Current Affairs Reverse Engineering – Care (10-12-2024)
| News at a Glance |
| Polity: Prime Minister launches LIC’s Bima Sakhi Yojana |
| Health: Enrollment for Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards reaches 25 lakhs |
| Economy: Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra appointed Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) |
| Reforms in merchant shipping- Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 and the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 |
| Science and Technology: Antimatter idea offers scientists clue to cracking cosmic mystery |
Prime Minister launches LIC’s Bima Sakhi Yojana
Source: The Business Standard
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 2 Polity and governance
Context: Bima Sakhi Yojana aims to enroll 100,000 women as “Bima Sakhis” within the first year, with a target of 200,000 over three years
Why in News
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Bima Sakhi Yojana, an initiative by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) aimed at empowering women through financial inclusion and employment opportunities.
Key Features of Bima Sakhi Yojana:
- Eligibility: Women aged 18 to 70 years who have completed at least Class 10 are eligible to become Bima Sakhis.
- Stipend Structure: Participants will receive a monthly stipend: Rs 7,000 in the first year, Rs 6,000 in the second year, and Rs 5,000 in the third year. Additionally, there is a monthly incentive of Rs 2,100.
- Training and Employment: After three years of contractual work, Bima Sakhis will undergo training and, upon passing a basic examination, may become permanent LIC agents.
Objectives:
- Financial Empowerment: The scheme aims to provide women with employment opportunities, enhancing their financial independence and contributing to household income.
- Insurance Penetration: By involving women as insurance agents, the program seeks to increase insurance awareness and coverage, especially in rud areas.
Implementation and Impact:
- LIC plans to invest approximately Rs 840 crore in the first year of the scheme. Each Bima Sakhi is expected to sell at least 24 policies annually, focusing on low-value policies to penetrate untapped markets.
- The initiative also aims to have at least one Bima Sakhi in every panchayat area, thereby promoting financial inclusion at the grassroots level.
Government’s Perspective:
- Prime Minister Modi emphasized that “insurance for all” is key to social security and crucial for eradicating poverty. He highlighted that the Bima Sakhi Yojana not only provides income opportunities for women but also contributes to the nation’s development.
Conclusion:
- The Bima Sakhi Yojana presents a significant step toward women’s empowerment and financial inclusion in India.
- By integrating women into the insurance sector as agents, the scheme aims to enhance social security, promote economic independence, and foster inclusive growth across the country.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q1. With reference to the Bima Sakhi Yojana launched by LIC, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 3 only
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Q. With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements: (2018)
1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. 2. It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy. 3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans- c
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| Answer – 1 – A
Explanation –
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Enrollment for Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards reaches 25 lakhs
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Relevance: GS 2– Public Health
Context: The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card (AVVC), under the expanded Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), has garnered significant participation.
Why in News
- With 25 lakh senior citizens aged 70 and above enrolled within a short period, the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card (AVVC), initiative aims to provide comprehensive health insurance and address the healthcare needs of the elderly population in India.
Key Features of Ayushman Vay Vandana Card (AVVC)
- Eligibility:
Available to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of socio-economic status.
- Senior citizens already benefiting from government or private health schemes must choose between their existing coverage and AB PM-JAY.
- Coverage:
Provides ₹5 lakh health insurance cover per year for eligible senior citizens.
- Families under AB PM-JAY get an additional ₹5 lakh top-up cover for senior members.
- Covers approximately 2,000 medical procedures, including coronary angioplasty, hip replacement, cataract surgery, and more.
- No Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion:
Includes coverage for pre-existing diseases from the first day, with no waiting period.
Impact of the Scheme
- Healthcare Utilization:
Over 22,000 senior citizens have availed treatments worth more than ₹40 crore since its launch.
- Common procedures include coronary angioplasty, hip and gallbladder surgeries, cataract removal, and dialysis.
- Widening Healthcare Access:
Expands health coverage to an underserved demographic, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare.
- Financial Protection:
Reduces out-of-pocket expenditure for elderly patients, providing financial security to their families.
- Inclusion of Pre-Existing Conditions:
The inclusion of pre-existing conditions enhances the scheme’s comprehensiveness, benefiting those with chronic ailments.
Challenges and Concerns
- Implementation Costs:
States like Kerala anticipate high financial burdens in implementing the scheme, necessitating efficient resource allocation.
- Scheme Overlap:
Beneficiaries of existing government or private schemes must choose between their current coverage and AVVC, which may cause confusion.
- Awareness and Registration:
Ensuring widespread awareness and simplifying the registration process are critical to reaching all eligible beneficiaries.
Conclusion
- The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card (AVVC) represents a significant step toward ensuring healthcare for senior citizens in India.
- By offering comprehensive coverage and addressing pre-existing conditions, it aims to enhance the quality of life for the elderly population.
- However, efficient implementation, resource management, and public awareness will be crucial in realizing its full potential.
- This initiative aligns with India’s commitment to universal healthcare and the broader goals of social security and inclusivity.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q2. Assertion (A): The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card (AVVC) provides ₹5 lakh free health cover annually for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of socio-economic status.
Reason (R): The AVVC includes coverage for pre-existing diseases from the first day, without any waiting period. Codes: |
Q. With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements: (2022)
1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it. 2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately. 3. It has seamless portability across the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans- d |
| Answer 2– A
Explanation –
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Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra appointed Governor of the RBI
Source: The Indian Express
UPSC Relevance: GS 3 Economy
Context: 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Why in News
- Government of India appointed Sanjay Malhotra, as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), succeeding Shaktikanta Das.
Key Highlights
- The appointment of Sanjay Malhotra as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) marks a significant transition in the leadership of India’s central bank.
- As the apex monetary authority, the RBI plays a pivotal role in shaping India’s economic policies, ensuring financial stability, and managing inflation.
Structure of the RBI
- Governor:
- The Governor is the chief executive officer and the face of the RBI.
- Responsible for formulating and implementing monetary policies in consultation with the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
- Acts as the primary advisor to the government on economic and financial matters.
- Deputy Governors:
- RBI has four Deputy Governors, each overseeing specific departments:
- Monetary Policy and Research
- Regulation and Supervision
- Financial Markets and Operations
- Administration and HR
- They assist the Governor in decision-making and implementation of policies.
- RBI has four Deputy Governors, each overseeing specific departments:
- Executive Directors:
- Oversee operational matters and report to Deputy Governors.
- Central Board of Directors:
- Comprises the Governor, Deputy Governors, and non-official directors.
- Responsible for the overall direction and supervision of the bank.
- Regional Offices:
- Spread across India to implement policies and oversee banking activities at the state and regional levels.
Roles of the RBI Governor and Deputy Governors
RBI Governor:
- Monetary Policy:
- Chairs the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to decide on interest rates and inflation targets.
- Currency Management:
- Ensures the supply of adequate and secure currency.
- Financial Stability:
- Monitors systemic risks and implements corrective measures.
- Advisor to the Government:
- Advises on fiscal and economic policies.
- Regulator of Banks:
- Oversees banking regulations to maintain stability in the financial system.
Deputy Governors:
- Implement policies formulated by the Governor.
- Handle specific domains like financial markets, banking supervision, and payment systems.
- Act as liaisons between the RBI and other financial institutions.
Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)
- Structure:
- Consists of 6 members:
- 3 internal members (Governor, Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy, and one RBI official nominated by the Governor).
- 3 external members nominated by the Government of India.
- Consists of 6 members:
- Objective:
- To decide on policy rates (like repo rate) to manage inflation and stimulate economic growth.
- Decision-Making Process:
- Decisions are made by a majority vote, and the Governor has a casting vote in case of a tie.
- Focus Areas:
- Controlling inflation within the target range set by the government (currently 4% ± 2%).
- Balancing economic growth with price stability.
Challenges for Sanjay Malhotra
- Slowing Economic Growth:
- India’s GDP growth slowed to 5.4% in the September quarter, the slowest in seven quarters.
- Inflation Management:
- Inflation breached the RBI’s upper tolerance band in October 2024.
- Currency Fluctuations:
- The Indian rupee depreciated to a record low of ₹84.85 against the US dollar, reflecting market concerns over monetary policy changes.
Conclusion
- Sanjay Malhotra’s tenure as RBI Governor will be crucial for navigating challenges like inflation control, economic recovery, and currency stabilization.
- With a structured organization and the expertise of the Monetary Policy Committee, the RBI remains well-equipped to steer India’s monetary policy and financial system toward sustainable growth.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q3. With reference to the recent appointments in key Indian institutions, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? |
Q. With reference to the ‘Banks Board Bureau (BBB)’, which of the following statements are correct?(2022)
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans- b
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| Answer 3– A
Explanation –
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Reforms in merchant shipping- Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 and the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 3- Science and Technology
Context: Government intends to replace the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and the Coasting Vessels Act, 1838, which have become outdated and inadequate in addressing the evolving needs of the maritime sector.
Why in News
- The Government of India is set to introduce the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 and the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, aiming to address regulatory gaps, modernize the maritime framework, and align with international maritime standards.
Key Issues with Existing Laws
- Outdated Provisions: Existing laws do not reflect the modern requirements of maritime administration or technological advancements.
- Licensing-era provisions hinder the ease of doing business.
- Regulatory Gaps: Offshore sector vessels, comprising 50% of Indian-flagged vessels, are inadequately regulated.
- Current laws lack provisions to address seafarers’ welfare on foreign-flagged ships and maritime training institutes.
- International Obligations: India has ratified multiple conventions by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), but existing laws only partially implement these conventions, creating compliance gaps.
Features of the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024
- Ease of Registration: Reduces ownership threshold for Indian entities from 100% to 51%, attracting foreign investment.
- Allows Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) to own Indian vessels.
- Enables temporary registration for ships destined for recycling to benefit India’s ship recycling hubs like Alang.
- Enlarged Definition of Vessels: Includes previously unregulated crafts such as submersibles, semi-submersibles, hydrofoils, and Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs).
- Strengthens oversight of offshore operations and enhances coastal security.
- Seafarers’ Welfare: Extends welfare measures to Indian seafarers working on foreign-flagged ships.
- Incorporates provisions from the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) to ensure better working conditions and safety standards.
- Marine Pollution Control: Implements global conventions like MARPOL and Wreck Removal Convention.
- Reduces sulphur content in marine fuel and bans single-use plastics on Indian ships.
- Maritime Training and Education:
- Introduces a legal framework to regulate over 160 maritime training institutes, eliminating unauthorized operators and standardizing maritime education.
Features of the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024
- Focus on Coastal Regulation: Separates coastal operations from technical regulations of ships.
- Integrates coastal and inland shipping for smoother cargo movement.
- Alignment with Sagarmala Program: Supports initiatives like dedicated coastal berths and hinterland connectivity.
- Aims to enhance the coastal sector’s contribution to India’s economy.
Alignment with International Conventions
India’s new maritime legislation incorporates conventions such as:
- MARPOL (Prevention of Pollution from Ships)
- Civil Liability Convention (CLC)
- Wreck Removal Convention
- Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC)
- This ensures India’s compliance with global maritime standards, enhancing its international standing in maritime operations.
Challenges Addressed by the Bills
- Modernizing Maritime Administration: Moves from a regulator-only role to a regulator-cum-facilitator model, improving business ease.
- Enhancing Coastal Security: Post-26/11 Mumbai attacks, stricter regulation of all vessel types ensures better surveillance and safety.
- Boosting Ship Recycling Industry: Introduces provisions for temporary registration of vessels, streamlining operations at recycling hubs.
- Improving Seafarer Safety: Expands welfare measures to include workers on foreign-flagged vessels, ensuring global compliance.
Conclusion
- The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 and the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 represent a transformative leap toward modernizing India’s maritime sector. By addressing long-standing regulatory gaps, fostering investment, ensuring compliance with international conventions, and emphasizing sustainability, these Bills aim to unlock the true potential of India’s maritime industry. They align with India’s aspirations to become a global maritime hub while promoting the welfare of seafarers and protecting the marine environment.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q4. With reference to the proposed Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only |
Q. Consider the following infrastructure sectors: (2023)
1. Affordable housing 2. Mass rapid transport 3. Health care 4. Renewable energy On how many of the above does UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative focus for its investments? a) Only one b) Only two c) Only three d) All four
Ans: (c)
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| Answer 4- A
Explanation
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Antimatter idea offers scientists clue to cracking cosmic mystery
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Relevance: GS 3 Science and Technology
Context: Antimatter in the universe
Why in News
- Recent research suggests potential explanations of scarcity of antimatter in the universe, despite theoretical expectations of equal amounts of matter and antimatter at the beginning of the cosmos.
Key Concepts
- Antimatter:
- Antimatter consists of antiparticles, which are “partners” of particles with the same mass but opposite charge (e.g., the positron is the antiparticle of the electron).
- Antimatter was theorized by Paul Dirac (1928) and observed by Carl Anderson (1932).
- Matter-Antimatter Asymmetry:
- The universe predominantly contains matter, with antimatter being scarce.
- For every 7 billion proton-antiproton pairs, there was one extra proton, leading to the formation of the matter we observe today.
- Symmetry Violations:
- CP Symmetry:
CP symmetry combines parity transformation (P)—swapping left and right—and charge conjugation (C)—replacing particles with antiparticles. - CP symmetry is violated in certain weak force interactions, as demonstrated by James Cronin and Val Fitch (1964).
- This violation is crucial for creating the matter-antimatter asymmetry required for our universe’s formation.
Recent Developments
- Sakharov Conditions:
- Proposed by Soviet physicist Andrei Sakharov, these conditions explain the asymmetry between matter and antimatter:
CP symmetry violation.
ii. Violation of baryon number (difference between protons/neutrons and their antiparticles).
iii. Interactions out of thermal equilibrium. - August 2024 Research:
- The study introduces a mechanism where mesons (quark-antiquark particles) decay into non-standard particles.
- This decay might satisfy one Sakharov condition through time-varying particle masses, aligning CP violation in the early universe with the Standard Model.
- Implications of Meson Decay:
- Mesons decaying into non-standard particles could explain the asymmetry without conflicting with current particle collider observations.
- This mechanism is seen as progress towards reconciling the Standard Model with cosmic observations.
Challenges Remaining
- Unmet Sakharov Conditions:
- The Standard Model still struggles to account for baryon number violation and thermal equilibrium violations.
- Strong CP Puzzle:
- The strong nuclear force theoretically violates CP symmetry but doesn’t in practice, posing additional challenges.
- Experimental Validation:
- The theory’s validity depends on detecting new particles or processes consistent with its predictions.
Significance of the Research
- Understanding the Universe’s Origins:
- This work provides a critical step towards explaining why matter dominates over antimatter.
- Revising the Standard Model:
- Suggests extensions to the Standard Model, a cornerstone of particle physics.
- Broader Implications:
- Could influence cosmology, quantum mechanics, and our understanding of fundamental forces.
Conclusion
- The new findings on antimatter provide a glimpse into the conditions of the early universe and highlight the interplay of particle physics and cosmology.
- While significant challenges remain, the research marks a step forward in solving one of physics’ most profound mysteries: why our universe is filled with matter instead of annihilating into nothingness.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ | ||||||||||
Q5. Match the following key terms related to the antimatter mystery with their corresponding descriptions:
Codes: |
Q. Consider the following statements: (2018)
1. Light is affected by gravity. 2. The Universe is constantly expanding. 3. Matter warps its surrounding space-time. Which of the above is/are the prediction/predictions of Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, often discussed in media?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans: (d)
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| Answer 5- A
Explanation
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