Daily Current Affairs Quiz19 & 20 January, 2025 International Affairs 1. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) The Generalized System of Preferences is a program allowing developing countries to export specific products to developed countries with reduced or eliminated customs duties. The GSP program was designed to promote the growth of developing countries and reduce poverty in these countries. India-US GSP The United States (US) removed India’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) on June 5, 2019. GSP is a facility that provides developing countries with an opportunity to export goods to the US without paying duty. 2. European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Context: A meeting held between Mr. Goyal and Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security in Brussels. Background India signed a free trade pact on March 10 2024, India EFTA Trade Pact with a group of European nations — Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein — committing to reduce tariffs, while New Delhi will receive $100 billion in investments over the next 15 years. European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trading of EFTA with India India exported USD 1.92 billion worth of goods to EFTA countries in 2022-23, and imports stood at USD 16.74 billion. Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) The objectives: Coverage: Key Take-Aways: Importance of India-EFTA Deal Economic Growth and Employment Generation: Beyond Trade: Long-Term Benefits Important Issues: India-EFTA Agreement Suggested Solutions: India-EU Relation 3. India-Oman FTA Context: India is not seeking customs duty concessions on over 100 product categories such as liquor, and cigarette in the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with Oman, which is under negotiations between the two countries, sources said. Free Trade Agreement (FTA)  An FTA is an agreement between two or more countries that reduce or remove trade barriers. The main purpose of an FTA is to increase trade between the participating countries. 4. Nigeria Joins BRICS! Context: Nigeria has become a partner state of the BRICS group of emerging market powers. BRICS National Affairs 1. SVAMITVA Scheme Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed over 65 lakh property cards to rural families in more than 50,000 villages across 12 States and UTs under the Centre’s SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme. 2. Take-Home Ration (THR) Context: The Jharkhand government started the distribution of ‘Shishu Shakti’ packets, an enhanced version of the take-home ration (THR) for severely malnourished children, with the aim of making the State malnutrition-free, an official said. Take Home Ration (THR) Take Home Ration (THR) is a program in India. It provides fortified rations to pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children. The program falls under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. It is a report that was released by NITI Aayog and the World Food Program. 3. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) The ICDS is a government initiative in India, offering healthcare, nutrition, and education for children up to six years old and their mothers. The ICDS was introduced in 1975 with the purpose of improving the nutritional condition of children and reducing child health problems. ICDS Scheme Schemes Under ICDS ICDS Objectives Other Comparable Government Initiatives UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) Prelims Q. Which of the following can be said to be essentially the parts of ‘Inclusive Governance’? (2012) Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only(b) 3 and 4 only(c) 2, 3 and 4 only(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Ans: (c) Explanation: Mains Q. Hunger and Poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measures for improvement. (2017) 4. “RNA Damage Drives Acute Sunburn” Study Key Highlights: What is Sunburn? Sunburned skin looks red, painful, and damaged due to too much exposure in the sun. The ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or a tanning bed burn your skin when you get a sunburn. You don’t have to spend a whole day at the beach or swimming pool to get a sunburn. Multiple sunburns can cause premature skin aging and skin cancer. Ribosomes Ribosomes are molecular machines that synthesize proteins in all cells. They are made of RNA and protein, and are found in the cytoplasm of cells. The Ribotoxic Stress Response (RSR) The ribotoxic stress response pathway is a mechanism that senses for stress in cells and initiates stress response programmes. RSR is involved with cell death and inflammation, though it also plays some role in regulation of metabolism. Genome Genome India Project 5. Jallikattu (Sallikkattu) Context: A total of 83 people were injured in the jallikattu organised at Mukkanipatti village in Pudukottai district and Pallapatti village in Tiruchi district.  Jallikattu (Sallikkattu) Jallikattu (or Sallikkattu), also known as Eru Taḻuvuṭal and Manju-virattu is an Indian event where a zebu bull is released into a crowd, and people try to grab the large hump on the bull’s back while it tries to escape. It is mostly practiced in southern Tamil Nadu during Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day. Animal rights organizations have called for a ban on the sport due to incidents of injury and death. It was banned several times by the Supreme Court of India but a fresh ordinance was issued in 2017 to make it continue its sporting activities. 6. Initiatives by TRAI Against Spam Blockchain in Anti-Spam Measure Efficacy of Measures Other Government Initiatives The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a regulatory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India. It consists of a chairperson and not more than two full-time members and not more than two part-time members. The TRAI Act was amended by an ordinance, effective from 24 January 2000, establishing a Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to take over the adjudicatory and disputes functions from TRAI. 7. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme It was launched in January 2015 with the aim to