Daily Current Affairs for UPSC

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 19 August 2023

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Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2023

Q) Which one of the following statement is not correct about the Central Water Commission (CWC)?

Explanation:

The Central Water Commission launched an app, called ‘Floodwatch’, which can forecast the chances of floods a day in advance.

Option (4) is the correct answer: The Central Water Commission (CWC) is India’s premier technical organization in water resources. It is an attached office of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. It is charged with the responsibility of coordinating with the state governments for control, conservation and utilization of water resources throughout the country, for purpose of Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking Water Supply and Waterpower Development. The CWC is headed by a Chairman, with the status of Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government of India. The work of the Commission is divided among 3 wings namely, Designs and Research (D&R) Wing, River Management (RM) Wing and Water Planning and Projects (WP&P) Wing. Altogether there are nineteen organizations located at headquarters in New Delhi and thirteen organizations spread over various locations in India.

Q) Consider the following statements about the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ scheme:

It aims to encourage women to start micro-enterprises to help them earn at least Rs 1 lakh annually from the Self-Help Groups.
Under the scheme, women will be trained in skills mainly in building and construction related works like masonry and brick laying.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is incorrect: The Indian government has announced the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ scheme, aiming to provide skill training to two crore women across the nation. The scheme, previously implemented in select states, now seeks to expand its reach and impact on a national scale. The Lakhpati Didi Scheme aims to encourage women to start micro-enterprises to help them earn at least Rs 1 lakh annually from the Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Under the scheme, women will undergo training in a range of practical skills that align with emerging industry demands. These skills include plumbing, LED bulb manufacturing, and the operation and repair of drones, among others. This diversified training approach ensures that women can tap into various sectors and explore entrepreneurial opportunities.

Q) Consider the following statements about Technical textiles:

They are manufactured primarily for aesthetic or decorative purpose.
They may be both woven and non-woven and is made out of primarily synthetic and some natural fibers.
Technical textiles in India have witnessed annual growth rate of more than 15 percent for the last five years.

Which of the statements given above are not correct?

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect but Statement 2 is correct: Technical textiles are functional fabrics that have applications across various industries including automobiles, civil engineering and construction, agriculture, healthcare, industrial safety, personal protection etc. They are manufactured primarily for performance or functions rather than aesthetics. They may be both woven and non-woven and is made out of primarily synthetic and some natural fibers. In the recent half-decade, the progress of technical textiles in India has gathered momentum, displaying an annual growth rate of 8%. The Indian technical textiles sector is on the brink of an impressive trajectory of expansion, with the vision of attaining an astounding $50 billion within the forthcoming five years, departing from its current position of $22 billion.

Q) Consider the following statements about Cell Broadcasting Technology:

It is a method of sending messages to multiple mobile users in a defined area at the same time.
It is being tested by National Disaster Management Authority for sending out alert at the time of disaster directly on the mobile phone screens.
After its successful testing, India will be the first country in the world to implement Cell broadcast technology for emergency alerts and warning messages to the public.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2 are correct but Statement 3 is incorrect: Cell broadcast technology is a method of sending messages to multiple mobile users in a defined area at the same time. It is a type of emergency warning system that enables government agencies and authorised organisations to broadcast critical messages to a large number of people in a specific place, such as during catastrophes or disasters. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has begun testing this technology created by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) to deliver alerts straight to mobile phone displays in the event of an emergency. It is currently being tested on Jio and BSNL networks. Its goal is to improve public safety and deliver timely warnings during emergencies. This method is now in use in developed countries. For example, the United States has an Emergency Alert System (EAS), which allows authorised officials to broadcast emergency alerts and warning messages to the public through cable, satellite, television, AM/FM, and satellite radio.

Q) Which one of the following statements best describes the term “Stagflation”?

It is characterized by a combination of stagnant economic growth, high unemployment, and low inflation rates occurring simultaneously.
It is characterized by a combination of stagnant economic growth, high unemployment, and high inflation rates occurring simultaneously.
It is characterized by a combination of high economic growth, high unemployment, and high inflation rates occurring simultaneously.
It is characterized by a combination of stagnant economic growth, low unemployment, and high inflation rates occurring simultaneously.

Explanation:

According to a study by the RBI, stagflation risk remains low for India with a probability of only 3% with easing of financial conditions.

Option (2) is correct: Stagflation is an economic phenomenon characterized by a combination of stagnant economic growth, high unemployment, and high inflation rates occurring simultaneously. The term Stagflation was coined by Iain Macleod, a Conservative Party MP in the United Kingdom, in November 1965. It is considered unusual because inflation and unemployment typically have an inverse relationship in economic theory, known as the Phillips curve. Stagflation presents a challenging scenario for policymakers as the usual tools to combat inflation, such as raising interest rates, can worsen unemployment, and measures to reduce unemployment, such as stimulating demand, can exacerbate inflation.