Yojana Magazine Summary December 2023

Yojana magazine is monthly magazine published by government of India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In this page we will explore Yojana Magazine Summary for December 2023 edition. It provides a comprehensive analysis of recent government initiatives aimed at fostering inclusive growth and addressing social inequalities. Below are major insights from December 2023 edition:

1. Glimpses of 2023

Global Leadership and Diplomacy:

In the challenging global landscape of 2023, India emerged as a beacon of resilience.
Successfully hosting the G20 Summit showcased India’s diplomatic prowess.
The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, arising from the summit, outlined specific action points for global cooperation.

Space Exploration and Scientific Achievements:

A significant milestone was achieved with the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1.
These missions underscore India’s commitment to advancing its space capabilities and scientific research.

Industrial Sector Advancements:

There was a notable surge in measures aligning with the ease of doing business and global sustainability goals.
The National Logistics Policy focused on efficiency improvement through process simplification and regulatory framework adoption.
The PM Gatishakti National Master Plan emphasized integrated infrastructure development.

Transport Sector Expansion:

The transport sector experienced significant expansion in terms of network coverage and system output.
Various schemes like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, Parvatmala, and UDAN aimed to enhance connectivity, focusing on quality and all-weather connectivity.
India’s first-ever indigenously designed and manufactured semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains were introduced to provide a modern and comfortable rail travel experience.

Rural Development Initiatives:

The government prioritized raising standards of living in rural areas for more inclusive and equitable development.
The launch of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme and the Pradhan Mantri PTG Development Mission were considered important steps in this direction.

Cultural Heritage Preservation:

Efforts to preserve and promote India’s rich cultural heritage continued throughout the year.
Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations highlighted the nation’s diverse and vibrant culture.
The inauguration of the new Parliament Building marked a significant moment in the country’s history.

Sports Achievements:

The year was a significant one for sports, with athletes across various games bringing home laurels.
The 2022 Asian Games stood out as a significant occasion for India, achieving its highest-ever medal total in 60 years.
India’s commendable performance in the cricket World Cup added to the nation’s sporting achievements.

2. INDIA’S MOONSHOT.

Indian Space Programme Overview:

Initiated in the mid-1960s for scientific research and applications.
Emerged as one of the top 5 space agencies globally in Earth observation, communication, navigation, and planetary exploration.

Transportation System:

ISRO’s operational launch vehicles can launch payloads from 500 kg to 8000 kg into various Earth orbits.
PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) stands out for reliability, cost-effectiveness, and versatility, accommodating diverse satellite launches in a single flight.
LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), an indigenous launch vehicle, successfully executed complex missions like Chandrayaan and OneWeb commercial launches.
Introduction of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to cater to the small satellite launch vehicle market.

Ground System and Space Situational Awareness (SSA):

Master control facility and tracking/telemetry facility monitor Earth observation, communication, navigation, and scientific satellites.
ISRO ventures into Space Situational Awareness (SSA) for a comprehensive understanding of space objects’ location, behavior, and future evolution.

Important Facilities:

Facilities include Trisonic wind tunnel, high-altitude test facilities, semi-cryo testing, integration facilities, Gaganyaan facilities, and the capability to integrate and launch multiple vehicles simultaneously.
A new launch pad near India’s southern tip for commercial launches into low-Earth orbits.

Earth Observation (EO):

IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) program led to the creation of satellites like Cartosat, RISAT, ResourceSat, and OceanSat.
EO satellites support programs such as MGNREGA, PMGSY, PMKSY, AMRUT, PMFBY, SVAMITVA, and UIDIA.

Navigation Satellite (NavIC):

The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), operational as NavIC, provides accurate real-time positioning and timing services.
Recent augmentation with second-generation navigation satellites for improved services and interoperability.

Other Achievements:

AstroSat, India’s first space observatory, launched in September 2015, attracting global users.
Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) contributed significantly to understanding Mars’ atmosphere, exosphere, and surface features.
Chandrayaan missions to the Moon, with Chandrayaan-3 achieving a successful soft landing in 2023.
Aditya-L1 mission focusing on solar science with instruments to study the Sun’s photosphere, chromosphere, and corona.

Conclusion and Future Initiatives:

ISRO embarks on scientific missions like XPOSAT and collaborates with NASA on the NISAR initiative.

Ongoing lunar missions, including plans for human-crewed missions and the Gaganyaan mission, leading to the construction of a Bharat Space station.

3. INDIA’S GROWING STATURE – A RISING POWER.

Impact of Covid-19 on the Global Economy:

The pandemic caused economic challenges worldwide, deepening divisions.
Multilateral institutions failed, leaving distressed economies without global support, especially in the Global South.

India’s Leadership in G20:

India’s G20 presidency showcased success in building consensus on critical issues.
Achievements include the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 and emphasis on UN SDGs, digital public infrastructure, climate challenges, and multilateral reforms.

Climate Action and Achievements:

India is on track for net-zero emissions by 2070, achieving 40% renewables in the energy
Significant growth in solar installed energy, surpassing COP 21 targets nine years ahead of schedule.
Mission LiFE, focusing on individual behavior for global climate action.
Codified as G20 High-Level Principles on Lifestyles for Sustainable Development.

Clean Energy Initiatives:

India’s clean energy achievements, including the world’s first fully solar-operated airport.
Bilateral partnerships with the EU, Japan, and the US for clean energy advancement.
Leadership in green hydrogen production and export.

Resilient Supply Chains:

India’s $10 billion PLI scheme and Semicon India program to boost chip manufacturing.
Trilateral Supply Chain Resilience Initiative with Australia and Japan addressing supply chain diversification.

Digital Infrastructure:

Digital India initiative transforming the country into an empowered digital economy.
India reported 48 billion real-time digital transactions in 2021, surpassing global figures.
Interest from other countries in India’s UIDAI, Aadhaar, and unified payment portals.

Yoga, Ayurveda, and Global Contributions:

India’s contribution during the Covid-19 pandemic, providing vaccines and humanitarian assistance.
Promotion of Yoga and Ayurveda globally, proposing the International Year of Millets.

International Year of Millets:

Proposal to the UN for 2023 to be the International Year of Millets.
Millets’ nutritional content, food security, and dietary health were highlighted during India’s G20 presidency.

Kartavya Kaal and India’s Global Role:

Entry into Kartavya Kaal for unprecedented progress in scientific, technological, economic, and social aspects.
India’s emergence as a global friend, teacher, and physician in contrast to others in confrontation.

Conclusion:

India’s leadership in G20, climate action, clean energy, digital infrastructure, and global contributions positions it for significant progress in Kartavya Kaal.

4. SPORTING PROWESS THE YEAR OF HISTORIC WINS.

Performance in Asian Games 2022:

India achieved its highest-ever medal count in 60 years with 107 medals.
Notably, a 75% increase in gold medals compared to the Asian Games 2018.
Women athletes secured around 50% of the total medals, showcasing dedication and talent.

Para Athletes’ Record-breaking Performance:

Indian para-athletes made history with the highest-ever medal tally of 111 in the Para Asian Games.
Included an impressive 29 gold medals.
India achieved its best-ever rank of 5th in the overall medal tally.

Individual Achievements:

R Praggnanandhaa made history in Indian chess by reaching the final of the FIDE World Cup.
He was on the verge of joining the legendary Viswanathan Anand at the top.

Sports Promotional Schemes and Institutions:

Various sports schemes implemented through Sports Authority of India (SAI), National Centres of Excellence (NCOE), SAI Training Centre (STC), Extension Centre of STC, and National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC).
The Khelo India Scheme, with five verticals, promotes sports nationally, including rural areas.
Talent Search and Development vertical identifies and supports Khelo India Athletes with annual financial assistance.
National-level competitions like Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India University Games, and Khelo India Winter Games are organized.

Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) assists top Indian athletes.

5. India’s First Regional Rapid Transit System.

Prime Minister inaugurated the priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor at Sahibabad RapidX Station in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Flagged off the Namo Bharat RapidX train connecting Sahibabad to Duhai Depot, marking the launch of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in India.
RRTS is a new rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit system.
Design speed of 180 kmph, providing high-speed trains for intercity commuting every 15 minutes, with flexibility to increase frequency to every 5 minutes as needed.
Developed as a state-of-the-art regional mobility solution in the country.
In accordance with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the RRTS network will extensively integrate with Railway stations, Metro stations, Bus services, etc.

6. REDEFINING MOBILITY: TRANSFORMING LANDSCAPE OF TRANSPORT SECTOR.

Transport System in India: Key Points

Roads:

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, formed in 2009, administers road transport rules.
India’s road network is the world’s second-largest, spanning 62.16 lakh km.

Bharatmala Pariyojana:

Focus on road connectivity to border areas, coastal roads, economic corridors, and integration with Sagarmala.
Aims to develop 26,000 km of economic corridors, 8,000 km of inter corridors, and 7,500 km of feeder routes.

Green National Highways Corridor Project:

Launched in 2016, upgrading 781 km of national highways to combat air and noise pollution, soil erosion.
World Bank aids the project.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):

Set up under NHAI Act, 1988, entrusted with National Highways Development Project (NHDP).
NH (including expressways) length is 1,32,499 km, carrying 40% of road traffic.

National Highways Development Project (NHDP):

Started in 1998, aims to upgrade, rehabilitate, and widen major highways.
Subsumed under the ongoing Bharatmala project.

PM GatiShakti Plan:

National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity, 2021, integrating 16 ministries for coordinated infrastructure projects.
Features include comprehensiveness, optimization, analytical, and dynamic planning.

Parvatmala Pariyojana:

National Ropeways Development Programme for improved accessibility and promoting tourism.
Ropeways developed as an alternative mode of transportation in congested urban areas.

National Registry of Vehicle and License Records:

Transport Mission Mode Project automated RTO operations with flagship applications Vahan and Sarathi.
Vahan consolidates vehicle services, while Sarathi manages driving licenses and related activities.

e-Tolling:

National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program ensures seamless traffic movement using FASTag.
Managed by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI).

Indian Railways:

Extensive network of 68,043 km with 7,308 stations.
Research Design And Standards Organisation (RDSO) in Lucknow focuses on R&D.
Railway Budget merged with General Budget from 2017-18 for holistic financial planning.
Facilitates multimodal transport planning.
Semi-high-speed, electric multiple-unit train, began operations in 2019.
By September 2023, 50 Vande Bharat trains were operational.

Maritime Development:

India’s 7,517 km coastline crucial for trade, with 12 major ports and about 200 non-major ports.
About 95% of trade volume and 68% by value moved through maritime transport.

Shipping:

Ministry of Shipping, renamed Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) in 2020.
Major ports’ capacity stands at 1617.39 MMT.

Sagarmala Programme:

Launched for port-led development, focusing on port modernization, connectivity, industrialization, coastal community development, and shipping.

Inland Water Transport:

14,500 km navigable inland waterway network, with less than 2% of cargo transport currently.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) manages National Waterways (NWS).

Several Other Important Initiatives:

Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN for affordable regional air connectivity.
Airports Authority of India (AAI) manages 133 airports.
DigiYatra policy for seamless airport experiences using Facial Recognition Technology.
Krishi Udan 2.0 facilitates air transportation for agricultural produce.
Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan ensures accessibility in civil aviation.
GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) enhances GPS signals for civil aviation precision.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, India’s diverse transport infrastructure, spanning roads, railways, maritime, and civil aviation sectors, reflects ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity, promote economic growth, and ensure sustainable development.
Through strategic initiatives and collaborations, the nation aims to address infrastructure challenges and meet evolving transportation needs effectively.

7. INDIA’S INDUSTRY SECTOR.

PM GatiShakti: Transformative Infrastructure Integration

Launch (2021): Introduced in 2021, PM GatiShakti aims to harmonize planning and infrastructure development across diverse agencies.
Whole-of-Government Approach: Emphasizes integration across ministries and departments for holistic planning and execution.
National Master Plan: GIS-based platform linking roads, aviation, railways, agriculture, and ministries for coordinated development.
Three-Tier Institutional Arrangement: Facilitates synchronized development through multi-tiered collaboration among line ministries/departments.

National Logistics Policy: Enhancing Efficiency

Launch (2022): Launched in 2022, the National Logistics Policy complements PM GatiShakti’s National Master Plan.
Objectives: Aims to streamline logistic services and human resources, integrate logistics into higher education, and adopt suitable technology.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy: Streamlined Approvals

Abolition of FIPB (2017): FDI approval process simplified after the abolition of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board in June 2017.
FDI Approval Handling: The concerned ministries/departments manage FDI application processing and government approval.
Foreign Investment Facilitation (FIF) Portal: Administered by DPIIT, integrated with the National Single Window System (NSWS) for efficient application filing.

Make in India (2014): A Global Manufacturing Impetus

Launch (2014): Initiated in 2014, ‘Make in India’ promotes India’s manufacturing prowess globally.

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Boosting Manufacturing

Objective: Aligned with ‘Athmanirbhar Bharat,’ the PLI scheme, with a 1.97 lakh crore outlay, aims to enhance manufacturing capabilities and exports.

Startup India (2016): Fostering Entrepreneurship

Launch (2016): Startup India focuses on simplification, funding support, and industry-academia partnerships.
Recognition (May 2023): DPIIT recognizes 99,371 startups across 57 sectors, creating 10.49 lakh jobs since 2016.
Funds Support: Fund of Funds (FFS) with a Rs. 10,000 crore corpus and Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) provide financial assistance.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs): Nurturing Economic Backbone

Udyam Assist Platform (2023): Launched to formalize micro-enterprises under MSMEs, contributing significantly to India’s GDP and exports.
Scale: Over 6 crore MSMEs contribute 27% to GDP, 44% to exports, and employ over 11 crore people.

Udyam Registration Portal (2020): Simplifying MSME Registration

Launch (2020): Facilitates the registration of MSMEs as per the new classification.

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC): Empowering Rural Economy

Under MSME Ministry: KVIC, a statutory organization, operates under the Ministry of MSME.

Textiles: A Global Hub

Mill Sector: India’s mill sector, with over 3,400 textile mills, contributes 7% of the industry’s output, 2% of GDP, and employs around 4.5 crore people.

Steel Industry: Global Leadership

Capacity: India’s crude steel capacity has reached 142 MT, making it the second-largest crude steel producer globally.

Pharmaceutical Industry: Global Third Largest

Position: India’s pharmaceutical industry ranks third globally by volume, with a total annual turnover of around Rs. 3.79 lakh crore in 2022-23.
Exports and Imports: Pharma exports at approximately Rs. 1.94 lakh crore and imports around Rs. 0.56 lakh crore for 2022-23, showcasing a CAGR of 6.4%.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, India’s economic landscape witnesses transformative initiatives, from infrastructure integration through PM GatiShakti to fostering innovation via Startup India.
These strategic policies, coupled with the streamlined FDI process and emphasis on manufacturing and MSMEs, affirm India’s commitment to inclusive growth, global competitiveness, and sustainable development across diverse sectors.

8. AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT KEY INITIATIVES & ACHIEVEMENT.

Budget Allocations for Rural Development:

The Government of India has prioritized livelihood security and financial empowerment for rural people in its pursuit of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The budget for FY 2023-24 reflects a substantial increase in allocations for ongoing schemes and new initiatives.

Agricultural Sector:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has been allocated Rs1,25,036 crore, a 5% increase from the revised estimates of 2022-23.
The agriculture credit target has been raised to Rs 20 lakh crore, and a new scheme, PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, has been introduced with a provision of Rs 6,000 crore.
Decentralized storage capacity and multi-purpose co-operative societies are set to be established.

Rural Development Initiatives:

The Ministry of Rural Development has received Rs 1,59,964 crore for FY 2023-24.
The budget emphasizes rural infrastructure development and a 66% increase in outlay for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

International Year of Millets:

The year 2023 was declared the ‘International Year of Millets’ by the United Nations General Assembly.
India renamed Millets as Shree Anna, signifying its importance nationally.
Millets have seen increased consumption and are part of the ‘One District, One Product’ scheme in 19 districts.

Food Production and Storage:

India achieved record food grain and horticultural produce in 2022-23.
Minimum Support Price (MSP) has been increased for Rabi crops, promoting crop diversification.
The Government is facilitating the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector.

Initiatives for Growth:

The ‘PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-Earth’ (PM-PRANAM) scheme aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
The launch of Nano-DAP liquid and subsidies for nutrient-based fertilizers demonstrate a focus on innovative and efficient farming practices.
IT-based initiatives like the Kisan Rin Portal and WINDS manual aim to enhance farmer support and improve crop management.

Rural Prosperity Programs:

The Ministry of Rural Development’s ‘Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission’ targets two crore ‘Lakhpati Didis – SHG Didis.’
‘Sangathan Se Samridhhi’ aims to mobilize an additional one crore women from vulnerable rural households.
Initiatives like eSARAS mobile app and Promoting Digital Transactions in Gram Panchayats enhance market support and digital transactions in rural areas.

Infrastructure and Welfare Programs:

The Government has revamped the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan and achieved milestones in the Jal Jeevan Mission, PM Ujjwala Yojana, and PM Gram Sadak Yojana.
Mission Amrit Sarovar focuses on water body rejuvenation, and the Swachh Bharat Mission achieved 75% ODF Plus villages.

Conclusion:

The Government’s continued emphasis on rural development aims to transform lives and livelihoods, ensuring more equitable and inclusive growth in rural India.

Yojana Magazine Summary December 2023: Year End Special