UPSC Quiz – 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 13th Oct 2020

Solution (c)

Vigyan Jyoti:

• It was launched by the DST in 2019.

Aims:

• To promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning among girl students and build confidence and excitement towards these streams.
  • STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in 4 specific disciplines, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, in an interdisciplinary and applied approach.
• To create a level-playing field for meritorious girls from grades 9 to 12, especially from the top colleges in the areas where girls are hugely underrepresented.
• To solve the multidimensional problems associated with the meagre representation of women.

• The programme provides a scholarship, visit to nearby scientific institutions, science camps, lecturers from eminent women scientists, and career counselling.
• It is currently implemented by Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in 58 districts, with the participation of about 2900 students.

Solution (d)

The Election Commission of India lists political parties as “national party”, “state party” or “registered (unrecognised) party”.

The conditions for being listed as a national or a state party are specified under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

Conditions for recognized parties:

1. National Party:

• 6% valid votes polled in any four or more states at a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the State legislative assembly; and, in addition, it wins four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states.
• 2% of all Lok Sabha seats in the last such election, with MPs elected from at least three states.
• Recognition as a state party in at least four states.

2. State Party:

• Two seats plus a 6% vote share in the last Assembly election in that state.
• One seat plus a 6% vote share in the last Lok Sabha election from that state.
• 3% of the total Assembly seats or 3 seats, whichever is more.
• One of every 25 Lok Sabha seats (or an equivalent fraction) from a state.
• An 8% state-wide vote share in either the last Lok Sabha or the last Assembly polls.

3. Loss of Recognised Status:

• Once recognised as a national or a state party, a political party loses its given status only if it fails to fulfil any of the conditions for two successive Assembly and two successive Lok Sabha elections.
• That means a party retains that status irrespective of its performance in the next elections.

Solution (c)

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flight tested indigenously developed Anti Radiation Missile (Rudram-1).

About Anti Radiation Missiles:

• These are designed to detect, track and neutralise the adversary’s radar, communication assets and other radio frequency sources, which are generally part of their air defence systems.
• These can locate and target any radiation emitting source.
• These can play a key role in neutralising any jamming platforms of the enemy or take out radar stations thereby clearing a path for own fighters to carry out an offensive and also prevent own systems from being jammed.

About Rudram-1:

• Development and Test: It is an air-to-surface missile, designed and developed by the DRDO.
• DRDO conducted a successful test of the New Generation Anti Radiation Missile (NGRAM) also called the Rudram-1 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Balasore (Odisha).
• Rudram-1 is the first indigenous anti-radiation missile of the country.
• Capability: Once the missile locks on the target, it is capable of striking accurately even if the radiation source switches off in between.

Operational Features:

• The missile, integrated with SU-30 MkI aircraft, has a capability of varying ranges based on the launch conditions.
• It can be adapted for launch from other fighter jets too.
• It can be launched from altitudes of 500 m to 15 km and speeds of 0.6 to 2 mach.

Solution (a)

Central Information Commission

• The Central Information Commission was established by the Central Government in 2005, under the provisions of the Right to Information Act (2005). It is not a constitutional body.
• The Commission consists of a Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten Information Commissioners.
• They are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
• The Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner shall hold office for such term as prescribed by the Central Government or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• They are not eligible for reappointment.

Power and Functions of CIC

• It is the duty of the Commission to receive and inquire into a complaint from any person regarding information request under RTI, 2005.
• The Commission can order an inquiry into any matter if there are reasonable grounds (suo-moto power).
• While inquiring, the Commission has the powers of a civil court in respect of summoning, requiring documents etc.

Solution (b)

• World Bank has released a report titled “South Asia Economic Focus”. 
• The report forecasts a sharp economic fall in each of the region’s eight countries they are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.The cause of the sharp economic fall have been stated as the halting economic activity, collapsing trade as well as greater stress in the financial and banking sectors which is a result of COVID-19 outbreak. 
• The report states that the regional growth will get dropped to a range between 1.8% and 2.8% in 2020, down from 6.3% that was projected 6 months ago.
• According to the report, Maldives is expected to be the worst hit nation along with Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan. 
• In the above listed countries, the full range of forecast is in negative territory. India’s economy has been expected to grow at 1.5% to 2.8% in the fiscal year 2020-2021.