Daily Current Affairs for UPSC

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2023

Q) Recently seen in news, the ‘UN Security Council 1267 Committee’ is best related to which one of the following?

To restore peace in South Sudan
To help in resolving Russia-Ukraine crisis
To create a secure order in Indo-Pacific region
To discuss efforts to limit the movement of terrorists

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 20 June April 2023

Explanation:

Option (4) is correct: China has blocked the proposal moved by the U.S. and India to blacklist terrorist Sajid Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist. UN Security Council 1267 Committee was first set up in 1999 (updated in 2011 and 2015), and strengthened after the September 2001 attacks. It is now known as the Da’esh and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee. The 1267 list of terrorists is a global list, with a UNSC stamp. It is one of the most important and active UN subsidiary bodies working on efforts to combat terrorism, particularly in relation to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State group. It discusses UN efforts to limit the movement of terrorists, especially those related to travel bans, the freezing of assets and arms embargoes for terrorism.

Q) Consider the following statements about Semiconductors:

Semiconductors are typically made from gallium arsenide.
India imports almost all of its semiconductor chips from China.
Under the Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme, a company can get a subsidy of up to 45 percent of its capital expenditure.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only one
Only two
All three
None

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Semiconductors are materials that have electrical conductivity between that of a conductor (e.g., Copper) and an insulator (e.g., Rubber). This means that semiconductors can conduct electricity, but not as well as conductors, and they can also act as insulators, but not as effectively as insulators. This property allows for the creation of electronic components with specific electrical properties; enable the design of complex circuits and devices. Semiconductors are typically made from materials such as silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide.
Statement 2 is incorrect: India imports 100% of its chips from Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam. Semiconductor manufacturing in India would not only help domestic companies reduce dependence on imports, but also generate revenue from exports to other countries. Semiconductor chips are the lifeblood of the modern information age. They enable electronic products to compute and control actions that simplify our lives. Semiconductors are essential to drive the ICT (Information and Communications Technology) development in the country, which is critical for India to benefit from the 4th industrial revolution.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) provides financial incentives for setting up new semiconductor manufacturing units in the country. Under the scheme, companies can get a subsidy of up to 25% of their capital expenditure. Semiconductor Wafer FAB Acquisition Program (SEWFAP) provides financial assistance to Indian companies for acquiring semiconductor fabrication facilities (fabs) outside India. National Electronics Policy (NEP) 2019 promotes the growth of the electronics industry in the country, including the semiconductor industry.

Q) With reference to ‘Heat waves’, consider the following statements:

Heat wave is considered if maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for Plains.
Heat waves often occur when a low-pressure system becomes stationary over a region.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Heat wave is considered if maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for Plains and at least 30°C or more for Hilly regions. Based on Departure from Normal, Heat wave is declared if departure from normal is 4.5°C to 6.4°C, Severe heatwave is declared if departure from normal is >6.4°C. Based on Actual Maximum Temperature, Heatwave is declared when actual maximum temperature ≥ 45°C. Severe heatwave is declared when actual maximum temperature ≥47°C
Statement 2 is incorrect: Heatwaves often occur when a high-pressure system becomes stationary over a region. High-pressure systems promote sinking air, which inhibits cloud formation and prevents the release of heat through convection. As a result, the air near the surface becomes trapped and warms up, leading to prolonged periods of high temperatures.

Q) Consider the following statements about Carbon offsetting:

It tries to offset the emissions generated in one location by funding initiatives that reduce those emissions in another area.
Carbon credits allow the owner to restrict a certain amount of greenhouse gases from its businesses.
A company can claim carbon neutrality by purchasing carbon credits equivalent to their emissions.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only one
Only two
All three
None

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Carbon offsetting is a practice used by companies to compensate for their CO2 emissions by funding projects that reduce or remove an equivalent amount of CO2 from the atmosphere. The basic idea behind carbon offsetting is to balance out the emissions produced in one area by investing in activities that offset or counteract those emissions in another area.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Once the emissions are calculated, the entity purchases carbon credits or offsets from a broker, retailer, or project developer. Each carbon credit represents one metric ton of CO2e that has been reduced or removed from the atmosphere. Carbon credits, also known as carbon offsets, are permits that allow the owner to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. The funds from purchasing carbon credits are directed towards projects or activities that have a measurable impact on reducing or removing greenhouse gas emissions.
Statement 3 is correct: To ensure the credibility of the offset projects, they often undergo verification and certification processes. These processes are conducted by recognized standards and third-party organizations that assess the project’s adherence to additionality, permanence, and other quality criteria. By purchasing and retiring carbon credits equivalent to their emissions, individuals or organizations can claim carbon neutrality.

Q) With reference to ‘Competition Commission of India (CCI)’, consider the following statements:

CCI is both a quasi-judicial and statutory body established under the Competition Act, 2002.
The Chairperson and members of CCI are appointed by the Central Government.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body. CCI is a quasi-judicial body. Itwas established in 2009 by Government of India under the Competition Act, 2002 for the administration, implementation, and enforcement of the Act. It should be noted that on the recommendations of Raghavan committee, the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act) was repealed and replaced by the Competition Act, 2002.
Statement 2 is correct: CCI consists of a Chairperson and 6 Members appointed by the Central Government. CCI has adjudicated more than 1,200 antitrust cases that were highly complex, traversed till the apex court and stood the judicial scrutiny, and in the process, developed world-class jurisprudence. It has also reviewed more than 900 mergers and acquisitions till date, cleared most of them, within a record average time of 30 days. CCI has also come up with several innovations like the ‘green channel’ provision for automated approval on combinations and cleared more than 50 of such transactions.