www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs April 09, 2019

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs April 09, 2019 (09/04/2019)

 

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Topic: Rankings and Reports, Latest Diary of Events

NIRF 2019 rankings

NIRF 2019 rankings have been released.

Top 5 Engineering Institutions in India-2019:

Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi

Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay

Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur

Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

Top 5 Colleges:

Miranda House, Delhi

Hindu College, Delhi

Presidency College, Chennai

Stephen’s College, Delhi

Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi

About NIRF:

The first NIRF ranks were released in 2016. This is the fourth edition of the NIRF rankings.

The parameters used for ranking broadly cover teaching, learning and resources, research and professional practices, graduation outcome, outreach and inclusivity, and perception. From 2017, besides being ranked under specific disciplines, large institutions were also given a common overall rank.

Key features:

The 20 selected institutes will enjoy complete academic and administrative autonomy.

The government will run 10 of these and they will receive special funding.

The selection shall be made through challenge method mode by the Empowered Expert Committee constituted for the purpose.

Only higher education institutions currently placed in the top 500 of global rankings or top 50 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) are eligible to apply for the eminence tag.

The private Institutions of Eminence can also come up as greenfield ventures provided the sponsoring organisation submits a convincing perspective plan for 15 years.

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Topic: International Diary of Events

UK govt released ‘Online Harms White Paper’ to regulate online content

UK government has released a white paper on ‘online harms’. These new rules are aimed at limiting harmful online content. Developing a culture of transparency, trust and accountability will be a critical element of the new regulatory framework.

Highlights:

In this white paper, the UK government called for an internet regulator with the power to issue fine, to block access to websites if necessary, and to make individual executives legally liable for harmful content spread on their platforms.

The government will establish a new statutory duty of care to make companies take more responsibility for the safety of their users and tackle harm caused by content or activity on their services. Compliance with this duty of care will be overseen and enforced by an independent regulator.

Why was it required?

Illegal and unacceptable content and activity is widespread online. The impact of harmful content and activity can be particularly damaging for children and young people, and there are growing concerns about the potential impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

As per Online Harms White Paper, Tackling illegal and harmful content and activity online is one part of the UK’s wider mission to develop rules and norms for the internet, including protecting personal data, supporting competition in digital markets and promoting responsible digital design.

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Topic: Profile of States, Places in News, Latest Diary of Events

No end to discolouration of river Periyar in Kerala

The Periyar River in Kerala has turned black near the Pathalam Regulator cum Bridge.

Background:

The discolouration of Periyar and fish kill has been a serious issue for last couple of years. Decrease in dissolved oxygen level has caused several fish-kills in the past few years.

Environmental activists have been protesting against the pollution of the river and demanding steps for its protection. For the record, the pollution of the river system had earlier led to violent protests in the region.

What is the reason for discolouration?

The discolouration was due to the poor quality of water as a result of eutrophication. When excessive nutrients reach the waterbody, it will lead to algal bloom. A few days later, algae will die and decay, resulting in a foul smell and discolouration of water.

Water in some reaches of the river system has been stagnant. Reduced water flow in the system has added to the deteriorating water quality.

What needs to be done?

Areas near industrial units are to be regularly monitored. The river flow should not be restricted by closing the bund so that the natural pollutants will flow away from the water. Excessive discharge of pollutants from an unauthorized industrial unit functioning upstream must be controlled.

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Topic: Indian Army, Defence and Profile of States

Dhanush artillery guns

The Indian Army has received its first batch of Dhanush artillery guns.

The gun, which has a calibre of 155×45 mm, is the first ever indigenous artillery gun of this calibre, is classified as ‘medium artillery’.

Dhanush has been designed and developed by the Ordnance Factory Board at the Gun Carriage Factory at Jabalpur based on the Bofors drawings.

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Topic: General Administration, Public Opinion, Profile of States

2019 Indian general election

The 2019 Indian general election is currently being held in seven phases from 11 April to 19 May 2019 to constitute the 17th Lok Sabha. The counting of votes will be conducted on 23 May, and on the same day the results will be declared.

About 900 million Indian citizens are eligible to vote in one of the seven phases depending on the region.

Legislative Assembly elections in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim will be held simultaneously with the general election.

2019 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu:

The general election in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 18, 2019 in the second phase.

In the second phase Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry general election will be held.

ECI has announced that the by-election (2016–21 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly by-elections) for 18 assembly constituencies will be held along with the general elections (18 constituencies polling date – 18.04.2019 and 4 Constituencies – 19.05.2019).