11 Mar 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme
2. New Telecom Reforms
3. Mission Divyastra
4. STPI launches 24th Centre of Entrepreneurship
5. Early Childhood Education

1. Revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt Schemes; GS-2, Economy

Prelims: RPTUAS Scheme

Mains: Pharmaceutical sector in India

Context:

The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has announced the Revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance (RPTUAS) Scheme. 

About the RPTUAS Scheme:

• The Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (PTUAS) scheme under the Department of Pharmaceuticals aims to provide interest subvention to eligible small and medium-scale pharmaceutical units with GMP-compliant manufacturing facilities for bulk drugs and pharmaceutical formulations.
• The goal of the scheme is to facilitate small and medium-scale pharmaceutical enterprises of a proven track record to migrate from Schedule M to WHO/GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) norms to enable them to participate and compete in the global markets and earn foreign exchange.
• SIDBI implements the scheme.
• Under the Revamped scheme:
  • Expansion of Eligibility: The PTUAS has been expanded beyond Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to include any pharmaceutical manufacturing unit with a turnover of less than 500 crores that requires technology and quality upgradation.
  • Flexible Financing Options: The scheme introduces more flexible financing options, emphasizing subsidies on a reimbursement basis, over a traditional credit-linked approach. 
  • Comprehensive Support for Compliance with New Standards: In alignment with revised Schedule-M and WHO-GMP standards, the scheme now supports a broader range of technological upgrades such as HVAC systems, water and steam utilities, testing laboratories, stability chambers, clean room facilities, effluent treatment, waste management, etc. 
  • Dynamic Incentive Structure:
    • Turnover less than Rs. 50.00 crore – Incentive of 20% of investment under eligible activities
    • Turnover from Rs. 50.00 crore to less than Rs. 250.00 crore – Incentive of 15% of investment under eligible activities
    • Turnover from Rs. 250.00 crore to less than Rs. 500.00 crore – Incentive of 10% of investment under eligible activities
  • State Government Scheme Integration: The revised scheme allows integration with state government schemes.
  • Enhanced Verification Mechanism: The scheme introduces a robust verification mechanism through a Project Management Agency, ensuring transparency, accountability and the efficient allocation of resources.

2. New Telecom Reforms

Syllabus: GS-3, Economy

Mains: Telecom sector reforms in India

Context:

Union Minister announced new telecom reforms.

What are the two announcements?

1. He unveiled the policy on Spectrum Regulatory Sandbox that holds the potential to advance India’s telecommunications landscape and foster global collaboration in the field. 
   1. The Government has introduced guidelines for the Spectrum Regulatory Sandbox (SRS), or Wireless Test Zones (WiTe Zones), as part of the Millennium Spectrum Regulatory Sandbox initiative to foster innovation, enhance ease of doing business, promote “Make in India” in the telecommunications sector. 
   2. This initiative provides a simplified regulatory framework to facilitate Research and Development activities, promoting the exploration of spectrum bands and driving technological advancements. 
2. He also announced a complete abolition of the Wireless Operating License (WOL) that simplifies the licensing processes in telecom.
   1. The requirement of a Wireless Operating License (WoL) for Access Services authorization in CMTS/ UAS/ Unified License was abolished in 2016.
   2. In 2022, the requirement to obtain WOL for Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSATs) operating under a Commercial VSAT CUG license was also removed.
   3. Now, the requirement of WOL for licensees under section 4 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 has been abolished altogether reducing the compliance burden for service providers.

3. Mission Divyastra

Syllabus: GS-3, Security & Defence

Prelims: Mission Divyastra, DRDO, Agni-V Missile

Context:

DRDO conducts Mission Divyastra successfully.

About Mission Divyastra:

• Mission Divyastra is the flight test of the indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle ( MIRV) technology.
• It was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha and accomplished the designed parameters.

4. STPI launches 24th Centre of Entrepreneurship

Syllabus: GS-3, Economy

Prelims: STPI

Context:

STPI launches 24th Centre of Entrepreneurship FinGlobe in Gandhinagar.

Details:

• FinGlobe is dedicated to fostering innovation and growth in the financial technology sector and is located at STPI-Gandhinagar, GIFT City.
• FinGlobe COE has been set up by the STPI in association with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat.
• FinGlobe aims to serve as a catalyst for the development and proliferation of cutting-edge technologies within the financial services domain. 
• By providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, expert mentorship, and a collaborative ecosystem, FinGlobe CoE seeks to empower startups, entrepreneurs, and established players to ideate, innovate, and scale their solutions in the FinTech, TechFin, Banking Industry and allied domains. 
• It provides 50 Plug-n-Play incubation seats.

Know more about Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in the linked article.

5. Early Childhood Education

Syllabus: GS-2, Women and Children Issues

Mains: Government programs for the welfare of women and children 

Context:

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is launching a curriculum for early childhood education.

Details:

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is launching a National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education for Children from Three to Six Years and a National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation for Children from Birth to Three Years.

• National Curriculum for ECCE 2024 (for 3 to 6 years)
  • This covers all domains of development as per the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage 2022 (NCF-FS), including physical/motor, cognitive, language and literacy, socio-emotional, cultural/aesthetic as well as positive habits. 
  • It aims to improve the quality of ECCE transacted at the Anganwadi Centres by prioritizing competency-based lesson plans and activities, presented in a simple and user-friendly manner. 
  • It addresses how children learn in the early years, with a focus on playful joy-based learning, in preparation for primary school.
  • It provides indoor and outdoor activities, child-led and educator-led activities and also robust assessment tools to monitor the progress.
  • Special focus is given to differently-abled children also.
• National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation 2024 (from birth to 3 years)
  • It aims to empower caregivers and Anganwadi Workers for holistic early stimulation, through responsive caregiving and opportunities for early learning, for optimal development of children, both body and brain. 
  • It is designed to provide the Anganwadi Worker with a basic understanding of how children grow and develop, the importance of brain development and the need for nurturing care. 
  • It focuses on the principles of serve and return, the caregiver’s three acts: love, talk, play, and positive guidance. 
  • Special focus is given to differently-abled children also.

Read previous PIB articles here.