India’s population projected to reach 142.86 crore against China’s 142.57 crore
- India has overtaken China as the world’s most populous nation, according to UN data released on 19 April 2023.
- India’s population surpassed 142.86 crore, slightly higher than China’s 142.57 crore people.
- According to a new United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) report, 25 per cent of India’s population is in the age group of 0-14 years, 18 per cent in the 10 to 19 age group, 26 per cent in the age bracket of 10 to 24 years, 68 per cent in 15 to 64 years age group, and 7 per cent above 65 years.
- According to the UN data, the global population will have hit 804.5 crore by mid-2023.
Rising strength:
- The United Nations said in a report that India will have about 2.9 million people more than China in the middle of 2023.
- India was not expected to become the most populous nation until later this decade.
- But it happened quickly due to a drop in China’s fertility rate.
- Among BRICS nations, India has the second highest total fertility rate of 2 while that of China’s is the least at 1.2.
Drug free India by 2047
- The Government of India has set a target to make India a drug free country by 2047, when the 100th Independence Day to be celebrated.
- According to data compiled by the NCB, all the anti-narcotics agencies in the country have destroyed 5,94,620 kg of narcotics worth Rs 8,409 crore between June last year and March 24 this year.
About Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB):
- It was constituted by the Government of India in 1986 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
- It is the apex coordinating agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- The National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances is based on Article 47 of the Indian Constitution which directs the State to endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption, except for medicinal purposes, of intoxicating drugs injurious to health.
- Drug abuse control is the responsibility of the central government.
- It provides for the penalty of property derived from or used in illegal traffic in narcotic drugs.
National Quantum Mission – 2023-2024
Cabinet approves National Quantum Mission
- Total cost of Rs.6003.65 crore from 2023-24 to 2030-31
- Mission to develop magnetometers with high sensitivity in atomic systems and Atomic Clocks for precision timing, communications and navigation
- Support design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor structures and topological materials for fabrication of quantum devices.
- Single photon sources/detectors, entangled photon sources to be developed for quantum communications, sensing and metrological applications.
- To be implemented by Department of Science & Technology in partnership with other departments.
