DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 1st February 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet approved an extension of the scheme of sugar subsidy for Antyodya Anna Yojna (AAY) families.

Background:-

• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narender Modi approved the extension of scheme for two more years i.e. 31 March 2026.

About Antyodya Anna Yojna (AAY):-

• Launched: December, 2000.
• Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution.
• Objective: to provide food grains at a highly subsidized rate under TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System).

Salient Features:-

• All beneficiaries under the AAY scheme will get food and other important commodities for daily needs in a subsidized process.
• Distribution of food grains to beneficiaries will be done through the public distribution system.
• Under the AAY scheme wheat will be provided for Rs.3 per Kg and Rice will be given for Rs.2 per Kg.
• Eligible families will get 35 Kg of rice per month.
• AAY families can buy 1 kg of sugar at a rate of Rs.18.50 per Kg via ration shop.

Identification of beneficiaries:-

• Central and State Governments of India will identify the beneficiaries for AAY scheme.
• Once the Government is identified, the AAY family will be provided with different colour of ration card.

Eligibility for Antyodaya Anna Yojana:-

• Family members falling under the poverty line can apply for this scheme.
• Annual income of Rs.15000 below families are eligible.
• Disabled persons can apply for this scheme.
• Widows and senior citizens of 60 years who heading a family can apply.
• Tribal Families in rural and mountain areas are eligible for this scheme.

Allocation of Food Grains:-

• Monthly allocation of food grains under Antyodaya Anna Yojana is around 8.51 lakh tones per month.

MUST READ: Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)

SOURCE: PIB

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 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

Syllabus

• Prelims –ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context: Recently, in a first in the country, a laughing gull from North America was spotted at Chittari estuary in Kasaragod.

Background:-

• The bird is known for its unique laughter-like calls and has travelled thousands of kilometres to reach the southern State.

About Laughing Gull:-

• These are coastal species and are only occasionally seen very far inland.
• These birds are mainly found on the Atlantic coast of North America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.
• Medium-sized gull, with a length of around 16 to 18 inches.
• During the breeding season, adults have a black head, dark grey wings, and a reddish bill.
• Non-breeding adults and juveniles have a mottled brownish-grey appearance.
• Black or dark hood during breeding, and a long, slender, slightly drooping bill.( Atapaka Bird Sanctuary)

Conservation Status:-

• IUCN: Least Concern

 MUST READ: Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following pairs (2022)

Wetland/Lake:                              Location

1. Hokera Wetland                    Punjab
2. Renuka Wetland                    Himachal Pradesh
3. Rudrasagar Lake                    Tripura
4. Sasthamkotta                        Tamil Nadu

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

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

Q.2) Which of the following is not a bird? (2022)

1. Golden Mahseer
2. Indian Nightjar
3. Spoonbill
4. White Ibis

Syllabus

• Prelims –ECONOMY

Context: Recently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials have arrested a sitting Chief Minister Hemant Soren from Jharkhand.

Background:-

• Although, Hemant Soren has tendered his resignation as Chief Minister of Jharkhand to Governor CP Radhakrishnan.

About Enforcement Directorate (ED):-

• 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) ( CBI and ED 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. (UPSC CSE: Fugitive Economic Offenders)

• 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.
• Recruitment of other officers:-
  • Other officers may be recruited directly from other investigative agenciesor indirectly.
    • It is made up of representatives from the police, excise, customs, and income tax departmentsof the Indian Revenue Services (IRS), the Indian Police Services (IPS), and the Indian Administrative Services (IAS).

 MUST READ: CBI and ED

SOURCE: AIR

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 –DEFENSE

Context: Recently, India and Saudi Arabia are conducted their first Joint Military Exercise named as Sada Tanseeq.

Background:-

• In a major boost of ties the militaries of India and Saudi Arabia are conducting their first Joint Military Exercise named as Sada Tanseeq.

About Sada Tanseeq:-

• Date: 29th January to 10th February 2024.
• Venue: Mahajan, Rajasthan.
• Saudi Arabian Contingent Royal Saudi Land Forces, 45 personnel.
• Indian Army Contingent comprised of a Battalion from the Brigade of the Guards (Mechanised Infantry), 45 personnel.
• It aims to share best practices in the tactics, techniques, and procedures of conducting operations in sub-conventional domains.
• It aims to Develop interoperability between the two contingents.
• It aims to facilitate bonho

Other exercises:-

• Exercise Al-Mohad Al-Hindi.

MUST READ: INS Trikand

SOURCE: FINANCIAL EXPRESS

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) With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements : (2018)

1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits.
2. IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq. km beyond its borders.
3. India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –ECONOMY

Context: Recently, the Delhi High Court upheld the constitutional validity of anti-profiteering provisions in the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Background:-

• The Delhi High Court on Monday upheld the constitutional validity of anti-profiteering provisions in the Goods and Services Tax (GST). More than 100 companies, including Hindustan Unilever, Patanjali, Jubilant Foodworks, and Phillips, filed petitions against the provisions.

About Goods and Services Tax (GST):-

• Launched:2017.
• Goods and Services Tax is an indirect tax used in India on the supply of goods and services.
• It is a value-added tax levied on most goods and services sold for domestic consumption.
• It was launched as a comprehensive indirect tax for the entire country.
• It is of three types:-
  • CGST: levied by the Centre
  • SGST: levied by the States and
  • IGST: levied on all Inter-State supplies of goods and/or services.

GST Council:-

• The 101st Amendment Act of 2016 (122nd Amendment Bill),paved the way for the implementation of GST. (GST Appellate Tribunal)
• The GST Council is a joint forum of the Centre and the states under Article 279-A of the constitution.
• Article 279-A.gives the President the authority to appoint a GST Council by executive order.
• The members of the Council include the Union Finance Minister (chairperson), and the Union Minister of State (Finance) from various states.
• As per Article 279, it is meant to “make recommendations to the Union and the states on important issues related to GST, like the goods and services that may be subjected or exempted from GST, model GST Laws”.
• It also decides on various rate slabs of GST.

Benefits of GST:-

• Automated tax ecosystem:It helped the country in transitioning to an automated indirect tax ecosystem.
• Better Compliance:GST helped in achieving better tax compliance by subsuming multiple taxation and reducing in taxation burden in the last four years.
• E-invoice and More Revenue: The E-invoicing system helped reduce fake invoicing. The use of technology with online bill generation has resulted in smoother consignment movement and much fewer disputes with officials.

MUST READ: GST- Five years on

SOURCE: BUISINESS STANDARD

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) In India, the Central Bank’s function as the “lender of last resort” usually refers to which of the following? (2021)

1. Lending to trade and industry bodies when they fail to borrow from other sources
2. Providing liquidity to the banks having a temporary crisis
3. Lending to governments to finance budgetary deficits

Select the correct answer using the code given below

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

Q.2) What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing ‘Goods and Services Tax (GST)’? (2017)

1. It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India.
2. It will drastically reduce the ‘Current Account Deficit’ of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves.
3. It will enormously increase the growth and size of the economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context: Recently, a Gangetic dolphin was rescued in Odisha.

Background:-

• It may be an indicator of more freshwater dolphins in the river.

About Gangetic dolphin:-

• Common Name: Susu
• Scientific Name : Platanista gangetica gangetica (Dolphins)
• Status: Endangered (IUCN).
• Habitat: Ganges river dolphins prefer deep waters, in and around the confluence of rivers.
• Distribution: India covers seven states namely, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• The upper Ganga River (in Uttar Pradesh), Chambal River (Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh), Ghaghra and Gandak Rivers (Bihar and Uttar Pradesh), Ganga River, from Varanasi to Patna (Uttar Pradesh and Bihar), Son and Kosi rivers (Bihar), Brahmaputra from Sadia (foothills of Arunachal Pradesh) upto Dhubri (on the Bangladesh border) and Kulsi River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra River, form ideal habitats for the Ganges river dolphin.
• The Ganges river dolphin has a sturdy, yet flexible, body with large flippers and a low triangular dorsal fin.
• Females are larger than males.
• They are among the oldest creatures in the world along with some species of turtles, crocodiles, and sharks.
• The Gangetic Dolphins are generally blind.
• They emit an ultrasonic sound that reaches the prey.

Threats:-

• Direct killing.
• habitat fragmentation by dams and barrages.
• Indiscriminate fishing.

 MUST READ: Zebrafish

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood? (2023)

1. Fishing cat
2. Orangutan
3. Otter
4. Sloth bear

Q2. Which of the following is not a bird? (2022)

1. Golden Mahseer
2. Indian Nightjar
3. Spoonbill
4. White Ibis

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 :

Antyodya Anna Yojna (AAY) is under the Ministry of Agriculture.

Statement-II :

It aims to provide food grains at a highly subsidized rate under TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System).

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 Gangetic dolphin, consider the following statements:

1. Its scientific name is Susu.
2. They emit an ultrasonic sound that reaches the prey.
3. They are among the oldest creatures in the world.

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

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  1st February  2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – a

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – b