Current Affairs: UPSC Previous Year Questions (International Relations and Current Affairs)

Explanation

The terms WannaCry, Petya, and EternalBlue are associated with cyber attacks. These are names of malware and exploits that have caused significant global cybersecurity breach-es.

Option (c) is correct: Wanna Cry (2017) and Petya (2016) are types of ransomware attacks that exploited vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, with EternalBlue being the exploit used in these attacks. These cyber attacks caused widespread disruption across businesses and governments globally by encrypting data and demanding ransom. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Exoplanets refer to planets located outside our solar system and have no relation with WannaCry, Petya, or EternalBlue. Cryptocurrency involves digital currencies like Bitcoin, and while cyber attacks can target cryptocurrency platforms, the mentioned terms are directly associated with malicious software, not digital currencies. Mini satellites are small satellites used in space technology, and are unrelated to these cybersecurity threats.

Explanation

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is an American anti-missile system developed by the U.S. to intercept and destroy short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase of flight.

Option (a) is incorrect: An Israeli radar system refers to systems like the Iron Dome, which is developed by Israel for intercepting short-range threats, but THAAD is an American system.

Option (b) is incorrect: India’s indigenous anti-missile programme refers to systems like the Aakash missile system, but THAAD is a U.S.-developed system, not an Indian one.

Option (c) is correct: THAAD is designed to counter missile threats and is part of the U.S. missile defense strategy. It works by using powerful radar systems to detect and track incoming missiles and then using interceptors to destroy them mid-flight.

Option (d) is incorrect: A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea refers to missile defense collaborations, but THAAD is specifically an American-developed system, not a bilateral project between Japan and South Korea.

Explanation

Option (1) is incorrect: The Digital India plan does not focus on forming India’s own internet companies like China did. Instead, it is more about enhancing infrastructure and accessibility to digital services across India.

Option (2) is incorrect: While data sovereignty is a key issue, the Digital India initiative does not specifically aim to encourage multinational corporations to build large data centers within In-dia’s boundaries. However, it does encourage data protection and localization policies.

Option (3) is correct: Connecting villages to the Internet and bringing Wi-Fi to schools, public places, and tourist centers is a major goal of the Digital India plan. This includes providing broadband connectivity to rural areas and ensuring access to government services through digital platforms.

Option (c) is incorrect: because while option 3 is correct, options 1 and 2 are not part of the Digital India goals.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: NIIF is not an organ of NITI Aayog. It is an independent investment fund set up by the Indian government under the Ministry of Finance. While NITI Aayog plays a role in policy-making, it is not directly involved in managing the NIIF.

Statement 2 is incorrect: NIIF does not have a corpus of ‘4,00,000 crore. The fund was initially set up with a corpus of ‘40,000 crore. The target corpus has been planned to increase over time, but it currently stands much lower than ‘4,00,000 crore.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: The linking of Cauvery and Tungabhadra rivers has not been a recent initiative.

Option (c) is incorrect: The Mahanadi and Son rivers have not been linked recently in any major project.

Option (d) is incorrect: The Narmada and Tapti rivers are not currently part of any linking project.

Option (b) is correct: The linking of the Godavari and Krishna rivers was undertaken as part of India’s efforts to improve water distribution and ensure efficient utilization of water re-sources. This project is part of the larger National River Linking Project aimed at transferring water from water-surplus areas to drought-prone regions, particularly to address water scarcity in the southern states.

Explanation

In 2016, Maharashtra became the first state in India to declare a state butterfly. The butterfly chosen is the Blue Mor-mon (Papilio polydamas). This was done to promote the state’s rich biodiversity and encourage the conservation of species that are important to the local ecosystem.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: DigiLocker is a flagship initiative under the Indian government’s Digital India Programme. Launched with the aim of creating a paperless governance system, DigiLocker provides a platform for citizens to store and access their important documents in a digital format. It is managed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The platform facilitates secure sharing of e-documents with authorized entities, thereby reducing the need for physical document submission.

Statement 2 is correct: A core feature of DigiLocker is its accessibility. Users can access their stored e-documents from any-where, provided they have an internet connection and their login credentials. This eliminates the constraints of physical location and makes document access convenient and efficient. Whether a user is at home, traveling, or in a government office, their documents are readily available through the DigiLocker platform.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a government-backed pension scheme specifically designed to provide a minimum guaranteed monthly pension to workers in the unorganized sector. This sector, which comprises a significant portion of the Indian workforce, often lacks access to formal retirement savings plans. The APY aims to address this gap by offering a simple and accessible pension product. The focus on unorganized sector workers is a core element of the APY’s design and purpose.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The APY does not restrict participation to only one member per family. Any individual who meets the eligibility criteria, primarily being an Indian citizen between the ages of 18 and 40 and not already a beneficiary of other statutory social security schemes, can subscribe to the APY, regardless of whether other family members have enrolled. Multiple family members can contribute to the scheme and receive separate pension benefits upon reaching the age of 60.

Statement 3 is correct: A key feature of the Atal Pension Yojana is the provision for family pension. In the unfortunate event of the subscriber’s demise, the spouse is entitled to receive the same amount of monthly pension for the rest of their life. This provision provides a crucial financial safety net for the surviving spouse, ensuring some level of income security during widowhood. This guaranteed spousal pension is a significant benefit offered by the APY.

Explanation

SWAYAM is a Government of India initiative offering free online courses to promote accessible and quality education for all. Courses & Accessibility: The platform provides MOOCs across disciplines like engineering, humanities, and management, featuring content from premier Indian institutions. It ensures inclusivity, catering to learners from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and regions with limited internet access. Course Structure & Certification: Courses include video lectures, reading materials, assignments, and discussion forums. SWAYAM follows a blended learning model and offers credit transfers and certificates to aid career and academic growth. National Coordination: Managed by the Ministry of Education, SWAYAM collaborates with universities and research institutions to democratize education nationwide.

Explanation

The National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, holds the distinction of being the first NIMZ in India to receive final approval and progress towards implementation. This milestone marked a significant step in the Indian government’s efforts to promote manufacturing and attract investment. The NIMZ in Andhra Pradesh was granted final approval in October 2015, setting a precedent for other states pursuing similar zones. The primary objective of the Prakasam NIMZ is to attract both domestic and foreign investment in manufacturing industries. The zone aims to create a conducive ecosystem for businesses by providing them with access to essential resources, simplifying regulatory procedures, and offering fiscal incentives. The focus is on promoting sustainable and inclusive industrial development, generating employment opportunities, and boosting economic growth in the region. The NIMZ is expected to contribute significantly to the "Make in India" initiative and enhance the competitiveness of Indian manufacturing on a global scale.