Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 13th September 2022

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2022

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Human Development Report

1. It is an annual report published by the Human Development Report Office of the UNHRC.
2. The first HDR was launched in 1990 by the Indian Nobel laureate Amartya Sen and Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq. Since then, reports have been released most years, and have explored different themes through the human development approach.
3. Theme of HDR 2021-22: Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives: Shaping our Future in a World in Transformation.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

What is Human Development Report (HDR)?

• About: It is an annual report published by the Human Development Report Office of the UNDP. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
• Progress: The first HDR was launched in 1990 by the Indian Nobel laureate Amartya Sen and Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq. Since then reports have been released most years, and have explored different themes through the human development approach. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Theme of HDR 2021-22: Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives: Shaping our Future in a World in Transformation. (Statement 3 is correct)

Q) Consider the following indices

1. Human Development Index (HDI)
2. Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI)
3. Gender Development Index (GDI)
4. Gender Inequality Index (GII)

In which of these indices, India falls below the global average (in absolute terms)?

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

Explanation:

Index	About the Index	India’s Performance
Human Development Index (HDI)	HDI measures progress on three key dimensions of human development – a long and healthy life, access to education, and a decent standard of living.	India is ranked 132 out of 191 countries. India’s score of 0.633 is a long way away from the top-ranking scores — Switzerland is ranked 1 with a score of 0.962 — India’s score is also below the global average of 0.732. (Statement 1 is correct)
Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI)	The IHDI value can be interpreted as the level of human development when inequality is accounted for. It shows how the development is distributed among the residents of a country.	The report found that India’s HDI falls by 25%, when adjusted for inequality. It is higher than the global average of 19%. (Statement 2 is not correct) That’s because the share of income held by the richest 1% of the population is more than the income held by the poorest 40%.
Gender Development Index (GDI)	The GDI essentially estimates HDI values for women and men and then looks at the ratio. The closer this ratio is to 1, the smaller the gender gap between women and men in HDI terms.	India’s GDI stands at 0.849 which is significantly behind the world average of 0.958. (Statement 3 is correct) From India’s perspective, the key HDI metric where women seem to lag behind men the most is the income per capita.
Gender Inequality Index (GII)		India’s GII stands at 0.490 which is slightly below the world average of 0.465. India’s performance is far below than China whose GII value is 0.192. (Statement 4 is correct)

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Places of Worship Act, 1991

1. The act prevents conversion of any place of worship and ensures the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on the 26th day of January 1950.
2. Section 5 says that Act shall not apply to the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, and to any suit, appeal or proceeding related to it.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 2 only
2. Both
3. None
4. 1 only

Explanation:

The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991:

• The act prevents conversion of any place of worship and ensures the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on the 15th day of August, 1947. (Statement 1 is not correct)
• Provisions: Section 3 of the Act does not allow the conversion, in full or part, of a place of worship of any religious group into a place of worship of a different religious group or even a different segment of the same religious group.
  • Section 4(1) declares that the religious character of a place of worship shall continue to be the same as it remained on August 15, 1947.
  • Section 4(2) says any suit or legal proceeding regarding the conversion of the religious character of any place of worship existing on August 15, 1947, pending before any court, shall be dismissed and no fresh suit or legal proceedings shall be allowed.
  • Suits, appeals and legal proceedings that are pending on the date of commencement of the Act shall remain valid.
  • Section 5 says that Act shall not apply to the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, and to any suit, appeal or proceeding related to it. (Statement 2 is correct)

Q) Consider the following statements regarding FastTag System

1. In November 2020, the government amended the Central Motor Vehicles (CMV) rules to make FASTag compulsory for all vehicles on toll plazas along all national highways, beginning January 1, 2021.
2. FASTags are post-paid billed tags for toll collection. FASTags do not have any expiry date, hence, they can be used as long as they are not tampered with and are readable at the toll plaza.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 2 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 1 only
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

About FastTag system

• Background: In November 2020, the government amended the Central Motor Vehicles (CMV) rules to make FASTag compulsory for all vehicles on toll plazas along all national highways, beginning January 1, 2021. (Statement 1 is correct)
• FASTags are prepaid rechargeable tags for toll collection. FASTags do not have any expiry date, hence, they can be used as long as they are not tampered with and are readable at the toll plazas. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• How a FASTag works? A FASTag is affixed to the windscreen of the vehicle and is linked to a prepaid account. Toll payments are made through Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, as the vehicle drives through the toll gate. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Q) Consider the following statements regarding National Health Accounts Report.

1. The report has been released by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
2. Government health expenditure to the GDP has increased from 1.15% in 2013-14 to 1.28% in 2018-19.
3. Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) as percentage of total health expenditure has declined substantially by 16% points, from 84.2% to 68.2%.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

Context: The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has released the National Health Accounts report 2018-19.

About National Health Account (NHA)  (Statement 1 is not correct)

• NHA 2018-19 is the sixth consecutive NHA estimates report prepared by National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), designated as National Health Accounts Technical Secretariat (NHATS) in 2014 by the Union Health Ministry.
• System of Health Accounts 2011 framework (SHA 2011): National Health Accounts estimates for India are based on SHA 2011 framework and NHA Guidelines for India, 2016.
• SHA 2011 defines health accounts as a systematic description of the financial flows related to consumption of healthcare goods and services and a standard for classifying health expenditures according to the three axes – consumption, provision, and financing

Highlight of Report

• Government health expenditure to the GDP: It has increased from 1.15% in 2013-14 to 1.28% in 2018-19. (Statement 2 is correct)
  • However, Union government’s healthcare declined to 1.28% of GDP in 2018-19 from 1.35% in 2017-18.
  • Total health expenditure (money spent on healthcare by the government, people, private entities and external funding) has fallen from 3.9% of the GDP to 3.2% in five years ending in 2018-19.
• Share of Government Health Expenditure in Total Health Expenditure has increased over time.
  • In 2018-19, the share of government expenditure was 40.6%, substantially higher than the share of 28.6% in 2013-14.
• Per capita government spending on healthcare has increased by 74% since 2013-14.
• Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) as percentage of total health expenditure has declined substantially by 16% points, from 64.2% to 48.2%. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Q) Consider the following statements regarding UN Human Rights Coucil

1. It is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations framework responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
2. It also addresses situations of human rights violations and makes recommendations on them.
3. Members: The Council consists of 63 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC):

• It is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations framework responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. (Statement 1 is correct)
  • It also addresses situations of human rights violations and makes recommendations on them.  (Statement 2 is correct)
• Members: The Council consists of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly. (Statement 3 is not correct)
• Membership:
  • The council’s membership is based on equitable geographical distribution. African and Asia-Pacific countries have 13 seats each, Latin American and Caribbean countries have 8 seats, Western European and other countries 7 seats, and Eastern European countries 6 seats.
  • The members have a term of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding The Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme

1. Those in the age group of 14 to 60 years residing within the limits of urban local bodies.
2. Wages will be paid at the rate of ₹259 a day to unskilled labourers and ₹283 a day to skilled labourers. The ‘mates’ or supervisors on top of the labourers will get ₹271 a day.
3. This has been launched as extension of MGNREGA by the Central Government in the state of Rajasthan on pilot basis.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

• Context: The Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme has been rolled out in Rajasthan with the objective of providing economic support to the poor and needy families living in the cities through work to be provided on demand for 100 days in a year. (Statement 3 is incorrect)
• Eligibility: Those in the age group of 18 to 60 years residing within the limits of urban local bodies. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
• Wages: Wages will be paid at the rate of ₹259 a day to unskilled labourers and ₹283 a day to skilled labourers. The ‘mates’ or supervisors on top of the labourers will get ₹271 a day. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Categories Of Tasks
• Environment protection, which will involve tree plantation at public places, maintenance of parks and watering plants on footpaths and dividers.
• Water conservation, where the tasks may be allotted for cleanliness and improvement of ponds, lakes and stepwells, construction, repair and cleaning of rain water harvesting structures and restoration of water sources.
• Other categories: Heritage conservation, removal of encroachments and illegal boards, hoardings and banners, stopping defacement of property and service-related works.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Consumer Price Index (CPI)

1. It is the measure of changes in the price level of a basket of consumer goods and services bought by households. It measures price fluctuations at the consumer level.
2. The CPI includes necessities such as food, clothing, and housing and includes services like medical care, transportation, and education.
3. It is released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on base year 2012.

Which of these statements are incorrect?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 2 only
4. None

Explanation:

Consumer Price Index (CPI):

• It is the measure of changes in the price level of a basket of consumer goods and services bought by households. It measures price fluctuations at the consumer level. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The CPI includes necessities such as food, clothing, and housing and includes services like medical care, transportation, and education.(Statement 2 is correct)
• It is released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on base year 2012. (Statement 3 is correct)
• In April 2014, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had adopted the CPI as its key measure of inflation.

Q) Which of the following places lie south of Vembanad Lake in Kerala?

1. Kochi
2. Alappuzha
3. Kumarakom
4. Thotapally

Choose the correct option.

1. 1, 2 and 4 only
2. 1, 3 and 4 only
3. 2, 3 and 4 only
4. All of the above

Explanation:

• The Vembanad lake has been undergoing degradation in the last few years.

About Vembanad lake

• Vembanad Lake is the second largest wetland in India and was declared a Ramsar site in 2002.
  • A Ramsar Site is a wetland that has been declared an ecological area of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, also known as the ‘Convention of Wetlands’.
• Vembanad is the longest lake in India (96.5 km). It is also the largest lake in the state of Kerala and is bound by the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam.
• The famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held in a portion of the lake. Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala, is located in the southern portion of the lake.

Sharing is caring!