19 July 2024 PIB
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. National Communications Academy
2. India Mobile Congress 2024
3. Bureau of Indian Standards
4. World Heritage Committee
5. National Landslide Forecasting Centre

1. National Communications Academy

Syllabus: GS-2, Governance

Prelims: National Communications Academy

Context:

Three Department of Telecommunications (DoT) training institutes merged to form the National Communications Academy.

Details:

• Three training institutes of the DoT, the National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research, Innovation and Training (NTIPRIT), the National Institute of Communication Finance (NICF) and the Wireless Monitoring Training & Development Centre (WMTDC) have been merged into a single administrative entity, named ‘National Communications Academy’ (NCA) with immediate effect. 
• The NCA shall function as a single unit for all purposes including budget and transfers with three existing campuses – one at Ghaziabad, and the other two at Ghitorni.
• The newly created National Communications Academy is designed to create better integration and efficiency by streamlining training, and resource optimization. 
• It will offer a more holistic approach to skill-building, addressing various aspects of the communications sector.

Composition & Governance of NCA:

• The Chairperson of the NCA will have overall control of its affairs. 
• The Secretary (T) will head the National Communication Academy as its ex-officio Chairperson with Additional Secretary (T) as its Vice-Chairperson.
• The heads of the three constituent units will report to the Chairperson, who is authorized to make decisions on budget allocations, training plans, curriculum, guest faculty engagement, transfers and postings of faculty and officers, asset management, and delegation of powers to unit heads for operational purposes.
• The Governing Council (GC) of the NCA will be responsible for decisions on strategic, policy, budget, and other significant matters related to the NCA’s operations, growth, and development trajectory within the evolving telecom sector.

 

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2. India Mobile Congress 2024

Syllabus: GS 3, Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

Prelims: India Mobile Congress 2024

Context:

The theme of the India Mobile Congress 2024, ‘The Future is Now’, was unveiled by the Union Minister for Communications.

India Mobile Congress 2024:

• This is the eighth edition of Asia’s premier digital technology exhibition.
• It is co-hosted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).
• India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024 will highlight the integration of once-dreamt technologies into our daily lives, encouraging attendees to explore advancements in 6G, AI, semiconductors, broadcasting, electronics manufacturing, Satcom, quantum technology, security, and more. 
• IMC 2024 will be an ideal platform for showcasing innovative solutions, services, and cutting-edge use cases for industry, government, academia, startups, and other key stakeholders in the technology ecosystem.
• This event is expected to feature over 400 exhibitors and 640 startups, and attract more than 150,000 attendees, including delegates from over 120 countries. 
• With plans to showcase more than 900 technology use cases, host over 100 sessions and talks by more than 600 speakers, IMC 2024 will be a hub of innovation. 
• The Aspire startup program aims to facilitate over 500 one-on-one meetings, providing opportunities for interactions with more than 1,000 potential investors, angels, incubators, and venture capital funds.

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3. Bureau of Indian Standards

Syllabus: GS-2, Governance

Prelims: Bureau of Indian Standards, Standardisation in India

Context:

The Bureau of Indian Standards signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru to promote standardisation.

Details:

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, for the establishment of the ‘BIS Standardization Chair Professor’ at the latter.
• The BIS Standardization Chair Professor aims to build a strong partnership between BIS and IISc, promoting collaboration in standardization and conformity assessment. 
• This initiative seeks active academic participation in standards development and integrates Indian standards into academic curricula.
• Significance: This collaboration between BIS and IISc is anticipated to bring significant advancements in standardisation and conformity assessment, ultimately contributing to developing safer, more reliable products and services in India.
• Benefits of the MoU:
  • Integration of Standardization Curricula
  • Active Participation in Standardization Activities
  • Infrastructure Support for R&D
  • Co-hosting Events
  • Knowledge Sharing
  • Exploring Centres of Excellence
  • Laboratory Facilities

 

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4. World Heritage Committee

Syllabus: GS-1, Art & Culture

Prelims: World Heritage Committee, UNESCO

Mains: Indian heritage as a soft power

Context:

46th World Heritage Committee Meeting.

Details:

• India will host the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee for the first time, from 21st to 31st July 2024, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. 
• The session’s logo, inspired by the World Heritage Site of Hampi and featuring the stone chariot from the Vijaya Vitthala Temple, symbolizes India’s architectural and sculptural excellence. 
• The logo’s tagline, सह नौ यशः (May our Glory Grow), derived from the Taitiriya Upanishad, reflects India’s aspirations to enhance the World Heritage Convention’s reach by hosting this event.
• Organized by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, the meeting will gather delegates worldwide to discuss and collaborate on preserving cultural, natural, and mixed heritage. 
• This event underscores India’s growing role in fostering global cooperation and protecting World Heritage properties.

World Heritage Convention:

• The World Heritage Convention of 1972 outlines the duties of States Parties in identifying potential Cultural and Natural sites for the World Heritage List. 
• With 195 member states, India ratified the Convention in 1977. 
• Currently, 1199 properties from 168 State Parties are inscribed on the list. 
• The World Heritage Committee, comprising representatives from 21 States Parties elected by the UNESCO General Assembly, addresses all matters related to the Convention during its sessions.

India and the World Heritage Convention:

• India was elected to the 21-member World Heritage Committee in 2021 for its fourth term (2021-2025). Previously, India served on the Committee in 1985-1991, 2001-2007, and 2011-2015. 
• With 42 properties (34 Cultural, 7 Natural, 1 Mixed) inscribed on the World Heritage List, including 12 added in the last decade, India ranks 6th globally and 2nd in the Asia Pacific Region for the number of sites. 
• Additionally, India has 57 sites on the Tentative List.

Also read: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

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5. National Landslide Forecasting Centre

Syllabus: GS-3, Disaster Management

Prelims: National Landslide Forecasting Centre, Bhusanket Web Portal, Bhooskhalan Mobile App

Context:

Union Minister inaugurated the National Landslide Forecasting Centre at GSI, Dharitri Campus, Salt Lake City, Kolkata.

About the National Landslide Forecasting Centre (NLFC):

• The NLFC is a groundbreaking initiative for landslide hazard mitigation in India. 
• Starting on 20th July 2024, residents of Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri districts will receive live forecasting reports. 
• Eventually, the NLFC will issue early warning bulletins for all landslide-prone states, aiming to operationalize the regional Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) nationwide by 2030. 
• Utilizing advanced technology, the NLFC will offer early information to local administration and communities, update landslide inventories, and integrate real-time rainfall and slope instability data for improved forecasting accuracy.

About the Bhusanket Web Portal and Bhooskhalan Mobile App:

• The launch of the Bhusanket Web Portal is a significant advancement in disaster risk reduction. 
• This portal will provide essential data and information on landslide hazards, initiating short- and medium-range landslide forecasting across the country. 
• Integrated with the Bhusanket Web Portal, the user-friendly Bhooskhalan Mobile App will facilitate quick dissemination of daily landslide forecasts and allow stakeholders to share and update spatial and temporal information on landslide occurrences. 

The inauguration of the NLFC, and the launch of the Bhusanket Web Portal and Bhooskhalan Mobile App, are landmark achievements for the Geological Survey of India (GSI).

Read previous PIB articles here.

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