21 September 2024 : PIB Summary For UPSC

1. India Achieves Tier 1 Status in Global Cybersecurity Index 2024

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2057035 )

Context

India’s top-tier achievement in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024 reflects its growing global leadership in cybersecurity. Published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the GCI assesses national cybersecurity efforts. India’s high score signifies robust legal, technical, and organisational measures, alongside international cooperation and education initiatives promoting cyber resilience.

Global Cybersecurity Index 2024:

• India achieved Tier 1 status in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024, published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• India scored 98.49 out of 100, joining the ranks of ‘role-modelling’ countries.
• The index evaluates national cybersecurity efforts across five pillars: legal, technical, organisational, capacity development, and cooperation.
• A comprehensive questionnaire with 83 questions is used, covering 20 indicators, 64 sub-indicators, and 28 micro-indicators.
• Countries are classified into tiers based on their performance, with Tier 1 representing role-model countries.
• The index emphasises the importance of legal frameworks to combat cybercrime and strengthen cybersecurity standards.
• It recognizes efforts in establishing sectoral Computer Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) to address cyber incidents.
• Capacity development focuses on enhancing skills, promoting cybersecurity education, and research.
• Cooperation is assessed through bilateral and multilateral collaborations and information-sharing initiatives.
• The GCI promotes international benchmarks for cybersecurity preparedness and highlights global best practices.

2. NPS Vatsalya: A Groundbreaking Pension Scheme for Minors

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2056918 )

Context

The NPS Vatsalya scheme, launched in 2024, is a pioneering pension initiative for minors aimed at fostering early financial planning and savings habits. It enables guardians to invest in their child’s future, ensuring long-term financial security through compounding and flexible investments.

NPS Vatsalya scheme:

• The NPS Vatsalya scheme, launched in 2024 by the central government, is a pension scheme exclusively for children below 18 years of age.

• Managed by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), it promotes early financial planning and savings habits.
• Parents can contribute a minimum of ₹1,000 per month, with no upper limit.
• The account is managed by the guardian until the child turns 18, at which point it seamlessly transitions to the minor’s control.
• Upon reaching adulthood, the account converts into an NPS Tier-I or other non-NPS scheme.
• The scheme emphasises long-term wealth accumulation through compounding, ensuring a secure financial future for minors.
• Account creation can be done through Points of Presence (PoPs) or online via the eNPS platform.
• Required documents include proof of birth for the minor and KYC of the guardian.

3. IndiaAI Innovation Challenge launched to foster impactful AI Solutions inviting applications to build AI Solutions for critical sectors

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2056991 )

Context

The IndiaAI Innovation Challenge invites innovators and organisations to develop AI solutions addressing critical societal issues. By focusing on areas like healthcare, agriculture, and climate change, the initiative aims to harness technology for inclusive growth and enhance India’s leadership in artificial intelligence.

More About  IndiaAI Mission:

• The IndiaAI Mission is an initiative under the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), implemented by the IndiaAI Independent Business Division (IBD) of the Digital India Corporation (DIC).
• It aims to democratise the benefits of AI across all sectors of Indian society, fostering inclusive growth.
• IndiaAI Innovation Challenge is part of this mission, encouraging Indian innovators, startups, students, and organisations to develop impactful AI solutions.
• Key focus areas include AI-driven healthcare improvements, better governance through language technologies, AI-assisted agriculture, support for learning disabilities, and AI-powered climate and disaster management solutions.
• The mission also emphasises technological self-reliance and ensures ethical and responsible AI use, aligning with India’s vision of global leadership in AI.