Current Affairs 26/1/24

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

PRESIDENT OF INDIA HOSTS PRESIDENT OF FRANCE

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu received His Excellency Mr Emmanuel Macron, the President of the French Republic at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (January 26, 2024). The President also hosted a banquet in his honour.

Welcoming President Macron at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President said that the leaders of two countries being guests of honour in each other’s successive National Day parade and celebrations, is a historic moment, and a symbol of the depth of our friendship and the strength of our partnership.

The President said that while the shared values of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity and Justice connect our two great Republics, the bonds between our people are even deeper. She added that people have inspired each other with our thoughts and ideals, and we have enriched each other through philosophy, literature, art, scriptures, languages, and more.

The President recalled that she had seen for herself, the influence of French culture in the vibrant heritage of Puducherry, and the deep links with the Indian diaspora of France. She said Puducherry is indeed, a living bridge between France and India.

The President expressed satisfaction that both sides have outlined an ambitious vision of our partnership for India’s Amrit Kaal, and added that this visit has strengthened our resolve to realise this vision.

10. Governance

A. institutions

B. regulatory

C. Government policies

D. role of NGOs

E. measures

11. Social Justice

A. Welfare schemes

Nari Shakti

Periodic Labour Force Survey Report 2022-23 released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on 9^th October 2023 shows that the Female Labour Force Participation Rate in the country has improved significantly by 4.2 percentage points to 37.0% in 2023, as per ‘usual status’ concept of measuring labour force participation.

This significant jump in the female labour force participation rate is an outcome of the decisive agenda set by the Government for ensuring women’s empowerment through policy initiatives aimed at their long term socio-economic and political development. Government’s initiatives have spanned across women’s lifecycle including large scale initiatives for girls’ education, skill development, entrepreneurship facilitation and safety in the workplace. Policies and legislations in these areas have been driving Government’s ‘women-led development’ agenda.

PMKVY

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) implemented by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The objective of this Skill Certification scheme is to enable Indian youth to take up industry relevant skill training that will help them in securing a better livelihood.

SHORT TERM TRAINING

STT component imparted at PMKVY Training Centres (TC) is expected to benefit candidates of Indian nationality who are either school/college dropouts or unemployed. Apart from providing training according to the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), TCs also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy. Upon successful completion of assessment, candidates are provided placement assistance by Training Providers.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Individuals with prior learning experience or skills are assessed and certified under the RPL component of the scheme. Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) such as Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) or any other agencies designated by MSDE/NSDC are being incentivised to implement RPL projects in any of the three models (RPL camps, RPL at employer’s premise and RPL centres). To address knowledge gaps, PIAs offer bridge courses to RPL candidates along with training on soft skills, job role related safety and hygiene practices.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

The Special Projects component of PMKVY envisages creation of a platform that will facilitate trainings in special areas and/or premises of Government bodies, corporate or industry bodies, and training in special job roles not defined under the available Qualification Packs (QPs)/National Occupational Standards (NOS). Special Projects require some deviation from the short- term training guidelines under PMKVY for any stakeholder. A proposing stakeholder can be institutions of Central or State Government(s) autonomous body/statutory body or any other equivalent body or corporate who desires to provide training to candidates.

B Health

Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Interacted today with the Yoga Teachers/Instructors Special Invitees of 75thRepublic Day Parade

On the occasion of 75^th Republic Day Celebrations 2024, Yoga Teachers/Instructors from various states of India witnessed the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path as special invitees. After joining Republic Day event all the special invitees had an interaction session with Union Minister of Ayush and Shipping, Ports & Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal at his residence. The Yoga teachers/instructors associated with AHWC’s are indispensable part of the wellness drive through Yoga in the primary health care sector of Ayush.

Government of India had invited 291 Yoga Teachers/Instructors along with their family members for their remarkable contribution in providing primary health care through Yoga at grass root level across the nation. There teachers/instructors work with the AHWCs (Ayush Healh and Wellness Centres) active under the supervision of Ministry of Ayush. The Yoga teachers/instructors associated with AHWC’s are the indispensable part of the wellness drive through Yoga in the primary health care sector of Ayush. Government of India has recognized the efforts of these grass root contributors of Yoga and gracefully hosted them on 75^th Republic Day event in New Delhi.

On this occasion, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted in his address that this programme was designed to enhance the self-esteem of the country. He said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister, India has achieved unprecedented success in establishing its presence in the world as a powerful nation. He also praised the leadership of the Prime Minister and recognized how Prime Minister has fulfilled the dream of ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ with his vision and action. Applauding the role of Yoga teachers/instructors on grass root, the Minister paid his regards to them and said that “you as Yoga teachers/instructors came from various states of the country have empowered the masses at the grassroots level that has made the society healthy and happy. For this, we must say thanks to you.”

C. Education

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

B. industrial

Government e-Marketplace

Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is an online public procurement portal developed facilitate the procurement of goods and services by various government departments, agencies, and public sector undertakings. It was launched in August 2016 as a part of the government’s “Digital India” initiative to bring transparency, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness to public procurement. GeM aims to simplify the public procurement process, reduce paperwork, and promote the use of digital technology for government procurement.

about Indian Patent System

The first legislation in India relating to patents was the Act VI of 1856. The objective of this legislation was to encourage inventions of new and useful manufactures and to induce inventors to disclose secret of their inventions. The Act was subsequently repealed by Act IX of 1857 since it had been enacted without the approval of the British Crown . Fresh legislation for granting ‘exclusive privileges’ was introduced in 1 859 as Act XV of 1859. This legislation contained certain modifications of the earlier legislation, namely, grant of exclusive privileges to useful inventions only and extension of priority period from 6 months to 12 months. This Act excluded importers from the definition of inventor. This Act was based on the United Kingdom Act of 1852 with certain departures which include allowing assignees to make application in India and also taking prior public use or publication in India or United Kingdom for the purpose of ascertaining novelty.
In 1872, the Act of 1859 was consolidated to provide protection relating to designs. It was renamed as “The Patterns and Designs Protection Act” under Act XIII of 1872. The Act of 1872 was further amended in 1883 (XVI of 1883) to introduce a provision to protect novelty of the invention, which prior to making application for their protection were disclosed in the Exhibition of India. A grace period of 6 months was provided for filing such applications after the date of the opening of such Exhibition.
This Act remained in force for about 30 years without any change but in the year 1883, certain modifications in the patent law were made in United Kingdom and it was considered that those modifications should also be incorporated in the Indian law. In 1888, an Act was introduced to consolidate and amend the law relating to invention and designs in conformity with the amendments made in the U.K. law.
The Indian Patents and Designs Act, 1911, (Act II of 1911) replaced all the previous Acts. This Act brought patent administration under the management of Controller of Patents for the first time. This Act was further amended in 1920 to enter into reciprocal arrangements with UK and other countries for securing priority. In 1930, further amendments were made to incorporate, inter-alia, provisions relating to grant of secret patents, patent of addition, use of invention by Government, powers of the Controller to rectify register of patent and increase of term of the patent from 14 years to 16 years. In 1945, an amendment was made to provide for filing of provisional specification and submission of complete specification within nine months.
After Independence, it was felt that the Indian Patents & Designs Act, 1911 was not fulfilling its objective. It was found desirable to enact comprehensive patent law owing to substantial changes in political and economic conditions in the country. Accordingly, the Government of India constituted a committee under the Chairmanship of Justice (Dr.) Bakshi Tek Chand, a retired Judge of Lahore High Court, in 1949 t o review the patent law in India in order to ensure that the patent system is conducive to the national interest. The terms of reference included —
- To survey and report on the working of the patent system in India;
- To examine the existing patent legislation in India and to make recommendations for improving it, particularly with reference to the provisions concerned with the prevention of abuse of patent rights;
- To consider whether any special restrictions should be imposed on patent regarding food and medicine;
- To suggest steps for ensuring effective publicity to the patent system and to patent literature, particularly as regards patents obtained by Indian inventors;
- To consider the necessity and feasibility of setting up a National Patents Trust;
- To consider the desirability or otherwise of regulating the profession of patent agents
- To examine the working of the Patent Office and the services rendered by it to the public and make suitable recommendations for improvement; and
- To report generally on any improvement that the Committee thinks fit to recommend for enabling the Indian Patent System to be more conducive to national interest by encouraging invention and the commercial development and use of inventions.
The committee submitted its interim report on 4th August, 1949 with recommendations for prevention of misuse or abuse of patent right in India and suggested amendments to sections 22, 23 & 23A of the Patents & Designs Act, 1911 on the lines of the United Kingdom Acts 1919 and 1949. The committee also observed that the Patents Act should contain clear indication to ensure that food and medicine and surgical and curative devices are made available to the public at the cheapest price commensurate with giving reasonable compensation to the patentee.
Based on the above recommendation of the Committee, the 1911 Act was amended in 1950(Act XXXII of 1950) in relation to working of inventions and compulsory licence/revocation. Other provisions were related to endorsement of the patent with the words ‘licence of right’ on an application by the Government so that the Controller could grant licences. In 1952 (Act LXX of 1952) an amendment was made to provide compulsory licence in relation to patents in respect of food and medicines, insecticide, germicide or fungicide and a process for producing substance or any invention relating to surgical or curative devices. The compulsory licence was also available on notification by the Central Government. Based on the recommendations of the Committee, a bill was introduced in the Parliament in 1953 (Bill No.59 of 1953). However, the Government did not press for the consideration of the bill and it was allowed to lapse.
In 1957, the Government of India appointed Justice N. Rajagopala Ayyangar Committee to examine the question of revision of the Patent Law and advise government accordingly. The report of the Committee, which comprised of two parts, was submitted in September, 1959. The first part dealt with general aspects of the Patent Law and the second part gave detailed note on the several clauses of the lapsed bills 1953. The first part also dealt with evils of the patent system and solution with recommendations in regards to the law. The committee recommended retention of the Patent System, despite its shortcomings. This report recommended major changes in the law which formed the basis of the introduction of the Patents Bill, 1965. This bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 21st September, 1965, which however lapsed. In 1967, again an amended bill was introduced which was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee and on the final recommendation of the Committee, the Patents Act, 1970 was passed. This Act repealed and replaced the 1911 Act so far as the patents law was concerned. However, the 1911 Act continued to be applicable to designs. Most of the provisions of the 1970 Act were brought into force on 20 th April 1972 with publication of the Patent Rules, 1972.
This Act remained in force for about 24 years without any change till December 1994. An ordinance effecting certain changes in the Act was issued on 31 st December 1994, which ceased to operate after six months. Subsequently, another ordinance was issued in 1999. This ordinance was subsequently replaced by t he Patents (Amendment) Act, 1999 that was brought into force retrospectively from 1 st January, 1995. The amended Act provided for filing of applications for product patents in the areas of drugs, pharmaceuticals and agro chemicals though such patents were not allowed. However, such applications were to be examined only after 31-12-2004. Meanwhile, the applicants could be allowed Exclusive Marketing Rights (EMR) to sell or distribute these products in India, subject to fulfilment of certain conditions.
The second amendment to the 1970 Act was made through the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2002 (Act 38 0f 2002). This Act came into force on 20 th May 2003 with the introduction of the new Patent Rules, 2003 by replacing the earlier Patents Rules, 1972
The third amendment to the Patents Act 1970 was introduced through the Patents (Amendment) Ordinance, 2004 w.e.f. 1 st January, 2005. This Ordinance was later replaced by the Patents (Amendment) Act 2005 (Act 15 Of 2005 ) on 4 th April, 2005 which was brought into force from 1-1-2005.

Patents Rules

Under the provisions of section 159 of the Patents Act, 1970 the Central Government is empowered to make rules for implementing the Act and regulating patent administration. Accordingly, the Patents Rules, 1972 were notified and brought into force w.e.f. 20.4.1972. These Rules were amended from time to time till 20 May 2003 when new Patents Rules, 2003 were brought into force by replacing the 1972 rules. These rules were further amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2005 and the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2006. The last amendments are made effective from 5 th May 2006.

THE PROJECTS UNDER SAGARMALA SCHEME

The Sagarmala is the flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to promote port-led development in the country through harnessing India’s 7,500 km long coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes. Under Sagarmala Scheme, Ministry provide financial assistance to State Governments for Port infrastructure projects, Coastal berth projects, Road & Rail projects, fish harbours, skill development projects, Coastal community development, cruise terminal and projects such as Ro-Pax ferry services etc. The details of number of projects, funds sanctioned and project status state wise in enclosed [ Annexure-I].

The details of the projects undertaken with assistance under Sagarmala Scheme along with status in respect of port modernisation and connectivity pillar is annexed]. [Annexure-II]. Further, based on consultation with Major Ports, State Maritime Boards, Ministry of Railway and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 107 road and rail connectivity infrastructure gaps for Major and Port other than Major Ports (Non-Major ports), have been identified and included in the Comprehensive Port Connectivity Plan (CPCP) prepared by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in September 2022. These projects aim to enhance connectivity between ports and domestic production / consumption centres

Under the Sagarmala Scheme, National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCWPC) has been established in IIT Chennai at a cost of Rs. 77 Crore. The institute acts as a technological arm of the Ministry and develops cutting-edge technologies and application products to effectively resolve various issues and challenges faced by Ports & Shipping Sector.

E.issues

14. Technology

15. Environment

16. Security

17. Disaster Management