- Indian Heritage
- Culture
Kashi Tamil Sangamam
The promotion of the idea of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ has been one of the major focus areas of the government guided by the vision of the Prime Minister. In yet another initiative reflecting this vision, ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’, a month-long programme, is being organised in Kashi (Varanasi).
The objective of the programme is to celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi – two of the country’s most important and ancient seats of learning. The programme aims to provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life including scholars, students, philosophers, traders, artisans, artists etc. from the two regions to come together, share their knowledge, culture and best practices and learn from each others’ experiences. More than 2500 delegates from Tamil Nadu will be visiting Kashi. They will participate in seminars, site visits etc to interact with local people of similar trade, profession and interest. A month-long exhibition of handlooms, handicrafts, ODOP products, books, documentaries, cuisine, art forms, history, tourist places etc of the two regions will also be put up in Kashi.
The endeavour is in sync with NEP 2020’s emphasis on integrating the wealth of Indian Knowledge Systems with modern systems of knowledge. IIT Madras and BHU are the two implementing agencies for the programme.
NEW SCIENCE MUSEUMS IN THE COUNTRY
Ministry of Culture is developing new science centres/museums across the country under Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS). National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, is the implementing agency for developing Science Centres/Cities/Museums/Innovation Hubs under SPoCS Scheme. Details of new science museums opened in the country during the last four years, State-wise, year-wise, is annexed at Annexure.
All Science Centres are open for public including school & college students. In addition to this, various NCSM Science Centres also organize several annual programmes for School & College students like Science Fairs, Science Seminars, Science Drama, Science Demonstration Lectures, Travelling Science Exhibitions etc.
Further, all ASI site museums are also open to the general public. On special days, students from local schools are also invited for participation in various cultural events, competitions, heritage walks etc. Students below the age of 15 years get free entry to the museums.
- 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
Fast Track Courts to Deliver Speedy Justice
As per Prison Statistics India-2022 released by National Crime Records Bureau on 01.12.2023, there are 4,34,302 undertrial prisoners in the Country as on 31.12.2022.
The 14th Finance Commission (FC) had recommended the setting up of 1800 Fast Track Courts (FTCs) during 2015-20 for speedy trial of specific cases of heinous nature, civil cases related to women, children, senior citizen, disabled persons, persons infected with terminal ailments etc. and property related cases pending for more than 5 years. The FC had further urged State Governments to utilize enhanced fiscal space available through tax devolution (32% to 42%) for this purpose. The Union Government has also urged the State Governments to allocate funds for the setting up of FTCs, from the financial year 2015-16 onwards. As per information made available by High Courts, 848 FTCs are functional in the country as on 31.10.2023. In addition to FTCs, in pursuance to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, the Government of India finalized a scheme in August, 2019 for setting up Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) including exclusive POCSO Courts for expeditious trial and disposal of cases pertaining to rape and Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 in a time-bound manner under Centrally Sponsored Scheme. As per data submitted by various High Courts, upto October, 2023, 758 FTSCs including 412 exclusive POCSO
(e-POCSO) Courts are functional in 30 State/UTs across the country which have disposed of more than 2,00,000 cases. Presently, there is no proposal to set up Fast Track Courts for undertrials.
No separate suggestions/proposals have been received in Department of Justice in respect of setting up Fast Track Courts, for undertrial prisoners. However, the Central Government in the light of the Budget announcement during presentation of Budget 2023-24 has formulated the ‘Scheme for providing financial assistance to indigent prisoners to pay fine and obtain remission’ through the State Governments with a budget provision of Rs 20 crore every year.
The Government of India has added Section 436-A to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which provides for the release of an undertrial prisoner on bail after serving half of the maximum period of imprisonment prescribed for an offense under any law. The concept of “Plea Bargaining” was also introduced by inserting “Chapter XXIA” in CrPC, which facilitates pre-trial negotiations between the defendant and the prosecution.
A “Prison Management Application” (e-Prison Software) integrated with “Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System” has been introduced which facilitates State Prison Authorities to capture data of prisoners and identify those prisoners in a quick and efficient manner. It also helps to identify pending cases for consideration by the “Undertrial Prisoner Review Committee (UTRCs)”. UTRCs have been established in all the districts which conduct quarterly meetings. During the period from 1stApril 2020 to 30th June, 2023, National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) through State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) and District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) organized 32,612 UTRC meetings after which 74,630 inmates were released.
SLSAs have also set up Legal Services Clinics in prisons, which provide free legal aid to needy persons. These Legal Services Clinics are managed by empanelled Legal Services Advocates and trained para-legal volunteers. Such clinics have been set up in jails to ensure that all prisoners have access to advocates to represent them and to provide them with legal aid and advice. NALSA also organizes awareness camps in prisons to create awareness about the legal rights of prisoners including the availability of free legal aid, plea bargaining, Lok Adalats and their right to bail.
B. regulatory
C. Government policies
D. role of NGOs
E. measures
11. Social Justice
A. Welfare schemes
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
The Cabinet on 20th May 2020 approved the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with the highest ever total investment of Rs 20,050 crore comprising of (i) Central share of Rs 9,407 crore (ii) State share of Rs 4,880 crore and (iii) Beneficiaries contribution of Rs 5,763 crore. PMMSY was launched by the Prime Minister on 10th September 2020 as part of the COVID-19 Relief Package (AatmaNirbhar Bharat package) of the Government of India for implementation in 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories.
B Health
C. Education
Rajya Sabha Passes Central Universities (Amendment), Bill, 2023 for establishment Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Telangana
The Rajya Sabha on December 13, 2023 passed the Central Universities (Amendment), Bill, 2023 further to amend the Central Universities Act, 2009 for establishment Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University at Mulugu in the State of Telangana. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 7th December, 2023. The university will be a harbinger of progress for our tribal brothers and sisters across states, he emphasised.
He mentioned that the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act, 2019 ensured the rights of SC/ST/OBC/EWS of reservation envisaged under the Constitution.
He informed about the Balvatika initiative, which includes activities like Jaadui Pitara, has been started for 3-5 year kids to inculcate teaching-learning methods. The Skill-based education & training has been started in schools, he added.
Shri Pradhan also highlighted the international acceptance of NEP. He informed that Iran has done a Persian translation of NEP 2020 to implement the policy in Iran and Mauritius has sought cooperation in developing an institution, similar to NCERT in their country.
The University will be established at a cost of Rs. 889.07 crore. In the University, there will be graduate, postgraduate and Doctoral level courses under the five schools having 11 departments. A total of 2790 UG and PG students are proposed for the initial seven years of operation of this Tribal University. The establishment of this University will create direct employment in the form of faculty and non-faculty positions. Besides, it will also create employment avenues through outsourcing/ contractual basis. It will result in developing surrounding areas through several services and commercial activities which in turn will generate indirect employment opportunities.
The University has been named “Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University” on the mother and daughter, Sammakka and Saralamma (commonly known as Sarakka), who are believed to be manifestations of Adi Parashakti sent to protect the tribal communities of Telangana.
D. Human Resources
E. poverty and hunger
12. International relations
A. India and its neighbourhood
B. groupings and agreements
ASEAN-India Millet Festival today at New Delhi
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Tribal Affairs Shri Arjun Munda inaugurated ASEAN-India Millet Festival today at New Delhi. Ministers of States for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Kailash Choudhary and Sushri Shobha Karandlaje and Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Manoj Ahuja were also present in the occasion. In line with the International Year of Millets, the festival aims to increase awareness and establish a larger market for millet and millet based products. Addressing the delegates from India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam attending the festival, Union Minister Shri Arjun Munda highlighted the government policies and market innovations to promote the production and consumption of grains. Shri Munda said that millet provides innumerable benefits to farmers, consumers and the environment and makes an important contribution to global food-nutrition security. Highlighting the socio-economic, nutritional and climate benefits associated with its increased consumption, Shri Munda stated that this program reflects the vibrancy of millets and its immense potential in transforming agriculture and nutrition. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India has played an important role in organizing the mega event of International Millets Year 2023.
This concerted effort transcended boundaries and transformed the event into a global milestone of unparalleled significance. Prime Minister Shri Modi’s deep understanding of sustainable agriculture and nutrition security has been the driving force behind India’s proactive progress in placing food at the forefront of the global agenda. Celebration of the International Year of Millets has been important in creating awareness about millet to ensure food security and better nutrition. This has led to investment in extension services along with research and development, which motivates stakeholders to increase the productivity, quality and associated production methods of grain. In the face of global challenges of climate change, the importance of grains increases even more. Millet is an ancient grain, the specialty of millet is that it is small, but nutritious and provides strength to the body. Millet has the power to revolutionize our approach to agriculture, climate and food security.
U.S.-India Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Dialogue’
Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Mr. Brian Nelson, reconvened and co-chaired the India-U.S. Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Dialogue. The Ministry of Finance hosted the dialogue in New Delhi.
We the co-chairs reconvened the India-U.S. AML/CFT Dialogue as it is an effective forum for India and the United States to share perspectives and best practices on how to strengthen the collective efforts of both the countries to address illicit finance risk across our countries and the international financial systems.
In forum sessions, our participants discussed each country’s experience with virtual assets and virtual asset service providers, given the focus area of both sides to promote responsible innovation while mitigating illicit finance risks. Both parties recognised the pressing need to accelerate global implementation of AML/CFT standards for virtual assets, in line with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations, to effectively addressing the issue of regulatory arbitrage.
Participants discussed each country’s efforts to enhance transparency in beneficial ownership, including the implementation of beneficial ownership registries, tools to improve data quality, and verification of the information. This is a crucial step in combating money laundering and other financial crimes, as it allows authorities to track the flow of funds and identify those who are ultimately responsible for them.
Finally, we discussed the current challenges each jurisdiction is facing with regard to sanctions implementation, as well as opportunities to improve cooperation and information sharing to better combat sanctions evasion and terrorist financing in the region and globally.
Our delegations identified various areas in AML/CFT where India and U.S. can jointly work together and share experiences and best practices. Specifically, we agreed to convene the dialogue again next year to build on this week’s productive discussions. We also agreed that in advance of next year’s dialogue, ongoing technical-level discussions will continue to advance our priorities and identify additional areas for cooperation. Finally, we agreed to pursue opportunities to enhance coordination and cooperation bilaterally and multilaterally, including working together within the FATF.
Reconvening and co-chairing the India-U.S. AML/CFT Dialogue reaffirms the commitment of India and the United States to work jointly to address illicit finance risk in the international financial system.”
C.Indian diaspora
13. Economic Development
A. Government Budgeting
Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India for the Month of November, 2023 (Base Year: 2011-12)
vThe annual rate of inflation based on all India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) number is 0.26% (Provisional) for the month of November, 2023(over November, 2022). Positive rate of inflation in November, 2023 is primarily due to increase in prices of food articles, minerals, machinery & equipment, computer, electronics & optical products, motor vehicles, other transport equipment and other manufacturing etc. The index numbers and inflation rate for the last three months of all commodities and WPI components are given below:
| Index Numbers and Annual Rate of Inflation (Y-o-Y in %)* | |||||||
| All Commodities/Major Groups | Weight (%) | Sep-23 | Oct-23 (P) | Nov-23 (P) | |||
| Index | Inflation | Index | Inflation | Index | Inflation | ||
| All Commodities | 100.0 | 151.8 | -0.07 | 152.1 | -0.52 | 152.9 | 0.26 |
| I. Primary Articles | 22.62 | 183.6 | 4.38 | 184.5 | 1.82 | 186.9 | 4.76 |
| II. Fuel & Power | 13.15 | 153.1 | -3.35 | 154.1 | -2.47 | 155.3 | -4.61 |
| III. Manufactured Products | 64.23 | 140.4 | -1.27 | 140.3 | -1.13 | 140.4 | -0.64 |
| Food Index | 24.38 | 178.4 | 1.88 | 179.6 | 1.07 | 183.1 | 4.69 |
Month-over-Month Change in Major Groups of WPI:
- Primary Articles (Weight 22.62%):- The index for this major group increased by 1.30% to 186.9 (provisional) in November, 2023 from 184.5 (provisional) for the month of October, 2023. Prices of Food Articles (2.62%) increased in November, 2023 as compared to October, 2023. Prices of Non-food Articles (-0.24%), Minerals (-0.41%) and Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas (-4.79%) declined in November, 2023 as compared to October, 2023.
- Fuel & Power (Weight 13.15%): – The index for this major group increased by 0.78% to 155.3 (provisional) in November, 2023 from 154.1 (provisional) for the month of October, 2023. Prices of Electricity (9.93%) increased in November, 2023 as compared to October, 2023. Prices of Mineral Oils (-1.99%) declined in November, 2023 as compared to October, 2023.
- Manufactured Products (Weight 64.23%):- The index for this major group increased by 0.07% to 140.4 (provisional) in November, 2023 from 140.3 (provisional) for the month of October, 2023.Out of the 22 NIC two-digit groups for manufactured products, 8 groups witnessed an increase in prices, 10 groups witnessed a decrease in prices whereas 4 groups remained unchanged. Some of the important groups that showed month-over-month increase in prices are other manufacturing; manufacture of food products; motor vehicles, trailers & semi-trailers; fabricated metal products, except machinery & equipment; wood & of products of wood & cork etc. Some of the groups that witnessed a decrease in prices are manufacture of basic metals; electrical equipment; textiles; other non-metallic mineral products; rubber & plastic products etc. in November, 2023 as compared to October, 2023.
WPI Food Index (Weight 24.38%): The Food Index consisting of ‘Food Articles’ from Primary Articles group and ‘Food Product’ from Manufactured Products group have increased from 179.6 in October, 2023 to 183.1 in November, 2023. The rate of inflation based on WPI Food Index increased from 1.07% in October, 2023 to 4.69% in November, 2023.
Final Index for the month of September, 2023 (Base Year: 2011-12=100): For the month of September, 2023 the final Wholesale Price Index and inflation rate for ‘All Commodities’ (Base: 2011-12=100) stood at 151.8 and (-) 0.07% respectively. The details of all India Wholesale Price Indices and Rates of Inflation for different commodity groups based on updated figures are at Annex I. The Annual rate of Inflation (Y-o-Y) based on WPI for different commodity groups in the last six months are at Annex II. WPI for different commodity groups in the last six months is at Annex III.
Response Rate: The WPI for November, 2023 has been compiled at a weighted response rate of 85.7 percent, while the final figure for September, 2023 is based on the weighted response rate of 94.6 percent. The provisional figures of WPI will undergo revision as per the final revision policy of WPI. This press release, item indices, and inflation numbers are available at our home
B. industrial
Logistics Costs in India: Assessment and Long-Term Framework”
India’s National Logistics Policy, which was launched on 17th September 2022, aims to reduce logistics costs in India. To achieve this objective, the Logistics Division, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) launched a report titled “Logistics Cost in India: Assessment and Long-Term Framework” today in New Delhi. The Report has been prepared by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), in a consultative manner, with guidance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) experts and task force members.
Secretary, DPIIT, Sh. Rajesh Kumar Singh along with Special Secretary, Logistics Division, DPIIT, Ms. Sumita Dawra and other dignitaries including Deputy Country Director, ADB, Mr Hoe Yun Jeong officially unveiled this report today.
This report presents (a) a baseline aggregated logistics cost estimate and (b) a framework for long-term logistics cost calculation. It uses available secondary data from the Supply Use Tables and National Account Statistics of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and the NCAER’s 2019 study, “Analysis of India’s Logistics Costs”. It was also reviewed by external experts from the World Bank Group.
This report recommends a hybrid approach using primary (covering all trade flows, product types, industry trends, OD pairs, etc.) and secondary survey data, as well as real-time Big Data to provide an estimate of logistics cost.
To ensure evidence-based decision making for improving logistics efficiency, logistics costs should be estimated on a regular basis (preferably annually). This requires institutionalising the process of data collection in a systematic and periodic manner, for which an MoU with NCAER is planned.
Secretary, DPIIT emphasized that this report offers reliable estimates to instil confidence in investors regarding the efficient movement of goods and services and is poised to play a pivotal role in optimizing logistics efficiency and enhancing India’s global competitiveness.
Special Secretary, DPIIT highlighted that logistics cost has serious implications on the country’s manufacturing sector, export competitiveness, global positioning, etc. She pointed out that due to lack of data in the public domain for the critical components of logistics cost, the non-official / floating estimates of India’s logistics cost lack credibility. Hence, a need was felt to develop a scientific logistics cost calculation framework, that is inclusive and stands the test of statistical and data-based methods.
With this objective, the Government formed a Task Force in March 2023, subsequent to a workshop held in partnership with ADB. This Task Force composed of sectoral experts, line Ministries and representatives from NITI Aayog and ADB held a series of meetings, and drew credible conclusions. Key learnings that emerged during this exercise were as follows:
- Given the fragmented nature of the sector and various variables such as storage, terminal infra, O-D pair wise commodity flows, affecting the ecosystem, the complexity in estimating logistics cost, was demystified.
- The essential components of logistics cost estimation, including (i) Transportation cost, (ii) Warehousing and storage cost, auxiliary support services cost, (iii) Packaging cost, insurance cost, and (iv) Other administrative / operations cost, were identified.
- It was found that secondary data at a disaggregated level on most of these components is not available.
- Lack of data in public domain for the critical components of logistics cost, implied that non-officials / floating estimates of India’s logistics cost lack credibility.
- Immense Big Data being generated in the country is of immense value in computing logistics cost.
- The larger goal of policy making, requires a thorough understanding of trends in disaggregated data in the logistics sector, in terms of trade flows, product groups, EXIM and domestic cargo movement, etc.
E.issues
14. Technology
Space Technology Incubational Centres
Space Technology Incubation Centre (S-TIC) has been set-up to attract and nurture the young academia with innovative ideas/ research aptitude for carrying out research, motivating and encouraging them to initiate the start-ups and business in the field of Space technology & applications and developing the Academia–Industry ecosystem for Space Technology.
ISRO has set up Space Technology Cells (STC) at following premiere institutions:
| Sl. No. | Institute |
| 1. | Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) – Bombay, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Roorkee, Guwahati and Delhi |
| 2. | Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore |
| 3. | Joint Research Programme (JRP) with Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) |
15. Environment
A33 Elephant Reserves established in 14 major elephant States
Critical elephant habitats notified as ‘Elephant Reserve’ for focus and synergy in elephant conservation and to reduce conflict
he Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in coordination with the State Forest Departments, have ground-validated 150 elephant corridors across 15 elephant range states in the country, and informed the State Governments/UT Administrations to take necessary steps to protect and conserve the elephant corridors. Moreover, critical elephant habitats are notified as ‘Elephant Reserve’ for focus and synergy in elephant conservation and to reduce conflict. The notification is carried out with the approval of Steering Committee, chaired by Hon’ble Minister, Environment, Forest & Climate Change. So far 33 Elephant Reserves have been established in 14 major elephant States. These Elephant Reserves overlap with Tiger Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Reserved Forests which are protected under Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, Indian Forest Act, 1927 and other local State Acts. The activities related to infrastructure development projects are regulated as per the existing Acts, Rules and Guidelines. The state-wise details of elephant corridors ground validated, elephant reserves and human casualties due to elephant attack including Karnataka, as reported by the states
Several waste management rules notified under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for environmentally sound management of wastes
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the following waste management rules under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, for environmentally sound management of wastes: (i) Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, (ii) Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, (iii) Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, (iv) Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016, (v) Hazardous and other wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, (vi) E-waste Management Rules, 2022, (vii) Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. Out of total waste generated i.e. about 1.5 lakh MT/D in urban areas, approximately 76 % is processed.
In the year 2022, under relevant waste management rules, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) based on market mechanism has also been operationalized for environmentally sound management of plastic packaging waste, E-waste, waste tyre, battery waste and used oil. EPR for plastic packaging waste, E-waste, waste tyre, battery waste and used oil will promote the development of waste management sector.
Also, the capacity for processing of solid waste, hazardous waste, bio-medical waste, E-waste, plastic waste, construction and demolition waste in the country has increased since 2014. The solid waste processing capacity has increased by around 1,05,876 TPD in last eight years under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).
Separately, Guidelines have also been issued on environmentally sound management of solid waste, plastic waste, hazardous and other wastes, biomedical waste, E-waste and C&D waste. Directions have also been issued under Environment Protection Act, 1986, for implementation of the waste management rules. Also, Guidelines have been developed for levy of environmental damages /environmental compensation charges based upon polluter pays principle, for hazardous waste, E-waste, and plastic waste.
Additional central assistance is provided under Swachh Bharat Mission for solid waste management including plastic waste management in urban and rural areas, as per scheme guidelines. The Central Government has launched Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) in October 2021 with overall vision of creating “Garbage Free Cities”, to be executed over five years, which would involve achieving the target that all Urban Local Bodies will become at least 3-star certified (as per Star Rating Protocol for Garbage Free Cities) covering door to door collection, source segregation, and scientific processing of municipal solid waste.
A total financial allocation of Rs. 1,41,678 crores over a period of 5 years from 2021-2026 has been made under Urban Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, with a focus on source segregation of garbage, reduction in single-use plastic, reduction in air pollution by effectively managing waste from construction-and-demolition activities and bio-remediation of all legacy waste dump sites. Under Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen Phase II, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has issued operational guidelines to the States and Union Territories which include solid waste management activities at the village level.
16. Security
17. Disaster Management