DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 4th January 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims –POLITY/ GOVERNANCE

Context: Recently, the truck driver’s strike was called off after the government assured to keep the new law against hit and run on hold.

Background:-

• Truck drivers’ associations have called off the three-day strike after the government assured to hold the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replacing the Indian Penal Code.

About the New law against hit-and-run:-

• The new law in Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) under Section 106(2) replaces IPC Section 304A (causing death by negligence).
• It has more Severe Penalties.
  • The Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) was passed by Parliament in December 2023 and will replace the IPC.
• Under it, if a driver causes a serious road accident due to careless driving and then leaves without informing the police or any official, they could be punished with up to 10 years in jail and a fine of Rs 7 lakh.
• The BNS has established two distinct categories under the umbrella of “causing death by negligence.”
• First category: addresses causing death through any rash or negligent act that does not amount to culpable homicide.
  • Offenders in this category may face imprisonment for up to five years and a fine.
• Second category: deals with causing death through rash and negligent driving, not amounting to culpable homicide.
  • If the individual escapes without promptly reporting the incident to a police officer or magistrate, they could be subjected to up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine.
• Need: According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India recorded 1.51 lakh road deaths in 2019, of which 50,000 were due to hit-and-run incidents.
  • Currently, the accused in hit-and-run cases are tried under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which provides for penalties of up to two years in jail.
• Argument against it: Transport operators argue that the law may unfairly penalize drivers and could expose them to mob violence, especially when attempting to transport the injured to hospitals.

 MUST READ: Road to Safety

SOURCE: BUSINESS STANDARD

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

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

1. When a prisoner makes out a sufficient case, parole cannot be denied to a such prisoner because it becomes a matter of his/her right.
2. State Governments have their own Prisoners Release on Parole Rules.

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) With reference to India, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such an accused is locked up in a police station, not in jail.
2. During judicial custody, the police officer in charge of the case is not allowed to interrogate the suspect without the approval of the court.

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 –INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Context: India, and Pakistan exchange a list of nuclear installations as per the Bilateral Agreement on Prohibition of Attack on Nuclear Installations and Facilities recently.

Background:-

• It was done simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.

About Bilateral Agreement on Prohibition of Attack on Nuclear Installations and Facilities:-

• The agreement was signed on December 31, 1988, and came into force on January 27, 1991.
• The pact mandates the two countries to inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on January 1 of every calendar year.
• This is the 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries.
• The agreement’s definition of ‘nuclear installation or facility’ is comprehensive, encompassing a broad range of facilities, including nuclear power and research reactors, fuel fabrication, uranium enrichment, isotope separation, reprocessing facilities, and establishments storing significant quantities of radioactive materials in various forms.

Significance:-

• The Agreement stands as a pivotal diplomatic tool, fostering transparency, confidence, and a secure environment in the realm of nuclear capabilities between India and Pakistan.
• It reinforces stability and trust between the two nations.

Current Issues in India-Pakistan Relations:-

• Cross Border Terrorism
• Indus Water Treaty
• Siachen Glacier(Challenges to secure India’s Land Borders)
• Sir Creek
• Reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir (Manasbal Lake, Kashmir)

 MUST READ: The status of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following pairs:

Region often mentioned in the news:     Country

1. Anatolia                                                     Turkey
2. Amhara                                                      Ethiopia
3. Cabo Delgado                                             Spain
4. Catalonia                                                     Italy

How many pairs given above are correctly matched? (2022)

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

Q.2) When you travel in the Himalayas, you will see the following: (2012)

1. Deep gorges
2. U-turn river courses
3. Parallel mountain ranges
4. Steep gradients causing land sliding

Which of the above can be said to be the evidence for the Himalayas being young fold mountains?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –IMPORTANT EVENTS

Context: World Braille Day was celebrated across globe recently.

Background:-

• On this occasion, National Institutes and Composite Regional Centres under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities are organizing several programs in the country.

About World Braille Day:-

• This day marks the birthday of Louis Braille, the visionary inventor of the Braille script.
  • He was born in France in 1809.
• The day also recognizes that people with visual impairments should have the same access to human rights as everyone else.
• The United Nations has designated 4 January every year as World Braille Day.
• The United Nations General Assembly declared World Braille Day an international day in late 2018.
• The first celebration was on January 4, 2019.
• Braille, a universal code rather than a language, serves as a tool to write and read in various languages, including Sanskrit, Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Spanish, and many others.
  • It is a system of reading and writing by touch used by the blind.
  • It consists of arrangements of dots that make up letters of the alphabet, numbers, and punctuation marks.
• The first Braille system was published in 1829 and was adopted by the National Institute for Blind Youth. (Building Disabled Friendly Infrastructure)

Significance:-

• Braille has a day designated to it because of the impact it has had on human rights for people with blindness

 MUST READ: Enable The Disabled

SOURCE: AIR

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 anemia 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) 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

Syllabus

• Prelims –ECONOMY

Context: Recently, SEBI has ordered the attachment of bank accounts as well as shares and mutual fund holdings of Arun Panchariya to recover dues totalling over ₹26 crore.

Background:-

• In an attachment notice ,the markets watchdog has ordered attachment of bank as well as demat accounts of Panchariya to recover the pending dues.

About SEBI:-

• Establishment: 1992.
• HQ: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Ministry: Ministry of Finance.

Historical Background:-

• It was established as a statutory bodyin the year 1992 under the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.

Structure of SEBI:-

• The chairman is nominatedby the Union Government of India.
• Two members,, Officers from the Union Finance Ministry.
• One memberfrom the Reserve Bank of India.
• The remaining five membersare nominated by the Union Government of India, out of them at least three shall be whole-time members.

Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT)

• A Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT)has been constituted to protect the interest of entities that feel aggrieved by SEBI’s decision.
• It is a statutory bodyestablished under the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.

Powers and Functions of SEBI:-

• SEBI can draft regulations, conduct inquiries, pass rulings and impose penalties.
• It functions to fulfil the requirements of three categories –
  • Issuers: By providing a marketplace in which the issuers can increase their finance.
  • Investors: By ensuring the safety and supply of precise and accurate information.
  • Intermediaries: By enabling a competitive professional market for intermediaries.
• By the Securities Laws (Amendment) Act, 2014, SEBI is now able to regulate any money pooling scheme worth Rs. 100 cr. or more and attach assets in cases of non-compliance.
• SEBI Chairman has the authority to order “search and seizure operations“.
• SEBI board can also seek information, such as telephone call data records, from any persons or entities with respect to any securities transaction being investigated by it.
• SEBI perform the function of registration and regulation of the working of venture capital funds and collective investment schemes including mutual funds.
• It also works for promoting and regulating self-regulatory organizations.
• It works to prohibit fraudulent and unfair trade practices relating to securities markets.

 MUST READ: Sweat Equity Rules: SEBI

SOURCE: BUISINESS LINE

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 Indian economy, consider the following statements. (2022)

1. An increase in 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?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –HISTORY

Context: Recently, Prime Minister paid tributes to Savitribai Phule on her Jayanti.

About Savitribai Phule:-

• Born on: January 3, 1831.
• Born at: Naigaon village of Maharashtra’s Satara district.
• Savitribai Phule, the social reformer who is considered to be one of India’s first modern feminists.
• Both Savitribai Phule & her husband Jyotirao Phule went on to found India’s first school for girls called Bhide Wada in Pune in 1848.
• The Phules started the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society for Truth-Seeking), through which they wanted to initiate the practice of Satyashodhak marriage, in which no dowry was taken.

Social Work:-

• In 1852, Savitribai started the Mahila Seva Mandal to raise awareness about women’s rights.
• She campaigned against child marriage, while supporting widow remarriage.
• She initiated the first Satyashodhak marriage—a marriage without a dowry, Brahmin priests or Brahminical rituals in 1873.
• In 1853, they opened a care centre for pregnant widows to have safe deliveries and to end the practice of infanticide owing to social norms.

Literary works:-

• She published Kavya Phule in 1854 and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar in 1892.
• She published Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar (‘The Ocean of Pure Gems’), in 1892.
• Matushri Savitribai Phlenchi Bhashane va Gaani (S’avitribai Phule’s speeches and songs), and her letters to her husband have also been published.

MUST READ: Veer Savarkar

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal, designated as the Governor General of India? (2023)

1. The Regulating Act
2. The Pitt’s India Act
3. The Charter Act of 1793
4. The Charter Act of 1833

Q.2) Consider the following freedom fighters: (2022)

1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh
2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee
3. Rash Behari Bose

Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Context: Recently, the SMART 2.0 was launched.

Background:-

• According to Prof (Vd) Rabinarayan Acharya, DG, CCRAS, the study aims at safety, tolerability and adherence to Ayurveda formulations in the priority research areas of Bal Kasa, Malnutrition, Insufficient lactation, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding, Osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) II.

About SMART 2.0:-

• ‘SMART 2.0’ stands for Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research among Teaching professionals program.
• Launched on: January 3^rd, 2024.
• Launched by: The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM).
• Ministry : Ministry of Ayush.
• Objective: to promote robust clinical studies in priority areas of Ayurveda with Ayurveda academic institutions/hospitals across the country through mutual collaboration.

Salient Features:-

• The objective of ‘SMART 2.0’ is to generate a tangible evidence to demonstrate efficacy and safety of Ayurveda interventions using interdisciplinary research methods and translating it into public health care.
• Under the ‘SMART 1.0’, around 10 diseases were covered with the active participation of teaching professionals from 38 colleges.
• Under it, the CCRAS and NCISM invite expressions of interest from Ayurveda colleges, hospitals and universities to jointly undertake robust studies demonstrating the efficacy and safety of Ayurveda formulations targeting key healthcare challenges.
• Areas of Focus: Initial research span pediatrics, women’s health, malnutrition and lifestyle diseases:-
  • Childhood Nutrition: Wasting, lactation issues
  • Menstrual issues: Abnormal uterine bleeding
  • Nutrition: Malnutrition, calcium deficiencies
  • Lifestyle Diseases: Diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis
• CCRAS will provide scientific inputs and project monitoring during the multi-center trials.

Significance:-

• The SMART initiatives therefore facilitate generating tangible validation on Ayurvedic therapies through interdisciplinary methods involving ministry bodies and academicians.

 MUST READ: WHO and Traditional Medicine

SOURCE: PIB

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana: (2023)

1. It is a safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments.
2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.
3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.
4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Q.2) With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements: (2018)

1. ‘The National Programme for Organic Production’ (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and ‘directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
2. ‘The Agricultural and Processed Food Product Export Development Authority ‘(APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.
3. Sikkim has become India’s first fully organic State.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 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 :

The first celebration was on January 4, 2018.

Statement-II :

The first Braille system was published in 1829.

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 Savitribai Phule , consider the following statements:

1. She published Kavya Phule in 1854 and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar in 1892.
2. In 1852, Savitribai started the Mahila Seva Mandal to raise awareness about women’s rights.
3. She published Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar in 1892.

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 ’  4th January 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – c