- 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
10. Governance
A. institutions
B. regulatory
C. Government policies
D. role of NGOs
E. measures
11. Social Justice
A. Welfare schemes
B Health
C. Education
PRERANA program
Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India has launched ‘Prerana: An Experiential Learning program’, aiming to offer a meaningful, unique, and inspiring experience to all participants, thereby empowering them with leadership qualities.
Prerana is driven by a strong commitment to integrate principles of Indian education system and the philosophy of value-based education which is a corner stone of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Prerana is a week-long residential program for selected students of class IX to XII. It is an experiential and inspirational learning program for students with the best-in-class technology where heritage meets innovation. A batch of 20 selected students (10 boys and 10 girls) will attend the program, every week from various parts of the country.
Prerana program will run from a Vernacular School, established in 1888, in one of the oldest living cities of India, Vadnagar, district Mehsana, Gujarat. The school stands as a tribute to Vadnagar’s indomitable spirit, a living city that has triumphed over challenges like earthquakes and natural calamities and is home to ancient heritage sites and monuments inhabited since the early historic period and in the modern day. The school signifies the fact that extraordinary lives often find their roots in ordinary foundations. Grounded in the timeless wisdom of India’s rich civilization, this unique initiative embodies a vision aligned with the principles and ideals of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, who is an alumnus.
The curriculum of Prerana School prepared by IIT Gandhi Nagar is rooted in nine value based themes: Swabhiman and Vinay, Shaurya and Sahas, Parishram and Samarpan, Karuna and Sewa, Vividhta and Ekta, Satyanishtha and Shuchita, Navachar and Jigyasa, Shraddha aur Vishwas, and Swatantrata and Kartavya. The program based on above themes will inspire the youth and foster respect for Bharat’s unity in diversity, embodying the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and will contribute by making the youth of today, a flame holder for Viksit Bharat. Towards this endeavour, the participants will be guided by mentors from prestigious institutions.
The day-wise program schedule will feature yoga, mindfulness, and meditation sessions, followed by experiential learning, thematic sessions, and hands on interesting learning activities. Evening activities will include visits to ancient and heritage sites, inspirational film screenings, mission life creative activities, talent shows etc. ensuring a holistic learning approach. Apart from this, students will engage in diverse activities, embracing indigenous knowledge systems, latest State-of-Art technologies, and learnings from inspirational personalities.
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
Indian Toy industry witnesses 52% decline in imports and 239% rise in exports in FY 2022-23 in comparison to FY 2014-15
The Indian Toy industry witnessed remarkable growth in FY 2022-23 in comparison to FY 2014-15, with the decline in imports by 52%, rise in exports by 239% and development of overall quality of the Toys available in the domestic market. These observations have been noted in a Case Study on “Success Story of Made in India Toys” has been conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow at the behest of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
The report states that the efforts of the Government have enabled in creation of a more conducive manufacturing ecosystem for the Indian Toy industry. It highlighted that in a span of 6 years, from 2014 to 2020, these dedicated efforts have led to the doubling of the number of manufacturing units, reduction in dependence on imported inputs from 33% to 12%, increase in gross sales value by a CAGR of 10%, and overall rise in labour productivity.
The report analyzed that India is also emerging as a top exporting nation due to the country’s integration into the global toy value chain, along with zero-duty market access for domestically manufactured toys in countries including UAE and Australia. The report stated that in order to position India as a viable alternative to current toy hubs of the world, i.e., China and Vietnam, consistent collaborative efforts of the Toy industry and the Government are essential for advancements in technology, embracing e-commerce, encouraging partnerships and exports, investing in brand-building, engaging with educators and parents to communicate with children, valuing cultural diversity and collaborating with regional artisans, etc.
The report emphasized that to address these issues and foster growth in the Indian toy industry, a strategic plan of action was needed. The government has implemented several interventions and initiatives, including:
a). Formulation of a comprehensive NAPT having 21 specific action points, and implemented by 14 Central Ministries/Departments, with DPIIT as the coordinating body.
b).Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on toys (HS code 9503) was increased from 20% to 60% in February 2020, and subsequently to 70% in March 2023.
c). Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has mandated sample testing of each import consignment to curb the import of sub-standards toys
d). A Quality Control Order (QCO) for Toys was issued in 2020, with effect from 01.01.2021.
e). Special provisions were notified by BIS on 17.12.2020 to grant licences to micro sale units manufacturing toys without testing facility for one year and without establishing in-house testing facility, which was further extended by three years.
f). BIS has granted more than 1200 licences to domestic manufacturers and more than 30 licences to foreign manufacturers for manufacture of toys with BIS standard Marks
g).Cluster-based approach adopted to support domestic Toy industry. The Ministry of MSME is supporting 19 Toy clusters under the Scheme of Funds for the Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), and the Ministry of Textiles is providing designing and tooling support to 13 Toy clusters.
h).Several promotional initiatives have also been undertaken to promote indigenous toys and encourage innovation, including The Indian Toy Fair 2021, Toycathon, etc.
In line with the recommendations made in the report, the Government has already initiated/ undertaken measures under the NAPT.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his “Mann ki Baat” address in August 2020, expressed his desire to establish India as a global Toy manufacturing hub. To fulfil the vision, the Government has undertaken a series of initiatives including formulation of a comprehensive like the National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT) to promote designing of toys, using toys as a learning resource, monitoring quality of toys, promoting indigenous toy clusters, etc.
B. industrial
E.issues
14. Technology
15. Environment
proposals for Wetland City Accreditation under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands for cities of Indore, Bhopal and Udaipur
MoEF&CC has submitted three nominations from India for Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) of Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) & Udaipur (Rajasthan) under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. These are the first three Indian cities for which nominations have been submitted for WCA based on the proposals received from respective State Wetlands Authorities in collaboration with the Municipal Corporations. The wetlands situated in and around these cities provide a plethora of benefits to its citizens in terms of flood regulation, livelihood opportunities, and recreational and cultural values. Sirpur Wetland (Ramsar site in Indore), Yashwant Sagar (Ramsar site closer to Indore), Bhoj Wetland (Ramsar Site in Bhopal), and several Wetlands (Lakes) in and around Udaipur are lifelines to these cities.
- Indore: Founded by Holkars, Indore is the cleanest city in India and the recipient of India’s Smart City Award 2023 for its best sanitation, water and urban environment. Sirpur Lake, a Ramsar Site in the city, has been recognised as an important site for water bird congregation and is being developed as a Bird Sanctuary. A strong network of more than 200 wetland mitras is engaged in bird conservation and sensitising local community to protect Sarus Crane.
- Bhopal: One of the cleanest cities in India that has proposed conservation zones around the wetlands in its draft City Development Plan 2031. Bhoj Wetland, Ramsar Site is the city’s lifeline, equipped with the world-class wetlands interpretation centre, Jal Tarang. Additionally, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation has a dedicated Lake Conservation Cell. A network of more than 300 wetland mitras is engaged in wetland management and conservation of Sarus Crane.
Wetland City Accreditation (WCA): Recognizing the importance of wetlands in urban and peri-urban environments and to take appropriate measures to conserve and protect these wetlands, the Ramsar Convention during COP12 held in the year 2015 approved a voluntary Wetland City Accreditation system under Resolution XII.10 which recognizes cities which have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands. The Wetland City Accreditation scheme aims to further promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations. Additionally, the Accreditation seeks to encourage cities that are close to and dependent on wetlands, primarily Wetlands of International Importance, but also wetlands with other conservation category status, to develop and strengthen a positive relationship with these valuable ecosystems. To be formally accredited, a candidate for the Wetland City Accreditation should satisfy the standards used to implement each of the six international criteria mentioned Operational Guidance for WCA of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. This voluntary scheme provides an opportunity for cities that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition and positive branding opportunities for their efforts in demonstrating strong positive relationships with wetlands.
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
National Mission for Clean Ganga, in the year 2023, completed 38 projects which resulted in the completion of a cumulative total of 270 projects, so far and also sanctioned 45 new projects amounting to ₹ 5,473 crore, bringing the cumulative total to 454 projects sanctioned worth ₹ 38,385 crore. In sewerage infrastructure, 21 projects for the creation/ rehabilitation of 938 MLD sewage treatment capacity have been sanctioned between January to December 2023.In the same period, 10 projects for the creation/ rehabilitation of 821 MLD sewage treatment capacity have been completed. Till date, a total of 197 sewerage infrastructure projects have been sanctioned in the Ganga Basin for the creation of 6,208 MLD sewage treatment capacity and the laying of 5,272 km sewer network.
The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was launched at COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates with countries namely India, Egypt, Netherlands, Denmark, Ghana, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Japan and river-cities of The Hague (Den Haag) from the Netherlands, Adelaide from Australia, and Szolnok of Hungary and International funding agencies the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and knowledge management institution like KPMG entering into a partnership, widely expanding the reach of the existing River Cities Alliance (RCA), formed by NMCG in association with National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) in 2021. GRCA is a unique alliance covering 275+ global river-cities in 11 countries, international funding agencies and knowledge management partners and is first of its kind in the world.
National Water Mission (NWM)
(i) “Jal Shakti Abhiyan- Catch the Rain (JSA:CTR)” 2023 campaign: To make water everyone’s business and buoyed by the success of Jal Shakti Abhiyan(s) in the previous years, the President of India launched “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2023” on the theme ‘Source Sustainability for Drinking Water’, 4th in its series on 04.03.2023. Focused interventions of the JSA:CTR-2023 include consolidation of activities i.e. (1) water conservation and rainwater harvesting; (2) enumerating, geo-tagging & making inventory of all water bodies; preparation of scientific plans for water conservation based on it (3) setting up of Jal Shakti Kendras in all districts (4) intensive afforestation and (5) awareness generation. As per the information uploaded by various stakeholders on the JSA:CTR portal (www.jsactr.mowr.nic.in), during the period of 04th March 2023 till 28th December, 2023 under the JSA:CTR campaign, a total of 10,59,816 Water Conservation & Rain Water Harvesting Structures were created/ongoing, 2,53,951 traditional water bodies were renovated/ongoing, 5,88,816 reuse and recharge structures were completed/ongoing and 12,41,245 watershed development structures were completed/ongoing. Further, 6,63,63,155 afforestation activities were carried out under the campaign. 661 Jal Shakti Kendras have been established. 520 District Water Conservation Plans have been prepared by the Districts across the country so far.
Central Water Commission (CWC)
- CWC has conducted in-house Sedimentation Assessment Studies of reservoir using remote sensing technologies during 2023.These in-house studies have been conducted using Microwave data (instead of optical data). The advantage of using microwave data is that the images are not affected by cloud cover, and we get images of the reservoirs near FRL during monsoon season as well (which is relatively difficult with optical imageries as when the reservoir is full, most of the time it is monsoon season and it is cloudy). In addition to the in-house studies, a batch of 40 reservoirs, covering all the major river basins of India, was outsourced, out of which 31 reservoirs were found feasible. The final assessment of these reservoirs is under progress.
- The chapters on environment and ecology of Buroi Medium Irrigation Project, Assam, Burisuti Medium Irrigation Project, Assam, Medium Irrigation project in Mebo, Arunachal Pradesh and Minor Irrigation project in Kaya Valley, Arunachal Pradesh at Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) stage have been vetted during 2023. Based on the experience gained during the earlier post project Environment Impact Assessment Studies of 10 projects, the guideline for “Environmental Impact Assessment Studies of Completed Water Resources Projects” & “Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment Studies of Completed Water Resources Projects” is being prepared.
16. Security
17. Disaster Management