Project Nexus

@tgpscnotes
● A multilateral initiative to enable instant cross-border retail payments by interlinking domestic Fast Payments Systems.

- Participants: India (UPI), Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand.

- Initiated by : Innovation Hub of the Bank for International Settlements.

- Bilateral Efforts: RBI has been linking India’s UPI with other countries' FPSs for cross-border P2P and P2M payments.

- Global Instant Payment Systems (IPS)

● Current Scenario: Over 70 countries have domestic payments reaching destinations in seconds at near-zero cost.

● BIS Insight: Connecting these IPS can enable cross-border payments within 60 seconds in most cases.
@tgpscnotes
- Benefits :

● Standardization: Standardizes connections between IPSs.

● Single Connection: Payment system operators need to make only one connection to the Nexus platform to reach all other countries in the network.

● Accelerated Growth: Promotes faster growth of instant cross-border payments.

@tgpscnotes

List of Major Indian City-Named Declarations:

1. Delhi Declaration (1983) - Non-Aligned Movement (India)
2. Jaipur Declaration (1992) - Water Conservation (India)
3. Bangalore Declaration (2013) - e-Governance (India)
4. Hyderabad Declaration (2015) - Biodiversity (India)
5. Chennai Declaration (2017) - Antimicrobial Resistance (India)
6. Kochi Declaration (2018) - Maritime Cooperation (India)
7. Varanasi Declaration (2018) - Sanitation and Waste Management (India)
8. Lucknow Declaration (2020) - Defence Cooperation (India-Africa)
9. Guwahati Declaration (2020) - Inland Waterways (India)
10. Delhi Declaration (2021) - Afghanistan Crisis (India)
11. Mumbai Declaration (2023) - Financial Inclusion (India)
12. Pune Declaration (2023) - Digital Health (India)
13. Gandhinagar Declaration (2024) - Climate-Resilient Agriculture (India)
14. Ahmedabad Declaration (2007) - Environmental Education (India)
15. Surat Declaration (2010) - Urban Flood Management (India)

India's bear hug

In recent times, the art of balancing foreign relations has become increasingly challenging and chaotic. Conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine tensions highlight a world that is growing more polarized and complex. Amidst this shifting global narrative, India has emerged as a diplomatic powerhouse, adeptly navigating these intricate dynamics.

Kudos to the leadership and Indian diplomats for making these formidable tasks seemingly trivial, showcasing India's growing influence and strategic acumen on the world stage. Their efforts have solidified India's position as a key player in the global landscape, capable of engaging with diverse interests while maintaining its own sovereignty and strategic goals.

State of Global Air Report

@tgpscnotes
- Released By: Health Effects Institute in partnership with UNICEF.

- Purpose: Analysis of air quality and health impacts globally.

SoGA Report 2024:

- Global Risk Factor: Air pollution is the 2nd leading global risk factor for death, surpassing tobacco and diabetes, and trailing only hypertension.

- Disease Burden: Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease account for nearly 90% of the disease burden.

● PM2.5 Particles: 6 out of 10 deaths worldwide attributed to air pollution.

● Other Pollutants: Ozone and household air pollution account for 38% and 6% of deaths, respectively.
@tgpscnotes
- Global Mortality:

● India and China: Together account for 54% of the global disease burden due to air pollution in 2021.

● India: 21 lakh deaths.

- Impact on Children:

● Under Five Mortality: Over 700,000 deaths were linked to air pollution, representing 15% of all global deaths among this age group.
@tgpscnotes

GREAT Scheme

@tgpscnotes
● Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT).

- Objective: To encourage young innovators, scientists, technologists, and startup ventures in the field of Technical Textiles to translate their ideas into commercial technologies/products and make India self-reliant.

- Funding: Provides a grant-in-aid of up to Rs 50 lakh for a period of up to 18 months.

National Technical Textiles Mission
@tgpscnotes
- Objective: Increase the penetration level of technical textiles in India and position the country as a global leader in this sector.

- Components:

● Research, Innovation and Development

● Promotion and Market Development

● Export Promotion

● Education, Training, Skill Development

- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Textiles.

@tgpscnotes

'BHISHM Cubes’ portable hospitals-

Arogya Maitri cubes / portable hospitals

•Recently PM Modi donated portable hospital to Ukraine that developed by HLL Life Care company under Project BHISHM ( Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri ) for defence ministry.
•Each cube has operation theatre, mini-ICUs, ventilators, blood-testing equipment, an X-ray machine, and even a cooking station.
•It also includes a shelter facility and power generator, making it entirely self-sufficient during emergencies.
•India has already gifted these to Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

Cabinet approves BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing

✅The salient features of BioE3 policy include innovation-driven support to R&D and entrepreneurship across thematic sectors.
✅This will accelerate technology development and commercialization by establishing Biomanufacturing & Bio-AI hubs and Biofoundry
✅ Along with prioritizing regenerative bioeconomy models of green growth, this policy will facilitate expansion of India’s skilled workforce and provide a surge in job creation.
✅This Policy will further strengthen Government’s initiatives such as ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy & ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ and will steer India on the path of accelerated ‘Green Growth’ by promoting ‘Circular Bioeconomy’

✅The BioE3 Policy will foster and advance future that is more sustainable, innovative, and responsive to global challenges and lays down the Bio-vision for Viksit Bharat .