Current Affairs

The Supreme Court has invalidated the electoral bonds scheme for political funding. The court, consisting of a 5-judge bench, declared on February 15, 2024, that the scheme violates citizens’ right to information.

1. State Bank of India has been instructed to immediately cease issuing electoral bonds and provide donation details through this method to the Election Commission of India.
2. The court found that the scheme’s objectives of combating black money and maintaining donor confidentiality are insufficient justifications.
3. The Supreme Court emphasized that electoral bonds are not the exclusive solution to address the issue of black money.
4. The electoral bonds scheme was introduced by the government on January 2, 2018, aiming to replace cash donations and enhance transparency in political funding.
5. Eligibility for receiving electoral bonds was limited to political parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, securing at least 1% of the votes in the last Lok Sabha or state legislative assembly elections.

Q: What did the Supreme Court do regarding the electoral bonds scheme for political funding?

a. Upheld its constitutionality
b. Invalidated the scheme
c. Proposed amendments to the scheme
d. Requested more information from the government

Ans : b. Invalidated the scheme

Q: On what grounds did the Supreme Court declare the electoral bonds scheme as violating citizens’ rights?

a. Violation of privacy
b. Violation of the right to information
c. Unfair distribution of funds
d. Lack of transparency in political funding

Ans : b. Violation of the right to information

Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande conducted discussions with US Army Chief Gen Randy George and other senior military officials in Washington on Feb 15, 2024.

1. The discussions focused on bilateral aspects of importance and aimed at enhancing mutual commitment to global peace and security.
2. Gen Pande’s four-day official visit to the US started on February 13.
3. As part of the visit, he reviewed the US Army Honour Guard at Fort Myers and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
4. Gen Pande visited the Army Geospatial Centre at Fort Belvoir and interacted with the Vice President of the National Defense University at Fort McNair.
5. A visit to the Indian Embassy in Washington DC included interactions with Charge d’Affaires Sripriya Ranganathan to discuss ongoing and prospective initiatives.
6. The overall purpose of the discussions and visits was to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation between the Indian and US military forces.

Q: Who is the current Chief of the Indian Army?

a. Gen Bipin Rawat
b. Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag
c. Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane
d. Gen Manoj Pande

Ans : d. Gen Manoj Pande

Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR), also known as the “One Nation One Student ID.”

APAAR is a unique identification system for students in India, designed to streamline academic and administrative processes. Here are some key points about APAAR:

1. Purpose and Features:
   • Digital ID Card: APAAR serves as a digital ID card for students across both government and private schools and colleges.
   • Academic Locker: It acts as a digital locker where students can store and manage their academic achievements.
   • Collecting Credits: Students can collect their academic credits, degrees, and other relevant information online.
   • Streamlining Admissions: APAAR also streamlines the admission process by providing a centralized student identification system.
2. Lifelong Identifier:
   • APAAR is not just for a specific educational phase; it serves as a lifelong digital identifier for students throughout their academic journey.
3. Academic Bank of Credits (ABC):
   • The Indian government established the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) to handle the issuance of APAAR ID cards.
   • ABC is an integral part of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020).
   • All college and university-going students are required to register on ABC.
   • Having an ABC ID is necessary for admission to any college or university

MCQs

1. What does APAAR stand for?
   • A) Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry
   • B) Academic Bank of Credits
   • C) One Nation, One Student ID Card
   • D) Digital India Initiative
   • Answer: Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry
2. What is the purpose of APAAR?
   • A) To track students’ academic progress and achievements
   • B) To issue digital ID cards for government schools
   • C) To facilitate streamlined admissions
   • D) To promote cultural exchange
   • Answer: To track students’ academic progress and achievements

Former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, and agricultural scientist Dr. MS Swaminathan will be conferred with the country’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on 9 February 2024.

1. Chaudhary Charan Singh:
   • Role: Former Prime Minister of India, freedom fighter, and farmers’ leader.
   • Contributions:
     • Served as the third Deputy Prime Minister and the fifth Prime Minister of India.
     • Held positions such as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Union Minister for Home Affairs and Finance.
   • Legacy:
     • His incomparable contribution to the country is acknowledged through this award.

2. Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao (PV Narasimha Rao):
   • Role: Ninth Prime Minister of India (1991–1996).
   • Achievements:
     • Economic Reforms: Credited with opening up the Indian economy during his term.
     • Historic First: The first person from South India to become Prime Minister of India.
     • Father of Economic Reforms: Described by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the true father of economic reforms in India.

3. Dr. MS Swaminathan:
   • Role: Eminent agricultural scientist and the father of India’s Green Revolution.
   • Contributions:
     • Collaborated with Norman Borlaug and spearheaded a mass movement with farmers and other scientists.
     • Backed by public policies, he saved India and Pakistan from certain famine-like conditions in the 1960s.
     • Instrumental in achieving self-reliance in agriculture and modernizing farming practices.

Q: Which Indian Prime Minister, also having served as Deputy Prime Minister, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and Union Minister for Home Affairs and Finance?

• a) P V Narasimha Rao
• b) Dr. MS Swaminathan
• c) Chaudhary Charan Singh
• d) Narendra Modi

Ans : c) Chaudhary Charan Singh

Q: Which Prime Minister is credited with opening up the Indian economy during his term ?

a) Chaudhary Charan Singh
b) P V Narasimha Rao
c) Dr. MS Swaminathan
d) Narendra Modi

Ans : b) P V Narasimha Rao

Q: Who is referred to as the “Father of India’s Green Revolution” ?

a) Chaudhary Charan Singh
b) P V Narasimha Rao
c) Dr. MS Swaminathan
d) Norman Borlaug

Ans : c) Dr. MS Swaminathan

• Home Minister Amit Shah announced the decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar on 8 Feb 2024.
• The decision aims to enhance internal security and preserve the demographic structure of North Eastern states bordering Myanmar.
• The Ministry of External Affairs is in the process of scrapping the FMR, and the Home Ministry has recommended its immediate suspension.
• Amit Shah emphasized that the move aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to securing the nation’s borders.

Q: What does FMR stand for in context of India and Myanmar?

a. Foreign Ministry Resolution
b. Free Movement Regime
c. Federal Movement Restriction
d. Frontier Management Regulation

Ans : b. Free Movement Regime

The Indian government has recently announced plans to fence the entire 1,643-kilometer-long Indo-Myanmar border. This decision effectively ends the free movement regime (FMR) that allowed people on both sides to venture 16 kilometers into each other’s territory without any documents.

Here are the key points regarding this significant development:

1. Reasons for Fencing:
   • The move aims to enhance surveillance along the border.
   • It seeks to curb insurgencies, smuggling, and the drug trade in the region.
2. Details of the Decision:
   • Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the government’s commitment to building impenetrable borders.
   • The entire 1,643-kilometer-long Indo-Myanmar border will be fenced.
   • To facilitate better surveillance, a patrol track along the border will also be paved.
   • A 10-kilometer stretch in Moreh, Manipur, has already been fenced.
   • Two pilot projects for fencing through a hybrid surveillance system are underway, covering 1 kilometer each in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.
   • Additionally, fence works covering approximately 20 kilometers in Manipur have been approved and will commence soon.
3. Impact and Implications:
   • Ending the FMR is expected to put a lid on insurgencies in the north-east, as well as smuggling and the drug trade.
   • Going forward, anyone wanting to enter India from Myanmar will need valid travel documents, similar to practices adopted for air and sea travel.

Q: What is the length of the Indo-Myanmar border that the Indian government plans to fence?

• A) 1,643 kilometers
• B) 2,000 kilometers
• C) 1,000 kilometers
• D) 3,500 kilometers

Answer: A) 1,643 kilometers

Q: What was the purpose of the free movement regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border?

• A) To promote tourism
• B) To facilitate trade
• C) To allow people to venture 16 kilometers into each other’s territory without documents
• D) To strengthen border security

Answer: C) To allow people to venture 16 kilometers into each other’s territory without documents

Q: Why is the Indian government fencing the Indo-Myanmar border?

A) To prevent wildlife trafficking
B) To curb insurgencies and smuggling
C) To promote cultural exchange
D) To facilitate cross-border trade

Answer: B) To curb insurgencies and smuggling