Context: In a letter to Delhi CM, Agriculture Minister of India said the AAP government has failed to implement major central initiatives, including the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, and the Beej Gram programme. Integrated Horticulture Development Mission The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) is a national program sponsored by the central government to promote the horticulture sector in the country. The scheme covers almost all crops such as fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, among others. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) was launched with the aim of achieving 4% annual growth in the agricultural sector. Under this scheme, states encourage and also incentivize to increase public investment in agriculture and allied sectors. The Beej Gram Yojana The Beej Gram Yojana, also known as the Sub Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP), is a program that provides financial assistance to farmers for the distribution of certified seeds: Bhartiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBS
Government Schemes Related to GM Crops
Scheme Name Launch Date Ministry Description Biotech-KISAN (Krishi Innovation Science Application Network) 2017 Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Aimed at increasing the adoption of agricultural biotechnology, including GM crops, in farmers’ fields to improve yields and income. Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill (Proposed) 2021 (Bill Draft) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change A proposed bill to establish an independent regulatory authority for the commercialization of GM crops and their environmental safety. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) Approvals Ongoing (since 1990s) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Committee responsible for evaluating and granting approvals for the release of GM crops in India.
Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
Context: Under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, rules guiding the selection process of genetic engineering appraisal committee have been amended. Genetically Modified (GM) Crops Genetically modified (GM) crops are plants that have been genetically engineered to have modified DNA for agricultural purposes. Government Schemes Related to GM Crops Scheme Name Launch Date Ministry Description National Mission on Genetically Modified Crops (NMGMC) 2021 Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare A mission to promote the safe development, cultivation, and commercialization of GM crops, ensuring food security. Biotech-KISAN (Krishi Innovation Science Application Network) 2017 Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Aimed at increasing the adoption of agricultural biotechnology, including GM crops, in farmers’ fields to improve yields and income. Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill (Proposed) 2021 (Bill Draft) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change A proposed bill to establish an independent regulatory authority for the commercialization of GM crops and their environmental safety. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) Approvals Ongoing (since 1990s) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Committee responsible for evaluating and granting approvals for the release of GM crops in India.
ICMR proposes Revised list of National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL)
Context: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has proposed a revised version of the National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL), which enumerates the minimum number of tests that should be available at various levels of healthcare facilities in the country. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), one of the oldest and largest organizations of medical research in the world. It is financed by the Department of Health Research and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The National Emergency Diagnostics List (NEDL) The National Emergency Diagnostics List is a well-defined national tool that has been generated for healthcare-orient in itself, right from the village level, primary, and secondary to tertiary levels. It draws from the Free Diagnostics Service Initiative (FDI) and other diagnostic undertakings of the Health Ministry, which include an expanded basket of tests in multiple levels of the public health system.
School Infrastructure in India
Context: 10.17 lakh government-run schools have 9.12 lakh schools with electricity, and 1.52 lakh schools do not have electricity, as per latest report. School Infrastructure School infrastructure in India includes a variety of components, such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and sports facilities. Many schools in India lack the necessary infrastructure to provide a quality education. The National Education Policy 2020 The National Education Policy of 2020 seeks to help in transforming the society of India into a knowledge-based society and also ensure all quality education across India. It relies on five key pillars such as access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability.
Advanced Injectable Hydrogel for Localised Cancer Treatment
Context: Researchers from IIT-G and Bose Institute, Kolkata have developed an injectable hydrogel for localised cancer treatment. Key Findings:
EPFO 3.0
Context: Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Labour Minister, told journalists on Thursday that the EPFO would launch its new software system EPFO 3.0 by June this year. He said that the new system would be at par with banking systems in the country, and the site would be user-friendly. Features Employees’ Provident Fund Organisat
National Crime Records Bureau
National Crime Records Bureau, it is a government agency under the Indian Government that collects and analyzes crime data under the Indian Penal Code and Special and Local Laws.
Suicide Case in India
Context: In India, the issue has escalated over the years, as evidenced by the NCRB data. All India suicide rates rose from 9.9 per lakh population in 2017 to 12.4 per lakh in 2022, as per NCRB Report — accidental deaths and suicides in India, 2022. World Suicide Report The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes the report on World Suicide Report. National Crime Records Bureau National Crime Records Bureau, it is a government agency under the Indian Government that collects and analyzes crime data under the Indian Penal Code and Special and Local Laws.
The PS4-Orbital Experimental Module (POEM)
Context: Bellatrix Aerospace has announced that it has achieved the desired results from the Rudra High-Performance Green Propulsion System, which was onboard the POEM-4 in the recently launched PSLV C-60 mission. The PS4-Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) The PS4-Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) is a platform for the scientific community to perform in-orbit micro-gravity experiments for up to three months. It should be able to validate different proof-of-concept and enabling technologies for future missions but without generating space debris and endangering the primary payloads. Rudra System The Rudra system is part of a larger program for the development of green propulsion technologies that reduce environmental impact and increase performance. PSLV C-60 Mission
