PIB Summary- 6th December, 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

North-East Region Development

Context

The PM-DevINE scheme focuses on infrastructure and social development in the Northeast Region (NER), promoting holistic growth through Central funding.

Complementing it, the UNNATI initiative supports industrialization, employment generation, and resilience, fostering inclusive development in the region.

PM-DevINE Scheme Overview

• Announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 as a Central Sector Scheme with 100% Central funding.
• Initial outlay of ₹1,500 crore, later increased to ₹6,600 crore for FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26.

Objectives:

• Funds infrastructure projects aligned with PM Gati Shakti.
• Supports social development initiatives based on the needs of the North East Region (NER).
• Promotes livelihood activities for youth and women.
• Addresses development gaps in various sectors.

Progress:

• 35 projects worth ₹4,857.11 crore sanctioned as of November 2024.

Industrialization Initiatives in NER

North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS):

• Launched in 2017 and ended on March 31, 2022.
• Aims at promoting industrialization in NER.

Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme (UNNATI) Scheme:

• Launched on March 9, 2024.
• Focuses on enhancing infrastructure, employment, and regional prosperity.

Incentives provided:

• Capital Investment Incentive.
• Capital Interest Subvention.
• Manufacturing & Services Linked Incentive.

Budgetary Allocation for NER Development

• Non-exempt Union Ministries/Departments are required to allocate 10% of their Gross Budgetary Allocation for NER.
• Provisional expenditure of ₹3,53,412 crore incurred between 2019-20 and 2023-24.

Status Of The Advancement Of Super Computing In India

Context

• India is advancing technological innovation through the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), National Quantum Mission (NQM), and NM-ICPS, focusing on supercomputing infrastructure, quantum computing, and cyber-physical systems.
• These initiatives emphasize R&D, human resource development, and global collaborations.

National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)

• Jointly implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Achievements:

• 33 supercomputers with a total capacity of 32 PetaFlops established at 24 locations nationwide.
• Institutions housing supercomputers include IITs (e.g., Gandhinagar, Goa, Kanpur, Madras), IISc, NIT Trichy, and others.
• ₹1,874 crore allocated/utilized for infrastructure, R&D, applications, HRD, and mission management.
• Expansion plan includes adding 20 PetaFlop systems to select institutions.

Human Resource Development:

• Over 20,000 individuals trained through five training centers located in Pune, Kharagpur, Chennai, Palakkad, and Goa.

National Quantum Mission (NQM)

• Develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50–1,000 physical qubits within 8 years.
• Platforms include superconducting and photonic technologies.

Key Initiatives:

• Four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) established for technology, HRD, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration in quantum computing.

National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS)

• 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) established in advanced technology verticals, including quantum computing.

Significance

• Enhances India’s capabilities in supercomputing, quantum technology, and cyber-physical systems.
• Boosts R&D, innovation, and global collaborations while creating a skilled workforce.