Context: States will have to pay additional premium over Central government securities to meet the record high borrowing target for three months through March, which could further pressure banking liquidity, investors said. Central Government Securities Central government securities, also known as G-Secs, are debt instruments issued by the central government to raise capital. Generally, G-Secs are considered as risk-free gilt-edged instruments, as there is almost no possibility of default. Treasury Bills Treasury Bond
Crop Insurance Schemes
The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme till 2025-26 with a total budget of â‚ą69,515.71 crore: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme
Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme
Integrated Horticulture Development Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and the Beej Gram Programme
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
