02 Jan 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Exercise Desert Cyclone
2. Sagar Parikrama Phase - X
3. National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission
4. CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 Amendment

1. Exercise Desert Cyclone

Syllabus: GS-3, Security & Defence

Prelims: Exercise Desert Cyclone

Context:

The India – UAE joint military exercise Exercise Desert Cyclone commenced in Rajasthan.

Exercise Desert Cyclone:

• This is the first edition of this exercise.
• It is taking place in Mahajan, Rajasthan from 2nd to 15th January 2024. 
• The Indian Army contingent comprising 45 personnel is being represented mainly by a Battalion from the Mechanised Infantry Regiment. The UAE contingent is being represented by troops from the Zayed First Brigade.  
• The Exercise aims to enhance interoperability in Sub-conventional Operations including Fighting in Built-Up Area (FIBUA) in desert/semi-desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter on Peace Keeping Operations. 
• The Exercise will enhance cooperation and interoperability between both sides during Peace Keeping Operations.

Read more on India – UAE Relations in the linked article.

2. Sagar Parikrama Phase – X

Syllabus: GS-3, Economy

Prelims: Sagar Parikrama

Context:

Sagar Parikrama Phase – X is being held in Andhra Pradesh.

To learn more about Sagar Parikrama, click on the linked article.

3. National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

Syllabus: GS-2, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Prelims: National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, Sickle Cell Anaemia

Mains: Various government schemes in the health sector, Issues facing the tribal population in India

Context:

More than 1 crore screened for Sickle Cell Disease under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission.

Read more about the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in PIB dated July 1, 2023.

4. CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 Amendment

Syllabus: GS-2, Governance

Context:

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare following the women empowerment policy, amends CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 allowing the female Government servant to nominate her child/children for family pension in precedence to her husband.

Details:

• As per the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, if a deceased Government servant or pensioner is survived by a spouse, family pension is first granted to the spouse and the children and other family members become eligible for family pension, on their turn, only after the spouse of the deceased Government servant/pensioner becomes ineligible for family pension or dies.
• There have been queries as to whether a female Government servant/female Pensioner can be allowed to nominate her eligible child/children for family pension in place of her spouse in the event of marital discord or divorce.
• Accordingly, the Department has amended the Rules such that if the female Government servant/female pensioner has filed a case against her husband under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act or Dowry Prohibition Act or under the Indian Penal Code, such female Government servant/Female Pensioner may make a request for grant of family pension after her death to her eligible child/children, in precedence to her husband.
• This is considered a progressive amendment which will empower women employees/pensioners significantly.

Read previous PIB articles here.