09-10.07.23 Daily [Uttarakhand] UKPSC Current Affairs

Uttarakhandhas ranked 23rd out of 36 states and UTs in Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2021-22 in a study conducted by the Union ministry of Education. The rank is better than the earlier edition’s 35th, though “differences in parameters deem the two reports incomparable”.
The index measures 73 indicators grouped in six domains and scores are calculated out of 1000. The domains have gone up from five in the previous edition with focus on teacher education and training being a new parameter. The index is released for evidence-based comprehensive analysis of the school education system in the country.

The ultimate aim of the index is to propel states and UTs towards undertaking multi-pronged interventions that will bring optimal education outcomes covering all dimensions. The PGI is expected to help to pinpoint the gaps and accordingly prioritise areas for intervention to ensure that the school education system is robust at every level. It also suggests that as a way forward, states and UTs take a pro-active domain specific approach to improve their individual educational system.

Chandigarh (659) and Punjab (647.4) have obtained the highest scores. Uttarakhand has scored 517.9 this year. The score has gone down from last year’s 719 but the rank has improved to 23rd in this edition. The hill state remained in the ninth level of the report out of 10.

Uttarakhand scored 56.4 out of 240 in the Learning outcomes domain, 60.7 out of 80 in access, 60.9 out of 190 in and facilities, 219.3 out of 260 in Equity, 52.5 out of 130 in Governance processes and 68.2 out of 100 in teacher education and training (the new domain added in this index). The first domain requires special focus for the state.

Among Himalayan states, Uttarakhand has come fourth after West Bengal hills (562.7), Sikkim (533.6) and Ladakh (518.8).

In the Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0, which was released by the Union Education ministry, Delhi has improved to the third position this year. It is only behind Chandigarh andPunjab, which are in the first and second positions, respectively. In 2020-21, the national capital was in the eighth position.

The index measures the performance of states/Union territories on a uniform scale to catalyse transformational change in the field of school education. PGI 2.0 scores are the aggregate scores of six domains of educational attainment of states/UTs– Learning outcomes, access, and facilities, Equity, Governance processes and teacher education and training.

None of the states/UTs has attained the highest grade-Daksh-this year. The topmost grade attained in PGI 2.0 is Prachesta-2 (with score range of 641 to 700). Prachesta-2 is the sixth highest grade out of the 10 listed in the index.

PGI terms learning outcome as the most important domain. Punjab, Chandigarh andRajasthanare on top in this domain with Prachesta-2 grade. “However, unlike other domains, which are relatively easier to comply with, improving learning outcomes takes time and patience. All other domains support learning outcomes and ultimately converge towards it,” said the PGI 2.0 document. In this category, Delhi didn’t fare well and only managed to get Akanshi-1.

In a step towards promoting digitisation and in sync with Digital India mission, DEFENCE Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday launched here an National Cadet Corps (NCC) Integrated Software.

The NCC Integrated Software, developed in PARTNERSHIP with Institute for Space Applications and Geo Informatics (BISAG), is a single window interactive software for Cadets, designed on the Entry to Exit Model.

The NCC Integrated Software is based on the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modis vision of Once a Cadet always a cadet, and will digitalize the entire process from the stage of enrolment as a cadet in NCC till exit registration as alumni.

This will enable seamless issue of certificates, creation of an all India Database of NCC cadets at the time of their EMPLOYMENT.

During this event, the NCC and State Bank Of India (SBI) also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Raksha Mantri to open zero balance accounts of all NCC Cadets with debit card, chequebook & passbook facility under SBIs Pahli Udaan scheme. About five lakh cadets will be benefitted by this MoU every year.

The account will remain functional till completion of training or attaining 18 years of age whichever is later. This will not only introduce the cadets to the national Banking system but also provide them with a ready platform to avail benefit of other govt schemes through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) of funds into their accounts.

Under the DBT initiative, the Ministry of Defence has reformed the physical uniform distribution process to make it more transparent and seamless, allowing direct bank transfer of uniform allowance in the bank accounts of the NCC cadets.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on Friday agreed on a flexible net zero target of 2050 actively propagated by the developing nations, with a net zero goal by or around that is closer to 2050 and a clause reading if the national circumstances allow.

The IMO agreeing on a considerable reduction of the Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) in the global shipping , which is at present a major contributor to <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Climate-change”>Climate Change with one billion tonnes of emission per year, went softer on the strict net zero targets by 2050, which was actively propagated by the developed nations and some of the island nations.

The member states, however, have agreed to the indicative checkpoints of reducing emissions at least by 20 per cent, striving for 30 per cent by 2030, and at least 70 per cent, striving for 80 per cent by 2040.

The shipping industry accounts for almost 3 per cent of global emissions. The shipping industry is crucial to global trade carrying up to 90 per cent of commercial cargo. But ships use some of the most carbon-heavy fuels to power their engines.

The civil Society organisations, while accusing IMO of failing to align the shipping industry with the 1.5 degrees Celsius target, said the level of ambition agreed is far short of what is needed to be sure of keeping the global heating below 1.5C. The London-based IMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations which is responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to prevent pollution from ships.

India also thanked the Inter-sessional Working Group on GHG Emissions for explicitly addressing the human element, including the impact on seafarers and other maritime professionals in the safe implementation of the 2023 IMO GHG strategy.