Syllabus: GS-III

Subject: Economic development

Topic: Insurance.

Issue: Child limit for welfare schemes.

Context: India faces $32.94B uninsured losses from natural disasters (2018-22), calls for awareness and robust insurance growth.

Synopsis:

Highlights of The Report:

• Uninsured economic losses in India due to natural disasters from 2018-22: $32.94 billion.
• Insured economic losses during the same period: $1.10 billion (93% of exposures uninsured).
• India exposed to earthquakes, floods, tropical cyclones, drought, and wildfires.
• Major cities with high population and asset concentrations are vulnerable to multiple natural hazards.
• Total uninsured economic losses since 2014: $74.83 billion; insured losses: $5.41 billion.
• Challenges in bridging the protection gap include limited awareness and underwriting difficulties.
• Swiss Re forecasts India’s total insurance premiums to grow by 7.1% in real terms (2024-28).
• India is expected to have the fastest-growing insurance sector among G20 countries.
• Non-life premiums are forecast to grow by an annual average of 8.3% during 2024-28.
• Robust growth expected in life business, with premiums up 6.7% (2024-28) driven by rising demand and Insurtech adoption.

Some Fact check:

Swiss Re publishes a range of reports on its website, including financial reports, sustainability reports, and sigma research publications1. It provides data-driven research on the re/insurance industry, enabling risk-focused decision-making and identifying strategic opportunities.

Conclusion: India grapples with significant uninsured losses from natural disasters. Swiss Re urges heightened awareness and anticipates robust insurance sector growth.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus: GS-II

Subject: Governance

Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections.

Issue: First Instalment of PM-JANMAN.

Context: Prime Minister released the first installment of funds for pucca houses under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).

Synopsis:

• Launched on November 15, 2023, to uplift Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• Aims to provide basic facilities like pucca houses, power, and water connections. Parallel focus on an information and education campaign for basic documents like Aadhaar, PM Jan Dhan cards, caste certificates, and more, to ensure comprehensive documentation for PVTG inhabitants.
• Focuses on 22,000 habitations with an estimated 36 lakh PVTG residents.
• Women beneficiaries act as messengers or Janman Sangis.
• Mankunwari Bai from the Pahari Korba tribe in Chhattisgarh and Shashi Kiran Birjiya in Jharkhand were actively involved.

Overall Impact:

• Empowering PVTGs through infrastructure development and awareness campaigns.
• Addressing challenges such as fear of officials and lack of documentation.
• Positive stories of beneficiaries actively participating in community development.
• Enrolment in the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra for selling minor forest produce at minimum support price.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS-III

Subject: Economic Development

Topic: Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

Context: ICMR Initiates First Revision of National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL).

Issue: Revision of National Essential Diagnostics List

Synopsis:

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) begins the revision process for the NEDL, emphasizing the need to update since its 2019 release.

• Stakeholders are encouraged to consider essentiality, disease burden, alignment with public health standards, and cost-effectiveness when proposing changes to the NEDL. And suggest additions or deletions to the NEDL by the end of February, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive review.

• The NEDL identifies fundamental diagnostic tests crucial at various healthcare facility levels, promoting accessibility across the healthcare system.

• In response to a 2018 World Health Organisation recommendation, ICMR released India’s first NEDL in 2019, marking a significant step towards integrated healthcare diagnostics.

• Essential diagnostic tests should address high disease burden, with clear impacts on disease diagnosis and management, aligning with Indian Public Health Standards.

Top of Form

Background:

Conclusion: The revision process aims to ensures the NEDL stays current with evolving healthcare requirements and technological advancements.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS-III;

Subject: Security;

Topic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Issue: Establishment of Defence Technology Council.

Context: The expert committee led by Prof K Vijay Raghavan recommends creating a Defense Technology Council (DTC) chaired by the Prime Minister.

Synopsis

• DTC, led by the Prime Minister with the Defense Minister and NSA as Vice Presidents, aims to streamline defense decision-making.
• The proposed Executive Committee, headed by the Chief of Defence Staff, includes the Principal Scientific Advisor, service chiefs, and industry-academia representatives.
• The committee’s recommendations follow concerns about delays in DRDO projects. Parliamentary Committee notes 23 of 55 mission projects were delayed. And the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had reported that 67% of the projects it scrutinized had failed to adhere to their proposed timelines.
• DRDO advised to focus on research, not productization; encourage collaboration with the private sector and global expertise.
• The DTC aims to provide a high-level governance structure to improve defense decision-making and address project efficiency concerns.

This council aims to streamline decision-making in the defense sector and enhance the coordination of major defense projects.

Source: Indian Express