part 7

[Virtual Presenter] Key Highlights of Swachh Bharat Diwas: Launch of Projects Related to Sanitation and Cleanliness Worth over Rs 9600 Crore i.During the event, PM Modi launched and laid the foundation stone for several projects related to sanitation and cleanliness, worth more than Rs 9600 crore. ii.It will include projects worth over Rs 6800 crore, aimed to enhance urban water and sewage systems under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (A-M-R-U-T) and A-M-R-U-T 2.0. iii.There will be 10 projects worth more than Rs 1550 crore, which will be focused on improving water quality and waste management in Ganga basin areas under the National Mission for Clean Ganga. iv.Also, 15 Compressed Biogas (C-B-G--) plant worth over Rs 1332 crore will be launched under Galvanizing Organic Bio Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) scheme. Conclusion of Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 Campaign: i.The SHS 2024 campaign which was observed across India from 17th September, 2024 to 2nd October, 2024, successfully culminated in the Swachh Bharat Diwas program. Theme of SHS 2024: ‘Swabhav Swachhata Sanskar Swachhata’. The year 2024 marks the 7th anniversary of S-H-S since its launch in 2017. ii.The campaign was officially launched by the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (D-D-W-S-), MoJS and MoHUA during an event held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan. iii.The campaign was focused on 3 key pillars: reviving neglected areas with health and hygiene risks, encouraging public participation in cleanliness activities, and improving the welfare of sanitation workers. Key Accomplishments of SHS 2024: The SHS 2024 achieved significant milestones during its nationwide cleanliness drive, engaging millions of citizens in collective actions. Some of the key accomplishments of campaign as of 1st October, 2024: i.A total of 29.21 lakh events were planned, of which 26.44 lakh events were successfully completed. ii.The campaign witnessed the impressive public participation of 26.25 crore individuals. iii.Total 2.11 lakh areas alongside the roadside,which included areas of national highways, state highways, and local roads, were cleaned and revitalized. iv.Market spaces witnessed the transformation of 56526 locations. v.Total 48418 areas of surrounding public and private offices were improved as part of the campaign. vi.More than 61 lakh trees were planted during the campaign period. vii.A total of 3.04 lakh Swachhata pledges were taken by the citizens during the campaign period. viii.A total of 15710 Swachh Food Streets were established to promote hygiene in public eating spaces. ix.A total of 76837 Swachh Bharat Cultural Fests were organised across the country, to celebrate and raise awareness about cleanliness. x.Over 45 lakh trees have been planted under Ek Ped Maa ke Naam campaign. Also, about 1 lakh Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivirs have been organised and has benefitted over 30 lakh Safai Mitras. Transformation of nearly 6.5 lakh C-T-U's has been achieved. Note: SHSwas launched by Prime Minister (P-M---) Narendra Modi in 2017, as an important campaign under SBM. Key Milestones Achieved by S-H-S since its launch in 2017: i.So far, almost 25 lakh events have been completed under the S-H-S campaign and had witnessed the public participation of over 20 crore people across all walks of the society, with over 19 lakh events across rural areas and almost 5 lakh events in urban areas. ii.Since its launch, transformation of over 7.35 lakh C-T-U's have been done with the participation of participants with over 4.83 lakh events in rural areas and 2.53 lakh events in urban areas. iii.About 1.57 lakh Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivirs have been conducted in which more than 36.34 lakh Safai Mitras have been benefitted across India with participation of over 38 lakh people. Report Errors in the P-D-F ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 81.

[Audio] iv.Over 55 lakh trees have been planted across the country under "Ek Ped Maa ke Naam" initiative. v.Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu (TN) and Rajasthan, emerged as the top 5 best performing states in the transformation of CTUs. vi.Andhra Pradesh (AP), Bihar, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Tamil Nadu (TN) and Telangana, emerged as the top 5 best performing states in conducting of Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivirs. vii.Andhra Pradesh (AP), Bihar, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Maharashtra and Telangana, emerged as the top 5 best performing states in "Swachhata Mein Jan Bhagidari" initiative. Other Key Activities on Swachh Bharat Diwas: i.Special Gram Sabhas for Swachhata have been organised. ii.The program celebrated the transformation of CTUs sites. iii.During the event, Safai Mitras and other state champions were felicitated. iv.Also, Awards were bestowed to best performers of SHS 2024. v.The program witnessed the inauguration/foundation of community toilets, Solid Waste Management (SWM) projects, among other initiatives. About Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA): Union Minister- Manohar Lal Khattar (Constituency- Karnal, Haryana) Minister of State (MoS)- Tokhan Sahu (Constituency- Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh) About Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS): Union Minister-Chandrakant Raghunath Patil(Constituency- Navsari, Gujara) Minister of State (MoS)-Veeranna Somanna (Constituency- Tumkur, Karnataka); Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary (Constituency- Muzaffarpur, Bihar) Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan Launched Various Schemes and Laid the Foundation Stone of 500 Km Long Newly Paved Roads in MP On 8th October 2024, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), participated in the Rural Self Employment Programme organized by the MoRD at Bhairunda, Madhya Pradesh(MP). He has launched various schemes under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), aimed at enhancing rural infrastructure, employment, and housing across India. He also laid the foundation stone of 500 kilometer (km) long newly paved roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and also launched the Gram Sadak Survey and Planning tool. Note: PMGSY was launched on 25th December, 2000 by the former Prime Minister (PM) of India, Atal Bihar Vajpayee. It aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected villages of India. It is being implemented by the MoRD and state governments. Key People: Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister (CM) of MP; Minister of State (MoS)Kamlesh Paswan, MoRD; Prahlad Patel, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, MP; Shailesh Kumar, Secretary, MoRD and other senior officials from MoRD and state government were present at the event. Key Initiatives launched : i.He launched the Awas Sakhi mobile application (app) for the beneficiaries of PMAY and has also launched Community Managed Training Centres (CMTCs)about 100 of which are being rolled out across 18 states in the country. ii.The GoI has initiated a survey of kutcha houses across India to identify new beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G). The survey.

[Audio] iii.Also, the GoI has relaxed the eligibility criteria for PMAY-G like: people who owns bikes or scooters can now make it to the beneficiary list; people who earns up to Rs 15,000 per month will now be eligible for the scheme (previously, the monthly income limit was Rs 10,000). iv.Also, farmers with irrigated land up to 2.5 acres and non-irrigated land up to 5 acres are eligible to avail the benefits of PMAY. About PMAY: i.Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is a flagship scheme of GoI, launched by PM Narendra Modi on 25th June, 2015. The scheme has two main components: PMAY-Urban(PMAY-U) and PMAY-Gramin(PMAY-G). ii.Its primary objective is to provide affordable housing which means providing pucca houses to all eligible households with basic amenities by the year 2022 on the eve 75th Independence Day of India. iii.Initially, the key target of the scheme was to construct 2 crores houses by 2022. Later, GoI announced to extend the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Urban(PMAY-U) till 31st December, 2024. It is implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). iii.PMAY-G is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), which was introduced in 2016. It is being implemented by MoRD. It aims to construct 2.95 crore pucca houses with basic amenities to eligible rural households by March, 2024. In August 2024, the union cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi had approved Rs 3.06 lakh crore to construct 3 crore houses across the country over the next 5 years, of which 2 crore houses will be constructed under the PMAY-G. Other Key Points: i.While addressing the event, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan announced that along with Ladli Behna, the campaign to make Lakhpati Didi will also run across the country. So far, Rs 100 crore have been allocated for the Lakhpati Didi initiative. Note: Lakhpati Didi refers to every Didi should have an income of over Rs 10,000 per month. About Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD): Union Minister- Shivraj Singh Chauhan (Constituency- Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, MP) Minister of State (MoS)- Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani (Constituency- Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, AP) and Kamlesh Paswan (Constituency- Bansgaon, Uttar Pradesh, UP) MNRE notifies Scheme Guidelines for Rs 500cr 'Innovative Projects' component under PMSurya Ghar : Muft Bijli Yojana The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) notified Scheme Guidelines to implement the Rs 500 crore 'Innovative Projects' component under the Prime Minister (PM)–Surya Ghar : Muft Bijli Yojana. This initiative aims to boost solar energy adoption, particularly ensuring affordable access to low-income or marginalized households in India. The Scheme Implementation Agency (SIA) for this component is Gurugram(Haryana) based National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous institute under the MNRE. Key Points: i.The scheme will support innovative solar energy projects that demonstrate new.

[Audio] v.This will enhance efficiency in solar energy generation and distribution, leading to lower electricity costs for consumers. About PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana: Launched on February 29, 2024, the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana aims to boost solar rooftop capacity and allow households to generate their own electricity. The scheme has a budget of Rs 75,021 crore and will run until Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27). It offers up to 60% subsidy for systems up to 2 kW (Kilo Watt) and 40% for systems between 2 to 3 kW. This means Rs 30,000 subsidy for 1kW system, Rs 60,000 for 2kW systems and Rs 78,000 for 3kW systems or higher. The households can sell surplus electricity back to the grid, creating additional income streams. It is implemented by a National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) at the National level and by the State Implementation Agencies (SIAs) at the state level. GoI Extended "Samarth" Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector till March 2026 The Government of India (GoI) has decided to extend Samarth (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector (SCBTS), a demand-driven and placement oriented umbrella skilling program of the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) for next two years i.e. Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) and FY26, with a budget of Rs 495 crore to train 3 lakh persons in textile-related skills. The scheme aims to promote and support the industry in generating jobs in the organised textile and related sectors, covering the entire value chain of textiles excluding spinning and weaving. Apart from entry-level skilling, the scheme also provides upskilling/reskilling programs to enhance the productivity of existing workers in Apparel & Garmenting segments. It also caters to the upskilling/reskilling requirements of traditional textile sectors such as handloom, handicraft, silk and jute. About Samarth Scheme: i.It is a flagship skill development scheme of GoI, which was approved in continuation to the Integrated Skill Development Scheme for 12th Five Year Plan (FYP), Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA). iii.The scheme was launched with an initial target to train 10 lakh persons (of which 9 lakh in organised and 1 lakh in traditional sector) over a period of 3 years i.e. from 2017 to 2020, with an estimated budget of 1300 crore. iv.The scheme is implemented through various Implementing Partners (IPs) such as: Textile Industry/ Industry Associations, Central/State government agencies, and Sectoral Organisations of MoT like: Development Commissioner (DC)/Handloom, DC/Handicrafts, Central Wool Development Board (CWDB), and Central Silk Board (CSB). v.So far, Under Samarth scheme, MoT through its IPs has trained 3.27 lakh persons, of which 2.65 lakh (nearly 80%) have been employed, and 2.89 lakh (88.3%) women have been trained. Note:.

[Audio] the nation. Union Minister, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, MoCA attended a special event celebrating 8 successful years of RCS-UDAN. 21st October 2024 marks the 8th anniversary of RCS UDAN, which was launched on 21st October 2016. RCS UDAN was a vital component of India's National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016 launched by MoCA in 2016 with a 10-year vision. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India, inaugurated the first RCS-UDAN flight, connecting Shimla to Delhi on 27th April 2017. Key Features: i.A Market-Driven Approach: The scheme operates on the market-driven approach, where airlines assess demand on specific routes and submit proposals during the bidding rounds. The scheme incentivizes airlines which provide connectivity to underserved regions by offering them support via Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and various other concessions provided by airport operators, the central government and state governments. ii.Support Mechanism: The Government of India (GoI) has implemented various supportive measures to attract airlines to operate flights in less attractive markets. Airport Operators: They provided exemption to RCS flights from landing and parking charges, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) does not levy Terminal Navigation Landing Charges (TNLC) on these flights. Also, a discounted Route Navigation and Facilitation Charge (RNFC) is applied. Central Government: For the initial 3 years of the scheme, excise duty on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) purchased at RCS airports is capped at 2%. The GoI has also encouraged the airlines to enter code-sharing agreements to expand their reach. State Government: Various state governments have committed to reducing VAT on ATF to 1% or less for period of 10 years and providing essential services such as security, fire services, and utility services at reduced rates. Key Benefits of the Scheme: i.Increasing demand for new aircraft: The RCS-UDAN scheme has played a crucial role in revitalising the civil aviation industry in India. Various regional carriers such as Flybig, Star Air, IndiaOne Air, and Fly91 have benefitted from the scheme. The incremental expansion of the scheme has generated an accelerating demand for new aircraft, concurrently widening the spectrum of airports deployed. At present, various ranges of aircraft (including helicopters, seaplanes, and 3-seat propeller planes, among others) such as Airbus 320/321, Boeing 737, ATR 42 and 72, DHC Q400, Twin Otter, Airbus H130, among others is actively serving on the RCS routes. ii.Promoting Tourism: The scope of RCS-UDAN is not just limited to offering last-mile connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities, but it has also contributed significantly to promoting the tourism sector in India. The scheme has covered various religious destinations such as Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh (MP)), Deogarh (Odisha), Amritsar (Punjab), and Kishangarh (Ajmer, Rajasthan). The tourism sector in the NE region is witnessing a significant upsurge due to the introduction of Pasighat, Ziro, Hollongi, and Tezu airports, fostering greater accessibility. iii.Boosting Air Connectivity: So far, the RCS-UDAN scheme has connected regional air connectivity across 34 states/UTs. Also, 10.

[Audio] ii.UDAN 2.0: The MoCA has announced 73 underserved and unserved airports and for the 1st time, helipads were also connected. iii.UDAN 3.0: The MoCA in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), has announced to inclusion of tourism routes in the scheme. Other than Seaplanes for connecting water aerodromes, various routes in the North-East (NE) region came under the ambit of the scheme. iv.UDAN 4.0: To boost the connectivity in NE regions, hilly states and islands, the operation of seaplanes and helicopters is incorporated in the scheme. v.UDAN 5(5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, and 5.4): UDAN 5.0: The MoCA has removed the cap of 600 kilometres (km) and there is no restriction on the distance between the origin and destination of the flight. UDAN 5.1: This version is dedicated to expanding helicopter services in hilly regions to boost tourism, hospitality, and local economic growth. UDAN 5.2: It was launched to enhance connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country and to provide impetus to the tourism sector through small aircraft (less than 20 seats). Under the scheme, small aircraft operators are allowed to operate a maximum of 40% of annually quoted RCS seats and a minimum of 10% of annually quoted RCS seats in any given quarter. UDAN 5.3 and UDAN 5.4: The MoCA has invited bids under UDAN 5.3 and UDAN 5.4 from all categories of airline operators. UDAN 5.3 was launched in January 2024, while UDAN 5.4 is expected to launch soon. Some of the Key UDAN Airports: i.Darbhanga Airport (Civil Enclave): It is located in Bihar, and commenced its 1st flight from Delhi on 9th November 2020. At present, this airport serves as a gateway for 14 districts in North Bihar, connecting major cities like Delhi, Mumbai (Maharashtra), Hyderabad (Telangana), and Kolkata (West Bengal (WB), and handles more than 5 lakh passengers in Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24). ii.Jharsuguda Airport (AAI Airport): It became operational in March 2019, serving as the 2nd Airport in Odisha. It connects the region to Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru (Karnataka), and Bhubaneswar (Odisha). iii.Pithoragarh Airport: It is located in Uttarakhand and became operational in January 2019. At present, it connects to Dehradun and Pantnagar. iv.Tezu Airport: It is located in Arunachal Pradesh (AR) and commenced operations in August 2021. It connects Guwahati, Jorhat, and Dibrugarh, handling nearly 12,000 passengers in FY24. Key Accomplishments: i.The Civil Aviation sector in India has undergone a significant transformation under the RCS-UDAN scheme. So far, 601 routes, including helicopter routes, have been operationalised, around 28% of these routes have served the remotest locations. ii.As on 31st August 2024, 583 RCS routes have commenced operations connecting 86 aerodromes including 71 airports, 13 heliports and 2 water aerodromes. iii.Over 1.43 crore passengers have availed of the benefits of the RCS-UDAN scheme. iv.So far, more than 2.8 lakh flights have operated under the UDAN scheme. v.The Government of India (GoI) has allocated Rs 4500 crores for the development of airports in the country under the scheme, of which Rs 3,751 crores have.

[Audio] Key Facts: i.India is the world's 3rd largest aviation market and the aviation sector in India has shown significant growth, with a 15%Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) increase in total passengers handled at Indian airports reaching 37.6 crore in FY24. The domestic air passenger traffic handled increased by 13% Y-o-Y to 30.6 crore, and international passenger traffic handled increased by 22% Y-o-Y to 7 crore in FY24. ii.Air Cargo handled at Indian airports increased by 7% Y-o-Y to 33.7 lakh tones in FY24. iii.Since 2014, 12 Greenfield airports have been constructed/operationalised and 48 airports/ airstrips have been constructed by AAI. Recently, GoI has approved 21 greenfield airports across the country and operationalised new terminal buildings to increase the passenger handling capacity. Recent Development: i.On 20th October 2024, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated 3 new airports namely, Rewa in Madhya Pradesh (MP), Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh, and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh (UP), which are developed under the RCS-UDAN scheme, from Varanasi, UP. ii.On 21st October 2024, Union Minister K. Rammohan Naidu announced that the GoI has decided to extend the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN for another 10 years i.e. until 2036. About Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA): Union Minister- Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu (Constituency- Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh (AP)) Minister of State (MoS)- Murlidhar Mohol (Constituency- Pune, Maharashtra) STATE GOVT SCHEMES Tripura Govt launches CM-SATH Scheme to Help Meritorious Students in Higher Education Prof. Dr. Manik Saha, Chief Minister (CM) of Tripura launched CM-SATH Scheme to provide financial support to meritorious students for higher education. Under this scheme, a financial assistance of Rs 60,000 (Rs. 5,000 per month) will be provided to a total of 200 students, including 100 at the Madhyamik level for two years and 100 at the Higher Secondary level for three years. i.The initiative aims to support talented students and ensure that financial issues do not hinder their education. ii.152 from the block level, 12 from the Nagar Panchayat level, 26 from the Municipal Council level, and 10 from the Agartala Municipal Corporation level, will be selected to ensure that students from different areas and levels are included. iii.This support is based on merit to encourage higher education. The beneficiaries will be selected by the District Education Officer of each district. Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma launches GREEN Meghalaya Plus Scheme Meghalaya Chief Minister(CM) Conrad Kongkal Sangma launched the GREEN (Grassroot level Response Towards Ecosystem Enhancement and Nurturing) Meghalaya Plus (GMP) Scheme in Tura, West Garo Hills District to provides financial incentives of up to Rs 20,000 per hectare annually to communities and individuals involved in forest conservation. It reflects the government's strong commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation. About GMP Scheme: i.The GREEN Meghalaya Plus initiative is a key component of the state government's Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) program, which was introduced in 2022 to.

[Audio] This scheme aimed at combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and improving the livelihoods of local communities through eco-friendly development projects. ii.The objective of the scheme is to increase Meghalaya's green cover by an additional 50,000 hectares (500 square kilometers) through active community participation. The state government has earmarked Rs 200 crore for future forest conservation activities. iii.The guidelines have been updated, reducing the minimum land requirement from 2 hectares to 1 hectare. This change allows smaller landowners and communities to join, making the program more inclusive. About Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Program : i.The Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) scheme in Meghalaya was launched on June 13, 2022, by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. This initiative aims to provide financial incentives for the conservation of forests and natural resources, focusing on empowering local communities and individuals to engage in sustainable practices. ii.Under the PES scheme, communities, clans, and individuals can receive up to Rs 8,000 per hectare per year for a period of five years for conserving natural forests. Additionally, extra rewards are available Rs 5,000 per hectare for areas already designated as community reserves and Rs 2,000 per hectare for very dense forests or sacred groves located in eco-sensitive zones. About Meghalaya Chief Minister (CM)- Congrad Kongkal Sangma Governor– Chadrashekhar H. Vijayashankar Capital– Shillong National Parks- Balpakram National Park, Nokrek National Park Chhattisgarh Govt Renames 2 Urban Schemes After Deendayal Upadhyay The Chhattisgarh government has named the 2 urban administration schemes after Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, the ideologue of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the forerunner of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The schemes were previously named after former Prime Minister (PM) Rajiv Gandhi. The Rajiv Gandhi Swavalamban Yojana will now be known as the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swavalamban Yojana and the Rajiv Gandhi Aajeevika Kendra Yojana has been renamed as the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Aajeevika Kendra Yojana. i.The Urban Administration Department of Chhattisgarh passed the order in this regard on 18th September 2024. ii.These schemes are managed by the Chhattisgarh Urban Infrastructure Development Fund. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS India elected to the steering committee of the GlobE Network On 26th September 2024, India was elected to the 15-member GlobE Steering Committee of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) during the 5th plenary meeting and the 8th Steering Committee meeting of the GlobE Network in Beijing, China. India's election to the steering committee will allow it to actively contribute to global efforts in combating corruption and facilitating asset recovery. Note: Two high-level principles for combating corruption were adopted during India's G-20 Presidency in 2023, which detailed leveraging of the GloBE Network. Report Errors in the PDF - ebooks@affairscloud.com.

[Audio] About GlobE Network: i.The GloBE Network was officially launched on June 3, 2021, during a special event at the UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption (UNGASS). It includes 121 member countries and 219 member authorities. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) serves as the Central Authority for GlobE Network in India, while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances(MoPP&P) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), Ministry of Finance(MoF) representing India as member authorities. ii.The GlobE Network is an initiative launched under the G20 framework to address international corruption and financial crime. India has been a supporter of this initiative since 2020. It is supported by the United Nations Office against Drugs and Crime (UNODC). iii.It has one chair, one vice-chair and 13 members in the Steering Committee for providing leadership to the organisation. iv.It has emerged as a unique platform where agencies from across the world share best practices, criminal intelligence, develop strategies, and support in the common cause of combating corruption. India's CDSCO Becomes Affiliate Member of International Medical Device Regulators Forum India has joined the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF) as an affiliate member, as the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) has received Affiliate Membership from IMDRF. India's application for Affiliate membership was reviewd during the 26th Session of IMDRF held in September 2024 at Seattle, Washington, the United States of America (USA). Significance: i.This membership will enhance India's global collaboration in medical device regulation. ii.This will strengthen the competitiveness of India's domestic industry while promoting "Brand India" on the international stage. Benefits of the Membership: i.This membership opens avenues for collaboration with regulatory authorities worldwide. ii.This will treamline regulatory requirements, reducing complexity for manufacturers and enhancing public health safety. iii.As an affiliate member, India can participate in IMDRF's open sessions for information exchange and sharing insights on medical device regulatory strategies and trends. iv.India can utilize IMDRF documents to inform its medical device regulatory framework. v.This membership wil helps Indian manufacturers to meet the regulatory standards of IMDRF member countries, thus boosting its global market presence. About International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF): i.IMDRF, established in 2011, to accelerate international medical device regulatory harmonization and convergence. ii.Its members include regulatory authorities from the USA, Australia, Canada, European Union (EU), Japan, United Kingdom (UK), Brazil, Russia, China, South Korea, Singapore, and the World Health Organization (WHO). iii.The IMDRF Chair and Secretariat rotate on a yearly basis across Management Committee member jurisdictions. IMDRF Chair and Secretariat for 2024 is the USA. Report Errors in the PDF - ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com.

[Audio] Bilateral Investment Treaty Between India & UAE Comes into Effect The Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came into effect on August 31, 2024. BIT was signed in Abu Dhabi, UAE on 13th February 2024. The treaty replaces the earlier Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) between India and UAE which expired on 12th September 2024, ensuring ongoing investment protection for both nations' investors. BIPPA was signed in December 2013. Key features of the India-UAE BIT 2024: i.Closed Asset-Based Definition of Investment: Includes portfolio investments. ii.Fair Treatment of Investments: Obligations include no denial of justice, no fundamental breaches of due process, no targeted discrimination, and no arbitrary treatment. iii.Scope Carve-Outs: Excludes measures related to taxation, local governance, government procurement, and compulsory licensing. iv.Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS): Requires mandatory exhaustion of local remedies for three years before arbitration. v.General and Security Exceptions: Ensures states can regulate in the public interest. vi.No Claims for Corruption: Investors cannot claim for investments linked to corruption or fraud. vii.National Treatment Provision: Guarantees non-discriminatory treatment. viii.Protection Against Expropriation: Includes transparency and compensation for losses. Key Points: i.UAE ranks 7th, accounting for 3% of the total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) received in India. Between April 2000 and June 2024, UAE invested roughly USD 19 billion. ii.India's Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) in the UAE stands at USD 15.26 billion from April 2000 to August 2024. iii.The BIT is expected to enhance investor confidence by assuring minimum standards of treatment and offering an independent arbitration forum for disputes, while also respecting the state's regulatory rights and maintaining policy space. About The United Arab Emirates (UAE): President– Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Capital– Abu Dhabi Currency– Dirham India's Jubilant Ingrevia Joins WEF's Global Lighthouse Network Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP)-based Jubilant Ingrevia Limited, science products and innovative solutions provider, has become the latest Indian firm to join as the member of the Global Lighthouse Network (GLN) of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Jubilant Ingrevia is the only Indian firm among the cohort of 2024 welcomed by the WEF. In 2024, A total of 22 innovative manufacturers have joined GLN as members. Significance: i.Jubilant Ingrevia's inclusion in this prestigious network underscores its innovative approaches in integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Internet of Things (IoT) into its operations. ii.Jubilant Ingrevia has implemented over 30 integrated use cases of 4IR technologies in its Bharuch, Gujarat facility. This has led to 60% reduction in process variability and nearly doubled production volume iii.The company aims to reduce its emissions by 20% over the next three years and is committed to institutionalizing digital interventions across all its plants. Report Errors in the PDF - ebooks@affairscloud.com.

[Audio] About GLN: i.GLN is an initiative co-founded by the WEF and McKinsey & Company in 2018, aimed at recognizing leading manufacturing facilities ii.It is a community of 172 industry leaders pioneering the use of cutting-edge Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies in manufacturing. iii.The notable companies in this cohort include AstraZeneca and Coca-Cola. Notes: i.Other India-based units in this network are of ReNew, Cipla, Ceat, Dr Reddy's, Mondelez International, Unilever, ACG, Schneider Electric and Tata Steel. ii.The newest group includes 19 4IR and three Sustainability Lighthouses, representing 10 countries: China, the Czech Republic, Germany, India, Mexico, Singapore, Sweden, Türkiye, and newcomers Switzerland and Vietnam. India extends 1st ever Rupee-Denominated LoC, Mauritius gets Rs 487.60cr The Government of India(GoI) has extended a new Line of Credit (LoC) worth Rs 487.60 crore to the Government of Mauritius for financing of a water pipeline replacement project. This is India's first ever rupee-denominated LoC for project financing to any country under the Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS). The formal offer for the project was made by the Union Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), GoI to Maneesh Gobin, Mauritian Attorney General and Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, and accepted by the Government of Mauritius. It will be financed by the State Bank of India (SBI) at concessional terms. Key Points: i.The project involves replacing nearly 100 kilometre(km) of outdated water pipelines in Mauritius. ii.It aims to improve water supply infrastructure and ensure reliable access to clean water for residents. About LoC: i.The Rupees denominated LoC is a shift from the traditional dollar-denominated loans, enhancing the internationalization of the Indian currency. ii.It supports bilateral trade by facilitating repayments in rupees, increasing the currency's value and circulation abroad. About IDEAS: IDEAS (formerly India Development Initiative) initiative under the MEA aims to provide concessional loans for infrastructure and social welfare projects across Asia(Excluding Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan) , Africa, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region, and Latin American region. Since 2003-04, the GoI has transitioned to offering LoC through the Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank), replacing the previous Government-to-Government model. Prior to this change, the total amount for LOCs was included in the Budget. About Mauritius: Prime minister(PM) – Pravind Jugnauth Capital – Port Louis Currency – Mauritian Rupee India Advances in 6G Race, Ranks Among Top 6 in Global Patent Filings According to various studies, India ranks among the top 6 countries globally in filing patents related to 6G technology, indicating the potential influence of India on the 6G standard-setting process. Report Errors in the PDF - ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 91.

[Audio] This progress made by India is in alignment with the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's vision to make India a front-line contributor in the design, development and deployment of 6G technology by 2030. Key Points: i.According to the official data from MaxVal, a global Intellectual Property (IP) management firm, India has been ranked at 6th spot with 188 6G-related patents, based on the Government of India (GoI)'s data. China emerged as the top player in global patent filings with 6,0016G-related patents, followed by the United States of America (USA) (3,909 patents); South Korea (1,417 patents); Japan (584 patents); and the European Union (EU) (214). India's ranking is significant in 6G patents, as it has surpassed major economies like: the United Kingdom (UK) (151 patents), Germany (84 patents), Sweden (74 patents), and France (73 patents). ii.Another analysis was made by the UK-based U Switch, a price comparison platform for broadband and mobile services, ranked India at 4th position with 265 6G patents in April, 2023. China (4,604), the USA (2,229) and South Korea (760) have emerged as the top 3 countries in terms of maximum number of 6G-related patents. Key Initiatives of GoI in 6G Technology: i.Currently, the Government of India (GoI) is evaluating 470 proposals on "Accelerated Research on 6G Ecosystem" under "Bharat 6G Vision". The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communication has funded two next-generation testbeds to promote the 6G research. ii.As per the projections made by the GoI-led panel, India can achieve a share of 10% of all 6G patents along with 1/6th contributions to international standards in the next 3 years. iii.GoI has launched various initiatives for promoting 6G technology in India like: Bharat 6G Alliance, a comprehensive stakeholder network, Bharat 6G vision and commissioning of test beds. Note: The World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly (WTSA 2024) is being held in Delhi from 14th October to 24th October 2024. With this, India became the 1st country in Asia to host the event. ICMR Study on BRICS Nations: Cancer Cases and Deaths to Surge between 2022 and 2045 in India According to the Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR)-National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR)'s latest study, cancer cases and deaths are expected to surge between 2022 and 2045 in India and South Africa. The study has mainly examined cancer cases, deaths and the impact on the quality of life in the BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The study reported a 12.8% increase in the incidence of cancer cases in India in 2025 compared to 2020. Key Findings: i.The projected growth in number of cancer cases can be related to the upsurge in life expectancy at birth, a trend observed across all BRICS nations from 2000 to 2022. ii.The study found that oral cancer, especially lip and mouth cancers, are most prevalent among men in.

[Audio] v.As per the study, BRICS countries accounted for 33.6% of new breast cases across the world and 36.9% of global breast cancer deaths. vi.The study revealed that breast cancer is dominated among women in all BRICS countries, except China, while Cervical Cancer is ranked as the 2nd most common type of cancer among women in India and South Africa. Cancer-related Deaths in BRICS Countries: i.South Africa recorded the highest cancer death rate for both men and women among the BRICS nations. ii.The study revealed that Russia witnessed the highest number of cancer-related deaths among men, while South Africa saw the highest number of cancer-related deaths among women. iii.The study found Lung Cancer is the top cause of cancer-related death among BRICS countries except India. While, the breast cancer was the main reason for the highest number of cancer-related deaths in India. About Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR): Director– Dr. Prashant Mathur Headquarters– Bengaluru, Karnataka Established– 2011 FATF Revised Grey Listing Criteria to Focus on Nations Posing Great Risk to Global Financial System The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has revised the criteria for placing countries on its grey list. The main objective of these changes is to reduce the burden on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and to focus on those nations that pose great risks to the international financial system. Need of the changes: i.FATF observed that LDCs are mostly affected by the impact of illicit financial flows, which impedes sustainable development. ii.Billions of dollars are diverted annually from important public goods such as education and heath due to proceeds of crimes, tax evasion, corruption, among others. So, it is important to deprive criminals from their ill-gotten profits in order to help these countries in building robust economies and societies. Key Changes: i.As per the revised criteria, jurisdictions will be prioritized for active review if they meet the referral criteria and are: Country which is a member of FATF; Country on the World Bank's High Income Countries (HICs) list (excluding those with a financial sector of two or fewer banks); Country that has financial sector assets more than USD 10 billion (measured by broad money). ii.LDCs, as defined by the United Nations (UN), will not be prioritized for active review unless the FATF agrees that they poses serious risks such as money laundering, terrorist financing or proliferation financing. In such cases, LDCs which are subject to review process will be granted a longer observation period of two years to work on progress against their key recommended action roadmap. These key changes will be applicable in the next round of assessments, and FATF expects that these changes could potentially reduce the number of low-capacity countries being listed in the next assessment cycle by half. About Grey List: i.The Grey list identifies countries with strategic deficiencies in their Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Report Errors in the.