Archives
(PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS)
New National Education Policy
Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II - Education; Govt schemes and policies
In news:
The New National Education Policy - (Major highlights)
It will introduce four-year undergraduate degrees with multiple entry and exit options
It will abolish the M.Phil. degree
It will establish a common higher education regulator with fee fixation for both private and public institutions
It also envisions universalisation of early childhood education from ages 3 to 6 by 2030
It provides for a new school curriculum with coding and vocational studies from Class 6, and a child’s mother tongue being used as the medium of instruction till Class 5
Class 10 and 12 board examinations will be made easier, to test core competencies rather than memorised facts, with all students allowed to take the exam twice
New Education Policy 2020 vs 1986 policy - A major departure is shifting from 10+2 format to a 5+3+3+4
Do you know?
MHRD will now be called Education Ministry
This is the first new education policy in 34 years
A panel headed by former ISRO chief K. Kasturirangan submitted a draft Education Policy in December 2018
Education is a concurrent subject
Source: The Hindu
Language formula:
The new Education Policy provides for greater flexibility in the three-language formula, and no language will be imposed on any State
The three languages learned by children will be the choices of States, regions, and of course the students themselves, so long as at least two of the three languages are native to India
Sanskrit will be offered as an option at all levels of school and higher education
Other classical languages will also be available, possibly as online modules, while foreign languages will be offered at the secondary level
New curricular framework
A new curricular framework is to be introduced, including the preschool and anganwadi years
A National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy will ensure basic skills at the Class 3 level by 2025
Students will begin classes on coding as well as vocational activities from Class 6 onwards
Indian knowledge systems, including tribal and indigenous knowledge, will be incorporated into the curriculum in an accurate and scientific manner
Governance reforms
School governance is set to change, with a new accreditation framework and an independent authority to regulate both public and private schools
An Academic Bank of Credit will be set up to make it easier to transfer between institutions
The college affiliation system is being phased out over the next 15 years, so that every college develops into either an autonomous degree-granting institution, or a constituent college of a university.
Push to digital education
The new NEP has a new section on digital education to ensure “equitable use of technology”.
A dedicated unit to coordinate digital infrastructure, content and capacity building will be created within the Education Ministry to look after the online learning needs of both school and higher education.
Source: The Hindu
Enrolment ratio
The NEP emphasises universal access to schools
It aims to bring two crore out-of-school children back into the educational mainstream
It also aims to double the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education, including vocational education, from 26.3% in 2018 to 50% by 2035, with an additional 3.5 crore new seats
To achieve this, GDP expenditure to increase from current 4.43% of GDP to 6%
Gender Inclusion Fund
Centre to set up a ‘Gender Inclusion Fund’ to build the country’s capacity to provide equitable quality education to all girls and transgender students.
The fund will be available to States to implement priorities determined by the Central government critical for assisting female and transgender children in gaining access to education (such as the provisions of sanitation and toilets, bicycles, conditional cash transfers, etc)
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Natesa, a rare sandstone idol
Part of: GS Prelims and Mains I – Art and Culture
In news:
Natesa, a rare sandstone idol which was smuggled to return to India after 22 years
The idol depicts Shiva in the 9th century Prathihara style of Rajasthan
It was originally from the Ghateswara Temple, Baroli, Rajasthan
A beautiful depiction of Nandi is shown behind the right leg of the Natesa icon.
Link: The Hindu
Budapest Convention or Convention on Cybercrime of the Council of Europe
Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – International Conventions; Cyber security
About:
Convention on Cybercrime, also known as the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime or the Budapest Convention is the first international treaty seeking to address Internet and computer crime (cybercrime) by harmonizing national laws, improving investigative techniques, and increasing cooperation among nations.
It serves as a guideline for any country developing comprehensive national legislation against Cybercrime and as a framework for international cooperation between State Parties to this treaty.
The Budapest Convention is supplemented by a Protocol on Xenophobia and Racism committed through computer systems.
Protesting is a fundamental right: UN
Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – International Conventions
About:
Demonstrations over issues like political rights and racial justice, protesting peacefully, online or in person, is a fundamental human right.
Article 21 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) - guarantees the right to peaceful assembly
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
It is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
The ICCPR is monitored by the United Nations Human Rights Committee
The covenant commits its parties to respect the civil and political rights of individuals, including the right to life, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, electoral rights and rights to due process and a fair trial
The ICCPR is part of the International Bill of Human Rights, along with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
It became effective in 1976
India and AIIB
Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and the World; International/Multi-lateral organizations
About:
The China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to function as an “apolitical” institution and to continue to support projects in India
The latest loan for India was for $750 million, to support vulnerable households impacted by COVID19
Key facts:
India has received the most funding of any country from the bank (received $4.35 billion)
India is one among the 57 founding members in 2016
India is its second-largest shareholder (with 7.62% voting shares) after China (26.06%)
Headquarters of AIIB is in Beijing
Vidya Varadhi scheme
Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Education; Govt schemes and initiatives
About:
In a bid to reach out students and address challenges of online classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Department of School Education proposed the “Vidya Varadhi’ scheme.
Under Vidya Varadhi scheme, mobile classrooms equipped with audio-visual gadgets will reach pockets where students have no access to computers and Internet connectivity.
The vehicles will reach remote areas and impart lessons.
Source: The Hindu
Antibiotic use in the dairy sector
Part of: GS Mains II – Health/Social issue
Context:
According to Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report -
Dairy farmers indiscriminately use antibiotics for diseases such as mastitis (infection/inflammation of the udder), a common ailment in dairy animals
Antibiotics residues remaining in milk are a cause for concern (antibiotic resistance)
Milk sold directly to consumers nor processed milk sold in packets are unchecked for antibiotic residues
Do you know?
India is the world’s largest milk producer
The abused antibiotics, despite a law against it, are easily available without the prescription of a registered veterinarian and stocked at farms.
Miscellaneous
Indian Rat Snake
About:
Indian Rat Snake is non-poisonous and will not attack unless cornered
Rat Snakes are also called the farmer’s friend as it helps rid fields of rodents and does the same in urban settlements
Indian Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosa), popularly known as Dhaman, is widely distributed across South and Southeast Asia
It can adapt quickly to a variety of habits: arid land, open fields, farmland, coastal regions, freshwater or brackish water wetlands.
India-Australia diaspora
About:
More than 38,000 Indians became Australian citizens in 2019-2020, a 60% increase from the previous year
Indians are the largest diaspora group to be granted the Australian citizenship
According to Australia’s 2016 census, 6,19,164 people in Australia declared that they were of ethnic Indian ancestry
2.8% of the Australian population are Indians
(MAINS FOCUS)
INTERNATIONAL/ CYBER SECURITY/ GOVERNANCE
Topic: General Studies 2 and 3:
Basics of cyber security
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
A quest for order amid cyber insecurity
Context: Cyberinsecurity of individuals, organisations and states is expanding amidst COVID-19.
Do you know?
Between them, Apple, Amazon and Microsoft have added more than a trillion dollars in market value, since the start of 2020.
In one week in April 2020, reportedly, there were over 18 million daily malware and phishing emails related to COVID-19
Increased instances of Cyber Attacks around world
Twitter hackers collected $120,000 in full public gaze
A “ransomware” target in California quietly paid 116.4 bitcoins or $1.14 million.
China has been accused of hacking health-care institutions in US working on novel coronavirus treatment.
United Kingdom has warned of hackers backed by the Russian state targeting pharmaceutical companies conducting COVID-19 vaccine research.
Issues
Inadequate Focus on Cyber Security: More of our critical infrastructure is going digital with increased digital interactions but it has not been matched with adequate safeguards for the cyber space
No Global Commons: Borderless cyberspace, as a part of the “global commons” does not exist. The Internet depends on physical infrastructure that is under national control, and hence is subject to border controls too.
Multiple Players: Cyberspace has multiple stakeholders, not all of which are states. Non-state actors play key roles — some benign, some malignant.
Difficulties in regulation: The infrastructure on which the Internet rests falls within jurisdictions of many states with differing approaches. Also, many networks are private, with objectives differing from those of states.
Competing Interests & Unframed Norms: World is at an incipient stage of looking for “cyber norms” that can balance the competing demands of national sovereignty and transnational connectivity
Agenda at UN: In 1998 that Russia inscribed the issue of ICTs in international security on the UN agenda. Despite various committees working on this subject, issues such as Internet governance, espionage, and digital privacy are kept out
Domain of Experts: Generally the growth of technology is way ahead of the development of associated norms and institutions. As a result, cybersecurity is a niche area whose regulation has been largely left to experts.
Way Ahead for India
Globally, India needs to partake in shaping cybernorms.
Acceding to the Budapest Convention, or Convention on Cybercrime of the Council of Europe (CETS No.185), is an option that India should examine.
India also needs to encourage private sector to get involved more in industry-focused processes such as the Microsoft-initiated Cybersecurity Tech Accord and the Siemens-led Charter of Trust.
Conclusion
In preparation for the larger role that cyberspace will inevitably play in Indian lives, we need a deeper public understanding of its various dimensions. Cyberspace is too important to be left only to the experts.
Value Addition
The Christchurch Call:
The Christchurch Call to Action Summit (also called the Christchurch Call), was a political summit initiated by New Zealand Prime Minister in the aftermath of Mosque shooting in March 2019 in Chirstchurch, New Zealand
The Call aimed to bring together countries and tech companies in an attempt to bring to an end the ability to use social media to organise and promote terrorism and violent extremism.
India has also signed the non-binding agreement
ENVIRONMENT/ GOVERNANCE/ HEALTH
Topic: General Studies 2 and 3:
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Fewer species, more disease
Context: COVID-19 induced lockdowns have kept people indoors and provided opportunities for wild animals to roam around spaces they otherwise don’t venture into.
Do you know?
It is not yet fully understood which species have contributed to the transmission of COVID-19 and how.
However, according to experts, there is strong evidence that it spread from a wildlife market in Wuhan, China. Two hypothesis have been discussed:
(a) the virus jumped from bats directly to humans;
(b) from bats to pangolins and then to humans
It is the time to rethink human actions on nature
Scientists believe that emergence of epidemics have strong linkages with the loss of biodiversity, and increase in wildlife trade.
In order to clear land for development and agriculture, forests & habitats have been destroyed. In the process, ecosystems are being damaged, fragmented or destroyed and as a result, world has lost several species.
Trafficking in wild plants and animals has become one of the largest forms of organised crime that has become a threat to wildlife & ecosystems.
Species are being wiped out by organised trade networks, with new poaching techniques, for manufacturing traditional Chinese medicines.
Human-induced environmental changes reduce biodiversity resulting in new conditions that host vectors and/or pathogens
By disturbing the delicate balance of nature, we have created ideal conditions for the spread of viruses from animals to humans.
Way Ahead
Mainstreaming of biodiversity is needed in our post-COVID-19 development programme.
Long term Vision: Nations should work towards realising the 2050 vision for biodiversity, ‘Living in Harmony with Nature’.
Integrated approach: Societies must follow a ‘one health’ approach which considers the health of people, wild and domesticated animals, and the environment.
Strict Monitoring: International Community need to strictly regulate high-risk wildlife markets that threaten biodiversity.
Promoting Green Economy: Governments should promote green jobs and work towards achieving carbon-neutral economies.
Executive action: India should strictly enforce
The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, which prohibits the trade of 1,800 species of wild animals/plants and their derivatives;
The Biological Diversity Act of 2002;
Strategies and action plans including the National Biodiversity Targets;
The National Biodiversity Mission
Mass biodiversity literacy: People should realise that we live in a world where biodiversity is our common heritage and natural capital.
Conclusion
Ecosystem integrity will regulate diseases and restrict the transmission of pathogens from one species to another.
Connecting the dots:
Sustainable Developmental Goals
Zoonosis
(TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE)
Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section)
Note:
Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers.
Comments Up-voted by IASbaba are also the “correct answers”.
Q.1) Consider the following statements:
Natesa is made up of redstone
It depicts Shiva in the 9th century Prathihara style of Gujarat
It was originally from the Ghateswara Temple
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
3 only
2 and 3
1 and 3
1, 2 and 3
Q.2) Consider the following statements about Budapest Convention
It seeks to address internet and computer crime by harmonizing national laws, improving investigative techniques, and increasing cooperation among nation.
India is party to the convention
Select the correct statements
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Q.3) Consider the following statement about International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
It is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly
It is monitored by the United Nations Human Rights Committee
Select the correct answer using the codes below
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Q.4) Consider the following:
Adjutant stork
Two horned rhino
Rattle snake
Which of the above is/are naturally found in India?
1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 2 only
1 and 3 only
Q.5) Great Prophet 14 exercise is associated with -
Iran
Israel
UK
Turkey
Q.6) With regard to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), consider the following statements
India and Japan are the founding members of AIIB
It is headquartered is in Beijing, China
All members of AIIB have equal voting rights unlike IMF
Select the correct answer using code below
2 only
1 only
2 and 3
1,2 and 3
ANSWERS FOR 29th July 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK)
1
C
2
C
3
C
4
A
5
A
6
C
Must Read
About shaping the digital world
The Hindu
About analyzing the Pandemic Crisis in India, US & Brazil
The Hindu
About reputation of Scientists during Pandemic
The Indian Express
