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Today in History (December 2nd,1984)
December 2nd is observed as National Pollution Control Day in India to commemorate the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy, which occurred on the night of December 2–3, 1984. The tragedy was one of the worst industrial disasters in history, killing over 15,000 people. The day is observed to raise awareness about pollution and the need for pollution control laws.
Let’s Revise
1. What organization compiles the QS World University Rankings: Asia?
a) Times Higher Education
b) Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)
c) Shanghai Ranking Consultancy
d) U.S. News & World Report
Answer: b)
Explanation: The QS World University Rankings: Asia is compiled by Quacquarelli Symonds, a leading organization providing data and insights for global higher education.
2. Which key metric is NOT considered in the QS World University Rankings: Asia?
a) Academic Reputation
b) Faculty-Student Ratio
c) Campus Infrastructure
d) Employer Reputation
Answer: c)
Explanation: The key metrics considered in the rankings include Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Faculty-Student Ratio, and International Research Network, but not Campus Infrastructure.
3. What is the rank of IIT Delhi in the QS World University Rankings: Asia (2025)?
a) 44th
b) 48th
c) 56th
d) 60th
Answer: a)
Explanation: The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) ranks 44th in the QS World University Rankings: Asia (2025).
4. How many universities from India are in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings: Asia (2025)?
a) 2
b) 5
c) 7
d) 10
Answer: c)
Explanation: India has 7 universities in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings: Asia (2025).
5. Which Indian university achieved a 99.5% employer reputation score?
a) IIT Madras
b) IIT Kharagpur
c) IIT Bombay
d) IIT Kanpur
Answer: c)
Explanation: IIT Bombay achieved a 99.5% employer reputation score, highlighting its strong recognition among employers.
6. Which university climbed from 94th to 81st place in the rankings?
a) IIT Kharagpur
b) Indian Institute of Science
c) IIT Kanpur
d) University of Delhi
Answer: d)
Explanation: The University of Delhi climbed from 94th to 81st place in the QS World University Rankings: Asia (2025).
7. By what percentage has India increased its representation in the rankings from 2015 to 2025?
a) 150%
b) 200%
c) 318%
d) 400%
Answer: c)
Explanation: India has seen a 318% increase in its representation in the QS World University Rankings: Asia, from 11 institutions in 2015 to 46 in 2025.
Summary of Today’s News
Accelerated Degree Programme (ADP) and Extended Degree Programme (EDP)
Context
• The University Grants Commission (UGC) recently approved a Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) allowing Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to offer Accelerated Degree Programmes (ADPs) and Extended Degree Programmes (EDPs).
What are ADPs and EDPs?
• Undergraduate students can choose either an ADP or an EDP after their first or second semester, but not later.
• ADPs: Students follow the same curriculum and earn the same credits as a standard three- or four-year undergraduate programme but can finish sooner by earning additional credits.
• A three-year UG programme can be completed in five semesters instead of six.
• A four-year UG programme can be finished in six or seven semesters instead of eight.
• EDPs: Students can take more time to finish their courses by earning fewer credits each semester.
• Government departments, private organisations, and recruiting agencies like UPSC/State Service Commissions will treat ADPs and EDPs the same as standard duration programmes.
Implementation
• HEIs will form committees to review applications for ADPs and EDPs after the first or second semester and select students accordingly.
• Up to 10% of the approved intake can be ADP students, with no limit on EDP students.
• HEIs can start offering ADP and EDP from the 2025-26 academic year. The decision to implement these programs is up to each institution.
Significance
• ADPs allow high-performing students to complete their degrees faster and join the workforce or pursue higher studies sooner.
• This move aligns with the National Credit Framework (NCrF) introduced last year under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
University Grants Commission (UGC)
• Established on 28th December 1953 and became a statutory organization by an Act of Parliament in 1956.
• The UGC’s roles include:
1. Promoting and coordinating university education.
2. Maintaining standards of teaching, examination, and research.
3. Disbursing grants to universities and colleges.
4. Acting as a link between the Union and State Governments and higher education institutions.
5. Advising the Central and State Governments on measures to improve university education.
Global Wage Report 2024-25: ILO
Context
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) has released the Global Wage Report for 2024-25.
About
• The Global Wage Report is published annually by the ILO, with the first edition in 2008.
• It examines wage trends globally and regionally, focusing on wage inequality and real wage growth.
Major Highlights of the Report
• Decrease in Wage Inequality: Wage inequality has decreased by an average of 11.1% per year in about two-thirds of countries since 2000.
• Increase in Global Wages: Global wages have increased faster than inflation recently.
• Global real wages grew by 1.8% last year and are projected to grow by 2.7% in 2024, the highest in over 15 years.
• Regional Disparity: Africa, Northern America, and parts of Europe experienced stagnant or negative real wage growth.
• Persistent Inequality: Low-income countries have higher wage inequality, with nearly 22% of workers earning less than half the median hourly wage.
• Productivity vs. Wages: Despite a 29% productivity increase in high-income countries from 1999 to 2024, real wages only rose by 15%, indicating unequal distribution of productivity gains.
• Gender Wage Gap: Women, especially in lower-middle-income countries, are more affected by wage inequality due to their higher presence in informal, precarious, and low-paid jobs.
• Indian Scenario:
• The share of low-paid wage workers and non-wage workers in India declined at annual rates of 6.3% and 12.7% between 2008 and 2018.
• The share of low-paid wage workers (earning less than 50% of the median hourly wage) is 9.5% in India.
• Comparatively, it is 9.4% for Pakistan, 10.5% for Nepal, 11.2% for Bangladesh, 13.7% for Bhutan, and 25.9% for Sri Lanka.
Analysis:
• Despite positive trends, significant wage gaps remain worldwide.
• Positive outcomes mark a recovery compared to the negative global wage growth of -0.9% in 2022.
• Emerging economies have shown stronger growth than advanced ones.
Suggestions:
o Minimum wage adjustments should respond more to inflation to protect low-wage earners.
o Stronger worker protections, policies, and regulations are needed to address insecure work.
o Actions are necessary to close the gender wage gap and ensure equal pay for work of equal value.
About International Labour Organization (ILO)
• A United Nations agency established in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles, and became the first specialized UN agency in 1946.
• It has 187 member states.
• The ILO sets labour standards, develops policies, and creates programmes to promote decent work for all.
• It is the only tripartite UN agency, bringing together governments, employers, and workers.
• Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
Major Reports by the ILO:
• World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO)
• Global Wage Report
• World Social Protection Report
• World Employment and Social Outlook for Youth
• World of Work Report
