22 Jan 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana
2. Exercise Cyclone
3. Exercise Khanjar

1. Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt Schemes

Prelims: Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana

Context:

PM announced the Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana.

About Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana:

• The government will launch “Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana” with the target of installing rooftop solar on 1 crore houses.
• The PM said that the power of the sun can be harnessed by every household with a roof to reduce their electricity bills and to make them truly ‘aatmanirbhar’ for their electricity needs.
• Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana aims to provide electricity to low and middle-income individuals through solar rooftop installations, along with offering additional income for surplus electricity generation.

2. Exercise Cyclone

Syllabus: GS-3 Security & Defence; GS-2, IR

Prelims: Exercise Cyclone

Context:

2nd edition of India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise CYCLONE. 

About Ex CYCLONE:

• The Exercise will be conducted at Anshas, Egypt from 22nd January to 1st February 2024.  
• The first edition of the exercise was conducted in 2023 in India.
• The Indian contingent of 25 personnel is being represented by troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).
• The aim of the Exercise is to acquaint both sides with each other’s operating procedures in the backdrop of Special Operations in desert/semi-desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.  
• Exercise CYCLONE is designed to develop bilateral military cooperation and strengthen the bond between two armies through the conduct of discussions and rehearsal of tactical military drills.
• While the first phase will include Military Exhibitions and Tactical Interactions, the second phase will focus on training on Improvised Explosive Device (IED), counter IED and Combat First Aid. The third and final phase will encompass a Joint Tactical Exercise based on Fighting in Built-up Area and Hostage Rescue Scenarios.

3. Exercise Khanjar

Syllabus: GS-3, Security & Defence; GS-2, IR

Prelims: Facts about India Central Asia Connect, India-Kyrgyzstan relations

Mains: Significance of Central Asia in terms of India’s security policies

Context:

The 11th edition of India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR has commenced at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.

Exercise Khanjar:

• The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 22nd January to 3rd February 2024. 
• It is an annual event conducted alternatively in both countries.
• The aim of the exercise is to exchange experiences and best practices in Counter Terrorism and Special Forces Operations in Built-up Area and Mountainous Terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. 
• The exercise will emphasise developing Special Forces skills, and advanced techniques of insertion and extraction.
• This exercise contributes to the further strengthening of the India-Kyrgyzstan relationship that has fostered over years of mutual respect for strategic autonomy, democratic values and zero tolerance for terrorism. 

Get a comprehensive understanding of India-Kyrgyzstan relations in AIR Spotlight.

Read previous PIB articles here.