Assam Government Launched Orunodoi 2.0 Scheme

Why In News

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the second version of 'Orunodoi', the flagship scheme of the state government.

Key Points

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the second version of ‘Orunodoi’, the flagship scheme of the state government aimed at providing financial security to financially disadvantaged families.

Around 17 lakh women have been receiving an amount of Rs 1,250 each on the 10th of every month through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method under the first phase of this social sector scheme.

With the addition of another 10.5 lakh new beneficiaries from now onwards, it would add up to a total of 27 lakh-plus beneficiaries.

All the existing beneficiaries of the Deen Dayal Divyangan Pension Yojana and Indira Miri Widow Pension Scheme would be subsumed under Orunodoi 2.0. Divyangans and transgenders would also be included under the ‘Orunodoi’ scheme.

Households having member, who is a dwarf or suffering from conditions such as cerebral palsy, thalassemia, hemophilia, etc. would also be included under Orunodoi scheme.

Orunodoi’ or Arunodoi Scheme is a new scheme of the Government of Assam is launched on 2nd October 2020. Under ‘Orunodoi’, monetary  benefits has been envisaged for more than 24 lac poor household in the state. The existing beneficiaries of the Deen Dayal Divyangan Pension Yojana and Indira Miri Widow Pension Scheme would be subsumed under Orunodoi 2.0. Divyangans and transgenders would also be included. Under the ‘Orunodoi 2.0’ scheme the amount has been enhanced from 830/- to Rs. 1250/ Women.

Guru Nanak Dev University becomes only University in India to get A grade by NAAC

Why In News

The Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar has got A grade by scoring 3.85 points in National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

Key Points

The Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar has got A grade by scoring 3.85 points in National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) grading, thereby becoming the only University in India to get this score. GNDU is the only State/Central/Private University in India to get this score. Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) is the only other educational institution with a higher grade of 3.89 in the country.

This assessment is based on set of seven criteria under different key aspects based on the functioning and organizational focus. These criteria include Curricular aspects, Teaching-learning and evaluation, Research, innovations and extension; Infrastructure and Learning resources; Student Support and Progression; Governance, Leadership and Management; Institutional Values and Best Practices.

National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC):

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) was established in 1994 as an autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission (UGC) with its Headquarter in Bengaluru. The NAAC conducts assessment and accreditation of Higher Educational Institutions such as colleges, universities or other recognised institutions to derive an understanding of the ‘Quality Status’ of the institution.

Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU):

Guru Nanak Dev University was established at Amritsar on November 24, 1969 to mark the 500th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It was set up by an act passed by the Punjab state legislature. The University has also been conferred with the status of “University with Potential for Excellence” by UGC. GNDU has been awarded the prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad trophy for overall excellence in sports for a record 23 times. Vice Chancellor of the University: Dr Jaspal Singh Sandhu.

IDFC FIRST Bank launched ZERO Fee Banking savings accounts

Why In News

IDFC FIRST Bank has declared ZERO Fee Banking on savings accounts and waived fees on multiple banking services, including Passbook charges, NEFT charges.

Key Points

IDFC FIRST Bank has declared ZERO Fee Banking on savings accounts and waived fees on multiple banking services, including Passbook charges, NEFT charges. The bank said that customers maintaining as low as Rs 10,000 Average Monthly Balance, and the Rs 25,000 AMB savings account variant will get these benefits.

IDFC FIRST Bank: List of Zero-Fee Services announced

Number of Cash Transactions at branches per month (Cumulative of Deposit and Withdrawal)

Value of Cash Transactions (Cumulative of Deposit and Withdrawal) at Branches

Third-party Cash Transaction Charges (Cumulative of Deposit and Withdrawal) at Branches

Demand Drafts/ PO (Issuance Charges) – at Bank Locations

IMPS Charges per Transaction– Outward

NEFT Charges per Transaction – Outward (Branch)

RTGS Charges per Transaction – Outward (Branch)

Cheque Book Charges

SMS Alert Charges

Issue of Duplicate Statements

Passbook Charges

Balance Certificate (Charges per certificate)

Interest Certificate (Charges per Certificate)

Account Closure (from account opening date)

ECS Return Charges

Stop Payment Charges

International ATM/ POS Transaction Charges

Charge for Insufficient Balance per Transaction at ATM

Standing Instruction Charges

Managers Cheque/ Demand Drafts Cancellations/ Revalidation

Photo Attestation Charges

Signature Attestation Charges

Old records/ copy of paid cheques charges

Address confirmation charges

Any deliverable returned by courier due to negative reasons

Senior nuclear scientist Dinesh Kumar Shukla named as new head of AERB

Why In News

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Dinesh Kumar Shukla to the post of Chairperson of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

Key Points

New head of AERB: According to an order issued from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Dinesh Kumar Shukla to the post of Chairperson of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). Shukla is the Former Executive Director of AERB.

New head of AERB, Dinesh Kumar Shukla a graduate in Mechanical Engineering from Jabalpur University of Madhya Pradesh (MP).

He joined the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in the year 1981 after completing the 25th batch of BARC Training School.

He has been associated with the commissioning of the high flux research reactor Dhruva and later held the positions of Reactor Superintendent of Dhruva Research Reactor and Head of Reactor Operations Division (ROD) at BARC As the head of ROD, BARC, he was responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the research reactors at Trombay.

India’s Manned Space Flight Gaganyaan to be Launched in the Fourth Quarter of 2024

Why In News

The Government has said, the country’s maiden human space flight mission, Gaganyaan, is targeted to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Key Points

India's Manned Space Flight Gaganyaan to be Launched in the Fourth Quarter of 2024_40.1

The Government has said, the country’s maiden human space flight mission, Gaganyaan, is targeted to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024. Science & Technology Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, in view of the paramount importance of crew safety, two uncrewed flights are scheduled, before the final human space flight- ‘H1 mission’, to demonstrate the performance of the crew escape system and parachute-based deceleration system for different flight conditions.

He said, uncrewed ‘G1 mission’ will be targeted in the last quarter of next year, followed by the ‘G2’ in the second quarter of 2024. Dr. Jitendra Singh said the astronaut designates for the Gaganyaan are identified and undergoing mission-specific training at Bengaluru. The first uncrewed flight of Gaganyaan programme ‘G1’ mission is aimed at validating the performance of the human rated launch vehicle, Orbital module propulsion system, mission management, communication system, and recovery operations. The mission will carry a humanoid as a payload.

Gaganyaan Mission:Aim:

Gaganyaan is an Indian crewed orbital spacecraft that is intended to send 3 astronauts to space for a minimum of seven days by 2022 (delayed due to COVID-19).

Launched by: ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV Mk III (3 stages heavy-lift vehicle)

Components:Consists of a service module and a crew module, collectively known as an Orbital Module (Crew Module carries astronauts & Service Modules carries propellants.)

LEO: It will circle Earth at a low-earth-orbit at an altitude of 300-400 km from the earth for 5-7 days.

Vyom Mitra: ISRO to send humanoid Vyommitra in unmanned Gaganyaan spacecraft ahead of human spaceflight (Monitoring module parameters).