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- 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
MoES-funded GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS successfully launched: set to boost India’s meteorological observations and services
Satellite INSAT-3DS on launch vehicle GSLV-F14, fully funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), was successfully launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, today at 1730 hrs.
INSAT-3DS will augment the country’s meteorological (weather, climate, and ocean related) services with the presently operational INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR in-orbit satellites. The newly launched INSAT-3DS satellite aims to enhance the monitoring of Earth’s surface, atmosphere, oceans, and environment, elevate capabilities in data collection and dissemination and satellite-aided search and rescue services. The initiative will boost India’s weather, climate, and ocean-related observations and services, expanding knowledge and better disaster mitigation and preparedness in the future.
The 51.7-meter (m) tall and 4 m wide Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-F14 placed the INSAT-3DS satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, then to a geosynchronous stationary orbit in space. INSAT-3DS is configured around ISRO’s well-proven I-2k bus platform with a lift-off mass of 2,275 kilograms. It is equipped with state-of-the-art payloads: (i) an imager payload with a six-channel optical radiometer to generate images of the Earth and its environment; (ii) a 19-channel sounder payload to provide information on the atmosphere; communication payloads, namely (iii) a data relay transponder to receive meteorological, hydrological and oceanographic data from automatic data collection platforms, and (iv) a satellite aided search and rescue transponder that relays a distress signal or alert from beacon transmitters with global coverage. Indian Industries have significantly contributed to the making of the INSAT-3DS.
Meteorological data from the INSAT-3DS satellite shall be utilised by institutes of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), namely, India Meteorology Department (IMD), National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and various Indian agencies to enhance meteorological research and services. This will boost India’s weather and climate prediction and forecasts, timely alerts and early warnings, and advisories for public and last mile users such as fisherfolk and farmers.
8.Indian Constitution
9. Polity
10. Governance
A. institutions
B. regulatory
Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunals
- DRTs and DRATs to take all possible steps to reduce pendency at various stages through strict monitoring.
- Several suggestions regarding changes and amendments in Debts Recovery Tribunal Regulations, SARFAESI Act and RDB Act discussed to make the process of recovery more efficient.
- Banks to conduct periodical review of the performance of empanelled Advocates and rationalise the assignment of cases to the empanelled advocates taking into account their performance.
- Leveraging the under development e-Auction platform for listing and auction of properties of banks and financial institutions under the provisions of various Acts- SARFAESI Act, 2002, RDB Act, 1993 and IBC, 2016.
- Banks and Financial Institutions to reconcile cases which are pending in DRTs and DRATs but have already been settled.
- Banks to ensure presence of their officers at all the hearings of their respective cases before judicial forums.
C. Government policies
D. role of NGOs
E. measures
11. Social Justice
A. Welfare schemes
Food Corporation of India
he government’s dual commitment to MSP-based procurement and investment in FCI’s operational capabilities signifies a collaborative effort towards empowering farmers, fortifying the agricultural sector, and ensuring food security for the nation. As these measures take root, India anticipates a more resilient and prosperous future for its agricultural sector, with farmers at its heart.
The Government of India, recognizing the critical role of FCI in maintaining food security, periodically specifies the strategic level of food grain stocks to be maintained by FCI and designated central pool (DCP) states. FCI diligently adheres to these norms to address any adverse situations that may arise in the future, ensuring the nation’s resilience to food-related challenges.
B Health
C. Education
D. Human Resources
National Institute of Communication Finance
The National Institute of Communication Finance (NICF) is an apex level training institute, operating under the aegis of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, which caters to the training needs of Indian Posts and Telecom Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) officers. The Posts and Telecom (P&T) Accounts Cadre has a long and illustrious history dating back to the British colonial era in India, when the Posts and Telegraph Department was established in the latter half of the 19th century. The P&T accounts unit continued to operate under the jurisdiction of the Controller and Auditor General of India (CAG) until 1972, when a separate Indian Posts and Telecom Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) cadre was created as an organized accounts cadre of the Government of India and the first direct recruitment to the cadre started in 1974 through the prestigious Civil Services Examination. The newly-recruited IP&TAFS officers were initially trained at the Postal Staff College, but subsequently the Advanced Level Telecom Training Centre (ALTTC) in Ghaziabad was designated for their training. However, in order to provide up-to-date training in a rapidly evolving telecom sector, the need for a dedicated training centre for IP&TAFS officers was keenly felt. Hence, the National Institute of Communication Finance (NICF) was established in 2007 with the vision to provide the requisite training in a state-of-the-art campus.
The NICF caters to the training needs of officers in the Department of Telecom at varying levels of seniority and at different stages of their career. Whereas fresh recruits are imparted rigorous training for almost two years in order to equip them with thorough professional knowledge of the workings of the department, officers at both middle and senior management level are also given mid-career trainings to acquaint them with latest developments in the ever-changing telecom sector. Apart from conventional classroom training, the officers are also deputed for on-the-job training for practical hands-on experience which helps them to further hone their skills. Moreover, the officers are trained not only in the areas of their core competencies such as Spectrum Management, License Fee, Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), Technology Familiarization, etc., but also in soft skills such as Stress Management, Communication Skills, Leadership, Team Building, Interpersonal Skills, etc. in order to further enhance their effectiveness and efficiency.
As a training institute, the NICF strives to transcend the limitations of classroom training by organizing various workshops, conferences, symposia etc. to encourage participants to exchange best practices and ideas and learn about new trends in the telecom sector in a congenial environment. Of late, the NICF has also ventured into the newer areas in the telecom sector in which the need for human capacity building has been most acutely felt. Therefore, a plethora of training activities have been organized ranging from Digital Payments to Digital Financial Services and Digital Inclusion. Moreover, the NICF has also emerged as a key Training and Research Centre for Telecom Policies, Spectrum Management, Planning & Licensing, USO Regulation, and so on. Furthermore, to provide greater fillip to the goal of human capacity development in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), the NICF regularly undertakes training of trainers which creates a ripple effect in terms of human capacity building in the field units of the Department of Telecom located across different regions of the country.
Overall, the NICF seeks to stay abreast of new trends regarding the role of training institutes in a rapidly evolving and changing ICT environment. As the NICF plays a crucial role in the field of Human Resource Training, Training of Policymakers and Trainers’ Training, it has emerged as a nodal institute that is central to human capacity development in the field of ICT in India.
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
APEDA’s 38th Foundation Day marks agricultural export expansion milestone
From its modest beginnings with annual exports of USD 0.6 billion in exports during 1987-88, proactive interventions by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) have taken agricultural exports to a remarkable figure of USD 26.7 billion in the fiscal year 2022-23. This journey of exponential growth is underscored by expanding the export basket to over 200 countries, showcasing a commendable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12%.
In the fiscal period 2022-23, India’s agricultural exports reached USD 53.1 billion, with APEDA contributing a significant 51% of India’s Agri-exports. In the period April-December, 2023, among the 23 Principal Commodities (PCs) in APEDA’s export basket, 18 exhibited positive growth. Notably, 13 out of 15 large PCs, with exports exceeding USD 100 million in the previous year, experienced positive growth, with an average growth rate of 12%. Fresh fruits emerged as a standout performer, registering a remarkable growth of 29%. Moreover, the export of processed vegetables surged by 24% in the period followed by Miscellaneous processed items, Basmati Rice, and Fresh Vegetables also saw substantial growth compared to the corresponding period last year. Notably, India has significantly expanded its fresh fruits export footprint, now serving 111 countries compared to 102 destinations in the previous year.
On its 38th Foundation Day on 13.02.2024, APEDA commemorated a remarkable journey of fostering agricultural exports, culminating in significant milestones and unprecedented growth. Founded in 1986 with the mission to promote the export of agricultural products, APEDA has evolved into a pivotal force in catapulting India’s agricultural exports to new heights.
During April-November 2023, several key commodities witnessed substantial growth compared to the previous year, like, Bananas: 63%, Lentils (dried and shelled): 110%, Fresh eggs: 160% and Kesar and Dasheri Mango: 120% and 140%, respectively.
E.issues
14. Technology
ISRO Announces Young Scientist Programme 2024 (YUVIKA)
Children and youth have fascination for space and universe. They are very curious and wish to know everything about all the celestial phenomenon. To address this staunch curiosity of young minds, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is organising a special programme for School Children called “Young Scientist Programme” “YUva VIgyani KAryakram” (YUVIKA). The key objective of this initiative is to impart basic knowledge on Space Science, Space Technology and Space Applications to the younger students in emerging trends in space science and technology. ISRO has chalked out this programme to “Catch them young”. As we all are aware that the youngsters can involve and excel in space science and technology if they get an opportunity because they are the future building blocks of our nation.
YUVIKA programme is also expected to encourage more students to pursue in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based research and aligned career.
Young Scientist Programme – YUVIKA was conceived to impart basic knowledge on Space Science, Space Technology and Space Applications to the younger students with a preference to rural areas of the country. The programme is thus aimed at creating awareness about the emerging trends in science and technology amongst the school going students. The programme envisages two weeks’ class room training, practical demonstration of experiments, hands on CANSAT, Robotic kit, Model rocketry interactions with ISRO scientists and field visits.
The programme was conducted successfully in 2019, 2022 and 2023 with the participation of 111, 153 and 337 students respectively, representing each and every State and Union Territory of India. The students were divided into five batches based on the geographical locations and imparted training at VSSC, URSC, SAC, NRSC, NESAC, SDSC SHAR & IIRS.
ISRO received an overwhelming response for YUVIKA – 2023, as more than 1.25 lakhs students had registered for YUVIKA – 2023 from all corners of India. The students are selected from all states and union territories based on marks scored in their last examination, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.ias academy in chennai
15. Environment
16. Security
17. Disaster Management
ias academy in chennai