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[Newsbits] 29.06.2023

Santhosh Kumar 29/06/2023
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newsbits mindmap notes

National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI)

National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) upsc notes Context Prime Minister Narendra Modi 17th Indian Cooperative Congress (ICC) Organized by NCUI Background NCUI organizing Indian Cooperative Congress Event Duration: Two days Theme: Amrit Kaal Prosperity through Cooperation Vibrant India Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah: Event Chair Objective of ICC Discuss cooperative movement trends Showcase successful cooperatives Deliberate on cooperative challenges About NCUI Establishment: 1929 HQ: New Delhi Apex body representing Indian Co-operative Movement Objectives of NCUI Promote and develop cooperative movement Educate, guide, assist people Build up and expand cooperative sector NCUI membership Open to National co-operative organisations State-level co-operative organisations Multi-State co-operative societies 2016 NCUI Membership Total: 260 members National: 17 State: 163 Multi-State: 80 Function of NCUI Service as exponent Cooperative opinion Cooperative principles

CHAMPIONS 2.0 Portal

CHAMPIONS 2.0 Portal upsc notes Context Launched by Union Minister for MSME, Shri Narayan Rane Background Launched on International MSME Day Designated by UN General Assembly On 27 June Objective: raise awareness MSME contributions Towards UN Sustainable Development Goals About Grievance redressal portal for MSMEs Launched: June 1, 2020 Ministry: Ministry of MSME Nomenclature Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes For Increasing Output and National Strength Hub & Spoke Model Hub: New Delhi, Secretary MSME’s office Spokes in States In offices and institutions of Ministry Objectives Address MSME cluster projects management challenges Ensure effective grievance redressal Help MSMEs navigate government schemes/policies Provide guidance and advisory services In areas Finance Marketing Technology Raw Material Labour Infrastructure Capacity Building Connect MSMEs with key officials From Ministry State Governments Lending Institutions Government agencies Disseminate information about Ministry of MSME schemes New Features AI-driven chatbots Available in 11 languages Including Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada Real-time feedback mechanism Geo tagging through mobile application Enable real-time monitoring, tracking, evaluation Ensure transparency and effective resource utilisation Geotagging explained Adding geographical information metadata to a digital map Data consists of latitude and longitude coordinates

Padma Awards

Padma Awards upsc notes Context Announcement by Ministry of Home Affairs Online nominations for 2024 Close date: 15th September 2023 About Highest civilian honours Instituted in 1954 Objective Recognize achievements Public service involvement Presented by President of India Announcement: Republic Day Awards period: March/April annually Interrupted years 1978, 1979 1993-1997 Categories Padma Vibhushan For exceptional service Padma Bhushan Service of higher order Padma Shri For distinguished service Historical Background 1954: Instituted two civilian awards Bharat Ratna Padma Vibhushan Three classes in Padma Vibhushan 1955: Renamed as Padma Vibhushan Padma Bhushan Padma Shri Eligibility No discrimination Race Occupation Position Sex Government servants excluded Exceptions Doctors Scientists Award for distinguished, exceptional achievements/service In various fields Decoration Awardees receive Sanad (certificate) Medallion Medallion replica Selection Process Nomination process Public Self-nomination allowed Recommendations by Padma Awards Committee Constituted by PM annually Headed by Cabinet Secretary Members Home Secretary President's Secretary 4-6 eminent persons Recommendations submitted To PM To President Special Features Maximum 120 awards annually Excluding posthumous, NRI/foreigners/OCIs awards No title, can't be used as suffix or prefix Not conferred posthumously Exception for highly deserving cases

Critical Minerals List

Critical Minerals List upsc notes Context Union Minister Role Coal Mines Parliamentary Affairs Unveiled Report "Critical Minerals for India" Source: PIB What are Critical Minerals? Essential Group Industrial sectors Country's economy and security Characteristics Scarcity High economic value Use in technology Use in defence systems Expert Team Report Ministry of Mines 30 Critical Minerals Minerals and India's Import Dependency Critical Minerals Lithium Import Dependency: 100% Major Import Sources: Chile, Russia, China, Ireland, Belgium Cobalt Import Dependency: 100% Major Import Sources: China, Belgium, Netherlands, US, Japan Nickel Import Dependency: 100% Major Import Sources: Sweden, China, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines Vanadium Import Dependency: 100% Major Import Sources: Kuwait, Germany, South Africa, Brazil, Thailand Niobium Import Dependency: 100% Major Import Sources: Brazil, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Indonesia Germanium Import Dependency: 100% Major Import Sources: China, South Africa, Australia, France, US Rhenium Import Dependency: 100% Major Import Sources: Russia, UK, Netherlands, South Africa, China Beryllium Import Dependency: 100% Major Import Sources: Russia, UK, Netherlands, South Africa, China Tantalum Import Dependency: 100% Major Import Sources: Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, Malaysia, US Strontium Import Dependency: 100% Major Import Sources: China, US, Russia, Estonia, Slovenia Zirconium(zircon) Import Dependency: 80% Major Import Sources: Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, Malaysia, US Graphite(natural) Import Dependency: 60% Major Import Sources: China, Madagascar, Mozambique, Vietnam, Tanzania Manganese Import Dependency: 50% Major Import Sources: South Africa, Gabon, Australia, Brazil, China Chromium Import Dependency: 2.5% Major Import Sources: South Africa, Mozambique, Oman, Switzerland, Turkey Silicon Import Dependency: <1% Major Import Sources: China, Malaysia, Norway, Bhutan, Netherlands Significance of Critical Minerals List Prioritizes Minerals Industrial Sectors High-tech electronics Telecommunications Transport Defence Serves as Framework Policy formulation Strategic planning Investment decisions in mining Aligns with Government's Commitments Achieving 'Net Zero' target Attaining self-reliance Creating resilient mineral sector Other Initiatives by India Joined Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) Geological Survey of India (GSI) Role Exploring critical minerals Boosting mining sector growth KABIL Joint Venture Company NALCO HCL MECL Named Khanij Bidesh India Limited Formed in August 2019 Ensuring supply of Critical Minerals

2023 Global Competitiveness Index

2023 Global Competitiveness Index Context India ranked 40th World competitiveness ranking By International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Source: Moneycontrol Report highlights Progress in government efficiency Weaknesses in Business efficiency Infrastructure Economic performance Top three spots Denmark, Ireland, Switzerland Measures helping India Exchange rate stability Compensation levels Improvements in pollution control Challenges for India Sustaining high GDP growth Managing financial market volatility Controlling inflation and fiscal deficit Accelerating digital transformation Mobilizing resources for infrastructure Note Global Competitiveness Index different from The Global Competitiveness Report Published by World Economic Forum International Institute for Management Development (IIMD) Independent university institute Campuses in Lausanne, Switzerland and Singapore

Meira Paibis

Meira Paibis Context Meira Paibis, Imas, Mothers of Manipur Represent powerful moral force in Manipur Come from all sections of society Widely respected in Imphal Valley Source: IE Activism Led various social, political movements Protests against human rights violations Demanded repeal of AFSPA Supported implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) Presence in Manipuri civil society Recognized as society’s conscience keepers

India’s Green Credit Programme

India’s Green Credit Programme upsc notes Context Union Budget 2023-24 announcement MoEFCC notified draft Green Credit Programme (GCP) Implementation rules 2023 Source: TP Green Credit Programme (GCP) Individuals, industries, FPOs ULBs, gram panchayats Private sectors, etc. Tradable on domestic market platform Follows LiFE principle Lifestyle for Environment Encourage sustainable lifestyles Driving behavioural changes Incentivise environment-friendly practices Administration Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education Autonomous organisation Under MoEFCC 8 sectors for generating credits Tree plantation-based Green Credit Increase green cover Tree plantation, related activities Water-based Green Credit Water conservation, harvesting Water use efficiency/savings Treatment, reuse of wastewater Sustainable agriculture-based Green Credit Natural, regenerative agricultural practices Land restoration, improve productivity Improve soil health, nutritional value Waste management-based Green Credit Sustainable waste management practices Collection, segregation, treatment Air pollution reduction-based Green Credit Measures for reducing air pollution Other pollution-abatement activities Mangrove conservation-based Green Credit Conservation, restoration of mangroves Ecomark-based Green Credit Encourage eco-mark label For goods and services Sustainable building-based Green Credit Encourage construction Sustainable technologies, materials Objectives of GCP Market-based mechanism Incentivise voluntary environmental actions Encourage private sector, other entities Meet existing obligations Stemming from other legal frameworks GCP vs carbon markets Unlike carbon markets GHG emissions were traded GCP accounts for wide range actions Uniqueness of GCP globally Significance of the GCP First-of-its-kind instrument Value, reward multiple ecosystem services Allow green projects Achieve optimal returns beyond carbon Allow project proponents Access carbon markets additionally Similar mechanisms elsewhere In France, Germany, Sweden Concerns Good intent but challenging implementation Difficulty establishing equivalence Between various actions Monitoring, reporting, verification challenges Risk of greenwashing Way ahead Build capacity to monitor Prevent fraud Save resources for more transformational Pollution control, biodiversity protection

Global Forest Watch

Global Forest Watch upsc notes Context Study by World Resources Institute’s Global Forest Watch Significant decline in tropical forest cover (2022) Source: TH Key findings Loss: 4.1 million hectares Equivalent to 11 football fields disappearing every minute Primary forest cover loss in tropical regions 10% higher in 2022 compared to previous year World not on track to meet forest-related commitments Goal 1: End deforestation by 2030 Required: Deforestation rate decrease by at least 10% annually Actual: Deforestation rates reduced by 3.1% in 2022 (2018-2020 baseline) Exceeded necessary levels by over one million hectares Deviation from 2030 goal Goal 2: Restore 350 million hectares of lost and degraded forests by 2030 Overall change in tree cover in last two decades: net loss of 100 million hectares Countries with significant forest cover losses Brazil Democratic Republic of Congo India Loss of 44 thousand hectares of humid primary forest (2021-22) 17% of total tree cover loss during that period Primary forests Also known as old-growth forests or virgin forests Mature and undisturbed natural forests Have not experienced significant human intervention or alteration Reached ecological maturity Exhibit complex and diverse ecosystem Fully developed tree canopy layers Understory vegetation Rich biodiversity Significance Crucial role in storing carbon and supporting biodiversity Secondary forest regrowth cannot match primary forest ecological and carbon sequestration capabilities Global Forest Watch Launch: 2014 Open-source web application Monitor global forests in near real-time Initiative of World Resources Institute Partners: Google, USAID, University of Maryland, Esri, Vizzuality, etc. Developer: World Resources Institute (WRI)

National Research Foundation (NRF)

National Research Foundation (NRF) upsc notes Context Union Cabinet approval PM of India chair NRF Bill 2023 approval Strategic direction for scientific research Source: PIB Bill Highlights NRF establishment SERB repeal Subsumed into NRF Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) Statutory body under DST Establishment Year 2009 SERB Act, 2008 Promotion and financial assistance Basic research in science and engineering Scientists, academic institutions, R&D labs, S&T start-ups, etc. About NRF Apex body establishment Estimated cost: ₹50,000 crores (2023-28) Government contribution: ₹10,000 crores Private sector investments: ~₹36,000 crores Recommended by NEP 2020 Administrative department: DST, Ministry of S&T Governance Governing Board Ex-officio President: PM Ex-officio Vice-Presidents: Union Minister of S&T, Union Minister of Education Other members: Eminent researchers and professionals Executive Council Chair: Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Purpose Seed, grow, promote R&D Foster research and innovation culture Universities, colleges, research institutions, R&D labs Research funding prioritisation Equitable and participatory scientific research Greater private sector participation Current fund allocation issue Majority to IITs and IISc ~10% to State universities Strategy Forge collaborations Industry, academia, government departments, research institutions Interface mechanism for participation and contribution Create policy framework Put regulatory processes to encourage collaboration and increased R&D spending by industry NRF/Bill Significance/need India's R&D spending: 0.7% of GDP Comparison: US (2.83%), China (2.14%), Israel (4.9%), Brazil, Malaysia, Egypt Democratization of science funding Solutions for big problems facing Indian society Current laws make private contribution to funding bodies difficult

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