Current Context : Union Home Minister inaugurated PM Colleges of Excellence in Indore Madhya Pradesh (MP). MP is the first state to implement the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. ABOUT PM COLLEGES OF EXCELLENCE These colleges are upgraded according to the parameters fixed in line with National Education Policy. Flexibility in subject selection based on one’s interests in multiple disciplines without barriers of streams, this approach is referred as No compartmental education. Focus on diverse subjects like Biotechnology, Computer Science, Arts and Data Analytics etc.  Read More

Current Context : The Ministry of Education formed a high-level committee under K. Radhakrishnan  to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations. The committee consists of seven eminent people. It will be headed by former ISRO chairman Koppillil Radhakrishnan. ROLE : The expert panel has been formed to review and make recommendations on: Reform in the mechanism of the examination process Improvement in Data Security protocols Review of structure and functioning of National Testing Agency Analyse the whole examination process and suggest measures to improve the efficiency of the system and to stop any possible breaches, ABOUT THE NATIONAL....Read More

Current Context : Recently, National Human Rights Commission seeks report on ‘sale of underage girls’ as part of ‘Nata Pratha’. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notices on to the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development and the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat over a practice known as ‘Nata Pratha’. ABOUT NATA PRATHA Nata Pratha is a traditional practice prevalent in certain communities in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. This practice involves the selling of girls, often on stamp paper, under the guise of marriage. The woman typically goes to....Read More

Current Context:  Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship  inaugurated the country’s biggest skill competition designed to demonstrate the highest standards of skilling Inauguration ceremony held at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi. Participation of over 900 students from more than 30 states and Union Territories and over 400 industry experts. About 5 lakh candidates registered for the competition on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) Portal, out of which 26,000 were shortlisted through a process of pre-screening. Objective : To develop a variety of skills from Construction and Building Technology, Creative Arts and Fashion to Information and Communication Technology, Manufacturing and Engineering....Read More

Thailand is set to become the 1st nation in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. The Thai bill amends the Civil and Commercial Code of the country and proposes replacing gendered terms like “husband and wife” with gender-neutral language such as “spouses” and “individuals” ABOUT SAME SEX MARRIAGE: Several countries in Asia criminalise lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people —Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Malaysia all criminalise some form of same-sex activities, according to United Kingdom-based registered charity....Read More

In a historic gathering in Cameroon’s capital Yaoundé, African health ministers, global malaria partners, funding agencies, scientists, civil society organisations and other principal malaria stakeholders pledged to end malaria deaths. STATISTICS Globally, the number of malaria cases in 2022 surged significantly compared to the pre-COVID-19 era. The total cases rose from 233 million in 2019 to a staggering 249 million. Africa remains the epicentre of the malaria crisis, bearing an immense burden. It accounts for 94 per cent of all global malaria cases and a staggering 95 per cent of global malaria-related deaths, totaling an estimated 580,000 deaths in 2022.....Read More

The government conducted the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) as part of Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram across 23 states. The FLNAT was held in all districts of each participating State and UT. The assessment comprises three subjects – Reading, Writing, and Numeracy – each carrying 50 marks, totalling 150 marks. The test was conducted in the regional language of the learners, in line with National Education Policy 2020’s focus on promoting multilingualism. The test is crucial in assessing the impact of teaching-learning sessions conducted as part of the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. ABOUT ULLAS ULLAS (Understanding....Read More

Nearly 100 jails across the country have been certified as ‘Eat Right Campus’ by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), marking a significant milestone in its goal of promoting safe and healthy eating habits within different campuses. Uttar Pradesh had the most certified jails, followed by Punjab, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. The certification is based on compliance with key parameters like basic hygiene criteria, steps to ensure the provision of healthy food, and efforts towards building awareness about local and seasonal food. This initiative falls under FSSAI’s Eat Right India movement and aims to promote safe, healthy....Read More

Uttar Pradesh has become as the first state in the country to issue 5 crore cards under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme providing health insurance. ABOUT AYUSHMAN BHARAT It is a government-led healthcare scheme launched in The scheme aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and has two main components: the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana program and Health and Wellness Centers. PM-JAY is the world’s largest health insurance scheme fully financed by the government. It offers a sum insured of Rs.5 lakh per family for secondary care and tertiary care. Health Benefit Packages covers surgery, medical and day care treatments,....Read More

Poshan Pakhwada 2024 is being organized from 9th March till 23rd March, 2024. The focus of mass sensitization and community activities would be around the following main themes- Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB)- towards better Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) September is celebrated as Rashtriya Poshan Maah across the country. Tribal, Traditional, Regional & Local dietary practices focused on sensitization around nutrition Health of pregnant women & Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices The Ministry of Women & Child Development is the nodal Ministry for coordinating activities during the Poshan Pakhwada. In the State/UT, Department of Women &....Read More