#iasupdate

Be on the lookout for a companion series to this called "Hallelujah" which follows Leo and Odin's side of the story. Someone had asked for Leo's POV at some point and that plot kind of just got away from me as this one had. It's not as long, but I think it should be posted.

A/N: True story: the anxiety attack that Inigo experiences in this piece is heavily based on one I had myself. I can't remember how I was able to calm down, it's a blank in my mind so I improvised that part for Inigo. And I don't think I could ever truly capture how terrifying that experience was, but I wrote everything that I felt and thought anyway. It nearly sent me to the hospital/ER. Only reason I didn't go was because I declined the offer of the campus medical team's assistance in getting there. I couldn't afford a trip to the hospital. Instead, they instructed my friends/roommates (who found me in that state) to watch over me for the next few days while my boyfriend half-carried me to my bed for the rest of the night. The funny thing about the whole situation is that I accidentally broke up our neighbor's drunken party because they mistook the medical team for the campus police xD

I don't have a Beta so all mistakes are mine. Please inform me of any and I'll fix them right away. Please R&R! Thank you. FYI, if it still wasn't already obvious, I don't own Fire Emblem Fates or any of these characters.

The Supreme Court ordered political parties to publish the entire criminal history of their candidates for Assembly and Lok Sabha elections along with the reasons that goaded them to field suspected criminals over decent people

Daily Current Affairs Dated on 03-Feb-2020 Contents: 1. Bats harbor many Viruses 2. Cheer for science as key departments get a raise 3. More Men than Women in STEM 4. NASA decommissions Spitzer space telescope after 16 years of operation 5. Private players allowed to set up data parks 6. Govt. to launch campaign to eliminate TB by 2025 7. Rail, flight services to transport farm produce 8. Nilgiris: Pesticide levels in Potato, Carrot 9. Kasturi Manjal (wild turmeric) 10.Shaheen falcon spotted in Thiruvananthapuram 11.Why cheetah got extinct in India 12.Prolonged monsoon revives waterholes in Bandipur BATS HARBOR MANY VIRUSES Focus: Prelims, GS-3 Why in news? Bats are being considered as a vector for Novel Coronavirus Details:  Bats serves as natural hosts for numerous viruses including Ebola virus, Nipah virus, coronaviruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and the 2019 novel coronavirus that has infected nearly 10,000 people and killed over 350 others.  Still they don’t get infected because bats can avoid excessive virus-induced inflammation, which often causes severe diseases in animals and people infected with viruses  According to journal Nature Microbiology  The inflammatory response is dampened in bats immaterial of the variety of viruses that are present and the viral load. Daily Current Affairs Dated on 03-Feb-2020  Significantly reduced inflammation in bats was because activation of an important protein — NLRP3.  Reduced activation of the NLRP3 protein was in turn due to impaired production of mRNA (transcript). Since mRNA production is impaired the NLRP3 protein production gets compromised leading to less amount of the protein being produced.  Further analysis comparing 10 bat and 17 non-bat mammalian NLRP3 gene sequences confirmed that these adaptations appear to be bat-specific. CHEER FOR SCIENCE AS KEY DEPARTMENTS GET A RAISE Focus: GS-3 Why in news? Key departments get 13% more than what was spent last year. Details:  The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) posted the largest increase, with an outlay of ₹2,786 crore, a 17% increase from the ₹2,381 crore it spent last year  The Department of Science and Technology got a 14% hike, at ₹6,301 crore, over its expenditure last year, the Earth Sciences Ministry posted a 14% hike at ₹2,070 crore and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research got a 10% hike at ₹5,385 crore. Daily Current Affairs Dated on 03-Feb-2020 MORE MEN THAN WOMEN IN STEM Focus: GS-3 Why in news? Masculine culture, insufficient early exposure to science play a role Details:  Across the world, there are more men who are active in science, technology, engineering and medicine (STEM) than women  In the labour market, or in places where high level qualifications are demanded, men candidates engage in self-promotion, and are boastful while equally qualified women are more ‘modest’ and ‘undersell’ themselves.  Even in groups and situations where men and women are present as colleagues, the views of women are either ignored or listened to less seriously than those of men.  As a result, women tend to underestimate their ability relative to men, especially in public settings, and negotiate less successfully.  Three socio-psychological reasons, namely (1) masculine culture, (2) lack of sufficient early exposure to computers, physics and related areas compared to boys in early childhood and (3) gender gap in self-efficacy.  Stereotyping that men are fitter for certain jobs and skills than women, and that women are more ‘delicate’, ‘tender’ and thus unfit for ‘hard’ jobs. Daily Current Affairs Dated on 03-Feb-2020 NASA DECOMMISSIONS SPITZER SPACE TELESCOPE AFTER 16 YEARS OF OPERATION Focus: GS-3, Prelims Why in news? Spitzer, which was launched in 2003, studied some of the most distant galaxies ever detected with the light from some of the cosmic bodies travelling for billions of years to reach the telescope, NASA said. Details:  Spitzer showed the importance of infrared light in understanding our universe, both in our own cosmic neighborhood, and as far away as the most distant galaxies  By detecting infrared light, with wavelengths ranging from about 700 nanometers — too small to see with the naked eye — to about a millimeter, Spitzer could help astronomers unveil the presence of cosmic entities which are too cold to emit much visible light, including planets outside our solar system, and cold matter found in the space between stars  Found a previously undetected ring around Saturn, composed of sparse dust particles that visible-light observatories cannot see PRIVATE PLAYERS ALLOWED TO SET UP DATA PARKS Why in news? Union Budget for 2020-21 has made a provision for private players to get into data center market Daily Current Affairs Dated on 03-Feb-2020 Details  All ‘public institutions’ at the gram panchayat level, such as anganwadis, health and wellness centres, government schools, PDS (public distribution system) outlets, post offices and police stations will be provided with digital connectivity  Fiber to the Home (FTTH) connections through BharatNet will link 100,000 gram panchayats this year  New technologies such as analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) found a lot of emphasis in Budget 2020  Government will bring out a policy to enable the private sector to build Data Centre parks throughout the country  Data must have strong credibility. The proposed new National Policy on Official Statistics would use latest technology, including AI  AI, the Internet of Things, 3D printing, drones, DNA data storage, quantum computing, etc., were re-writing the world economic order GOVT. TO LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO ELIMINATE TB BY 2025 Details and Context:  Presenting the Budget for 2020-21,The finance minister has proposed to expand Jan Aushadhi Kendras to all districts of the country to provide medicines at affordable rates  Proceeds from taxes on medical devices would be used to support setting up of hospitals  Viability gap funding will be provided for setting up hospitals in districts with no empaneled hospitals under Ayushman Bharat and also to set up warehouses for Agri products  The government also plans to expand coverage of artificial insemination to 70% from 30% to increase livestock productivity Daily Current Affairs Dated on 03-Feb-2020 RAIL, FLIGHT SERVICES TO TRANSPORT FARM PRODUCE Why in news? FM has announced ‘Kisan Rail’ Programme Details  The Centre has raised the target for agricultural credit by 11% to ₹15 lakh crore in 2020-21 and proposed to begin special rail and flight services to transport farm produce as part of a 16-point action plan for the agriculture sector announced in the Union Budget  Kisan rail Programme should be taken through public-private partnership to build a seamless national cold supply chain for perishables, including milk, meat and fish. Refrigerated coaches would be built in express and freight trains  Krishi Udaan scheme would be launched by the Civil Aviation Ministry on international and national routes, in a move that would help improve value realisation especially in the northeast and tribal districts NILGIRIS: PESTICIDE LEVELS IN POTATO, CARROT Why in news? A study of fruits and vegetables grown in the Nilgiris has found that some of the produce might be harbouring high levels of pesticide, beyond what is considered advisable Details:  Organophosphate use was high in carrot and potato cultivation Daily Current Affairs Dated on 03-Feb-2020  Using liquid chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry, the research team developed a sensitive method to estimate the levels of organophosphates in the fruits and vegetables  Organophosphate pesticides such as acephate, malathion, profenofos, chlorpyrifos and quinalphos are used in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables KASTURI MANJAL (WILD TURMERIC) Why in news? The spice is becoming extinct and is also facing threats from a counterfeit variety Details:  Kasturi Manjal with milk cream or rose water has been “grandma’s potion” for glowing skin.  Turmeric, an essential ingredient in all Indian kitchens, has gained fame and acceptance for its cosmetic and healing properties and has been a core ingredient of many beauty products and medicines.  The turmeric can be cultivated in open fields, in flower pots or grow bags.  The farming methods are easy and it can be harvested in seven to eight months. SHAHEEN FALCON SPOTTED IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Why in news?  It was the first reported sighting of the fastest bird in the world in the capital city  Also Known as Indian Peregrine Falcon, it is the fastest bird in the world Daily Current Affairs Dated on 03-Feb-2020  Peregrine falcons are usually found along mountain ranges and river valleys, but it is not unusual to find them in cities, especially in high rises where they are able to find prey like pigeons and other small birds very easily.  They usually build their nest in the mountain cliffs, which also serve as ambush points for them to wait for the prey and launch the aerial assault after spotting the same.  The distinguishing mark that separates Shaheen Falcons from Peregrine is the white color around their throats.  The bird is usually spotted alone and Peregrine falcons are known to mate for life — like hornbills. WHY IS THE CHEETAH EXTINCT IN INDIA? Details:  At the recent meeting of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 14), a researcher from the Indian delegation pronounced desertification as the primary cause of the extinction of the cheetah (and also the still-extant great Indian bustard) in India.  Two idiosyncratic traits of the animal undeniably led to its end:  One, the cat was very easy to tame: it was often trained to race down and hunt animals, almost like a hound — a ‘sport’ called coursing — and so was caught in large numbers for use in such hunts. Second, cheetahs were nearly impossible to breed in captivity.  Breeding captive cheetahs was such an incredible rarity that in 1613, Emperor Jahangir formally recorded the first and only instance, up to the 20th century, of a cheetah bred in captivity anywhere in the world in the book Tuzuk-iJahangiri.  The earliest reference to their domestication for the sport of coursing is from Manasollasa, the 12th century chronicle of the court activities of King Someshvara III of Kalyani  Such was the scale of cheetahs being taken out from the wild that Emperor Akbar is said to have acquired a staggering 9,000 cheetahs for his royal menagerie during his 49-year reign in the 16th century Daily Current Affairs Dated on 03-Feb-2020  There is just a single record of a human fatality from a cheetah attack that we know of — the death of O.B. Irvine, Agent of Governor in Visakhapatnam, who died after being mauled by a captive cheetah that belonged to the Raja of Vizianagaram, during a coursing hunt in 1880  In fact, the term ‘Asiatic cheetah’ gained currency only after the species’ extinction in India; before this, it was known as the Indian cheetah.  The earliest visual evidence of the Asiatic cheetah, dating back to 2500 to 2300 BCE, is found in cave paintings in Kharvai and Khairabad, and in the upper Chambal valley, in Madhya Pradesh. PROLONGED MONSOON REVIVES WATERHOLES IN BANDIPUR Why in news? Of the 370 big and small waterholes, 85% are full while a few smaller ones have witnessed depletion Details:  Expected to help wild animals beat water stress and tide over the greater part of the scorching summer that has already set in and will last till pre-monsoon showers lash the national park normally in mid-May  There are 37 solar-powered borewells that will function to replenish the waterholes periodically so that the water stress is minimised  In The M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, there are around 100 waterholes apart from two rivers — Cauvery and Palar — of which the Cauvery is perennial while the flow in Palar is expected to last till the end of March  Three ranges — Hugyam, M.M. Hills and Palar — in M.M. Hills division, which received rains recently and so the onset of water distress will be delayed and shorten the days of scarcity

C.A Dated On 06-07-2019 GS-2 National Register of Citizens (NRC) Why in News? UN experts on Wednesday warned that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam could render millions of citizens stateless and create instability in India. A panel of three experts said the exercise has increased hate speech against minorities in social media and built a climate of racial hatred. About NRC: l The National Register of Citizens (NRC) a register containing names of all genuine Indian citizens. The register was first prepared after the 1951 Census of India. Census of India. l The NRC is now being updated in Assam to include the names of those persons (or their descendants) who appear in the NRC, 1951, or in any of the Electoral Rolls up to the midnight of 24th March, 1971 or in any one of the other admissible documents issued up to mid-night of 24th March, 1971, which would prove their presence in Assam or in any part of India on or before 24th March, 1971. Background: l The update process of NRC started in the year 2013, when the Supreme Court of India passed orders for its update. l Since then, the Supreme Court (bench of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Rohintan Fali Nariman) have been monitoring it continuously. l The entire project is headed by the State Coordinator of National Registration, Assam, Mr Prateek Hajela under the strict monitoring of Supreme Court of India. Purpose of NRC l The purpose of NRC update is to identify Indian citizens from amongst all the residents of Assam thereby leading to identification of illegal migrants residing in Assam, who entered Indian territories after the midnight of 24th March 1971 and to determine the citizenship of the applicants who have applied for inclusion of their names in the updated NRC. C.A Dated On 06-07-2019 Childrens and Substance Use: Why in News? Nearly 26 lakh children in the country are addicted to “sedatives and inhalants,” Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Details: l Alcohol was the most common psychoactive substance used by Indians followed by cannabis and opioids. l Over 16 crore people in the country consume alcohol, around 3.1 crore use Cannabis and about 77 lakh people take opioids. l “More than 5.7 crore alcohol users, 72 lakh cannabis users and about 77 lakh opioid users are addicted and need help. National survey l The findings were part of a national household survey conducted by the Ministry in 2018. l The survey also indicates that around 1.18 crore people between the age group of 10 and 75 are taking sedatives and 77 lakh are using inhalents. l Children and adolescents were found to be using inhalents more than others. l During the survey, over two lakh households were visited in 186 districts of the country and a total of 4,73,569 individuals were interviewed, he added. l The government was also conducting a survey in 10 cities across the country to assess the pattern and profile of substance use among school and college students. The report was expected by November this year. The Baloch Liberation Army : C.A Dated On 06-07-2019 Why in News? The U.S. on July 2 designated the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) as a terror organisation. “The BLA is an armed separatist group that targets security forces and civilians, mainly in ethnic Baloch areas of Pakistan,” said the U.S. State Department in a statement. History: l In the seven decades of the Baloch movement, the BLA has survived the longest. l It is borne out of the tradition of armed militants who were earlier indirectly supported by the Marri, Bugti, Mengal and other clans or sardars. l The Baloch movement was influenced by the Soviet Union and radical Marxist ideology in the past and some of their leaders were trained by Moscow. l The BLA continues to draw from the same revolutionary spirit but has added that to the younger generation of fighters. Who are their leaders? l While it is well-known that several overground Baloch leaders are sympathetic to the organisation, the overground tribal leaders do not flaunt ties with the organisation as it has been banned by Pakistan since 2006. The BLA has maintained a fluid leadership pattern. What’s its ideology? l BLA rebels claim that Pakistan has been exploiting the resources of the Province without giving the due share to the locals and the indigenous Baloch tribes. l In recent years, the BLA has emerged as a movement with a network of supporters in both urban and rural areas of Balochistan, and has created a space for itself away from the traditional hold of the sardars of tribes. l BLA rebels have claimed that they are aiming for both freedom from Pakistan and internal reform of the Baloch society. l They are opposed to the traditional sardar or Kawailey system at home. l As a result of its non-traditional approach, BLA has become more popular among young and educated Balochis. C.A Dated On 06-07-2019 What are India’s ties with Baloch rebels? l It is established that BLA commanders, in the past, had sought medical treatment in India’s hospitals, often under disguise or with fake identity. l In one such case, a militant commander in charge of Khuzdar city was based in Delhi for at least six months in 2017 when he underwent extensive treatment for kidney-related ailments. l Pakistan has blamed India for supporting the Baloch rebels. l It is known that the Baloch sardars like the late Akbar Bugti and Ghaus Bukhsh Bizenjo maintained warm personal ties with various Indian political figures. However, visits by militants are often under assumed identities unlike those by prominent well known leaders. What does the U.S. ban mean? l Pakistan is expected to make it difficult for commanders and module chiefs of the BLA to travel in the region. l The fighters are also likely to find fund-raising more difficult. l In a communication to The Hindu, Baloch rebels, however, have indicated that they are planning to intensify the struggle against Pakistan as they remain “the most popular” militant organisation in Balochistan despite Pakistan military’s crackdown. GS-3 Highlights of the Union Budget: 1. PAN and Aadhaar will become interchangeable. You can use your Aadhaar number to file your I-T Returns soon. 2. ₹5 lakh minimum limit announced for taxpayers. In view of rising income levels, those in the ₹2-5 crore and ₹5 crore-and-above brackets will see increase in effective tax rate by 3% and 7%, respectively. 3. GST rate on electric vehicles proposed to be lowered to 5%. Additional income tax deduction of ₹1.5 lakh on interest on loans taken to purchase electric vehicles. 4. Additional deduction of ₹1.5 lakh on loans up to March 31 2020 for buying affordable houses, giving ₹ 7 lakh benefit to home buyers. C.A Dated On 06-07-2019 5. Proposal to provide Aadhaar cards for NRIs with Indian passports, after their arrival in India, with no waiting period. 6. ₹20 coin coming up. 7. Excise duty on fuel hiked by ₹1. 8. To resolve the angel tax issue, startups will not be subject to any scrutiny in respect to valuation. Funds raised by startups will not require any scrutiny by the I-T department. 9. TDS of 2% on cash withdrawals exceeding ₹1 crore in a year from bank accounts, to discourage business payments in cash. 10.Period of exemption for capital gains arising from sale of house for investment in startups to be extended to March 31, 2021. 11.₹70,000 crore in recapitalisation for public sector banks. 12.₹1.05 lakh crore disinvestment target for the year. 13.TV channel to be launched for promoting startups and to help matchmaking for funds. 14.New national educational policy hopes to transform Indian education into one of the best in the world, with focus on bringing in foreign students. 15.₹50 lakh crores proposed for Railway infrastructure. 16.By 2022, the 75th year of Independence, every single rural family, except those who are unwilling to take the connection, will have electricity and clean cooking facility. 17.Stress on zero-budget farming, which is a form of gardening as a self-sustainable practice, with minimum external intervention. 18.The pension benefit will be extended to 3 crore retail traders under PM Karam Yogi Maan Dhan Scheme. It requires only Aadhaar numbers and bank accounts. 19.₹1 crore worth of loans proposed to MSMEs. 20.Investment by FIIs and FDIs in debt securities in infrastructure debt funds to be allowed. Minimum public shareholding in listed companies can be increased from 25% to 35%. 21.Global Investors Meet to happen in India. Arctic Research: Context: C.A Dated On 06-07-2019 In a couple of months, the German icebreaker RV Polarstern, a hulking ship will set out for the Arctic packed with supplies and scientific equipment for a year-long mission to explore the planet’s frigid far north. About the Mission: l The icebreaker will be the base for scientists from 17 nations studying the impact of climate change on the Arctic and how it could affect the rest of the world. l The mission’s aim to understand global warming means there’s no time for national rivalry, said Rex. l By combining measurements on the ice with data collected from satellites, scientists hope to improve the increasingly sophisticated computer models for weather and climate predictions. “ Financing of the Mission: The mission has received funding from U.S. institutions such as the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and NASA. Background: l The MOSAiC mission, which stands for Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate, comes about 125 years after Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen first managed to seal his wooden expedition ship, Fram, into the ice during a three-year expedition to the North Pole. l Scientists now believe that the cold cap that forms each year is key to regulating weather patterns across the Northern Hemisphere. l Mr. Rex cited the polar vortices that blasted cold air as far as Florida last winter and the early summer heat wave in Europe as prime examples of the impact. l “The dramatic warming of the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic. Salt Adulteration: Why in News? C.A Dated On 06-07-2019 Citing a report from U.S.-based West American Analytical Laboratories, Shiv Shankar Gupta, chairman of Godhum Grains and Food Products, accused some salt manufacturers in India of selling food-grade salt that contained high levels of potassium ferrocyanide. This caused a panic, which was aggravated by widespread sharing of the news item on social media. Indeed, potassium ferrocyanide is being used in salt to give it anti-caking properties. But the answer to whether it is toxic is no! Is it really dangerous? l Firstly, while potassium cyanide is a toxic substance and releases the cyanide anion when consumed by a person, potassium ferrocyanide is not. l In potassium ferrocyanide, the cyanide anion is strongly bonded to ferrous ion and hence does not get hydrolysed. l Secondly, there is the factor known as the LD50 value. This is expanded as “Lethal Dose 50%”. l LD50 is the amount of any chemical that can cause death in 50% of the group of animals that it enters by consumption or absorption through the skin. l According to inorganic chemist Dr. Sayam Sengupta of IISER Kolkata, the LD50 value for common salt — sodium chloride — for rats is greater than 3 gram per kilogram body weight of the animal. He points out that for potassium Ferrocyanide, LD 50 value is 3.6 gram per kilogram weight of the animal, when taken orally. l As this indicates, the LD50 value of potassium ferrocyanide is almost the same as common salt. l Thirdly, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has prescribed the levels of potassium ferrocyanide that can be used in salt. l The allowed levels of potassium ferrocyanide in salt is 10 mg/kg. whereas the level in the Tata salt was found to be 1.90 mg/kg and that of Sambhar salt was found to be about 4.71 mg/kg, both within allowed levels. Some countries such as the European Union have banned the use of potassium ferrocyanide as anti-caking agent. However, the analysis indicates that there is no reason to fear toxicity due to this chemical being used.

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 09-July-2019 GS-1 National Translation Mission: Why in News? The National Translation Mission (NTM) is a scheme launched in 2008 which is being implemented through the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore to establish translation as an industry in general and to facilitate higher education by making knowledge texts accessible to students and academics in Indian languages. Progress made by the Mission: l Under the scheme, the books of knowledge texts mostly text books of various subjects prescribed in Universities and Colleges are being translated in all Languages of the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India. l National Translation Mission has so far published 40 Knowledge Text translations in 16 languages (Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Hindi, Kannada, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu). l NTM has published 6 bilingual dictionaries (English to Indian languages) in collaboration with Pearson Education, India. l The Mission has trained about 1400 budding translators through 3-week intensive courses (21 days) on „Introduction to translation‟ and 'Research Methodology in Translation‟ GS-2 School Based Assessment (SBA) at elementary level: Context: The National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) conducts periodic national surveys to assess learning achievement of children in Classes – III, V, VIII and X. About NAS: l The National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2017 was held on 13th November for assessing the competencies developed by the children at the grade levels III, V and VIII from across 701 districts covering all the 36 States and UTs and covered 22 lakh students from 1.10 lakh schools. Daily Current Affairs Dated On 09-July-2019 l NAS (2017) was administered with districts as the unit of reporting in different subject areas such as languages, mathematics, EVS/Science and Social Sciences in the Government and Government aided schools. l The competency based test was based on the Learning Outcomes which were incorporated in the Central Rules for RTE Act by the Government of India. l District report cards for NAS have been shared with the States and UTs to help identify gaps and devise strategies for further improvement. Initiatives to improve the quality of education: 1. In order to focus on ensuring competencies, the Central rules to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 have been amended to include reference on class-wise, subject-wise Learning Outcomes, which have, accordingly, been finalized and shared with all States and UTs. 2. Under Samagra Shiksha, funds are given to all States and UTs for strengthening of infrastructure and provision of other facilities in schools to ensure that all schools meet the prescribed norm. 3. Regulations for a four year B.Ed integrated course, to bring about qualitative improvement in teacher education. 4. It has been decided to participate in the Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA) to be conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2021, which is a competency based assessment. 5. Approval has been given for conducting a Census based audit called Shagunotsav of all government and government aided schools in all States and UTs. 6. MHRD has designed a 70 indicators based matrix called Performance Grading Index (PGI) to grade the States/UTs. 7. In 2019-20, approval has been given for an Integrated Teacher Training Programme to train 42 lakh teachers, and other functionaries to make classrooms learner-friendly and improving children‟s competencies including critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, as well as social-personal qualities such as cooperation, team work etc. 8. In 2019-20 approval has been given for a competency based School Based Assessment (SBA) at the elementary level. Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Daily Current Affairs Dated On 09-July-2019 Context: Commemorating World Youth Skills Day on July 15, 2019 and celebrating 4th Anniversary of the Skill India Mission, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship has announced launch of “Kaushal Yuva Samwaad” (A Youth Dialogue). What does it aims for? l Kaushal Yuva Samwaad is aimed at creating an open dialogue with the youth across all skill training centres to hear their views, ideas, opportunities and recommendations which could help the Ministry in scaling the existing programs and improve overall efficiency of its projects. l As per the mandate, each training centre must invite a minimum of 20 candidates to participate in the dialogue. l Post the dialogue, the recommendations from the Kaushal Yuva Samwaad are to be submitted to the Ministry. About NSDM: l The National Skill Development Mission (Skill India Mission), launched on July 15, 2015 under the esteemed guidance of Hon‟ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has been steadily making progress. l Nearly One Crore youth are being presently imparted skills training annually under various programs of the Government through Skill India Mission. l The mission also envisages convergence, coordination and harmonization of the fragmented skilling efforts of various Ministries in Government of India and other key stakeholders like State Government, Industry, Training ecosystem etc.. GS-3 Nhai Signs MoU with NIIF for funding highway projects Details: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) today signed an MoU with National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) . Daily Current Affairs Dated On 09-July-2019 The MoU is related to co-operation in formation of SPVs to execute the fund arrangement for large size road projects particularly green field projects to be executed by NHAI in future. What is NIIF: l NIIF is a fund promoted by Government of India to give boost to the infrastructure sector in the country. l National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) is India‟s first sovereign wealth fund that was set up by the Government of India in February 2015. l The objective behind creating this fund was to maximize economic impact mainly through infrastructure investment in commercially viable projects, both Greenfield and Brownfield. l It was proposed to be established as an Alternative Investment Fund to provide long tenor capital for infrastructure projects with an inflow of Rs. 20,000 crore from the Government of India. l NIIF was approved in August 2015 by the Department of Economic Affairs. First meeting of its governing council was held in December 2015 further to which it was registered with SEBI as Category II Alternative Investment Fund. l As of September 2018, the NIIF manages funds of over US$ 3.4 billion. Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme Context: The National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 is a National Mission document providing the vision and the roadmap for the faster adoption of electric vehicles and their manufacturing in the country. Daily Current Affairs Dated On 09-July-2019 As part of the NEMMP 2020, Department of Heavy Industry formulated a Scheme viz. Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme in the year 2015 to promote manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicle technology and to ensure sustainable growth of the same. About the Scheme: l The Phase-I of this Scheme was initially launched for a period of 2 years, commencing from 1st April 2015, which was subsequently extended from time to time and the last extension was allowed up to 31st March 2019. l The 1st Phase of FAME India Scheme was implemented through four focus areas namely (i) Demand Creation, (ii) Technology Platform, (iii) Pilot Project and (iv) Charging Infrastructure. l Market creation through demand incentives was aimed at incentivizing all vehicle segments i.e. 2-Wheelers, 3-Wheelers Auto, Passenger 4-Wheeler vehicles, Light Commercial Vehicles and Buses. Evaluation of the Scheme: The evaluation of Phase-I of FAME Scheme was done by an independent consultant. The main findings of the validation of outcome report as submitted by consultant are given below: l During the last 2 years, the agenda of clean mobility has been placed front and center in all discussions. The relatively increased awareness, is in itself a notable achievement. l Overall outcomes of key parameters of Fuel saving and CO2 reduction are significantly below the target for FAME; l Industry players have been cautious about developing capabilities – players have chosen to operate adjacent to their core capabilities l Subsidy structure needs to be revised based on the powertrain technology (to incentivize cleaner technologies) and to establish parity across technologies Daily Current Affairs Dated On 09-July-2019 l Overall phased implementation plan has taken off but at the very slow pace, demonstrated limited progress in the first phase. Future of scheme: l Based on the experience gained during Phase 1 of FAME Scheme and suggestions of various stakeholders including industry associations, the Department of Heavy Industry notified Phase-II of the Scheme. The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill – 2019 Why in News? Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Harsh Vardhan introduced “The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019” today in the Lok Sabha. Purpose: l ]This Bill is for the regulation of use and application of DNA technology for the purpose of establishing identity of missing persons, victims, offenders, under trials and unknown deceased persons. l The primary intended purpose of "The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019" is for expanding the application of DNA-based forensic technologies to support and strengthen the justice delivery system of the country. l The utility of DNA based technologies for solving crimes, and to identify missing persons, is well recognized across the world. l By providing for the mandatory accreditation and regulation of DNA laboratories, the Bill seeks to ensure that with the proposed expanded use of this technology in this country, there is also the assurance that the DNA test results are reliable, and furthermore that the data remain protected from misuse or abuse in terms of the privacy rights of our citizens. Benefits of the Bill: Daily Current Affairs Dated On 09-July-2019 l The proposed legislation will empower the criminal justice delivery system by enabling the application of DNA evidence, which is considered the gold standard in crime investigations. l Establishment of the National and Regional DNA Data Banks, as envisaged in the Bill, will assist in forensic investigations. l The proposed Bill will give fillip to the development of uniform code of practices in all laboratories involved in DNA testing throughout the country . l This will aid in scientific up gradation and streamlining of the DNA testing activities in the country with appropriate inputs from the DNA Regulatory Board which would be set up for the purpose. l It is expected that the expanded use of this scientifically driven technology would empower the existing justice delivery system. Nanoclean AC Filters: Why in News? Nanoclean AC Filters can turn your AC into an air purifier.Made of a specially-designed non-woven structure, the device has been developed in tandem with Prof Ashwini K Agrawal, HOD, Department of Textile Technology and Prof Manjeet Jassal, from the same department. About the filters: l These are easy-to-use, nearly invisible nasal filters, which are clipped onto your nostrils to prevent particulate matter from entering while breathing. l Affordable, at ₹10 a piece, this one-time-use anti-pollution filter can hold up to a day. l Nasofilter is a patented technology, and the company exports its products to 30 countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and more. Currently, their manufacturing unit is based in Ahmedabad. How do we use it? l It is a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) product and can easily be placed in both a split as well as window AC. l One only has to place it on the frame of the existing AC Filter. The product is unwashable. Daily Current Affairs Dated On 09-July-2019 How pure does the air get with this device? l It can purify a room up to 90% in just 35-40 minutes (less than an hour). l It removes PM2.5 and other micro-particle pollutants from the air. Does it have any negative impact on either cooling or electricity consumption? l No, the Nanoclean AC Filter, when fitted, occupies less than 45-50% of the space of the inbuilt cooling filter, hence cooling is taken care of And with the use of Nanotechnology, these filters allow ACs to become purifiers at no recurrent electricity cost. What is it made of? l A proprietary (specially designed) non-woven structure which is able to retain pollutants (PM2.5), made up of pure PP (polypropylene) which can be recycled into other products (making it an environmentally friendly technology

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the Union government’s submissions that women are physiologically weaker than men as a “sex stereotype” and declared that Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers are eligible for permanent commission and command posts in the Army irrespective of their years of service