26 Apr 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. World Intellectual Property Day
2. Transmission interconnection between India and Maldives
3. Labour Force Participation Rate
4. Indian Pharma Vision 2047

1. World Intellectual Property Day

Syllabus: GS III, Science and Technology, issues relating to intellectual property rights. 

Prelims: World Intellectual Property Day, IPR

Mains: Significance of creating more awareness in the field of Intellectual Property Rights in India. 

Context: The CSIR – National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research organised a national workshop on Intellectual Property and Youth: Innovating for a better future. This workshop commenced commemorating World Intellectual Property Day which is celebrated every 26th of April. 

About the Workshop:

• It highlighted the importance of intellectual property, patents and communications pertaining to the innovations that were witnessed during the pandemic. 
• Over the gradual progress of time, the digital transformation in the country driven by Public-Private Partnership has seen many patents filed in the digital sector. 
• This has enhanced the prominence of Intellectual Property Rights more than normal with increasing awareness across the population to attract more Indian applicants who file IPR indicating economic growth. 
• Strategies for engagement, empowerment and entrepreneurship were emphasised.
• There was a presentation on improving the tetra packaging of food with a two-slit design that shall prevent wastage of food. 

Explore more about World Intellectual Property Day in the linked article.

2. Transmission interconnection between India and Maldives

Syllabus: GS II, International Relations, bilateral agreements involving India

Prelims: India-Maldives relations, OSOWOG

Mains: The Maldives as a strategic partner of India.

Context: In order to transfer renewable power, India and the Maldives decided to establish a transmission interconnection. 

An Overview of the matter: 

• Both India and Maldives decided to engage in transmission interconnectivity cooperation with the objective of achieving the net-zero emission target of the Government of Maldives by 2030. 
• This will pave the way for India to play a key role in assisting the Maldives to achieve its energy targets. 
• The meeting involved discussions on two proposals in the form of Memoranda of Understanding which include energy cooperation and transmission interconnection under One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) to facilitate the transfer of renewable energy to the Maldives. 

Read more about India-Maldives Relations in the link provided.

3. Labour Force Participation Rate

Syllabus: GS III, Economy, issues relating to growth, development and employment

Prelims: PLFS, LFPR

Mains: Essential indicators of employment generation in India and their assessment.

Context: A statement has been issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment pertaining to an observed decrease in the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in the country alleged by various media reports.

Important Inference:

• The Ministry informed that the labour force and the workforce in the country have increased steadily over the years along with an increase in female participation in the labour force. 
• It was iterated by the Economic Survey 2021-22 that estimated an increase in employment during the period of 2019-20. 
• The QES assessment indicated an increase in employment in the selected sector reflecting a growth rate of 29%. 
• The Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) conducted by the Labour Bureau, aims to assess the employment situation of the country with respect to 9 selected sectors of the non-farm economy of India over successive quarters.
• There have been additions in the subscription of EPFO that covers low paid workers in medium and large establishments of the formal sector. This trend indicates job creation and extension of social security benefits to the organised/semi-organised sector workforce. 
• An all-time high GST collection and all-time high overall export of India during the financial year 2021-22 exemplify positive trends in employment generation in the country. 

About LFPR:

• The Labour Force Participation Rate is the percentage of the population which is either working (employed) or seeking work (unemployed).
• The authentic data regarding LFPR is released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation through the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). 
• The PLFS is used as an indicator of LFPR, Worker Population Ratio and the Unemployment Rate for individuals of age 15 years and above. 

Also read about World Employment and Social Outlook in the link shared.

4. Indian Pharma Vision 2047

Syllabus: GS II, Social Justice, Issues relating to health

Prelims: Indian Pharma Vision 2047

Mains: Paradigm shift in the health ecosystem of India from wellness to well-being.

Context: The 7th International Conference on Pharma and Medical Device Sector was held with the central theme of Indian Pharma Vision 2047. 

India at an advantage:

• It was highlighted that India is at a triple advantage of cost, quality and scale in the pharmaceutical sector and this can be furthered.
• India is well known for its delivery of good quality medicines at a high production scale and at affordable prices. 
• It has successfully fulfilled 50% of the demand in many of the low-income countries as well as in the advanced markets by supplying good quality generic medicines with firm determination. 
• India aspires to become the global pharma leader by 2047 with the key objective of differentiation based on innovation. 

Vision Pharma 2047: Highlights

• To become a global leader in the manufacturing of affordable, innovative and quality pharmaceuticals and medical devices for the goal of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. 
• To become ‘Vishwaguru’ in innovation and research for providing health care products to future generations in a sustainable manner with greater emphasis on natural products. 
• Ensure accessibility and affordability of patient-centric products for better universal healthcare coverage through partnerships between industry, science and government. 
• Equity, efficiency and efficacy towards products related to rare diseases. 
• Create equilibrium between social, economic and governance aspects through a progressive policy and regulatory framework. 
• Reduce carbon footprint in Pharma-MedTech to align with the vision of Panchamrita, decarbonising the supply chain and promoting local sourcing. 
• Infuse digitisation and technology up-gradation. 

Read about PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana in the linked article.

Read previous PIB here.

April 26th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here