PRELIMS
Concerns Over Enumeration of Jarawa Tribe in 16th Census
Why in News: Experts have eased worries about including the Jarawa Tribe in the upcoming 16th Census (2026–27), stating that enumeration is feasible due to existing contact and welfare measures.
Jarawa Tribe
- Jarawa Tribe: Among the world’s oldest indigenous communities, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) .
- Population: 250–400 individuals, organized in nomadic bands of 40–50 across Middle and South Andaman Islands .
- Lifestyle: Hunter-gatherers and fishermen, in dense forests, mangroves, and coastal zones .
- Ancestry: Descendants of the extinct Jangil tribe, possibly part of early Out-of-Africa human migration .
- Survival History: Persisted through British colonization and World War II, despite sharp population decline .
16th Census Timeline:
- Oct 1, 2026: snow-bound states & A&N Islands
- March 1, 2027: remainder of India
- Includes nation-wide caste enumeration (first since 1931) .
Sectarian Clashes in Sweida, Syria (July 2025)
Why in News: Over 30 people were killed in sectarian clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes in Sweida city, Syria.
Location: Western Asia
Capital: Damascus
Borders:
- North – Turkey
- East – Iraq
- South – Jordan
- Southwest – Israel & Lebanon
- West – Mediterranean Sea
Major Rivers:
- Euphrates (longest, flows into Iraq)
- Orontes, Khabur
Mountain Ranges:
- Anti-Lebanon Mountains (along Lebanon border)
- Al-Ansariyah Mountains (coastal)
About Sweida (Suwayda)
Location: Southwestern Syria, near Jordan; southeast of Damascus
Region: Situated on Jabal al-Druze volcanic plateau (aka Jabal al-Arab)
Demographics:
- Predominantly Druze (a distinct ethnoreligious group, linked to Shiite Islam)
- Bedouins: Sunni Islamist clans in Syria
Geography: Known for rugged, elevated terrain
10 Years of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
Why in News: PMKVY has completed 10 years of implementation since its launch in 2015 by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
About PMKVY
- Launched: 2015
- Current Phase: PMKVY 4.0 under Skill India Mission
Other Components:
- PM-NAPS (Apprenticeship stipend support)
- JSS (Vocational training for non-literates, neo-literates, school dropouts)
Types of Training under PMKVY
- 1. Short-Term Training (STT): NSQF-aligned + on-job training
- 2. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Certification of existing skills
- 3. Special Projects: Targeted training for marginalized/difficult areas
Key Achievements
- 1.63 crore youth trained since 2015
- 45% women participation
- Targeted groups: Bru tribe (Tripura), prison inmates (Assam, Manipur), PANKH (70% women)
- Social inclusion: SC, ST, OBC participation
Design Features of PMKVY 4.0
- Industry linkages & on-the-job training
- Digital ecosystem for training
- Entrepreneurship promotion
- National pool of assessors & trainers
- Focus on New Age Skills: AI, IoT, Robotics, 5G, Cybersecurity, Drones, Green Hydrogen
- Preserving Traditional Skills: Upskilling weavers/artisans (Nagaland, J&K)
