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Current Affairs 03.01.2024

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  1. Indian Heritage
  • Culture
  • Modern Indian history
  • The Freedom Struggle
  • Post-independence
  • Indian Society

A. population and associated issues

B. poverty and developmental issues

C.urbanization

   7. Geographical features

8.Indian Constitution

9. Polity

Details of important Legislations enacted during the year (January-December, 2023)

. During this period, 49 Bills were passed by both the Houses of Parliament and assented to by the President. Objectives and purposes of some of the important enactments are as follows:

  1. Three landmark Bills relating to the criminal justice system to ensure victim-centric justice namely the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 replacing the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 were passed by both the Houses of Parliament during the Winter Session, 2023.
  2. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Act, 2023 providesfor revision of list of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of Chhattisgarh.
  1. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Act, 2023 provides for revision of list of Scheduled Tribes in Himachal Pradesh.
  2. The Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides to (i)  strengthen governance, enhancing transparency, increasing accountability reforming electoral process etc.in the Multi-State Cooperative Societies by supplementing existing legislation and incorporating the provisions of  Ninety Seventh Constitutional Amendment (ii) improve monitoring mechanism and ensuring Ease of Doing Business for Multi-State Cooperative Societies.
  1. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 amends 42 Acts across 19 Central Ministries/Departments for rationalisation of sections/sub-sections/clauses for facilitation of Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living. The Act includes amendment, insertion and omission of certain existing provisions in Acts administered by Central Ministries/Departments.
  2. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides for extending the Central Government’s control of services and gives powers to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi over the capital city’s elected Government
  3. The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order Amendment Act, 2023 has provided for inclusion of Mahra, Mahara community as a synonyms of Mahar, Mehra, Mehar at Sl. No. 33 in the list of Scheduled Castes of Chhattisgarh.
  4. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 provides for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognizes both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process personal data for lawful purposes, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Act employs plain and simple language to facilitate ease of understanding. The Act establishes the comprehensive legal framework governing digital personal data protection in India.
  1. The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023 amends the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and simplifies compliance requirements for domestic companies. Users of codified traditional knowledge and AYUSH practitioners will be exempted from sharing benefits with local communities. The Act removes research and bio-survey activities from the purview of benefit sharing requirements 
  2. The Mediation Act, 2023 brings a comprehensive standalone law on Mediation. This Act lays down the legislative framework for mediation to be adopted by disputing parties, especially institutional mediation where various stakeholders have been identified to establish a robust and efficacious mediation ecosystem in India.
  3. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023 establishes the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (Foundation) to provide high level strategic direction for research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the fields of natural sciences including mathematical sciences, engineering and technology, environmental and earth sciences, health  and agriculture, as well as scientific and technological interfaces of humanities and social sciences, and to repeal the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008.
  1. The National Dental Commission Act, 2023 provides for setting up a National Dental Commission and to repeal the Dentists Act, 1948.
  2. The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Act, 2023 provides for setting up a National Nursing and Midwifery Commission (NNMC) and to repeal the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947.
  3. The Advocates (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides to repeal the Legal Practitioners Act, 1879 and incorporate the provisions of Section 36 of the Legal Practitioners Act 1879 in the Advocates Act, 1961.
  4. The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides to change in nomenclature of ‘weak and under-privileged classes (social castes) to ‘Other Backward Classes’ in the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004.
  1. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides for nomination of not more than two members, one of whom shall be a woman from the community of Kashmiri Migrants and one member from Displaced person from Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
  2. The Central Universities (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides for establishment of a Central Tribal University in Telangana.
  3. The Repealing and Amending Act, 2023 provides for repealing 76 redundant and obsolete laws.
  4.  The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides for extending the validity of the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act, 2011 for a further period of three years from 01.01.2024 to 31.12.2026 thereby providing protection from punitive action to certain forms of unauthorised developments in Delhi.
  1. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 provides to regulate the appointment, conditions of service and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, the procedure for transaction of business by the Election Commission and for matters connected therewith.
  2. The Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 provides for matters relating to Press, registration of periodicals and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  3. The Telecommunications Act, 2023 amended and consolidated the laws relating to development, expansion and operation of telecommunication services and telecommunication networks; assignment of spectrum; and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

10. Governance

A. institutions

B. regulatory

C. Government policies

D. role of NGOs

E. measures

11. Social Justice

A. Welfare schemes

  1. PM VISHWAKARMA
  2. A new scheme, called ‘PM Vishwakarma’, aims at improving the quality as well as the reach of products and services of artisans and craftspeople and to ensure that the ‘Vishwakarmas’ are integrated into the domestic and global value chains. The Scheme was announced on 1st February, 2023 in the Budget Speech for the financial year 2023-24. The Scheme was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 17th September, 2023.
  3. It is the goal of this Scheme to offer holistic end-to-end support to the Vishwakarmas, i.e. the artisans and craftspeople, to enable them to move up the value chain in their respective trades. It will bring a qualitative shift in the way these occupations are practiced by artisans and craftspeople and this will uplift their socio-economic status as well as their quality of life.
  4. PM Vishwakarma is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Government of India, with an initial outlay of Rs. 13,000 crore for an initial period of five years i.e. during 2023-24 to 2027-28.
  5. Achievements:
  6. As on 30th December, 2023, a total of 48.80 lakh enrolments have been made under PM Vishwakarma. A total of 1.32 lakh applications have been registered successfully under the Scheme. The registered applicants will undergo ‘Basic Training’ for 5 days. After successful training, the applicants who have chosen the credit support, will receive the benefit of collateral free credit.

B Health

C. Education

D. Human Resources

E. poverty and hunger

12. International relations

A. India and its neighbourhood

B. groupings and agreements

C.Indian diaspora

13. Economic Development

A. Government Budgeting

B. industrial

E.issues

14. Technology

 Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF),

rime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today, in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep, inaugurated Kochi-Lakshadweep islands submarine optical fiber connection (KLI-SOFC) project among various developmental projects worth more than Rs 1,150 crore covering a wide range of sectors including technology,  energy, water resources, healthcare and education.

The KLI-SOFC project will lead to an increase in internet speed unlocking new possibilities & opportunities. For the first time since independence, Lakshadweep will be connected through Submarine Optic Fibre Cable. The dedicated submarine OFC will ensure a paradigm shift in communication infrastructure in the Lakshadweep islands, enabling faster and more reliable internet services, telemedicine, e-governance, educational initiatives, digital banking, digital currency usage, digital literacy etc.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister recalled the guarantee given by him in 2020 about ensuring fast internet within 1,000 days. He said, “Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection (KLI – SOFC) project has been dedicated to people today and will ensure 100 times faster Internet for the people of Lakshadweep”. He added, “This will improve facilities like government services, medical treatment, education and digital banking. The potential of developing Lakshadweep as a logistics hub will get strength from this”.

The Prime Minister assured the people of Lakshadweep that the government will continue to take every possible step to ensure their ease of living, ease of travel and ease of doing business. The Prime Minister highlighted that  “Lakshadweep will play a strong role in the creation of a Viksit Bharat”.

Administrator of UT of Lakshadweep, Shri Praful Patel was present on the occasion among others.

Background-Kochi-Lakshadweep Submarine OFC (KLI) Project

  • The need for digitally connecting the Lakshadweep Islands through a high capacity submarine cable link with the main land has been felt for some time. Earlier, the only means of communication with the Islands was through Satellite medium, which had limited bandwidth capacity and was not able to meet the growing bandwidth demand.
  • The Department of Telecommunications (DOT) took immediate action and conceptualized the Kochi-Lakshadweep Submarine OFC Project (KLI project). The KLI project has been completed well within the timelines.
  • In the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Cable (KLI) project submarine cable connectivity from Mainland (Kochi) to eleven Lakshadweep Islands namely, Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Kadmat, Chetlet, Kalpeni, Minicoy, Androth, Kiltan, Bangaram and Bitra has been extended.
  • The project is funded by Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF), Department of Telecommunication.
  • Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was the Project Executing Agency and the work was awarded to M/s NEC Corporation India Pvt Ltd through Global Open Tendering process. Major activities related to the project includes Marine Route Survey, Submarine Cable laying, Civil Construction of CLS stations, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of End Terminals (SLTE).

15. Environment

  1. National Green Hydrogen Mission

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing the National Green Hydrogen Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet on 4th January 2023, with an outlay of ₹ 19,744 crore. The overarching objective of the Mission is to make India the Global Hub for production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.

  • A Working Group being chaired by Secretary, MNRE for establishment of a framework of Regulations, Codes and Standards for Green Hydrogen, shared the first set of recommendations of the Working Group with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas on 8th May 2023.
  • The Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme, is a major financial measure under the Mission with an outlay of ₹ 17,490 crore. The programme consists of two distinct financial incentive mechanisms to support domestic manufacturing of electrolysers and production of Green Hydrogen.
    • Request for Selection (RfS) has been issued for Selection of Green Hydrogen Producers for Setting up Production Facilities of 450,000 tons for Green Hydrogen in India under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Scheme (Mode-1-Tranche-I).
    • Request for Selection (RfS) has been issued for the Selection of Electrolyser Manufacturers (EM) for Setting up 1.5 GW annual Electrolyser Manufacturing Capacities under SIGHT Scheme (Tranche-I).
  • The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy in collaboration with Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and office of Principal Scientific Adviser organized the International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH – 2023) from 5th – 7th July 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The conference featured 7 plenary talks each from a different region’s perspective. In addition to the Plenary sessions, the conference hosted 19 Panel Discussions and Technical Sessions. It was attended by more than 2700 delegates from over 10 countries from the industry, academia and Government. An expo was also organized at the venue to demonstrate the innovations in use of Hydrogen. On the sidelines, country roundtables were also organized with Europe, Japan, Singapore and Korea, which saw deliberations between representatives of these countries and Indian Green Hydrogen industry.

16. Security

17. Disaster Management