Topic 1: 9th International Santal Conference
GS Paper 1: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times
Context: The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, graced the 9th International Santal Conference in Darjeeling, West Bengal. She highlighted the rich historical legacy of the Santal community and the importance of balancing traditional conservation with modern progress.
Historical Milestones of the Santal Community
The President recalled the “banners of revolt” raised by the Santal community against colonial exploitation and local oppression:
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- Tilka Majhi (c. 1784): Recognized as one of the first to lead a revolt against the East India Company nearly 240 years ago.
- The Santal Hul (1855): Led by the legendary brothers Sido-Kanhu and Chand-Bhairav, along with their sisters Phoolo-Jhano. This rebellion was a major precursor to the 1857 War of Independence.
Language, Script, and Literature
A significant portion of the address was dedicated to the preservation of the Santali language and its unique identity:
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- Ol Chiki Script: Invented by Pandit Raghunath Murmu in 1925. The community recently celebrated the centenary (100 years) of this invention.
- Constitutional Recognition (2003): Santali was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
- Key Literary Works: Pandit Raghunath Murmu’s plays like “Bidu Chandan,” “Kherwal Veer,” and “Sido Kanhu – Santal Hul” were instrumental in spreading social consciousness.
- Recent Milestone: The Constitution of India was recently released in the Santali language using the Ol Chiki script.
Harmony Between Nature and Progress
The President emphasized that tribal communities are the original custodians of the environment:
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- Nature Conservation: The tribal way of life maintains an inherent sensitivity to nature, which is a vital lesson for the modern world.
- Modern Development: While preserving folk music, dance, and traditions, the community must embrace education, healthcare, and economic empowerment to move forward.
- Skill Development: A call for tribal youth to progress through education without losing their cultural roots.
Key Messages for the Future
1. Identity: “Connect with your own language while reading other languages and scripts.”
2. Unity: Maintenance of “unity and fraternity” to build an empowered society.
3. Governance: Focus on building a “Strong India” by prioritizing grassroots empowerment.
UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check
| Feature | Details |
| Ol Chiki Inventor | Pandit Raghunath Murmu (1925). |
| 8th Schedule | 2003 (92nd Amendment Act added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santali). |
| Santal Hul | 1855 (Anti-British and Anti-Zamindari rebellion). |
| Phoolo-Jhano | Female leaders of the Santal rebellion often overlooked in traditional history. |
| Location of Conference | Darjeeling, West Bengal. |
Conclusion:
The 9th International Santal Conference serves as a platform to transition tribal discourse from “preservation only” to “sustainable progress.”
Topic 2: India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) – Talent Development & C2S Initiative
GS Paper 3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications; Indigenization of technology; Achievements of Indians in science & technology; Effects of liberalization on the economy; Industrial policy.
Context: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw provided a significant update on the Chips to Startups (C2S) initiative under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). India is rapidly scaling its talent pool to meet the global demand of a USD 2 trillion semiconductor industry.
Chips to Startups (C2S) Initiative: Current Progress
The C2S program is the foundational pillar for creating a “semiconductor-ready” workforce in India.
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- The 85,000 Target: India had set a 10-year target to train 85,000 semiconductor engineers. Significant progress has been made in just the first 4 years.
- World’s Largest Open-Access EDA Program: * EDA Tools: World-class Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools from global leaders like Synopsys, Cadence, Siemens, and Ansys have been made available to students.
- Scale: Currently implemented in 315 academic institutions; recorded over 1.85 crore hours of tool usage.
- Hands-on Ecosystem: Students aren’t just designing on paper; their chips are being fabricated and tested at the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali, providing experience in the full cycle: Design → Fabrication → Packaging → Testing.
Scaling Up: India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0
With the global industry expected to require 2 million skilled professionals, India is expanding its academic outreach.
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- University Expansion: The C2S program will be expanded from the current 315 universities to 500 universities under Semicon 2.0.
- Geographical Inclusivity: The program spans from Assam to Gujarat and Kashmir to Kanyakumari, ensuring a decentralized talent pool across every state.
- Focus: Creating a continuous “talent funnel” for the 2 million new jobs expected in the sector.
The Role of NCR Educational Institutions
Leading institutions in the National Capital Region (NCR) are serving as primary hubs for semiconductor design and validation:
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- IIT Delhi and NIT Delhi
- IIIT Delhi (Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology)
- Delhi Technological University (DTU)
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
- Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW).
Global Economic Outlook
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- Industry Size: The global semiconductor market is projected to grow from its current ~USD 800 billion to USD 2 trillion.
- Job Creation: This growth will trigger a demand for 2 million professionals globally. India aims to become the “Talent Capital” for this requirement.
UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check
| Feature | Details |
| C2S | Chips to Startups Initiative (Talent & Startup focus). |
| EDA | Electronic Design Automation (Software used to design chips). |
| SCL Mohali | India’s premier facility for semiconductor fabrication/testing. |
| ISM 2.0 | The second phase of India’s semiconductor policy, targeting 500 universities. |
| Target Pool | 85,000 trained engineers over 10 years. |
Conclusion:
By providing open access to multi-million dollar EDA tools and linking academic designs to actual fabrication at SCL Mohali, India is bridging the gap between classroom theory and industrial reality.
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