UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 19 March 2024

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The Human Development Report (HDR) is an annual Human Development Index report published by the Human Development Report Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/18/human-development-index-hdi-2023-24/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 3 is not correct.
• He was one of few founding members of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway along with Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy and David Sasson.
• He became the first Indian to be nominated to the Bombay Legislative Council under the Act of 1861, and became a member of the Bombay Board of Education. He also was the first Indian member of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, and is known to have endowed a school and donated land in Grant Road for a theater.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/18/nana-jagannath-shankarseth/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• National Health Authority (NHA) is the apex body responsible for implementing India’s flagship public health insurance/assurance scheme called “Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana” & has been entrusted with the role of designing strategy, building technological infrastructure and implementation of “National Digital Health Mission” to create a National Digital Health Eco-system.
• National Health Authority is the successor of the National Health Agency, which was functioning as a registered society since 23rd May, 2018. Pursuant to Cabinet decision for full functional autonomy, National Health Agency was reconstituted as the National Health Authority on 2nd January 2019, under Gazette Notification Registered No. DL –(N) 04/0007/2003-18.
• NHA has been set-up to implement PM-JAY, as it is popularly known, at the national level. An attached office of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with full functional autonomy, NHA is governed by a Governing Board chaired by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare. It is headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), an officer of the rank of Secretary to the Government of India, who manages its affairs. The CEO is the Ex-Office Member Secretary of the Governing Board.
• To implement the scheme at the State level, State Health Agencies (SHAs) in the form of a society/trust have been set up by respective States. SHAs have full operational autonomy over the implementation of the scheme in the State including extending the coverage to non SECC beneficiaries.
• NHA is leading the implementation for Ayushman Bharat Digital MissionABDM in coordination with different ministries/departments of the Government of India, State Governments, and private sector/civil society organizations.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/18/cashless-treatment-of-road-accident-victims/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The Electric Vehicles Initiative (EVI) is a multi-government policy forum dedicated to accelerating the introduction and adoption of electric vehicles worldwide. The IEA acts as Coordinator to support the EVI member governments in this activity.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/18/indias-e-vehicle-policy-key-highlights/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme was announced in the Budget speech of 1998-99 to fulfil the financial requirements of the farmers at various stages of farming through institutional credit.
• The model scheme was prepared by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on the recommendation of V Gupta committee.
• The KCC scheme is being implemented by the all Co-operative banks, Regional Rural Banks and Public Sector Banks throughout the country.
• Scheme covers risk of KCC holders against death or permanent disability resulting from accidents.
• Crop loans disbursed under KCC Scheme for notified crops are covered under Crop Insurance Scheme, to protect the interest of the farmer against loss of crop yield caused by natural calamities, pest attacks etc.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/18/kisan-credit-card-kcc-fisheries-scheme/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: The European Parliament has passed a groundbreaking law, the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act, 2024), establishing comprehensive regulations for AI. It’s the first law of its kind globally, recognizing different levels of AI and their potential harms.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/18/artificial-intelligence-act-ai-act-2024/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: The Petroleum Ministry has launched ‘ETHANOL 100’, a groundbreaking automotive fuel, at the IndianOil Retail Outlet.
• Ethanol 100 offers a cleaner, greener fuel option with its blend of 92-94% ethanol, 4-5% motor spirit, and 1.5% Co-solvent higher saturated alcohol. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions by around 63% and is ideal for high-performance engines due to its high-octane rating. Additionally, its adoption leads to significant savings in foreign exchange.
• India’s Ethanol Blending Program aims to promote the blending of ethanol with gasoline to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and mitigate environmental impact. The program incentivizes ethanol production and blending, with a target of achieving 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025-26 (as per National Policy on Biofuel-2018)

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/18/ethanol-100/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: Union Home Ministry launched a newly developed Digital Criminal Case Management System (CCMS) by the National Investigation Agency (NIA)
• What is CCMS?
  • It is a browser-based software designed to assist State Police forces in investigations and prosecution. It aims to enhance coordination in terrorism and organized crime cases, improve justice delivery, standardize investigations, and streamline terror-related data compilation. The CCMS facilitates cooperation between central and state agencies, including Anti-Terror Squads, and supports the implementation of new criminal laws.
  • Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) launched the ‘Sankalan’ app by the National Crime Records Bureau, serving as a guide to navigate through new criminal laws.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/18/nias-ccms-platform-launched/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) launched the ‘Sankalan’ app by the National Crime Records Bureau, serving as a guide to navigate through new criminal laws.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/18/nias-ccms-platform-launched/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: Vietnam calls for respect of international law following China’s establishment of a baseline in the Gulf of Tonkin. The move raises concerns amid overlapping claims in the South China Sea, but both countries have historically maintained friendlier relations in the Gulf of Tonkin.
• The Gulf of Tonkin, situated in the South China Sea, borders Tonkin in northern Vietnam and South China. It is bordered by Vietnam’s northern coastline to the west and northwest, China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the north, and the Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island to the east. The Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964 heightened U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/18/gulf-of-tonkin/