1.Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs)

Context:

• Recently, the comprehensive testing of the Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) has concluded but its roll out has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

About Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs):

• They are brigade-sized, agile, self-sufficient combat formations, which can swiftly launch strikes against adversary in case of hostilities.
• Every IBG will be tailor-made based on Threat, Terrain and Task and resources will be allotted based on the three Ts.
• Each IBG will be headed by Major General. They will be able to mobilise within 12-48 hrs based on the location.
• They are operating in a desert need to be constituted differently from an IBG operating in the mountains.
• They will also be defensive and offensive. While the offensive IBGs would quickly mobilise and make thrust into enemy territory for strikes, defensive IBGs would hold ground at vulnerable points or where enemy action is expected. The composition of the IBGs would also depend on this.
• It is one of the major reorganization plans of the Indian Army with the aim of enhancing command efficiency and the capacities for rapid response and coordinated operations.

2.National Biomedical Resource Indigenization Consortium

Why in News?

• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has recently launched a National Biomedical Resource Indigenization Consortium (NBRIC).

About National Biomedical Resource Indigenization Consortium:

• It is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) hosted and led by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP).
• It is a ‘Make in India’ initiative for biomedical research and innovative products, towards Promoting Import Substitution and Exports.
• It aims to establish a nation-wide collaborative platform for convergence of research, product resources and services towards developing reagents, diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics across India.

• It identifies manufacturing enterprises of crucial bio-medical resources and connects them with policy makers as well as with other stakeholders from public and private sectors.

About Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms

• It is one of the centers for technology-based innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of life sciences under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
• It intends to develop state-of-the-art technologies and to provide training on these technologies to academia and industry.