2 Sep 2022: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PM commissions the first indigenous aircraft carrier as INS Vikrant
2. UIDAI tops in Grievance Redressal Index during August 2022

1. PM commissions the first indigenous aircraft carrier as INS Vikrant

Syllabus: GS 3, Security.

Prelims: INS Vikrant.

Mains: Security Challenges and their management in border areas.

Context:  Prime Minister commissioned India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant. The new Naval Ensign (Nishaan) was also unveiled at the event. 

Details:

• India’s first indigenous aircraft was commissioned at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kerala.
  • The Indian Navy also got a new flag, inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji.
• With the commissioning of Vikrant, India will possess two operational aircraft carriers. These will further bolster the maritime security of India.
• India has become one of the few nations that have the niche capability to indigenously design and build an Aircraft Carrier.
• Moreover, India has given testimony to the resolve for self-reliance and ‘Make in India’ by commissioning indigenous aircraft in the Navy.

Details about INS Vikrant:

• INS Vikrant gets its name from India’s first Aircraft Carrier that played an important role in the 1971 war.
• Vikrant was designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB).
• It has been built with state-of-the-art automation features.
• Vikrant is also the largest ship ever built in the maritime history of India.
• INS Vikrant produces electricity that is sufficient to power five thousand households and the amount of wiring that is used can cover the distance between Kashi and Kochi.
• A large number of machinery and equipment that are installed are developed by nearly a hundred MSMEs and major industrial houses of the country.
• The steel installed in the airbase of the carrier is indigenously developed by the scientists of DRDO and produced by Indian companies.
• Vikrant is 61.6 m wide and 262.5 m long and displaces approximately 43,000 T.
• It has a maximum speed of around 28 Knots with an endurance of 7,500 Nautical Miles. 
• The ship has nearly 2,200 compartments, for a large crew of around 1,600. 
• INS Vikrant is capable of operating an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising MH-60R multi-role helicopters, MiG-29K fighter jets, and Kamov-31,  apart from indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy) and Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH). 
• The carrier is equipped with a feature of ski-jump for launching aircraft by using a novel aircraft-operation mode called Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR). It also has a set of ‘arrester wires’ for their recovery onboard.
• With more than 76% indigenous content in INS Vikrant, its construction has resulted in the employment of 2,000 people of CSL. Moreover, it also created indirect employment for approximately 12,500.

For more information on INS Vikrant, read here: 21 Aug 2022: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

Indian Navy’s new ensign:

• A need was felt to transition to a new flag, moving away from the reflection of the colonial past. 
• The White Ensign identified with the Navy, now consists of – 
  • The National Flag in the upper left canton.
  • A Navy Blue and Gold octagon at the centre of the fly side (away from the staff). 
    • The Octagon has two golden borders and encompasses the golden lion Capital of Ashoka, underscribed with ‘Satyamev Jayate’ in blue Devanagri script resting atop of an anchor; and superimposed on a shield. 
    • Within the octagon, below the shield, is a golden bordered ribbon inscribed with the motto of the Indian Navy ‘Sam No Varunah’ in Devnagriscript. 
    • The design used within the octagon was taken from the Indian Naval crest, where the fouled anchor, which was also associated with the colonial legacy, is now replaced with a clear anchor highlighting the steadfast character of the Indian Navy.

Image Source: Times of India

2. UIDAI tops in Grievance Redressal Index during August 2022

Syllabus: GS 2, Governance.

Prelims: Grievance redressal index.

Mains: Important aspects of governance, transparency, and accountability.

Details of the campaign:

• In the report released by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) ranked first amongst all Departments/Ministries in resolving Public Grievances, in August 2022.
• It has been the best performer in the resolution of grievances received through the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS).
• UIDAI is a catalyst for ease of doing business as well as ease of living and is committed to serving the people of India.
• It possesses a robust grievance redressal mechanism that comprises UIDAI Head Quarter Divisions, Regional Offices, Technology Centre, and Contact Centre partners, which enables the organization to resolve approximately 92% of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Grievances in a period of 7 days.

New Customer Relationship Management (CRM):

• To further bolster the Grievance Redressal Mechanism, UIDAI is set to launch State-of-the-art Open Source CRM solution.
• The new CRM solution is equipped with advanced features that will further enhance UIDAI service delivery.
• It will have the ability to support multiple channels like Chatbots, Emails, Phone Calls, Social Media, Web portals, etc through which the grievances can be filed, tracked, and resolved efficiently. 
• It is the endeavour of the UIDAI to hear residents’ voices, and ensure that residents are adequately empowered to further strengthen the trust of residents.

Read previous PIB here.

September 2nd, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here