Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 9 August 2023

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2023

Q) The term ‘LK-99’recently seen in news is best described as which of the following?

1. Military Armed vehicle
2. A strain of deadly virus
3. Near Earth Orbit Asteroid
4. Superconducting material

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 8 August April 2023

Explanation:

• Option (4) is correct: The researchers in South Korea are claiming to have discovered a superconductor named LK-99, world’s first room-temperature superconducting material. LK-99 is a room-temperature superconductor formed of lead, phosphorous and oxygen. The researchers claim to have proven LK-99’s superconductivity by demonstrating how the material responds when electricity is pushed through it, or when it is exposed to magnetic fields, all without cooling the material or putting it under pressure. The material was seen exhibiting some of the common characteristics of superconductors, such as zero resistivity, critical current, and a critical magnetic field. However, experts are skeptical about these claims and urge caution. Previous claims of room-temperature superconductors have not panned out. The potential room-temperature superconductor LK-99 carries the promise of transforming various industries and medical applications as they can transport heavy currents without any loss.

Q) Consider the following pairs:

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. Only one pair
2. Only two pairs
3. All three pairs
4. None of the pairs

Explanation:

• Pair 1 is correctly matched: Samagra Shiksha is an integrated scheme for school’s education launched in 2018-19 by the Indian government, covers pre-schools to class XII. It aims to ensure an equitable quality of education at all levels of school education across India. It works to strengthen infrastructure, gender equality, improving education quality, digital initiatives and the right to education for every child.
• Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Shiksha Karmi Project project launched in 1987 in Rajasthan works for universalization of primary schools and socio economically backward villages in the state where the existing primary education is dysfunctional. The project works to improve and adapt the type of education suiting the local needs and conditions.
• Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Lok Jambish Pariyojana initiative also formed in Rajasthan in 1992, works for universalization of elementary education through mass mobilization and participation of people. It works to enroll children in regular schools and ensure they regularly attend. The project also emphasizes on active learning, child centered process and women empowerment and equality through education.

Q) Consider the following statements about BharatNet Initiative:

1. It is the world’s largest optical fibre-based rural broadband connectivity project.
2. It is executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
3. The funds for BharatNet initiative are allocated as a whole and not state wise.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct but statement 2 is incorrect: The Cabinet has approved Rs 1.39 lakh cr for last mile BharatNet connectivity. BharatNet Initiative is the world’s largest optical fiber-based rural broadband connectivity project. It is an ambitious rural internet access programme – an initiative by the Union government under its Digital India. It is executed by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), a special purpose organisation under the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications.
• Statement 3 is correct: The total budget allocation for the BharatNet project is Rs. 61,000 crores. Funds for the BharatNet project are allocated as a whole and not state/Union Territory-wise. Using optical fibre, the programme is intended to bring broadband internet connectivity to each of the more than 2.5 lakh gram panchayats across the country. The government intends to provide a minimum of 100 Mbps bandwidth at each Gram Panchayat so that everyone, especially those in rural India, can access e-services offered by various Central and State Government agencies.

Q) With reference to Central Information Commission (CIC), consider the following statements:

1. CIC is a statutory body constituted under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
2. The chairman and members of CIC are appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of a committee consisting of Chief Justice of India.
3. The Chief Information Commissioner can only be removed from his office by order of the President.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation:

• Statement 1 and 3 are correct but statement 2 is incorrect: The Union Government has invited applications from eligible candidates for the post of Chief Information Commissioner in the Central Information Commission (CIC). Central Information Commission is a statutory body constituted under the Right to Information Act, 2005. CIC exercises its jurisdiction over all Central Public Authorities. CIC is headed by the Chief Information Commissioner and can have a maximum 10 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, or Information Commissioners shall hold office for a period of three years from the date on which he enters upon his office. They are not eligible for reappointment. The Chief Information Commissioner or any Information Commissioner shall be removed from his office only by order of the President on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. In such cases, the President has to refer the matter to the Supreme Court for an enquiry. After the enquiry, if the Supreme Court upholds the cause of removal and advises so, then the President can remove the CIC.

Q) Consider the following statements about Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY):

1. PMFBY aims to provide financial support to farmers suffering from crop damage due to unforeseen events.
2. All farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers, growing the notified crops in the notified areas are eligible under PMFBY.
3. The Fasal Bima Saptah campaign has been initiated by the Ministry of Rural Development to increase farmer enrollment and the benefits of PMFBY.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: As per government data, crop insurance claims worth around Rs 2,761.10 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) were pending till 2021-22, with maximum pendency of claims in Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is the government sponsored crop insurance scheme that integrates multiple stakeholders on a single platform. PMFBY is a replacement scheme of National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS), there will be exemption from Service Tax liability of all the services involved in the implementation of the scheme. It aims at supporting sustainable production in agriculture sector by way of providing financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/damage arising out of unforeseen events.
• Statement 2 is correct: All farmers including sharecroppers and tenant farmers growing the notified crops in the notified areas are eligible for coverage. Farmers including small farmers have to pay maximum 2% for Kharif, 1.5% for Rabi food and oilseed crops and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops. The premium rates to be paid by farmers are very low and the balance premium will be paid by the Government to provide full insured amount to the farmers against crop loss on account of natural calamities. The balance of premium is shared by the Central and State Government on 50: 50 basis.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Crop Insurance Week/Fasal Bima Saptah campaign has been initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to increase the awareness about benefits of the scheme, sensitize the stakeholders and to increase overall enrolment of farmers. Fasal Bima Pathshalas are also being organized at village/GP level for knowledge building of farmers on various aspects of scheme implementation. Government had also organized a nationwide Doorstep Crop Insurance Policy/receipt Distribution mega drive – ‘Meri Policy Mere Haath’.

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