demographic performance (12.5), Forest and Ecology (10%), and Tax and 24 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  fiscal efforts (2.5%). CBIC to launch automated currency exchange rate publishing system on July 4 The online Exchange Rate Automation Module (ERAM) system will replace the existing manual process of notifying exchange rates through a notification. ERAM is a significant step towards trade facilitation as the exchange rates of 22 currencies would now be published online in advance for ease of consumption by all importers and exporters. These exchange rates would be made available on the ICEGATE website twice a month i.e. on the evening of the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month and would be effective from midnight of the following day. Gross Direct Tax collections for the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25 register a growth of 22.19% The provisional figures of Direct Tax collections for the Financial Year 2024-25 (as on 17.06.2024) show that Net collections are at Rs. 4,62,664 crores, compared to Rs. 3,82,414 crores in the corresponding period of the preceding Financial Year (i.e. FY 2023-24), representing an increase of 20.99%. The Net Direct Tax collection of Rs. 4,62,664 crore (as on 17.06.2024) includes Corporation Tax (CIT) at Rs. 1,80,949 crore (net of refund) and Personal Income Tax (PIT) including Securities Transaction Tax (STT) at Rs. 2,81,013 crores (net of refund). The provisional figures of Gross collection of Direct Taxes (before adjusting for refunds) for the Financial Year 2024-25 stand at Rs. 5,15,986 crores compared to Rs. 4,22,295 crores in the corresponding period of the preceding financial year, showing a growth of 22.19% over the collections of FY 2023-24. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Defence sign MoU to set up dedicated Tele MANAS cell for armed forces A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to facilitate collaboration between the two ministries in operating a special cell of Tele MANAS, the National Telemetry Health Helpline of MoHFW, as a pilot project for a period of two years at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune. Tele MANAS is the digital extension of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), offering comprehensive, integrated, and inclusive 24/7 tele-mental health services. o The initiative provides toll-free number, 14416, in each State and Union Territory (UT) for easy access to mental health support. o Currently, there are 51 operational Tele MANAS cells functioning across all 36 States and UTs, offering services in 20 different languages. o Since its launch in October 2022, Tele MANAS has received over 10 lakh calls and is managing more than 3,500 calls daily. Tata Memorial Centre acquires first-of-its-kind iUS system in country for brain tumor surgeries The Neurosurgery Department at Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) has recently acquired an advanced intraoperative Ultrasound (iUS) machine from Wipro GE Healthcare South Asia. The iUS machine is used for performing complex brain tumor surgeries. The system is cost-effective and can easily be used by neurosurgeons. The system was unveiled on Saturday, 1st June 2024 at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai. Union Health Minister, Shri JP Nadda launches National STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024 He was joined by Smt. Anupriya Patel and Shri Jadhav Patraprao Ganpatrao, Union Ministers of State for 25 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  Health and Family Welfare. The goal behind the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024 is to attain zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea. The STOP Diarrhoea Campaign will be implemented in two phases: the Preparatory Phase from 14th to 30th June 2024, and the Campaign Phase from 1st July to 31st August 2024. Key activities during this period include the distribution of ORS and Zinc co-packages by ASHA workers to households with children under five, setting up ORS-Zinc corners at health facilities and Anganwadi centers, and intensifying advocacy and awareness efforts for effective diarrhoea management. Focus Areas of the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign: o Strengthening Health Infrastructure: Ensuring the proper maintenance and use of health facilities and the availability of essential medical supplies (ORS, Zinc), particularly in rural areas. o Improving Access to Clean Water and Sanitation: Implementing rigorous quality control measures and sustainable practices to provide safe drinking water and better sanitation. o Enhancing Nutritional Programs: Addressing malnutrition, a major contributor to diarrheal diseases, through improved nutritional initiatives. o Promoting Hygiene Education: Equipping schools with necessary facilities and fostering healthy habits among children through comprehensive hygiene education programs. FSSAI directs FBOs to remove claim of 100% Fruit Juices from the label and advertisement of fruit juices All the FBOs have also been instructed to exhaust all existing pre-printed packaging materials before 1st September, 2024. Additionally, if added nutritive sweeteners exceed 15 gm/kg, the product must be labelled as ‘Sweetened juice'. Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs MoHUA celebrates Transformative Milestones in Urban Development on the 9th Anniversary of AMRUT, Smart Cities Mission, and PMAY-U The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs commemorated the 9th anniversary of three landmark initiatives: the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), the Smart Cities Mission, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U). These initiatives, launched on June 25, 2015, by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, have collectively transformed urban infrastructure and improved the quality of life for millions of residents across India. AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) Scheme o Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) was launched on 25th June 2015 in 500 selected cities across the country, covering around 60% of the urban population. o The 2.0 scheme was launched on 1st October 2021, subsuming AMRUT 1.0 for the period of 5 years i.e. from the financial year (FY) 2021-22 to the FY 2025-26. o Its objective is universal coverage of water supply from 500 cities to about 4,900 statutory towns in the country and coverage of sewerage/septage management in 500 cities covered in the first phase of the AMRUT scheme. o AMRUT 2.0 aims to promote the circular economy of water through the development of a City Water Balance Plan (CWBP) by recycling/reuse of treated sewage, rejuvenation of water bodies and water conservation. Key Achievements under AMRUT 2.0: o Extensive Project Implementation: ▪ Total Projects: 8200 ▪ Total Project Cost: ₹182,583.07 Crores o Sector-wise Breakdown: 26 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  ▪ Water Supply: 3530 projects, ₹112,530.1 Crores ▪ Sewerage and Septage Management: 562 projects, ₹63,790.57 Crores ▪ Water Body Rejuvenation: 2709 projects, ₹5420.5 Crores ▪ Parks Development: 1399 projects, ₹841.91 Crores o Initiatives and Programs: ▪ AMRUT Mitra: Engagement of over 350 Women SHGs in water sector activities. ▪ Shallow Aquifer Management Project: Enhanced green cover and urban flooding mitigation. ▪ Youth Connect Programme: Significant student and faculty participation in studying water bodies. PMAY-U: Realizing the Vision of ‘Housing for All Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 25th June 2015 with a vision of ‘Housing for All’. The mission's overarching goal is to provide "pucca" (durable and permanent) houses to all eligible urban households by 2022. To achieve this, the scheme has been extended until December 2024 to ensure the completion of all sanctioned houses without altering the funding pattern and implementation methodology. Beneficiaries: The Mission addresses urban housing shortage among the EWS/LIG and MIG categories including the slum dwellers. o Economically Weaker Section (EWS) - with a maximum annual family income of Rs. 3,00,00 o Low Income Group (LIG) - with maximum annual family income of Rs. 6,00,000 and o Middle Income Groups (MIG I & II) - with a maximum annual family income of Rs. 18,00,000 ▪ A beneficiary family will comprise husband, wife, unmarried sons and/or unmarried daughters Components of PMAY-U: In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR): The ISSR program offers Central Assistance of Rs. 1 lakh per dwelling for qualified slum residents during redevelopment, utilizing land as a resource in collaboration with private developers. o States/Cities have the flexibility to allocate this Central Assistance to other slum redevelopment projects. Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS): The CLSS aids beneficiaries from EWS/LIG, Middle Income Group (MIG)-I, and MIG-II seeking housing loans for buying, constructing, or enhancing homes. o These individuals can avail interest subsidies of: ▪ 6.5% on loan amount up to Rs. 6 Lakh ▪ 4% on loan amount up to Rs. 9 Lakh ▪ 3% on loan amount up to Rs. 12 Lakh ▪ Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), National Housing Bank (NHB), and State Bank of India (SBI) are the designated Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) responsible for channeling the subsidy through lending institutions and monitoring progress. Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP): o AHP provides Central Assistance of Rs. 1.5 Lakh for each Economically Weaker Section (EWS) dwelling by the Government of India. o Affordable housing projects can include various categories, but they qualify for Central Assistance if at least 35% of the homes target the EWS category. o States/UTs set an upper ceiling on the sale price of EWS homes to ensure affordability. Key highlights of PMAY-U: As on date, 114 Lakh have been grounded for construction while more than 84 Lakh houses have already been completed and delivered to beneficiaries. As on date out of committed Central Assistance of ₹2 27 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  lakh crore, ₹1.64 lakh core has been released. Under PMAY-U, new construction technologies are being promoted at large scale. o Light House Projects (LHPs) at six locations of the country, are the perfect example of promotion of affordable housing projects constructed using innovative technologies in less time and that can be further replicated in Indian context. The LHPs located in Chennai, Rajkot, Indore, Lucknow and Ranchi have already been inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister while in Agartala, the construction is in advanced stage. Aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of AatmaNirbhar Bharat, the sub-scheme of Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) was launched in July 2020 under PMAY-U. Under two different models, ARHCs provide ease of living through access to dignified affordable rental housing for urban migrants/poor close to their workplace. Further, on 10.06.2024 Government has resolved to provide assistance to 3 crore additional rural and urban households for the construction of houses, to meet the housing requirements arising out of the increase in the number of eligible families. Accordingly, PMAY-Urban is being revamped to provide Assistance to 1 crore eligible urban families. Read Here and Make Notes: https://pmay-urban.gov.in/about Smart Cities Mission: Advancing Urban Innovation and Technology It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, launched in June 2015 to transform 100 cities to provide the necessary core infrastructure and clean and sustainable environment to enable a decent quality of life to their citizens through the application of "Smart Solutions". It aimed to improve the quality of life for citizens through sustainable and inclusive development. The Smart Cities Mission has been a beacon of urban transformation, enhancing the quality of life in 100 cities through over 8,000 innovative projects worth approximately ₹1.6 lakh crore. Components of the SCM: o Area-based Development: ▪ Redevelopment (City Renewal): Renewal of existing urban areas to improve infrastructure and amenities. E.g. Bhendi Bazar, Mumbai. ▪ Retrofitting (City Improvement): Upgrading infrastructure in existing areas to make them more efficient and sustainable. E.g. Local Area Development (Ahmedabad). ▪ Greenfield Projects (City Extension): Development of new urban areas with a focus on sustainability and smart technologies. E.g. New Town, Kolkata, Naya Raipur, GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City). o Pan-City Solutions: ▪ Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions across various sectors such as e-governance, waste management, water management, energy management, urban mobility, and skill development. Governance Structure: o To enhance effectiveness, a new governance model was adopted. ▪ A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) was created under the Companies Act, 2013 led by a bureaucrat or a representative of a Multinational Corporations (MNC). Financing of Smart Cities: o The SCM receives Rs. 48,000 crores over 5 years from the Central Government, averaging Rs. 100 crore per city per year. o States and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) are required to contribute an equal amount, resulting in a total of nearly Rs. 1 lakh crore for Smart Cities development. Key Achievements under Smart Cities Mission: o Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCC): 28 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  ▪ All 100 smart cities have operationalized ICCC, leveraging AI, IoT, and data analytics to enhance city operations such as transport management, water supply, and solid waste management. o Public Safety and Security: ▪ Over 76,000 CCTV surveillance cameras have been installed across 100 cities, bolstering city- wide crime monitoring efforts. o Solid Waste Management: ▪ Around 4,800 vehicles across 50+ smart cities have been RFID enabled for Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) to improve solid waste management in addition to innovative technologies deployed to improve Route Management, Collection and Daily Management, etc. o Streetlights: ▪ More than 50 Lakhs Solar/LED Streetlights have been installed and over 89,000 kms of underground electricity cabling constructed. Smart Cities Mission extended till March 2025 As on 03rd July 2024, the 100 Cities have completed 7,188 projects (90% of total projects) amounting to ₹ 1,44,237 crore as part of the Mission. The balance 830 projects amounting to ₹ 19,926 crore are also in advanced stages of completion. The Government of India has extended the Mission period upto 31 March 2025 to complete these balance 10% projects. On the financial progress, the Mission has an allocated GOI budget of ₹ 48,000 crore for the 100 Cities. As on date, GOI has released ₹ 46,585 crore (97% of the allocated GOI budget) to 100 Cities. All ongoing projects are now expected to be completed before 31 March 2025. Ministry of Power and MNRE Government enhances allocation for Fertilizer Sector under SIGHT Programme of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) with a target to achieve production capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum of Green Hydrogen in the country by the year 2030. Initiated on January 4, 2023, with a budget of Rs. 19,744 crores, the mission aligns with India’s Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) vision and global Clean Energy Transition goals. Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme: o Component I: It aims at providing electrolyzer manufacturing incentives with a total outlay of INR 4440 crore o Component II: It focuses on green hydrogen production with a financial outlay of INR 13050 crore. o Implementing agency: The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) would be the implementing agency responsible for the scheme’s execution. ▪ Under the NGHM, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued guidelines for the SIGHT Programme, specifically Component II: Incentive for Procurement of Green Ammonia Production (Mode 2A) on January 16, 2024. This component targets the fertilizer sector. o Bidding Process: The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) released a Request for Selection (RfS) to choose Green Ammonia producers through a cost-based competitive bidding process. o Increased Demand and Amendment: ▪ Due to the growing demand for Green Hydrogen and its derivatives, particularly Green Ammonia in the fertilizer sector, MNRE has increased the allocation under Mode 2A by 2 29 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  lakh tonnes per annum. ▪ The allocation for the fertilizer sector has been increased from 5.5 lakh tonnes per annum to 7.5 lakh tonnes per annum of Green Ammonia. About Green Ammonia: o It is produced by using hydrogen from water electrolysis and nitrogen separated from the air. o These are then fed into the Haber process (also known as Haber-Bosch) which is powered by sustainable electricity. o In the Haber process, hydrogen and nitrogen are reacted together at high temperatures and pressures to produce ammonia, NH3. o Green ammonia production is where the process of making ammonia is 100% renewable and carbon-free. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy organises ‘Global Wind Day 2024’ event with a central theme of “Pawan-Urja: Powering the Future of India” The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) organized ‘Global Wind Day’ on the 15th of June 2024, aimed at celebrating the glorious success of Indian Wind Sector so far and also discussing the potential way forward for accelerating wind energy adoption in India. o With a central theme of “Pawan–Urja: Powering the Future of India”, the event successfully conducted panel discussions around the ‘Role of Wind Energy in Meeting the Power Demand’, ‘Accelerating Onshore Wind Energy Adoption in India’ and ‘Offshore Wind Development in India: Bolstering India’s Energy Security’. With a cumulative installed wind power capacity of 46.4 GW by May 2024, it has progressed to become the fourth largest in the world. Prime Minister of Nepal triggers the last blast of Head Race Tunnel of Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project in Nepal Prime Minister of Nepal Shri Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ triggered the last blast to mark the completion of heading excavation for the 11.8 km long Head Race Tunnel of 900 MW Arun- 3 Hydro Electric Project in Sankhuwasabha District of Nepal. Arun - 3 Hydro Electric Project is being executed by SJVN Arun-3 Power Development Company Pvt. Ltd. (SAPDC), a fully owned subsidiary of SJVN. o SAPDC is a significant collaboration between SJVN and the Government of Nepal, which aims to enhance regional energy security and boost economic development through sustainable hydropower generation in Arun River Basin. o Currently, SJVN is executing 2,200 MW of three Hydroelectric Projects on Arun River basin in Nepal. Government of India approves new transmission schemes worth ₹13,595 crore to evacuate 4.5 GW RE power each from Rajasthan and Karnataka. The Government of India has approved new Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) schemes to evacuate 9 GW of RE power from Rajasthan and Karnataka. These schemes will be implemented through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) mode. These schemes are part of 500 GW RE capacity by 2030 out of which 200 GW is already connected. Brief of the approved schemes is as under: o The power evacuation scheme of Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) will evacuate 4.5 GW of RE power from Rajasthan. It comprises 1 GW from Fatehgarh complex, 2.5 GW from Barmer Complex and 1 GW from Nagaur (Merta) Complex. This power will be transferred to Mainpuri Region, Fatehpur and Orai of Uttar Pradesh. The completion period of the scheme is two years. Cost of the scheme is about ₹12,241 crore. o The System strengthening scheme of Karnataka will evacuate 4.5 GW RE power from Koppal area 30 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com  and Gadag area. The scheme will be completed by June 2027. Cost of the scheme is about ₹1,354 crore. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) Launches eSankhyiki Portal for Enhanced User Experience and Ease of Data Access The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is the nodal Ministry for integrated development of the national statistical system in the country in tune with the global statistical practices and data dissemination standards. In line with this mandate, the Ministry has developed an eSankhyiki portal (https://esankhyiki.mospi.gov.in) to provide real-time inputs for planners, policy-makers, researchers and the public at large. The objective of this portal is to establish a comprehensive data management and sharing system for ease of dissemination of official statistics in the country. The eSankhyiki portal (https://esankhyiki.mospi.gov.in) has officially been launched on the Statistics Day by Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission of India, in a function held on 29th June, 2024. o The initiative is in sync with the theme of the Statistics Day- ‘Use of data for Decision making’ as ease of access of data is the prerequisite for evidence-based decision making. Release of SDG publications on the occasion of 18th Statistics Day celebrated on 29th June 2024 On the occasion of 18th Statistics Day, on 29th June 2024, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the following publications on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): o Sustainable Development Goals – National Indicator Framework Progress Report, 2024 o Data Snapshot on Sustainable Development Goals – National Indicator Framework, Progress Report, 2024 o Sustainable Development Goals – National Indicator Framework, 2024 Highlights of the Sustainable Development Goals – National Indicator Framework Progress Report, 2024 o The Number of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) provided bank credit linkage has increased from 18.32 lakh in 2015-16 to 44.15 lakh in 2023-24 o Gross Value Added in agriculture per worker (in ₹) has increased from 61,427 in 2015-16 to 87,609 in 2023-24 o Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher secondary education has increased from 48.32 in 2015-16 to 57.60 in 2021-22 o Exclusive women SHGs in Bank linked SHGs has increased from 88.92% in 2015-16 to 97.53% in 2023-24 o Percentage of population using an improved drinking water source in rural areas has increased from 94.57% in 2015-16 to 99.29% in 2023-24. o The installed renewable energy generating capacity in the country has shown a steady increase in value from 63.25 watts per capita in 2014-15 to 136.56 watts per capita in 2023-24. o The number of patents issued (granted) has increased from 6,326 in 2015-16 to 1,03,057 in 2023-24 o Percentage of wards with 100% do