PIB Summary- 25th March, 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Strategic Supply Chain Management for Critical Minerals

Approved on January 29, 2025, the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) aims to ensure a sustainable supply of critical minerals, strengthening India’s exploration, mining, and processing capabilities.

National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) – Key Highlights

• Comprehensive Value Chain: Covers all stages from exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, and recovery from end-of-life products.
• Increasing Domestic Production: Focus on enhancing domestic extraction and refining of critical minerals.
• Overseas Asset Acquisition: Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) leads overseas acquisitions to secure mineral supplies.
• Argentina Collaboration: KABIL signed an agreement with CAMYEN for lithium brine exploration across 15,703 Ha in Argentina.
• Australia Partnership: MoU signed with Australia’s CMFO for joint due diligence and investment in lithium and cobalt assets.
• Processing & Recycling Budget: ₹500 crore allocated for processing parks, ₹1,500 crore for recycling.
• Skill Development & R&D: Provisions have been made for workforce training and research support.
• Governance Framework: Empowered Committee led by the Cabinet Secretary, with NITI Aayog CEO and key ministry officials.

EDUCATION FOR ALL

Context

The Department of School Education and Literacy is implementing Samagra Shiksha, an integrated centrally sponsored scheme for school education.

Overview

• It covers pre-primary to Class XII in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• The scheme ensures quality, equitable, and inclusive education, considering students’ diverse backgrounds, languages, and academic abilities.

Key Provisions for Students

• Financial assistance is provided to States and UTs for various components, including:
• Free uniforms and textbooks at the elementary level.
• Transport and escort facilities for students up to the secondary level.
• Special training programs for out-of-school children to help them rejoin education.
• Support for older students (16-19 years) through NIOS/SIOS for completing education.
• Bilingual teaching materials and Holistic Progress Cards.

School Infrastructure Development
Funding is provided for:

• Opening and strengthening new schools up to the senior secondary level.
• Construction of school buildings, classrooms, hostels, and labs under various government programs.
• Smart Classrooms, ICT Labs, and digital initiatives like PM e-Vidya, DIKSHA, and SWAYAM PRABHA DTH-TV Channels.

Support for Children with Special Needs (CwSN)
Assistance includes:

• Identification and assessment using the Prashast App.
• Braille kits, books, and learning materials for differently-abled students.
• Stipends for girl students with disabilities.
• Infrastructure like ramps, handrails, and accessible toilets.
• Teacher training under NISHTHA to support inclusive education.

New India Literacy Programme (NILP) – ULLAS

• Targets non-literate individuals aged 15+ who missed formal schooling.
• Implemented from FY 2022-23 to 2026-27.
• ULLAS App helps in registering learners and volunteer teachers.
• Over 2.20 crore learners and 40 lakh volunteer teachers have registered.
• The app provides learning materials in all languages.