September 4, 2023 | Your One-Stop Solution for Daily Preparation
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8 | Explained
Explore India's pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) - Decent Work and Economic Growth. Discover progress, challenges, and government initiatives shaping the nation's journey towards economic prosperity and equitable development.
Highlights of the Day
1. AI-Powered Personalized Learning Coming to India's DIKSHA Platform
The National eGovernance Division (NeGD) intends to integrate Personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL) into the Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) platform, enhancing individualized learning experiences. Managed by the Ministry of Education, DIKSHA offers e-content for schools but lacks personalization. PAL, driven by AI, addresses this gap by tailoring learning paths for students based on their needs. Some states have experimented with PAL, but budget constraints are a challenge. The focus is initially on challenging subjects for Classes 9 to 12. NeGD plans to assess edtech companies for PAL integration with DIKSHA 2.0, a time-consuming process expected to take several years [1].
2. Panel Formed to Explore Feasibility of 'One Nation, One Election' Plan in India
The Central government has formed a panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine the feasibility of 'one nation, one election' (ONOE). ONOE aims to synchronize Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections across India to reduce their frequency. This practice was initially observed from 1951 to 1967 but later disrupted. Concerns about ONOE include its constitutional feasibility, potential conflicts with federalism, and whether it undermines the accountability fostered by separate elections for national and state issues. While proponents argue it could save money, critics question the substantial costs associated with frequent elections and the need for constitutional amendments [2].
3. India's Ongoing Battle with Food Insecurity and Malnutrition
India, despite its extensive food security programs, still faces significant food insecurity and malnutrition challenges. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) for 2022 ranked India 107th out of 121 countries. To address these issues, a State Hunger Index (SHI) has been developed, focusing on child malnutrition, under-five mortality, and BMI undernourishment among the working-age population. Several Indian states scored poorly on the SHI, falling into the 'serious hunger' or 'alarming' categories. India's GHI score has worsened in recent years, primarily due to increasing calorie undernourishment. However, the government disputes these findings without providing empirical evidence, and no recent data on nutritional intake is available. Despite progress in poverty reduction, food insecurity and malnutrition remain significant challenges in India [3].
4. G20 Summit Venue to Host Unique Exhibition Showcasing Global Art and Culture
The G20 Summit venue will feature an exhibition of art and culture from all 29 participating countries, including digital and physical displays. Each of the 20 member countries and nine guest nations contributed cultural masterpieces or historically significant items under five categories. These include 'object of cultural significance,' 'iconic cultural masterpiece,' 'intangible cultural heritage,' 'natural heritage,' and 'artefact related to democratic practices.' The exhibit includes renowned items like the Magna Carta from the UK, Panini Ashtadhyayi from India, Mona Lisa, Gutenberg Bible, Coatlicue statue, Abrahamic Family House, and Kosode. The Culture Corridor-G20 Digital Museum will open on September 9, following the summit, showcasing global cultural treasures [4].
5. IPBES Gathers to Release Key Report on Combating Invasive Alien Species and Biodiversity Loss
The 10th plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) in Bonn, Germany, is focused on releasing a scientific assessment report on "Invasive Alien Species and their Control," aiming to combat biodiversity loss, aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This report, developed by 86 experts from 49 countries over four years, addresses the elimination and reduction of invasive alien species' impact on biodiversity by 2030. It's the first IPBES meeting since the GBF's adoption, and requests for assessments to support its implementation are expected. IPBES plays a crucial role in providing policy-relevant knowledge on biodiversity and nature [5].
Source: The Hindu | Indian Express | DownToEarth
Practice Questions for Prelims
Q1: Which of the following statements about the Earth's atmosphere is correct?
I. The mesosphere is the layer closest to the Earth's surface.
II. The ozone layer is located in the troposphere.
III. The exosphere is the outermost layer where satellites orbit.
Choose the correct combination:
a) I only
b) II only
c) III only
d) None of the above
Q2: Examine the following statements about "Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs)":
I. ANNs are computational models inspired by the human brain's neural structure.
II. ANNs can only be used for image and speech recognition.
III. Deep Learning is a subset of machine learning that uses ANNs with many layers.
Choose the correct combination:
a) I and II
b) II and III
c) I and III
d) I, II, and III
Q3: Which of the following statements about "El Niño" and "La Niña" is correct?
I. El Niño is characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.
II. La Niña typically brings drier and warmer conditions to South America.
III. Both El Niño and La Niña are part of the same climate phenomenon.
Choose the correct combination:
a) I and II
b) II and III
c) I and III
d) I, II, and III
Q4: Consider the following statements about "Quantum Computing":
I. Quantum computing relies on classical bits for data processing.
II. Quantum bits, or qubits, can exist in multiple states simultaneously due to quantum superposition.
III. Quantum computers are slower than classical computers for solving complex problems.
Choose the correct combination:
a) I and II
b) II and III
c) I and III
d) I, II, and III
Q5: Examine the following statements regarding the "Mughal Empire":
I. The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur in 1526 after his victory at the Battle of Panipat.
II. Akbar the Great, known for his policy of religious tolerance, was the grandson of Babur.
III. The Mughal Empire reached its zenith under the rule of Aurangzeb.
Choose the correct combination:
a) I and II
b) II and III
c) I and III
d) I, II, and III
Today’s Question for Mains Answer Writing
Education is often seen as a catalyst for inclusive growth and societal development. Analyze the current state of education in the country and the challenges it faces in promoting inclusivity. Discuss the key reforms required to address these challenges and ensure equitable access to quality education for all segments of the population. (Word limit: 250 words)
Need help in writing or evaluation?
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