Weekly Current Affairs: Quizzes, 15 to 20 April 2024

EXPLANATION: 

• The term "Dhokra" is thought to have originated from the Dhokra Damar tribes, who are the traditional metal craftsmen of Central India. Its roots can be traced to the indigenous communities residing in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha regions. The appeal of Dhokra Shilpkala lies in its rustic allure and the natural essence of its designs. Craftsmen find inspiration in nature, mythology, and daily life, incorporating elements like animals, birds, deities, and tribal symbols into their artwork. Each creation embodies a timeless grace and cultural depth. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
• The sculptures are crafted using the lost-wax casting method, a technique that employs a clay core, beeswax, and brass or bronze metal to create metal castings. Thus, statement 2 is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• EFTA primarily focuses on fostering free trade and economic integration among its member nations, rather than aiming for political integration or harmonization of laws and regulations. Established in 1960 by the Stockholm Convention, it operates as an intergovernmental organization. EFTA's main goals include reducing trade barriers and enhancing collaboration across various economic sectors like industry, research, and technology. 
• Unlike the EU, EFTA does not possess a centralized legislative body. Instead, it operates through intergovernmental cooperation among its member states, akin to the EU's model. Member states maintain their national sovereignty and make decisions collectively through consensus in the EFTA Council, which serves as its highest governing body. EFTA collaborates closely with the EU, with its current member states being Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. While these nations are not part of the EU, they maintain strong economic connections through the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, facilitating the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people between EFTA and EU member states. Thus, option D is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• The UAE's involvement in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) infrastructure project, agreed upon during the G-20 summit in Delhi, seeks to boost trade and connectivity among the participating regions. This initiative is viewed as a response to China's Belt and Road Initiative in the area.
• Oil and gas trade from the U.A.E. to India is the largest contributor to the economic relationship between India and the U.A.E. While tourism is a significant aspect of the relationship, the largest contributors are trade and investment. The UAE is India's third-largest trading partner and the second-largest destination for Indian exports. Additionally, it ranks as the fourth-largest investor in India overall. Thus, option A is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a governmental entity mandated with the enforcement of the Competition Act of 2002. Established in March 2009, it replaced the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act of 1969 (MRTP Act) based on the suggestions of the Raghavan committee.
• The Competition Act mandates the Commission to comprise one Chairperson and six Members, all appointed by the Central Government. This body functions in a quasi-judicial capacity, providing opinions to statutory authorities and handling various cases. Both the Chairperson and the Members are required to serve full-time.
• In terms of eligibility, the Chairperson and every Member must possess qualities of ability, integrity, and stature. They should either have served or be qualified to serve as judges of a High Court or have substantial expertise of at least fifteen years in fields such as international trade, economics, business, law, finance, accounting, management, industry, public affairs, administration, or any other area deemed relevant by the Central Government. Thus, option C is correct.

EXPLANATION:

Different Production Costs Considered While Fixing MSP are:

• A2: The total expenses directly shouldered by the farmer, whether through monetary payment or other contributions, such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, hired labor, leased land, fuel, and irrigation.
• A2+FL: Additionally, the assessed value of family labor that goes unpaid is included in the A2 cost to calculate A2+FL.
•  C2: To determine the C2 production cost, which offers a more thorough assessment, estimated land rental fees and the expense of interest on borrowed funds for farming are added to A2+FL. Thus, option C is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a policy tool designed to address carbon leakage and level the playing field for domestic industries operating under stringent carbon pricing mechanisms. It involves imposing a tariff on imported goods based on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with their production. The aim is to prevent carbon-intensive industries from relocating to countries with weaker environmental regulations to avoid carbon costs while ensuring that domestic producers remain competitive. CBAM is seen as a means to encourage global cooperation on climate action by incentivizing other countries to adopt similar carbon pricing measures.
• The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) represents a significant component of the EU's "Fit for 55 in 2030 package," aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 relative to levels recorded in 1990. This strategy is intended to establish an equitable cost for carbon emissions linked to the manufacturing of particular goods imported into the EU. Thus, option B is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• India has joined the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO), which stands as the world's largest radio telescope project. To gain membership, countries must sign and ratify the SKAO convention. India's endorsement to participate in the project, accompanied by a financial allocation of Rs 1,250 crore, marks the initial phase toward formal ratification.
• SKAO stands as an intergovernmental entity with the goal of constructing and managing advanced radio telescopes. Its central headquarters are situated at the Jodrell Bank Observatory in the United Kingdom. Instead of a solitary telescope, the project entails deploying a multitude of antennas, numbering in the thousands, across secluded, radio-quiet sites in South Africa and Australia. These will function collectively as a singular expansive unit for observing and researching celestial phenomena. Additionally, one of SKAO's objectives encompasses the investigation of gravitational waves. Several nations involved in the construction of the SKA include the UK, Australia, South Africa, Canada, China, France, India, Italy, and Germany. Thus, option C is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Recently, the Indian toy sector has witnessed notable expansion, with exports experiencing a substantial increase of 239% and imports decreasing by 52% from the fiscal years 2014-15 to 2022-23. Consequently, India has transitioned into a net exporter in this industry. The trade balance, which stood at a deficit of Rs.1,500 crore in 2014-15, shifted to a surplus starting from the fiscal year 2020-21. This transition can be attributed to several factors, including the increase in import duties from 20% to 60% implemented in February 2020, as well as the presence of non-tariff barriers such as the Quality Control Order (QCO) and mandatory sample testing.
• The latest Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), such as those with the UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), provide Indian toy exports with access to international markets without duty charges, thereby bolstering their global competitiveness. Thus, option C is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• In the fiscal year 2021-22, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education for individuals aged 18-23 increased to 28.4%, compared to 27.3% in 2020-21 and 23.7% in the base year of 2014-15.
• The Female GER increased to 28.5% (2.07 crore) in 2021-22 from 27.9% (2.01 crore) in 2020-21 and 22.9% in 2014-15.
• The GER of Schedule Caste (SC) and Schedule Tribe (ST) students also saw an increase of around 2%.During the academic year 2020-21, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for SC students stood at 25.6%, while for ST students it was 23.4%. These figures rose to 27.2% for SC students and 25.8% for ST students respectively in the subsequent academic year 2021-22.
• The enrolment of OBC students increased to 1.63 crore in 2021-22 from 1.13 crore in 2014-15.
• About 78.9% of the total students are enrolled in undergraduate level courses, while 12.1% are enrolled in postgraduate level courses.
• Among undergraduate disciplines in AISHE 2021-22, Arts has the highest enrollment (34.2%), followed by science (14.8%), Commerce (13.3%), and Engineering and Technology (11.8%).
• At the postgraduate level in AISHE 2021-22, the maximum students are enrolled in Social Science (21.1%), followed by science (14.7%).
• Government Universities, making up 58.6% of all universities, account for 73.7% of total enrollment, while Private Universities represent 26.3% of total enrollment.
• The collective count of registered Universities/University-level institutions stands at 1,168, with Colleges numbering 45,473, and Standalone Institutions totaling 12,002.
• According to the survey, the total number of faculty/teachers in 2021-22 is 15.98 lakh, with about 56.6% male and 43.4% female.
• Ph.d enrollment increased 81.2% since 2014-15 to 2.12 lakh. Thus, option A is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Brumation is a period of dormancy observed in cold-blooded creatures, including reptiles and amphibians, especially in regions with temperate climates. During brumation, these animals become lethargic, and their metabolic functions decrease to save energy during the colder months when food sources are limited. In contrast, hibernation is the winter dormancy state seen in warm-blooded mammals. Brumation specifically pertains to the dormancy of cold-blooded animals such as reptiles and amphibians in response to cold weather.
• Estivation, alternatively referred to as aestivation, represents a dormant phase adopted by certain animals amidst the hot and arid summer conditions. This period of reduced activity aids in preserving energy and moisture, given the scarcity of food and water sources. Species that undergo estivation encompass specific insects, fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Thus, option B is correct.