भारत और मालदीव के बीच स्‍वास्‍थ्‍य क्षेत्र में समझौते को मंजूरी
केंद्रीय मत्रिमंडल ने भारत और मालदीव के बीच स्‍वास्‍थ्‍य क्षेत्र में समझौते को मंजूरी दे दी है। इस समझौता ज्ञापन पर दोनों देशों ने 8 जून, 2019 को हस्‍ताक्षर किए थे। इस समझौता ज्ञापन के तहत निम्‍नलिखित क्षेत्र आयेंगे:
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20768-2019-07-04-04-36-01
#Maldives #health #India #PMModi #agreement #MoU #Telemedicine

राजद्रोह कानून खत्म करने का इरादा नहीं'
केंद्रीय मंत्री नित्यानंद राय ने कहा कि सरकार का राजद्रोह कानून खत्म करने का विचार नहीं है। मोदी सरकार के पहले कार्यकाल में राजद्रोह कानून को लेकर कुछ राजनीतिक दलों और सामाजिक कार्यकर्ताओं ने काफी आपत्ति जाहिर की थी। राजद्रोह कानून को सख्त बनाने की जरुरत है। वोट का अधिकार सरकारी नौकरी एवं सुविधाओ से वंचित लोक सभा राज्य सभा सहित किसी भी चुनाव मे लड़ने पर रोक लगनी चाहिये।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20767-2019-07-04-04-35-50
#laws #NityanandRai #Modi #LokSabha #IPC #RajyaSabha #JNU #KanhaiyaKumar

RBI forms working group CICs
The Reserve Bank on 3 July 2019 said it has constituted a working group that will review the regulatory and supervisory framework for core investment companies.
In August 2010, RBI had introduced a separate framework for the regulation of systemically important core investment companies (CICs), recognising the difference in the business model of a holding company relative to other non-banking financial companies.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20772-rbi-forms-working-group-cics
#RBI #CICsCorporateAffairs #investment #framework #TapanRay

NDIAC Bill introduced
A bill to set up an independent and autonomous regime for institutionalised domestic and international arbitration was introduced in Lok Sabha on 3 July 2019.
The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC) Bill, 2019, seeks to replace an ordinance issued in March this year by the previous government.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20771-ndiac-bill-introduced
#NDIAC #LokSabha #ICADR #RaviShankarPrasad #NewDelhi #SupremeCourt

Code on Wages Bill approved
The Union Cabinet on 3 July 2019 approved the introduction of a bill that will codify relevant provisions of four existing laws and intends to increase the legislative protection of minimum wage to the entire workforce. The Codes on Wages Bill, 2019 would benefit about 50 crore workers.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20770-code-on-wages-bill-approved
#UnionCabinet #WagesBill #BonusActAct #EqualRemuneration #Act1976

UNESCO report on disabilities
More than one in four children with disabilities between ages 5 and 19 in India have never attended any educational institution, while three-fourths of five-year-olds with disabilities are not in school. A report by UNESCO and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences released on 3 July 2019 recommends structural, funding and attitudinal changes to ensure that no child is left out of the right to education.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20769-unesco-report-on-disabilities
#UNESCO #India #primaryschool #RTEAct #SocialScience #TataInstitute

India's SRB down
India’s sex ratio at birth (SRB) — the number of female babies born for every 1,000 male babies — fell to an all-time low of 896 in 2015-2017. This would translate into approximately 117 lakh girls missing in the country in a span of three years. Five large states — Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Maharashtra and Gujarat — with poor sex ratios at birth account for about two thirds of these missing girls.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20926-india-s-srb-down
#SRB #India #Gujarat #sexratio #UP #Rajasthan #approximately

India’s renewable energy
India’s renewable energy capacity has crossed the 80GW-mark, which includes 29.55 GW of solar energy and 36.37 GW wind power, Parliament was informed on 16 July 2019. The government has set an ambitious target of having 175 GW of clean energy capacity by 2022, including 100 GW solar and 60 GW of wind energy.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20925-india-s-renewable-energy
#India #PPAs #SPPD #SECI #ETDA #CTU #INDC #solar

Justice Sikri Appointed As Judge Of SICC
Former Supreme Court judge Justice A K Sikri has been appointed as an International Judge of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC). A press release in the official website of the Singapore Prime Minister's office stated that the President of the Republic of Singapore, on the advice of the Prime Minister, has made the appointment of Justice Sikri from August 1. His appointment is until Jan 4, 2021.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20924-justice-sikri-appointed-as-judge-of-sicc
#SICC #AKSikri #CSAT #Singapore #SupremeCourt #HongKong #AlokVerma

Bill to fortify arbitration framework
A bill aimed at improving institutional arbitration in the country was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill 2019 seeks to make India a hub of domestic and global arbitration for settling commercial disputes.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20923-bill-to-fortify-arbitration-framework
#framework #RaviShankarPrasad #Amendment #ACI #LokSabha

CARTOSAT-3 launched
ISRO has successfully launched its third-generation earth-imaging satellite CARTOSAT 3 into space from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22118-cartosat-3-launched.html
#CARTOSAT3 #PSLVC47 #ISRO #SSLV #SpaceFlight #SatishDhawan

Bill to ban e-cigarettes passed
Lok Sabha on 27 November 2019 passed a bill which seeks to ban electronic cigarettes, with Health Minister Harsh Vardhan saying such a measure was necessary to protect the youth from a new intoxication being promoted by companies as a new "fashion".
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22117-bill-to-ban-e-cigarettes-passed.html
#LokSabha #ENDS #HarshVardhan #cigarettes #Manufacture

Framework on currency swap revised for SAARC
The Reserve Bank said it has put in place a revised framework on currency swap arrangement for SAARC countries for 2019-2022.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22116-framework-on-currency-swap-revised-for-saarc.html
#Framework #SAARC #ReserveBank #RBI #CurrencySwap

Extension to 15th Finance Commission approved
The union cabinet on 27 November 2019 extended to the term of the Fifteenth Finance Commission by a year, asking it to submit an interim report for fiscal year 2020-21 and a full report for fiscal years 2021-22 to 2025-26—a decision apparently taken to factor in Jammu and Kashmir’s new status.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22115-extension-to-15th-finance-commission-approved.html
#FinanceCommission #ammuandKashmir #UnionCabinet #Article280

Transgenders Bill passed
The Rajya Sabha on 26 November 2019 passed a bill on protection of rights of transgenders after a motion to refer it to a select committee of the Upper House was defeated. The Lok Sabha had passed the bill on August 5.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22114-transgenders-bill-passed.html
#TransgendersBill #RajyaSabha #DMk #ThawarChandGehlot

Comprehensive framework for NPA
The Reserve Bank on 8 June 2020 proposed a comprehensive framework for sale of loan exposures, which could be standard, sub-standard or non-performing assets (NPAs),
https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/23909-comprehensive-framework-for-npa.html
#rbi #framework #npi

Today's Headlines - 19 August 2023
WHO holds first traditional medicine summit
GS Paper - 3 (Health and Diseases)

The World Health Organization opened its first summit on traditional medicine with the group saying it was seeking to collect evidence and data to allow for the safe use of such treatments. Traditional medicines are a "first port of call for millions of people worldwide", the UN health agency said.

More about the summit

The two-day WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit takes place alongside a meeting of G20 health ministers in the Indian city of Gandhinagar.
The first global traditional summit, co-hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush.
This summit is designed to foster political commitment and evidence-based action in the field of traditional medicine.
As a vital healthcare source for millions worldwide, traditional medicine will be closely examined and evaluated as a formidable force in addressing health and well-being needs.
With a wide array of engagement groups, working groups, and meetings, this event aims to represent the interests of the Global South countries within the G20 framework.
The theme of "One Earth, One Family, One Future" embodies India's philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
More about traditional medicine

The UN health agency defines traditional medicine as the knowledge, skills and practices used over time to maintain health and prevent, diagnose and treat physical and mental illness.
But many traditional treatments have no proven scientific value and conservationists say the industry drives a rampant trade in endangered animals -- including tigers, rhinos and pangolins -- threatening the existence of entire species.
Use of homemade remedies soared during the Covid-19 pandemic, including a green herbal drink based on Artemisia that was promoted by Madagascar's president as a cure.
The plant has a proven efficacy in malaria treatment, but its use to combat Covid was widely scorned by many doctors.
In China, traditional medicine has a distinguished history, but top European medical bodies have previously demanded it be subject to the same regulatory oversight as conventional medical methods.
Flashback

Of the WHO's 194 member states, 170 acknowledged their use of traditional and complementary medicine since 2018, but only 124 reported having laws or regulations for the use of herbal medicines -- while only half had a national policy on such methods and medicines.
About 40 percent of approved pharmaceutical products currently in use derive from a "natural product basis", according to the WHO, which cited "landmark drugs" that derive from traditional medicine, including aspirin, drawing on formulations using willow tree bark.

#upsc #news #headline #WHO #traditional #medicine #health #diseases #data #millions #worldwide #ministry #gandhinagar #global #vasudhaiva #kutumbakam #earth #framework #force #future #philosophy #agency #mental #illness #artemisia #species #pandemic #remedies #herbal #madagascar #european #regulatory #complementary #reported #pharmaceutical #products #natural

Today's Headlines - 04 September 2023
NITI Aayog, UNDP join hands to fast-track SDGs
GS Paper - 2 (Polity)

Central think tank NITI Aayog and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a memorandum of understanding to formalise a cooperative framework to fast-track India's pursuit to achieve its sustainable development goals (SDGs), the Aayog said.

More about the memorandum of understanding

The memorandum of understanding will focus on the two organisations' cooperation on a range of areas, including SDG localisation, data-driven monitoring, Aspirational Districts and Blocks, among others.
Over the years, NITI Aayog and UNDP's collaboration has grown from strength to strength. This partnership would foster data-driven policy interventions and programmatic action.
NITI Aayog is the nodal body for the monitoring of SDGs in India and reviews the process through a nationwide SDG index. The memorandum of understanding between the think tank and UNDP was signed for a period of years.
Midway to 2030, India's leadership is critical for making the SDGs a reality. India nearly halved multidimensional poverty between 2015-2016 and 2019-2021, demonstrating that despite complex challenges, accelerating progress towards the Goals is possible.
Through this memorandum of understanding with NITI Aayog, UNDP will also provide support for NITI Aayog's work on women's livelihoods, innovation, and Mission LiFE.

#upsc #news #headline #NitiAayog #UNDP #fasttrack #SDGs #Polity #cooperative #framework #sustainable #goals #Aayog #memorandum #districts #blocks #localisation #monitoring #collaboration #data #leadership #periodofyears #complex #challenges #livelihoods #innovation #mission #life #data #driven #patnership #demonstrating #nationwidwe #index #multidimensional

Today's Headlines - 04 September 2023
G20 agree to boost information flow to small business
GS Paper - 2 (International Relations)

Trade ministers from G20 nations agreed to a ‘Jaipur Call for Action’ to boost information flow to small businesses to increase their participation, while seeking to build a ‘generic framework’ for mapping global value chains, cautioning against concentration of suppliers and markets.

More about the agreement

In addition, 10 high level principles on digitisation of trade documents were also agreed upon as countries seek to reduce the cost of trading across borders.
Although a communique could not be issued given the divergent position on Ukraine with Russia and China sticking to their stands, and the G7 seeking to highlight the conflict, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal told reporters that the contents of the outcome document and the chairs summary were decided unanimously.
Every country has agreed to all the issues… only paragraph 32, which is less than a quarter of a page out of a 17-page document, is an area where we could not get consensus for obvious reasons.
Since the first G20 ministerial meeting under India’s presidency, a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in Bengaluru, the Ukraine conflict has driven a wedge between the members of the all-powerful alliance.
In the coming years, various agencies will work on putting together the framework to implement the decisions.
The move on global value chains will help all developing countries and cited the example of mobile manufacturing in India, arguing that it will help create a production eco-system and also generate jobs and investment.
The minister underlined the importance of MSMEs, an issue that was flagged by PM Narendra Modi.
There are concerns over Big Tech and its dominance. Equal and affordable access for all has to be ensured.
The push is in line with the government’s initiatives such as ONDC and UPI, which are open source frameworks offering ease to consumers as well as a level playing field to businesses.
The outcome document took note of theuncertain near-term outlook for global trade and investments and underlined the need for “rules-based, non-discriminatory, fair, open, inclusive, equitable, sustainable and transparent multilateral system, with WTO at its core”.
It also called for apredictable and transparent regime for services trade, with easier rules for movement of professionals across borders —an issue which is of particular interest to India.

#upsc #news #headline #G20 #boost #smallbusiness #internationalrelations #tadeministers #nations #jaipur #generic #framework #global #valuechains #markets #broders #levelprinciples #divergent #ukraine #russia #china #paragraph32 #document #ministerial #india #presidency #trading #borders #digitisations #decisions #ONDC #UPI #equitable #WTO

Today's Headlines - 11 September 2023
National Strategy for Robotics
GS Paper - 3 (Emerging technology)

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has invited public comments as well as inputs from stakeholders on the draft "National Strategy for Robotics" (NSR). The strategy is aimed at "strengthening all pillars in the innovation cycle of robotic technology, while also providing a robust institutional framework for ensuring the effective implementation of these interventions. Presently, in terms of annual industrial installations, India ranks 10th globally as per the World Robotics Report, 2022.

What's in the draft?

The draft NSR proposes a policy framework for the implementation of robotics in various sectors, with the aim of making India a global robotics leader by 2030.
It also builds upon the mandates of the Make in India 2.0 plans, which identify robotics as one of the 27 sub-sectors to further enhance India's integration in the global value chain.
The draft has so far identified manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and national security as the four core sectors to prioritise robotics automation.
According to the current draft, MeitY will serve as the nodal agency for robotics, with a two-tier institutional framework to facilitate the implementation of the NSR.
The implementation will be directly undertaken under MeitY's 'National Robotics Mission' or the NRM.
The draft also proposes fiscal and non-fiscal interventions by the NRM, for upscaling innovation in robotics.
These interventions will be specifically aimed at developing funding mechanisms for robotics start-ups as well as promoting exports.
Major recommendations of the draft NFR

First and foremost, the NFR has recommended the creation of a robust regulatory framework, led by the Robotics Innovation Unit (RIU), an independent agency that will function under MeitY as a part of India AI.
The NFR also proposes the implementation of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Robotics.
The CoEs will be categorised under foundational and applied research. The NFR suggests that for application-based research, CoEs should enlist private sector intervention in priority sectors to help with experimental prototyping, as well as small-volume production for the initial phase of commercialisation.
The current draft also lays out clear plans for providing advisory support to start-ups, harnessing the research potential of higher education institutes, and the development of robotics industrial zones.
Why is the NFR needed?

Besides the aim of integrating robotics into the identified sectors, the draft also points out that "there is a general lack of adoption and growth of the robotics ecosystem in India."
The primary challenges are high import dependence, costly hardware components, and insufficient investments in research and development.
Robots consist of numerous complex and minute parts that need precise knowledge and skills for assembling.
The current state adoption of robotics in the country is "too ambitious, keeping in mind the lack of skilled resources, technical expertise impeding the growth of the robotics ecosystem in the country.

#upsc #headine #news #national #strategy #robotics #emerging #technology #ministry #technology #NSR #world #makeinindia #sectors #global #chain #policy #framework #Meity #pillars #cycle #healthcare #agriculture #security #implementation #draft #fiscal #nonfiscal #mechanisms #RIU #hardware #components #ambitious #resourses #technical #ecosystem