UPSC EXAM QUIZ 11.11.2024

Explanation:

• United Nations Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and IUCN have released the Protected Planet Report 2024.
• This report is the first to be presented with the aim of assessing the state of protected and conserved areas (PCAs) under Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

Arget 3 of the Kunming-Montreal GBF

• The KM-GBF was adopted at the 15th COP of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• This framework sets out an ambitious pathway to reach the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 2050, with 4 goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030.
• Target 3: Ensure and enable that by 2030 at least 30% terrestrial, inland water, coastal, and marine areas, especially those critical for biodiversity, are effectively conserved and managed through well-connected, ecologically representative, and equitably governed protected areas.

Explanation:

• Ministry of Finance has proposed the fourth phase of consolidation of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), under which the number of RRBs has been suggested to be reduced from 43 to 28.
• The objective of this consolidation is to make them more efficient and to consolidate the RRBs under the principle of one state-one RRB.

Consolidation of RRBs

• The process of consolidation of RRBs began in the year 2004-05 based on the recommendations of Dr. Vyas Committee (2001). Through three phases of this process, 196 RRBs were reduced to 43 by 2020-21.

Main benefits associated with consolidation are as follows

• Expenditure reduction: Saving of financial resources by reducing overhead expenses.
• Incorporation of technology: Making it possible for RRBs to use the latest banking technology.
• Increase in capital base: Expansion of capital and scope by becoming larger banks.
• Risk Management: Controlling risk with better resources and monitoring.

Explanation:

• Supreme Court recently upheld the constitutional validity of the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Board Act, 2004 in the case of Anjum Qadri vs Union of India and others.
• In this decision, the Supreme Court overturned the decision of the Allahabad High Court in which the Madrasa Act was declared unconstitutional in March 2024.
• The High Court held it to be violative of the principle of secularism and Articles 14, 21, 21-A and contrary to Section 22 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956.

Highlights of the decision

• Reversal of the High Court order: The Supreme Court clarified that the basis for repealing a law can be only if it violates the fundamental rights under Part III of the Constitution, and not just the basic structure of the Constitution.
• Justification of the Madrasa Act: The court accepted the justification of the Madrasa Act. The Act aims to regulate the standards of education in madrasas so that students reach a level of competence and can participate effectively in society.

Explanation:

• Gujarat has become India’s 1st state to implement a dedicated semiconductor policy.
• ‘Gujarat Semiconductor Policy 2022-2027’ has been introduced by Gujarat government.
• The policy aims to solidify position of Gujarat as a leader in semiconductor self-reliance.
• Recently, foundation stone for Micron’s advanced semiconductor assembly, test, mark, and pack (ATMP) plant was laid by Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel in Sanand.
• India’s first AI-enabled semiconductor fabrication facility is being established by Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) and Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) in Dholera’s emerging ‘Semicon City’.
• The policy offers a 100% one-time refund on stamp duty and registration fees, a Rs 2 per unit electricity subsidy, and a Rs 12 per cubic metre rate for water.
• It also includes up to 75% land acquisition subsidy for semiconductor units in Dholera.
• Dholera is being developed as India’s first Greenfield Smart City.

Explanation:

• 83rd Indian Road Congress annual session started in Raipur.
• Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the conference.
• During these four-days, several technical sessions will be conducted.
• New technologies related to road construction will be discussed during the convention.
• More than 2000 experts from the country and abroad participated in this conference.
• The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) is the highest body of highway engineers in the country.
• It was set up in December 1934 on the recommendations of the Jayakar Committee set up by the Govt. of India with the objective of Road Development in India.