Content

1. YUVA AI for ALL
2. National Water Awards

YUVA AI for ALL

Why in News?

• MeitY launched ‘YUVA AI for ALL’ under the IndiaAI Mission.
• Aims to empower 1 crore citizens with foundational AI skills through a free, 4.5-hour national course.
• Available on FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi, and other ed-tech platforms with official GoI certification.

Relevance

GS2 (Governance)

• Advances digital skilling under MeitY & IndiaAI Mission.
• Strengthens inclusive access to government-led digital learning platforms.

GS2 (Policy & Social Sector)

• Implements national AI and digital literacy strategies (IndiaAI Mission, PMGDISHA, NDLM).
• Reduces digital divide through mass-scale AI awareness.

GS3 (Science & Technology)

• Builds foundational AI literacy and responsible AI practices.
• Supports India’s AI ecosystem and alignment with global AI ethics norms.

What is YUVA AI for ALL?

• A free, introductory AI literacy course for all Indians—students, professionals, and beginners.
• Duration: 4.5 hours, self-paced, modular structure (6 modules).
• Developed by Jaspreet Bindra, AI expert and author.
• Focus: ethical, responsible, inclusive AI aligned with India’s socio-digital context.

Core Features

• Open to all: No prerequisites, 100% free, multilingual potential.
• Certification: Government of India certificate on completion.
• Platform availability: FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi, other ed-tech portals.
• Practical orientation: Real-world Indian examples, simple explanations.

Course Structure – Key Learning Outcomes

• Foundations of AI: Meaning, technologies, how AI works.
• AI in daily life: Education, creativity, workplace transformation.
• Responsible AI: Ethical use, safety, biases, data practices.
• Use cases from India: Agriculture, healthcare, governance, fintech, climate.
• Future opportunities: Skills, jobs, emerging AI ecosystems.

Strategic Significance

1. Digital Inclusion

• Bridges AI awareness gap across urban–rural, socioeconomic, and generational lines.
• Helps democratize access to emerging technologies.

2. Workforce Preparedness

• Supports India’s skilling targets under IndiaAI Mission, Skill India, and Digital India.
• Aligns with global trends where basic AI literacy is a workplace essential.

3. Ethical AI Ecosystem

• Strengthens India’s push for trusted, responsible AI in line with global norms (UNESCO AI Ethics, OECD AI principles).

4. AI Nation-Building

• Fits into India’s strategic roadmap to become an AI-powered economy.
• Supports development of a base-level AI-fluent population, essential for innovation and digital governance.

Policy & Governance Context

• Linked to IndiaAI Mission (₹10,300 crore) focused on compute infrastructure, datasets, innovation, skilling.
• Complements NDLM, PMGDISHA, and digital literacy initiatives targeting mass skilling.
• Helps operationalize National Strategy for AI (NITI Aayog) recommendations: awareness, skilling, responsible AI.

Impact Pathways

• Education: Institutions can integrate course into curriculums.
• Employability: Basic AI literacy enhances job-readiness across sectors.
• Industry partnerships: Ed-tech, academia, and corporates can co-brand and scale the course.
• Public sector: Supports capacity-building under the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (Mission Karmayogi).

Comparative Note

• Similar to Finland’s “Elements of AI” mass literacy program but tailored with India-specific use cases.
• Addresses India’s unique scale challenges—1.4B population, digital divide, multilingual needs.

Prelims Pointers

• Initiative under MeitY and IndiaAI Mission.
• Duration: 4.5 hours, 6 modules, free certification.
• Target: 1 crore AI-literate citizens.
• Platforms: FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi.
• Focus: ethical, responsible, inclusive AI.

National Water Awards

Why in News?

• PIB  announced the 6th National Water Awards (NWA) and 1st Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Awards.
• 46 winners across 10 categories honoured for water conservation excellence (NWA 2024 cycle).
• Maharashtra ranked 1st among states in NWA; Telangana ranked 1st in JSJB Awards.
• Highlights India’s shift toward community-driven, decentralized, and sustainable water management.

Relevance

GS1 (Geography)

• Directly linked to water scarcity, groundwater depletion, watershed restoration.

GS2 (Governance)

• Strengthens participatory water governance and cooperative federalism.
• Highlights best practices under Jal Shakti Abhiyan, PMKSY, Atal Bhujal Yojana.

GS2 (Social Justice)

• Enhances equitable access to water and promotes community involvement.

What Are the National Water Awards?

• Instituted: 2018 by the Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Purpose: Recognize excellence in water conservation, water management, innovation, and community participation.
• Frequency: Annual.
• Stakeholders: Individuals, NGOs, institutions, industry, rural/urban local bodies, states.

Objectives of the NWA

• Promote water-use efficiency, sustainable practices, and awareness building.
• Encourage behavioural change towards conservation at individual and institutional levels.
• Strengthen national vision of Jal Samridh Bharat (water-secure India).
• Create replicable best practices and foster cross-learning among states and communities.

6th National Water Awards (2024 Cycle)

• 751 applications received; 46 winners chosen across 10 categories.
• Best State Category Rankings:
  • 1st: Maharashtra
  • 2nd: Gujarat
  • 3rd: Haryana
• Categories include: Best State, Best District, Best NGO, Best Industry, Best Water User Association, Best Urban Local Body, Best Institution, Best Researcher, etc.
• Winner selection reflects emphasis on innovation, scalability, community participation, sustainable water practice.

Significance of the Awards

1. Strengthen National Water Governance

• Complements initiatives like Jal Shakti Abhiyan, PMKSY, Jal Jeevan Mission, Atal Bhujal Yojana.
• Reinforces multi-stakeholder engagement in water management.

2. Public Awareness & Behaviour Change

• Encourages citizens to view water as a shared resource, not an infinite commodity.
• Generates momentum around rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, efficient irrigation, urban water sustainability.

3. Recognition of Local Innovations

• Spotlights grassroots solutions, indigenous knowledge, and local community leadership.
• Supports mainstreaming of scalable models.

4. Encourages Data-Driven Water Management

• Promotes GIS, IoT, community monitoring, water budgeting, and efficient water accounting.

Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Awards – Basics

• Launched: 2024 under Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR).
• Purpose: Honour community-driven water conservation and groundwater recharge efforts.
• Scale: 100 awards across states, districts, municipal bodies, NGOs, industry, philanthropists, and officials.
• Achievement: Construction of 35 lakh groundwater recharge structures, exceeding targets.

JSJB Best Performing State/UT (2025)

• 1st: Telangana
• 2nd: Chhattisgarh
• 3rd: Rajasthan

Key National Water Conservation Initiatives 

1. Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (2021– )

• Motto: “Catch the Rain, Where it Falls, When it Falls.”
• Focus: Rainwater harvesting, desilting, water-body rejuvenation, afforestation, check dams, recharge pits.
• Strong community participation model.

2. Atal Bhujal Yojana (2019– )

• Community-led groundwater management in 8203 Gram Panchayats across 7 states.
• 81,000 structures constructed/renovated; 9 lakh hectares brought under efficient practices.
• One of India’s largest WB-supported groundwater programs.

3. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

• Aim: Har Khet Ko Pani, More Crop Per Drop.
• Promotes: Micro-irrigation, integrated water-source management, watershed development.
• Reduces agricultural water stress.

4. AMRUT 2.0

• Targets universal tap-water coverage in all statutory towns.
• 3568 water-supply projects, worth ₹1.14 lakh crore, sanctioned.
• 181 lakh new tap connections approved.
• Urban focus on sustainability, sewage, septage, and smart water systems.

5. Jal Jeevan Mission (2019– )

• Rural tap-water mission; 12.50 crore households connected.
• Focus on eco-friendly water solutions: greywater management, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge.

Strategic Importance for India

• Addresses water scarcity, climate vulnerability, groundwater depletion, and urban water stress.
• Ensures water security for agriculture (80% water use), rural households, and urban centres.
• Supports SDGs: SDG 6 (Clean Water), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG 13 (Climate Action).
• Strengthens India’s long-term hydro-resilience and climate adaptation strategy.

Analytical Note

• Awards reflect shift from top-down to community-centric water governance.
• Reinforces a model based on Jan Bhagidari + Technology + Local innovation.
• Pushes states to compete and collaborate on sustainable water futures.
• Acts as a policy nudging tool promoting best practices and accountability.