State PCS

• 26 Jul 2023

BHU's Dr. Amiya Kumar Samal honoured with National Young Geo-Science Award

Why in News?

On July 24, 2023, President Draupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious National Young Geo-Science Award- 2022 (NGA) of the Ministry of Mines to Dr. Amiya Kumar Samal, Assistant Professor, Department of Geo-Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi at a grand ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.

Key Points:

• It is worth mentioning that the National Geo-Science Awards - 2022 (NGA) honoured 22 Geo-Science s including working professionals and academicians from across the country under three categories - one National Geo-Science Award for Lifetime Achievement, one National Young Geo-Science Award and eight National Geo-Science Awards in different fields of Geo-Science.
• The National Geo-Science Award for Lifetime Achievement was given to Dr. Om Narayan Bhargava (Honorary Professor, Department of Geo-Science, Punjab University, Chandigarh). He is known for his remarkable work in the Himalayas over the last four decades.
• Dr. Amiya Kumar Samal, Assistant Professor, Banaras Hindu University, has been awarded the National Award for Young Geo-Science for his significant contribution to understanding the ‘Heterogeneity of the Sub-Continental Lithospheric Mantle (SCLM) beneath the Various Archaean Cratons of the Indian surface.’
• It is worth mentioning that the National Geo-Science Awards (NGA), instituted in 1966, is a symbol of respect & appreciation for exceptional people and organizations who have demonstrated excellence, dedication & innovation in the field of Geo-Science s. These awards are given in the fields of mineral exploration and exploration, basic Geo-Science, applied Geo-Science & mining, mineral beneficiation and sustainable mineral development.
• A total of 173 nominations were received for the National Geo-Science Award-2022. The number of valid nominations under the three award categories is 168. Out of a total of 12 awards, the AMA has finally selected 10 awards, including 4 individual awards, 3 team awards and 3 joint awards. The 4 individual awards include an award for the National Geoscientist Award for Lifetime Achievement and another award for the National Young Geo-Science Award.

S.N.	Category of Award	Number of Awards
1.	National Geo-Science Award for Lifetime Achievement	1 Award
2.	National Geo-Science Awards	8 Award (3 Team Award + 3 Joint Award + 2 individual Awards= 20 awardees)
3.	National Young Geoscientist Award	1 Award
	Total	10 Awards (22 Awardees)

Agreement between IWAI & Bihar Tourism Department for Ganga River Cruise Tourism

Why in News?

According to information received from the media on July 24, 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Bihar Tourism Department to promote river cruise tourism in the River Ganga in Bihar. Under this, two vessels named Ro Pax Vessel with a capacity of 300-300 tourists will run in Patna and Bhagalpur.

Key Points:

• The MoU was signed by Nand Kishore, Managing Director, Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation and K.L. Rajak, Director, Inland Waterways Authority of India in the presence of Tourism Department Secretary Abhay Kumar Singh.
• According to the MoU, tourist cruises, auspicious events and social gatherings as well as other meetings can be organized on this vessel.
• The first vessel will operate between Janardan Ghat, Digha, Patna to Kangan Ghat, Patna City in Patna and the second between Kahalgaon, Sultanganj, Bateshwar in Bhagalpur and Dolphin Sanctuary of Vikram shila.
• A total of two vessels (Ro Pax Vessel) with a capacity of 300 tourists each will be operated in Patna and Bhagalpur. This vessel will take a tour of the Ganga Ghats of Patna and Bhagalpur at a speed of about 15 km (about 9.32 mi) per hour.
• While walking through this vessel, tourists will also be able to see many tourist places. For example, tourists will be able to visit Sri Harimandir Sahib Gurudwara through Kangan Ghat of Patna. At the same time, tourists in Bhagalpur will also be able to visit the Ganga Dolphin Sanctuary while visiting the Ganga Ghats. Within two weeks, Ro-Pax will reach Vesel, Patna and Bhagalpur.
• The IWAI director said that within two weeks of the MoU, Ro-Pax vessels will reach Patna and Bhagalpur. After this, its operation can be started.
• BSTDC Managing Director said that the tender process for the operation of both cruises is going on. The cruise operations will be started from the tourism point of view by completing all the formal procedures as soon as possible.

3 Sub-divisions, 7 Tehsils & 20 New Sub-Tehsils will be formed in the state

Why in News?

 On July 24, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the formation of 3 subdivisions, 7 tehsils and 20 sub-tehsil offices in the state to make it easier for the administration to reach out to the common people.

Key Points:

• The state government is forming new administrative units in the state. This will make it easier for the common man to get the government work done. Along with this, there will be administrative decentralization from the units and the development of the area will get momentum.
• New subdivision offices will be opened at Bapini in Jodhpur, Kishangarh-Renwal in Jaipur and Rampura Dabri. Along with this, 6 sub-tehsils of different districts are being upgraded to tehsils and 1 new tehsil is being formed.
• Among these, Kundal of Dausa, Basai and Nawab of Dhaulpur, Oberi of Dungarpur, Chamun of Jodhpur, Chechat of Kota and Falasian sub-tehsils of Udaipur will be upgraded to Tehsils. A new Tehsil office will also be opened at Ghasa in Udaipur.
• Alwar's Harsora, Barmer's Savau Padamsingh, Padru, Lilsar and Bhiyar, Banswara's Chhoti Sarwa, Baran's Relawan, Bikaner's Damolai Mai Raner, Bhilwara's Antali, Dungarpur's Saroda, Dhaulpur's Kolari, Jodhpur's Pilwa, Karauli's Sherpur, Jalore's Khasarveer, Nagaur's Gotan, Panchauri and Mithri, Pratapgarh New sub-tehsils will be opened in Dhamotar of K and Kheroda and Kanbai of Udaipur.

246 Govt. Schools to be converted into English Medium Schools

Why in News?

On July 24, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a proposal to convert 246 government schools in the state into Mahatma Gandhi Government English Medium Schools.

Key Points:

• With this approval of the Chief Minister, 13 government schools in Ajmer, 20 in Alwar, 7 in Baran, 6 in Barmer, 10 in Bharatpur, 8 in Bikaner, 3 in Chittorgarh, 12 in Dausa, 8 in Dhaulpur, 5 in Dungarpur, 7 in Ganganagar, 11 in Hanumangarh, 32 in Jaipur, 1 in Jalore, 12 in Jhunjhunu, 20 in Jodhpur, 5 in Auli, 18 in Nagaur, 8 in Rajsamand, 13 in Sawai Madhopur, 8 in Sikar, 12 in Tonk and 7 in Udaipur will be converted into English medium schools.
• These schools include 57 primary, 125 upper primary and 64 higher secondary schools.
• With this decision of the Chief Minister, the level of education in the state will be uplifted and the students of the region will be able to get free education in English medium at the local level itself.

Formation of Rajasthan State Teli Ghani Development Board

Why In News?

On July 25, 2023, after the approval of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, the Social Justice and Empowerment Department of Rajasthan issued an order for the formation of 'Rajasthan State Teli Ghani Development Board' for the social, educational and economic advancement of the Teli community.

Key Points:

• This board will present suggestions to the state government for the upliftment of the people of Teli community by making new schemes and identifying the problems.
• Apart from conservation and promotion of Teli Ghani, the road will also undertake skill development training to the youth, entrepreneurship promotion, promotion of employment and self-employment opportunities, review the implementation of budget announcements related to the Board, sharing useful experiences of other states and monitoring the physical and financial targets of board-related training programmes run by various departments.
• The Board will have a total of 5 non-official members including Chairman, Vice Chairman and 3 members.
• Along with this, in addition to the departments of Industry, School Education (Primary/Secondary) and Sanskrit Education, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Labor and Employment and Social Justice and Empowerment etc. Chief Secretary/Principal Government, Secretary/Government Secretary or his representative (Joint Director) level departmental officers), Joint Director level officers of Skill, Planning and Entrepreneurship Department, Rajasthan Swarna Kala Vikas Board Secretary will be in this board as official members.
• The Managing Director of Rajasthan State Other Backward Classes Finance and Development Cooperative Corporation Limited or his representative will be the special invitee. On the other hand, the Joint Director level officer of Skill Planning and Entrepreneurship Department will act as Secretary in the Board.
• The Department of Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship will be the administrative department of the Board.

Rajasthan Scheduled Caste Tribes Finance and Development Cooperative Corporation Limited Online Portal

Why In News?

On July 25, 2023, Rajasthan's Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Tikaram Jully launched the online portal for filling the loan application form for the financial year 2023-24 of the Rajasthan Scheduled Caste Tribes Finance and Development Cooperative Corporation Limited in the auditorium located at Nehru Sahkar Bhawan.

Key Points:

• Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Tikaram Jully said on the occasion that the guarantee of government employees will no longer be required for loans. Applying online through the portal will bring transparency.
• He said that loans ranging from Rs 50 thousand to Rs 10 lakh are sanctioned to the needy persons on the online portal. The corporation has a target of disbursing loans worth more than Rs 200 crore to more than 12 thousand persons.
• He said that from today, for the financial year 2023-24, individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Safai Karmacharis, especially abled and other backward classes can apply online. Now all the data on the portal is fetched from the public.
• On this occasion, Chairman of Rajasthan State Other Backward Classes Finance and Development Commission Pawan Gadara said that Anuja Nigam is a channelizing agency, whose main task is to help the members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Handicapped and Safai Karmacharis, other backward classes in their economic development and progress in Rajasthan, so that the members of these classes can earn their livelihood properly and their standard of living can be improved.

5.40 Lakh FHTC Water Connections in JJM so far, Fourth in Rajasthan and Second in Expenditure

Why In News?

On July 25, 2023, In the review meeting of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), it was told that in the financial year 2023-24, Rajasthan has reached the fourth position in the country by releasing a total of 5 lakh 40 thousand water connections so far. Along with this, the state is second in the country by spending Rs 17 thousand 578 crores on JJM so far. So far, Rs 2,902 crore has been spent in this financial year.

Key Points:

• These figures came to the fore in the review meeting of JJM held at Jal Bhawan under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Dr. Subodh Agarwal. It was told in the meeting that 44 lakh 49 thousand water connections have been made so far under the mission.
• The Additional Chief Secretary directed to review the progress of FHTCs by conducting separate VCs of different regions and increasing the number of FHTCs especially in Udaipur, Banswara and Dungarpur districts.
• He said that in the three months from January to March 2023, in the year 2023, 7 lakh 34 thousand 715 water connections were made in the state. If this pace continues in this financial year also, Rajasthan will come a long way in terms of water connections.
• The progress of water quality tests was also reviewed in the meeting. Dr. Aggarwal inquired about remedial measures for bacterial polluted and chemical sources, Anganwadi centers, schools, domestic public connections as well as quality testing of village-wise water sources, FTK training for women etc.

Rajasthan State Gas Implemented Health, Safety and Environment Protection Policy

Why In News?

July 25, 2023, Ranveer Singh, Managing Director, Rajasthan State Gas (RSGL), a joint venture of the state government, informed that RSGL has implemented health, safety and security measures in its office premises, CNG stations in authorized geographical areas, city gas distribution project area as well as in business implementation areas. To maintain the highest level of safety and environmental protection, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) policy has been implemented.

Key Points:

• Managing Director Ranveer Singh said that RSGL is conducting business activities in Jaipur, Kota, Neemrana, Kuka's, Gwalior and Sheopur. Eleven CNG stations including two mother stations are being operated.
• All RSGL personnel will be trained in the best available practices regarding health, safety and environmental protection. Along with this regular monitoring of policy implementation, arrangements for an audit will also be made.
• The responsibility for the successful implementation of the HSE Policy of RSGL has been entrusted to the personnel at all levels of the organization. Along with this, arrangements have been made to make necessary improvements and timely changes in the policy.
• Environment-friendly activities will also be promoted through the HSE policy of RSGL. The level of loss in the service sector will also be kept to a minimum.

Proposals for Establishment of Various Units in the State

Why in News?

On July 24, 2023, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and discussed investment and expansion of units in the state by industry groups working in the field of pharmaceutical park, food processing, iron and steel and plastic.

Key Points:

• TVS Industries and Logistics Park CEO Ramnath Subramaniam and Regional Head Kushal Motiani discussed with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan the proposal to set up industrial and logistics parks at Dewas and Pithampur at a cost of Rs 250 crore. The park will generate employment opportunities for about 1000 people.
• Ajit Kumar Jain, Managing Director of Ipca Laboratories, which has set up three units in the pharma sector in the state at a cost of Rs 1300 crore, met the Chief Minister and talked about the pharma unit being set up at Dewas at a cost of Rs 470 crore. About 700 people will get employment in this unit.
• Nilesh Garg and Manik Garg of Satvik Agro Processing discussed with the Chief Minister regarding setting up of a new food processing unit at Sitapur in Morena district. Sattvik Agro is setting up a new unit with a production capacity of 1.44 lakh metric tonnes with an initial investment of Rs 284 crore. The land for this has been acquired by the company.
• Kunal Giani of Sarva Foam discussed the proposal and expectations of setting up a basic raw material manufacturing unit for rebonded foam and polyurethane foam with an investment of Rs 100 crore at Tamot Plastic Park in Raisen district.
• Raghvendra Modi of Hindustan Urban Infra-structure discussed with the Chief Minister regarding setting up of a railway wagon manufacturing unit in Malanpur industrial area with an investment of Rs 500 crore and a capacity to provide employment to about 1000 people.
• In this sequence, Jayen Modi and Mr. Ankur Kumar of Baerlocher India Additives discussed setting up of a PVC stabilizer unit at Dewas with an investment of Rs.316 crores. About 150 people will get employment from the unit.

35 Incubation Centers to be Set up to Promote Start-Ups, Self-Employment

Why In News?

On July 25, 2023, in the departmental review meeting chaired by Dr. Mohan Yadav, Higher Education Minister of Madhya Pradesh, was told that an action plan has been made to set up a total of 35 incubation centers so far to improve education quality, information technology and make youth employment oriented.

Key Points:

• Higher Education Minister Dr. Yadav said that in order to make education quality, information technology and youth job-oriented, it was decided to set up incubation centers in all colleges and universities.
• The Higher Education Minister said that incubation centers are being operated in seven universities, and the process of setting up incubation centers in 9 universities and 19 autonomous colleges is going on.
• He informed that the Government of India has approved a proposal of Rs 5 crore for I-Technology Based Incubator at Devi Ahilya University, Indore.
• Principal Secretary Higher Education KC Gupta informed that according to the AISHE report for the year 2020-21, the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) is 27.1 percent, which is close to the country's GER 27.3.
• For the year 2021-22, a total of 88 percent data entry work of universities, colleges and stand-alone institutions of the state has been completed on the AISHE portal. The work of data entry for the year 2022-23 will be started from September-2023.
• The Principal Secretary informed us that one government college in each division is being upgraded as a college of excellence. In the first phase, a proposal for additional budget has been sent to the Finance Department for the establishment of excellence colleges in 4 divisions Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur and Gwalior and model colleges in 10 districts Morena, Datia, Panna, Satna, Anuppur, Khandwa, Sehore, Betul, Balaghat and Neemuch.

Three Flying Training Organizations Inaugurated at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Why In News?

On July 25, 2023, Union Civil Aviation and Steel Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated three Flying Training Organizations (FTOs) at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points:

• With the opening of three FTOs in Khajuraho, the total number of FTOs in Madhya Pradesh will go up to six – three in Khajuraho, one in Indore, one in Sagar and one in Guna. These six FTOs will become a major means of ensuring contribution by the youth in the development of the region.
• On this occasion, Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia also announced to start wide body aircraft service between Khajuraho and Varanasi soon.
• Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that in the last nine years, the number of airports, water airports and heliports in the country has increased from 74 to 148, which we will be able to increase to more than 200 in the coming 4 years. At the same time, the aircraft capacity has increased from 400 to 700, that is, there has been an increase of 75%, which we will be able to take from 1200 to 1500 in the coming four to five years.
• He informed that in 2016 there were only 28 flying academies in the country, which have now increased to 57. Last year, 1135 commercial pilots' licenses were issued by the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is a record in itself. This year, that number has increased to 731 in just five months.
• Indian Flying Academy: Indian Flying Academy is a unit of Shaurya Flight Sim Pvt. Ltd, established at Khajuraho airport under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative by the Prime Minister.
• It has acquired 05 aircraft, out of which 04 have already arrived. Out of these 04 aircraft, 03 aircraft are single-engine aircraft which include two Diamond DA 40, one Evector and one multi-engine aircraft-Diamond DA 42.
• Indian Flying Academy will have a capacity of 40 students for flying training per batch and FTO will have 2 batches per year.
• Flyola Aviation Academy (JetServe Aviation Pvt Ltd) - Helicopter FTO: Flyola Aviation Academy Helicopter FTO is Asia's first Commercial Helicopter Pilot License (CHPL) training institute. Flyola Aviation Academy currently has two Robinson R44 helicopters in its fleet and has a capacity of 20 students for flight training at a time.

Important Decisions Taken in the Jharkhand Council of Ministers Meeting

Why In News?

On July 25, 2023, several important decisions were taken along with the approval of the Jharkhand Export Policy-2023 in the meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Ministry of Jharkhand.

Key Points:

• Important decisions of the Council of Ministers: -
• Approval was given to make provision for a nominated director in the board of directors of Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited.
• Jharkhand Cooperative Auditor (Recruitment, Promotion and Service Condition) Cadre Rules, 2014 (Effective 24/10/2014) as per Chapter-3 Direct Recruitment Rule-9 (a) of First Amended Rules 2021, approval was given for amendment in minimum educational qualification.
• Jharkhand Child Development Service Non-Gazetted Staff Recruitment and Service Condition (Amendment) Rules-2023 was approved.
• Approval was given to allow the facility of maternity leave to the employees appointed and working on contract basis.
• Approval was given for regularization of service of irregularly appointed and working personnel under the Finance Department, Government of Jharkhand.
• Approval was given to provide benefits of the health insurance scheme to state employees/retired employees.
• Under the Centrally Sponsored Revised Mission Vatsalya Yojana, new rates of maintenance items were approved for the children residing in childcare institutions.
• Approval was given for the implementation of centrally sponsored 'Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana' in its modified form under Mission Shakti.
• Approval was given to amend the implementation guidelines and implementation rate of various items under the Anganwadi services operated under the Centrally Sponsored Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Nutrition 2.0.
• Approval was given to amend the guidelines for the implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Adolescent Girls & SAG.
• Under the centrally sponsored scheme Atal Renewal and Urban Transformation Mission 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0), administrative approval was given to the Mahagama Urban Water Supply Project, which received technical approval at a cost of Rs 8301.21 lakh.
• Approval was given to provide medical aid grants through Jharkhand State Arogya Society to the beneficiaries of the Chief Minister's Critical Illness Treatment Scheme.
• Under the suggestion and framework received by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, approval was given to set up State Water Informatics Center (SWIC) under the state of Jharkhand as a dedicated organization for coordination, collection, dissemination of data related to the water resources of the state and to bring the water data of all the departments under the state on a single platform.
• Approval was given for the formation of the Jharkhand Ophthalmic Assistant Cadre (Appointment, Promotion and Service Conditions) Rules, 2023 under the Department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare.
• In the light of the amendments made by the Central Government in the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, the Council of Ministers approved the introduction of the Jharkhand Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the monsoon session of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly to make corresponding amendments in the Jharkhand Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.
• Approval was given for the promulgation of the Jharkhand Competitive Examination (Prevention and Redressal of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Act, 2023.
• The Jharkhand University of Health Sciences Bill, 2023 was approved.

National Road Safety Short Film Festival Chhattisgarh- 2023

Why In News?

On July 25, 2023, according to information received from Inter-Departmental Lead Agency (Road Safety) Chhattisgarh, the last date for registration and film entry in the National Road Safety Short Film Festival Chhattisgarh 2023 has been extended on the request of many filmmakers and citizens to participate in road safety public awareness.

Key Points:

• According to the information, the last date of registration for National Road Safety Short Film Festival Chhattisgarh 2023 has been extended from July 25, 2023, to August 10, 2023, and the last date of film entry has been extended from July 26, 2023 to August 12, 2023.
• It is worth mentioning that in this important event so far in different states of the country Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Bihar, Punjab, Assam, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Delhi, Odisha. A total of 64 and 80 participants from various regions of Chhattisgarh have been registered.
• The film can be a documentary, experimental, narrative, fiction, non-fiction or animation. Original movies based on road safety themes should be of the highest quality possible (1920x1080 or above).
• There is no entry fee to participate in the National Road Safety Short Film Festival, Chhattisgarh and no one will ever ask for any kind of fee from the organizing team. The minimum age of the participant should be 18 years or more. A participant is eligible for a maximum of three entries. The total duration of the film including credits (front and end) can be a maximum of 140 seconds (2.20 minutes).
• National Road Safety Short Film Festival, Chhattisgarh 2023 will accept submissions in two categories. These include (1) Chhattisgarhi language (Chhattisgarhi, Godi, Dhurva, Bhatri, Dorli, Sambalpuri, Kurkh, Sadri, Baigani, Kamari, Auraiya, Sargujia, Dantewada Godi etc.) and (2) other Indian language, subtitles in Hindi for all entries mandatory.
• The short films submitted must be original creations of the entrants and must not infringe any copyright or any other right of any third party. Entrants agree that they have obtained all necessary permissions in respect of the music, sound and images presented in their Short Films.
• Any kind of social discrimination and obscene/adult film will not be accepted and will be disqualified from National Road Safety Short Film Festival Chhattisgarh.
• Chhattisgarh Police and Inter-Departmental Lead Agency (Road Safety) Chhattisgarh will have the right to use the entries (sent selected/nominated films) and film material for promotional purposes of the festival by Chhattisgarh Police and Inter-Departmental Lead Agency (Road Safety) Chhattisgarh and copies of each film will be able to be kept as part of its festival library.
• All entries whether rewarded or not may be used by Chhattisgarh Police and concerned agencies for road safety awareness without any commercial interest. Films once selected and submitted for final screening will not be allowed to be withdrawn under any circumstances till the festival is over.
• A digital poster (Social Media Creative) of the film must be attached with the entry. The submitted material will not be returned to the applicant. The evaluation of the jury will be final for the selection of (1st, 2nd and 3rd). No contestant shall appeal against the decision of the jury.
• No filmmaker, institution, or organization is allowed to use the name 'National Road Safety Short Film Festival Chhattisgarh'. Strict legal action will be taken against the concerned person or organization in case of use of the name and logo of the 'National Road Safety Short Film Festival Chhattisgarh' for any commercial, non-commercial, cultural or personal use without the permission of the organizing committee.

National GeoScience Award

Why in News?

On July 24, 2023, President Draupadi Murmu presented the prestigious National Geoscience Awards- 2022 (NGA) of the Ministry of Mines to Dr. Vikram Gupta, scientist of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geoscience, Dehradun, at a grand ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center.

Key Points:

• It is to be noted that the National Geoscience Awards - 2022 (NGA) honored 22 Geo-science including working professionals and academicians from across the country under three categories - one National Geo-Science Award for Lifetime Achievement, one National Young Geoscientist Award and eight National Geo-Science Awards in different fields of Geo-Science.
• The National Geo-Science Award for Lifetime Achievement was given to Dr. Om Narayan Bhargava (Honorary Professor, Department of Geoscience, Panjab University, Chandigarh). He is known for his remarkable work in the Himalayas over the last four decades.
• The National Young Geoscientist Award was presented to Dr. Amiya Kumar Samal, Assistant Professor, Banaras Hindu University. He has made significant contributions to understanding the heterogeneity of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) beneath the various Archaean cratons of the Indian surface.
• Dr. Vikram Gupta, Scientist, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geoscience, Dehradun, was awarded the National Geo-Science Award jointly with Dr. Saibal Ghosh (Deputy Director General, Geological Survey of India, Kolkata) for the investigation of natural hazards under Applied Geoscience, which includes scientific studies related to natural hazards like earthquakes, landslides, floods and tsunamis.
• Dr. Vikram Gupta has been awarded the National Geo-Science s Award (NGA) for his contribution to studies around natural hazards, especially landslides in the Himalayan region.
• Dr. Vikram Gupta has traced major landslide hot spots and potential landslide sites in the Himalayan region. These are such large landslide zones, which can create a great danger to the population by making temporary dams on the river flowing along them. After doing such study in Himachal's Sutlej, now he is expanding the study in Uttarakhand's Alaknanda valley as well. So far, he has published more than 85 papers on landslides in international journals.
• It is noteworthy that the National Geo-Science Awards (NGA), instituted in 1966, is a symbol of respect and appreciation for exceptional individuals and organizations who have demonstrated excellence, dedication and innovation in the field of Geo-Science s. These awards are given in the fields of mineral exploration and exploration, basic Geoscience, applied Geo-Science and mining, mineral beneficiation and sustainable mineral development.
• A total of 173 nominations were received for the National Geo-Science Award-2022. The number of valid nominations under the three award categories is 168. Out of a total of 12 awards, the AMA has finally selected 10 awards, including 4 individual awards, 3 team awards and 3 joint awards. The 4 individual awards also include an award for the National Geo-Science Award for Lifetime Achievement and another for the National Young Geoscientist Award.

S.N.	Category of Award	Number of Awards
1	National GeoScience Award for Lifetime Achievement	1 Award
2	National GeoScience Awards	8 Award (3 Team Awards + 3 Joint Awards + 2 individual Awards= 20 awardees)
3	National Young Geoscientist Award	1 Award
	Total	10 Awards (22 Awardees)