1. Puducherry and Aizawl (Mizoram) adjudged best performing State and District in Social Progress Index
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The Prime Minister Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) on 20 December 2022 released the Social Progress Index (SPI) for States and Districts prepared by the Institute for Competitiveness and Social Progress Imperative.
The index assesses states and districts based on 12 components across three critical dimensions of social progress - Basic Human Needs, Foundations of Wellbeing, and Opportunity. The index uses an extensive framework comprising 89 indicators at the state level and 49 at the district level.
- Basic Human Needs assess the performance of states and districts in terms of Nutrition and Basic Medical Care, Water and Sanitation, Personal Safety and Shelter.
- Foundations of Wellbeing evaluates the progress made by the country across the components of Access to Basic Knowledge, Access to Information and Communication, Health and Wellness, and Environmental Quality.
- Opportunity focuses on Personal Rights, Personal Freedom and Choice, Inclusiveness, and Access to Advanced Education.
Based on the SPI scores, states and districts have been ranked under six tiers of social progress. The tiers are Tier 1: Very High Social Progress; Tier 2: High Social Progress; Tier 3: Upper Middle Social Progress; Tier 4: Lower Middle Social Progress; Tier 5: Low Social Progress; and Tier 6: Very Low Social Progress.
Top Ranked States/Union Territories
State /Union Territories | SPI | Rank |
Puducherry | 65.99 | 1 |
Lakshadweep | 65.89 | 2 |
Goa | 65.53 | 3 |
Sikkim | 65.10 | 4 |
Mizoram | 64.19 | 5 |
Bottom Ranked State
Jharkhand was ranked at the bottom, 36th with SPI score of 43.95 and Bihar was ranked at 35th with a score of 44.47.
Uttar Pradesh with a SPI score of 49.16 was ranked 31st and was put in the Low Social progress category.
Top performing districts
Aizawl (Mizoram), Solan (Himachal Pradesh), and Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) are the top 3 best-performing districts.
2. MIB directs YouTube to take down three channels for spreading fake news
Tags: National News
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed YouTube to remove three channels, Aaj Tak Live, News Headlines and Government Updates, for spreading fake news in the country.
Important facts
The action was taken as the channels were declared peddlers of fake news by the Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau on 20 December.
In a series of over 40 fact-checks, the PIB Fact Check Unit (FCU) busted these three YouTube channels which were spreading false information in India.
These channels have around 33 lakh subscribers and their videos, almost all of which were found to be false, have been viewed more than 300 million times.
These YouTube channels were engaged in spreading false and sensational claims regarding the Supreme Court of India, Chief Justice of India, Government schemes, Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), farm loan waiver etc.
In the last one year, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has banned over one hundred YouTube channels for spreading fake news.
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting - Anurag Singh Thakur
3. IICA launches ESG Impact Leaders Program
Tags: National News
Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) an autonomous institution under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India has launched on 20th December a programme to create Impact Leaders in the areas of Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG).
Important facts
Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt of India Leena Nandan was the Chief Guest at the launch.
Impact Leader programme is designed as a comprehensive course on ESG giving a holistic understanding of the philosophy of ESG, its principles, its relevance and its implication in the current scenario.
The Six Month course comprising 8 Self paced learning modules will be delivered online.
Renowned ESG professionals of International & National repute would be involved in delivering the live interactive Master classes.
IICA has also created the 'National Association of Impact Leaders' which is a membership-based association exclusively for ESG professionals.
The association will provide a platform for professional advancement and engagement to its members.
In future this association may also act as a regulatory body to strengthen the ESG Profession in India.
Key points of Learnings
Understanding the Glocal ESG Landscape
Identifying ESG Risks and Opportunities
Identification and layout of materiality aspects of ESG
Managing all ESG aspects in an organization - turning theory into action
Integrating ESG best practices into core operations - Creating an ESG sensitive culture
Creating flexible ESG strategies
Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs
It was registered as a society on September 12, 2008 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
It is an autonomous institute, working under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to deliver opportunities for research, education, and advocacy.
It is a think-tank, capacity building and service delivery institute.
4. UAE to host the 13th WTO Ministerial Meeting in 2024
Tags: Summits Economics/Business International News
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host the 13th World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial meeting in February 2024. The African country of Cameroon had also expressed its willingness to host the 13th WTO ministerial meeting.
The WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from June 12 to June 17. It was originally meant to be held in Kazakhstan in 2020, but was postponed due to the covid pandemic.
The World Trade Organisation was set up on 1 January 1995 replacing the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT). Its main purpose is to promote rule based trading systems in the world and to settles trade related disputes between the member countries.
The Ministerial Conference is the topmost decision-making body of the WTO and usually meets every two years.
It brings together all members of the WTO and takes decisions on all matters under any of the multilateral trade agreements.
The headquarters of WTO is in Geneva, Switzerland. There are 164 member countries .
Director General of WTO : Dr Ngozi -Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria
WTO Ministerial Meeting
Number | Place | Date |
First | Singapore | 9 to 13 December 1996. |
second | Geneva, Switzerland | May 18 and 20, 1998 |
Third | Seattle, United States of America | November 30 and December 3, 1999, |
Fourth | Doha, Qatar | 9-14 November 2001 |
Fifth | Cancun, Mexico | September 10 to 14, 2003 |
Sixth | Hong Kong | December 13 to December 18, 2005, |
Seventh | Geneva, Switzerland | 30th November to 2nd December 2009, |
Eight | Geneva, Switzerland | December 15 to 17, 2011 |
Ninth | Bali, Indonesia | 3rd to 7th December 2013 |
Tenth | Nairobi, Kenya | December 15 to 19, 2015 |
Eleventh | Buenos Aires, Argentina | December 10 to December 13, 2017 |
Twelfth | Geneva, Switzerland | June 12 to June 17, 2022 |
5. Fifth Scorpene Submarine ‘Vagir’ delivered to Indian Navy
Tags: Defence National News
The fifth submarine of the Project -75, Kalvari Class submarines, Yard 11879 (Vagir) was delivered to the Indian Navy on 20 December.
Important facts
Project -75 includes indigenous construction of six submarines of Scorpene design.
These submarines are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France.
Launched on 12 Nov 20, Vagir commenced sea trials from 1 Feb 2022 and has completed all major trials, including weapon and sensor trials, in less time than earlier submarines.
The construction of these submarines in an Indian yard is another step towards 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and instills confidence in the region.
What is also a remarkable achievement is that this is the third submarine delivered to the Indian Navy in a span of 24 months.
Project- 75
Project- 75 intends to build six diesel-electric attack submarines of the Kalvari class that are based on the Scorpene-class, which are being built at MDL (Mazagon Dock Limited).
Project 75 (I), approved in 2007, is part of the Indian Navy’s 30 year Plan for indigenous submarine construction.
6. Agriculture Ministry organises Millet Food Festival in Parliament
Tags: Festivals National News
To raise awareness about the importance of millets, the Ministry of Agriculture organised the Millet Food Festival in Parliament on 20 December.
Important facts
During the Millet food festival, branding of Millet and recipes displayed and millet-based food items served to the Members of Parliament in the Parliament House premises.
Recently, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations organised the opening ceremony of the International Year of Millets – 2023 (IYOM 2023) in Rome, Italy.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) accepted the proposal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
As the global agrifood systems face challenges to feed an ever-growing global population, resilient cereals like millet provide an affordable and nutritious option.
7. Atal Innovation Mission at NITI Aayog opens applications for ATL Marathon 2022-23
Tags: National News
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) at NITI Aayog on 19th December opened applications for ATL Marathon 2022-23, a flagship innovation challenge under Atal Tinkering Labs programme.
About ATL Marathon
It is a national level innovation challenge for young innovators across India who can solve community problems of their choice, develop innovative solutions in the form of working prototypes or Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
The previous edition of the marathon saw over 7000 innovations and out of them top 350 received internship opportunities with reputed companies in India, awards and certificates from AIM.
This year’s ATL Marathon is going to be bigger and grander.
The theme for this edition of ATL Marathon is India’s G20 Presidency.
As India assumes the presidency of the G20 this year, AIM has prepared issue statements based on the inspiring recommendations of the G20 Working Groups on internationally relevant issues in various areas of focus.
The idea is to create a huge opportunity for the students to innovate not only for a better India but for the world by solving global problems in various fields.
Students can get all the details about ATL Marathon in English and Hindi and can submit their entries in both the languages.
Top teams will get internship opportunities with leading corporates and incubation centers in India through the Student Innovator Program and will be awarded certificates from AIM.
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
This is an important initiative taken by the Government of India to promote the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.
Objective of AIM
Developing new programs and policies to promote innovation in various sectors of the economy.
Providing forums and opportunities for collaboration for various stakeholders.
To create an umbrella structure to create awareness and monitor the innovation ecosystem of the country.
Mission Director AIM - Dr Chintan Vaishnav
8. India and Netherlands hold 11th Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi
Tags: International News
India and Netherlands held 11th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in New Delhi on 19th December.
Important facts
The Indian delegation was led by Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs and the Dutch side was led by Paul Huijts, Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
Both sides discussed ways forward in important areas such as Water, Agriculture and Health (WAH Agenda), science and technology, climate innovation and renewable technologies.
Noting that the Netherlands is India's third largest export partner in Europe, the two sides are looking to strengthen their trade ties through the Joint Trade and Investment Committee meeting next year.
The two countries have also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including Afghanistan, Ukraine, Indo-Pacific, European Union, United Nations and climate action.
Free trade agreement negotiations between India and the European Union and resumption of the connectivity partnership were acknowledged by both sides as key drivers.
Both countries are also committed to early implementation of the outcome of the India-EU Leaders' Meeting in May 2021.
This year the two countries are celebrating 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
About Netherlands
The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is a country located in northwestern Europe.
Monarch: King Willem-Alexander
Prime Minister: Mark Rutte
Capital: Amsterdam
Currency: euro
9. Over 190 nations adopt landmark biodiversity pact to restore natural ecosystems
Tags: Environment International News
Chaired by China and hosted by Canada, the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" (GBF), which sets four goals and 23 targets for 2030.
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" (GBF)
Over 190 nations of the world on 19 December agreed on a historic package of measures deemed critical to addressing the dangerous loss of biodiversity and restoring natural ecosystems.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework provides a global roadmap for the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of biodiversity and ecosystems for the next decade.
The objective of the Framework is to catalyze, enable and inspire urgent and transformative action by governments and local governments, with civil society participation, to prevent biodiversity loss.
In this, four goals and 23 targets have been set which are to be achieved by 2030.
Four global goals
Goal 1
Maintain, enhance or restore the integrity, connectivity and resilience of all ecosystems, while significantly increasing the area of natural ecosystems by 2050.
Stop human-induced extinction of known threatened species and reduce the extinction rate and risk of all species tenfold by 2050.
Goal 2
By 2050, the sustainable use and management of biodiversity for the benefit of present and future generations and the valuing and promotion of nature's contribution to people, including ecosystem functions and services.
Goal 3
Monetary and non-monetary benefits from the use of genetic resources, and digital sequence information on genetic resources, and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, to be shared fairly and equitably with indigenous peoples and local communities.
Goal 4
Adequate means of implementation, including financial resources, capacity-building, technical and scientific cooperation, and access and transfer of technology to fully implement the Kunmin-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in a safe and secure way for all parties, especially developing countries be equally accessible.
Global targets
Effective conservation and management of at least 30 per cent of the world's lands, inland waters, coastal areas and oceans, with emphasis on areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and services. At present, only about 17% of land and 7% of oceans are protected.
10. INSV Tarini to participate in 50th edition of Cape Town to Rio Race 2023
Indian Navy’s sailboat INSV (Indian Naval Sailing Vessel) Tarini has set sail for an expedition to Cape Town, South Africa to participate in the 50th edition of Cape Town to Rio Race 2023.
This ocean sailing race will be flagged off from Cape Town on 2nd January, 2023 and will culminate at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The expedition is being undertaken by an Indian Navy crew of five officers including two women officers.INSV Tarini is being skippered by Capt Atool Sinha.
The Cape Town - Rio de Janeiro is one of the most prestigious Trans-Atlantic ocean races. The crew, over a period of 5-6 months in this trans-oceanic voyage is expected to face extreme weather and rough sea conditions of the Indian, Atlantic and the Southern oceans.
During the expedition while transiting from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town and back, INSV Tarini would be covering a distance of almost 17000 nautical miles.
INSV Tarini is known for circumnavigating the globe with an all-women officer crew in the historic expedition titled ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’ in 2017.
