Context: The technology allowed scholars a clearer and measurable view of the past, clarifying the history of human migration, the rise and fall of civilisations, and undulations of the earth’s climate

About:

• Radiocarbon dating, also known as carbon-14 dating, is a scientific method employed to precisely ascertain the age of organic materials, with its accuracy extending to around 60,000 years.
• Originating in the late 1940s at the University of Chicago under the guidance of Willard Libby, this technique relies on the decay of the carbon-14 isotope.
• Its applications have been diverse, encompassing historical studies, atmospheric science, and sparking a transformative period in archaeology known as the "radiocarbon revolution."
• Principle:
  • The method operates on the principle that living entities such as trees, plants, humans, and animals assimilate carbon-14 into their tissues. Upon death, the carbon-14 undergoes a gradual transformation into different atoms. By quantifying the remaining carbon-14 atoms, scientists can gauge the duration since the organism's demise, providing an estimate of its age.
• Working:

• The process begins with the interaction of cosmic rays, which are subatomic particles reaching Earth from various directions.
• When these cosmic rays reach the Earth's upper atmosphere, they lead to physical and chemical reactions resulting in the creation of the radioactive isotope carbon-14.
•   Living organisms absorb carbon-14 into their tissues as part of their metabolic processes.
  •  
•  Once an organism dies, the absorption of carbon-14 ceases, initiating a slow and predictable transformation of carbon-14 into other atoms.
•  Scientists can estimate the time since an organism's death by measuring the remaining amount of carbon-14.
•   Radiocarbon dating is applicable to any object that was once alive, extending its use to various materials such as animal or human remains, plants, paper made from reeds, leather from animal hides, and even logs used in construction.
• In essence, radiocarbon dating relies on the cosmic ray-induced creation of carbon-14, its absorption by living organisms, and the predictable decay rate post-death, allowing scientist to determine the age of organic objects through careful measurement of remaing carbon-14

Context: The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) program for the automobile sector has been extended by one year through March 2028. 

News:

• The extension of the original five-year scheme, initially covering the period from 2022-23 to 2026-27, will remain effective until 2027-28.
• This extension provides companies with additional time to capitalize on the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) fund amounting to Rs 25,938 crore, aimed at enhancing domestic manufacturing and exports.
• In cases where participants fall short of meeting the specified year-on-year growth criteria for payouts in a given fiscal year, they remain eligible for incentives in the subsequent year if targets are accomplished. This provision safeguards serious investors who prioritize upfront capacity installation.
• Furthermore, achieving targets for five out of the six years is deemed sufficient to qualify for subsidies overall.

About :

• The Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) was devised with the aim of enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities, fostering higher import substitution, and generating employment opportunities.
• Launched in March 2020, the scheme initially focused on three industries: Mobile and allied Component Manufacturing, Electrical Component Manufacturing, and Medical Devices. Subsequently, its scope was expanded to include 14 sectors.

• Under the PLI scheme, both domestic and foreign companies receive financial incentives for engaging in manufacturing activities in India, with the rewards calculated as a percentage of their revenue over a period of up to five years.
• The targeted sectors encompass mobile manufacturing, medical devices, automobiles and auto components, pharmaceuticals, drugs, specialty steel, telecom & networking products, electronic products, white goods (ACs and LEDs), food products, textile products, solar PV modules, advanced chemistry cell (ACC) battery, and drones and drone components.
• Incentives are granted based on incremental sales, and for certain sectors like advanced chemistry cell batteries, textile products, and the drone industry, calculations take into account sales, performance, and local value addition over the five-year period.
• The PLI scheme places a significant emphasis on Research and Development (R&D) investment, enabling the industry to stay abreast of global trends and maintain competitiveness in the international market.

Context: The US Secretary of State announced a joint maritime security initiative called Operation Prosperity Guardian to aid the safe movement of ships in the Red Sea. This follows missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis.

About:

• Countries Involved: The U.K., Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain are participating.
• Joint Patrols: These nations will conduct joint patrols in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden

Significance of the Operation

• Impact on Suez Canal Traffic: The turmoil is influencing approximately 12% of the global shipping traffic that traverses the Suez Canal.
• Rerouting and Economic Consequences: Shipping companies are opting for alternative routes, resulting in escalated expenses and prolonged delays.

Context: The inaugural edition of joint military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone 2024’ involving India and the UAE is set to occur in Rajasthan from January 2 to January 15.

About Desert Cyclone 2024 :

Counter-Terrorism Operations:

  - The focus of the joint exercise is on counter-terrorism operations, encompassing missions such as joint planning, operations, and joint tactical drills.

Significance:

  - The exercise aims to boost interoperability through the exchange of best practices in urban operations.

  - It seeks to enhance the skills of armed forces in various facets of war-fighting by fostering collaboration with armed forces from different nations.

Defence Cooperation between India and UAE:

Collaborative Activities:

  - Defence cooperation involves activities such as port calls, defence training, supply of defence inventory, and the implementation of regular exchange programs.

  - Additionally, joint air forces exercises, biennial International Defence Exhibition (IDEX), and the exercise 'Zayed Talwar' with the UAE are part of the collaboration efforts to enhance interoperability and synergy between the two navies.

- Potential Areas of Bilateral Cooperation:

  - Areas of potential cooperation include the production and development of defence equipment, joint exercises of armed forces, sharing of information on strategy and doctrines, and technical cooperation, particularly in the domain of Intermediate Jet Trainer.

Context: The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment recently highlighted the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA).

Key Highlights of SHRESHTA:

Objective:

SHRESHTA aims to address the educational service gap in areas dominated by Scheduled Castes (SCs) by providing high-quality education, socio-economic upliftment, and overall development for SC students.

Admission Criteria:

Admission is offered in Class 9 and Class 11 of CBSE/State-affiliated private schools.

Eligibility:

Students from SCs in Class 8th and 10th with an annual income of up to Rs 2.5 lakh are eligible.

Operating Procedure:

Mode 1: SHRESHTA Schools:

Selection Process:

• Meritorious SC students are chosen through the National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
• Admitted to the best CBSE/State Board-affiliated private residential schools in classes 9th and 11th.

Financial Support:

The Department covers total fees, including school and hostel fees, amounting to Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs. 1,35,000 from class 9th to 12th.

Bridge Course:

• A bridge course is offered outside regular school hours to enhance students' adaptability.
• The Department covers 10% of the annual fee for the bridge course.

Monitoring:

• Regular monitoring of students' progress by the Ministry.

Mode 2: NGO/VO Operated Schools/Hostels:

Grants:

• Schools/Hostels run by VOs/NGOs with classes up to 12th grade receive grants for school fees and residential charges for SC students.
• Grants range from Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 55,000 per student based on the type of school.

Monitoring:

• Regular monitoring of students' progress by the Ministry.
• Institutions are required to disclose performance on their websites and the e-Anudaan/online portal, ensuring transparency.
• Installation of cameras in institutions for live feeds and periodic field visits by inspection teams.

Impact (2023-24):

• 7,543 beneficiaries.
• Admissions: 2,564 students admitted to 142 Private Residential Schools.
• Rs. 30.55 Crore reimbursed for school fees.

Context: A significant milestone has been crossed by the Health Ministry. More than 1 crore people have been screened for Sickle Cell Disease under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission.
National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCAEM):
Objective:
The NSCAEM is geared towards eradicating sickle cell anaemia from India by 2047, coinciding with the nation's 100th year of independence.
Key Goals:
Awareness Creation:
The mission seeks to foster awareness among the general public and healthcare professionals regarding the prevention and management of sickle cell anaemia.
Health Improvement:
To mitigate the morbidity and mortality associated with sickle cell anaemia, the mission aims to enhance the overall quality of life for affected individuals and their families.
Contribution to SDGs:
The NSCAEM aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to health, education, and social inclusion.
Key Components of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission:
Screening:
All newborns and pregnant women will undergo screening for sickle cell trait or disease through a rapid and simple test. Positive cases will receive a genetic status card, facilitating access to appropriate healthcare and counseling services.
Prevention:
Couples identified as carriers of the sickle cell trait will receive counseling regarding the risk of having a child with sickle cell disease. Options for prevention, including prenatal diagnosis and medical termination of pregnancy, will be offered to those opting to avoid having an affected child.
Treatment:
Patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease will receive regular and free treatment encompassing blood transfusions, hydroxyurea therapy, pain management, and antibiotics. Enrolment in a national registry will aid in monitoring health outcomes and overall quality of life.
Research:
The mission places emphasis on supporting research and innovation related to sickle cell anaemia. This includes endeavors such as developing new drugs, vaccines, gene therapy, and stem cell therapy. Additionally, awareness and education initiatives targeting the public and healthcare professionals will be promoted.
Challenges in Implementing the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission:
Lack of Awareness and Stigma:
A significant challenge lies in the lack of awareness regarding one's sickle cell status and the associated implications. Individuals may also encounter discrimination and social exclusion due to their condition.
Shortage of Resources:
The successful execution of the mission necessitates ample funding, infrastructure, manpower, and a consistent blood supply. These Resourcess are critical for ensuring effective screening, prevention, and treatment of sickle cell anaemia.
Ethical and Legal Issues:
The mission involves navigating sensitive ethical and legal considerations related to genetic testing, prenatal diagnosis, abortion, and gene editing. Addressing concerns from certain sections of society on these matters is crucial.
Coordination and Collaboration:
Effective implementation relies on seamless coordination and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. This includes central and state governments, health departments, civil society organizations, research institutions, and international agencies.
Addressing these challenges requires the NSCAEM to adopt a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder approach, fostering collaboration among ministries, departments, agencies, organizations, institutions, communities, and individuals.
Possible Strategies for Implementation:
Enhancing Existing Sickle Cell Centres:
Strengthening the current network of sickle cell centres nationwide, ensuring they provide comprehensive care and support to patients and their families.
Widening Screening Programmes:
Expanding the reach of screening initiatives to cover all newborns and pregnant women. This involves utilizing accessible methods like paper-based tests or mobile apps for efficient and widespread screening.
Accessible Ensuring free or subsidized treatment for all patients in need, encompassing medications, blood transfusions, hydroxyurea therapy, and bone marrow transplants.
Innovation in Therapies:
Advancing research into new therapeutic approaches and technologies capable of curing or preventing sickle cell anaemia. This includes exploring possibilities such as gene therapy or gene editing.
Establishing a National Registry:
Creating a comprehensive national registry and database for sickle cell patients and carriers. This registry serves to monitor the progress and assess the impact of the mission effectively.
Sickle Cell Anaemia
Sickle cell disease (SCD) comprises a hereditary group of blood disorders with a genetic basis.
Cause:
It is an autosomal recessive disorder or Mendelian disorder triggered by a mutation in the hemoglobin-β gene located on chromosome 11.
Characteristics:
The mutation leads to defective hemoglobin (Hb), forming rod-like structures when releasing oxygen.
Red blood cells become rigid, taking on a sickle shape.
Transmission:
Typically inherited from parents to the child during birth, where both parents may carry SCD.
Symptoms:
Newborns with sickle cell anaemia may not exhibit symptoms for several months.
Common symptoms include extreme fatigue, fussiness, painful swelling in hands and feet, and jaundice.
Effects:

•     Misshapen cells lack flexibility, potentially blocking small blood vessels and impeding blood flow.
•    Premature death of sickle cells leads to chronic red blood cell deficiency, often referred to as sickle-cell anaemia.
•  Associated complications include chronic acute pain syndromes, severe bacterial infections, and tissue necrosis.

Treatment:

•  Treatment involves medication, blood transfusions, and occasionally, a bone-marrow transplant.
•  Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, while offering a potential cure, entails several risks.

Steps Taken to Eradicate Sickle Cell Anemia:
Outreach Programs:
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) are conducting outreach programs to enhance disease management and control.
Portal for Data Collation:
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs introduced a portal allowing individuals with the disease to register, facilitating comprehensive data compilation.
National Health Mission Guideline on Hemoglobinopathies:
The National Health Mission has issued guidelines on Hemoglobinopathies, establishing community-level services for pre-marital and pre-conception screening, supported by genetic counselling services.
Mission to Eliminate SCA:

• The union budget for FY 2023-24 has announced the initiation of a mission to eliminate sickle cell anemia by 2047.
• The mission emphasizes awareness creation, universal screening of individuals aged 0-40 in affected tribal areas, and counselling.
•  Funding for the mission will be allocated under the National Health Mission.

The Performance of Indian Railways in 2023 showed significant strides in infrastructure but reveals underwhelming freight loading and financial performance.

How Indian Railways performed in 2023?

• Near completion of DFC – Dedicated Freight Corridors are nearing completion with more than 200 freight trains already running on the corridors.

• Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) – It is symbolic for connectivity and seamless integration of J&K with India.
• But its poor progress reflects on IR’s credentials in executing and implementing large projects.
• Delhi-Srinagar train – The 1^st train is expected to run sometime next summer.
• High-Speed Rail project – It was mooted in 2014 between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, intending to complete it by 2021.
• But the goal post kept shifting, however, due to non-cooperation between the Centre and Maharashtra governments and is expected to be operational by 2028-29.
• Vande Bharat– It was success with large-scale deployment from a mere 6 at the year start and with nearly 50 trains at the end.
• It showed that there is the space for fast and comfortable trains even with higher fare.
• But some of the trains were deployed on political merit and some run with poor occupancy.
  • Example: Bhopal-Jabalpur and Bhopal-Indore fail to cut travel time.
• The sleeper version is badly-delayed.
• Railway tracks – Delay in upgrading the tracks for higher speeds.
  • Work on raising the speed of Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai sections to 160 kmph has seen tardy progress.
• Safety Issues – On safety front, Indian railways has shown improvement in the last 5 years with the closure of all unmanned railway crossings and improvements in track maintenance.
• However, the Balasore accidentdented IR’s safety record and was followed by at least 4 more accidents with fatalities and injuries.
  • Delhi-Kamakhya Express derailment near Buxar.
  • Fire cases in Patalkot Express near Agra and Delhi-Darbhanga Superfast Express near Etawah.
  • Collision of two trains near Vizianagaram.
• Financial performance – The rail freight and total revenue is only between 3-4%, leaving no surplus for investments, thus increased reliance on the Centre for the same.
  • In an economy growing nearly 7%, one would expect rail freight and total revenue to expand at a minimum of 10%.
• Dismal roll-out of IRMS – Indian Railway Management Service at the entry level is the lowest choice among Civil Services aspirants.
• Only 90 out of 150 vacancies could be filled up, as many candidates likely to qualify choose another service.
• New Amrit Bharat Trains – 2 Amrit Bharat Trains are to be launched.
• The Amrit Bharat train is a Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) push pull train having locos at both ends for better acceleration.
• It provides improved facilities for rail passengers with a maximum speed limit of 130 kmph.

Indian Railways has launched theme-based tourist circuit trains (Bharat Gaurav Trains) to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places. 1^st Bharat Gaurav Train (Shirdi Yatra) was launched in 2022.

• Record Amrit Bharat Stations - 1,309 Amrit Bharat Stations have been identified across the nation to modernize passenger amenities and improve accessibility & inclusivity of railway stations.
• One Station, One Product (OSOP) Outlets - It promotes the ‘Vocal for Local’ vision, providing a market for indigenous products and creating additional income opportunities for marginalised sections of society.

Indian Railway has set a target of becoming Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030.

What should be focused in 2024?

• Safety – The shift should be strongly to improving the safety of rail travel, including track and signaling upgrades.
• The progress of the installation of Kavach, a unique safety system developed by IR engineers, needs to be paced up.
• Address Issues - While electrification of rails are promoted for greening railways, it is silent on
  • The fate of more than 500 diesel locomotives
  • The need for ‘hydrogen trains’ amidst electrification
  • The requirement for airport-like stations
• Prevent saturation: The announcement to add 3,000 passenger trains to eliminate waiting lists should consider the saturated capacities into account.
• Non-political deployment of trains—Vande Bharat—should be made after traffic surveys to reduce poor occupancy issues.
• Future prospects: IR should make efficient use of initiatives like Gati Shakti to improve its loading and revenue performance significantly.

PM Gati Shakti is a National Master Plan for Multimodal Connectivity launched in 2021 to transfer India into a hub of world-class infrastructure by providing integrated and seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.

The Ministry was carved out of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in 2006.

Objective- To ensure a more focused approach towards issues relating to the notified minority communities - Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikhs, Parsis and Jain.

As per Census 2011, around 19.3% of the population belongs to minorities.

• Mandate- To formulate, coordinate, evaluate and review the overall policy and planning, the regulatory framework and the development programmes that aim to benefit the minority communities.

Constitutional Safeguards for Linguistic Minorities

The term "minority" is not defined in the Indian Constitution. However, the Constitution recognises religious and linguistic minorities.

• The Central Government notifies minority communities at the national level under the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act, 1992.
• 6 communities notified as minorities under the Section 2 (c) of NCM Act are Christians, Sikhs, Muslims, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains.
• Article 29 - Right of any section of the citizens residing in India with a distinct language, script or culture of its own to conserve it.
• It grants protection to both religious minorities as well as linguistic minorities.
• The Supreme Court held that the scope of this article includes minorities as well as the majority.
• Article 30 - All minorities shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
• The protection under Article 30 is confined only to minorities and does not extend to any section of citizens.
• Article 347 – If the President is satisfied that a substantial proportion of the population of a State desires the use of any language spoken by them to be recognised by that state, he may direct such language to be officially recognised.
• Article 350 - It gives the right to submit representation for redressal of grievances to any authority of the Union or a State in any of the languages used in the Union/States.
• Article 350A - It provides for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups.
• Article 350B - It provides for a special Officer designated as Commissioner for Linguistic minorities to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for linguistic minorities.

Key Initiatives

Scholarship Schemes

• The Scholarship Schemes are implemented for the educational empowerment of students belonging to economically weaker section of the 6 notified minority communities.

PM Vikas Scheme

Pradhan Mantri VIrasat Ka Samvardhan Scheme has subsumed 5 existing schemes of the Ministry namely

• • Seekho Aur Kamao (SAK)
  • USTTAD
  • Hamari Dharohar
  • Nai Roshni
  • Nai Manzil

Aim- To cover the life cycle of under privilege segment of minority community and focus on providing livelihood opportunities.

Seekho Aur Kamao scheme (Learn and Earn)

• Launch year- 2013
• Aim- It is placement linked skill development scheme that aims to upgrade the skills of minority youth (14-45 years) in various modern/ traditional skills.

USTTAD scheme

• The scheme stands for Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/ Crafts for Development.
• Launch year- 2015
• About- Targets capacity building and upgrading the traditional skills of master craftsmen/ artisans from the minority communities.
• Hunar Haat- It has been implemented as a component of the scheme since 2016-17.
• It is an effective platform for minority artisans, craftpersons and culinary experts to showcase and market their finest handicraft and exquisitely crafted indigenous products.

Hamari Dharohar

• Launch year - 2014
• Objective- To protect and preserve the rich culture and heritage of the minority communities living in India.
• To improve livelihoods of minorities, particularly artisans, through skill development, education and leadership training.

Nai Roshini

• Launch year- 2012
• About- It is a training programme conducted for women belonging to minority community between the age group of 18 years to 65 years.

Nai Manzil scheme

• Launch year- 2015
• Aim- To benefit the youth belonging to 6 notified minority communities of 17-35 years of age, who do not have formal school leaving certificate.

• Significance- It provides a combination of formal education (Class VIII or X) and skills to enable beneficiaries seek better employment and livelihood.
• Integrated Skill Training- It is being provided to the youth in market driven skills.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)

• Earlier scheme - Multi-sectoral Development Programme
• Aim- It is a centrally sponsored scheme that seeks to provide better socio-economic infrastructure assets and basic amenities to the notified minorities mainly in the field of education, health & skill development.
• 33 to 40% of resources under the PMJVK would be specifically allocated for women centric projects.
• Need- The scheme is designed to address the development deficits of the identified Minority Concentration Areas that were identified on the basis of minority population and socio-economic and basic amenities data of Census 2011.
• Significance- Ministry of Minority Affairs, in collaboration with National Remote Sensing Centre, ISRO is geo tagging the infrastructure constructed under the scheme.

National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC)

• Launch year- 1994
• It is a National Level Apex Body for the benefit of Minorities as defined under the National Commission for Minorities Act 1992.
• It is a non-profit company under Companies Act 2013.
• Aim- To promote socio-economic development of backward sections amongst the minority communities through State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs).
• Preference- Given to the occupational group and women.
• MInority Loan AccouNting (MILAN) Software is launched by NMDFC to digitize loan accounting processes.

Haj Pilgrimage 2023

• Hajj refers to the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every adult Muslim must make at least once in his/her lifetime.
• The hajj is the 5^th of the fundamental Muslim practices and institutions known as the Five Pillars of Islam.
• Haj pilgrimage for the Indian Pilgrims is conducted either through
  • Haj Committee of India (HCoI), a statutory organization under the Ministry of Minority Affairs or through Haj Group Organisers (HGOs)
• e-MASIHA- Medical Assistance System for Indian Hajis Abroad is an online OPD System enabled to create and maintain health database of all Indian pilgrims who availed medical facilities during the Haj.
• The ministry has partnered with State Bank of India (SBI) to make special arrangements to provide Forex facilities to the pilgrims.      
• Haj Policy 2023- Gives the flexibility to the pilgrims to arrange their own foreign currency or take lesser foreign exchange, as per their individual requirements.

Naya Savera

• Launch year- 2017

• Aim- To provide free coaching to candidates belonging to minority communities for qualifying in entrance examinations of technical / medical professional courses and Competitive examinations.
• The scheme provides financial support for free coaching to notified minority students in selected coaching institutions.

Jiyo Parsi

• Launch year- 2013-14
• Objective- To reverse the declining trend of Parsi Population by adopting scientific protocol and structured interventions to stabilize their population in India.

Padho Pardesh

• About- It is a scheme of interest subsidy to students of minority communities on educational loans for overseas higher studies.
• Feature - 100% subsidy on the interest rate.

Nai Udaan

• About- This central sector scheme supports students for clearing Prelims conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), State Public Service Commission (PSC) Staff Selection Commission (SSC) etc.,
• The selected candidate will get 100% financial support.

Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills (MANAS)

• It is a skill development architecture aimed at providing an all-India Level training framework.
• Established- 2014
• Headquarters- New Delhi
• Concessional credit is provided for minority community after meeting their skilling needs for expanding their existing businesses and setting up new businesses.

Cyber Gram

• It is a Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) in an effort to equip the targeted group with the knowledge of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
• Launch year- 2015
• Coverage- Class VI to Class X belonging to minority community.

Garib Nawaz Employment Scheme

• Launch year- 2017-18
• About- The scheme provides short-term job oriented skill development courses to minorities’ youth in order to enable them for skill based employment.
• Implementation- As per the norms issued by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSD&E)).

Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Program

• Launch year- 2006
• Aim- To ensure that the underprivileged and weaker sections of 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.
• Objectives-
  • Enhancing opportunities for education
  • Ensuring an equitable share for minorities in economic activities and employment
  • Improving the conditions of living of minorities by ensuring an appropriate share for them in infrastructure development schemes
  • Prevention and control of communal disharmony and violence

National Commission for Minorities

• Statutory body- It is established under National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.

The first statutory National Commission was set up in 1993.

• About- It is a forum for appeal, set up by the Government to safeguard the rights and interests of India’s minority communities.

National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities

• Launch year- 2005
• Chairman- Ranganath Mishra, former Chief Justice of India
• Aim- To evaluate different type of factors and issues associated with linguistic and religious minorities in the country and to ensure social, economical and educational uplift.
• The commission submitted its report in 2007.

Sachar Committee

• Launch year- 2005
• Chairman- Rajinder Sachar, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court.
• Aim- To study the social, economic and educational condition of Muslims in India.
• Outcome- The report was submitted in 2006 which suggested solutions for the inclusive development of the Muslins in India.

Durgah Khawaja Saheb Act, 1955

• It is an act to make provision for the proper administration of the Dargah and the Endowment of the Dargah of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishty (Dargah Khwaja Saheb, Ajmer).
• Mandate of Dargah Committee- To provide service to the public through development of infrastructure as per the provision of Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act 1955 and its Bye Laws of 1958.

Central Waqf Council

• Statutory body- It was established in 1964 as per the provision given in the Waqf Act, 1954.
• Composition- The council consists of chairman and members not exceeding 20 in number.
• Ex-officio chairman- Union Minister in charge of Waqf.
• Function - Acts as an advisory body to the Central Government on matters concerning the working of the Waqf Boards and Auqaf.