03 Aug 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Gaganyaan Mission
2. Study in India (SII) Portal
3. ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ Campaign
4. Indian Organ Donation Day
5. eCourts Mission Mode Project
6. Naya Savera Scheme
7. Rajmargyatra

1. Gaganyaan Mission

Syllabus: GS-3, Science and Technology

Prelims: Gaganyaan Mission

Context:

Progress of the Gaganyaan Mission.

Gaganyaan Mission:

• Union Minister informed in the Rajya Sabha that the first Test Vehicle mission, for the validation of the crew escape system for Gaganyaan is planned for August/September 2023.
• Progress of the mission:
  • 2nd Crew Module sub-assembly identified for uncrewed mission is completed and delivered by industry.
  • Orbital module preparation facility construction is completed.
  • Recovery training plan by ISRO and Indian Navy & recovery training program commenced at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.
  • The delivery of human-centric products for crew training commenced from various national labs. Testing of human-centric products is underway.

Read more on the Gaganyaan Mission in the linked article.

2. Study in India (SII) Portal

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt schemes and programmes

Prelims: Study in India (SII) Portal

Context:

Study in India (SII) Portal launched in New Delhi.

About the Study in India (SII) Portal:

• Study in India Portal is a dedicated website that will provide comprehensive information about Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
• The website will cover information about academic programmes including information about courses in Indian knowledge systems like Yoga, Ayurveda, classical arts, etc.
• The new portal will provide an integrated one-stop solution for the student registration and visa application process.
• The portal signifies the government’s commitment to making India a global hub of education by welcoming students of diverse backgrounds. 
• The Study in India programme involves a partnership with educational institutes fulfilling one of the following criteria:
  • National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking (<=100)
  • National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation score (>=3.01)
  • Institutes of National Importance (INI)
• The portal is expected to simplify the process for international students seeking to study in India.

3. ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ Campaign

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt Programmes

Prelims: ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign

Context:

The Prime Minister unveiled the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign in his Mann Ki Baat.

‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ Campaign:

• The ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign will start on 9th August, with scheduled programs until Independence Day on 15th August 2023. 
• Subsequently, events will take place from 16th to 30th August when the closing ceremony will take place in New Delhi.
• This campaign aims to honour the brave freedom fighters and bravehearts who sacrificed their lives for the country. 
• The campaign will include various programs across the country to remember the bravehearts (Veers). 
• Shilaphalakams (memorial plaques) commemorating them will be installed in gram panchayats, close to Amrit Sarovars. 

4. Indian Organ Donation Day

Syllabus: General Knowledge

Prelims: Indian Organ Donation Day

Context:

13th Indian Organ Donation Day.

What is Indian Organ Donation Day?

• Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) is observed annually since 2010, to augment awareness about brain stem death and organ donation, dispel myths and misconceptions associated with organ donation and motivate and encourage the citizens of the country to donate organs and tissues after death, as well as to imbibe the values of organ donation in their lives. 
• To reduce the demand for organ transplantation campaign activities also promote healthy lifestyles & wellness.
• One person, after his/her death, can give new life to up to 8 people by donating vital organs namely Kidney, Liver, Lung, Heart, Pancreas and Intestine and improve the quality of life of many more by donating tissues like cornea, skin, bone and heart valve, etc.

Angdaan Mahotsav:

• As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, an awareness campaign for organ donation “Angdaan Mahotsav” has been kick-started.
• To spread awareness about organ and tissue donation, various programmes such as webinars, walkathons, cyclathons, etc. will be conducted.

Also read: National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)

5. eCourts Mission Mode Project

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt Schemes

Prelims: eCourts Mission Mode Project

Mains: Reforms in the Indian judiciary

Context:

Status of the eCourts Mission Mode Project.

eCourts Mission Mode Project:

• E-Courts Project is a mission-mode project undertaken by the Department of Justice, Government of India.
• The eCourts Project was conceptualized on the basis of the “National Policy and Action Plan for Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Indian Judiciary – 2005” submitted by eCommittee, Supreme Court of India with a vision to transform the Indian Judiciary by ICT enablement of Courts.
• The project is a pan-India mission mode project funded and monitored by the Department of Justice for the District Courts across the country.
• The project is aimed at providing designated services to litigants, lawyers and Judiciary through universal computerisation of district and subordinate courts, as well as the upgradation of the ICT infrastructure of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
• Objectives of the Project:
  • To provide efficient & time-bound citizen-centric service delivery as detailed in eCourt Project Litigant’s Charter.
  • To develop, install & implement decision support systems in courts.
  • To automate the processes to provide transparency in the accessibility of information to its stakeholders.
  • To enhance judicial productivity, both qualitatively & quantitatively, to make the justice delivery system affordable, accessible, cost-effective, predictable, reliable and transparent.

6. Naya Savera Scheme

Syllabus: GS-2, Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States

Prelims: Naya Savera Scheme

Context:

The Minister of Minority Affairs informed that the Naya Savera Scheme has been discontinued with effect from 2022-23.

Naya Savera Scheme:

• The scheme provided special coaching for qualifying examinations for admission in technical/professional courses and competitive examination for recruitment to Group Á, ‘B’, & ‘C’ services and other equivalent posts under the Central and State Governments including public sector undertakings, banks and railways to students/candidates belonging to the six notified minority communities of India.

7. Rajmargyatra

Syllabus: GS-3, Infrastructure

Prelims: Rajmargyatra, NHAI

Context:

NHAI launched Rajmargyatra mobile app.

What is Rajmargyatra Mobile App?

• Rajmargyatra is a mobile application that provides travellers with comprehensive information on Indian National Highways while also offering an efficient complaint redressal system. 
• The app is currently available in Hindi and English.
• It acts as a one-stop repository of essential information such as weather updates, timely broadcast notifications, and access to details about nearby toll plazas, petrol pumps, hospitals, hotels, and other essential services.
• It integrates its services with various bank portals, making it convenient for users to recharge their FASTags, avail of monthly passes, and access other FASTag-related banking services.
• It is equipped with an inbuilt complaint redressal and escalation mechanism. 
• It also offers over-speeding notifications and voice assistance to encourage responsible and safe driving behaviour.
• The app aims to provide a safe and seamless journey on national highways for travellers.

Read the previous PIB articles here.