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IASbhai DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS(THE HINDU+LIVEMINT+PIB)

A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.– Albert Einstein

HIGHLIGHT INFO:

ORANGE COLOUR: Important for Prelims.

RED COLOUR: Important for Mains.

BLACK COLOUR: Must Read !

BLUE COLOUR : Important Links/Survey.

PINK COLOUR: Reports/Themes/Summits.

Scheme for Promotion of manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS)

      HEADLINES:

Cabinet approves Scheme for Promotion of manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors

      WHY IN NEWS:

Hot from PIB!

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Electronics

      LEARNING: 

For PRELIMS it is important to understand the goal of such scheme.

For MAINS try to understand the secret behind evolution of semi conductor Industry. The secret in short : Its availablity of raw materials that is rare earth elements. Harnessing such essential resources requires dedicated technology.

      ISSUE: 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved to offer financial incentive of 25% of capital expenditure for the manufacturing of goods that constitute the supply chain of an electronic product under the Scheme for Promotion of manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS).

BACKGROUND:

The vision of National Policy on Electronics 2019 (NPE 2019)  is to position India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) by encouraging and driving capabilities in the country for developing core components, including, chipsets, and creating an enabling environment for the industry to compete globally.

A vibrant electronic components manufacturing ecosystem is vital for the overall long-term and sustainable growth of electronics manufacturing in India and essential to achieve net positive Balance of Payments (BoP).

SCHEME FOR PROMOTION OF MANUFACTURING OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND SEMICONDUCTORS

The scheme will help offset the disability for domestic manufacturing of electronic components and semiconductors in order to strengthen the electronic manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

The total cost of the scheme is approximately Rs.3,285 crore, which includes the incentive outlay of approximately Rs.3,252 crore and the administrative expense to the tune of Rs.32 crore.

BENEFITS:

  • The proposal when implemented will lead to the development of electronic components manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS/OUTCOMES:

  1. Development of electronic components manufacturing ecosystem in the country and deepening of Electronics value chain.
  2. New investments in Electronics Sector to the tune of at leastRs. 20,000 crore.
  3. Direct employment of approximately 1,50,000 is expected to be created in the manufacturing units supported under the scheme.
  4. Reducing dependence on import of components by large scale domestic manufacturing that will also enhance the digital security of the nation.

      IASbhai WINDUP: 

It is, therefore proposed to provide an incentive of 25% on capital expenditure on plant, machinery, equipment, associated utilities and technology, including for Research & Development to the industrial units making investment for manufacturing of electronic components, semiconductors, ATMP, specialized sub-assemblies and capital goods for these items, in the specified categories.

This will cater to all segments of electronics manufacturing such as Mobile Electronics, Consumer Electronics, Industrial Electronics, Automotive Electronics, Medical Electronics, Strategic Electronics, Power Electronics, Telecom Equipment, Computer Hardware etc.

     SOURCES:THE HINDU/DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS for UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains

Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0) Scheme

      HEADLINES:

Cabinet approves Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0) Scheme

      WHY IN NEWS:

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved financial assistance to the Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC2.0) Scheme for development of world class infrastructure along with common facilities and amenities through Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs).

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Electronics:Scheme

      LEARNING: 

For PRELIMS understand the whole set up of this scheme . Well this is not so important scheme but still make a note if it !

For MAINS find out some drawbacks from this scheme. Do you think this is a too long initiative ?

      ISSUE: 

It is expected that these EMCs would aid the growth of the ESDM sector, help development of entrepreneurial ecosystem, drive innovation and catalyze the economic growth of the region by attracting investments in the sector, increasing employment opportunities and tax revenues.

MODIFIED ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING CLUSTERS (EMC 2.0) SCHEME  

The Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0) Scheme would support setting up of both Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs) and Common Facility Centers (CFCs).

Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) would set up in geographical areas of certain minimum extent, preferably contiguous, where the focus is on development of basic infrastructure, amenities and other common facilities for the ESDM units.

For Common Facility Centre (CFC), there should be a significant number of existing ESDM units located in the area and the focus is on upgrading common technical infrastructure and providing common facilities for the ESDM units in such EMCs, Industrial Areas/Parks/industrial corridors.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The total outlay of the propose EMC 2.0 Scheme is Rs. 3,762.25 crore Rupees and administrative and management expense to the tune of Rs. 37.25 crore (Rupees Thirty Seven Crore and Twenty Five Lakh Only) over a period of eight (8) years.

BENEFITS

The Scheme will create a robust infrastructure base for electronic industry to attract flow of investment in ESDM sector and lead to greater employment opportunities.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS/OUTCOMES FOR THE SCHEME:

  1. Availability of ready infrastructure and Plug & Play facility for attracting investment in electronics sector:
  2. New investment in electronics sector
  3. Jobs created by the manufacturing units;
  4. Revenue in the form of taxes paid by the manufacturing units

BACKGROUND

To build and create requisite infrastructure ecosystem for electronics manufacturing;

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) Scheme which was open for receipt of applications upto October, 2017.

A period of 5 years (i.e. upto October, 2022) is available for disbursement of funds for the approved projects. 

Under EMC scheme, 20 Greenfield EMCs and 3 Common Facility Centres (CFCs) measuring an area of 3565 acres with project cost of Rs. 3898 crore including Government Grant-in-aid of Rs. 1577 crore have been approved in 15 states across the country.

      IASbhai WINDUP: 

There is a need for continuation of such scheme in modified form for further strengthening the infrastructure base for electronics industry in the country and deepening the electronics value chain.

India’s electronics production has increased from Rs. 1,90,366 crore (US$29 billion) in 2014-15 to Rs. 4,58,006 (US$ 70 billion) in 2018-19, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 25%. 

India’s share in global electronics manufacturing grew from 1.3% (2012) to 3.0% (2018). 

It accounts for 2.3% of India’s GDP at present.

     SOURCES:THE HINDU/DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS for UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains

Production Linked Incentive Scheme

      HEADLINES:

Cabinet approves Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing

      WHY IN NEWS:

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Production Incentive Scheme (PLI) for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing. 

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Scheme

      LEARNING: 

For PRELIMS just note the incentive percentage and the purpose behind the incentive given in this scheme.

For MAINS understand the domestic consumption of electronics and allied industries.Throw some light on fast moving technologies and India’s stand on it . Ex : AI,Machine Learning.

      ISSUE: 

The scheme proposes production linked incentive to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in mobile phone manufacturing and specified electronic components including Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) units.

Production Incentive Scheme (PLI)

The Scheme shall extend an incentive of 4% to 6% on incremental sales (over base year) of goods manufactured in India and covered under target segments, to eligible companies, for a period of five (5) years subsequent to the base year as defined.

BACKGROUND:

The production of mobile phones in the country has gone up significantly from around INR 18,900 crore (USD 3 Billion) in 2014-15 to INR 1,70,000 crore (USD 24 Billion) in 2018-19 and the domestic demand is almost completely being met out of domestic production.

By integrating “Assemble in India for the world” into “Make in India”, India can significantly increase manufacturing output.

Electronic components are the basic building blocks for electronics manufacturing.

Electronic components market in India has increased from INR 68,342 crore (USD 11 Billion) in 2015-16 to INR 1,31,832 crore (USD 20.8 Billion) in 2018-19. 

Domestic production of electronic components is valued at approximately INR 63, 380 crore (USD 10 Billion), of which around INR 48,803 crore (USD 7.7 Billion) is domestically consumed.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

The total cost of the proposed scheme is approximately INR 40,995 crore Rupees .

Administrative expenses to the tune of INR 44 crore (Rupees Forty-Four Crore Only).

BENEFITS:

The scheme has a direct employment generation potential of over 2,00,000 jobs over 5 years. 

However, it is expected that the scheme would lead to large scale electronics manufacturing in the country .

Indirect employment will be about 3 times of direct employment as per industry estimates.

      IASbhai WINDUP: 

The proposed scheme is likely to benefit 5-6 major global players and few domestic champions, in the field of mobile manufacturing and Specified Electronics Components and bring in large scale electronics manufacturing in India.

     SOURCES:THE HINDU/DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS for UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains
Teesta River

      HEADLINES:

Bridge constructed by Border Roads Organisation over Teesta River in North Sikkim opened for traffic

MINISTRY?Ministry of Defence
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 1:Geography

      ISSUE: 

In a relief to the residents of Lachen in North Sikkim, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) today opened for traffic 360 feet long bailey suspension bridge over Teesta River in Munshithang near Chungthang town.

 

The 86 Road Construction Company (RCC) of 758 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF), under Project Swastik, commenced the construction of the bridge in October 2019 and completed it in January 2020.

Project Swastik has a significant role as it maintains the vital road network in east and north Sikkim leading to the international border and many tourist spots in the region. The trade with China across Nathula Pass and conduct of holy Mansarovar Yatra depends on an efficient and reliable road network.

      IASbhai WINDUP: 

The bridge will give impetus to tourism and facilitate the movement of logistics for the Armed Forces deployed in forward areas.

     SOURCES:THE HINDU/DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS for UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains

Digital e-Learning platforms

      HEADLINES:

Students to continue their learning by making full use of the available digital e-Learning platforms – Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’

      WHY IN NEWS:

Union HRD Minister appeals to students, teachers and parents to follow Janata Curfew on 22nd March, 2020

MINISTRY?Ministry of Human Resource Development
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Education:Online Portal

      LEARNING: 

For PRELIMS a list of major important online portals for education and awareness have been mentioned here. Kindly take a note of it and visit the about section of respective websites and collect some necessary information about these portals.

For MAINS understand how digital e-Learning portals are contributing to the new era of education. Comment some points below about what you think about learning from e-Learning platforms is useful ?

      ISSUE: 

Union Human Resource Development Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ asked students to continue their learning by making full use of the available digital e-Learning platforms during the period the educational institutions are closed as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.

The Minister has also urged educational institutions to promote digital learning and make students aware of the various digital/e-learning platforms which are provided by MHRD for online education.

Digital initiatives/platforms of Ministry of HRD 

  1. DIKSHA:

  • Diksha has more than 80000 e-Books for class 12th created by CBSE, NCERT and States/UTs which are available in multiple languages.
  • The content can also be viewed through QR code on textbooks.
  • This app can be downloaded from iOS and Google Play Store:

  1. e-PATHSHALA:

  • In this web portal NCERT has deployed 1886 audios, 2000 videos, 696 e- e-books (e-Pubs) and 504 Flip Books for classes 1st to 12th in different languages.
  • Mobile app is available.

  1. NATIONAL REPOSITORY OF OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (NROER):

  • NROER portal has a total of 14527 files including 401 collections, 2779 documents, 1345 interactive, 1664 audios, 2586 images and 6153 videos on different languages.

PLATFORMS OF MINISTRY OF HRD FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ARE:

  1. SWAYAM:

  • SWAYAM is the national online education platform hosting 1900 courses covering both school (class IX to XII) And Higher Education (under graduate, post graduate programs) in all subjects including engineering, humanities and social sciences, law and management courses.
  • A unique feature of SWAYAM is that, it is integrated with the conventional education.
  • Credit transfers are possible  for SWAYAM courses (max 20%).

  1. SWAYAM PRABHA

  • Has 32 D2H TV channels transmitting educational contents on 24/7 basis.
  • These channels are available for viewing all across all across the country using DD free Dish set top box and antenna.
  • The channel schedule and other details are available in the portal.
  • The channels cover both school education (class IX to XII) And Higher Education (under graduate, post graduate, engineering, out of school children, vocational courses and teacher training) in arts, Science, commerce, performing arts, Social Sciences and Humanities subjects, engineering, technology,  law, medicine, agriculture.
The access/ login in to all the above platforms/facilities are free.

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      IASbhai WINDUP: 

In addition to above, students may take up projects to be done at home under ‘Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat’,  ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’,  ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan’,  ‘Ban on Single Use Plastic’ and ‘Fit India’ programmes of the Government of India.

SUGGESTED READING :

https://diksha.gov.in or https://seshagun.gov.in/shagun 

http://epathshala.nic.in or http://epathshala.gov.in. 

http://nroer.gov.in/welcome

http://swayam.gov.in

http:///swayamprabha.gov.in

     SOURCES:THE HINDU/DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS for UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains

Mass nesting of olive ridleys

      HEADLINES:

Mass nesting of olive ridleys begins at Rushikulya

      WHY IN NEWS:

Around 2,000 turtles have dug up the sand for their nests

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Biodiversity Conservation

      ISSUE: 

Mass nesting of olive ridleys started at Odisha’s Rushikulya rookery coast from early hours of Saturday.Around 2,000 turtles dug up nests in the sand to lay their eggs.

 

Olive ridley turtles arriving at the Rushikulya rookery.

Each nest, on an average, contains around 100 eggs.

Usually these turtles nest in darkness, but there have been instances in the past when they have nested during day time.

At around 3.10a.m., mother olive ridleys started coming of the sea to the beach.

The nesting process went on till the sunrise.

“Thousands of mother olive ridleys are in the sea near the Rushikulya rookery, which hints that on Saturday night and on the next few nights, thousands of these marine turtles may arrive for mass nesting,”

      IASbhai WINDUP: 

Rain at the rookery delayed nesting by seven to 10 days.

Rain had tightened the sand on the beach and mass nesting process started only when it got dried.

     SOURCES:THE HINDU/DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS for UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains

India, France conduct joint patrols

      HEADLINES:

India, France conduct joint patrols from Reunion Island

      WHY IN NEWS:

The Navy had so far carried out coordinated patrols only with maritime neighbours, and had rejected similar U.S. offer

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Maritime Security

      ISSUE: 

India and France have conducted joint patrols from the Reunion Island for the first time, signalling New Delhi’s intent to engage with friendly foreign partners in expanding its footprint on the Indian Ocean, focusing on the stretch between the East African coastline and the Malacca straits.

Strong bonds: A French crew boarded the Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft for the joint patrol of the Reunion Island.

 

India has so far carried out coordinated patrols only with maritime neighbours and had rejected a similar offer by the U.S.

GREATER UNDERSTANDING

“We have robust engagement with the French,” one of them said.

The surveillance was done in the southern Indian Ocean off Mauritius.

MAJOR STRATEGIC PARTNER

France has steadily emerged as a major strategic partner for India with big-ticket defence deals and increased military-to-military engagement.

The Indian Navy is currently inducting French Scorpene conventional submarines, being built in India under technology transfer, and the Indian Air Force will soon get the first batch of its 36 Rafale fighter jets.

      IASbhai WINDUP: 

France is also the first country to deploy a liaison officer at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre (IFC-IOR) as part of efforts to improve maritime domain awareness (MDA).

     SOURCES:THE HINDU/DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS for UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains

 

 Let us ‘Discuss’

 

      IASbhai WINDUP: 

Let us know what you think about this in the comment section.

     SOURCES:THE HINDU/DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS for UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains

 

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