Daily Current Affairs and GK | 4 November 2022

Topic: Space and IT

1. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captures a 'Smiling Sun' picture.

• The image has dark patches on the sun’s surface resembling eyes and a smile. NASA said that these patches are coronal holes.
• Coronal holes can be seen in ultraviolet light and are invisible to our eyes.
• Coronal holes covering “six-eight percent of the total solar surface” were spotted in 2016.
• A strong solar wind upon reaching the earth can cause changes in the ionosphere, the upper part of the earth’s atmosphere.
• When a high-speed solar stream arrives at the earth, in certain circumstances, it can hit the atmosphere over the poles.
• Coronal holes:
  • These are regions on the sun's surface which is less dense and fast solar wind gushes out into space from these regions.
  • They have lower temperatures and appear much darker than their surroundings.
  • ‘Coronal holes’ are important to understand the space environment around the earth.

(Source: Twitter.com/NASASun)

Topic: Reports and Indices

2. Performance Grading Index (PGI) for States/UTs for 2020-21 has been released by Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education.

• PGI is a unique index for evidence based comprehensive analysis of school education system across State/UTs.
• So far, DoSE&L has released PGI report for the year 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20.
• PGI comprises of 1000 points across 70 indicators categorized into 2 categories.
• These categories are Outcomes and Governance Management (GM).
• These categories are further divided into 5 domains, viz., Learning Outcomes (LO), Access (A), Infrastructure& Facilities (IF), Equity (E) & Governance Process (GP).

• PGI 2020-21 classified the States/UTs into ten grades. Highest achievable Grade is Level 1.
• This is for State/UT scoring more than 950 points out of total of 1000 points. 
• The lowest grade is Level 10 which is for score below 551.
• Seven states and UTs have attained Level II (score 901-950) in 2020-21.
• These seven states are Kerala, Punjab, Chandigarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh.  
• No states attained Level II in 2017-18 and 4 states attained Level II in 2019-20.
• Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh are new entrants to Level II.
• In PGI, Ladakh has made significant improvement from Level 8 to Level 4 in 2020-21.  It improved its score by 299 points in 2020-21.
• Arunachal Pradesh is the only state in Level VII (651-700) of PGI. No state/UT is at Level VIII (601-650) or below it.  

Topic: State News/Meghalaya

3. “Citizen Engagement and Communication Programme” was launched by Meghalaya CM.

• Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched the programme at Tura, West Garo Hills district.
• He said that the programme aims for grassroots penetration of all schemes so that governance is improved in all aspects.
• The programme will also aim to create awareness amongst the masses.
• While launching the programme, CM said that the Government has started various welfare programmes and information should be disseminated for the larger benefit of the public.

Topic: State News/Madhya Pradesh

4. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Ladli Laxmi 2.0 scheme.

• On the occasion, he also transferred Rs 1.85 crore into the bank accounts of 1,477 Ladli Laxmi scheme beneficiary girls to enable them to pursue higher education.
• On the occasion, he said that ‘Ladli Laxmi Vatika’ (garden) is being developed in each district of the state.
• Ladli Laxmi 2.0 scheme is a Madhya Pradesh government’s flagship financial assistance scheme to encourage girls to pursue higher education and make them independent.
• Ladli Laxmi scheme was launched in 2007. It provides monetary benefits to the eligible girl children to make sure that they get good education.
• It also aims to change the perspective of the society towards the birth of the girl child.

Topic: Art and Culture

5. Shilp Samagam-2022 has been inaugurated by Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr Virendra Kumar.

• He inaugurated it in New Delhi in presence of Ministers of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Sh. Ramdas Athwale and Ms. Pratima Bhoumik.
• In "Shilp Samagam - 2022", beneficiaries of top corporations have been invited to showcase and sell their handicraft products. 108 stalls have been allotted to them this year.
• Shilp Samagam is being organized from 1^st to 15^th November, 2022.
• During the Shilp Samagam-2022 marketing exhibition, the products from the 19 different states and Union Territories are on display.
• Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India has been providing Marketing Platform by Organizing Exhibition since 2001 at Delhi Haat, India International Trade Fair (IITF) and Suraj kund Craft Mela.
• Union Minister said that training in skill development and upgradation being provided under PM-Daksh scheme is important.
• PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) Yojana is a National Action Plan for skilling of marginalized persons covering SCs, OBCs, EBCs, De-notified Tribes (DNTs), sanitation workers including waste pickers.
• It is being implemented through three Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) of the Ministry, i.e. National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
• Government had approved its implementation during 2021-22 to 2025-26 with a budget outlay of Rs.450.25 crore.

Topic: Important Days

6. First International Day for Biosphere Reserves: 3 November 2022

• International Day for Biosphere Reserves aims to promote the sustainable development approach for modern life.
• The 50th anniversary of Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme was observed in 2021 and 2022.
• The 50th anniversary celebration of the MAB Programme will come to an end in the year 2022.
• The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme was launched in 1971.
• World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) was formed in 1971.
• As of now, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal do not have biospheres.
• In South Asia, over 30 biosphere reserves have been set up.
• The first one was the Hurulu Biosphere Reserve, in Sri Lanka.
• In India, the first biosphere reserve was designated by UNESCO in 2000. This was Nilgiri biosphere reserve stretched over Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

7. 15^th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2022 is being organized from 4^th to 6^th November 2022 in Kochi.

• The Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, and the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, jointly inaugurated the three-day conference on November 4, 2022.
• The event is being organized at Hotel Grand Hyatt Kochi, Kerala in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Govt.
• The event will be attended by senior officials of policymakers from the central and state governments, managing directors of metro rail companies, chief executive officers of transport undertakings, international experts, professionals, academicians, and students.
• The 2006 National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) emphasizes establishing state and city capacity to solve urban transport issues and provides principles for developing equitable and sustainable urban transport networks for all segments of society.
• As a part of the National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) announcements, the Ministry has taken the initiative to organize an annual International Conference-cum-Exhibition on Urban Mobility India, popularly known as Urban Mobility India - UMI.
• The main goal of this conference is to provide information to the cities whose representatives participate in the conference to help them stay updated with the latest and best urban transport practices globally.
• The Urban Mobility India (UMI) conference and expo 2022 is focused on the theme of “Azadi@75 – Sustainable AatmaNirbhar Urban Mobility”.
• It will lay emphasis on designing and implementing efficient, high quality and sustainable transport systems in cities.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

8. Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power in Israel.

• Israel's former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party and allies emerged victorious in elections on 1 November.
• In the 120-seat parliament, Mr. Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party won 32 seats, while his alliance won 64 seats overall.
• Lapid's Yesh Atid party received 24 seats, and his coalition of right-wing, left-wing, and Arab parties received 51 seats.
• Benjamin Netanyahu, 73, is the longest-serving Prime Minister, having been elected five times over the course of 15 years.
• Israel:
  • It is a Middle Eastern country located on the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Its capital is Jerusalem and the currency is the Israeli shekel.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

9. Goa hosted Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO) Asia Pacific Conference from 1^st to 3^rd November 2022.

• Delegates from the Asia Pacific region discussed the issues related to Asia’s aviation industry.
• The member countries will work for achieving the Complete Air Traffic System (CATS) Global Council’s vision for the skies of 2045.
• “Think Global, Collaborate Regional, Accomplish Local” was the theme of this year’s conference.
• Delegates also witnessed some of the cutting-edge technology that will help modernize air traffic management in the region.
• Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO):
  • It is a representative body of companies providing air traffic control. It was established in 1996.
  • It oversees global air traffic management performance by connecting industries to share knowledge, expertise and innovation.
  • Its members support more than 90 percent of the world's air traffic.

Topic: New Developments

10. New-generation super-abrasive tools can be now produced from indigenous technology from IIT Madras.

• IIT Madras has developed indigenous technology for producing new-generation multi-point/single-layer super abrasive tools for advanced grinding applications.
• It will meet the requirements of high productivity and energy-efficient material removal.
• A research team led by Dr Amitava Ghosh has developed this technology. The team recommended application-specific-advanced coatings to develop such new-generation super abrasive tools.
• Superabrasive tools can be produced using active brazing technology with remarkably striking attributes of high crystal exposure above bond level.
• Core Research Grant (CRG) of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has supported this indigenous tool.
• This innovative route of manufacturing super abrasive tools has been recently published in the "Journal of Manufacturing Process".
• Grinding industries were demanding advanced super-abrasive cBN/diamond tools for high productivity and energy-efficient material removal requirements.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Personality in News

11. First voter of independent India voted for the 34^th time in Himachal Pradesh.

• 106-year-old Shri Shyam Saran Negi of Himachal Pradesh voted for the 34^th time.
• PM Modi has praised him for exercising his right to franchise.
• Mr. Negi casted his first vote on 25 October 1951.
• Mr. Negi exercised his franchise for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections through postal ballot paper at his residence in Kalpa on 2 November.
• Right to Vote:
  • Right to Vote is a constitutional right guaranteed to Indian citizens under Article 326.
  • The voting age for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies was reduced from 21 to 18 years by the 61st constitutional amendment of 1988.
  • According to the Election Commission of India, citizens are eligible to become a voter subject to the following conditions:
    • Every citizen who is 18 years of age on the qualifying date is eligible to enroll.
    • Enrollment can enroll at the place of residence only.
    • Enrollment is only in one place.
    • An NRI is ordinarily considered a resident at the address given in the passport.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

12. IPPB launched ‘Niveshak Didi’ initiative to promote Financial Literacy “By the women, for the women”.

• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), in collaboration with Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), launched this initiative to take the Financial Literacy drive ahead.
• The initiative aims to promote Financial Literacy ‘By the women, for the women’, in Srinagar, J&K.
• On 2 November, IPPB organized India's first floating financial literacy camp to enhance financial literacy in Srinagar (J&K).
• The camp was organized among the local residents around the world-famous Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
• IPPB has taken this initiative to increase last-mile reach and bridge the financial inclusion gap with the help of the world's largest postal network.
• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB):
  • IPPB has been set up under the Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications, which is 100% owned by the Government of India.
  • IPPB was launched by PM Narendra Modi on September 1, 2018.
  • The bank has been established with a vision to provide very easy, affordable, and reliable banking service to the common man of India.
  • Its basic function is to use the country's network of 160,000 post offices (145,000 rural post offices), 400,000 postal workers for those with less access to banks and those not connected to banking services.
  • IPPB is facilitating easy and cost-effective banking solutions through an interface available in 13 languages with a focus on cost-effective innovation and ease of banking process for the masses.

Topic: Report and Indices/Rankings

13. UDISE report shows GER improved at all levels of school education in 2021-22.

• A detailed report on the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2021-22 has been released by the Ministry of Education on school education of India.
• The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) measures the general level of participation in education.
• An improvement in the GER in primary, upper primary and higher secondary level school education was observed in the year 2021-22 as compared to the year 2020-21.
• The improvement in GER was recorded in the Higher Secondary Schools in the year 2020-21 to 53.8 percent and it has increased to 57.6 percent in the year 2021-22.
• A total of 25.57 crore students were enrolled in schools from primary to higher secondary in the year 2021-22, while in the year 2020-21, 25.38 crore students were enrolled.
• In the year 2021-22, there was an increase of 4.82 crores in the enrollment of SC students, while in the year 2020-21, only 4.78 crores were enrolled.
• The enrollment of other Backward Class students was 11.48 crore in the year 2021-22, as compared to 11.35 crore in the year 2020-21.
• Children with Special Needs (CWSN) enrollment was recorded at 22.67 lakh in 2021-22, as compared to 21.91 lakh in 2020-21.
• During the year 2021-22, 95.07 lakh teachers were engaged in school education, of which more than 51 percent were female teachers.
• Also, in the year 2021-22, the pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) stood at 26 in primary, 19 in upper primary, 18 in secondary, and 27 in higher secondary.
• In the year 2021-22, more than 12.29 crore girl students enrolled from primary to higher secondary.
• In this way, an increase of 8.19 lakh was seen in comparison to the enrollment of girls in 2020-21.
• The enrollment of SC students from primary to higher secondary in the year 2021-22 increased to 4.83 crores as compared to 4.78 crore enrollment in the year 2020-21.
• Similarly, the enrollment of ST students increased from 2.49 crore in 2020-21 to 2.51 crore in 2021-22 and the enrollment of OBC students increased from 11.35 crore in 2020-21 to 11.49 crore in 2021-22.
• There were 14.89 lakh schools in the year 2021-22, while the number of schools in the year 2020-21 was 15.09 lakh.
• Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+):
  • The Department of School Education & Literacy developed the UDISE+ system of online data in the year 2018-19.
  • It was developed to overcome the issues related to the earlier practice of filling manual data in paper format.

Topic: Sports

14. Virat Kohli became the first player in the history of the ICC T20 World Cup to register a hat-trick.

• Kohli became the first player in the cricket history of the T20 World Cup to score 3 or more fifties on three occasions.
• He scored 3 or more fifties in 2014, 2016, and 2022.
• He smashed 82 against Pakistan, 62 against the Netherlands, and 64 against Bangladesh in the current T20 World Cup 2022.
• 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup:
  • It is the eighth ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament.
  • It is being played in Australia from 16 October to 13 November 2022.
  • It was originally scheduled to be held in 2020, but the tournament was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.