Daily Current Affairs (MCQ) | Date 21.04.22

Q1. Consider the following statements

1. Electoral bonds are sold four times a year and allow political parties to accept money from donors whose identities are kept anonymous.
2. SBI is the only authorised bank by the government to sell and redeem these bonds
3. A political party must also have at least a 1% vote share in the most recent general elections or assembly elections to receive donations via electoral bonds

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

Only 23 parties can get, encash electoral bonds: RTI response
1. Of the 105 political parties that submitted data regarding receiving electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India, only 23 are eligible to receive and encash these, data shared under the right to information (RTI) act reveals. It isn’t known how many of the 105 actually received any bonds at all.
2. Publicly available data shows that almost 90% of electoral bonds went to four parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party, and the Trinamool Congress, with the first getting the bulk of the contributions.
3. In response to an RTI application State Bank of India said that only 23 political parties have opened a special current account made for redeeming and enchasing electoral bonds as of March this year.
Electoral Bonds:
1. Electoral bonds are sold four times a year, in January, April, July and October, and allow political parties to accept money from donors whose identities are kept anonymous.
2. SBI is the sole authorised bank by the government to sell and redeem these bonds. Customers of other banks can also purchase the bonds via different payment channels provided to them.
3. However, a political party can only redeem the bond from one of the 29 authorized branches of the bank.
4. A political party must also have at least 1% vote share in the most recent general elections or assembly elections to receive donations via electoral bonds.

Q2. The Participatory Guarantee System–India (PGS- India) is related to

a. Compulsory integration of local agricultural mandis in the eNAM.
b. Guaranteed access to formal credit for agriculture-based women entrepreneurs.
c. Certification of organic products in accordance with the standards laid down for organic products.
d. guarantee by states to buy solar power generated from decentralized mini and micro-grid.

Answer : c

Why is the Question ?

A participatory Guarantee System is a process of certifying organic products which ensures the agriculture production process is in accordance with the standards laid down for organic products and that desired quality has been maintained
Basic framework of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS)
Under PGS, a group of farmers voluntarily assemble to declare and assure their practice is organic and fair in nature – socially, culturally and ecologically. The farming practice and production process is certified as organic based on active participation and are built on the foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange. PGS system enables organic farmers to sell her/his produce as organic and allows the use of organic logo on product packages. It is a credible and effective system of locally focused quality assurance. The products are certified for local markets and will have to meet country specific food regulation standards for exporting.
PGS is committed with values and ethics
PGS is an internationally accepted system. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture (IFOAM) actively promotes PGS initiatives around the world after an international consultation held in Brazil in 2004, with values and ethics as a guiding definition of sustaining the health of soil, ecosystems (plant, animal, human & planet as one & indivisible), people (based on living ecological systems & cycles), social environment and life opportunities, all precautionary & responsible, for future generations.

By adopting eco-friendly low cost technologies, chemical and pesticide residue free produces should be available for consumers. The farmer groups are formed on the basic principles of active participation, shared vision, trust, transparency and learning.

PGS India – a decentralized organic farming certification system

In a major development, the Govt of India has launched the PGS India through the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC), the Govt of India had issued a notification dated the 7th of April, 2011 which explains the background and process of PGS India certification. It shall function under a National Advisory Committee. The National Centre of Organic Farming, with its Secretariat at Ghaziabad, will set organic standards, guidelines and involve in capacity building programmes.

The FSSAI recognises and allows PGS India organic certified products in the market. PGS-India web portal was launched in 2015. PGS-India has since then evolved with the introduction of online registration, approval, documentation, and certification and transaction certificate for sales.
PGS-India certified products can be labeled with PGS-India logo along with unique ID code provided on the certificate. Use of PGS India Organic logo for a product that has met PGS India certification norms at all levels, and PGS India Green for conversion stage are permitted under this system. Under various government, agricultural schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), DAY – Mahalir Kisan organic cluster are implementing PGS India across the country. Currently, around 5 lakh farmers are registered in the PGS-India portal with 327 active Regional Council for providing approvals. Welthungerhilfe’s Bhoomi Ka initiative in collaboration with its partners have supported 5000 farmers in attaining PGS certification across six states.

Q3. Which of the following Indian institutions will be eligible for collaboration with foreign institutions to offer dual degrees, joint degrees or twinning programmes?

1. Indian college, institute or university figuring among the top global 1,000 QS World University or Times Higher Education rankings
2. Institute that has emerged as one of the top 100 universities under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : c

Why is the Question ?

The UGC regulations for collaboration between Indian and foreign universities
1. The apex regulatory body for higher education in India has decided to allow certain Indian higher education institutions to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with foreign institutions to offer dual degrees, joint degrees or twinning programmes.
2. To qualify for such academic collaboration, the Indian college, institute or university must figure among the top global 1,000 QS World University or Times Higher Education rankings or have emerged as one of the top 100 universities under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
3. The college or university must have secured a minimum grading of 3.01 on a 4-point scale from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
4. Likewise, the foreign collaborator institution must also have figured among the 1,000 global top QS or Times Higher Education Rankings.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding 'Convertibility of Currency':

1. It is the ease with which a country's currency can be converted into gold or another currency in global exchanges.
2. Indian Rupee is completely convertible on current as well as capital accounts.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : a

Why is the Question ?

Convertibility is the ease with which a country's currency can be converted into gold or another currency in global exchanges. It indicates the extent to which the regulations allow inflow and outflow of capital to and from the country. The Indian currency, the rupee (INR), is not yet fully convertible. However, there are talks of making it fully convertible and setting up an onshore INR market.