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1. OpenAI's upcoming AI model, codenamed Project Strawberry (formerly Project Q*), is expected to be integrated into ChatGPT-5 between September and November 2024. Aimed at achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), Project Strawberry will excel in solving complex puzzles, handling advanced cognitive tasks, and managing mathematical problems. It is anticipated to conduct autonomous online research and generate high-quality synthetic data for future models. This data will be pivotal for Project Orion, which aims to surpass GPT-4 by reducing errors and hallucinations. Project Strawberry's advanced capabilities will thus play a key role in enhancing the performance of subsequent AI systems.
2. The Union government is developing a policy to enhance aging national highways through a technique called white-topping, which aims to extend their lifespan. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is tasked with prioritizing this upgrade. Established under the NHAI Act of 1988, NHAI manages the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) and other initiatives. India's national highway network spans approximately 146,000 kilometers. White-topping involves applying a 100-200 mm cement concrete overlay to existing bituminous roads to improve their structural integrity. This method provides benefits such as fuel savings, reduced carbon emissions, mitigation of the urban heat island effect, improved safety, and decreased energy needs for external lighting due to the reflective nature of concrete roads.
3. The latest grading report for Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) shows notable improvements, with 18.9% of 15,000 ITIs scoring above 8 in 2024, up from 12.4% in 2023. Top performers include the Government ITI for Girls (Andhra Pradesh) and the Government Industrial Training Institute (Odisha), both scoring 9.6. ITIs, managed by state governments and the Directorate General of Training (DGT), focus on vocational training and skill development. Initiatives include the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS), and Advanced Vocational Training Scheme (AVTS). The Union Budget 2024-2025 aims to skill two million youths and upgrade 1,000 ITIs.
4. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently granted acceptance of necessity (AoN) for 10 defence acquisition proposals totaling ₹1,44,716 crores, with 99% of the funding earmarked for indigenous projects. Major proposals include the acquisition of Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) to replace the ageing T-92 tanks, with 1,770 units planned at around ₹60,000 crore. The acquisition also includes Air Defence Fire Control Radars to upgrade from outdated systems and various enhancements for the Indian Coast Guard, such as Dornier-228 aircraft and Next Generation Patrol Vessels. The DAC, chaired by the Defence Minister, oversees these projects, aligning with India's self-reliance strategy, which emphasizes phased import bans, increased FDI, and domestic manufacturing through various "Make" categories.
5. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed a new UPI-based Block Mechanism for secondary market trading, akin to the ASBA facility used in IPOs. This mechanism allows clients to trade using funds blocked in their bank accounts, eliminating the need to transfer money upfront to Trading Members (TMs). The proposal includes an alternative called the 3-in-1 Trading Accounts, which retains funds in the client’s bank account, allowing interest accrual and use across cash and derivatives segments without limits on the amount. While the UPI block mechanism, introduced in 2019 for IPOs and expanded to a beta version for secondary markets in January 2024, remains optional for investors and TMs, the 3-in-1 account offers a more flexible alternative without restrictions.