DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 15th January 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Context: Recently, the Udupi station has been included in the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) for redevelopment.

Background:-

• The railway station is under the Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. (KRCL) network and was in dire need of attention.

About Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS):-

• Launched: August,2023.
• Ministry: Ministry of Railways.

Objectives:-

• The preparation and implementation of master plans for railway stations to enhance the facilities beyond the minimum essential amenities and creating roof plazas and city centres at the station premises in the long term
• Meet the needs of all stakeholders based on the funding availability and inter-se priority
• The scheme will cater to the upgradation and replacement of existing amenities as well as the introduction of new amenities

Salient Features:-

• The Amrit Bharat Station scheme envisages to take up 76 railway stations over Central Railway for upgradation/modernisation and out of that, the foundation stone will be laid at 38 stations.
• It involves the preparation of Master Plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement of station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, landscaping etc. keeping in view the necessity at each station.
• The scheme also envisages improvement of the building, integrating the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for Divyangjans, sustainable and environment-friendly solutions, provision of ballastless tracks, ‘Roof Plazas’ as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centres at the station in the long term.
• It will cover stations that have undergone detailed techno-economic feasibility studies. However, the roof plazas in these stations will not be constructed in the near term as reallocation of structures and utilities is given higher priority.
• The scheme will be implemented based on the needs and patronage of the railway stations.
• Infrastructural development will be ensured for more than 1,000 stations under this scheme.

Benefits:-

• Modern passenger amenities.
• Improved traffic circulation.
• Inter-modal integration.
• Sustainability and Eco-friendliness.

MUST READ: Restructuring of Railways

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

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

1. Detection of car crash/ collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously.
2. Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off
3. of the hard drive.
4. Detection of the tilt of the smartphone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode.

In how many of the above actions is the function of the accelerometer required?

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

Q.2) 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 centres 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

Syllabus

• Prelims –ECONOMY/GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Context: Recently, the  Zero Effect, Zero Defect scheme (ZED) for MSMEs hit 1 lakh certification milestone.

Background:-

• At the time of filing this report, 1,02,642 MSMEs were certified, of which 1,01,962 were bronze-level certified, 339 units received silver certification and 341 had gold certification, as per data from the scheme’s portal.
• The cumulative financial support extended to MSMEs under the scheme stood at Rs 134.57 crore.

About Zero Effect, Zero Defect scheme (ZED):-

• Launched: October 2016.
• Ministry: Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises.
• Objective: to achieve a twin goal of production of high quality products with clean technology.

Salient Features:-

• The ZED Scheme aims to rate and handhold all MSMEs to deliver top-quality products using clean technology.
• It will have sector-specific parameters for each industry.
• Zero defects will provide with high-quality products for consumers and zero effect provides with minimal pollution of the environment.
• Thus scripting a new role for MSMEs according to changing socio-economic scenario.
• Currently, the scheme is applicable for manufacturing MSMEs only.
• MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification can be attained in three levels after registering and taking the ZED Pledge:
  • Certification Level 1: BRONZE
  • Certification Level 2: SILVER
  • Certification Level 3: GOLD

Benefits:-

• ZED will act as a catalyst to accomplish the goals under Make in India. i.e. increasing the contribution of the manufacturing sector to 25% of the GDP and creating 100 million employment.
• ZED will enhance the productivity and efficiency of MSMEs.
• ZED will also aid in attracting investments.
• Enhancing the global and domestic competitiveness of the manufacturing sector so has to broaden the customer base.

MUST READ: MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme

SOURCE: THE FINANCIAL EXPRESS

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it.
2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately.
3. It has seamless portability across the country.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q.2) With reference to the funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements is correct? (2020)

1. MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc.
2. A specified portion of each MP’s fund must benefit SC/ST populations.
3. MPLADS funds are sanctioned on a yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year.
4. The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Syllabus

• Prelims – GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

Context: Recently, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the country’s 1st Healthy & Hygienic Food Street, ‘PRASADAM,’.

Background:-

• It was inaugurated at Neelkanth Van, Mahakal Lok, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

About PRASADAM:-

• Launched: January, 2024.
• Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• PRASADAM will connect common citizens in every corner of the country with pure and safe local and traditional food.
• This endeavour will align common people and tourists to safe and healthy eating habits.
• It is the country’s first “Healthy and Hygienic Food Street”.
• It is spread over 939 square metres with 19 shops.
• Prasadam offers convenient and culturally rich dining options for the 1-1.5 lakh devotees who visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple daily.( Nagara style of temples)
• The food street is designed to provide various facilities, including a kids’ play area, drinking water facility, CCTV surveillance, parking, public conveniences, and seating spaces.

MUST READ: Khajuraho temples

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Th Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple? (2022)

1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.
2. A description of the Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.
3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present-day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.

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) With reference  to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements: (2021)

1. It is a circular temple built during the reign of the Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.
2. It is the only circular temple built in India.
3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.
4. Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –ECONOMY

Context: Recently, the Enforcement Directorate raided several premises linked to an arrested TMC leader and his associates in connection with its probe into the alleged ration distribution scam in West Bengal.

Background:-

• ED teams went to four premises in central Kolkata and the office of a chartered accountant in Salk Lake on the eastern fringes of the city to carry out search operations, officials of the central agency said.
• According to them, all these locations where searches were being conducted were linked to TMC leader and Bongaon Municipality’s former chairman Shankar Adhya.

About Enforcement Directorate:-

• The Enforcement Directorate is a multi-disciplinary organizationfounded in 1956.
• It is a law enforcement organization tasked with enforcing economic laws and combating economic crime in India, such as money laundering and foreign exchange irregularities.
• It works under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
• Headquarters:New Delhi
• The functions of the Directorate include the enforcement of the following Acts:-
  • The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) ( Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002)

• • The Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA): A civil law under which ED conducts an investigation into suspected contraventions of foreign exchange laws and regulations. (Foreign Exchange Management Act)
  • The Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1973
  • Sponsoring Organizations under the 1974 Foreign Exchange Conservation and Smuggling Activity Prevention Act
  • The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (FEOA): A law whereby the Directorate is mandated to attach the properties of the fugitive economic offenders who have escaped from India warranting arrest and providing for the confiscation of their properties to the Central Government. 

• Director of Enforcement:-
  • Appointed by the central governmenton the recommendation of a committee chaired by the Central Vigilance Commissioner and members comprising of Vigilance Commissioners, Home Secretary, Secretary DOPT and Revenue Secretary.
  • Tenure:up to 5 years.

 MUST READ: CBI and ED

SOURCE: THE HINDU

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) 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

Q.2) 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 the 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

Syllabus

• Prelims –GEOGRAPHY

Context: Recently, Koraput Kala Jeera Rice got GI Tag.

About Koraput Kala Jeera Rice:-

• From: Koraput district in Odisha.
• The rice is grown in Koraput district’s Tolla, Patraput, Pujariput, Baliguda, and Mohuli areas.
• It is called the ‘Prince of Rice’.
• It is an aromatic variety of rice. (Basmati Rice)
• It is popular for its black colour, good aroma, taste, and texture. (Basmati Rice)
• The black-coloured rice variety, is famous for its aroma, taste, texture and nutritional value.
• Tribal farmers of the Koraput region have preserved the rice variety for around 1,000 years.
• As the rice grains resemble cumin seeds, it is also called Kala Jeera.
• Consumption of the rice variety helps in increasing haemoglobin levels and improves metabolism in the body.
• This fragrant grain has antispasmodic, stomachic, carminative, antibacterial, astringent, and sedative.

 MUST READ: GI tag for Narasinghapettai nagaswaram

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

 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 is correct?

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

Q.2) System of Rice Intensification” of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practiced, results in: (2022)

1. Reduced seed requirement
2. Reduced methane production
3. Reduced electricity consumption

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

Syllabus

• Prelims – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Recently, China sent a new astronomical satellite called the Einstein Probe into space to observe mysterious transient phenomena in the universe that flicker like fireworks.

Background:-

• It is a probe designed to scour the sky for bursts of X-rays that could help illuminate mysterious phenomena linked to black holes and merging stars, took flight this week.

About Einstein Probe:-

• Launched from: Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan Province of China.
• Weight: approximately 1.45 tonnes.
• The EP utilizes cutting-edge X-ray detection technology.
• The lotus-inspired design incorporates 12 ‘petals’ housing wide-field X-ray telescopes (WXT) and two ‘stamens’ containing follow-up X-ray telescopes (FXT). (IN-SPACe)
• The two ‘stamens’ consist of follow-up X-ray telescopes (FXT), designed for in-depth observation and the discovery of transient celestial objects.
• Together, these components form a space observatory with the primary objective of capturing the initial light emitted during supernova explosions and exploring the nature of transient celestial objects at the outer reaches of the universe.
• Designed with a lifespan of five years, the Einstein Probe employs the astronomical time-domain observation method, conducting a high-sensitivity real-time dynamic sky survey in the soft X-ray band.
• Named after Albert Einstein, the EP mission pays homage to the great scientist, particularly focusing on predictions from his theory of general relativity related to black holes and gravitational waves.

MUST READ: Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV)

SOURCE:  CNN

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.

1. 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 countries has its own Satellite Navigation System? (2023)

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

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 :

Koraput Kala Jeera Rice is grown in Koraput district’s Tolla, Patraput, Pujariput, Baliguda, and Mohuli areas.

Statement-II :

It is a non- aromatic variety of rice.

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 Einstein Probe, consider the following statements:

1. It was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Cambodia.
2. It weighs approximately 1.45 tonnes.
3. The EP utilizes cutting-edge UV ray detection technology.

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. 1 only

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  15th January 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – d

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – a