UPSC QUIZ 01.06.2024

Explanation:

• The over-politicization of Indian higher education is in the news these days because it is having a profound impact on academic life and autonomy of institutions.
• It is deeply rooted in the history of Indian education and has increased in intensity in recent years.
• At present, academic freedom and intellectual discourse in India are being hindered, due to which the demand for comprehensive reforms in the education system in India has also emerged as an important issue.

Current Status of Higher Education in India

• In India, higher education refers to tertiary level education pursued after completing 12 years of schooling. It has the second largest higher education system in the world, comprising over 58,000 higher education institutions.
• Currently, India has 43.3 million students enrolled for higher education. Of these, around 79% of students are enrolled in undergraduate courses, 12% in postgraduate (master’s degree) courses, and only 0.5% in PhD courses. Most of the remaining students are pursuing sub-degree diploma programmes

Explanation:

• The recognition of National Human Rights Commission of India has been suspended for the second time within a decade by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) recognized by the United Nations.
• The rationale behind revoking the recognition of National Human Rights Commission of India arises from concerns raised regarding issues such as delays and political influence in appointments to the National Human Rights Commission of India and the involvement of law enforcement in investigations related to human rights abuses in India and inadequate collaboration with civil society.

The main reasons for suspending the recognition of National Human Rights Commission of India are:

• Limited representation and inclusivity: The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) has identified a lack of diversity within the staff of National Human Rights Commission of India and its leadership. Their rationale is that this homogeneity hinders the Commission’s ability to understand and address the specific needs of all communities in India.
• Inadequate protection for vulnerable groups: The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) has raised concerns about the NHRC’s response to human rights violations targeting marginalized groups, communities, religious minorities and human rights defenders. These groups often face a number of challenges and require protection in line with Indian law.

Explanation:

• The Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested the indigenously developed anti-radiation missile RudraM-II.
• The missile was successfully fired from the Indian Air Force Su-30 MK-I fighter aircraft of the coast of Odisha on 28 May 2024.
• The RudraM-II is the latest and upgraded version of the RudraM-1 missile, which was test-fired from the Su-30MKI in October 2020.
• According to the DRDO, all the trial objectives were met during the missile test.
• The DRDO scientist and the industry partners involved in the RudarM-II missile project were congratulated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Explanation:

• The Reserve Bank of India fined HSBC Bank Rs 36.38 lakhs for violating the provision of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) 1999.
• According to the RBI, the HSBC bank failed to follow the required reporting requirements under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme of FEMA.

Liberalised Remittance Scheme

• The Liberalised Remittance Scheme was introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2004 under the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999. Under this scheme, all resident individuals, including minors, can send up to $2,50,000 in a financial year(April to March) abroad without the permission of the Reserve Bank of India.

Explanation:

• South Korea launched its first space agency.
• South Korea has plans to make a Mars landing by 2045.
• President Yoon Suk Yeol said it plans to spend 100 trillion won ($72.6 billion) until then on space exploration.
• The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) will lead the country’s “space economy”.
• South Korea’s first lunar lander is planned for 2032.
• With the launch of the Nuri rocket in May 2023, South Korea became the seventh nation to possess its own space launch vehicle and satellite development technology.
• By 2027, South Korea plans to conduct at least three more space launches. Plans to launch military satellites are also in place.
• North Korea attempted to launch a rocket on May 27, 2024, but was unable to place its second military spy satellite into orbit.
• Japan was the fifth nation to send a lander to the moon in January.
• India was the fourth country to land on the moon last year.