UPSC EXAM QUIZ 30.08.2024

Explanation:

• The year 2024 marks the tenth year of the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY). PMJDY was launched ten years ago on 28th August, 2014.
• The government aims to open more than 3 crore accounts under the PMJDY during the current financial year 2024-25.

PMJDY

• PMJDY is a financial inclusion program that aims to ensure access to financial services, namely, basic savings & deposit accounts, remittance, credit, insurance, pension in an affordable manner.
• Under the scheme, a basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account can be opened in any bank branch or Business Correspondent (Bank Mitra) outlet, by persons not having any other account.

Explanation:

• Indian Railways is exploring the use of nuclear power through captive units as it seeks to increase reliance on non-fossil fuel sources and renewable ones.
• Apart from nuclear power, the Railways is already in the process of commissioning solar power units and wind-based power plants.

Nuclear Powered Trains

• A nuclear-powered train uses heat generated from a nuclear reaction to produce high-pressure steam.
• This steam drives two turbines, one turbine powers the train, while the other generates electricity for equipment like air conditioners and lights.
• The concept of nuclear-powered trains was first seriously considered in the 1950s, when it became an official goal of the USSR's Ministry of Transport.
• Functioning of Nuclear-Powered Trains: The proposed design involves a portable nuclear reactor that heats fluid to produce steam. This steam drives electric turbines, generating power for the train

Explanation:

• Home Minister Amit Shah has announced the creation of 5 new districts in Union Territory of Ladakh.
• Earlier, there were only two districts 'Leh' and 'Kargil' in the Union Territory of Ladakh. With 5 new districts, Ladakh will now have 7 districts.

According to the notification of the Ministry of Home Affairs, 5 new districts

1. Zanskar
2. Drass
3. Sham
4. Nubra
5. Changthang

Ladakh is a very large union territory in terms of area. It is one of the least populated areas of India.

Process of formation of new districts

• Along with giving 'in-principle approval' for the formation of 5 new districts, the Home Ministry has directed the Ladakh administration to form a committee to assess various aspects related to the formation of new districts, such as headquarters, boundaries, structure, creation of posts and any other aspect related to the formation of districts.
• The Union Home Ministry has asked the Ladakh administration to submit its report within three months.

Explanation:

• Unified Lending Interface will be launched by RBI to provide 'frictionless credit'.
• The Reserve Bank is testing an application called Unified Lending Interface (ULI) for hassle-free lending.
• Governor Shaktikanta Das said that it will soon be launched across the country and that it will become UPI in terms of loans.
• The aim of this new technology is to reduce the time taken for assessment, especially for small borrowers in rural areas.
• ULI facilitates a seamless and consent-based flow of digital information, including land records, from various data providers to lenders.
• Its infrastructure is designed for a plug-and-play approach to enable quick access.
• ULI improves digital access for lenders from diverse sources.
• This ecosystem is based on the consent of potential borrowers, and data privacy is protected.

Explanation:

• A six-month global plan has been launched by WHO to combat Mpox outbreak.
• This plan aims to curtail human-to-human transmission of Mpox.
• For this, the plan involves coordinated global, regional, and national efforts.
• The plan will start from September 2024 to February 2025. It envisions 135 million U.S. dollars in funding.
• The plan includes strategic vaccination efforts for those at highest risk to interrupt the transmission chain.
• Healthcare personnel and close contacts of recent cases are examples of this.
• Mpox was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 14th August.
• The World Health Organisation reports that since 2022, 208 deaths and over 99 thousand cases of mpox have been documented worldwide from 116 different countries.