General Studies- II
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
International STI Cooperation
Context:
India-UK virtual summit strengthens ‘Science, Technology and Innovation’ (STI) cooperation.
During the summit, the Prime ministers of India and UK have agreed on a common vision of a new and transformational Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UK and India, and adopted an ambitious India-UK Roadmap to 2030 to steer cooperation for the next 10 years.
Key points to strengthen STI cooperation between two countries are:
- Enhance cooperation between India and the UK on strengthening the role of women in STEMM at schools, universities, and research institutions through collaboration on new initiatives like Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI)
- Develop collaborations between Industry, Academia and the Government to foster innovation among school students through initiatives like the India Innovation Competency Enhancement Program (IICEP).
- Forge partnership across the pipeline of research and innovation activity, from basic research to applied and interdisciplinary research.
- Work together to share knowledge and expertise regarding artificial intelligence, scientific support to policies and regulatory aspects including ethics, and promote a dialogue in research and innovation.
- Grow programmes such as the Fast Track Start-Up Fund to nurture innovation led, sustainable growth and jobs, and tech solutions that benefit both countries.
International STI Cooperation of India:
Under Bilateral Cooperation, India has STI cooperation Agreements with 83 countries.
- During the recent years, the cooperation has strengthened significantly with Australia, Canada, EU, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Russia, UK and USA.
- Cooperation with African countries has also been strengthened through India Africa S&T Initiative.
- The soft prowess of S&T has been leveraged to engage with several countries under India’s Act East policy and with some neighboring countries.
The International Cooperation Division (IC Division) of DST has the mandated responsibility of:
- Negotiating, concluding and implementing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Agreements between India and other countries;
- Providing interventions on STI aspects in international forums.
The International Cooperation in STI is realized through:
- Bilateral Cooperation with developed and developing countries;
- Multilateral & Regional Cooperation; and
- Thematic Cooperation.
Key functions of IC Division:
Some of the major functions of IC Division related to forging India’s regional and multilateral partnerships in Science, Technology and Innovation being performed are as below:
- Negotiation, conclusion, implementation and monitoring of India’s international regional and multilateral S&T cooperation agreements/ frameworks and related S&T Program of Cooperation’s (India’s S&T Cooperation with EU, ASEAN, BRICS, IBSA, SAARC, BIMSTEC, ASEM, EAS);
- India’s engagements vis-à-vis S&T aspects of UN and other international organizations (India’s S&T engagements with NAM S&T Centre, UNESCO-TWAS-ICTP, UNCSTD, OECD, IOR-ARC, G-20);
- Indian perspectives at S & T Ministerial Multilateral Platforms and its spin offs (Carnegie Group Meetings and its spin offs like GSO-GRI, Science and Technology for Society Forum).
Under Thematic Cooperation, IC Division is partnering in the following International programs-
- International Solar Alliance
- Mission Innovation
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative etc
- The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)
Initiative for STI cooperation:
The Government of India has launched Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) 2020, a holistic and pragmatic policy dedicated to Science, technology, and most importantly innovation.
- The policy aims to reorient Science Technology & Innovation (STI) in terms of priorities, sectoral focus, and strategies.
- The STIP 2020 policy is initiated jointly by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (Office of PSA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
General Studies- II
Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
IFSCA becomes member of IOSCO
Context
The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has become an Associate Member of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).
What is the IOSCO?
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) is the international organization that brings together the world’s securities regulators, covering more than 95% of the world’s securities markets, and is the global standard setter for the securities sector.
- IOSCO works closely with the G20 and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) in setting up the standards for strengthening the securities markets.
- The IOSCO Objectives and Principles of Securities Regulation have been endorsed by FSB as one of the key standards for sound financial systems.
Significance of membership
- The membership of IOSCO would provide IFSCA the platform to exchange information at the global level and regional level on areas of common interests.
- Further, the IOSCO platform would enable IFSCA to learn from the experiences and best practices of the regulators of other well established financial centres.
What is the IFSCA?
International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) was established by central government to regulate all financial services in International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) with headquarters in Gandhinagar (Gujarat).
The IFSCA regulates financial products such as securities, deposits or contracts of insurance, financial services, and financial institutions set up in an IFSC.
General Studies- II
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
RoDTEP Scheme
Context
Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme have been in implementation from Jan, 1.
- Currently, there are certain taxes/duties/levies, at the central, state and local level, which are incurred in the process of manufacture and distribution of exported products but are not being refunded under any mechanism.
- Therefore, a scheme for “Reversion of duties and taxes on export product” was announced by Finance Minister in her Budget Speech on 1st February 2020.
Objectives of the RoDTEP Scheme
- To make Indian exports cost competitive and create a level playing field for exporters in International market;
- To boost better employment opportunities in export oriented manufacturing industries
Salient features of the RoDTEP Scheme
- Benefit would be provided on certain taxes/duties/levies (other than GST) which are not refunded for exports, such as, VAT on fuel used in transportation, Mandi tax, duty on electricity used during manufacturing etc.
- The refund would be claimed as a percentage of the Freight on Board (FOB) value of exports.
- Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) benefits would be discontinued on such tariff line/item for which benefit under RoDTEP Scheme is announced.
Chrome facts for Prelims
e-Sanjeevani OPD
Ex-Defence doctors will now provide online consultation on e-Sanjeevani OPD to all citizens of the country.
- e-Sanjeevani OPD is a Govt of India flagship telemedicine platform.
- It is developed by the Centre for Development of Advance Computing (C-DAC), Mohali under the aegis of MoHFW.
- It provides free consultations to any Indian citizen.
AYUSH 64 & Kabasura Kudineer
Ministry of Ayush is launching a massive nationwide campaign today to distribute its proven poly herbal Ayurvadic drugs AYUSH 64 and Sidha drug Kabasura Kudineer for the benefit of the vast majority of out of hospital COVID patients.
- AYUSH-64 is an Ayurvedic formulation developed by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and
- Kabasura Kudineer is a classical Siddha formulation.
- AYUSH-64 is recommended in National Clinical Management Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga which is vetted by National Task Force on COVID Management of ICMR and Guidelines for Ayurveda Practitioners for COVID-19 Patients in Home Isolation.
- Kabasura Kudineer is included in Guidelines for Siddha Practitioners for COVID 19, Ministry of Ayush Govt. of India.
