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[Newsbits] 29.06.2023

Santhosh Kumar 29/06/2023

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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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