Latest news with #NationalGeospatialMission
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: DIGIPIN – What it is and why it matters for your UPSC exam
Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today. (Relevance: National Geospatial Mission was launched in this year's Union Budget. The government is taking several steps to improve the geospatial sector of India. In this regard, this new initiative becomes important for your UPSC exam.) The Indian government has launched a new digital address system called DIGIPIN, aiming to enable the precise identification of locations throughout the country. DIGIPIN is expected to streamline services such as last-mile delivery for e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart. It could also aid police, ambulance, and fire services in improving their emergency response times, as DIGIPIN claims to offer a level of geographical accuracy that has been lacking in India so far. 1. DIGIPIN is a unique ten-character alphanumeric code that can be generated for any property that is approximately 4 by 4 square meters on Indian land. This means that unique DIGIPINs can be generated for nearly all types of properties including in urban locations and rural areas across different maritime zones. 2. The Department of Posts has developed the underlying technology of DIGIPIN in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad and the National Remote Sensing Centre, which works under the aegis of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). 3. The government has emphasised that DIGIPIN is an open-source, interoperable, and privacy-focused system. Each DIGIPIN is a encoded with the geographic coordinates of that property so it does not store any personal information. 4. The DIGIPIN will not replace the traditional six-digit PIN system. Instead, it is intended to act as an extra layer of precision built on top of existing postal addresses. 5. Along with a digital platform 'Know your DIGIPIN', the Department of Posts also launched 'Know Your PINCODE', in alignment with the National Geospatial Policy 2022. It is a significant step towards the modernisation of India's addressing system and geospatial governance. 'Know Your PIN Code' web application uses GNSS location features to allow users to identify the correct PIN Code based on the location and submit feedback to improve PIN code accuracy. 1. The Postal Index Number (PIN) was introduced on August 15, 1972. The PIN code was meant to ease the process of mail sorting and delivery in a country where different places, often, have the same or similar names, and letters are written in a wide variety of languages. 2. The PIN is made up of six digits. The first number indicates the postal region — Northern, Eastern, Western, Southern; and number 9, which signifies the Army Postal Service. The second number denotes a sub-region, and the third represents the sorting district. The remaining numbers narrow the geography further to the specific post office making the delivery. 3. The person behind the initiative was Shriram Bhikaji Velankar, additional secretary in the Union Ministry of Communications and a senior member of the Posts and Telegraphs Board. 📍In the Union Budget 2025, the government launched the National Geospatial Mission to develop foundational geospatial infrastructure and data. 'Using PM Gati Shakti, this Mission will facilitate modernisation of land records, urban planning, and design of infrastructure projects,' said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman. 📍Under the scheme, Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Central government's new initiative—'NAtional geospatial Knowledge-based land Survey of urban HAbitations' (NAKSHA) in February this year. 📍NAKSHA is a city survey initiative under the existing Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP). It is spearheaded by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), under the Ministry of Rural Development. The initiative is 100 per cent centrally funded. 📍According to the DoLR, 'The NAKSHA program aims to create a comprehensive and accurate geospatial database for urban land records. By integrating aerial and field surveys with advanced GIS technology, the program enhances efficiency in land governance, streamlines property ownership records, and facilitates urban planning. Accurate geospatial data ensures improved decision-making, efficient land use planning and smoothen and certain property transactions.' 1. In terms of the accuracy of the DIGIPIN, India Post said that it might come down to the device used to capture the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) location. 2. The Global Navigation Satellite System at its core is a constellation of satellites orbiting Earth, continuously beaming down radio signals containing precise time and orbital information. With at least four of these satellites in view, a GNSS receiver (like the one in your smartphone) can triangulate its position through a process called trilateration. 3. For full global coverage, it takes a constellation of approximately 18-30 satellites in specific orbital paths. There are several GNSS networks operated by different nations and unions around the world. The big names in the GNSS game include the US' GPS, Europe's Galileo, Russia's GLONASS, and China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. Some regional systems like India's NAVIC and Japan's QZSS provide navigation over more localised areas rather than worldwide coverage. 4. India's regional GNSS is the NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) system, which is developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation. NavIC consists of eight satellites providing coverage across India and up to around 1,500 km from its borders. 5. The NavIC satellites provide two types of services – Standard Positioning Service which is for general and commercial use, and Restricted Service which is meant for the defence forces – over the Indian landmass and neighbouring regions. Consider the following statements about PIN: 1. The Postal Index Number (PIN) was introduced on August 15, 1951 to ease the process of mail sorting and delivery in a country. 2. The PIN is made up of six digits, in which the third digit denotes a sub-region. 3. It was the initiative of Shriram Bhikaji Velankar, additional secretary in the Union Ministry of Communications. Which of the following statements is/are incorrect? (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3 (Source: Explained: History of the PIN code, which turns 50 this Independence Day, How to check your DIGIPIN on your phone?, Explained: NAKSHA scheme, mooted in Union Budget, which will update urban land records,What is GNSS and how does India's NavIC fit in this navigation network?) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
UPSC Prelims 2025: High-Yield Topics For General Studies Paper 1
With just a few days to go for the UPSC Prelims 2025, aspirants are gearing up to tackle the vast syllabus, strategically focusing on high-yield topics that can make a significant difference in their scores. Given the exam's competitive nature, it's crucial to prioritise areas that have consistently seen repeated questions or have been in the news recently. For General Studies Paper 1, key areas to focus on include history, geography, polity, economy, science & technology, and environment. So here are high-yield topics for General Studies Paper 1. Current Affairs: 1. AI Action Summit 2025: Held in Paris and co-chaired by India and France, the summit addressed AI governance, ethics, and global cooperation, emphasising responsible AI development. 2. Expo 2025 Osaka: Japan hosts Expo 2025 in Osaka with the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives", focusing on innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration. 3. 144th IOC Session: Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe became the first woman and African elected as IOC President during the 144th session in Greece, marking historic leadership. 4. Malian Protests 2025: Mass protests erupted in Mali against President Goita's regime, demanding democratic reforms and opposing the dissolution of political parties. 5. National Geospatial Mission: India launched the National Geospatial Mission to modernise land records and enhance urban planning, leveraging geospatial data for efficient infrastructure development. Other important current affairs topics are India-Pakistan Tensions, India-Myanmar Border Fencing, the G20 Summit on Digital Economy, the India-Australia Free Trade Agreement, ISRO's Mars Mission (Mangal-3), the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), India's Electricity Demand Projections, Uttarakhand's Uniform Civil Code Bill 2024, and the Ram Mandir Inauguration. Science & Technology: 1. ISRO's SpaDeX Mission: India's SpaDeX mission successfully demonstrated autonomous satellite docking, a critical step towards establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and advancing future crewed space missions. 2. International Year of Quantum Science and Technology: The United Nations declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology to highlight quantum advancements and promote global awareness of its transformative potential. 3. Scramjet Engine Ground Test: India conducted a successful ground test of its scramjet engine, marking a significant milestone in developing hypersonic missiles capable of speeds exceeding Mach 5. 4. IIT Delhi's 'Jigyasa' Initiative: IIT Delhi launched the 'Jigyasa' outreach program to bridge the gap between scientific research and the public, fostering scientific curiosity and understanding nationwide. 5. ISRO's Space 'Dogfight' Experiment: ISRO performed a high-speed satellite rendezvous, showcasing advanced orbital control and reinforcing India's capabilities in space security and future defense applications. Environment: 1. Environmental Monitoring: Environmental DNA (eDNA) is revolutionizing biodiversity mapping by identifying endangered species through genetic traces in water and soil. 2. Speciation and Ecosystems: Sympatric Speciation explains species evolution without geographic separation, while Woody Encroachment highlights how trees invading grasslands disrupt native herbivore habitats. 3. Climate Innovations: Concepts like Teal Carbon in estuarine ecosystems and Glacial Geoengineering using reflective covers aim to combat climate change and glacier melt. 4. Pollution and Health Risks: Toxic pollutants like Trichloroethylene and Perchloroethylene in groundwater and overexposure to Silicon Dioxide in mining pose serious health threats, including cancer and silicosis. 5. Sustainable Technology: Initiatives like the Green Tug Transition Programme, Direct Air Capture systems, and monitoring phenomena like Atmospheric Rivers and Ringwoodite Oceans represent India's strides in climate resilience and innovation. Additionally, familiarizing yourself with important new climate terms can also be highly beneficial for UPSC Prelims 2025. Economics: 1. Understanding the basics of economy and economic growth, including macro and microeconomics, is crucial. 2. Fiscal and monetary policies, including government borrowings and RBI's role in inflation control, play a significant role in shaping the economy. 3. The banking and financial system, comprising NBFC regulations and digital currencies, is vital for economic stability. 4. India's foreign trade and balance of payments are influenced by FDI, FPI, and trade relations. 5. Agricultural policies, including MSP and Kisan Credit Card, impact the economy and farmers' livelihoods. 6. Global economic institutions like IMF, AIIB, and WTO, as well as frameworks like G20, shape international economic cooperation and policy. History: For the UPSC Prelims 2025, important history topics include Ancient Indian History (Indus Valley Civilisation, Vedic Age, Buddhism, Mauryan Empire), Mediaeval Indian History (Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Bhakti & Sufi Movements), and Modern Indian History (British rule, Indian National Movement, Revolt of 1857). Additionally, art and culture and Indian history are crucial, including topics like Mauryan Pillar Inscriptions, Temple Architecture, and Sangam Literature. Polity and Governance: Recent developments in Indian polity include the Supreme Court's 2024 ruling on the Governor's assent to state bills, emphasizing constitutional procedures. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, now the UWMEED Act, introduces reforms for inclusive management of waqf properties. The Immigration & Foreigners Act, 2025, updates immigration regulations. Initiatives like the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) assess local governance. Electoral reforms enhance accessibility through home voting for PwDs and the elderly, and Braille signage on EVMs. Digital governance advances with the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) and the Copenhagen Framework on Citizen Data. The Aadhaar Authentication Rules, 2025, further streamline identity verification processes. These topics are crucial for understanding the evolving landscape of Indian governance and are significant for UPSC Prelims 2025 preparation. Geography: For UPSC Prelims 2025, focus on geography topics including physical geography (geomorphology, climatology, oceanography), Indian geography (physiography, drainage, climate), and human and economic geography (population, agriculture, resources). Important map topics include India's states, cities, rivers, and protected areas. Stay updated on current affairs like climate change, natural disasters, and global events. Practice map-based questions for better scores.
