25 Feb 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Bulk Drugs PLI scheme
2. Telecommunication Engineering Center(TEC)
3. Dhara – an Ode to Indian Knowledge System
4. Conference on Indian Temple Architecture titled "DEVAYATANAM – An Odyssey of Indian Temple 
Architecture"
5. Ministry of Education launches Bhasha Certificate Selfie campaign

1. Bulk Drugs PLI scheme

Syllabus: GS2: Polity and Governance: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors 

Prelims: Bulk Drugs PLI scheme

Context:

The Union Minister for Chemical & Fertilizers interacted with the company representatives of Bulk Drugs PLI scheme beneficiaries.

Bulk Drugs PLI scheme:

• The PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs aims to attain self-reliance in the sector of identified critical drugs.
• Under the Scheme, financial incentives shall be given based on threshold investment and domestic sales made by the selected applicant for the eligible products.
• Target Segments
  • Key Fermentation Based Ksms
  • Niche Fermentation Based Ksms
  • Key Chemical Synthesis Based Ksms
  • Other Chemical Synthesis Based Ksms
• Tenure Of The Scheme: Financial Year 2020-21 to Financial Year 2029-30

2. Telecommunication Engineering Center(TEC)

Syllabus: GS3: Science and Technology: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology

Prelims: Telecommunication Engineering Center (TEC)

Context:

The Telecommunication Engineering Center (TEC) has invited inputs for developing a framework for fairness assessment of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning (ML) Systems.

Telecommunication Engineering Center (TEC)

• The Telecommunication Engineering Center is a body under telecom commission and a nodal agency of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India.
• It is responsible for drawing up standards, generic requirements, interface requirements, service requirements and specifications for telecom products, services and networks.
• Objectives:
  • Develop new specifications and update the existing ones in order to keep pace with the global development.
  • Establishment of state-of-art telecom laboratories.
  • Active participation in professional bodies such as ITU, IETF, APT etc. to protect the country’s interests.
  • Technology approval for C-DoT in order to develop telecom technology aimed specifically for local manufacturers.

Significance of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: –

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning applications are increasingly being used in all domains such as Healthcare, Agriculture, Smart Cities, Smart Homes, Finance, Defense, Transport, Logistics, Natural Language Processing, Surveillance, and so on.
• Various Government Organizations are also using AI/ ML Systems for delivery of public services and e-governance.
• When AI/ ML Systems are used for e-governance or by the judiciary, checking for their fairness would become a legal requirement.
• National Digital Communications Policy-2018 mandates for synergising deployment and adoption of AI.

Know more about Artificial Intelligence

3. Dhara – an Ode to Indian Knowledge System

Syllabus: GS3: Science and Technology: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology

Prelims: Dhara; Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate

Context:

The Ministry of Culture organized the first event of the series Dhara – an Ode to the Indian Knowledge System today as part of Science Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate.

What is Dhara?

• DHARA is an Ode to the Indian Knowledge System which is organized by the Ministry of Culture.
• DHARA provides a series of programmes which are powered by lecture demonstrations, celebrating India’s contribution across diverse fields.
• Know more about Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate

4. Conference on Indian Temple Architecture titled “DEVAYATANAM – An Odyssey of Indian Temple Architecture”

Syllabus: GS1: Art and Culture: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Prelims: Indian Temple Architecture; UNESCO sites

Context:-

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of the Ministry of Culture has launched an international conference ‘Devayatanam – An odyssey of Indian temple architecture.

Major takeaways from the Conference:

• A temple is a combination of art and science which includes Shilpa sastra, vasthu sastra, geometry and symmetry. The temples promote unity, integrity, and civilization.
• The Union Government has proposed Hoysala temples of Belur and Somnathpur to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• There have been three major styles of setting up temples in India known as Nagara, Dravidian and Vesara.
  • Dashavatar temple in Devgarh is of Nagara style which is prevalent between the Himalayas and the Vindhya mountains.
  • The Kailasanathar temple in Kanchi is a Dravidian style temple, developed on the land of Krishna and Kaveri River.
  • Vesara is a hybrid form of Nagara and Dravidian style; Papanatha temple is one of the examples of Vesara style.

Know more about  Indian Temple Architecture

5. Ministry of Education launches Bhasha Certificate Selfie campaign

Syllabus: GS2: Polity and Governance: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

Prelims: Bhasha Certificate Selfie campaign

Context: –

The Ministry of Education launched a campaign ‘Bhasha Certificate Selfie’.

‘Bhasha Certificate Selfie’:

• ‘Bhasha Certificate Selfie’ encourages cultural diversity and promotes multilingualism and to foster the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
• Bhasha Certificate Selfie initiative aims to promote the Bhasha Sangam mobile app.
  • It is developed by the Ministry of Education and MyGov India.
• The initiative is under the aegis of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
• It will aim to ensure that people acquire basic conversational skills in Indian languages.

Read previous PIB here.

February 25th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here