16 Oct 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. A Landmark Move- Medical Education in Hindi
2. Digital Banking Units (DBUs)
3. First Aluminium Freight Rake - 61 BOBRNALHSM1

1. A Landmark Move- Medical Education in Hindi

Syllabus – GS 2, Government policies and interventions: Education.

Prelims – Medical Education in Hindi.

Context – Launch of Medical Education in Hindi.

Details –

• The Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah launched medical education in Hindi medium in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh releasing translated MBBS first year books. This marks the day of renaissance and reconstruction of the education sector in India.
• The New Education Policy NEP,2020 has given much importance to the mother tongue of students in primary, technical and medical education. Not only technical and medical education but also research will be conducted in mother tongue languages.
• JEE, NEET & UGC examinations are being conducted in 12 languages of the country. Also the common University Entrance Examinations are being conducted in 13 languages and ten states have started teaching engineering courses by translating them into Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi and Gujarathi languages. 
• The government led by Shri Narendra Modi has brought significant changes in the technical and medical education of the country. There has been a significant rise in the number of medical colleges, IIT’s, IIM’s and IIIT’s. In 2014, there were 723  universities in the country and the number has reached 1043 under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi.
• Language is only a medium of expression whereas intellectual ability is a natural gift which can be enhanced through education and if education is provided in mother tongue it becomes more beneficial in improving intellectual ability.

2. Digital Banking Units (DBUs)

Syllabus -GS 3, Growth & Development

Prelims – Digital Banking Units.

Context– 75 DBUs across 75 districts dedicated to the nation.

Details –

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated 75 DBUs across 75 districts to the nation via video conferencing. DBUs will further financial inclusion and enhance banking experience for citizens. Setting up of DBUs is yet another big step in making the life of a common man of India easier. The GoI has given top priority to ensure that banking services reach the last mile.
• In the budget for 2022-23, the Finance Minister Shri Nirmala Sitharaman announced to set up 75 DBUs in the 75 districts of the country to commemorate 75 years of independence. 
• More than 99% of villages in India have a bank branch, banking outlet or a banking mitra within 5 km radius. The number of branches per lakh adult citizens in India is more than countries like China, Germany and South Africa. 

About DBUs-

• DBUs will be brick-and-mortar outlets that will provide a variety of digital banking facilities to people such as the opening of savings accounts, balance-check, transfer of funds, investment in fixed deposits, printing passbooks, stop-payment instructions for cheques issued, applications for credit and debit cards,loan applications, tax and bill payment and nominations. DBUs will enable customers to have cost-effective, convenient access and enhanced digital experience of banking products and services all through the year.
• The DBUs are being set up with the objective to ensure the benefits of digital banking reach every nook and corner of the country and will cover all the States and Union territories. 11 Public Sector Banks, 12 Private Sector Banks and one Small Finance Bank are participating in the endeavour.

3. First Aluminium Freight Rake – 61 BOBRNALHSM1

Syllabus – GS 3, Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Prelims – First Aluminium Freight Rake.

Context – India’s First Aluminium Freight Rake- 61 BOBRNALHSM1.

Details –

• The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated India’s first Aluminium Freight Rake – 61 BOBRNALHSM1 at Bhubaneswar Railway Station. Its destination is Bilaspur.
• It is expected to help fast-track the country’s ambitious plan to modernise freight transportation and enable large carbon savings for Indian Railways.
• Designed and developed indigenously in collaboration with HINDALCO, Besco Wagon and RDSO ( Research Design and Standards Organisation, under the Ministry of Railways).

Some features of Aluminium Rake –

• Fully lockbolted construction with no welding on superstructure.
• Tare is 3.25 tons lower than normal steel rakes.
• Higher payload to tare ratio-2.85.
• The less tare will reduce carbon footprint.
• 35% higher cost as the structure is all aluminium.
• High resistance to corrosion and abrasion.
• 80% is the resale value of the rakes.

October 16th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here

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