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[Virtual Presenter] ii.The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) aims to construct a total 220 airports/helicopters/aerodromes in the country. iii.The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG) aims to build 34500 kilometerss long pipeline in the country. iv.The Ministry of Renewable Energy (MoRE) aims to increase renewable energy capacity to 225 GigaWatt (G-W---). v.The Ministry of Railways (MoR) has set the target to achieve 1600 million tonnes (M-T---) of cargo capacity in the country. vi.Ministry of Power (MoP) plans to build over 4.54 lakh circuit kms of transmission networks in India. vii.The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) plans to connect 2.6 lakh gram panchayats. viii.The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPS&W) has set the target to achieve 1750 Metric Million Tonnes Per Annum (M-M-T-P-A) of cargo capacity. Key Progress: i.On boarding whole of the Government on a unified platform: So far, 208 big ticket infrastructure projects worth Rs 15.39 crores have been examined by the Networking Planning Group (N-P-G--) based on the basic principles of PM Gati Shakti like: integrated planning and development of multimodal infrastructure, last mile connectivity to economic and social nodes, among others. The PM Gati Shakti N-M-P has onboarded 44 Central Ministries and 36 States/Union Territories (UTs), and a total of 1614 data layers have also been integrated. ii.PM Gati Shakti S-M-P's Portal: All 36 states and UTs have developed their respective PM Gati Shakti State Master Plans (SMPs) portals which are in line with the PM Gati Shakti N-M-P platform to streamline infrastructure assets and enhance regional development. More than 533 projects have been mapped by states/UTs on the PM Gati Shakti platform. iii.EXIM and Trade Facilitation: The PM Gati Shakti initiative which is aligned with the National Logistics Policy (N-L-P--) has played a pivotal role in addressing critical infrastructure gaps, reducing logistics costs, and improving logistics performance of India. According to the World Bank’s “Logistics Performance Index” report released in 2023,India’s has improved its ranking by 6 places in other words from 44th spot (in 2018) to 38th (in 2023). For tracking and tracing 100% of India’s containerized E-X-I-M cargo, the Logistics Data Bank (L-D-B--), has been developed. L-D-B uses R-F-I-D technology through the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and Cloud based solutions to provide real time tracking of E-X-I-M container movement in India. iv.Regional Workshops and Stakeholder Engagement: Since the launch of PM Gati Shakti NMP, 5 regional workshops have been conducted across all 36 states/UTs to provide knowledge sharing, best practices, and project demonstration by central and state governments. v.Promoting Sustainable, Data driven development: PM Gati Shakti initiative is based on data drivenapproach, powered by G-I-S based tools and a real time monitoring system that enables faster and more informed decision making. Thus, it will help India to achieve the target of Net Zero by 2070 as platform promotes the use of green infrastructure and sustainable logistics solutions. vi.Extending P-M-G-S to the Districts: A District Master Plan (D-M-P--) platform is being developed with the technical support of bisag N, to extend PM Gati Shakti (P-M-G-S-) to the district level. This portal will help district authorities in collaborative planning, identifying infrastructure gaps and scheme implementation. Currently, a beta version of the portal has already been developed for 28 aspirational districts and user accounts were provided to these districts on 18th September, 2024. The D-M-P portals for all districts of the country will be developed in a phased manner and is expected to be completed by 31st March, 2025. Report Errors in the P-D-F [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 55.

[Audio] vii.Training and Capacity Building: DPIIT has been entrusted with the responsibility to train officials to build their capacities. At present, a course on the PMGS is available on the iGoT platform and has already been completed by more than 2,000 officials. Also, all Central Training Institutions (CTIs) have integrated a course module on the PM Gati Shakti into their regular officers' training curriculum. Key Accomplishments of various Ministries/ States/UTs under PM Gati Shakti NMP: i.The MoRTH planned more than 8,891 kilometer (km) of roads to be developed using NMP. The Ministry of Railways (MoR) used NMP to plan over 27,000 km of railway lines. It has also accelerated the completion of Final Location Surveys (FLS) as it has completed 449 FLS in Financial Year 2021-22 (FY22) compared to 57 FLS in FY21. ii.The MoP&NG synchronized the process for Detail Route Survey (DRS) which has reduced the time required to create a report from 6 to 9 months to just one day using electronic DRS (eDRS). iii.A 13 GigaWatt (GW) renewable energy project from Leh (UT Ladakh) to Kaithal (Haryana) achieved optimal alignment of the "Green Energy Corridor" for inter-state transmission. iv.The Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) developed the SMP portal to identify locations for new schools in underserved areas through the Pahunch portal. Goa used the NMP platform to develop a disaster management plan for flood-prone areas along the Amona River. Gujarat planned its 300 km coastal corridor using NMP, which reduced the number of No Objection Certificate (NOC) permissions required for clearance from 28 to 13. v.The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) under the Ministry of Education (MoE) used the NMP portal to link Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) schools with local industries for district-specific skill training. vi.The Ministry of Rural Development (MoR) integrated schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Grameen (PMAYG) to improve asset planning and implementation. vii.The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) identified infrastructure gaps for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) utilizing the PM Jan Man portal. Key Initiatives under PM Gati Shakti NMP: National Logistics Policy: i.It was launched on 17th September 2022, with the objective of reducing logistics costs, improving India's Logistics Performance Index (LPI) ranking to be among 25 countries by 2030, and encouraging data-driven decision making. ii.The implementation of NLP is driven by the Comprehensive Logistics Action Plan (CLAP), which focuses on different areas like: digital logistics systems, asset standardization human resource development, among others. iii.The NLP in collaboration with Capacity Building Commission (CBC) has developed training modules which are integrated with central and administrative training institutes through webinars, workshops, and digital platforms. iv.At present, 26 states and UTs have aligned with the NLP by notifying their respective {State Logistics.

[Audio] ii.The primary objective of the portal is to provide universal and equitable access to broadband services across the country especially in the rural areas. iii.The portal was developed by Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh, MP)-based MP State Electronics Development Corporation (MPSEDC) on behalf of DoT. iv.It enables applicants such as Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)/ Infrastructure Providers (IPs)/ Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to apply for RoW approvals. As on 11th October 2024, 2.11 lakh applications for RoW have been approved. v.The portal is integrated with all 36 states/UTs and with various central ministries like: MoRTH, MoR, Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Other Key Points: i.On 1st October 2022, 5G services were launched in India. So far, over 13 crore subscribers have begun to use 5G services, thus making India the fastest roll-out of 5G services anywhere in the world. ii.The Government of India (GoI) has sanctioned the proposal to set up 41,160 mobile towers in the country with a budget outlay of Rs 41,331 crore, to provide 4G connectivity to about 55,000 villages. Also, GoI has expanded the scope of BharatNet program to connect all inhabited villages with a budget outlay of Rs 1.88 lakh crore. About Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI): Union Minister- Piyush Goyal (Constituency- Mumbai North, Maharashtra) Minister of State (MoS)- Jitin Prasada (Constituency- Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP) India's first Memorial for Unsung Heroes of Military Intelligence 'Satark Park' Unveiled in Pune The Indian Army (IA) inaugurated its first memorial, "Satark Park" in Pune(Maharashtra), dedicated to honouring Military Intelligence (MI) personnel who lost their lives in service. The memorial is inspired by MI's motto "Sada Satark" (always alert). The park was inaugurated by Lieutenant General(Lt Gen) Pradeep Kumar Chahal, Colonel Commandant of the Intelligence Corps and Commandant of the Military Intelligence Training School and Depot (MINTSD) i.The memorial has been constructed, maintained and operated by the (MINTSD) with support from Pune based Roadway Solutions India Infra Limited (RSIIL). ii.The park displays busts of 40 MI personnel, including 11 officers, who have lost their lives in various operations, mainly in Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) and along the North Eastern borders since 1962, along with short descriptions of their contributions. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Becomes 14th Maharatna CPSE On 12th October 2024, the Department of Public Enterprise (DPE) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) upgraded the status of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) from "Navratna" Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) to the "Maharatna". With this, HAL becomes the 14th "Maharatna" CPSE in India. This upgrade is based on the recommendations of the Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) chaired by the Finance Secretary, MoF and the Apex Committee led by the Cabinet Secretary. The new status.

[Audio] Strategic Significance of HAL: i.HAL plays a pivotal role in defence capabilities of India, focusing on self-reliance in military aviation for instance: the indigenous developments of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) namely Tejas and the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). ii.On 9th September 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract worth Rs 26,000 crore with HAL for procurement of 240 AL-31FP Aero Engines for Su-30MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF). This contract marks a major step in India's drive towards self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. iii.HAL recorded an annual turnover of Rs 28,162 crore and a net profit of Rs 7,595 crore for the financial year 2023-24. Maharatna Scheme: i.Initially, the Government of India (GoI) introduced the "Navratna" scheme in 1997 to identify and promote CPSEs in India and help them in becoming global leaders. ii.Later, GoI introduced "Maharatna" scheme in 2010, to recognise companies with their potential to become Indian Multinational Companies (MNCs). This higher status incentivizes Navratna companies, which help them in enhancing their brand value, and allows for the delegation of more powers to CPSEs, fostering growth and international competitiveness. iii.The scheme mainly focuses on empowering specific Navratna CPSEs to facilitate the expansion of their operations and emerge as global giants by increasing their market share both in domestic and international markets. Criteria for Maharatna status to CPSEs: i.It should be listed on Indian Stock Exchange with a minimum prescribed public shareholding under Securities and Exchange Board of India(SEBI) regulations. ii.The company should possess Navratna status. iii.The CPSEs should have an annual net worth of Rs15,000 crore for 3 years or average annual turnover of 25,000 crore consecutively for 3 years. iv.The CPSE should have an average annual net profit after tax of over Rs 5,000 crore consecutively for 3 years. v.CPSE should have significant global presence or international operations. Maharatna Companies In India: i.Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL), New Delhi(Delhi) ii.Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Mumbai(Maharashtra) iii.Coal India Limited (CIL), Kolkata(West Bengal, WB) iv.GAIL India Limited (GAIL), New Delhi v.Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited(HPCL), visakhapatnam, (Andhra Pradesh, AP) vi.Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), New Delhi vii.Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), New Delhi viii.Power Finance Corporation (PFC), New Delhi ix.Power Grid Corporation India Limited (POWERGRID), Gurugram(Haryana) x.Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), New Delhi xi.Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC), New Delhi Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 58.

[Audio] xii.Oil India Limited (OIL), Noida(Uttar Pradesh, UP) xiii.NTPC Limited (NTPC), New Delhi About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): HAL is a Department of Defence Production (DOPD) CPSE under the Ministry of Defence (MoD). It has specialization in manufacturing of engines, communication equipment, navigation equipment, display systems, hydraulic systems, among others. Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)- Dr. D.K. Sunil Headquarters- Bengaluru, Karnataka Established – 1940 CCS Gave Approval to Establish New Missile Testing Range in Nagayalanka, Andhra Pradesh The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi had given its approval to establish a new missile testing range in Nagayalanka village, Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh (AP). The new missile testing range will be used for test firing of various tactical missile systems such as: surface-to-air missile systems, anti tank missiles, among others being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Key Points: i.Apart from setting up new missile testing range, CCS had also approved the proposal of purchasing 31 Predator long-endurance armed drones from the United States of America (USA) and two nuclear submarines to be built by ATV Project India Limited for developing strategic submarines for the Indian Navy (IN).It had also approved the various proposals for building roads for the armed forces along with space-based capabilities. ii.Currently, DRDO is at an advanced stage of developing different types of weapon systems for the Indian armed forces like: the Very Short Range Air Defence Systems, Man-Portable Anti-tank Guided Missiles (MPATGM), anti-tank guided missiles, quick reaction surface-to-air missile systems, and many other systems in the tactical domain. India signs USD 4 bn deal to buy 31 Predator drones from the USA India signed an agreement worth USD 4 billion with the United States of America(USA) to acquire 31 MQ-9B Predator high-altitude, long-endurance drones from the USA based General Atomics, under the foreign military sales programme. The agreement includes 15 Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy(IN) and 16 Sky Guardians for the Indian Army(IA) and Indian Air Force (IAF). i.In addition to the purchase, the Ministry of Defence(MoD) and General Atomics Global India Limited signed a contract for performance-based logistics, ensuring depot-level maintenance, repair, and overhaul services within India. ii.The IA and the IAF plan to jointly deploy the Predator drones at air bases in Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh(UP). Missile testing ranges in India: i.At present, most of the tactical missiles are tested from Integrated Test Range (ITR) which has two complexes: Launch Complex –IV (LC-IV) on Abdul Kalam Island (previously known as Wheelers island) and Launch Complex-III (LC-III) located at Balasore, in Chandipur district, Odisha. ii.In April 2024, DRDO initiated the process of developing a new missile testing range at Junput village which is 177 kilometer (km) away.

[Audio] Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) under the Certification Scheme for UAS. The National Test House becomes the 1st Government Body to Certify Drones in India. This aligns with India's vision under Drone Rules 2021 to foster a competitive drone ecosystem and aims to ensure drones meet safety, quality, and performance standards. About Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO): It is the Research and Development (R&D) wing of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), (GoI). Chairman- Dr. Samir Vankatpati Kamat Headquarter– New Delhi, Delhi Established-1958 CCPA Issues Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has released 'Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024' aimed at preventing and regulating greenwashing and misleading environmental claims. This initiative addresses the growing concern over false marketing practices that mislead consumers regarding the environmental benefits of products, and encourage sustainable business practices. Background: i.A committee led by Nidhi Khare, Secretary Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD), and Chief Commissioner of CCPA, including members from academia, legal practitioners, consumer organizations, and industry representatives viz. Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), led to the development of the guidelines after thorough deliberations. ii.The draft guidelines were opened for public comments on February 20, 2024, receiving input from 27 stakeholders, which helped refine the final document. iii.These guidelines are in furtherance to the 'Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022'. Key Highlights of the Guidelines: i.Definition of Environmental Claims (Section 2(e)): Refers to representations about products or services that suggest environmentally friendly attributes, including components, manufacturing processes, and disposal methods. ii.Definition of Greenwashing (Section 2(f)): Describes deceptive practices where companies conceal, exaggerate, or make vague claims about the environmental benefits of their products, often using misleading symbols or imagery. iii.Application of the Guidelines (Section 3): These guidelines apply to all environmental claims made by manufacturers, service providers, advertisers, and endorsers. iv.Prohibition Against Greenwashing (Section 4): Strictly prohibits engaging in misleading environmental claims. v.Substantiation and Disclosure Clauses (Section 5): Companies must substantiate their claims with clear and credible evidence and provide adequate disclosures regarding the claims made. Claims must specify the aspect refer to (good, manufacturing process, packaging, etc.) and be supported by credible certification or reliable scientific evidence. Vague terms like 'natural', 'eco-friendly', 'clean', 'cruelty free', 'organic', 'good for the planet', 'minimal impact', 'pure', 'carbon neutral' or 'green', or other similar claims should only be used if backed by.

[Audio] Companies must not conceal harmful attributes of their products when making positive environmental claims. Environmental claims should ideally be validated by reputable third-party organizations to enhance credibility. What is Greenwashing? It is a marketing practice where companies exaggerate or falsely claim the environmental benefits of their products to make good impression, often using vague language without proper substantiation, thus, misleading consumers. Recent Related News: i.Udaan, a B2B (Business to Business) e-commerce company, has partnered with the MOCAF&PD, and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to transform Fair Price Shops (FPSs) into Jan Poshan Kendras (JPK). ii.Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, MoCAF&PD launched the Version 4.0 Price Monitoring System (PMS) Mobile Application (App) in New Delhi, Delhi. About Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD): Union Minister– Pralhad Joshi (Constituency- Dharwad, Karnataka) Ministers of State (MoS)- Banwari Lal (BL) Verma (Rajya Sabha- Uttar Pradesh(UP); Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya (Constituency- Bhavnagar, Gujarat) MoE Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announces 3 CoEs in AI in Healthcare, Agriculture and Sustainable Cities On 15th October 2024, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education (MoE), announced the establishment of 3 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centres of Excellence (CoEs) focused on Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities during an event held in New Delhi, Delhi. This aims to enhance India's capabilities in AI-driven research and innovation. Key Points: i.These CoEs were announced under Para 60 of the Budget Announcement for 2023-24. ii.The government of India (GoI) has allocated Rs 990 crore for these centres, which will be implemented over 5 years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28). An industry-heavy Apex Committee, co-chaired by Sridhar Vembu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zoho Corporation, will oversee the implementation of the initiative. About the CoEs: i.The CoEs will be led by top educational institutions in consortium with industry partners and startups. Healthcare: Indian Institute of Technology(IIT) Delhi and All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS), New Delhi. Agriculture: IIT Ropar, Punjab. Sustainable Cities: IIT Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Union Minister Pradhan presented a sapling and a Plaque to the representatives of AIIMS and IIT Delhi, IIT Ropar, and IIT Kanpur. ii.The CoEs will conduct interdisciplinary research to develop cutting-edge applications and scalable solutions tailored to each sector's unique challenges. iii.This initiative aligns with the government's broader vision of 'Make AI in India and Make AI work for India', as outlined in the 2023-24 (FY24) Budget. iv.These CoEs would serve as 'temples of global public good', positioning India as a leader in AI solutions that can address global challenges. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 61.

[Audio] DPIIT Relaxes Mandatory Quality Control Order for Cookware and Utensils for Micro Units On October 15, 2024, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), announced significant relaxations in the mandatory Quality Control Order (QCO) for cookware and utensils, specifically targeting micro units. This move aims to enhance the ease of doing business while promoting domestic manufacturing. Key points: i.The QCO was extended with the amendment in name of the QCO i.e. "Cookware, Utensils, and Cans for Foods and Beverages (Quality Control) Order, 2024" which was notified on 15th March 2024, and effective from 1st September 2024 for Large and Medium-Scale Manufacturers and foreign manufacturers, ii. The QCO will now be implemented with effect from 1st April 2025. For small enterprises, it will be effective from July 1, 2025, and from October 1, 2025, for micro enterprises. iii.This extension allows domestic manufacturers additional time to align with enhanced quality standards while contributing to India's goals of self-reliance and manufacturing excellence. Points to Note: i.The QCO was initially issued in August 2023 to reduce imports of sub-standard goods and encourage local production in the cookware, utensils, and food and beverage cans sectors. ii.Micro-enterprises registered under the Udyam portal, with investments in plant and machinery not exceeding Rs 25 lakh and a turnover below Rs 2 crore, are now exempt from the QCO requirements. iii.A six-month relaxation period has been introduced to allow manufacturers to clear legacy stock that does not meet the new standards. iv.The DPIIT has also introduced exemptions for importing up to 200 units of cookware, utensils, and cans intended for research and development (R&D) purposes. IndiaAI mission selects 8 projects to enhance Safe and Trusted AI development The IndiaAI mission has selected 8 responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects through the Expression of Interest (EoI) floated under the Safe and Trusted AI Pillar of the IndiaAI mission. These selected responsible AI projects include the development of indigenous tools and frameworks, and framing guidelines for ethical, transparent, and trustworthy AI technologies. The IndiaAI mission is in alignment with the Government of India (GoI)'s vision of leveraging AI for inclusive growth. Key Points: i.The IndiaAI mission has issued an EoI to encourage responsible AI projects across various critical themes such as: Machine Unlearning, Synthetic Data Generation, AI Bias Mitigation, Ethical AI frameworks, Privacy-Enhancing Tools, Explainable AI, AI Governance Testing, and Algorithm Auditing Tools. ii.Over 2000 proposals were received from prestigious academic institutions, start-ups, research organisations and civil society. Then, a multi-stakeholder committee was constituted to provide technical expertise for the evaluation of the proposals, which resulted in the selection of 8 projects across various themes. Detail of 8 Selected AI Projects: S.no. Theme Selected Project Applicant Title of the Selected Project Machine Unlearning in {Generative 1.

[Audio] Jodhpur, Rajasthan Design and Development of Method for Generating Synthetic Data for Mitigating Bias in 2 Synthetic Data Generation IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand Datasets; and framework for Mitigating Bias in Machine Learning (ML) 3 AI Bias Mitigation National Institute of Technology (NIT), Development of Responsible AI for Bias Mitigation in Health Care Strategy Raipur, Chhattisgarh Systems Defence Institute of Advanced Enabling Explainable and Privacy 4 Explainable AI Technology (DIAT), Pune, Maharashtra in Framework Preserving AI for Security partnership with Mindgraph Technology Private Limited IIT, Delhi in partnership IIT Dharwad Karnataka, Indraprashtha Institute of Information 5 Privacy Enhancing Strategy Technology(IIIT), Delhi Robust Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning Models and Telecommunication Engineering Center (TEC), Delhi AI Ethical IIIT, Delhi in Nishpaksh: Tools for assessing 6 partnership with TEC fairness of AI model Certification Framework ParakhAI, an open source framework and toolkit for 7 AI Algorithm Auditing Tool Civic Data Labs participatory algorithmic auditing Amrita Track-LLM, Transparency, Risk Vishwa Vidyapeetham Assessment, Context & 8 AI Governance Testing Framework in partnership with Knowledge for Large Language TEC Models (LLMs) Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 63.

[Audio] About IndiaAI mission: i.In March 2024, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved IndiaAI mission with budget outlay of Rs 10,371.92 crore (USD 1.25 billion) for over the next 5 years. It aims to democratize the benefits of AI across all strata of society, strengthen India's global leadership in AI, promote technological self-reliance, and ensure ethical and responsible use of AI. ii.It is being implemented by IndiaAI, an Independent Business Division (IBD) under the Digital India Corporation (DIC) of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). iii.It is based on 7 key pillars: IndiaAI Compute Capacity, IndiaAI innovation centre, IndiaAI Datasets platform, IndiaAI application development initiative, IndiAI future skills, IndiaAI startup financing, Safe and Trusted AI. About Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY): Union Minister- Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha- Odisha) Minister of State (MoS) – Jitin Prasada(Constituency- Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh) UNFPA Honors India's Leadership in Maternal Health and Family Planning The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has recognized India's extraordinary progress in advancing Maternal Health and Family Planning. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, honored Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India(GoI), with a plaque and certificate, reaffirming UNFPA's strong dedication to partnering with India to improve women's health and well-being. i.MoHFW aims to improve maternal health and work towards zero preventable maternal deaths under the Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan Yojana (SUMAN), Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), and the Midwifery Services Initiative. ii.Kanem commended India's remarkable achievement in reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) by 70% between 2000 and 2020, placing the country on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of an MMR below 70 by 2030. iii.As UNFPA celebrates 50 years of partnership with the Government of India (GoI), this event highlights their joint commitment to improving the health and well-being of every woman and young person in India, as the country moves toward the goal of 'Viksit Bharat'. CBDT amends Income Tax Rules to ease TDS, TCS Credit Claims for Salaried Employees The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has updated Income-Tax (IT) rules to simplify the process for salaried employees to claim credit for Tax Collected at Source (TCS) and Tax Deducted at Source (TDS). This amendment follows the guidelines set in the Union Budget 2024- 25. These amendments will tackle the cash flow issues faced by employees and to lessen the compliance requirements linked to refund claims. Amendment Overview: i.Sub-section (2B) of Section 192 of IT Act, 1961 has been revised to facilitate easier TDS deductions for salaried employees, incorporating all relevant TDS/TCS provisions of Chapter XVII-B or Chapter XVII-BB of the Act. ii.A new form namely 'Form No..

[Audio] Employees will use this form to report TDS and TCS other than their salaries, including fixed deposits, insurance commissions, dividends from equity shares, and TCS from purchases like cars or foreign currency to their employers. This form was introduced through the Income-tax (Eighth Amendment) Rules, 2024 and effective from October 1, 2024. iii.An amendment is made in sub-section (4) of Section 206C of the Act allowing parents to claim TCS credits when their minor child's income is included in the parent's taxable income. iv.CBDT Notification No. 114/2024 amends Rule 37-I of IT Rules is also amended to enable TCS credits to be claimed by individuals other than the collectee, aligning with the new provisions. Key Terms: i.Tax Collected at Source (TCS) is a tax payable by a seller which he collects from the buyer at the time of sale of goods. ii.Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is a procedure implemented by the Indian government to collect taxes at the source of income. About Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT): Chairman– Ravi Agrawal Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi Establishment– 1963 MNRE Approves 3 Pilot Projects for Green Hydrogen in Steel Sector The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has approved three pilot projects under the National Green Hydrogen Mission(NGHM) aimed at utilizing green hydrogen in steel production. The Government of India(GoI) has allocated Rs 347 crore to support these projects, which are expected to become operational within the next three years. These initiatives represent a crucial step towards cleaner steel making technologies, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions in the sector. Note: The NGHM was launched on January 4, 2023, with a budget of Rs 19,744 crore. Selected Pilot Projects: i.Ahmedabad(Gujarat) based Matrix Gas and Renewables Limited leads a consortium with Gensol Engineering Ltd (Ahmedabad), the Indian Institute of Technology(IIT) Bhubaneswar (Odisha) and Metsol AB (Sweden) working on a pilot project with a plant capacity of 50 tons per day (TPD). ii.Bhilai(Chhattisgarh) based Simplex Castings Limited, leads a consortium with BSBK Private Limited, (Bhilai), Ten Eight Investment, and the IIT Bhilai, Bhilai This consortium is working on a pilot project with a plant capacity of 40 tons per day (TPD). iii.New Delhi(Delhi) based Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is running the largest project under the NGHM, with a 3200 TPD plant in Ranchi(Jharkhand), aimed at advancing green hydrogen in steel production. Key Objectives: The MNRE had previously set forth guidelines to guide the development of these pilot projects, focusing on several key objectives: i.To explore and identify new methods for incorporating green hydrogen in steel production. ii.To ensure the projects operate safely while assessing the technical feasibility of using hydrogen for steelmaking. iii.To test whether using hydrogen in steel production is cost-effective, aiming to achieve low-carbon steel production on a larger scale. {Report.

[Audio] Key Components : i.Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) Production with 100% Hydrogen: Developing a process to produce DRI entirely using hydrogen in a vertical shaft furnace. ii.Hydrogen in Blast Furnaces: Reducing coal and coke consumption by injecting hydrogen into blast furnaces. iii.Hydrogen Injection in DRI Units: Incorporating hydrogen injection into vertical shaft-based DRI production units. About Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE): Union Minister- Pralhad Joshi (Constituency – Dharwad, Karnataka) Minister of State (MoS)- Shripad Yesso Naik (Constituency – North Goa) Kotak Brands BKC station as Kotak Bandra-Kurla Complex Metro Station Kotak Mahindra Group has branded the BKC station of Metro 3 Aqua Line in Mumbai(Maharashtra) as 'Kotak Bandra-Kurla Complex metro station'. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister(PM) of India dedicated the first phase of the Aqua line, Mumbai's first underground Metro, to the nation at the newly branded station. i.Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited(KMBL) has partnered with Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) to brand the station, reinforcing its strong ties to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). ii.The station offers state-of-the-art facilities and modern amenities, including automated ticketing systems, a digital bank branch, an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), and accessibility options for all passengers. iii.Kotak has secured branding rights for the BKC and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, CSMT (VT) metro stations to enhance visibility. These two stations are significant for Kotak Group, as BKC represents where the firm was founded ("Janmabhoomi"), and the CSMT is its current nerve centre. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman approves Creation of CGM Posts in 5 Nationalized Banks Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance(MoF) has approved the restructuring within nationalized banks by creating and increasing the number of Chief General Manager (CGM) posts. This decision is aimed at enhancing the administrative framework and operational efficiency of these banks. The restructuring is based on a review of the banks' business mixes as of March 31, 2023. The new structure aims for a ratio of one CGM for every four GMs, ensuring a balanced distribution of responsibilities. Creation of New CGM Posts: i.The Finance Minister has sanctioned the establishment of 64 new CGM posts, increasing the total from 80 to 144 across all 11 nationalized banks. ii.As a result, the total number of GM positions has been adjusted from 440 to 576, the DGM (Deputy General Manager) positions from 1,320 to 1,728, and the AGM (Assistant GM) positions from 3,960 to 5,184. iii.The CGM role functions as an essential link between the GM and Executive Director (ED) positions. iv.The introduction of more CGMs is expected to improve monitoring in critical areas such as: Digitalization, Cybersecurity, Financial technology (fintech), Risk management, Compliance, Rural banking, Financial inclusion, among others. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 66.

[Audio] Targeted Banks: Prior to this, CGM posts were available in six out of eleven nationalized banks. The new CGM positions will be introduced in five nationalized banks, namely: 1. Bank of Maharashtra (BoM), Pune, Maharashtra 2. Central Bank of India (CBI), Mumbai, Maharashtra 3. Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), Chennai, Tamil Nadu 4. Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB), New Delhi, Delhi 5. UCO Bank, Kolkata, West Bengal About Ministry of Finance(MoF): Union Minister– Nirmala Sitharaman (Rajya Sabha- Karnataka) Minister of State(MoS)– Pankaj Chaudhary (Constituency- Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh/UP) STATE NEWS Maharashtra Approves to Rename Pune Airport as Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport The Government of Maharashtra has approved renaming the Pune International Airport located in Lohegaon as the 'Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport' during the cabinet meeting chaired by Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister(CM) of Maharashtra. Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj was a revered 17th-century Hindu saint and poet from Maharashtra who played a major role in the Bhakti movement through his devotional poetry, known as Abhanga The proposal for the renaming has been put forward to the Union Cabinet for final approval. Uttarakhand CM renames key schemes to make them simpler, boost rural entrepreneurship Uttarakhand Chief Minister(CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced the renaming of two schemes to make them simpler and more accessible for villagers. The changes are part of the government's efforts to promote rural development and economic growth. Renamed schemes: i.The Rural Enterprise Acceleration Project (REAP)has been renamed 'Gramothan Yojana'. This scheme aims to improve the livelihoods of rural poor families by connecting them with entrepreneurship opportunities. Under this scheme, 50% of the total cost of setting up the enterprise is financed through a bank loan and remaining 20% beneficiary contribution and 30% financial assistance is given by the REAP project. ii.TheRural Business Incubator(RBI) Scheme has been renamed 'Chief Minister(CM) Udyamshala Yojana'. This scheme offers financial assistance and training to rural entrepreneurs. The aim of this scheme is to create more opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for the youth and women in rural areas. Both individual beneficiaries and community-based organisations will benefit from these initiatives, which are expected to strengthen the rural economy and provide support for sustainable livelihoods. About Uttarakhand: Chief Minister(CM)– Pushkar Singh Dhami Governor– Gurmit Singh Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 67.