Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: January 12, 2023

Current affairs are included in significant government exams, including the SSC, RRB NTPC, UPSC CDS, Railways, and more. The current events section of the test is given a higher weightage. This section’s preparatory phase is essential. How well-versed the candidate is in current affairs will determine whether or not they can pass this section. We have analysed the most current news from The Hindu, Indian Express, the Economic Times, and other sources to assist all the contenders in performing well in this part.

Motivation++

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever” 

– Mahatma Gandhi

Current Affairs: Environment and Ecology

Earth’s Ozone Layer Is Slowly Recovering, UN Report

• The Earth’s protective ozone layer is expected to recover within four decades, according to a United Nations-backed panel of experts. 
• The conclusion, released every four years, is in line with the Montreal Protocol of 1987, which forbade the manufacturing and consumption of substances that deplete the ozone layer of the Earth.

Significance of Ozone Layer:

• The ozone layer in the upper atmosphere protects the Earth from the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation, which is linked to skin cancer, eye cataracts, compromised immune systems and agricultural land damage.

Reasons for Ozone Depletion:

• The ozone layer started to thin out in the 1970s. The main reasons for depletion were attributed to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were frequently found in spray cans, refrigerators, foam insulation and air conditioners. 
• Subsequently, the discovery of a hole in the ozone layer was announced by scientists in May 1985. 
• Two years later, the Montreal Protocol was ratified by 46 countries, who pledged to phase out these dangerous substances gradually.

Question:

Which of the following organisations recently released a report indicating that the Earth’s protective ozone layer would recover in four decades?

A. Global Environment Facility

B. World Wide Fund for Nature

C. United Nations

D. Greenpeace

Answer: C

Current Affairs: Defence

Defence Ministry Approves Capital Procurement Proposals Worth ₹4,276 cr

• The Union defence ministry recently approved capital procurement proposals, including that of Helina anti-tank guided missiles, worth ₹4,276 crores. 
• The procurement proposals have been approved to strengthen the combat capabilities of the armed forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China amid skirmishes with the neighbouring country.
• The procurement proposals were cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Details:

• The capital acquisition clearance decision comes when India is locked in a stand-off with China in Eastern Ladakh.
• There were three proposals – two for the Army and the third for the Indian Navy.
• The defence ministry said the DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for three capital acquisition proposals, amounting to ₹4,276 crores.
• The proposals are under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.

Importance of the weapons:

• Due to the recent developments along the northern borders, there is a need to focus on effective Air Defence (AD) weapon systems. 
• Weapons which are man-portable and can be deployed quickly in rugged terrain and maritime domain are highly required for the army. 
• The DAC has also accorded AoN for procurement of the VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile system under design and development by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Question: 

Consider the following statements

1. The Union defence ministry recently approved capital procurement proposals worth ₹4,276 crores
2. Capital procurement entails the procurement of already sanctioned assets in service, including renewals and replacements
3. VSHORADS is an Indian man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS) designed by DRDO

Which of the above statements is/are not correct

A. Only 1

B. Only 1 and 3

C. Only 2

D. Only 2 and 3

Answer: C

Check out the Highlights of the Economic Survey 2022-23 by clicking on the link given below:
Economic Survey 2022-23

Current Affairs: Technology

Govt Issues Quality Standards for USB Type-C Chargers, Digital TV Receptacles

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has published standards for USB Type C receptacles, plug and cables, which is aimed at providing common charging solutions for smartphones and other electronic devices sold in the country.
• BIS also published standards for digital television receivers with built-in satellite tuners and video surveillance security systems. 

Aim:

• It aims to provide common charging solutions for various electronic devices sold in the country by March 2025. 
• USB, i.e., Universal Serial Bus (an industry standard), is used for connecting a wide variety of devices to a processor.

What Are the Types of USBs?

1. USB-A is a flat and rectangular shape.
2. USB-B has multiple designs, but the common shape is a square.
3. USB-C is a smaller rectangle with rounded corners. 
4. In the EU, by 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras will be sold with USB Type-C charging ports.

What Is the Need for a Common Charger?

• It will reduce the number of chargers per consumer, thus reducing e-waste in India (as of 2021, 5 million tonnes of e-waste generated in India)
• A step towards LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) that nurtures a global network of individuals, i.e., ‘Pro-Planet People’ (P3)
• Ease out the technological ‘lock-in’ effect, whereby a consumer becomes dependent on a single manufacturer

Question: 

Which of the following bodies in India regulates the quality standards for USB Type-C chargers and digital TV receptacles on behalf of the Government?

A. Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology

B. Controller of Certifying Authorities

C. Bureau of Indian Standards

D. Digital India Corporation

Answer: C

Current Affairs: National

Govt Introduces a New System to Measure and Grade Performance of Hospitals Empanelled under AB PM-JAY

• The National Health Authority (NHA) has recently introduced a new system to measure and grade hospital performance under the flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). 

Aim:

• The new model aims at shifting the focus of measuring the performance of hospitals from the volume of services provided to the value of healthcare services. 
• Here, the payment will be outcome-based, and providers will be rewarded according to the quality of the treatment delivered. 
• The Health Ministry said that the new model with the reward system would consequently reduce the effects of the disease in the population in the long term.

A New System to Measure and Grade Hospital Performance:

• Under value-based care, the performance of AB PM-JAY empanelled hospitals will be measured based on five performance indicators:

1. Beneficiary Satisfaction
2. Hospital Readmission Rate
3. The extent of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure
4. Confirmed Grievances
5. Improvement In-patient’s Health-Related Quality of Life

• The performance of the hospitals based on the above indicators will also be made available on a public dashboard. With this, the beneficiaries can take informed decisions.

Significance of National Health Authority:

• NHA is the apex body for the implementation of AB PM-JAY. NHA is also entrusted with the role of building technological infrastructure and implementation of the “National Digital Health Mission” to create a National Digital Health Ecosystem. 
• Further, NHA has made a provision to incentivise best-performing hospitals that provide quality care to patients.
• The measures implemented by NHA include standardising the cost of treatment under the PM-JAY scheme and also adding advanced treatment procedures.

AB PM-JAY: World’s Largest Health Assurance Scheme

• The AB PM-JAY is the world’s largest health assurance scheme, fully funded by the Government. The Ministry of Finance has informed that, so far, more than 2.7 crore individuals have availed of treatment under the scheme. Over ten crore poor and vulnerable families have insurance coverage under the scheme.
• AB PM-JAY scheme was launched in 2018. It was a paradigm shift from sectoral intervention to more comprehensive and need-based service delivery of secondary and tertiary care.
• The scheme offers a sum insured of ₹5 lakhs per family for secondary care as well as tertiary care. Under PMJAY, cashless and paperless access to services is provided to the beneficiaries. 

Question: 

Which of the following is not a recently introduced performance indicator to measure and grade the performance of hospitals empanelled under AB PM-JAY?

A. Beneficiary Satisfaction

B. Hospital Readmission Rate

C. The extent of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure

D. Quality of Generic Medicines

Answer: D

Current Affairs: International

Global Investors Summit

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated today the 7th edition of ‘Invest Madhya Pradesh-Global Investors Summit’, a flagship event of the state government, in Indore. 
• Addressing global investors, the PM shed light on the increasing confidence of global institutions and experts in India’s growth.

Theme:

• The theme of the two-day summit is ‘Madhya Pradesh-The Future Ready State’.

Details: 

• A total of 447 international delegates from 84 countries, 401 international buyers, more than 5,000 industrialists and representatives of various international industry associations, and representatives of all G20 countries became part of the event.

Key Objectives of the Event:

• The key objectives of the event are – showcasing the industrial ecosystem of the state, promoting the state policies, consulting with industrial organisations to formulate industry-friendly policies, collaboration opportunities, promoting export potential and buyer-seller meets and vendor development.

Question:

The 7th edition of the Global Investors Summit is currently being held in which of the following states/UT?

A. Delhi

B. Madhya Pradesh

C. Assam

D. Jammu and Kashmir

Answer: B

Check out the Highlights of Union Budget 2023 by clicking on the link given below:
Union Budget 2023-24

Current Affairs: National

Village Defence Committees- Arming the Civilians

• Following two terrorist acts in Dhangri village in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir that killed seven, calls were made to revive Village Defence Committees (VDCs)
• The authorities responded to the calls and handed self-loading rifles (SLRs) to villagers in the Jammu region and started training villagers to defend themselves.
• These villagers are being trained and armed under the banner of Village Defence Guards (VDGs), a new name for what was earlier called VDCs. 

What Are VDGs?

• The Village Defence Committees (VDCs) were set up in the 1990s to arm villagers for self-defence purposes in the J&K region.
• In 2020, the policy of Village Defence Committees was revamped, and Village Defence Groups were introduced, members of whom are called Village Defence Guards (VDGs).
• Based on an assessment by law enforcement agencies, a group of armed civilians belonging to the ‘more vulnerable areas’, not more than 15 in number in each group, who shall be designated as VDGs, shall be formed.
• Each group will be called the ‘Village Defence Group’ and shall be headed by a retired officer of the Army/Central Para Military Force (CPMF)/J&K Police.
• All VDGs are eligible for monthly remuneration.
• The VDGs also function under the supervision of the district superintendent of police(SP)/Senior superintendent of police(SSP).

Aim and Objectives of VDGs:

• The aim of VDGs is to organise a small group of volunteer armed civilians in the identified villages along the borders as well as in-depth areas of the Jammu division, with a view to instilling a sense of self-protection and ensuring the safety and security of such villages.
• VDGs shall be charged with the responsibility of protecting community installations and infrastructural facilities within the defined areas of their village.

VDCs’ Contribution to the Fight Against Militants:

• During the peak of militancy in most parts of the Jammu division, especially areas falling in Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal regions, the hills of Udhampur, and Reasi and Kathua districts, the VDCs played a significant role in combating militancy. 
• They were the most-feared armed groups among militants in areas where poor road networks delayed the arrival of security forces. 
• The villagers, well-versed in the local topography, averted many militant attacks and helped in their capture and killings.

What Controversies Did the VDCs Get into?

• Along with the successes, the VDCs also faced allegations of human rights violations and other crimes, including murder, rape and extortion. 
• As per official figures placed on the floor of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in 2016, 27,924 civilians were serving in 4,248 VDCs across the state. 
• There were 221 FIRs against them, including 23 cases of murders, seven cases of rape, rioting (15), NDPS Act (3) and 169 other cases.

Fact Book – 11 January 2023

‘RRR’ creates history as ‘Naatu Naatu’ bags Golden Globe for Best Original Song

• The ‘RRR’ phenomenon refuses to subside. SS Rajamouli’s period epic has bagged the coveted Golden Globe for Best Original Song for the viral track ‘Naatu Naatu’.
• MM Keeravani, the composer of the song, went on stage to receive the award. He dedicated the award to Rajamouli and the two leads, Ram Charan and NTR Jr.
• A Golden Globe Award is one of the awards given by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) every year to honour great work in movies and TV from the previous year. 
• AR Rahman was the first Indian to win the prestigious Golden Globe award for best original music composition for Slumdog Millionaire.

MARS Awards 2022 Winners Announced

• Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck Germany, announced the winners of the Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2022, announced in partnership with the African Union (Scientific Technical Research Commission).
• It is to recognise African Researchers for their valuable research work and contribution to empowering women and youth in STEM in Africa with a special focus on Scientific Research in Infectious Diseases and Cancer Research.

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano

• Hawaiian volcano Kilauea erupted again recently. Kilauea volcano is an active shield volcano (erupts magma of low viscosity and hence less steep) located on the Hawaiian island.
• Hawaii, USA, is a group of 8 volcanic islands in the central Pacific Ocean stretching in a crescent from Kure Island in the west to Hawaii in the east. 
• Volcanoes make up 51% of Hawaii Island landmass. 

Greece’s last King Constantine II, has died aged 82

• Former King Constantine II, a cousin of Britain’s King Charles III, ruled Greece before the country became a republic in 1974. 
• Greek media reported he died of a stroke.
• Apart from a 12-year republican interlude between 1922 to 1935, the family of Constantine has been ruling in Greece since 1863.
• Constantine was born on June 2, 1940, in Athens to Prince Paul, younger brother to King George II and heir presumptive to the throne, and Princess Frederica of Hanover. 
• Before Constantine’s first birthday, the royal family was forced to flee Greece during the German invasion of World War II.

The Kashmir Files’ shortlisted for Oscars, 2023

• Bollywood movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ has been shortlisted for the prestigious film festival Oscars, 2023, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri said recently.
• Directed by Vivek Agnihotri, ‘The Kashmir Files’ revolves around the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in the year 1990 following systematic killings of people from the community by Pakistan-backed terrorists. 
• The film was released in theatres in March of last year.

Indian-American Space Expert AC Charania Named NASA’s New Chief Technologist

• An Indian-American aerospace industry expert has been appointed as NASA’s new chief technologist to serve as principal advisor to Administrator Bill Nelson on technology policy and programmes at the space agency’s headquarters.
• AC Charania joined the space agency in his new role on 3 January. He replaces another Indian-American scientist Bhavya Lal, who served as acting chief technologist prior to the former’s appointment.
• AC Charania will oversee technology engagement with other government agencies, the private sector, and external stakeholders while also coordinating NASA’s agency-wide technology investments with mission priorities across six mission directorates.

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