Tag: science and technology current affairs

Assam Current Affairs – October 13-15, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – October 13-15, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the October 13-15, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

October 13-15, 2022

IIT Guwahati researchers feature in world’s top 2% scientists’ list released by Stanford University

A total of 21 researchers and faculty members from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has been featured among the world’s top 2% Scientists List created by Stanford University, US.

Professor TG Sitharam along with 20 other faculty members have been ranked for their research publications citations using all Scopus author profiles as of September 1, 2022 and their lifetime contribution to their specific fields of research in the list. 

The IIT Guwahati faculty members featured in the Stanford University list are from various scientific fields, including the Departments of Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Biosciences and Bioengineering, Chemistry, Electrical and Electronics.

Scientists are classified into 22 scientific fields and 176 sub-fields. The selection is based on the top 1 lakh scientists by c-score (with and without self-citations) or a percentile rank of 2 per cent or above in the sub-field.

President Murmu flags off first Kolkata-Agartala express train 

President Droupadi Murmu and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha flagged off the Guwahati-Kolkata-Guwahati train from Agartala Railway Station up to Agartala. 

President Murmu and Chief Minister Saha and also launched another leg of the Agartala-Jiribam-Agartala Jan Shatabdi Express to Khongsang in Manipur.

Key Points

  • President Murmu inaugurated the Tripura Judicial Academy and laid the foundation stone of the National Law University, Tripura.
  • President Murmu will lay the foundation stone for the Supercomputer facility Param Kamrupa and the facility for the design and development of high power microwave components at IIT Guwahati. 
  • The President will also lay the foundation stone of the Regional Institute of Medical College and Hospital at Dhubri, National Institute of Virology (NIV) at Dibrugarh (Assam) and Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh).
  • The President laid the foundation stone for 100 Model Secondary Schools for the tea garden areas. 
  • She introduced 3000 Model Anganwadi Centres and a modern Cargo cum Coaching Terminal at Agyathuri near Guwahati. 
  • The president also inaugurated Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s Rail-Fed Petroleum Storage Depot at Moinarbond in Silchar and also introduced two sections of National Highways connecting Silchar to Badarpur and Gohpur to Holong of Assam.

Logistics Performance Index 2022

According to a report released by the commerce and Industry Ministry, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Gujarat are among the 15 States and UTs categorised as achievers in the logistics index chart 2022.

The index is an indicator of the efficiency of logistical services necessary for promoting exports and economic growth.

Key Points

  • Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Sikkim and Tripura are the other States categorised as fast movers in the ranking.  
  • Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Nagaland, Jammu and Kashmir, and Arunachal Pradesh are among the 15 States and UTs rated in the aspirers category.
  • The other States and UTs in the achievers category include Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
  • The first logistics report was released in 2018. 
  • The index intends to increase the focus on strengthening the performance of logistics across states for enhancing the nation’s trade and lowering transaction costs. 

About Logistics Performance Index 

  • The Logistics Performance Index (LPI) is an interactive benchmarking tool created created by the World Bank to help countries identify the challenges and opportunities they face in their performance on trade logistics and what they can do to improve their performance. 
  • It is the weighted average of the country scores on six key dimensions: customs performance, infrastructure quality, ease of arranging shipments, logistics services quality, consignments tracking and tracing and timeliness of shipments. 
  • India ranks 44 in the Logistics Performance Index 2018. 

Hyderabad wins World Green City Award 2022 

The city of Hyderabad has won the prestigious ‘World Green City Award 2022’ . Hyderabad is the only Indian city that was selected for the ‘World Green City 2022,’ award, the best across all six categories.

The city has also won ‘Living Green for Economic Recovery and Inclusive Growth’ at the International Association of Horticulture Producers (AIPH) 2022 held in Jeju, South Korea. 

Key Points

  •  Hyderabad won the World Green Cities Award for taking initiatives relying on better use of plants and nature to make better city environments and for helping fulfill local aspirations for economic, social, and environmental resilience.
  • The award is a testimony to the continuous efforts and focuses of the Telangana government on increasing the green cover in the state through its flagship program “Telangana Ku Haritha Haram” (TKHH).
  •  The program aims to increase the tree cover of the state from 24% to 33% of the total area of the state.

Category-wise winners

  •  In the Living Green for Economic Recovery and Inclusive Growth category:  Green Garland to the State of Telangana, City of Hyderabad, India.
  •  In the Living Green for Biodiversity category: Reverdecer Bogotá, Bogota D.C, Colombia.
  •  In the Living Green for Climate Change category: Mexico City’s Environmental and Climate Change Program, Mexico City, Mexico.
  • In the Living Green for Health and Wellbeing category:Transforming degraded land into Urban Micro Parks, City of Fortaleza, Brazil
  •  In the Living Green for Water category: The Phytotechnology Stations at the Montréal Botanical Garden / Space for Life, City of Montreal, Canada.  
  • In the Living Green for Social Cohesion category: OASIS Schoolyard Project, City of Paris, France.

International Solar Alliance’s Fifth Assembly will be held in New Delhi

International Solar Alliance’s Fifth Assembly to be held in New Delhi from 17th to 20th October, 2022. India currently holds the position of President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly as per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Key Points

  • Ministers, missions and delegates from 109 Member and Signatory Countries are set to participate in this meeting.
  • The Assembly is the apex decision-making body of ISA, in which each Member Country is represented. This body makes decisions concerning the implementation of the ISA’s Framework Agreement and coordinated actions to be taken to achieve its objective. 
  • The Assembly meets annually at the ministerial level at the ISA’s seat. 
  • The Fifth Assembly of the ISA will deliberate on the key initiatives of ISA on three critical issues of energy access, energy security, and energy transition.
  • World leaders from ISA Member Countries will also discuss the strategic plan of the ISA in Programmatic Support for LDC and SIDS Member Countries, Capacity Building support to all developing Member Countries, and Analytics & Advocacy support to all Member Countries. 
  • The 5th Assembly is expected to lead to a greater consensus among countries for promotion of solar power. Increased international cooperation will be the backbone of energy transition, propelling investment and creating millions of new green jobs in this crucial decade of climate action.

International Solar Alliance (ISA) 

  • The International Solar Alliance is an international organisation with 109 member and signatory countries. 
  • It works with governments to improve energy access and security worldwide and promote solar power as a sustainable way to transition to a carbon-neutral future. 
  • ISA’s mission is to unlock US$ 1 trillion of investments in solar by 2030 while reducing the cost of the technology and its financing. 
  • It promotes the use of solar energy in the Agriculture, Health, Transport and Power Generation sectors. 
  • ISA member countries are driving change by enacting policies and regulations, sharing best practices, agreeing on common standards, and mobilising investments.
  • With the signing and ratification of the ISA Framework Agreement by 15 countries in 2017, ISA became the first international intergovernmental organization to be headquartered in India.

Assam Current Affairs – October 01-03, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – October 01-03, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the October 01-03, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

October 01-03, 2022

Prime Minister will inaugurate sixth edition of India Mobile Congress

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will launch 5G services in the country and will also inaugurate the 6th Edition of India Mobile Congress 2022 (IMC-2022). The IMC 2022 is scheduled to be held from 1st to 4th October with the theme of “New digital Universe”. 

Key Points

  • The cumulative economic impact of 5G on India is estimated to reach USD 450 billion by 2035.
  • The 5G technology will provide seamless coverage, high data rate, low latency, and highly reliable communications. 
  • The 5G service is expected to unleash new economic opportunities and societal benefits, serving as a transformational force for Indian society.
  • The 5G to be launched by the Prime Minister in select cities will progressively cover the entire country over the next couple of years.

Srishti Bakshi wins ‘Changemaker’ award at the UN SDG Action Awards

Srishti Bakshi, a women’s rights activist from India, was honoured with the ‘Changemaker’ award at the UN SDG Action Awards held at a ceremony in Bonn, Germany. 

The activist has traveled 3,800km around the country in less than a year to raise awareness on gender-based violence and inequality. She was awarded for “confronting gender-based violence and advocating for safe access to public spaces.”

The other award winners are ‘SUPvivors say NO MORE’ in the Mobilise category, ‘The Masungi Story’ in the Inspire category honouring youth rewriting the future of forgotten watersheds at Masungi Geosreserve in the Philippines and ‘CyprusInno in the Connect category’.

Asha Parekh will be honoured with 52nd Dadasaheb Phalke award

Veteran actress Asha Parekh has been declared the recipient of the 2020 Dadasaheb Phalke award. The award will be presented at the National Film Award ceremony in New Delhi.

The jury for the selection of 52nd Dadasaheb Phalke award consisted of five members from the film industry.

Ms Asha Parekh is a renowned film actress, director and producer and an accomplished Indian classical dancer. She was conferred the Padma Shri in 1992.

About the Dadasaheb Phalke Award

  • The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s largest laurel in cinema. 
  • The award was first presented in 1969 by the Indian Government to honor Dadasaheb Phalke’s contribution to Indian film.
  • It is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
  • Dadasaheb Phalke award winners are given in the form of a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹1,000,000.
  • The first recipient of the award was actress Devika Rani, who was honoured at the 17th National Film Awards.

SC-ST hub conclave organized by Ministry of MSME in Gujarat

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has organized a national SC-ST hub conclave in Gujarat to spread awareness about the National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) Scheme and other Schemes of the Ministry.

Key Points

  • More than 300 SC-ST entrepreneurs participated in the event. The conclave provided a platform for aspiring and existing SC-ST entrepreneurs to interact with CPSEs, lending institutions, GeM, RSETI, TRIFED etc. 
  • Speaking at the event, Dr. Solanki said  more SC-ST entrepreneurs from Gujarat State should take benefits available under the NSSH Scheme. 
  • He also urged the bankers present in the audience to prioritize credit support to the SC-ST entrepreneurs so that they may not face any difficulty in augmenting their business capacities. 
  • He stressed upon Prime Minister’s vision of becoming job providers instead of job seekers and emphasized the participation of SC-ST entrepreneurs in strengthening the Indian Economy.

About NSSH scheme 

  • The ministry of MSME launched the National Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) scheme to promote an inclusive economy and entrepreneurship among SC/ST communities.
  • It has been set up to provide professional support to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Entrepreneurs to fulfil the obligations under the Central Government Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises Order 2012.
  • The hub leverages the Stand Up India programme.

The President of India presented the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2022

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, presented the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2022 at a function held in New Delhi.

Key Points

  • Indore has been adjudged India’s cleanest city for the sixth time in a row, 
  • Surat and Navi Mumbai were named as the 2nd and 3rd cleanest cities respectively. 
  • Madhya Pradesh secured the first position, followed by Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra in the category of best performing states in ‘Swachh Survekshan Awards 2022’. 
  • Haryana was in the second position while Tamil Nadu was third.
  • Among smaller states and Union territories, Andaman and Nicobar secured the first position followed by Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and Sikkim. 
  • Telangana won the first prize under the large states category under the Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2022 which looks into the sanitation status of rural areas.
  • In the category of cities having population fewer than one lakh, Maharashtra’s Panchgani was ranked number one, followed by Chhattisgarh’s Patan (NP) and Maharashtra’s Karhad. 
  • Haridwar was adjudged the cleanest Ganga town in the category of more than 1 lakh population, followed by Varanasi and Rishikesh. 
  • Bijnor was ranked the first among Ganga towns with fewer than one lakh population. followed by Kannauj and Garhmukhteshwar respectively. 
  • In to the survey, Maharashtra’s Deolali was adjudged the country’s cleanest Cantonment Board.

Assam Current Affairs – September 04-06, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – September 04-06, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the September 04-06, 2022)

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Current Affairs Quiz – Set 321: September 2022, Week 1 | Watch video  

September 04-06, 2022

Meghalaya Chief Minister launches ‘Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme’

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has launched the ambitious flagship programme for the farmers – “Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme” under National Livestock Mission at Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya. 

The scheme aims to ensure the farmers earn a sustainable livelihood through different livestock farming activities.

Key Points

  • Under Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme – phase 1, the government has earmarked Rs 15.18 crore under which four high-yielding improved varieties will be distributed to 6000 families. 
  • Additional Rs 25 crore will be earmarked to roll out the second phase of the programme. 
  • The government is implementing one of the largest piggery development programmes the ‘Meghalaya Piggery Mission’. 
  • Under this mission, zero interest loan is provided for setting up fattening and pig breeding. So far 250 piggery cooperative societies have availed loans amounting to Rs 43.67 crore.
  • To further exploit the potential of the piggery sector, the government launched the “Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme” funded by the Central Government under National Livestock Mission and also by the State Government. 
  • The scheme was launched on August 10 in Samanda block in East Garo Hills district. The scheme received a good response and appreciation from farmers.
  • Under this scheme 4 pigs, 3 female and 1 male piglets will be distributed to the farmers to promote pig breeding to provide regular income to the farmers. This livestock package is Rs 25,000 per beneficiary.
  • This scheme is envisaged to benefit 6000 poor and marginal farmers and also increase pork production in the state.

Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2022

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is celebrating the 5th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2022 from 1st to 30th Sept 2022 as part of the POSHAN Abhiyaan. 

The Central Theme of Poshan Maah 2022 is “Mahila aur Swasthya” and “Bacha aur Shiksha”.

Key Points

POSHAN Abhiyaan is Government of India’s flagship programme to improve nutritional outcomes for children under 6 years of age, pregnant women and lactating mothers. 

It aims to address the challenge of malnutrition in a mission-mode. Focusing on the aims of POSHAN Abhiyaan, the government has launched Mission Poshan 2.0 as an integrated nutrition support program.

Rashtriya Poshan Maah serves as a platform to bring focus to the discourse of nutrition and good health. 

In the 5th Rashtriya Poshan Maah the aim is to convert Jan Andolan into Jan Bhagidari to fulfill the Hon’ble PM’s vision of a Suposhit Bharat.

At the Panchayat level

  • Awareness activities will be conducted by local functionaries under the guidance of the concerned District Panchayati Raj Officers and CDPOs.   
  • Poshan Panchayat Committees will work closely with field level workers (FLWs) – AWWs, ASHAs, ANMs – to support problem solving and enabling service delivery through Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), Village Health and Nutrition Day (VHNDs), and other relevant platforms to ensure all pregnant and lactating women, children below six years, and adolescent girls receive basic Integrated Child Development services.
  • Awareness Centres have also been directed to organize awareness drives about good health practices along with organization of a Swasth Balak Spardha. Health camps for anaemia check-ups will be specially organised at AWCs for adolescent girls. Officials have also been asked to identify land for setting up of Nutri-Gardens or Poshan Vatikas near Anganwadi Centres.

At the State level

  • ‘Amma ki Rasoi’ or Grandmother’s Kitchen of traditional nutritious recipes will be organised. 
  • Extensive efforts will be made to link traditional foods with local festivals during the month. 
  • A national level toy-creation workshop will also be organized to promote use of indigenous and local toys for learning in Anganwadi Centres.

Ramon Magsaysay Award 2022

The Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation (RMAF) recently announced the 64th Ramon Magsaysay Award 2022.  Ramon Magsaysay Awards are considered Asia’s version of the Nobel Prize.

This year the award will go to Sothiara Chim, Psychiatrist (Cambodia), Tadashi Hattori, Ophthalmologist (Japan), Bernadette Madrid, Pediatrician (Philippines) and Gary Bencheghib, activist and filmmaker (Indonesia).

Ramon Magsaysay Award 2022 Winners

  1. Sothiara Chhim: He is a 54-year-old Cambodian psychiatrist awarded for “his calm courage in surmounting deep trauma to become his people’s healer”. He himself was also a survivor of the ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge regime, which in the 1970s killed nearly a quarter of Cambodia’s population through starvation, overwork and mass executions. 
  2. Tadashi Hattori: He is a 58-year-old Japanese ophthalmologist. He was honored for providing free eye surgery in Vietnam, where such specialists and facilities are limited. 
  3. Bernadette Madrid:He is a Filipino pediatrician who has been championing the Filipino Child’s Right to protection by creating safe spaces for abused children nationwide. Since 1997, she has managed the country’s first child protection center at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila. It has served more than 27,000 children over the last year. 
  4. Gary Bencheghib: He is awarded for his inspiring fight against marine plastic pollution. After relocating to Bali, Indonesia, Gary has actively worked to advance the fight against plastic pollution. He and his brother have built a kayak made of plastic bottles and bamboo to collect the garbage in the Citarum River, one of the world’s most polluted rivers.

About Ramon Magsaysay Award: 

  • The Ramon Magsaysay Award is considered as the Nobel Prize of Asia. 
  • It was established in 1957 and is regarded as Asia’s greatest honour and distinction. 
  • The Award recognizes and honours individuals that have achieved distinction in their field and help others generously. 
  • The prize is annually presented in a ceremonial ceremony in Manila, Philippines on August 31.
  • The Award has been given in five categories namely journalism, government service, public service, literature and creative communication. 

India became the world’s fifth-largest economy

India has surpassed Britain to become the world’s fifth largest economy. India is now behind the US, China, Japan and Germany in terms of economy. 

The calculations are done by Bloomberg using the IMF database and historic exchange rates on its terminal.

Key Points

  • The size of the Indian economy in ‘nominal’ cash terms in the quarter through March, 2022 was USD 854.7 billion while for the UK was USD 816 billion. 
  • The Indian economy is registering a growth of 7 per cent, while the UK economy is growing at less than 1 per cent.
  • India’s GDP expanded 13.5% in the April-June quarter. At the same time, comparing it with the April-June quarter of the last financial year (2021-22), the GDP growth rate at that time was 20.1 percent.
  • The growth, though lower than the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) estimate of 16.2%, was fuelled by consumption and signalled a revival of domestic demand, particularly in the services sector.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) inaugurated NALSA Centre for Citizen Services

Chief Justice of India, Justice Uday Umesh Lalit recently inaugurated NALSA’s Centre for Citizen Services at Jaisalmer house in New Delhi. It will provide free Legal Services to the weaker sections of the society. 

The NALSA has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free Legal Services to the weaker sections of the society. Its purpose is to provide free legal services to eligible candidates, and to organize Lok Adalats for the speedy resolution of cases.

The Executive Chairman of the National Legal Service Authority, (NALSA) is Dr. Justice D.Y.Chandrachud. He has been recently appointed by President Droupadi Murmu.

Before being elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Chandrachud served as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court and prior to that a judge of the Bombay High Court.

India’s first-ever “Night Sky Sanctuary” will be set up in Ladakh

The Department of Science & Technology (DST) has announced the setting up of India’s first Dark Sky Reserve in Hanle, Ladakh.

The Dark Sky Reserve will be developed within a period of three months at Ladakh’s Hanle as part of the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Key Points

  • A tripartite MoU was also signed between Union Territory Administration, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) for launching the Dark Space Reserve.
  • Ladakh’s Henley has been chosen as the site for the development of Dark Sky Reserve because of its cold desert surrounded by mountains. 
  • The adverse climatic conditions including long harsh winters in which temperatures can drop to minus 40 degrees, make the place inhabitable, thereby limiting light pollution and an ideal site for the sanctuary. 
  • The cloudless skies and low atmospheric water vapour make it one of the best sites in the world for optical, infrared, sub-millimetre, and millimetre wavelengths.
  • To promote Astro-tourism, villages around Hanle will be encouraged to promote homestays equipped with telescopes that visitors can use to view the night sky.

Current Affairs Quiz – Set 321: September 2022, Week 1 | Watch video 

Assam Current Affairs – September 01-03, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – September 01-03, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the September 01-03, 2022)

Go To Assam Current Affairs                      Go To Assam Current Affairs Quiz

Current Affairs Quiz – Set 321: September 2022, Week 1 | Watch video 

September 01-03, 2022

Amlan Borgohain breaks 100m national record at All India Railway Championships

Assam’s Amlan Borgohain has broke the 100m national record at the 87th All India inter-Railway Championships in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, 

He clocked 10.25s (wind speed +1.8, legal) to break the six-year-old national record of Amiya Kumar Mallick (10.26s). 

The 24-year-old Amlan, is now the reigning national champion in the 100m and 200m. Amlan Borgohain holds the 200m national record of 20.52s, set in April this year at the Federation Cup.

Meanwhile, Himashree Roy won the women’s 100m in 11.42s while R. Rajesh (46.73s) and Kiran Pahal (53.91s) took the men’s and women’s 400m titles.

World Resource Institute (WRI) India launches online geospatial platform in Guwahati

World Resource Institute (WRI) India in partnership with Assam Energy Development Agency (AEDA) launched an online, open source, interactive geo-spatial platform, called Energy Access Explorer (EAE).

Key Points

  • Energy Access Explorer (EAE) will help visualize the extent of energy access at Assam’s health, education, and livelihood infrastructures. 
  • It claims to assist policy-makers, renewable energy industry entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers from the development sector to make integrated and impactful decisions to expand energy access in the state in the most efficient, cost-effective and sustainable way possible.
  • In the past decade, 37.7 percent of health sub-centres and 41 per cent of schools in rural Assam lack access to reliable and sustainable power, while Assam has made great strides in electricity provisioning to homes. 
  • The leverage data will be provided by the platform and create a scenario of viability and affordability for consumers.

University Grants Commission launched ‘e-Samadhan’ portal

Recently. University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched an online portal, e-Samadhan for addressing student-related grievances. 

UGC will now monitor and address all grievances of students and teaching/non-teaching staff through a centralized portal called ‘e-Samadhan’. 

Key Points

  • The e-Samadhan Portal will handle issues like non-refund of fees, making admission contrary to merit, refusal of admission in accordance with the declared admission policy, withholding of original degrees/diplomas/certificates by institutions, etc.
  • The portal will be the one-stop solution for all grievances; and all other existing portals and helplines will be merged with it except for the anti-ragging helpline.
  • Through this portal, the users can register their complaints on the portal anytime within 24 hours by following a simple procedure using their email id or by placing a call on the toll-free number 1800-111-656.

About University Grants Commission (UGC)

  • University Grants Commission is a statutory body set up by the UGC Act 1956. 
  • It is set up by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India in accordance and is charged with coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of higher education in India.
  • Its headquarters are in New Delhi, and it has six regional centres in Pune, Bhopal, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Guwahati and Bangalore.
  • It provides recognition to universities in India, and disbursements of funds to such recognized universities and colleges.
  • It provides doctoral scholarships to all those who clear JRF in the National Eligibility Test. 

Cabinet approves an MoU with Govt of Nepal on biodiversity conservation

Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for signing an MoU with the Government of Nepal on biodiversity conservation

The MoU aims to strengthen and enhance the coordination and cooperation in the field of forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity conservation and climate change, including restoration of corridors and interlinking areas and share knowledge and best practices, between the two countries.

The MoU is expected to help in promoting cooperation between the Parties in the field of forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity conservation, and climate change, including restoration of corridors and interlinking areas and sharing knowledge and best practices.

India’s first indigenously developed Vaccine for Cervical Cancer will be launched 

India will launch its first indigenously developed Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (qHPV) against Cervical cancer with the help of the Serum Institute of India (SII) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

Key Points

  • The CERVAVAC vaccination will be the first quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine (qHPV) in India, to prevent cervical cancer. 
  • The vaccine would be launched once an adequate quantum of doses is manufactured and ready for distribution and will be administered with a two-dose schedule for girls in the age group of 9-14 and a three-dose schedule for girls and women in the age group of 15-26.
  • Cervical cancer is the 2nd most prevalent cancer in India and accounts for nearly one-fourth of the world’s cervical cancer deaths despite being largely preventable. 
  • Every year approximately 1.25 lakhs women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and over 75 thousand die from the disease in India and 83 % of invasive cervical cancers are attributed to HPVs 16 or 18 in India, and 70% of cases worldwide. 
  • The most promising intervention for preventing cervical cancer is vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV). 
  • It is estimated that HPV types 16 and 18 (HPV-16 and HPV-18) together contribute to approximately 70% of all invasive cervical cancer cases worldwide.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched virtual school

Recently, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched the virtual school called the ‘Delhi Model Virtual School’, in which students from across India will be eligible for admission in classes 9 to 12. 

Key Points 

  • Delhi Model Virtual School will be affiliated to the Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE). 
  • The virtual school will prove to be a milestone in the education sector in the country. 
  • The admission will be open for students across India who are aged between 13 and 18. who has cleared class 8 from any recognised school can apply for admission to DMVS
  • The classes will be online and recorded lectures will also be uploaded online. 

Current Affairs Quiz – Set 321: September 2022, Week 1 | Watch video 

 

Assam Current Affairs – August 25-27, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 25-27, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the August 25-27, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

August 25-27, 2022

Godrej Agrovet signs MoUs with Assam, Manipur & Tripura for oil palm cultivation

Godrej Agrovet, a diversified agribusiness conglomerate, announced that it has signed an MoU with the governments of Assam, Manipur, and Tripura for the development and promotion of oil palm cultivation in the area under the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm initiative. 

The partnership will bring new opportunities and growth in building oil palm plantations in these three states and would help provide the required support to the farmers. 

The Agreements are in keeping with Godrej Agrovet’s long-term goal to be the driving force behind India’s oil mission by doubling farmer income and promoting sustainable expansion of oil palm production.

Government of India launched the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEOOP) in August 2021, with a planned outlay of ₹ 11,040 Crore. 

Under this mission, the Government has envisaged raising the area under cultivation of oil palm to 10 Lakh hectares by 2025-26 and 16.7 Lakh hectares by 2029-30 with a special focus on the North East region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

India-Bangladesh 38th Joint River Commission meeting held in Delhi

The 38th meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint River Commission (JRC) was held in Delhi. The JRC is headed by Water Resources Ministers of both countries.

Key Points 

  • The meeting discussed several ongoing projects of mutual interest including common river water sharing, sharing of data on flood, countering river pollution, joint survey on sediment management, protection of river banks among others. 
  • Both sides finalised the contents of an MoU on interim water sharing of the Kushiara river. 
  • Both sides also welcomed the finalisation of the design and location of water intake points on Feni river to meet the needs of the people in Sabrum town in India as per the India-Bangladesh MoU signed in 2019.
  • India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers,  of which 7 rivers have been identified earlier for development of the water sharing agreement framework on priority basis. 
  • Sharing of the real time flood data is one of the most important areas of India’s cooperation with Bangladesh. 
  • India recently extended the flood information sharing period beyond October 15 to help Bangladesh deal with the unexpected floods in some areas.

Uday Umesh Lalit appointed as the 49th Chief Justice of India 

Shri Justice Uday Umesh Lalit appointed as the 49th Chief Justice of India with effect from 27th August, 2022. He will succeed incumbent CJI NV Ramana, who demits office on August 26.

Justice Uday Umesh Lalit was appointed as Judge of the Supreme Court of India in August 2014 from the Bar. Justice Lalit will become the second Chief Justice of India to be directly elevated to the Supreme Court from the Bar, after Justice S.M. Sikri, who served as the 13 th CJI in 1971. 

Justice Lalit has served as a Member of Supreme Court Legal Services Committee for two terms. He was designated as a senior advocate by the top court in April 2004. 

In January 1986, he shifted his practice to Delhi. He was appointed a special public prosecutor for the CBI to conduct the trial in the 2G spectrum allocation case.

NITI Aayog declared Haridwar as the best aspirational district in India

NITI Aayog has declared Haridwar city of Uttarakhand as the best aspirational district on the basis of five parameters. 

The district has secured the first rank in basic infrastructure theme and has become entitled to receive an additional allocation of Rs 3 crore.

Parameters for Evaluation

Parameters for Best Aspirational District It envisages rapid development of selected districts on basis of composite index based on five parameters: 

  • Health & Nutrition (30%) 
  • Education (30%) 
  • Agriculture & Water Resources (20%) 
  • Financial Inclusion & Skill Development (10%) 
  • Infrastructure (10%)

Aspirational District Programme 

  • NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme launched in January 2018. 
  • The programme aimed at identifying potential districts that can develop into model blocks through socio-economic development. 
  • Under the programme, the central government takes steps to improve the socio-economic condition of identified districts and ensure inclusive and holistic development.
  • The ranking of aspirational districts combines innovative use of data with practical governance, placing the district at the center of inclusive growth. 
  • As per the norms for planning of aspirational districts, each district should prepare an action plan in consultation with the State and Central officers in charge, after which it should be sent to NITI Aayog for final approval of the Empowered Committee of Secretaries constituted for the programme. 

Germany Launches World’s first Hydrogen-powered Passenger Train

Recently, the world’s first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains was launched by Germany.  The engine of the trains is powered by electricity generated using hydrogen fuel cells. 

The new fleet consists of 14 Coradia iLint hydrogen trains made by the French company Alstom and operated by regional rail company LNVG.

Key Points 

  • The use of hydrogen is a clean alternative to fossil fuels. 
  • Lower Saxony has invested a total of 93 million euros for the first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger train projects. 
  • This invitation is an excellent example and effort to make the economy of Germany greener.
  • These trains have ranges up to 1000 kilometers and a maximum speed of 140 kph. 
  • After the introduction of the first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains, the hydrogen produced with renewable energy, the trains will save up to 1.6 liters of diesel in a year.

Angela Merkel wins UNESCO Peace Prize 2022

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been awarded the 2022 UNESCO Peace Prize for her efforts to welcome refugees.

Merkel was awarded the 2022 Félix Houphout-Boigny-UNESCO Peace Prize for her “courageous decision in 2015 to welcome more than 1,2 million refugees, notably from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Eritrea.

She is best known for her work in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where she condemned rape as a “weapon of war”.

About UNESCO Peace Prize 

  • The UNESCO Peace Prize was constituted in 1989 under the United Nations Charter and the UNESCO Constitution. 
  • The prize is awarded to a person, an organization or a private or governmental body for making a significant contribution for “promotion, study, safeguarding, or maintenance of peace.” 
  • The prize has been named after Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the late former president of Côte d’Ivoire. 
  • The prize includes a gold medal and a cheque of USD 150,000 along with a peace diploma. If there are multiple recipients, the cheque is shared equally.