11 Aug 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Assam Delimitation
2. Hydroponics Farming
3. Digi Yatra
4. National Space Innovation Challenge 2023

1. Assam Delimitation

Syllabus: GS-2, Polity & Governance

Prelims: Delimitation 

Context:

ECI publishes the final draft of the delimitation of the Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies of Assam.

Details:

• After meticulous consideration of a diverse array of representations, the Delimitation Commission has revealed its revised nomenclature for 19 Assembly Constituencies and 1 Parliamentary Constituency in the state.
• The lowest administrative unit has been retained as the basis for delimitation, with villages in rural areas and wards in urban areas remaining intact throughout the state.
• The number of Scheduled Caste (SC) assembly seats has increased from 8 to 9, and Scheduled Tribe (ST) assembly seats have increased from 16 to 19.
• In response to representations, the Commission has revised the names of 19 Assembly constituencies and 1 Parliamentary constituency.
• The final order introduces paired names for certain constituencies, such as Darrang-Udalgiri, Hajo-Sualkuchi, Boko-Chaygaon, Nagaon-Batadraba, and more, as per public demand.

Background:

• The Election Commission of India is entrusted with the responsibility of delimiting the Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies in the State of Assam under Section 8-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
• The delimitation of the Assembly and Parliamentary seats in the State of Assam was last carried out in 1976 based on the 1971 census. 

2. Hydroponics Farming

Syllabus: GS-3, Agriculture

Prelims: Hydroponics farming

What is Hydroponics Farming?

• Hydroponics is a viable alternative to traditional farming methods for soil-less cultivation for enhancing productivity and water use efficiency. 
• It is a kind of hydroculture and is a technique for growing plants using solutions rich in mineral nutrients without soil. Terrestrial flora could be grown with their roots in the mineral solution only, or in an inert medium like gravel or perlite. The nutrients in hydroponics could be obtained from duck manure, fish waste and from normal nutrients.
• Hydroponics is a new concept in India and gaining popularity among entrepreneurs and innovative farmers, who are looking for sustainable and efficient ways to grow crops. 
• At present, this technology is mostly confined to urban farming, rooftop gardening and commercial farming.

3. Digi Yatra

Syllabus: GS-2, Government policies

Prelims: Digi Yatra

Context:

Digi Yatra to be launched at 6 more airports.

Details:

• Digi Yatra facility will be launched at 6 more airports namely Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Lucknow, Jaipur, and Guwahati airports in the month of August 2023. 
• The implementation and installation of Digi Yatra infrastructure at these airports will take place in a phased manner.

Know more about Digi Yatra in PIB dated June 22, 2023.

4. National Space Innovation Challenge 2023

Syllabus: GS-3, Science & Technology

Prelims: National Space Innovation Challenge 2023

Context:

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Navars Edutech launched the National Space Innovation Challenge (NSIC) 2023.

About NSIC 2023:

• NSIC 2023 is a national-level campaign designed to ignite next-generation space enthusiasts to understand and contribute towards the growing Indian space economy and future space workforce.
• The competition is open to all school students across the country.
• Students of classes 5 to 12 are given an open platform where they can innovate and enable themselves to solve modern-day space technology problems from August 11 to September 20, 2023.
• Students (from ATL and Non-ATL schools) can submit their entries on the automated technology platform.
• Each student based on their interest and understanding, must select one problem which falls under any one of the Challenge themes.

Read the previous PIB articles here.