DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 17th November 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims –ECONOMY

Context: Recently, RBI tightened norms for unsecured personal loans for banks and non-banking financial companies.

Background:-

• RBI in a circular said that it has been decided to increase the risk weights with respect to consumer credit exposure of commercial banks, both outstanding and new, including personal loans.

About RBI:-

• Establishment:1935.
• HQ: Mumbai.
• The Reserve Bank of India is India’s central bank.
• It is the apex monetary institution which supervises, regulates controls and develops the monetary and financial system of the country.
• The Reserve Bank was established on April 1, 1935, under the Reserve Bank of India Act, of 1934.

Structure of RBI:-

• The Reserve Bank’s affairs are governed by a central board of directors.
• The board is appointed by the Government of India in keeping with the Reserve Bank of India Act.
• The directors are appointed/nominated for a period of four years.

Functions of the Reserve Bank of India:-

• Monetary Policy of the Country (RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee)
• Inflation control: The RBI has targeted to keep the mid-term inflation at 4 four per cent (+/- 2 per cent).
• Decides benchmark interest rate
• RBI acts as a banker for both the central as well as state governments. It sells and purchases government securities on their behalf.
• Regulator of Foreign Exchange under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (“FEMA”).

MUST READ: Financial Stability Report

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following brings out the ‘Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers’?(2017)

1. The Reserve Bank of India
2. The Department of Economic Affairs
3. The Labour Bureau
4. The Department of Personnel and Training

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 – INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Context: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit took place recently.

Background:-

• Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO summit in San Francisco yesterday, President Biden stressed the importance of working together with India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore to strengthen the critical semiconductor industry.

About APEC:-

• Established: 1989
• HQ: Singapore.
• Members: 21
• Member Nations: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam and the United States.
• India is not a Member.
• It is an inter-governmental forum that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (APEC virtual meet held)
• It was started in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies and the advent of regional trade blocs in other parts of the world.
• It aimed to establish new markets for agricultural products and raw materials beyond Europe.

Functions of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC):-

• APEC works to help all residents of the Asia-Pacific participate in the growing economy.
• APEC projects provide digital skills training for rural communities and help indigenous women export their products abroad.
• Recognizing the impacts of climate change, APEC members also implement initiatives to increase energy efficiency and promote sustainable management of forest and marine resources.

India and APEC:-

• India has been an important destination for APEC members’ foreign investment over the past 25 years, with three APEC economies—Singapore, Japan, and the United States—among the top five countries providing FDI inflows into India.
• India was denied APEC membership in 2007 on the grounds that its economy was not integrated into the global system.
• India is the region’s third-largest and now fastest-growing major economy.
• APEC economies, which account for 60 per cent of global GDP, are experiencing sluggish growth and must look for opportunities to bring new markets
• India is also projected to be the world’s third-largest economy by 2030 and will need well over $1 trillion of investment in infrastructure over the next decade.

MUST READ: APEC summit, 2021

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following pairs: (2020)

International agreement/ set-up Subject

1. Alma-Ata Declaration – Healthcare of the people
2. Hague Convention – Biological and Chemical Weapons
3. Talanoa Dialogue – Global Climate Change
4. Under2 Coalition – Child Rights

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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

Q.2) In which one of the following groups are all four countries members of G20? (2020)

1. Argentina Mexico, South Africa and Turkey.
2. Australia Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand
3. Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam
4. Indonesia Japan Singapore and South Korea

Syllabus

• Prelims –DEFENCE

Context: Recently, a U.S. nuclear-powered Ohio-class submarine, equipped for precision missile strikes over considerable distances, has joined a fleet of Navy ships in the waters of the Middle East.

Background:-

• In an unusual public announcement on November 5, the U.S. Central Command confirmed the arrival of an Ohio-class submarine in its designated area of responsibility.
• CENTCOM, responsible for directing U.S. military operations in the Middle East, shared this information succinctly through social media.

About Ohio-class Submarine:-

• The Ohio class submarine is a class of nuclear-powered submarines.
• They are currently in service with the United States Navy. (India, Israel and Palestine)
• They are the largest submarines ever built for the U.S. Navy.
• The Ohio class submarines were developed during the Cold War to provide the United States with a robust and survivable sea-based strategic deterrent.
• The first Ohio class submarine, USS Ohio (SSBN-726), was commissioned in 1981.
• A total of 18 submarines were built between 1976 and 1997.
• These submarines are designed for extended underwater operations.
• They are equipped with advanced technology to support various missions, including strategic deterrence, surveillance, and special operations.
• Each of these submarines is provided with two complete crews, called the Blue Crew and the Gold Crew, with each crew serving typically on 70- to 90-day deterrent patrols.
• They can travel at speeds of 30+ knots.
• They can remain submerged indefinitely.

Significance:-

• Ohio class submarines play a crucial role in the United States’ nuclear triad, serving as a platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) armed with nuclear warheads.
• Ohio-class submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform, and they play a crucial role in the nation’s defences.

MUST READ: Submarine Vagir

SOURCE: ECONOMIC TIMES

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements: (2023)

1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government.
2. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in the maintenance of internal security.
3. To prevent infiltration on the international border/ coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some states.

How many of the above statements are correct?

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

Q.2) What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (2018)

1. An Israeli radar system
2. India’s indigenous anti-missile programme
3. An American anti-missile system
4. A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea.

Syllabus

• Prelims – GOVERNANCE

Context: Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the inaugural session of the second ‘Voice of Global South Summit-2023’.

About Voice of Global South Summit-2023:-

• Date: 12-13 January 2023.
• The “Voice of Global South Summit” is a platform for generating ideas from the developing world for achieving energy security, which is affordable, accessible and sustainable.
• India is hosting the Summit in a virtual format.
• The inaugural session will be followed by four parallel Ministerial sessions.
• These include the sessions by Ministers of External Affairs, Education, Finance and Environment.
• Four more parallel Ministerial sessions will be held in the afternoon.
• The theme of the inaugural Leaders’ Session: “Together, for Everyone’s Growth, with Everyone’s Trust” and that of the Concluding Leaders’ Session is “Global South: Together for One Future”.
• Akashvani correspondent reports that the Summit will focus on sharing with the countries of the Global South, the key outcomes achieved in various G20 meetings over the course of India’s Presidency.
• India hosted a two-day Voice of Global South Summit on 12-13 January 2023.
• The Summit was held in a virtual format, with 10 sessions in total.
• It saw the participation of Leaders and Ministers from 125 countries of the Global South. India convened this one-of-a-kind Summit to focus international attention on the priorities, perspectives and concerns of the developing world.
• This is particularly relevant as the world passes through a difficult period marked by challenges to health, food security, affordable access to energy, climate finance and technologies, and economic growth. (Climate Change Performance Index(CCPI) 2023)

Significance:-

• This Summit is a timely reminder of what is at stake for over three-fourths of the planet’s population that is most vulnerable to the deleterious impact of the several interlinked risks we confront.

MUST READ: India and G20 Presidency

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1.) In which one of the following groups are all four countries members of G20? (2020)

1. Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey.
2. Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand.
3. Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.
4. Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea.

Q.2) In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of (2020)

1. Digital security infrastructure
2. Food security infrastructure
3. Health care and education infrastructure
4. Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Recently, astronomers explained the possibility of the disappearance of rings around Saturn.

About Saturn:-

• Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun.
• It is the second largest planet in our solar system.
• Adorned with a dazzling system of icy rings, Saturn is unique among the planets.
• Saturn is a massive ball made mostly of hydrogen and helium.
• The farthest planet from Earth discovered by the unaided human eye, Saturn has been known since ancient times.
• The planet is named for the Roman god of agriculture and wealth, who was also the father of Jupiter.
• Saturn isn’t the only planet to have rings.
• The rings we see are made of groups of tiny ringlets that surround Saturn.
• They’re made of chunks of ice and rock.
• Saturn has a thick atmosphere.
• One day on Saturn goes by in just 7 hours.
• One year on Saturn is 29 Earth years.
• Saturn has been known since ancient times because it can be seen without advanced telescopes.
• Four robotic spacecraft have visited Saturn, including Pioneer 11, Cassini, and Voyager 1 and 2. (Exoplanets)

 MUST READ: New Study on Ninth Planet

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System? (2023)

1. Australia
2. Canada
3. Israel
4. Japan

Q2. Consider the following statements: (2023)

1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.
2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.

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

Syllabus

• Prelims – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: As per recent reports there was a  43% increase in measles deaths from 2021-2022.

Background:-

• The number of measles deaths worldwide increased by 43 per cent from 2021-2022, following years of falling vaccination rates, according to a new assessment by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About Measles:-

• Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus that can lead to severe complications and death.
• Measles is caused by a virus found in the nose and throat of an infected child or adult.
• It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.
• It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death.
• Measles can affect anyone but is most common in children.
• Measles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body.
• Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash all over the body.
• Measles vaccination averted 56 million deaths between 2000 and 2021.
• Even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available, in 2021, there were an estimated 128,000 measles deaths globally, mostly among unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children under the age of 5 years.
• In 2022, about 83% of the world’s children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services – the lowest since 2008.

Risk factors:-

• Being unvaccinated.
• Traveling internationally.
• Having a vitamin A deficiency. (India’s plan to eradicate measles, rubella)

MUST READ: Ni-kshay Mitra

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics: (2022)

1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast.
2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut.
3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q.2) Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body? (2022)

1. They protect the environmental allergens. body
2. They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.
3. They act as immunosuppressants in the body.
4. They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.

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 :

Measles spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.

Statement-II :

Measles can affect only children.

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 Saturn, consider the following statements:

1. Saturn is the seventh planet from the Sun.
2. It is the second largest planet in our solar system.
3. It is a massive ball made mostly of hydrogen and helium.

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 ’  17th November 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – b