Contents

1. Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana
2. National Logistics Policy
3. National IPR policy 2016
4. PARAKRAM DIWAS
5. Desert Knight-21
6. National Education Policy 2020
7. MeitY Quantum Computing Applications Lab

PRADHAN MANTRI AWAS YOJANA  

Focus: GS 2;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.

Why in News?

PM to release financial assistance to over 6 lakh beneficiaries in UP under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin on 20th January

About Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana

• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Launched on 25th June 2015) is an initiative by Government of India in which affordable housing will be provided to the urban poor with a target of building 20 million affordable houses by 31 March 2022.
• It has two components i.e. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) (PMAY-U) for the urban poor and Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin) (PMAY-G and also PMAY-R) for the rural poor.
• This scheme is converged with other schemes to ensure houses have a toilet, Saubhagya Yojana electricity connection, Ujjwala Yojana LPG gas connection, access to drinking water and Jan Dhan banking facilities, etc.
• Total 1 cr homes are approved against total demand of 1.12Cr as of 28 December 2019.
• The houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana would be constructed through a technology that is eco-friendly, while allotting ground floors in any housing scheme under PMAY, preference will be given to differently abled and older persons.
• 3 Phases of PMAY envisage starting and completing the house construction work  i.e. Phase I (2015-2017), Phase II (2017-2019), and Phase III (2019-2022).

• A PMAY(U) house ensures dignified living along with sense of security and pride of ownership to the beneficiaries.
• PMAY(U) adopts a cafeteria approach to suit the needs of individuals based on the geographical conditions, topography, economic conditions, availability of land, infrastructure etc.
• The scheme has hence been divided into four verticals as given below:

About Eligibility Criteria about PMAY

• Condition for PMAY is as follows;-

1. Beneficiary max age 70 years,
2. EWS (Economic Weaker Section) family income limit is ₹3 Lakhs per annum and for LIG (Lower Income Group) Family Income limit is ₹ 6 Lakhs per annum and
3. Middle Income Group -(MIG-I) income between ₹ 6 lakhs to ₹12 lakhs per annum, (MIG-II) income between ₹ 12 lakhs to ₹ 18 lakhs per annum.
4. The beneficiary should not have an own dwelling unit on the name of any family member in any part of India.
5. The loan applicant should not have availed any central/state government subsidy or benefit for buying a home under the PMAY scheme.
6. Currently, the loan applicant should not own any property under their name and along with any of the family members (including the dependents).
7. The home renovation or improvement loans, self-construction loans will be allocated only for EWS and LIG categories.
8. The houses given under this scheme will be owned by females or jointly with males.

About Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs)

• Scheme for Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs), a sub-scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U), for providing accommodation at affordable rent to urban migrants/ poor has been launched on 31.07.2020 after approval of the Union Cabinet. 

NATIONAL LOGISTICS POLICY 

Focus: GS 2;Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Why in News?

Says Logistics is all about getting the right product in the right condition at the Right Place at the Right Time to the Right customer. National Logistics Policy, under consultation, will enhance the Ease of Doing Business.

About National Logistics Policy

• The National logistics policy aims to promote the seamless movement of goods across the country.
• The policy will look at several areas such as process reengineering, digitization and focus on multi-modal connectivity.
• The vision of the proposed policy is to drive economic growth and business competitiveness of the country through an integrated, seamless, efficient, reliable, green, sustainable and cost effective logistics network leveraging best in class technology, processes and skilled manpower.
• Though, there is no official estimation of logistics cost for India, some private institutions have estimated the logistics cost to be 13 to 14 percent of the GDP.
• The proposed policy aims to reduce this to 9 -10 percent of the GDP.
• In order to simplify documentation for exports and imports through  digitization,  Department of Revenue, CBIC have taken several initiatives like as follows ;-

1. SWIFT ( Single Window Interface For Trade)
2. Adoption of Digital Signature
3. 24×7 Customs Clearance for facilitated Bills of Entry and factory stuffed containers and goods exported under free Shipping Bills at select  ports
4. Import Data Processing and Management System (IDPMS)  jointly launched with RBI to facilitate efficient data processing for payment of imports and effective monitoring
5. E-Sanchit
6. Two new IT  Modules ICEDASH (Ease of doing business monitoring dashboard) and ATITHI app for electronic filing by passengers for baggage.
7. PCS 1X is a platform for port-related processes developed by Indian Ports Association.

About Recent Amendment in National Logistics Policy 2020

• National Logistics Policy, 2020 entails handing out a unique logistics account number to logistics service providers, track and trace, and a national registry of warehouses with geo tags providing information for bulk storage on government land through public-private partnership.
• The commerce and industry ministry has proposed in a draft cabinet note on the National Logistics Policy, 2020.
• The policy also entails handing out a unique logistics account number to logistics service providers, track and trace, and a national registry of warehouses with geo tags providing information like available space and development of silos for bulk storage on government land through public-private partnership.
• Besides, standardized key physical components and services like packaging, handling equipment, shelving and racking, trucks, documentation, and a National Logistics Dashboard for real time monitoring of various logistics infrastructure have also been proposed.
• The Vision and Objectives for Logistics in India is to drive economic growth and trade competitiveness of the country through a truly integrated, seamless, efficient, reliable and cost-effective logistics network, leveraging best in class technology, processes and skilled manpower.
• Key objectives of the national logistics policy given the pivotal role of the logistics sector in the development of the economy and the need to incorporate learnings from global best practices, the policy outlines an ambitious set of objectives.

NATIONAL IPR POLICY 2016

Focus: GS 2;Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Why in News?

First India-EU IPR dialogue held to strengthen relation and facilitate enhanced cooperation in the field of Intellectual Property Rights

About National IPR Policy 2016

• The Union Cabinet has approved the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy on 12th May, 2016 that shall lay the future roadmap for IPRs in India.
• The Policy recognizes the abundance of creative and innovative energies that flow in India, and the need to tap into and channelize these energies towards a better and brighter future for all.
• The National IPR Policy is a vision document that encompasses and brings to a single platform all IPRs.
• It views IPRs holistically, taking into account all inter-linkages and thus aims to create and exploit synergies between all forms of intellectual property (IP), concerned statutes and agencies.
• It sets in place an institutional mechanism for implementation, monitoring and review.
• The Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Intellectual Property Management (RGNIIPM) is a Central Government Institute under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry is engaged in conducting Training, Awareness programs relating to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR’s) i.e. Patents, Designs, Trademarks, Geographical Indications & Copyrights.
• RGNIIPM has been established at Nagpur as a National center of excellence for training, management, research, education in the field of Intellectual Property (IP) Rights.
• The existing IP laws in India were either enacted or revised after the TRIPS Agreement and are fully compliant with it. These laws along with various judicial decisions provide a stable and effective legal framework for protection and promotion of IPRs.
• India shall remain committed to the Doha Declaration on TRIPS Agreement and Public Health.
• It aims to incorporate and adapt global best practices to the Indian scenario.

About National IPR Policy 2016 Vision

• An India where creativity and innovation are stimulated by Intellectual Property for the benefit of all; an India where intellectual property promotes advancement in science and technology, arts and culture, traditional knowledge and biodiversity resources; an India where knowledge is the main driver of development, and knowledge owned is transformed into knowledge shared.

About National IPR Policy 2016 Mission

• Stimulate a dynamic, vibrant and balanced intellectual property rights system in India to foster creativity and innovation and thereby, promote entrepreneurship and enhance socioeconomic and cultural development, and  focus on enhancing access to healthcare, food security and environmental protection, among other sectors of vital social, economic and technological importance.
• The Policy lays down seven objectives which are elaborated with steps to be undertaken by the identified nodal Ministry/ Department.
• The objectives are briefly mentioned below.

1. IPR Awareness: Outreach and Promotion – To create public awareness about the economic, social and cultural benefits of IPRs among all sections of society
2. Generation of IPRs – To stimulate the generation of IPRs
3. Legal and Legislative Framework – To have strong and effective IPR laws, which balance the interests of rights owners with larger public interest
4. Administration and Management – To modernize and strengthen service oriented IPR administration
5. Commercialization of IPR – Get value for IPRs through commercialization
6. Enforcement and Adjudication – To strengthen the enforcement and adjudicatory mechanisms for combating IPR infringements
7. Human Capital Development – To strengthen and expand human resources, institutions and capacities for teaching, training, research and skill building in IPRs

PARAKRAM DIWAS 

Focus: GS 1;The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.

Why in News?

Year-long celebrations to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary year of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to commence on 23rd January. Prime Minister will preside over the inaugural event of the celebrations.23rd January to be celebrated as “PARAKRAM DIWAS” every year

About Parakaram Diwas

• In order to honour and remember Netaji’s indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation, Government of India has decided to celebrate his birthday on the 23rd day of January every year as “PARAKRAM DIWAS” to inspire people of the country, especially the youth, to act with fortitude in the face of adversity as Netaji did, and to infuse in them a spirit of patriotic fervor.
• Government of India has decided to celebrate the 125th Birth Anniversary year of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in a befitting manner at national and international level, beginning from 23rd January 2021. 

Please click on this link for detailed explanation about Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Ji

DESERT KNIGHT – 21

Focus: GS 2 ;Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Why in News?

Curtain Raiser: Indo-French Exercise Desert Knight-21

About Desert Knight-21

• Indian Air Force and French Air and Space Force (Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace) will conduct a bilateral Air exercise, Ex Desert Knight-21 at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 20 to 24 Jan 21.
• French side will participate with Rafale, Airbus A-330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), A-400M Tactical Transport aircraft and approximately 175 personnel.
• The Indian Air Force aircraft participating in the exercise will include Mirage 2000, Su-30 MKI, Rafale, IL-78 Flight Refueling Aircraft, AWACS and AEW&C aircraft.
• The exercise marks an important milestone in the series of engagements between the two Air forces.
• As part of Indo-French defence cooperation, Indian Air Force and French Air and Space Force have held six editions of Air Exercises named ‘Garuda’, the latest being in 2019 at Air Force Base Mont-de-Marsan, France.
• As measures to further the existing cooperation, the two forces have been gainfully utilizing available opportunities to conduct ‘hop-exercises’.
• The French Air and Space Force deployment while ferrying to Australia for Ex Pitchblack in 2018 was hosted by IAF at Air Force Stations Agra and Gwalior for exercise with fighters and MRTT aircraft.
• Presently, the French detachment for Ex Desert Knight-21 is deployed in Asia as part of their ‘Skyros Deployment’ and will ferry in forces to Air Force Station Jodhpur.
• The exercise is unique as it includes fielding of Rafale aircraft by both sides and is indicative of the growing interaction between the two premier Air Forces.
• As the two detachments commence their air exchange from 20 Jan onwards, they will put into practice operational experience gained across terrains and spectrums and endeavour to exchange ideas and best practices to enhance interoperability.

NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020

Focus: GS 2;Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Why in News?

A Dialogue on National Education Policy 2020 at Nehru Centre, London

Please Click on this link for detailed explanation about National Education Policy 2020

MeitY QUANTUM COMPUTING APPLICATIONS LAB 

Focus: GS 3;Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Why in News?

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to establish Quantum Computing Applications Lab, Powered by AWS. A pioneering initiative to apply quantum computing to advance India’s science and technology development initiatives and bolster the economy. The lab is World’s first quantum computing applications lab on AWS to support a national government’s mission to drive innovation

Please click on this for detailed explanation about Quantum Communication

Please click on this link for a detailed explanation about Quantum Technology