- Indian Heritage
Tribes of Keonjhar:
Tribes of Keonjhar: People, Culture and Heritage’, organized by Dharanidhar University at Gambharia, Keonjhar today (February 29, 2024). She also inaugurated an exhibition of tribal costumes, jewelry and food items on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that Keonjhar is a tribal dominated district rich in natural beauty. It is home to Munda, Kolh, Bhuiyan, Juang, Saanti, Bathudi, Gond, Santhal, Orang and Kondh. She expressed confidence that the researchers participating in the discussion will reach concrete conclusions by discussing various aspects of the preservation of tribal culture.
The President said that if any community or group is left out of the mainstream of the country’s development, we cannot call it inclusive development. Therefore, special attention will have to be given to the development of more backward people in tribal communities. The Government of India has launched the PM-JANMAN to empower PVTGs. This initiative will provide livelihood, skill development, education, health, housing, tap water, sanitation and nutrition. She said that various schemes are also being implemented to empower all tribal people. She was happy to note that efforts are being made to preserve and promote tribal arts, cultures and crafts and to protect tribal self-respect.
The President said that tribal people give utmost importance to equality and democratic values. Not ‘I’, ‘We’ is the basic mantra of the tribal society. There is no discrimination between men and women in tribal societies. This approach is the basis of women empowerment. If we all adopt these values then the process of women empowerment can be accelerated.
- 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
D. Human Resources
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (2016=100) – January, 2024
TheLabour Bureau, an attached office of the M/o Labour & Employment, has been compiling Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers every month on the basis of retail prices collected from 317 markets spread over 88 industrially important centres in the country. The index is compiled for 88 centres and All-India and is released on the last working day of succeeding month. The index for the month of January, 2024is being released in this press release.
The All-India CPI-IW for January, 2024increased by 0.1 point and stood at 138.9 (one hundred thirty eight point nine). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 0.07 per cent with respect to previous month compared to increase of 0.38 per cent recorded between corresponding months a year ago.
The maximum upward pressure in current index came from Housing group contributing 0.48 percentage points to the total change. At item level, House rent, Ladies Suiting, Casual wear, Saree Cotton, Woolen Sweater/Pull-over, Plastic/PVC Shoes, Tailoring Charges/Embroidery, Chewing Tobacco, Foreign/Refined Liquor, Pan Masala, etc. are responsible for the rise in the index. However, this increase was largely checked by Onion, Potato, Tomato, Brinjal, Ginger, Peas, Cabbage, Cauliflower, French Beans, Lady’s Finger, Banana, Grapes, Papaya, Pomegranate, Coconut Fresh with Pulp, Kerosene Oil, Charcoal, etc. putting downward pressure on the index.
At centre level, Raniganj recorded a maximum increase of 4.2 points followed by Ramgarh with 2.5 points. Among others, 7 centres recorded increase between 1 to 1.9 points, 38 centres between 0.1 to 0.9 points. On the contrary, Guwahati and Tripura recorded a maximum decrease of 1.7 points each. Among others, 7 centres recorded decrease between 1 to 1.4 points, 30 centres between 0.1 to 0.9 points. Rest of two centres’ index remained stationary.
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
SECOND ADVANCE ESTIMATES OF NATIONAL INCOME, 2023-24, QUARTERLY ESTIMATES OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR THE THIRD QUARTER (OCTOBER-DECEMBER), 2023-24 AND FIRST REVISED ESTIMATES OF NATIONAL INCOME, CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, SAVING AND CAPITAL FORMATION, 2022-23
The National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is releasing in this Press Note the Second Advance Estimates (SAE) of National Income, 2023-24; Quarterly Estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for October-December quarter (Q3) of 2023-24 along with its expenditure components and following Revised Estimates of National Income, Consumption Expenditure, Saving and Capital Formation:
- First Revised Estimates (FRE) for the financial year 2022-23;
- Second Revised Estimates (SRE) and Final Estimates for the financial year 2021-22;
- Third Revised Estimates (TRE) and Final Estimates for the financial year 2020-21
These estimates are released both at Constant (2011-12) and Current Prices, in accordance with the release calendar of National Accounts. Further, it has been decided to consider the SRE as Final Estimates. Accordingly, the practice of bringing out TRE would be discontinued henceforth. Therefore, TRE of 2020-21 and SRE of 2021-22 are Final Estimates for the respective years.
- Real GDP or GDP at Constant (2011-12) Prices in the year 2023-24 is estimated to attain a level of ₹172.90 lakh crore, against the FRE of GDP for the year 2022-23 of ₹160.71 lakh crore. The growth rate of GDP during 2023-24 is estimated at 7.6 percent as compared to growth rate of 7.0 percent in 2022-23.
- Nominal GDP or GDP at Current Prices in the year 2023-24 is estimated to attain a level of ₹293.90 lakh crore, against ₹269.50 lakh crore in 2022-23, showing a growth rate of 9.1 percent.
- GDP at Constant (2011-12) Prices in Q3 of 2023-24 is estimated at ₹43.72 lakh crore, against ₹40.35 lakh crore in Q3 of 2022-23, showing a growth rate of 8.4 percent. GDP at Current Prices in Q3 of 2023-24 is estimated at ₹75.49 lakh crore, as against ₹68.58 lakh crore in Q3 of 2022-23, showing a growth rate of 10.1 percent.
- Detailed Notes on: (i) Second Advance Estimates (SAE) of National Income, 2023-24, Quarterly Estimates of GDP for October-December quarter (Q3) of 2023-24 along with its expenditure components are given in Part A and (ii) abovementioned Revised Estimates for financial years 2022-23, 2021-22 and 2020-21 are given in Part B.
B. industrial
Muft Bijli Yojana
PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana with a total outlay of Rs.75,021 crore for installing rooftop solar and providing free electricity up to 300 units every month for One Crore households. The Prime Minister had launched the scheme on 13th February, 2024.
The major highlights of the scheme include:
Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for Residential Rooftop Solar
- The scheme provides a CFA of 60% of system cost for 2 kW systems and 40% of additional system cost for systems between 2 to 3 kW capacity. The CFA will be capped at 3 kW. At current benchmark prices, this will mean Rs 30,000 subsidy for 1 kW system, Rs 60,000 for 2 kW systems and Rs 78,000 for 3 kW systems or higher.
- The households will apply for subsidy through the National Portal and will be able to select a suitable vendor for installing rooftop solar. The National Portal will assist the households in their decision-making process by providing relevant information such as appropriate system sizes, benefits calculator, vendor rating etc.
- Households will be able to access collateral-free low-interest loan products of around 7% at present for installation of residential RTS systems up to 3 kW.
Other Features of the Scheme
- A Model Solar Village will be developed in each district of the country to act as a role model for adoption of rooftop solar in rural areas,
- Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions shall also benefit from incentives for promoting RTS installations in their areas.
- The scheme provides a component for payment security for renewable energy service company (RESCO) based models as well as a fund for innovative projects in RTS.
Kharif & Rabi Season
This estimate has been primarily prepared on the basis of information received from State Agricultural Statistics Authorities (SASAs). The data received has been validated and triangulated with information received from Remote Sensing, Weekly Crop Weather Watch Group inputs and other agencies. Further the climatic conditions, previous trends, price movements, mandi arrivals etc. are also considered while preparing the estimates.
The details of production of various crops (Kharif & Rabi only) are given as under:
- Kharif Foodgrains– 1541.87 LMT/ RabiFoodgrains– 1551.61 LMT
- Kharif Rice -1114.58 LMT; Rabi Rice – 123.57 LMT
- Wheat – 1120.19 LMT
- Kharif Maize – 227.20 LMT; Rabi Maize– 97.50 LMT
- Kharif Shree Anna– 128.91 LMT; Rabi Shree Anna– 24.88 LMT
- Tur – 33.39 LMT
- Gram –121.61 LMT
- Kharif Oilseeds–228.42 LMT / Rabi Oilseeds– 137.56 LMT
- Soybean –125.62 LMT
- Rapeseed & Mustard – 126.96 LMT
- Sugarcane – 4464.30 LMT
- Cotton – 323.11 Lakh Bales (170 Kgs. each)
- Jute – 92.17 Lakh Bales (180 Kgs. each)
The Kharif foodgrain production is estimated at 1541.87 LMT, and Rabi foodgrain production is estimated at 1551.61 LMT.
Kharif Rice production is estimated at 1114.58 LMT as compared to 1105.12 LMT in 2022-23, showing an increase of 9.46 LMT. Production of Rabi Rice is estimated at 123.57 LMT. Production of Wheat is estimated at 1120.19 LMT, which is higher by 14.65 LMT as compared to previous year production of 1105.54 LMT.
Production of Shree Anna (Kharif) is estimated at 128.91 LMT and Shree Anna(Rabi) is estimated at 24.88 LMT. The production of Jowar (Kharif) and Jowar (Rabi) is estimated at 15.46 LMT and 24.88 LMT respectively, which is higher by 0.66 LMT and 1.66 LMT respectively, than the previous year. Further, Production of Nutri/Coarse Cereals (kharif) is estimated at 356.11 LMT and Production of Nutri/Coarse Cereals (Rabi) is estimated at 144.61 LMT.
Production of Tur is estimated at 33.39 LMT which is approximately similar to last year’s production of 33.12 LMT. Further the Tur harvesting is still progressing, which may result further changes in successive estimates. Production of Gram is estimated at 121.61 LMT which is marginally lower from previous year’s gram production but higher than the average (2018-19 to 2022-23) Gram production. The production of Lentil is estimated at 16.36 LMT which is higher by 0.77 LMT than the previous year’s production of 15.59 LMT
NBS scheme
he Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for KHARIF Season, 2024 (from 01.04.2024 to 30.09.2024) on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers and inclusion of 3 new fertilizer grades under NBS scheme. The tentative budgetary requirement for Kharif season 2024 would be approximately Rs.24,420 crore.
Benefits:
- Availability of fertilizers to farmers at subsidized, affordable and reasonable prices will be ensured.
- Rationalization of subsidy on P&K fertilizers in view of recent trends in the international prices of fertilizers and inputs.
- Inclusion of three new grades in NBS will support in promoting balanced soil health and offer alternatives to the framers to choose fertilizers fortified with micro-nutrients as per the soil requirement.
Implementation Strategy and targets:
The subsidy on P&K fertilizers will be provided based on approved rates for Kharif 2024 (applicable from 01.04.2024 to 30.09.2024) to ensure smooth availability of these fertilizers to the farmers at affordable prices.
Combined Index of Eight Core Industries increases by 3.6 per cent
he combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) increased by 3.6 per cent (provisional) in January 2024 as compared to the Index of January 2023. The production of Coal, Steel, Cement, Natural Gas, Electricity and Crude Oil recorded positive growth in January 2024. The details of annual and monthly indices and growth rates are provided at Annex I and Annex II respectively.
The ICI measures the combined and individual performance of production of eight core industries viz. Cement, Coal, Crude Oil, Electricity, Fertilizers, Natural Gas, Refinery Products and Steel. The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 percent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
The final growth rate of Index of Eight Core Industries for October 2023 is revised to 12.7 per cent. The cumulative growth rate of ICI during April to January, 2023-24 is 7.7 per cent (provisional) as compared to the corresponding period of last year.
The summary of the Index of Eight Core Industries is given below:
Cement – Cement production (weight: 5.37 per cent) increased by 5.6 per cent in January, 2024 over January, 2023. Its cumulative index increased by 9.0 per cent during April to January, 2023-24 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Coal – Coal production (weight: 10.33 per cent) increased by 10.2 per cent in January, 2024 over January, 2023. Its cumulative index increased by 12.2 per cent during April to January, 2023-24 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Crude Oil – Crude Oil production (weight: 8.98 per cent) increased by 0.7 per cent in January, 2024 over January, 2023. Its cumulative index declined by 0.2 per cent during April to January, 2023-24 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Electricity – Electricity generation (weight: 19.85 per cent) increased by 5.2 per cent in January, 2024 over January, 2023. Its cumulative index increased by 6.8 per cent during April to January, 2023-24 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Fertilizers – Fertilizer production (weight: 2.63 per cent) declined by 0.6 per cent in January, 2024 over January, 2023. Its cumulative index increased by 5.5 per cent during April to January, 2023-24 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2024-25 and Kharif Marketing Season (2023-24)
The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, organized a meeting of State Food Secretaries on 28.02.2024 at New Delhi to discuss the procurement arrangements for Rabi Crops in Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2024-25 and in Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2023-24. The Secretary, DFPD, Government of India, chaired the meeting.
Various factors impacting procurement such as forecast of weather conditions, production estimates, and readiness of States were reviewed. After deliberations, the estimates for wheat procurement during ensuing RMS 2024-25 were fixed in the range of 300-320 LMT. Similarly, the estimates for paddy procurement in term of rice during KMS 2023-24 (Rabi Crop) were fixed in the range of 90 – 100 LMT.
A quantity of around 6.00 LMT of coarse grains /millets (Shri Anna) has also been estimated for procurement by the States during the KMS 2023-24 (Rabi crop). States/UTs were advised to focus on procurement of millets for diversification of crops and enhanced nutrition in dietary patterns.
Besides, State Government of Telangana shared the good practices adopted in respect of Supply Chain Optimization and an indicated a saving of Rs 16 Crore annually through this environment friendly initiative by Government of India. Government of Uttar Pradesh shared the successful initiative regarding linking of e-PoS with electronic weighing scale which has effectively ensured supply of foodgrains to the beneficiaries as per their entitled quantity.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare presented their evaluation study on Digital Maturity of State MSP procurement applications. State Governments were advised to adopt or improvise their existing applications in line with the standard and core features of AgriStack portal, for bringing about transparency and efficiency in the procurement system, before start of KMS 2024-25.
E.issues
14. Technology
Giant leap for India Semiconductor Mission
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the establishment of three semiconductor units under ‘Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystems in India. All three units will start construction within next 100 days.
The Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India was notified on 21.12.2021 with a total outlay of Rs. 76,000 crore.
In June, 2023, the Union Cabinet had approved the proposal of Micron for setting up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat.
Construction of this unit is progressing at a rapid pace and a robust semiconductor ecosystem is emerging near the unit.
The approved three semiconductor units are:
1. Semiconductor Fab with 50,000 wfsm capacity:
Tata Electronics Private Limited (“TEPL”) will set up a semiconductor fab in partnership with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC), Taiwan.
Investment: This fab will be constructed in Dholera, Gujarat. Investment in this fab will be Rs.91,000 crore.
Technology partner: PSMC is renowned for its expertise in logic and memory foundry segments. PSMC has 6 semiconductor foundries in Taiwan.
Capacity: 50,000 wafer starts per month (WSPM)
Segments covered:
- High performance compute chips with 28 nm technology
- Power management chips for electric vehicles (EV), telecom, defence, automotive, consumer electronics, display, power electronics, etc. Power management chips are high voltage, high current applications.
2. Semiconductor ATMP unit in Assam:
Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd (“TSAT”) will set up a semiconductor unit in Morigaon, Assam.
Investment: This unit will be set up with an investment of Rs.27,000 crore.
Technology: TSAT semiconductor is developing indigenous advanced semiconductor packaging technologies including flip chip and ISIP (integrated system in package) technologies.
Capacity: 48 million per day
Segments covered: Automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom, mobile phones, etc.
3. Semiconductor ATMP unit for specialized chips:
CG Power, in partnership with Renesas Electronics Corporation, Japan and Stars Microelectronics, Thailand will set up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat.
Investment: This unit will be set up with an investment of Rs.7,600 crore.
Technology partner: Renesas is a leading semiconductor company focussed on specialised chips. It operates 12 semiconductor facilities and is an important player in microcontrollers, analog, power, and System on Chip (‘SoC)’ products.
Segments covered: The CG power semiconductor unit will manufacture chips for consumer, industrial, automotive and power applications.
Capacity: 15 million per day
Strategic importance of these units:
- Within a very short time, India Semiconductor Mission has achieved four big successes. With these units, the semiconductor ecosystem will get established in India.
- India already has deep capabilities in chip design. With these units, our country will develop capabilities in chip fabrication.
- Advanced packaging technologies will be indigenously developed in India with today’s announcement.
Employment potential:
- These units will generate direct employment of 20 thousand advanced technology jobs and about 60 thousand indirect jobs.
- These units will accelerate employment creation in downstream automotive, electronics manufacturing, telecom manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, and other semiconductor consuming industries.
strategic minerals – Beryllium, Cadmium, Cobalt, Gallium, Indium, Rhenium, Selenium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Titanium, Tungsten, and Vanadium
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the amendment of Second Schedule to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (‘MMDR Act’) for specifying rate of royalty in respect of 12 critical and strategic minerals, viz., Beryllium, Cadmium, Cobalt, Gallium, Indium, Rhenium, Selenium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Titanium, Tungsten and Vanadium.
This completes the exercise of the rationalisation of royalty rates for all 24 critical and strategic minerals. It may be noted that the Government had notified the royalty rate of 4 critical minerals, viz., Glauconite, Potash, Molybdenum and Platinum Group of Minerals on 15th March, 2022 and of 3 critical minerals, viz., Lithium, Niobium and Rare Earth Elements on 12th October, 2023.
Recently, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, which has come into force from 17th August, 2023, had listed 24 critical and strategic minerals in Part D of the First Schedule of the MMDR Act. The amendment provided that mining lease and composite licence of these 24 minerals shall be auctioned by the Central Government.
Today’s approval of the Union Cabinet for specification of rate of royalty will enable the Central Government to auction blocks for these 12 minerals for the first time in the country. Royalty rate on minerals is an important financial consideration for the bidders in auction of blocks. Further, manner for calculation of average sale price (ASP) of these minerals has also been prepared by the Ministry of Mines which will enable determination of bid parameters.
15. Environment
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
he establishment of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with headquarters in India with a one-time budgetary support of Rs.150 crore for a period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
Acknowledging India’s leading role in conserving tigers, other big cats and many of its endangered species, the Prime Minister of India during his speech on the occasion of Global Tiger Day, 2019 called for an Alliance of Global Leaders to curb poaching in Asia. He reiterated this on the occasion of Commemorating 50 years of India’s Project Tiger on April 9, 2023 and formally announced launch of an International Big Cat Alliance aiming at securing the future of big cats and landscapes they thrive. The pioneering and long standing tiger and other big cat conservation good practices evolved in India may-be replicated in many other range countries.
Seven big cats include Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and the Cheetah out of these five big cats viz. Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Cheetah are found in India.
The International Big Cat Alliance has been conceived as a multi-country, multi-agency coalition of 96 big cat range countries, non-range countries interested in big cat conservation, conservation partners and scientific organizations working in the field of big cat conservation besides business groups and corporates willing to contribute to the cause of big cats, to establish networks and develop synergies in a focused manner so as to bring to a common platform a centralized repository of successful practices and personnel, backed by financial support which can be leveraged to strengthen the conservation agenda in the field to arrest decline in big cat population and reverse the trend. This will be a demonstrative step in leadership position on big cat agenda, to bring range countries and others on a common platform.
IBCA aims for mutual cooperation among countries for mutual benefit in furthering the conservation agenda. IBCA would have a multipronged approach in broad basing and establishing linkages manifold in several areas and help in knowledge sharing, capacity building, networking, advocacy, finance and resources support, research and technical support, education and awareness. With big cats as mascots for sustainable development and livelihood security, India and the big cat range countries can usher in major efforts on environmental resilience and climate change mitigation, while paving a future where natural ecosystems continue to thrive, and gain centrality in economic and development policies.
Mission LIFE
The Government of India is committed to a sustainable coal sector, balancing environmental sustainability with the well-being of coal-dependent communities while acknowledging the vital role of the coal sector in India’s energy security. As part of this commitment, the Ministry of Coal is integrating the principles of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), launched by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, into the coal sector to promote environmental sustainability by placing individual action at the forefront of climate change mitigation.
In the Coal Sector, apart from implementing sustainable and environmentally friendly initiative under the guidance of the Ministry of Coal, Coal/Lignite PSUs are actively organizing programs aligned with the Mission LiFE to promote sustainable and eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyles among employees and coal-dependent communities. The goal is to cultivate a community of individuals dedicated to pro-planet values. These endeavors involve creating awareness campaigns focused on waste reduction principles, including Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle (5R). Events such as “Know Your Tree” discussions and Sustainable Food System Programs are also part of these initiatives. Furthermore, efforts include the distribution of fruit-bearing plants, the organization of essay writing and quiz competitions, and cycling events to actively engage both employees and local communities. Additionally, activities like plastic waste and e-waste collection drives, cleaning initiatives, and seminars on home composting have been organized to educate and inspire employees and well as local communities to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors.
16. Security
17. Disaster Management