National Technology Day in India is celebrated on May 11 to honor scientists and engineers.

• It is a momentous occasion that commemorates the successful nuclear tests conducted in Pokhran in 1998.
• The first National Technology Day was celebrated on May 11, 1999.
• The theme for this year’s event is “School to Startups – Inspiring Young Minds to Innovate”.
• It aims to inspire young minds to innovate and guide them towards the path of establishing their startup.

General Studies Paper-3

Context-The recently published HDI report and a paper published by the World Inequality Lab in March 2024 reports do not reveal very encouraging trends for India. Thus, the article highlights the need for an alternate growth strategy that accords primacy to human development and converts it as a route to accelerate growth.

What is the performance of India in various development reports?

1. Human Development Index-
   1. According to the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report 2023-24, India ranked 134 out of 193 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI) in 2022.This is a marginal improvement from its rank of 135 in 2021.
   2. India’s HDI value increased from 0.633 in 2021 to 0.644 in 2022, placing it in the medium human development category. However, India still lags behind neighboring countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and China in terms of HDI.
   3. When adjusted for inequality, India’s loss in HDI is 31.1%, higher than Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan.
2. Gender Inequality Index –
   1. India improved its ranking from 122 out of 191 countries in 2021 to 108 out of 193 countries in 2022. However, India has one of the largest gender gaps in labor force participation, with a 47.8% difference between women (28.3%) and men (76.1%).

What is the status of income and wealth Inequality in India?

1. According to the World Inequality Lab study, the bottom 50% of India’s population received only 15% of the national income in 2022-23. The top 1% earned an average of 5.3 million rupees, 23 times the average Indian income of 0.23 million rupees.
2. The richest 10,000 individuals (out of 920 million Indian adults) earned an average of 480 million rupees, which is 2,069 times the average Indian income.

What are its implications?

1. This stark income inequality has implications for aggregate demand, consumption, and human welfare.
2. During 2014-2022, the incomes of the middle 40% of the income distribution has grown slower than the bottom 50%. This indicates a reduction in the size of the ‘middle class’.
3. When growth mostly benefits the wealthy, economic division speeds up. This leads to the emergence of two classes-Have and Have not.

What is the status of household debt and savings in India?

1. Household debt levels in India reached a record high of 40% of GDP by December 2023, while net financial savings plunged to 5.2% of GDP.
2. Annual borrowings of households surged to 5.8% of GDP in 2022-23, the second-highest level in independent India.

Way forward

1. Considering the inadequate human development, significant inequality, minimal savings, and substantial debt, there’s a necessity for an alternative approach to growth that prioritizes enhancing human development.
2. This approach needs strong political commitment and long-term vision, looking beyond immediate electoral benefits.  As a first step, the narrative of development needs to be recast.

• Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla inaugurated a three-day international seminar commemorating the 200th birth anniversary of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati.
• This event was held at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla.
• Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla highlighted the significance of reassessing Indian culture in the context of the modern world today.
• He commended Maharishi Dayanand’s steadfast commitment to social reforms including the abolition of the caste system, eradication of untouchability and his advocacy against archaic practices such as child marriage and sati pratha.

• Joint Military exercise between India and France to be held at Umroi, Meghalaya from May 13-26.
• It is a biennial exercise which started in 2011 and is conducted alternately in India and France.
• This will be the seventh joint exercise which will be held in India.
• The 6th edition of the military exercise Shakti was held in France from 15-26 November 2021.
• 90 personnel of India is being represented primarily by a battalion of the Rajput Regiment besides personnel from other arms and services.
• The French contingent comprising 90 personnel will be represented mainly by personnel from the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13th DBLE).

• Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, assumes charge as the Chief of Personnel of the Indian Navy on 10 May.
• He was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 01 Jan 1989 and has held a number of specialists, staff and operational appointments, both afloat and ashore.
• He subsequently had the privilege of holding challenging commands at sea, which include, INS Nishank, INS Taragiri, INS Beas.
• During his tenure he was the Officer in Tactical Command for the prestigious President’s Fleet Review (PFR – 22) and the Sea Phase of Indian Navy’s flagship multinational exercise MILAN – 22.
• He was the Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command and oversaw operations such as Op Sankalp and events such as the Navy Day Op Demo 2023 at Sindhudurg.
• He is recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Nao Sena Medal.

• Mindgrove Technologies has launched India’s first commercial high-performance SoC (system-on-chip) named Secure IoT.
• The chip is estimated to running at 700 MHz which cost 30 percent less than other chips in the similar segment and offers high performance, versatility, and security features without compromising on high-end encryption.
• This chip can control everything from wearables like smartwatches to smart city devices.

ABOUT MCU

• A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit that combines the functions of a central processing unit (CPU), memory, input/output ports, and other peripherals into a single chip.
• It is used to control and manage electronic devices.

• ICAR-NBFGR’s discovered Glyptothorax punyabratai, a new catfish species from pristine waters of Arunachal Pradesh.
• The research was published in the ‘Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters’.
• The species was collected from Tung Stream, a tributary of the Tissa River.
• The holotype and paratype specimens of Glyptothorax punyabratai are now registered at the National Fish Museum-cum-Repository of ICAR-NBFGR in Lucknow.
• The discovered species has been named after the renowned founder director of ICAR-NBFGR, Dr. Punyabarata Das.

ABOUT ICAR

• The ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, is the apex institute for fish genetic resources,
• It is located in Lucknow which was established in 1983.
• It focused on the conservation, management, and study of fish genetic resources in India.

• According to the 2024 World’s Wealthiest Cities Report released by Henley & Partners and New World Wealth. Mumbai and Delhi have secured positions among the top 50 wealthiest cities in a global survey of wealth distribution.
• Mumbai, ranked 24th on the list out of 50, boasts a significant affluent population with 58,800 millionaires, 236 centi-millionaires, and 29 billionaires.
• The city has experienced an impressive 82% growth in millionaires from 2013 to 2023.
• Delhi, securing the 37th position has 30,700 millionaires, 123 centi-millionaires, and 16 billionaires., Delhi has witnessed a remarkable 95% growth in millionaires

India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s third-largest solar power generator in 2023, according to a report by the global energy think tank, Ember.

• The 5th “Global Electricity Review” report published by the United Kingdom-based global think tank Ember said that India, which was ranked ninth in 2015, jumped to third position in 2023, overtaking Japan.
• India generated 5.8% of its electricity from solar and produced a record 5.5% of global electricity in 2023.
• India generated 113 billion units (BU) of solar power in 2023 compared to Japan’s 110 BU.
• According to the International Energy Agency’s ‘Net Zero Emissions’ scenario, solar would increase to 22% of global electricity generation by 2030.
• As part of its national plan to fight climate change, India has committed to achieving 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
• India is one of the few countries planning to triple renewable capacity by 2030.

• 3 Elected Women Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions participated in CPD57 Side Event “Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India Lead the Way” held in New York on 3^rd May 2024.
• The Side Event was organized as a part of the fifty-seventh session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD57).
• Three iconic women of Panchayat were: Supriya Das Datta from Tripura, Smt. Kunuku Hema Kumari from Andhra Pradesh and Smt. Neeru Yadav from Rajasthan.
• They shared their experiences and innovations in local governance and advancing the Localization of SDGs in many thematic areas.
• They also shared their inspiring initiatives and achievements in driving progress on the Sustainable Development Goals through local governance amidst their challenges and struggles along the journey of leadership.
• Kunuku Hema Kumari emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment for women through access to health, education, and financial resources, driving towards financial independence and higher education.
• Supriya Das Datta highlighted initiatives aimed at empowering women and girls, including the construction of separate restrooms in government offices and the exponential growth of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
• Neeru Yadav showcased initiatives promoting environmental sustainability, including the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and efforts to curb plastic usage, demonstrating the critical role of women in building a cleaner and greener future.