Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 2  November 2022

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2022

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Goods and Services Tax

1. GST is an indirect tax which has replaced many indirect taxes in India such as the excise duty, VAT, services tax, etc.
2. GST is levied on the manufacture of goods and provision of services.
3. The Goods and Service Tax Act was passed in the Parliament on 29th March 2017 and came into effect on 1st July 2017.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 1  November 2022

Explanation:

About Goods and Services Tax (GST)

• GST is an indirect tax which has replaced many indirect taxes in India such as the excise duty, VAT, services tax, etc. (Statement 1 is correct)
• GST is levied on the supply of goods and services. GST is a single domestic indirect tax law for the entire country. (Statement 2 is not correct)
• The Goods and Service Tax Act was passed in the Parliament on 29th March 2017 and came into effect on 1st July 2017. (Statement 3 is correct)
• It is a comprehensive, multi-stage, destination-based tax that is levied on every value addition.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the situation of prison inmates in India

1. Undertrials accounts for more than 75% of the prisoners in the jails.
2. The number of undertrial prisoners has decreased by 4.9% in 2021.
3. Maharashtra has the maximum number of undertrials in prison.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

Prison Statistics India–2021 by the NCRB

• A total of 5,54,034 prisoners were confined as on December 31, 2021 in various jails across the country.
• The number of convicts, undertrial inmates and detenues were reported as 1,22,852, 4,27,165 and 3,470, respectively, accounting for 22.2%, 77.1% and 0.6% respectively at the end of 2021. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The number of undertrial prisoners has increased by 14.9% in 2021. (Statement 2 is not correct)
• Uttar Pradesh has the maximum number of undertrials (21.2%) in the country followed by Bihar (13.9%) and Maharashtra (7.4%). (Statement 3 is not correct)

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Namami Gange Programme

1. It is a centrally sponsored initiative which aims to rejuvenate Ganga River by adopting an integrated approach.
2. Implementation of the programme is done by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

About the Namami Gange Programme

• Launched in 2014, the central-sector initiative aims to rejuvenate Ganga River by adopting an integrated approach which focused on the interception and diversion of sewage by tapping the drains flowing into the river. (Statement 1 is not correct)
• It has been operated under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Implementation of the programme is done by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its state counterpart organizations State Program Management Groups (SPMGs). (Statement 2 is correct)
• Budgetary outlay: It has a Rs. 20,000-crore, centrally funded, non-lapsable corpus.
• Main pillars of the initiative:
  • Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure
  • River-Front Development
  • River-Surface Cleaning
  • Biodiversity
  • Industrial Effluent Monitoring.
  • Ganga Gram.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Ganges River

1. The Ganges is a 2510 km long trans-boundary river flowing through India and Bangladesh only.
2. River Son is a left bank tributary of river Ganga.
3. River Yamuna is a right back tributary of river Ganga.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

Ganges River:

• The Ganges is a 2510 km long trans-boundary river flowing through India and Bangladesh. The river basin encompasses India, China, Nepal and Bangladesh. (Statement 1 is correct)
• In Bangladesh, it is known as Padma. Together with Jamuna (Brahmaputra), they flow into the Bay of Bengal.
• Origin: The headwater of the river originates from the Gangotri glacier in the state of Uttarakhand in form of Bhagirathi river.
  • The confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers at Devprayag gives rise to the Ganges river.
• Tributaries:
  • Right-bank tributaries: Yamuna, Tons, Son, Punpun (Statement 2 is not correct) (Statement 3 is correct)
  • Left-bank tributaries: Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi

Q) Which of the following Dolphins are found in India?

1. Ganges River Dolphin
2. Irrawaddy River Dolphin
3. Indus River Dolphin

Select the answer from the code below

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

Explanation:

Context: Dolphins have started coming back to the Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh with improvement in the quality of its water through the Namami Gange programme.

More on the News

• Areas where dolphins have been witnessed: Dolphins have also been seen in Brijghat, Narora, Kanpur, Mirzapur and Varanasi, areas of the state. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Improvements in water quality: The government of Uttar Pradesh claims to have successfully stopped flowing of more than 460 MLD of sewage into the Ganga in the State.
• Improvement has been seen in dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical demand (BOD) and fecal coliform (FC) parameters.
• Irrawaddy dolphins are found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three rivers: the Irrawaddy (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and the Mekong.
• They are also found on the eastern coast of India, especially near the Chilika lake. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Indus dolphins can only be found in the lower parts of the Indus River in Pakistan and in River Beas, a tributary of the Indus River, in India. (Statement 3 is correct)
• They are functionally blind and rely on echolocation to navigate, communicate and hunt prey.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the C-295 transport aircraft

1. The C-295MW is a transport aircraft which will replace the legacy Avro aircraft in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
2. It has 50 to 100 tonne capacity and a maximum speed of 480 kmph.
3. It will manufactured by Boeing and TATA Advance Systems in a newly set up manufacturing facility in Vadodara

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

Context: The Prime Minister of India laid the foundation stone for C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.

More on the News

• The facility will be set up by Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). (Statement 3 is not correct)
• This is the first time a private sector aviation company would be manufacturing a full aircraft in the country. It will be first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company.

C-295MW Aircraft:

• The C-295MW is a transport aircraft which will replace the legacy Avro aircraft in the Indian Air Force (IAF). The C-295 is also a potential replacement for the AN-32 aircraft of Indian Air Force. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Capacity: It has 5 to 10-tonne capacity and a maximum speed of 480 kmph. (Statement 2 is not correct)
• Salient features:
  • The C-295 has very good fuel efficiency.
  • The aircraft can take off and land from short as well as unprepared runways.
  • It has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo.
• Functions:
  • It can carry troops and logistical supplies from main airfields to forward operating airfields of the country.
  • It can fly low-level operations for tactical missions flying at a low speed of 110 knots.
  • The aircraft can be used for casualty or medical evacuation, performing special missions, disaster response and maritime patrol duties.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the Puducherry Liberation Day

1. On 1^st November 1954, Indian government effected the de-jure transferring of Puducherry to its union.
2. Subsequently on 16^th August 1962, the union territory was liberated from French colonialism following a referendum effecting de facto transfer.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

Context: Union Territory of Puducherry celebrated its Liberation Day on 1st November.

• On 1st November 1954, the union territory was liberated from French colonialism following a referendum in which all elected members from Puducherry voted against the French and preferred to join India. (Statement 1 is not correct)
  • French colonial empire also consisted of Chandernagor, Mahé, Yanam, Karaikal, and Masulipatam.
• Subsequently, the French effected the de-facto merger on this day, 1st November 1954.
• Puducherry Independence Day: Indian government effected the de-jure transferring the territory to its union on 16th August 1962. (Statement 2 is not correct)
• Since then, Puducherry has been celebrating Independence Day on August 16.

Q) Recently in news, the term Akhuipuina relates to which of the following?

1. Medicinal herbs found in Nilgiri Mountains
2. Tribal festival of Telangana
3. Migratory bird
4. Recently discovered frog species

Explanation:

About Amur Falcon

• Locally known as Akhuipuina, it is the longest-flying migratory bird.
• Amur Falcons are small but a long distant migrant bird of prey.
• They get their name from the Amur River that forms the border between Russia and China.
• They travelled for more than 22,000-km-long yearly flights between Russia, China, and Africa.
• They summer in Siberia, Mangolia and East China between May and September, arrive in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh in October.
• Conservation Status
  • Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule IV.
  • IUCN Status: least Concern.
  • Nagaland is known as the falcon capital of the world.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the IMT TRILAT

1. This is the first edition of India-Malaysia-Thailand Trilateral Exercise (IMT TRILAT).
2. It is a joint maritime exercise where Indian Navy was represented by guided missile frigate, INS Tarkash and MARCOS.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

About IMT TRILAT 2022

• This is the first edition of India-Mozambique-Tanzania Trilateral Exercise (IMT TRILAT), a joint maritime exercise between the navies of the three countries, commenced at Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. (Statement 1 is not correct)
• Indian Navy is represented by guided missile frigate, INS Tarkash and MARCOS. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Objectives:
  • Capability development to address common threats through training and sharing of best practices,
  • Enhancing interoperability, and
  • Strengthening maritime cooperation

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the Black Sea Grain initiative

1. It is an initiative to ensure a safe passage of food grains into the war-torn Ukraine.
2. It is a UN-brokered agreement between Russian and Ukraine, was signed on July 22 after the commencement of hostilities between the two countries.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

Context: Russia recently pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Deal, which was launched to mitigate food inflation caused by conflict in Ukraine.

What is Black Sea Grain Initiative?

• Background: Ukraine exports around 45 million tonnes of grain to the global market each year. After the Russian invasion, Ukraine was left with large amount of grains stored in silos unable to be transported to other parts of the world. This has affected the global supply of food grains.
• Launch: The Initiative on the Safe Transportation of Grain and Foodstuffs from Ukrainian ports, also called the Black Sea Grain Initiative, was an agreement between Russia and Ukraine with Turkey and the United Nations (UN) made during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Statement 1 is not correct)
• Objectives:
  • It sought to create a safe passage of food grains exported from Ukraine.
  • Under this agreement, export of grain, food and fertilizers will be allowed to resume from Ukraine via a “safe maritime humanitarian corridor” from three key Ukrainian ports i.e., Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.
• Implementation: A Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) having representatives from signatories of the Black Sea Grain Initiative was set up to implement this deal.
• The Black Sea Grain Initiative, a UN-brokered agreement between Russian and Ukraine, was signed on July 22. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The agreement allowed for exports of grains and related foods to resume from the ports of Odesa (Odessa), Chornomorsk (Chernomorsk), and Pivdennyi (Yuzhny), which had been effectively blocked since mid-February, first by Russian military exercises, then by mines placed by Ukraine to prevent possible Russian sea-based attacks after the invasion.

Sharing is caring!