UPSC Quiz – 2023 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 18th August 2023

IASbaba Daily Prelims Quiz

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The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative.

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Question 1 of 5

1. Question

Consider the following statements about Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme

The scheme promotes self-reliance in AI technology as a part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
It is a joint initiative of Ministry of Science and Technology and NITI Aayog.

Choose the correct statements:

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct

Solution (d)

Statement Analysis

Statement 1

Statement 2

Incorrect

· TDF Scheme has been established to promote self-reliance in defence technology as a part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

· The scheme encourages participation of public/private industries especially MSMEs to create an eco-system for enhancing cutting edge technology capability for defence application.

· It supports indigenous development of components, products, systems and technologies by MSMEs and start-ups.

Eligibility:

· MSMEs and Startups registered in India.

· Public limited company, private limited company, partnership firms, limited liability partnership, one-person company, sole proprietorship registered as per applicable Indian laws.

· The industry has to be owned and controlled by an Indian citizen.

· Industries with foreign investments of 49% or less.

· It is a programme of MoD (Ministry of Defence) executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) meeting the requirements of Tri-Services, Defence Production and DRDO.

Funding Support:

· The funding will be through provision of grants to the Industry.

· The project cost of up to INR 10 Cr will be considered for funding, subject to a maximum of 90% of the total project cost.

· Industry may work in collaboration with academia or research institutions.

· The work involvement of academia cannot exceed 40% of the total project cost.

· The funding will be linked to mutually agreed milestones.

· Funds will be released either in advance against a bank guarantee of the same amount as collateral, or reimbursement based on the completion of milestones.

· Subsequent installments will be released on successful completion of milestones.

· Project Duration: Maximum development period will be two years.

Context: The Minister of State in the Defence Ministry recently said the Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme has so far supported 41 MSMEs and 20 startups.

Incorrect

Solution (d)

Statement Analysis

Statement 1

Statement 2

Incorrect

· TDF Scheme has been established to promote self-reliance in defence technology as a part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

· The scheme encourages participation of public/private industries especially MSMEs to create an eco-system for enhancing cutting edge technology capability for defence application.

· It supports indigenous development of components, products, systems and technologies by MSMEs and start-ups.

Eligibility:

· MSMEs and Startups registered in India.

· Public limited company, private limited company, partnership firms, limited liability partnership, one-person company, sole proprietorship registered as per applicable Indian laws.

· The industry has to be owned and controlled by an Indian citizen.

· Industries with foreign investments of 49% or less.

· It is a programme of MoD (Ministry of Defence) executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) meeting the requirements of Tri-Services, Defence Production and DRDO.

Funding Support:

· The funding will be through provision of grants to the Industry.

· The project cost of up to INR 10 Cr will be considered for funding, subject to a maximum of 90% of the total project cost.

· Industry may work in collaboration with academia or research institutions.

· The work involvement of academia cannot exceed 40% of the total project cost.

· The funding will be linked to mutually agreed milestones.

· Funds will be released either in advance against a bank guarantee of the same amount as collateral, or reimbursement based on the completion of milestones.

· Subsequent installments will be released on successful completion of milestones.

· Project Duration: Maximum development period will be two years.

Context: The Minister of State in the Defence Ministry recently said the Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme has so far supported 41 MSMEs and 20 startups.

Question 2 of 5

2. Question

Consider the following statements about Pong Dam

It is an earth-fill embankment dam on the Ravi River in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
The artificial lake called the Maharana Pratap Sagar is created by the Pong reservoir.

Choose the incorrect statements:

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct

Solution (a)

Statement Analysis

Statement 1

Statement 2

Incorrect

Correct

· The Pong Dam, also known as the Beas Dam, is an earth-fill embankment dam on the Beas River in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

· The purpose of the dam is water storage for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation.

· The construction of the dam began in the year 1961 and was completed in 1974 and at that time was known as the tallest of its type in the country.

Features:

· The Pong Dam is a 133 m tall and 1,951 m long earth-fill embankment dam with a gravel shell.

· The dam is 13.72 m wide at its crest, which sits at an elevation of about 435.86 m above sea level.

· The base of the Pong Dam is about 610 m wide and has a total volume of 35,500,000 metre cube.

· The raised water level thus invariably created an artificial lake called the Maharana Pratap Sagar, after the great ruler of Mewar. The lake became a renowned bird sanctuary for birds of numerous species including Bar-headed Goose and the Red-necked Grebe.

Context: Several villages within the Beas River catchment area in Punjab have been submerged following the release of a substantial amount of water from the Pong Dam.

Incorrect

Solution (a)

Statement Analysis

Statement 1

Statement 2

Incorrect

Correct

· The Pong Dam, also known as the Beas Dam, is an earth-fill embankment dam on the Beas River in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

· The purpose of the dam is water storage for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation.

· The construction of the dam began in the year 1961 and was completed in 1974 and at that time was known as the tallest of its type in the country.

Features:

· The Pong Dam is a 133 m tall and 1,951 m long earth-fill embankment dam with a gravel shell.

· The dam is 13.72 m wide at its crest, which sits at an elevation of about 435.86 m above sea level.

· The base of the Pong Dam is about 610 m wide and has a total volume of 35,500,000 metre cube.

Context: Several villages within the Beas River catchment area in Punjab have been submerged following the release of a substantial amount of water from the Pong Dam.

Question 3 of 5

3. Question

Consider the following statements about PM Vishwakarma

It aims to strengthen and nurture the family-based practice of traditional skills by artisans and craftspeople.
It is a Central Sector Scheme.
It includes a Credit Support upto Rs.5 lakh per annum.

How many of the following statements are correct?

a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None

Correct

Solution (b)

Statement Analysis

Option b

Correct

· The scheme aims to strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara or family-based practice of traditional skills by artisans and craftspeople working with their hands and tools.

· It also aims to improve the quality, reach of products and services of artisans and craftspeople and to ensure that the Vishwakarmas are integrated with the domestic and global value chains.

· Under the scheme, the artisans and craftspeople will be provided recognition through:

o PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card,

o Credit Support upto Rs.1 lakh (First Tranche) and

o Rs.2 lakh (Second Tranche) with a concessional interest rate of 5%.

· The scheme will further provide skill upgradation, toolkit incentive, incentive for digital transactions and marketing support.

· The scheme was announced in the Budget 2023-2024.

Context: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approves the scheme, announced by Prime Minister Modi in his Independence Day speech, with an outlay of ₹13,000 crore

Incorrect

Solution (b)

Statement Analysis

Option b

Correct

· The scheme aims to strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara or family-based practice of traditional skills by artisans and craftspeople working with their hands and tools.

· It also aims to improve the quality, reach of products and services of artisans and craftspeople and to ensure that the Vishwakarmas are integrated with the domestic and global value chains.

· Under the scheme, the artisans and craftspeople will be provided recognition through:

o PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card,

o Credit Support upto Rs.1 lakh (First Tranche) and

o Rs.2 lakh (Second Tranche) with a concessional interest rate of 5%.

· The scheme will further provide skill upgradation, toolkit incentive, incentive for digital transactions and marketing support.

· The scheme was announced in the Budget 2023-2024.

Context: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approves the scheme, announced by Prime Minister Modi in his Independence Day speech, with an outlay of ₹13,000 crore

Question 4 of 5

4. Question

Consider the following statements about PM-eBus Sewa

The scheme will promote e-mobility and augments city bus operations.
The scheme will cover cities of 3 lakh and above population as per census 2011.
The scheme is based on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

How many of the following statements are incorrect?

a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None

Correct

Solution (d)

Statement Analysis

Option d

Correct

· The scheme will promote e-mobility and augments city bus operations.

· The scheme will cover cities of 3 lakh and above population as per census 2011 including all the Capital cities of Union Territories, North Eastern Region and Hill States.

· Priority will be given to cities having no organized bus service.

· The Scheme will support bus operations for 10 years.

· The scheme is based on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

· The Scheme has 2 segments

· Segment A – Augmenting the City bus services (169 cities)

· Segment B – Green Urban Mobility Initiatives (GUMI) (181 cities)

· The scheme envisages green initiatives like bus priority, infrastructure, multimodal interchange facilities, Charging infrastructure, etc.

· The scheme will promote e-mobility and provide full support for behind-the-meter power infrastructure.

· The scheme is Expected to generate direct employment over 45,000.

Context: Recently the Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a bus scheme “PM-eBus Sewa” for augmenting city bus operation by 10,000 e-buses on PPP model.

Incorrect

Solution (d)

Statement Analysis

Option d

Correct

· The scheme will promote e-mobility and augments city bus operations.

· The scheme will cover cities of 3 lakh and above population as per census 2011 including all the Capital cities of Union Territories, North Eastern Region and Hill States.

· Priority will be given to cities having no organized bus service.

· The Scheme will support bus operations for 10 years.

· The scheme is based on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

· The Scheme has 2 segments

· Segment A – Augmenting the City bus services (169 cities)

· Segment B – Green Urban Mobility Initiatives (GUMI) (181 cities)

· The scheme envisages green initiatives like bus priority, infrastructure, multimodal interchange facilities, Charging infrastructure, etc.

· The scheme will promote e-mobility and provide full support for behind-the-meter power infrastructure.

· The scheme is Expected to generate direct employment over 45,000.

Context: Recently the Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a bus scheme “PM-eBus Sewa” for augmenting city bus operation by 10,000 e-buses on PPP model.

Question 5 of 5

5. Question

Sulina Channel, recently seen in news is situated in which of the following country?

a) Romania
b) Poland
c) Ukraine
d) Russia

Correct

Solution (a)

Option a

Correct

· It is situated in Romania (a NATO member).

· It is the only one deep and wide enough channel fits for freight transport among the three channels.

· Ships carry grain from Ukraine leave from Ukrainian ports such as Izmail and Reni on the mainstream (or the Chilia Channel), and head to the port of Sulina.

· Grains are shipped downriver through territorial waters of European Union and Romania, and onwards from Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanta.

· It is a sort of a riverine ‘expressway’ crucial for transport of goods from Ukraine (one of the world’s top grain exporters) to the Black Sea.

· This route is under constant surveillance and protection of NATO.

· Danube River – Danube is the Europe’s second longest river which has been historically crucial for the movement of freight.

· It starts at the intersection of two smaller rivers in Southwestern Germany – Brigach and Brech Rivers.

· It passes through countries including Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine.

· Before Russia pulled out of the safe passage corridor, the Danube ports accounted for around a quarter of Ukraine’s grain exports.

· Recently, Russia attacked the inland Danube ports of Reni and Izmail.

· Channels – Chilia, Sulina and St George.

Context: The Sulina Channel is the new alternative trade route after Russia’s drone strikes on ports and grain storage facilities along the Danube river in Ukraine.