CONTENTS
- Initiatives under NEP 2020
- Government e-Marketplace
- Exercise Zayed Talwar
Initiatives Under NEP 2020
Context:
Recently, the Minister of State for Education provided valuable insights into the initiatives taken up under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for the transformation of Education Sector in India during a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Relevance:
GS II: Education
Dimensions of the Article:
- Initiatives under NEP 2020
- Key Initiatives under NEP 2020
National Education Policy 2020
Introduction and Historical Context:
- The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions India as a global knowledge hub, marking the third major education policy overhaul since independence.
- The earlier policies were introduced in 1968 and 1986, setting the stage for this comprehensive transformation.
Salient Features of NEP 2020:
- Universal Access: Ensuring access to education at all levels, from pre-primary to Grade 12.
- Early Childhood Care: Focusing on quality early childhood care and education for children aged 3-6.
- Curricular Structure: Adopting a new 5+3+3+4 curricular structure that aligns with age groups.
- Four Schooling Stages: Dividing education into Foundational, Preparatory, Middle, and Secondary stages.
- Integrated Learning: Breaking barriers between arts and sciences, curricular and extra-curricular activities, and vocational and academic streams.
- Multilingualism: Emphasizing multilingualism and promoting Indian languages.
- Performance Assessment: Introducing PARAKH, the National Assessment Centre for holistic development evaluation.
- Gender Inclusion and Special Education: Establishing a Gender Inclusion fund and Special Education Zones.
Key Initiatives under NEP 2020
PM Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI):
- Objective: Provide high-quality, equitable, and inclusive education in a joyful school environment.
- Launch: September 2022.
- Scope: Upgrading over 14,500 schools across India.
- Allocation: Rs. 630 crore for school enhancement.
NIPUN Bharat:
- Vision: Achieve universal foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 3 (2026-27).
- Focus: Develop enabling environment for essential reading, writing, and numeracy skills.
PM e-VIDYA:
- Aim: Promote online education and digital learning.
- Platforms: Utilizes DIKSHA and provides e-books and e-content nationwide.
NCF FS and Jadui Pitara:
- Launch: National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage and Jadui Pitara for play-based learning.
- Audience: Tailored teaching materials for children aged 3 to 8.
NISHTHA:
- Focus: Capacity-building program for teachers and school principals.
- Enhancement: Aims to foster holistic advancement in school heads and teachers.
NDEAR:
- Blueprint: National Digital Education Architecture for technology-based education applications.
- Guiding Principles: Lays foundations for digital technology integration in education.
Academic Frameworks:
- NcrF: National Credit Framework for enhanced credit transfer.
- NHEQF: National Higher Education Qualification Framework for academic flexibility.
Increased Investment in Education:
- Advocacy: Recommends 6% of combined GDP allocation by Central and State Governments.
- Budget Allocation: Ministry of Education budget increased to Rs. 1,12,899 crore in 2023-24, a 13.68% rise from 2020-21.
International Campuses and Partnerships:
- Support: NEP 2020 encourages Indian universities to establish campuses abroad and invites foreign institutions to operate in India.
- MoUs: Agreements signed for IIT campuses in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi, fostering global educational connections.
Educational Innovation in GIFT City:
- GIFT City Hub: Foreign universities authorized to offer specialized courses in Gujarat’s GIFT City.
- Objective: Cultivate high-end human resources for financial services and technology sectors.
Government e-Marketplace
Context:
Government e-Marketplace (GeM) marks its 7th Foundation Day as a landmark in India’s procurement landscape.
Relevance:
GS II- Government policies and Intervention
About Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
Nodal: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- The Government e Marketplace (GeM) was launched on August 9, 2016.
- To create an open and transparent procurement platform for Government buyers.
- A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) by the name of Government e- Marketplace (GeM SPV) was set up as the National Public Procurement Portal
- It has been developed by Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (Ministry of Commerce and Industry) with technical support of National e-governance Division (Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology).
- It is a completely paperless, cashless and system driven e-market place that enables procurement of common use goods and services with minimal human interface.
- At present, the platform is open for procurement by all government buyers: central and state ministries, departments, public sector enterprises, autonomous institutions, local bodies, etc.
- As per existing mandate, GeM is not available for use by private sector buyers.
- Suppliers (sellers) can be from across all segments: government or private.
The following are the objectives of the online platform:
- Easier availability of various goods and services for the government buyers.
- Create transparency in public procurement.
- Cost saving on government expenditure.
- Achieve and promote cashless transactions.
Exercise Zayed Talwar
Context:
Indian Navy and United Arab Emirates to conduct bilateral exercise ‘Zayed Talwar from 8th to 11 August 2023.
Relevance:
GS III: Security Challenges
Exercise Zayed Talwar
Participating Ships:
- The Indian Navy’s exercise Zayed Talwar features the involvement of two prominent ships: INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand.
Professional Engagement:
- The exercise entails robust professional interactions between the visiting Indian ships and the UAE Naval Force.
- These interactions span diverse facets of maritime operations, facilitating knowledge exchange and expertise sharing.
Mutual Learning:
- As part of the exercise, the Indian and UAE naval entities will engage in the exchange of best practices.
- The goal is to bolster cooperation and fortify the bond between the two naval forces.
Enhanced Partnership:
- Exercise Zayed Talwar plays a pivotal role in elevating the maritime partnership between the Indian and UAE navies.
- It fosters a shared comprehension of security challenges within the region.