Pi day is observed annually on March 14 (3.14), also there is an implied pun on the words 'pi' and 'pie'.
About Pi day
March 14, or 3/14 as per the American convention, is celebrated as Pi Day worldwide as an ode to the most well-known approximation (3.14) of the mathematical constant Pi.
The tradition was started by physicist Larry Shaw of the Exploratorium museum in San Francisco in 1988, and has since seen global popularity.
In 2019, UNESCO’s 40th General Conference designated Pi Day as the International Day of Mathematics.
With Pi being widely popular around the world, it is also used to create awareness about mathematics and the role in plays in the UN’s Sustainability Development goals, and in reinforcing the two UNESCO priorities: Africa and Gender Equality, according to the UNESCO website.
What is Pi?
Pi, often represented by the Greek letter π, is the most famous of all mathematical constants.
It represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference (boundary) to its diameter (a straight line between two points on the circle’s boundary, passing through its centre).
Regardless of the circle’s size, this ratio always remains constant.
Pi is an irrational number — it is a decimal with no end and no repeating pattern — which is most often approximated to the 3.14, or the fraction 22/7.
PM-SURAJ portal
Time to Read :🕑 3 Mins
Why in news?
Prime Minister inaugurated the ‘Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan’ (PM-SURAJ).
About PM-SURAJ
PM-SURAJ national portal for credit support to disadvantaged sections and commitment to prioritise the underprivileged (vanchiton ko variyata).
It is a transformative initiative, aimed at uplifting the most marginalised segments of society.
The credit support will be provided to eligible persons across the country, and facilitated through banks, NBFC-MFIs, and other organisations.
Implementing agency: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and its departments.
Ease e-commerce for MSME exports
Time to Read :🕑 5 Mins
Why in news?
A report jointly prepared by Niti Aayog and the non-profit Foundation for Economic Development found that India needs a National Taxpayer Number (NTN) to ease compliance burdens for MSMEs.
More details about news
The Aayog said small firms have encountered difficulties in tapping into export markets due to the inherent obstacles posed by economies of scale.
It proves more challenging for small enterprises to enter foreign markets, adhere to compliance requirements, achieve cost-effective production, and efficiently manage logistics for clients.
By modifying our business environment to facilitate seamless exports through e-commerce platforms, coupled with addressing essential ease-of-doing-business factors, we have the potential to catalyse a radical transformation of our MSME sector into a formidable growth engine.
Report recommendations
As part of six key recommendations, Niti Aayog called for "green channel" clearances of MSME e-commerce exporters.
It said that India has not been able to tap into e-commerce to work around market access barriers, unlike China.
In 2022, China’s e-commerce exports by MSMEs were worth $200 billion, which is 100 times that of exports by Indian MSMEs.
One key reason for this gap is the cumbersome compliance process associated with exports, especially when it comes to payment reconciliation, which is particularly challenging for a new or small exporter, to boost e-commerce exports, it is essential
To create a distinction between Exporter on Record (EOR) and Seller on Record (SOR).
Allow reduction in invoice value without any percentage ceiling for all e-commerce exports.
Introduce an annual financial reconciliation process for e-commerce exporters.
Exempt import duties on rejects/returns.
Consider an exemption on reconciliation requirements for shipments up to $1000 until NTN (National Trade Network) is implemented.
Creating a green channel clearance for e-commerce exports.
The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC)
Time to Read :🕑 3 Mins
Why in news?
The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) will meet in Puducherry on March 21.
About CWRC
In the exercise of the powers conferred by section 6A of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, the Central Government notified the Cauvery Water Management Scheme on 1st June, 2018, inter-alia, constituting the ‘Cauvery Water Management Authority’ and the ‘Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’ to give effect to the decision of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal as modified by the Hon’ble Supreme Court Vide its Order, dated 16th February, 2018.
CWRC responsibilities include monitoring water releases from Karnataka's reservoirs and ensuring that the allocated amounts of water are delivered to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry as per the established formula.
Pobitora wildlife sanctuary
Time to Read :🕑 7 Mins
Why in news?
The Supreme Court has frozen the Assam government's move to withdraw a nearly 26-year-old notification constituting the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, which hosts one of the largest rhino populations in the country.
About SC judgment
The State government was not right in resolving to withdraw the notification dated March 17, 1998, notifying Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.
SC directed that no further steps be taken with respect to the withdrawal of the notification dated March 17, 1998, by the State.
SC will not permit any denotification.
Withdrawing a notification declaring a wildlife sanctuary is not your answer.
Such withdrawals cannot be done without the permission of the National Board of Wildlife.
Besides, the Supreme Court has also passed an order against the dereservation of national parks, sanctuaries and forests.
SC declaration of the sanctuary in 1998 was an “act of government”.
Assam government
The Assam Cabinet had on March 10 withdrawn the notification issued by the State Forest Department in 1998.
The Cabinet decision of March 10 said the notification was issued unilaterally by the Forest department without consulting the Revenue department or even the Chief Minister.
The government reasoned that declaration of the sanctuary was made without settling the rights of the people living in villages in the area, including Thengabhanga, Murkata and Mayong.
These villagers belonged to the marginalised communities and had been residing in the area even before Independence.
About Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is known for holding the highest density of the Greater One Horned Rhinoceros in the country.
Located in the flood plains of River Brahmaputra in the district of Morigaon.
Total Area of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary: 38.81 Sq. Km.
The Sanctuary consists of the Rajamayong Reserve Forest and Pobitora Reserve Forest.
The Rajamayong hills harbor several species including Leopard, Capped Langur, Porcupine, Pangolin, etc.
Conservation Timeline -
Date/YearConstitutionArea (sq. km.)
1971Declaration of Pobitora Reserve Forest
1969Declaration of Raja Mayang Hill Reserve Forest
1998Declaration as Sanctuary
India's R&D funding, breaking down the numbers
Time to Read :🕑 11 Mins
Why in news?
The interim Budget for 2024-25 has announced a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore to strengthen India's research and innovation ecosystem, with a focus on funding new startups and research initiatives.
India's R&D
The decision to rebrand the slogan, ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ (by Lal Bahadur Shastri) to ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan’ (A.B. Vajpayee) to now ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan’ (by the Prime Minister) is intended to reinforce the foundation of research and innovation for development.
The significance of research and innovation cannot be overstated in fuelling economic growth, technological advancement, and global competitiveness. However, to fully realise the impact, it is crucial to assess the current research and development (R&D) funding landscape in India and its resulting output.
India’s R&D is witnessing significant growth, with a notable increase in Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) from ₹6,01,968 million in 2010-11 to ₹12,73,810 million in 2020-21.
-However, with research and development investment as a percentage of GDP standing at 0.64%, India falls behind major developed and emerging economies such as China (2.4%), Germany (3.1%), South Korea (4.8%) and the United States (3.5%).
Research output, innovation
Despite the comparatively lower share of GDP dedicated to R&D, India has emerged as a powerhouse in producing academic talent.
Annually, India generates an impressive 40,813 PhDs and is in third place after the United States and China.
This achievement reflects India’s commitment to fostering intellectual capital and contributing significantly to global research endeavours.
Additionally, India’s research output remains substantial, ranking third globally, with over 3,00,000 publications in 2022, highlighting the nation’s robust research ecosystem and its commitment to advancing knowledge across diverse fields.
India also demonstrates commendable performance in patent grants, securing the sixth position globally with 30,490 patents granted in 2022.
While this figure is lower compared to the U.S. and China, it underscores India’s evolving innovation landscape and its potential for further growth in intellectual property creation.
In India, GERD is primarily driven by the government sector, including the central government (43.7%), State governments (6.7%), Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) (8.8%), and the public sector industry (4.4%), with the private sector industry contributing only 36.4% during 2020–21.
Collaboration between the government, business enterprises and HEIs is essential to maximise the positive impact of science, technology, and innovation on economic growth and technological advancement.
Investment in R&D
According to the R&D statistics (2022-23) of the Department of Science and Technology, India’s total investment in R&D reached $17.2 billion in 2020-21.
Within this sum, 54% ($9.4 billion) is allocated to the government sector and predominantly utilised by four key scientific agencies —
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (30.7%).
The Department of Space (18.4%).
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (12.4%).
--The Department of Atomic Energy (11.4%).
At approximately $6.2 billion, Indian businesses represent 37% of the country’s GERD, in contrast to the global trend, where business enterprises typically contribute over 65% of R&D.
In leading innovative economies such as China, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S., a significant portion (>70%) of R&D funding is from private industries, driven by market forces and profit motives, and the actual R&D activities are conducted in the HEIs.
Impact of initiatives
The National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) signal a strong commitment to technological progress and innovation.
This policy holds the potential to incentivise private sector engagement in India’s R&D ecosystem.
Despite the substantial time and technical uncertainties involved in Deep Tech’s creation, allocating resources to safeguard intellectual property and tackle technical obstacles can unlock untapped markets.
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Act, underscores the government’s dedication to catalysing research and innovation as the cornerstone of development.
Way forward
Multi-pronged approach requires the involvement of diverse stakeholders to address the challenges and unlock the potential of R&D for India's economic growth and competitiveness.
Elevating budgetary spending will provide strategic guidance for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship while encouraging greater private-sector involvement.
Replicating global best practices learning from the R&D ecosystem in other developed countries while maintaining India’s streamlined decision-making and strategic alignment strengths could be a powerful force to optimise its R&D landscape.
India must implement policies that incentivise private companies to invest in R&D. It is important to recognise that increasing industry contribution to R&D is a complex issue with no single solution.
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