DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 3rd November 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims –ECONOMY

Context: Recently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) began searching properties of top Rajasthan bureaucrats in connection with the PHED scam under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

Background:-

• According to the FIR, Padamchand Jain, proprietor of Shree Shyam Tubewell Company, and Mahesh Mittal, proprietor of Shree Ganpati Tubewell Company, and others were involved in bribing public servants “in order to obtain illegal protection, obtaining tenders, getting bills sanctioned and covering up irregularities in respect of work executed by them in respect of various tenders received by them from PHED department.

About the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA):-

• Enacted: January 2003.
• The Act along with the Rules framed thereunder has come into force with effect from 1st July 2005. (Corruption)
• Objective: aims to prevent instances of money laundering and prohibits the use of the ‘proceeds of crime’ in India.
• It is a criminal law.
• It was introduced due to India’s commitment at the Vienna Convention to combat money laundering.
• It aims to sternly deal with the menace of money laundering of proceeds of a crime having transnational consequences on the financial systems of the countries.
  • Money laundering: concealing or disguising the identity of illegally obtained proceeds so that they appear to have originated from legitimate sources.
• It forms the core of the legal framework in India to combat Money Laundering.
• The provisions of this act are applicable to all financial institutions, banks (Including RBI), mutual funds, insurance companies, and their financial intermediaries.
• It has provided for provisional attachment and confiscation of property of any person involved in such activities.
• The act provides for provisional attachment and confiscation of property of any person (for a period not exceeding 180 days).
• The act has delegated the powers upon the Director to call for records of transactions or any additional information that may be required for the purposes of investigation.
• PMLA (Amendment) Act, 2012
  • Added the concept of ‘reporting entity’ which would include a banking company, financial institution, intermediary etc.
  • PMLA, 2002 levied a fine up to Rs 5 lakh, but the amendment act has removed this upper limit.

MUST READ: Supreme Court verdict on PMLA

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Along with the Budget, the Finance Minister also places other documents before the Parliament which include ‘The Macro Economic Framework Statement’. The aforesaid document is presented because this is mandated by(2020)

1. Long-standing parliamentary convention
2. Article 112 and Article 110(1) of the Constitution of India
3. Article 113 of the Constitution of India
4. Provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003

Q.2) With reference to the ‘Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 (PBPT Act), consider the following statements: (2017)

1. A property transaction is not treated as a benami transaction if the owner of the property is not aware of the transaction.
2. Properties held benami are liable for confiscation by the Government.
3. The Act provides for three authorities for investigations but does not provide for any appellate mechanism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims – SPORTS

Context: India recently beat Korea by  5-0 at the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 to enter the semi-finals.

Background:-

• Salima Tete (6′, 36′), Navneet Kaur (36′), Vandana Katariya (49′) and Neha (60′) were the scorers for India.

About Asian Champions Trophy 2023:-

• Date: 27^th October – 5^th November, 2023.
• Venue: Ranchi, Jharkhand.
• All matches in the seventh edition of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy will be played at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium.
• The Indian hockey team will compete against the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand for the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2023 title.
• The Indian women’s hockey team, world No. 7, is the best-ranked team at the Asian hockey championships. (Sports Code)
• The Women’s Asian Champions Trophy was held in 2010 and 2011 and then in 2013.
• It was made into a biennial event in 2016.
• India has made it to the finals three times – 2013, 2016 and 2018 but won it just once in 2016, defeating China in the final.

Team India:-

• Goalkeepers: Savita Punia (Captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam
• Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Deep Grace Ekka (Vice-captain)
• Midfielders: Nisha, Salima Tete, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sonika, Monika, Jyoti, Baljeet Kau
• Forwards: Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Vandana Katariya
• Reserves: Sharmila Devi, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke
• Goalkeeper Savita Punia will lead the Indian team at the Asian Champions Trophy 2023, while defender Deep Grace Ekka will serve as her deputy.

MUST READ: Chess Olympiad

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements in respect of the 44th Chess Olympiad, 2022: (2023)

1. It was the first time that the Chess Olympiad was held in India.
2. The official mascot was named Thambi’.
3. The trophy for the winning team in the open section is the Vera Menchik Cup.
4. The trophy for the winning team in the women’s section is the Hamilton-Russell Cup. ·

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 statements in respect of the 32nd Summer Olympics: (2021)

1. The official motto for this Olympics is ‘A New World’.
2. Sports climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate, and Baseball are included in this Olympics.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims – GOVERNANCE

Context: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal will launch the domestic sailing of the first International Cruise Liner ‘COSTA SERENA’ in India at Mumbai soon.

Background:-

• Costa Cruises is expected to carry approximately 45,000 passengers in its next 2 months voyages.

About COSTA SERENA:-

• Costa Serena is a Concordia-class cruise ship for the Italian cruise line, Costa Crociere.
• The name Serena was intended to symbolize harmony and serenity.
• Costa Serena was constructed by Fincantieri in Sestri Ponente.
• Costa Serena will make its debut in India and will be sailing in India Nov & Dec 2023. (GREEN MARITIME SECTOR)
• Such cruise initiatives are part of ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, launched on the Prime Minister’s appeal to the middle class to prefer domestic tourism over international.

About COSTA CRUISES:-

• Headquarters: Genoa.
• It is the only cruise company to fly the Italian flag and is a part of the Carnival Corporation & plc Group, listed on the London and New York stock exchanges.
• Its first voyage was on 31 March 1948, from Genoa to Buenos Aires.
• Costa Cruises has embodied Italian style and hospitality for 75 years.
• With 10 ships in service, it operates at a global level, mainly on routes in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, the Caribbean, North and Central America, South America, the Arab Emirates and the Far East.

MUST READ: International Maritime Exercise/ Cutlass Express 2023 (IMX/CE-23)  and INS Trikand

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1)Consider the following statements: (2023)

Statement-I:

Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change.

Statement-II:

Carbon markets transfer resources from the private sector to the State.

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

Q.2) Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the following countries? (2019)

1. Japan
2. Russia
3. The United Kingdom
4. The United States of America

Syllabus

• Prelims –INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Context: The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck arrived in Guwahati today on eight day official visit to India recently.

Background:-

• Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the Bhutanese King at Gopinath Bordoloi Airport this morning. Assam Governor, Jagdish Mukhi and the Chief Minister will meet the visiting dignitary.

About India and Bhutan:-

IMAGE SOURCE: WorldAtlas

• India and Bhutan share cordial relations based on a shared cultural heritage from the historical past.
• Geographical Significance: Bhutan shares a border with four Indian States: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Sikkim.

Historical Background:-

• 1910: Bhutan signed a treaty with British India.
  • According to this treaty, the British guided the defence and foreign affairs of Bhutan
• 1947: Bhutan was the first country to recognize India’s independence.
• 1968: The diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan were established in 1968 with the establishment of a special office of India in Thimphu.
• 1949: The basic framework of India-Bhutan bilateral relations is the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 between the two countries.
• 2007: It was revised in February 2007.
• 2018: The Golden Jubilee of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan was celebrated.

Indo-Bhutan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, 1949:-

• The Treaty provides for, among other things, perpetual peace and friendship, free trade and commerce and equal justice to each other’s citizens.
• In 2007 the treaty was re-negotiated, and provisions were included to encourage Bhutan’s sovereignty, abolishing the need to take India’s guidance on foreign policy.
• The updated treaty, besides providing close cooperation on national issues, provides for stronger cooperation in cultural and economic fields.

Diplomatic Relations:-

• Regular visits between the highest level Government functionaries of both countries have become a tradition.

Security Relations:-

• Both countries have conducted joint military operations against insurgents.
• The most notable was in 2004, the Royal Bhutanese army conducted operations against ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam)

Economic Cooperation:-

• The currency of Bhutan is the Indian Rupee.
• India remains the single largest trading partner of Bhutan.
• In 2016 a new trade agreement was signed.
• This agreement aims at cutting down the documentation related to trade and establishing additional trading points in Bhutan.
• India has provided large-scale financial assistance to Bhutan for its Five Year Plans.
• In the hydropower sector, many hydropower projects in Bhutan have been developed with India’s assistance
• India imports around 1540 MW of hydropower from Bhutan.
• India has provided a standby credit facility of Rs 1000 crores to help Bhutan overcome the rupee liquidity crunch

Cultural and Educational Cooperation:-

• India has provided scholarships for Bhutanese students studying in Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses in Indian institutions

Environment Cooperation:-

• India is considering involving Bhutan in the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayas.
• The project aims to protect the Himalayan ecosystem which has been endangered by numerous ecological problems.

Challenges:-

• There have been instances when India has meddled in Bhutan’s internal affairs.
  • This has led to a negative perception of India in the minds of Bhutanese.
• Bhutan’s concern regarding the profitability of its Hydropower projects in the wake of India’s shift to renewable sources of energy like wind, solar etc.
• From an internal security perspective, the illicit establishment of camps by militant outfits in the dense jungles of south-east Bhutan is a cause of concern for both nations.
• China’s continuous claims to important border areas such as Chumbi Valley and Doklam and its continuous efforts to establish strong diplomatic and economic relations with Bhutan have been a continuous source of concern for India.

MUST READ: India-Bhutan: Kholongchhu project

SOURCE: AIR

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) 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

Syllabus

• Prelims – GOVERNANCE

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the second edition of the Mega food event ‘World Food India 2023’.

Key highlights of the event:-

• Date: 3rd November,2023.
• Venue: Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
• Organized by: Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
• It will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The event aims to showcase India as the ‘food basket of the world’ and celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
• The Prime Minister will disburse Seed Capital Assistance for over one lakh Self Help Groups SHG members.
• This support will help SHGs to improve packaging and quality manufacturing and gain better price realization in the market.
• The Prime Minister will also inaugurate Food Street, as part of World Food India 2023.
• It will feature regional cuisines and royal culinary heritage.
• Over 200 chefs will participate and present traditional Indian cuisine, making it a unique culinary experience.
• Participants from over 80 countries, including CEOs of prominent food processing companies to attend the event.
• In this edition of World Food India, the Netherlands will be the ‘Partner Country,’ and Japan and Vietnam are designated as ‘Focus Countries.’

About World Food India 2023:-

• Organized by: Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
• World Food India 2023 is a gateway to the Indian food economy, facilitating partnerships between Indian and foreign investors.
• It is a one-of-a-kind gathering of manufacturers, producers, food processors, investors, policymakers, and organisations from across the global food ecosystem.
• The Ministry of Food Processing Industries launched the first edition of World Food India in 2017 with the theme of Transforming the Food Economy.

Focus Pillars:-

• Shree Anna (Millets): Leveraging India’s Super Food for the World.
• Exponential Food Processing: Positioning India as the Global Hub.
• Strategic Segments: Unlocking Potentials for Growth.
• Efficient Ecosystem – Harnessing Opportunities with Inclusion.
• Sustainable Development: Processing for Prosperity.

MUST READ: Food security

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the “Tea Board” in India, consider the following statements:( 2022)

1. The Tea Board is a statutory body.
2. It is a regulatory body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
3. The Tea Board’s Head Office is situated in Bengaluru.
4. The Board has overseas offices in Dubai and Moscow.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Q.2) Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years? (2019)

1. China
2. India
3. Myanmar
4. Vietnam

Syllabus

• Prelims –DEFENSE

Context: Recently, the US  tested Nuclear Missile Minuteman III.

About Minuteman III:-

• Weight: 79,432 pounds (36,030 kilograms)
• Diameter: 5 feet (1.67 meters)
• Range: Over 6,000 miles (5,218 nautical miles)
• Speed: Goes very fast, around 15,000 mph
• Can go up very high, about 700 miles.
• The Minuteman missile system started in the late 1950s when they began using Minuteman I in the early 1960s.
• The Minuteman III missile system is a very advanced and strong weapon.
• The Minuteman III Is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
• It’s kept in underground silos to protect it from attacks.
• It’s connected to a hidden control centre by strong cables.
• Its design makes it very hard to stop.
• The recent test of the missile shows that the United States has a strong and powerful weapon.

MUST READ: Exercise Varuna

SOURCE:  HINDUSTAN TIMES

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) 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

Q.2) Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the “Fractional Orbital Bombardment System” often talked about in media? (2022)

1. A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.
2. A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions
3. A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.
4. A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same surface. speed and places a probe on its

Syllabus

• Mains – GS II – International Relations

Context: Humanitarian aid is the help given to people in crisis, such as war, famine, or natural disaster. It can be provided by Governments, NGOs, and Multilateral institutions like the United Nations.

The Need of Humanitarian Aid

• To save lives
• To achieve equitable development all over the world
• To achieve sustainable development

Challenges

• The distribution of aid can be a complex and time-consuming process. It can be difficult to reach all the people in need, especially in conflict zones or remote areas
• Sanctions imposed and anti-terrorism regulations can render humanitarian aid impossible in practice or make it a criminal act.
• Lack of community trust in aid organizations versus the excessive trust they have in celebrities and renowned persons is one of the main challenges

Issues

• Humanitarian aid can provide resources that armed groups can use to sustain their operations or recruit new fighters. This can prolong conflict and make it more difficult to achieve peace.
• When aid is delivered in a way that bypasses local markets, it can undermine local businesses and lead to price inflation. This can make it difficult for people to afford basic necessities and can lead to resentment against aid agencies.
• If aid is not well-targeted or managed, it can create a culture of dependency among the people it is intended to help. This can make it difficult for people to rebuild their lives and livelihoods after a crisis.
• Humanitarian aid can be a target for corruption, both by governments and by aid agencies themselves. This can divert aid away from those who need it most and can undermine the public’s trust in aid.
• If aid is not distributed fairly, it can exacerbate existing inequalities within a community. This can lead to resentment and conflict.

International Organizations Involved

• UNDP is involved in humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts
• UNHCR is a United Nations program that provides protection and assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons worldwide.
• UNICEF is a United Nations program that provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries

India’s position on Humanitarian Aid

• With its principle of Vasudeva Kutumbum India has always been a first responder to provide help in the Indian Ocean region.
• Eg: Its help in the Nepal Earthquake. Its role in giving aid to Sri Lanka During the pandemic. Its work in protecting the Maldives when its presidential palace is under cease.

• Although India is a first responder when it comes to accepting aid from foreign nations it usually does not. Eg: India rejected the aid offered by UAE during Kerala Floods.

Syllabus

• Mains – GS II – International Relations

Importance of UN For Peace

• The UN serves as a platform for diplomatic negotiations and conflict resolution. Through its various bodies, such as the Security Council, and General Assembly, and specialized agencies like the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, it facilitates dialogue and negotiations between conflicting parties to find peaceful solutions to disputes.
• The UN deploys peacekeeping missions to conflict zones around the world. These missions aim to maintain or restore peace by monitoring ceasefires, separating warring factions, and providing a secure environment for the delivery of humanitarian aid. Peacekeepers play a critical role in preventing the escalation of conflicts and helping countries transition from war to peace.
• The UN’s mediators and special envoys work to prevent conflicts from escalating by engaging with parties in dispute, facilitating dialogue, and promoting peaceful settlements. Preventive diplomacy efforts are crucial in addressing underlying tensions before they erupt into full-blown conflicts.
• The UN, through agencies like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP), provides vital humanitarian aid to populations affected by conflict. This assistance includes food, shelter, healthcare, and protection for displaced people, helping to alleviate suffering and promote stability.
• The UN promotes the rule of law and justice in post-conflict societies. It helps countries establish and strengthen legal and judicial institutions, which are essential for resolving grievances and preventing the rekindling of conflicts.
• The UN works on disarmament and non-proliferation efforts to reduce the availability of weapons and prevent conflicts from escalating. Treaties such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (the Ottawa Treaty) are examples of UN-backed initiatives to reduce the impact of warfare.
• The UN upholds and enforces international laws and conventions that govern the conduct of states during conflicts. This includes the Geneva Conventions, which provide protections for civilians and combatants during armed conflicts.

Why Is the UN Ineffective In Bringing Ceasefire?

• A global order must reflect two criteria: one, the convergence of views among the major powers of the day and two, it must also seek to provide a global public good, i.e. it must have scalability for the rest of the world.
• However, the equations of power are not permanent, they change. Eventually, that is how legitimacy gets eroded.
• Post the Cold War, we saw a gradual decline in the ability of the UN to undertake any kind of meaningful roles (in resolving conflicts). The Israel crisis is just one of them.
• With the major powers developing severe differences, they have made it impossible for the UN with its frozen membership of decision-making bodies, such as the UNSC, to be able to undertake any meaningful action.
• The UNSC, in its present shape, as long as the vetoes are there, does not provide any hope for addressing any international issue, where the national interests of the permanent five are in conflict.

History of United Nations Establishment

• 1920: The League of Nations was an international organization founded on January 10, 1920, as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended World War I.
• 1941: during World War II, representatives from 26 countries signed the Atlantic Charter, which called for the establishment of a post-war organization to promote international cooperation and prevent future wars.
• 1945: the UN was founded after the signing of the UN Charter by 51 countries on June 26th. The headquarters of the UN is located in New York City.
• The UN officially came into existence on October 24, 1945, after the ratification of the UN Charter by the majority of its founding members.
• 1946: The first meeting of the UN General Assembly was held in London in January 1946. The Assembly is the main policymaking and representative body of the UN.
• 1947:  the UN established the International Court of Justice, which is the principal judicial organ of the UN.
• 1948: the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which outlines fundamental human rights that should be protected around the world.
• Over the years, the UN has grown to include 193 member states and has played a key role in many global issues, including peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and human rights.

Conclusion

It is essential to acknowledge that UN effectiveness can be limited by the willingness of member states to cooperate and the inherent complexities of international diplomacy. To bring peace in the conflict regions either major powers should reach a consensus or there is a need to reform the pattern of voting in the major bodies of the UN.

Connect the Dots

1. What are the reforms needed in the United Nations to bring international order?

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 :

Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) is a civil law.

Statement-II :

It came into force on 1st July 2005.

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 Minuteman III, consider the following statements:

1. The Minuteman III Is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
2. It’s kept in underground silos to protect it from attacks.
3. Its design makes it very easy to stop.

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

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’   3rd November 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – c

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – a