UPSC QUIZ 30.04.2024

Explanation:

• World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released a report titled "The State of the Climate in Asia 2023," which sheds light on the alarming impact of climate change.
• The report highlights the severe consequences of extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and environmental changes in the Asian continent.

Key Highlights of the Report

• Asia experienced 79 extreme weather events in 2023, affecting over nine million people.
• Over 2,000 deaths were directly attributed to these disasters.
• Floods and storms caused the highest number of casualties and economic losses in Asia in 2023.
• The report noted that Asia has warmed faster than the global average and the warming trend has nearly doubled since the 1961-1990 period.
• The accelerating rate of key climate change indicators such as surface temperatures, glacier retreat and sea level rise will have major consequences for Asia, its economy and ecosystems, the report emphasised.

Explanation:

• Recently, in Assam's predominantly tribal Diphu Lok Sabha constituency, candidates from all political parties have pledged to implement Article 244(A) of the Constitution, aiming to establish an autonomous 'state within a state.'
• The demand for autonomy in the region dates back to the 1950s movement for a separate hill state.
• Despite the creation of Meghalaya in 1972, leaders of the Karbi Anglong region opted to remain with Assam, hoping for autonomy through Article 244(A).

Article 244(A) of the Indian Constitution

• Article 244 in Part X of the Constitution envisages a special system of administration for certain areas designated as ‘scheduled areas’ and ‘tribal areas’.
• Article 244(A) was added to the Constitution through the Twenty-second Amendment Act in 1969.
• It allows Parliament to enact a law to establish an autonomous state within the State of Assam comprising all or some of the tribal areas specified in the Sixth Schedule.

Explanation:

• According to the recent government assessment, the National Clean Air Program could not achieve the target of reducing pollution by the year 2024.
• Persistent violations of PM levels by cities in India and inconsistent implementation of clean air action plans are hindering the success of the National Clean Air Programme.

National Clean Air Programme

• The program was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in January 2019 as a comprehensive initiative in partnership with various ministries and states to improve air quality at the city, regional and national levels.

Target

• The program aims to improve air quality in 131 cities (non-attainment cities and million plus cities) across 24 states by involving all stakeholders.

Explanation:

• National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) announced that it has collaborated with the Reserve Bank's subsidiary, RBIH, to establish a system for faster processing of agricultural loans.
• NABARD stated that it plans to integrate its e-KCC loan origination system portal with the Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit (PTPFC) of Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the RBI.
• NABARD has created a digital platform to simplify the process of obtaining Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) for farmers.
• This platform will be available to cooperative banks and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).

Explanation:

• Sharjah Girls Branch teacher Gina Justus has been named regional winner for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards.
• Gina Justus is an English High School teacher in Sharjah Girls Branch, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Gina Justus

• Gina Justus is originally from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Gina Justus has been working in the UAE since 2005. Gina Justus was recognized for her excellent mentorship and dedication to charity.
• This year's competition saw a record-breaking number of nominations, with more than 14,840 submissions from 141 countries.
• Justus has been named Regional Winner in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for his outstanding mentorship and commitment to charity.