Weekly Current Affairs: Quizzes, 08 to 13 May, 2023

EXPLANATION:

• The three schemes introduced under the Jan Suraksha Schemes are:

• • • Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
    • Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
    • Atal Pension Yojana

• Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)

• • • About the scheme: The Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) is a government-backed one-year life insurance scheme that offers coverage for death due to any reason.
    • Eligibility: Individuals between the ages of 18 and 50 who have an individual bank or post office account are eligible to enroll in the scheme. 
    • Benefits: The scheme provides a life cover of Rs. 2 lakhs against an annual premium of Rs. 436.

• Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)

• • • About the scheme: The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) is a renewable one-year accidental insurance scheme that offers coverage for death or disability due to accidents.
    • Eligibility: Individuals between the ages of 18 and 70 who have an individual bank or post office account are eligible to enroll in the scheme.
    • Benefits: The scheme provides an accidental death cum disability cover of Rs. 2 lakh (Rs. 1 lakh in case of partial disability) for death or disability due to an accident against an annual premium of Rs. 20.

• Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

• • About the scheme: The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a social security scheme initiated by the Government to ensure financial stability for all, especially those in the unorganized sector.
  • Eligibility: The scheme is available to all non-income tax-paying bank account holders between 18 to 40 years of age, with contributions varying based on the pension amount chosen.
  • Benefits: Upon reaching 60 years of age, subscribers will receive a minimum monthly pension of Rs. 1000 or Rs. 2000 or Rs. 3000 or Rs. 4000 or Rs. 5000 based on their contributions.

EXPLANATION:

• National Technology Day is an annual observance in India that commemorates the country’s technological achievements and highlights the importance of science and technology in India’s growth and development. 

• The day is celebrated on May 11th every year to mark India’s successful nuclear tests in Pokhran on May 11th, 1998, which demonstrated the country’s capability to become a nuclear power. 

• The theme of National Technology Day this year will be “Atal Tinkering Labs”. 

• It is celebrated on May 11th to create a cohesive and unified approach to celebrating the day and highlighting the importance of technology in India’s development.

EXPLANATION:

• The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a proposed policy by the European Union (EU) that aims to place a carbon price on imported goods from countries outside the EU, which have weaker carbon pricing or climate policies. Thus, statement 1 is not correct. 
• The CBAM is designed to prevent carbon leakage, which occurs when companies move their production to countries with weaker climate policies to avoid paying higher costs for carbon emissions. 
• Under the CBAM, importers would be required to purchase carbon credits or pay a carbon tax to compensate for the carbon emissions generated in the production of imported goods. Thus, statement 2 is correct. 
• The CBAM is intended to ensure a level playing field for companies that have invested in clean technologies and reduced their carbon footprint. The policy is currently under discussion and is expected to be implemented in the EU in 2026.

EXPLANATION:

• Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative has been launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in October 2022. Thus, statement 1 is not correct. 
• Tele-MANAS is a nationwide initiative aimed at providing free tele-mental health services to people all over the country, with a focus on those living in remote or underserved areas. Thus, statement 2 is not correct. 
• The program consists of a network of 38 tele-mental health centers of excellence spread across 27 states and union territories, with over 1600 trained counsellors providing first-line services in over 20 languages.
• The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru is the nodal centre for the program.

EXPLANATION:

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has successfully carried out a trial run of its iDrone initiative, delivering blood bags. This marks the first time such a trial has been conducted in the country.
• iDrone is an initiative by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) that utilizes drones for the transportation of essential medical supplies, including vaccines and blood products. Thus, statement 1 is not correct. 
• It aims to overcome logistical challenges and improve the accessibility and efficiency of healthcare delivery, especially in remote and inaccessible areas.Thus, statement 2 is correct. 
• The iDrone initiative was first implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic when the ICMR utilized drones to distribute vaccines to remote locations. This innovative approach helped reach areas with limited infrastructure and rugged terrain, ensuring the timely delivery of vaccines to communities in need. Thus, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• World’s highest railway bridge: India claims the Chenab bridge to be the world's highest railway bridge. The bridge, in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, is perched between two hill slopes at a height similar to an 85-story tower. It stands at a height of 359 m., making it taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
• India’s first multi-modal logistics park: The International Multimodal Logistics Park is being developed under the ambitious Bharatmala Pariyojana of the Government, and is the first such project of its kind. The park is being constructed by NHIDCL in Jogighopa of Assam and will be connected to road, rail, air, and waterways.
  
• From the information given above a person will have to move from Assam to Jammu and Kashmir and this journey the longest stretch the person will travel will be in Uttar Pradesh. Thus, option (a) is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• The Battlefield Surveillance System (BSS) is an advanced system being developed by the Indian Army to provide real-time situational awareness to commanders at all levels, from battalion to corps. Thus, statement 1 is not correct.
• The Indian Army has embarked on a transformative mission to evolve into a future-ready, technology-driven, agile, and lethal force. In pursuit of this objective, it has initiated Project Sanjay for the development of the Army's Battlefield Surveillance System. Thus, statement 2 is not correct.
• The BSS integrates various types of sensors, such as radars, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and ground sensors, to create a comprehensive and accurate picture of the battlefield environment. Thus, statement 3 is correct.
• The BSS will significantly improve the Army’s operational capability and effectiveness by enabling quicker and more informed decision-making on the battlefield.

EXPLANATION:

• The official and most widely spoken language in the Indian state of Manipur is Meiteilon or Manipuri. The language is written in two scripts: the Meitei script, also known as Meetei Mayek and the Bengali script. Thus, statement 1 is not correct.
• Manipur is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south, and Assam to the west. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
• The Kangla Fort, located in Imphal, is historically significant for being the ancient seat of power for the Meitei kingdom. Today, Kangla Fort stands as a symbol of Manipur's rich heritage and is a popular tourist attraction, offering insights into the region's glorious past. Thus, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was a significant cleanliness campaign launched by the Government of India on October 2, 2014. It aimed to make India clean and open defecation-free by October 2, 2019, in commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary.
• SBM 2.0, launched in 2019, builds upon the achievements and momentum of the first phase. It aims to focus on sustaining the gains made in sanitation, solid waste management, and behavioral change under SBM 1.0. 
• The major components of the Phase-II of SBM (G) are:
  • Sustaining Open Defecation Free Status (ODF-S), 
  • Solid (Biodegradable) Waste Management, 
  • Plastic Waste Management (PWM), 
  • Liquid Waste Management (LWM), 
  • Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), 
  • GOBARdhan, Information Education and 
  • Communication/Behavior Change. 
• Thus, the correct answer is an option (d).

EXPLANATION:

• 3-D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of creating three-dimensional objects from a digital design or model. The technology works by adding material layer by layer until the desired object is formed.
• The significance of 3-D printing technology lies in its ability to transform the way we create, design, and manufacture objects. Here are some of the key benefits and applications of 3-D printing:
  • Faster and more efficient production: 3-D printing can significantly reduce the time and cost of production, particularly for small batch or custom-made items.
  • Greater design flexibility: 3-D printing enables designers to create complex and intricate shapes that would be difficult or impossible to produce using traditional manufacturing methods. 
  • Reduced waste: Traditional manufacturing methods often produce a significant amount of waste material, whereas 3-D printing only uses the exact amount of material needed to create an object. Thus, the correct answer is an option (b).

EXPLANATION:

• The Global Economic Prospect (GEP) Report is published by the World Bank. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the global economic landscape, including growth projections, trends, risks, and policy recommendations. 
• The report covers various aspects of the global economy, such as economic growth, poverty reduction, investment climate, trade, and financial markets. It serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, economists, investors, and researchers to understand and assess the global economic outlook. Thus, the correct answer is option (b).
• Source:

EXPLANATION:

• The Doha Diamond League is part of the Diamond League series, which is an elite track and field competition featuring top athletes from around the world.
• The Doha Diamond League serves as the opening event of the Diamond League season, usually held in April or May. It is hosted at the state-of-the-art Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. The event features various track and field disciplines, including sprints, middle-distance races, hurdles, jumps, throws, and relays.
• The Diamond League is organised by World Athletics (formerly IAAF or International Association of Athletics Federations), the international governing body for athletics.
• Thus, the correct answer is option (a).