20 Mar 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Global Conference on Digital Health
2. Samarthak & Utkarsh
3. IPCC AR6 - Synthesis Report
4. World Sparrow Day
5. Ethanol Blending Program
6. Civil 20 Indian Inception Meet
7. Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for STs

1. Global Conference on Digital Health

Syllabus – GS2, Health; Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health

Prelims – Digital Health – e-Sanjeevani, Cowin, PMJAY 

Context – Global Conference on Digital Health, a co-branded event under India’s G20 presidency was organised by WHO – South East Asia region in association with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Details –

• The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya virtually addressed the Global Conference on Digital Health themed ‘Taking Universal Coverage to the last Citizen’. Global leaders and health development partners, digital health innovators and influencers, health policymakers, academia and other stakeholders from around the world were also present at the conference.
• Digital solutions have the capacity to revolutionise the healthcare delivery system and India aims to launch a global initiative on digital health as an institutional framework which will lead to the scaling up of digital solutions through cutting-edge technologies. 
•  Under the G20 presidency, India has emphasised Digital Health in its Health Working Group, namely – ‘Digital Health Innovation and Solutions to aid Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improve Healthcare Service Delivery’. 
• Various digital health solutions adopted by India include Aarogya Setu, iGot Digital Platform, eSanjeevani and Co-WIN. Digital health interventions are accelerating the transformation of the health sector and have the potential to support UHC.
  • e-Sanjeevani, a teleconsultation platform has crossed 100 million teleconsultations. 
  • PMJAY provides health insurance to 500 million citizens free of cost in a paperless and cashless manner.
• India introduced the World Health Assembly Resolution on Digital Health at its 71st session in Geneva which was successfully adopted by countries and spurred global action on digital health. A Department of Digital Health and Innovation at WHO has also been developed.

2. Samarthak & Utkarsh

Syllabus – GS3, Science and Technology; Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Prelims – MPV – Samarthak & Utkarsh.

Context – Keel laying ceremony of two multi-purpose vessels – Samarthak & Utkarsh at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.

Details –

• Samarthak and Utkarsh are the first Indian navy warships to be constructed by L&T, Kattupalli.
• All major machinery, auxiliary equipment and systems for the MPV (Multi Purpose Vessels) will be sourced from indigenous manufacturers in consonance with the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiative.
• These vessels, once delivered to the Indian Navy, will perform multi-role support functions such as maritime surveillance, patrolling, disaster relief, and launching expendable targets for exercises. These ships would also be deployed for operating autonomous/remotely operated/unmanned vessels.
• The ships (MPV) are equipped with navigation radar, LINK II tactical data link, and satellite communication (SATCOM) to Rukmani, as well as surface search radar. They are also equipped with the SANKET MKIII electronic warfare system and Kavach anti-missile system.

3. IPCC AR6 – Synthesis Report

Syllabus – GS3, Ecology and Environment; Environmental pollution and degradation

Prelims – IPCC AR6 – Synthesis Report

Context – IPCC-58th Session for Synthesis Report Approval, Interlaken, Switzerland (13-19th March, 2023)

Details –

• The Synthesis Report of the 6th Assessment Cycle (AR6) of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was adopted by all member countries at the 58th session of the IPCC at Interlaken, Switzerland. The report summarises the state of knowledge of climate change, its widespread impact and risks and climate change mitigation and adaptation. 
  • The fourth and final instalment of the sixth assessment report (AR6) by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the body of the world’s leading climate scientists, is the synthesis report, so called because it draws together the key findings of the preceding three main sections. Together, they make a comprehensive review of global knowledge of the climate.
  • The first three sections covered the physical science of the climate crisis, including observations and projections of global heating, the impacts of the climate crisis and how to adapt to them, and ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They were published in August 2021, February and April 2022 respectively.
  • The synthesis report also includes three other shorter IPCC reports published since 2018, on the impacts of global heating of more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, climate change and land, and climate change and the oceans and cryosphere (the ice caps and glaciers).
• The report reinforces the scientific view that CO2 is the primary GHG (Greenhouse Gas) and needs to be drastically reduced. The report mentions that for every 1000 Gt (Giga Tonnes) CO2 emitted by human activity, global surface temperature rises by 0.45°C. Reaching net zero CO2 or GHG emissions primarily requires deep and rapid reductions in gross emissions of CO2, as well as substantial reductions of non-CO2 GHG emissions.
• Climate justice and equity are important enablers for ensuring climate action and growth and development for developing countries. The report draws attention to the fact that the largest climate finance gaps are in developing countries and that the financial support from developed countries to developing countries is a critical enabler of climate action highlighting that current inflows are inadequate.
• India despite being home to 17% of the global population contributes less than 4% of the global cumulative global carbon dioxide emissions. The Synthesis Report states that historical emissions have already depleted more than four-fifths of the global carbon budget and have thereby constrained the options available for climate-resilient development for other countries including India.
• The report echoes the Prime Minister’s vision for LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) – a global mass movement for promoting environmentally friendly lifestyles to protect and preserve the environment. 

4. World Sparrow Day

Syllabus – GS3, Environment; Biodiversity and Conservation.

Prelims – World Sparrow Day – 20th March

Context – World Sparrow Day celebrated with the theme “I Love Sparrows”.

Details –

• World Sparrow Day is observed annually on 20 March to create awareness among people about the declining population of sparrows and the need for their conservation. Sparrows or house sparrows are found in almost every continent of the world. 
• National Zoological Park, New Delhi celebrated World Sparrow Day. The theme for this year’s World Sparrow Day, “I love Sparrows”, emphasises the role of individuals and communities in sparrow conservation.

Read more – World Sparrow Day

5. Ethanol Blending Program

Syllabus – GS3, Economy; Infrastructure – Energy

Prelims – Ethanol Blending Program.

Context – The Ethanol Blending Program targets to achieve 20% blending of ethanol in petrol by Ethanol Supply Year ESY (2025-26).

Details –

• Under the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme, the target is to achieve 20% blending of ethanol in petrol by 2025-2026 (ESY).
• India’s climate targets are enshrined in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) submitted under the Paris Agreement. The NDCs cover the period 2021-30 and include targets for reducing emission intensity of its GDP by 45% over 2005 levels, 50% cumulative electric installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources and the creation of additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes.

6. Civil 20 Indian Inception Meet

Syllabus – GS2, International Relations; Global Groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Prelims – G20, C20

Context – Civil 20 India Inception Meet started in Nagpur.

Details –

• Representatives of 26 countries and 130 international delegates are participating in the C-20 Inception Meet in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
• With 14 themes, including gender equality and education, the C20 meetings will discuss issues from a 360-degree viewpoint and suggestions by the delegates will be part of the ‘policy pack’. This document will be submitted to the government after the C20 concludes in July.
• India’s leg of C20 meetings, which kicked off from Nagpur, also marks the rise of CSOs (Civil society Organisations) as one of the important players in global policy making. CSOs can work beyond barriers and act as a bridge between governments and the public.

7. Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for STs

Syllabus – GS2, Social Justice; Welfare Schemes for vulnerable sections of the society.

Prelims – Pre-matric scholarship scheme.

Context – Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements the pre-matric scholarship scheme for Scheduled Tribes (ST) students.

Details –

• The Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST students is being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to reduce the incidence of dropout in classes IX and X.
• The report of Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) Plus published by the Ministry of Education, shows that the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for ST students in 2019-20 for classes I to VIII is 102.08, which confirms that the increased enrolment in classes I to VIII is also representative of the Scheduled Tribe populations. Also, the Gross Enrolment Ratio at Senior Secondary (classes IX-X) level has increased from 62.4% in 2012-13 to 76.7% in 2019-20.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

March 20th, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here