Daily Current Affairs and GK | 1 September 2022

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

1. UGC to launch the 'e-Samadhan' portal for resolving student grievances.

• "e-Samadhan", a new student grievance redressal platform, will be launched by University Grants Commission (UGC). It will get operational next week.
• In addition to this, UGC has also set definite timelines to resolve the grievances of students.
• UGC has fixed ten working days deadlines to resolve student-related matters while it is 15 days for teaching and non-teaching issues.
• For any matter related to the university or college, the maximum deadline to resolve the issue is 20 days.
• University Grants Commission (UGC):
  • It is a statutory body established in 1956.
  • It is responsible for maintaining higher education standards in India.
  • M Jagadesh Kumar is the current chairman of the University Grants Commission.

Topic: Art and Culture

2. Nua Khai festival celebrated in Odisha on 01 September.

• This festival is celebrated particularly in western Odisha. It is also observed by the people of southern Chhattisgarh.
• It is an agricultural festival. In this festival, people offer new rice of the season to the deities even before the crop is harvested.
• The festival represents farmers’ hopes and aspirations for a good harvest. It also represents their deep-rooted belief that food itself is God. 
• It also symbolizes the socializing spirit of the rural community as reflected through Nua Khai Juhar.
• Nua Khai Juhar is a traditional Namaste offered by the younger to the elders.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

3. Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for the signing of an MoU with the Government of Nepal on biodiversity conservation.

• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had proposed the signing of the MoU.
• The aim of the MoU is to strengthen and enhance coordination and cooperation in the field of forests, biodiversity conservation, and climate change.
• The MoU also aims at the restoration of corridors and interlinking areas and sharing knowledge and best practices, between the two countries.

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

4. India will launch its first indigenous vaccine against cervical cancer on 01 September.

• Union Minister of State (independent charge) Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh will launch the first indigenous vaccine.
• DBT in partnership with the Serum Institute of India is ready to launch India’s first indigenously developed Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine (qHPV) against cervical cancer.
• As per government analysis, the vaccine will provide prevention against 6,11,16 and 18 strains by generating antibodies against HPV (human papillomavirus).
• Department of Biotechnology (DBT) said that the indigenous vaccine will be a low-cost, affordable vaccine.
• As per DBT officials, new vaccine is based on VLP (virus like particles) like the hepatitis B vaccine.
• New vaccine will provide protection by generating antibodies against the HPV virus’s L1 protein.
• Cervical cancer:
  • It is the cancer of the cervix, the lower-most part of the uterus (womb).
  • As per World Health Organisation (WHO), India accounts for about a fifth of the global burden for cervical cancer.
  • Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally.
  • It is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
  • The virus is mainly transmitted through sexual contact.

Topic: Indian Economy

5. India's GDP grew by 13.5% in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

• The country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at the rate of 13.5 percent in the April-June quarter of the current financial year.
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 8.4% in July-September 2021, 5.4% in October-December 2021, and 4.1% in January-March 2022.
• According to the data, the Gross Value Added (GVA) grew 12.7 percent to Rs 34.41 lakh crore in April-June this year.
• According to projections provided by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing sector increased by 4.5% in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2022-23.
• The manufacturing sector grew by 4.8%, while the construction industry increased by 16.8%.
• The electricity, gas, water supply, and other utility services segment grew by 14.7% in the quarter compared to 13.8% last year.
• The GDP segment of services related to trade, hotels, transport, communication, and broadcasting registered a growth of 25.7 percent in the current fiscal.
• In Q1 of 2022-23, real GDP is expected to reach 36 lakh 85 thousand crore rupees, compared to 32 lakh 46 thousand crore rupees in Q1 of last fiscal at 2011-12 Prices.
• The GDP growth rate was 20.1 percent in the first quarter of the financial year 2021-22.
• India remained the fastest-growing major economy, while China recorded 0.4% GDP growth in the April-June 2022 quarter.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

6. Amit Shah launched web-portal "CAPF eAwas" in New Delhi.

• On 1 September, Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the "eAwas" web portal of the Central Armed Police Forces in New Delhi.
• One of the most important goals of the Government is to raise the Housing Satisfaction Ratio of soldiers serving in the CAPF.
• The portal ‘eAwas' has been developed to implement the revised allocation policy and bring transparency to the allotment process.
• Through the web portal, eligible personnel of the CAPFs and the Assam Rifles would be able to register online for residential quarters.
• The CAPF eAwas portal has been developed along the lines of the online allotment system of 'Common Pool Residential Accommodation (eSampada)'.
• Under the Ministry of Home Affairs, CAPFs is a common name that represents the six Forces of the Union of India.
• These Forces are:
  • Assam Rifles (AR)
  • Border Security Force (BSF)
  • Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
  • Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
  • Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
  • Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

7. Union Cabinet has approved the disposal of Chana to States/UTs at a discounted rate from the stock procured under PSS & Price Stabilization Fund (PSF).

• This Chana is to be utilized for Welfare Schemes like Mid-Day meals, Public Distribution systems, and Integrated Child Development Programmes (ICDP), etc.
• Under this approved scheme, 15 lakh MT of Chana is being offered to the States/UTs Government at the discount of Rs. 8 per kg over the Issue Price of the sourcing State on a First come first serve basis.
• This exemption will be a lump sum for a period of 12 months or till the complete disposal of 15 lakh MT stock of Chana, whichever is earlier.
• The government will spend Rs 1200 crore on the implementation of this scheme.
• The country has witnessed the highest ever production of Chana (pulses) in recent times, especially during the last three years.
• The government has made record procurement of Chana in the Rabi season during 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22 under the Price Support Scheme.
• Due to this, 30.55 lakh metric tonnes of Chana are available with the government under PSS and PSF.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has also approved the increase of the quantity procurement ceiling under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) from the existing 25% to 40% in respect of Tur, Urad & Masur.

Topic: Space and IT

8. CERT-In conducted the Cyber Security Exercise “Synergy” for 13 Countries on 31 August 2022.

• Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) designed and conducted the exercise in collaboration with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore.
• CERT-In designed and conducted the exercise as part of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative- Resilience Working Group.
• The group is being led by India under the leadership of the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
• “Building Network Resiliency to counter Ransomware Attacks” was the theme of the exercise.
• Exercise “Synergy” was hosted by CERT-In on its exercise simulation platform.
• Indian-Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In):
  • It is an office under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
  • It is the nodal agency to deal with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing.
  • It was established on 19 January 2004. Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Personality in News

9. Renowned agricultural economist and former CACP chief Abhijit Sen passes away.

• Renowned economist Abhijit Sen died at the age of 72 due to a heart attack.
• During his career, he held several important positions, including the Commission of Agricultural Cost and Prices chair.
• He was a planning commission member during the Manmohan Singh government from 2004 to 2014.
• He was the chairman of the High-Level Committee of Experts on Long-Term Grain Policy, which submitted its report in 2002.
• Abhijit Sen was awarded the Padma Bhushan for public service in 2010.

Topic: National News

10. Delhi Police becomes the first police force to make forensic evidence mandatory in crimes punishable by more than six years.

• Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora issued an order regarding this.
• As per the Delhi police order, one ‘forensic mobile van' shall be allotted to each district to provide scientific and forensic assistance.
• These forensic mobile vans will not be administered by the police but will be an independent entity accountable to the courts of law.
• The main objective of the order is to take the conviction rate higher and integrate the criminal justice system with forensic science investigation.
• As per the latest NCRB report, crimes against women in Delhi have increased by 40%, highest among the all metropolitan cities.
• In the Zonal Council meeting in Bhopal, Union Minister Amit Shah said the government will bring changes to the British-era Indian Penal Code.
• The evidence obtained by the use of science is referred to as forensic evidence. Forensic evidence is mainly three types-DNA, fingerprints, and bloodstain pattern analysis.

Topic: Personality in News

11. Mikhail Gorbachev, a former Soviet leader, passed away at the age of 91.

• Mikhail Gorbachev was a Russian President from 15 March 1990 to 25 December 1991, and he was the last leader of the Soviet Union.
• He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 for negotiating a nuclear arms pact with the United States.
• He played a key role in ending the Cold War without bloodshed.
• After decades of Cold War tensions, Gorbachev brought the Soviet Union closest to the West since World War II.
• He introduced new political and economic freedoms in the Soviet Union.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

12. Canada invoked the 1977 Pipeline Treaty with the US for the second time in less than a year.

• The Canadian government has invoked the 1977 pipeline treaty to prevent the closing of a pipeline in Wisconsin.
• The Canadian government has raised concern that the shutdown of the Line 5 pipeline can cause significant economic and energy disruption.
• The Bad River Band, a Native American tribe in northern Wisconsin, wants to shut down the pipeline because of the risk of leakage and the expired agreements between Enbridge and the tribe.
• Line 5 pipeline is part of Enbridge's Mainline network, which carries oil from Canada to the United States.
• The Line 5 pipeline carries around 540,000 barrels per day from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario.
• The shutdown of the pipeline could have a major impact on a number of communities in both countries. It could increase the price of energy and gas.
• The 1977 Pipeline Treaty governs the free flow of oil between Canada and the United States.
• Canada invoked the treaty for the first time in 2021 to resolve a dispute with Michigan State, which wanted to shut down Line 5 on environmental grounds.

Topic: National News

13. NITI Aayog declared Haridwar the best aspirational district in India.

• NITI Aayog has declared the holy city of Haridwar as the best aspirational district on five parameters.
• Due to the performance, an additional three crore rupees have been allocated to Haridwar.
• Haridwar has achieved the top spot in the basic infrastructure. Haridwar is lagging behind in the health sector.
• The administration will use the allocated money to improve the condition of the sub-district hospitals in Roorkee and Haridwar.
• According to the aspirational districts scheme norms, districts should prepare a plan of action in consultation with the state and central Prabhari Officers and send the same to NITI Aayog for final approval.
• Aspirational Districts Programme:
  • The Aspirational Districts Programme was launched in 2018 for the development of under-developed districts across the country.
  • It focuses on the strength of each district and identifies sectors for immediate improvement.
  • NITI Aayog releases a ranking of districts every month.
  • The ranking is based on the 5 broad socioeconomic themes: Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development, and Infrastructure.

Topic: Defence

14. Indian Coast Guard conducted the 10^th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise SAREX-22 in Chennai.

• The 10^th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise SAREX-22 was organized in Chennai on 27 and 28 August.
• During the exercise, ICG Dornier planes demonstrated the ways to rescue passengers from ships and aircraft.
• Shipping and fisheries agencies, airport authority, the Navy, Air Force, etc. participated in this edition of the search and rescue exercise.
• A total of 51 participants took part in the exercise, including 24 representatives from 16 friendly foreign countries.
• The two-day exercise was conducted under the aegis of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board (NMSARB).
• It was hosted by the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Search & Rescue Region (ISRR).
• The primary goal of the exercise was to verify the SOPs and best practices used during the execution of a Mass Rescue Operation (MRO).
• “Capacity Building Towards Marine Passenger Safety” was the theme of this edition of the biennial exercise.