Syllabus: General Studies Paper 1

Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj convened a consultation meeting on ‘Cactus Plantation and its Economic Usage’ today in New Delhi. 

• India has approximately 30% of its geographical area under the category of degraded land.  
• Department of Land Resources DoLR has been mandated to restore degraded lands through its Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY).  
• Plantations of various kinds constitute one of the activities which help in restoration of degraded lands. 
• Various options for taking up Cactus plantation on degraded land should be explored for realising the benefits of its usage for bio-fuel, food, fodder and bio-fertiliser production for the larger benefit of the country.  
• Bio-fuel production will reduce the fuel import burden of the country apart from contributing towards employment and income generation for the poor farmers of these areas.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Land Areas (ICARDA) are being roped in for setting up a pilot project in Amlaha Farm of ICARDA in Madhya Pradesh. 
• Ministry of Petroleum has been requested to provide necessary technical assistance in this venture. 

About the Cactus

• Cactus is a Xerophytic Plant which though grows relatively at a slower pace has an immense potential as stated above.  
• A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae.
• Although some species live in quite humid environments, most cacti live in habitats subject to at least some drought.
• Many live in extremely dry environments, even being found in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth.

• Because of this, cacti show many adaptations to conserve water.
• For example, almost all cacti are succulents, meaning they have thickened, fleshy parts adapted to store water.
• Unlike many other succulents, the stem is the only part of most cacti where this vital process takes place.

• Most species of cacti have only spines, which are highly modified leaves.
• Spines help prevent water loss by reducing air flow close to the cactus and providing some shade.
• In the absence of true leaves, cacti’s enlarged stems carry out photosynthesis.
• Moreover, it will help in achieving Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the country as well. 
• The Department is of the view that cactus plantation will be picked up by the farmers of degraded land areas, if the benefits outweigh their existing level of incomes.  
• Experiences of countries like Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Morocco and various others are being explored which will be of great help for realisation of the objective.

Uses

• Cactuses are known for their nutrients as well as their medicinal value.
• Both cactus pads and cactus fruit can help fight infections and ease the symptoms of anything from hangovers to high cholesterol.
• Both the cactus pad and the cactus fruit are high in fiber, which can lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
• used as ornamental plants
• used for fodder or forage,
• Cactus fruits in particular are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is one of the best immune boosters.

• Regular doses of vitamin C increase the production of white blood cells, which can make us less likely to catch an illness — and help your body fight off viruses if infected.

• Nutrition: Cactus fruits and pads offer a dose of vitamins and nutrients that have anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

Question: Write a note on semi arid and arid vegetation of India.

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed an MoU with Social Alpha, a multistage innovation curation and venture development platform for science and technology start-ups, to launch SpaceTech Innovation Network (SpIN).

About the SpaceTech Innovation Network (SpIN)

• SpIN is India’s first dedicated platform for innovation, curation, and venture development for the burgeoning space entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• The space agency said that the tie-up is a one-of-a-kind public-private collaboration for start-ups and SMEs in the space industry.
• This novel partnership is a significant step forward in providing further stimulus to India’s recent space reform policies and will work towards identifying and unleashing the market potential of the most promising space tech innovators and entrepreneurs in India
• SpIN will primarily focus on facilitating space tech entrepreneurs in three distinct innovation categories: 
• Geospatial Technologies and Downstream Applications 
• Enabling Technologies for Space & Mobility
• Aerospace Materials, Sensors, and Avionics.

Significance of the programme

• Space applications cut across various domains from earth to sky. Innovative technologies are expected to bring a paradigm shift in utilising the space applications to maximise the economic, social, and environmental benefits for the larger society.
• SpIN has launched its first innovation challenge. 
• Early-stage start-ups for developing solutions in areas of maritime and land transportation, urbanisation, mapping, and surveying, disaster management, food security, sustainable agriculture, environmental monitoring, and natural resources management, among others are encouraged to apply.
• The selected start-ups and innovators will be able to access both Social Alpha’s and ISRO’s infrastructure and resources as per the prevailing guidelines.
• They will be provided active hand-holding in critical areas, including access to product design, testing and validation infrastructure, intellectual property management, go-to-market strategy, and access to long-term patient capital, among other technical and business inputs.

Question: What are the major objectives of the SpaceTech Innovation Network (SpIN) launched by ISRO and Social Alpha? 

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2

Krishi Udan Scheme 2.0 was announced on 27 October 2021 enhancing the existing provisions, mainly focusing on transporting perishable food products from the hilly areas, North-Eastern States and tribal areas. 

• For facilitating and incentivising movement of agri-produce by air transportation, Airports Authority of India (AAI) provides full waiver of Landing, Parking, Terminal Navigational Landing Charges (TNLC) and Route Navigation Facility Charges (RNFC) for Indian freighters and P2C (Passenger-to-Cargo) Aircraft. 
• The scheme primarily covers around 25 airports focusing on North Eastern, Hilly and Tribal region besides 28 airports in other regions/areas. 
• After evaluation of Krishi Udan 2.0, five more airports have been included making it to total 58 airports.
• Krishi Udan Scheme is a convergence scheme where eight Ministries/Departments namely Ministry of Civil Aviation, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region would leverage their existing schemes to strengthen the logistics for transportation of Agri-produce.

The main objective of the Krishi Udan Scheme 2.0 is 

• To increase share of air carriage in the modal mix for transportation of Agri-produce, which includes horticulture, fishery, livestock and processed products. 
• The scheme assists farmers in transporting agriculture products so that it improves their value realisation.
• The Scheme aims to ensure seamless, cost-effective, time bound, air transportation and associated logistics for all Agri-produce originating especially from North-East, hilly and tribal regions of the country. 
• Facilitating and incentivizing movement of Agri-produce by air transportation: The scheme will provide a full waiver of landing, parking, Terminal Navigation and Landing Charges and Route Navigation Facilities Charges for domestic airlines.
• Strengthening cargo-related infrastructure at airports and off airports: The Ministry will facilitate the development of a hub and spoke model and freight to transport perishable products.
• Concessions sought from other bodies: The Ministry has asked states to reduce sales tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to 1 percent for airlines under Krishi UDAN 2.0.
• Resources-Pooling through establishing convergence mechanism: Collaboration with other government departments and regulatory bodies.
• Focus Routes: Seven focus routes and the agro products to be flown from there have been identified under the scheme.

Implementing Agency

• The enhanced version of the Krishi UDAN scheme was formulated with support from AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited (AAICLAS) – a 100% subsidiary of the Airports Authority of India and Invest India, India’s national Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Question: Explain Krishi Udan Scheme and also highlights its major objectives.

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

An 18-member herd of all female elephants from the forests of Gudiyattam and Pernambattu of Tamil Nadu are currently on the prowl in the Koundinya wildlife sanctuary zone in Chittoor district, apparently “in search of mates”.

About Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary

• Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary and an elephant reserve situated in Andhra Pradesh.
• It is the only sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh with a population of Asian elephants.
• The sanctuary has dry deciduous forests with thorny scrubs interspersed with trees.
• These forests have the Kaindinya and Kaigal tributaries of Palar River.
• Kalyana Revu Waterfalls (also called Kalyan Drive Falls) and Kaigal Waterfalls are located in the Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The sanctuary is primarily an elephant reserve and is home to about 78 Indian elephants.
• The vulnerable yellow-throated bulbul is present in the sanctuary.

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

Taking a major step to boost exports, Centre today further expanded the scope of RoDTEP Scheme (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) by including the exports made from the Chemical sector, Pharmaceuticals sector and exports of articles of iron & steel under chapters 28, 29, 30 and 73 of ITC(HS) schedule of items.

About RoDTEP Scheme

• Launched by: Ministry of Commerce & Industry
• The RoDTEP scheme is replacing the earlier Merchandise and Services Export Incentive Schemes (MEIS and SEIS) that were in violation of WTO norms.
• It aims to reimburse all the taxes/duties/levies being charged at the Central/State/Local level which are not currently refunded under any of the existing schemes but are incurred at the manufacturing and distribution process.
• The refund under the scheme shall not be available in respect of duties and taxes already exempted or remitted or credited.
• The scheme seeks to rebate sales tax, excise duty, electricity duty, stamp duty etc.
• The rebate will be in the form of a transferable duty credit/electronic scrip (e-scrip) that will be maintained in an electronic ledger by the Customs.

Key Features of the RoDTEP Scheme

• The scheme covers over 8,555 tariff products, accounting for about 75% of traded items and 65% of India’s exports.
• The tax refund rates will vary between 0.5% and 4.3% of the export value of goods.
• The lowest rate is offered on items like chocolates, toffees and sugar confectionery.
• Yarns and fibres have been granted the highest rate.
• The scheme covers sectors such as marine, agriculture, leather, gems and jewellery automobile, plastics, textiles, electronics among others.

Question: What are the key features of the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme? 

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2

The Government of India has approved the Scheme for the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration, 2022. The Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration has been designed to acknowledge, recognize and reward exemplary work done by civil servants across the country. 

For the year 2022, the Scheme for Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration aims to recognize the contribution of civil servants in the following areas:

• Promoting Swachh Jal (Clean Jal) through Har Ghar Jal Yojana
• Promoting Swasth Bharat (Healthy Bharat) through Health & Wellness Centres
• Promoting quality education with an equitable and inclusive classroom environment through Samagra Shiksha.
• Holistic Development through Aspirational District Program – overall progress with special focus on saturation approach.
• Innovations.

National Civil Service Day

• 21st April is celebrated as the National Civil Service Day as it marks the anniversary (21st April 1947) of the historic address given by the country’s 1st home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to the newly appointed administrative services officers.
• During the Speech, Sardar Patel had referred to the newly-appointed civil servants as the “steel frame of India”.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is regarded as the ‘Father of all-India Services’.
• The country’s first National Civil Service Day event was organised on 21st April 2006 in New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan. Since then, this function has become an annual affair that celebrates the contributions of civil servants to the country’s development.
• On this day, Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration are awarded “to acknowledge, recognize and reward the extraordinary and innovative work done by Districts/ Organizations of the Central and State Governments”.

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

Last week, OpenAI, the company best known for Dall-E — the AI-based text-to-image generator — introduced a new chatbot called ChatGPT. ChatGPT is a ‘conversational’ AI and will answer queries just like a human would– well, at least that’s the promise and premise.

About ChatGPT:

• ChatGPT is a ‘conversational’ AI.
• It is based on the company’s GPT 3.5 series of language learning models (LLM).
• GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3
• This is a kind of computer language model that relies on deep learning techniques to produce human-like text based on inputs.
• It has gone viral is because of the kind of responses it gives, being seen as a replacement for much of the daily mundane writing, from an email to even college-style essays.
• The model is trained to predict what will come next, and that’s why one can technically have a ‘conversation’ with ChatGPT.
• It is trained using “Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF).”
• OpenAI uses Microsoft Azure’s cloud infrastructure to run these models.
• Users have the option of downvoting or upvoting a response.

How to access

• Currently, it is open in beta to all users.
• One can go to the OpenAI website and sign up to try out ChatGPT by creating an account.
• The chatbot has already crossed one million users, and you might get a message that the beta is full.

Application

• It will answer queries just like a human would.
• Such as tips on how to set up a birthday party, write an essay on why parliamentary democracy is better, and even a fictional meeting between two well-known personalities.
• It can answer follow-up questions and can also admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests.
• It is being seen as a replacement for the basic emails, party planning lists, CVs, and even college essays and homework.
• It can also be used to write code, solve math equations, and even spot errors in code.
• It can write fiction but not at the level of a humans.

Limitations

• It may generate incorrect information, and create “biased”
• Its knowledge of the world and events after 2021 is limited
• It could give “plausible-sounding but incorrect or nonsensical”
• It can sometimes overuse certain phrases
• The chatbot displayed clear racial and sexist biases
• The chatbot gives answers which are grammatically correct and read well– though some have pointed out that these lack context and substance, which is largely true.

About Open AI

• ChatGPT is a start-up of Open AI focused on artificial intelligence and its potential use cases.
• OpenAI’s notable investors include Microsoft, Khosla Ventures and Reid Hoffman’s charitable foundation. Greg Brockman is the company’s chairman and president, while Sam Altman is the CEO. Ilya Sutskever is Open AI’s chief scientist.
• The company is best known for Dall-E — the AI-based text-to-image generator

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

Neuralink, the Elon Musk company that is the target of a federal investigation over its animal trial program, has been trying to develop a brain chip that would enable the paralyzed to walk and the blind to see.

NEURALINK

• Founded in 2016 by Musk and a group of engineers, Neuralink is building a brain chip interface that can be implanted within the skull, which it says could eventually help disabled patients to move and communicate again, and also restore vision.
• Neuralink’s device has a chip that processes and transmits neural signals that could be transmitted to devices like a computer or a phone.
• Neuralink also believes its device will eventually be able to restore neural activity inside the body, allowing those with spinal cord injuries to move limbs. 

Application

• The company hopes that a person would potentially be able to control a mouse, keyboard or other computer functions like text messaging with their thoughts.
• Neuralink also believes its device will eventually be able to restore neural activity inside the body, allowing those with spinal cord injuries to move limbs.
• The San Francisco and Austin-based company also aspires to cure neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

The Delhi Police will soon move to a more efficient internal communication system, aimed at faster exchange of information and bigger networks.

• The force is set to design, install and supply the ‘Open Standard Digital Trunking Radio System’ (OS-DTRS) and will phase out the current tetranet wireless network services. 
• The project will cost close to Rs 100 crore.

About Trunking System

• The trunking system provides multiple channels and common groups for policemen. 
• This way, they are communicating with more personnel using fewer groups. 
• Groups are formed based on geographical area and function.
• It will also have a voice logger system, which can be used to describe a crime scene, interrogation details and evidence. 
• The logs are saved in the system.
• It is an internal communication system of Delhi Police
• It is more efficient and aims at faster exchange of information.
• The project’s master site will be at the Delhi Police HQ. Police are looking for private companies to run the system on 800 MHz frequency band and microwave links.
• There will be a tower that can withstand wind speeds of up to 160 kmph. 
• Around 15,000 concurrent radio sets will be made first and later expanded to 30,000 over time.
• The master site will have OS-DTRS control and switching equipment, a network management system, 90 IP-based logger systems, 50-inch or bigger LED monitors, an antenna system and maintenance systems.
• Equipment and services are expected to run for at least 10 years and fix network issues faced by personnel on the ground.
• The system should be equipped to support multi-channel operation for meeting current traffic requirements and should be expandable by 100% in future
• The system will have talk groups, in which members have the same functions/role, and each radio system will have a unique ID.

Question: What are the features Open Standard Digital Trunking Radio System’ (OS-DTRS) recently adopted the Delhi Police?  

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary met today and reviewed preparedness of Central Ministries/Agencies, and State/Union Territory Governments to review preparedness for the possible cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal.

About NCMC:

• Government of India had set up a Standing National Crisis Management Committee for effective implementation of relief measures in the wake of natural calamities.
• The committee is headed by Cabinet Secretary.It also includes Secretaries of Ministries / Departments and agencies with specific Disaster management responsibilities. 
• The key functions of the committee include (a)oversee the Command, Control and Coordination of the disaster response and (b)give direction to the Crisis Management Group(CMG) as deemed necessary. 

Composition

• Cabinet Secretary (Chairperson).
• Secretaries of Ministries / Departments and agencies with specific Disaster management responsibilities.