Daily Current Affairs MCQ - July 3, 2021 - UPSC MCQ

Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises inaugurated six Technology Innovation Platforms which will focus on development of technologies for the globally competitive manufacturing in India.

• This will facilitate the development of the key ‘mother’ manufacturing technologies' indigenously through ‘Grand Challenges’ on the Platforms.
• The six technology platforms have been developed by IIT Madras, Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), International Centre for Automotive Technology(iCAT), Automotive Research Association of India(ARAI), BHEL and HMT in association with IISc Banglore.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The Ministry of Youth affairs & Sports has decided to grant recognition to WAKO India Kickboxing Federation as National Sports Federation (NSF) for promotion and development of the Kickboxing sport in India.

• WAKO India Kickboxing Federation is affiliated to World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO), which is the International Federation for the sport of Kickboxing.
• International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board at its meeting on 10th June 2021 has approved the recommendation for WAKO to become fully recognized member of the Olympic family of sport.
• WAKO have been provisionally recognized member of the IOC Since 30 November 2018.
• The full recognition of WAKO will be finally decided by the IOC Session in Tokyo in July 2021.
• To be fully included and accepted in the Olympic movement is important for the recognition and development of the sport of kickboxing.
• It is expected that with government recognition of WAKO India Kickboxing Federation as NSF, the sport of kickboxing will develop at a faster pace in the country.

Hence both statements are correct.

The online nominations/recommendations process for the Sardar Patel National Unity Award is on and the last date for nominations/recommendations is 15th August 2021.

• The Government of India has instituted the highest civilian award in the field of contribution to the unity and integrity of India, in the name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
• The Award seeks to recognize notable and inspiring contributions to promote the cause of national unity and integrity and to reinforce the value of a strong and united India.
• Any citizen of India without distinction of religion, race, caste, gender, place of birth, age or occupation, and any institution/organization would be eligible for the Award.
• Any Indian national or institution or organization based in India may nominate an individual or institution or organization for consideration for this Award.
• Individuals/institutions/organizationsmay also nominate themselves. State Governments, Union Territory Administrations and Ministries of the Government of India may also send nominations for the award.

Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

The 15^th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) was released which ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness. Global Peace Index (GPI) is a report produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP).

• The GPI covers 99.7 per cent of the world’s population, using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators and measures the state of peace across three domains:
  1. the level of Societal Safety and Security,
  2. the extent of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and
  3. the degree of Militarisation.

Findings

• India ranked 135/163 with an improvement of 2 ranks.
• Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, a position it has held since 2008.
• Afghanistan is the least peaceful country in the world for the fourth consecutive year, followed by Yemen, Syria, South Sudan, and Iraq.

Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

The Supreme Court directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to frame guidelines for payment of ex-gratia compensation to family members of persons who succumbed to COVID-19, while considering the recommendations in the 15th Finance Commission Report.

• The share of states in the central taxes for the 2021-26 period is recommended to be 41%, same as that for 2020-21.
• The criteria for distribution of central taxes among states for 2021-26 period is same as that for 2020-21. However, the reference period for computing income distance and tax efforts are different (2015-18 for 2020-21 and 2016-19 for 2021-26), hence, the individual share of states may still change.
• Fiscal deficit and debt levels: The Commission suggested that the centre bring down fiscal deficit to 4% of GDP by 2025-26. For states, it recommended the fiscal deficit limit (as % of GSDP) of: (i) 4% in 2021-22, (ii) 3.5% in 2022-23, and (iii) 3% during 2023-26.
• Health: States should increase spending on health to more than 8% of their budget by 2022.
• A dedicated non-lapsable fund called the Modernisation Fund for Defence and Internal Security (MFDIS) will be constituted to primarily bridge the gap between budgetary requirements and allocation for capital outlay in defence and internal security.
• Hence both statements are correct.

E-commerce companies can operate under two different models in India.

• The first is the marketplace model where the e-commerce firm simply acts as a platform that connects buyers and sellers. In order to increase the participation of foreign players in the e-commerce field, the Government has increased the limit of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the e-commerce marketplace model for up to 100%.
• The second model is inventory-based where the inventory of goods sold on the portal is owned or controlled by the e-commerce company. FDI is not allowed under this model.

President Biden signed legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, enshrining June 19 as the national day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

Diego Garcia is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. It is a militarised atoll just south of the equator in the central Indian Ocean, and the largest of 60 small islands comprising the Chagos Archipelago.

Every year on July 1, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) celebrates National Doctors’ Day. About the day: It is dedicated to all the doctors and healthcare workers who have been serving the people. It is celebrated on different dates across the globe. National Doctors’ Day on July 1, in India marks the birth and honours the contributions of renowned physician and former West Bengal chief minister Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy. The 1st National Doctors’ Day was celebrated in 1991.

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has allowed Cipla to import Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, making it the 4th vaccine in India to be given the emergency use authorisation (EUA), the other 3 being Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik. Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI): DGCI is the head of the department of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. It approves licences of specified categories of drugs like blood and blood products, vaccines, IV fluids, and sera in India. It comes under the purview of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.