Plutus IAS ‘Weekly Current Affairs: Quizzes, 13 to 18 February, 2023

EXPLANATION:

• The National Law University was established under the NLUA Act of 2007. Project 39A is a group associated with the university and it recently released a report called the Annual Death Penalty Report, 2022. According to the report, the number of death penalty prisoners in India increased to 539 in 2022. It was 490 in 2021. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• 3% of death rows were judged by trial courts. SC pronounced 11 death penalty judgments and High Courts in the country pronounced 68 death sentences. Appellate courts pronounced the least number of death sentences. Of all the crimes, sexual violence received the maximum death penalty. No death sentences were pronounced in the courts of J&K, Delhi, Telangana, and Manipur. Two out of every 165 death sentences were pronounced on women. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• India has 539 death-sentenced prisoners as of 2022. This is a 40% increase as compared to the numbers in 2015. UP had the highest death sentences followed by Gujarat and Jharkhand. Almost one–third of the capital punishments were for sexual violence. In Gujarat, 51 people were sentenced to death by the Sessions court. UP Sessions Court: 32. Jharkhand sessions court: 17. Hence, statement 3 is  not correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Our smartphones come with pre–installed apps like Gmaps, Gmail, Google search engines, etc. We cannot uninstall these apps even if we do use them. Apart from Google apps some smartphones also come with third-party apps (supported by Google). Google uses its dominance and influences smartphone makers to pre–install apps. This creates a nuisance to the users and discourages competition in the market. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• To avoid this, the Competition Commission of India imposed a fine of 161 million USD on Google owner Alphabet for using its dominance to exploit Indian markets. The Supreme Court recently upheld CCI’s direction. Following this, Google changed its policy. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Users can now choose to change their default search engines on their smartphones. User choice billing is used for subscriptions and app purchases. This billing is to be available for all apps from February 2023. Android compatibility changes were introduced. Smartphone makers (OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturers) shall pre-install the apps at their will. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• The National Council for Science and Technology operating under the Department of Science and Technology recently organized the National Child Science Congress, 2023. The congress was hosted by the Gujarat Council of Science City. It was held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Hence, statement 1 is not  correct. 
• The theme of the congress was “Understanding the EcoSystem for Health and Wellbeing”. More than 1400 delegates attended the conference. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 

About the Congress

• The National Child Science Congress is being held in the country since 1993
• Children of age group 1 to 17 years attend the congress
• During the congress, children exhibit their innovation
• The focus of the congress is to cultivate problem-solving skills in students. During the congress, the participants will frame solutions to societal problems.
• India is one of the leading countries in the world where students choose science as their stream. This includes STEM subjects such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), India contributes 29.2% of science students in the world. The EU accounts for 9.5%, the US: 6%, and China: 26%. The National Child Congress and similar programs are the primary reasons for India to perform well in this area.  Hence, statement 3 is  correct. 

EXPLANATION:

• India and the European Union recently established a new Trade and Technology Council. The council will work to provide security and prosperity. Under the council, the countries will focus on green technologies, connectivity, and resilient supply chains. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The countries have created three working groups under the council. They are Strategic Technology, Digital Connectivity, and Digital Governance working group; Green and Clean Energy technologies; Trade, investment, and resilient value working group.
• This group will work on 5G, cyber security, cloud systems, semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence, digital platforms, digital skills, etc. These areas are of mutual interest to both India and the EU. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Green and Clean Energy Technology Working Group
• This group will focus on researching investment standards, green technologies, clean energy, waste management, circular economy, marine pollution, etc. Also, it will work to increase the cooperation between the Indian and EU startups, and SMEs.
• Trade, Investment, and Resilient Value Chains.
• This group will work on supply chain resilience, energy materials, raw materials, etc. The group will identify trade barriers and will promote cooperation in different trade-related areas. Also, the group will promote international standards. Above all, the group will address geopolitical challenges at the world level. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• • The government has declared green growth as one of its major priorities for the 2023-24 financial year. The second phase (FAME II) is a 3-year subsidy programme. It aims at supporting the electrification of public and shared transportation: around 7,000 electric and hybrid buses, 500,000 lakh electric three wheelers, 55,000 electric four wheeler passenger cars, and 1 million electric two wheelers. The programme also finances charging infrastructures. Until July 2022, a total of 532 charging stations have been installed. 
  • Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
  • The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme was launched in April 2015 under the National Electric Mobility Mission, to encourage electric and hybrid vehicle purchase by providing financial support. Its first phase ran for four years until 2019. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
  • In its effort to make India a cleaner and greener nation, the government has allocated Rs 5,172 lakh crores for the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) Scheme. Hence, statement 3 is correct. 

EXPLANATION:

• There are more than two thousand agriculture startups in the country. The Government of India is trying to increase this number to ten thousand. Agriculture is the Backbone of the Indian Economy contributing 53.89% GVA of India. In the Union Budget 2023-24, the Finance Minister allocated Rs 1.25 lakh crores for agriculture. Agriculture was one of the seven major priorities of the budget. During the Budget presentation in the parliament, the Finance Minister announced that GoI will set up an Agriculture Accelerator Fund. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• This fund is to be set up to increase the number of agricultural startups in the rural areas. The main aim of the fund is to provide innovative and affordable solutions. The infrastructure will also be launched targeting crop health, crop planning, and supporting agriculture growth in the country. As the minister announced the Agriculture Accelerator Funds in the budget, the stock prices of fertilizers and agricultural stocks increased. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• It will focus only on farmers and the challenges faced by them. More young entrepreneurs will be encouraged to begin agri startups using these funds. Startups focusing on cost-effective solutions will be given priorities. Also, technology startups that aim to increase agricultural outputs will be given preference. GoI is to launch Digital Public Infrastructure to provide farmer-centric solutions. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

EXPLANATION:

• The Union Finance Minister announced an initiative called MISHTI ‘Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes’. MISHTI is to be implemented by converging CAMPA Fund, MGNREGS, and other sources. CAMPA Fund means Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority. The fund was established to increase the activities of afforestation in the country. MGNREGS is Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. It was launched under the MGNREGA Act of 2005. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• Under the scheme, mangrove plantations will be taken up along the country’s coastline apart from salt pans, wherever feasible, through the convergence of the job guarantee scheme MGNREGS, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund, and other sources. The main aim of the scheme is to take up mangrove plantations along the coastline. Meaning, mangrove saplings will be planted along the coastal regions of the country. The main objective of the MISTHI Scheme is to “preserve Mangrove forests''. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• The Mangroves cover 0.15% of the total Indian Geographical area. This is around 4,975 square kilometers. The state of West Bengal alone has 42.45% of India’s mangroves. Indian mangroves are facing limitations such as an increase in salinity, lack of oxygen, and diurnal tidal inundations. MISHTI will aim and protect the Mangrove forest along the coastline. MISHTI in Bengali means Sweet. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. 

EXPLANATION:

• The Economic Survey is presented a day before the Budget session. The Finance Ministry prepares the survey. The survey says that in 2024, India’s GDP will be in the range of 6% to 6.8%. Public digital platforms played a major role in increasing economic growth in 2022. The performance of the Indian Rupee was better compared to the other developing economies. Direct Tax collections between April 2022 and November 2022 were buoyant. Tax buoyancy means the revenue rate increases without an increase in the tax rate. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. 
• Health expenditure of Central and State Government in Fiscal Year 2023: 2.1% of GDP. It was 2.2% in 2022 and 1.6% in 2021. 220 crores of COVID vaccines were administered in FY23. From the UNDP’s Multidimensional Poverty Index: 41.5 crore people out of poverty between 2005 and 2019. Achieve net zero emissions by 2070. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The urban unemployment rate is decreasing. The Gross Non – Performing Assets ratio of the Scheduled Commercial Banks have reduced to 5. This is the lowest in the past seven years. National Green Hydrogen Mission: to make India energy independent by 2047. Agricultural investments from the private sector: Increased by 9.3% in 2020-21. National Food Security Act: 81.4 crores benefitted. PM KISAN: 11.3 crores of farmers benefited between April and July in 2022-23. International Year of Millets: 2023; UN announced upon India’s insistence. India to push millets production. Hence, statement 3 is correct. 

EXPLANATION:

• • Health expenditures made on social services increased to 26% in the fiscal year 2023. Health Expenditure has been a major concern for the government since the COVID pandemic. As the pandemic started reducing, the governments were burdened heavily to focus on the lost track of other disease elimination programs. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
  • For instance, the cases of malaria, AIDS, hepatitis, etc in India and several other countries increased exponentially. These diseases increased because the governments were forced to pay less attention. The entire attention and complete focus were on the COVID pandemic. Health expenditure was not sufficient to focus on all diseases. In the fiscal year 2022-23, central and state governments spent 2.1% of their GDP in 2023. Social security expenditure in the health sector increased to 9.6% in the fiscal year 2018-19. It was 6% in 2013-14. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • The social security expenditure on health includes the following
  • Medical reimbursements the central government makes to the government employees
  • Social Health Insurance Programmes
  • Health insurance schemes financed by the government. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Stamps are reflections of the heritage and achievements of a country. They give a glimpse of important things. The India Post is organizing AMRITPEX 2023 in New Delhi. It is the National Philatelic Exhibition spread over 50,000 square feet. More than 1400 frames are to be exhibited in AMRITPEX. The focus of the event is on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The themes of AMRITPEX are youth, Nature, women’s power, Wildlife, the Culture of India, etc. It will also focus on Indian biodiversity. Apart from this, the exhibition will also include a wall of stamps, live paintings, etc.
• Collection of postage stamps is philately. The Government launches stamps commemorating special events like centenary birth anniversaries of great leaders, achievements of schemes, sports persons, honoring military officials and their sacrifices, promoting tourist spots and heritages, etc. The stamps remind us of the richness of the country and its pride. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• It is celebrated on October 13 to encourage philately as a hobby. During the celebrations, India Post releases stamps on national interests and social relevance. For instance, during the 2021 celebrations, India Post released stamps on unsung war heroes of India. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• The UK-India Young Professionals Scheme was announced by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the G20 Summit that was held in Bali, Indonesia. The UK-India Young Professionals Scheme will provide Indians places to work in the United Kingdom for up to two years. It will benefit 3,000 degree-holding Indians aged 18 to 30 years. This scheme will be implemented from the early 2023 on a reciprocal basis. The initiative will strengthen the Mobility Partnership and Migration between the countries as agreed in 2021. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The United Kingdom is currently experiencing labor shortages in industries like hospitality, manufacturing, construction etc. A new study revealed that three-quarters of the UK businesses were impacted by the labor shortages in the country. The BREXIT was blamed for the exacerbation of the labor shortage concerns. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The new scheme will also reinforce the cultural and economic ties between the United Kingdom and India. A quarter of international students in the United Kingdom are from India. This shows the strong bilateral ties between the two countries. India’s investment in the UK is directly supporting some 95,000 jobs across the country. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Project 22220 is a series of nuclear-powered icebreakers developed by Russia. It is the fourth icebreaker to be developed under Project 22220. Yakutiya is the fourth in this series. The fifth, named Chukotka has been laid out at the Baltic Shipyard. The sixth and seventh vessels of this series are currently at the planning stage. These ships will replace the nuclear-powered icebreakers of Projects 10520 and 10580, which are at the end of their service lives or at the brink of being phased out. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Russia recently launched a nuclear-powered icebreaker named Yakutia at Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg. This project’s icebreaker is 173.3 meters long and 34 meters broad with a 33,500-tonne displacement. As of November 2022, three Project 22220 icebreakers are in service. These are Arktika, Sibir and Ural. Arktika – the lead ship of this series – was delivered in 2020. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• These nuclear-powered icebreakers are currently the most powerful and the largest in the world. Their purpose is to provide year-round navigation in the western part of the Arctic. They can escort ships on the Northern Sea Route. These icebreakers’ dual-draft design allows them to navigate in ice and in polar river deltas. They are the core of Russia’s civil icebreaker fleet. Hence, statement 3 is correct.