UPSC Daily Quiz | 7 August 2024

Explanation:

• • The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is an informal political understanding among states that seek to limit the proliferation of missiles and missile technology.
  • It was formed in 1987 by the G-7 industrialized countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the United States).
  • There are about 35 countries that are members (Partners) of the MTCR, including Australia, India and Russia.

• China, Pakistan, Iran and Israel are not its members. (Thus, Statement 2 is not correct)

Is the MTCR a treaty?

• No. The MTCR is not a treaty and does not impose any legally binding obligations on Partners (members). (Thus, Statement 1 is not correct)
• Rather, it is an informal political understanding among states that seek to limit the proliferation of missiles and missile technology.

What are the main objectives of the MTCR?

• The MTCR seeks to limit the risks of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) (i.e., nuclear, chemical and biological weapons) by controlling exports of goods and technologies that could make a contribution to delivery systems (other than manned aircraft) for such weapons. (Thus, Statement 3 is correct)

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | International Relations

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Explanation:

• • Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) organised a seminar on 25 Years of TRAI Act.
  • The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a statutory body established by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. (Thus, Statement 1 is not correct)

• TRAI regulates telecom services including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services which were earlier vested in the Central Government. 

• The Chairperson and other members of TRAI shall hold their office for a term of three years or till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. (Thus, Statement 2 is not correct)

• The function of the TRAI is to make recommendations on the following matters:

• • Need for introduction of new service provider.
  • Revocation of license for non-compliance of terms and conditions of licence.
  • Measures to facilitate competition and promote efficiency in the operation of telecommunication services to facilitate their growth.
  • Technological improvements in the services provided by the service providers.
  • Laying down the standards of quality of service to be provided by the service providers.

• Timely and officially notifying the rates at which the telecommunication services within India and outside India shall be provided under the TRAI Act, 1997.

• The recommendations of the TRAI are not binding upon the Central Government. (Thus, Statement 3 is correct)

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Polity

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Explanation:

• National Education Policy 2020 paves way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems in the country. 
• Some of the salient features of New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 are as follows:

• New Policy promotes Multilingualism in both schools and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs); Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation to be set up. (Thus, Option 1 is correct)

• • New Policy aims for 100 % Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in school education by 2030.

• GER in higher education to be raised to 50 % by 2035. (Thus, Option 2 is not correct)

• • Achieving 100% youth and adult literacy.
  • New 5+3+3+4 school curriculum with 12 years of schooling and 3 years of Anganwadi/ pre-schooling. (Thus, Option 3 is not correct)

• Higher Education curriculum to have Flexibility of Subjects.

• Multiple Entry / Exit, and transfer of credit through an Academic Bank of Credits.

• • National Research Foundation to be established to foster a strong research culture.

• Light but Tight Regulation of Higher education, single regulator with four separate verticals for different functions- the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI). (Thus, Option 4 is correct)

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Polity

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Explanation:

Interventions for improving Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in India

• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) provides pregnant women fixed day, free of cost assured and quality Antenatal Care on the 9th day of every month. (Thus, Option 2 is not correct)

• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) (Ministry of Women and Child Development) is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme under which cash benefits are provided to pregnant women in their bank account directly to meet enhanced nutritional needs and partially compensate for wage loss. (Thus, Option 1 is correct)

• • Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative (LaQshya) (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) aims to improve the quality of care in labour room and maternity operation theatres to ensure that pregnant women receive respectful and quality care during delivery and immediate post-partum period.

• POSHAN Abhiyaan (Ministry of Women and Child Development) aims to achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers, in a time bound manner. (Thus, Option 3 is correct)

• • Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) aims to reduce anemia prevalence both due to nutritional and non-nutritional causes, in the lifecycle approach. 

• Surakshit Matratva Ashwasan (SUMAN) (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) aims to provide assured, dignified, respectful and quality healthcare at no cost and zero tolerance for denial of services for every woman and newborn visiting the public health facility to end all preventable maternal and newborn deaths. (Thus, Option 4 is not correct)

• Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), a demand promotion and conditional cash transfer scheme was launched in with the objective of reducing Maternal and Infant Mortality by promoting institutional delivery among pregnant women.
• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) aims to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for pregnant women and sick infants by entitling them to free delivery including caesarean section, free transport, diagnostics, medicines, other consumables, diet and blood in public health institutions.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Schemes

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Explanation:

• The Reading Campaign ‘Padhe Bharat’ has been launched by the Union Education Ministry starting 1st January, 2022. 

• • Children studying in Balvatika to grade VIII will be part of this campaign.

• It is aimed at improving the learning levels of students.

• The campaign marks an important step to improve learning levels of students as it develops creativity, critical thinking, vocabulary and the ability to express both verbally and in writing. It helps children to relate to their surroundings and real life situations.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Schemes

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual