TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15.7.2024

1. CENTRALISED RECRUITMENT FOR TRIBAL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS LEADS TO LANGUAGE, CULTURAL BARRIERS (NATIONAL)

• Centralized Recruitment: In 2023, the recruitment process was centralized under NESTS, with the National Testing Agency conducting the exams.
• Hindi Competency Requirement: Introduced as a mandatory criterion, leading to a large number of recruits from Hindi-speaking states.
• Grievance Redressal: NESTS has opened a one-hour daily window for addressing grievances and plans to launch a transfer portal.
• Schemes and Programs National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS): Responsible for the centralized recruitment and management of staff for Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): Flagship initiative by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to provide quality education to tribal students.
• Teacher Training Programs: Initiatives to train teachers in local languages and cultural contexts.
• Transfer Portal: An online portal for managing transfer requests and grievances of teachers.
• Issues Language Barrier: The mandatory Hindi competency requirement has led to a mismatch between teachers and the local language and culture of the regions they are posted in.
• Cultural Mismatch: Teachers from Hindi-speaking states are unfamiliar with the local culture, food, and traditions of southern states, affecting their ability to connect with students.
• Staff Shortage: Despite centralizing recruitment to address teacher shortages, the issue persists due to the reluctance of teachers to work in unfamiliar regions.
• Transfer Requests: A significant number of teachers are requesting transfers due to the language and cultural barriers.
• Impact on Students: Tribal students may suffer academically and socially due to the lack of teachers who understand their local context and language.
• Solutions Localized Recruitment: Reintroduce or supplement centralized recruitment with localized hiring to ensure teachers are familiar with the local language and culture.
• Language Training: Provide intensive language training for teachers to learn the local language before or immediately after their posting.
• Cultural Sensitization Programs: Implement cultural orientation programs to help teachers understand and adapt to the local customs and traditions.
• Flexible Transfer Policies: Develop a more flexible transfer policy that allows for easier relocation of teachers facing genuine difficulties.
• Community Involvement: Engage local communities in the recruitment process to ensure that teachers are better suited to the local environment.

2. DOVAL AND SULLIVAN HOLD TALKS AMID STRAIN IN TIES OVER RUSSIA (INTERNATIONAL)

• NSA Conversations: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s discussion with his U.S. counterpart Jake Sullivan to advance bilateral ties and discuss upcoming Quad meetings.
• U.S. Concerns: Statements from U.S. officials expressing concerns about India’s ties with Russia and the timing of Modi’s visit to Moscow.
• Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting: Scheduled to be held in Tokyo on July 29, 2024, following the ASEAN Foreign Ministers outreach meetings.
• Potential Quad Leaders’ Summit: India is due to host the summit in 2024, contingent on the U.S. elections in November.
• Issues Strained India-U.S. Relations: The U.S. has expressed concerns over India’s ties with Russia, particularly in light of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Moscow.
• Geopolitical Tensions: The U.S. views India’s engagement with Russia as problematic, especially given the current global stance against Russia due to its actions in Ukraine.
• Quad Dynamics: The upcoming Quad Foreign Ministers meeting and the potential Quad Leaders’ summit are critical for maintaining the strategic partnership among India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia.
• Need for — Communication and Diplomacy: High-level diplomatic engagements are ongoing to address these concerns and advance bilateral ties.
• Balancing Relations: India should balance its relations with both the U.S. and Russia, ensuring that its actions do not undermine its strategic partnerships.
• Ongoing — Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership: An ongoing initiative to deepen India-U.S. relations based on shared values and strategic interests.
• Quad Framework: A strategic dialogue between India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia aimed at ensuring a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
• High-Level Diplomatic Engagements: Regular meetings and communications between top officials to address bilateral, regional, and global issues.

3. CENTRE DECALRES JUNE 25 AS SAMVIDHAAN HATYA DIWAS (NATIONAL)

• Declaration of Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas: The Union government has officially declared June 25 as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas to commemorate the Emergency imposed in 1975.
• Political Reactions: The announcement has elicited strong reactions from political leaders, with the ruling party emphasizing the importance of remembering the Emergency and the opposition criticizing the move.
• Emergency Provisions (Article 352): The constitutional provision under which the Emergency was imposed in 1975.
• Public Awareness: The observance aims to raise awareness about the excesses and atrocities committed during the Emergency.
• Constitutional Values: The day is intended to reinforce the importance of upholding constitutional values and preventing future abuses of power.

4. GST SYSTEM REFORMS PANEL REJIGGED (ECONOMY)

• Reconstitution of Ministerial Group: The GST Council has reconstituted the ministerial group to include new representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana.
• Rate Rationalization Panel: The panel tasked with recommending GST rate rationalization is now headed by Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary.
• Upcoming GST Council Meeting: The Council plans to review the progress of the GoM and discuss the roadmap for GST rate restructuring in its next meeting in August.
• State Representation Changes: New representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh have been included following recent state elections.
• Issues – Revenue Evasion: Identifying and addressing potential sources of GST revenue evasion.
• Coordination: Improving coordination between central and state GST authorities.
• IT Systems: Reviewing and enhancing the IT systems for GST implementation.
• Panel Reconstitution: Reconstituting the ministerial group to include new representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana.
• Solutions – Enhanced Monitoring: Implement robust monitoring mechanisms to detect and prevent revenue evasion.
• Inter-Authority Collaboration: Foster better collaboration and communication between central and state GST authorities.
• IT System Upgrades: Regularly update and improve the IT infrastructure to ensure efficient GST implementation.
• Regular Reviews: Conduct periodic reviews of the ministerial group’s progress and make necessary adjustments.

5. INDIA SHOWS GOOD PROGRESS ON SDGs – NITI AAYOG REPORT (NATIONAL)

• Fourth Evaluation Report: NITI Aayog released its fourth evaluation report on India’s progress on SDGs, giving India a score of 71 out of 100.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A set of 17 global goals adopted by all United Nations member countries in 2015.
• Improvement in Health and Education: Notable improvements in public health and education, though challenges remain in teacher quality.
• Drop in Income and Gender Inequality Scores: These areas have seen a decline, indicating ongoing issues.
• Gender Pay Gap: The ratio of women’s earnings compared to men has slightly decreased from 0.75 to 0.73.

ONE LINER

1. Russia’s highest award Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle awarded by the President of Russia to Prime Minister Modi
2. India, Russia to boost bilateral trade to 100 billion dollar by 2030.