21 Mar 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 21 March 2023:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
POLITY
1. Are foreign law firms now allowed in India?
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Concluding on a high note, in Manhattan
ECONOMY
1. The wide disparities in human development
F. Prelims Facts
G. Tidbits
1. Rapid action against climate change needed: UN panel
2. Scholars, experts from SCO countries discuss ways to revive Buddhist culture
3. CAD to narrow, bolster rupee against global risks
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

2. Scholars, experts from SCO countries discuss ways to revive Buddhist culture

  • India recently hosted a conference on ‘Shared Buddhist Heritage’ under the ambit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and is said to be a first-of-its-kind event.
  • The event witnessed the participation of scholars from countries such as Russia, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Belarus, Bahrain, Myanmar, the UAE and Kazakhstan.
  • The conference was organised by the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of External Affairs and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).
  • The key objective of the conference was to re-establish trans-cultural links and find out commonalities between Buddhist art of Central Asia, art styles and archaeological sites.
    • Trans-cultural linkages between central Asian and Southeast Asian nations are extremely significant and need to be revived and Buddhism can help build a common cultural line between all the SCO countries.
  • India will also be hosting the World Buddhist Conference in 2023.

Read more about – Buddhism

3. CAD to narrow, bolster rupee against global risks

CAD to narrow to buffer against risks

Image source: The Hindu

  • According to the Finance Ministry, despite the GDP growth being slow in the third quarter – Q3 (4.4%) as compared to Q2 (6.3%), the growth has not gotten shallower and the momentum has sustained through the course of 2022-23.
  • The Ministry further believes that the macroeconomic stability would get a further boost as the current account deficit was set to narrow from year-beginning estimates on account of a jump in net services exports, moderation in oil prices and the decline in import-intensive consumption demand.
    • The current account deficit (CAD) which measures the flow of goods, services and investments into and out of the country is estimated to narrow in FY24.
  • Narrowing the CAD is expected to provide a much-needed cushion to the economy, especially at a time when the Federal Reserve is looking to raise rates further.
  • The ministry has also argued that the growth momentum could have been higher if not for a contraction in Gross Value Added (GVA) in the manufacturing sector caused due to weaker demand in advanced economies.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Identify the correct statements: (Level – Easy)
  1. The Central Sector Schemes are entirely funded by the Central government.
  2. The Centrally Sponsored Schemes are entirely funded by the central government but implemented by the state governments.
  3. The NITI Aayog has the authority to conduct an evaluation of both of the above schemes.

Options:

  1. 1 and 2
  2. 2 and 3
  3. 1 and 3
  4. 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct, Central sector schemes are 100% funded by the Union government and implemented by the Central Government machinery. 
    • Central sector schemes are mainly formulated on subjects from the Union List. 
  • Statement 2 is not correct, Centrally sponsored schemes are jointly funded by the Centre and State Governments
    • Centrally sponsored schemes are formulated in subjects from the State List and are implemented by the State Governments.
  • Statement 3 is correct, The NITI Aayog has the authority to conduct an evaluation of both of the above schemes.
    • Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), an attached office of NITI Aayog, conducts independent evaluation studies of both Central Sector as well as Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
Q2. Which of the following are matched correctly? (Level – Moderate)

Interpol Notices and Puposes Prelims Question

Options:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 3 and 4 only
  4. 1 and 4 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

Interpol Notices

Image Source: Interpol

Q3. What do you understand about LVM-3, in the news recently? (Level – Moderate)
  1. It is a light aircraft recently developed by HAL.
  2. It is a Low Earth Orbit satellite of India.
  3. It is a geosynchronous launch vehicle of the country.
  4. It is a fungal enzyme discovered recently that helps in the degradation of plastics.
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • The Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) is ISRO’s medium-heavy lift launch vehicle.
  • The LVM3 rocket was previously known as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk3).
Q4. Which of the following statements are incorrect? (Level – Moderate)
  1. The TOPS funding to sportspersons is only for the purpose to win medals in the Olympic Games.
  2. TOPS funding is given to new sportspersons who have never represented India in the Olympics yet.

Options:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is not correct, Target Olympic Podium is a scheme under the National Sports Development Fund of the Department of Sports under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. 
    • The objective of the TOP Scheme is to improve India’s performance at the Olympics and Paralympics.
    • Further, the support for customised training of medal prospects including for the Olympic Games and Asian Games is provided under TOP Scheme.
  • Statement 2 is not correct, There is no such restriction that TOPS funding is given to new sportspersons who have never represented India in the Olympics yet.
    • Neeraj Chopra, who won India’s first-ever gold medal in athletics at Tokyo Olympics 2020, is being provided TOPS funding to train in Gloria Sports Arena, Turkey.
Q5. Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of the Industrial 
Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century? 
(Level – Easy) [PYQ 2020]
  1. Indian handicrafts were ruined
  2. Machines were introduced in the Indian textile industry in large numbers
  3. Railway lines were laid in many parts of the country
  4. Heavy duties were imposed on the imports of British manufactures 
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

  • The Industrial Revolution revolutionised economies that were based on agriculture and handicrafts into economies based on large-scale industry, mechanized manufacturing, and the factory system. 
  • Post the Industrial Revolution, Britain started producing machine-made goods and textiles that were much cheaper than Indian goods which ruined the market for Indian handicrafts.

CNA 21 March 2023:- Download PDF Here

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