Relevance IN - Prelims (about InSight mission and its findings) + Mains (GS III awareness in the field of space)
What's the NEWS

• This week, NASA published a set of six papers - five in the journal Nature, one in Nature Geoscience - to reveal "a planet alive with quakes, dust devils and strange magnetic pulses".
• It's now more than a year since NASA's InSight lander mission touched down on Mars on November 26, 2018.

• InSight is the first mission dedicated to looking deep beneath the Martian surface.
• Among its science tools are a seismometer for detecting quakes, sensors for gauging wind and air pressure, a magnetometer, and a heat flow probe designed to take the planet's temperature.
• The InSight mission is part of NASA's Discovery Program.
• It is being supported by a number of European partners, which include France's Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA).

• Mars trembles more often than expected, but also more mildly.
• This emerged from readings of the ultra-sensitive seismometer, called the Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS).
• The instrument enables scientists to "hear" multiple trembling events from hundreds to thousands of miles away.
• Mars doesn't have tectonic plates like Earth, but it does have volcanically active regions that can cause rumbles.
• Seismic waves help scientists study the composition of the planet's inner structure and can also help to understand how all rocky planets - including Earth - first formed.
• Billions of years ago, Mars had a magnetic field. Although it is no longer present, it left behind what NASA describes as "ghosts" - magnetised rocks that are now between 61 m to several km below ground.
• InSight is equipped with a magnetometer, which has detected magnetic signals.
• At a Martian site called Homestead hollow, the magnetic signals are 10 times stronger than what was predicted earlier

• Weather sensors have detected thousands of passing whirlwinds, which are called dust devils when they pick up grit and become visible.
• InSight's cameras have yet to see dust devils. But SEIS can feel these whirlwinds pulling on the surface.

• InSight has two radios. One is for regularly sending and receiving data. The other radio, which is more powerful, is designed to measure the "wobble" of Mars as it spins.
• This X-band radio, also known as the Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment (RISE), can eventually reveal whether the planet's core is solid or liquid.
• A solid core would cause Mars to wobble less than a liquid one would.

• This first year of data is just a start.When it is two years on Earth, Mars will have completed one year.
• A full Martian year will give scientists a much better idea of the size and speed of the planet's wobble

Ensemble Methods in Modelling and Data Assimilation (EMMDA)

Relevance IN - Prelims (about EMMDA) + Mains (GS III disaster management)
What's the NEWS

• In order to quantify the forecast uncertainty, leading Weather forecasting centres of the world including India have developed ‘Ensemble Prediction System' (EPS) which provides probabilistic forecasting of weather.

Know! more about Ensemble Prediction System' (EPS)

• In an EPS, a number of similar models, called the ensemble members, are run from slightly different initial conditions.
• It requires high computational resources and in turn provides the flow dependent forecast uncertainty in terms of probability.
• The probabilistic forecasts help the end users in making decisions and plan their actions suitably.
• The forecasts from high resolution global and regional EPS provide more accurate probabilistic forecasts of extreme weather events and help the planners and administrators in taking timely actions.
• India has recently operationally implemented two global EPS which have highest resolution in the world and also a regional EPS of horizontal resolution 4km which covers the Indian region.
• A well-coordinated collaborative research and development work between national and international centres are further required for progressively improving the skill of EPS.
• In order to provide a platform for discussions and deliberations on the present status, future prospects and optimum use of EPS, a three-day international conference on "Ensemble Methods in Modelling and Data Assimilation (EMMDA)" is being organised by NCMRWF, MoES

The major themes of the conference are:

• Ensemble methods in Global Weather Prediction
• Ensemble methods in Data Assimilation
• Ensemble methods in Monthly and Seasonal Forecasting
• Convection Permitting Ensemble Prediction Systems
• Verification of Ensemble weather forecasts
• Applications of Ensemble weather forecasts

NITI Aayog
Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog join hands with NASSCOM to roll out Artificial Intelligence Modules in Indian schools

Relevance IN - Prelims (v about the objective of AI based module + AIM + ATL) + Mains ( GS III awareness in the field of science and technology)
What's the NEWS

• NITI Aayog, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in collaboration with the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) launched an AI based Module rolled out for students in Indian schools to empower the youngest minds of the country with the latest technologies

Know! more about the AI-based module

• The AI-Base Module has been introduced with an objective for students to leverage the full potential of AIM's Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) and further empowers them to innovate and create valuable solutions benefiting societies at large.
• The AI-Base Module will be implemented across 5,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL), empowering 2.5 million students and an AI Step-up Module is under development which will be the next step, that builds on the base module.
• The module contains activities, videos and experiments that enable students to work through and learn the various concepts of AI.
• The module will be a catalyst for the youth to explore, ideate and learn the latest technologies and build a generation of innovators at the grassroot level.
• Atal Innovation Mission housed at NITI Aayog is the Government of India's flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
• At the school level, AIM is establishing ATLs in all districts across India.

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)

• The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a flagship initiative set up by the NITI Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across the length and breadth of the country.
• AlM's objectives are to create and promote an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship across the country at school, university, research institutions, MSME and industry levels.

The Atal Innovation Mission has following two core functions:

• Entrepreneurship promotion through Self-Employment and Talent Utilization, wherein innovators would be supported and mentored to become successful entrepreneurs.
• Innovation promotion: to provide a platform where innovative ideas are generated.
• AIM has multiple programs to encourage and support innovation in the country.

Atal Tinkering Labs

• To promote creative, innovative mind set in schools. At the school level, AIM is setting up state of the art Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) in schools across all districts across the country.
• These ATLs are dedicated innovation workspaces of 1200-1500 square feet where do-it-yourself (DIY) kits on latest technologies like 3D Printers, Robotics, Internet of Things (IOT), Miniaturized electronics are installed using a grant of Rs 20 Lakhs from the government so that students from Grade VI to Grade XII can tinker with these technologies and learn to create innovative solutions using these technologies.
• This will enable create a problem solving, innovative mind set within millions of students across the country.
• The vision is to have every school have access to at least one or more Atal Tinkering Labs in each district of the country, as well as to scale the same up with the help of state education ministries across the length and breadth of the country.

Atal Incubators

• Promoting entrepreneurship in universities and industry.
• At the university, NGO, SME and Corporate industry levels
• AIM is setting up world-class Atal Incubators (AICs) that would trigger and enable successful growth of sustainable startups in every sector /state of the country, thereby promoting entrepreneurs and job creators in the country addressing both commercial and social entrepreneurship opportunities in India and applicable globally.

Know! about NASSCOM

• The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) is a trade association of Indian Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry.
• Established in 1988, NASSCOM is a non-profit organisation.
• NASSCOM initiated a program called '10000 Startups' in 2013. The purpose of 10000 Startup is to support and impact 10,000 startups in India by 2023.

Tribal Affairs
Programme for Capacity Building of Scheduled Tribe Representatives in Local Self Governments
1000 Spring Initiatives
Relevance IN - Prelims (about the objective of capacity building programme + about 1000 spring initiative) + Mains (GS II Welfare scheme for the vulnerable section of population)
What's the NEWS

• Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Arjun Munda launched the "Programme for Capacity Building of Scheduled Tribe Representatives in Local Self Governments" at a programme in Bhubhaneswar (Odisha)
• He also launched "1000 Spring Initiatives" and an online portal on GIS-based Spring Atlas with hydrological and chemical properties of the Springs on the occasion.

1000 Springs Initiative (objective and benefits)

• '1000 Springs Initiative' aims at improving access to safe and adequate water for the tribal communities living in difficult and inaccessible part of rural areas in the country.
• It is an integrated solution around natural springs. It includes provision of infrastructure for piped water supply for drinking; provision of water for irrigation; community-led total sanitation initiatives;
• The online portal on GIS-based Spring Atlas has been developed to make these data easily accessible from an online platform.
• Springs are natural sources of groundwater discharge and have been used extensively in the mountainous regions but in the central and eastern Indian belt with more than 75% tribal population, it remains largely unrecognized and under-utilized.
• The initiative will help in harnessing the potential of perennial springs' water to address natural scarcity of water in tribal areas.
• Young tribal youths from the rural belt have been trained as barefoot hydro geologists by combining traditional and scientific knowledge for identification and mapping of springs, and undertaking rejuvenation and protection measures in their habitations.

Capacity Building initiative (objective and benefits)

• A Capacity Building initiative is being launched for elected representatives to PRIs from among STs by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• This initiative is aimed at empowering tribal PRI representatives by enhancing their decision making capabilities at local government level.
• It also focusses on constitutional and legal provisions that protect and promote the rights and welfare of the tribal population.
• The programme will ensure greater participation of ST PRIs representatives in planning, execution and monitoring of government policies and programmes.
• Their better participation in the development process would ensure better prioritization of the tribal development agenda.

Food Processing Industries
32 projects sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)

Relevance IN - Prelims (about PMKSY) + Mains (GS III food processing)
What's the NEWS

• Total of 32 projects were sanctioned under the ‘Unit' scheme of PMKSY of Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The projects are spread across almost 17 States, leveraging an investment worth 406 Crore rupees.

Know! about PMKSY

• MoFPI is implementing PMKSY and the period of implementation is 2016-20 with a total outlay of Rs 6,000 crore.

The PMKSY has seven component schemes viz;

1. Mega Food Parks
2. Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure
3. Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters
4. Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages
5. Creation/Expansion of Food Processing
6. Preservation Capacities, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure
7. Human Resources and Institutions.

• The main objective of this Scheme is creation of processing and preservation capacities and modernisation/ expansion of existing food processing units with a view to increasing the level of processing, value addition leading to reduction of wastage.
• The processing activities undertaken by the individual units covers a wide range of post-harvest processes resulting in value addition and/or enhancing shelf life with specialized facilities required for preservation of perishables.

Know! the benefits of food processing industries and steps taken by the government

• The creation of direct and indirect employment for approximately fifteen thousand persons along with employment opportunities in rural areas
• The introduction of modern processing techniques for food results in improved shelf-life of the agricultural produce and ensure steady revenue to farmers.
• Food processing has an important role to play in linking Indian farmers to consumers in the domestic and international markets.
• The Food processing industry can work as link between Farmers, Government and unemployed youth for better contribution towards economy.
• The Government of India through the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is making all efforts to encourage investments in the business.
• It has approved proposals for joint ventures (JV), foreign collaborations, industrial licenses, and 100 per cent export oriented units.

Economic Development
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to launch EASE 3.0

Relevance IN - Prelims (about EASE -3.0) + Mains (GS III Economic development)
What's the NEWS

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the Ease (Enhanced Access and Service Excellence) 3.0 reform agenda. EASE 3.0 agenda aims at providing smart, tech-enabled public sector banking for aspiring India.
• EASE is a set of banking reforms to incorporate technological aids for ensuring better banking experience, wider financial inclusion and easier credit distribution.

Know! more about it

• The government in its annual report, "Reforms Agenda FY21 and EASE 3.0" listed out major changes ahead that will reform the existence of Public Sector Banks.
• New features that customers of public sector banks may experience under EASE 3.0 reforms agenda include facilities like

1. Palm Banking for "End-to-end digital delivery of financial service".
2. "Banking on Go" via EASE banking outlets at frequently visited spots like malls, stations, complexes, and campuses.
3. Digitalising the experience at public sector bank branches is also on the cards under EASE 3.0.

• The Ministry has the idea of establishing paperless and digitally-enabled banking at places where people visit the most.
• The government aims to focus on digitalization in the Public Sector Banks (PSBs) among themes that include responsible banking, PSBs as Udyami Mitra, customer responsiveness, credit take-off, and deep financial inclusions.
• The government is trying to overhaul the customer experience with the introduction of features like Dial-a-loan, credit at a click, alternate-data-based lending or other analytics-based credit offers.
  
  

KEEP Learning KEEP Evolving
TEAM CL IAS