UPSC Quiz – 2023 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 25th October 2023

·       FRSBs are interest-bearing, non-tradable bonds issued by the Government of India, which are repayable on the expiration of seven years from the date of issue.

·       A person resident in India, in her or his individual capacity, or in individual capacity on a joint basis, or in individual capacity on any one or survivor basis, or on behalf of a minor as father/mother/legal guardian.

·       A Hindu undivided family.

·       Non-Resident Indians (NRI) are not eligible to invest in these bonds.

·       Minimum Subscription: The bonds will be issued for a minimum amount of Rs. 1000 (face value) and in multiples thereof.

·       Maximum Limit: There will be no maximum limit for investment in the bonds.

·       A certificate of holding will be issued to the customer as proof of subscription.

·       The interest on the bonds is payable semi-annually on 1st January and 1st July every year.

·       The interest rate of the bond would be re-set half-yearly in sync with the coupon payment date.

·       It is linked to the prevailing National Savings Certificate (NSC) rate with a spread of (+) 35 bps over the respective NSC rate.

·       There is no option to pay interest on a cumulative basis.

Repayment/Tenure:

·       The bonds shall be repayable on the expiration of 7 (Seven) years from the date of issue.

·       Premature redemption shall be allowed for specified categories of senior citizens.

·       Tax Treatment: Interest received will be taxable under the Income-tax Act, 1961, as amended from time to time and as applicable according to the relevant tax status of the Bond holder.

·       The first challenge is that the phenotypic, or observable, effects caused by unexpected CRISPR dynamics are not quantitatively monitored.

·       A second challenge is that the CRISPR technology generally depends on basic genomic data, including the reference genome. The reference genome is like a template that provides researchers with general information on the genome. Unexpected sequence editing with mismatches can occur. These off-target sites are always unexpected.

·       The DANGER analysis overcomes these challenges and allows researchers to perform safer on- and off-target assessments without a reference genome.

DANGER (Deleterious and ANticipatable Guides Evaluated by RNA-sequencing)

·       DANGER analysis is a new software tool that makes genome editing safer by overcoming limitations in current CRISPR technology.

·       Unlike traditional methods that rely on a reference genome, DANGER works by conducting risk-averse on- and off-target assessments using RNA-sequencing data.

·       It evaluates phenotypic effects based on gene expression changes caused by deleterious off-target sites.

·       The software quantifies the phenotypic risk at the gene ontology level without the need for a reference genome.

·       The tool successfully evaluated the phenotypic effects of gene editing in human cells and zebrafish brains.

·       It can be performed on various organisms, personal human genomes, and atypical genomes created by diseases and viruses.

·       The open-source nature of the software allows for its adaptation to different genome editing systems beyond CRISPR-Cas9.

Features

·       They provide returns that are generally higher than bank fixed deposits.

·       Also gives a sovereign guarantee and tax benefits.

·       The interest rates on small savings schemes on a quarterly basis.

·       All deposits received under various small savings schemes are pooled in the National Small Savings Fund.

·       Postal deposits (comprising savings account, recurring deposits, time deposits of varying maturities and monthly income scheme(MIS);

·       Savings certificates (National Small Savings Certificate VIII (NSC) and Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP)];

·       Social security schemes [(public provident fund (PPF) and Senior Citizens‘ Savings Scheme(SCSS)]

·       Similarly, withdrawals under small savings schemes by the depositors are made out of this Fund. The money in the account is used by the centre and states to finance their fiscal deficit.

·       It is a merged scheme of 3 Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan ( SCA to SCSP) and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana(BJRCY).

Aim:

·       To reduce poverty of the SC communities by generation of additional employment opportunities through Skill development, income generating schemes and other initiatives

·       To improve socio-economic developmental indicators by ensuring adequate infrastructure and requisite services in the SC dominated villages.

The following are the components of the scheme:

·       Development of SC dominated villages into an “Adarsh Gram”: The objective of this component is to ensure integrated development of SC majority villages so that, inter alia, there is:, Adequate infrastructure, all requisite infrastructure necessary for socio-economic development needs are to be provided under the Scheme.

·       ‘Grants-in-aid’ for District/State-level Projects for socio-economic betterment of SCs that may include creation of infrastructure in SC dominated villages including those selected under Adarsh Gram component, construction of Hostels/Residential schools.

·       Comprehensive Livelihood Projects which may include components such as Skill development, related infrastructure development, financial assistance towards loans taken by beneficiaries for acquisition/creation of assets required for livelihood generation etc.

·       Construction of Hostels in higher educational institutions which are top-ranked as per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) of Government of India and are funded by the Centre/State/UT Governments either fully or partially.

·       The Malaysian Army contingent comprises troops from 5th Royal Battalion of Malaysian Army. The Indian contingent is being represented by a Battalion of THE RAJPUT REGIMENT.

·       Aim: To enhance military capability for conduct of Multi Domain Operations in a sub conventional scenario.

·       During the exercise, both contingents will establish a Joint Command Post & establish an integrated surveillance grid along with a Joint Surveillance Centre.

·       Both sides will rehearse employment of joint forces in jungle/ semi urban / urban environments. In addition, intelligence collection, collation and dissemination drills will also be rehearsed.

·       The Exercise will also witness employment of Drones/UAVs & Helicopters. Two sides will also practice casualty management and evacuation drills.

·       Both the contingents will discuss logistics management and practice survival training at the Battalion level.

·       The training will focus primarily on high degree of physical fitness, conduct of drills at tactical level and sharing of best practices with each other.

·       The Exercise will culminate with a 48-hour long validation exercise in a semi-urban area.

·       Last edition of the Exercise was conducted in Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia in November 2022.