20 Dec 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
2. INS Kadmatt
3. Offshore Patrol Vessels for Indian Coast Guard
4. RAMP Programme
5. National Geoscience Data Repository Portal
6. PM-AJAY
7. 7th Economic Census
8. National Sports Awards 2023

1. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt schemes

Prelims: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

Context:

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana achieved its target of Rs. 1000 Crore in sales in FY 2023-24.

Know more about the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana in the link.

2. INS Kadmatt

Syllabus: GS III, Security; Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Prelims: INS Kadmatt

Context:

INS Kadmatt is in Bangkok, Thailand to bolster Indo-Thai maritime cooperation.

About INS Kadmatt:

• INS Kadmatt is an Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette built for the Indian Navy.
• INS Kadmatt was built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers of Kolkata under Project 28.
• It is named after the Kadmat Island of India’s Lakshadweep Islands. 
• It produces low levels of radiated underwater noise which reduces its chances of detection. 
• INS Kadmatt is equipped with features such as anti-aircraft guns, torpedoes and rocket launchers, early warning, navigation and fire control radars along with underwater sensors and integrated communication and electronic warfare systems.
• The ship was commissioned into the Navy in 2016.

3. Offshore Patrol Vessels for Indian Coast Guard

Syllabus: GS-3, Security & Defence

Prelims: Indian Coast Guard

Context:

The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai, for the procurement of six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVS) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

Details:

• The contract was made under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category at a total cost of Rs1614.89 Crore. 
• Out of the six vessels being procured, four would replace the existing ageing offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and the other two would augment the ICG fleet.
• The acquisition is aimed to boost the ICG’s capability and reinforces the increased focus of the government towards Maritime Security. 
• These modern and high-tech ships will play a critical role in enhancing surveillance, law enforcement, search and rescue, maritime pollution response, and other important capabilities including humanitarian assistance by the ICG.
• The ships would be equipped with Multipurpose Drones, AI capability, and Wirelessly Controlled Remote Water Rescue Craft Lifebuoy, etc.

4. RAMP Programme

Syllabus: GS-3, Economy

Prelims: RAMP programme, MSE GIFT Scheme, MSE SPICE Scheme, MSE Scheme on Online Dispute Resolution for Delayed Payments

Context:

MSME Minister launched three sub-schemes under the RAMP programme.

Schemes launched:

1. MSME Green Investment and Financing for Transformation Scheme (MSE GIFT Scheme) – intended to help MSMEs adopt green technology with interest subvention and credit guarantee support.
2. MSE Scheme for Promotion and Investment in Circular Economy (MSE SPICE Scheme) – supports circular economy projects which will be done through credit subsidy and will lead to realising the dream of the MSME sector towards zero emissions by 2070.
3. MSE Scheme on Online Dispute Resolution for Delayed Payments – scheme to synergise legal support with modern IT tools and Artificial Intelligence to address the incidences of delayed payments for Micro and Small Enterprises.

About RAMP Programme:

• The objective of the scheme is to assist several Resilience and Recovery Interventions of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
• The program will also seek to enhance the implementation capacity, employment opportunities and MSME coverage in the states.
• Interventions under the RAMP programme include,
  • Access to technology and credit,
  • Increasing access of MSMEs to market,
  • Inclusion of the service sector, gender and greening initiatives,
  • Increasing outreach to more MSMEs.
• An important component of RAMP is the preparation of Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs), to which all states/UTs will be invited.
• The programme is in line with the recommendations made by the K V Kamath Committee and the U K Sinha Committee.
• It will be implemented over 5 years.
• The RAMP programme will be monitored by an apex National MSME Council headed by the Minister for MSME.

Read more on the MSME Sector.

Other initiatives the ministry is taking to support MSME:

• Support for Commercialisation of IP Programme (MSME – SCIP Programme) –  will enable the innovators in the MSME sector to commercialize their IPR. 
• ZED Scheme – guarantees payment of 100 percent financial support for the certification cost. This is now completely free for women-led MSMEs.

5. National Geoscience Data Repository Portal

Syllabus: GS-3, Science & Technology

Prelims: National Geoscience Data Repository Portal

Context:

National Geoscience Data Repository Portal launched.

National Geoscience Data Repository Portal:

• The National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) has been created as a part of the National Mineral Exploration Policy, 2016, hosting all baseline and exploration-related geoscientific data in a single GIS platform, to expedite, enhance and facilitate the exploration coverage of the country. 
• The initiative is led by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Bhaskarachaya Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N).
• The NGDR Portal can be accessed at https://geodataindia.gov.in.
• The NGDR will make available all geological, geochemical, geophysical and mineral exploration data in the public domain on a digital geospatial platform. 

Key Features of the National Geoscience Data Portal (NGDR):

• Centralized Access: Provides a centralized repository of diverse geoscience datasets, including geological maps, mineral resources, seismic data, and environmental information.
• User-Friendly Interface: An intuitive interface designed to cater to a wide range of users, enabling seamless navigation and exploration of data.
• MERT template: The Mineral Exploration Reporting Template facilitates all the geoscientific stakeholders to submit their data in the NGDR portal in a standard reporting template.
• Analytical Tools: Equipped with state-of-the-art analytical tools to interpret and extract valuable insights from complex geospatial data.
• Open Access: Encourages transparency and knowledge sharing by offering open access to a wealth of geoscience information.

6. PM-AJAY

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt Schemes

Prelims: PM-AJAY

About PM-AJAY:

• Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented since 2021-22 as three components:
  • Development of SC-dominated villages into an ‘Adarsh Gram’ component
  • ‘Grants-in-aid for District/State-level Projects for socio-economic betterment of SCs’ component
  • ‘Construction of Hostels in Higher Educational Institutions’ component
• The scheme aims to reduce poverty in the SC Communities by the generation of additional employment opportunities through skill development, income generation and related infrastructure development.

7. 7th Economic Census

Syllabus: GS-2, Governance

Prelims: Economic Census

Context:

The fieldwork of the 7th Economic Census has been completed. 

What is the economic census?

• It is the census of the Indian economy through counting all entrepreneurial units in the country which are involved in any economic activities of either agricultural or non-agricultural sector which engaged in the production and/or distribution of goods and/or services, not for the sole purpose of own consumption.
• It gives the basic entrepreneurial data for planning and development in the State, especially for unorganized sectors of the economy. 
• It is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, Government of India.
• The Economic Census is the complete count of all entrepreneurial units located within the geographical boundaries of the Country.
• Information on the number of establishments and employment in all types of establishments, unpaid/paid workers, female workers, child workers, ownership of establishments, use of power, registration of establishments, source of finance, etc. is collected.
• The complete address of enterprises having 10 or more workers is recorded.
• The economic census has been conducted in the years 1977, 1980, 1990, 1998, 2005, 2013 and 2019 (7th).

8. National Sports Awards 2023

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

Prelims: National Sports Awards 2023

Context:

Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announces National Sports Awards 2023.

Details:

• The President of India will give away the awards on 9th January 2024.
• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023 will be given to Chirag Chandrashekhar Shetty and Rankireddy Satwik Sai Raj, both badminton players.
  • ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award’ is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson for the previous four years.
• 26 sportspersons will receive the Arjuna Award.
  • ‘The Arjuna Award for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games’ is given for good performance over the previous four years and for showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.
• ‘The Dronacharya Award for Outstanding Coaches in Sports and Games’ is given to coaches for doing outstanding and meritorious work consistently and for enabling sportspersons to excel in International events.
• ‘The Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Games’ is given to honour sportspersons who have contributed to sports by their performance and who continue to contribute to the promotion of sports events after their retirement.
• The overall top-performing university in inter-university tournaments is given the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.

Read previous PIB articles here.