Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 3 March 2023

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2023

Q) “Raisina Dialogue” is India’s premier conference on:

1. Climate change
2. Global migration and refugee problems
3. Women empowerment and freedom
4. Geopolitics and geo-economics

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 2 March 2023

Explanation:

• Option (4) is correct: The Raisina Dialogue is India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community. Every year, leaders in politics, business, media, and civil society converge in New Delhi to discuss the state of the world and explore opportunities for cooperation on a wide range of contemporary matters. The Dialogue is structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross sectoral discussion, involving heads of state, cabinet ministers and local government officials, who are joined by thought leaders from the private sector, media and academia. The conference is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. This effort is supported by a number of institutions, organisations and individuals, who are committed to the mission of the conference. In 2022, the conference is hosted in a hybrid format with in-person conversations and digital discussions.

Q) The provisions of the Foreign Contribution Regulations Act (FCRA), 2010 shall apply to how many of the following?

1. Citizens of India outside India.
2. Companies and their branches registered and working in India.
3. Overseas branches of companies registered or incorporated in India.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. None
2. Only one
3. Only two
4. All three

Explanation:

• Option (4) is correct: Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020. The Act regulates the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions by individuals, associations and companies. Foreign contribution is the donation or transfer of any currency, security or article (of beyond a specified value) by a foreign source. As per Section 1(2) of the Foreign Contribution Regulations Act (FCRA), 2010, the provisions of the Act shall apply to:
  • Whole of India
  • Citizens of India outside India; and
  • Associate Branches or subsidiaries, outside India, of companies or bodies corporate, registered or incorporated in India.

Q) How many of the following factors can adversely affect the symbiotic relationship between the Zooxanthellae and coral polyps?

1. Large amounts of stormwater from heavy rains flooding the coral reef
2. Excess nutrients like ammonia and nitrates entering the reef system
3. Increased exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. None of the factors
2. Only one factor
3. Only two factors
4. All three factors

Explanation:

• Option (4) is correct: The coral reef is a living system. The Coral polyps have a symbiotic relationship with ‘zooxanthellae’ microscopic algae which live on coral. Zooxanthellae assist the coral in nutrient production through its photosynthetic activities. Reefs are formed of groups of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate. However, when coral reefs are exposed to stress, this symbiotic relationship between the zooxanthellae and Coral polyps may get affected which is characterised by the death of the ‘zooxanthellae algae. This process is often termed Coral bleaching. Coral Bleaching can be caused by different reasons:
  • Large amounts of stormwater from heavy rains flooding the reef
  • Increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
  • Sediments such as sand or dirt covering the coral
  • Excess nutrients such as ammonia and nitrate from fertilizers and household products entering the reef ecosystem

Question Hack: This question can be answered if one is aware of the basic knowledge about ecology that, any type of external stress to the ecosystems can adversely affect their functioning. All the factors mentioned in the question are likely to create a stressful condition for the coral reefs. This will affect the symbiotic relationship between Zooxanthellae and coral polyps. Thus, it is highly likely that the correct answer is option (4).

Q) With reference to Spices Board India, consider the following statements:

1. It is the corporate body under the Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
2. It has launched Spice Xchange India a first-of-its-kind online portal to serve as the virtual trade route for Indian spice exporters.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Spices Board of India is the corporate body under the Ministry of Commerce & Ministry, Government of India. It promotes and regulates the export of 52 scheduled spices from India. The Board is an international link between the Indian exporters and the importers abroad. The Board has been spearheading activities for excellence of Indian spices, involving every segment of the industry.
• Statement 2 is correct: Spice Xchange India is launched by the Spices Board India. It is a first-of-its-kind online portal to serve as the virtual trade route for Indian spice exporters to reach out to global customers and vice versa. The Spice Xchange India portal uses Artificial Intelligence tools to enable business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking between spice exporters and importers across the world. The portal facilitates ease of doing business as it provides a technology linked platform for connecting Indian exporters and global buyers and is a giant leap in strengthening export transactions of spices from India.

Q) With reference to the Election Commission of India, consider the following statements:

1. The number of Election Commissioners in the Election Commission of India is fixed by the Parliament.
2. Superintendence, direction, and control of elections to the Parliament and State Legislatures is vested in the Election Commission of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: According to Article 324, the Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and a such number of other Election Commissioners, if any, as the President may from time-to-time fix.
• Statement 2 is correct: The superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to Parliament and to the Legislature of every State and of elections to the offices of President and Vice President held under this Constitution shall be vested in the Election Commission of India.

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