DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 15th December 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims-IMPORTANT INDICES

Context: Recently, India ranked 7th on the climate change performance index 2023.

Background:-

• India ranked up one spot from the previous one and also remained among the highest performers.

About Climate Change Performance Index:-

• Published since: 2005.
• Time period: annual.
• Published by German Watch, New Climate Institute and Climate Action Network International based in Germany.
• Objective: to enhance transparency in international climate politics and enables comparison of climate protection efforts and progress made by individual countries.
• Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) is an independent monitoring tool for tracking the climate protection performance of 59 countries and the EU.
• These 59 countries together account for 92% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• The climate protection performance is assessed in four categories:
  • GHG Emissions (40% of overall score),
  • Renewable Energy (20% of overall score),
  • Energy Use (20% of overall score) and
  • Climate Policy (20% of overall score).

Key highlights:-

• Denmark retained the top spot with a score of 75.59 per cent.
• Estonia and the Philippines occupied the second and third ranks respectively, with 72.07 and 70.70.
• Saudi Arabia was at the bottom 67th in the performance list,
• The host country United Arab Emirates occupied the 65th position.

India’s performance:-

• While India is the world’s most populous country, it has relatively low per capita emissions, the index said.
• The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) country experts reported that India is trying to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), with clear long-term policies in place that focus on promoting renewable energy and providing financial support for domestic manufacturing of renewable energy components.
• India’s growing energy needs are still being met by its heavy reliance on coal, along with oil and gas, the report pointed out.
• “This dependence is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and causes severe air pollution, especially in the cities.( Green future for Indian cities)
• India has relatively high taxes on petrol and diesel, which are intended to act as carbon taxes.
• The impact of these taxes on consumption remains disputed.
• Suggestions:-
  • The policies are largely mitigative, yet they should also focus on transformative adaptation and disaster risk management.
  • The policymakers should also adopt ecosystem-based solutions and consider equity.

MUST READ: Mitigating Climate Change

SOURCE: INDIA TODAY

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: (2021)

1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is part of a project led by Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research program.
2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres.

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

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

1. The Climate Group is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks and running them.
2. The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative “EP100”.
3. EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals.
4. Some Indian companies are members of EP100.
5. The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the “Under2 Coalition”.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –ECONOMY

Context: Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has invested Rs 27,105 crore in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) during the current fiscal till October, Parliament was informed recently.

Background:-

• EPFO had invested Rs 53,081 crore in the ETFs during the fiscal 2022-23, higher than Rs 43,568 crore in 2021-22, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Rameshwar Teli said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

About Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs):-

• An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a collection of investments such as equities or bonds.
• ETFs will let one invest in a large number of securities at once.
• They often have cheaper fees than other types of funds.
• ETFs are also more easily traded.
• However, ETFs, like any other financial product, are not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Advantages of Investing in ETFs:-

• Easy to trade: they can be bought and sold at any time of day.
• ETFs are more tax efficient than actively managed mutual funds because they generate less capital gain distributions.
• They allow investors to avoid the risk of poor security selection by the fund manager while offering a diversified investment portfolio.
• The stocks in the indices are carefully selected by index providers and are rebalanced periodically.
• They offer anytime liquidity through the exchanges.

Risks of ETFs:-

• Trading cost: If you invest modest sums frequently, dealing directly with a fund company in a no-load fund may be less expensive.
• Market risk: ETFs are subject to the same market fluctuations and volatility.
• Liquidity risk: ETFs may experience low trading volume or wide bid-ask spreads, which can affect their liquidity and price.
• Regulatory risk: ETFs are subject to changing laws and regulations that may affect their structure, operation, or taxation.

About Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO):-

• The EPFO is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
• It is one of the World’s largest Social Security Organisations in terms of clientele and the volume of financial transactions undertaken.
• It into existence with the promulgation of the Employees’ Provident Funds Ordinance on the 15th of November 1951.
• It was replaced by the Employees’ Provident Funds Act, of 1952.
• The Employees’ Provident Funds Bill was introduced in the Parliament in the year 1952 as a Bill to provide for the institution of provident funds for employees in factories and other establishments. (EPFO’s New Facility on UMANG App started)
• The Act is now referred to as the Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 which extends to the whole of India.

Schemes under EPFO:-

• EPF Scheme 1952
  • It provides for the accumulation plus interest upon retirement and death.
  • Partial withdrawals are allowed for education, marriage, illness and house construction. (Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0)
• Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS)
  • It provides monthly benefits for superannuation/retirement, disability, survivor, widow(er) and children.
  • It provides a minimum pension on disablement.
  • It provides past service benefits to participants of the erstwhile Family Pension Scheme, 1971.
• Insurance Scheme 1976 (EDLI)
  • It provides the benefit in case of the death of an employee who was a member of the scheme at the time of death.
  • It provides the benefit amount 20 times the wages.
    • Maximum benefit is 6 lakhs.

MUST READ: Alternate Investment Fund and Credit Default Swap

SOURCE: THE ECONOMIC TIMES

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. An increase in the Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) indicates the appreciation of the rupee.
2. An increase in the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) indicates an improvement in trade competitiveness.
3. An increasing trend in domestic inflation relative to inflation in other countries is likely to cause an increasing divergence between NEER and REER.

Which of the above statements is correct? (2022)

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

Q.2) With reference to India, consider the following statements: (2021)

1. Retail investors through Demat account can invest in Treasury Bills and Government of India Debt Bonds in the primary market
2. The “Negotiated Dealing System-Ordering Matching” is a government securities trading platform of the Reserve Bank of India.
3. The “Central Depository Services Ltd” is jointly promoted by the Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange.

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

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –HISTORY

Context: As per recent reports, Stonehenge is at risk of being ‘de-listed’ as a UNESCO World Heritage site if the A303 tunnel goes ahead.

Background:-

• Recently, the efforts to stop the construction of a two-mile road tunnel close to the Great Circle of Stonehenge in the United Kingdom were seen by a (New sites added to India’s tentative list of UNESCO world)

About Stonehenge:-

• Location: Salisbury Plain in England.
• It is not clear who built Stonehenge.
• The site has been used for ceremonial purposes and modified by many different groups of people at different times.
• Archaeological evidence suggests that the first modification of the site was made by early Mesolithic hunter-gatherers. (Bhimbetka cave)
• The monument called Stonehenge was built in six stages between 3000 and 1520 BCE.
• The site was used for ceremonial purposes beginning about 8000–7000 BCE.
• Stonehenge is constructed from sarsen stones, a type of silicified sandstone found in England, and bluestones, a dolomite variation extracted from western Wales.
• There is debate surrounding the original purpose of Stonehenge.
• Previously thought to be a Druid temple, Stonehenge may instead be, according to researchers and others, a burial monument, a meeting place between chiefdoms, or even an astronomical “computer.”

MUST READ: Archaeological Survey of India

SOURCE: BBC

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription? (2020)

“Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.”

1. Ashoka
2. Samudragupta
3. Harshavardhana
4. Krishnadeva Raya

Q.2) Which one of the following is not a Harappan site? (2018)

1. Chanhudaro
2. Kot Diji
3. Sohgaura
4. Desalpur

Syllabus

• Prelims –GEOGRAPHY

Context: Recently, a first-of-its-kind Eastern Ghats Nature Interpretation Centre, located along the periphery of the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary opened up.

Background:-

• The new Nature Interpretation Centre, a separate section at the recently-inaugurated Eastern Ghats Biodiversity Centre near PM Palem, is an immersive experience of traversing through the diverse ecosystems of the region, that has long awaited systematic documentation.

About Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary:-

• Location: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• Area: Approximately 71 square kilometers.
• Vegetation: Dry evergreen forests and scrubland.
• The sanctuary derives its name from the local hill, Kambalakonda.
• It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1970 under the Wildlife Protection Act of India,1972.
• he sanctuary features considerable hilly terrain with steep slopes.

Biodiversity:-

• It is Home to Indian leopards, deer species, wild boar, jackals, reptiles, birds, and medicinal plants.
• Flora: Predominantly dry evergreen forests with moist deciduous patches.
• Fauna: The indicator species is the Indian leopard. Other species found here are Indian clouded gecko, bulbuls, barbets, cuckoos, flycatchers, hornbills and leafbirds, starlings. (Wildlife Institute of India (WII))

MUST READ: Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS)

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin? (2020)

1. Nagarhole National Park
2. Papikonda National Park
3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Q.2) Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? (2020)

1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Gangotri National Park
3. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Manas National Park

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Syllabus

• Prelims – INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS /POLITY

Context: Recently, India rejected a statement by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on the Supreme Court verdict on Article 370.

Background:-

• The OIC had expressed concern over the apex court order, which on Monday, ruled that Article 370 was a temporary provision.
• The OIC General Secretariat reiterated its call to reverse all illegal and unilateral measures taken by India ever since, seeking to change the internationally-recognised disputed status of the territory.

About the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC):-

• Established at: 1969 summit in Rabat (Morocco).
• HQ: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
• Official languages: Arabic, English, and French.
• Members: It has a membership of 57 states spread over four continents.
• Objective: It endeavours to establish solidarity among member states, support restoration of complete sovereignty and territorial integrity of any member state under occupation; protect, defend and combat defamation of Islam, prevent growing dissention in Muslim societies and work to ensure that member states take a united stand on the international stage.
• The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations with a membership of 57 states.
• It is the collective voice of the Muslim world.
• It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.
• The OIC has consultative and cooperative relations with the UN and other inter-governmental organisations to protect the interest of Muslims.
• Objectives:-
  • It is the collective voice of the Muslim world.
  • It endeavours to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world.
  • It aims to promote international peace and harmony among various people of the world.
• India is not a member of the OIC.

 MUST READ: India Rejects OIC’s Proposal

SOURCE: TIMES OF INDIA

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)  With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, consider the following statements: (2015)

1. It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.
2. It is an alliance meant for maritime security only

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY / GOVERNANACE

Context: A recently undertaken study of endotheliotropic herpesvirus subtypes (EEHV) might help in the development of diagnostics & therapeutics.

Background:-

• The research on the path-epidemiology or the study of the determinants, occurrence, and distribution of the disease can help develop sero-diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics against the disease.
• The study by ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR-IVRI), Izatnagar, Bareilly, supported by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), an attached institution of Department of Science and Technology, has found the exact status of EEHV and its subtypes circulating among Asian elephant population in India.

About Endotheliotropic herpesvirus subtypes (EEHV):-

• The EEHV is a type of herpesvirus that can cause a highly fatal haemorrhagic disease in young Asian elephants.
• When EEHV is triggered, the elephant dies of massive internal bleeding and symptoms which are hardly visible.
• EEHV belongs to the Herpesviridae family and specifically affects elephants.
• It comprises several subtypes, with EEHV1A being the most common and associated with severe disease in young Asian elephants.
• EEHV1B and EEHV2 are also identified but with varying prevalence and impact.
• Each subtype may exhibit genetic diversity, contributing to differences in virulence and disease manifestation. (Elephant Conservation)

Transmission:-

• EEHV spreads primarily through contact with infected bodily fluids like saliva, blood, or urine.
• Additionally, indirect transmission via contaminated objects, including equipment and surfaces, poses a risk.

Diagnosis:-

• Diagnosis involves various methods, including PCR testing to detect the virus in bodily fluids, serology to identify antibodies, and biopsies for microscopic examination.

Treatment:-

• Presently, there’s no specific antiviral treatment for EEHV-HD.
• Supportive care through intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, and other measures aims to alleviate symptoms and enhance survival chances.

 MUST READ: Endangered Asian elephant in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

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

1. In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the realization of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.
2. The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.

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) Recently, there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites? (2017)

1. Corbett National Park
2. Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Sariska National Park

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 :

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Statement-II :

It is the world’s largest organization.

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 Endotheliotropic herpesvirus subtypes (EEHV) , consider the following statements:

1. EEHV spreads primarily through contact with infected bodily fluids like saliva, blood, or urine.
2. Presently, there’s no specific antiviral treatment for EEHV-HD.
3. It comprises several subtypes, with EEHV1A is most common.

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

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  15th December 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – c