UPSC QUIZ 28.02.2024

Explanation:

• Nasscom and Arthur D. Little have jointly released a report titled - Digital Public Infrastructure of India - Accelerating India’s Digital Inclusion, which stated that India’s Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) are likely to propel India towards a USD 1 trillion digital economy by 2030.

Key Highlights of the Report

Economic Impact

• DPIs are projected to play a significant role in propelling India towards a USD 1 trillion digital economy by 2030, helping the country to become a USD 8 trillion economy.
• DPIs are expected to enhance citizens’ efficiency and promote social as well as financial inclusion.

Explanation:

• According to the Indian Railway Ministry, India's first 'vertical-lift' rail bridge 'Pamban' connecting mainland India to Rameshwaram Island will open for transportation very soon.

Key points

• It is India's first vertical-lift bridge connecting Mandapam in mainland Tamil Nadu to Rameshwaram Island.
• ‘Vertical Lift’ Bridge: is a bridge whose middle portion can be raised.

‘Vertical-Lift’ Rail Bridge

• The foundation stone of this bridge was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2019, parallel to the old bridge.
• The construction work of this bridge was started by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) in February 2020.
• It was to be completed by December 2021, but the deadline was extended due to the Corona pandemic.
• The length of this bridge is 2.05 kilometers.
• It is 3.0 meters higher than the existing bridge, providing navigational air clearance of 22.0 meters above sea level.
• This new Pamban bridge consists of 100 spans of 18.3 meters and a navigational span of 63 metres.

Explanation:

• Scientists in Scotland have made a remarkable discovery of a 240 million year old "Chinese dragon" fossil.
• According to the BBC, the 16-foot-long fossil is of a long aquatic reptile from the Triassic period. This species is called Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, and has been dubbed the "dragon" because of its extremely long neck.
• The discovery was made by an international team and is on display at the National Museums Scotland. The fossil was found in Guizhou province in southern China, ABC News reports.

Key points

• The discovery was published in the Royal Society of Edinburgh journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
• This fossil has been obtained from ancient limestone rock in the southern region of China.
• It has been named 'Dragon of Lingwu'.
• The creature has been identified as a new species called Dinocephalosaurus orientalis.
• This fossil is over 16 feet long.
• Its neck is more than 5 feet long.

Explanation:

• Union cabinet amended the National Livelihood Mission.
• There will now be additional activities under the National Livelihood Mission (NLM).
• There will be a 50% capital subsidy provision. To individuals, FPO, SHG, JLG, FCO, and Section 8 corporations, up to ₹50 lakhs would be given.
• They will receive this money to start their own horse, donkey, mule, and camel businesses.
• The state government will support camel, donkey, and horse breed conservation.
• The semen stations and nucleus breeding farms for horses, donkeys, and camels will be established with ₹10 crore to be provided by the Central Government.
• There would be a fifty percent capital subsidy up to ₹50 lakhs for setting up fodder seed processing infrastructure.
• Private businesses, startups, SHGs, FPOs, FCOs, JLGs, and Farmers Cooperative societies will all receive this subsidy.
• A decision has been made to streamline the Livestock Insurance scheme.
• The beneficiary share of the premium for the farmers was previously 20–50%. It has now been reduced to only 15%.
• Additionally, the quantity of animals to be covered by insurance has been raised from five cattle units to ten cattle units for cattle, sheep, and goats.
• The NLM was launched in 2014–15 and currently has three sub-missions: feed and fodder, innovation and extension, and breed development of livestock and poultry.

Explanation:

• RBI has given approval to HDFC Bank for sale of 90% of stake in HDFC Credila.
• HDFC Bank will continue to own 9.99% stake in HDFC Credila.
• HDFC Bank will sell 90% stake in HDFC Credila to a group of private equity investors, including BPEA EQT and ChrysCapital group.
• The sale of HDFC Credila comes after approximately eight months have passed since HDFC and HDFC Bank completed their merger.
• The central bank had requested in April 2023 that HDFC cut its its stake in Credila to less than 10% over the two years.
• Students pursuing higher education in India and abroad can apply for education loans from HDFC Credila. It is HDFC Bank's subsidiary for student loans.