- Indian Heritage
- Culture
National Culture Fund (NCF)
The National Culture Fund (NCF) was established as a funding mechanism distinct from the existing sources and patterns of funding for the arts and culture in India. It will enable institutions and individuals to support arts and culture directly as partners with its government.
The National Culture Fund (NCF) was set up by the Government of India as a Trust under the Charitable Endowment Act, 1890 through a Gazette Notification published in the Gazette of India 28th November, 1996. NCF is managed by a Council and an Executive Committee. The Council is chaired by the Hon’ble Minister of Culture and has members representing the corporate and public sector, private foundations and non-profit organizations. The Executive Committee is chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Culture
The Govt. of India vide their orders in Aug.-Sep.98 notified that the donations to the national Culture Fund will be eligible for tax benefit under section 10 (23C) (iv) and 80 G(2) of the Income Tax Act.The National Culture Fund (NCF) was created as a Trust in November 1996.
The NCF is managed and administered by a council to decide the policies and an Executive Committee – to actualize those policies. The Council is chaired by the Union Minister of Tourism & Culture and has a maximum strength of 24 including both the Chairman and Member Secretary, A team of 19 members represent various fields including corporate sector, private foundations and not-for-profit voluntary organizations. The purpose for this structure is to increase non-government representation in the decision making process.
- 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
National Startup Advisory Council’ (NSAC)
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had constituted the National Startup Advisory Council to advise the Government on measures needed to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups in the country to drive sustainable economic growth and generate large scale employment opportunities.
- Besides the ex-officio members, the council has a number of non-official members, representing various stakeholders such as founders of successful startups, veterans who have grown and scaled companies in India, persons capable of representing interest of investors into startups, persons capable of representing interests of incubators and accelerators, representatives of associations of stakeholders of startups and representatives of industry associations.
District Mineral Foundation (DMF)/ Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana ( PMKKKY )
hrough the amendment in Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) (MMDR) Act, in 2015, Government of India has made provision for establishment of District Mineral Foundation in all the districts affected by mining. Accordingly, Section 9(B) of the MMDR Act provides for the establishment of DMF as a non-profit body, object of DMF, and the power of State Government to prescribe the composition and functions of District Mineral Foundation.
The object of the District Mineral Foundation is to work for the interest and benefit of persons, and areas affected by mining related operations in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government. So far, DMFs have been set up in 626 districts in 23 States in the country which have framed DMF rules.
In any district affected by mining related operations, the State Government shall, by notification, establish a trust, as a non-profit body, to be called the District Mineral Foundation.
- The object of the District Mineral Foundation shall be to work for the interest and benefit of persons, and areas affected by mining related operations in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.
- The composition and functions of the District Mineral Foundation shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government.
- The State Government while making rules under sub-sections (2) and (3) shall be guided by the provisions contained in article 244 read with Fifth and Sixth Schedules to the Constitution relating to administration of the Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas and the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 and the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
- The holder of a mining lease or a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease granted on or after the date of commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, shall, in addition to the royalty, pay to the District Mineral Foundation of the district in which the mining operations are carried on, an amount which is equivalent to such percentage of the royalty paid in terms of the Second Schedule, not exceeding one-third of such royalty, as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
- The holder of a mining lease granted before the date of commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, shall, in addition to the royalty, pay to the District Mineral Foundation of the district in which the mining operations are carried on, an amount not exceeding the royalty paid in terms of the Second Schedule in such manner and subject to the categorization of the mining leases and the amounts payable by the various categories of lease holders, as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana ( PMKKKY )
Central Government on a careful consideration of the matter, opined that the national interest requires that all District Mineral Foundations should implement at development programme for the mining affected areas that includes as certain minimum provisions for the social and infrastructure needs of the population and area, and the Central Government has, accordingly, framed the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana to be implemented by the District Mineral foundations from the funds accruing to them in terms of the MMDR Act, 1957.
Accordingly, Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred under section 20A of the MMDR Act, 1957, in the national interest directed the concerned State Governments to incorporate the PMKKKY into the rules framed by them for the DMF and to implement the said Scheme.
The overall objective of PMKKKY scheme will be (a) to implement various developmental and welfare projects/programs in mining affected areas, and these projects/ programs will be complementing the existing ongoing schemes/projects of State and Central Government; (b) to minimize/mitigate the adverse impacts, during and after mining, on the environment, health and socio-economics of people in mining districts; and (c) to ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for the affected people in mining areas.
PMKKKY provides for utilization of at least 60% of the funds for high priority areas like: (i) drinking water supply; (ii) environment preservation and pollution control measures; (iii) health care; (iv) education; (v) welfare of women and children; (vi) welfare of aged and disabled people; (vii) skill development; and (viii) sanitation. While, up to 40% of the funds shall be utilized for other priority areas (i) physical infrastructure; (ii) irrigation; (iii) energy and watershed development; and (iv) any other measures for enhancing environmental quality in mining district.
C. Government policies
D. role of NGOs
E. measures
11. Social Justice
A. Welfare schemes
UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik)
Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) was launched on 21.10.2016 to enhance regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in the country and make air travel affordable to the masses. The scheme seeks to bring air connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities, by taking up existing airstrips identified through UDAN bidding rounds, for development and upgradation under the ‘Revival of unserved and underserved airports’ scheme.
RCS-UDAN is a market driven scheme. Interested airlines, based on their assessment of demand on particular routes, submit proposals at the time of bidding under the Scheme. Revival / up-gradation of unserved and underserved airports is undertaken upon its identification through valid bid and award to the Selected Airline Operator (SAO).
517 routes connecting 76 airports, including 9 Heliports and 2 Water Aerodromes, have so far commenced operations. Out of 1300 valid routes awarded under the Scheme till 5.0 round of UDAN , 501 routes have been cancelled due to various reasons which include shutting down of the airlines, non-readiness of the aerodromes etc. Out of the remaining 799 routes, 517 routes have commenced so far. 201 routes have completed the prescribed 3 years tenure.
Keeping in view the feedback received from the stakeholders, requisite changes are made in the norms to achieve the objectives of the Scheme. Changes made in the norms recently include :-
(i) Maximum ceiling of 500 km stage length has been removed under UDAN 5.0
(ii) The scheme now lists airports that are ready for operation or are likely to be operational in the next 6 months.
(iii) Routes are being awarded to airline operators only where the airports are ready.
(iv) Route operationalisation plan is to be submitted by airline operators along with the bids.
Selected Airline Operators can now assign its right to operate the route to another airline operator (novation) at any point of time after the execution of the Agreement.
B Health
C. Education
D. Human Resources
E. poverty and hunger
12. International relations
A. India and its neighbourhood
B. groupings and agreements
United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC)
The United Nations Statistical Commission, established in 1946, is the highest body of the global statistical system bringing together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world. It is the highest decision making body for international statistical activities, responsible for setting of statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods, including their implementation at the national and international level.
The Statistical Commission oversees the work of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and it is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council.
C.Indian diaspora
13. Economic Development
A. Government Budgeting
B. industrial
E.issues
14. Technology
Aditya-L1
Aditya-L1″, India’s first solar mission, will reach its destination, Lagrange Point 1, early next month, to be precise, around the first week of January 2024, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said today.
Meanwhile, ISRO will conduct a series of tests related to India’s maiden human Space mission, Gaganyaan, in the course of the next year, he said.
During an exclusive interview to Sansad TV in New Delhi, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said, this has been possible due to the courage and conviction of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who broke taboos of the past and provided an enabling milieu by opening up India’s Space sector to private players, as a result of which there is an overwhelming response from Startups and Industry.
With the unlocking of Space Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the common masses of the country have been able to witness the launch of the mega space events like Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya. Over 10,000 people came to see the Aditya launch and some 1,000 media persons were there during the Chandrayaan-3 launching.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, this is also vindicated by the fact that India witnessed investment of over Rs.1,000 crore in Space Startups in the last nine months of the current financial year from April to December 2023.
Kakrapar Atomic Power Project Unit-4
The Unit 4 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP 4 – 700 MW) achieved the important milestone of Criticality (start of controlled fission chain reaction) for the first time on December 17, 2023 (Sunday) at 01:17 hrs. The criticality was achieved after meeting all the stipulations of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which had issued clearance after a rigorous review of safety of the plant systems. KAPP-4 is the second in the series of sixteen indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) of 700 MW each being set up in the country.
After the first criticality, several experiments / tests will be conducted in KAPP-4 and the power level raised in steps, in line with the clearances of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), ultimately culminating in operation of the unit at full power.
KAPP 3&4 (2X700 MW) are located at Kakrapar in Surat district of Gujarat, adjacent to the existing reactors KAPS 1&2 (2X220 MW). These indigenous PHWRs have advanced safety features and are among the safest reactors in the world. While these reactors have been designed, constructed, commissioned and operated by NPCIL, the supply of equipment and execution of contracts have been by Indian industries / companies, and thus the true reflection of the spirit of AtmaNirbhar Bharat.
The event was witnessed by Shri B.C.Pathak, CMD, NPCIL, who was present in the control room of the station with the site team. Officials at NPCIL Headquarters witnessed the event through video link. Addressing the officials at the site and headquarters after the event, CMD of NPCIL congratulated all the employees of NPCIL. He said that achievement of criticality of KAPP-4, within six months of commercial operation of Unit-3 was a significant achievement. Together with the smooth operation of KAPP-3, it demonstrated the strength of NPCIL in all facets of nuclear power viz. design, construction, commissioning and operation. He urged everyone to work towards rapid completion of the units under construction.
15. Environment
Major outcomes from 28th Session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28)
An inter-ministerial delegation from India attended the 28th Session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 30th November’2023 to 13th December’2023. The major outcome from COP 28 included the decision on Outcome of the First Global Stocktake, ratcheting up global climate ambition before the end of the decade. These global efforts will be taken up by the countries in a nationally determined manner taking into account the Paris Agreement and their different national circumstances. Another major outcome of COP 28 is the agreement on the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund and its funding arrangements.
The decision on Loss and Damage Fund adopted at COP 28 approved the Governing instrument of the Loss and Damage Fund and decided that the Fund will be serviced by new, dedicated and independent secretariat. It was also decided that the Fund will be supervised and governed by the Board. The Fund is accountable to and functions under the guidance of the Conference of Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA). Since the decision, an amount of around USD 700 million to date has been pledged by several countries, including United Arab Emirates, Germany, United Kingdom, European Union, Japan. The purpose of the Fund is to assist developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in responding to economic and non-economic loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including extreme weather events and slow onset events. The detailed decision text on Loss and Damage Fund adopted at COP 28 can be accessed at webpage https://unfccc.int/documents/636558.
Another major outcome related to Loss and Damage is the decision on Santiago network for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage to catalyse the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts for the implementation of relevant approaches associated with climate change impacts. The host of the Secretariat for the Santiago Network was finalized at COP 28. The joint consortium of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the United Nations Office for Project Services have been selected as the host of the Santiago network secretariat for an initial term of five years, with five-year renewal periods.
Countries including Canada, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the United States of America have announced their financial contributions to the work of the Santiago network.
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 (CAF Act) provides the legal framework for compensating the loss of forest and ecosystem services due to diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes as per provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The CAMPA funds including Net Present Value (NPV) are received from various user agencies as compensatory levies in lieu of diversion of forest land and are project specific. The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Rules, 2018 (CAF Rules) provide the manner in which NPV funds are to be utilised by various State/Union Territory (UT) Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
The CAMPA funds are special and additional funds for compensating the loss of forest land and ecosystem services and are not meant to replace normal State funds. NPV funds aim at holistic ecological restoration of degraded forests, create/enrich more forests, improve the quality of forest cover and wildlife habitat, conservation of biodiversity and enhancement of ecosystem services. The States/UTs CAMPA prepare Annual Plan of Operations for carrying out afforestation and various activities for improvement of forest and wildlife habitat in accordance with the provisions of CAF Act & CAF Rules including the activities for utilisation of NPV fund.
The NPV fund available with most of the States/ UTs is limited and is likely to be exhausted if used without due diligence and proper planning. Since the ecological restoration of degraded forests require systematic and continuous efforts with adequate financial resources for long period of time, a perspective plan for effective utilisation of NPV funds is necessary. Therefore, the National (CAMPA) Authority issues guidelines/directions to State/UT Authorities from time to time including preparation of a perspective plan to rationalise fund utilisation within a given time frame with an identified physically achievable target. The States/UTs are advised to identify and plan activities of ecological restoration viz. Assisted Natural/ Artificial Regeneration, soil & water conservation measures, silvicultural operations, removal of invasive species etc. and ensure continuous flow of funds for subsequent years towards creation and maintenance and avoid utilising this fund for non-essential activities.
Therefore, the State/UT CAMPA Authorities have been advised to prepare their perspective plan to strengthen efforts for conservation and improvement of forest and wildlife habitats in the country. The States and UT Authorities including Maharashtra are preparing their Annual Plan of Operations accordingly with a yearly limit of 15-20% on NPV Funds available with them. This will ensure regular flow of NPV funds for maintenance of plantations, soil moisture conservation and other related forest and wildlife habitat improvement activities.
16. Security
17. Disaster Management