PRELIMS CURRENT AFFAIRS – 03/07/24

01. With reference to NIRMAN Portal, Consider the following statements:

1. It is a unique CSR scheme by Coal India Limited for meritorious youth of its operating districts who have qualified the Preliminary round of UPSC examination in 2024.
2. The scheme is aimed towards providing support of Rs 50,000 belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, female or third gender; who are permanent residents of any of the 39 operational districts of CIL.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer:  (a)1 only

In News:Union Minister Shri G Kishan Reddy Launches NIRMAN Portal

Explanation:

• Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G Kishan Reddy launched a portal “Noble Initiative for Rewarding Mains Aspirants of National Civil Services Examination (NIRMAN)” in New Delhi today. 
• In alignment with the vision “Mission Karmayogi” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this is a unique CSR scheme by Coal India Limited for meritorious youth of its operating districts who have qualified the Preliminary round of UPSC examination (for Civil Services & Forest Service) in 2024.Hence statement 1 is correct. 
• Secretary, Ministry of Coal Shri Amrit Lal Meena, other senior officers of the Coal Ministry and CMDs of Coal Companies were present on the occasion.
• The scheme is aimed towards providing support of Rs 1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh) to the Preliminary examination qualified candidates with annual family income less than 8 lakhs and belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, female or third gender; who are permanent residents of any of the 39 operational districts of CIL.Hence statement 2 is correct. 
• The entire application process is through a dedicated portal for ensuring full transparency and seamless screening of the applications, thus fulfilling the dream of Digital India of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Ministry of Coal’s CPSE ,Coal India Limited, a Maharatna Company which is not only the backbone of energy security of the country but also plays a significant role of a Socially Responsible Corporate to foster education in Coal Bearing Areas.
• To achieve the goal of “Viksit Bharat” by “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas”, Coal India Limited(CIL) and its subsidiaries have also undertaken  various initiatives helping deserving and underprivileged  students from coal bearing areas to secure admissions into nationally reputed professional institutes.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2030308

02. With reference to Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme,consider the following statements:

1. It was launched in 2020 to set up state-of-the-art testing facilities in collaboration with private industry and the Central/State Government, promoting indigenous defence production, reducing military equipment imports and enhancing self-reliance.
2. To provide impetus to the defence and aerospace sectors within the Defence Industrial Corridors, seven testing facilities were approved, four in Gujarat and three in Karnataka.
3. It provides up to 50% government funding as ‘Grant-in-Aid’, with the remaining 25% funded by the Special Purpose Vehicle, comprising Indian private entities and State/Central Governments.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Answer:  (a) Only one

In News:MoD inks MoU to set up testing facilities in Unmanned Aerial System, Electronic Warfare & Electro Optics domains in Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor

Explanation:

• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed an MoU to establish three state-of-the-art testing facilities in Chennai under the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor – one each in Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), Electronic Warfare (EW) and Electro Optics (EO) domains. The MoU, under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS), was exchanged between senior officials of MoD and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane in New Delhi on July 02, 2024.
• With an outlay of Rs 400 crore, the DTIS was launched by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in May 2020 to set up state-of-the-art testing facilities in collaboration with private industry and Central/State Government, promoting indigenous defence production, reducing military equipment imports and enhancing self-reliance.Hence statement 1 is correct. 
• To provide impetus to the defence and aerospace sectors within the Defence Industrial Corridors, seven testing facilities were approved – four in Tamil Nadu and three in Uttar Pradesh. The MoU for three facilities in Tamil Nadu has been signed today.Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
• The DTIS provides up to 75% government funding as ‘Grant-in-Aid’, with the remaining 25% funded by the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPVs), comprising Indian private entities and State/Central Governments.Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
• For the UAS testing facility, Keltron, a government of Kerala undertaking, is the lead SPV member, with some private sector companies being the consortium members. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and India Optel Limited (IOL) are the lead SPV members in the EW and EO testing facilities respectively.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2030282

03.With reference to Exercise MAITREE,Consider the following statements:

1. It is to foster Military Cooperation between India and Bangladesh.
2. The Exercise will enhance combined capabilities in executing Joint Counter Insurgency/ Terrorist Operations in Jungle and Urban Environment under United Nations Charter.
3. The Exercise will focus on a high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and joint tactical drills.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Answer:  (b)Only two

In News:INDIAN ARMY CONTINGENT DEPARTS FOR INDIA- THAILAND JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE MAITREE

Explanation:

• The Indian Army contingent departed yesterday for the 13th edition of India- Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE. 
• The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 1st to 15th July 2024 at Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province of Thailand. 
• Last edition of the same exercise was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya in September 2019.
• The Indian Army contingent comprising 76 personnel is being represented mainly by a Battalion of the LADAKH SCOUTS along with personnel from other arms and services. The Royal Thailand Army contingent also comprises 76 personnel mainly from 1st Battalion, 14 Infantry Regiment of 4 Division.
• Aim of Exercise MAITREE is to foster Military Cooperation between India and Thailand.Hence statement 1 is correct. 
• The Exercise will enhance combined capabilities in executing Joint Counter Insurgency/ Terrorist Operations in Jungle and Urban Environment under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter.Hence statement 2 is incorrect. 
• The Exercise will focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and joint tactical drills.Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
• Tactical Drills to be practiced during the exercise will include Creation of a Joint Operation Centre, establishing an Intelligence & Surveillance Centre, employment of Drones and Counter Drone Systems, Securing of a Landing Site, Small Team Insertion & Extraction, Special Heliborne Operations, Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills and Demolition of Illegal Structures. 
• Exercise MAITREE will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for conduct of joint operations. The Exercise will facilitate developing inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between soldiers of both the countries.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2030153

04. Consider the following Countries:

1. Australia
2. India
3. Republic of Korea
4. France
5. Singapore

How many of the above Countries have established Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence?

1. Only two
2. Only three
3. Only four
4. All five

Answer:  (d)All five

In News:Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw to inaugurate the Global IndiaAI Summit 2024

Explanation:

Global IndiaAI Summit 2024 is scheduled to be held on July 3rd and 4th, 2024 as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is all set to host an esteemed gathering of international delegates, AI experts, and policymakers at the summit.

 This summit marks a pivotal moment for India as it underscores its commitment to fostering responsible artificial intelligence (AI) development on a global scale.

• The Global IndiaAI Summit will be inaugurated by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology , Railways, and Information & Broadcasting and Shri Jitin Prasad, Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Commerce and Industry will also be speaking at the inauguration.
• Established in June 2020 with 15 member countries- Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union, the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), pronounced as “gee-pay,” is an international and diverse body that unites prominent experts from fields including science, industry, civil society, international organisations, and national governments who share a common commitment.Hence option(d) is correct.
•  GPAI endeavours to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical implementation of AI by endorsing cutting-edge research and applied endeavours in AI-related priorities.
• Today, GPAI’s 29 members are Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Senegal, Serbia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2030219

05. Government of India recently signed a $170 million loan to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response under Strengthened and Measurable Actions for Resilient and Transformative Health Systems Programme with which of the following organisations?

1. Asian Development Bank
2. World bank
3. New development bank
4. World health organisation

Answer:  (a)Asian Development Bank

In News:Government of India and ADB sign $170 million loan to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response

Explanation:

• The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) today signed a $170 million policy-based loan to consolidate and strengthen India’s health system preparedness and response capacity to future pandemics.
• The signatories to the ‘Strengthened and Measurable Actions for Resilient and Transformative Health Systems Programme (Subprogramme 1)’ were Ms. Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of India and Ms. Mio Oka, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission for ADB.Hence option(a) is correct.
• “The programme builds on ADB’s partnership with the Government of India to strengthen its health system and adopt transformative solutions,” said Ms. Oka. 
• “Through this policy-based loan, ADB will help the government fill the gaps in policy, legislative, and institutional governance and structures and contribute to India’s goal of providing universal access to quality and affordable health care services to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response.”
• The programme will be anchored in major government’s plans and initiatives including the National Health Policy 2017; Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), the National One Health Mission, and the government’s efforts to strengthen human resources for health (HRH). 
• The targeted reform areas through the program include: (i) strengthened disease surveillance and multisectoral response, (ii) strengthened human resources for health, and (iii) expanded climate resilient public health infrastructure and innovative service delivery.
• The programme will strengthen disease surveillance systems to effectively respond to public health threats through setting up laboratory networks for infectious disease surveillance at the state, union, and metropolitan levels, and building robust data systems to monitor and coordinate national health programmes for the poor, women, and other vulnerable groups. The programme will improve the governance of India’s One Health approach, and its multisector response to emerging infectious diseases.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2030329

06. With reference toProject Nexus,consider the following statements:

1. It is conceptualised by the Innovation Hub of the Bank for International Settlements
2. It is the first BIS Innovation Hub project in the payments area to move towards live implementation
3. It seeks to enhance cross-border payments by connecting multiple domestic instant payment systems  globally.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Answer:  (c)All three

In News:What is Project Nexus that RBI has signed up for?

Explanation:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has joined Project Nexus, a multilateral international initiative to enable instant cross-border retail payments by interlinking domestic Fast Payments Systems (FPSs). 
• India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and FPSs of Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand will be interlinked through Nexus. Going ahead, the platform can be extended to more countries.
• Project Nexus is conceptualised by the Innovation Hub of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).Hence statement 1 is correct. 
• It seeks to enhance cross-border payments by connecting multiple domestic instant payment systems (IPS) globally.Hence statement 2 is correct.
•  It is the first BIS Innovation Hub project in the payments area to move towards live implementation.Hence statement 3 is correct.
• The Reserve Bank of India has been collaborating bilaterally with various countries to link India’s Fast Payments System (FPS) – UPI, with their respective FPSs for cross-border Person to Person (P2P) and Person to Merchant (P2M) payments. 
• While India and its partner countries can continue to benefit through such bilateral connectivity of FPS, a multilateral approach will provide further impetus to the RBI’s efforts in expanding the international reach of Indian payment systems.
• In over 70 countries today domestic payments reach their destination in seconds at near-zero cost to the sender or recipient. 
• This is thanks to the growing availability of instant payment systems. Connecting these IPS to each other can enable cross-border payments from sender to recipient within 60 seconds (in most cases), according to the BIS.
• Project Nexus is designed to standardise the way IPS connect to each other. Rather than a payment system operator building custom connections for every new country that it connects to, the operator can make one connection to the Nexus platform. 
• This single connection allows a fast payments system to reach all other countries on the network. Nexus could significantly accelerate the growth of instant cross-border payments.

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/what-is-project-nexus-that-rbi-has-signed-up-for-9427023/

07. Pachathuruthu Net Zero Carbon target initiative is a project of which of the following states?

1. Kerala
2. Karnataka
3. Tamil nadu
4. Odisha

Answer:  (a) Kerala

In News:Kerala’s Pachathuruthu project cannot singularly drive state to net zero carbon emissions

Explanation:

• On June 5, the World Environment Day, Kerala’s Chief Minister asserted that the Pachathuruthu initiative of the government would be the cornerstone of state’s ambitious Net Zero Carbon target. 
• The Pachathuruthu (green space / mini forest) project is an initiative aimed at greening barren land by planting trees and native plants. It focuses on creating natural biological diversity, including fruit trees, to absorb and store excess carbon in the atmosphere through joint efforts of local self-government bodies and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.Hence option(a( is correct.
•  The project initiated on June 5, 2019 at Vengode in Pothencode panchayat, Thiruvananthapuram District has expanded from a modest six-cent plot to cover 856.23 acres in five years. 
• A critical review raises significant concerns about its overall impact and feasibility in offsetting Kerala’s carbon emissions, making it net zero. It was reported that the Haritha Kerala Mission aims to develop 1,000 Pachathuruthus across the state, claiming that Kerala will achieve carbon neutrality by year 2050, solely through tree planting. This claim is totally unrealistic.
• Kerala’s Final Energy Consumption for 2022-23 was 1.4 billion tonnes of oil equivalent, resulting in 3.5 billion tonnes of CO2 . 
• This consumption encompasses various energy sources, including electricity, coal and petroleum products like LPG, diesel, aviation turbine fuel and furnace oil. Petroleum products constitute the largest share at 64 per cent, followed by electricity, coal and gas. 
• During the same period, electricity consumption was 24,923 gigawatt-hours, corresponding to 1.87 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions. This is primarily because 70 per cent of the state’s electrical energy requirement is imported and predominantly generated from fossil fuels

Source:

Kerala’s Pachathuruthu: Can Tree Planting Alone Achieve Net Zero Carbon Emissions? (downtoearth.org.in)

08. With reference toThe Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority,consider the following statements:

1. It was established by the Government of India under the Multi-state cooperative societies act 2002.
2. It functions as the Secretariat to the National Accreditation Board  under the National Programme for Organic Production  for organic export.
3. The Authority consists of a Chairman, appointed by the Central Government and  One member appointed by the Central Government representing the Niti Aayog

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Answer:  (b)Only two

In News:Dept of Commerce should allocate more funds to Apeda: Report

Explanation:

• Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Development Authority (Apeda) has received the lowest allocation of ₹80 crore from the Department of Commerce, a report on the impact of the Apeda export promotion scheme has said. 
• The allocation comprised 11.95 per cent of the total, despite agriculture exports making up the highest share in shipments at 66.56 per cent, the report “Impact Assessment of Agriculture and Processed Foods Export Promotion Scheme of Apeda” for the 15th Finance Commission Cycle.
• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by the Parliament in December, 1985.Hence statement 1 is incorrect. 
• APEDA also functions as the Secretariat to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for implementation of accreditation of the Certification Bodies under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) for organic exports.Hence statement 2 is correct.  
• “Organic Products” for export are to be certified only if Produced, Processed and Packed as per the standards laid down in the document – “National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)
• As prescribed by the statute, the APEDA Authority consists of the following members namely:
• A Chairman, appointed by the Central Government
• The Agricultural Marketing Advisor to the Government of India, ex-officio;
• One member appointed by the Central Government representing the Niti Aayog;
• Three members of Parliament of whom two are elected by the House of People and one by the Council of States.Hence statement 3 is correct. 

Source:

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/dept-of-commerce-should-allocate-more-funds-to-apeda-says-report/article68359300.ece

09. Consider the following Countries:

1. Azerbaijan
2. Kazakhstan
3. Uzbekistan
4. China

How many of the above are part of SCO Summit?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Answer:  (b) Only two

In News:Putin arrives in Kazakhstan for Russia-China dominated SCO summit

Explanation:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping are due to meet at a summit of a Eurasian security and defence club seen by Moscow and Beijing as an instrument to counter the influence of the United States and its allies.
• Putin and the Chinese president have expanded the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a club founded in 2001 with Russia, China and Central Asian powers, to include India, Iran and Pakistan as a counterweight to the West.
• Prior to Iran’s joining, the SCO consisted of eight member countries: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and the four Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.Hence option(b) is correct.
• The grouping came into existence in Shanghai in 2001 with six members, minus India and Pakistan. Its primary objective was to enhance regional cooperation for efforts to curb terrorism, separatism, and extremism in the Central Asian region.
• Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia enjoy Observer status in the SCO, while six other countries — Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka — have Dialogue Partner status.
• The case for Iran’s full membership of the SCO has been made for several years.
• The chaotic exit of the US from Afghanistan has opened up space for Chinese influence and investments in the Central Asian region. China has drawn Pakistan more tightly in its strategic embrace, and grown ever more assertive on the global stage.

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/iran-co-new-member-explained-8741027/

10.Consider the following:(2022)

1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
2. Missile Technology Control Regime
3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

India is a member of which of the above?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

• MTCR is an informal and voluntary partnership among 35 countries to prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of carrying greater than 500 kg payload for more than 300 km. 
• India was inducted into the Missile Technology Control Regime in 2016 as the 35th member.
• AIIB is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia. Membership in the AIIB is open to all members of the World Bank or the Asian Development Bank and is divided into regional and non-regional members. 
• India is the second-largest shareholder, contributing USD 8.4 billion.
• SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation. It’s a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation aiming to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.
• India and Pakistan joined SCO as full members on 9 June 2017.Hence option(d) is correct.