ca part 4 Flashcards
What are some of Amitav Ghosh’s well-known novels?
The Nutmeg’s Curse, The Hungry Tide, The Great Derangement (among others)
What is the monetary value of the Erasmus Prize awarded to Amitav Ghosh?
€150,000
Briefly describe how the Erasmus Prize ceremony typically takes place.
The prize is presented by the Patron of the Foundation during a ceremony held at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
When was the Praemium Erasmianum foundation established?
1958
How does Kerala rank in terms of passport holders in India?
Kerala has the highest total number of passport holders (both male and female).
Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of male passport holders.
What is unique about Kerala’s passport statistics in terms of gender?
Kerala has the highest number of female passport holders of any Indian state.
What does the high number of female passport holders in Kerala indicate?
It reflects a changing migration pattern with a rising number of young people, particularly female students, going overseas for higher education.
Provide specific passport holder statistics for Kerala.
Total passport holders: 98.92 lakh
Male passport holders: 56.75 lakh
Female passport holders: 42.17 lakh
What is the purpose of the NITI for States platform?
To empower states and UTs in achieving national development goals by providing a centralized repository of resources and promoting good governance.
Who launched the NITI for States platform?
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Communications, Railways, and Electronics & Information Technology.
Where is the NITI for States platform located?
NITI Aayog’s ‘Viksit Bharat Strategy Room’
What kind of resources can be found on the NITI for States platform?
Best practices
Policy documents
Datasets
NITI Aayog publications
List some features of the NITI for States platform.
Multilingual accessibility
Capacity building initiatives
Expert help desk
Data integration from the National Data & Analytics Platform (NDAP)
What is the ultimate goal of the NITI for States platform?
To become a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Policy and Good Governance across various sectors.
In how many sectors does the NITI for States platform offer knowledge products?
10 sectors including Agriculture, Education, Energy, etc. with a focus on Gender and Climate Change.
How many languages will the NITI for States platform be available in eventually?
22 major Indian languages and 7 foreign languages.
What is the total budget allocated for the India AI Mission for the next five years?
Rs 10,372 crore
How will the India AI Mission support private companies?
By subsidizing them to set up AI compute capacity in India.
What are two ways the India AI Mission will support AI startups?
Seed funding
Access to an AI marketplace with pre-trained models
What is the goal for the computing capacity established under the India AI Mission?
To exceed 10,000 GPUs (Graphics Processing Units)
What kind of foundational models will be developed under the India AI Mission?
Large models with over 100 billion parameters trained on Indian language datasets relevant to healthcare, agriculture, and governance.
How will government ministries be involved in the India AI Mission?
By establishing AI Curation Units (ACUs) within 50 key ministries.
How much funding is allocated for building the AI compute infrastructure?
Rs 4,564 crore (with 50% viability gap funding through a public-private partnership model)
How much funding is allocated for supporting deep tech AI startups?
Approximately Rs 2,000 crore
What is the purpose of the IndiaAI Innovation Research Centre?
To develop and deploy large foundational models, including indigenous multi-modal models and domain-specific models.
What is the IndiaAI Datasets Platform designed to achieve?
Improve the quality, accessibility, and use of non-personal data for AI innovation.
When did Sweden officially become a member of NATO?
March 7, 2024
32nd member
Why was Sweden’s NATO membership delayed?
Objections from Turkey and Hungary
Briefly describe NATO’s purpose and when it was established.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a military alliance formed in 1949 by the US, Canada, and several Western European nations to provide collective security against the Soviet Union.
Where is NATO’s headquarters located?
Brussels, Belgium
who joined NATO prior to sweden
• North Macedonia: Joined on March 27, 2020.
What is the India’s Zero Carbon Buildings Action Plan (ZCBAP)?
• A city-specific plan launched in Nagpur, focused on achieving net-zero emissions in buildings by 2050.
• Aims to contribute to India’s broader net-zero emission target by 2070.
What types of buildings are included in the ZCBAP roadmap?
• Public buildings
• Affordable housing
• Commercial buildings
• Private homes (residential)
Why was the ZCBAP created for Nagpur?
Nagpur’s residential, commercial, and institutional buildings were identified as significant contributors to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
Which organizations collaborated to develop Nagpur’s Zero Carbon Buildings Action Plan (ZCBAP)?
• Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Ltd (NSSCDCL)
• Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC)
• World Resources Institute (WRI)
• Global Environment Facility (GEF)
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• ICLEI South Asia
England’s James Anderson has etched his name in history books as he has become the first-ever pacer
in the history of the sport to
complete 700 wickets in Test cricket
He has also become the third bowler to do so. He is behind Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets) and Australia’s late
Shane Warne (708 wickets).
Anderson reached the milestone in his 187th Test
by removing India’s Kuldeep Yadav on day 3
What is the purpose of the BCCI’s Test Cricket Incentive Scheme?
To reward Indian senior men’s cricket players who prioritize Test cricket by offering additional income based on their participation.
How is the Test Cricket Incentive Scheme structured?
The scheme is divided into three slabs based on a player’s participation percentage in Tests:
• Less than 50% - No incentive, only base match fees
• 50% to 75% - Additional Rs 30 Lakh per match (total Rs 45 Lakh per match)
• More than 75% - Additional Rs 45 Lakh per match (total Rs 60 Lakh per match)
Minister for Communications, Electronics and Information Technology and
Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, launched India’s fastest and indigenously
developed IP/MPLS
(Multiprotocol Label Switching) router in Bengaluru.
• The router was developed by the collaboration of the government’s
Department of Telecom, CDOT and Nivetti.
IP/MPLS router has 2.4 tbps speed
Terabytes per second (TBps) is the rate of data transmission. It is equivalent to
1,000 gigabytes, or one lakh crore bytes per second
The multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) technique was first developed in the
1990s. Its main function
is to speed up network connections by sending packets
along predetermined network paths
What are SM REITs?
Small and Medium Real Estate Investment Trusts issued by Sebi.
Allow fractional ownership of commercial and residential properties, boosting investment.
Funds start at ₹50 crore, minimum of 200 investors.
Assets held under Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for management and income generation.
Key requirements for establishing an SM REIT
• Investment manager must have ₹20 crore net worth.
• Separate trustee appointed for oversight.
• Regulations officially called: Sebi (REIT) (Amendment) Regulations 2024.
How does an SM REIT launch differ from a traditional REIT?
• SM REITs list similarly to IPOs
• 95% of assets must be completed and income-generating (vs. 80% for larger REITs)
• Minimum per-investor subscription is ₹10 lakh (lower than fractional platforms)
What are the investment manager’s obligations in an SM REIT?
Must retain 5% of outstanding units in each scheme from year 4 to year 5 post-listing.
This is reduced from the initially proposed 15%.
SM REITs with leverage require a 15% co-investment by the manager.
Leverage is capped at 49% of total REIT assets.
Who won Miss World 2024?
Krystyna Pyszkova from Czech Republic
Where was Miss World 2024 held?
Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, India
When was the last time India hosted Miss World before 2024?
Nearly three decades ago (around 28 years)
Who did Krystyna Pyszkova succeed as Miss World?
Karolina Bielawska of Poland (Miss World 2022)
How many times has India won Miss World?
Six times (Reita Faria, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Diana Hayden, Yukta Mookhey, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Manushi Chillar)
What is the purpose of the International Cooperative Museum (ICM)?
To showcase the history and achievements of India’s cooperative movement, with a focus on Kerala.
Where is the ICM being built?
Kozhikode, Kerala, India.
Who is funding the construction of the ICM?
Karassery Service Co-operative Bank.
What is the significance of the ICM’s location?
It will be the second cooperative museum in the world (first established in 1844, Toad Lane, U.K.).
What organizations are being approached for additional support on the ICM project
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and International Cooperative Alliance.
What is the name of the new scheme launched in Chhattisgarh?
Mahatari Vandana Yojana
What is the purpose of the Mahatari Vandana Yojana?
To empower women in Chhattisgarh by providing financial assistance.
Who is eligible for the Mahatari Vandana Yojana?
Eligible married women, widows, divorced, and deserted women above 21 years of age (as of January 1, 2024) residing in Chhattisgarh.
What is the amount provided under the Mahatari Vandana Yojana?
Rs 1,000 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
Who launched the Mahatari Vandana Yojana?
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
Asif Ali Zardari became
the 14th president of Pakistan
second term
What is the role of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)?
regulatory body that promotes, protects, and enforces the rights of consumers. It was established in 2019 under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Why did the CCPA issue a recent advisory?
in response to the increasing instances of advertisements promoting illegal activities, specifically betting and gambling.
What is the legal stance on betting and gambling in India?
Under the Public Gambling Act of 1867, betting and gambling are strictly prohibited and considered illegal in the majority of regions across India.
Despite their illegal status, how do online betting platforms and apps continue to operate?
Online betting platforms and apps often advertise betting and gambling either directly or in a disguised form, typically as gaming activities.
What guidelines does the CCPA’s advisory cite?
The CCPA’s advisory cites the Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022, which prohibit advertisements promoting products or services outlawed under any current law.
Which part of India’s Constitution deals with the ability to regulate gambling and betting?
The Seventh Schedule, List II (State List) of the Constitution of India gives State Governments the authority to enact laws related to gambling and betting activities.
What is the goal of the New Education Policy’s assessment changes?
To create a “holistic progress card (HPC)” that tracks a student’s development in cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains, providing a comprehensive picture.
Who is responsible for creating the new HPCs?
NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) through the standard-setting body PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development
What new, non-academic information will HPCs include?
Hobbies, favorite food, festivals
What are the three parameters used to describe a student in the new system?
Awareness, Sensitivity, Creativity
What are the three descriptors used to rank each parameter?
Stream, Mountain, Sky
Middle Stage Specific Changes - What is the “Ambition Card” in the middle stage HPC?
A section for students to list “5 skills I need to achieve my ambition” and “Subjects I need to focus on”
What is the purpose of the “Parent-Teacher Partnership Card”?
A collaborative section for pinpointing a child’s weak areas, titled “At school, my child needs support with:”
Which stages currently lack the new HPCs?
Foundational (Classes 1 & 2), Preparatory (Classes 3-5), and Middle (Classes 6-8)
What is the status of report cards for the secondary stage? (beyond 9 class)
Still being prepared
Create standalone two-way flash cards from the below news without missing any information
Best Actor (Cillian Murphy),
Best Director (Christopher Nolan),
Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.),
Best Film Editing,
Best Cinematography,
Best Original Score
How many Oscar nominations did “Oppenheimer” receive?
13
Who won Best Actress at the 96th Oscars?
Emma Stone for her role in “Poor Things”
Who won Best Supporting Actress at the 96th Oscars?
Da’Vine Joy Randolph for her role in “The Holdovers”
Which film won Best Documentary at the 96th Oscars?
“20 Days in Mariupol” (Ukraine) [FIRST AWARD]
Which film won Best International Film at the 96th Oscars?
“The Zone of Interest” (UK)
Where and when did the 96th Oscars ceremony take place?
Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California, USA on March 10th.
What is the AMPAS?
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the organization that presents the Oscars)
Which renowned Indian art director and production designer was honored during the Oscars Memoriam segment?
Nitin Chandrakant Desai [Hindi films. He won four National Film Awards for Best Art Direction]
What is Exercise Cutlass Express?
A multinational maritime exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet, focusing on East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean.
Where and when did Cutlass Express 2024 take place?
Port Victoria, Seychelles
Which Indian Navy ship participated in Cutlass Express 2024?
INSTIR, the lead ship of the First Training Squadron (1TS)
How long has the Indian Navy participated in Exercise Cutlass Express?
Since 2019.
Who inaugurated Exercise Cutlass Express 2024?
The President of Seychelles
What is TEPA?
A Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement signed by India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on March 10th, 2024.
What are the EFTA member countries?
Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.
Why is TEPA significant for India?
First FTA with a major European economic bloc (EFTA).
- Increased market access for Indian goods and services.
- Potential for attracting investments and job creation in India.
What are some of the previous FTAs signed by India?
Mauritius, UAE, and Australia (since 2014).
What are the main areas covered by TEPA?
Market access for goods and services, trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, investments, sustainable development.
What percentage of tariff lines will EFTA offer duty-free access for Indian exports?
92.2% (covering 99.6% of India’s exports to EFTA).
What percentage of tariff lines will India offer duty-free access for EFTA exports?
82.7% (covering 95.3% of EFTA’s exports to India).
Are there any exclusions from the EFTA agreement?
Yes, some sensitive sectors like dairy, soya, coal, and certain agricultural products.