1 August 2024 : PIB Summary For UPSC

1. INDEX OF EIGHT CORE INDUSTRIES (BASE: 2011-12=100) FOR JUNE, 2024

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2039668 )

Topic: GS3 –  IndianEconomy

Context

In June 2024, the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) rose by 4.0% compared to June 2023, with growth in coal, electricity, natural gas, steel, fertilisers, and cement. The ICI, which represents 40.27% of the Index of Industrial Production, recorded a cumulative growth of 5.7% from April to June 2024.

Index of Industrial Production (IIP):

• The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is a key economic indicator that measures the performance of various industrial sectors in a country.
• It reflects changes in the production levels of the industrial sector over a specific period, providing insights into the overall economic activity.
• IIP is calculated based on the volume of production in sectors manufacturing, mining, and electricity.

Eight core industries of IIP:

1. Crude Oil: Weight: 8.98%
2. Coal: Weight: 10.33%
3. Natural Gas: Weight: 6.88%
4. Petroleum Refinery Products: Weight: 28.04%
5. Fertilisers: Weight: 2.63%
6. Steel: Weight: 17.92%
7. Cement: Weight: 5.37%
8. Electricity: Weight: 19.85%
9. The base year for the IIP is typically chosen to serve as a reference point for comparing production changes over time – the current base year for IIP is 2011-12
10. The index helps in assessing the growth or contraction of industrial output, aiding policymakers and investors in making informed decisions.
11. It plays a crucial role in economic planning, policy formulation, and monitoring of industrial performance.
12. A higher IIP indicates industrial growth, while a lower IIP suggests a decline in production.
13. The IIP is often used by the government, researchers, and analysts to analyse trends and formulate strategies for economic development.

Practice Question:  Discuss the significance of the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) in measuring industrial performance in India. (150 Words /10 marks)

2. STEPS TO INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY INTO THE NEW EDUCATION SYSTEM

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2039811 )

Topic: GS2 – Governance

Context

The National Education Policy 2020 promotes integrating technology in education to support linguistic diversity. Initiatives like the Bhasha Sangam Programme, Anuvadini App, and Mission Digital India Bhashini enhance accessibility by translating educational materials into multiple Indian languages, supporting diverse learning needs and preserving linguistic heritage.

Steps taken by the government for integration of Technology in education system:

Mission Digital India Bhashini (2022): Developed by MEITY to create open-source language technologies for 22 Scheduled Indian languages.

National Education Policy 2020: Emphasises the integration of technology to enhance education and preserve linguistic diversity.

Bhasha Sangam Programme: Run by NCERT to promote and preserve linguistic diversity through education.

Machine Translation Cell: Translates books into scheduled languages to improve accessibility.

Anuvadini App: Utilised by AICTE and UGC to translate undergraduate and postgraduate course materials, including technical books, into multiple Indian languages.

e-KUMBH Portal: Hosts translated books for easy access.

NEET, JEE, CUET: Conducted in 13 languages to accommodate diverse linguistic needs.

Regional Language Engineering Education: Some AICTE-approved institutions offer engineering courses in 8 regional languages.

DIKSHA Portal: Provides course materials and teaching resources in 33 Indian languages.

ASMITA Initiative: Launched by UGC to promote Indian languages in education through translation and academic writing.