UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 20th May 2024

·       It aims at encouraging users, who are primarily low- to mid-income investors, to invest as well as save taxes.

·       You can invest in NSC from the nearest post office in your name, for a minor or with another adult as a joint account.

·       Eligibility Criteria for NSC:

·       Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), Trusts, and Private and public limited companies are not eligible to invest in NSC.

·       The individual must be a resident Indian citizen. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) are not eligible to invest in NSC.

·       There is no age limit for individuals to purchase an NSC.

·       Maturity Period: Five years.

·       The amount of NSCs that can be purchased has no upper limit.

·       Tax Saver: As a government-backed tax-saving scheme, the principal invested in NSC qualifies for tax savings under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs annually.

·       Loan Collaterals: NSC certificates are accepted as collateral or security for secured loans in Banks and NBFCs.

·       Premature Withdrawal: Generally, one cannot exit the scheme early except on the death of an investor, on a court order, or on forfeiture by a pledgee who is a Gazetted Government Officer for it.

·       It aims to collect data on medical device related adverse events systematically and scientifically analyze them to aid in regulatory decisions and recommendations on safe use of medical devices.

·       Objective: To improve Indian patient safety by monitoring, recording and analysing the root cause of adverse events or risks associated with the use of medical devices including in-vitro diagnostics by healthcare professionals or patients/users and suggesting regulatory bodies for appropriate action with the sole intention of improving patient safety.

·       It is an important program for reporting of adverse events, coordinated analysis etc related to the medical devices including in-vitro diagnostic devices.

·       It is regulated by the Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO).

·       Medical devices consist of electronic equipment, implant, consumables and disposables, surgical instruments and in-vitro diagnostic reagents, among others.

·       Currently, all medical devices in India are regulated by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Medical Device Rule, 2017.

·       At present, India is 80% dependent on imports for medical devices.

·       Nodal Ministry: Ministry Of Health and Family Welfare

·       It’s a keystone species, which means that the health of sea otters is a good indication of the health of other species and ecosystems nearby.

·       It plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. By preying on sea urchins, they help control the population of these spiny creatures.

·       Without otters, sea urchins can overpopulate and decimate kelp forests. These kelp forests are vital habitats for a myriad of marine life, offering shelter and food for numerous species.

·       The presence of sea otters helps sustain the biodiversity and health of these underwater forests.

Asian Small Clawed otter

·       The small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species, with a slender and streamlined body. It has short, sleek fur that is usually dark brown on the back and lighter on the underside. One of its distinctive features is its small, partially webbed claws, which are ideal for manipulating objects and catching prey.

·       In India, the Asian Small-Clawed Otter is found from the Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh to West Bengal, Northeast India, as well as in southern Indian hill ranges of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and eastern India of Odisha.

Eurasian Otter

·       Slightly smaller than the Smooth-coated Otter, Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra) measure about 1.2 meters in length and between 6 to 12kg in weight.

·       In India, Eurasian Otters are mainly found in the Himalayan foothills and the southern parts of the Western Ghats, where they occupy mountain streams and cold hilly areas. The Himalayan otters have been observed to migrate to the lowlands during winter.

Smooth-coated Otter

·       Largest among the otters found in India, Smooth-coated Otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) measure about 1.3 metres in length and weigh about 11kg.

·       Smooth-coated Otters are found throughout India, and they occupy a range of water bodies like rivers, lakes, estuaries and inundated rice fields. They also reside in mangrove forests and semi-arid regions.

·       A registered party is referred to as a Registered Unrecognised Political Party (RUPP).

·       Any party seeking to register must bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India.

·       It should also bear allegiance to the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy, and uphold the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.

·       As per the ECI, there are 2,790 active registered political parties in India.

·       Tax exemption for donations received under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

·       Common symbol for contesting general elections to the Lok Sabha/State Assemblies.

·       Twenty ‘star campaigners’ during election campaign.

·       Recognised parties – Political parties are recognised as a ‘national’ or ‘State’ party under the provisions of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 (Symbols Order) by the ECI.

·       People Act, 1951 (RP Act) does not grant the ECI explicit authority to de-register inactive parties unless under exceptional circumstances such as fraud or loss of allegiance to the Constitution.

·       The Supreme Court’s ruling in Indian National Congress vs. Institute of Social Welfare & Ors (2002) reaffirmed this limitation, creating a regulatory gap.

·       Recognized parties have been found violating the Model Code of Conduct prohibitions against using caste/communal appeals and voter intimidation/bribing.

·       Despite frequent violations by recognised parties, the ECI’s response often involves short-term campaign bans, which are insufficient deterrents.

·       Banking, insurance, transport, housing and entertainment.

·       Transport, processing, supply of electrical or other energy, telecom, boarding or lodging or both and housing construction.

·       The service under the act doesn’t include any service free of charge or under a contract of personal service.

·       The court has interpreted that the services rendered by lawyers fall under a contract of personal service.

·       The rationale was that the Act was meant to protect consumers from unfair trade practices of businesses and not intended to cover professionals like lawyers.

·       The court distinguished the work of professionals, which requires specialized expertise and is subject to factors beyond one’s control, from that of businessmen.

·       This ruling overturns an earlier 2007 NCDRC verdict which had brought lawyers under the Consumer Protection Act’s purview.

·       The court indicated that its 1995 judgment bringing doctors under the Act’s scope may also need reconsideration by a larger bench.

·       This verdict is likely to have a major impact on the extent of liability for professional misconduct that legal professionals face.