PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

14-December -2023

1. Breakthrough Nutraceutical ‘AKTOCYTE’ by the Department of Atomic Energy Set to Transform Cancer Care

Topic: GS3 – Health sector. This topic is not much relevant in the context of Mains but more for prelims perspective.

Context:

Scientists from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and M/s. IDRS Labs Pvt. Ltd. Bengaluru collaborated to develop AKTOCYTE tablets for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

• Key Collaborators: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Tata Memorial Hospital, and Advanced Centre for Training Research and Education in Cancer joined forces with IDRS Labs to minimize side effects of radiotherapy.
• Targeted Results: AKTOCYTE tablets showed remarkable results, particularly in pelvic cancer patients experiencing radiotherapy-induced Cystitis (Blood in urine).
• Extraordinary Recovery: Patients treated with AKTOCYTE tablets demonstrated extraordinary recovery, reducing the need for surgical removal of the urinary bladder.
• Multi-functional Design: The tablets are designed as an adjuvant to cancer radiotherapy, regenerative nutraceutical, immunomodulator, and antioxidant, representing a significant advancement in cancer care.
• Regulatory Approval: AKTOCYTE tablets received approval from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), ensuring safety and compliance, and providing confidence in efficacy and quality.
• Pelvic Cancer Success: Notably effective in pelvic cancer patients, AKTOCYTE tablets showcased significant recovery, eliminating the necessity for surgical interventions.
• Versatile Applications: AKTOCYTE serves as more than a supplement, functioning as an adjuvant to cancer radiotherapy, a regenerative nutraceutical, an immunomodulator, and an antioxidant.
• Market Availability: Anticipated to launch in January 2024, AKTOCYTE tablets are expected to revolutionize cancer treatment protocols.
• Institutional Collaboration: The collaboration between DAE institutions and the industry was pivotal in achieving this breakthrough, representing the convergence of scientific innovation and practical solutions for cancer care.

Source:  https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1985981

2. Higher education in tribal regions

Topic: GS2 –Social Justice- Tribal Education

Context:

Central and State Governments collaborate for quality higher education, with scholarships and reservations, including two Central Tribal Universities for tribal populations.

• Concurrent Responsibility: Education falls under the concurrent list, and both Central and State Governments initiate various measures for ensuring quality higher education in the country.
• Central Educational Institutions: Numerous institutions are under the purview of the Ministry of Education, including 47 Central Universities, 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), 31 National Institutes of Technology (NITs), 25 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and 7 Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs).
• Government Initiatives: To encourage access to higher education, the government has implemented various scholarships and fellowship programs specifically for tribal students.
• Reservation Policies: Scheduled Tribe students benefit from reservations in admissions to all Central Educational Institutions, following the existing Reservation Policy of the Government of India.
• Central Tribal Universities: There are two Central Tribal Universities – Indira Gandhi National Tribal University in Amarkantak and Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh in Vizianagram. These institutions primarily focus on providing higher education and research facilities to the tribal population of the country.

3. VIBRANT VILLAGES PROGRAMME

Topic: GS2 – Government initiatives.

Context:

The government approves ₹4800 crore Vibrant Villages Programme for comprehensive development in northern border areas, focusing on livelihoods and tourism.

• Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP): Approved as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a ₹4800 crore financial outlay for FY 2022-23 to 2025-26.
• Geographical Focus: Targets 46 blocks in 19 districts along the northern border in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and UT of Ladakh.
• Objective: Comprehensive development of selected villages to enhance the quality of life, aiming to counter outmigration.
• Interventions: Focus on livelihood opportunities through agriculture, horticulture, tourism, cultural heritage, skill development, entrepreneurship, cooperative societies, road connectivity, housing, energy, telecom connectivity, and financial inclusion.
• Tourism Development: Includes infrastructure enhancement, community-managed home stays, local fairs, eco-tourism, agro-tourism, wellness, wildlife, spiritual, and adventure tourism.
• Outcome-Oriented: Conceived as an outcome-oriented program with indicators at three levels – village, household, and individual beneficiary.

4. ATAL VAYO ABHYUDAY YOJANA

Topic: GS2 – Government initiatives

Context:

Department of Social Justice implements Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), part of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana, providing grant-in-aid to NGOs for Senior Citizens’ Homes.

• Program Name: Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), a component of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY).
• Implementation: Department of Social Justice and Empowerment oversees IPSrC, providing grant-in-aid to NGOs for Senior Citizens’ Homes, Continuous Care Homes, etc.
• Facilities Offered: Grant supports shelter, nutrition, medicare, and entertainment for indigent senior citizens, with no provision for construction.
• NGO Support: New Senior Citizens’ Homes run by NGOs included for grant-in-aid based on requests from states and union territories, designated as Gap Districts.
• Funding Details: State/Union Territory-wise grant-in-aid released to NGOs and beneficiaries under IPSrC from 2020-21 onwards.

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Article 269A: Levy and collection of goods and services tax in course of Inter-State trade or commerce



Article 275: Grants from the Union to certain States



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Article 360: Provisions as to Financial Emergency



Article 368: Power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and procedure therefor



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Articles Article 330A: Reservation of seats for women in the House of the People Article 330A of Indian Constitution
Article330A: Reservation of seats for women in the House of the People.
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(1) Goods and services tax on supplies in the course…
Articles Article 275: Grants from the Union to certain States Article 275 of Indian Constitution
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Articles Article 279A: Goods and Services Tax Council Article 279A of Indian Constitution
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