11 Mar 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PM VIshwakarma KAushal Samman (PM VIKAS)
2. India-Australia relations

1. PM VIshwakarma KAushal Samman (PM VIKAS)

Syllabus: GS 2, Polity and Governance.

Mains: Government policies and interventions.

Prelims: PM VIKAS.

Context: Prime Minister addressed the Post Budget Webinar on PM VIKAS.

Details:

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed a Post Budget Webinar on ‘PM VIshwakarma KAushal Samman’.
• PM VIKAS is a scheme aimed at the development of traditional artisans and craftsmen while preserving their rich traditions.
• Explaining the reason for choosing the name ‘Vishwakarma’, Prime Minister highlighted the status of Lord Vishwakarma in the Indian ethos and a tradition of respect for those who work with their hands.
• He further emphasized reorienting the skill infrastructure and mentioned the need for digital literacy campaigns to Vishwakarma Saathis on priority.
• The government will provide holistic institutional support to every Vishwakarma through easy loans, skilling, technical support, digital empowerment, brand promotion, marketing, and raw material.
• The webinar also included four parallel breakout sessions on:
  • Access to affordable finance, including incentives for digital transactions and social security.
  • Advanced skill training and access to modern tools and technology.
  • Marketing support for linkages with domestic and global markets. 
  • Structure of the scheme, identification of beneficiaries, and implementation framework.

Also read: PMKVY – Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana. UPSC Notes for IAS Exam.

2. India-Australia relations

Syllabus: GS 2, International Relations.

Mains: India-Australia Bilateral relations.

Details:

• India and Australia collaborate to drive innovation in areas of national challenges and shared priorities. 
• In this direction, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency have together signed a Letter of Intent.
• The Letter of Intent serves as a general framework for cooperation that targets the development of more program-specific interventions.
• The bilateral India-Australia Innovation and Technology Challenge (IA-ITC) is a program to bring together the innovation ecosystems of both nations and address shared environmental and economic challenges by supporting cohorts of start-ups and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). 
• It should be noted that the commercialization of start-ups and SMEs will bring innovative tech-based solutions to the market and cover aspects like circular economy, energy transition, food system resilience, etc.
• The IA-ITC is built on the success of the India-Australia Circular Economy (IACE) hackathon 2021.
• The program will be officially launched in July 2023.

Also read: India Australia Relations; Australian University to set up campus in India

Read the previous PIB articles here.

March 11th, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here