NITI Aayog
Atal Innovation Mission concludes first fintech cohort of ‘AIM-iLEAP' as major step to accelerate Tech Start-ups across India

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about AIM - iLEAP) + Mains ( GS II government policies and interventions+ GS III science and technology)
What's the NEWS

• In a move to give a major push to tech startups across the country, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog concluded its first fintech cohort of AIM-iLEAP- an initiative to back tech start-ups with much-needed access to industry, markets and investors.

First fintech cohort of AIM-iLEAP (highlights)

• The fintech cohort was done through a series of thematic virtual demo days organised AIM in partnership with Startup Réseau and Visa as part of AIM-iLEAP (Innovative leadership for entrepreneurial agility and profitability) initiative.
• The Fin-Tech cohort consisted of start-ups from a wide range of areas such as- payments, international money transfers, personal finance, consumer banking, insurance, neo bank etc.
• In the bootcamp they got an opportunity to fine-tune their pitches, work on their GTM strategy, understand more about the fintech ecosystem, ask questions to sectoral experts and so on.
• After going through rigorous polishing, the start-ups showcased their solutions to various enterprises for market access and investors for funding via the inaugural virtual Demo Day on 30th June 2021.
• The Demo Day saw participation from a large number of corporates and investors. Fintech giants such as Visa, Paytm etc as well as big investors attended the program.
• As per the AIM's mission, AIM-iLEAP bootcamp and demo day is the first among the many more to come initiatives to push startups in the country.
• Future cohorts shall be focussed on different sectors such as Agri-tech, Defence Tech, Smart Mobility, AI and so on.
• The main mandate of AIM is to catalyse India's start-up and innovation ecosystem and the AIM-iLEAP program is a step in that direction.
• "It gives a structured yet lite-weight approach to bring together the start-ups, enterprises, investors and financers to come together and create partnerships that would help these start-ups to take a leap forward in achieving more scalable and sustainable solutions

AIM-iLEAP program

• The objective of the AIM-iLEAP program is to invite technology start-ups across a broad range of functions and have them present their solutions to the corporate leadership and innovation team for enabling market access and industry partnerships.
• On the other hand, individual and institutional investors participating in this program shall consider investing in the curated set of AIM supported start-ups.
• Working as an apex body for innovation and entrepreneurship in the country, AIM has access to over 2000+ tech start-ups pan-India through its member base of 65+ business incubators, 24 ACICs, 15 ARISE-ANIC and over 7200+ATLs.

Financial technology (Fintech)

• It is used to describe new tech that seeks to improve and automate the delivery and use of financial services.
• At its core, fintech is utilized to help companies, business owners and consumers better manage their financial operations, processes, and lives by utilizing specialized software and algorithms that are used on computers and, increasingly, smartphones.
• It also refers to any business that uses technology to enhance or automate financial services and processes.
• The term is a broad and rapidly growing industry serving both consumers and businesses.

Know! about 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.

Governance
Department of Telecommunications expands Saral Sanchar Portal

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the initiative to facilitate online licensing - benefits + about Saral Sanchar portal)+ Mains ( GS II governance)
What's the NEWS

• In an important initiative to encourage spectrum based applications and for experiment, demonstration and testing requirements, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC) launched the initiative to facilitate online licensing for use of Spectrum to conduct Experiments, Demonstrations, etc.
• The scope of existing Saral Sanchar Portal of DoT, on which application for Access Services, Internet Services and other licenses are being received, was expanded for receipt, processing and grant of licenses for spectrum to conduct experiment, demonstration, testing, manufacturing, etc.
• With this addition, nearly all the permissions required from the WPC Wing, which include permissions for equipment type approval, satellite licenses, amateur licenses, allocations by Standing Committee of Radio Frequency Allocation, etc. have become online.
• The approval process will be faceless, transparent and also time bound.

The following are the key features:
(i) Self-declaration (instant issue of licenses) for Indoor Experimentation (R&D), Indoor Demonstration and Manufacturing.
(ii) Just One license including all the licensing requirements of the user - Use of Spectrum, Import of related products and sub- assemblies, demonstration, possession of wireless equipment etc.
(iii) Deemed approval within 6 to 8 weeks from the date of application for all outdoor radiating licenses.
(iv) The Spectrum is offered on "Non-interference and non- protection basis" and on "No commercial services".

• These measures would facilitate the Indian companies to strengthen R&D and manufacturing ecosystem and for creating Indian IPRs and Global solutions.
• This will also promote India as hub of wireless products and applications with potential of enhanced Indian contribution in global technology value chain.

'SARALSANCHAR'( Simplified Application For Registration and Licenses)

• It is a Web based Portal for Issuing of various types of Licenses and Registration certificates is part of various Digital initiatives being taken by Department of Telecommunications.
• It is a unified portal to issue various types of Licenses and registrations in a digitized manner which will not only ensure transparency but also make the process more efficient.
• This will pave the way for a paperless, secure and hasslefree platform for various applicants.
• The Portal in its present form covers receipt of applications from applicants for issue of new Unified Licenses and Other Service Providers (OSP) registrations.
• Applicants can apply for filling up the prescribed application form online at https://saralsanchar.gov.in/ and upload the documents and application form with digital signature.
• The portal envisages that applicant gets prompts and alerts at various stages of application submission so that all necessary requirements are complied before submitting the application.

Space Awareness
Glacial Lake Atlas of Ganga River Basin Released

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Glacial Lake Atlas of Ganga Basin + role of NRSC + NHP) + Mains ( GS III Environment conservation + space awareness - role of ISRO)
What's the NEWS

• Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR released the Glacial Lake Atlas of Ganga Basin

Glacial Lake Atlas of Ganga Basin

• The present glacial lake atlas is based on the inventoried glacial lakes in part of Ganga River basin from its origin to foothills of Himalayas covering a catchment area of 2,47,109 sq. km.
• The study portion of Ganga River basin covers part of India and transboundary region.
• The Atlas is available on Bhuvan portal of NRSC, ISRO (https://bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in/nhp/), India WRIS Portal (www.indiawris.gov.in) and NHP web site of DoWR, RD & GR (www.nhp.mowr.gov.in).

Possible uses of the Glacial Lake Atlas

• It can be used by the water resources professionals, researchers, disaster management authorities and other stakeholders for managing the glacial lakes as well as to mitigate the possible adverse impacts of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) and climate change

NHP -Bhuvan portal of NRSC.

• The Secretary, Department of Space & Chairman, ISRO, Dr. K. Sivan also launched the NHP -Bhuvan portal of NRSC.
• The National Hydrology Project or NHP-Bhuvan Portal is a repository of information on the initiatives undertaken by NRSC under NHP with a facility to download the reports and knowledge products being developed by NRSC
  
  

The integrating role of NRSC, ISRO and NHP

• National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Hyderabad as one of the Implementing Agency under the National Hydrology Project (NHP), is carrying out hydrological studies using satellite data and geospatial techniques.
• As a part of the responsibilities entrusted to NRSC under NHP, detailed glacial lake inventory, prioritization for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risk, and simulation of GLOF for selected lakes have been taken up for all the catchments of Indian Himalayan Rivers.
• Under this activity, an updated inventory of glacial lakes using high resolution satellite data was prepared for the Indus River basin and published in December 2020, and currently an updated inventory of glacial lakes has been prepared for the Ganga River basin.
• In the present study, glacial lakes with water spread area greater than 0.25 ha have been mapped using Resourcesat-2 (RS-2) Linear Imaging Self Scanning Sensor-IV (LISS-IV) satellite data using visual interpretation techniques.
• Based on its process of lake formation, location, and type of damming material, glacial lakes are identified in nine different types, majorly grouped into four categories.
• A total of 4,707 glacial lakes have been mapped in the Ganga River basin with a total lake water spread area of 20,685 ha.

The expected utility of the atlas is:

• The atlas provides a comprehensive and systematic glacial lake database for Ganga River basin with size > 0.25 ha
• In the context of climate change impact analysis, the atlas can be used as reference data for carrying out change analysis, both with respect to historical and future time periods
• The atlas also provides authentic database for regular or periodic monitoring changes in spatial extent (expansion/shrinkage), and formation of new lakes
• The atlas can also be used in conjunction with glacier information for their retreat and climate impact studies.
• The information on glacial lakes like their type, hydrological, topographical, and associated glaciers are useful in identifying the potential critical glacial lakes and consequent GLOF risk.
• Central and State Disaster Management Authorities can make use of the atlas for disaster mitigation planning and related program.

National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)

• It is one of the primary centres of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Department of Space (DOS).
• NRSC has the mandate for establishment of ground stations for receiving satellite data, generation of data products, dissemination to the users, development of techniques for remote sensing applications including disaster management support, geospatial services for good governance and capacity building for professionals, faculty and students.

NRSC operates through multiple campuses to meet national and regional remote sensing data and applications needs of the country.

• Main Campus at Balanagar,Hyderabad for Administration, Remote Sensing Applications and Aerial Services
• The Campus at Shadnagar for Satellite Data Reception, Data Processing and Dissemination, Earth and Climate Studies and Disaster Management Support
• Five Regional Centres at Sector 9,KBHB in Jodhpur (Regional Centre-West), Sadhiknagar at New Delhi (Regional Centre-North), New Salt Lake City in Kolkata (Regional Centre-East), Amaravathy Road in Nagpur (Regional Centre-Central), Karthik Nagar in Bangalore (Regional Centre-South) for promoting remote sensing applications for various states.
• Outreach facility at Jeedimetla in Hyderabad for providing training for professionals, faculty and students and for general outreach.
• Aircraft operations facility at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad

National Hydrology Project (NHP)

• It is being taken up from Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India with financial aid from World Bank.
• The objective of project is to improve the extent and accessibility of water resources information and strengthen institutional capacity to enable improved water resources planning and management across India.
• The mission is to establish an effective and sound hydrologic database and Hydrological Information System (HIS), together with the development of consistent and scientifically based tools and design aids to assist in the effective water resources planning and management within each to the implementing agencies based on sound scientific driven framework.

The project comprises four broad components:

• Improving In Situ Monitoring System (IMS)
• Improving Spatial Information System (SIS)
• Promoting Water Resources Operation And Management Applications (WROMA)
• Strengthening Water Resources Institutions And Capacity Building (WRICB)

National Hydrology Project

• It has been approved by the cabinet on 06.04.2016 as a central sector scheme with a total outlay of Rs.3679.7674 crore [Rs.3,640 crore for National Hydrology Project (NHP) and Rs.39.7674 crore for establishment of National Water informatics Centre (NWIC) as a repository of nation-wide water resources data].
• NWIC is envisaged as an independent organization with adequate administrative and financial powers under the overall control of Secretary, MoWR, RD&GR.

Project Objective

• To improve the extent, quality, and accessibility of water resources information, decision support system for floods and basin level resource assessment/planning and to strengthen the capacity of targeted water resources professionals and management institutions in India.

Project Highlight

• Central Sector Scheme, with 100% grant to the States
• Budget Outlay: about Rs3,640 Crore, with World Bank Assistance to the tune of 50% of the project cost
• Timeline: 8 years from 2016-17 to 2023-24
• Scale: Pan India
• Lead Agency: MoWR, RD&GR
• Implementing Agencies: 49 (including 10 from Central Government and 39 from States)
• Loan agreement with world bank has been signed on 18-4-2017.

Governance
Justice Department launches "Enforcing Contracts Portal"

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Enforcing Contracts Portal) + Mains ( GS II governance)
What's the NEWS

• On 28^th June, 2021 an exclusive "Enforcing Contracts Portal" was inaugurated by the Department of Justice, Delhi

Homepage of the Enforcing Contracts Portal :


Enforcing Contracts" indicator

• The Doing Business Report of World Bank Group benchmarks business regulations across 191 economies of the world.
• Within this, the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) index is a ranking system which is an indication of an economy's position relative to that of other economies across 11 areas of business regulation.
• The "Enforcing Contracts" indicator is one such essential area that measures time and cost to resolve a standardized commercial dispute as well as a series of good practices in the judiciary.
• Currently, only the cities of Delhi and Mumba iare under the purview of the Ease of Doing Business survey by World Bank. Kolkata and Bengaluru are likely to be included in the Doing Business Reportin future.
• Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, as the nodal department has been monitoring an array of legislative and policy reforms to strengthen the "Enforcing Contracts" regime for Ease of Doing Business in India in coordination with e-Committee, Supreme Court of India and the High Courts of Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Karnataka.
• In close collaboration with all of them, Department of Justice has been aggressively pursuing various reform measures to create an effective, efficient, transparent and robust ‘Contract Enforcement Regime'.
• The portal is envisioned to be a comprehensive source of information pertaining to the legislative and policy reforms being undertaken on the "Enforcing Contracts" parameters.
• It includes the latest data related to the functioning and disposal of commercial cases in the Dedicated Commercial Courts of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata.
• These Dedicated Commercial Courts have been established for speedy resolution of commercial disputes and boast of dedicated infrastructure and exclusive judicial human power.
• In order to make access to information on commercial court and related services easy, the portal contains several features such as details/links of the Dedicated Commercial Courts in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata ; instructive videos related to e-filing, advocate registration; manuals on using the Electronic Case Management Tools(ECMTs) like Just IS app for judicial officers and e-Courts services app for use by lawyers (developed by the e-Committee, Supreme Court of India)and a repository of all related commercial laws for ready reference.
• The new portal also hosts online reporting by all High Courts regarding the Mediation and Arbitration centres annexed to the Commercial Courts in order to monitor and promote institutional mediation & arbitration by way of Pre-institution Mediation and Settlement(PIMS) of commercial cases.
• PIMS has been introduced with the aim of reducing pendency of cases and to promote mediation as a viable dispute resolution alternative in commercial cases.
• The Enforcing Contracts portal direct URL link : https://doj.gov.in/eodb/

Bilateral Relations
Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding signed between India and Republic of The Gambia on Refurbishing Personnel Administration and Governance Reforms

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the MoU + about Gambia - location) + Mains ( GS II bilateral relations)
What's the NEWS

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India and the Public Service Commission, Office of the President, Republic of The Gambia on Refurbishing Personnel Administration and Governance Reforms.

Know! the MoU highlights

• The MoU will help in understanding the personnel administration of both the countries and enable in improving the system of governance through replicating, adapting and innovating some of the best practices and processes.
• Each country will be responsible for its expenditure in connection with the implementation of this MoU.

The areas of cooperation under this MoU would include, but shall not be limited to:
a) Improving Performance Management System in Government.
b) Implementation of contributory Pension Scheme
c) E-recruitment in Government

• The main objective of the MoU is to strengthen and promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries in Personnel Administration and Governance Reforms, as this will facilitate a dialogue between Indian Government agencies and the agencies of the Republic of the Gambia.
• Gambia is keen to engage with India to promote cooperation in areas such as Improving Performance Management System in Government, Implementation of contributory Pension Scheme and, e-Recruitment in Government.

• The MoU with the Republic of the Gambia will provide a legal framework to the cooperation between the two countries in Refurbishing Personnel Administration and Governance Reforms so as to improve upon the existing system of governance by learning, sharing and exchanging administrative experiences in the area of Personnel Administration and Governance Reforms and instill a greater sense of responsiveness, accountability and transparency.
• Government of India has taken up a goal of quantum shift in delivery of Government Services across the country and also aims to further Government's efforts at revamping of Personnel Administration and Governance Reforms which is relevant in the context of the goal of 'Minimum Government with Maximum Governance'.

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