03 July 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

03 July 2024 PIB
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Exercise Nomadic Elephant
2. ICT Labs and Smart Classrooms in KGBVs
3. Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit
4. Global INDIAai Summit 2024
5. Zika Virus
6. Codex Alimentarius Commission
7. Sampoornata Abhiyan
FIP Magazine

1. Exercise Nomadic Elephant

Syllabus:

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

Prelims: Exercise Nomadic Elephant

Mains: India – Mongolia relations

Context:

The 16th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT commenced in Umroi (Meghalaya). 

Exercise Nomadic Elephant:

  • The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from the 3rd to the 16th of July 2024.
  • Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT is an annual training event conducted alternatively in India and Mongolia. 
  • The last edition was conducted in Mongolia in July 2023.
  • The Exercise aims to enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter-insurgency operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. 
  • The exercise will focus on operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain.
  • Tactical drills during the Exercise include Response to a Terrorist Action, Establishment of a Joint Command Post, Establishment of an Intelligence & Surveillance Centre, Securing of a Helipad/ Landing Site, Small Team Insertion & Extraction, Special Heliborne Operations, Cordon & Search Operations besides Employment of Drones and Counter Drone Systems amongst others. 
  • The exercise will also facilitate the development of inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between the two armies.

Also read: India – Mongolia relations

2. ICT Labs and Smart Classrooms in KGBVs

Syllabus: GS-2, Schemes, Social Justice

Prelims: KGBVs

Mains: Educational reforms, schemes and initiatives for underprivileged sections

Context:

Ministry of Education to provide ICT Labs and Smart Classrooms in all functional Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and Hostels. 

Details:

  • The Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India has decided to provide ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Labs and Smart Classrooms, as per Samagra Shiksha norms, in all functional Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGVB) and Hostels to empower girl students, make them digitally savvy, and enhance their learning outcomes. 
  • This initiative is intended to benefit 7 lakh girls of KGBVs at an estimated cost of approximately Rs. 290 crore.
  • This is also aimed at reducing the digital divide in the country.

Significance:

  • Providing ICT labs and Smart classrooms to girls in KGBVs is crucial as the students of KGBV come from disadvantaged backgrounds and face various obstacles in accessing education, including distance, cultural norms, and safety concerns. 
  • Access to digital literacy is vital for their personal as well as professional growth.

Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs):

  • KGBVs are residential schools from Classes VI to XII for girls belonging to disadvantaged groups, such as SC, ST, OBC, Minority and Below Poverty Line (BPL). 
  • The KGBVs are set up in Educationally Backward Blocks to ensure access and quality education to these girls and to reduce gender gaps at all levels of school education. 
  • Currently, 5116 KGBVs are functional in 30 States/UTs in the country.

 

3. Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit

Syllabus: GS-3, Science & Technology

Prelims: GPAI Summit, AI

Mains: Artificial Intelligence – pros and cons

Context:

6th meeting of the GPAI Ministerial Council was held on 3rd July 2024 in New Delhi.

Details:

  • GPAI is a multi-stakeholder initiative with 29 member countries aiming to bridge the gap between theory and practice on Artificial Intelligence by supporting cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities. 
  • India is the lead chair of GPAI in 2024.
  • GPAI was launched in 2020 with 15 members.
  • The 2024 GPAI New Delhi meeting and the consensus reached on the future of GPAI underscores India’s leadership in the global AI discourse, cementing its pivotal role in steering the ethical and inclusive development of AI.

 

4. Global INDIAai Summit 2024

Syllabus: GS-3, Science & Technology

Prelims: Global INDIAai Summit 2024

Mains: Artificial Intelligence and India

Context:

Two days’ Global INDIAai Summit 2024 kickstarted in New Delhi.

Details:

  • Global IndiaAI Summit 2024 (scheduled for 3rd and 4th July) brings together international delegates, AI experts, and policymakers.
  • It is hosted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
  • Organised against the backdrop of India’s leadership role in the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), the summit aims to set new benchmarks in addressing the multifaceted challenges and opportunities presented by AI. 
  • With a thematic focus on Compute Capacity, Foundational Models, Datasets, Application Development, Future Skills, Startup Financing, and Safe and Trusted AI, the event promises comprehensive discussions that span the entire AI spectrum.
  • The Global IndiaAI Summit 2024 serves as a pivotal platform for global stakeholders to collaborate, innovate, and shape the future of AI. 
  • India reiterates its commitment to harnessing AI’s transformative potential by prioritising responsible AI development while safeguarding ethical standards and inclusivity.

 

5. Zika Virus

Syllabus: GS-2, Health

Prelims/Mains: Zika virus

Context:

The Union Health Ministry issued an advisory to states given Zika virus cases from Maharashtra.

Details:

  • As Zika is associated with microcephaly and neurological consequences in the foetus of the affected pregnant lady, states have been advised to alert clinicians for close monitoring. 
  • States have been urged to instruct the health facilities in the affected areas or those catering to cases from affected areas to screen pregnant women for Zika virus infection, monitor the growth of the foetus of expecting mothers who have tested positive for Zika and act as per Central Government Guidelines. 
  • States were also instructed to advise health facilities/hospitals to identify a nodal officer to monitor and act to keep the premises free of Aedes mosquitos.
  • States have been urged to
    • Strengthen entomological surveillance
    • Intensify vector control activities in residential areas, workplaces, schools, construction sites, institutions and health facilities
    • Promote awareness through precautionary IEC messages in social media and other platforms to reduce panic in the community
  • India reported its first Zika case from Gujarat State in 2016. Since then, many other States namely Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Karnataka have reported cases subsequently.

Read more on the Zika virus in the linked article.

6. Codex Alimentarius Commission

Syllabus: GS-2, Governance

Prelims: Codex Alimentarius Commission

Mains: India’s role in the Codex Alimentarius Commission

Context:

India participated in the 86th session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC).

Details:

The Codex Alimentarius Commission, an international body established by FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade. The CCEXEC (Executive Committee of the CAC) plays a critical role in reviewing proposals for new work and monitoring the progress of standards development. Read more about CAC in the link given.

India at the session:

  • India strongly supported the advancement of standards development for various spices, including small cardamom, turmeric, and vanilla.
    • This is significant as India is a major producer and exporter of these spices.
  • India also backed the progression of standards for named vegetable oils, guidelines for the control of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli, and the safe use and reuse of water in food production and processing.
  • India also championed the proposal for developing Codex guidance on food safety considerations related to the use of recycled materials in food packaging. 
    • This initiative is crucial in addressing global challenges such as climate change, environmental protection, and sustainability.

7. Sampoornata Abhiyan

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt schemes

Prelims: Sampoornata Abhiyan

Context:

NITI Aayog to launch ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’.

Details:

  • Sampoornata Abhiyan is a 3-month campaign from 4th July to 30th September 2024 to undertake a sustained effort to achieve saturation of 6 key indicators in Aspirational Districts and 6 key indicators in Aspirational Blocks across the country.
  • It will focus on the following 6 identified KPIs across all Aspirational Blocks:
    • Percentage of pregnant women registered for Antenatal Care (ANC) within the first trimester
    • Percentage of persons screened for Diabetes against the targeted population in the Block
    • Percentage of persons screened for Hypertension against the targeted population in the Block
    • Percentage of pregnant women taking Supplementary Nutrition under the ICDS Programme regularly
    • Percentage of Soil Health Cards generated against the soil sample collection target
    • Percentage of SHGs that have received a Revolving Fund against the total SHGs in the block
  • The 6 identified KPIs across Aspirational Districts under ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’ are:
    • Percentage of pregnant women registered for Antenatal Care (ANC) within the first trimester
    • Percentage of pregnant women taking Supplementary Nutrition under the ICDS Programme regularly
    • Percentage of children fully immunized (9-11 months) (BCG+DPT3+OPV3+Measles 1)
    • Number of Soil Health Cards distributed
    • Percentage of schools with functional electricity at the secondary level
    • Percentage of schools providing textbooks to children within 1 month of the start of the academic session
  • To make this programme successful
    • Districts/Blocks will develop a 3-month Action Plan to saturate the six indicators
    • Districts/Blocks will track progress on saturation each month
    • Implement awareness and behaviour change campaigns
    • District officials will conduct concurrent monitoring field visits

Read previous PIB articles here.

Related Links
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Coal gasification
Food Corporation of India Tele-MANAS
Index of Industrial Production Agnipath Scheme

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