WHY IN NEWS

Recently, Unified District Information System for Education

(UDISE) released a data showing that in the academic year
(2019-20) only 22% of schools in India had Internet
facilities.

➢ Among government schools, less than 12% had Internet

in 2019-20, while less than 30% had functional computer
facilities.
➢ Only three States — Kerala (88%), Delhi (86%) and
Gujarat (71%) — have Internet facilities in more than half
their schools.
➢ The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) improved in 2019-20,
with 98% of students in Classes 1-8 attending school,
though the GER for secondary and senior secondary
students stood at 78% and 51% respectively.
➢ The dropout rate at secondary level was 17% in 2019-
20.
➢ It is a database about schools in India, initiated in
2012-13, under the Dept. of School Education &
Literacy, the Ministry of education.
➢ UDISE+ is an updated and improved version of
UDISE.
➢ UDISE+, collects information through an online
Data Collection Form (DCF) on parameters ranging
from school, Infrastructure, teachers, enrolments,
examination results etc. spread across 11 sections.
WHY IN NEWS
Recently, Zydus Cadila has applied to the Drug Controller ➢ A plasmid is a small, circular, double-stranded DNA
General of India (DCGI) seeking Emergency Use molecule that is distinct from a cell's chromosomal
Authorisation (EUA) for ZyCoV-D, vaccine to counter COVID- DNA.
19. ➢ The unique property of self-replication makes it
unique.
➢ It will be the world’s first plasmid DNA vaccine for ➢ It is used in the genetic engineering and
COVID-19. recombinant DNA technology.
➢ Phase III clinical trials had been conducted on over
28,000 volunteers.
➢ It had also been tested in the adolescent population in
the age group of 12-18 years in India.
➢ The plug and play technology, on which the plasmid
DNA platform is based, can easily be adapted to deal
with mutations in the virus.

➢ The head of department of the Central Drugs Standard

Control Organization of the GoI responsible for approval
of licenses of specified categories of drugs.
WHY IN NEWS
Recently, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in its Financial
Stability Report that Gross - NPA ratio may rise up to 11.2%
in FY22.
➢ It is published biannually.
➢ It reflects an assessment of the Sub-Committee of
the Financial Stability and Development Council
(FSDC) on the risks to financial stability.

➢ NPA refers to a classification for loans that are in

default.
➢ It is recorded on a bank's balance sheet after a
prolonged period of non-payment by the borrower.
➢ Gross NPA - It refers to the sum of all the loans that ➢ It is an apex-level body constituted in 2010 by GoI.
have been defaulted by the borrowers within the ➢ It deals with macro prudential and financial
provided period. regularities in the entire financial sector of India.
✓ It lead to a bad effect on company goodwill.
➢ Net NPA – It is the amount that results after deducting
provision for unpaid debts from gross NPA.
✓ It lead to low profitability and liquidity in the
company cash reserves.
WHY IN NEWS
Recently, The 7th edition of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) was hosted by the French Navy at La Réunion Island.

➢ It is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation and promotes friendly relationships among
navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
➢ It is a biennial event and was conceived by the Indian Navy in Feb, 2008.
➢ The chairmanship of IONS has been held by India (2008-10), UAE (2010-12), South Africa (2012-14), Australia (2014-
16), Bangladesh (2016-18) and Islamic Republic of Iran (2018-21).
✓ France has assumed the Chairmanship on 29 June, 2021 for a two-year tenure.
➢ It includes 24 nations as members, that lies within the
Indian Ocean along with and 8 observer nations.
➢ Members have been geographically categorized into the
following four sub-regions - South Asian members,
West Asian members, East African members and South
East Asian and Australian members.
WHY IN NEWS
Recently, India’s manufacturing output shrank in June to 48.1 from 50.8 in May, the survey-based IHS Markit
Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) shows.
✓ It marks the industry’s first contraction since July 2020.

➢ PMI was started for the first time by US-based Institute for Supply Management (ISM) in 1948.
➢ IHS Markit produces the index for 30 other countries including India.
➢ The IHS Markit’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index measures the performance of India’s manufacturing
sector.
➢ It is a good economic indicator, which is derived after monthly surveys of different companies.
➢ The surveys are conducted on a monthly basis.
➢ There are two types of PMI —
✓ Manufacturing PMI
✓ Services PMI
➢ The index helps in determining whether the market conditions, as seen by purchasing managers, is expanding,
contracting or staying the same.
✓ Expansion - A PMI number greater than 50
✓ Contraction - A number less than 50
✓ No change - A number equivalent to 50
WHY IN NEWS
Recently, a new study has conducted on black carbon and its
impacts on health.
✓ This study could help improve the estimation of the
future air pollution mortality burden.

➢ Black Carbon has a significant adverse effect on human

health and can lead to a premature death.
➢ The Indo-Gangetic plain is exposed to Black Carbon (BC)
with serious implications on regional climate and human
health.
✓ But the health effects in terms of mortality due to BC
aerosol exposure have never been evaluated in India.

➢ Black carbon, or soot, is part of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) and contributes to climate change.
➢ It is formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, wood and other fuels.
➢ It is a short-lived climate pollutant with a lifetime of only days to weeks after release in the atmosphere.
WHY IN NEWS
Recently, Odia poet Dr Rajendra Kishore Panda has been awarded the Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar for the year 2020.

➢ He, born on June 24, 1944, writes in the Odia language.

➢ He has published 16 poetry collections and a novel.
➢ He was awarded the Gangadhar National Award in 2010, and the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1985.

➢ It was founded in 1992 and Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Trust instituted this national annual literary award in 2013 in the
name of Kuvempu.
➢ This award is given annually to recognize litterateurs who had contributed in any language recognized by the
Constitution of India.
➢ This award instituted in memory of late poet laureate Kuvempu.
➢ The prestigious award carries a cash award of Rs 5 lakh, a silver medal, and a citation.

CONT.
➢ Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa, popularly known by his pen name Kuvempu, was an Indian poet, playwright, novelist
and critic.
➢ He is widely regarded as the greatest Kannada poet of the 20th century.
➢ He was the first Kannada writer to be decorated with the Jnanpith Award.
➢ For his contributions to Kannada Literature, the Government of Karnataka decorated him with the honorific
Rashtrakavi ("National Poet") in 1964 and Karnataka Ratna ("The Gem of Karnataka") in 1992.
➢ He was conferred the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 1988.
WHY IN NEWS
Recently, The Union Cabinet has approved a Reforms-based and Results-linked, Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.

➢ The Scheme aims to improve the operational efficiencies and financial sustainability of all DISCOMs/ Power
Departments excluding Private Sector DISCOMs.
✓ By providing conditional financial assistance to DISCOMs for strengthening of supply infrastructure.
➢ The assistance will be based on meeting pre-qualifying criteria as well as upon achievement of basic minimum
benchmarks.
➢ The Scheme would be available till the year 2025-26.
➢ Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) and Power Finance Corporation (PFC) will act as nodal agencies for facilitating
implementation of the Scheme.
➢ A key feature of the Scheme is to enable consumer empowerment by way of prepaid Smart metering to be
implemented in Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode.
➢ The Scheme has a major focus on improving electricity supply for the farmers and for providing daytime electricity to
them through solarization of agricultural feeders.
➢ This Scheme converges with the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM)
Scheme, which aims to solarize all feeders, and provide avenues for additional income to farmers.

CONT.
➢
✓ Reduction of AT&C losses to pan-India levels of 12-15% by 2024-25.
✓ Reduction of ACS-ARR gap to zero by 2024-25.
✓ Developing Institutional Capabilities for Modern DISCOMs
✓ Improvement in the quality, reliability, and affordability of power supply to consumers through a financially
sustainable and operationally efficient Distribution Sector.
➢
✓ Consumer Meters and System Meters
▪ Prepaid Smart Meters for all consumers except Agricultural consumers
▪ Prioritizing the urban areas, UTs, AMRUT cities etc.
✓ Feeder Segregation
▪ Focuses on funding for feeder segregation for unsegregated feeders, which would enable solarization under
KUSUM
✓ Modernization of Distribution system in urban areas
▪ Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) in all urban areas
▪ Distribution Management System (DMS) in 100 urban center
✓ Rural and Urban area System strengthening
WHY IN NEWS
Recently, The National Commission for Women (NCW) launched a ‘Training
Programme of Protection Officers in addressing Domestic Violence’ in
collaboration with LBSNAA.

➢ It aims to address the specific needs of Protection Officers in responding

to survivors of domestic violence.
➢ The objective of the training is to focus on the role of different
stakeholders/service providers under the Act including police, legal aid
services, health system, service providers, shelter services, one stop
centres etc.

➢ Under the Domestic Violence Act, a court can appoint a protection officer
to enforce its orders.
➢ The protection officer is a special post created to serve as a liaison
between victims of domestic violence and the system.
➢ This post is meant to help aggrieved women connect with the courts, the
police and various support services.
CONT.
➢ According to the rules prescribed under the Act, state governments must appoint at least one protection officer in the
jurisdiction of every judicial magistrate.
➢ Protection officers can be members of either government or non-governmental organizations, with at least three
years of experience in the social sector, but they must preferably be women.
➢ Approaching a protection officer is not compulsory for any woman trying to file a domestic violence complaint – she
has the option of directly approaching a magistrate through a lawyer.

➢ It is enacted to protect women from domestic violence.

➢ It was brought into force on 26 October 2006.
➢ The Act provides a definition of "domestic violence" for the first time in Indian law, with this definition being broad
and including not only physical violence, but also other forms of violence such as emotional/verbal, sexual, and
economic abuse.
➢ It is a civil law meant primarily for protection orders, rather than criminal enforcement.
WHY IN NEWS
Foreign Secretary lists five pillars of Indian diplomacy for strategic autonomy & global good.

1) Indian in thought
✓ Tradition of the Middle Path that arises from the teachings of Buddhism.
✓ India tends to avoid extreme strategic and political behaviour.
2) Multipolar focus
✓ India places Neighbourhood First, Act East and Think West approach.
3) India’s actions as an international force multiplier for the Government
✓ India helped several countries in the early days of the Covid pandemic by providing essential medicines, vaccines
and other Covid-related assistance.
4) A force for global good
✓ India’s concept of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
5) Looks to the future
✓ India’s effort for the reform in UNSC like International Solar Alliance (ISA).

➢ It denotes the ability of a state to pursue its national interests and adopt its preferred foreign policy without being
constrained in any manner by other states.
WHY IN NEWS
His birth anniversary, which incidentally is also his death anniversary (died in
1962), is celebrated as National Doctors' Day.
➢ He was one of the most prominent leaders of the 20th century India.
➢ He was a legendary physician, a distinguished Congress leader, an
educationist and a philanthropist.
➢ He is credited to have transformed West Bengal, a ‘problematic state’ into
a prosperous one.
➢ He was instrumental in setting up the TB Hospitals and Cancer Hospitals.
➢ He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1961.
➢ He continued working both as a doctor and Bengal chief minister till his
last day.
➢ He has also served as a member of the Congress Working Committee, the
mayor of Calcutta and vice-chancellor of Calcutta University.
➢
✓ Recently, The Kerala High Court stayed for three weeks the order of the Lakshadweep administration revising the
stamp duty.
✓ It is also know as a stamp tax or documentary stamp tax.
✓ It is a tax a government imposes on documents that are required to legally record certain types of transactions.
✓ This includes legal documents recording marriages, military commissions, and the sale or transfer of a property.
✓ Governments impose these taxes in order to raise money to fund government activities and projects.

➢
✓ In a monthly update, the IMD forecast rainfall for July over the country as a whole to “most likely be normal”.
✓ Five rainfall distribution categories -
▪ Deficient - less than 90 % of LPA
▪ Below Normal - between 90-96% of LPA
▪ Normal Rainfall - between 96 to 104 % of LPA
▪ Above Normal - between 104-110% of LPA
▪ Excess - more than 110 % of this LPA
✓ Long Period Average (LPA)
▪ It is the average rainfall recorded during the months from June to September, over a period of 50-year
between 1951 and 2001, which is around 89 cm of rainfall.
▪ It is kept as a benchmark while forecasting the quantitative rainfall for the monsoon season every year.
➢
✓ Indian Railways’ first movable freshwater tunnel aquarium opened at Bengaluru Railway Station (namely the
Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station).
✓ The aquarium is a one-of-its-kind aquatic park based on the Amazon River concept and promises to be a visual
treat and a passenger’s delight.
✓ It has been opened by Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Ltd. (IRSDC) in collaboration with HNi
Aquatic Kingdom.
✓ It is home to myriad flora and fauna, and its entrance gives a glimpse into marine life, with a beautiful dolphin
humbly greeting visitors with a slight bow and a smile.
✓ It is also help to improve the revenue earning of Indian Railway.
✓ It will not only be an enjoyable experience but also educative to experience a life size kingdom of fishes.

➢
✓ It is India’a first indigenous Autonomous Drone Defense Dome designed and developed by Hyderabad-based
Grene Robotics.
✓ It can protect an area of 1,000-2,000 sq km per system against threats such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs),
loitering munitions, low Radar Cross Section (RCS) targets autonomously.