DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 9th January 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNANCE

Context: The maiden edition of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) in Kolkata culminated recently.

Background:-

• The meet, chaired by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal was attended by key stakeholders including ministerial representations from states as well as prominent stakeholders including policy makers and industry leaders.

About Inland Waterways Development Council:-

• Established:1986.
• Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• HQ: Noida, UP.
• Objective: development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
• The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is a statutory body established by the Government of India in 1986, r
• The Authority primarily undertakes projects for the development and maintenance of IWT infrastructure on national waterways through grants received from the Ministry of Shipping.
• The inaugural IWDC meeting boasts a packed agenda with consecutive sessions addressing vital issues in the development of inland waterways in India.
• The sessions encompass topics such as fairway development, private sector engagement and best practices, optimizing cargo transport efficiency in Inland Water Transport (IWT), fostering the promotion and development of eco-friendly vessels for passenger transportation, exploring the economic advantages of river cruise tourism, and emphasizing sustainable practices, among others.( India’s Waterways and its Potential)

Significance:-

• The establishment of the Inland Waterways Development Council in October 2023 by the Government of India underscores its commitment to the comprehensive development of inland waterways and the associated Inland Water Transport (IWT) ecosystem for improved cargo efficiency, passenger movement, and river cruise tourism, with active participation from States and Union Territories. 

MUST READ: Scope and Status of Inland Waterways and Tourism

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the following statements best describes the ‘Polar Code’? (2022)

1. It is the international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters.
2. It is the agreement of the countries around the North Pole regarding the demarcation of their territories in the polar region.
3. It is a set of norms to be followed by the countries whose scientists undertake research studies at the North Pole and the South Pole.
4. It is a trade and security agreement of the member countries of the Arctic Council.

Q.2) Which one of the following best describes the term “greenwashing”? (2022)

1. Conveying a false impression that a company’s products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound
2. Non-inclusion of ecological/ environmental costs in the Annual Financial Statements of a country
3. Ignoring the consequences of disastrous ecological while infrastructure development undertaking
4. Making mandatory provisions for environmental costs in a government project/programme

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

Context: Recently, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and the Quality Council of India (QCI)  signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Background:-

• The collaboration between the two organizations is aimed at creating ‘World Class Khadi Products’ as per the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

About Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC):-

• Establishment: 1957.
• Ministry: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
• It is a statutory body established under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, of 1956.

Objectives of KVIC:-

• To boost employment in the country. (Project Re-Hab)
• To promote the promotion and sale of Khadi articles.

Function:-

• It is charged with the planning, promotion, organization, and implementation of programmes for the development of Khadi and other village industries in rural areas.
• It coordinates with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.
• It provides employment in rural areas.
• It provides saleable articles.
• It creates self-reliance amongst people and builds up a strong rural community spirit.

 MUST READ: Rural Manufacturing

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements with reference to India: (2023)

1. According to the ‘Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006’, ‘medium enterprises’ are those with investments in plant and machinery between (‘ 15 crores and ’25 crore.)
2. All bank loans to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises qualify under the priority sector.

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) Consider the following statements: (2022)

1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organisation.
2. The National Institute of Urban Affairs is an apex body of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in the Government of India and provides innovative solutions to address the challenges of Urban India.

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: Recently, India started its four-year term as a member of the United Nations Statistical Commission.

Background:-

• The country had won the election to the global statistics body in April after a gap of nearly two decades.

About UN Statistical Commission:-

• Established: 1946.
• HQ: New York.
• The United Nations Statistical Commission is the highest body of the global statistical system bringing together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world.
• It is the highest decision-making body for international statistical activities.
• It is responsible for setting statistical standards.
• It is responsible for the development of concepts and methods, including their implementation at the national and international level.
• The Statistical Commission oversees the work of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD).
• It is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council.(Need for Reforms in UN)
• The 55th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission is scheduled to be held in New York from 27 February – 1 March 2024.

Composition:-

• The officers of the Commission, also referred to as the Bureau, are the Chairman, 3 Vice-chairmen and the Rapporteur.

Membership:-

• The Commission consists of 24 member countries of the United Nations elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council on the basis of an equitable geographical distribution according to the following pattern:
  • Five members from African States
  • Four members from Asia-Pacific States
  • Four members from the Eastern European States
  • Four members from Latin American and Caribbean States
  • Seven members from Western Europe and other States
• The term of office of members is four years.
• India was a member of the Statistical Commission last in 2004 and the country is returning to the UN agency after a gap of two decades.

 MUST READ:  National Statistical Commission (NSC)

SOURCE: THE ECONOMIC TIMES

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the following countries have been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages and was in the news in the recent past for its very severe famine? (2023)

1. Angola
2. Costa Rica
3. Ecuador
4. Somalia

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2023)

Statement-I:

Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the Trade and Technology Council’.

Statement-II:

The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control.

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNANCE/GEOGRAPHY

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of development projects worth more than Rs 1150 crores in Kavaratti Islands, Lakshadweep.

Background:-

• The development projects of today cover a wide range of sectors including technology, energy, water resources, healthcare and education.

About Kavaratti Islands:-

IMAGE SOURCE: kscl.utl.gov.in

• Kavaratti, the capital of Lakshadweep, the smallest Union Territory in India, stands as its most developed island.
• It is located in the centre of the Lakshadweep archipelago.
• It is located between Agatti Island on the west and Andrott Island on the east.
• Area: 4.22 sq km.
• The island encompasses 12 atolls, five submerged banks, and three coral reefs.
  • An atoll is a ring of land surrounding a pool of water called a lagoon.
• Kavaratti surprises with a small inland lake at its northern tip.
• Kavaratti town is renowned for the intricately carved wooden pillars and roofs of its mosques, along with the carved stones adorning its graveyards.
• With a significant percentage of non-islanders as residents, the spoken languages are Malayalam and Mahl.
• Moreover, Kavaratti has been chosen as one of the hundred Indian cities earmarked for development as a smart city under the flagship Smart Cities Mission.

 MUST READ: Solomon Islands

SOURCE: PIB

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1)Consider the following countries:

1. Azerbaijan
2. Kyrgyzstan
3. Tajikistan
4. Uzbekistan
5. Turkmenistan

Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan? (2022)

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

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2018)

1. The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory.
2. Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar.
3. The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –ART AND CULTURE

Context: Recent reports suggest that the Thanjavur dolls are facing stiff competition from electronic toys and e-commerce platforms, besides a severe labour crunch and shortage of clay.

About Thanjavur doll:-

• It was introduced by Raja Serfoji (Maratha ruler) in 19th Century.
• Other name for them is Thalaiyatti and Uruttu Dolls.
• They are of 2 Types :-
  • Bobble-head version
  • Tilting doll (roly-poly) version
• The centre of gravity and total weight of the doll is concentrated at its bottom-most point, generating a dance-like continuous movement with slow oscillations.
• These toys are traditionally handmade, finished with detailed, painted exteriors.
• Traditionally, these dolls are made from terracotta clay.
• Skilled artisans shape the clay into various forms, primarily depicting mythological characters, deities, and cultural motifs.
• The dancing doll has four sections (including the arms that are individually glued to the torso), each balancing on the other with the help of inner metal loop hooks that create the light bobbing movement.
• It earned the Geographical Indication tag in 2009.

MUST READ: 50 iconic Indian heritage textiles by UNESCO

SOURCE: THE HINDU

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

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

Statement-I:

India accounts for 3·2% of the global export of goods.

Statement-II:

Many local companies and some foreign companies operating in India have taken advantage of India’s ‘Production-linked Incentive’ scheme.

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) Consider the following pairs: (2022)

Historical place                 Well-known for

1. Burzahom             Rock-cut shrines
2. Chandraketugarh Terracotta art
3. Ganeshwar             Copper artefacts

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –POLITY

Context: Recently, the Himachal Pradesh state government finally issued the notification to give Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Hattee community.

Background:-

• The implementation of the decision was delayed in Himachal Pradesh as the state government had sought some clarification on some points of the August 4, 2023, notification of the Constitution (Schedule Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Act, 2023, in the gazette after consulting the law department.

About Hattee community:-

• The Hattis are a close-knit community that got their name from their tradition of selling homegrown vegetables, crops, meat, wool, etc. at small markets called ‘haat’ in towns.
• They follow a Rigid Caste System.
• The Bhat and Khash are upper castes, and the Badhois are below them, and they discouraged inter-caste marriages.
• The Hattis are governed by a traditional council called Khumbli, which like the Khaps of Haryana, decide community matters.
• The Khumbli’s power has remained unchallenged despite the establishment of the Panchayati Raj System.
• Hatti men traditionally don a distinctive white headgear on ceremonial occasions.

 MUST READ: Addition of Tribes in ST List

SOURCE: THE TIMES OF INDIA

 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 anaemia 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) Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: (2019)

1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

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

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 :

Kavaratti town is renowned for the intricately carved wooden pillars.

Statement-II :

The spoken languages of Kavaratti are English, Tamil and Malayalam only.

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 Hattee community, consider the following statements:

1. Hatti men traditionally don a distinctive white headgear on ceremonial occasions.
2. They follow a loose Caste System.
3. Bhat and Khash are lower castes.

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. 2 only

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  9th January 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – a

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – d