In how many categories has the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskarbeen announced?

Daily Current Affairs

Correct Answer : 4

On the lines of civilian awards, Government of India will now recognise scientists with Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar under four categories —

* Vigyan Ratna
* Vigyan Shri
* Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar
* Vigyan Team

said Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh during Indian Express Idea Exchange Monday (18th Sep 2023).

This comes days after the government released the finalised list of Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardees that was held back for a year. The highest honour for young scientists retains the name Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar.

Vigyan Ratna will recognise the lifetime achievement of scientists, Vigyan Shri will recognise distinguished contributions to a field, Vigyan Yuva Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar will encourage young scientists who have made exceptional contributions in their field, and Vigyan Team will recognise teams of three or more. The awards will commence in 2024.

The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar will be awarded in 13 domains – Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology and Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology. “It may be ensured that each domain/field is represented. Adequate representation of women may also be ensured,” a government document said.

There will only be three Vigyan Ratnas awarded yearly : 25 Vigyan Shri, 25 Vigyan Yuva, and 3 Vigyan Team. Only Vigyan Yuva will have an age limit of 45 years.

Nominations for the awards will be accepted every year between January 14 and February 28, which is recognised as National Science Day. The awards will be announced on National Technology Day, May 11. On the other hand, the award ceremony will be held every year on the recently announced National Space Day, August 23, to mark the day India’s Chandrayaan-3 landed on the Moon.

All internal awards, except for one named after Homi Jehangir Bhabha given by the Department of Atomic Energy, “have been dispensed,” according to information with The Indian Express. The internal award will be given to 30 recipients in the form of certificates.

A committee under the chairmanship of the principal scientific adviser will select the awardees. The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee will be constituted of all secretaries of all six science departments, four presidents selected from science and engineering academies, and six distinguished scientists and technologists from different fields of science.

This committee will be constituted annually, with the committee members ineligible for the award during their tenure. The awards processes will be carried out by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for the first two years and will be taken over by the newly instituted National Research Foundation.

This is in line with the government’s effort to “rationalise” awards in science and technology. Dr Singh said: “We have not discontinued awards, we have rationalised them. We have reduced the numbers to add to the sanctity and value of the awards. After all, a coveted award has to be coveted.”..

Source : Indian Express

Published On : September 22, 2023

Solar’s Ascendance in India :

In 2015, India ranked ninth in solar energy deployment, but by 2023, it produced 5.8% of its electricity from solar, up from 0.5% in 2015. This significant increase underscores India’s commitment to clean energy and its pivotal role in mitigating climate change.

Global Solar Growth Trends :

Ember’s report highlights that solar energy witnessed a remarkable increase globally, with 2023’s solar generation exceeding six times that of 2015. The top four solar growth countries, including India, accounted for 75% of this growth, emphasizing the widespread adoption of solar power worldwide.

Published On : May 9, 2024

Q .

India's Toy Exports Slip to _____ Million in 2023-24

$102.92

$121.19

$139.53

$152.34

Correct Answer : Option (D) - $152.34

India’s toy exports experienced a slight decline to USD 152.34 million in the fiscal year 2023-24, with limited benefits from quality control measures. Despite efforts to bolster the domestic industry and ensure product safety, exports did not see significant improvement.

Declining Export Trends :

Export figures dropped marginally from USD 153.89 million in the previous fiscal year to USD 152.34 million in 2023-24, as outlined by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). Despite a modest increase in exports from FY’2020 to FY’2022, the subsequent year witnessed a downturn.

Import Trends :

Conversely, imports rose to USD 64.92 million in 2023-24 from USD 62.37 million in the preceding year, indicating a persistent challenge in balancing trade dynamics.

GTRI’s Recommendations :

Comprehensive Industry Development Strategy : GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava emphasized the necessity for a holistic approach to foster the growth of India’s toy industry and bolster exports.

Domestic Ecosystem Strengthening : Developing a robust domestic ecosystem is paramount, alongside measures to encourage renowned global toy brands to establish manufacturing facilities within India’s borders.

Published On : May 9, 2024

Q .

India Leads Global Remittances, Surpassing _____ Billion Mark.

$50

$100

$200

$250

Correct Answer : Option (B) - $100

India emerged as the global leader in remittances in 2022, receiving over $111 billion, surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) highlighted India, alongside Mexico, China, the Philippines, and France, as the top five remittance recipient countries.

Consistent Growth: From $53.48 Billion to $111.22 Billion

The UN’s World Migration Report 2024 underscored India’s consistent growth in remittances, noting a rise from $53.48 billion in 2010 to $111.22 billion in 2022. This significant increase showcases India’s pivotal role in the global remittance landscape.

Southern Asia’s Significance in Global Remittances :

The IOM emphasized Southern Asia’s importance as a major recipient of global remittances, attributed to its high proportion of migrant workers and emigrants. India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh all ranked among the top ten recipients worldwide, highlighting the sub-region’s reliance on labor migration.

Prominent Migration Corridors and Destination Countries :

While India ranks 13th as a destination country for immigrants, it features prominently in various international migration corridors, including India-United Arab Emirates, India-Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh-India, all of which are among the top 10. This indicates India’s significant role in global labor migration patterns.

Published On : May 9, 2024