MeitY and Drone Federation India launch NIDAR challenge for drone innovation

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in partnership with Drone Federation India (DFI), has launched the National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research (NIDAR) as part of the ‘SwaYaan’ initiative, focusing on building human resource capacity in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).
• “The NIDAR program is crucial to advancing drone technology on a larger scale and fostering the innovation required to tackle real-world challenges,” said Krishnan.
• Chairman of AICTE, also emphasized the importance of expanding the NIDAR challenge to engineering colleges nationwide.
• He called for stronger collaboration between academic institutions, startups, and industries, stressing the need for partnerships that can lead the way in drone technology development.
• NIDAR under the SwaYaan project aims to inspire India’s student and research communities to create autonomous drones capable of addressing key challenges. The drones are designed to contribute to disaster management by scouting and delivering essential supplies in affected areas, as well as enhancing precision agriculture through targeted interventions like crop health monitoring and the precise delivery of pesticides and nutrients.
• The challenge offers a prize pool of INR 40 Lakhs, along with startup incubation opportunities, cloud credits, software support, and internships with India’s top drone companies.
• More than 100 student teams from institutions across the country are expected to participate, presenting innovative solutions to issues in agriculture and disaster response.
• As part of the Government of India’s broader effort to foster entrepreneurship and promote applied research in drone technology, the Drone Federation India (DFI), representing over 550 drone companies and 5,500 certified drone pilots, will mentor participating students and provide industry exposure.

“75/25” Initiative

•  On World Hypertension Day, celebrated on May 17, 2023, the Government unveiled the "75/25" initiative which aims to provide standardized care to 75 million individuals living with hypertension and diabetes by December 2025.
• As of March 5, 2025, a total of 42.01 million individuals have received treatment for hypertension, while 25.27 million have been treated for diabetes, achieving 89.7% of the target.
• To address the rising prevalence of major Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, oral cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer, the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) was initiated by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in 2010. The program employs a multifaceted strategy that includes:
• Population-Based Screening: Early detection and screening of individuals aged 30 years and above.
• Opportunistic Screening: Implementing screening at all levels of healthcare delivery.
• Support for Diagnosis and Treatment: Providing assistance for accurate diagnosis and cost-effective treatment options.
• Teleconsultation Services: Utilizing information technology to offer teleconsultation services to citizens.
• National NCD Portal: Monitoring NCDs through the use of a dedicated portal.
• Awareness and Lifestyle Promotion: Coordinating inter-ministerial efforts to promote NCD awareness and encourage healthy lifestyle choices.
• In response to the increasing burden of NCDs, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has launched an NCD Screening Campaign from February 20, 2025, to March 31, 2025, with the goal of achieving 100% screening of individuals aged 30 years and above. This nationwide campaign is being conducted across Ayushman Arogya Mandir facilities and other healthcare institutions under the NP-NCD framework.
• Monitoring of this initiative involves systematic data collection, performance management, and data quality assurance. Monthly reports from States and Union Territories are compiled and analyzed at the national level, with periodic feedback provided to the States.
• Additionally, program reports generated from the National NCD Portal dashboard are analyzed at the Centre, State, and District levels as part of a structured monitoring framework, ensuring effective oversight and continuous improvement of the program.

Indore to launch India’s first PPP green waste processing plant under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban

• In a significant leap toward environmental sustainability, Indore is set to become the first city in India to establish a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model-based green waste processing plant under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
•  This initiative aims to revolutionize waste management by converting green waste into valuable, eco-friendly resources.
• The plant, built on 55,000 square feet of land in Bicholi Hapsi, will process green waste like wood, branches, leaves, and flowers, and generate revenue for the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), which will earn approximately Rs 3,000 per tonne in royalty for supplying wood and branches.
•  The facility will recycle this green waste into wooden pellets, serving as a sustainable alternative to coal and contributing to energy conservation efforts.
• Each day, the city of Indore generates around 30 tons of green waste, a figure that can rise to 60-70 tons during peak seasons like autumn. As part of the project, large tree branches will be redirected to the Green Waste Processing Plant at City Forest for repurposing into valuable products.
• Additionally, green waste from major institutions will be collected and sent to the facility, under a fixed fee structure.
• Astronomical Industries Private Limited has partnered with the IMC to process this waste into sawdust, which will undergo a drying process over 3-4 months, reducing its moisture content by 90%. Once dried, the material will be processed into fine dust particles using cutting-edge machinery, transforming it into a resource for various industries.
• The sawdust produced will serve multiple eco-friendly purposes, including being used as a cleaner alternative to traditional fuel sources, crafting durable packing materials to replace plastic, enhancing furniture manufacturing, and even producing biodegradable disposable plates for the food industry. Additionally, the sawdust will be used to create fertilizers that help enrich soil and promote healthier crops for farmers.
• The IMC will play a critical role by providing land and transporting green waste to the facility, while Astronomical Industries will manage the installation, operation, and maintenance of the plant.
• Other private companies have also contributed to waste management in the city by setting up plants like Meghdoot and sub-grade facilities to process garden waste, as well as composting in municipal gardens.
• The initiative is set to contribute significantly to improving waste management practices, reducing pollution, and controlling the Air Quality Index (AQI) by offering a sustainable alternative to coal. 

NASA astronauts Williams and Wilmore undergo rehab after nine months in space

• NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have begun a 45-day rehabilitation program to help them adapt to Earth’s gravity after spending nine months in space. 
• The duo made a safe return to Earth early Wednesday, as SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission successfully splashed down off the coast of Florida. Having spent months in microgravity, the astronauts will undergo intensive physical reconditioning to help their bodies readjust to Earth’s gravity.
• Astronauts returning from space often experience physiological changes, including fluid shifts that cause puffy faces, muscle atrophy leading to “chicken legs,” temporary height increase, and reduced bone density.
• Microgravity affects various aspects of the human body, including aerobic capacity, muscle strength, endurance, stamina, balance, coordination, bone density, and neurovestibular function. Astronaut Strength, Conditioning, and Rehabilitation (ASCR) specialists have implemented a structured reconditioning program aimed at restoring the astronauts’ physical health.
• The rehabilitation process begins immediately upon landing and involves two-hour daily sessions, seven days a week, for 45 days. The program is customized for each astronaut based on test results, medical status, and mission roles.
• The rehabilitation is divided into three phases. The first phase starts on landing day and focuses on mobility, flexibility, and muscle strengthening. The second phase incorporates proprioceptive exercises and cardiovascular training, while the third and longest phase prioritizes functional development.
• Past cases have shown that astronauts often regain and, in some cases, even improve upon their pre-flight physical condition after completing this program.
• Williams and Wilmore’s prolonged stay in space was unplanned. They launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner on June 5 last year for what was supposed to be an eight-day mission.
• However, technical issues with the spacecraft’s propulsion system forced it to return without them, extending their stay aboard the ISS. Their situation gained widespread attention, sparking debates about space travel safety and even political discussions.
• The return process began after Crew-10 arrived at the ISS on Sunday, allowing Williams, Wilmore, NASA’s Nick Hague, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov to begin preparations for their journey home.
• Seventeen hours after departing the ISS, their SpaceX Dragon capsule safely splashed down at 3:27 a.m. IST. Following their retrieval from the capsule, they were immediately sent for medical evaluations before beginning their rehabilitation.

How does space travel affect astronaut health?

• A The human body was not built for spaceflight, with its microgravity conditions, exposure to high-energy radiation and other issues. As a result, trekking beyond the Earth’s confines causes many physiological changes that affect an astronaut’s health.
• Here is an explanation of some of the effects on human health caused by space travel.

WHY IS SPACE TRAVEL TOUGH ON THE HUMAN BODY?

• The human body evolved over millions of years to function optimally in Earth’s environment, which includes its gravity, atmospheric composition and relatively low levels of radiation.
• Space travel exposes people to quite a different environment, posing a range of physiological and psychological challenges, especially with prolonged exposure, according to Afshin Beheshti, director of the Center for Space Biomedicine at the University of Pittsburgh.
• As researchers seek new countermeasures to protect space travelers, more data is needed on astronauts with varying health backgrounds and undertaking different kinds of missions in order to map out personalized risk profiles and mitigation strategies, according to Chris Mason, a professor of physiology and biophysics at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York.

WHAT ARE THE HAZARDS OF SPACE RADIATION?

• Unlike on Earth, where the atmosphere and planetary magnetic field provide a shield from space radiation, astronauts are exposed to high-energy radiation permeating the cosmos.
• This can lead to DNA damage, increased cancer risk, neurodegenerative effects, cardiovascular issues and immune system dysregulation.
• Earth’s magnetosphere – the region of space dominated by the planetary magnetic field – provides some protection for astronauts in missions in low-Earth orbit. But astronauts traveling beyond that – such as on missions to the moon or Mars – would experience much higher radiation doses.

WHAT DOES MICROGRAVITY DO?

• Gravity plays a critical role in regulating bodily functions. Its absence triggers widespread physiological adaptations, according to Beheshti.
• Without gravity, bodily fluids shift upward, leading to facial swelling and increased intracranial pressure, which can affect vision. The lack of mechanical loading on bones and muscles associated with the downward pull of gravity leads to bone density loss and muscle atrophy.
• In addition, the cardiovascular system undergoes major changes, including difficulty regulating blood pressure upon return to Earth. Prolonged exposure to microgravity conditions also affects vestibular function – the inner ear’s ability to sense movement and orientation. That can cause balance and coordination issues.

HOW ABOUT CONFINEMENT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS?

• Long-duration space missions require astronauts to live in confined and isolated environments with limited social interaction and exposure to natural stimuli.
•  This, according to Beheshti, can lead to psychological stress, sleep disturbances, cognitive performance declines and mood disorders.
• The effects of prolonged isolation and close-quarters living among astronauts – during stints aboard space stations or longer future missions to destinations like Mars – could aggravate interpersonal conflicts, further impacting mental well-being and mission performance.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER RETURNING TO EARTH?

• How astronauts recover after returning to Earth depends in large part on mission duration. For short-duration missions of a few days in low-Earth orbit, about 95% of the biological damage sustained appears to be reversed upon return.
• For astronauts who spend months aboard the International Space Station, or ISS, recovery appears proportional to their time in space. Many physiological systems gradually return to normal.
• But some issues persist. One example is Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), linked to vision impairment due to microgravity-induced fluid shifts and changes in intracranial pressure affecting the eyes. Research suggests that dysfunction in subcellular structures called mitochondria plays a role in SANS. Some astronauts experience lasting impairment that may require corrective lenses.
• Questions remain about the effects of long-duration deep-space missions in which astronauts would experience much higher levels of space radiation and prolonged microgravity.
• Without effective countermeasures, recovery could be problematic. Researchers are actively developing mitochondrial-based countermeasures to mitigate space-induced damage.

WHERE ARE THE GAPS IN WHAT WE KNOW?

• There are still gaps in the understanding of how spaceflight impacts human health. Relatively little is known about how it affects lung function. While it is known that space radiation elevates cancer risk, accelerates aging and induces cellular damage, the precise biological mechanisms remain elusive.
• Research has shown that mitochondria play a central role in spaceflight-induced health effects. The precise mechanisms of mitochondrial adaptation and dysfunction in space remain an area of active study.
• Scientists also lack a comprehensive understanding of how microgravity, radiation exposure and isolation impact cognitive function, mental health and neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to change and adapt – over long durations.

WHAT HAS RECENT RESEARCH SHOWN?

• Research published in 2024 detailed changes in the brain, heart, muscles, kidneys and skin, immune regulation and stress levels and a breakdown in the activity of mitochondria among crew members who participated in SpaceX’s three-day Inspiration4 mission in 2021 – the first all-civilian team to orbit Earth.
• Another study published in 2024 showed that astronauts are more likely to experience headaches in space than previously known. It involved 24 astronauts who traveled aboard the ISS for up to 26 weeks. All but two reported headaches.
• A study published in 2023 found that astronauts who traveled on the ISS or NASA space shuttles on missions lasting at least six months experienced expansion of the cerebral ventricles – spaces in the middle of the brain containing cerebrospinal fluid.
• Research published in 2022 documented bone loss in 17 ISS astronauts in missions averaging about 5-1/2 months. A year after returning to Earth, the astronauts on average exhibited 2.1% reduced bone mineral density of the tibia – one of the bones of the lower leg – and 1.3% reduced bone strength. Nine did not recover bone mineral density after the spaceflight.

 Piyush Goyal supports New Zealand PM’s proposal for FTA signing in 60 days

• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has endorsed New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s ambitious proposal to finalize a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations within 60 days.
•  Speaking at the ‘India-New Zealand Economic Forum’ organized by FICCI on Tuesday, Goyal expressed confidence in expediting the process, stating that he aims to achieve the agreement “equally fast, maybe even faster.”
• Goyal highlighted India’s prior achievement of signing a trade pact with the UAE in just 90 days, emphasizing that no one had anticipated such a swift conclusion.
• “Our job is to ensure that we do a good job, ensuring a win-win situation for both countries, resulting in expanded opportunities and economic growth.”
• He further expressed confidence that the India-New Zealand FTA would be a comprehensive agreement.
• “We don’t foresee any difficulties. We will cover the entire gamut of a full-fledged comprehensive economic partnership between New Zealand and India, addressing every issue of mutual interest,” Goyal said.
• New Zealand’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Todd McClay, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of delivering a strong agreement.
• “We have to make sure that we do a good job for the business communities of both India and New Zealand. Our negotiators will come together very soon. It’s encouraging to see that the relationship between India and New Zealand has strengthened to the point where our leaders are urging us to meet frequently and advance our discussions,” McClay said.
• After a gap of about ten years, India and New Zealand announced resumption of negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) to boost economic ties on March 16.
• A free trade agreement is an international treaty between two or more economies that reduces or eliminates certain barriers to trade in goods and services, as well as investment.
• India and New Zealand began negotiating the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in April 2010 to boost trade in goods, services, and investment. However, after ten rounds of discussions, the talks stalled in February 2015.
• The announcement was made after the meeting of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Todd McClay, New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment.
• The India-New Zealand FTA negotiations aim to achieve balanced outcomes that enhance supply chain integration and improve market access.
• It also aims to unlock new avenues for businesses and consumers, fostering mutual growth and prosperity of both nations.

India-New Zealand Trade Relations

•  The bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $873.4 million (exports $538.33 million and imports $335 million) in 2023-24 as against $1.02 billion in 2022-23.
• India’s key goods exports to New Zealand include clothing, fabrics, and home textiles; medicines and medical supplies; refined petrol; agricultural equipment and machinery such as tractors and irrigation tools; auto; iron and steel; paper products; electronics; shrimps; diamonds; and basmati rice.
• The main imports are agricultural goods, minerals, apples, kiwifruit, meat products such as lamb, mutton, milk albumin, lactose syrup, coking coal, logs and sawn timber, wool, and scrap metals.
• In FY24, India’s services exports to New Zealand stood at $214.1 million, while New Zealand''s services exports to India totalled $456.5 million.
• India’s key services exports include IT and software services, provided by companies such as Infosys and HCL, along with telecommunications services to support New Zealand’s digital infrastructure.
• India also exports healthcare services, including medical tourism, pharmaceutical research, and telemedicine. Financial services are another important area, with Indian banks and fintech companies offering digital payment solutions.

INCENTIVIZING MANUFACTURERS OF EVs

•  Government concurs that by incentivizing manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs), components, and charging/swapping infrastructure, many players will be drawn into the market with the prospects of long-term viability and significant future growth potential for EVs in the country. Government has taken several steps to promote adoption and strengthen electric vehicles (EVs) ecosystem in India. The details are as below:
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Component Industry in India (PLI-Auto): Government approved this scheme on 15.09.2021 for Automobile & Auto Component Industry for enhancing India''s manufacturing capabilities for advanced automotive technology (AAT) products with budgetary outlay of ₹25,938 cr.
• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme Phase-II: Government implemented this scheme from 01.04.2019 with a total budgetary support of ₹11,500 cr. to incentivize e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-4Ws, e-buses and EV public charging stations.
• PLI Scheme for National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage: The Government on 12.05.2021 approved PLI Scheme for manufacturing of ACC in the country with a budgetary outlay of ₹18,100 crore. The scheme aims to establish a competitive domestic manufacturing ecosystem for 50 GWh of ACC batteries.
• PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme: This scheme with an outlay of ₹10,900 cr.was notified on 29.09.2024 to support electric vehicles including e-2W, e-3W, e-Trucks, e-buses, e-Ambulances, EV PCS and upgradation of vehicle testing agencies.
• PM e-Bus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) Scheme: This Scheme notified on 28.10.2024, has an outlay of ₹3,4333 cr. and aims to support deployment of more than 38,000 electric buses. The objective of the scheme is to provide payment security to e-bus operators in case of default by Public Transport Authorities (PTAs).
• Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI): This scheme was notified on 15.03.2024 to promote the manufacturing of electric passenger cars in India. This requires applicants to invest a minimum of ₹4150 crore and achieve a minimum DVA of 25% at the end of third year and DVA of 50% at the end of fifth year

 Fishing InfrastructurE

• The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, along with Government of Tamil Nadu is implementing various schemes to increase overall fish production in the State of Tamil Nadu and thereby increasing the income of fishers and fish farmers.
• Financial assistance is being provided for the inland fish farmers for construction of new freshwater finfish hatcheries, fish rearing ponds, grow out ponds including inputs, freshwater bio-floc ponds, Re-Circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS) and fish feed mills. Hatcheries have also been established for fast growing genetically improved GIF Tilapia.
•  To promote cage culture and alternate livelihood, the Government has allocated Rs. 11.08 Cr for the Integrated Development of Reservoir Project. In marine sector, around, 2,000 fisher families are engaged in 07 districts of Tamil Nadu for Seaweed farming which proved to be an alternate source of income, particularly for fisherwomen.
•  In cold chain facilities, assistance has been provided for insulated vehicles, refrigerated vehicles, two-wheeler and three wheelers with ice boxes, modern fish retail markets, kiosks and live fish vending centres to reduce post-harvest loss and enhancing the income of fishermen.  
•  In order to address the infrastructure requirement for fisheries sector, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India has created a dedicated fund namely ‘Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund’(FIDF) with a total funds size of Rs 7,522.48 crore where interest subvention up to 3% per annum is provided for fisheries infrastructure projects.
•  Under FIDF, 64 projects have been sanctioned with project cost of Rs. 1573.73 Crores to the State Government of Tamil Nadu. Besides, as informed by Government of Tamil Nadu, under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), 96 projects have been sanctioned to Tamil Nadu with project cost of Rs. 1664.39 Crores.
• The Department of Fisheries, Government of India through National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) under the ongoing Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is implementing the Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS) in all States/UTs including Tamil Nadu wherein the entire insurance premium amount is borne by the Central and State Government, with no contribution from the beneficiary.
•  The insurance coverage provided under the said scheme includes (i) Rs.5,00,000/- against death or permanent total disability, (ii) Rs.2,50,000/- for permanent partial disability and (iii) hospitalization expenses in the event of an accident for a sum of Rs. 25,000/.
•  During the last three (from 2021-22 to 2023-24) and current financial year (2024-25), 131.30 lakh of fishers, have been provided the insurance coverage under the scheme with an average of 32.82 lakh fishers annually.
• As a result, as on date 1047 claims have so far been settled against the 1710 claim proposal received with the claim settled amount of Rs 52.13 crores. Further, as reported by Government of Tamil Nadu, the details of fishers enrolled, claim proposals received and setteles in Tamil Nadu is provided .
• Department of Fisheries, Government of India accorded approval to the projects at a total cost of Rs. 20990.79 crore with the central share of Rs. 8926.33 crore during last 4 years (2020-21 to 2023-24) and current financial year (2024-25).
• Out of the central funds approved, an amount of Rs. 4670.79 has been released to all the States/UTs and implementing agencies under PMMSY for holistic development of fisheries and fishermen in the country.
• As reported by various States/UTs and other implementing agencies, so far, a sum of Rs. 3160.86 crore has been utilized under PMMSY. Further, under FIDF, 136 projects with an outlay of Rs. 5801.06 crore with project cost restricted for interest subvention at Rs. 3858.19 crore have been approved for various States/UTs.

Climate-resilient agriculture technologies

•  The Government has under taken several steps to develop and out-scaling climate-resilient agricultural technologies through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW).
• ICAR through network project on National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) has developed and promoted climate resilient agriculture to address vulnerable areas of the country to cope up with extreme weather conditions like droughts, floods, frost, heat waves, etc.
• It has three components viz. strategic research, technology demonstration and capacity building.
• ICAR also works on development of climate resilient crop varieties suitable for extreme weather situations, identification of the most vulnerable districts/regions, management practices for adaptation & mitigation and development of climate resilient livestock, fisheries and poultry rearing practices. 
•  DA&FW implements National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) to make agriculture more resilient to the changing climate through its schemes viz.  Per Drop More Crop, Rainfed Area Development and Soil Health & Management.
• ICAR implements All India Coordinated Research Programme on Integrated Farming Systems (AICRP-IFS) in 25 States/UTs through which alternate efficient cropping systems for crop diversification are developed and promoted.
• DA&FW Crop Diversification Programme under Pradhan Mantri- Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana in states viz; Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh to divert the area of water guzzling paddy crop to alternative crops like pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals, nutri-cereals, cotton and Agroforestry.
• The programme has been extended to tobacco growing states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal to encourage tobacco growing farmers to shift to alternate crops/cropping system.
• DA&FW also implemented another Pilot Project through AICRP-IFS progamme of ICAR for Crop Diversification under Krishi Unnati Yojana from 2023-24 in the 75 identified districts in 17 States to diversify the existing crops with less water intensive crops such as pulses, oilseeds and millets
• A total of 19 State Agricultural Universities and 5 ICAR Institutes are involved in implementation of the project.
• Under NICRA project also crop diversification of paddy and wheat with groundnut and mustard in low rainfall areas; maize with medium duration black gram; high value vegetables for flood prone areas; mulberry-sericulture for risk minimization in drought prone regions; respectively; and short duration foxtail millet varieties as an alternative crop to pigeon pea, cotton, sunflower and sorghum are promoted.
• The Government implements Centrally Sponsored Scheme Namely Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) in the Country from 2015-16. The PDMC focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation namely Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation Systems covering various crops including staple crops.
• Financial Assistance @ 55% for Small & Marginal farmers and @ 45% for other farmers is provided by the Government for installation of Micro Irrigation under the Scheme. ICAR – Indian Institute of Water Management through 26 network centres has developed drip irrigation and fertigation schedules which are disseminating to the farmers.
• In all the 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) several activities are undertaken to meet the climate resilience challenges by conducting location specific resilient technologies demonstration on farmers’ fields through Front line demonstration scheme throughout the country.
• The efforts are more intensified in the 151 KVKs of risk prone districts spreaded across 28 states and 5 Union Territories through NICRA.
• KVKs also have village level institutions such as Village Climate Risk Management Committees, seed and fodder banks and Custom hiring centres to help farmers in taking up timely farm operations.
• KVKs are also involved in issuing agro-advisories to farmers to tackle aberrant weather situations. Further, ICAR Institutes and Agricultural Universities provide technological backstopping to the Subject Matter Specialists of KVKs to upgrade the knowledge on climate resilience agriculture for further dissemination to the farmers.

PM NEW 15-POINT PROGRAMME ENSURES EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO MINORITIES

• The Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for welfare of Minorities is implemented by Ministry of Minority Affairs since its launch in the year 2006. It is an overarching programme which covers various schemes/initiatives of the participating Ministries/Departments with an aim to ensure that the underprivileged and weaker sections of six centrally notified minority communities have equal opportunities for availing the various Government welfare Schemes and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the Country.
• The schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs covered under the 15 Point Programme are exclusively meant for notified minorities. Further, 15% of the outlays and targets, to the extent possible, of schemes/initiatives implemented by other participating Ministries/Departments are earmarked for notified minorities. The schemes of Ministry of Minority Affairs and other participating Ministries included in the Programme, including schemes for education and employment, are as under:
• i. Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme
• ii. Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme
• iii. Merit-cum- Means based Scholarship Scheme
• iv. National Minorities Development Finance Corporation (NMDFC) Loan Schemes
• v. Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan (M/o Education)
• vi. Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY-NRLM)- (M/o Rural Development)
• vii. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushal Yojana (M/o Rural Development)
• viii. Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (M/o Rural Development)
• ix. Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana -National Urban Livelihoods Mission (M/o Housing & Urban Affairs)
• x. Priority Sector Lending by Banks (Department of Financial Services)
• xi. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (Department of Financial Services)
• xii. POSHAN Abhiyaan (Ministry of Women & Child Development)
• xiii. National Health Mission (Department of Health & Family Welfare)
• xiv. Ayushman Bharat (Department of Health & Family Welfare)
• xv. National Rural Drinking Water Programme (Jal Jeevan Mission), (Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation)
• The schemes included in the 15 Point Programme are monitored at various levels by the participating ministries and Ministry of Minority Affairs in its role as the nodal Ministry, coordinates the implementation of relevant schemes of other Ministries/Departments under the Programme to facilitate the achievement of saturation levels.
• Under the saturation approach of Government many of the components have achieved mainstreaming. Furthermore, consistent efforts are being made to improve the full delivery of benefits in the various relevant schemes for minority communities

Insurance to the aquaculture farming

• The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a new Central Sector Sub-scheme namely the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) under the ongoing Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for a period of four years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27 at an estimated outlay of ₹6000 crore comprising of ₹3,000 crore the public finance and the remaining ₹3,000 crore corresponding private investment.
• The Sub-scheme has four components such as Component 1-A: Formalization of fisheries sector and facilitating access of fisheries microenterprises to Government of India programs for working capital financing, Component 1-B: Facilitating adoption of aquaculture insurance, Component 2: Supporting microenterprises to improve fisheries sector value chain efficiencies, Component 3: Adoption and expansion of fish and fishery product safety and quality assurance systems, and Component 4: Project management, monitoring and reporting.
• The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying has launched National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) under PM-MKSSY on 11.09.2024. The NFDP aims at formalization of the Indian fisheries and aquaculture sector through creation of work-based digital identity and the database for all stakeholders in fisheries sector.
•  It also serves as ''one-stop'' solution for access to institutional credit,  strengthening of fisheries co-operatives, incentivizing aquiculture insurance, performance-based incentives, fisheries'' traceability systems and training and capacity building.
• The PM-MKSSY under its component 1-B provides for one time incentive for purchase of aquaculture insurance by farmers.
•  There are two types of insurance products available under PM-MKSSY: (i) Basic Insurance which covers yield losses due to non-preventable perils (risks), such as summer kill, pollution, earthquakes, cyclones, floods, other natural calamities, riots, malicious acts of third parties including poisoning, loss of crop due to structural damage of farms etc. (ii) Comprehensive Insurance which covers perils under Basic Insurance and additional perils due to diseases etc.
• The one time incentive for aquaculture insurance is provided at the rate of 40% of the premium paid with a ceiling up to ₹25,000 per hectare, or ₹1 lakh per farmer for 4 hectares Water Spread Area (WSA). For the aquaculture system including intensive systems like farms, cage culture, RAS, bio-floc, and raceways etc. aquaculture insurance is provided at the rate of 40% of the premium paid with a ceiling up to ₹1 lakh per farmer for 1800 m3 for intensive aquaculture systems. Further, the SC/ST and women beneficiaries get an additional 10% of incentive.
• Under the NFDP, the Aquaculture module has been developed and made live. The beneficiary can login to the NFDP portal and avail the benefit. As on date, 262 lead applications has been submitted by the beneficiaries covering 710 hectare farms and the same have been forwarded to the insurance companies on the portal