DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th November 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims –IMPORTANT ORGANIZATIONS

Context: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the export of the first trial shipment of fresh bananas to the Netherlands.

Background:-

• The trial shipment of bananas to Europe was carried out by the APEDA-registered ‘INI Farms – a top exporter of fruits and vegetables from India.
• The first export consignment of bananas to the Netherlands was flagged off by APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev from Baramati, Maharashtra.

About APEDA:-

• Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• HQ: New Delhi.
• It is a statutory body established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by the Parliament in 1985.
• The Authority replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).
• APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the import of sugar as well.
• APEDA also functions as the Secretariat to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for the implementation of accreditation of the Certification Bodies under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) for organic exports.
• Chairman – appointed by the Central Government (APEDA inks MoU with NAFED)

Functions:-

• Development of industries relating to the scheduled products for export by way of providing financial assistance.
• Registration of persons as exporters of the scheduled products on payment of such fees as may be prescribed.
• Fixing standards and specifications for the scheduled products for the purpose of exports;
• Carrying out inspection of meat and meat products in slaughterhouses, processing plants, storage premises, conveyances, or other places
• Improving packaging of the Scheduled products.
• Improving marketing of the Scheduled products outside India.
• Promotion of export-oriented production and development of the Scheduled products.

APEDA is mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and development of the following scheduled products:

• Fruits, Vegetables and their Products.
• Meat and Meat Products.
• Poultry and Poultry Products.
• Dairy Products.
• Confectionery, Biscuits, and Bakery Products.
• Honey, Jaggery, and Sugar Products.
• Cocoa and its products, chocolates of all kinds.
• Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages.
• Cereal and Cereal Products.
• Groundnuts, Peanuts, and Walnuts.
• Pickles, Papads, and Chutneys.
• Guar Gum.
• Floriculture and Floriculture Products.
• Herbal and Medicinal Plants.
• De–oiled rice bran.
• Green pepper in brine.
• Cashew Nuts and Its Products.

• Basmati Rice has been included in the Second Schedule of the APEDA Act.

MUST READ: Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past? (2020)

1. Minimum Support Price
2. Government’s trading
3. Government’s stockpiling
4. Consumer subsidies

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Q.2) In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture? (2020)

1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops
2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
3. Social Capital Development
4. Free electricity supply to farmers
5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system
6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments.

In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture? Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –IMPORTANT DAYS

Context: Recently, the Ayush Ministry celebrated the 8th National Ayurveda Day at Panchkula.

Background:-

• Union AYUSH Minister Sarbanand Sonowal said that ayurvedic medicine is part of a thousands-year-old culture and has been present in the society, education, service and lifestyle of India since ancient times.

About National Ayurveda Day:-

• The National Ayurveda Day is celebrated every year on Dhanteras which is the Birth Anniversary of Lord Dhanwantri.
• It is believed that Lord Dhanwantari is the Hindu God for Medicine and is an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
• It is celebrated to promote and globalize Ayurveda as one of the most ancient and holistic approaches to medicine globally.
• The theme of the 8th National Ayurveda Day 2023 celebration is “Ayurveda for One Health” with the tagline “Ayurveda for everyone on every day’.
• National Ayurveda Day was first celebrated in India on October 28, 2016.

Objectives of National Ayurveda Day:-

• Celebration of National Ayurveda Day is an initiative to further promote Ayurveda into the mainstream.
• Its motives also includes a focus on the strengths of Ayurveda for the well-being of human and its unique treatment principle.
• Ayurveda also reduces the burden of disease morbidity and mortality.
• This also explores the potential of Ayurveda to contribute towards National Health Policy and Programs.
• This also aims to create a sense of awareness among the general masses and promote Ayurvedic principles of healing in society for the well-being of all living creatures.

Significance:-

• National Ayurveda Day is an opportunity to learn more about Ayurveda and its benefits and to promote its use as a complementary and alternative medicine system. (WHO and Traditional Medicine)
• Various events are held across India on this day, including free health camps, seminars, and exhibitions.

MUST READ: Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following infrastructure sectors : (2023)

1. Affordable housing
2. Mass rapid transport
3. Health care
4. Renewable energy

On how many of the above does the UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative focus on its investments?

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

Q.2) Consider the following statements in  the context of interventions being  undertaken under the Anaemia Mukt  Bharat Strategy : (2023)

1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for preschool children, adolescents and pregnant women.
2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of childbirth.
3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.
4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with a special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –GEOGRAPHY

Context: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched a plan to reduce the projected impacts of the climate phenomenon El Nino on agricultural livelihoods and food security of the most at-risk and vulnerable populations recently.

Background:-

• It released an anticipatory action plan after WMO forecasts El Nino to stay till April 2024.

About El Nino:-

IMAGE SOURCE: IASBABA

• El Niño is the warming of seawater in the central-east Equatorial Pacific that occurs every few years.
• During El Niño, surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific rise, and trade winds — east-west winds that blow near the Equator — weaken.
• Normally, easterly trade winds blow from the Americas towards Asia.
• Due to El Niño, they falter and change direction to turn into westerlies, bringing warm water from the western Pacific towards the Americas.
• It occurs every 3-6 years and lasts for about 9-12 months.
• It can cause droughts, flooding, and changes in temperature.
• It can lead to below-normal rainfall, which affects India’s agricultural sector.

Outcomes of El Nino:-

• Disruptions in the food chain: The phenomena of upwelling, where nutrient-rich waters rise towards the surface, is reduced under El Niño.
• This in turn reduces phytoplankton.
• Thus, fish that eat phytoplankton are affected, followed by other organisms higher up the food chain.
• Disruptions in the overall ecosystem: Warm waters also carry tropical species towards colder areas, disrupting multiple ecosystems.
• Alterations in wind and weather patterns: Since the Pacific covers almost one-third of the earth, changes in its temperature and subsequent alteration of wind patterns disrupt global weather patterns.
• El Niño causes dry, warm winters in the Northern U.S. and Canada and increases the risk of flooding in the U.S. Gulf Coast and southeastern U.S.
• It also brings drought to Indonesia and Australia.

MUST READ: Monsoon trough

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements

1. High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth.
2. Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth’s surface and thus cause a warming effect.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (2022)

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

Q.2) Consider the following statements:

1. In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade winds.
2. In the temperate Zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (2021)

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 and 2

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Recently, India reported 14 new cases of COVID-19.

Background:-

• India recorded the highest number of deaths (1,260) globally from September 25 to October 22, 2023, primarily due to retrospective adjustment, according to WHO data.

About COVID-19:-

• Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. (Second Wave of COVID-19)
• It is a type of virus that has caused a horrific life-killing pandemic since 2019.
• This disease is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
• The outer layer of this virus is covered with spike-like proteins which surround it like a crown, thus named COVID.
• This disease has caused millions of deaths worldwide.
• COVID-19 is an infectious disease that spreads from person to person.

Treatment:-

• Currently, there is no such fully effective treatment.
• However, there are COVID-19 vaccines that work on the body’s immunity, which is why infected people are not given vaccines until 15 days after testing negative.
• COVID-19 vaccines have played a vital role in reducing the horrifying effect of the virus on the world. (iNCOVACC)

Challenges faced by India:-

• Large Population
• Poor Public Hygiene
• Unknown Incubation Period

MUST READ: Tuberculosis

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under the Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy : (2023)

1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for preschool children, adolescents, and pregnant women.
2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of childbirth.
3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.
4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with a special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies, and fluorosis.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Q.2) Consider the following : (2022)

1. Bacteria
2. Fungi
3. Virus

Which of the above can be cultured in an artificial/ synthetic medium?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –ECONOMY

Context: Recently, Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth fell to a 3-month low, rising year-on-year.

Background:-

• The data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) showed that the manufacturing sector’s output grew by 4.5 per cent in September 2023.

About the Index of Industrial Production (IIP):-

• Publication time: monthly. (IIP)
• Published by: National Statistical Office (NSO).
• Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
• Base Year: 2011-2012.
• IIP is an indicator that measures the changes in the volume of production of industrial products during a given period.
• It is a composite indicator that measures the growth rate of industry groups classified under:
  • Broad sectors: Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity.
  • The relative weights of these three sectors are 6% (manufacturing), 14.4% (mining) and 8% (electricity).
  • Eight core industries: Electricity, crude oil, coal, cement, steel, refinery products, natural gas, and fertilizers.
  • They comprise about 40 per cent of the weight of items included in the IIP.
  • The eight core sector industries in decreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products> Electricity> Steel> Coal> Crude Oil> Natural Gas> Cement> Fertilizers.
  • Use-based sectors: Basic Goods, Capital Goods, and Intermediate Goods.

Significance of IIP:-

• The index indicates the relative change over time in the volume of production in the industrial sector.
• It is an effective tool to measure the trend of current industrial production.
• It is used by government agencies including the Ministry of Finance, the Reserve Bank of India, etc, for policy-making purposes. ( Draft New Industrial Policy)

MUST READ: Industrial Revolution 4.0

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements with reference to India : (2023)

1. According to the ‘Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006’, the ‘medium

enterprises are those with investments in plant and machinery between (15 crore and 25 crore).

2. All bank loans to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises qualify under the priority sector.

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

Q.2) In the ‘Index of Eight Core Industries’, which one of the following is given the highest weight? (2015)

1. Coal production
2. Electricity generation
3. Fertilizer production
4. Steel production

Syllabus

• Prelims –IMPORTANT INSTITUTIONS

Context: Recently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested the three accused, and busted an illegal job racket allegedly operating in multiple states.

Background:-

• A case was registered against six accused and unknown public servants and others.
• It was alleged that the organized syndicate consisting of private persons were taking a huge amount of money in the camouflage of processing fees or security deposits from prospective job seekers in various Central Government departments and Public Sector Undertakings.

About the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):-

• It was established as the Special Police Establishment in 194.
• Objective: to investigate cases of corruption in procurement during the Second World War.
• Later, the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption recommended the establishment of the CBI.
  • As a result, it was set up in 1963 by a resolution of the Union Home Ministry.
• The Special Police Establishment (which looked into vigilance cases) set in 1941 was also merged with the CBI
• Later, it was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel and now it enjoys the status of an attached office.
• The CBI is not a statutory body.
• It derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, of 1946.
• The CBI is the main investigating agency of the Central Government.
• The CBI investigates the crime of corruption, economic offences and serious and organized crime other than terrorism.
• The CBI is headed by a Director who is assisted by a special/additional director.
  • The Director of CBI has been provided security of two-year tenure by the CVC Act, 2003.
  • As per the CVC Act of 2003, the Central Government shall appoint the Director of CBI on the recommendation of a three-member committee consisting of the
    • Prime Minister as Chairperson,
    • Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
    • Chief Justice of India or Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by him.
    • If there is no recognized leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, then the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha would be a member of that committee.
  • The CBI Academy is located in Ghaziabad, UP and started functioning in 1996.
  • It also has three regional training centres at Kolkata, Mumbai & Chennai.
  • The superintendence of CBI related to the investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 lies with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
  • Other matters with the Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT) in the Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Grievances of the Government of India

Functions:-

• Investigating cases of corruption, bribery and misconduct of Union govt employees
• Investigating cases relating to infringement of fiscal and economic laws
• Investigating serious crimes, having national and international ramifications, committed by organised gangs of professional criminals.
• Coordinating activities of the anticorruption agencies and various state police forces
• Taking up, on the request of a state government, any case of public importance for investigation.
  • The Central Government can authorize CBI to investigate such a crime in a State but only with the consent of the concerned State Government.
• It takes up investigation of conventional crimes like murder, kidnapping, rape etc., on reference from the state governments or when directed by the Supreme Court/High Courts.
• Maintaining crime statistics and disseminating criminal information.
• The CBI acts as the “National Central Bureau” of Interpol in India, (CBI and its troubles)

 MUST READ: CBI and ED

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the ‘Banks Board Bureau (BBB)’, which of the following statements is correct? (2022)

1. The Governor of RBI is the Chairman of BBB.
2. BBB recommends the selection of heads for Public Sector Banks.
3. BBB helps Public Sector Banks develop strategies and capital-raising plans.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2022)

1. In India, credit rating agencies are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.
2. The rating agency popularly known as ICRA is a public limited company.
3. Brickwork Ratings is an Indian credit rating agency.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

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

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 :

APEDA is under the Ministry of Agriculture.

Statement-II :

Improving the packaging of the Scheduled products is one of its functions.

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 IIP, consider the following statements:

1. It is published quarterly.
2. It is published by the National Statistical Office (NSO).
3. Its Base Year is 2011-2012.

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

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  11th November 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – c

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – c