The NEP debate: Why criticism of the policy is premature and off the mark

• Traditionalists who disapprove of markets, industrial experience, and internships are the main source of opposition. For the majority of Indians, the NEP supports Ambedkar’s idea of education centered on employment.

About the National Education Policy (NEP)

• After a 34-year wait, the NEP superseded the antiquated NEP of 1986 and was put into effect in 2020.
• It seeks to address graduates’ poor employability by bringing education into line with the quickly evolving economic and technology context.
• It places a strong emphasis on a well-rounded education that encompasses deep knowledge, technical proficiency, soft skills, research aptitude, analytical and problem-solving skills, and critical thinking.
• All programs are moved toward outcome-based learning under the NEP, with each course having its own set of defined learning objectives and assessments.

Why Criticism of the Policy is Premature and Off the Mark?

• Early Stage of Implementation: Some claim it imposes unnecessary bureaucratic obligations on teachers and pupils, diluting essential curriculum, but these complaints are deemed premature.
• Restructuring the enormous education system is an ongoing endeavor, and a lot of issues are overemphasized.
• University-Specific Issues: A lot of criticism focuses on the structure and substance of the curriculum, which is a university-specific problem rather than a NEP failing.

Provisions under NEP and Government Efforts

• Credit-Based Courses: The NEP offers a flexible and diverse academic route by introducing credit-based courses.
• Courses on Ability and Skill Enhancement: These programs aim to give students entrepreneurial or employable skills.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to receive credits for prior learning that is relevant to their studies. This promotes lifelong learning.
• Curriculum and Syllabi Redesigned: Focus on experiential learning and ongoing evaluation via accredited tutorials.
• Internships & Practical Experiences: Including projects, community outreach initiatives, apprenticeships, and internships in degree programs.
• Flexible Exit and Re-Entry: The NEP enables students to come and go from programs, taking into account a range of situations and backgrounds.

Way Forward

• Academic institutions must to be adaptable to the demands of the general public and business sectors, guaranteeing that the curricula they offer are in line with industry demands and employability standards.
• Regular Feedback and Updates: Successful adopters like Delhi University should serve as an example for institutions, who should regularly change their programs in response to stakeholder feedback.
• Long-Term Infrastructure Development: An ongoing effort is needed to create long-term infrastructure in order to fully realize the potential of the NEP.

National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement. (2020)

India- Bangladesh Bilateral Relations  

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Hasina shortly after her two-day state visit to India began to go over a number of bilateral issues.

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Visit to India

• The visit’s goal is to strengthen India and Bangladesh’s bilateral relations.
• PM Narendra Modi will have a meeting with Sheikh Hasina.encounters with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and President Droupadi Murmu.
• bilateral collaboration in the areas of science and technology, energy, connectivity, trade, security, defense, and maritime affairs. Possible agreements to improve collaboration across a range of sectors.

India-Bangladesh Relations and the Teesta Water Dispute

Bilateral Relations:

• Strategic Importance: As part of India’s “Neighbourhood First” strategy, Bangladesh is an important ally.
• Trade: In South Asia, Bangladesh is India’s biggest trading partner. Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner in Asia is India.
• Connectivity: Two noteworthy projects are the Chilahati-Haldibari rail link and the Maitri Setu bridge over the Feni River in Tripura.
• Development Partnership: With major commitments made under the Line of Credit, Bangladesh is India’s largest development partner.
• Border Cooperation: Active participation in law enforcement, anti-corruption initiatives, and the fight against illegal drug trafficking, counterfeit goods, and human trafficking.

Teesta Water Dispute:

• Controversy: The sharing of Teesta River water has been a contentious issue between India and Bangladesh, affecting bilateral relations.
• Current Status: Discussions and negotiations are ongoing to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

Way Forward

• Improved Bilateral Cooperation: Keep fortifying relations with frequent high-level visits and discussions.
• Resolution of Teesta Dispute: In order to strengthen ties, concentrate on figuring out a just and long-term solution to the Teesta water-sharing problem.
• Economic Integration: To strengthen relationships between countries, increase trade and investment opportunities.
• Infrastructure Development: To improve commercial and interpersonal interactions, expand connectivity initiatives.
• Increased collaboration on security-related matters, such as border control and counterterrorism, is necessary.
• Encourage cultural and educational interactions in order to strengthen interpersonal relationships.

Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive role in the emergence of Bangladesh.( 2013)

How long is Carbon is stored in plants?

According to a recent study published in the journal Science, terrestrial vegetation’s ability to store carbon is less durable and more susceptible to climate change than previously thought.

Carbon Absorption and Storage in Plants

• The amount of time carbon is retained in plants may be overestimated by current models, causing carbon to return to the atmosphere earlier than anticipated.
• Experts emphasized that although woods and plants are essential for absorbing carbon dioxide, their capacity is finite.
• The report urges a swift cutback in emissions from fossil fuels in order to lessen the effects of climate change.

Use of Radiocarbon (Carbon-14) in Research

• Researchers monitored carbon cycling and buildup in the terrestrial biosphere using the radioactive isotope carbon-14.
• The atmospheric concentration of C-14 rose as a result of nuclear bomb testing in the 1950s and 1960s, offering a rare chance to research carbon cycle.

Study Results

• Researchers examined C-14 buildup in plants between 1963 and 1967 and contrasted their results with existing models.
• According to the analysis, net primary productivity—the rate at which new plant tissue is created—is probably higher than the 43–76 PgC per year that current models anticipate, at least 80 PgC annually.
• Between 1963 and 1967, the amount of C-14 accumulated in vegetation was 69 ± 24 ×10²⁶, indicating a faster carbon cycle between the atmosphere and biosphere than previously believed.

Implications of the Study: Reforestation is inadequate

• Reforestation is being suggested as a way to reduce atmospheric CO2, yet trees cannot replenish the CO2 in the geological layers that provided the fossil fuels.
• This work demonstrates that the ephemeral nature of this sink makes its duration considerably shorter than previously believed.

Consider the following agricultural practices: (2012)

1. Contour bunding
2. Relay cropping
3. Zero tillage

In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequestration/storage in the soil?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None of them

AMRSense Project

• The IIIT-Delhi AMRSense Project has taken home a joint second place in Trinity Challenge’s antimicrobial resistance (AMR) competition.
• The project from India, “OASIS: OneHealth Antimicrobial Stewardship for Informal Health Systems,” is jointly awarded the second prize in a sum of £600,000.

What is the AMRSense Project?

• The primary objective of AMRSense is to tackle the pressing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by employing a thorough and anticipatory strategy.
• The goal of the project is to equip communities—in particular Community Health Workers (CHWs)—with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve AMR management and surveillance.
• It aims to close the gap between data gathering and evidence-based community-level actions in India.
• Partners: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 1mg.com, and CHRI-PATH are collaborating on the research.

Four Components of AMRSense:

• Community Engagement: AMRSense empowers CHWs with AI-assisted tools for accurate and simplified data collection related to AMR. This helps in improving the quality and reliability of AMR data gathered from local communities.
• Data Integration: The project integrates various sources of AMR-related data, including antibiotic sales, consumption patterns, and WHONet-compliant surveillance data. This integration is facilitated through open-source tools and APIs, aiming to create a unified AMR data ecosystem.
• Predictive Analytics: AMRSense employs federated analytics across the OneHealth ecosystem. This approach provides integrated insights into AMR trends, facilitating proactive decision-making and interventions to manage and mitigate AMR risks.
• AMRaura Scorecard: This tool is designed to monitor and evaluate AMR trends over time. It helps in assessing the effectiveness of interventions and guiding targeted strategies to combat AMR effectively.

Impact and Future Prospects

• By addressing gaps in CHW knowledge, instruction, and motivation, AMRSense seeks to improve community-level AMR data collecting and management in India.
• The project’s all-encompassing strategy is to promote proactive AMR management and surveillance techniques.