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Current affairs > Crazy stuff > Flashcards

Crazy stuff Flashcards

1
Q

Tidal Disruption Event

A

NASA telescopes observed - black hole devouring a star. Tidal force of the black hole disrupts the star.

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2
Q

Mount Kilauea

A

Active volcano in Hawaii, which erupted recently

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3
Q

NCAP

A

It aims a 40% reduction in Particulate Matter (PM) concentrations by 2026 (base year 2017) in 131
cities (123 non-attainment cities and 42 million plus cities/urban agglomerations; 34 cities are common in
both categories).

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4
Q

SOveireign green bonds

A

RBI issues on behalf of govt. Usually 5-yr & 10-yr bonds. Even foreign investors operating in IFSC are allowed to invest.

Announced in budget 2022-23

SGrBs typically offer lower interest rates compared to Government-Securities (G-Secs), reflecting their alignment with sustainable development objectives -> Greenium

Fin ministry released India’s first Sovereign Green Bond framework

SGrBs are classified under the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR); eligible for Repo

Green Finance Working Committee (GFWC) chaired by CEA advises govt on selection of projects; The committee will bring out an annual report on the allocation of proceeds to the eligible projects along with details of projects financed, status of implementation, and unallocated proceeds

Projects involving fossil fuel extraction, nuclear power generation, and direct waste incineration. Additionally, projects related to alcohol, weapons, tobacco, gaming, or palm oil industries are also excluded.
Furthermore, renewable energy projects using biomass from protected areas, landfill projects, and hydropower plants larger than 25 MW are not eligible.

The Indian government sought validation from Norway-based validator Cicero to enhance credibility. Cicero rated India’s framework as a “green medium” with a score of “good governance,”

Sovereign green bond proceeds will be deposited into the Consolidated Fund of India and managed by the Ministry of Finance’s Public Debt Management Cell.
Allocation and utilization of Green Bonds will be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

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5
Q

Different colours of hydrogen

A

Black/Brown - coal gasification
Grey - coal with SMR
Blue - coal with SMR & CCS
Pink - nuclear

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6
Q

First Movers Coalition

A

led by WEF & US govt. Launched at COP26.

India joined recently

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7
Q

FireAId initiative

A

WEF

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8
Q

Galathea bay WS

A

Nicobar island

Proposed intl container transhipment terminal as part of great Nicobar project

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9
Q

BBB is replaced by

A

Financial Services Institutions Bureau (under Dpt of Financial services, Min of Finance)

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10
Q

FDI in space allowed up to 100%

A

satellite manufacturing, operation, ground services - upto 74% (automatic), beyond govt route

Launch vehicles, spaceports - upto 49% automatic, beyond govt route

manufacturing of components - 100% automatic

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11
Q

New IPC laws

A

IPC 1860: 511 -> 358
CrPC 1973: 484 -> 531
IEA 1872: 166 -> 170

IPC based on Maculay’s 1837 draft

Some committees on criminal law reforms - Ranbir Singh committee, Madhav Menon committee, Malimath committee

106(1) of BNS -> negligent death 5 years, if medical practitioners only 2 years
(earlier in IPC -> only 2 years)
106 (2) -> if drivers escape w/o reporting 10 years. New laws came into effect from July 1 2024, but this was put on hold.

Motor Vehicles Act -> safeguards for driver - like fear of mob fury or inexplicable reason he may run

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12
Q

Cadmium poisioning

A

Primarily affects kidney, bones

Recognized under Basel convention

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13
Q

Antarctic treaty & Convention on conservation of Antarctic Marine Living resources

A

AT - south of 60 degree latitude

CCAMLR - south of 60 & between 60 & Antarctic convergence too

CCAMLR covers fish, molluscus, birds, crustaceans, etc. but doesn’t include Whales (ICRW) & Seals (CCAS)

Antarctic act

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14
Q

ZOmbie virus

A

viruses that are frozen in ice and remain dormant

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15
Q

Cervical cancer

A

Caused by HPV virus (Human Papillomavirus)

SII developed Cervavac - quadrivalent HPV vaccine effective against types 6, 11, 16 & 18.

Included as part of national immunisation program (first for girls in 9-15 years)

Vaccine can be given to boys and girls (preferable 9-15yrs as by then they wouldn’t be sexually active)

Pap Smear test for screening cervical cancer

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16
Q

COP 28 achievements

A

1) First global stocktake. It says -

Tripling renewable energy capacity globally and doubling the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030

Accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power;

Accelerating zero and low emissions technologies, including, nuclear

Transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science

Phasing out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption and do not address energy poverty or just transitions, as soon as possible

Accelerating and substantially reducing non-CO2 emissions, including, in particular, methane emissions globally by 2030

Accelerating emissions reductions from road transport through a range of pathways,

2) Agreement on operationalization of L&D.

World Bank will be interim host for 4 years. All dg ctrs are eligible to apply. Specific percentage is earmarked for LDC & SIDS

3) Host of secretariat for Santiago network - UNODRR & UNO for project services

4) Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge: signatories commit to work together to triple the world’s installed renewable energy generation capacity to at least 11,000 GW by 2030 and to collectively double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements from around 2% to over 4% every year until 2030. India stayed out

5) The Global Cooling Pledge for COP 28: It includes 66 national government signatories committed to working together to reduce cooling-related emissions across all sectors by at least 68% globally relative to 2022 levels by 2050

6) Agreement on a framework for the global goal on adaptation - reducing climate-induced water scarcity, making food and agriculture production climate-resilient, strengthening resilience against climate-related health impacts

7) Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy: by 2050
8) Powering Past Coal Alliance(PPCA): national and sub-national
9) Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnership (CHAMP) for Climate Action:

10) India launched Global river cities alliance & Green credit initiative

River cities - NMCG (MoJS) led - includes 275+ cities from 11 ctrs.

L&D -> COP 19 (Warsaw) warsaw framework for L&D -> COP 25 (Spain) Santiago Network for L&D est -> COP 27 (Egypt) L&D fund was setup & TC or Transitional Committee was setup to frame rules -> COP 28 led to finalization of rules

Technical report on global stocktake report published by UNFCCC secretariat in 2023 -> 43% by 2030, 60% by 2035 & net zero by 2050.

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17
Q

G20 & Delhi declaration

A

GURU JI SITA AB SSC FCI ME

India invited 11 guest countries - Bangladesh, Mauritius, Egypt, Nigeria, Rwanda, Comoros, Oman, UAE, Singapore, Spain, Netherlands

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18
Q

BD amendment act 2023

A

1) Granted exemption to AYUSH practitioners and traditional knowledge holders from paying access and benefit sharing

2) Local BD fund was setup under BD act 2023

3) All offences under act were decriminalized
4) The Bill removes the applicability of benefit sharing requirements from research, bio-survey, and bio-utilisation.

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19
Q

Fawazil

A

Excess amount that iqtadars/muqtidars sent to centre after meeting expenses of self and army

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20
Q

WB classification of economies

A

Based on GNI per capita (calculated using Atlas method exchange rates)

Low income = $1135
Lower middle income = 1136-4465
Upper middle income = 4466-13845
High income = >13845

India = $2390

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21
Q

Sugar

A

India emerged as largest producer, 2nd largest export after Brazil

UP>Mh>Karnataka>TN

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22
Q

Tax:GDP

A

11.6% (2023-24). Direct is 6.6% & indirect is 5% of GDP.

7.4cr IT returns filers. Tax buoyancy was 1.18 for direct taxes (-1.21 in 2019-20)

Direct tax collections = Maharashtra > Karnataka > Delhi > TN

GST > PIT = CIT > Excise > Customs

centre+state = 17% (only centre = 11.6%)

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23
Q

Global Biofuel alliance

A

G20 summit - India, Brazil, USA combined effort - other signatories include Argentina, Italy, etc.

WB, WEF, etc. will also join

Alliance of govt, intl orgs and industry

Min of Petroleum & Natural Gas is steering authority

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24
Q

Israel’s parliament

A

Knesset

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25
Q

ENACT

A

Germany & Egypt + IUCN = Enhancing Nature-based solutions for Accelerated Climate Transformation)

Launched at COP27

India isn’t a member yet

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26
Q

Animal Welfare Board

A

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals act 1960

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27
Q

GHG strategy for reduced emissions from ships

A

IMO. Target net-zero by 2050

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28
Q

World’s largest solar park

A

Bhadla park (Rajasthan) - 2.25GW

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29
Q

WInd state

A

Gujarat (11GW)

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30
Q

Hydropower state

A

Himachal Pradesh (10GW)

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31
Q

Doha Program of Action

A

10-yr plan to put LDC in path to reach their SDG by 2030 - UN initiative

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32
Q

Khartoum

A

Sudan capital - Sudanese Armed Forces vs Rapud Support Forces

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33
Q

Global Greenhouse Watch

A

WMO

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34
Q

Cost Inflation Index

A

CBDT, Min of Finance

This is used to calculate long term capital gains tax

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35
Q

Parole vs Furlough

A

Parole - specific reason, not included in period spent in prison, any number of times

Furlough - after stipulated years even without any reason, no legal right, considered as time spent in prison, limitation

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36
Q

UPSC guidelines on DGP appointment

A

Min 6 months tenure left; min age reduced from 30 to 25 years

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37
Q

Tantalum discovery

A

In sands of Sutlej river (Punjab). Used in electronics production

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38
Q

Indian Rock system

A

Archaen rock system (Dharwar) : 1-4 billion years old

Purana rock (Vindhya, Cuddapah) : 600 to 1400 million years

Dravidian rock : 600-300 million years

Aryan rock (Tertiary, Deccan trap, Gondwana, Mesozoic) - 250 million years ago

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39
Q

Dhanauri wetland

A

UP; NGT ordered UP govt to declare it as wetland; Important Bird Area by Birdlife International; still not a notified wetland

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40
Q

DEEP - Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership

A

CCMB + intl research groups

generate genomic datasets specifically in
underrepresented populations across African, Asian, and North and South American continents.

Analyze correlation between genetic datasets and NCD like diabetes

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41
Q

Great Lake region

A

North America - Lake superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario - Ontario—the largest freshwater ecosystem on Earth, have recorded the lowest level of ice in 2024.

Michigan - internal
Superior, Huron, Erie, Ontario - form USA Canada border

Left to right = SMHEO

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42
Q

PM Matru Vandana Yojana

A

Rs.5000 in three instalments - 1k (registration of pregnancy) + 2k (completion of 6 months + 1 antenatal checkup) + 2k (after registration of birth + child immunization) + additional 1K under Janani suraksha yojana (post institutional delivery)

PMMVY 2.0 -> Rs 6000 to second child provided child is a girl child.

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43
Q

Article 99 of UN charter

A

Secretary-General may bring to the attention of Security Council any matter
which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.

Article 99 has been invoked on only four occasions in the past.

President of the Security Council is under the obligation to call a meeting of the Council if the Secretary-General brings to the attention of the Council any matter under Article 99.

Past examples include the upheaval in the Republic of the Congo in 1960 following the end of Belgium’s colonial rule

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44
Q

Voice of global south summit

A

November 2023 lo 2nd edition -> “Together for everyone’s growth with everyone’s trust”

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45
Q

National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS)

A

10-digit national fingerprint number to each criminal. Centralised database. By Central FIngerprint Bureau at NCRB.

MP became first state to identify deceased this way

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46
Q

Press and Registration of Periodicals act 2023

A

It replaces Press and
Registration of Books Act, 1867

The Bill provides for the registration of periodicals, which include any publication containing public news or comments on public news. Periodicals do not include books or scientific and academic journals. Books come under MHRD

The Act provides that a declaration specifying the printer/ publisher be made to the District Magistrate (DM). The DM sends the declaration to the Press Registrar, who then issues a certificate of registration. Making such declaration and authentication by the DM is necessary for the publication of the newspaper. The Bill allows the publisher of a periodical to obtain a registration certificate by filing an online application with the Press Registrar General and specified local authority.

A person who has been convicted of a terrorist act or unlawful activity, or have acted against the security of the State will not be allowed to publish a periodical.

An exact reproduction of a foreign periodical may be printed in India only with the prior approval of the central government.

The Act requires a printing press to be declared before the DM. The Bill allows for information regarding printing presses to be submitted to the Press Registrar General through an online portal.

1) Declaration specifying publisher should be made to DM
2) Online registration through Press Seva portal
3) Registrations will be handled by Press Registrar General of India
4) Person convicted of terrorist act or unlawful activity or has acted against state isn’t allowed

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47
Q

IOM, ILO, FAO, ICJ

A

IOM - 1951 (Geneva), India became member in 2008

ILO - 1919 (Treaty of Versailles) (Geneva)

ICJ - Hague (1945)

FAO - Rome (1945)

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48
Q

TRIMS agreement

A
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49
Q

Leopord survey

A

1) 13874 (2022) compared to 12852 (2018)
2) MP (3900) > Mh (1985) > Karnataka (1879) > TN (1070)

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50
Q

Gold mines in India

A

Jamui (Bihar), East Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Raichur & Kolar (Karnataka), Chittoor (AP)

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51
Q

Chandrayan 3

A

USA Russia China India
Change’4 on far side. Near side covers 60% of moon.

Lander payload - RAMBHA, ChaSTE, ILSA
Rover payload - APXS, LIBS
Propulsion module payload - SHAPE

LUPEX - India & Japan

Change’5 brought samples from near side

Change’6 is bringing lunar sample from far side

When it completed the Chang’e 5 mission, China became the first country to successfully execute a robotic lunar sample-return mission since the Soviet Union did in 1976

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52
Q

North South first proposed by

A

Brandt line (former German chancellor)

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53
Q

Theme of voice of global south summit

A

Virtual summit in Jan - unity of voice, unity of purpose

second in Nov - “Together, for everyone’s growth, with everyone’s trust”

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54
Q

Initiatives under Voice of Global south summit

A

1) Arogya Maitri
2) Global south center of excellence DAKSHIN
3) Global south science and tech initiative
4) Global south young diplomats forum
5) Global south scholarships

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55
Q

Abeyi region

A

Dispute between Sudan & South Sudan.

It is part of Sudan. Oil rich region (Diffra oil field)

India deployed a women only platoon of peacekeepers in Abeyi

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56
Q

Asian Pacific Postal Union

A

In 2023, India took over leadership of APPU

Inter governmental Org of 32 ctrs in Asia Pacific region

HQ in Bangkok

It is part of Universal Postal Union (UPU) - a UN agency

UPU was est in 1874, HQ in Berne (Swiss) - 2nd oldest intl org worldwide. ITU est in 1865

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57
Q

Wassenaar arrangement

A

Export of dual-use goods & tech.

In 2023, Ind held chair of Wassenaar arrangement

Australia Group - Chemical & Biological weapons

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58
Q

Export control regimes

A

1975 - NSG
1985 - AG (CBW) - India joined in 2018
1987 - MTCR - India gained membership in 2016
1996 - Wassenaar - India joined in 2017

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59
Q

Operation Dost
Op Kaveri
Op Ajay
Op Indravati
Op Ganga
Op Devi shakti

A

Dost - Turkey + Syria
Kaveri - Sudan
Ajay - Israel
Indravati - Haiti
Ganga - Ukraine
Devi shakti - Afghanistan

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60
Q

Hakki Pikki tribe

A

Karnataka. They specialised in herbal medicine. They were stuck in Sudan

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61
Q

Bali Fintech Agenda 2018

A

IMF &WB brought out 9-point action plan

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62
Q

Intl safety standard for ships carrying offshore personnel

A

IMO - comes into force from 1 July 2024.

India was re-elected to IMO executive council for 2024-25.

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63
Q

Military exercises

Tarkarsh
Dharma Guardian
Dustlik
Ekuverin

A

Tarkarsh - Ind & USA (NSG & US SOF - focus was CBRN weapons)

Dharma Guardian - India & Japan

Dustlik - Uzbekistan

Ekuverin - Maldives

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64
Q

Intl Union of Railways (UIC)

A

est in aftermath of WW1 and Treaty of Versailles

India (RPF) hosted 18th UIC World Security Congress last year -> ‘Jaipur declaration’

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65
Q

Op Interflex

A

UK-led initiative to provide military training to Ukraine

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66
Q

ICC

A

Hague; 2002 (Rome statute 1998); 123 ctrs are members; India isn’t

Jurisdiction over four categories - Genocide, War crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of aggression (or violation of UN charter)

Jurisdiction is only over individuals, not states.

Has 18 judges each from a member country, 9-yr terms

Can carry out investigation in one of three ways - member country can refer a sitution in own territory, UNSC can refer, suo moto

Can investigate individuals from non-member states:
1) offenses took place in member country
2) Country accepts ICC jurisdiction
3) With UNSC authorization

Russia, Ukraine, Israel, India, China, USA - not member
Palestine - member state status

ICC’s jurisdiction is limited to offences occurring after it came into effect on July 1, 2002

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67
Q

Windsor framework

A

UK & EU

It replaced the Northern Ireland protocol

NIP - all goods headed for NI from UK would be checked. If they’re destined for NI no duties, if they’re meant for Ireland (duties)

Windsor framework - Two lanes = green lane (goods meant for NI - no checks), red lane (goods meant for Ireland - duties)

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68
Q

India Iran Armenia trilateral

A

To consider rerouting INSCTC (India - Iran - Azerbaijan - Russia to India - Iran - Armenia - Gerogia - Russia)

Also a counter to Pakistan-Azerbaijan-Turkey axis

69
Q

CPTPP - first European country to join

A

UK

70
Q

Hague convention 1899, 1907

A

War crimes

71
Q

Geneva convention 1949

A

War crimes

72
Q

Goa maritime conclave

A

Biennal event since 2017, 12 IO littoral countries,

73
Q

Xi’an declaration

A

C+C5

74
Q

UNESCO

A

All UN members except Israel & Liechtenstein

Cook islands, Niue & Palestine - members of UNESCO, but not recognised as UN member

HQ in Paris, est in 1945

REPORTS like Global Education monitoring report, Global ocean science report, etc.

75
Q

Combined maritime forces

A

world’s largest multinational naval partnership setupp in 2001

US-led initiative; India is a member - focus on Red sea, Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea

76
Q

Red sea ops

A

USA & UK - Op Prosperity Guardian

77
Q

SCO summit 2023

A

India hosted

5 new areas = startups, traditional medicine, youth, digital inclusion, shared Buddhist heritage

SCO secretariat in Beijing

Iran joined as 9th member in 2023.
India was admitted in 2017 (Astana summit)
Shanghai+5 = Russia, China, Kazakh, Kyrg, Tajik

78
Q

Global Crisis Response Group

A

Est in 2022 by UN Secy Gen

Ind joined the champions group of GCRG

To address - food security, energy, finance related crisis

79
Q

European Sky Shield initiative

A

Proposed by Germany - to build ground based integrated air defence system

80
Q

Air defence systems - THAAD, Arrow, etc.

A
81
Q

BRICS members

A

Saudi, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran new members at 15th BRICS summit (Johannesburg declaration)

NDB members - BRICS + Bangladesh; Urugay is prospective member.

NDB HQ in Shanghai

82
Q

Asia Pacific Institutue for Broadcasting Development

A

Part of UNESCO
India was re-elected as president for third successive term

83
Q

UNHRC

A

Russia is only the second nation after Libya whose membership has been suspended.

UNGA by two-thirds majority vote can suspend members

Seats allotted region wise - African States: 13 seats
Asia-Pacific States: 13 seats
Latin American and Caribbean States: 8 seats
Western European and other States: 7 seats
Eastern European States: 6 seats

India is currently a member (2022-24 term).

Russia’s bid to get re-elected got defeated. Elections via secret ballot, you have to get simple majority (97 of 193 members)

84
Q

UNCTAD reports

A

1) World Investment Report
2) Least Developed Countries Report
3) Digital Economy report
4) Technology and innovation report

85
Q

State of world’s forests report

A

FAO

86
Q

India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor

A

MOU signed at G20 summit.

India -> UAE -> Saudi -> Jordan -> Israel -> Europe (Greece, Italy, France, Germany), USA

It will also include electricity cable, hydrogen pipeline, high speed data cable

The East Corridor – connecting India to the Arabian Gulf,
The Northern Corridor – connecting the Gulf to Europe

As part of PGII announced in 2021 G7 to counter BRI

Under the PGII, G7 will mobilize 600 billion dollars by 2027 to deliver “game-changing” and “transparent” infrastructure projects to developing and middle-income countries

Mundra & JNPT -> UAE (Jebel Ali, Fujairah, Al Ghuwaifat) -> Saudi (Hardah, Riyadh, Al-Haditha) -> Jordan -> Israel (Haifa) -> Piraeus (Greece) -> Messina (Italy) -> Marseille (France)

87
Q

BIMSTEC secretariat

A

Dhaka

88
Q

Friends of BRICS countries

A

Belarus, Burundi, Kazhakstan, Cuba + new BRICS mem Iran, UAE, saudi, egypt

89
Q

23rd SCO summit highlights

A

Iran joined;

Kashi (Varanasi) - cultural capital

90
Q

RATS HQ in

A

Tashkent (Uzbekistan(

91
Q

FATF black & Grey list

A

black - north korea, iran, myanmar

grey -

92
Q

OPEC countries & OPEC+

A

OPEC = KIVIS AUR NGEL - Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Libya, Nigeria,
Republic of Congo, and Venezuela (Angola withdrew recently)

OPEC+ = MBBS MARKOS (Russia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain,
Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, South Sudan and Sudan)

93
Q

Tax Inspectors without borders

A

oecd + undp

94
Q

SOuth China sea littoral countries

A

China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore

Scarborough shoal - Philippines & China

Others (Paracel & Spartly) - claimed by all

95
Q

Nagarno Karabakh

A

Part of Azerbaijan (comprised of ethnic Armenians) - connected to Armenia through Lichen corridor.

Bishkek protocol negotiated by Russia (1994) to resolve issue

OSCE Minsk group to achieve peace

Armenia capital - Yerevan

96
Q

Shahid Beheshti

A

India and Iran inked a 10-year pact on operations at Shahid Beheshti terminal of Chabahar port in Tehran

Till now India operated the Shahid Beheshti Port of Chabahar on a short term contract which was renewed periodically .This is the first international terminal which will be operated by India.

Operated by Indian Ports Global Ltd (Min of shipping)

The Chabahar Port of Iran has two terminals, Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari. India has got the contract to operate the Shahid Beheshti terminal only.

The Chabahar port is Iran’s only oceanic port situated on the Gulf of Oman and provides Iran direct access to the Indian ocean.

Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan Province

The port is located about 120 kilometres southwest of Pakistan’s Baluchistan Province, where the China-funded Gwadar port is situated.
The nearest Indian port to Chabahar is the Kandla port in Gujarat. It is 1018km from Kandla, while the distance between Chabahar and Mumbai is 1500km.

97
Q

Bandar Abbas port

A

Iran. It faces Persian Gulf. Chabahar faces Gulf of Oman.

(part of INSTC)

INSTC countries - India, Oman, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kyrgystan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan

98
Q

Grand order of the chain of Yellow star

A

Highest civilian honor of Suriname - awarded to Indian president on occassion of 150th anniversary of arrival of Indians

99
Q

China new security pact with

A

Solomon islands

100
Q

Which country sought ICJ opinion on legal obligation of countries to protect people affected by CC

A

Vanuatu

101
Q

Amhara

A

Ethiopia

102
Q

African country which declared state of emergency over food security

A

Nigeria

saagera ledu Nigeria deggara

103
Q

Khartoum

A

Sudan

104
Q

Military seized power in Africa

A

Niger, Gabon

Tiger like veerappan
Gabbu gallu in Gabon

105
Q

Permanent Court of Arbitration

A

Hague,
Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes 1899;
India is a member (became in 1950); judgement is binding,
observer status in UN

106
Q

ICJ composition

A

15 judges, 9 year terms, members eligible for re-election.

107
Q

Surya Kiran exercise
Ekuverin
Desert eagle
yudh abyas & vajra prahra

shakti (army), varuna (navy), garuda (air force)

ajeya warrior
nomadic elephant
dharma guardian
samudra shakti
mitra shakti
cyclone 1
zayed talwar
desert flag

A

india nepal
india maldives
india uae
india usa
india france
india uk
india mongolia
india japan
india indonesia
sri lanka
egypt
uae
uae

108
Q

zanzibar

A

tanzania

109
Q

Innovation handshake initiative

A

India USA

110
Q

Mercosur

A

BAPU - Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay

111
Q

Horizon 2047

A

India France

112
Q

Green strategic partnership & strategic water partnership

A

denmark & netherlands

113
Q

Global Gateway initiative

A

EU

114
Q

INSTC members

A

At present, there are 13 Members of INSTC, namely- India, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus, Oman and Syria

115
Q

Operation Iron Swords

A

Israel offensive against Hamas (Hamas - Operation Toofan Al-Aqsa)

116
Q

Esbjerg declaration

A

Make North Sea green power plant of Europe

Offshore wind of 65GW by 2030.

117
Q

Chemical Weapons COnvention

A

1997; OPCW was setup under this; HQ in Hague; Won Nobel in 2013

India passed chemical weapons convention act 2000, created NCCWC

Countries should declare even riot control instruments like tear gas

118
Q

National Urban Cooperative Finance and
Development Corporation Limited (NUCFDC).

A

Min of Cooperation

119
Q

DAKSHIN

A

(Global South Centre of Excellence), 2nd voice of global south summit

120
Q

IORA

A

1997; India assumed vice-chair for 2023-25, Sri Lanka is chair

121
Q

Buildings Breakthrough

A

COP28 -> goal of making “near-zero-emission and resilient buildings the new normal by 2030”.

122
Q

Net-Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance (NZECA)

A

Launched at COP28

123
Q

ILP states

A

AP, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Lakshadweep, some areas of Sikkim

CAA inapplicable in 6th schedule areas and ILP areas

The concept of the Inner Line Permit comes from the colonial area. Under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873, the British framed regulations restricting the entry and regulating the stay of outsiders in designated areas.

The ILP system is in force in four Northeastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and now Manipur — and no Indian citizen can visit any of these states without permit unless he or she belongs to that state, nor can he or she overstay beyond the period specified in the ILP.

Foreigners need PAP

124
Q

Pushpak

A

India’s first Reusable Launch Vehicle, this is ISRO’s very own ‘Pushpak’ viman.

125
Q

nato

A

1949 through washington conventions, brussels (belgium), 32 members (including turkey)

Sweden newest member

country should spend atleast 2% gdp on defence

126
Q

ops vs nps

A

OPS - DA revised twice/anuum. The payout is fixed and there was no deduction from the salary. Moreover, under the OPS, there was the provision of the General Provident Fund (GPF).
GPF is available only for all the government employees in India. Basically, it allows all the government employees to contribute a certain percentage of their salary to the GPF. And the total amount that is accumulated throughout the employment term is paid to the employee at the time of retirement.

OASIS report became the basis for the New Pension Scheme. Central Government introduced the National Pension System (NPS) with effect from January 2004 (except for armed forces)

NPS is being implemented and regulated by PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority) in the country

Old = defined benefit; NPS = defined contribution

On retirement, the employee can withdraw 60% of the corpus (tax-free) but is required to invest at least 40% to purchase an annuity (income taxable) from an insurance firm regulated and registered by government authorities. The interest on the annuity is to be provided as a monthly pension to the employee.

fixed employee contribution (10%) and govt contribution (14%). Individuals can chose pension fund managers.

NPS allows all citizens of India (including NRIs) aged between 18 - 70 years to join NPS.

127
Q

northern lights

A

Thermosphere

128
Q

Dokdo islands

A

Japan & South Korea

129
Q

Anjuman-i-Punjab

A

was a literary society founded in Lahore in 1865 by Dr. Gottlieb Wilhelm
Leitner. This voluntary society aimed to promote the development of Punjabi literature written in the
Gurmukhi script, as well as dissemination of knowledge through the vernacular languages. The reformist
activities of the Anjuman-i-Punjab were favoured by the Singh Sabha Movement. H

130
Q

Piraeus port
Jebel Ali port
Said
Lamu & Mombasa

A

Greece
UAE
Egypt
kenya. Lamu port & Mombasa port were constructed by China

131
Q

Agalega
Assumption

A

Mauritius. 2021 - India Mauritius CEPA
Syechelles

132
Q

Chagos

A

Mauritius vs UK

133
Q

Ayni military base

A

Tajikistan

134
Q

LAPSSET economic corridor

A

Lamu port (Kenya), south sudan, ethiopia, uganda transport corridor

135
Q

Gray zone warfare

A

proxy wars, destabilizinf insurgencies, information warfare, cyber warfare, etc.

136
Q

European Free Trade association

A

norway, switzerland, iceland, liechtenstein (nsil) - TEPA

stockholm convention (1960) led to its establishment; revised vaduz convention was signed in 2001.

137
Q

un relief and works agency for palestine refugees

A

It is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949

jordan, lebanon, gaza, west bank, syria

for refugees outside these five areas - unhcr (1950)

The agency currently serves around 5.9 million Palestinian refugees and plays a vital role in providing essential services to Palestinians in Gaza

It is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support

Palestine refugees are defined as persons whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948, and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict.

since 2018, india donated $30mn to unrwa

138
Q

Apravasi ghat

A

unsesco whs;

place in Mauritius where first batch of indian indentured labourers landed

were taken in boats -> port louis (mauritius)

139
Q

principal purpose test

A

introduced in dtaa signed with mauritius - tax benefits won’t apply under treaty if the principal purpose of transaction was obtaining that duty

140
Q

sea defenders
rimpac (Rim of Pacific Exercise)

A

coast guards of india & usa
multilateral naval exercise hosted by usa (india is also invited)

141
Q

who designates a scheme as ‘core of the core’

A

niti aayog

142
Q

PM Jan Vikas Karyakram

A

Min of Minority affairs (NITI Aayog - core of the core)

143
Q

Palermo protocol

A

Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and
Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children,

144
Q

Istanbul declaration

A

Organ Trafficking and
Transplant Tourism

145
Q

Section 33 (7) of the Representation of the People Act of 1951

A

restricts candidates
to contesting from two constituencies. A person cannot contest from more than two constituencies at a
general election for Lok Sabha (House of People)/Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly)

More constituencies were allowed until 1996 when the RPA was amended to set the cap at two constituencies.

146
Q

Project Mariana

A

testing the cross-border trading and settlement of
wholesale central bank digital currencies (wCBDCs) between financial institutions while incorporating
decentralized finance (DeFi) technology concepts on a public blockchain

147
Q

Dadani system

A

Dadani = merchants who procure goods by paying advances to primary producers.

148
Q

Akbar

A

Ibadat Khanna at fatehpur sikhri (1575)

Razmnama = book of wars (persian version of mahabharata)

In 1579 Akbar made the proclamation of mahzar to read the khutba in the name
of the emperor, which addressed emperor as Khalifa. Through mahzar Akbar attempted to ‘usurp’ the
spiritual leadership.

Aurangzeb (and not Akbar) forbade the kalima (Islamic confession of faith)
from being stamped on his coins.

149
Q

servants of people society

A

lalaji

150
Q

IndiaAI mission

A

1) Mission will be implemented by ‘IndiaAI’ Independent Business Division
(IBD) under Digital India Corporation (DIC).

2) 10,000 or
more Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), built through public-private partnership.

3) will also start the development and deployment
of indigenous Large Multimodal Models (LMMs

4) AI courses in colleges

151
Q

convention on cluster munitions (2008)

A

It aims to eradicate these weapons by
prohibiting their use, production, transfer, and stockpiling.

United States, Russia, Ukraine, China, Israel, and India
have not signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM).

152
Q

some artificial sugars

A

saccharin, aspartame, neotame, sucralose, advantame, acesulfame potassium

153
Q

s400 vs thaad vs akash

A

Akash is a short-range surface to air missile (SAM) with a range of up to 25 km.
The missile has the capability to engage four aerial targets simultaneously at 25 Km ranges.

154
Q

green fuel alliance india

A

india denmark

155
Q

wto 13th mc (abu dabi)

A
156
Q

UNNATI

A

Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme

central sector for development of north east

interest subvention on investments for either manufacturing or service

Min of commerce

157
Q

LEED certification

A

Leadership in Energy & Environment Design. Green building rating system.

Awarded by U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
and Green Business Certification Institute (GBCI)

India has emerged as a top country with LEED Zero green building projects,
outperforming the United States of America and China.

158
Q

Global framework on chemicals

A

Under UNEP (Bonn conference of Intl conf of chemical management);

target of phasing out harmful pesticides in agri by 2035.

UNEP administers Global framework on chemicals fund

159
Q

chitwan declaration

A

asian rhino. Chitwan is a NP in Nepal.

160
Q

national carbon registry

A

undp

161
Q

Bhartiya Prakratik Krishi Padhati (BPKP)

A

ZBNF; it is under paramparagat krishi vikays yojana

priority to dry lands, rainfed areas and tribal areas

incentive to farmers for one time on farm manure production infra. Fin assistance of 2k/ha

162
Q

cubesat of PREFIRE mission

A

NASA to study heat emission on poles

163
Q

global plastics platform

A

unep + eu

164
Q

climate change performance index 2023

A

germanwatch - 8th rank
Denmark - 4th

165
Q

SRI fund

A

Self Reliant India fund - equity support to MSMEs

SEBI registered AIF

166
Q

How many times has India faced recession so far?

A

1957, 1965, 1972, 1979, 2020

166
Q

Per-capita GNI

A

$2250 (check once)

167
Q

Gold ETF vs Sovereign Gold bond?

A
168
Q

NISAR

A

LEO, cover earth every 12 days

L band by NASA; S band by ISRO

Current affairs (6 decks)

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