Governance/GSII
GCA (e-Governance in Directorate General of Civil Aviation)

What's the NEWS

• Union Minster of Civil Aviation dedicated eGCA, the e-governance platform in Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to the nation.

• The project has been aimed at automation of the processes and functions of DGCA, with 99 services covering about 70% of the DGCA work being implemented in the initial phases, and 198 services to be covered in other phases.
• This Single window platform will bring in bring in monumental change- eliminating operational inefficiencies, minimizing personal interaction, improving regulatory reporting, enhancing transparency and increasing productivity.
• The project will provide a strong base for IT infrastructure and service delivery framework.
• The e-platform provides an end-to-end solution including various software applications, connectivity with all the regional offices, a ‘portal' for dissemination of information and for providing online and speedy service delivery in a secure environment.
• The project would enhance the efficiency of the various services provided by the DGCA and would ensure transparency and accountability in all DGCA functions.
• The project has been implemented with TCS as Service Provider and PWC as Project Management Consultant.
• The services provided to various DGCA stakeholders such as Pilots, Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, Air Traffic Controllers, Air Operators, Airport Operators, Flying Training Organizations, Maintenance and Design organizations etc. are now available on the eGCA online.
• The applicants would now be able to apply for various services and upload their documents online.
• The applications would be processed by DGCA Officials and approvals and licenses would be issued online.
• Mobile app has also been launched for Pilots and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers to view their profiles and update their data on the go.

• Prime Minister launched two innovative customer centric initiatives of the Reserve Bank of India

1. the RBI Retail Direct Scheme and
2. the Reserve Bank - Integrated Ombudsman Scheme.

• It is aimed at enhancing access to government securities market for retail investors.
• It offers them a new avenue for directly investing in securities issued by the Government of India and the State Governments.
• Investors will be able to easily open and maintain their government securities account online with the RBI, free of cost.

• It aims to further improve the grievance redress mechanism for resolving customer complaints against entities regulated by RBI.
• The central theme of the scheme is based on ‘One Nation-One Ombudsman' with one portal, one email and one address for the customers to lodge their complaints.
• There will be a single point of reference for customers to file their complaints, submit the documents, track status and provide feedback.
• A multi-lingual toll-free number will provide all relevant information on grievance redress and assistance for filing complaints.

What's the NEWS

• In a big boost to accelerate global adoption of solar energy, John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate announced at the UNFCCC COP26 that the United States of America (USA) has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a member country.
• U.S becomes the 101^st country to sign the framework agreement of the ISA to catalyze global energy transition through a solar-led approach.

• ISA launch was announced by the Prime Minister of India and H.E. Mr. Francois Hollande, former President of France on 30th November 2015, at the 21st session of United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP-21) in Paris, France.
• Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attended the launch, alongside the Heads of about 120 nations who affirmed their participation in the Alliance to dedicate efforts for promotion of solar energy.
• The framework was first circulated for countries' support in 2016.
• The framework emphasizes delivering global relevance and local benefit to all countries through collaborations, with ISA's key interventions focusing on readiness & enabling activities, risk mitigation & innovative financing instruments to facilitate the promotion and deployment of solar technologies in target markets.
• The approach and methods detailed in the framework have already delivered results, with ISA building a solar project pipeline of nearly 5 GW installed capacity.
• The approach detailed in this framework will culminate in a vision for interconnected global grids, which was formalized and jointly launched as the ‘Green Grids Initiative - One Sun One World One Grid' (GGI-OSOWOG), during the World Leaders Summit of the COP26 in Glasgow on 2nd November 2021 by the UK Presidency of COP26 and India Presidency of International Solar Alliance (ISA).

• The ISA is an inter-governmental treaty-based international organization with a global mandate to catalyze global solar growth by helping to reduce the cost of financing and technology for solar.
• ISA is committed to establishing solar as a shared solution that simultaneously addresses climate, energy, and economic priorities across geographies, facilitating Energy Transition at a global level, Energy Security at national levels, while also ensuring Energy Access at the local level.
• The ISA is helping large nations scale global commitments, thereby serving the planet's needs for reduced carbon emissions
• ISA is also helping economically more vulnerable nations establish a self-sustaining energy alternative that reduces trade dependency and drives job creation.

• Earlier at COP26, the United States also joined the Steering Committee of the GGI-OSOWOG comprising of 5 members - USA, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and India - and endorsed the One Sun Declaration along with 80 countries.

• India launched ‘E-Amrit', a web portal on electric vehicles (EVs), at the ongoing COP26 Summit in Glasgow, UK.

• It is a one-stop destination for all information on electric vehicles-busting myths around the adoption of EVs, their purchase, investment opportunities, policies, subsidies, etc.
• The portal has been developed and hosted by NITI Aayog under a collaborative knowledge exchange programme with the UK government and as part of the UK-India Joint Roadmap 2030, signed by the Prime Ministers of the two countries.
• E-Amrit intends to complement initiatives of the government on raising awareness on EVs and sensitizing consumers on the benefits of switching to electric vehicles.
• In the recent past, India has taken many initiatives to accelerate the decarbonisation of transport and adoption of electric mobility in the country.
• Schemes such as FAME and PLI are especially important in creating an ecosystem for the early adoption of EVs.
• NITI Aayog intends to add more features and introduce innovative tools to make the portal more interactive and user-friendly.
• The launch was attended by UK High-Level Climate Action Champion and NITI Aayog Adviser

What's the NEWS

• On Transport Day at COP26, India, represented by NITI Aayog, participated in the fourth ministerial dialogue of the Zero-Emission Vehicle Transition Council (ZEVTC), a global forum on enhancing political cooperation on the transition to zero-emission vehicles.
• ZEVTC brings together ministers and representatives of some of the world's largest automobile markets to collectively address key challenges in the transition to ZEVs, to enable faster, cheaper, and easier transition to EVs for all.

• India has already made great strides on introducing policies towards the faster adoption of electric mobility.
• On 10 November, the government also launched the E-Amrit portal on EVs, a one-stop destination on all electric vehicles-related information.
• NITI Aayog, on behalf of the Government of India, also extended its support today to the non-binding and COP26 declaration focused on global level accelerating transition to zero-emission vehicles.
• As an emerging market, India highlighted the need to transition the country's large fleet of two- and three-wheelers-which together comprise more than 80% of the automobiles in the country-to zero-emission vehicles.
• A concerted global effort is required to set up a robust supply chain, evolve new financial instruments for affordable transition to EVs.
• The EV movement also requires an ecosystem to aid this disruption and create new employment opportunities and indigenous and innovative supply chains.

 
What's the NEWS

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister has approved declaration of 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas dedicated to the memory of brave tribal freedom fighters
• India's freedom struggle was strengthened by several movements by tribal communities such as Santhals, Tamars, Kols, Bhils, Khasis and Mizos

• The revolutionary movements and struggles organized by the tribal communities were marked by their immense courage and supreme sacrifice.
• Tribal movements in different regions of the country against the British colonial rule got linked with the national freedom struggle and inspired Indians all over the country.
• The date is the birth anniversary of Sri Birsa Munda who is revered as Bhagwan by tribal communities across the country.
• Birsa Munda fought bravely against the country against the exploitative system of the British colonial system and spearheaded movement against British oppression giving a call for ‘Ulgulan' (Revolution).
• The day will be celebrated every year and would recognize the efforts of the tribals for preservation of cultural heritage and promotion of Indian values of valour, hospitality and national pride.
• Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum at Ranchi where Birsa Munda breathed his last will be inaugurated by Hon'ble Prime Minister.

What's the NEWS

• National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is a not-for-profit Company under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with the mission to make the internet accessible to everyone.
• To facilitate its customers and partners, NIXI has gone digital by enabling digital payments across its three business units by integrating payment gateways on all its customer-facing websites for ease of use.
• This integration will lead to increased ease of use for NIXI's customers by offering real-time payments, providing uninterrupted services and ensuring seamless experience to all stakeholders.
• NIXI's payment gateway will ensure more digital independence and transparency in NIXI's own ecosystem.
• PayU is enabling payment digitisation for crucial initiatives across the three key domains of NIXI.
• It has designed a customised flow for digital payment acceptance both from customers and vendors and has also made refund & reconciliation absolutely seamless for NIXI.
• NIXI has partnered with PayU and NSDL to offer the Payment gateway services.

• Internet Exchanges through which the internet data is exchanged amongst ISPs and between ISPs and CDNs.
• Selling, managing and operation of .IN country code domain and . भारत IDN domain for India.
• Selling, managing and operating Internet protocol (IPv4/IPv6) as authorized by APNIC, Australia.

• PayU: PayU is India's leading payment gateways which provides payment gateway solutions to online businesses and serves more than 4,50,000+ merchants with over 100+ payment methods.
• NSDL: NSDL is one of the largest Depositories in the World and has established a state-of-the-art infrastructure that handles most of the securities held and settled in dematerialized form in the Indian capital market. They also provide secure and seamless payment gateway services to businesses.

• The 11^th Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) Group meeting between India and the United States (US) was held virtually
• The DTTI Group meetings are normally held twice a year, alternating between India and the US.
• This DTTI meeting was held via Video Teleconferencing consecutively for a second time on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The aim of the DTTI Group is to bring sustained leadership focus to the bilateral defence trade relationship and create opportunities for co-production and co-development of defence equipment.
• Four Joint Working Groups focused on land, naval, air and aircraft carrier technologies have been established under DTTI to promote mutually agreed projects within their domains.
• Since the last DTTI Group meeting in September 2020, the first Project Agreement for Air-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle under the Joint Working Group Air Systems was signed which is a major accomplishment for DTTI.
• To further encourage US and Indian industries to develop niche technologies under the DTTI Group, the Defence Industry Collaboration Forum (DICF) Virtual Expo was conducted on November 08, 2021.
• The groups reported to the co-chairs on ongoing activities and collaborative opportunities, including a number of near-term projects targeted for completion on priority.
• This forum offers an opportunity for Indian and US industries to be directly involved in DTTI and facilitates dialogue between government and industry on issues that impact industrial collaboration.

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