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

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNANCE

Context: Recently, Digi Yatra Guidelines have been issued by DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation).

Background:-

• These Digi Yatra guidelines provide for a decentralized mobile wallet-based identity management platform. The personal information of the passenger is stored in the mobile wallet of the traveller.

About Digi Yatra:-

• Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• It is a project conceived to achieve contactless, seamless processing of passengers at Airports, based on Facial Recognition Technology (FRT).
• It will provide a paperless entry at airports using facial recognition software.
• It provides a decentralized mobile wallet-based identity management platform which is cost-effective and addresses privacy/data protection issues in the implementation of Digi Yatra.
• The Digi Yatra platform is built on 4 key pillars, like Connected Passengers, Connected Airports, Connected Flying and Connected Systems.

Objectives of DIGI YATRA:-

• Enhance passenger experience and provide a simple and easy experience to all air travellers.
• Achieve better throughput through existing infrastructure using a “Digital Framework”.
• Lower-cost operations.
• Digitize current manual processes and bring better efficiencies
• Enhance security standards and improve current system performance.

Implementation:-

• The project is being implemented by the DigiYatra Foundation — a joint-venture company whose shareholders are the Airports Authority of India (26% stake) and Bengaluru Airport, Delhi Airport, Hyderabad Airport, Mumbai Airport and Cochin International Airport.
• These five shareholders equally hold the remaining 74% of the shares.
• In the first phase, Digi Yatra was rolled out at two Airports namely Varanasi and Bengaluru in August 2022 and at five Airports namely Pune, Vijayawada, Kolkata, Delhi and Hyderabad by March of 2023.

Significance:-

• Facial recognition technology is beneficial as it makes flying more convenient and reduces congestion at airports.

 MUST READ: Facial Recognition Tech in Indian airports

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following (2022)

1. Aarogya Setu
2. CoWIN
3. Digi Locker
4. DIKSHA

Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms?

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

Q.2) Regarding Digi Locker’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)

1. It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under the Digital India Programme.
2. It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical location.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Syllabus

• Prelims –POLITY

Context: Recently, SC remitted a 20-year sentence of a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act convict to save marriage with his victim in Tamil Nadu.

Background:-

• A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on Monday remitted the 20-year sentence of a man found guilty of the aggravated sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl whom he later married and had children within Tamil Nadu.

About Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act:-

• Enacted: 2012. (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights)
• Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• Objectives: to address offences of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, which were either not specifically defined or adequately penalized.

Historic Background:-

• It was enacted as a consequence of India’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992.
• The POCSO Act was enacted in 2012 to provide a robust legal framework for the protection of children from offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and pornography while safeguarding the interests of children at every stage of the judicial process.
• In 2019, the Act was amended to strengthen the penalties for specified offences in order to deter abusers and promote a dignified upbringing.

Salient Features:-

• The Act defines a child as “any person” under the age of 18. ( Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
• The Act recognizes that both girls and boys can be victims of sexual abuse.
• Any person in charge of an institution (excluding children) who fails to report the commission of a sexual offense involving a subordinate faces punishment.
• A victim may report an offense at any time, even years after the abuse has occurred.
• The Act forbids the disclosure of the victim’s identity in any form of media unless authorized by the special courts established by the Act.
• The new rules include the provision of mandatory police verification of staff in schools and care homes, procedures to report sexual abuse material (pornography), and imparting age-appropriate child rights education among others.
• For a crackdown on child pornography, any person who has received any pornographic material involving a child or any information regarding such pornographic material shall report the contents to the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) or police, or the cybercrime portal.
• Under the rules, the State Governments have been asked to formulate a child protection policy based on the principle of zero-tolerance to violence against children, which shall be adopted by all institutions, organizations, or any other agency working with or coming in contact with children.
• The Central Government and every State Government shall provide periodic training.
• The Centre and State Governments have been asked to prepare age-appropriate educational material and curriculum for children, informing them about various aspects of personal safety.
• According to rules, orientation programmes and intensive courses may also be organized for police personnel and forensic experts.( Age of consent in India)
• Any institution housing children or coming in regular contact with children, including schools, crèches, sports academies, or any other facility for children must ensure a police verification and background check on a periodic basis of every staff.

Challenges:-

• Low Representation of Women in the Police Force.
• Lapses in the Investigation.
• No Conditions to Prove Recent Intercourse.

MUST READ: Sexual intent is key to POCSO Act

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to India, consider the following statements (2021)

1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such 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

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2021)

1. 21st February is declared to be International Mother Language Day by UNICEF.
2. The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Syllabus

• Prelims –GEOGRAPHY

Context: Recently, the first National Conference on the Promotion of Seaweed Cultivation took place at Koteshwar, Kutch in Gujarat.

Background:-

• It was chaired by Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala .
• Objective: implementing seaweed cultivation on a pan-India basis, emphasizing the promotion of seaweed cultivation to diversify marine production and enhance fish farmer income. Water Hyacinth

About of Seaweed Cultivation:-

• Seaweed is the name given to the many species of marine algae and plants.
• These species grow in water bodies such as rivers, seas and oceans.
• They generally grow in the shallow waters in the tidal zone.
• Some seaweeds are microscopic, such as the phytoplankton that live suspended in the water column.
• Seaweed is full of vitamins, minerals, & fibre.
• Many seaweeds contain anti-inflammatory & anti-microbial agents.
• They are known to process significant medicinal effects.
• Certain seaweeds possess powerful cancer-fighting agents.
• They are used in organic cosmetics & skin-care products.

Seaweed Farming:-

• It is the practice of cultivating and harvesting seaweed.
• Seaweeds are abundant along the Tamil Nadu and Gujarat coasts and around Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Government Initiatives:-

• Seaweed Mission: aims to commercialize seaweed farming and processing for value addition.
  • It also aims to increase cultivation along India’s 7,500-kilometer coastline.
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR)- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has successfully commercialized two seaweed-based nutraceutical products, CadalminTM Immunalgin extract (CadalminTM IMe) and CadalminTM Antihypercholesterolemic extract (CadalminTM ACe).
• Multi-Purpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu.

 MUST READ: Seaweeds Mission launched for commercial farming of seaweeds

SOURCE: ICAR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) ‘Invasive Species Specialist ·group’ (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations? (2023)

1. The International Union for Conservation of Nature
2. The United Nations Environment Programme
3. The United Nations World Commission for Environment and Development
4. The World Wide Fund for Nature

Q.2) Consider the following statements (2023)

Statement-I:

Marsupials are not naturally found in India.

Statement-II:

Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators.

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 –ECONOMY

Context: Recently, Fiscal Consolidation was emphasized in the budget.

Background:-

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced during her Budget speech that the Centre would reduce its fiscal deficit to 5.1% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024-25.

About Fiscal Consolidation:-

• Fiscal consolidation is a process where government’s fiscal health is getting improved and is indicated by reduced fiscal deficit.
• As the fiscal deficit falls below a tolerable level, improved tax revenue realization and better directed expenditure are key components of fiscal consolidation.
• In India, the fiscal deficit is the most important indicator of the government’s financial health.
• In India, fiscal consolidation or the fiscal roadmap for the centre is expressed in terms of the budgetary targets (fiscal deficit and revenue deficit) to be realized in successive budgets
• The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act gives the targets for fiscal consolidation in India.
• According to FRBM, the government should eliminate the revenue deficit and reduce the fiscal deficit to 3% (medium term) of the GDP.

Measures from the expenditure side and revenue side are envisaged by the government to achieve fiscal consolidation:-

• Improved tax revenue realization: For this, increasing efficiency of tax administration by reducing tax avoidance, eliminating tax evasion, enhancing tax compliance etc. are to be made.
• Enhancing tax GDP ratio by widening the tax base and minimizing tax concessions and exemptions also improves tax revenues.
• Better targeting of government subsidies and extending the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme for more subsidies.

 MUST READ: Growth & fiscal consolidation

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) In India, which one of the following is responsible for maintaining price stability by controlling inflation? (2022)

1. Department of Consumer Affairs
2. Expenditure Management Commission
3. Financial Stability and Development Council
4. Reserve Bank of India

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

1. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Review Committee Report has recommended a debt to GDP ratio of 60% for the general (combined) government by 2023, comprising 40% for the Central Government and 20% for the State Governments.
2. The Central Government has domestic liabilities of 21% of GDP as compared to that of 49% of GDP of the State Governments.
3. As per the Constitution of India, it is mandatory for a State to take the Central Government’s consent for raising any loan if the former owes any outstanding liabilities to the latter.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –ART AND CULTURE/AWARDS

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, congratulated musicians Ustad Zakir Hussain, Rakesh Chaurasia, Shankar Mahadevan,  Selvaganesh V and Ganesh Rajagopalan for winning the Grammy award.

Background:-

• He said that their exceptional talent and dedication to music have won hearts worldwide, making India proud.

About Grammy Awards:-

• The Grammy Awards are presented by the Recording Academy of the US.
• The awards are presented to recognize the works of the music industry.
• The first Grammy Awards ceremony was held on May 4, 1959, to honour the musical accomplishments of performers for the year 1958.( Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar)

Categories:-

• The “General Field” are four awards that are not restricted by genre:
  • Album of the Year
  • Record of the Year
  • Song of the Year
  • Best New Artiste
• Winners are selected from more than 25 fields, which cover such genres as pop, rock, rap, R&B, country, reggae, classical, gospel, and jazz, as well as production and postproduction work, including packaging and album notes.
• The honorees receive a golden statuette of a gramophone.

 MUST READ: Golden Globes Award

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards:

1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under the Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.
2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once.
3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year.

Which of the above statements are not correct? (2021)

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 in respect of the Laureus World Sports Award which was instituted in the year 2000:

1. American golfer Tiger Woods was the first winner of this award.
2. The award was received mostly by ‘Formula One’ players so far.
3. Roger Federer received this award maximum number of times compared to others.

Which of the above statements are correct? (2021)

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY/ GEOGRAPHY

Context: Recently, a new species of burrowing frog, Sphaerotheca varshaabhu, has been discovered in Bengaluru.

 Background:-

• Researchers from various national and international organizations have identified and documented a previously unknown species of frog which has been thriving amidst the urban landscape of Bengaluru.

About Sphaerotheca varshaabh:-

• It is a new frog
• Sphaerotheca Varshaabhu, meaning a genus of frog which welcomes rain.
• Sphaerotheca varshaabhu exhibits distinctive characteristics that set it apart from known frog species.
• It is named after its behaviour of coming out of burrows during early showers, indicating its adaptation to urban surroundings.
• It has adapted to its urban surroundings displaying behaviours and physical attributes that help it navigate challenges posed by urbanization.
• Amphibians, like frogs, toads and salamanders, are known as indicator species.

MUST READ: Invasive Species

SOURCE: DECCAN HERALD

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following is not a bird? (2022)

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

Q.2) Certain species of which one of the following organisms are well known as cultivators of fungi? (2022)

1. Ant
2. Cockroach
3. Crab
4. Spider

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Recently, researchers connected a brain organoid to microelectrodes to create an ‘organoid neural network’.

Background:-

• Their invention extends neuromorphic computing – the practice of modelling computers after the human brain to a new level by directly including brain tissue in a computer.

About Organoid neural network:-

• It is an innovative computing system that melds brain-like tissue with electronics.
• It is also called
• Brainoware integrates brain organoids with microelectrodes, forming an ‘organoid neural network (ONN)’ that directly incorporates living brain tissue into the computing process.
• Brain organoids are similar to the brain’s cell composition and structure, and can reflect the brain’s developmental process.

Advantages:-

• It has ability to predict complex mathematical functions like the Henon map.
• The system could identify Japanese vowels pronounced by individuals with a 78% accuracy rate.
• It achieved comparable accuracy to artificial neural networks with minimal training requirements.

Challenges:-

• It necessitates technical expertise and infrastructure.
• The fusion of organoids and AI raises ethical questions about consciousness and dignity.

Applications:-

• To learn faster and be more energy-efficient than traditional silicon-based machines.
• To address current limitations in Artificial intelligence
• To enable advances in fields such as medical science and treatment.

 MUST READ: Deep Brain Stimulation

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics: (2022)

1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast.
2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut.
3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q.2) What is the cas9 protein that is often mentioned in the news? (2019)

1. A molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing.
2. A biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in patients.
3. A gene that makes plants pest-resistant
4. A herbicidal substance synthesized in generally modified crops

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 Grammy Awards are presented by the Recording Academy of the US.

Statement-II :

The first Grammy Awards ceremony was held on May 4, 1959.

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 Sphaerotheca varshaabh, consider the following statements:

1. It has adapted to its rural surroundings.
2. Sphaerotheca Varshaabhu, meaning a genus of frog which welcomes rain.
3. It is named after its behaviour of coming out of burrows during early showers.

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. 3 only

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  6th 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