Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 30th August 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I correctly highlights that India's Semiconductor Manufacturing Incentive Policy 2.0 is shifting focus towards chip fabrication beyond assembly and packaging, aiming to enhance capabilities in semiconductor fabrication. 
Statement-II accurately states that the new policy excludes covering costs linked to technology transfers, mandating companies to independently finance these expenses when engaging in collaborations for chip fabrication. This explanation complements and clarifies the context of Statement-I, making both statements correct and logically connected.

1. Statement 1: This statement is correct. The capital expenditure subsidy for chip packaging and testing facilities was indeed raised to 50% in 2022 as part of the incentive policy.

2. Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. The Semiconductor Manufacturing Incentive Policy 2.0 will not cover costs associated with technology transfers, meaning companies must bear these expenses themselves when collaborating with other firms for chip fabrication.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. The Indian government aims for India to rank among the top five global semiconductor manufacturing destinations by 2030, similar to the United States, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Hence, statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option B the correct answer.

India's Semiconductor Manufacturing Incentive Policy 2.0 primarily aims to focus on chip fabrication and enhance semiconductor capabilities. This strategic shift seeks to advance beyond mere assembly and packaging, positioning India to compete on a global scale in semiconductor fabrication. By emphasizing this aspect, India aims to strengthen its semiconductor ecosystem and reduce reliance on imports, thereby fostering technological self-sufficiency and boosting the country's economic competitiveness in the semiconductor industry.

The primary objective of the UPI block mechanism proposed by SEBI is to provide enhanced protection for clients' funds during trading activities. This mechanism allows clients to engage in secondary market trading using funds that are blocked in their bank accounts, ensuring security until the trading process is completed.

- Statement 1 is correct. Finternet indeed operates on unified ledgers that integrate multiple financial markets, including tokenized assets, stocks, bonds, and real estate.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. A land-based deep depression forms over land, not water, and relies on moisture from the surrounding soil rather than the ocean.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The Application Supported by Blocked Amount (ASBA) mechanism was first introduced by SEBI in 2008, not 2010.

Thus, the correct answer is Option A: 1 Only.

1. Correct. Lateral entry indeed allows the recruitment of specialists from the private sector into government organizations. This approach is intended to infuse domain expertise into civil services.

2. Incorrect. The recruitment process for lateral entry is not managed entirely by the UPSC. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) requests the UPSC to conduct the selection process, but DoPT oversees the overall recruitment process.

3. Correct. One of the primary objectives of lateral entry is to address the shortage of IAS officers at the central level. This helps bring in expertise and mitigate the personnel deficit.

Thus, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect, making Option C: 1 and 3 Only the correct answer.

Statement-I correctly describes the behavior of piezoelectric polymers—these materials indeed generate electrical charges when they experience mechanical stress or strain. This phenomenon is a key characteristic defining piezoelectricity. However, Statement-II is incorrect in its description of the properties of piezoelectric polymers. These polymers actually possess characteristics such as low dielectric constant, low elastic stiffness, and low density, which contribute to their effectiveness as sensors and actuators. High values for dielectric constant, elastic stiffness, and density would not be desirable in piezoelectric polymers for the intended applications mentioned in the context.

Statement-I correctly defines Finternet as a network of interconnected financial ecosystems, similar to the internet. This concept aims to simplify financial services and systems.
Statement-II accurately describes the UPI block mechanism, which allows clients to participate in secondary market trading using blocked funds in their bank accounts. However, Statement-II does not provide an explanation or direct correlation to Finternet, making option (b) the correct choice.

1. Merit System: Originated in the U.S. - Incorrect. The merit system was introduced in India in 1858 to ensure that appointments to government positions were made through a stringent selection process.

2. Spoils System: Allows the ruling party to appoint its supporters to government roles. - Correct. The spoils system, originating in the U.S., allows the ruling party to appoint its supporters to various government roles.

3. Lateral Entry: Recruitment of specialists from the private sector into government organizations. - Correct. Lateral entry refers to the recruitment of specialists from the private sector into government organizations.

4. NITI Aayog: Recommended lateral entry in its Three-Year Action Agenda. - Correct. NITI Aayog recommended the inclusion of lateral entry in its Three-Year Action Agenda.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

The primary purpose of the SHe-Box portal is to provide a centralized platform for registering and monitoring complaints related to sexual harassment of women at work. It ensures that complaints are processed in a timely manner by the relevant Internal Committees and offers a streamlined process for redressal, benefiting all parties involved.