Saturday, April 8, 2023

News360 - 8th April , 2023 | Daily Current Affairs

National and Inter-national News  :


1. Cabinet approvals on 6th April , 2023


The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved the following proposals :


(a) Indian Space Policy 2023 to enable  the private sector to participate in various space activities -

Indian Space Policy 2023 approved by Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by PM Narendra Modi.

Policy aims to enable private sector participation in space activities.

Private sector allowed to construct satellites, rockets, launch vehicles, and collect/share data.

Policy opens doors for private sector to contribute to India's space program.


Objective :

To enhance the role of India's space department.

To Increase participation of research, academia, startups, and industry in the space sector and foster collaboration between different stakeholders to boost India's space program.


Important :

(i) Policy outlines roles of ISRO, NSIL, and IN-SPACe -

NSIL to handle operational aspects of ISRO's missions.

IN-SPACe to facilitate interaction between ISRO and non-governmental entities.

ISRO to focus on technology development, research, and not engage in operational and production work.

(ii) Policy enables private sector use of ISRO facilities for a fee and encourages private investment in new infrastructure.

(iii) Policy expected to increase India's share in global space economy from below 2% to 10% in the future.

(iv) Policy establishes foundation for private sector companies and startups to offer space-based services, including satellite launches and citizen-centric services for enhanced quality of life.


(b) Revised Domestic Gas Pricing Guidelines -


(i) CCEA, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approves mechanism for domestic natural gas pricing in India.

(ii) Revised guidelines for gas produced from ONGC/OIL nomination fields, NELP blocks, and pre-NELP blocks with PSC approval.

(iii) New mechanism adopts recommendations by Kirit Parikh Panel on gas price deregulation in India.


Objective :

Establish stable pricing system for domestic gas consumers.

Provide protection to producers against market fluctuations.

Incentivize increased production of domestic gas.


Mechanism :

Domestic gas pricing linked to imported crude pricing.

Pricing to be decided at 10% of Indian crude basket.

Monthly revision of domestic gas prices.


Current :

Currently, domestic gas prices are determined based on the 2014 Domestic Gas Pricing Guidelines approved by the Government. Prices are calculated every 6 months, using volume-weighted prices from four gas trading hubs - Henry Hub, Albena, National Balancing Point (UK), and Russia. These prices are based on a period of 12 months with a time lag of one quarter.


Key Points :

(i) The decision to link domestic gas prices to imported crude prices is part of the Central Government's reforms to lower prices of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for households and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for transport. It is also expected to reduce the fertilizer subsidy burden and benefit the domestic power sector.

(ii) The Government aims to increase the share of natural gas in India's primary energy mix from the current 6.5% to 15% by 2030.


(c) Army proposal to induct woman officers in Artillery -


In March 2023, the Central Government approved the induction of women officers in the artillery regiments of the Indian Army. 

The first batch of women officers will be commissioned in the Army's artillery regiments by the end of April 2023, upon completion of their training at the Officers' Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. 

This marks a historic milestone as it will be the first time that women in the Indian Army will be trained to operate howitzers and rocket systems.


Key Points :

(i) Women officers are already serving in the Indian Air Force (IAF) as fighter pilots and in the Indian Navy on ships.

(ii) Artillery is a branch of land-based forces responsible for operating large guns to engage enemies from a distance. It is the second largest branch after infantry and includes various regiments that use different types of weapons such as guns, missiles, mortars, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

(iii) As of March 17, the government data shows that there are 6,993 women officers currently serving in the Indian Army, including those in the Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps, and Military Nursing Service.


2. Tripura Declared as Best Performing State in Northeastern Region for e-Procurement


Tripura has been awarded the title of the Best Performing State in the Northeastern Region for the successful implementation of e-procurement. This recognition was jointly conferred by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology (MeitY) during a workshop held on March 27, 2023, at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, Delhi. 

Tripura was applauded for its significant efforts in various sectors such as Saubhagya Yojana and empowerment of panchayats over the past five years.


About e-Procurement :

e-Procurement is a transparent system used in government sales that prevents vendor alliances, promotes fairness, and reduces tax evasion. It benefits small and medium industrialists and allows vendors from any part of India to participate, while also lowering costs for the government.


Important :

(i) Tripura was recognized for its timely completion of work under the Saubhagya Yojana of the Power Department.

(ii) The state has also been awarded for its outstanding performance in agriculture and panchayat self-empowerment.

(iii) The Tripura government has prioritized transparency by making e-procurement mandatory for services and goods costing over Rs. 25,000.


3. 2nd Tourism Working Group Meeting held in Siliguri, West Bengal


The 2nd Tourism Working Group Meeting took place in Siliguri, Darjeeling District, West Bengal. It was attended by 56 delegates from 17 Member Countries, 8 Invitee Countries, and 4 International Organizations (IOs) including UNEP, ILO, and UNWTO.

Ambassadors from seven G20 countries also participated, including Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, Singapore, Mexico, Indonesia, and South Korea.

The event focused on Green Tourism and was unanimously adopted by all countries.

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy from the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism, and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and Union Minister of State (MoS) John Barla from the Ministry of Minority Affairs attended the inaugural session.


Important :

(i) Presentations on "Travel for LiFE" by UNEP and "1st Draft Outcome Document— GOA Roadmap" by UNWTO were made at the first session of the Tourism Working Group meeting.

(ii) The "First Draft of GOA Roadmap" has been agreed upon by G20 Member Countries, Invitee Countries, and IOs to be adopted during the Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Goa in June 2023.

(iii) The working group meeting included presentations from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Indonesia, and Italy on the five goals of green tourism, digitalization, skills, tourism MSMEs, and destination management, respectively.

(iv) Green Tourism was unanimously adopted as the top priority by all participating countries.

(v) Two side events on "Adventure Tourism" were organized in conjunction with the Working Group Meetings to highlight the potential of adventure tourism in India and the North East Region.

(vi) The second event was "Tourism in Mission Mode: Advantage Adventure Tourism," which included regional stakeholders, domestic industry partners, and States of the Government of India.


 4. NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Breaks World Records Once Again


On April 2, 2023, the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), set two new records for the highest altitude and highest speed achieved by any self-propelled aircraft outside of Earth.

During its 49th flight, the small rotorcraft, Ingenuity, reached a height of 16 meters and achieved a remarkable speed of 23.4 kilometers per hour.

Covering a distance of 282 meters, the 49th flight of Ingenuity lasted for 142.7 seconds, showcasing its impressive capabilities on the Martian surface.


Previous records of NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter :

(i) Over the course of two years, Ingenuity has been flying on the surface of Mars, covering a distance of more than 11 kilometers.

(ii) On December 3, 2022, Ingenuity set a new flight height record by flying approximately 14 meters above the Martian surface.

(iii) Ingenuity achieved its previous flight speed record of 19.8 kilometers per hour on three occasions: December 10, June 11, and April 8 (in 2022).

(iv) On April 8, 2022, Ingenuity completed its record-breaking 25th flight, covering an impressive distance of 704 meters, which remained its longest flight until its 49th flight. This flight was also its fastest until flight 49.


About NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter :


(i) On February 18, 2021, the Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity, a small solar-powered helicopter, successfully landed on the surface of Mars.

(ii) Ingenuity made history on April 19, 2021, by completing the first powered flight in human history on an extraterrestrial body.

(iii) During this historic flight, Ingenuity hovered and landed in the same spot for 39.1 seconds, showcasing its pioneering capabilities.


5. HAL’s First LCA Trainer Successfully Completes Maiden Test-flight


On April 5, 2023, the first series production Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas trainer (LT 5201) aircraft, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), successfully completed its maiden flight, marking a significant milestone in the LCA Tejas program.

The maiden flight of the first-ever LCA Tejas trainer (LT 5201) built to series production standards took place at the airfield, and it completed a 35-minute test flight before safely landing.

The trainer aircraft was piloted by Group Captain Venu and Wing Commander Awasthi.

As part of the LCA Tejas program, the Indian Air Force has ordered approximately 10 twin-seater LCA trainers for the commissioning of 83 Tejas Mk-1As, an improved variant of Tejas Mark 1, starting from the next year (2024).



 Banking News :


1. RBI Data: Bank credit growth Increased by 15% in FY23, Highest since FY12


As per the data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India's bank credit recorded a year-on-year (YoY) growth of 15% in the financial year 2022-23 (FY23), compared to 9.6% YoY growth in 2021-22 (FY22).

The credit growth in FY23 is the highest since FY12, when it was recorded at 19.3%.


Important :

(i) Bank deposits witnessed a YoY growth of 9.58% in FY23, compared to 8.9% YoY growth in FY22.

(ii) In FY23, the mobilization of bank deposits lagged behind credit disbursements, with Rs 15.78 trillion raised through deposits, as opposed to Rs 13.51 trillion raised in FY22. Meanwhile, credit in absolute terms rose to Rs 17.83 trillion in FY23, up from Rs 10.43 trillion in FY22.

(iii) According to data from the RBI's Scheduled Bank's Statement of Position in India, outstanding credit stood at Rs 136.75 trillion at the end of the last fortnight of FY23 (on March 24, 2023), compared to Rs 118.91 trillion in FY22 (on March 25, 2022). Outstanding deposits stood at Rs 180.43 trillion in FY23, as against Rs 164.6 trillion in FY22.

(iv) The interest rate on one-year term deposits ranged from 5-5.6% around the end of March 2022 and increased to 6-7.25% by the end of March 2023.

(v) The savings deposit rate remained in the range of 2.7-3% in March 2022 and March 2023, according to the data.


2. First Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy of FY24 (Highlights) 


The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), comprising six members, convened for its meeting on April 3rd, 5th, and 6th, 2023, and issued its initial bi-monthly monetary policy statement for FY24 (Financial Year 2023-2024).


Policy Rates :

(i) The MPC has decided to keep the policy rates unchanged with the stance remain focused on the withdrawal of accommodation.

(ii) The Unchanged Policy rates are as follows :


(A) Policy Rates :

1. Policy Repo Rates – 6.50 %
2. Standing Deposit Facility – 6.25 %
3. Marginal Deposit Facility – 6.75 %
4. Bank Rate – 6.75 %
5. Reverse Repo Rate – 3.35 %

(B) Reverse Ratios :

1. Cash Reverse Ratio – 4.50 %
2. Statutory Liquidity Ratio – 18 %


Members :

The meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was presided over by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, and the committee comprised of five other members, namely Shashanka Bhide, Ashima Goyal, Prof. Jayanth R. Varma, Michael Debabrata Patra, and Dr. Rajiv Ranjan.


(A) MPC’s Assessments on growth and inflation :     

Growth :

India's real gross domestic product (GDP) growth for FY24 is projected to be 6.5 percent, with 7.8 percent in Q1, 6.2 percent in Q2, 6.1 percent in Q3, and 5.9 percent in Q4.

As per the second advance estimate (SAE) released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on February 28, 2023, India's real GDP growth for FY23 was placed at 7.0 percent.

Inflation :

(i) Consudline inflation increased from 5.7 percent in December 2022 to 6.4 percent in February 2023, primarily due to higher inflation in cereals, milk, and fruits, as well as slower deflation in vegetable prices.

(iii) Core inflation (i.e., CPI excluding food and fuel) remained above 6 percent in January-February 2023.

Note : The Union Government has maintained unchanged policy rates to achieve the medium-term target for CPI inflation of 4 percent within a band of +/- 2 percent, while supporting growth.


(B) Developmental and Regulatory Policies :

Improving Efficiency with the PRAVAAH Portal -

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made the decision to develop a secure web-based centralized portal called 'PRAVAAH' (Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation And AutHorisation) with the aim of enhancing efficiency.

(i) Current Situation :

Various entities are mandated to obtain licenses/authorizations from the RBI to conduct regulated activities, and regulated entities are also required to seek periodic approvals under different statutes/regulations.

Presently, the application and approval processes for these requirements occur through a mix of online and offline modes, resulting in a lack of uniformity.

(ii) Advantages of the PRAVAAH Portal :

To address the challenges of the current process, RBI has developed the PRAVAAH portal. The portal is designed to streamline regulatory processes and enhance the ease of doing business for entities regulated by RBI.

Through the PRAVAAH portal, time limits for decision-making on applications/approvals will be displayed, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the regulatory process.

(iii) The FY24 Union Budget has also highlighted the need to simplify, streamline, and reduce the cost of compliance for financial sector regulators. Time limits will be established to ensure timely decision-making on applications under various regulations, with the goal of enhancing efficiency and reducing regulatory burden.

(iv) RBI has announced its plans to further expand the PRAVAAH portal to encompass all types of applications submitted to the bank across various functions. This extension aims to streamline and centralize the application and approval processes, bringing greater efficiency and ease of use to regulated entities.


(C) Onshore Non-deliverable Derivatives Market :

(i) RBI had earlier granted permission to Banks operating IFSC Banking Units (IBUs) in India to engage in transactions involving INR Non-deliverable derivative contracts (NDCCs) with non-residents and with each other, starting from June 1, 2020.

(ii) In a move to further develop the onshore INR-NDDC market and offer residents greater flexibility in designing their hedging programs, RBI has now allowed banks with IBUs to extend INR NDCCs to resident users in the onshore market.


(D) Centralised Web portal to Search Unclaimed Deposits :

(i) Current Practice :

Currently, deposits that remain unclaimed for 10 years in a bank are transferred to the 'Depositor Education and Awareness' (DEA) Fund, which is maintained by RBI. RBI aims to prevent newer deposits from becoming unclaimed and ensure that existing unclaimed deposits are returned to their rightful owners or beneficiaries. Banks display the list of unclaimed deposits on their websites to facilitate the return of such deposits.

(ii) Development of Web Portal :

To enhance access for depositors/beneficiaries, RBI has decided to develop a centralized web portal for the public. This portal will allow users to search across multiple banks for possible unclaimed deposits based on their inputs. The search results will be improved by utilizing certain AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools. The objective is to streamline the process of returning unclaimed deposits to the rightful owners or beneficiaries and make it more user-friendly through the use of technology.


(E) Pre-Sanctioned Credit Lines at Banks through UPI :


(i) Current Scenario :

Currently, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions are enabled between deposit accounts at banks, sometimes intermediated by pre-paid instruments including wallets.

(ii) Proposed Enhancement :

RBI has proposed enabling transfers to/from pre-sanctioned credit lines at banks through UPI. This means that the UPI network will facilitate payments financed by credit from banks. This enhancement will reduce the time and effort required to obtain loans, as users will be able to access pre-sanctioned credit lines through UPI, making the process more seamless and convenient.

Note : UPI handles 75% of the retail digital payments volume in India, highlighting its widespread usage and significance in the digital payments ecosystem.


(F) RBI to Issue New 5-Year Govt Bonds to Raise Rs 8000 Cr :


(i) RBI to auction new 5-year government bonds, maturing in 2028, raising approx. Rs 8,000 crore in the first FY24 bond auction on April 06, 2023.

(ii) GoI plans to raise up to Rs 33,000 crore through auction of 3 securities maturing in 2028, 2033, and 2052, with an option to retain additional subscriptions up to Rs 2,000 crore for each security.


(G) Additional Domestic Economy Information :

(i) Rabi foodgrain production expected to increase by 6.2% in FY3.

(ii) In FY23, money supply (M3) expanded by 9.0% and non-food bank credit increased by 15.4%.

(iii) India's foreign exchange reserves as of March 31, 2023, were US$ 578.4 billion.

(iv) CAD : Current account deficit (CAD) for Q1-Q3 of FY23 was 2.7% of GDP. In Q3 FY23, CAD narrowed significantly to 2.2% from 3.7% in Q2 FY23. RBI Governor expects CAD to remain moderate in Q4 FY23 and FY24 at a viable and manageable level.

(v) Inward gross remittances reached an all-time high of US$ 107.5 billion in calendar year 2022.



Other News :


1. Jharkhand Education Minister Jagarnath Mahto Passed Away


On April 6, 2023, Jagarnath Mahto, the Minister of Education in Jharkhand, passed away at the age of 56 at a hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He was born on January 1, 1967, in Alargo, Bokaro, Jharkhand.

Jagarnath Mahto was a prominent politician and cabinet minister representing the Dumri Vidhan Sabha constituency from the Jharkhand Mukti Morch (JMM) party. He was actively involved in the movement for a separate statehood, which was led by Shibhu Soren.



2. MCC Honoured 5 Indian Cricketers with Honorary Life Membership


On April 5, 2023, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), based at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London, United Kingdom (UK), awarded honorary life membership to 17 esteemed cricketers from around the world. Among them were 5 Indian cricketers, including Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MS Dhoni), Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Mithali Raj, and Jhulan Goswami.

In addition, MCC also bestowed 2 Honorary Life Memberships for non-playing contributions to the game.

The 2023 cohort of new Honorary Life Memberships includes representation from 8 of the 12 Test Playing countries, highlighting the global recognition and appreciation of these accomplished cricketers.


Important :

(i) MS Dhoni , the former captain of the Indian Men's cricket team (2004-2019), holds the distinction of being the only cricket captain in the world to have won all three major ICC tournaments - the 2007 ICC World T20, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. Under his leadership, India also clinched the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups.

Awards : Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 2007 (now Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award); Padma Shri (2009); Padma Bhushan (2018).

(ii) Yuvraj Singh , the former International Indian Cricketer (2000-2017), was honored as the Player of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup. During the tournament, he created history by becoming the first player to achieve a 5-wicket haul and score a 50 in the same World Cup match.

Awards : Arjuna Award (2012); Padma Shri (2014).

(iii) Suresh Raina , the former Indian international cricketer (2005-2018), was an integral part of the team that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He also holds the distinction of being the first Indian to score a century in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Throughout his 13-year career, Raina amassed over 5,500 ODI runs.

(iv) Jhulan Goswami , the former Indian international cricketer (2002-2022), made history by becoming the highest wicket-taker in Women's World Cup, surpassing the previous record of Lyn Fullston in 2022. She retired from international cricket in September 2022, with her final match being against England at Lord's. She continues to be associated with the sport, playing for the Bengal squad and serving as a bowling coach and mentor for the Women's Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians.

Awards : Arjuna Award (2010); Padma Shri (2012).

(v) Mithali Raj , the former captain of the India women's national cricket team (1999-2022), holds the distinction of being the all-time leading run-scorer with 7,805 runs at an impressive average of 50.68 in 211 innings.

Awards : Arjuna Award (2003); Padma Shri (2015); Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2021).


3. World Health Day 2023 - 7th April 

World Health Day, observed annually on 7th April by the United Nations (UN), serves as a global platform to highlight a specific health topic of concern to people worldwide. This significant day also commemorates the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO), with 7th April 2023 marking the 75th anniversary of WHO's establishment in 1948. 

The theme for World Health Day 2023 is " Health for All " , envisioning a world where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy good health, leading to a fulfilling life in a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable environment. This theme emphasizes the importance of equitable access to healthcare services and promoting health and well-being for all individuals, regardless of their background, geography, or socio-economic status.

Note :

(i) During the 1st World Health Assembly (WHA), it was decided that World Health Day would be observed on 22nd July annually across all member states. However, due to the closure of schools and educational institutes during that time, which serve as important focal points of the observance, 7th April was chosen as a more suitable alternative. This date marks the day on which the Constitution of WHO officially entered into force in 1948.

(ii) Subsequently, the 2nd World Health Assembly decided that starting from 1950, World Health Day would be observed annually on 7th April.


Universal Health Coverage (UHC) :

(i) Universal health coverage (UHC) refers to the provision of quality health services to all people, without facing financial barriers, ensuring that they can access the care they need, when and where they need it.

(ii) UHC not only offers financial protection and access to essential services, but also helps to alleviate poverty, promote the well-being of families and communities, protect against public health crises, and move towards achieving #HealthForAll.


Observance in India :

On the occasion of World Health Day 2023, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organized a walkathon event in New Delhi, Delhi, under the theme of "Health for All". The walkathon started from Vijay Chowk, passed through Kartavya Path and India Gate, and culminated at Nirman Bhawan.

The walkathon was led by Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State (MoS) for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar.

Objective of the Walkathon :

To create awareness about healthy habits not only to keep away Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) but also for positive effects on mental well-being.


4. International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2023 – April 


The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), established by the United Nations (UN), is celebrated annually on April 6 worldwide, to honor the role of sports and physical activity in our lives and communities.

April 6, 2023, marks the 10th edition of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, with the global theme of "Scoring for People and the Planet". This theme highlights the impact and influence of sports on sustainable development and peace.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/67/296 on August 23, 2013, proclaiming April 6 of every year as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.

The first-ever IDSDP was observed on April 6, 2014, marking the beginning of this important global observance.

Note : The International Olympic Committee (IOC), as the Permanent Observer of the United Nations (UN), put forward and endorsed this initiative to acknowledge the role of sports organizations in driving social change and human development.


Significance of International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) :

(i) Sports can have a significant impact on individuals, both physically and mentally, promoting better health, improved illness resistance, social integration, gender equality, economic development, and fostering international brotherhood, peace, and cooperation.

(ii) The annual observance of IDSDP serves to highlight these opportunities and inspire individuals to actively engage in sports as a means to contribute towards creating a positive world.


Event for International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) 2023 :

(i) The UN Department of Global Communications (DGC) and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) organized the event in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar and the Principality of Monaco to the UN in New York, United States of America (USA).

(ii) The event for 2023 aims to recognize and highlight the role of sports in addressing climate change, promoting gender equality, and tackling racism.

#WhiteCard Campaign (2023) :

The global sports communities celebrate IDSDP through the #WhiteCard Campaign.

The #WhiteCard serves as an invitation to promote peace, particularly on IDSDP.

This campaign was created by Peace and Sport, an independent organization that promotes the positive and constructive values of sports. It was introduced as a symbol in 2014 to represent the positive power of sports for peace and social inclusion.


5. Prevention of Blindness Week 2023 - April 1 to 7


The Prevention of Blindness Week is observed annually across India from April 1 to 7 (the first week of April) with the aim to promote the prevention of blindness and raise awareness about the causes of blindness.

This week also serves to support individuals with visual impairments and promote access to eye care services.

The National Society for the Prevention of Blindness-India (NSPB-I) coordinates the Prevention of Blindness Week in India, in collaboration with state and local branches, to carry out various activities and initiatives focused on preventing blindness and promoting eye health.


Significance :

(i) The Prevention of Blindness Week plays a crucial role in raising awareness about various factors that can lead to blindness, helping to prevent its occurrence.

(ii) The week serves as a platform to educate the general public about eye injuries, visual impairments, and ways to prevent, treat, and cure them, promoting eye health and well-being.


Government of India's Efforts to Reduce the Prevalence of Blindness :

(i) The Government of India (GoI) launched the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB&VI) in 1976 as a centrally sponsored scheme, with the aim of reducing the prevalence of blindness to 0.3% by 2020. The scheme is now implemented with a sharing pattern of 60:40 in all states and 90:10 in Northeastern states.

(ii) The National Health Policy (NHP) sets a target to further reduce the prevalence of blindness to 0.25% by 2025, reflecting the GoI's commitment to addressing and reducing the burden of blindness in the country through strategic initiatives and interventions.


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