BPSC Monthly Current Affairs: January 2025 | Monthly Current Affairs BPSC - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Bihar Government Revamps Mid-Day Meal Menu

Nutritional Improvement

Mid-Day Meal

• The Government of Bihar has announced significant updates to the menu for mid-day meals in all government schools across the state.
• These changes aim to enhance the nutritional quality and variety of meals provided to students, ensuring they receive balanced and wholesome nutrition.
• The new menu will focus on including protein-rich foods such as soybeans and lentils, along with a selection of seasonal vegetables, to provide a more balanced diet for students.
• The mid-day meal scheme is a crucial initiative by the government to offer nutritious meals to schoolchildren, encouraging higher attendance rates and supporting their overall development.
• These updates reflect the state’s commitment to creating a healthier and more supportive learning environment for children.

Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS)

About:

• The Mid Day Meal Scheme is the largest school feeding programme in the world, providing meals to students in government schools from Classes 1 to 8.
• The primary goal of the scheme is to increase enrolment in schools by offering nutritious meals.
• The scheme is overseen by the Ministry of Education in the government.
• The programme was first introduced in 1925 by the Madras Municipal Corporation to provide meals to disadvantaged children.
• The Union government launched the scheme as a pilot in 1995 for children in Classes 1 to 5, and it was expanded to include Class 8 by October 2007.

New Teacher Requirements in Bihar for Primary and Middle Schools

The Bihar Education Department has established new guidelines for the minimum number of teachers required in primary and middle schools across the state.

• According to the new standards, schools catering to classes 1 to 8 must have a minimum of nine teachers, including the principal. This ensures that each school has an adequate number of educators to provide quality education to students.
• District Education Officers are tasked with uploading reports detailing the approved and required number of teachers for each school onto the e-ShikshaKosh portal by 31 January 2025. This move aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the allocation of teaching staff.

Teacher Requirements

• In primary schools with student counts ranging from 1 to 120, a minimum of five teachers is required.
• For student numbers between 121 and 150, six teachers are necessary, with an additional teacher appointed for every extra 40 students beyond 150.
• In classes 6 to 8, for student numbers up to 105, the staffing requirements include:
  • One teacher for Science and Mathematics
  • One teacher for Social Studies
  • One teacher for Hindi
  • One teacher for English
• Provisions can be made for teachers of Urdu and Sanskrit as needed.
• For every additional 35 students beyond 105, one extra teacher will be appointed.

These measures aim to ensure adequate teacher-student ratios and enhance the quality of education in Bihar’s schools.

e-ShikshaKosh Portal

e-ShikshaKosh is a digital platform aimed at improving educational data management in Bihar. It facilitates better decision-making, resource optimization, and real-time monitoring by collecting data from various sources.

Key Benefits of e-ShikshaKosh

• Enhanced Decision-Making: The platform integrates data to improve decision-making processes and optimize resource allocation.
• Real-Time Monitoring: e-ShikshaKosh provides up-to-date information for ongoing monitoring of educational metrics.
• Efficiency: The portal addresses inefficiencies, reduces redundancy, and promotes good governance within the education sector.
• Comprehensive View: e-ShikshaKosh offers a holistic view of educational metrics, aiding in better understanding and management.
• Academic Improvement: The platform supports continuous improvement of academic quality and equity in education.
• Sustainability & Inclusion: e-ShikshaKosh fosters a sustainable, inclusive, and well-managed learning environment for all students.
• Integrated Functions: The portal merges various educational functions, including teaching standards, student performance monitoring, and e-learning programs, into a single platform for enhanced efficiency.

Bihar Tableau at Republic Day

Nalanda University Ruins

Republic Day parade in Bihar showcased its rich cultural heritage and legendary history. Bihar's tableau at the 76th Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path marked its return after eight years, aligning with the theme "Swarnim Bharat: Virasat Aur Vikas."

Lord Dharmachakra Mudra:

• The tableau featured a meditative statue from the Ghora Katora reservoir in Rajgir, symbolizing peace and harmony.
• This emphasized Bihar's tradition of knowledge and peace, reinforcing its identity as a land of salvation.

Depictions of Historical and Cultural Landmarks:

• The tableau included the sacred Bodhi Tree from Bodh Gaya, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
• It also showcased the ancient ruins of Nalanda University, established in 427 CE by Kumaragupta I.
• Nalanda was the world's first residential university, attracting scholars from regions like China, Korea, Japan, and Tibet.

Murals and Modern Innovations:

• Murals on the tableau's side panels depicted the contributions of mentors to Chandragupta Maurya and scenes from ancient Vedic assemblies, illustrating democratic governance and judicial systems.
• A mural highlighted Aryabhata's contributions to mathematics.
• A display featured the newly constructed Nalanda International University campus, designed with carbon-neutral and net-zero sustainability goals, showcasing modern educational progress.

Padma Awards 2025

Bihar Padma Awardees

Seven individuals from Bihar have been selected for the prestigious Padma awards.

Announcement of Winners:

• The Union government announced the Padma award winners on the eve of Republic Day.
• A total of 139 people from across the country received these highest civilian awards in various categories.

Padma Vibhushan Award:

• Sharda Sinha, renowned as ‘Bihar Kokila,’ will be posthumously honoured with the Padma Vibhushan for her exceptional service.

Padma Bhushan Award:

• Sushil Kumar Modi, the former Deputy CM of Bihar, has been selected posthumously for the Padma Bhushan in public affairs.
• He is the only recipient from Bihar among the 19 recipients of the Padma Bhushan nationwide.

Padma Shri Award:

• Kishore Kunal, a prominent social worker and founder of Mahavir Sansthan, will receive the Padma Shri.
• Other Padma Shri recipients from Bihar include:
• Bhim Singh Bhavesh for social work,
• Hemant Kumar for his contributions in medicine,
• Nirmala Devi for her work in the arts,
• Vijay Nityanand Surishwer Ji Maharaj for spiritualism.

Bihar Chief Minister Honors Olympians and Paralympic Athletes

At the Sportstar Focus Bihar Conclave held at the Taj City Centre in Patna, the Chief Minister of Bihar recognized and honored various athletes and para-athletes for their remarkable achievements and contributions to sports.

Athletes Recognized:

• Deepa Malik: Silver medalist in para-athletics.
• Vijender Singh: Olympic bronze medal-winning boxer.
• P.R. Sreejesh: Double Olympic bronze medalist in hockey.
• Sharad Kumar: Double Paralympic medalist in athletics.
• Shiva Keshavan: Six-time Winter Olympian in luge.
• Indian Women’s Hockey Team: Recognized for their outstanding performance.
• Harendra Singh: Head coach of the Indian women’s hockey team.

Continuing the tradition of recognizing excellence, two special awards were given to athletes from Bihar:

• Jai Prakash Singh:. decathlete, received the Unsung Champion Award.
• Md. Reyan:. teenage chess talent, honored with the Young Achiever Award.

Both awardees were granted a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each.

The Paralympics

• The Paralympics is the largest international sporting event for athletes with disabilities, held shortly after the Olympic Games.
• The inaugural official Paralympic Games took place in Rome in 1960.
• The event is overseen by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), an organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

FIR Filed by Bihar Man Against Political Leader

Political Disruption

A resident of Bihar has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against a political party leader, alleging financial losses due to the leader's actions.

• The complainant, identified as a milk vendor, approached the local court with his grievances. He claims that a political rally organized by the leader disrupted his business operations, prompting him to seek compensation for the inconvenience caused.
• This incident reflects a rising trend where individuals are resorting to legal measures in response to issues stemming from political events, raising important considerations about the balance between political expression and public convenience.

Legal Action Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

• A resident of Sonupur village is taking legal action against the political leader under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
• This includes Section 152, which deals with actions that could lead to secession, armed rebellion, or subversive activities.
• Section 152 of the BNS makes it a crime to promote separatism or endanger the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.

Bihar’s First Sports University Receives Recognition from UGC

Bihar Sports University

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially recognized Bihar’s inaugural sports university, a significant milestone for the state. The university, dedicated to promoting sports education and research, was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Bihar in Rajgir, located in the Nalanda district.

UGC Recognition

• The Bihar Sports University in Rajgir has been recognized by the UGC under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956.
• This recognition enables the university to offer a range of academic courses, including undergraduate programs and diploma/PG diploma courses in physical education and sports sciences.

Academic Programs and Future Plans

• The university plans to introduce various academic programs starting from the 2025-2026 academic session.
• Proposed programs include:
• Diploma/PG Diploma in Sports Coaching (specializing in two or three sports)
• Diploma/PG Diploma in Yoga
• Four-year Bachelor of Physical Education (pending recognition from the National Council for Teacher Education)

Sports Complex and Additional Developments

• The Sports Complex, situated in Rajgir, is a key facility for the university.
• The complex will host the Bihar Sports University and the state’s first sports academy, contributing to the development of sports in the region.
• The complex was also the venue for the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in November 2024, showcasing its capacity to host major sporting events.

Grievance Redressal Mechanism

• In line with the UGC Regulation for the Redressal of Grievances of Students, 2023, the university is required to appoint an ombudsperson to address student grievances.
• This appointment should ideally be made within two months of the university commencing academic activities, ensuring a prompt and effective grievance redressal mechanism.

Role of the University Grants Commission (UGC)

• Established on December 28, 1953, the UGC became a statutory organization of the Government of India by an Act of Parliament in 1956.
• The UGC is responsible for coordinating, determining, and maintaining standards of teaching, examination, and research in university education across India.
• Operating under the Ministry of Education, the UGC is headed by a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, and ten members appointed by the Central Government.
• The commission functions from its headquarters in New Delhi and has six regional offices in Bangalore, Bhopal, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Pune.
• The UGC also regulates the recognition of fake universities, autonomous colleges, deemed universities, and distance education institutions, ensuring the credibility and quality of higher education in India.

Royal Mint of Britain Pays Tribute to George Orwell

Orwell Tribute Coin

The Royal Mint of Britain has released a commemorative coin to honor George Orwell, a renowned author born in Motihari, East Champaran, Bihar. This coin marks the 70th anniversary of Orwell's passing and features a design that symbolizes his enduring legacy. George Orwell, celebrated as one of the greatest English novelists, was born on June 25, 1903, in Motihari, Bihar. His father was a British civil servant, and his mother hailed from Burma.

Orwell's Prominent Works and Themes

• Orwell's renowned novels, 1984 and Animal Farm, are considered significant milestones in English literature.
• He is often regarded as one of the most important writers of the 20th century.
• Orwell's exploration of themes such as "Big Brother" and totalitarian control continues to resonate in contemporary society.
• The commemorative coin emphasizes Orwell's focus on issues of truth, power, and privacy, reflecting his profound impact on literature and global discussions.
• This tribute serves to acknowledge Orwell's lasting influence and relevance in today's world.

Complaint Against Police Action on BPSC Students

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has received a complaint regarding the police's action during a protest by BPSC students for a re-examination of the 70th BPSC Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (CCE) following a reported paper leak.

Examination Controversy:

• The BPSC exam took place on 13th December 2023 with 3.28 lakh candidates across 912 centres.
• Allegations arose about a paper leak at one centre, leading to a re-examination for affected candidates on 4th January 2024.
• The commission denied any paper leak, stating the exam was conducted peacefully at other centres.

Protests and Police Action:

• BPSC aspirants protested for 15 days at Gardanibagh, Patna, seeking justice.
• On 28th December 2023, police used canes and water cannons to disperse the protesters.
• After the lathi charge, students met with the Chief Secretary to present their demands.

Allegations of Excessive Force:

• It is claimed that police fractured students’ bones and used force against peaceful protesters.
• Protesters were subjected to water cannons during cold winter nights, which was seen as excessively aggressive.
• The complaint states that male police officers brutally beat female protesters in front of senior officials.

Constitutional and Ethical Violations:

• The excessive force used violated Article 19(1)(b), which protects the right to peaceful assembly.
• The actions breached Principle 4 of India’s Police Code of Conduct, which states that force should be minimal and a last resort after attempts to persuade or advise.