Outcome Budgeting

Recently the Assam government launched its budget for the financial year 2024-25 which is the front-runner in adopting SDGs and preparing SDG-linked outcome budgets at the sub-national level in the country.

• Outcome budgeting is a budget process that connects resources with results.
• The concept of outcome budgeting was introduced in India in 2005.
• It mandates that the ministries and departments at all levels should be involved in a meaningful way in the implementation processes of the developmental schemes across the country.
• The main objective of the Outcome Budget is to create a direct connection between the financial investments made by the government in various programs and schemes, and the results expected from those expenditures.
• Key aspects of Outcome Budget in India:
  • Performance Evaluation – Each ministry and department is required to provide detailed information about the performance indicators and targets for each program and scheme.
  • Enhanced Accountability – By focusing on outcomes rather than just financial outlays, the Outcome Budget holds government entities more accountable for delivering results.
  • Transparency – The Outcome Budget is a tool for promoting transparency in governance.
  • Regular Reporting and Assessment – Ministries and departments are required to regularly report on their progress towards achieving the stated outcomes.
  • Policy Decision-Making – To provide a clear picture of the effectiveness of various programs and schemes.
• Outcome budget statements (OBS) - It is a budgetary instrument that links expenditure to specific targets by indicating the output / outcome to be achieved by making that expenditure.
• It helps align government policies, strategies and budgets towards achieving UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
• States - Outcome budgeting is not followed in all states.
• Around 11 Indian states including Assam have started following the practice of formulating their OBSs in the past few years.
• Outcome budgeting in Assam – Assam was the first Indian state to adopt the SDGs in 2016 and its budgeting focused on SDG outcomes as outlined in Assam Agenda 2030.
• Assam introduced the OBS alongside the state’s annual budget in in 2018-19.

U-Report

In a recent survey conducted by UNICEF’s public-private youth platform, U-Report, has revealed that that 55% of women prefer to work from home so that they can manage the house chores too.

• U-Report is a social messaging tool developed by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to engage with communities and gather real-time data on various issues.
• U-Report uses SMS and social media to conduct polls and surveys, allowing individuals to share their opinions on different topics, including education, health, and social issues.
• Key findings of the report – 55% of women prefer to work from home so that they can manage the house chores too.
• 75% of young women and men believe that finding a job is the most important next step for the women post their studies.
• Less than 1/5th believe that women should get married immediately after completing their academics.
• Almost 52% of the respondents believe that access to information and opportunities or support from families are key factors that influence young women’s decision to develop job-ready skills and join the workforce.
• 56% of the respondents believed that parents/family or partners are important actors in choosing aspirations and career options.
• 42% male and 47% female respondents believe that parents and family members of young women make decisions with regard to their dreams and aspirations.
• 33% male and 37% female respondents believe that young women themselves make the decision for their dreams and aspirations.

Indian Kangaroo Lizard

A team of scientists from India has recently discovered a new species of Agasthyagama, commonly known as the Indian kangaroo lizard, in the Idukki district of Kerala.

• The Indian kangaroo lizard is a small to medium-sized lizard, typically growing up to 10 inches (25 cm) in length.
• It has a slender body, long legs, and a distinctive head with a pointed snout.
• It belongs to the genus Agasthyagama and has been named Agasthyagama Edge.
• It has been named Agasthyagama Edge, where the edge stands for Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered.
• It is endemic to the Western Ghats of India.
• It is characterised by a reduced fifth toe, these lizards are inefficient climbers and primarily inhabit terrestrial environments with dense leaf litter cover.
• The species is known for its bipedal movement and can run on its hind legs with its body held upright, similar to a kangaroo.
• This unusual gait is thought to help it escape predators and navigate through its rocky habitat.

Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA)

• The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) was launched on 19th November, 1985 by the late Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi.
• The IGNCA was established in 1987 as an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture as a centre for research, academic pursuit and dissemination in the field of the arts.
• It is a cultural repository and the custodian of ancient texts.
• It has a trust (Board of Trustees), which meets regularly to give general direction about the Centre’s work.
• The Executive Committee, drawn from among the Trustees, functions under a Chairman.
• It acts as a link between the Trust and the IGNCA.
• The Member Secretary is the Executive head of both academic and administrative divisions.
• Functional units – It has 6 functional units, that include:
  1. Kala Nidhi – The multi-form library
  2. Kala Kosa – Devoted mainly to the study and publication of fundamental texts in Indian languages
  3. Janapada Sampada – Engaged in lifestyle studies
  4. Kaladarsana – The executive unit which transforms researches and studies emanating from the IGNCA into visible forms through exhibitions
  5. Cultural Informatics – Which applies technology tools for cultural preservation and propagation
  6. Sutradhara – The administrative section that acts as a spine supporting and coordinating all the activities.
• Few initiatives of IGNCA include:
  • The Vedic Heritage Portal – A “one-stop solution” for all things Vedas.
  • Digital courses on Vastu and Vedas
  • A website dedicated to Sengol, a symbol of the government’s narrative in which a talisman represents the shedding of servility and newfound freedom.

GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS Mission

Recently the GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS mission was successfully launched by the ISRO.

• The GSLV is the launch vehicle of the mission that aims to deploy the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
• INSAT-3DS Satellite is a follow-on mission of Third Generation Meteorological Satellite from Geostationary Orbit.
• The mission is fully funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• The mission is designed to operate in space for ten years, is expected to boost environment monitoring, oceanic observations and weather forecasting and assist disaster relief operations.
• The satellite will augment the Meteorological services along with the presently operational INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR satellites.
• Indian Industries have significantly contributed to the making of the Satellite.