Daily Current Affairs MCQ / UPSC / IAS / 03-11-19 | Free PDF

MCQ 1

Economic Outlook for South East Asia report is released by

(A) ASEAN

(B) ADB

(C) OECD

(D) World Bank

• The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development released its report in Economic Outlook for South East Asia.
• The report was presented at the ASEAN summit, 2019. This year the title of the report is “Reponding to Environmental Hazards in Cities”

Highlights

• India’s GDP will grow at the rate of 6.6% in the years 2020-2024. This is below than its average growth of 7.4% in the years 2013-17
• Sustaining the efforts taken in the health and banking sectors will be a challenge for India. India will also face difficulties in bridging the disparity between urban and rural infrastructure
• According to the report, China will have to bridge the gap between supply and demand of its digital talent when it steps to improve digital literacy and increase access to digital services
• Among ASEAN countries, Vietnam and Philippines will remain as growth leaders.
• The report predicts that the emerging trade tensions between USA and China will affect emerging Asian market
• In 2016 coal and oil produced 39% of South East’s energy sector. This is to increase to 44% in 2040. OECD recommends implementation of ASEAN Clean Coal Technology for power plants to reduce pollution caused by these factors.

MCQ 2

1. Indo-German Energy Forum was launched recently to enhance and deepen the strategic political dialogue on the ongoing energy transition
2. It is focused solely on the renewable energy for the future

Choose correct

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(C) Both

(D) None

8th Indo German Energy Forum

• The eighth Indo-German Energy Forum was conducted in Delhi to enhance cooperation in the energy sector. Both the countries signed eight agreements in the following sectors
• Thermal Power Plants
• Demand-side energy
• renewable energies
• low carbon growth strategies
• green energy corridors

Highlights

• The forum finalized future collaboration between the countries that include Flexibilisation of existing coal fired power plants and promotion of energy efficiency
• Indo-German Solar Partnership that was founded in 2015 was recognized in the forum. The forum also signed agreement to promote the niche markets for solar energy
• The Forum also signed agreements on building materials and credit lines for financing corresponding measures

Indo-German Energy Forum

• The Forum was established in 2006 to enhance and deepen the strategic political dialogue on the ongoing energy transition in both the countries.
• The high level meeting of the forum is chaired by respective ministries of environment, renewable energy of both the countries
• At the forum, the countries exchange experiences for both the governments to address challenges in the ongoing global energy transition.

MCQ 3

1. SCOJtEx-2019 is going to be inaugurated in New Delhi
2. All the ten SCO member countries will be participating in it

Choose correct

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(C) Both

(D) None

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Joint Exercise on Urban Earthquake Search and Rescue- ‘SCOJtEx-2019’ in New Delhi. The four day exercise will be held from 4-7 November 2019. The joint exercise is being hosted by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
• The SCOJtEx will be followed by a meeting between SCO experts and officials of ministries responsible for prevention as well as elimination of emergency situations.
• About SCOJtEx-2019
• Objective: To rehearse the disaster response mechanism, share knowledge, experience and technology for mutual coordination.
• Participant: All the eight SCO member countries will be participatingIndia, Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Representatives from Brazil, Mongolia, South Africa, International Search & Rescue Advisory Group, ASEAN Coordination Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA) Centre are invited as observers. Other participants include representatives from embassies of all SCO member nations, heads of state disaster response forces (SDRF) and representatives of other stakeholders.
• Key Features:
• Focus of Joint Exercise will be to test the region’s preparedness and resilience towards effective activation of Inter-governmental interaction for immediate response. The exercise will also provide an opportunity to enhance coordination as well as co-operation involving multi-agency operations in an earthquake scenario.
• This simulation exercise will be conducted as per the methodology and guidelines of International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), a network of disaster-prone and disaster-responding countries as well as organizations dedicated to operational field coordination and urban search and rescue (USAR).
• During exercise, discussions will be held on role and responsibilities of many organisations and teams, including those involved in emergency medical services, as well as urban search and rescue at both national and international levels.
• Discussions will be also held on the role of humanitarian system, emergency response and assessment team, United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC), on-site operations coordination centre local emergency management authority and humanitarian civil-military coordination.

MCQ 4

1. The New Colombo Plan Mobility Program is a signature initiative of Government of Sri Lanka
2. Which will provide University students the opportunities to gain cross-cultural awareness and experiences that are vital to today’s globally connected workforce.

Choose correct

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(C) Both

(D) None

• The New Colombo Plan Mobility Program is a signature initiative of Government of Australia, which will provide Australian University students the opportunities to gain cross-cultural awareness and experiences that are vital to today’s globally connected workforce.
• Key Features
• As part of the 2020 New Colombo Plan Mobility Program, the Australian government will support over 11,196 students from 40 Australian universities to participate in 685 projects in 36 locations across the IndoPacific. Since 2014, more than 60,000 students have been awarded New Colombo Plan scholarships and mobility grants.
• The 2020 Mobility Program round also includes more than 1,600 Australian university students taking part in study and projects in India by mobilizing students through 64 exciting Indian projects. This includes the development of Indian physical education programs as well as another on improving organic waste management and drinking water quality in 2020. Besides strengthening the ties between two nations, the move is expected to deepen the understanding of business environment and culture in India.

MCQ 5

1. Military exercise “CENTER 2019” is related to ASEAN
2. It was held by Russia this year

Choose correct

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(C) Both

(D) None

India to host 20th SCO’s CHG meeting in 2020

• The Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the Council of Heads of Government of SCO at Tashkent in Uzbekistan.
• He represented as a Special Envoy of PM Modi at the conference. During the meet, it was decided that the next meeting of Council of Heads of Government in 2020 is to be conducted in India
• Highlights
• The military exercise “CENTER 2019”, SCO joint military exercise that was held by Russia was congratulated at the summit. 20,000 units of military equipment, 128,000 soldiers and 600 aircraft participated in the event. The military chiefs from China, Kazakhstan, India, Kyrgystan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan participated in the event.
• India called upon the member countries to strengthen and implement existing international laws and mechanisms to combat terrorism.
• India listed its recent initiatives to provide an enabling economic ecosystem for partner countries to invest and do business in India. It includes allowing 100% foreign investment in coal mining, easing sourcing norms for single brand retailers, approving 26% overseas investment in digital media, etc
• India also announced that it is ready to share its experience and expertise in skill development, tele medicine, resource mapping, launching satellites, affordable pharmaceuticals, hospitality, tourism, finance, etc.

MCQ 6

1. The 2019 edition of ‘Global Microscope: The enabling environment for Financial Inclusion’ report was released by EIU
2. India being ranked at the first position for inclusive finance

Choose correct

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(C) Both

(D) None

• The 2019 edition of ‘Global Microscope: The enabling environment for Financial Inclusion’ report was released by Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU). The report is a benchmarking index that assesses enabling environment for financial access as well as underscores the evolving landscape of financial inclusion in selected countries. The year 2019 was 12th edition of report.
• Key Highlights of Report
• The overall environment for financial inclusion has improved worldwide. India, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Uruguay now have the most favourable conditions for inclusive finance, with Colombia being ranked at first position followed by Peru, Uruguay and Mexico and India ranked 5th.
• India was ranked among top countries with most promising environment for financial inclusion in terms of: effective financial consumer , allowing non-banks to issue e-money and proportionate customer due diligence.
• Only four countries namely India, Colombia, Jamaica and Uruguay scored perfectly across all four parameters. Moreover, India, South Africa, Tanzania, Mexico and Uruguay were among top countries that safeguard emoney via some sort of deposit insurance or protection.

About Global Microscope for Financial Inclusion report

• It is produced by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the research and analysis division of The Economist Group. The EIU was created in 1946 and is the world leader in global business intelligence.
• The Microscope report was first published in 2007 and was originally developed for countries in Latin American and Caribbean regions but in 2009 it was expanded into a global study. The 2019 edition of Global Microscope report also features 11 new gender focused indicators that measure financial inclusion for both women as well as men.
• The report is a benchmarking index that assesses enabling environment for financial access in 55 countries across 5 categories.
• Five parameters across which countries are assessed-

1. Government and Policy Support
2. Products and Outlets
3. Stability and Integrity
4. Consumer Protection
5. Infrastructure

MCQ 7

1. Kailash Satyarthi is among the recipients of 2019 laureates of Mother Teresa Memorial Awards
2. The annual award is established by the WB Govt and is endorsed by Missionaries of Charities

Choose correct

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(C) Both

(D) None

• This year’s Mother Teresa Memorial Awards for Social Justice (MTMA) dedicated to the memory of the Saint of Kolkata, went to a number of people from India and abroad. The awards will be presented to the laureates on 3 November 2019 in Mumbai.

Key Highlights

• The 2019 edition of award recognises the exemplary and humanitarian work done by social activists in fields and issues related to modern forms of slavery and for victim rehabilitation. The awards are in currently in its 15th year.
• The annual award is established by the Harmony Foundation and is endorsed by Missionaries of Charities. The theme by Harmony Foundation for 2019 is ‘Combating Contemporary Forms of Slavery’.
• Harmony Foundation has taken this initiative to recognize individuals and organizations engaged in campaign to initiate practical ways to eradicate the modern day slavery evil which includes child labour, bonded labour, human trafficking, organ trafficking and child militants.

2019 laureates of Mother Teresa Memorial Awards:

• Kailash Satyarthi, India: For fighting child labour and trafficking in India and Southeast Asia. He is the founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan. He also won the Nobel Peace Prize (2014) for his work.
• Robert Bilheimer, United States: For using his skills as a filmmaker to raise awareness about modern forms of slavery and inspiring fight against them.
• Junior Nzita Nsuami: For leading an international campaign through United Nations (UN) against the use of child soldiers in war. He is a former child soldier.
• Ajeet Singh: For his efforts in creating the first red-light area in India free of commercial sexual exploitation of children.
• Alezandra Russell: For helping neglected and ignored young boys in red-light districts of Thailand. He is the founder of Urban Light.
• Hasina Kharbhih: For rescuing and empowering over 72,000 vulnerable victims from fate of human trafficking. She is the founder of Impulse Empower.
• Rob Williams: U. For persistently protecting and supporting children in armed conflicts in some of the world’s most hostile regions. He is CEO of WarChild UK.
• Priti Patkar: For his holistic approach in trying to abolish intergenerational prostitution. She is an activist and social worker from India.
• PRERANA: For their holistic approach in their attempts to abolish intergenerational prostitution and protecting children vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Four Associations also received awards:

• Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH)– USA: For raising awareness over the decades in medical community and civil society about unethical organ harvesting (especially in China).
• Free A Girl: for uniquely reintegrating former sex workers into civil society by training them to become future advocates. It is a relief organization dedicated to free young girls from forced prostitution as well as prosecutes offenders.
• JEEVIKA (Jeeta Vimukti Karnataka): For freeing over 30,000 bonded labourers and for its commitment to total eradication of practice in Karnataka.
• Office for Rescue of Yazidis: For working in one of the world’s most hostile regions to rescue all vulnerable Yazidi women and girls from evil clutches of Islamic State (IS) group.

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