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Gram Ujala Scheme UPSC The Union Power and Renewable Energy Minister launched the Gram Ujala scheme in Varanasi. Under the scheme, the government offers the world’s cheapest LED bulbs in rural areas at Rs. 10. The Power Ministry in a press release mentioned that under the Gram Ujala scheme, Convergence Energy Services Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EESL- Energy Efficiency Services Limited, will be distributing the high-quality LED bulbs at a cost of Rs. 10 in rural a
Who evaluates Mineral deposits in India? Mineral assessment is a continuous process and a number of exploration agencies like Geological Survey of India [GSI], Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited [MECL], Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research [AMDER], State Departments of Geology and Mining [DGMs], State/Central Undertakings are engaged in the exploration of mineral deposits in the country. For mineral surveys in the country, GSI is the nodal agency to formulate ex
Mission SAGAR Mission SAGAR is a major milestone in India’s engagement with the countries in the Indian Ocean Region, in line with ‘SAGAR — Security and Growth for All in the Region. Launched on May 10, 2020, Mission SAGAR is India’s initiative to deliver COVID-19-related assistance to the countries in the Indian Ocean Region. Mission SAGAR is in line with India’s role as the first responder in the region and builds on the excellent relations existing bet
Good Governance Index 2021 Good Governance Index, GGI 2021 Framework covered ten sectors and 58 indicators. The sectors of GGI 2020-21 are 1) Agriculture and Allied Sectors, 2) Commerce & Industries, 3) Human Resource Development, 4) Public Health, 5.) Public Infrastructure & Utilities, 6) Economic Governance, 7) Social Welfare & Development, 8) Judicial & Public Security, 9) Environment, and 10) Citizen-Centric Governance. The GGI 2020-21 categorises States and UTs i
APEDA & TRIFED The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985. It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Authority has its headquarters in New Delhi. Functions of APEDA APEDA is mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and development of the scheduled product
Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Rural vs Urban): Comparison Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin, 2016 The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), 2015 The scheme would be implemented in rural areas throughout India except for Delhi and Chandigarh. Funding: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme: 60:40 and 90:10. 1.2 lakh will be given in plain areas and 1.3 lakh in h
About National AYUSH Mission (NAM) The government of India is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) through States/UTs for the development and promotion of the AYUSH system of medicine including Homoeopathy. Under NAM, Grant-in-aid is being provided to State/UT Governments for the development and promotion of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) as per their proposed State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs). A specifi
National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm: New Edible oil mission The Centre will spend Rs. 11,000 crores on a new mission to ensure self-sufficiency in edible oil production at a time when India’s dependence on expensive imports has driven retail oil prices to new highs. This financial outlay for the National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) will be over a five-year period. “Today, when India is being recognised as a major agricultural exporting count
Omicron variant of Coronavirus in India On November 24, 2021, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, B.1.1.529, was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). This new variant was first detected in specimens collected on November 11, 2021 in Botswana and on November 14, 2021 in South Africa. On November 26, 2021, WHO named the B.1.1.529 Omicron and classified it as a Variant of Concern (VOC). On November 30, 2021, the United States designated Omicron as a Variant of Concern, and on Decembe
Biodiversity in the time of the flood GS-III: Biodiversity in the time of deluge Context Floods impact the poorest strata of society the most, causing a loss of lives, livelihood options, and assets. There is a need for the assessment of floods from a ‘sustainable development perspective. Causes for floods The root cause of such floods is the high precipitation levels. Anthropogenic factors like unscientific development and over-exploitation of nature aggravat
Special Economic Zones (SEZ) About Special Economic Zones (SEZ) The 1st Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was set up in 1959 at Shannon, in Ireland. India realised how effective EPZ is in promoting Exports. India was inspired by China for the setting up of SEZ. Asia’s First EPZ was set up in Kandla in 1965. India 1st introduced the concept of SEZ in the EXIM policy 2000. SEZ Act, 2005 is an umbrella le
SAMPANN Project SAMPANN – ‘System for Accounting and Management of Pension’ is an ambitious project of the Government of India being implemented by the Controller General of Communication Accounts, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications. It was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 29th December 2018. It is a seamless online pension processing and payment system for Department of Telecommunications pensioner
National Food Security Mission (NFSM) Tenure: Launched in 2007 (11th Five Year Plan) for additional production of rice, wheat and pulses. The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) aims at increasing the production of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals and Nutri-cereals through area expansion and productivity enhancement in the identified districts of the country; improving soil fertility, farm level productivity besides, transfer of technology through demonstrations and traini
ATMA Scheme in Agriculture Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Support to State Extension Programs for Extension Reforms” popularly known as ATMA Scheme in agriculture is under implemented since 2005. Presently, the ATMA Scheme is being implemented in 691 districts of 28 states & 5 UTs in the country. The ATMA scheme promotes a decentralized farmer-friendly extension system in the country. The objectives of the Scheme is to support State Government’s ef
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Background An AQI between 0-50 is considered ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor', and 401-500 ‘severe’. Above 500 falls in the ‘severe-plus emergency’ category. Measures announced under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)- Severe+ or Emergency- (PM 2.5 over 300 µg/cubic meter or PM10 over 500 µg/cu. m. fo
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) subtopic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. Features of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a maternity benefit rechristened from erstwhile Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY)
S-400 Triumpf About S-400 Triumpf As India prepares to receive the first batch of S-400 long-range air defence systems by year-end, the first group of Indian military specialists are scheduled to depart for Moscow soon to undergo training courses on the S-400. S-400 supplies initiative is one of the flagship projects in the Russian-Indian military and military-technical cooperation, which historically constitutes the main pillar of the special and privileged strategic partnership
FISHERIES sector in India India is World's 2nd largest fish producer and 2nd largest aquaculture nation after China. Fisheries are India's single largest Agri export. The USA is the largest market for Indian seafood products. 1% GDP and 5% Agri GDP. Blue Revolution It was launched during the 7th FYP through Fish Farmers Development Agency. It improved aquaculture through new technologies of fish breeding, rearing, marketing and ex
Marine Pollution What is Marine Pollution? Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from land sources and is washed or blown into the ocean. This pollution results in damage to the environment, the health of all organisms, and to economic structures worldwide. Marine pollution is a part of Water pollution. Click here to read the Water pollution topic. Sources of Marine Pollution: Land-Based Activities: Dumping of hazardous waste, heavy
SFURTI Scheme 50 artisan-based clusters were recently inaugurated through the SFURTI Scheme (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) in 18 States. Ministry of MSME is implementing an SFURTI scheme with a view to organizing traditional industries and artisans into clusters to make them competitive and increase their income. Ministry of MSME, which aims to support at least one cluster in each district in the future. SFURTI cluster