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Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 11 January 2023

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2023

Q) Recently seen in news, the ‘molecular sponge’ technology is best related to which one of the following?

  1. An advance material to preserve coral reefs.
  2. The nanobots used to clear blood vessel blockages.
  3. A unique material designed to clean polluted water.
  4. A technology to increase the fertilizer retention rate of soils.

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 10 January 2023

Explanation:

  • Option (3) is correct: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune has come up with a custom-designed unique molecular sponge-like material, which swiftly cleans polluted water by soaking up sinister contaminants. The presently used sorbent materials for water purification trap the pollutants through an ion-exchange strategy to purify water, but they suffer from poor kinetics and specificity. The developed material named Viologen-unit grafted organic framework (iVOFm), employs an amalgamation of electrostatics-drivenion exchange combined with nanometer-sized macropores and specific binding sites for the targeted pollutants. Ion Exchange (IX) is a process of deionisation where dissolved impurity ions in water are replaced by hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, purifying the water. The size and number of tunable macropores, along with the strong electrostatic interaction of iVOFm can quickly remove various toxic pollutants from water. The fast pollutant trapping capacity of the material is attributed to the faster diffusion of pollutants through the ordered interconnected presence of macropores in the material. On the whole, this cationic compound is adaptable for sequestering various pollutants and is a possible solution to the water pollution problem.

Q) Consider the following statements about the United Nations Peacekeeping:

  1. The troops deployed in the peacekeeping missions help monitor disputed borders.
  2. The military personnel of the peacekeeping missions are known as blue helmets.
  3. India is the largest troop contributor to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct: United Nations Peacekeeping is a joint effort between the Department of Peace Operations and the Department of Operational Support. It aims to assist host countries to transition from situations of conflict to peace. It provide security as well as political and peacebuilding support to conflict-ridden countries. The U.N. began its Peacekeeping efforts in 1948 when it deployed military observers to West Asia. The three basic principles that guide U.N.’s Peacekeeping missions are consent of the parties, impartiality, and non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate. Responsibilities of U.N. military personnel are:
  • Protecting civilians and other U.N. personnel
  • Monitoring disputed borders
  • Observing peace processes in post-conflict areas
  • Providing security in conflict zones
  • Providing security during elections
  • Assisting in-country military personnel with training and support
  • Assisting ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements
  • Statement 2 is correct: UN Peacekeeping forces are also known as the Blue Helmets and work alongside the United Nation Police and civilian colleagues to promote stability, security, and peace processes. The personnel get the name from the iconic blue helmets or berets they wear.
  • Statement 3 is incorrect: A total of 119 countries have contributed military and police personnel to UN peacekeeping. India is one of the largest troop and police contributing countries to U.N. peacekeeping missions and more than 5,700 Indian peacekeepers are deployed in nine out of 12 U.N. peacekeeping missions at present. India is one of the largest troop and police contributing countries to U.N. peacekeeping missions and more than 5,700 Indian peacekeepers are deployed in nine out of 12 U.N. peacekeeping missions at present. UN entrusted the Indian armed forces with subsequent peace missions in the Middle East, Cyprus, and the Congo (since 1971, Zaire). India served as Chair of the three international commissions for supervision and control for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos established by the 1954 Geneva Accords on Indochina.
Contribution to UN Peacekeeping
Contribution to UN Peacekeeping

Q) With reference to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), consider the following statements:

  1. DAC makes decisions on the transfer of technology for defence projects.
  2. The DAC is chaired by the Chief of the Defense Staff.

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 correct: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is the highest decision-making body in the Defence Ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services and the Coast Guard. DAC expedites procurement of the approved requirements of the Armed Forces in terms of capabilities sought, and time frame prescribed, by optimally using the allocated budgetary resources. The DAC accord approval for AoN (Acceptance of Necessity) for Capital Acquisition Proposals; categorize the acquisition proposals into ‘Buy, Buy & Make, & Make’; provides in-principle approval of 15 Year Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTPP) for Defence Forces; makes decisions on the Transfer of Technology. Defence Procurement Board will oversee all activities related to acquisition on the capital account in the Department of Defence flowing out of the ‘Buy’ and ‘Buy & Make’ decisions of the DAC. It will function as the body responsible for the co-ordination, supervision and monitoring of the acquisition process.
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: The DAC is chaired by the Defence Minister. Minister of State for Defence, Chief of Tri-Services, Defence Secretary, Secretary of Defence Production, Secretary of Defence R&D, Chief of Integrated Defence, Director General Acquisition, and Chief of Integrated Staff Committees are other members.

Q) With reference to the ‘Delegated/Subordinate Legislation’ in Indian context, consider the following statements:

  1. The subordinate legislation is introduced in the Parliament by an authority subordinate to the cabinet minister.
  2. A Union Minister cannot be a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Subordinate Legislation.
  3. According to the Supreme Court of India, subordinate legislation made by the executives or statutory bodies is unconstitutional.

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

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

Explanation:

The Constitution of India established the Parliament of India to act as the supreme legislature of the country, one to make national laws and to hold the Union government accountable for its policies. However, in practice, the parliament only debates and enacts Bills which are brought before it by the government and by individual MPs. An important component in law making is delegated legislation.

  • Statement 1 is incorrect: Delegated (also known as subordinate) legislation is legislation made not directly by an Act of the Parliament, but under the authority of an Act of the Parliament. Subordinate legislation is the legislation made by an authority subordinate to the legislature. It can be statutory bodies also.
  • Statement 2 is correct: The Parliamentary Committee on Subordinate Legislation examines whether the executive branch has properly utilised its authorities to enact regulations, rules, sub-rules, and bye-laws that have been delegated by Parliament or bestowed by the Constitution. It is present in both houses of the Parliament–the Rajya Sabha and the Lok sabha. The Committee consists of 15 members in both houses. Members are nominated by the Speaker or Chairman in the Lok sabha and the RajyaS abha respectively. Ministers cannot be members of this committee.
  • Statement 3 is incorrect: The Supreme Court in 1973 said that empowering the Executive to make subordinate legislation in India within a prescribed limit has evolved out of practical necessity and pragmatic needs of a modern welfare State.

Q) Consider the following statements:

  1. The Ministry of Skill Development launched the “Young Professionals Scheme” for developing new skills among rural youth.
  2. The SPRINT scheme aims to enhance women’s participation in the STEM sector.

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: Recently, the governments of India and the U.K. marked Pravasi Bharatiya Divas by kicking off the Young Professionals Scheme. The scheme will permit up to 3,000 of their degree-holding citizens aged between 18 and 30 to live and work in each other’s countries for a period of two years. The scheme is part of the India-UK Migration and Mobility MoU signed in May 2021.
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: SPRINT (Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through Innovations for Defence Excellence) Scheme aims to promote the development and usage of indigenous defence technologies by domestic companies. The task of developing this technology is one of the 75 challenges that have been introduced by the Indian Navy under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. To achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence, Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO), in conjunction with the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), aims to induct at least 75 new indigenous technologies/products into the Indian Navy till august 2023.

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FAQs

Recently seen in news, the ‘molecular sponge’ technology is best related to which?

A unique material designed to clean polluted water.

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