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    (The Gist of PIB) 2nd anniversary of Goods and Services Tax to be celebrated [JULY-2019]

2nd anniversary of Goods and Services Tax to be celebrated

• To mark two years of GST implementation on 1st July 2019, the Finance Ministry unveiled a new return filing mechanism besides a host of other reforms to simplify the indirect tax system.
• Further reforms in current fiscal (2019-20):
• Introduction of New Return System on trial basis from 01.07.2019 and on mandatory basis from 01.10.2019.
• SAHAJ and SUGAM Returns for small taxpayers are proposed.

Key highlights

• Rationalisation of Cash Ledger in such a manner that earlier 20 heads are merged into 5 major heads. There is only one Cash Ledger for Tax , interest, penalty, fee and others .
• The Central or State Government which sanctions refund disburses all four major heads of refunds namely CGST, SGST, IGST and Cess.
• Threshold Limit of Rs 40 Lacs is offered of suppliers of goods as per the choice of States.
• Composition Scheme for small service providers up to annual turnover of Rs 50 lacs with a tax rate of 6%
• Electronic invoicing system in a phase-wise manner for B2B transactions is proposed to be introduced.
• GST Appellate Tribunals are being established at various State Headquarters and area benches also.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

BIHAR State GK Questions (Set-3) for BPSC Exam

Q.1: बिहार के किस जिले में गंगा नदी पर विक्रमशिला सेतु का निर्माण किया गया है ?

(a) मुजफ्फरपुर
(b) बक्सर
(c) पटना
(d) भागलपुर

Q.2: बिहार में किस वर्ष बहुप्रतीक्षित राज्य महिला आयोग का गठन किया गया है ?

(a) 2003 में
(b) 2005 में
(c) 2007 में
(d) 2001 में

Q.3: रेल मंत्रालय ने बिहार राज्य के कितने रेलवे स्टेशनों को आदर्श स्टेशन के रूप में विकास के लिए चुने है ?

(a) 7 स्टेशन
(b) 9 स्टेशन
(c) 2 स्टेशन
(d) 5 स्टेशन

Q.4: रेल मंत्रालय द्वारा बिहार का कौन-सा स्टेशन "आदर्श स्टेशन" में शामिल नहीं है ?

(a) गया
(b) पटना
(c)भागलपुर
(d) दानापुर

Q.5: बिहार राज्य के वह रेलवे स्टेशन जिन्हें रेल मंत्रालय द्वारा "आदर्श स्टेशन" में शामिल किया गया है ?

(a) दानापुर व पटना
(b) गया, बक्सर व आरा
(c) सोन, नवादा व नालन्दा
(d) उपरोक्त सभी

बिहार लोक सेवा आयोग प्रारम्भिक परीक्षा के लिए अध्ययन सामग्री

Study Kit for Bihar Public Service Commission Preliminary Examination

    (The Gist of PIB) National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) [JULY-2019]

National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP)

• Government of India launched the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 in 2013.
• Government has launched the scheme namely Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) Electric Vehicles (FAME India) under NEMMP 2020 in the Union Budget for 2015-16 with an initial outlay of Rs. 75 Cr.

Objectives

• It aims to achieve national fuel security by promoting hybrid and electric vehicles in the country.
• There is an ambitious target to achieve 6-7 million sales of hybrid and electric vehicles year on year from 2020 onwards. Government aims to provide fiscal and monetary incentives to kick start this nascent technology.

Key highlights

• With the support from the Government, the cumulative sale is expected to reach 15-16 Million by 2020.
• It is expected to save 9500 Million Liters of crude oil equivalent to Rs. 62000 Cr. savings.
• The scheme will provide a major push for early adoption and market creation of both hybrid and electric technologies vehicles in the country.
• The thrust for the Government through this scheme will be to allow hybrid and electric vehicles to become the first choice for the purchasers so that these vehicles can replace the conventional vehicles and thus reduce liquid fuel consumption in the country from the automobile sector.
• It is envisaged that early market creation through demand incentive, in-house technology development and domestic production will help industry reach a self-sufficient economies of scale in the long run by around the year 2020.

About the mechanism process

• As per the data available, around 42000 electric vehicles were sold in 2012-13 and nearly 20000 hybrid and electric vehicles were sold in 2013-14.
• In the year 2012-13, most of the electric vehicles sold were electric low speed scooters.
• It is expected that with the launch of the aforementioned scheme, market for hybrid and electric vehicles will gain momentum for all the vehicles segments including 2W, 3W, 4W, LCVs and Buses.
• The incentive shall be administered through an efficient and effective electronic mechanism/portal for incentive disbursement.
• Under this mechanism the manufacturer will reduce the purchase price of a hybrid and electric vehicle (the purchase price will be reduced by the level of the eligible predetermined incentive amount) at the time of selling to the buyer, and the same will be reimbursed to them by the Government.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

    (The Gist of PIB) Ramayana Circuit [JULY-2019]

Ramayana Circuit

• Ramayana Circuit is one of the fifteen thematic circuits identified for development under the Swadesh Darshan scheme of Ministry of Tourism.
• The Ministry has initially identified fifteen destinations for development under the Ramayana Circuit theme namely Ayodhya, Nandigram, Shringverpur and Chitrakoot (Uttar Pradesh), Sitamarhi, Buxar and Darbhanga (Bihar), Chitrakoot (Madhya Pradesh), Mahendragiri (Odisha), Jagdalpur (Chattisgarh), Nashik and Nagpur (Maharashtra), Bhadrachalam (Telangana), Hampi (Karnataka) and Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu).

Key highlights

• For the state of Chhattisgarh, the Ministry has sanctioned the project for Development of Tribal Tourism Circuit in Jashpur- Kunkuri- Mainpat- Ambikapur- Maheshpur -Ratanpur- Kurdar-Sarodadadar- Gangrel- Kondagaon– Nathiya Nawagaon- Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh in the year 2015-16 with a total sanction amount of Rs.99.21 crore.
• Submission of project proposals by the State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme is a continuous process.
• The projects for development under the scheme are identified in consultation with the State Governments/UT Administrations and are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

    (The Gist of PIB) Scheme for Trans-disciplinary Research for India’s Developing Economy (STRIDE) [JULY-2019]

Scheme for Trans-disciplinary Research for India’s Developing Economy (STRIDE)

• The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved a new scheme – ‘Scheme for Trans-disciplinary Research for India’s Developing Economy’ (STRIDE).
• Broadly, STRIDE will provide support to research projects that are socially relevant, locally need-based, nationally important and globally significant.
• STRIDE shall support research capacity building as well as basic, applied and transformational action research that can contribute to national prioritiers with focus on inclusive human development.
• STRIDE shall support creation, development andintegration of new ideas, concepts and practices for public good and strengthening civil society.

About Trans-disciplinary research

• Trans-disciplinary research is a team effort of investigators from different disciplines to create new conceptual, theoretical, methodological innovations that integrates and transcends beyond discipline-specific approaches to address a common problem.
• Trans-disciplinary research goes beyond mere production of knowledge and extends to the practical use of the knowledge outside academic endeavour.
• In essence, it takes into consideration the societal impact of knowledge enunciating as what should be the main aim of research.
• It creates unity of intellectual frameworks beyond the disciplinary perspectives and solve problems by going beyond the boundaries of disciplines to involve various stakeholders.
• Trans-disciplinary research generates knowledge through use of multi and inter-disciplinary concepts and integrates new theories among science and society.

STRIDE Objectives:

• To identify young talent, strengthen research culture, build capacity, promote innovation and support trans-disciplinary research for India’s developing economy and national development.
• To fund multi institutional network high-impact research projects in humanities and human sciences.

STRIDE components:

Component-1

• It will endeavour to identify the motivated young talents with research and innovation aptitude in universities and colleges.
• The Scheme will provide research capacity building in diverse disciplines by mentoring, nurturing and supporting young talents to innovate pragmatic solutions for local, regional, national and global problems.
• This component is open to all disciplines for grant upto 1 crore.

Component-2

• It will be mainly to enhance problem solving skills with help of social innovation and action research to improve wellbeing of people and contribute for India’s developing economy. Collaborations between universities, government, voluntary organizations and industries is encouraged under this scheme.
• This component is open to all disciplines for grant upto 50 lakh – 1 crore.

Component-3

• It will fund high impact research projects in the identified thrust areas inhumanities and human sciences through national network of eminent scientists from leading institutions.
• Disciplines eligible for funding under this component include: Philosophy, History, Archaeology, Anthropology, Psychology, Liberal Arts, Linguistics, Indian Languages and Culture, Indian Knowledge Systems, Law, Education, Journalism, Mass Communication, Commerce, Management, Environment and Sustainable Development. Grant available for this component is upto 1 crore for one HEI and upto 5 crores for multi institutional network.
• To encourage high quality high impact research in humanities, there is a provision to identify experts and invite them to develop a proposal.
• UGC is also proposing to provide a grant of Rs 2 lakh for developing proposals.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

    (The Gist of PIB) National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) [JULY-2019]

National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP)

• Government of India launched the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 in 2013.
• Government has launched the scheme namely Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) Electric Vehicles (FAME India) under NEMMP 2020 in the Union Budget for 2015-16 with an initial outlay of Rs. 75 Cr.

Objectives

• It aims to achieve national fuel security by promoting hybrid and electric vehicles in the country.
• There is an ambitious target to achieve 6-7 million sales of hybrid and electric vehicles year on year from 2020 onwards. Government aims to provide fiscal and monetary incentives to kick start this nascent technology.

Key highlights

• With the support from the Government, the cumulative sale is expected to reach 15-16 Million by 2020.
• It is expected to save 9500 Million Liters of crude oil equivalent to Rs. 62000 Cr. savings.
• The scheme will provide a major push for early adoption and market creation of both hybrid and electric technologies vehicles in the country.
• The thrust for the Government through this scheme will be to allow hybrid and electric vehicles to become the first choice for the purchasers so that these vehicles can replace the conventional vehicles and thus reduce liquid fuel consumption in the country from the automobile sector.
• It is envisaged that early market creation through demand incentive, in-house technology development and domestic production will help industry reach a self-sufficient economies of scale in the long run by around the year 2020.

About the mechanism process

• As per the data available, around 42000 electric vehicles were sold in 2012-13 and nearly 20000 hybrid and electric vehicles were sold in 2013-14.
• In the year 2012-13, most of the electric vehicles sold were electric low speed scooters.
• It is expected that with the launch of the aforementioned scheme, market for hybrid and electric vehicles will gain momentum for all the vehicles segments including 2W, 3W, 4W, LCVs and Buses.
• The incentive shall be administered through an efficient and effective electronic mechanism/portal for incentive disbursement.
• Under this mechanism the manufacturer will reduce the purchase price of a hybrid and electric vehicle (the purchase price will be reduced by the level of the eligible predetermined incentive amount) at the time of selling to the buyer, and the same will be reimbursed to them by the Government.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

    (The Gist of PIB) TRAINS AT A GLANCE [JULY-2019]

TRAINS AT A GLANCE

• Ministry of Railways has released its new All India Railway Time Table known as ‘Trains At A Glance’ effective from July 01, 2019.

Other key developments in Indian Railways:

• Vande Bharat Express: Indian Railways introduced the first self-propelled semi high speed train Vande Bharat Express between New Delhi and Varanasi on 14.02.2019. This resulted in the reduction of travel time between New Delhi and Varanasi by about 40%.
• Speeding up of trains: As part of Mission Raftaar, 261 trains have been speeded up (by upto 110 minutes) over different Zonal Railways thereby providing a faster transit to the passengers.
• Replacement of conventional Passenger trains with MEMU/DEMU: The short distance passenger trains especially having reversal enroute are being replaced by Mainline Electric Multiple Units (MEMUs) & Diesel Electric Multiple Units (DEMUs).
• Conversion of ICF rakes into LHB rakes: The Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches provide more comfortable and safe journey. To improve the travel experience, a total of 411 pairs of important long distance trains are presently running with LHB coaches by utilizing 465 rakes.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

बिहार लोक सेवा आयोग परीक्षा के बारें में

BPSC बिहार राज्य लोक सेवा आयोग द्वारा संचालित परीक्षा हैं | यह परीक्षा राज्य स्तर की सर्वोच्च प्रतियोगिता परीक्षा हैं | इस परीक्षा में सफल होने वाले प्रतियोगी सिविल सेवक बनकर लोगो से सीधे जुडकर कIम करते हैं | इस परीक्षा के लिए विद्यार्थीयों में काफी उत्साह रहता है | लोगो की धारणा है कि यह परीक्षा काफी कठिन है, लेकिन अगर सही मार्गदर्शन एवं धेर्यपूर्वक तेयारी की जाए तो इस परीक्षा में उतीर्ण होना बिलकुल ही आसान है |

परीक्षा प्रबंध

• BPSC द्वारा आयोजित परीक्षा तीन चरणों में सम्पन्न होती है | प्रथम चरण में प्रारम्भिक परीक्षा, दुसरे चरण में मुख्य परीक्षा तथा तीसरे चरण में साक्षात्कार होता है | प्रारम्भिक परीक्षा में सफल होने के बाद मुख्य परीक्षा में शामिल होना होता है | मुख्य परीक्षा के बाद साक्षात्कार के लिए बुलावा आता है |
•  प्रारम्भिक परीक्षा सामान्य अध्ययन पर आधारित होती है, इसमें वस्तुनिष्ठ प्रकार के प्रश्न पूछे जाते हैं | यह परीक्षा दो घंटे की होती है, तथा इसमें 150 प्रश्न पूछे जाते है | यह परीक्षा सिर्फ QUALIFYING NATURE का होता है |
•  मुख्य परीक्षा में चार प्रश्नपत्र होते हैं | पहला प्रश्नपत्र सामान्य हिंदी का होता है, जो सिर्फ qualify करना होता है | इस पेपर को qualify करने के लिए सिर्फ 30% अंक लाने होते हैं | दूसरा एवं तीसरा प्रश्न पत्र सामान्य अध्ययन से सम्बन्धित होते हैं | दोनों प्रश्न पत्र 300-300 अंक के होते हैं | प्रत्येक प्रश्न पत्र तीन घंटे का होता है |
  चोथा प्रश्नपत्र एक वैक्ल्पिक विषय पर होता है | जिसका चयन विधार्थी अपने रूचि के मुताबित करते है | यह प्रश्नपत्र 300 अंको का होता है | इस प्रश्नपत्र की अवधि 2 घंटे की होती है | एक ही प्रश्नपत्र में वैकल्पिक विषय के पेपर -I एवं पेपर –II के प्रश्न पूछे जाते हैं |
•  मुख्य परीक्षा में सामान्य हिंदी को छोडकर सारे प्रश्न-पत्रों के अंको के आधार पर ही मेरिट लिस्ट तैयार की जाती है | इस परीक्षा को पास करने वाले विद्यार्थी ही साक्षात्कार के लिए योग्य होते हैं |
•  साक्षात्कार 120 अंको का होता है | साक्षात्कार के अंक भी मेरिट लिस्ट के लिए काफी महत्त्वपूर्ण होते हैं | साक्षात्कार की तैयारी भी बहुत ही अच्छे तरीके से करनी चाहिए |

इस परीक्षा को पास करने के बाद निम्नलिखित पदों पर नियुक्ति होती है |

•  General Administration Department of Bihar Civil Services (Subdivision Officer) / Preferential Sub Committee and equivalent officers of General Administration
•  Police Vice-Chancellor, Home Department (Rakuchi Branch)
•  District Sustainer Home Department (Special Branch)
•  Aber Register / Joint Aber Register, Bihar Registrar Service, Prohibition Product, and Registrar Department
•  Election commissioner election office
•  Notification Officer / District Newcastle Officer (Gazetted) Labor Department
•  District Minority Welfare Officer Minority Welfare Department
•  Bihar Education Service (Administration Sub-Cadre) Education Division
•  Assistant Director Co-District Public Relations Officer and Public Relations Department
•  Rural development officer rural development
•  Municipal Executive Officer Municipal Development & Housing Department
•  Fulfilling Inspector Department of Food and Consumer Protection
•  Block Panchayati Raj Officer Panchayati Raj Department
•  Labor Enforcement Officer (Unregistered), Department of Labor Resources
•  Block Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe Collectorate Officer Anisu and Anu Tribal District Department

नोट :
इस कठिन परीक्षा को आसान बनाने के लिए www.iasexamportal.com के expert द्वारा अध्ययन सामग्री तैयार किया गया है | आप इस अध्ययन सामग्री द्वारा बहुत कम दिनों में अच्छी तैयारी कर सकते हैं |

बिहार लोक सेवा आयोग प्रारम्भिक परीक्षा के लिए अध्ययन सामग्री

BPSC (Bihar Public Service Commission) Preliminary Exam 2019 Study Kit
 

    (The Gist of PIB) First Ever India International Cooperatives Trade Fair (IICTF) [JULY-2019]

First Ever India International Cooperatives Trade Fair (IICTF)

• Government of India announced that the First Ever India International Cooperatives Trade Fair (IICTF) will be held in New Delhi later this year.

About:

• The Trade Fair is aimed at promoting cooperative to cooperative trade within India and abroad leading to enhanced rural and farm prosperity.
• It will be heald at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
• It will be held from 11th till 13th October, 2019.
• Steered by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), the Fair is being conducted with the support of one international organization (NEDAC), three Ministries, four State Governments and several apex level Indian cooperative organizations.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

    (The Gist of PIB) Cabinet approves MoU between India and Maldives for Shipping [JULY-2019]

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Maldives for Shipping

• The Union Cabinet has given ex-post facto approval for the MoU between India and Maldives for the establishment of passenger and cargo services by sea, which was signed on June 8, 2019 during the visit of Prime Minister of India to Maldives.

About:

• The MoU will pave way for ferry services between Maldives and Kerala by Connecting Kochi with Male and Kulhudhuffushi in Maldives by Sea route.
  While Male – the capital and most populous city – is situated at a distance of 708 Kms from Kochi, Kulhudhuffushi – the third most populous city of Maldives – is 509 Kms away.

Significance:

Present connectivity involves flights to Male and sea planes to the resorts, which is an expensive option.

On the other hand, connectivity with Kochi through sea could promote inbound tourism, particularly health and wellness tourism for India. A large number of Maldivians also travel to Kerala and other South Indian cities for educational purposes.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

BIHAR State GK Questions (Set-2) for BPSC Exam

Q.1: प्रख्यात कवि विद्यापति कहॉं निवासी थे ?

(a) मिथिल
(b) वैशाली
(c) मनेर
(d) पूर्णिया

Q.2: बिहार के किस महाकवि के काल में नचारी राग के गीत घर-घर गाये जाते थे ?

(a) रामधारी सिंह "दिनकार"
(b) महाकवि विद्यापति
(c) केदारनाथ मिश्र "प्रभात"
(d) नगार्जुन

Q.3: बिहार में मुख्यतः मिथिला व दरभंगा जिलों में "लगनी राग" किस समय गाये जाते थे ?

(a) मुंडन संस्कार
(b) अंतिम संस्कार
(c) विवाह के समय
(d) उपरोक्त सभी

Q.4: बिहार में "फाग राग" के गीतों की रचना किसने की थी ?

(a) कवि विद्यापति ने
(b) नवलकिशोर सिंह ने
(c) बुकानन ने
(d) रजाशाह ने

Q.5: फागन के महिने में गाये जाने वाले गीतों को कहा जाता है ?

(a) फाग राग
(b) होली राग
(c) फगुआ
(d) उपरोक्त सभी

बिहार लोक सेवा आयोग प्रारम्भिक परीक्षा के लिए अध्ययन सामग्री

Study Kit for Bihar Public Service Commission Preliminary Examination

    (The Gist of PIB) PM greets people on Ashadhi Bij, the Kutchi New Year [JULY-2019]

PM greets people on Ashadhi Bij, the Kutchi New Year

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Bij, the Kutchi New Year.

About:

• Ashadi Beej or Ashadhi Bij is observed on the second day of the Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in Ashada month.
• It is the Kutchi New Year. This Hindu New Year is observed in the Kutch region in Gujarat.
• Ashadi Beej is mostly a traditional affair and is a celebration of rains.
• During Ashadhi-beej, farmers check the moisture in the atmosphere to help predict which crop would do best in coming monsoon.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

    (The Gist of PIB) Transport sector gets enhanced Budget Allocation of Rs 83,000 crore [JULY-2019]

Transport sector gets enhanced Budget Allocation of Rs 83,000 crore

• Transport sector has been allocated enhanced outlay of Rs 83,000 crore in the Union Budget. Budgetary allocation for the Ministry last year was Rs 78,626 crore.

Key highlights of budget Speech:

• Comprehensive restructuring of National Highway Programme will be carried out to ensure that the National Highway Grid of desirable length and capacity is created using financeable model.
• After completing the Phase-1 of Bharatmala, states will be helped to develop State road networks in the Phase-2 of Bharatmala.
• The Central Road and Infrastructure Cess on petrol and diesel has been raised by Re 1 per litre to give a boost to the development of Infrastructure.
• Under Phase-II of the FAME Scheme, only advanced battery and registered e-vehicles will be incentivized. Phase II of FAME has an outlay of Rs10,000 crore for a period of 3 years, and has commenced from 1st April, 2019.
• The Government has already moved GST council to lower the GST rate on electric vehicles from 12% to 5%.
• To make electric vehicles affordable to consumers, the government will provide additional income tax deduction of Rs 1.5 lakh on the interest paid on loans taken to purchase electric vehicles.
• To further incentivise e-mobility, customs duty is being exempted on certain parts of electric vehicles.
• Under the Jal Marg Vikas Project, two multi-modal terminals at Sahibganj and Haldia and a navigational lock and Farrakka would be completed this year.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

    (The Gist of PIB) Indian Development Assistance Scheme (IDEAS) [JULY-2019]

Indian Development Assistance Scheme (IDEAS)

• The Union Finance Minister proposed that the IDEAS scheme will be revamped during the current financial year.

Key highlights of Budget Speech:

• Aadhaar Card for NRIs: The Union Finance Minister proposed to consider issuing Aadhaar Card for Non-Resident Indians with Indian Passports.
• Indian Development Assistance Scheme (IDEAS): The IDEAS scheme will be revamped during the current financial year.
• Indian Development Assistance Scheme (IDEAS) provides concessional financing for projects and contributes to infrastructure development and capacity building in the recipient developing countries.
• New Embassies: In Financial Year 2019-20, Government intends to open four new Embassies and High Commissions abroad in countries where India does not have a Resident Diplomatic Mission.
• World class tourist destinations: Government is developing 17 iconic tourism sites into world class tourist destinations.
• These sites will lead to increase visits of both domestic and international tourists at these destinations.
• She also proposed to launch a Mission that will integrate India’s traditional artisans and their creative products with global markets.
• Wherever necessary patents and geographical indicators, will be obtained for them.

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    (The Gist of PIB) Rs. 400 Cr allocated for creating world class educational institutions [JULY-2019]

Rs. 400 Cr allocated for creating world class educational institutions

• While presenting the Union Budget 2019-20, Union Minister of Finance announced setting up of a National Research Foundation (NRF) to achieve the objectives of research and innovation.

Key announcements in Education Sector:

• An amount of Rs. 400 crore has been provided for FY 2019-20 to create “World Class Institutions” in the field of education which is more than three times the revised estimates for the previous year.
• The Government will also bring in a “New National Education Policy” to transform India’s higher education system to one of the global best education systems.
• A National Research Foundation (NRF) will be setup to fund, coordinate and promote research in the country.
• The ‘Study in India’ programme was announced that will focus on bringing foreign students to study in our higher educational institutions.
• A draft legislation for setting up Higher Education Commission of India (HECI)would be presented in the year ahead. This will help to comprehensively reform the regulatory system of higher education to promote greater autonomy and focus on better academic outcomes.
• National Sports Education Board for Development of Sportspersons would be set up under Khelo India Scheme to popularize sports at all levels.

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    (The Gist of PIB) Coffee Table Book for partnership between India and the UN World Food Programme [JULY-2019]

Coffee Table Book for partnership between India and the UN World Food Programme

• Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar launched a Coffee Table Book today.
• Speaking at the event, Shri Tomar said “Given the importance of rural India and linkages of agriculture with multiple targets of Sustainable Development Goal 2 -the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare continues to play a critical role in achieving the collective target of ‘ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture’.
• Organisations like UN World Food Programme are prime partners of the Ministry in this endeavor”.

Highlights of the event

• It has been fortunate to witness significant positive changes in the food and nutritional security status of people, and substantial efforts made by the Government to address malnutrition.
• The successes achieved have been, in large part, due to the strong relationship between Government of India and WFP, and the commitment of the Government and people of India towards uplifting the nation towards a better and brighter future.
• The Coffee Table Book – 50 years of Partnership for Change- showcases key milestones achieved by the Government of India in its efforts to make the nation free from hunger and malnutrition and WFP’s role in this endeavour.
• Some of the major turning points in India’s journey towards food and nutrition security captured in the book include the Green Revolution, the White revolution, improvements in livestock and dairy development and digitization of food safety nets.

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    (The Gist of PIB) Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) [JULY-2019]

Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)

• As per Agriculture Census conducted at an interval of every five years by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, the percentage of female operational holdings in the country have increased from 12.78 percent during 2010-11 to 13.78 percent during 2015-16.

Key objectives

• The primary objective of MKSP is to empower women by enhancing their participation in agriculture and to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for them.
• Funding support to the tune of up to 60% (90% for North Eastern States) for such projects is provided by the Government of India.
• The Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare is also promoting mainstreaming of Gender Concerns in agriculture by ensuring flow of funds and benefits to the tune of 30% for women farmers under its beneficiary oriented Schemes and Programmes.
• Besides, Government is providing additional support and assistance to women farmers, over and above the male farmers under a few selected Schemes.

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(Download) CS (MAIN) EXAM:2018 CHEMISTRY (Paper II)

Exam Name: CS (MAIN) EXAM:2018 CHEMISTRY (Paper II)
Marks: 250
Time Allowed : Three Hours

    (The Gist of PIB) Launch of Phase-II of DBT in Fertilizer Subsidy [JULY-2019]

Launch of Phase-II of DBT in Fertilizer Subsidy

•  Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers launched the Phase-II of the Direct Benefit Transfer of Fertilizer Subsidy (DBT 2.0).

Background:

•  The Department of Fertilizers (DoF) has implemented the Phase-I of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system in fertilizer subsidy pan-India in Fertilizers w.e.f. March 2018.
•  DBT in fertilizer subsidy is a step towards bringing ease of living in the lives of farmers through use of modern technology and plugging leakages, pilferages and black marketing.
•  Phase-I DBT system in Fertilizers (DBT 1.0) envisaged the release of 100% subsidy on various fertilizer grades to the fertilizer companies on the basis of actual sales made by the retailer to the beneficiaries.
•  A Project Monitoring Cell was set up at DoF to oversee implementation of DBT exclusively. The new initiatives of DBT 2.0 are as under:
•  DBT Dashboards: These dashboards provide various reports regarding the Fertilizer Stock position at ports, plants, in States, at District levels. The reports would facilitate real-time monitoring of the availability and sale of fertilizers within each State/UT.
•  PoS 3.0 Software: The Multi-lingual facility would provide Aadhar virtual ID option for registration, login and sale activity in DBT software.
•  Desktop PoS Version: Keeping in view the various operational challenges viz. limited Point-of-Sale (POS) vendors, rush of sales due to peak season etc. the department has developed a multilingual desktop version of PoS software as an alternative or added facility to PoS devices.

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    (The Gist of PIB) Witness Protection Scheme [JULY-2019]

Witness Protection Scheme

•  Witness Protection Scheme, 2018 provides for protection of witnesses based on the threat assessment and protection measures inter alia include protection/change of identity of witnesses, their relocation, installation of security devices at the residence of witnesses, usage of specially designed Court rooms, etc.

About the scheme

•  The Scheme provides for three categories of witness as per threat perception:
•  Category ‘A’: Where the threat extends to life of witness or his family members, during investigation/trial or thereafter.
•  Category ‘B’: Where the threat extends to safety, reputation or property of the witness or his family members, during the investigation/trial or thereafter.
•  Category ‘C’: Where the threat is moderate and extends to harassment or intimidation of the witness or his family member’s, reputation or property, during the investigation/trial or thereafter.

Benefits

•  The Scheme provides for a State Witness Protection Fund for meeting the expenses of the scheme. This fund shall be operated by the Department/Ministry of Home under State/UT Government and shall comprise
  of the following:
•  Budgetary allocation made in the Annual Budget by the State Government;
•  Receipt of amount of costs imposed/ ordered to be deposited by the courts/tribunals in the Witness Protection Fund;
•  Donations/ contributions from Philanthropist/ Charitable Institutions/ Organizations and individuals permitted by the Government.
•  Funds contributed under Corporate Social Responsibility.

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