DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –10th June 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – Current Event

Context: The health ministry and Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India  (IRDAI) are launching the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX), a digital platform which will bring together insurance companies, healthcare sector service providers and government insurance scheme administrators.

Background:-

• The primary hurdle in health insurance today lies in improving the relationship between hospitals and insurance companies. Issues such as discharge delays and miscommunication between hospitals and insurers further complicate matters.

About NATIONAL HEALTH CLAIM EXCHANGE 

• The NHCX will serve as a gateway for exchanging claims-related information among various stakeholders in the healthcare and health insurance ecosystem.
• The integration with NHCX is expected to enable seamless interoperability of health claims processing, enhancing efficiency and transparency in the insurance industry, benefiting policyholders and patients.
• Acting as a centralised hub for all health claims, the NHCX will significantly alleviate the administrative burden on hospitals, which currently contend with multiple portals for various insurers. Twelve insurance companies and one TPA (Third Party Administrator) have completed the NHCX integration.
• While the actual on-ground launch of both the NHCX and time-bound insurance clearance is expected to roll out soon, a Health Ministry official confirmed that over 30 insurance companies are already onboard the NHCX platform while effort and awareness drives are going on to bring in the hospitals.

What are some other incentives on offer?

• To encourage adoption of digital health transactions and digitisation of patient health records in the country, the National Health Authority had announced financial incentives under the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) from January 2023.
• Under the DHIS, there is a provision that for every insurance claim transaction through NHCX, financial incentives of ₹500 per claim or 10% of the claim amount, whichever is lower, would be given to hospitals, according to a Health Ministry note.

Why is NHCX being brought in?

• Arguing for the NHCX, the Health Ministry states that the platform will help in standardisation and interoperability of health claims and will bring in seamless exchange of data, documents and images between payer (insurance company/TPA/government scheme administrator) and provider (hospital/lab/poly clinic).
• Additionally, it will enable transparent and efficient claims processing and reduce related operational costs. The transition to digitisation is also anticipated to significantly decrease the cost of processing claims.

Source: Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims – Current Event

Context: The National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Union Education Ministry announced the formation of a four-member committee to review the results of over 1,500 candidates who were awarded “grace marks” to compensate for the “loss of time” suffered while appearing for this year’s NEET (Undergraduate).

Background:

• NTA has drawn widespread criticism for its conduct of NEET this year.

About National Testing Agency (NTA)

• The National Testing Agency (NTA) is an autonomous agency under the Department of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education of India.
• It was established in November 2017.
• National Testing Agency (NTA) is a premier, specialist and self-sustained testing organization to conduct entrance examinations for admission/fellowship in higher educational institutions.
• To assess competence of candidates for admissions and recruitment has always been a challenge in terms of matching with research based international standards, efficiency, transparency and error free delivery.
• The National Testing Agency is entrusted to address all such issues using best in every field, from test preparation, to test delivery and to test marking.
• NTA conducts various examinations including the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), and University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET).

Source: Deccan Herald

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – POLITY

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the oath of office for a historic third consecutive term along with his council of ministers in a grand ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Background:

• With this, PM Modi has now equalled former PM Jawaharlal Nehru’s record, who also served three consecutive terms.

About COUNCIL OF MINISTERS (COM)

• The Council of Ministers, also known as the Central Council of Ministers, is a central body that forms part of the executive branch of the Union Government.
• The Council serves as the principal advisory body to the Head of State i.e., the President of India.
• The Council of Ministers (COM) is the highest decision-making body in the government, headed by the Prime Minister.
• The Council of Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister and includes Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers.
• The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, and the other Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
• The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for legislation.
• The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the House of the People.
• Before a Minister enters office, the President administers the oaths of office and secrecy.
• The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India.
• A Minister who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of either House of Parliament shall, at the expiration of that period, cease to be a Minister.
• The salaries and allowances of Ministers are determined by Parliament.
• According to the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act 2003, the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Central Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15 percent of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
• Important constitutional provisions related to the Union Council of Ministers:
  • Article 74: Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President of India.
  • Article 75: Other provisions for Ministers.
  • Article 77: Conduct of business of the Government of India.
  • Article 78: Duties of the Prime Minister with respect to the furnishing of information to the President, etc.
  • Article 88: Rights of Ministers with respect to the Houses.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – HISTORY

Context: The 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star was recently observed.

Background:

• The anniversary passed off peacefully at the Akal Takht campus in the Golden Temple. The anniversary marks a significant and contentious event in Indian history, with this year being particularly notable as it’s been 40 years since the operation took place.

About Operation Blue Star :

• Operation Blue Star was an Indian Army operation conducted in 1984 in Punjab.
• The operation was ordered by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, primarily to take control of the Harmandir Sahib Complex in Amritsar (popularly known as the Golden Temple).
• The operation aimed to capture Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his group of supporters who had lodged at the Harmandir Sahib Temple Complex.
• Events Leading to Operation Blue Star:
  • Insurgency in Punjab had begun in the early eighties, largely for a separate Sikh homeland called Khalistan.
  • Akali Dal, a regional political party in Punjab, had passed the Anandpur Resolution in 1973 which demanded more autonomy to the states.
  • In 1982, Bhindranwale joined the Akali Dal and launched the Dharam Yudh Morcha to implement the Anandpur Resolution.
  • Failing to get the Anandpur Resolution implemented, Bhindranwale declared his intention to carve out a semi-autonomous homeland for Sikhs in the Punjab region of India.
• Impact:
  • The operation was the biggest internal security operation till date at that time.
  • It was a controversial operation and one that had severe ramifications for many.
  • The operation resulted in the death of Bhindranwale.
  • Few months post-Operation Blue Star, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, followed by severe anti-Sikh riots in Delhi.

Source: Tribune India

Syllabus

• Prelims – Current Event

Context: European Union parliamentary election was held recently.

Background:

• Following the elections, the European Parliament votes to approve the new President of the European Commission, as well as the entire College of Commissioners. The new European Commission is then appointed by the European Council.

About European Union

• The EU is an international organization consisting of European Countries, formed in 1993 after the signing of the Maastricht Treaty by 28 countries.
• The EU grew out of a desire to form a single European political entity to end centuries of warfare among European countries.
• The EU was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2012 for its efforts in promoting peace and stability.

Objectives of the EU:

• Political Cooperation: To increase political cooperation among member countries.
• Economic Integration: To enhance economic integration by creating a single currency, the euro.
• Unified Security and Foreign Policy: To coordinate security and foreign policy.
• Common Citizenship Rights: To establish common citizenship rights for EU citizens.
• Enhanced Cooperation: To collaborate in areas such as judiciary, immigration, and asylum.

Members:

• As of 2024, the European Union (EU) comprises 27 member countries.
• The United Kingdom (UK) officially exited the EU on January 31, 2020. This historic event, commonly known as Brexit.
• The EU’s members are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
• Currency: The Euro is the official currency for 19 of the 27 EU member countries.
• There are 4 main decision-making institutions which lead the EU’s administration. These institutions collectively provide the EU with policy direction and play different roles in the law-making process:
  • the European Parliament (Brussels/Strasbourg/Luxembourg)
  • the European Council (Brussels)
  • the Council of the European Union (Brussels/Luxembourg)
  • the European Commission (Brussels/Luxembourg/Representations across the EU)
• Their work is complemented by other institutions and bodies, which include:
  • the Court of Justice of the European Union (Luxembourg)
  • the European Central Bank (Frankfurt)
  • the European Court of Auditors (Luxembourg)

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 3

Context: A report titled “Women in Leadership in Corporate India” by the networking platform has shown a persistent underrepresentation of women in leadership positions across Indian corporates.

Background:

• The report is based on LinkedIn members in India, where the firm has over 100 million people registered.

Findings of the Report:

• Women’s representation across the workforce and in senior leadership positions is below 30% all the time and is on a declining trend post-pandemic. This can be attributed to the slowdown in fresh hires of women for leadership roles.
• The lowest representation of women includes construction, oil, gas, mining, and utilities (11%), wholesale and manufacturing (12%), and accommodation and food services (15%).
• The highest representation of women includes education (30%) and government administration (29%)
• Reports show that laws such as the Companies Act, of 2013, which mandates women directors on company boards, are not being followed strictly. Between April 2018 and December 2023, 507 companies were fined for flouting this norm. Of them, 90% were listed companies.

Factors contributing to lower representation of women in corporates:

• Deeply ingrained societal biases and stereotypes about women’s abilities, leadership styles, and career ambitions can lead to unfair assessments and limited opportunities for advancement.
• The reduction in the availability of hybrid or work-from-home roles may have contributed to the stagnation, as these arrangements often facilitate the participation of women in the corporate workforce.
• The disproportionate burden of domestic and caregiving responsibilities that often falls on women can make it difficult to demonstrate the same level of commitment and availability as their male counterparts.
• Migration and safety concerns further limit women’s access to employment. Inadequate urban infrastructure, along with safety issues in public spaces, can discourage women from seeking and retaining jobs, particularly in urban areas.
• Women often have less access to influential mentors and sponsors who can advocate for their career progression and help them navigate the corporate landscape.
• The scarcity of women in senior leadership positions creates a lack of visible role models and makes it harder for women to envision themselves in these positions.

Ways to enhance gender diversity in corporate leadership:

• Flexible or hybrid work policies are important for retaining women, especially at the junior and middle management levels, as this is when they often have to balance career aspirations and family commitments.
• Adopting a ‘skills-first’ approach to hiring, rather than making gendered assumptions about a prospective employee’s capabilities, can help reduce biases and promote meritocracy. This involves focusing on the candidate’s relevant skills, qualifications, and experience, rather than relying on gender-based stereotypes.
• The government can promote diversity in senior leadership through initiatives to raise awareness of board diversity in listed companies. As an example, the Japanese Ministry of Economy collaborated with the Tokyo Stock Exchange to introduce the “Nadeshiko Brands” program. This highlights companies that encourage women’s empowerment and leadership as attractive investment opportunities.
• Creating a strong network group for women professionals can foster connections and collaboration, empowering women to navigate the path to leadership.
• Through peer learning and support, women can share experiences, learn from each other’s successes and challenges, and build a strong support system.
• Providing mentorship and networking opportunities for women can help them navigate the corporate ladder more effectively.
• Experienced female leaders can guide and support aspiring women, sharing insights and strategies for career advancement.
• Shared parental leave policies can promote a more equitable distribution of caregiving responsibilities between men and women. Paid paternity leave policy, especially in the private sector, can help promote a more equitable distribution of caregiving responsibilities between men and women.

Source: Hindu

Q1.) Operation Blue Star was related to which of the following events?

1. Khalistan Movement
2. Quit India Movement
3. Nuclear Weapon Test
4. None of the above

Q2.) Consider the following countries:

1. United Kingdom
2. Germany
3. France
4. Finland
5. Belgium
6. Ukraine

How many of the above-mentioned countries are the members of the European Union (EU)?

1. Only two
2. Only three
3. Only four
4. Only five

Q3.) With reference to the Council of Ministers (COM), consider the following statements:

1. The Council of Ministers is the highest decision-making body in the government, headed by the President of India.
2. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the House of the People.
3. The salaries and allowances of Ministers are determined by President of India.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  10th June 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st