Daily Current Affairs MCQ- January 31, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

India's premier show on Technical Textiles - ‘Technotex 2023’ will be held in Mumbai from 22nd to 24th February 2023.

• The event is being organized by the Ministry of Textiles in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Industry, under National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM).
• Technotex 2023 offers a good opportunity for Startup Entrepreneurs who represent the fastest-growing category worldwide.
• The Government is making all efforts to promote Technical Textiles and has undertaken various initiatives in this direction, such as creation of PLI scheme, HSN Codes, National Technical Textiles Mission.

What are Technical Textiles?

• Technical textiles are defined as textile materials and products used primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than their aesthetic or decorative characteristics.
• As a component or part of another product, they are used to enhance the strength, performance or other functional properties of that product.
• These products are broadly classified into 12 different categories- Agrotech, Oekotech, Buildtech, Meditech, Geotech, Clothtech, Mobiltech, Hometech, Sportstech,Indutech, Protech, Packtech.
• Technical textile accounts for approximately 13% of India’s total textile and apparel market and contributes to India’s GDP at 0.7%.

National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)

• The Ministry of Textiles has launched NTTM to increase the penetration level of technical textiles in India while leveraging the extraordinary growth rate of the sector.
• The aim of the mission is to position India as a global leader in Technical Textiles.
• The mission will comprise four components: Research, Innovation and Development; Promotion and Market Development; Export Promotion; Education, Training, Skill Development.
• Implementation period: Four years starting from FY 2020-21 till FY 2023-24. The total outlay of the mission is INR 1480 Cr.
• Target: Take domestic market size of technical textile sector to $ 40-50 Bn by the year 2024 with an average growth rate of 15-20% per annum.

What is HSN Code?

• HSN code stands for “Harmonized System of Nomenclature”. This system has been introduced for the systematic classification of goods all over the world.
• HSN code is a 6-digit uniform code that classifies 5000+ products and is accepted worldwide.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The Union Agriculture Minister had approved the formation of an Advisory Group for streamlining the development of the Bamboo sector.

• Restructured National Bamboo Mission approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 25-04-2018. It mainly focuses on the development of a complete value chain of the Bamboo sector to link growers with consumers
• The Restructured National Bamboo Mission is a centrally sponsored scheme (CSS).
• Aim:
  • The Mission envisages promoting holistic growth of bamboo sector by adopting an area-based, regionally differentiated strategy and to increase the area under bamboo cultivation and marketing.
  • Under the Mission, steps have been taken to increase the availability of quality planting material by supporting the setting up of new nurseries and strengthening of existing ones.
• Objectives:
  • To increase the area under bamboo plantation in non forest Government and private lands to supplement farm income.
  • To improve post-harvest management through establishment of innovative primary processing units near the source of production.
  • To promote product development keeping in view market demand, by assisting R&D, entrepreneurship etc.
• Implementation: It is being implemented through the state nodal department which is nominated by the State/UT governments concerned.
• The selection of beneficiaries: The selection of beneficiaries and delivery of assistance are being carried out by the State Bamboo Mission/State Bamboo Development agency stationed at the State/UT nodal department for implimenting the National Bamboo Mission.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

As part of the Sweden India Nobel Memorial Week, SHE STEM, event was successfully held for the third year in a row.

• SHE STEM is a flagship event of the Nobel Memorial Week and aims to amplify the contribution of women innovators, technologists, scientists, and founders in the fields of STEM and sustainability.
• The annual event is organised by the Embassy of Sweden in India in partnership with the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog and the German Centre of Innovation and Research (DWIH New Delhi).
• Its objective is to encourage young female leaders to join and pursue careers in the fields of STEM , as well as to nudge others to interact with women in leadership positions in STEM fields.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, President Droupadi Murmu offered prayers at Sri Venkateswara temple atop Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh.

• Venkateswara Temple is a landmark Vaishnavite temple situated in the hill town of Tirumala at Tirupati in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is also known by other names like Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Temple, Tirupati Balaji Temple.
• The Temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared here to save mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga.
• It is one of the richest temple in the world in terms of donations received and wealth.
• Tirupati Laddu: The renowned sweet, Tirupati Laddu which is enriched with dried fruits and nuts is a registered Geographical Indicator (GI).

Architecture

• The Temple is constructed in Dravidian architecture and is believed to be constructed over a period of time starting from 300 AD.
• The Garbagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum) is called AnandaNilayam. The presiding deity, Venkateswara, is in standing posture and faces east in Garbha griha.
• The temple follows Vaikhanasa Agama tradition of worship. The temple is one of the eight Vishnu Swayambhu Kshetras and is listed as 106th and the last earthly Divya Desam.

Hence both statements are correct.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently announced that IP facilitator charges have increased by almost 50% for patent filing under the SIPP scheme.

• For patents, the fee for application and filing has been increased to INR 15K from INR 10K. For trademarks and designs, the fee has been increased to INR 3K from INR 2K.
• SIPP scheme launched by Government of India, facilitates the start-ups to file applications for patents, designs and trademarks through registered facilitators in appropriate IP offices by paying only the statutory fees.
• Who can apply? Any Start-Up certified by the Start-up Certification Board as having an innovative business.
  • For this purpose, Start-up means an entity, incorporated or registered in India not prior to seven years (in the case of Startups in the Biotechnology sector, the period shall be up to ten years), with annual turnover not exceeding INR 25 crores in any preceding financial year, working towards innovation, development, deployment or commercialization of new products, processes or services driven by technology or intellectual property.
  • provided that such entity is not formed by splitting up, or reconstruction, of a business already in existence.
  • provided also that an entity shall cease to be a Start-up if its turnover for the previous financial years has exceeded INR 25 crore or it has completed 7 years from the date of incorporation/registration.
  • provided further that a Start-up shall be eligible for availing the benefits of this scheme only after it has obtained certification from the Start-up Certification Board.
• Appointment of Facilitators: For effective implementation of the scheme, facilitators shall be empanelled by the Controller General of Patent, Trademark and Design (CGPDTM). The CGPDTM shall regulate conduct and functions of empanelled facilitators from time to time.

Hence both statements are correct.

Since King Charles III of England was made monarch in September, there has been anticipation over his coronation ceremony and the famous crown jewels that will be on display for the event

What is the St Edward’s Crown?

• St Edward’s Crown is the crown historically used at the moment of Coronation, and was worn by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at her Coronation in 1953.
• It was made for Charles II in 1661, as a replacement for the medieval crown which had been melted down in 1649. The original was thought to date back to the eleventh-century royal saint, Edward the Confessor – the last Anglo-Saxon king of England.
• Edward the Confessor (reigned 1042-66), who deposited his Royal ornaments for safe-keeping in Westminster Abbey, may have been the first monarch to assemble the regalia, or the distinct objects worn exclusively by royals.
• Britain is the only European monarchy still using its regalia for the consecration ceremony of crowning the Sovereign.
• Other items included in the regalia are the Coronation Chair (used at every coronation since 1300), the two Royal maces, three swords and St Edward’s Staff (dating from 1661).

Imperial State Crown

• It is worn by the monarch at the end of the coronation ceremony and at formal occasions like the State Opening of Parliament, reminding us the Crown Jewels is a working collection.
• It has the Cullinan diamond (also known as the Star of Africa) embedded in it, considered among the biggest diamonds ever discovered.
• Another stone featured in it is the Black Prince’s Ruby, believed to have origins in or around Afghanistan.

Hence both statements are correct.

While EU countries welcome the new commitment to energy transition, they fear the $430 billion Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will unfairly disadvantage their companies relative to rivals in the United States.

• The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) is a landmark United States federal law which aims to curb inflation by reducing the deficit, lowering prescription drug prices, and investing into domestic energy production while promoting clean energy.
• It is a reduced version of the Biden administration's proposed Build Back Better Act.
• At the end of a decade, according to Democrats, the U.S. will realize a deficit reduction of more than $300 billion while lowering inflation, investing in energy production, and reducing healthcare costs. Of the $737 billion in revenue raised, the legislation calls for $222 billion from a 15% corporate minimum tax.
• The legislation stands to be the single largest investment in climate and energy in the U.S. to date.

Why Europe is concerned?

• The 27 EU countries are worried their companies will be cut off from U.S. tax credits for components used in renewable energy technologies like electric cars, offered under the new law on condition they are made in North America.
• EU countries consider that some 200 billion euros ($207 billion) of the U.S. subsidies are tied to locally produced content provisions that potentially violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.
• Not only do the tax breaks put European companies at a disadvantage to U.S. rivals, but EU state aid rules in their current form prevent member countries from offering similarly generous tax breaks to companies looking to set up factories.

Hence both statements are correct.

The government has approved the Print and Digital Media Association (PADMA) as a self-regulatory body for publishers of news and current affairs across the country.

• The organisation — with 47 digital news publishers on board — will look at grievances related to digital media news content on their platforms.
• With this, the Ministry has approved nine self-regulatory bodies since May 2021 under rule 12 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
  • They include DIGIPUB News India Foundation, Confederation of Online Media (India), and NBF- Professional News Broadcasting Standards Authority, among others.
• Self-regulatory bodies will “oversee and ensure adherence by the publisher to the code of ethics; address grievances which have not been resolved by publishers within 15 days; hear appeals filed by the complainant against the decision of publishers etc.

Hence both statements are correct.

Paris Club creditor nations are proposing a 10-year moratorium on Sri Lankan debt and another 15 years of debt restructuring as a formula to resolve the Sri Lankan debt crisis.

• The Paris club has also called upon the Global north and south to take a similar haircut in restructuring of Sri Lankan debt. So far no official proposal has been made by Paris club to China or India.
• The Paris Club is an informal group of creditor nations whose objective is to find workable solutions to payment problems faced by debtor nations.
• The Paris Club has 22 permanent members, including most of the western European and Scandinavian nations, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
• The group is organized around the principles that each debtor nation be treated case by case, with consensus, conditionality, solidarity, and comparability of treatment.
• The Paris Club stresses the informal nature of its existence. As an informal group, it has no official statutes and no formal inception date, although its first meeting with a debtor nation was in 1956, with Argentina.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, the Jeevan Pramaan Patra have been disbursed by the Government using the network of Postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks in the country.

• Jeevan Pramaan is a biometric enabled digital service for pensioners. Pensioners of Central Government, State Government or any other Government organization can take benefit of this facility.
• The scheme was launched on November 10, 2014.
• In order to get this life certificate the individual drawing the pension is required to either personally present oneself before the Pension Disbursing Agency or have the Life Certificate issued by authority where they have served earlier and have it delivered to the disbursing agency.
• Using Jeevan Pramaan, a pensioner can now digitally provide proof of his/her existence to authorities for continuity of pension every year instead of requiring to present himself/herself physically or through a Life Certificate issued by specified authorities.
• The Digital Life Certificate facility is not available to Remarried or Re-employed Pensioners. They are required to submit the Life Certificate the conventional way to their Pension Disbursing Authority.

Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.