January 27, 2024 | Your One-Stop Solution for Daily Preparation
AISHE | Explained
The All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) for the academic year 2021-22, conducted by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, reveals transformative trends in the landscape of higher education. This article explores key highlights and insights from the survey, shedding light on student enrollment, gender dynamics, discipline preferences, infrastructure, and faculty composition.
Highlights of the Day
1.India-France Near Conclusion of Defense Deals, but Civil Nuclear Agreement Delays Persist
India and France are in the final stages of negotiating two major defense deals – 26 RafaleM fighter jets for the Indian Navy and three additional Scorpeneclass submarines. The focus is on co-designing, codeveloping, and coproducing defense equipment. However, there is no breakthrough on the civil nuclear cooperation agreement for reactors at Jaitapur, with discussions on technical aspects, financing, and localizing supplies ongoing. The French government raised concerns about a French journalist facing deportation, citing compliance with rules. Despite this, ties between India and France appear strengthened, with President Macron accepting Prime Minister Modi's Republic Day invitation[1].
2. Rare Encounter: Assam's Golden Tiger Captivates on National Tourism Day
Wildlife photographer Gaurav Ramnarayanan captured a rare golden tiger on a safari in Assam's Kaziranga National Park, shared by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The male adult tiger with a golden coat was sighted at close range during a January 24 safari. Although more golden tigers may exist in Kaziranga, the exact count is unknown. The tiger's unique coloration results from a genetic variant, according to Professor Uma Ramakrishnan, who is studying the golden phenotype in Kaziranga through scat samples. The photographer believes such a rare encounter may not happen again in the wild[2].
3.Japan's Moonlander SLIM Successfully Lands Despite Engine Failure
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) moonlander, Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), achieved a precise landing on the moon but experienced engine failure during descent. SLIM, aiming for a 100x100 m landing patch, used advanced obstacle detection and navigation techniques, deviating slightly due to the engine issue. Despite this setback, Japan became the fifth country to soft-land a robotic instrument on the moon. Investigation is ongoing to determine if the engine failure is related to the solar panels' power generation issue[3].
4. Airbus and Tata Group to Establish India's First Private-Sector Helicopter Assembly Line
Airbus and Tata Group are collaborating to establish India's first private-sector helicopter assembly line. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a Tata group firm, will partner with Airbus Helicopters to set up the assembly unit, focusing on Airbus' H125 helicopter for the Indian market and neighboring countries. The facility will handle component integration, avionics, mission systems, testing, and delivery. The assembly line is expected to be operational in 24 months, with the first 'Made in India' H125 helicopters anticipated to be delivered in 2026. The exact location of the final assembly line will be jointly determined by Airbus and Tata[4].
5.Aadhaar Cards in India Emphasize Identity, Not Citizenship or Date of Birth
New Aadhaar cards in India now feature a prominent disclaimer stating that Aadhaar serves as proof of identity, not citizenship or date of birth. This move aims to discourage government departments and organizations from using Aadhaar as proof of these aspects. The Election Commission of India previously accepted Aadhaar as proof of date of birth for voter enrollment. The new disclaimer could create uncertainty in such practices. In January, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation announced it would no longer accept Aadhaar cards as proof of date of birth, a decision approved by the Central Provident Fund Commissioner[5].
Source: The Hindu | TOI
Practice Questions for Prelims
Q1: Assertion (A): Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections.
Reasoning (R): Antibiotics target bacteria by disrupting their specific metabolic processes.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) Both A and R are false.
Q2: Assertion (A): The Coriolis effect influences the direction of ocean currents.
Reasoning (R): The Coriolis effect is caused by the revolution of the Earth and deflects moving objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) Both A and R are false.
Q3: Consider the following statements regarding the Indian National Congress during the pre-independence era:
I. The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885.
II. Dadabhai Naoroji served as the first president of the Indian National Congress.
III. The demand for Purna Swaraj or complete independence was officially adopted at the Lahore Session of the Congress in 1929.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
a) I and II
b) II and III
c) I and III
d) All statements are true.
Q4: The ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ concept is most closely associated with:
a) Market failures in a capitalist economy
b) The overexploitation of shared resources
c) Currency devaluation in international trade
d) Income inequality in socialist societies
Q5: The term ‘Ocean Acidification’ is primarily caused by an increase in atmospheric levels of:
a) Carbon dioxide
b) Methane
c) Nitrous oxide
d) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Today’s Question for Mains Answer Writing
Explore the challenges and opportunities posed by technological advancements, social media, and geopolitical dynamics on voter behavior.
Need help in writing or evaluation?
Note: For answer key and explanation of daily practice questions, join us at: t.me/tinkerchild
Comments