Current Context : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, announced the implementation of the Subhadra scheme in the state,

• Under this scheme ₹50,000 will be provided over five years to one crore women between the ages of 21 and 60.
• A total of Rs 10,000 per annum will be paid in two instalments (Rs 5,000 each) on Rakhi Purnima and International Women’s Day. So, an eligible woman beneficiary will get Rs 50,000 in five years
• The money will be deposited directly into the beneficiary bank account.
• Women from economically well-off families, government employees or income tax payees will not be eligible under this scheme. Also, women who receive an assistance of Rs 1,500 or more per month or Rs 18,000 or more per year under any other government scheme will also be excluded.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: India’s space sector has directly contributed about $24 billion (₹20,000 crore) to India’s Gross Domestic Product over the last decade.

Space Sector of India

• India’s space sector has benefitted from decades of consistent investment, with $13 billion invested in the last decade.
• It is the 8th largest space economy (in terms of funding) in the world.
• In the recently announced Union Budget for 2024-25, India’s space sector received a significant boost.
• The Central government allocated ₹13,042.75 crore to support space-related initiatives.

Contribution of Space Sector to India’s GDP

• The Sector has supported 96,000 jobs in the public and private sector.
• For every dollar produced by the space sector, there was a multiplier effect of $2.54 to the Indian economy and India’s space force was 2.5 times more productive than the country’s broader industrial workforce.
• The Indian space sector was diversifying and now had 700 companies including 200 start-ups and had seen revenues grow to $6.3 billion in 2023, which was about 1.5% of the global space market.
• Satellite communications contributed 54% to the space economy, followed by navigation (26%) and launches (11%).
• The main industries supported by the space sector were telecom (25%), information technology (10%) and administrative services (7%).

FDI in space sector

• Under the amended FDI policy, 100% FDI is allowed in the space sector. The entry route for the various activities are as follows:
• Up to 74% under Automatic route: Satellites-Manufacturing & Operation, Satellite Data Products and Ground Segment & User Segment.
• Up to 49% under Automatic route: Launch Vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, Creation of Spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft.
• Up to 100% under Automatic route: Manufacturing of components and systems/ sub-systems for satellites, ground segment and user segment.

Potential of Space Sector

• Export Potential and Investment: Currently, India’s export market share in space-related services stands at ₹2,400 crore (about $0.3 billion). The goal is to boost this to ₹88,000 crore ($11 billion).
• Rise of Space Tourism: In 2023, the space tourism market was valued at $848.28 million.
• It is expected to grow to $27,861.99 million by 2032.

Challenges in India’s Space Sector

• Competition and Global Market Share: To achieve this ambitious goal of 8% of the global market share, Indian space companies must compete effectively on the international stage.
• Private Sector Participation: While the private sector has shown interest, there’s a need for more substantial investment and commitment.
• Technology Development and Innovation: Developing cutting-edge technologies, such as reusable launch vehicles, miniaturized satellites, and advanced propulsion systems, requires substantial investment and research.
• Regulatory Framework and Licensing: Navigating licensing processes, export controls, and compliance can be complex.
• Infrastructure and Facilities: Developing and maintaining such infrastructure requires significant capital.

Major Reforms In Space Sector of India

• Indian Space Policy 2023: It laid down roles and responsibilities of organizations such as ISRO, New Space India Limited (NSIL) and private sector entities.
• It aims to enhance the participation of research, academia, startups and industry.
• Strategic Proposals by SIA: The Space Industry Association – India (SIA-India) in its Pre-Budget Memorandum for the FY 2024-25 has proposed a substantial increase in India’s space budget.
• It aims to support India’s expanding space program, foster private sector involvement, drive technological advancements, and position the nation as a key player in the dynamic global space ecosystem.

Way Ahead

• India aims to commission the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) by 2035 and land Indian astronauts on the Moon by 2040.
• Private entities are now actively involved in crucial aspects of research, manufacturing, and fabrication of rockets and satellites, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of innovation. It is expected to integrate Indian companies into global value chains.
• With this, companies will be able to set up their manufacturing facilities within the country duly encouraging ‘Make In India (MII)’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives of the Government.

Current Context : Himachal Vidhan Sabha passed The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024, to enhance the marriageable age of girls from 18 to 21 years.

• Objective : to provide gender equality and opportunities of obtaining higher education.
• Applicable to : all persons domiciled in the territory of Himachal, also contained in the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936, the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, the Special Marriage Act, 1954, the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, or any other law or custom or usage or practice in relation to marriage.
• Bill introduced by : Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil
• Passed by the House through a voice vote.
• The bill will now be sent to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla for assent. If approved by the Governor, Himachal Pradesh will be the first state to enact this significant legislation.

Current Context : According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), only 2,07,642 PM-Wani Wi-Fi hotspots had been deployed across the country as of 22 July. This falls well short of the target of 50 lakh public Wi-Fi hotspots by 2020 and 1 crore by December 2022.

ABOUT PRIME MINISTER’S WI-FI ACCESS NETWORK INTERFACE (PM-WANI)

• It is an initiative by the Government of India aimed at expanding and enhancing public Wi-Fi access across the country.
• It is part of the broader Digital India program.
• Aim : to provide free or low-cost public Wi-Fi access across India, especially in rural and underserved areas.
• Launched on 09 December 2020 by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
• This includes installing Wi-Fi hotspots in public areas such as parks, bus stations, railway stations, and more.

Current Context : Kerala faces a new health challenge of deadly Leptospirosis outbreak in the state.

ABOUT LEPTOSPIROSIS  :

• It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira.
• It is also known as “rat fever”,due to its association with rodent urine contamination
• Transmission : through contact with water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, particularly rodents.
• People in flooded areas especially vulnerable.
• Symptoms : Fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting.
• It can lead to kidney damage, liver failure, trouble breathing and even death.
• The disease is also known for a high mortality rate.

Current Context : The Assam Forest and Environment department allows to Cairn Oil and Gas’s proposal for oil and gas exploration in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Gibbon wildlife sanctuary is a home to the endangered Hoolock Gibbon and wild elephants.

ABOUT HOLLONGAPAR GIBBON WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

• Location: Jorhat district of Assam
• Established in 1997
• Area : approximately 21.98 square kilometers.
• Flora: Dense tropical rainforests, and the vegetation includes various species of trees, shrubs, and herbs.
• Fauna: The Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its rich biodiversity. It include:
  • Gibbons: The sanctuary is named after the Hoolock Gibbon, which is the only ape species found in India.
  • Other Mammals: including the endangered Indian Elephant, the Assamese Macaque, and several species of deer.

ABOUT HOOLOCK GIBBONS

• The Hoolock Gibbons belong to the genus Hoolock.
• They have high intelligence, distinct personalities, and strong family bonds similar to other apes.
• They represent one of the 20 gibbon species found worldwide.
• Hoolock Gibbons are India’s only ape species.
• There are two recognized species:
• Western Hoolock Gibbon(Hoolock hoolock): Found in the northeastern parts of India and Bangladesh.
  • IUCN status : Endangered
• Eastern Hoolock Gibbon(Hoolock leuconedys): Found in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India, China (Yunnan), and Myanmar.
• IUCN status : Vulnerable

Current Context : Reserve Bank of India will launch an application for frictionless credit named Unified Lending Interface (ULI).

Objective :  to transform India’s lending sector, similar to how the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) revolutionised the payments ecosystem.

ABOUT ULI

• It is a technology platform which would enable frictionless credit. 
• It will provide lenders consent-based digital access to customer’s financial and non-financial data including land records, stored in various silos to help them extend frictionless credit, especially to farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
• It would reduce the time taken for credit appraisal, especially for small and rural borrowers.

It allows borrowers to benefit from the seamless delivery of credit and faster turnaround time without requiring extensive documentation.

Current Context : The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the creation of five new districts in Union Territory of Ladakh.

• These districts are Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang.
• Ladakh was a part of Jammu and Kashmir before 2019.

CREATION OF NEW DISTRICTS :

• The power to create new districts or alter or abolish existing districts rests with the State governments.
• This can either be done through an executive order or by passing a law in the State Assembly.

ABOUT LADAKH

• Situated in the northernmost region of India
• Bordered by Tibet (China) to the east, Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan to the northwest, and the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir to the west.
• Established as a Union Territory on October 31, 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Two districts: Leh and Kargil.
• Adminstartion : Lieutenant Governor is the administrative head.
• The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) manages local governance, development activities, and cultural preservation in the region.

Climate :  extreme cold desert climate with harsh winters and mild summers.

Current Context : Jay Shah the secretary of the Board of Cricket for Cricket in India (BCCI), is set to become the youngest chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

• He has been elected unopposed as the Independent Chair of the ICC.
• He will take over from New Zealand’s Greg Barclay on December 1.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL (ICC)

• The ICC is the global governing body for cricket.
• It oversees the rules, regulations, and major international tournaments of the sport.
• Founded in 1909 as the Imperial Cricket Conference. It was renamed the International Cricket Council in 1989.
• It represents 108 members countries, include 12 Full Members and 96 Associate Members, which include countries where cricket is played at various levels.
• Headquarter : Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Current Context : The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of Senior IPS officer B Srinivasan as the Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG).

• Srinivasan is a 1992 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Bihar cadre.

ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY GUARD

• It commonly known as Black Cats, is a special counter-terrorism force in India.
• Formed on October 16, 1984,by an act of Parliament- ‘National Security Guard Act, 1986’ in response to the increasing threat of terrorism and insurgency in India.
• Objective : to counter-terrorism operations, handle hijacking, and conduct special operations to ensure the security of key installations and dignitaries.
• It operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs 
• Motto : ‘Sarvatra, Sarvottam, Suraksha’

VARIOUS OPERATIONS UNDERTAKEN BY NSG:

• Operation Black Thunder (Golden Temple, Amritsar, 1986 & 1988)
• Operation Ashwamedh (Indian Airlines Flight-IC427 hijacking, India, 1993)
• Operation Thunderbolt or Vajra Shakti (Akshardham Temple attack, Gujarat, 2002)
• Operation Black Tornado (Mumbai Blasts, 2008)