20 Feb 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Skill India Centre
2. National Level Project of Health Screening and Management
3. Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
4. Tejas Mk1A

1. Skill India Centre

Syllabus: GS-2, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

Prelims: Skill India Centre, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)

Mains: Programs for skill development in India

Context:

Union Minister inaugurated the first Skill India Centre (SIC) of the country in Odisha.

Details:

• The centre is equipped with best-in-class infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies and modern facilities that will catalyse demand for formal skills and will serve as a catalyst in enabling youth to acquire the skills needed to succeed in their respective fields. 
• The SIC will play a pivotal role in designing curriculum along with industry experts which will be aligned with the changing industry needs, promote standardization, and create employment opportunities that meet the demand for skilled talent across industries.
• To ensure seamless implementation of the training ecosystem, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will designate a Centre Manager who will monitor the implementation of training programs and ensure adherence to quality standards and the overall functioning of the Centre.
• The initiative is designed to build the capabilities and knowledge of Yuva Shakti (youth) in trades that are high in demand such as Media & Entertainment, Leather, Tourism & Hospitality, and IT-ITeS.
• This will open new avenues for individuals to pursue education, and acquire new skills and employment linkages.

2. National Level Project of Health Screening and Management

Syllabus: GS-2, Health; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population

Mains: Policies and programs for the upliftment of the tribal population of the country

Context:

A National Level Project of Health Screening and Management through Ayurvedic Interventions to benefit over 20,000 Tribal Students to be launched.

Details:

• The project aims at screening the general health condition of the students enrolled in classes 6th to 12th in selected 55  Ekalavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) spread across 14 states of the country. 
• The special focus is on anaemia, haemoglobinopathies, malnutrition & tuberculosis. 
• Efforts will be made to inculcate healthy lifestyle practices among students as per the principles of Ayurveda. Also, an integrated approach will be made for the management of the diseases.
• This initiative has been taken up by the Ministry of Ayush through its research council CCRAS along with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH) Jabalpur.

Background:

• Tribal health in India is still an area of concern after more than seven decades of independence. 
• Despite commendable efforts, several obstacles hinder the successful delivery of healthcare services to these underserved populations. 
• The tribal population of the country, as per the 2011 census, is 10.43 crore, constituting 8.6% of the total population; 89.97% of them live in rural areas and 10.03% in urban areas.

Ekalvya Model Residential Schools

• Ekalavya Model Residential School (EMRS) is a Government of India scheme for model residential schools for Scheduled Tribes across India.
• It is one the flagship interventions of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India and was introduced in the year 1997-98 to ensure tribal students get access to quality education in remote tribal areas.
• EMRSs are set up in States/UTs with grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India.

3. Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)

Syllabus: GS-2, Polity & Governance

Prelims: Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) 

Mains: Greenwashing – Issues and Challenges

Context:

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) seeks public comments on the Draft Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing.

Details:

• The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) constituted a committee of stakeholders for consultation on “Greenwashing” in 2023. 
• The committee had the representation of NLUs, law firms, Government and Voluntary Consumer Organizations (VCOs) and all the major industry associations.
• Three meetings of the committee were held to finalise the Draft Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing.

Definition of Greenwashing:

• The draft guidelines define Greenwashing as “any deceptive or misleading practice, which includes concealing, omitting, or hiding relevant information, by exaggerating, making vague, false, or unsubstantiated environmental claims and use of misleading words, symbols, or imagery, placing emphasis on positive environmental aspects while downplaying or concealing harmful attributes”.

Draft Guidelines:

• The Guidelines will apply to all advertisements and service providers, product sellers, advertisers, advertising agencies or endorsers whose service is availed for the advertisement of such goods or services. 
• The Guidelines also provide the provision that vague terms such as ‘green’, ‘eco-friendly’, ‘eco-consciousness’, ‘good for the planet’, ‘cruelty-free’, and similar assertions are to be used only with adequate disclosures.
• The Guidelines prescribe various disclosures that would be required to be made by the company making green claims. They also require all environmental claims to be backed by verifiable evidence.

Read more on the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) in PIB dated Feb 16, 2024.

4. Tejas Mk1A

Syllabus: GS-3, Defence and Security

Prelims: Tejas Mk1A

Context:

Digital Flight Control Computer for Tejas Mk1A flown successfully.

Details:

• The Digital Fly by Wire Flight Control Computer (DFCC) was integrated into prototype LSP7 and successfully flown.
• This is a significant development concerning the development of the Tejas Mk1A program.
• DFCC has been indigenously developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru.
• The Indian Air Force has already operationalised Tejas LCA Mk1.
• The improved version of the aircraft, Tejas MK1A features an advanced mission computer, high-performance Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC Mk1A), Smart Multi-Function Displays (SMFD), Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Advanced Self-protection Jammer, Electronic Warfare Suit, etc.

Read previous PIB articles here.