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The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative.
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With reference to the policy of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), consider the following statements:
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Solution (b)
Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a specifically delineated duty-free enclave and shall be deemed to be foreign territory for the purposes of trade operations and duties and tariffs. In order words, SEZ is a geographical region that has economic laws different from a country’s typical economic laws.
The prime objective of SEZs is to enhance foreign investment and provide an internationally competitive and hassle free environment for exports.
The government of India began to establish SEZs in 2000 under the Foreign Trade Policy to redress the infrastructural and bureaucratic challenges that were seen to have limited the success of EPZs.
The policy relating to SEZs, contained in the foreign trade policy, was originally implemented through piecemeal and ad hoc amendments to different laws, besides executive orders. In order to avoid these pitfalls and to give a long-term and stable policy framework with minimum regulation, the SEZ Act, 2005, was enacted. The Act provides the umbrella legal framework, covering all important legal and regulatory aspects of SEZ development as well as for units operating in SEZs.
Presently, 379 SEZs are notified, out of which 265 are operational. About 64% of the SEZs are located in five states – Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Article Link: Special Economic Zones touch new heights in terms of performance in Exports, Investment and Employment
Solution (b)
Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a specifically delineated duty-free enclave and shall be deemed to be foreign territory for the purposes of trade operations and duties and tariffs. In order words, SEZ is a geographical region that has economic laws different from a country’s typical economic laws.
The prime objective of SEZs is to enhance foreign investment and provide an internationally competitive and hassle free environment for exports.
The government of India began to establish SEZs in 2000 under the Foreign Trade Policy to redress the infrastructural and bureaucratic challenges that were seen to have limited the success of EPZs.
The policy relating to SEZs, contained in the foreign trade policy, was originally implemented through piecemeal and ad hoc amendments to different laws, besides executive orders. In order to avoid these pitfalls and to give a long-term and stable policy framework with minimum regulation, the SEZ Act, 2005, was enacted. The Act provides the umbrella legal framework, covering all important legal and regulatory aspects of SEZ development as well as for units operating in SEZs.
Presently, 379 SEZs are notified, out of which 265 are operational. About 64% of the SEZs are located in five states – Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Article Link: Special Economic Zones touch new heights in terms of performance in Exports, Investment and Employment
Consider the following statements:
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Solution (d)
Every high court (whether exclusive or common) consists of a chief justice and such other judges as the president may from time to time deem necessary to appoint.
The judges of a high court are appointed by the President. The chief justice is appointed by the President after consultation with the chief justice of India and the governor of the state concerned. For appointment of other judges, the chief justice of the concerned high court is also consulted. In case of a common high court for two or more states, the governors of all the states concerned are consulted by the president.
The Constitution has not fixed the tenure of a judge of a high court. He holds office until he attains the age of 62 years. Any questions regarding his age is to be decided by the president after consultation with the chief justice of India and the decision of the president is final.
Article Link: High Court appointments an ongoing process, Law Ministry informs Rajya Sabha
Solution (d)
Every high court (whether exclusive or common) consists of a chief justice and such other judges as the president may from time to time deem necessary to appoint.
The judges of a high court are appointed by the President. The chief justice is appointed by the President after consultation with the chief justice of India and the governor of the state concerned. For appointment of other judges, the chief justice of the concerned high court is also consulted. In case of a common high court for two or more states, the governors of all the states concerned are consulted by the president.
The Constitution has not fixed the tenure of a judge of a high court. He holds office until he attains the age of 62 years. Any questions regarding his age is to be decided by the president after consultation with the chief justice of India and the decision of the president is final.
Article Link: High Court appointments an ongoing process, Law Ministry informs Rajya Sabha
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Mangrove ecosystem in India?
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:
Solution (a)
A mangrove is a shrub or small tree that grows in coastal saline or brackish water.
Mangroves occur worldwide in the tropics and subtropics, mainly between latitudes 30° N and 30° S, with the greatest mangrove area within 5° of the equator.
Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees, also called halophytes, and are adapted to live in harsh coastal conditions. They contain a complex salt filtration system and complex root system to cope with saltwater immersion and wave action. They are adapted to the low-oxygen conditions of waterlogged mud.
Mangroves are viviparous i.e. their seeds germinate while still attached to the parent tree. Once germinated, the seedling grows into a propagule. The mature propagule then drops into the water and gets transported to a different spot, eventually taking root in a solid ground.
Top 10 Mangrove Forest in India:
| Rank | States/UTs with Highest Mangrove Cover | Total Mangrove Cover in Sq km |
| 1 | West Bengal | 2,112 |
| 2 | Gujarat | 1,177 |
| 3 | Andaman And Nicobar Islands | 616 |
| 4 | Andhra Pradesh | 404 |
| 5 | Odisha | 251 |
| 6 | Maharashtra | 320 |
| 7 | Tamil Nadu | 45 |
| 8 | Goa | 26 |
| 9 | Karnataka | 10 |
| 10 | Kerala | 9 |
Article Link: The genome of a Salt-secreting Mangrove Species Decoded by DBT-ILS
Solution (a)
A mangrove is a shrub or small tree that grows in coastal saline or brackish water.
Mangroves occur worldwide in the tropics and subtropics, mainly between latitudes 30° N and 30° S, with the greatest mangrove area within 5° of the equator.
Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees, also called halophytes, and are adapted to live in harsh coastal conditions. They contain a complex salt filtration system and complex root system to cope with saltwater immersion and wave action. They are adapted to the low-oxygen conditions of waterlogged mud.
Mangroves are viviparous i.e. their seeds germinate while still attached to the parent tree. Once germinated, the seedling grows into a propagule. The mature propagule then drops into the water and gets transported to a different spot, eventually taking root in a solid ground.
Top 10 Mangrove Forest in India:
| Rank | States/UTs with Highest Mangrove Cover | Total Mangrove Cover in Sq km |
| 1 | West Bengal | 2,112 |
| 2 | Gujarat | 1,177 |
| 3 | Andaman And Nicobar Islands | 616 |
| 4 | Andhra Pradesh | 404 |
| 5 | Odisha | 251 |
| 6 | Maharashtra | 320 |
| 7 | Tamil Nadu | 45 |
| 8 | Goa | 26 |
| 9 | Karnataka | 10 |
| 10 | Kerala | 9 |
Article Link: The genome of a Salt-secreting Mangrove Species Decoded by DBT-ILS
Avicennia marina, seen recently in news, is:
Solution (c)
Avicennia marina is one of the most prominent mangroves species found in all mangrove formations in India. It is a salt-secreting and extraordinarily salt-tolerant mangrove species that grows optimally in 75 per cent seawater.
It is among the rare plant species which can excrete 40 per cent of the salt through salt glands in the leaves, besides its extraordinary capacity to exclude salt entry to the roots.
Recently, the scientists for the first time have decoded the reference-grade whole genome sequence of Avicennia marina.
Article Link: Genome of salt-secreting mangrove species decoded by Department of Biotechnology
Solution (c)
Avicennia marina is one of the most prominent mangroves species found in all mangrove formations in India. It is a salt-secreting and extraordinarily salt-tolerant mangrove species that grows optimally in 75 per cent seawater.
It is among the rare plant species which can excrete 40 per cent of the salt through salt glands in the leaves, besides its extraordinary capacity to exclude salt entry to the roots.
Recently, the scientists for the first time have decoded the reference-grade whole genome sequence of Avicennia marina.
Article Link: Genome of salt-secreting mangrove species decoded by Department of Biotechnology
The traditional institution of village headmen known as ‘Gaon Buras’ is commonly found in the state of:
Solution (d)
Gaon Buras: The institution of Gaon Bura in Assam dates back to the colonial era, when the British appointed the oldest person in the village as the head, who would oversee matters relating to land and revenue in a particular area.
The position would usually go to the oldest, most knowledgeable man who had good personal ties with everyone in a village, or a cluster of small villages.
In Arunachal Pradesh, too, the Gaon Buras (and Buris) are the most important village-level functionaries.
Post-independence, the government continued with the institution and made the Gaon Bura a formal part of the Assam Revenue and Disaster Management department, increasing his responsibilities, and eventually introducing a small honorarium for the role.
Recently, the Assam Cabinet announced that Gaon Buras, village-level functionaries of the district administration, will be called ‘Gaon Pradhans’.
Article Link: The Gaon Bura: a chapter of Assam’s history, now rewritten
Solution (d)
Gaon Buras: The institution of Gaon Bura in Assam dates back to the colonial era, when the British appointed the oldest person in the village as the head, who would oversee matters relating to land and revenue in a particular area.
The position would usually go to the oldest, most knowledgeable man who had good personal ties with everyone in a village, or a cluster of small villages.
In Arunachal Pradesh, too, the Gaon Buras (and Buris) are the most important village-level functionaries.
Post-independence, the government continued with the institution and made the Gaon Bura a formal part of the Assam Revenue and Disaster Management department, increasing his responsibilities, and eventually introducing a small honorarium for the role.
Recently, the Assam Cabinet announced that Gaon Buras, village-level functionaries of the district administration, will be called ‘Gaon Pradhans’.
Article Link: The Gaon Bura: a chapter of Assam’s history, now rewritten
