PIB Analysis for UPSC CSE
- Yukti Portal
- International Comparison Program (ICP)
- Turant Customs
- Facts for Prelims
1 . Yukti Portal
Context : Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, today launched an initiative ‘YUKTI 2.0’ to help systematically assimilate technologies having commercial potential and information related to incubated startups in our higher education institutions.
About YUKTI (Young India combating COVID with Knowledge, Technology and Innovation) Portal
- It is a unique portal with a dashboard to monitor and record the efforts and initiatives of MHRD.
- The portal will cover various initiatives and efforts of the institutions in academics, research especially related to COVID-19, social initiatives by institutions and the measures taken for the betterment of the well-being of the students.
- The portal will cover both qualitative and quantitative parameters for effective delivery of services to the academic community at large.
- The portal will also allow various institutions to share their strategies for various challenges which are there because of the unprecedented situation of COVID-19 and other future initiatives.
- Through this portal, the Ministry of Human Resource Development will endeavor to ensure that students, teachers and researchers in higher educational institutions are getting appropriate support to meet the requirements needed to advance their technologies and innovations.
2 . International Comparison Programme
Context : The World Bank has released new Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs) for reference year 2017, under International Comparison Program (ICP), that adjust for differences in the cost of living across economies of the World. Globally 176 economies participated in 2017 cycle of ICP.
About International Comparison Program
- The International Comparison Program (ICP) is the largest worldwide data-collection initiative, under the guidance of UN Statistical Commission (UNSC), with the goal of producing Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs) which are vital for converting measures of economic activities to be comparable across economies. Along with the PPPs, the ICP also produces Price Level Indices (PLI) and other regionally comparable aggregates of GDP expenditure.
- India has participated in almost all ICP rounds since its inception in 1970.
- The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is National Implementing Agency (NIA) for India, which has the responsibility of planning, coordinating and implementing national ICP activities.
- India was also a co-Chair of the ICP Governing Board along with Statistics Austria for the ICP 2017 cycle.
WORLDWIDE STATUS
- The Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs) of Indian Rupee per US$ at Gross Domestic Product (GDP) level is now 20.65 in 2017 from 15.55 in 2011. The Exchange Rate of US Dollar to Indian Rupee is now 65.12 from 46.67 during same period. The Price Level Index (PLI)—the ratio of a PPP to its corresponding market exchange rate—is used to compare the price levels of economies, of India is 47.55 in 2017 from 42.99 in 2011.
- In 2017, India retained and consolidated its global position, as the third largest economy, accounted for 6.7 percent ($8,051 billion out of World total of $119,547 billion) of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in terms of PPPs as against China (16.4%) and United States (16.3%), respectively. India is also third largest economy in terms of its PPP-based share in global Actual Individual Consumption and Global Gross Capital Formation.
REGIONAL STATUS: ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
- In 2017, India retained its regional position, as the second largest economy, accounted for 20.83 % (HK$ 48,395 billion out of Asia-Pacific total of HK$ 232,344 billion) of Regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in terms of PPPs where China was at 50.76% (first) and Indonesia at 7.49% (third). India is also second largest economy in terms of its PPP-based share in regional Actual Individual Consumption and regional Gross Capital Formation.
- Among 22 participating economies in Asia-Pacific region, the Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs) of Indian Rupee per Hong Kong Dollar (HK$) at Gross Domestic Product (GDP) level is now at 3.43 in 2017 from 2.97 in 2011. The Exchange Rate of Hong Kong Dollar to Indian Rupee is now at 8.36 from 6.00 during same period. The Price Level Index (PLI of India has is now at 64.00 in 2017 from 71.00 in 2011.
- The ICP 2017 results are available on the ICP website and the World Bank’s Databank and Data Catalog. Revised results for 2011, the previous ICP reference year, were also released as well as estimates of annual PPPs for the period 2012-2016. The next ICP comparison will be conducted for reference year 2021.
3 . Turant Customs
Context : CBIC Enables End to End Paperless Exports under Turant Customs
About Turant Customs
- Turant Customs is a mega reform for the ease of doing business
- The programme has been launched to take advantage of the technology for faster customs clearance of imported goods.
- Programme was started in Bengaluru and Chennai
- Under the programme, importers will avail benefits with the elimination of routine interface with the customs officers, which will provide uniformity in assessment across the country.
- The customs officers located outside the port of import will clear the goods from customs after doing faceless assessment remotely.
- Under this programme, the goods imported at Chennai may be assessed by the customs officers located at Bengaluru and vice versa, as assigned by the customs’ automated system.
4 . Facts for Prelims
Ashadhi bij
- Ashadhi Bij is celebrated by Kutchi Community
- Ashadhi Bij is the second day of Shukla paksha of Aashaadha month, of Hindu calendar, which is associated with the beginning of rains in the Kutch region. (ANI)
INS Airavat
- INS Airavat is the third Shardul-class amphibious warfare vessel of the Indian Navy.
- It was recently involved in operation Samudar Setu