Context: The Union Cabinet cleared a ₹4,797-crore programme called ‘Prithvi’ (Earth) that is expected to subsume five existing schemes of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
About Prithvi Vigyan Scheme:
The Prithvi scheme consolidates five existing sub-schemes, namely:
Aim:
The integration of these sub-schemes aims to enhance the understanding of Earth's systems and apply scientific knowledge for societal, environmental, and economic benefits.
Objectives and Focus Areas:
Role of the Ministry of Earth Sciences:
Holistic Approach to Earth System Sciences:
Impact and Future Prospects:
Context: UN report has revised India’s 2024 GDP growth forecast
Key highlights:
- The United Nations has revised India's GDP growth forecast for the year 2024 to 6.2%, down from the earlier estimate of 6.7%.
- The revision is attributed to the projection of robust domestic demand and strong growth in the manufacturing and services sectors.
- The larger South Asian region is estimated to have grown by 5.3% in 2023 and is expected to increase by 5.2% in 2024, with India being the fastest-growing large economy globally.
- China's investment prospects face challenges from a struggling property sector, while India positions itself as an alternative investment destination.
- FDI flows to India rose by 10% in 2022, making it the third-largest host country for announced greenfield projects.
- Global merchandise trade and industrial production remain weak, with India being an exception, as indicated by the manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index.
- Slowing global demand, trade tensions, and geopolitical conflicts are impacting trade flows, influenced by the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia.
- Climate change-related events, such as droughts and above-average rainfall, have affected the South Asian region in 2023.
- The 2023 GDP growth projection for India was revised upwards by 0.5 percentage points to 6.3%.
About the report:
UNCTAD
Purchasing Managers’ Index
Context: Supreme Court judge Justice BR Gavai has been nominated as the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC), replacing Justice Sanjiv Khanna – the seniormost judge of the top court after the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
What is the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee:
Composition of SCLSC:
Legal Services Authorities Act
Need for legal services
Some of Africa’s dry areas face serious water shortages due to minimal rainfall. An ancient system of drawing water from aquifers, the “qanat system”, could help.
Qanat system
It is an ancient type of water-supply system, developed and still used in arid regions of the world.It taps underground mountain water sources trapped in and beneath the upper reaches of alluvial fans and channels the water downhill through a series of gently sloping tunnels.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has begun the process of revising the current National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) and invited relevant stakeholders to offer suggestions on adding or deleting diagnostic tests to the current list by the end of February.
National Essential Diagnostics List
The NEDL lists the essential and most basic tests that should be available at various levels of healthcare facilities in the country, including at the village level, in sub-health centres, health and wellness centres, and primary health centres.
What are Essential diagnostic tests?
The crash in their population from estimated 4 crores in the early 1980s to less than a lakh by 2007 in India is unprecedented in the animal world. Outside of the oceans, vultures are the only known obligate scavengers.
Threats
A major threat to vultures is the painkiller diclofenac used by veterinarians to treat cattle.
Effects
Aceclofenac
Drugs Toxic to Vulture
Safe Drugs for Vultures
Conservation Measures
Vulture census
Vulture Safe zone
International Efforts
International Vulture Conservation Awareness Day
The initiative is run jointly by the Birds of Prey Programme of the Endangered Wildlife Trust in South Africa and the Hawk Conservancy Trust in England.Through IVAD, both the organisation try to raise awareness about the threats that vultures are facing today and promote a coordinated international effort to publicise the conservation of vultures to a wider audience.
Recent News First in many years, a vulture was spotted in the skyline of Thane which has not been spotted over two decades in the city. Indian vulture
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The Year 2023 saw commendable performances of Indian Sportspersons in several International Events
International Events hosted by India in 2023 :
National Games successfully organized in Goa:
The 37th National Games were inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on 26th October 2023. This edition marked a significant milestone, with participation from over 10,000 sportspersons, coaches, and officials representing all States and Union Territories. Maharashtra topped the Medal tally with 228 Medals, followed by Services and Haryana.
The National Sports Day 2023 was celebrated throughout the country with the active participation of various stakeholders, including the Ministries and Departments of the Government of India, State Governments, Indian Missions abroad, educational Institutions etc. Various important initiatives were launched by this Department on the National Sports Day including the launch of the 3rd edition of Fit India Quiz, two portals, one for the National Sports Federations and another for the Khelo India infrastructure projects.
Events under Fit India Campaign:
Events organized under Khelo India Scheme:
Revision in the norms of international exposure:
Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2023
Web portal and mobile application ‘Know Your Medicine’ launched
Five years of Khelo India India has the largest youth population in the world, with approximately 65% of its population being under the age of 35. The youth, aged between 15-29 years, make up 27.5% of the population and represent a dynamic and vibrant segment. To encourage mass participation in sports and ensure effective implementation, the existing schemes of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA), Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS), and National Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS)were proposed to be merged into a single scheme called “Khelo India: National Programme for Development of Sports. About:
Competitions Under Khelo India Under this movement, the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) and the Khelo India Winter Games were set up as annual national sports competitions where youngsters, representing their states and universities, respectively, showcased their skills and competed for medals. Components of the Programme It has been divided into 12 verticals:
The components of the Scheme have been rearranged and rationalized by merging/subsuming some of the similar components with the larger ones, thus condensing the twelve existing components into following five components:
What are the Achievements of the Programme?
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The 6th edition of Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) is currently underway, happening from 19th January to 31st January 2024, across four cities in Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, and Coimbatore.
About: KIYG is a national-level, multi-disciplinary sports competition for school and college students in India.
Format: It is held in two categories, namely under-17-year-old school students and under-21 college students.
6th edition of KIYG: A total of 933 medals (278 gold, 278 silver and 377 bronze) are up for grabs across 26 sports at KIYG, Tamil Nadu.
Squash is making its KIYG debut this year, while Silambam, a form of indigenous martial arts, is featured as a demonstration sport.
Mascot: Veera Mangai.
Rani Velu Nachiyar, fondly called Veera Mangai, was an Indian queen who waged a war against British colonial rule.
Also, the logo for the games incorporates the figure of poet Thiruvalluvar.
The Khelo India Winter Games 2024 will take place in Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. The recently unveiled mascot, a Snow Leopard named 'Sheen-e She' or Shan, adds a unique touch to the event.
Recently, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar((RKPP)2023. Odisha Mining Corporate Limited has been awarded in the category of Encouragement to Sports through Corporate Social Responsibility. Jain Deemed to be University, Bengaluru has been awarded for identifying and nurturing budding and young talent.
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The festival aims to promote the rights of people with disabilities and create a platform for them to showcase their talents and abilities.
The U.S. Department of State designates CPCs under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
The Vellayani Devi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, is located on the eastern banks of the lake.
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We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.