Education
United District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2019-20

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about UDISE+ report 2019-20 highlights) + Mains ( GS II Education)
What's the NEWS

• Union Education Minister, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank' released the Report on United Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2019-20 for School Education in India.
• The UDISE+ system of online data collection from the schools was developed in the year 2018-19 to overcome the issues related to manual data filling in paper format and subsequent feeding at the block or district level, which was in practice in the UDISE data collection system from 2012-13.
• The present publication relates to UDISE+ data for the reference year 2019-20.

UDISE+ report 2019-20 highlights

• As per the UDISE+ report 2019-20, Gross Enrolment Ratio at all levels of school education has improved in 2019-20 compared to 2018-19.
• Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) has improved at all levels of school education.
• According to the report, in 2019-20, enrolment of girls from primary to higher secondary is more than 12.08 crore.
• This is a substantial increase by 14.08 lakh compared to 2018-19. Between 2012-13 and 2019-20, the Gender Parity Index (GPI) at both Secondary and Higher Secondary levels have improved.
• The UDISE+ report shows a remarkable improvement in the number of schools with functional electricity, with functional computers, internet facility in 2019-20 over the previous year.
• Another major improvement is seen in the number of schools with hand wash facility.
• In year 2019-20, more than 90% schools in India had hand wash facility as compared to only 36.3% in 2012-13.

Highlights of Report on United District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2019-20:

• In 2019-20, total students in school education from pre-primary to higher secondary have crossed 26.45 crore. This is higher by 42.3 lakh compared to 2018-19.

Gross Enrolment Ratio at all levels of school education has improved in 2019-20 compared to 2018-19.

• Gross Enrolment Ratio increased to 89.7% (from 87.7%) at Upper Primary level, 97.8% (from 96.1%) at Elementary Level, 77.9% (from 76.9%) at Secondary Level and 51.4% (from 50.1%) at Higher Secondary Level in 2019-20 (from 2018-19).

The Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) has improved at all levels of school education.

• In 2019-20, the PTR for primary has become 26.5, PTR for upper primary and secondary has become 18.5 and PTR for higher secondary has become 26.1.

Enrolment of Divyang students

• To ensure universal accessibility of education for persons with disabilities, all-out efforts have been made. Enrolment of Divyang students has increased by 6.52% over 2018-19.
• In 2019-20, enrolment of girls from primary to higher secondary is more than 12.08 crore. This is an increase by 14.08 lakh compared to 2018-19.

Gross Enrolment Ratio of girls

• Gross Enrolment Ratio of girls has increased to 90.5% (from 88.5%) at Upper Primary level, 98.7% (from 96.7%) at Elementary Level, 77.8% (from 76.9%) at Secondary Level and 52.4% (from 50.8%) at Higher Secondary Level in 2019-20 (from 2018-19).

Gender Parity Index (GPI)

• Between 2012-13 and 2019-20, the Gender Parity Index (GPI) at both Secondary and Higher Secondary levels have improved. Improvement of GPI has been most pronounced at the higher secondary level, which has gone up to 1.04 in 2019-20 from 0.97 in 2012-13.

Other highlights

• More than 80% schools in India in 2019-20 had functional electricity. This is an improvement by more than 6% over the previous year 2018-19.
• Number of schools having functional computers increased to 5.2 lakh in 2019-20 from 4.7 lakh in 2018-19.
• Number of schools having internet facility increased to 3.36 lakh in 2019-20 from 2.9 lakh in 2018-19.
• More than 90% schools in India had handwash facility in 2019-20. This is a major improvement, as this percentage was only 36.3% in 2012-13.
• More than 83% schools had electricity in 2019-20, an improvement by almost 7% over the previous year, 2018-19. In 2012-13, about 54.6% schools had electricity.
• More than 82% schools conducted medical check-up of students in 2019-20, an increase by more than 4% compared to previous year 2018-19. In 2012-13, about 61.1% schools conducted medical checkups.
• More than 84% schools in India had a library/reading room/ reading corner in 2019-20, an improvement of nearly 4% compared to the previous year. In 2012-13, about 69.2% schools had library/ reading room/ reading corner.

Science & Technology
OxyJani
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about OxyJani)
What's the NEWS

• Indian researchers have designed a robust, mobile group oxygen concentrator that can be used in rural settings and also be rapidly deployed in emergencies in any location.
• A team from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, developed a new solution with the name ‘OxyJani' for addressing novel challenges in adsorption science and engineering.
• It was developed during the second wave of COVID-19, addressing the several novel design challenges posed for the sourcing of materials and the need in hospitals of different capacities.

Know! about OxyJani

• OxyJani is based on the principles of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology.
• The team replaced lithium zeolites (LiX) which is usually used in oxygen concentrators, with sodium zeolites which does not generate toxic solid waste and can be manufactured in India.
• Although the science behind it is well understood, developing an engineering solution that can work with sodium in a portable device and fill this specific market gap when there are severe sourcing problems posed engineering challenges.
• Obstacles had to be overcome at each stage of the cycle, from working with the available zeolites to effective ways of dehumidifying and designing the right adsorption-pressure cycle.
• The concentrator is modular and capable of delivering a range of solutions, conversion of medical air to medical oxygen, and is an entirely off-grid solution including all modules that can facilitate deployment in rural areas.
• Moreover, the waste from the 13X zeolite plant can be potentially a good agricultural input material.
• This new class of technology called "group concentrators" has the robustness of large PSA plants, portability similar to the personal concentrators, and is affordable too.
• The device is in the range of 30-40 lpm, which is potentially useful for ICU uses too.

Defence
7^th INDIAN OCEAN NAVAL SYMPOSIUM (IONS)

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) + Mains ( GS II regional grouping)
What's the NEWS

• The 7^th edition of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a biennial event, was hosted by the French Navy at La Réunion from 28 June to 01 July 2021.
• Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy, participated virtually in the inaugural session of the event and provided his congratulatory remarks to the Outgoing and Incoming Chairmen.

Know! about IONS

• IONS, conceived by the Indian Navy in 2008, seeks to enhance maritime cooperation among Navies of the littoral states of the IOR by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion of regionally relevant maritime issues that would lead to common understanding on the way ahead.
• The chairmanship of IONS has been held by India (2008-10), UAE (2010-12), South Africa (2012-14), Australia (2014-16), Bangladesh (2016-18) and Islamic Republic of Iran (2018-21). France has assumed the Chairmanship on 29 Jun 21 for a two-year tenure.
• The Symposium also held panel discussions themed on the three IONS working Groups viz., HADR, Maritime Security and Information Sharing & Interoperability.
• The Naval Maritime Foundation (NMF) also participated in the Panel Discussion on HADR.
• IONS Conclave of Chiefs (CoC) is the decision-making body at the level of Chiefs of Navies, which meets biennially.
• 6^th IONS and CoC was conducted by Iran Navy in April 2018 at Tehran. Owing to the pandemic, the CoC 2021, will be hosted by French Navy later this year.

Science & Technology
SERB-DST partners with Intel India to launch first-of-its-kind initiative to advance deep tech-based research in India

Relevance in - Prelims ( about Fund for Industrial Research Engagement (FIRE) + Mains ( GS III awareness in the field of science and technology)
What's the NEWS

• The Indian research community will soon be able to pursue industry-relevant research opportunities in the areas of deep technologies that are novel, transformative, and can have a ground-breaking impact on a national scale.

Fund for Industrial Research Engagement (FIRE)

• The opportunities will be offered by the first-of-its-kind research initiative called ‘Fund for Industrial Research Engagement (FIRE)' launched by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, in collaboration with Intel India on June 29, 2021.
• It will increase research opportunities in the space of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML), platform systems, circuits & architecture, Internet of Things (IoT), materials & devices, security, and so on from edge to cloud.
• SERB-FIRE is a novel initiative to bring together industry and academia on a common platform to exchange ground-breaking ideas and co-promote innovative research.
• SERB-FIRE promises to bring support for strong ideations, especially in futuristic S&T thematic areas, and aims to bring expertise in academia and industry together with a new model of cooperation.
• SERB-Intel collaboration will be an excellent opportunity for the scientists to join hands with Intel and together create a stimulating atmosphere for research in science and engineering.
• There is a synergy that could be built upon through this programme which would be governed by industry-specific problems
• The FIRE program is a joint government and industry initiative with a co-funding mechanism to promote innovative technology solutions and strengthen academic research through collaboration with key research and development (R&D) organizations in India.
• Having been conceived in collaboration with Intel India, it is also being extended to other industry members, which would increase its impact and reach.
• FIRE is a one-of-its-kind collaborative initiative that aims to transform the culture of research in India and strengthen the technology ecosystem.
• This is a critical program that will lead to impactful research outcomes in key technology areas like AI, ML, cloud, edge, and security at the national and global scale."
• The program intends to select highly impactful research projects in every cycle (typically once or twice a year), which have breakthrough potential at a national or global level. It will support the best researchers in academia with funding, mentoring, and industry connect.
• As the next step, the FIRE program will share a Request for Proposal (RFP) and invite the Indian research community to submit research proposals.

Green Freight Corridor-2

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Green freight corridor)
What's the NEWS

• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways inaugurated the loading operation on the maiden voyage of Coastal Shipping Service "Green Freight Corridor-2" from Cochin Port to Beypore and Azhikkhal Ports.

Green Freight Corridor Service

• It is operated by Round The Coast Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, a JM Baxi Group Company. This service will connect Kochi-Beypore-Azhikkal, and later Kollam port will be added to this service. M/s JM Baxi is the general agent for the service.
• The vessel will call at Cochin Port twice a week and will feeder exim and coastal boxes to the ports of Beypore and Azhikkal.
• The commodities that would be shipped would include Rice, Wheat, Salt, Construction Material, Cement, etc. unloaded at Cochin from Gujarat.
• On the return leg, the Operators are targetting to move exim cargo such as Plywood, Footwear, Textiles, Coffee, etc. Similarly the imported Cashew containers would also be moved from Cochin to Kollam at a later stage.
• In order to promote coastal shipping of containers, Cochin Port is offering 50% rebate in vessel related charges for the River Sea vessels.
• Similarly, the Government of Kerala has also offered an operational incentive @10% above the road transportation cost as per the NATPC study report for coastal shipping in the minor ports in the state for a period of one year from 23.01.2021.
• These hand-holding measures would help the sustenance of the service during the initial period and would encourage introduction of more services of this kind on regular basis.
• This service is expected to bring about a marked modal shift of transportation of containers and ease the congestion on the road and reduce carbon footprint.
• This also augurs well to connect the hinterlands of northern Kerala, particularly the exim trade in Calicut and Kannur region who will gain direct access to Vallarpadam ICTT by sea mode saving cost and transit time.

Agriculture
Atmanirbhar Krishi APP Launched by the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Atmanirbhar Krishi app + role of various government ministries/departments + about KisanMitr) + Mains ( GS III e-technology in the aid of farmers
What's the NEWS

• There is a wealth of information carefully curated by various departments of the government, which can be very relevant to the farmers but on different platforms and not in a manner comprehensible to them.
• A component of KisanMitr, a national digital platform that caters to farmers, focuses on filling this gap by combining data from various government ministries/departments like Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC), and others and making it available to the farmers through the Atmanirbhar Krishi app.
• Tech Mahindra Makers Lab team has designed and built the Atmanirbhar Krishi App.

Atmanirbhar Krishi app.

• With the Atmanirbhar Krishi app of the KisanMitr initiative, farmers will have in their hands, evidence-based information generated by our research organizations like IMD, ISRO, ICAR, and CGWA.
• This information, when used by the farmers to make decisions on cropping patterns, mechanization of small farmers' holdings or stubble burning, will ensure that decisions are made factoring in the importance of sustainability of water and environment, and judicious use of resources.
• An app available on a basic phone with information in a language comprehensible to farmers will also enhance inclusivity during the decision-making process
• The Atmanirbhar Krishi app was created to equip farmers with actionable agricultural insights and early weather alerts.
• Data related to soil type, soil health, moisture, weather, and water tablewere aggregated and analysed to generate personalized insights related to crop selection, fertilizers requirements, and water needs for each farmer at the farm-holding level.

The app was envisioned in 5 stages:

1. Data aggregation
2. Building centralized insights
3. Enable local expertise (KVK) supported interactions and insights
4. Deriving Machine Learning inferences
5. Continuous improvement

Salient features of the app:

1. The data has been made comprehensible for farmers by simplifying the language. The app is also available in 12 languages.
2. The Android and Windows versions of the app are available on Google Play Store and are free of cost for farmers, start-ups, KVKs, SHGs, or NGOs to use.
3. Considering the connectivity issues in the remote areas of the country, the app has been designed to work on minimal bandwidth.
4. The app does not collect any inputs from the farmer. It relies on the geo-location of the farm to provide relevant data (see figure). Data relevant to another location can be collected by entering the PINCODE of that area.

Categories of data available on Atmanirbhar Krishi app and the Government Ministry/Department which is the data source.


KisanMitr.

• KisanMitr was developed by Indian Centre for Social Transformation, a Bengaluru-based Public Charitable Trust.ICST's platform epashuhaat launched on 26th November, 2020 for improvement of indigenous milch cattle was repurposed to create KisanMitr.

Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)

• The Atmanirbhar Krishi App by aggregating data on soil health, water table and weather, will facilitate KVKs to interact with farmers more specifically as per the existing ground realities.
• KVKs may also integrate the information available with them on existing cropping systems and agronomic practices while interacting with farmers.

Know! about KisanMitr

• KisanMitr - Friends of the Farmers project is an initiative of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India.
• This project aims to make Indian farmers more self-reliant by giving them insights and recommendations based on information from various data sources from different departments of the Government.
• PSA Office has engaged the services of a Registered Public Trust namely Indian Centre for Social Transformation (Indian CST) (www.indiancst.in) who developed and are maintaining https://epashuhaat.gov.in for the Department (now Ministry) of Animal Husbandry Dairying and Fisheries for the (then) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare from 26.11.2016 to till now.
• Indian CST has contributed its GPMS Trans portal for building the KISAN MITR portal on the lines of e-pashuhaat.
• This National Digital Repository called the Friends of the Farmer portal (https://kisanmitr.gov.in) is hosted as per Government of India cloud policy at Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Fourth Paradigm Institute(CSIR4PI), Bangalore.

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