Schemes( upsc)

Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program (KSCP)

The Krishi Sakhi Convergence Programme (KSCP) aims to empower rural women in India by training and certifying them as Krishi Sakhis, who serve as para-extension workers.

Initiative by

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare & Ministry of Rural Development

Objective

i) Transform rural India by empowering women through agricultural training.

ii) Aligns with the broader ‘Lakhpati Didi’ program, which aims to create three crore Lakhpati Didis (women earning at least Rs 1 lakh per annum) by enhancing their agricultural skills and providing employment opportunities
Selection of Krishi Sakhis
Krishi Sakhis are trusted community resource persons and experienced farmers

Training modules

i) Krishi Sakhis have already been trained on various extension service for 56 days on the following modules:
1. Agro Ecological Practices from land preparation to harvest
2. Organising Farmer Field schools
3. Seed banks + Establishment and Management
4. Soil health, soil and moisture conservation practices
5. Integrated Farming Systems
6. Basics of Livestock Management
7. Preparation and use of Bio inputs and establishment of Bio inputs shops
8. Basic communication skills
ii) Currently, Krishi Sakhis are undergoing refresher training with a special focus on Natural Farming and Soil Health Card through DAY-NRLM agencies in coordination with MANAGE.
States covered under Krishi Sakhi Training Program
Krishi Sakhi Training Program has been rolled out in 12 states in Phase – 1: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha

ULLAS Initiative

ULLAS stands for Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society.

Aim:

a. To revolutionize education and literacy across India by fostering a learning ecosystem that reaches every individual, bridging the gaps in basic literacy and critical life skills.

b. To impart basic education, digital and financial literacy and critical life skills to citizens aged 15 and above who lost the opportunity to go to school.

Small and medium real-estate investment trusts SM REITs 

1. About: These are specialised real estate investment trusts that differ from conventional REITs in their scale and focus.
2. Aims: It aims to regulate the fractional ownership industry and safeguard investor interests, incorporating both commercial and residential properties within the new framework.
3. Difference between traditional REITs and SM REITs: Traditional REITs invest in large-scale commercial properties like offices and malls, while SM REITs focus on smaller and medium-sized properties with lower values.
4. It maintains diversified portfolios, spreading risk across different property types within the real estate market.
5. Small and medium real-estate investment trusts may raise funds from Indian and foreign investors by the issuance of units.
6. Criteria:
i) The minimum subscription size for units: 10 lakh is treated as one unit.
ii) To establish this trust, there must be a minimum of 200 unit holders (Not including the investment manager, its related parties, and associates)
iii)  The investment manager responsible for launching an SM REIT must have a net worth of at least ₹20 crore, and a separate trustee will be appointed for oversight.
7. Micro REITs can be listed with asset values ranging from Rs 50 crore to Rs 500 crore.
8. These funds will be utilized for acquiring and managing real estate assets, aiming to generate income for investors.
9. Ownership of these assets will be organized through one or more schemes, each operated under special purpose vehicles (SPVs).

Steps taken by government to curb malnutrition in India

1) Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme: It was launched in 1975 to provide food, preschool education, primary healthcare, immunization, health checkups, and referral services to children under 6 years old and their mothers.

2) Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): It is a Centrally Sponsored DBT scheme with a cash incentive of ₹ 5000/- (in three instalments) being provided directly in the bank/post office account of Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers.

3. National Nutrition Mission :The government of India has launched the National Nutrition Mission (NNM), also known as POSHAN Abhiyaan, to eradicate malnutrition by the year 2022. 4) Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyan: The mission was launched in 2018 to accelerate anaemia decline by one to three percentage points annually. 5) Mid-day Meal (MDM) scheme: It aims to improve nutrition levels among school children in addition to increasing enrolment, retention, and attendance. 6) National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: It ensures food and nutrition security for the most vulnerable section of society.

Steps taken by government to curb malnutrition in India

1) Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme: It was launched in 1975 to provide food, preschool education, primary healthcare, immunization, health checkups, and referral services to children under 6 years old and their mothers.

2) Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): It is a Centrally Sponsored DBT scheme with a cash incentive of ₹ 5000/- (in three instalments) being provided directly in the bank/post office account of Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers.

3. National Nutrition Mission :The government of India has launched the National Nutrition Mission (NNM), also known as POSHAN Abhiyaan, to eradicate malnutrition by the year 2022. 4) Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyan: The mission was launched in 2018 to accelerate anaemia decline by one to three percentage points annually. 5) Mid-day Meal (MDM) scheme: It aims to improve nutrition levels among school children in addition to increasing enrolment, retention, and attendance. 6) National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: It ensures food and nutrition security for the most vulnerable section of society.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched three major initiatives.
 
1 G-Sec Mobile App: Enables retail investors to transact in government securities (G-Secs) using smartphones.

2 PRAVAAH Portal: A centralized web-based platform for individuals or entities to apply for authorizations, licenses, or regulatory approvals from the RBI, enhancing efficiency in processing applications.

3 Fintech Repository: A data storehouse for Indian FinTech firms to help understand the sector better and design appropriate policies. Additionally, the EmTech Repository for RBI-regulated entities will track the adoption of emerging technologies like AI and blockchain.

Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH)

1. About– It is a WHO managed network aimed at implementing the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025 and other WHO standards, for digital health system transformation.
2. Launched by- India in collaboration with the World Health Organisation
3. Features- The initiative will consist of a network of networks comprising four key elements– a. Country needs tracker– Helping digital health investments align with country priorities. b. Country resource portal– A map of resources available in a country. c. Transformation toolbox– For sharing quality-assured digital tools. d. Convening and Knowledge Exchange– Encouraging better collaboration and knowledge sharing among global, regional, and national digital health networks.
4. Significance: a. The initiative would aid universal health convergence and improve healthcare service delivery. b. GIDH will help countries by listening to their needs, coordinating resources to prevent duplication, and offering quality-assured products.

Green Credit Program


1. It was initiated by the Prime Minister of India during the COP 28 event, which took place in 2023 at Expo City, Dubai, UAE.
This program is a part of the government’s Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) movement.
2. It is an innovative market-based mechanism designed to incentivize voluntary environmental actions across diverse sectors, by various stakeholders like individuals, communities, private sector industries, and companies.
2. The GCP’s governance framework is supported by an inter-ministerial Steering Committee and The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) serves as the GCP Administrator which is responsible for program implementation, management, monitoring, and operation.
3. The GCP focuses on two key activities: water conservation and afforestation.
4. Draft methodologies for awarding Green Credits have been developed and will be notified for stakeholder consultation.
5. These methodologies set benchmarks for each activity/process, to ensure environmental impact and fungibility across sectors.
6. The Green Credit Registry and trading platform would facilitate the registration and thereafter, the buying and selling of Green Credits.
7. Unlike the carbon markets, which are more focused at industry and corporations, green credit programme can benefit individuals and communities as well.

CDP-SURAKSHA

Indian government has launched a new platform CDP-SURAKSHA. This platform will be employed for disbursing subsidies to horticulture farmers under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP).

About CDP-SURAKSHA

It stands for System for Unified Resource Allocation, Knowledge, and Secure Horticulture Assistance.
This is a digital platform which will allow an instant disbursal of subsidies to farmers in their bank account by utilising the e-RUPI voucher from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

Features of the CDP-SURAKSHA-

It has features such as database integration with PM-KISAN,

cloud-based server space from NIC,

UIDAI validation, eRUPI integration, local government directory (LGD),

content management system,

geotagging, and geo-fencing.

What is the Significance of the CDP-SURAKSHA?

1) Boost to Horticulture sector-India’s horticulture sector contributes nearly one-third to the agriculture gross value addition (GVA). This platform will push the growth of horticulture sector.

2) Departure from old system-It will provide subsidies to farmers at the time of purchasing the planting material unlike old system where a farmer had to buy planting materials on their own and then had to approach the officials concerned for the release of the subsidy.

India’s ‘National One Health Mission’

Mission Overview: The ‘National One Health Mission’ is India’s integrated approach to managing diseases affecting humans, animals, and the environment. 

Participating Bodies: Coordination among 13 Ministries and Departments, including those for Science and Technology, Biotechnology, Health, and Animal Husbandry. 

Objectives and Goals: Developing strategies for disease surveillance, research, and response to human and animal diseases. 

Focus on Diseases: Tackling diseases that affect humans such as COVID-19, foot and mouth disease, and lumpy skin disease. 

What initiatives has the Indian government taken to overcome the issue of Heatwaves?

Heat Action Plans: The Indian government has updated Heat Action Plans across 23 states, aiming to strategically combat and manage heatwaves.

Awareness Campaigns: About 100 districts have initiated campaigns to raise awareness about heatwave risks and precautions. 

Focus on Vulnerable Groups: These initiatives prioritize protecting high-risk groups like children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases. 

Public Health Preparedness: The Union Health Minister reviewed the preparedness for managing Heat-Related Illnesses (HRIs) on April 3, indicating a proactive approach to addressing the health impacts of heatwaves. 

Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM)

NTPC launched a new edition of the Girl Empowerment Mission.

Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM)


1. It is the flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
2. The program aligns with the Government of India’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative.
3. It aims to tackle gender inequality by nurturing girls’ imaginations and fostering their ability to explore opportunities.
4. GEM facilitates empowerment by conducting a one-month workshop for young girls over the summer break, providing a platform for their comprehensive development and empowerment.
5. The Mission is dedicated to empowering girls by identifying and fostering their leadership skills to prepare them for the future. It includes interventions that focus on health, hygiene, safety, fitness, sports, and yoga.
6. Success of the initiative: The GEM Mission has grown into a national movement. Despite COVID-19 setbacks in 2020 and 2021, it has continued to expand, benefiting 7,424 girls to date.
In 2023, the program reached 2,707 girls across 40 NTPC locations in 16 Indian states.

Mulya Pravah 2.0

✅• It underscores the need for utmost transparency in administration

✅• It highlights that decision-making in higher education institutions must be solely guided by institutional and public interest, and not be vitiated by biases.

✅It seeks to abolish the discriminatory privileges of officials and urges the administration to punish the corrupt.

✅• It lays stress on the criticality of ‘encouraging persons at all levels to think and give their advice freely’.

✅• The guideline expects higher education institutions to ‘ensure integrity, trusteeship, harmony, accountability, inclusiveness, commitment, respectfulness, belongingness, sustainability, constitutional values and global citizenship’.

✅• The guideline requires higher education administration to conduct matters ensuring accountability, transparency, fairness, honesty, and the highest degree of ethics.

✅• It reminds administration to:

🌲◦ act in the best interest of their institution
🌲◦ create a conducive culture and work environment for teaching, learning, and research
🌲◦ develop the potential of their institution.

✅• It asserts that officers and staff must ‘refrain from misappropriating financial and other resources

🌲◦ refuse to accept gifts, favors, services, or other items from any person, group, private business, or public agency which may affect the impartial performance of duties’.

1 Million Youth Actions Challenge (1MYAC)

✅The 1 Million Youth Actions Challenge (1MYAC) by the UN Climate Change Learning Partnership (UN CC:Learn) aims to mobilize youth aged 10 to 30 to take concrete actions for a sustainable future, with a goal of reaching 1,000,000 youth actions.

✅• It focuses on promoting four Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): clean water and sanitation, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and life on land.

✅• 1MYAC was founded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the RéSEAU.