Union Cabinet approves PM-Shri scheme
Why
is it in news?
• Recently, the Union
Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the PM-Shri
scheme. Under this, more than 14500 schools across the country will be
developed on the basis of the standards of New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• These schools will be
developed according to new infrastructure, pedagogy and technology. PM-Shri
Yojana is a centrally sponsored scheme.
• Under this scheme,
more than 14500 selected existing schools managed by the Central, State, Union
Territory or local bodies will be developed.
• Pradhan Mantri School
for Rising India (PM-Shri) scheme has been launched to transform selected
schools of the country.
Highlights
• According to the
Ministry of Education, PM Shree School (PM School for Rising India) is a
central scheme. Under this, 14,500 schools across states, union territories and
municipal bodies will be redeveloped keeping in mind the key features of NEP,
2020.
• NEP 2020: Under this
scheme, equitable, inclusive and happy environment and high quality education
will be provided in schools, which will be based on New Education Policy-NEP
2020.
• Green Schools: PM
Shree schools will be developed as green schools, where eco-friendly solar
lights, LED lights, plastic free, natural farming, waste management etc. will
be equipped with facilities.
• PM SHRI Schools as an
example will provide mentorship to other schools in the area as well as provide
their own leadership.
• With the help of this
scheme, the overall intellectual development and better learning ability of the
student will be developed.
• Sector Skill Council: Through this scheme, Sector Skill Council will be
linked with the local industry to increase employability and provide better
employment opportunities which from time to time provides assistance to the
children through council means.
• School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF): With the help of School Quality Assessment Framework, key performance indicators will be specified to measure the progress and outcomes of students. Also quality assessment will be done from time to time.
How
is PM-Shri School different from Kendriya Vidyalayas or Navodaya Vidyalayas?
• Kendriya Vidyalayas
or Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas come completely under the Union Ministry of
Education. They are schools fully funded by the central government under
central sector schemes.
• But under PM Shree
School, existing schools run by the Centre, States, Union Territories and local
bodies will be developed. This means that PM Shree schools can be either run by
KVS, NVS, state or municipal corporations.
How
will PM Shree School be selected?
• PM Shree schools will
be selected through challenge mode. Schools will have to apply themselves on
the online portal.
• This portal will be
opened four times a year, once in every quarter, for the first two years of the
scheme. To which the school can apply. Under which schools will compete to
become exemplary schools.
Implementation
Strategy:
• Samagra Shiksha to PM
Shree Schools, will be implemented through the existing administrative
framework available for KVS and NVS.
• Other autonomous
bodies in PM Shree schools will be included on specific project basis as per
requirement.
• To understand the
challenges faced in the implementation of National Education Policy 2020 and
the progress of these schools will be assessed strictly from time to time.
Emergency use approved for India's first intranasal vaccine
Why
is it in news?
Recently, India's first needle-free intranasal
Kovid-19 vaccine (nasal vaccine) has received emergency use approval from DCGI.
It has been developed by the pharma company Bharat Biotech. This news has been
confirmed by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
The Drugs Controller
General of India (DCGI) has approved Bharat Biotech's ChAd36-SARS-CoV-S
COVID-19 (Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vectored) Recombinant Nasal Vaccine by CDSCO
for restricted use in emergency situations for those 18 years or older. It has
been launched for primary vaccination against Kovid-19 in the age group.
Highlights
• This vaccine has been
developed by Hyderabad based pharmacy firm Bharat Biotech. This is a new
intranasal vaccine which is given without the help of a needle (injection).
• It is a safer and
more effective option. The company's official website mentions that "an
intranasal vaccine elicits a broad immune response. It also inactivates IgG,
mucosal IgA and T cell responses, and prevents infection. This vaccine is
called ChAd36-SARS." -CoV-S is named COVID-19.
• Its development will
prove to be important in this fight against the Kovid-19 virus. Because like
influenza, COVID-19 infection also travels through the nose and mouth to the
lungs. Hence the intranasal vaccine becomes more useful as it is also given
through the nose.
• Significantly, it is
given without injection, which eliminates the possibility of injury and
infection.
• For this the health
department does not require trained health workers.
• It can be used more
easily in children as well as adults.
• It can be used in
large scale vaccination campaigns.
• Its production can be
increased relatively easily to meet global demand.
How
did Bharat Biotech develop?
• Bharat Biotech has prepared it after various
stages of testing.
• In the first phase, its clinical trial was
completed on the age group of 18 to 60 years.
• Its second phase was completed in collaboration
with the Technology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). In addition,
a pre-clinical toxicity study of the vaccine was also conducted.
DRDO and Indian Army successfully test-fired six flights of Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System off Odisha coast
Why
is it in news?
Recently, Defense Research and Development
Organization (DRDO) and Indian Army successfully test-fired six flights of
Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System from the Integrated Test Area,
Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. These flight tests are part of the
evaluation tests being conducted by the Indian Army.
Highlights
• The flight test was
conducted on high speed targets. These targets were designed for the type of
actual threat, to assess the capability of the weapon systems in a variety of
situations.
• This included
long-range and medium-altitude targets, short-range targets, high-flying
targets, and targets that were not easily detectable on radar. Keeping all this
in mind, two missiles were fired with speed. The working of the system was also
assessed under night and day conditions.
• During these trials,
all the designated targets were hit with perfect accuracy. The evaluation found
the weapon system and its excellent guidance and control to be accurate. It
also included munitions.
• The performance of
the system was also confirmed by telemetry, radar and electro-optical tracking
system developed by ITR. Senior officers of DRDO and Indian Army took part in
the test.
• The test was
conducted under deployment of all indigenously developed sub-systems, including
indigenous radio frequency seeker, mobile launcher, fully automated command and
control system, surveillance and multifunctional radar.
• The novelty of the
QRSAM weapon system is that it can operate in a moving position. It has the
capability of short-term search, tracking and firing. It has been tested in the
past.
• Defense Minister Shri
Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and Indian Army for successful flight tests. He
expressed confidence that the QRSAM weapon system would be very useful in
enhancing the strength of the armed forces.
• Secretary, Department
of Defense Research and Development and Chairman, DRDO congratulated the team
involved in the successful trials and said that the system is now ready to be
inducted into the Indian Army.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart review defense cooperation and regional security situation during bilateral talks in Tokyo
Why
is it in news?
Recently Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh
held bilateral talks with Defense Minister of Japan Shri Yasukazu Hamada in
Tokyo. The two Ministers reviewed various aspects of bilateral defense
cooperation as well as regional affairs. They recognized the importance of the
India-Japan defense partnership and its important role in ensuring a free, open
and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
Highlights
• During the delegation
level talks, Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted that the growing complexities in
India-Japan bilateral defense exercises are proof of further deepening of
defense cooperation between the two countries.
• Both Ministers
expressed their commitment to continue bilateral and multilateral exercises
including 'Dharma Guardian', 'Gimax' and 'Malabar'. They welcomed the conduct
of the Reciprocal Provision of Supply and Service Agreement during Exercise
'MILAN' in March this year.
• The two Ministers
agreed that the early conduct of the inaugural combat exercise would pave the
way for greater cooperation and interoperability between the air forces of the
two countries.
• Raksha Mantri
emphasized the need to expand the scope of partnership in the field of defense
equipment and technical cooperation. He invited Japanese industries to invest
in India's defense corridors, where a conducive environment has been created by
the Government of India for the development of the defense industry.
• This year marks 70
years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. As two strong
democracies, both countries strive for a special strategic and global
partnership.
• Significantly, after
arriving in Tokyo on the night of September 07, 2022, Shri Rajnath Singh began
his day by laying a wreath at a memorial dedicated to the personnel of the Self
Defense Force of Japan, who laid down their lives in the line of duty. This
monument is located in the Ministry of Defence, Japan. He was given a
ceremonial guard of honor ahead of the bilateral meeting with the Japanese
Defense Minister.
• Defense Minister will
participate in the 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with External
Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar today.
• The Japanese side
will be represented by Minister of Defense Mr. Yasukazu Hamada and Minister of
Foreign Affairs Mr. Yoshimasa Hayashi. The 2+2 dialogue will review bilateral
cooperation in all areas and determine the way forward.
Union Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and UAE on Cooperation in the field of Education
Why
is it in news?
Recently, the Union
Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the
signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education,
Government of India and the Ministry of Education, Government of the United
Arab Emirates, on Cooperation in the field of Education.
Highlights
• The objective of this
MoU is to further strengthen and expand the scope of the ongoing academic
cooperation between India and the United Arab Emirates.
• A Memorandum of
Understanding was signed with UAE in 2015 in the field of education which
expired in 2018. In 2019, in a meeting between the education ministers of the
two countries, it was proposed to sign a new MoU on behalf of the United Arab
Emirates.
• The new MoU covers
the changes brought in by the National Education Policy 2020 in the education
ecosystem of India.
• The objective of this
MoU is to promote the exchange of information education, capacity development of
teaching staff of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET),
higher education institutions in both countries for offering tweening, joint
degree and dual degree programs. and other similar fields to facilitate
academic collaboration.
• This MoU will
revitalize educational cooperation and enhance academic mobility between India
and the United Arab Emirates to promote mutual recognition of these
qualifications.
• This also includes
cooperation in TVET as UAE is a major work place for Indians.
• This MoU shall be
valid for a period of five years from the date of signing and shall be
automatically renewed with the consent of both the parties. Once signed, this
MoU will replace the MoU signed with the United Arab Emirates in 2015.