General Awareness

GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION - January 2020

Jan 2020

Apr 25, 2023

NCERT Removes Darwin's Evolution Theory from Science Textbook

More than 1,800 scientists, teachers, educators, and science enthusiasts from across India signed an open letter to NCERT condemning the removal of Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution from the science textbooks for Classes 9 and 10.
The Breakthrough Science Society released a press statement that includes the letter titled 'An Appeal Against Exclusion of Evolution from Curriculum,' which is signed by representatives of notable scientific institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, and Indian Institute of Technology.
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the government body mandated to advise the central and state governments on school education, had carried out a syllabus rationalisation exercise to reduce the burden on students after the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a result, chapter 9 of the science textbook, 'Heredity and Evolution,' was replaced by 'Heredity.' However, the scientific community believes that the removal of Darwin's Theory of Evolution is a 'travesty of education,' and students will be handicapped in their thought processes without exposure to this fundamental scientific discovery.

Japan's Health Ministry approves country's first abortion pill

In a significant boost to reproductive rights, Japan's Health Ministry has approved the country's first abortion pill. While abortion pills are widely available in many countries across the globe, the medication was not approved by Japan's Health Ministry. The approval came from the Health Ministry's Pharmaceutical Board after it approved the MeFeego Pack abortion pill manufactured by British pharmaceutical Linepharma.
Japan's Health Ministry had first said in January this year to review the drug and had asked the public to submit their opinions through an online portal. The board's recommendation will now go to the Health Minister for final approval.

India's first indigenous pneumonia vaccine by SII launched

The first indigenous vaccine against pneumonia, developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII), was launched by Union health minister Harsh Vardhan . The vaccine would be sold under the name 'Pneumosil' and would be available either as a single dose in a vial and pre-filled syringe or as multidose in vials at affordable prices, the Union ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) said in a statement.
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) would be used to treat pneumonia in children and has been developed by SII in collaboration with other partners like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the statement said. Vardhan said that the vaccine has been developed during the Covid-19 pandemic time and is also in line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat program (self-reliant India) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

IIT Kanpur, C3iHub Launches Cybersecurity Skilling Programme

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) launched a Cybersecurity Skilling Programme in collaboration with its cybersecurity Technology and Innovation Hub, C3iHub.
The programme is taught in Hindi, and is an eight weeks (6 hours per week) long and includes live sessions, online assignments, and hands-on exercises. The prerequisite of this programme are basics of computer networks, operating system (Linux / Windows). Bash script and Python is optional.
Upon completion of the programme, students will receive a certificate from C3iHub, which will add value to their professional profile.

Apr 23, 2023

IIM Lucknow Launches Global Senior Leadership Programme

The Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow launched the global senior leadership programme in collaboration with Imarticus Learning. The programme aims to upskill professional managers who have at least five-year professional experience and are aspiring to secure leadership positions in finance, HR operations and marketing functions.
The 11-month programme will begin somewhere around mid-June.
The course will involve two tracks — in the first track candidates will be trained for core general management skills and in the second track professionals will be prepared for skills required to transition into the role of a CFO, CMO, CHRO or COO.

Nagaland Gets Approval from NMC for Setting up its First Medical College

In a significant development, the National Medical Commission (NMC) granted approval for the establishment of the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, which will become the first medical college in the north-eastern state since it gained statehood 60 years ago in 1963.
Health and Family Welfare Minister P. Paiwang Konyak announced the NMC's decision to set up the medical college in Kohima, stating that the academic session of the institute will commence from 2023-24.
The medical college will have a capacity of 100 seats for MBBS students, and this milestone achievement is expected to significantly benefit the state's healthcare sector by creating new opportunities for medical education and improving healthcare services.

Apr 22, 2023

IT Bombay to Introduce New form of Convocation Called Commencement Ceremony

IIT Bombay is introducing a new form of convocation called Commencement Ceremony, for the first time starting this year, to be held on May 2, 2023. The Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan will be the Chief Guest for the function.
IIT Bombay will also confer the award of Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) on Prof. Rohini Godbole, Honorary Professor, Centre for High Energy Physics, IISC Bangalore, during this function.
The convocation of IIT Bombay is usually held in August every year. In the past, many students were not able to attend the convocation as they had already moved out of campus to pursue higher education or employment opportunities by August. The parents of the graduating students also missed the opportunity to see their ward graduating in person due to space constraint in accommodating them in the Convocation Hall.
In order to facilitate the right of passage of prospective graduates, the Senate of IIT Bombay approved a new form of celebration called the 'Commencement Ceremony' by replacing the existing notion of Convocation.
The Commencement Ceremony will resemble the convocation. However, 'Commencement Ceremony' does not involve awarding of any degree certificates since the students are yet to complete their academic requirements.

Seniors to Teach Juniors in Schools as Govt Deploys Teachers for Caste-based Survey

In an apparently bizarre manoeuvre, Patna district administration decided to allow senior students to teach their juniors in absence of their respective teachers due to their scheduled deployment in the second phase of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's pet project of a caste-based survey.
A letter mentioning the same was circulated amongst all school principals and in charge besides block- and district-level education department officials by the Patna district education officer.

Apr 21, 2023

IITs Set to Adopt National Credit Framework

In a move towards a more comprehensive education framework, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) unanimously decided to adopt the National Credit Framework (NCrF) across all 23 IITs.
The NCrF, which was presented by the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman, M. Jagadesh Kumar, at the 55th IIT Council meeting in Bhubaneswar, aims to facilitate the earning, transfer, and accumulation of credits by students.
The framework covers all levels of education, including elementary, school, higher, and vocational education and training. It integrates creditisation of learning in various dimensions, including academics, vocational skills, and experiential learning.

Apr 19, 2023

DoPT Approves Conducting SSC MTS, CHSL Exams in 13 Regional Languages

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) approved conducting the Staff Selection Commission Multitasking (non-technical) Staff (SSC MTS) examination 2022, and the Combined Higher Secondary Level Exam (CHSLE), 2022, in 13 regional languages in addition to Hindi and English. The announcement was made by Union Minister Jitendra Singh.
From now on, the question papers for these exams will be set in 13 regional languages. The exams will be available in Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, Urdu, Punjabi, Manipuri (also Meiti), and Konkani. This is in addition to English and Hindi, which are already in place.
The decision is expected to support millions of candidates and enable them to take exams in their mother tongues or regional languages. This may improve their chances of being selected.

UGC Bars Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies from Offering Distance Learning, Online Co...

The UGC barred noted business school Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) from offering distance learning and online programmes due to gross violation of norms.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) also cautioned potential students against taking admission in any course offered by the institute.
Established in 1981, the institute was accorded university status in 2003.
"Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Maharashtra did not adhered to the UGC regulations and is in gross violations with regard to functioning of the Centre for Internal Quality Assurance (CIQA), quality of Self Learning Material and e-Learning Material (e-LM), nomenclature of Centre for Distance and Online Learning," UGC secretary Manish Joshi said.

IIT Madras Scientists Develop 'Easy-to-use Screening Device'

The Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Madras researchers developed a novel, non-invasive device to assess the health and age of blood vessels and thereby provide early screening for cardiovascular diseases.
ARTSENS® is a cutting-edge technology created by the Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC) at IIT Madras, intended for regular medical check-ups, even by non-experts, to evaluate and anticipate vascular health. This advanced tool uses a distinct non-imaging probe and an intelligent computing system to function effectively.

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