Why in the news ?

• Launched on September 25, 2014, the "Make in India" initiative is completing 10 years as a pivotal step in India's nation-building efforts.

About the Make in India:

• Objective: 
  • To facilitate investment, encourage innovation, enhance skills development, protect intellectual property & build quality class building systems.
• Pillars of Make in India: 
  • New Processes: Improved ‘easy work’ to encourage entrepreneurship, for the benefit of start-ups and established businesses.
  • New Infrastructure: Focus on technology strategies, smart cities, enhanced IPR, and entrepreneurship development as per business needs.
  • New sectors: Expanded FDI in defence, insurance, medical devices, manufacturing and railways; Regulations have been reduced to attract international investment.
  • New mindset: The government shifted from regulator to facilitator by supporting industry cooperation for economic growth and innovation.

Major Achievements under Make in India:

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Attracted FDI inflow of $667.4 billion (2014-24), an increase of 119% over the preceding decade (2004-14).
• Employment: The manufacturing sector increased from 57 million in 2017-18 to 64.4 million in 2022-23.
• Exports: India’s merchandise exports surpassed $437 billion in FY 2023-24.
• Ease of Doing Business: Sharp rise from 142nd rank in 2014 to 63rd rank in 2019 in the World Bank’s Doing Business Report.

Sector-wise Success:

• Vande Bharat Trains: 51 indigenous semi-high-speed trains operational, showcasing advanced rail technology.
• Defence Production: Launch of INS Vikrant; defence production reached ₹1.27 lakh crore with exports to 90+ countries.
• Electronics Growth: Electronics sector reached USD 155 billion in FY23, with mobile phones driving 43% of total production.
• Merchandise Exports: Achieved $437.06 billion in FY23, reflecting India's growing global trade presence.
• Textile Industry: Created 14.5 crore jobs across India.
• Toy Manufacturing: Produces 400 million toys annually, with 10 new toys made every second.
• Vaccine Production: India produces 60% of the world's vaccines, becoming a key exporter during COVID-19.

Key Reforms taken to facilitate implementation of Make in India :

• Semiconductor ecosystem development: e.g. The Semicon India Project
• National Single Window Scheme (NSWS): Platform Streamlines investor clearance for faster approvals.
• PM Motion Power:  GIS-based platform improves infrastructure planning and reduces logistics costs.
• National Logistics Policy (NLP), 2022: The aim is to reduce logistics costs and increase productivity.
• Others: One-District-One-Product (ODOP), Industrial Corridors.

Source:  PIB

• Recently, The Chief Minister of Assam mentioned the implementation of 52 recommendations of the Justice Biplab Sarma Committee regarding Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.

About the Biplab Sarma Committee:

• Formation of the committee
• In July 2019, the Union Home Ministry formed a 14-member committee, chaired by retired Assam High Court Justice Biplab Kumar Sarma.
• A key issue the committee addressed was defining "the Assamese people" eligible for the safeguards under Clause 6.
• Key Recommendations:
  • Indigenous Tribes
  • Other Indigenous Communities of Assam
  • Indian citizens residing in Assam on or before January 1, 1951, and their descendants
  • Indigenous Assamese People
• Definition of Assamese People: The committee suggested that "Assamese people" should include:
• Safeguards: Based on this definition, the committee recommended reservations for "Assamese people" in Parliament, the state Assembly, local bodies, and jobs.

Recommendations of the report to be implemented:

• Classification of Recommendations
  • 40 recommendations under the state government’s jurisdiction
  • 12 recommendations requiring Centre’s concurrence
  • 15 recommendations exclusively within the Centre’s domain
• The committee’s 67 recommendations are divided into three categories:
• The 52 recommendations in the first two categories will be implemented by April 2025, with a roadmap to be submitted to AASU by October 25, 2024.
• The Assam govt has accepted the 1951 cut-off date for the specific recommendations of the Justice Biplab Sarma Committee report.
• Land Safeguards
• Designating areas where only Assamese people can own and transfer land.
• A three-year program to grant land titles to Assamese people who have long occupied land without proper documentation.
• Surveying char areas (riverine regions) to treat newly formed chars as government land, prioritising allocation to those affected by river erosion.
• Language Safeguards
• Retaining Assamese as the official state language per the 1960 Assam Official Language Act, with provisions for local languages in certain regions.
• Issuing all state government acts, rules, and orders in both Assamese and English.
• Establishing a council to preserve and promote indigenous languages of Assam.
• Making Assamese a compulsory subject in all English medium schools up to Class VIII or Class X.

• Cultural Heritage Preservation:

• Establishing an autonomous body to manage sattras and provide financial support for their development and every district to safeguard the heritage of various ethnic groups.
• Sixth Schedule Areas: 
• Autonomous councils in Assam's Sixth Schedule Areas (Bodoland Territorial Council, North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council).

Recommendations that have been left out by the govt:

• Inner Line Permit
• Proposal for implementing an ILP for entry into Assam, similar to existing regulations in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Mizoram.
• Reservations for Assamese People
• Parliament and State Assembly: 80-100% reservation of seats for Assamese individuals in Parliament and state Assembly, as well as in local bodies.
• Government Jobs: 80-100% reservation in Assam government jobs.
• Private Sector Collaborations: 70-100% reservation for vacancies in partnerships between the Assam government and private companies.
• Creation of an Upper House: Proposal for establishing a Legislative Council in Assam, exclusively reserved for Assamese people.

Source: IE

Why in the news?

• PM-JAY was launched  on September 23, 2018, as recommended by the National Health Policy 2017, to achieve the vision of Universal Coverage of Healthcare (UHC).

About the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY:

• Ministry: A state-sponsored program under the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
• Benefits: 
  
  • Provides free hospitalisation of Rs. 5 lakh/ family/ year for state individuals of both secondary and secondary care empaneled hospitals.
  • It covers costs such as diagnosis and treatment up to 3 days before and 15 days after hospitalisation.
  • Covers over 12 crore families (~55 crore beneficiaries), focusing on the poor and underserved.
  • Covers 1,949 procedures across 27 specialties, including free drugs, diagnostics, and lodging.
  • Provides cashless treatment,No age, family size, gender limits on eligibility and eliminating out-of-pocket costs.
• Target: 120 million households (about 55 million beneficiaries) and the Union Cabinet approved extending it to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above.

Achievement of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY:

• Ayushman Cards Issued: Over 35.4 crore cards distributed, providing health coverage to millions.
• States Covered: Operational in 33 States/UTs, excluding NCT Delhi, West Bengal, and Odisha.
• Hospital Admissions: 7.79 crore admissions authorised, offering ₹1,07,125 crores in financial coverage.
• Gender Equity: 49% of cards issued to women; 3.61 crore hospital admissions utilised by women.
• Portability Feature: 11.9 lakh hospitalizations worth ₹3,100 crores under the scheme's portability, allowing treatment across India.
• Hospital Network: 30,529 empanelled hospitals, including 17,063 public and 13,466 private, ensuring wide access to healthcare.

Source: PIB

Why in the news ?

• Recently, 2 years of Project Cheetah completed, India’s aim to  reintroduce African cheetahs to select grassland habitats in central India.

About the Project Cheetah:

• Launch: Project Cheetah, initiated to reintroduce African cheetahs to India, completed two years on September 17.
• Objectives:
1. Establish a stable, breeding population of cheetahs in central India.
2. Use cheetahs as an umbrella species to restore ecosystems like scrubs, savannahs, grasslands, and degraded forests.
• Significance: World's first intercontinental large wild carnivore translocation project and Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952.
• Funding: Supported by Project Tiger and the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management & Planning Authority (CAMPA).

Status of Cheetah Reintroduction:

• Translocation: 20 African cheetahs translocated to Kuno National Park in two batches from Namibia and South Africa.
• Adaptation: Initially housed in bomas for acclimatisation, with 17 cubs born.
• Challenges:
  • 40% of the translocated cheetahs (8 out of 20) have died, as well as 29% of cubs (5 out of 17), due to mating injuries and tick infestations.
  • Current survival: 12 adults and 12 cubs.
  • Next batch of 6-8 cheetahs are expected at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Two cheetahs (Pawan and Veera) were released, but Pawan’s death raised concerns.
  • Remaining cheetahs confined to enclosures, criticised for delays in releasing them into the wild.
  • Namibia’s policy advises against prolonged captivity for large carnivores.
• Prey Scarcity:
  • Chital density fell from 23.43 per sq km (2021) to 17.5 (2024), insufficient for cheetahs and leopards in Kuno.
  • Current prey population: 6,700 chital vs. the required 26,720 prey animals annually for leopards and cheetahs.
  • Calls for prey augmentation at Kuno and Gandhi Sagar.
• Way Forward:
  • Cheetah Movement: Cheetahs, like Veera, often move beyond Kuno, requiring tracking and management.
  • Interstate Conservation: A unified plan for the Kuno-Gandhi Sagar landscape is essential, covering protected areas and forests in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
  • Actions Needed: Focus on prey management, interstate coordination, and ecosystem protection.
  • Goal: Stabilise the population to 60-70 cheetahs.

Source: IE

Why in the news? 

• Recently, the proposal under Nagar Van Yojana during the first 100 days of the Government was to approve 100 Nagar Vans.

About the Nagar Van Yojana (NVY):

• About:    
  
  • Established by: Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India,
  • Objective: Establishment of urban and peri-urban forests to enhance vegetation, biodiversity and environmental balance.
  • Target: Develop 1000 Nagar Vans by 2027.
• Key objectives:
  
  • Increase tree cover: Increase green space outside forested areas.
  • Improve quality of life: Build recreational facilities, reduce heat islands, improve air quality and increase biodiversity.
  • Promote biodiversity: Use native species to attract wildlife.
  • Address environmental issues: Fight air pollution, habitat destruction and heat islands.
  • Climate Resilience: Help cities adapt to climate challenges.
• Features:
  
  • Areas: 10-50 acres in urban and peri-urban areas.
  • Components: Bio Garden, Memory Van, Butterfly Sanctuary, Vegetable Garden, Matri Van.
  • Minimal tree cover: lower two-thirds of tree.
  • Community involvement: Active involvement through education and stewardship programs.
• Funding:
  
  • Source:CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority) Fund.
  • Financial Assistance: Rs. 4 lakh per hectare for construction and maintenance.

Source: PIB

Why in the news ?

• Recently, NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL) announces the launch of Unified Logistics Interface Platform Hackathon 2.0.

About the Hackathon 2.0: 

• It is a competitive event, aimed at fostering innovation and developing digital solutions to tackle pressing challenges in the logistics industry.
• It invites developers, start-ups, and industry players to come together.
• Addressing key logistics challenges such as sustainability, complex supply chain processes, unified documentation, and multimodal logistics optimization.

Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP):

• About: A digital gateway that enables access to logistics information from government systems through API-based integration.
• Integration: Currently integrates 37 systems from 10 service providers through 118 APIs, covering 1800+ data fields.
• Established: Introduced by the Prime Minister on 17 September 2022 as part of the National Logistics Policy (NLP).

Objectives:

• Single Window Platform: Create a nationwide platform for end-to-end visibility in logistics.
• Logistics Gateway: Integrate data from various government agencies into the logistics value chain.
• Transport visibility: Make the best use of different modes of transportation.
• Streamlined processes: Provide data to streamline compliance, documentation, certification and approval.
• Data exchange: Enable seamless data sharing between government and private organisations within the logistics ecosystem.

Benefit:

• Stakeholder Benefits: Provides driver and vehicle verification, logistics tracking, route efficiency, and real-time updates on delivery locations.
• Cost and time savings: Simplifies systematic planning and decision-making, and optimises logistics to save costs and time.

Source: PIB

• Recently, Scientists have discovered more than 300 never-before-seen Nazca Lines in Peru.

• The new lines included abstract humanoids, "decapitated heads," domesticated animals, fish, birds, cats, a potential "ceremonial scene" and human/animal interactions.
• The most bizarre shape was arguably a 72-foot-long (22 meters) "killer whale holding a knife."
• The staggering new haul was unearthed in just six months with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and almost doubles the number of known geoglyphs in the region.

About the Nazca Lines:

• The Nazca Lines are a group of large human-carved geoglyphs located in a roughly 170-square-mile (440 square kilometres) area of Peru's Nazca Desert.
• The ancient artworks were likely created between 200 B.C. and A.D. 500 by members of the pre-Incan civilisation, known as the Nazca (or Nasca).
• It  removed the upper layers of the desert's red-tinged surface pebbles to reveal sections of lighter soil in a wide range of different shapes and sizes.
• Researchers had already found around 430 Nazca Lines since the mysterious shapes were rediscovered by aeroplane passengers in the 1920s.

Source:  LS

• Recently, the annual Asia Power Index, released by an Australian think tank India ranked third.

Asia Power Index:

• Launched: By the Lowy Institute in 2018, it measures power dynamics in the Asia-Pacific annually.
• Scope: Assesses 27 countries based on their ability to shape/respond to external environments.
• Focus: Evaluates both material capabilities and international influence.
• 2024 Edition: Includes Timor-Leste, offering a detailed assessment of regional power distribution.

Resource-Based Determinants:

• Resource-Based:
• Economic Capability: Measured via GDP (PPP), technological sophistication, and economic connectivity.
• Military Capability: Defense spending, armed forces, weapon systems, and long-range power projection.
• Resilience: Institutional and geopolitical stability, and resource security.
• Future Resources: Projections for 2035 on economic, military, and demographic factors.
• Influence-Based:
• Economic Relationships: Leverage through trade, investment, and diplomacy.
• Defense Networks: Strength of military alliances and cooperation.
• Diplomatic Influence: Diplomatic reach and participation in multilateral forums.
• Cultural Influence: Shaping global opinion through cultural exports and media.
• Overall Score: The U.S. at the top with a score of 81.7, followed by China with a score of 72.7, India (39.1) and Japan (38.9).

Source:  PIB

Context: 

• Agriculture 4.0 is transforming urban food production by integrating advanced technologies to meet the rising demand for local, sustainable food in cities. 
• This innovative approach turns urban areas into productive agricultural hubs, leveraging smart technologies with vertical farming, and hydroponics.

What is Agriculture 4.0?

• About: 
  
  • It is also known as digital agriculture, represents the fourth major revolution in agricultural practices, which uses cutting-edge technology to provide food production and consumption.
  • This innovative approach the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, big data analytics, robotics, and precision farming techniques lying
• Others Key Agricultural Revolutions:
  
  • Agriculture 1.0: The first transition from hunting-gathering to settled agriculture, beginning around 10,000 BC, characterised by the domestication of plants and animals
  • Agriculture 2.0: The technological revolution in agriculture (18th-19th centuries), characterised by mechanisation, crop rotation, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides a they are used
  • Agriculture 3.0: Green Revolution (mid-20th century), with high-yielding crop varieties, widespread irrigation, and widespread use of fertilisers and pesticides food production increased.

What are the benefits of Agriculture 4.0 ?

• Increased Crop Yields and Productivity: Precision farming technologies, like IoT sensors and AI, optimise inputs. In India, yields increased up to 30%, e.g., Microsoft and ICRISAT's AI-powered sowing app boosted Andhra Pradesh's groundnut yield by 30%.
• Resource Efficiency and Sustainability: Smart irrigation reduces water consumption by up to 50%. Tamil Nadu’s Precision Farming Project cut water use by 40-50%, and soil health data-guided fertilisation lowered fertiliser use by 15-20%.
• Climate Resilience and Risk Mitigation: Advanced weather forecasting aids farmers in adapting to climate change. CRIDA’s 'Meghdoot' app provides weather-based agro-advisories, reducing crop losses due to extreme weather.
• Supply Chain Optimization and Market Access: Technologies like blockchain improve supply chain transparency. India’s eNAM platform has enrolled over 1.69 crore farmers, improving market access and reducing post-harvest losses.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Big data and AI enable predictive analytics. The FASAL project in India uses satellite imagery to predict crop yields, aiding national food security planning.
• Democratisation of Agricultural Knowledge: AI-powered mobile apps, like Kisan Suvidha, provide farmers with crop management advice. Agritech startups like DeHaat have seen revenue growth by over 80% through sales of farm inputs.

Key Roadblocks to Implementation of Agri 4.0 in India:

• Limited Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity:
• Rural digital infrastructure is a major barrier, with about 25,067 of India's 5.97 lakh villages lacking mobile and internet connectivity. 
• The Digital India initiative, last-mile connectivity issues hinder the deployment of IoT devices necessary for precision agriculture, especially in states like Bihar and Jharkhand.
• Small and Fragmented Landholdings:
• With an average landholding size of only 1.08 hectares, India's agricultural landscape is dominated by small and marginal farmers. 
• large-scale technologies like GPS-guided tractors and drones, increasing per-acre technology costs and complicating data collection.
• Limited Financial Resources and Access to Credit:
• The average annual income of rural households is around ₹96,708, and while credit access has improved through schemes like the Kisan Credit Card, the uptake of high-tech farming solutions remains low.
• Lack of Awareness and Digital Literacy:
• As of 2023, only 30% of farmers have adopted any digital technology, with a rural digital literacy rate of just 25%, impeding even basic service adoption.
• Inadequate Data Infrastructure and Standards:
• Initiatives like the Soil Health Card scheme generate data, but its effective integration is lacking, preventing the development of AI and ML models essential for precision agriculture.
• Environmental and Socio-Economic Disparities:
• Technologies suitable for irrigated regions may not be effective in rain-fed areas, which constitute 51% of India's net sown area. 
• Additionally, agri-tech success is often concentrated in developed agricultural belts, widening the technology adoption gap.

What are the government initiatives on digitised agriculture?

• India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA): It integrates policy databases for effective policies to increase farmers’ income and enhance sector efficiency.
• National e-Governance Policy in Agriculture (NeGP-A): Supports public enterprises using technologies such as AI, ML, robotics, drones, data analytics and blockchain to modernise agriculture
• Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM): Focuses on providing agricultural mechanisation to small and marginal farmers through recruitment of traditional labour, high-tech mechanisation and capacity building has been implemented
• E-Nam: To support farmers, traders and FPOs by connecting Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) to create an integrated market for agricultural produce.
• PM-Kisan Scheme: Transfers funds directly to farmers’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Farmers can register and get information through the PM-KISAN Mobile App.
• AGMARKNET: G2C e-governance portal providing information on agribusiness, including daily prices and trends in agricultural markets.
• Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF): Provides financial support for post-harvest management and community farm assets, as well as interest rate subsidies and loan guarantees
• National Horticulture Network (HORTNET): Promotes e-governance in the horticulture sector through a web-enabled system for financial support, and ensures transparency in the process.
• National Program on Soil Health and Crops: Provides soil health records to farmers through a digital platform to monitor nutrient deficiencies  and improve fertilisation practices.
• Kisan Suvidha Mobile App: Disseminates crucial information on weather, market prices, plant protection, input dealers, and more to help farmers make informed decisions.

Source: TH