Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Exam

{GS2 – Governance – Initiatives} NITI For States

Context (PIB): The Minister of Communications, Railways, and Electronics & Information Technology will inaugurate the NITI for States platform developed by NITI Aayog.

NITI For States is a cross-sectoral knowledge platform designed to serve as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Policy and Good Governance.
Sector Coverage: Agriculture, Education, Energy, Health, Livelihoods, Manufacturing, MSME, Tourism, urban and Water Resources, and WASH.
The platform also covers two cross-cutting themes: Gender and Climate Change.

Features

Extensive Knowledge Base: 7,500 curated best practices, 5,000 policy documents, 900+ datasets, 1,400 data profiles, and 350 NITI Aayog publications.
Multilingual Accessibility: In the near future the platform will be available in 22 major Indian languages and 7 foreign languages, ensuring inclusivity for diverse user groups.
Capacity Building Initiatives: Tailored digital training modules for officials at various levels (block, district, and state) in collaboration with relevant institutions.
Expert Help Desk: Specialised guidance through partnerships with leading institutions allows states and UTs to address specific challenges.
Data Integration: Leverages data from the National Data & Analytics Platform (NDAP) for comprehensive and actionable insights, fostering data-driven decision-making.

Benefits

Accelerate digital transformation of governance by equipping officials with robust knowledge, actionable insights, and user-friendly digital tools.
Empower frontline functionaries at the district and block levels to replicate successful initiatives and address local challenges effectively.
Foster cooperative federalism and strengthen good governance practices through knowledge sharing and cross-learning among states and UTs.

{GS2 – MoSJE – Schemes} NAMASTE Scheme

Context (PIB): Urban Local Body (ULB) nodal officers and surveyors are trained in the profiling process and the NAMASTE mobile application.

National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
It has replaced the Self-Employment Scheme for the Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS).
It is a central sector scheme launched in 2022.
It aims to eliminate the manual engagement of sanitation workers in hazardous tasks related to sewer and septic tank cleaning.
The scheme will be implemented by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) for a period of 3 years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26).

Components of the Scheme

Profiling of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs): Creating a national database with a unique NAMASTE ID for each worker.
Health Insurance: SSWs will be covered under the PM-JAY health insurance scheme.
Safety Measures: They will receive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and access to safety devices.
Training: Occupational safety training will be provided.
Capital subsidy of up to Rs. 5 lakh for sanitation-related vehicles/equipment will create livelihood opportunities through subsidized machinery.
Sanipreneurship: Capacity building will encourage SSWs to start their sanitation enterprises.

{GS3 – S&T – AI} IndiaAI Mission

Context (PIB): The government approved the IndiaAI mission.

Implemented by ‘IndiaAI’ Independent Business Division (IBD) under Digital India Corporation (DIC).

Objectives of IndiaAI Mission

Establish a comprehensive AI ecosystem for innovation.
Democratize computing access and improve data quality.
Develop indigenous AI capabilities and attract top talent.
Enable industry collaboration and provide startup risk capital.
Ensure socially impactful AI projects and bolster ethical AI.

Components of IndiaAI Mission

IndiaAI Compute Capacity: Establishment of a high-end, scalable AI computing ecosystem with 10,000 or more GPUs.
IndiaAI Innovation Centre: Development and deployment of indigenous Large Multimodal Models (LMMs) and foundational models.
IndiaAI Datasets Platform: Streamline access to quality non-personal datasets for AI innovation.
IndiaAI Application Development Initiative: Promote AI applications in critical sectors sourced from Central Ministries, State Departments, and other institutions.
IndiaAI FutureSkills: Increase AI courses in educational programs and set up Data and AI Labs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
IndiaAI Startup Financing: Support and accelerate deep-tech AI startups with streamlined access to funding.
Safe & Trusted AI: Enable responsible development, deployment, and adoption of AI with indigenous tools and frameworks.

Impact and Benefits

Propel innovation and build domestic capacities for tech sovereignty.
Create highly skilled employment opportunities.
Demonstrate transformative technology for social good and enhance global competitiveness.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} Bengaluru’s First Driverless Metro Train

Context (IE): Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) received the first set of driverless metro train coaches, which are part of the Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) system.

The 18.8 km-long line, connecting south of Bengaluru to the city’s tech hub, will be the first to have a driverless train.
These coaches are manufactured by Chinese firm CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd, along with their domestic partners Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd., as part of the Make in India Initiative.
AI is employed for track monitoring and analyzing sensor data for safety concerns, while cameras on trains aid real-time analysis of visual data for safety measures.

CBTC System

CBTC technology is a modern communication-based system that uses radio communication to transfer timely and accurate train control information.
CBTC is “one train talking to another train”.
It will have Unattended Train Operations (UTO), which enable full automation in tasks like door operations and train movement.
The Operations Control Centre (OCC) provides enhanced supervision capability.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} Frontier Technology Labs

Context (PIB): Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and Meta announce the launch of Frontier Technology Labs (FTLs) to democratize future technologies and empower youth to innovate.

FTLs, an advanced version of ATLs, aim to equip students with state-of-the-art infrastructure to innovate using AI, Augmented & Virtual Reality (AR, VR), Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Robotics, 3D Printing, and IoTs.
Funded by: Meta, with AIM as the knowledge partner.
The labs will be managed by Meta’s partner 1M1B (One Million for One Billion), further facilitating the initiative’s implementation and impact.
It aligns with Vision Education to Entrepreneurship initiative, launched in September 2023, aims to connect students, youth, and micro-entrepreneurs.
Establishing FTLs aligns with AIM’s vision to create a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in schools across India, contributing to the building of a skilled workforce for the future.

Education to Entrepreneurship Initiative

It is a collaborative effort between Meta (formerly Facebook), the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship launched in 2023.
The primary goal of this initiative is to nurture and motivate young individuals to transform their educational foundation into successful businesses.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} Pine Needles-based Fuel-making Technology

Context (PIB): Under the “Adarsh Champawat“ mission, CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and UCOST signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement pine needle-based fuel-making technology.

The MoU aims to drive sustainable development, energy conservation, employment generation, skill development, and women’s empowerment in Champawat, Uttarakhand.
CSIR-IIP will deploy two major technologies:
- A briquetting unit capable of producing 50 kg per hour based on pine needles.
- 500 units of Improved Cookstoves for rural households.
The briquettes can be used for domestic cooking and as direct or co-firing fuel in brick kilns and thermal power plants.
CSIR-IIP has developed improved technology for pine needle briquetting and energy-efficient biomass cookstoves, which can reduce household pollution by 70%.

The “Adarsh Champawat” mission is aimed at sustainable development and innovation in the Champawat region of Uttarakhand.

{Prelims – Awards} National Creators Award

Context (PIB): PM presents the first-ever National Creators Award on 8th March 2024.

Objective: To recognize creators’ excellence in storytelling, advocacy, sustainability, education, gaming, and impact across domains, fostering positive change.
23 winners were selected, including three international creators, reflecting public choice and engagement.
The award spans 20 categories, including The Best Storyteller Award, The Disruptor of the Year, Celebrity Creator of the Year, Green Champion Award, Best Creator For Social Change, etc.
Awards: Awards will be presented across 20 distinct categories. In 19 of these categories, a single winner will be selected for each. In International Creator Award category would have three winners.

Eligibility

Age Requirement: Participants must be 18 years of age or above at the time of nomination.
Nationality and Residency: 19 categories are open exclusively to individuals of Indian nationality. One category is dedicated to international digital creators
Platforms: Content must be published on one or more of the following digital platforms: Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, ShareChat, Koo, Roposo, or Moj
Language: Content submission can be in English or any other Indian language.
Nomination Limits: Creators can self-nominate in a maximum of three categories. Those nominating others can nominate in all 20 categories.

Nominations

Self-Nomination: Creators are allowed to nominate themselves. The nomination must include links to the content on the eligible platforms, description of the content’s impact, etc.
Nomination Limits: Creators can self-nominate in a maximum of three categories. Those nominating others can propose nominations across all 20 categories.

{Prelims – In News} ChipIN Centre

Context (PIB): Semiconductor leaders back ChipIN Centre, which will boost India’s semiconductor hub potential through enhanced chip design infrastructure.

It has been set up at C-DAC Bangalore.
It acts as one-stop centre to provide semiconductor design tools, fab access, virtual prototyping hardware lab access to fabless chip designers from Startups and Academia.
It aims to provide access of state-of-the-art Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Tools to 85,000 students at B.Tech, M.Tech and PhD level to design semiconductor chips.
It aims to bring advanced chip design infrastructure to the doorstep of the semiconductor design community in the country.

{Prelims – In News} Shankaracharya Temple

Context (PIB): PM paid obeisance to Shankaracharya Hill during his visit to Jammu & Kashmir.

The Shankaracharya Temple is perched atop Shankaracharya Hill, also called the Hill of Solomon, on the Zabarwan Mountain in Srinagar, Kashmir.
The temple’s origins date back to around 200 BCE, although the present structure likely dates to the 9th century CE.
Initially known as Takht-i-Sulaiman, which means Throne of Solomon, it was later renamed after a saint Adi Shakaracharya who attained enlightenment here in AD 750.
It is considered the oldest temple in the Kashmir valley. It follows the indigenous early Kashmiri style of architecture.
- The early Shikhara style is evident, characterized by a horseshoe arch pattern.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated at a height of 1,000 feet above the plain, providing a commanding view of the city of Srinagar.
Buddhists refer it as the Jyesteshwara Temple or Pas-Pahar.

Kashmiri style of architecture

The development of Kashmiri architecture can be broadly divided into the early medieval Hindhu phase and Muslim rule from the 14^th century onwards.
It is renowned for its exquisite stone carvings.
Due to its location on important trade routes, the architectural style is inspired by many foreign sources.
Main Features of Kashmiri style of architecture:
- Trefoil arched (Gandhara influence)
- Cellular layout and enclosed courtyard
- Straight-edged Pyramidal roof
- Column walls (Greek influence)
- Triangular pediments (Greek influence)
- More number of steps

{Prelims – PIN} Ayya Vaikundar: The Visionary Reformer

Context (IE): Recently, the TN Governor referred to Ayya Vaikundar as a ‘Sanatan Dharma saviour’, which sparked controversy because Ayyavazhi is distinct from mainstream Hinduism.

Ayya Vaikundar was born in 1809 CE in a poor Nadar family in the village of Poovandan Thoppu, near the town of Tamaraikkulam, about five miles from Kanyakumari.
He was the founder of the Ayyavazhi sect, primarily in southern Tamil Nadu.
- While it shares some concepts with Hinduism, it significantly differs in its views on good and evil and dharma.
He was the first person to lead religious and social reform as a people’s movement.

Teachings

His teachings focused on equality, fraternity, and the eradication of caste-based discrimination, challenging the established religious and social hierarchies of the time.
He did not engage in any religious conversion. He spearheaded the reform without distorting the culture and culture of the communities.
He organised Samapanthi-bhojana or community eateries for people from all backgrounds.
He also encouraged all devotees to wear turbans and dhotis, promoting equality.
He established Nizhal Thangals as community worship spaces, which did not have any idol or deity, and only Tamil was used for worship.
He pioneered education for the lower castes and opposed discriminatory taxes.
He introduced simplified, inclusive marriage customs without a Brahmin priest or Sanskrit mantras.

Legacy

Ayya Vaikundar’s legacy endures through his followers, known as “Ayyavazhi believers”.
His teachings continue to inspire social reformers, reminding us that true spirituality transcends boundaries and embraces humanity as a whole.