Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Deep-tech startup ecosystem + MATLAB technical + Mains ( GS II government policies and interventions for the development of various sectors)
What's the NEWS

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog partners with MathWorks-the developer of mathematical computing software for scientists and engineers to strengthen the Deep-tech startup ecosystem of India.

Know! about the Partnership

• Under this partnership, startups supported by AIM, will get access to steps of the art MathWorks tools (including MATLAB and Simulink), engineering support, online trainings, access to MATLAB community, and opportunities for developing awareness of the startup products through their domestic and global reach.
• The benefits are aimed at fostering innovation and accelerating product development at these early-stage companies.
• MathWorks product portfolio includes the MATLAB technical computing platform and Simulink, a block diagram environment for simulation and Model-Based Design, in addition to 100+ toolboxes and specialized products.
• These tools have been adopted by many industries across application areas including Smart electronic and engineering designs, manufacturing, electrification, simulation, wireless communications, etc.
• AIM and MathWorks plan to organize series of knowledge sharing sessions for incubators and startups to train and support them on various relevant topics.
• The incubators and startups are set to gain from this partnership as we leverage the technology and domain expertise of MathWorks especially in areas of technical computing, engineering design and AI based innovations.

MathWorks

• MathWorks is the leading developer of mathematical computing software. Engineers and scientists worldwide rely on these product families to accelerate the pace of discovery, innovation, and development in automotive, aerospace, electronics, renewable energy, financial services, biotech, and other industries.
• MathWorks supports over 3,000 startups and 300 Accelerators worldwide.

Know! about Deep tech

• Deeptech, at a high level, refers to technology and innovation that has the potential to disrupt and transform the world, and has a deep impact on society.
• In the context of software/hardware, entrepreneurs are building new business models using recent technological advances in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), big data, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR), blockchain, industry 4.0, robotics, cyber security, internet of things (IoT) and others.
• When utilized optimally, these technologies and the associated IPs can create significant entry barriers for any startup, giving them an edge over competition.
• For example, finding a cure to a disease, IoT sensors with analytics to increase the yield in agriculture, making smarter credit decisions in finance, or developing clean energy solutions are some of the areas that deeptech is finding real-world applications.
• Deep tech is that set of cutting-edge and disruptive technologies based on scientific discoveries, engineering, mathematics, physics and medicine. New technological applications that can have a profound impact on people's and society's lives.
• The sectors that are most fertile for deep tech applications are life science, computing, food and agri tech, aerospace, energy and clean-tech, industrial technologies, telecom, new materials, chemistry.

Flagship schemes/initiatives of NITI Aayog
Atal Tinkering Lab

• In ATLs, students of class 6th to 12th acquire a problem-solving attitude, develop innovative solutions leveraging technologies like 3D printers, robotics, miniaturised electronics, IOT and programming and DIY kits, with support from teachers and mentors.

Atal Innovative Mission

• AIM is the Government of India's flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.
• AIM's objective is to develop new programmes and policies for fostering innovation in different sectors of the economy, provide platform and collaboration opportunities for different stakeholders, create awareness and create an umbrella structure to oversee innovation ecosystem of the country.

Six major initiatives of AIM:

• Atal Tinkering Labs-Creating problem-solving mindset across schools in India.
• Atal Incubation Centers-Fostering world class start-ups and adding a new dimension to the incubator model.
• Atal New India Challenges-Fostering product innovations and aligning them to the needs of various sectors/ministries.
• Mentor India Campaign- A national Mentor network in collaboration with public sector, corporates and institutions, to support all the initiatives of the mission.
• Atal Community Innovation Centre- To stimulate community centric innovation and ideas in the unserved /underserved regions of the country including Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
• ARISE-To stimulate innovation and research in the MSME industry.

Miscellaneous
Quality, Uniqueness, Innovation, Eco-friendliness and Thrill (QUIET) of Indian Toys.
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about India Toy Fair (TITF)2021 -highlights)
TITF 2021

• Toys can become a symbol to demonstrate India's Quality, Uniqueness, Innovation, Eco-friendliness and Thrill (QUIET) of Indian Toys.
• India Toy Fair (TITF)2021 has created a window of opportunity for our artisans, MSMEs, Startups, young designers & thinkers.
• There were 225 entries in the Toy Design challenge in two categories: 1. Professional 2. Amateur.
• In each category, there were cash prizes of Rs. 1.0 lakh, Rs. 50,000 & Rs.25,000 to the first, second and third prize winners and ‘Certificate' of recognition

Know! the Objective of India Toy Fair

• The formula for success is to connect psychology to technology, and eco-friendly to eco-systems.
• Our toys not only showcase our rich culture and heritage but also have huge potential in the training of our children to develop their minds
• The mission is not only to make India Aatmanirbhar in toys, but also to become a global player with toys made and developed in India, helping create brand India across the world.
• The Govt. has identified the Toy sector as one of the champion sectors, with a long term vision and plan to develop toy clusters in the country.

Know! about The India Toy Fair-2021

• The India Toy Fair 2021 has been the first-of-its-kind inter-ministerial initiative with active participation of organizations associated with toys.
• The India Toy Fair-2021,on virtual platform, was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 27th February, 2021to boost the toy manufacturing industry in India to encourage Aatmarnirbhar Bharat and vocal for local campaign.
• Over 20 lakh visitors from over 110 countries and 30 Indian States and UTs registered for the fair.
• More than 39 lakh visitors have visited the fair so far.1,074 exhibitors from across India showcased their products at the fair.

Economy
Central Revenues Control Laboratory gets recognised as a Regional Customs Laboratory (RCL) of the World Customs Organisation

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about CRCL and its role and objective+ about WCO)+ Mains ( GS II international organisations + GS III economic developments)
What's the NEWS

• Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL), New Delhi, under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, was today recognized as a Regional Customs Laboratory (RCL) of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) for Asia-Pacific Region.

Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL)

• Established in 1939, CRCL is the headquarters of 14 Revenue Laboratories, including 2 laboratories working at Government Opium & Alkaloid Works, Ghazipur& Neemuch.
• These laboratories have been upgraded extensively in past 3 years and new state-of-art equipment costing about Rs.80 crore, have been installed.
• With the introduction of instrument based testing, Revenue Laboratories are, now, facilitating faster clearances, without compromising on law enforcement, and thereby playing a vital role in trade facilitation.
• With its recognition as RCL, CRCL joins a select group of Customs Laboratories in the region like those in Japan & Korea.

World Customs Organization (WCO)

• The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
• The WCO is noted for its work in areas covering the development of international conventions, instruments, and tools on topics such as commodity classification, valuation, rules of origin, collection of customs revenue, supply chain security, international trade facilitation, customs enforcement activities, combating counterfeiting in support of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), drugs enforcement, illegal weapons trading, integrity promotion, and delivering sustainable capacity building to assist with customs reforms and modernization.
• The WCO maintains the international Harmonized System (HS) goods nomenclature, and administers the technical aspects of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreements on Customs Valuation and Rules of Origin.

The Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL)

• The Central Revenues Control Laboratory is a subordinate office under the control of Central Board of Excise and Customs, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
• It had a modest beginning and its growth is closely related with the development of the Customs and Central Excise Department.
• CRCL is having 12 laboratories anlysing different type of Customs ,Excise and narcotics samples.
• The Central Revenues Control Laboratory, New Delhi functions under the administrative control of Director (Revenue Laboratories), whereas other Revenue Laboratories of Central Revenues Control Laboratory are attached to the respective Customs House/CGST Commissionerate.
• These are headed by Joint Director/Chemical Examiner Gr.-I. Laboratories are under the a Central Revenues Control Laboratories (CRCL), assist the field formations in chemical analysis of samples of various trade commodities to enable appropriate assessment of duties.
• These laboratories also assist in enforcement of Customs Act, NDPS Act, GST Laws, Central Excise Act and other allied Acts including for the purpose of environment protection, food safety etc.

Functions of Chemical Laboratories

• To analyse the samples sent to them by the Revenue Authorities of Customs, CGST & Central Excise for the purpose of classification under Customs Tariff, Central Excise Tariff, Export Import Trade Control Policies and for Drawback purposes.
• To furnish technical opinion to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs and its field formations with regard to classification, duty aspects on various goods etc.
• To provide technical support to Opium & Alkaloid Factories for production of Export Opium.
• To analyse and certify the Export Opium.
• To analyse Narcotic Drug & Psychotropic Substances and Precursor Chemicals etc.

Education
Indian Knowledge Tradition Courses Programme

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Indian Knowledge Tradition courses) + Mains ( GS II Education)
What's the NEWS

• Union Minister of Education released the study material of Bhartiya Jnana Parampara (Indian Knowledge Tradition) courses of National Institute of Open Schooling
• NIOS is already making efforts to spread the Indian knowledge tradition in India and abroad.

Indian knowledge tradition Programme ( Highlights)

• Vedic studies, Sanskrit grammar, Indian philosophy, Sanskrit literature and Sanskrit language courses have been prepared for Secondary and Senior Secondary level by NIOS on the basis of "Indian knowledge tradition" and their study materials are available to learners in Sanskrit and Hindi language.
• They are also being translated into English medium and further all these subjects are also being planned to be prepared in major foreign languages to promote the Indian culture and knowledge tradition abroad, he added.
• This course material prepared by NIOS is reflecting the basic spirit of the New Education Policy and the effort that NIOS has already taken to bring Indian culture, heritage, philosophy and ancient knowledge to a new generation with modern references, will prove to be a milestone
• NIOS imparts school education through Open and Distance Education in the field of Secondary, Senior secondary level and vocational training.
• The curriculum of NIOS is at par with the courses of study of national and other state level school education boards.
• NIOS has prepared 15 courses of Indian knowledge tradition such as Veda, Yoga, Science, Vocational Skills and Sanskrit language subjects in Sanskrit, Hindi and English medium at all three levels of Open Basic Education Program.
• Under these courses the subject of Vedas covers topics such as the Ramayana epic narratives, the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, the Panini propounded Maheshwara Sutras, the Samarasa shloka sangraha, the Ekatyasastotra, the numerous Vedic hymns, the Vishnushatranama stotra, the Shikshaavalli, Brahmavalli, Bhriguvalli, Lallishatnama stotra.
• The yoga subject outlines some sections of the Patanjali Kritasutra, Yogasutra Exercises, Surya Namaskars, Asanas and Activities
• In the Vocational skills courses various skilled methods of ancient Indian culture have been shown such as watering plants, cow rearing, cleaning of cowsheds and hygiene, garden care, sewing and harvesting, vegetable service, organic farming, navagraha forests
• In the subject of science, new concepts of modern science have also been mentioned along with topics like water, air, vegetation and land conservation in the Vedas, origin of creation, Panchamabhut, earth and natural resources.

Miscellaneous
Udyog Manthan

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Udyog Manthan) + Mains ( GS II government policies and interventions)
What's the NEWS

• Udyog Manthan, a marathon of webinars covering 46 sectors focussing on quality and productivity in all major sectors of manufacturing and services, started on January 4, 2021.

Know! about Udyog Manthan

• The collaborative exercise was an initiative of the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in association with the DoC, QCI, NPC, BIS, Industry Chambers and all concerned ministries.
• During the last eight weeks, 46 sessions on various manufacturing and service sectors, covering almost 70% of GDP have been conducted including Automobile, Steel, Pharma, Defence, Cement, Textiles, Chemicals, Tourism/Hospitality, Financial Services, Biotechnology, New and Renewable Energy, amongst others.
• With 393 speakers and 17,000+ viewers on other various media platforms and an approx 6.5 million+ social media impressions, this Manthan drew a very enthusiastic response.
• Issues related to the quality of products and productivity of units have been discussed in sector specific webinars.

Defence
IAF Participation in EX Desert FLAG VI

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Ex Desert Flag)
What's the NEWS

• Ex Desert Flag is an annual multi-national large force employment warfare exercise hosted by the United Arab Emirates Air Force.
• The Indian Air Force is participating for the first time in Exercise Desert Flag-VI along with air forces of United Arab Emirates, United States of America, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Bahrain.
• The exercise is scheduled from 03 Mar 21 to 27 Mar 21 at Al-Dhafra airbase, UAE.

Ex Desert Flag (highlights)

• The IAF is participating with six Su-30 MKI, two C-17 and one IL-78 tanker aircraft.
• C-17 Globemaster will provide support for induction/ de-induction of the IAF contingent.
• Su-30 MKI aircraft will undertake long range ferry, routing direct from India to the exercise area with aerial refueling support from IL-78 tanker aircraft.
• The aim of the exercise is to provide operational exposure to the participating forces while training them to undertake simulated air combat operations in a controlled environment.
• The participating forces will get an opportunity to enhance their operational capabilities along with mutual exchange of best practices.
• The large-scale exercise involving diverse fighter aircraft from across the globe will provide the participating forces, including IAF, a unique opportunity to exhchange knowledge, experience, enhance operational capabilities and interoperability.

Way Forward

• Exercising and interaction with the participating nations in a dynamic and realstic warfare environment will also contribute to strengthen international relations.
• Over the last decade, IAF has regularly hosted and participated in multi-national operational exercises, wherin collaborative engagements are undertaken amongst the best air forces of the world.

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