UPSC 2017 Weekly Current Affairs Quiz: Mar 19 - 25

Shanghai cooperation organization(SCO) is headquartered in Beijing.

Historically significant Varkala will be home to the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA).The centre, the second in the country after the premier NCPA at Nariman Point in Mumbai, will come up on two acres on the government guest house premises. It is aimed at popularising culture, heritage, arts, and tourism.

Gross domestic product (GDP) is a monetary measure of the market value of all final goods and services produced in a period (quarterly or yearly).

The Central Statistics Office (CSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, is responsible for macroeconomic data gathering and statistical record keeping. Its processes involve conducting an annual survey of industries and compilation of various indexes like the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), Consumer Price Index (CPI), etc.

The CSO coordinates with various federal and state government agencies and departments to collect and compile the data required to calculate the GDP and other statistics.

Historically significant Varkala will be home to the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA).The centre, the second in the country after the premier NCPA at Nariman Point in Mumbai, will come up on two acres on the government guest house premises. It is aimed at popularising culture, heritage, arts, and tourism.

China has the largest urban population (758 million) followed by India with 410 million and the US at 263 million.

Paracel Islands, the Pratas Islands, Macclesfield Bank, Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands are the disputed Islands.

The relationship between food and culture along with sense of good eating.

India has a target for renewable energy generation of 175 gigawatts by 2022.

Of the target capacity, 100 GW would be from solar power, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from biomass and 5 GW from small hydro power.

Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana

• Government-upheld Life protection plot in India.
• Yojana is accessible to individuals in the vicinity of 18 and 50 years old with bank accounts.
• It has a yearly premium of ₹330 (US$4.90) barring administration charge, which is over 14% of the premium.
• The sum will be consequently charged from the bank account.
• In the event of death because of any cause, the installment to the chosen one will be ₹2 lakh (US$3,000)
• This plan will be connected to the financial balances opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.

Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana(AABY)

• Social Security Scheme for rural landless household.
• The leader of the family or one acquiring part in the group of such a family is secured under the plan.
• The premium of Rs.200/ – per individual per annum is shared similarly by the Central Government and the State Government.
• The part to be secured ought to be matured in the vicinity of 18 and 59 years.
• A separate fund called “Aam Admi Bima Yojana Premium Fund” has been set up by Central Govt. to pay the Govt. contribution.
• Fund is maintained by LIC.
• A free add-on benefit in the form of scholarship to children is also available under the Scheme.
• Benefits

1. On natural death Rs. 30000/-
2. On Death due to accident/on permanent total disability due to accident (loss of 2 eyes or 2 limbs) Rs. 75000/-

• On partial permanent disability due to accident (loss of one eye or one limb) Rs. 37500/-

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana

• Government-backed accident insurance scheme in India.
• As of May 2015, only 20% of India’s population has any kind of insurance, this scheme aims to increase the number
• Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is accessible to individuals in the vicinity of 18 and 70 years old with financial bank accounts.
• It has a yearly premium of ₹12 (18¢ US) barring administration impose, which is around 14% of the premium.
• The sum will be naturally charged from the bank record. In case of accidental death or full disability, the installment to the chosen one will be ₹2 lakh (US$3,000) and if there should arise an occurrence of incomplete Permanent handicap ₹1 lakh (US$1,500).
• Full incapacity has been characterized as loss of utilization in both eyes, hands or feet. Fractional Permanent inability has been characterized as loss of utilization in one eye, hand or foot.
• This plan will be connected to the ledgers opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana plot.

Atal Pension Yojana

• Government-backed pension scheme in India targeted at the unorganized sector.
• In Atal Pension Yojana, for each commitment made to the benefits subsidize, The Central Government would likewise co-contribute half of the aggregate commitment or ₹1,000 (US$15) per annum, whichever is lower, to each qualified supporter account, for a time of 5 years.
• The base period of joining APY is 18 years and most extreme age is 40 years. The time of exit and begin of benefits would be 60 years.
• In this way, least time of commitment by the endorser under APY would be 20 years or more.
• Aadhaar would be the essential KYC archive for recognizable proof of recipients, life partner and chosen people to maintain a strategic distance from annuity rights and privilege related question in the long haul.
• The supporters are required to decide on a month to month annuity from Rs. 1000 – Rs. 5000 and guarantee installment of stipulated month to month commitment consistently.
• The endorsers can pick to reduction or increment benefits sum over the span of collection stage, according to the accessible month to month annuity sums.

The National Physical Laboratory, an organisation of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, is best known for the being the repository of physical standards such as the kilogram, second and the centimetre.

The UNAIDS 90-90-90 target calls on countries to reach the following goals:

90% of people living with HIV diagnosed by 2020

90% of diagnosed people on antiretroviral treatment by 2020

90% of people in treatment with fully suppressed viral load by 2020

Recently, Heavy overnight rains in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have disrupted normal life in the islands developing into flood-like situation in north and middle Andamans.

Located about 40 km from state capital Port Blair, Havelock and Neil islands are the most popular tourist attractions of Andamans, and the worst affected. Nearly 450 tourist at Havelock islands and 500 at Neil islands had been stranded in the islands. The Indian Air Force launched an evacuation operation for rescue of tourists stranded at Havelock and Neil Islands in Andamans.

Recently, Researchers at Delhi’s International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) have identified specific metabolites that can potentially be used asbiomarkers for distinguishing dengue and chikungunya infections and co-infection by these twoviruses. Both these virus infections exhibit similar and overlapping symptoms in patientsbecause of which making differential diagnosis becomes challenging. It getsfurther complicatedin the case of a co-infection.

Currently, antigen-based and antibody-based diagnostic tools are available for dengue,and the diagnosis can be made within the first few days after infection. However, in the case ofchikungunya, the diagnostic tool is antibody-based. Antibodiestake time to develop in a patient.

• Larsen C is the most northern major ice shelf in Antarctica. An iceberg expected to be one of the 10 largest ever recorded is ready to break away from this ice shelf in Antarctica, scientists say.
• Researchers have been tracking the rift in Larsen C for many years, watching it with some trepidation after the collapse of Larsen A ice shelf in 1995 and the sudden break-up of the Larsen B shelf in 2002.
• Last year, researchers reported that the Larsen C rift was growing fast. But in December the speed of the rift went into overdrive, growing by a further 18km in just a couple of weeks. What will become a massive iceberg (5000 sq.km) now hangs on to the shelf by a thread just 20km long.
• The researchers say that this is a geographical and not a climate event. The rift has been present for decades, they say, but it has punched through at this particular time.
• It is believed that climate warming has brought forward the likely separation of the iceberg but the scientists say they have no direct evidence to support this incidence.

Both the statements are correct.

The CGST Bill makes provisions for levy and collection of tax on intra-state supply of goods or services for both by the Central Government.

On the other hand, IGST Bill makes provisions for levy and collection of tax on inter-state supply of goods or services or both by the Central Government.

The UTGST Bill makes provisions for levy on collection of tax on intra-UT supply of goods and services in the Union Territories without legislature.

Union Territory GST is akin to States Goods and Services Tax (SGST) which shall be levied and collected by the States/Union Territories on intra-state supply of goods or services or both.

GST is a uniform indirect tax levied on goods and services across a country. Many developed nations tax manufacture, sale and consumption using a single, comprehensive tax.

GST is also expected to disincentivize tax evasion, lower tax rates, and make business operations easier.

Alcohol for human consumption has been exempted from the purview of GST.

Freedom of speech and expression is not absolute. There are 8 restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression. These are in respect of the sovereignty and integrity of the country. These restrictions are: Security of the state Friendly relations with foreign states Public Order Decency or morality Contempt of Court Defamation Incitement to offence Sovereignty and integrity of India.

Determination of neutrino masses and mixing parameters is one of the most important open problems in physics today. The ICAL detector is designed to address some of these key open problems in a unique way. Over the years this underground facility is expected to develop into a full-fledged underground science laboratory for other studies in physics, biology, geology, hydrology etc.

Environmental Clearance granted to the India-based Neutrino Observatory(INO) –Theni by ministry of Environment has been suspended by National Green Tribunal.

National Mission on Libraries has been set up by Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in pursuance of National Knowledge Commission recommendations for sustained attention for development of Libraries and Information science Sector.

BHIM is a biometric payment system app using Aadhar platform, and is based on Unified Payment Interface (UPI) to facilitate e-payments directly through bank.

It was launched to stress on the importance of technology and digital transactions. It can be used on all mobile devices, be it a smartphone or a feature phone with or without internet connection.

Uniting for Consensus (UfC) is a movement, nicknamed the Coffee Club,that developed in the 1990s in opposition to the possible expansion of permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council. Under the leadership of Italy.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India. Hence it is statutory body and not constitutional body.

FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.

Miyar Hydroelectric Project is located in District Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh on the Miyar Nallah which is a major tributary of Chenab River.

Basel III is an international regulatory accord that introduced a set of reforms designed to improve the regulation, supervision and risk management within the banking sector. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published the first version of Basel III in late 2009, giving banks approximately three years to satisfy all requirements. Largely in response to the credit crisis, banks are required to maintain proper leverage ratios and meet certain minimum capital requirements.

• Bharat Interface for Money or BHIM is a digital payments solution app based on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). If you have signed up for UPI based payments on your respective bank account, which is also linked to your mobile number, then you’ll be able to use the BHIM app to conduct digital transactions.
• BHIM is also supposed to support Aadhaar-based payments, where transactions will be possible just with a fingerprint impression, but that facility is yet to roll out.
• BHIM app is not a mobile wallet. In case of mobile wallets like Paytm or MobiKwik you store a limited amount of money on the app, that can only be sent to someone who is using the same wallet. Your friend, relative or even a merchant who you’re trying to pay doesn’t necessarily need to be on the BHIM app. All they need is a bank account to receive the payment. (BHIM also has options to transfer via IFSC, MMID as well for non-UPI banks).

Both are definitions of micro enterprise.

A dwarf planet is an object in orbit around the Sun that is large enough (massive enough) to have its own gravity pull itself into a round (or nearly round) shape. Generally, a dwarf planet is smaller than Mercury. A dwarf planet may also orbit in a zone that has many other objects in it. For example, an orbit within the asteroid belt is in a zone with lots of other objects.

At present there are five dwarf planets- Ceres, Pluto, Eris, Makemake and Haumea.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization which regulates international trade.

The WTO is attempting to complete negotiations on the Doha Development Round, which was launched in 2001 with an explicit focus on developing countries. As of June 2012, the future of the Doha Round remained uncertain: the work programme lists 21 subjects in which the original deadline of 1 January 2005 was missed, and the round is still incomplete. The conflict between free trade on industrial goods and services but retention of protectionism on farm subsidies to domestic agricultural sector (requested by developed countries) and the substantiation of fair trade on agricultural products (requested by developing countries) remain the major obstacles. This impasse has made it impossible to launch new WTO negotiations beyond the Doha Development Round. As a result, there have been an increasing number of bilateral free trade agreements between governments. As of July 2012, there were various negotiation groups in the WTO system for the current agricultural trade negotiation which is in the condition of stalemate.

A nine-day mega social occasion Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsava exhibiting traditional folk dance and music was introduced in Tawang.