Current Affairs Questions

Explanation :

• LadakhiShondol dance has created history yet again by breaking into the Guinness book of world records as the largest Ladakhidance.
• The dance was gracefully performed by about 408 women artists in traditional dresses on the occasion of the Annual Naropa Festivalwhich was held near the Hemis Monastery.
• It is known as the ‘royal dance of Ladakh’. It is famous dance which was earlier used to be performed by artists for King of Ladakh on special occasion.

Naropa Festival

• The 4 day-long festival was held from 16 September to 20 September 2019 near the Hemis Monastery, Ladakh.
• The festival is celebrated every 12^thyear of the Tibetan calendar. It is also known as the KumbhMela of the Himalayas.
• It aims to celebrate the life of Buddhist philosopher and scholar Naropa.

Explanation :

• The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)-2018 was approved in December 2018.
• It is based on the recommendations of Shailesh Nayak Committee, formed in 2014.
• The coastal areas have been classified into four categories—CRZ-I, CRZ-II, CRZ-III and CRZ-IV, which aimed at restricting establishment of industries in these areas.
• CRZ-I: includes ecologically sensitive areas, where no construction is allowed except activities for atomic power plants, defense.
• CRZ-II:It includes designated urban areas that are substantially built up. Construction activities are allowed on the landward side only.
• CRZ-III: Rural and urban areas which fall outside CRZ-I and CRZ-II are covered under CRZ-III. Only agriculture-related activities and public facilities are permitted in this zone.
• CRZ-IV: Aquatic areas up to territorial limits are notified under CRZ-IV.Fishing and allied activities are permitted in this zone. Solid waste should be let off in this zone.

Explanation :

• Wildlife Protection Act 1972 was passed on August 21, 1972, but was later implemented on September 9, 1972.
• Objectives:
• Prohibition of hunting
• Establishment of protected areas
• Protection and management of wildlife habitats
• Regulation and control of trade in parts and products derived from wildlife
• Management of zoos
• WLPA prohibits the injuring, destroying and removing any part of a wild animal’s body.In the case of wild birds and reptiles, the act also forbids disturbing or damaging their eggs.
• It is also against taxidermy, which is the preservation of a dead wild animal as a trophy, or in the form of rugs, preserved skins, antlers, horns, eggs, teeth, and nails.
• Schedule VI contains the medicinal plants, which are prohibited from cultivation and planting.

Explanation :

• Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has announced a new scheme in Public-Private Partnership basis, National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT), for using technology for better learning outcomes in higher education.
• The objective is to use Artificial Intelligence to make learning more personalised and customised as per the requirements of the learner.
• HRD would create and maintain a National NEAT platform that would provide one-stop access to these technological solutions and it would act as a facilitator to ensure that the solutions are freely available to a large number of economically backward students.
• AICTE would be the implementing agency for NEAT programme. The scheme shall be administered under the guidance of an Apex Committee constituted by HRD.

Explanation :

• PMMVY is a direct benefit transfer scheme under which cash benefits are provided to pregnant women in their bank account directly to meet enhanced nutritional needs and partially compensate for wage loss.
• All the pregnant women and lactating mothers, who have their pregnancy on or after 1^st January 2017, are eligible for the scheme.
• A cash benefit of Rs. 5,000 in three installments on fulfilling the respective conditionality, viz. early registration of pregnancy, ante-natal check-up and registration of the birth of the child and completion of first cycle of vaccination for the first living child of the family.
• The eligible beneficiaries also receive cash incentive under JananiSurakshaYojana (JSY). Thus, on an average, a woman gets Rs 6,000.
• Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Rajasthan are the top five States/UT in the country in implementation of PMMVY.

Explanation :

• The Gharial(Gavialisgangeticus) is a unique species of crocodilian, characterized by its long, thin snout and the bulbous growth at the end of its snout.
• It is listed on CITES Appendix I. It is classified as critically endangered species in IUCN list and protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Presently, the wild populations of gharials can only be found in Bangladesh, India and Nepal.

Ecological Importance

• Indian gharials are important predators of fish. Unfortunately the numbers of gharials are now so low that their effects on the ecosystem may not be significant.

Explanation :

• Bio fencing is a unique and cost-effective method to keep wild animals away from residential areas and to protect agricultural crops and livestock in areas adjoining to forests.
• Plant species lemongrass, agave, rambans, and certain species of chilly and some other plant species have been identified to be grown in areas where wild animals enter residential areas and near forests.
• Bio-fencing with lemongrass will be done to prevent entry of elephants because elephants do not like the smell of lemongrass.
• Similarly, agave will be grown to deter elephant and wild boars. This biotic method is environment-friendly and harvesting of such plants can also be economical for farmers.

Explanation :

• An individual is designated as an SDGT by the US Department of State or the Department of the Treasury in consultation with the Department of Justice under the provisions of Executive Order 13224.
• It was issued by President George W. Bush on September 23, 2001, and which has been renewed annually thereafter.
• Individuals or entities designated as SDGTs have either already taken part in terrorist activities or are believed to be potential threats.
• Executive Order 13224, issued in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, aimed at blocking property and prohibiting transactions with persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism.

Explanation :

• The Astra missile which is an indigenously developed sophisticated Beyond Visual RangeAir-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), developed by DRDO, with Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) as the lead laboratory.
• The sophisticated missile, which has a strike range of over 70 kms, can fly towards the target at a speed of over 5,500 km per hour.
• The missile has a 15-kilogramme high-explosive pre-fragmented warhead.
• Astra missile has some highly advanced features like Electronic Counter-Countermeasures or ECCM. This feature enables Astra missile to overcome defensive measures put forth for the target by the enemy.
• Astra is extremely effective in a multi-target scenario. Another deadly feature of Astra missile is that it has an option to choose between “Lock on Before Launch – LOBL” and “Lock on After Launch – LOAL”. The latter option allows the fighter aircraft to safely shoot and scoot after launching the missile towards the target.

Explanation :

• Certificate of Origin is an instrument which establishes evidence on origin of goods imported into any country. These certificates are essential for exporters to prove where their goods come from and therefore stake their claim to whatever benefits goods of Indian origin may be eligible for in the country of exports.
• There are two categories of CoO- Preferential and Non-preferential.

Preferential CoO

• Rules of origin are the criteria needed to determine the national source of a product. Their importance is derived from the fact that duties and restrictions in several cases depend upon the source of imports. The arrangement/scheme under which India is receiving tariff preferences for its exports are:
• Generalised System of Preferences (GSP)
• Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP)
• SAARC Preferential Trading Agreement (SAPTA)
• Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA)
• India-SriLanka Free Trade Agreement (ISLFTA)
• Indo-Thailand Free Trade Agreement
• India-Malaysia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (IMCECA)
• India-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
• India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IJCEPA)
• ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement

Non Preferential CoO

• Non-preferential Rules of Origin are the instruments used to determine the “nationality” of a good when entering a country. The country of import is then entitled to request a certificate of origin to prove the non-preferential origin of the good imported. Exporters desiring Non preferential CoO may apply with following documents:
• Details of quantum/origin of inputs/consumables used in export product.
• Two copies of Invoices
• Packing List in duplicate for concerned invoice
• Fee not exceeding Rs.100 per certificate as may be prescribed by concerned agency.