DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 6th January 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

Context: The 3rd edition of Project ‘Veer Gatha’, witnessed an overwhelming response pan India recently.

Background:-

• As per the Defense Ministry, around 1.37 crore students from around 2.43 lakh schools participated in the initiative.

About Veer Gatha:-

• Launched:2021.
• Ministry: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE)
• The Government had launched Project ‘Veer Gatha’ as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to celebrate 75th year of Independence.
• Objective: to disseminate the details of acts of bravery of the Gallantry Awardees and the life stories of these brave hearts among the students to raise the spirit of patriotism and instil amongst them values of civic consciousness.
• Project Veer Gatha deepened this noble aim by providing a platform for the school students to do creative projects/activities based on gallantry award winners.
• As part of this, the students framed different projects through various media like art, poems, essays and multimedia on these gallantry award winners and the best projects were awarded at the national level by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education.
• The project has been coterminous with Republic Day Celebrations each year.
• Two editions of the Veer Gatha Project (i.e., Edition-I and Edition-II) have been conducted in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
• In the current edition, Veer Gatha Project 3.0, 100 winners known as the “Super 100” will be selected at the national level.
  • They will be jointly felicitated by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi and will each receive a cash prize of Rs. 10,000.
  • In addition to the national-level winners, there will also be winners at the district level (04 winners) and State/UT level (08 winners).

MUST READ: Veer Baal Diwas

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of India, 2002: (2023)

Statement-I:

One of the standard sizes of the National Flag of India is 600 mm x 400 mm.

Statement-II:

The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3: 2.

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) Q.2) Consider the following freedom fighters (2023)

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 –ECONOMY

Context: Recently, the National Statistical Office (NSO)  said that the Indian economy will grow by a robust 7.3 per cent in the Financial Year 2023-24 over .

Background:-

• The growth is above the provisional growth rate of 7.2 per cent during the last financial year.

About National Statistical Office (NSO):-

• Establishment: 2019.
• Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
• The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) was merged with the Central Statistical Office to form the National Statistical Office (NSO) in 2019.
  • National Sample Survey Office (NSSO):formerly called the National Sample Survey Organization was the largest organization in India conducting periodic socio-economic surveys.
  • Central Statistics Organization of India:was responsible for the coordination of statistical activities in India, and evolving and maintaining statistical standards.
• NSO was first envisaged by the Rangarajan Commission to implement and maintain statistical standards and coordinate statistical activities of Central and State agencies as laid down by the National Statistical Commission (NSC).

Functions:-

• It acts as the nodal agency for the planned development of the statistical system in the country.
• It lays down and maintains norms and standards in the field of statistics.
• It prepares national accounts as well as publishes annual estimates of national product, government and private consumption expenditure, capital formation, savings, estimates of capital stock and consumption of fixed capital.
• It Compiles and releases the Consumer Price Index (CPI). 
• It maintains liaison with international statistical organizations.
• It compiles and releases the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) every month.
• It conducts the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI).
• It organizes and conducts periodic all-India Economic Censuses and follow-up enterprise surveys.

 MUST READ: Growth & fiscal consolidation

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the ‘Banks Board Bureau (BBB)’, which of the following statements are 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 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

Q.2) . 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

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Context: Recently, PRERANA program was launched.

Background:-

• Online Registration portal of the experiential learning program has been launched.

About PRERANA program:-

• Launched:2024.
• Ministry: Ministry of Education.
• Objective: to offer a meaningful, unique, and inspiring experience to all participants, thereby empowering them with leadership qualities.

Salient Features:-

• Prerana is driven by a strong commitment to integrate principles of Indian education system and the philosophy of value-based education which is a cornerstone of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Prerana is a week-long residential program for selected students of class IX to XII.
• It is an experiential and inspirational learning program for students with the best-in-class technology where heritage meets innovation.
• A batch of 20 selected students (10 boys and 10 girls) will attend the program, every week from various parts of the country.
• The curriculum of Prerana School prepared by IIT Gandhi Nagar.
  • It is rooted in nine value-based themes: Swabhiman and Vinay, Shaurya and Sahas, Parishram and Samarpan, Karuna and Sewa, Vividhta and Ekta, Satyanishtha and Shuchita, Navachar and Jigyasa, Shraddha aur Vishwas, and Swatantrata and Kartavya.
• The day-wise program schedule will feature yoga, mindfulness, and meditation sessions, followed by experiential learning, thematic sessions, and hands-on interesting learning activities.
• Evening activities will include visits to ancient and heritage sites, inspirational film screenings, mission life creative activities, talent shows etc. ensuring a holistic learning approach.
• Apart from this, students will engage in diverse activities, embracing indigenous knowledge systems, the latest State-of-the-art technologies, and learning from inspirational personalities.
• The Prerana program will run from a Vernacular School, established in 1888, in one of the oldest living cities of India, Vadnagar, district Mehsana, Gujarat.
• The school stands as a tribute to Vadnagar’s indomitable spirit, a living city that has triumphed over challenges like earthquakes and natural calamities and is home to ancient heritage sites and monuments inhabited since the early historic period and in the modern day.

Benefits:-

• Holistic Learning Approach: Participants engage in diverse activities, embracing indigenous knowledge systems, state-of-the-art technologies, and insights from inspirational personalities.

 MUST READ: National Education Policy 2020

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit Amendment Act, 2017? (2019)

1. Pregnant women are entitled to three months of pre-delivery and three months of post-delivery paid leave.
2. Enterprises with creches must allow the mother a minimum of six creche visits daily.
3. Women with two children get reduced entitlements.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

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 – GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

Context: Recently, Uttar Purvi Mahotsav 2024 was celebrated.

Background:-

• Shri Chanchal Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Development of North East Region briefed the media about the first edition of Uttar Purvi Mahotsav.

About Uttar Purvi Mahotsav 2024:-

• Date: from the 13thto 17th January, 2024.
• Venue: at Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
• Organized by: Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
• It is managed through its CPSE, North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC) is organizing
• Uttar Purvi Mahotsav 2024 a five-day cultural program.
• It will showcase the rich diversity of North East India.
• Around 250 artisans, weavers, farmers and entrepreneurs from the North-East will participate in the event.
• A Focused panel discussions on women empowerment and the youth workforce along with buyer-seller meetings have also been organized. (NITI Aayog Releases North Eastern Region District SDGIndex)
• The main attraction will be lively performances of traditional dance forms from different states.

Benefits:-

• It will provide a conducive platform for significant buyer-seller meets, fostering valuable interactions across various sectors.
• It promises an enchanting journey through traditional dances, mesmerizing performances, and a showcase of the region’s rich cultural heritage.

MUST READ: Integration of North-Eastern India and its Significance

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

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

1. Aadhaar metadata cannot be stored for more than three months.
2. State cannot enter into any contract with private corporations for sharing of Aadhaar data.
3. Aadhaar is mandatory for obtaining insurance products.
4. Aadhaar is mandatory for getting benefits funded out of the Consolidated Fund of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q.2) Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the (2019)

1. Department of Science and Technology
2. Ministry of Labour and Employment
3. NITI Aayog
4. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Syllabus

• Prelims –ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context: Recently, Eurasian Otter was spotted in Kerala.

Background:-

• A team of researchers from Kerala has claimed to have spotted the presence of Eurasian Otter in the state for the first time.

About Eurasian Otter:-

• Scientific Name: Lutra lutra.
• Distribution: It is found throughout Europe, North Africa, and Asia. (Blackbuck)
• In India, it inhabits northern, northeastern, and southern regions.
• It thrives in diverse environments, including streams, rivers, lakes, freshwater and peat swamp forests, ocean shores, rice fields, fjords, caves, and terrestrial areas near waterways.
• In the Indian subcontinent, specifically found in cold hills and mountain streams.
• It is a semi-aquatic mammal.
• It is commonly native to Eurasia.
• It has a diet mainly of fish and is strongly territorial.

Conservation Status:-

• IUCN Status: Near Threatened.
• CITES : Appendix I.
• WPA: Schedule II.

MUST READ: Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)

SOURCE: TIMES OF INDIA

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following animals (2021)

1. Hedgehog
2. Marmot
3. Pangolin

To reduce the chance of being captured by predators, which of the above organisms rolls up/roll up and protects/protects its/their vulnerable parts?

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

Q.2) Which one of the following is a filter feeder? (2021)

1. Catfish
2. Octopus
3. Oyster
4. Pelican

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Recently, astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery using Nasa’s Hubble Space Telescope, revealing massive cyclones and dynamic weather activity on the distant exoplanet WASP-121 b, located 880 light-years from Earth.

Background:-

• An international team of astronomers meticulously analysed Hubble data from 2016, 2018, and 2019 to study these phenomena.

About WASP-121 b:-

• WASP-121 b is located 880 light-years from Earth.
• This gas giant, similar in size to Jupiter .
• It has an atmosphere far too hostile for life as we know it.
• It has become a focal point for understanding atmospheric dynamics on alien worlds.
• WASP-121 b is tidally locked with its star, meaning one hemisphere perpetually faces the heat, reaching scorching temperatures of around 3,450 degrees Fahrenheit.
• This extreme environment creates a stark temperature contrast between the planet’s day and night sides, leading to tumultuous weather patterns including fierce storms and colossal cyclones.

About Hubble Space Telescope:-

• Launched: April 24, 1990.
• Launched by: Discovery.
• Hubble Space Telescope is a large, space-based observatory by NASA/ESA.  (NASA’s DART mission)
• It has been deployed since 1990.
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA): is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research.
  • European Space Agency(ESA): is an independent space agency.
• The Hubble Space Telescope is the first astronomical observatory placed into orbit around Earth with the ability to record images in wavelengths of light spanning the ultraviolet to near-infrared.
• Hubble orbits roughly 340 miles (547 km) above Earth’s surface.
• Hubble is the first space-based observatory specifically designed for servicing while in orbit.
• Hubble was designed as a general-purpose observatory, meant to explore the universe in visible, ultraviolet, and infrared wavelengths.

MUST READ: IN-SPACe

SOURCE: INDIA TODAY

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) 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.

Q.2) If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth? (2022)

1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.
2. Tsunamis could occur in equatorial regions.
3. Power grids could be damaged.
4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
2. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
3. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

Syllabus

• Prelims –GEOGRAPHY

Context: Recently, Indian Navy rescued 21 crew members from hijacked cargo ship off Somalia coast.

Background:-

• The Navy rushed its warship INS Chennai and deployed maritime operations after a distress signal from the cargo ship signalled the hijacking.

About Somalia:-

IMAGE SOURCE: WORLD ATLAS

• Location: on the easternmost tip of Africa.
• Somalia occupies an area of 637,657 sq. km.
• Mogadishu is the capital and largest city in Somalia.
• It borders the three nations of, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti.
• It sits along the Horn of Africa, this region is known for being particularly hilly and mountainous.
• To the extreme north, a narrow semidesert coastal plain that varies in width from around 12 km in the west to only 2 km in the east, borders the Gulf of Aden. It is called Guban.
• Beyond this plain is the maritime mountain range of the Karkaar Mountains (marked on the map) hosting the highest point in the country.
• Broad plateaus can be found in the south. (Himalayan River System)
• The Indian Ocean lies to the east of Somalia.
• The Equator passes through southern Somalia.
• It has land borders with only two countries; Kenya to the southwest and Ethiopia to the west.
• The Gulf of Aden forms Somalia’s northern borders and the Somali Sea and Guardafui Channel bound it to the east.
• Somalia experiences a predominantly arid to semi-arid climate with hot temperatures and limited rainfall.

MUST READ: Horn of Africa

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): (2017)

1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.
2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.

Which of the above statements 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 lakes of West Africa has become dry and turned into a desert?

1. Lake Victoria
2. Lake Faguibine
3. Lake Oguta
4. Lake Volta

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 :

Somalia experiences a predominantly arid to semi-arid climate.

Statement-II :

The Gulf of Aden forms Somalia’s northern borders.

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 Eurasian Otter, consider the following statements:

1. It thrives only in rivers.
2. It is found only in Europe.
3. It is under Appendix II of CITES .

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

1. 2 only
2. 1, 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. None

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) – a

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – b