Context: Delhi schools fare much better in digitalisation than national average, show Ministry of Education data. The data from UDISE+ show that Delhi schools have far more digital facilities than the national average. Government Schemes
HMPV Virus
Context: On Friday, the Union Health Ministry said it was strictly monitoring the supposed outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. The Ministry said while China reported a rise in respiratory illness, particularly HMPV, India did not observe an unusual spike in winter respiratory diseases. Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) HMPV identified as a new cause emerging particularly for children below 14 years old in the northern provinces. HMPV-adenovirus-infection; respiratory virus first reported in 2001; diseases caused by this virus are mild and somewhat similar to the common cold.
India Condemns Newly Formed Chinese County in Hotan Prefecture
Context: India solemnly protested against China on the formation of the two counties in the Hotan prefecture that includes parts of Ladakh territory. Key Highlights: Hotan Prefecture Region
H1B Visa Rules
Context: The contentious debate in the US on stiffening H1B visa rules, if implemented, will adversely impact US technology (tech) giants and India´s three leading information technology (IT) companies — Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and HCLTech — more than other homegrown tech players. What is H1B Visa?
India EFTA Trade Pact
Context: The implementation process of the free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the four nation European bloc EFTA is progressing fast and is expected to come into force before the end of this year, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said. India-EFTA Trade Pact
Current Affairs 3 January 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz3 January, 2025 International Affairs 1. India EFTA Trade Pact Context: The implementation process of the free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the four nation European bloc EFTA is progressing fast and is expected to come into force before the end of this year, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said. India-EFTA Trade Pact 2. H1B Visa Rules Context: The contentious debate in the US on stiffening H1B visa rules, if implemented, will adversely impact US technology (tech) giants and India´s three leading information technology (IT) companies — Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and HCLTech — more than other homegrown tech players. What is H1B Visa? National Affairs 1. Ladki Bahin Scheme Context: The Maharashtra government has decided to take action based on complaints about bogus beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana, and sought information from the Income Tax Department and Transport Department for their verification. Ladki Behna Yojana: Maharashtra Ladki Behna Yojana in Maharashtra: This scheme gives the state, from an economic standpoint, hope and a prospect to improve and transform the lot of women here, especially for economically weaker classes. Some Important Schemes Related to Women Empowerment and Child Development: Scheme Name Launch Date Ministry Definition PM CARES for Children Scheme May 2021 Ministry of Women and Child Development Provides support to children who lost their parents due to COVID-19, covering education, health, and personal needs. Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti National Master Plan October 2021 Ministry of Finance An integrated infrastructure development plan that enhances connectivity and promotes economic growth, benefiting rural women and children. Poshan 2.0 (National Nutrition Mission) 2021 Ministry of Women and Child Development A revamped version of the Poshan Abhiyaan, targeting malnutrition, stunting, and improving child and maternal health. Mission Shakti 2020-2021 Ministry of Women and Child Development Empowers women through safety, security, economic empowerment, and improved decision-making opportunities. SAMBAL 2020 Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Aimed at providing financial assistance and schemes for marginalized communities, including women, for their upliftment. Poshan Abhiyaan 2018 Ministry of Women and Child Development Aimed at reducing malnutrition levels among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers through improved nutritional practices. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) 2017 Ministry of Women and Child Development Provides direct cash transfers to pregnant women for their nutritional needs and improving maternal health. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) 2015 Ministry of Women and Child Development A national initiative aimed at improving the welfare of the girl child, promoting education, and preventing gender-based discrimination. One Stop Centre Scheme (OSC) 2015 Ministry of Women and Child Development Provides support to women affected by violence by offering legal, medical, and psychological assistance. Swadhar Greh Scheme 2015 Ministry of Women and Child Development Provides shelter, food, and rehabilitation to women in distress, including those who are victims of violence, trafficking, and more. Ujjwala Yojana 2016 Ministry of Women and Child Development Provides financial assistance to women to prevent trafficking and provide shelter and rehabilitation. Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) 2009 Ministry of Women and Child Development Aims to provide a safe and secure environment for children, promoting their welfare through protection and care services. Skill Development Scheme for Women 2013 Ministry of Women and Child Development Focuses on enhancing the skills of women, enabling them to participate in the workforce and improve their livelihood options. National Creche Scheme 2006 Ministry of Women and Child Development Provides day-care facilities for children of working mothers to ensure their health, education, and overall development. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) 1993 Ministry of Women and Child Development Provides micro-financing to women, enabling them to become self-reliant through small-scale entrepreneurship. 2. Right to Property Context: Right to property is a human right, the Supreme Court in a judgment on Thursday directed that compensation to people, who lost their land for the over 20,000-acre Bengaluru-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project. Right to Property The Right to Property is a constitutional right in India, which is guaranteed under Article 300-A of the Constitution. 3. India Submits 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to UNFCCC Context: India submitted its 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on 30 December 2024. The report provides updated information on India’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mitigation measures, climate actions, and progress towards its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. According to the report, India’s total GHG emissions declined by 7.93% in 2020 compared to 2019, reflecting the impact of cleaner energy transitions and pandemic-related economic slowdown. Key Highlights of India’s BUR-4 Decline in Greenhouse Gas Emissions In 2020: Sector-wise Contribution to Emissions The energy sector remained the largest contributor to emissions. Sector Share in Total Emissions Energy 75.66% Agriculture 13.72% Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) 8.06% Waste 2.56% Forests and Carbon Sink Performance India’s forests and tree cover played a major role in carbon sequestration. India’s forest and tree cover currently account for 25.17% of the country’s total geographical area. What is a Biennial Update Report (BUR)? A Biennial Update Report is a report submitted by developing countries to the UNFCCC every two years. It contains: BURs improve transparency and help assess progress toward global climate goals. What is LULUCF? LULUCF stands for Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry. It measures emissions and carbon absorption linked to forests and land use activities. 4. The PS4-Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) Context: Bellatrix Aerospace has announced that it has achieved the desired results from the Rudra High-Performance Green Propulsion System, which was onboard the POEM-4 in the recently launched PSLV C-60 mission. The PS4-Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) The PS4-Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) is a platform for the scientific community to perform in-orbit micro-gravity experiments for up to three months. It should be able to validate different proof-of-concept and enabling technologies for future missions but without generating space debris and endangering the primary payloads. Rudra System The Rudra system is part of a larger program for the development of green propulsion technologies that reduce environmental impact and increase performance. PSLV C-60 Mission 5. National Testing Agency (NTA) Context: The Centre
RBI’s Liquidity Management Tools
Some lenders have asked the Reserve Bank of (RBI) to inject liquidity using foreign exchange swaps as short term currency financing costs surged to a four year high, according to people familiar with the matter. RBI’s Liquidity Management Tools Banking Liquidity Deficit
SARFAESI Act
The FIDC is a collective voice of the NBFC sector and has made some significant requests for reforms for ease of doing business and enhancing liquidity. In the request by the council, they have proposed the reduction in the loan amount threshold for invoking security interest under the SARFAESI Act from ₹20 lakh to ₹1 lakh. Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC) Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC) is a Representative Body of Asset and Loan Financing of the NBFCs registered with the Reserve Bank of India. The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act) The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002, is a kind of legislation through which banks recover loans taken by debtors through the sale of their movable or immovable properties through an auction process. In other words, the act aims to reduce NPAs through multiple recovery and reconstruction processes. RBI Guidelines For Asset Reconstruction Companies
6. PLI Scheme
Context: Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has approved incentive claims of ₹ 246 crore submitted by Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors under the ₹ 25,938 crore PLI scheme for the automobile and auto components industry, officials said. PLI Scheme
SEBI bans Ketan Parekh & 21 others
Context: The Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has unearthed a front-running scam in the securities market and debarred 22 entities, including stock brokers Singapore-based Rohit Salgaocar and Ketan Parekh, for alleged involvement and impounded ₹66 crore as ‘wrongful gains.’ What measures has Sebi introduced?
