Government Schemes
Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about PMMY) + Mains ( GS II government policies and interventions + GS III financial inclusion)
What's the NEWS

• With small businesses unable to reopen or find traction after Covid-19 lockdown in Gujarat, the Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) have risen to over Rs 587 crore at the end of September 2020.
• The NPAs have risen despite the moratorium and the restructuring of the loans. These are small loans and people are not coming forward for repayment.

Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana

• PMMY was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 8, 2015, for providing loans upto Rs 10 lakh to non-corporate and non-farm, small and micro enterprises.
• Under the scheme, loans up to Rs 50,000 are given to "Shishu" beneficiaries, loans above Rs 50,000 and up to Rs 5 lakh are given to "Kishor" beneficiaries, while loans up to Rs 10 lakh are given to those designated as "Tarun".
• These loans are classified as MUDRA loans under PMMY. These loans are given by Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks, MFIs and NBFCs.
• MUDRA is a refinancing Institution. MUDRA does not lend directly to the micro entrepreneurs / individuals.
• Mudra loans under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) can be availed of from nearby branch office of a bank, NBFC, MFIs etc. Borrowers can also now file online application for MUDRA loans on Udyamimitra portal (www.udyamimitra.in).
• Under the aegis of PMMY, MUDRA has created three products namely 'Shishu', 'Kishore' and 'Tarun' to signify the stage of growth / development and funding needs of the beneficiary micro unit / entrepreneur and also provide a reference point for the next phase of graduation / growth.
• The biggest spike of NPAs has been among Tarun beneficiaries where the NPAs have grown by 56 per cent.
• In comparison, the NPAs in Tarun and Kishor categories is 24 per cent and 11 per cent respectively.

Science & Technology
Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG) launched

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the formation of Genomic Consortia and its objective) + Mains ( GS III awareness in the field of science and technology)
What's the NEWS

• The government has launched the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG), comprising 10 labs namely DBT-NIBMG Kalyani, DBT-ILS Bhubaneswar, ICMR-NIV Pune, DBT-NCCS Pune, CSIR-CCMB Hyderabad, DBT-CDFD Hyderabad, DBT-InSTEM/ NCBS Bengaluru, NIMHANS Bengaluru, CSIR-IGIB Delhi, and NCDC Delhi.

Genomic Consortia (INSACOG)

• The overall aim of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium is to monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2 on a regular basis through a multi-laboratory network.
• This vital research consortium will also assist in developing potential vaccines in the future. The consortium will ascertain the status of new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01) in the country, establish a sentinel surveillance for early detection of genomic variants with public health implication, and determine the genomic variants in the unusual events/trends (super-spreader events, high mortality/morbidity trend areas etc.).
• INSACOG will have a high level Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee which will provide guidance and oversight to the consortium specially for policy matters and it will have a Scientific Advisory Group for scientific and technical guidance.
• Coordinated by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) along with MoH&FW, ICMR, and CSIR, the strategy and roadmap of the National SARS CoV2 Genome Sequencing Consortium (INSACOG) has been prepared.

Novel SARS-CoV-2 Virus

• In the backdrop of the emergence of a newly identified variant of the novel SARS-CoV-2 Virus in the UK, South Africa and some other parts of the world, the Government has taken action to accelerate Virus Surveillance, Genome Sequencing and Characterization.
• A new variant, which that was found in the UK, especially in the London region, is defined by multiple mutations in the Spike region, as well as mutations in other genomic regions.
• As per DBTDBT, these mutations are rapidly increasing the number of variants of the virus.
• This variant is significantly more transmissible than previously circulating variants, with an estimated potential to increase the reproductive number with an estimated increased transmissibility of up to 70%
• The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) will monitor the genomic variations on a regular basis through the multi-laboratory network.
• Knowledge generated though this vital research consortium will also assist in developing diagnostics and potential therapeutics and vaccines in the future.
• DBT-NIBMG as the Co-ordinating Unit of Genome Sequencing Consortium and will closely work with a Nodal Unit of NCDC on activities like SOPs, data annotation, data analysis, data release etc.
• NCDC will maintain a database of all samples of the new variants of public health significance.

Governance
Digital India Awards 2020

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Digital India Awards 2020 - highlights) + Mains ( GS II governance + transparency and accountability)
What's the NEWS

• The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, conferred Digital India Awards 2020
• Organised by NIC these awards help us to recognize the exemplary initiatives of various Government entities in Digital Governance.
• The President in his speech congratulated all the 24 winning teams and appreciated the role of officials and technical teams at various levels for ensuring continuity of Government services and operations during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Twenty-two digital governance initiatives/ products by Government entities under six categories received Digital India Awards 2020 for designing and implementing innovative citizen-centric digital solutions and improving the ease of living for all citizens.
• Awards under Jury Choice were given to Arogya Setu and eOffice.
• 

E-committee of Supreme court of India conferred with the Platinum award for Excellence in Digital Governance by the President of India

What's the NEWS

• E-committee of Supreme court of India was conferred with the Platinum award for Excellence in Digital Governance by the President of India in online Digital India Award presentation ceremony.

E-Courts project

• E-Courts project visioned and implemented by the eCommittee, Supreme court of India along with Department of Justice and NIC( National Information Centre) is a Mission Mode Project of Government of India.
• The project has set an example of a successful e-governance project reaping rich dividends to the Litigants and Citizens of the country r
• Citizens can access Case status, causelist court orders anywhere, any time through e-courts services website, mobile app, sms email services from the 3293 court complexes.
• Moreover, Citizens/litigants/Lawyers and can get the details of 13.79 Cr cases, 13.12 Cr orders and judgments available online 24 X7 free of cost .

Economic Development
IFSCA becomes member of IOSCO

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about IOSCO + IFSCA)
What's the NEWS

• The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has become an Associate Member of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

Know! about IOSCO

• The IOSCO is the international organization that brings together the world's securities regulators, covering more than 95% of the world's securities markets, and is the global standard setter for the securities sector.
• IOSCO works closely with the G20 and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) in setting up the standards for strengthening the securities markets.
• The IOSCO Objectives and Principles of Securities Regulation have been endorsed by FSB as one of the key standards for sound financial systems.
• The membership of IOSCO would provide IFSCA the platform to exchange information at the global level and regional level on areas of common interests
• the IOSCO platform would enable IFSCA to learn from the experiences and best practices of the regulators of other well established financial centres.
• The IOSCO's membership is a significant milestone in connecting IFSCA with the regulators of securities markets globally and would contribute immensely towards the development and regulation of the financial products, financial services and financial institutions at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City International Financial Services Centre.

Defence
Laser Dazzlers

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Laser Dazzlers)
What's the NEWS

• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a contract with Indian Navy for initially supply 20 Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation Dazlers (Laser Dazzlers)
• The BEL had earlier this month won the contract beating global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in buy global category. These would be manufactured by BEL, Pune plant.

Laser Dazzlers

• The Laser Dazzler is used as a non-lethal method for warning and stopping suspicious vehicles/boats/aircrafts/UAVs/pirates etc. from approaching secured areas during both day and night.
• It is capable of dazzle and thereby suppress the person's/optical sensor's action with disability glare in case of non-compliance to orders. It disorient/ confuse/blind a person temporarily.
• It also dazzles and distract aircraft/UAVs. It is a portable, shoulder operated and ruggedized for military use in adverse environmental conditions. Laser dazzler technology was developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• This unique product is indigenously designed and developed for first time for the Armed Forces.

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