DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 10th October 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Context: The expenditure under the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) from 2020-21 to 2023-24 was released recently.

About SHRESHTA (Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas):-

• Launched: June 2022.
• Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Objective: for the purpose of providing seats for the meritorious SC boys and girls in the best private residential schools in the country.

Salient Features:-

• This scheme was launched for Scheduled Castes, as they have faced historical injustices in a hierarchical society and education is the most powerful tool to empower them as a community.
• The scheme will provide a level playing field to the poor and meritorious SC students. (New National Education Policy)
• It aims to enhance the reach of development Intervention of the Government and to fill the gap in service-deficient SCs dominant areas, in the sector of education through the efforts of grant-in-aid institutions (run by NGOs) and residential high schools offering high-quality education and provide the environment for socio-economic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Castes (SCs).

Modes of implementation:-

The scheme is being implemented in two Modes:-

SHRESHTA schools:-

• Under this, each year a specified number of meritorious SC students in States/UTs will be selected through the National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS) to be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
• These would be admitted to the best private residential schools affiliated by the CBSE/State Board in classes 9th and 11th for completion of education till 12th standard.
• Selection of schools: Best performing CBSE-based private residential schools, having more than 75% pass percentage for classes 10 and 12 for the last three years are selected by a Committee for admission of selected students.
• Eligibility/Selection of students: Approx 3000 (1500 for 9th class and 1500 for class 11th tentative) SC students, whose parent’s annual income is up to 2.5 lakh, are selected every year under the Scheme through a national-level test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
• The choices of schools shall be offered to the students in accordance with their merit. (Education & Nation Building)

NGO/VO-operated Schools/Hostels:

• These include EXISTING COMPONENT, Guidelines hereinafter applicable only for Mode 2 of the Scheme, Schools/Hostels.
• These are run by VOs/NGOs and other organizations having higher classes (up to class 12) and who have been receiving Grant-in-aid will be continued, subject to satisfactory performance.

MUST READ: Gender gap in education

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of the “Digital India” Plan of the Government of India? (2018)

1. Formation of India’s own Internet companies like China did.
2. Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centers within our national geographical boundaries.
3. Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our schools, public places, and major tourist centres.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Q.2) What is the aim of the programme ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’? (2017)

1. Achieving 100% literacy by promoting collaboration between voluntary organizations the government’s education system and local communities.
2. Connecting institutions of higher education with local communities to address development challenges through appropriate technologies.
3. Strengthening India’s scientific research institutions in order to make India a scientific and technological power.
4. Developing human capital by allocating special funds for health care and education of rural and urban poor, and organizing skill development programmes and vocational training for them.

Syllabus

• Prelims – GEOGRAPHY

Context: A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck about 40km from the western city of Herat, Afghanistan recently.

Background:-

• In Afghanistan, the death toll from strong earthquakes has risen to over 2,400 as search and rescue efforts continue amid reports that some people may be trapped under collapsed buildings.

About Earthquake:-

• An earthquake is the shaking or trembling of the earth’s surface.
• It is caused by the seismic waves or earthquake waves that are generated due to a sudden movement (sudden release of energy) in the earth’s crust (shallow-focus earthquakes) or upper mantle (some shallow-focus and all intermediate and deep-focus earthquakes).
• A seismograph, or seismometer, is an instrument used to detect and record earthquakes.
• Hypocentre/Focus: The point where the energy is released.
• Epicentre: The point on the surface directly above the focus.
• Isoseismic line: A line connecting all points on the surface where the intensity is the same.

Causes of Earthquakes:-

• Fault Zones
• Plate tectonics
• Volcanic activity
• Human-Induced Earthquakes

Types of Earthquakes:-

Tectonic Earthquakes

• The most common ones are tectonic earthquakes.
• The Earth is made of four basic layers (generally three): a solid crust, a hot, nearly solid mantle, a liquid outer core, and a solid inner core.
• Tectonic plates (Lithospheric plates) are constantly shifting as they drift around on the viscous, or slowly flowing, mantle layer below.
• When tectonic plates move, it also causes movements at the (Anatolian Plate)
• Thus, the slipping of land along the faultline along convergent, divergent and transform boundaries causes earthquakes.

Volcanic Earthquake

• Earthquakes produced by stress changes in solid rock due to the injection or withdrawal of magma (molten rock) are called volcano earthquakes. ( Volcano)

Human Induced Earthquakes

• In areas of intense mining activity, sometimes the roofs of underground mines collapse causing minor tremors. These are called collapse earthquakes.
• Ground shaking may also occur due to the explosion of chemical or nuclear devices. Such tremors are called explosion earthquakes.

MUST READ: Reimagining Disaster Management

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986? (2022)

1. Central Water Commission
2. Central Ground Water Board
3. Central Ground Water Authority
4. National Water Development Agency

Q.2) consider the following statements: (2020)

1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only.
2. Only some cyclones develop an eye.
3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10°C less than that of the surroundings.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNANCE

Context: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation addressed the 89th General Council meeting of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) in New Delhi recently.

About National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC):-

• Establishment: 1963.
• Ministry: Ministry of Cooperation.
• HQ: New Delhi.
• The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) was established by an Act of Parliament in 1963 as a statutory Corporation.

Organization & Management:-

• The Management vests in 51 members widely represented General Council to give shape to its policies and programmes and the Board of Management with 12 members to cater to day-to-day activities.

Functions:-

• Planning, promoting, and financing programmes for the production, processing, marketing, storage, export, and import of agricultural produce, foodstuff, and certain other notified commodities e.g. fertilizers, insecticides, agricultural machinery, lac, soap, kerosene oil, textile, rubber, etc.
• Supply of consumer goods and collection, processing, marketing, storage, and export of minor forest produce through cooperatives, besides income generating stream of activities such as poultry, dairy, fishery, sericulture, handloom, etc.
• Assist different types of cooperatives and to expand its financial base. (India’s Cooperative Sector)
• Finance projects in the rural industrial cooperative sectors and for certain notified services in rural areas like water conservation, irrigation, micro irrigation, agri-insurance, agro-credit, rural sanitation, animal health, etc.
• Loans and grants are advanced to State Governments for financing primary and secondary level cooperative societies and direct to the national level and other societies having objects extending beyond one State.
• The Corporation can also go in for direct funding of projects under its various schemes of assistance on fulfillment of stipulated conditions.

MUST READ: Geospatial Mapping of the Cooperatives

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to foreign-owned e-commerce firms operating in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2022)

1. They can sell their own goods in addition to offering their platforms as marketplaces.
2. The degree to which they can own big sellers on their platforms is limited.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Q.2) Which of the following activities constitute a real sector in the economy? (2022)

1. Farmers harvesting their crops
2. Textile mills converting raw cotton into fabrics
3. A commercial bank lending money to a trading company
4. A corporate body issuing Rupee Denominated Bonds overseas

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –IMPORTANT INSTITUTIONS

Context: India re-elected the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) General Conference (GC)president for the third successive term recently.

Background:-

• The Information & Broadcasting Ministry Secretary, Apurva Chandra, said this was a first in the history of AIBD.
• The move showed the confidence broadcasting organizations across the Asia Pacific and the world reposed in India.

About Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD):-

• Established:1977
• Host: Government of Malaysia
• Secretariat: Kuala Lumpur.
• Objective: to achieve a vibrant and cohesive electronic media environment in the Asia Pacific region through policy and resource development.
• Membership: It has 92 member organizations from across 44 countries, including 26 government members (countries) represented by 48 broadcasting authorities and broadcasters.
• It also has 44 affiliates (organizations) represented by 28 countries and regions in Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Africa, Arab States, and North America.
• India is one of the founding members of this organization.
• Representative body: The Prasar Bharati is the representative body of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, at AIBD.
• It was established under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
• It is a unique regional inter-governmental organization servicing countries of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) in the field of electronic media development.
• The Institute seeks to fulfill this mandate by mobilizing the intellectual and technological resources available within the national broadcasting organizations of its member countries as well as regional and international bodies.
• It does it through a well-established infrastructure and networking mechanism which includes government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher learning, the private sector, and individual professionals.

 MUST READ: Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) scheme

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements (2020)

1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka Trade has consistently increased in the last decade.
2. Textile and textile articles constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh.
3. In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q.2) Consider the following countries: (2018)

1. Australia
2. Canada
3. China
4. India
5. Japan
6. USA

Which of the above are among the ‘free-trade partners’ of ASEAN?

1. 1, 2, 4 and 5
2. 3, 4, 5 and 6
3. 1, 3, 4 and 5
4. 2, 3, 4 and 6

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNANCE

Context: The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) advertisement rates for Private FM Radios have been revised after seven years recently.

Background:-

• The base rate has been increased by 43 percent. City Wise Rate for Stations also to significantly increase depending on listenership.

About Central Bureau of Communication (CBC):-

• Established: 2017.
• Ministry: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• HQ: Soochana Bhawan, New Delhi.
• It was set up by integration of three erstwhile media units of the Ministry of I&B, viz namely:-
  • Directorate of Advertising & Visual Publicity (DAVP)
  • Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP) and
  • Song & Drama Division(S&DD)
• It is a unit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• It has the mandate of providing 360-degree communication solutions to Ministries, Departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and autonomous bodies.
• It is headed by a Director General (DG).

Functions:-

• It is engaged in the task of publicizing various programmes and policies of the Government of India through its network of 148 Field Units under the control and supervision of 23 Regional Offices.
• The primary function of CBC is to publicize, inform, educate, and communicate in rural areas.
• It undertakes campaigns to inform and educate rural and urban people about the Government’s policies and programmes through available vehicles of communication viz. Print, Audio Visual, Outdoor, Digital and New Media.

MUST READ: (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements (2018)

1. The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and ‘directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
2. ‘The Agricultural and Processed Food Product Export Development Authority ‘(APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.
3. Sikkim has become India’s first fully organic State.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q.2) Consider the following statements: The nationwide ‘Soil Health Card Scheme’ aims at (2017)

1. Expanding the cultivable area under irrigation.
2. Enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality.
3. Checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 (International relations)

Context: Recently, Hamas, the militant group ruling the Gaza Strip, mounted one of the most audacious attacks on Israel known as “Operation ‘Al-Aqsa Storm”.

• In retaliation, Israel has formally declared war on Hamas under “Operation Iron Sword”.
• The Indian PM expressed outrage, referring to the event as a terrorist attack, and voiced solidarity with Israel.

History of India’s Position on the Israel-Palestine Conflict:

• India’s Initial Rejection of the Two-Nation Solution and Support for the Palestinian Cause: In the wake of India’s independence in 1947, its early political stance on Israel was rooted in the rejection of the two-nation solution and unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.
• India’s Votes Against Israel at the United Nations: India’s position regarding Palestine was also shaped by the broader consensus in the Arab world, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the United Nations.
  • when Israel applied for admission to the United Nations, India once again voted against its inclusion.
• Recognition of Israel as a Nation: Despite its early stance against Israel, India eventually recognized Israel as a sovereign nation on September 17, 1950, following the footsteps of two Muslim-majority countries, Turkey and Iran.
• Engagement with Palestinian Leadership Under Yasser Arafat: In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) emerged as the principal representative of the Palestinian people, under the leadership of Yasser Arafat.
  • During this period, India actively engaged with the largest political faction within the PLO, Al Fatah.
• Recognition of PLO as the Legitimate Representation of Palestinian People: On January 10, 1975, India took a significant diplomatic step by officially recognizing the PLO as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
  • This recognition culminated in India permitting the PLO to establish an independent office in New Delhi.
  • Remarkably, India, despite being one of the last non-Muslim states to recognize Israel, became the first non-Arab state to formally acknowledge the legitimacy of the PLO.
• Strong Solidarity for Palestine Struggle at NAM Summit in Delhi: The relationship between India and Palestine further strengthened when the NAM summit took place in India in 1983 with a strong statement of solidarity for Palestine.

Present India- Israel Relations

• Economic and trade: Bilateral merchandise trade surged from USD 200 million in 1992 to USD 6.35 billion (excluding defense) by 2022.
  • India emerged as Israel’s third-largest trade partner in Asia and seventh globally, with trade diversifying into pharmaceuticals, agriculture, IT, telecom, and homeland security.
  • Israeli companies have facilitated technology transfer to India, particularly in renewable energy, telecom, and water technologies.
• Defense Cooperation: India imports crucial defense technologies from Israel, with regular exchanges between armed forces.
  • Security cooperation includes a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
  • India uses Israeli defense systems such as Phalcon AWACS, Heron drones, and Barak anti-missile defense systems.
• Agricultural Cooperation: A three-year joint work program was signed in 2021 to enhance agricultural cooperation, focusing on Centers of Excellence, value chains, and private investment.
  • Israel’s expertise and technologies have benefitted India in horticulture, irrigation, and dairy farming.
• Science and Technology: The Joint Committee on Science and Technology, established in 1993, fosters collaboration in research and development.
  • The India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) supports joint industrial projects in specific sectors.
  • Energy cooperation includes India’s interest in exploring gas fields off Israel’s coast.
• I2U2 Grouping: It stands for India, Israel, the UAE, and the US.
  • It was formerly known as the ‘International Forum for Economic Cooperation’ and is also referred to as the ‘West Asian Quad.’
  • It aims to strengthen economic partnerships, identify areas of cooperation, and encourage joint investments six key sectors: water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security.
• Indian diaspora in Israel: There are approximately 85,000 Jews of Indian-origin in Israel, who are Israeli passport holders.
  • There are approximately 900 Indian students studying in Israel, mostly at the doctoral and post-doctoral levels.

Challenges in the relations:

• Trade: Since 2010, the two countries have been talking about a free-trade deal for goods and services.
  • This should make it easier to invest and do business with each other.
  • To tap into the untapped potential, there is a need to increase bilateral trade and broaden the types of economic partnership.
• Israel and the Arab World: India’s close relationships with the Arab world have always made it hard for the country to publicly work with Israel.
• Approach towards China: India and Israel treat China in different ways.
• India is worried about China’s rise, but China is Israel’s biggest trading partner in Asia and the two countries have strong links in science and investment.

• De-Hyphenating Israel-Palestine: The “two-state solution” and the fact that India voted in favour of the resolution to raise the Palestinian flag at the United Nations and signed on to BRICS declarations “opposing the continuous Israeli settlement activities in the Occupied Territories” show that India’s support for Palestinians hasn’t changed.
  • However, during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Israel in July 2017, the media reported that India was “dehyphenating” its relationship with Israel.
• Pegasus issue: Pegasus is a spyware developed by NSO Group, an Israeli surveillance firm, that helps spies hack into phones.
  • A case was filed in the Supreme Court accusing the government for indiscriminate spying on more than 1000 phone numbers.
  • New York Times reported that India bought Israeli Pegasus spyware as part of weapons deal in 2017.

Way Forward:

India’s evolving stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, coupled with its growing relations with both Israel and Palestine, demonstrates its commitment to contributing to a peaceful resolution. As a nation with ties to multiple stakeholders in the region, India has a crucial role to play in promoting stability and cooperation in the Middle East.

Source:   Indian Express

Q1) Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

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

Q2) Consider the following statements

Statement-I:

Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) is headquartered in Soochana Bhawan, Mumbai.

Statement-II:

It is headed by a Director General (DG).

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Q3) With reference to the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), consider the following statements:

1. It was established in 1947.
2. It is hosted by the Government of India.
3. India was its founding member.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Mains Practice Question

Q.1) How did India’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict evolve over the years, and what were the key factors influencing this evolution? (250 Words)

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  10th October 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – a

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – a