National Girl Child Day in India is observed annually on which date, and by which Ministry was it established in 2008?
National Girl Child Day is observed on January 24 every year. It was established in 2008 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to promote awareness about inequalities faced by girl children in India.
💡 Concept Note
National Girl Child Day (NGCD) aims to raise awareness about girls’ rights, promote education, and address son preference and gender-based discrimination. It was established on January 24, 2008, by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Key associated government schemes: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (2015), Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (2015), PC-PNDT Act (1994, amended 2003). India’s Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years) was 918 per 1,000 boys (Census 2011), a significant decline from 945 in 1991. NGCD is distinct from the international Girls Day (October 11, UN).
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme was launched in 2015 in which city, and what was the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) baseline at the time of launch?
BBBP was launched on January 22, 2015, at Panipat, Haryana, by PM Modi. The Sex Ratio at Birth at the time was 918 girls per 1,000 boys. It has since improved to approximately 934.
💡 Concept Note
Panipat was chosen as the launch site because Haryana had one of the lowest sex ratios in India. BBBP is a convergence scheme of three ministries: WCD, Health, and Education.
The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act was enacted in which year to prohibit sex determination tests in India?
The PC-PNDT Act was enacted in 1994 to prohibit sex determination tests before or after conception. It mandates registration of all ultrasound machines and clinics. It was significantly amended in 2003 to strengthen enforcement.
💡 Concept Note
The PC-PNDT Act is the primary legal tool against sex-selective practices. Violation can result in imprisonment up to 3 years (first offence) and 5 years for subsequent offences, along with fines.
The UN International Day of Education (January 24) was established in 2018 under which Sustainable Development Goal?
The International Day of Education was established by UNGA resolution 72/222 in 2018 under SDG 4 (Quality Education) — to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning for all. UNESCO is the lead UN agency for SDG 4.
💡 Concept Note
SDG 4 has 10 targets including universal primary and secondary education, elimination of gender disparities, expansion of higher education, and increase in qualified teachers.
What does the abbreviation NIPUN stand for in the context of India's foundational education mission launched in 2021?
NIPUN Bharat stands for National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy. Launched on July 5, 2021, by the Ministry of Education, its target is to ensure every child achieves foundational literacy and numeracy by the end of Grade 3 (by 2026-27).
💡 Concept Note
NIPUN Bharat addresses the foundational learning crisis identified in ASER reports. It covers Classes 1-3 (ages 6-9) through structured pedagogy, teacher training, and assessment tools.
NEP 2020 introduced the 5+3+3+4 schooling structure. What stage covers children aged 8 to 11 years (Classes 3 to 5)?
In NEP 2020’s 5+3+3+4 structure, the Preparatory Stage covers ages 8-11 (Classes 3-5), with a focus on discovery, hands-on, and textbook-based learning. The Foundational Stage covers ages 3-8; Middle Stage ages 11-14; Secondary Stage ages 14-18.
💡 Concept Note
The 5+3+3+4 structure replaces the old 10+2 system. It aligns schooling stages with children’s cognitive developmental stages, as recommended by the K. Kasturirangan committee that drafted NEP 2020.
ASER (Annual Status of Education Report) is published annually by which organisation to track learning outcomes among rural Indian children?
ASER is published annually by Pratham, India’s largest education NGO. Since 2005, ASER has conducted household surveys measuring reading and arithmetic levels among rural children aged 3-16, providing critical data on the gap between school enrollment and actual learning outcomes.
💡 Concept Note
ASER’s key finding has been that large numbers of children completing upper-primary classes cannot perform basic Grade 2 reading and arithmetic tasks, exposing the ‘enrollment without learning’ problem in India’s government school system.
The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) introduced under NEP 2020 primarily enables which of the following in higher education?
The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) allows students to exit degree programmes after Year 1 (certificate), Year 2 (diploma), or complete the full degree, and return later to complete remaining requirements. Credits earned can be transferred across institutions.
💡 Concept Note
ABC addresses the reality that many Indian students cannot complete degrees in one continuous stretch due to economic pressures. It allows upskilling, career breaks, and institution transfers without losing credits.
PARAKH, established under NEP 2020, serves as India's national assessment authority. Which pre-existing assessment does PARAKH now coordinate?
PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) coordinates the National Achievement Survey (NAS) and provides assessment guidelines to states. It promotes holistic report cards beyond marks.
💡 Concept Note
PARAKH replaces older assessment frameworks and aims to align India’s school assessment with international standards. It is also involved in preparing India for PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) participation.
The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), launched as part of BBBP in 2015, allows savings for girl children up to what age?
The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana allows accounts to be opened for girl children up to age 10 years. The account matures when the girl turns 21 (or at marriage after age 18). It offers around 8.2% interest per annum (as of FY 2024-25) and is tax-exempt under Section 80C.
💡 Concept Note
SSY is an EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) scheme — deposits, interest, and withdrawals are all tax-free. It aims to encourage parents to save for daughter’s education and marriage, reducing the financial burden that contributes to son preference.
