civil service exam
- Indian Heritage
- Culture
International Mother Language Day Exhibition Showcases the Global Symphony of Languages
On International Mother Language Day, the Kalanidhi Division and Academic Unit of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) presents Akshar | Shabd | Bhasha, an exhibition celebrating and honouring the linguistic diversity of India, and exploring the richness of languages, scripts, and words that define our cultural heritage.civil service exam
Darshanam II gallery has a collection of 22 quotes in the 22 scheduled languages of India curated to bring about something special about each language and Darshanam I along with the corridor space is an immersive and interactive experience for the viewers. The exhibition will continue till 29th February 2024.
‘Akshar | Shabd | Bhasha,’ the exhibition aimed at bringing forth the importance of mother languages and the need to preserve endangered languages has been organized by the Academic Unit, IGNCA for the Kalanidhi Division, IGNCA as a part of the Division’s International Mother Language Day Celebrations.
21st February is celebrated as UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day since its announcement on 17 November 1999 to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism.
The Holy Relics of Lord Buddha and His Two Disciples Enshrined for public veneration at Sanam Luang Pavilion in Bangkok with great reverence and Holy Chanting
The Holy Relics of Lord Buddha and His Two Disciples were Enshrined today for public veneration at the specially built Mandapam at Sanam Luang Pavilion in Bangkok with great reverence and amidst Holy Chanting. The Governor of Bihar Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar handed over the Holy Relics of Buddha to Thai Prime Minister (Chairman), Mr Srettha Thavisin, while those of Arahants Sariputra & Maha Maudgalayana were handed over by Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar to the Thai Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Somsak Thepsutin and Thai Culture Minister for enshrining in the mandapa.civil service exam
A majestic parade of Relics leaving from the national museum was also organized, showing the culture and Heritage of Thailand as a part of the 26 day grand exposition of the relics of Lord Buddha and his two disciples. The parade also displayed the bonhomie between India and Thailand as the Parade consisted of the National Flags of Thailand and India along with cultural exhibition of the two countries.
India and Oman agree to cooperate in the field of Archives
A delegation of the National Archives of India (NAI), New Delhi led by Shri. Arun Singal, Director General of Archives and comprising Dr. Sanjay Garg, Deputy Director, and Ms. Sadaf Fatima, Archivist visited the National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) of Oman on 21-22 February 2024. The purpose of the visit was to explore the areas of bilateral cooperation in the archival field.
In bilateral discussions with Dr. Hamad Mohammed Al-Dhawyani, Chairman, NRAA, Shri Arun Singhal dwelt upon the historical ties between India and Oman and informed the Chairman about the existence of a large number of records pertaining to Oman in the NAI, as well as in other repositories of India. As a gesture of goodwill, Shri Singhal handed over a list of 70 select documents pertaining to Oman that are available in the National Archives of India (NAI). These documents cover a period from 1793 to 1953 and deal with a wide range of subjects. Along with the list, 523 pages of copies of records were also handed over to the Chairman, NRAA, which covered several important subjects, viz.:
- Change of Omani Flag from red to white (1868);
- Succession of Sayyid Faisal bin Turki as ruler of Oman after the death of Sultan Sayyid Turki (1888);
- Official Visit of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman to the Viceroy in India (1937); and
- Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the Republic of India and the Sultan of Muscat and Oman signed on the 15th March 1953 at Muscat. (English, Hindi and Arabic versions).
- 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
Government amends Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules; amended Rules will further empower consumers
The Government of India has approved amendments to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020. Issuing the amendments, the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh stated that these amendments further reduce the timeline for getting new electricity connections and that they simplify the process of setting up rooftop solar installations. The Minister informed that the amendments empower consumers living in multistoried flats in choosing their connection type and ensure separate billing for common areas and back-up generators in residential societies, thus enhancing transparency. The amendments also provide for check meters to be installed by distribution company in case of consumer complaints, to verify electricity consumption.civil service exam
The major amendments made are as follows.
Facilitating Easier and Faster installation of Rooftop Solar Systems
Amendments have been made in the Rules, to facilitate faster installation and enhance the ease of setting up Rooftop Solar PV systems at the premises of prosumers.
Exemption has been given for the requirement of technical feasibility study, for systems up to a capacity of 10 kW. For systems of capacity higher than 10 kW, the timeline for completing the feasibility study has been reduced from twenty days to fifteen days. Further, in case the study is not completed within the stipulated time, the approval will be deemed to have been given.
Additionally, it has now been mandated that the distribution system strengthening necessary for rooftop solar PV systems up to 5 kW capacity will be done by the distribution company at its own cost.
Further, the timeline for the distribution licensee to commission Rooftop Solar PV systems has been reduced from thirty days to fifteen days.
Separate Connections for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Consumers can now obtain separate electricity connections for charging their Electric Vehicles (EVs).
This aligns with the country’s goal of reducing carbon emissions and reaching Net Zero by the year 2070.
New connections and change in existing connections to be obtained faster
The time period for obtaining a new electricity connection under the Rules has been reduced from seven days to three days in metropolitan areas, from fifteen days to seven days in other municipal areas, and from thirty days to fifteen days in rural areas. However, in rural areas with hilly terrain, the time period for new connections or for modifications in existing connections will remain thirty days.civil service exam
Additional Rights for Consumers in Residential Colonies and Flats
Provisions have been introduced in the Rules, to enhance consumer choice and promote greater transparency in metering and billing.
Owners residing in co-operative group housing societies, multi-storied buildings, residential colonies, etc., will now have the option to choose from the distribution licensee either individual connections for everyone or a single-point connection for the whole premises. The exercise of the option will be based on a transparent ballot to be conducted by the Distribution Company. Parity has also been brought in the tariff charged to consumers who get electricity supplied through single-point connection and to those who avail of individual connections.
Metering, billing, and collection will be done separately for: (i) individual electricity consumption sourced from the distribution licensee, (ii) individual consumption of backup power supplied by the residential association, and (iii) electricity consumption for common areas of such residential associations, which is sourced from the distribution licensee.
Mandatory Additional Meter in cases of Complaints
In cases where consumers raise complaints about meter reading not aligning with their actual electricity consumption, the distribution licensee is now required to install an additional meter within five days from the date of receipt of the complaint. This additional meter will be used to verify the consumption for a minimum period of three months, thus reassuring consumers and ensuring accuracy in billing.
The Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister stated that the interest of consumers is paramount for the government. It is for this purpose that the government issued the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 on 31st December, 2020, thus setting standards for services provided by electricity distribution companies all over India. These rules cover aspects such as billing, complaints, compensation and timelines for new connections. They also offer support for renewable energy generation by prosumers. The Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister stated that the present amendments will further empower the consumers.
10. Governance
A. institutions
B. regulatory
C. Government policies
D. role of NGOs
E. measures
11. Social Justice
A. Welfare schemes
India’s First Gati Shakti Research Chair
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal attended the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the MoPSW and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) to set up India’s first ‘Gati Shakti Research Chair’ here today.
The Chair will spearhead high-quality academic research on multimodal logistics with a North-East focus: building knowledge on multimodal logistics development strategies and practice in the North-Eastern region, facilitate knowledge and innovation for logistical capacity building in the region. The chair also aims to foster collaboration with global experts in creating and developing knowledge & expertise while strengthening the links between the multimodal logistics research and capacity-building activities with key stakeholders such as the logistics industry, government bodies, local authorities, and other partners and associations. The chair will also support the multimodal logistics research activities, capacity building and outputs to enable PM Gati Shakti Masterplan to power the East and North-East Region’s logistical capacity.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sonowal said, “Today, I feel fortunate to be amongst all my young friends from the prestigious IIM. The aura of Yuva Shakti has energised our resolve to continuously move towards achieving the goal of a Viksit Bharat by the end of Amrit Kaal. The ensuing 25 years are your Kartavya Kaal to continue on the empowerment led development of India. With the establishment of this chair at your prestigious institute, the Northeast is poised to take lead in the research & development of multimodal logistics activities, capacity building and outputs. Students fraternity will now have an opportunity to hone their skills and build their careers in the field of logistics.”
A Strategic Round Table was also organised to discuss the multimodal logistics development strategy for connecting the North Eastern Region (NER) to the wider national and international regions to strengthen the local economy at the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong. The meet attempted at strategising for the development of a collective NER logistics Policy in line with the National Logistic Mission as well as steps for the operationalisation and implementation of the policies related to multimodal logistics in the NER.
Many Ambitious projects such as Arth Ganga and Mahabahu Brahmaputra have been initiated to foster holistic socio-economic development along the River Ganga and River Brahmaputra. These reforms have yielded positive economic outcomes, as evidenced by India’s ascent in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index, climbing from 54th in 2014 to 38th in 2023, marking a notable improvement of 16 positions over the span of a decade.
Speaking on the scope for logistics sector in the Northeast, the Minister said, “Under Narendra Modi ji, the Northeast region has experienced unprecedented growth and development with sustained peace. The region witnessed revolutionary infrastructural advancements, development in digital connectivity, prolific economic growth, and several other significant accomplishments. The Narendra Modi government has invested over ₹14 lakh crores in infrastructure development and connectivity of the North east. Only through this commitment and intensive efforts has India’s northeast become front and Centre of New India’s growth story. The newly inaugurated Gati Shakti Chair will act as a catalyst to realise the full potential to emerge as a vital logistics hub connecting South Asia with South-East and East Asia.”
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, through its Gati Shakti Research Chair, reaffirms its crucial role in advancing the objectives of the Gati Shakti vision. This initiative not only underscores the Ministry’s commitment to foster research and innovation but also underscores its recognition of the vital significance of multimodal logistics in the overall development of the NER and establish a robust institutional support. The Ministry will also actively guide in shaping the research agenda, steering research priorities in line with the nation’s multimodal connectivity objectives, providing valuable industry insights, and facilitating collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. The MoPSW’s participation ensures that the Gati Shakti Research Chair at IIM Shillong can effectively contribute to shaping policies, optimising logistics, and enhancing the efficiency of transportation infrastructure in the NER.
B Health
C. Education
D. Human Resources
E. poverty and hunger
12. International relations
A. India and its neighbourhood
B. groupings and agreements
India to take up Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism at WTO and also bilaterally with EU: Sh. Goyal
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal said that the government does not rush to conclude trade negotiations because Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) impact the country for several years and follows a careful and calibrated approach. During an interaction at the Raisina Dialogue 2024, the Minister said that extensive stakeholder consultations, inter-ministerial meetings, etc. are conducted during FTA negotiations to ensure that FTAs are fair, equitable and balanced.
For the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference 13 (MC13) to be held next week in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Shri Goyal said that there are attempts to include issues in the WTO that are not part of world trade and India will try to ensure that the guiding principles of WTO are maintained. The Minister highlighted India’s role in the past at the WTO MCs and expressed strong support for making the organisation stronger with the necessary reforms. Shri Goyal said that WTO is important for a fair and robust multilateral trading system.
On the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) issue, Shri Goyal said that India is concerned by the tax imposition of the European Union (EU) and will take up the issue within the rules of World Trade Organisation (WTO) and will also look to address the issue bilaterally with the EU. Further, the Minister assured the stakeholders that the government is conscious of the challenges and will work towards turning this challenge into an opportunity.
Shri Goyal emphasised that India is willing to engage with the world and be competitive by embracing global value chains and becoming self-reliant. He said that the large domestic market coupled with the nation’s ability to innovate will make India the best destination for investments. The Minister stated that the government undertook initiatives to perform, reform and transform the economy to ensure that India becomes a developed nation with strong macroeconomic fundamentals. Shri Goyal said that the aim of the welfare schemes is to reach the beneficiaries at the last mile.
Shri Goyal said that the government under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has undertaken initiatives for food security, healthcare, education, housing, infrastructure, etc. for public welfare. The Minister cited multiple initiatives like Make in India, Startup India, Digital India, Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, etc. that have transformed India into the fastest developing large economy. He noted that these initiatives encourage private and public investment in infrastructure and manufacturing which will help India become a developed economy by 2047.
Raksha Mantri & Netherlands Defence Minister discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation during talks in New Delhi
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with the Netherlands Defence Minister Ms Kajsa Ollongren in New Delhi on February 23, 2024. Both Ministers discussed the possibilities for expanding their bilateral defence cooperation, particularly in maritime and industrial domains. They noted the increased interaction between the two Navies and expressed keenness to work together to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
The Raksha Mantri suggested that Dutch Original Equipment Manufacturers could be encouraged to integrate Indian vendors into their supply chains. India has developed a vibrant innovation and industrial eco-system. Given the Indian and Dutch complementarities in skills, technology and scale, both sides were in agreement to encourage more interactions between the defence industries, and in high-tech sectors of semi-conductors and clean energy.
UN Global Compact Network India
UN Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI), formed in November 2000, was registered in 2003 as a non-profit society to function as the Indian Local Network of the Global Compact, New York. It is the first Local Network in the world to be established with full legal recognition. It, also as a country level platform for businesses, civil organisations, public and private sector, aids in aligning stakeholders’ responsible practices towards the Ten Universally Accepted Principles of UNGC in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti – corruption, broad goals including Sustainable Development Goals and other key sister initiatives of the United Nations and its systems.
It has also emerged as the largest corporate sustainability initiative in India and globally with a pan India membership of over 500 leading business and non-business participants, strengthening their commitment to the Global Compact Principles by becoming proud members of the Local Network in India.
C.Indian diaspora
13. Economic Development
A. Government Budgeting
B. industrial
Procurement of services through GeM grows from nearly ₹8,500 crore in FY21 to nearly ₹1,82,000 crore in FY24 (up to 22nd February 2024); marks a 176% increase over last fiscal year
Procurement of services through Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has grown significantly, from nearly ₹8,500 crore in FY21 to nearly ₹66,000 crore in FY23 to nearly ₹1,82,000 crore in FY24 (as on February 22, 2024) – a significant increase of nearly 176% from last fiscal year. Total value of procurement of services exceeding the total value of products procurement in a Financial Year is an important milestone which indicates the faster acceptability of services by various buyers. In February 2024, services procurement has been phenomenal, contributing to nearly 80% of the total order value transacted on GeM. The share of procurement of services in overall procurement has exceeded the 50% mark in the current financial year. Two bids placed by South Eastern Coalfield Limited, a subsidiary of COAL India Limited, worth nearly ₹40,000 crore, have catapulted the share of service procurement in this month.
Commenting on this significant achievement, CEO, GeM, Shri P K Singh said that the GeM has harnessed digital capabilities and has emerged as a one-stop-shop for procurement of all possible services that may be required by Government buyers at various levels of administration. He said that the expansion of the service offerings on GeM has been the brightest chapter in the platform’s success story, witnessing exponential growth over this miniscule period.
The expanded bouquet of services on GeM has given a tremendous boost to the GeM Gross Merchandise Value (GMV). In this year alone, nearly 457 orders, worth ₹4,036 crore, have been placed for procuring 9 types of insurance services such as Group Mediclaim Insurance Service, Asset Insurance Service, Group Term Insurance Service etc. Government of Gujarat has procured Group Mediclaim InsuranceServices worth ₹2,302 crore under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to extend insurance cover to nearly 62 lakh families.
Innovative and unique service offerings like Local Chemist Empanelment have resulted in an average discount of 30-32% on supply of medicines through GeM’s e-bidding process. This has prompted the Central Government Health Scheme, Employees & State Insurance Corporation, and multiple State Health & Family Welfare Departments to actively procure these services through GeM.
Procurement of services like Hiring of Consultants and PR Agency, Outdoor Advertisement Services and Exhibition / Event / Seminar Management Services, has enabled Government bodies to make informed policy-making decisions and effectively disseminate information. By investing in these kinds of services, Government buyers have improved their capabilities and service delivery to better serve the needs of the citizens of the country.
Services procurement on GeM has also given huge impetus to key social welfare initiatives like Jal Jeevan Mission, POSHAN 2.0 etc. To further the vision of a Swachh Bharat, GeM has created separate categories for hiring of sanitation services, including collection, disposal, and management of waste. This service is being regularly procured by Urban Development & Housing Department, Bihar, which placed 35 orders across various urban local bodies for collection, lifting, transportation and disposal of waste. Similar contracts have also been placed by Urban & Local bodies in various states like Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Uttarakhand and Delhi.
This remarkable trend underscores the increasing recognition of services as a strategic asset and highlights the importance of robust procurement infrastructure in streamlining public procurement processes. This unprecedented growth attests GeM’s scalability and adaptability and the pivotal role it plays in driving India’s economic growth.
GeM was established in 2016 to provide Government buyers an end-to-end digital platform to carry out public procurement of goods at cost-effective rates. In FY19-20, the platform diversified its portfolio to include services as a separate segment by offering government buyers the flexibility to hire very few basic services like Manpower Hiring, Cab Hiring, Security Services and Cleaning & Sanitation services, through tools like e-bidding and reverse auction.
BHARAT TEX 2024
With over 22 lakh sq ft exhibition area spread across 2 venues at Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi, participation of buyers from 100 countries and over 100 international speakers, Bharat Tex is set to be India’s largest Global Textile Event. This was stated by Ms Rachna Shah, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles in New Delhi today. The 4 day event beginning Monday, February 26 will be formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
Being organised by a consortium of 11 Textile Export Promotion Councils and supported by the Ministry of Textiles, Bharat Tex is built on the twin pillars of trade and investment and with an overarching focus on sustainability and resilient supply chains. The 4 day event promises to be a tapestry of tradition and technology, attracting, besides policymakers and global CEOs, over 3,500 exhibitors, over 3,000 buyers from over 100 countries, and more than 50,000 trade visitors. An exhibition spread across nearly 22 lakh sq ft of area and encompassing the entire textile value chain, will help position India as a global powerhouse in textiles, showcasing its capabilities and generating momentum throughout the entire Indian textiles ecosystem.
Inspired by the 5F Vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the event has a unified Farm to Fashion focus, covering the entire value chain.
Ms Shah pointed out that that Bharat Tex was not just the largest such event in size with over 2 million sq ft exhibition but was the first such event being hosted simultaneously at 2 venues- Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi and both venues had been fully subscribed. Besides the event was a fully unified one with the entire value chain across all elements represented.civil service exam
The Bharat Tex exhibition features Apparel, Home Furnishings, Floor Coverings, Fibres, Yarns, Threads, Fabrics, Carpets, Silk, Textiles based Handicrafts, Technical Textiles and many more. It will also have a retail High Street focusing on India’s fashion retail market opportunities. Other attractions of the show will include dedicated pavilions on sustainability and recycling showcasing actual work done by individual industry as well as clusters like Panipat, Tirupur and Surat, an Indi-Haat showcasing India’s traditional sector of Handicrafts and Handlooms, over 10 Fashion shows spread across 4 days on diverse themes ranging from Indian Textiles Heritage to sustainability and global designs. Bharat Tex will also feature art demonstrations by master craftsmen, interactive fabric testing zones and product demonstrations and showcase of global fashion trends.civil service exam
It will also feature a global scale conference with 350 speakers to deliberate on issues and challenges faced by the global textiles industry and India’s strengths that can be leveraged to address these issues. Over 40% of all sessions will be focused the three pillars of Sustainability, Resilient Value Chains and Indian prowess in global Textiles industry. There will also be 3 Country Sessions and 5 State Sessions on opportunities, investment and trade besides sessions on Global Mega Trends shaping the future of Textiles industry and Factory of the Future with emphasis on AI and Block Chain based smart manufacturing
E.issues
14. Technology
Artificial Intelligence revolutionising clinical medicine, need for optimum integration between the existing and the newer tools of patient care,
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that Artificial Intelligence is revolutionising clinical medicine at a very fast pace and there is an urgent need for optimum integration between the existing and the newer tools of patient care.civil service exam
At the same time, he said, integration is also required at a different level between the public and private sectors on the one hand and on the other hand among various systems of medical practice combining allopathy with AYUSH to achieve the envisaged health goals through a synergised approach.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, for the first time after Independence, the healthcare sector has received top priority under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. PM Modi spoke about Digital Health from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day, he recalled.civil service exam
A renowned diabetologist himself, Dr Jitendra Singh called for strong Public Private extended integration for the optimum results. He gave the example of a recently introduced Ph.D course in Biosciences, which is multiple in nature and even B.Tech or M. Tech streams could join.
Elaborating further on integration of various streams of healthcare, Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out that during the COVID even the West started looking up to India in search of immunity building techniques drawn from Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani, Yoga, Naturopathy and other oriental alternatives. He said, however, even after the COVID phase passes out, an optimum integration and synergism of different streams of medical management are the key to successful management of various diseases and disorders which may not be otherwise completely amenable to treatment by any single stream of medicine or the treatment given in silos.civil service exam
15. Environment