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- Why in News?
- The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) introduced the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in 2015 to foster a culture of skill development across India.
- Key Provisions:-
- Currently in its fourth phase, PMKVY 4.0 is a crucial part of the Skill India Programme, alongside two other initiatives: the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), which supports apprenticeships financially, and the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme, which provides vocational training to non-literates and school dropouts.
- PMKVY offers three types of training:
- Short-Term Training (STT): Aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) with practical exposure.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Certifies existing skills with industry validation.
- Special Projects: Tailored training for marginalized communities and future job roles.
- Achievements include training over 1.63 crore youth, 45% female participation, focused outreach to tribal groups, and courses in emerging technologies and traditional crafts.
- Why in News?
- The Finance Minister has emphasized the urgent need to accelerate the establishment of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India, urging collaboration between government and industry to attract Fortune 500 companies that have yet to set up operations in the country. In 2024, India saw an average of one new GCC launch every week.
- Key Provisions:-
- India is already a global leader, hosting over 1,800 GCCs—around 50% of the global total. These centres contribute $68 billion in gross value addition, projected to grow to $150–200 billion by 2030. They currently employ approximately 2.16 million people, with this figure expected to rise to 2.8 million by 2030. GCCs deliver IT, R&D, and customer services directly for their parent firms.
- India’s GCC growth is driven by digital readiness, cost advantages, and a skilled workforce. However, challenges persist—such as limited talent in Tier-II/III cities, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory complexities—necessitating strategic reforms in workforce development, technology adoption, and sustainability.
- Why in News?
- The next-generation E10 Shinkansen trains are set to debut simultaneously in Japan and India, marking a significant milestone for the 508 km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project. This will be the first time Japan’s iconic bullet train technology is adopted at such scale outside its home country.
- Key Provisions:-
- Shinkansen represents Japan’s high-speed rail system, renowned globally for its safety, punctuality, and efficiency. It is considered the world’s most advanced and reliable high-speed transport solution.
- The technology incorporates a Crash Avoidance strategy through two core features:
- Dedicated high-speed tracks without level crossings to eliminate collision risks.
- Automatic Train Control (ATC) system that monitors and adjusts train speed to prevent accidents.
- Additional innovations include aerodynamic nose designs to reduce drag and tunnel boom, noise reduction technologies, energy-efficient traction systems, and enhanced ride comfort. The E10 trains will bring these cutting-edge advancements to India’s first bullet train corridor.