Current Affair 1:

Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE)

 

News:

The India Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator provides support to startups and small-to-mid sized enterprises (SMEs) who are working on innovative technology and are considering overseas expansion between India and Australia.

RISE Accelerator targets to enable start-ups with mature tech-based innovations to fast-track their cross-border social, economic and environmental impact through cross-border innovation ecosystem

The RISE Accelerator is delivered through a powerful partnership between:

CSIRO – Australia’s national science agency

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog – the Government of India’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.

Current Affair 2:

PM SHRI schools (PM ScHools for Rising India)

 

News:

The Cabinet has been approved a newly central sponsored scheme called PM SHRI on 7 September, 2022. These schools will showcase the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 and emerge as exemplar schools over a period of time, and also offer leadership to other schools in the neighborhood.

Under the scheme there is provision of setting up of More than 14500 PM SHRI Schools (PM Schools for Rising India) by strengthening the existing schools from amongst schools managed by Central government/State/UT Government/local bodies.

The duration of scheme is proposed to be from 2022-23 to 2026-27; after which it shall be the responsibility of the States/UTs to continue to maintain the benchmarks achieved by these schools.

Key features

 

1. PM SHRI will provide high-quality education in an equitable, inclusive and joyful school environment and makes them active participants in their own learning process as per the vision of NEP 2020.
2. PM SHRI Schools will provide leadership to other schools in their respective regions by providing mentorship.
3. The PM SHRI Schools will be developed as green schools, incorporating environment friendly aspects like solar panels and LED lights, nutrition gardens with natural farming, waste management, plastic free, etc,
4. Focus will be on learning outcomes of every child in every grade. Assessment at all levels will be based on conceptual understanding and application of knowledge to real life situations and will be competency-based.
5. Linkage with Sector Skill Councils and local industry for enhancing employability and providing better employment opportunities will be explored.
6. A School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) is being developed, specifying the key performance indicators to measure outcomes. Quality evaluation of these schools at regular interval will be undertaken to ensure the desired standards.

Implementation strategy:

PM SHRI Schools would be implemented through the existing administrative structure available for Samagra Shiksha, KVS & NVS. The other autonomous bodies would be involved on specific project basis as required.

These schools shall be monitored vigorously to assess progress and understand the challenges faced in implementation of National Education Policy 2020.

Selection Methodology:

Selection of PM SHRI schools will be done through Challenge Mode wherein Schools compete for support to become exemplar schools. Schools would be required to self-apply on the online portal. The portal will be opened four times a year, once every quarter, for first two years of the scheme.

The Elementary schools (Class 1-5/1-8) & the Secondary/ Sr. Secondary Schools (Class1-10/1-12/6-10/6-12) managed by Centre/State/UT Governments / local self-governments having UDISE+ code would be considered for selection under the Scheme. 

UDISE:

Current Affair 3:

Mythimna separata

 

News:

Continuous warm temperatures for prolonged periods may have led to the serious pest infestation in Assam that damaged around 28,000 hectares of paddy crop in at least 15 districts. The crop was nearing maturity and about to be harvested when the pests attacked it.

The pest (Mythimna separata) is known as the ear head cutting caterpillar, rice ear-cutting caterpillar, or armyworm. It feeds on leaves and can cut off panicles from the base of a crop plant, frequently leaving the field looking like it has been grazed by cattle. During an outbreak, the pest multiplies in large numbers and moves in swarms from field to field, like an army, to feed and attack the crops.

The pest was first reported as a sporadic pest from Tamil Nadu during 1937 and Kerala and Odisha in 1957.

Current Affair 4:

A new species of 'music frog'

 

News:

Scientists have discovered a new species of 'music frog' in Arunachal Pradesh.

The speciality of this new species of frog, Nidirana noadihing, is that both the male and female are vocal. This newly discovered frog has a unique call pattern consisting of two-three notes.

The new species was named after the Noa-Dihing River, which is near where the specimens were discovered and collected.

According to the scientists, the new species confirmed for the first time that the Nidirana genus has been found in India. Nidirana species are known in Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

 

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