Daily Current Affairs MCQ / UPSC / IAS / 27-11-19 | Free PDF

MCQ 2

1. HRD ministry launched portal for holding monthly essay competitions for students, as part of year long ‘Nagrik Kartavya Paalan Abhiyan’ being observed throughout the country.
2. The competition will be held online through infrastructure and testing centres of National Testing Agency (NTA)

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(B) Only 2
(C) Both
(D) None

• On the occasion of 70th Constitution Day also known as Samvidhan Divas observed on 26 November 2019, Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched the kartavya.ugc.ac.in portal for holding monthly essay competitions for students. The portal was launched as part of year long ‘Nagrik Kartavya Paalan Abhiyan’ being observed throughout the country.

 Key Highlights

• The portal will be used primarily for holding monthly essay competitions for students as well as other activities including quizzes, poster making, debates pertaining to Nagrik Kartavya Paalan Abhiyan.
• The Department of Higher Education under HRD Ministry will be holding 11 rounds of National Essay Competitions during the year. The topics of the essay will be based on one Fundamental Duty every month.

National Essay Competition

• Eligibility: The competition would be open for every student registered in any Higher Education Institution in India. They should also register for the essay competitions on Kartavya Portal- kartavya.ugc.ac.in.
• The competition will be held online through infrastructure and testing centres of National Testing Agency (NTA). The online exam in designated centres will be held for 2 hours duration. The choice of centres for writing essays will be made available to contestants when they do the online registration. Essays will also be sent online and (blind) evaluated online by experts.
• The essays can be written in Hindi or English (English can be written online, For Hindi paper will be provided at exam centre, after writing essay will be scanned at exam centre and uploaded )
• There shall be no costs for exam on the participants. There will be four prizes worth: Rs. 15,000, Rs. 12,000, Rs. 10,000 and Rs 7500 along with certificates.

About Nagrik Kartavya Paalan Abhiyan

• The year 2019 marks the 70th year of adoption of Indian Constitution. The Centre government thus decided to run a Nagrik Kartavya Palan Abhiyan from 26 November 2019 to 26 November 2020, to create mass awareness about Fundamental Duties as enshrined in our Constitution. This will give directions to the youth of country and will make them aware that rights are automatically realized when we follow our duties religiously. This principle will also help students to channelize their talents and capabilities in the right direction which will help them realize their mission with ease.

MCQ 3

1. Mudra loans are currently being given by SCBs only.
2. Government of India and RBI had set up the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).

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 (D) None

• The Reserve Bank of India on November 27, 2019 raised concerns over increasing bad loans from the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. RBI believes that there is an urgent need to monitor the loans sanctioned under Mudra Yojana.

Concerns

• According to RBI, the percentage of MUDRA loans were at 2.52% in 2017-18, It has now raised to 2.89% in 2018-19. It also says that the number of loans being sanctioned under the scheme has increased greatly.
• In 2017 the loans provided under Shishu category were 83,892 and it increased to 1,39,652 in 2019. The loans provided under Kishore category were 51,063 in 2017 and increased to 99,868 in 2019.
• Also, RBI stated that out of 182 million MUDRA loans sanctioned, 3.63 million accounts were defaulted.

Consequences

• The federal bank believes that if left unsolved, this may lead to unsustainable credit growth increasing financial risks.
• The Mudra loans are currently being given by regional, commercial, small finance, cooperative banks, NBFC and micro finance banks. However, the stress of bad loans is increasing greatly on microfinance sector.
• It is essential for the microfinance sector to adapt to the external developments, risks, income inconsistencies and technological changes to reduce the raising numbers of bad loan.
• Availability of bank credit without the hassles of collaterals / third party guarantees would be a major source of support to the first generation entrepreneurs to realise their dream of setting up a unit of their own Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE).
• Keeping this objective in view, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India launched Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) so as to strengthen credit delivery system and facilitate flow of credit to the MSE sector. To operationalize the scheme, Government of India and SIDBI set up the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).
• CGTMSE has introduced a new “Hybrid Security” product allowing guarantee cover for the portion of credit facility not covered by collateral security. In the partial collateral security model, the MLIs will be allowed to obtain collateral security for a part of the credit facility, whereas the remaining part of the credit facility, up to a maximum of 200 lakh, can be covered under Credit Guarantee Scheme of CGTMSE. CGTMSE will, however, have pari-passu charge on the primary security as well as on the collateral security provided by the borrower for the credit facility.
• The main objective is that the lender should give importance to project viability and secure the credit facility purely on the primary security of the assets financed. The other objective is that the lender availing guarantee facility should endeavor to give composite credit to the borrowers so that the borrowers obtain both term loan and working capital facilities from a single agency. The Credit Guarantee scheme (CGS) seeks to reassure the lender that, in the event of a MSE unit, which availed collateral free credit facilities, fails to discharge its liabilities to the lender, the Guarantee Trust would make good the loss incurred by the lender up to 50/75/80/85 per cent of the credit facility.

MCQ 4

1. GES is an annual event established by Department of Commerce, Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry
2. looks to enhance strategic cooperation and develop synergies to strengthen multilateral relationships between all stake holders, tap the potential for services exports and increase FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) inflow.

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• Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry & Railways inaugurated the Global Exhibition on Services (GES) 2019 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The year 2019 is the 5th edition of GES. The inaugural function was also attended by Chief Minister of Karnataka B. S. Yediyurappa.

 About Global Exhibition on Services (GES)

• GES is an annual event established by Department of Commerce, Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry in association with Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). This dedicated platform looks to enhance strategic cooperation and develop synergies to strengthen multilateral relationships between all stake holders, tap the potential for services exports and increase FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) inflow.

Global Exhibition on Services (GES)-2019

• GES is an attempt towards escalating Indian services bar in global arena by exploring 12 Champion Services Sectors (CSS), encompassing participation from 74 countries and hosting sector specific knowledge sessions. India is looking to attract investments and partnerships in strategic areas such as aviation and space programme, telecom projects, infrastructure, financial management and accounting, media distribution and outsourcing publishing work, content, design, Intellectual Property management services and environmental as well as social impact assessment (SIA).
• Participants: More than 400 exhibitors and over 3000 delegates including 400 overseas delegates from 74 countries will be participating in GES 2019 which is spread across 19,000 square meters. There are also Indian and foreign business leaders from services industry participating in over 4370 scheduled B2B (Business to Business) meetings. GES will also see representation of public and private Sector, besides the participation of 10 Ministries from Central Government and selected State Governments showcasing their strengths in services sector.

Highlights:

• During GES 2019, Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) is looking to promote eSports by organizing Nations Cup (International eSports Championship) in association with Electronic Sports Federation of India (ESFI). The Nations Cup will open up multiple avenues for services industry particularly in eSports, gaming and animation.
• This year in GES 2019Uttar Pradesh is the partnering state mainly to promote the tourism sector and will have a separate state pavilion. India is also promoting niche tourism such as Buddhist circuit, adventure and camping tourism.
• Significance: Through GES, Union government seeks to engage industry and governments across world and promote greater exchange of trade in services between India and rest of world.

What is SEPC?

• It is an export promotion council set up by Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 2006. It is as an apex trade body to facilitate service exporters of India. SEPC contributes to formulation of policies of Union government and acts as an interface between services industry and Centre. It has a membership base of about 4800 members from 14 service sectors. MCQ 5 Chagos Archipelago is located in A. Pacific Ocean B. Indian Ocean C. Atlantic Ocean D. Arctic Ocean

MCQ 5
Chagos Archipelago is located in

1. Pacific Ocean
2. Indian Ocean
3. Atlantic Ocean
4. Arctic Ocean

• The Chagos Archipelago or Chagos Islands (formerly the Bassas de Chagas, and later the Oil Islands) are a group of seven atolls comprising more than 60 individual tropical islands in the Indian Ocean about 500 kilometres (310 mi) south of the Maldives archipelago. This chain of islands is the southernmost archipelago of the ChagosLaccadive Ridge, a long submarine mountain range in the Indian Ocean.
• The Chagos was home to the Chagossians, a Bourbonnais Creole-speaking people, for more than a century and a half until the United Kingdom evicted them between 1967 and 1973 to allow the United States to build a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands. Since 1971, only the atoll of Diego Garcia is inhabited, and only by military and civilian contracted personnel. Since being expelled, Chagossian natives have been prevented from returning to the islands.
• The sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago is disputed between the United Kingdom and Mauritius. In 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence, the United Kingdom excised the archipelago from Mauritius and the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar and Desroches from the Seychelles to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
• The islands were formally established as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom on 8 November 1965. On 23 June 1976, Aldabra, Farquhar and Desroches were returned to the Seychelles. On 22 June 2017, the UN General Assembly asked the International Court of Justice to give an advisory opinion on the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius.
• On 25 February 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that the United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring to an end to its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible.
• On 22 May 2019, the United Nations General Assembly debated and adopted a resolution that affirmed that the Chagos archipelago “forms an integral part of the territory of Mauritius.” The resolution demanded that the UK “withdraw its colonial administration … unconditionally within a period of no more than six months.” 116 states voted in favour of the resolution, 55 abstained and only 5 countries supported the UK. During the debate, the Mauritian Prime Minister described the expulsion of Chagossians as “akin to a crime against humanity.” The resolution’s immediate consequence is that the UN and other international organisations are now bound by UN law to support the decolonisation of the Chagos Islands. The United Kingdom claims that it has no doubt about its sovereignty over the archipelago

MCQ 6

1. ANTRIX chairman G Satheesh Reddy was awarded honorary fellowship by Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) of United Kingdom (UK)
2. He spearheaded Mission Shakti, India’s first Anti-Satellite Missile Test (ASAT) mission which demonstrated an extremely high degree of precision and technological prowess

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(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both
(D) None

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman G Satheesh Reddy was awarded honorary fellowship by Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) of United Kingdom (UK) during the Medals and Awards presentation ceremony in London. He is the first Indian recipient of the prestigious award in more than 100 years. About G Satheesh Reddy:
• Why was he awarded? Society’s highest award is bestowed in recognition of contributions of Reddy towards indigenous design, development and deployment of diversified missile systems, guided weapons, aerospace vehicles as well as avionics technologies in India over the past three decades. His pioneering technological contributions has enabled the country to realize frontline military systems and world class missile technologies.
• His Contributions: He spearheaded Mission Shakti, India’s first Anti-Satellite Missile Test (ASAT) mission which demonstrated an extremely high degree of precision and technological prowess, enabling India to join a select group of 4 nations with such capability. He even bolstered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) programme and successfully demonstrated missile interception capabilities at high altitudes.
• He also led development of advanced avionics, the indigenous design, development and deployment of state-of-the-art mission critical aerospace technologies and advanced missile systems as well as achieved successful missions of long-range Agni 5 strategic missile. His Research & Development contributions have made country self-reliant in Missiles and Avionics technologies. These cutting edge technologies have been backbone for key strategic programmes and other defence applications in India.
• He is famous among students as ‘Junior Kalam’ and ‘Next Generation Missile Man’ due to his talent on advanced technologies.
• Awards: He has received many awards such as- National Systems Gold Medal, AIAA Missile Systems Award, National Design Award, National Aeronautical Prize, Homi J Bhabha Gold Medal, Technology Leadership Award and IEI-IEEE (USA) award for engineering excellence.
• About Honorary Fellowship by Royal Aeronautical Society
• It is one of the world’s highest distinctions for aerospace achievement awarded for only most exceptional contributions to the aerospace profession. It is considered as equivalent to Nobel Prize in the aerospace domain.
• The first Honorary Fellowship was awarded in year 1917. Eminent persons conferred with this award includes doyens of Aerospace such as Orville Wright, aviation pioneer known for inventing airplane with his brother, Wilbur.

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