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

Explanation

Project Loon, launched by Google in 2013 and later an Alphabet subsidiary, aimed to provide internet access to remote areas using high-altitude balloons. These helium-filled balloons operated at 20 km (12 mi) in the stratosphere, relaying signals via a solar-powered mesh network. Google used wind-da-ta algorithms to navigate them for consistent coverage. Despite successful deployments, including disaster relief in Puerto Rico (2017) and Kenya (2020), Alphabet shut down Project Loon in January 2021 due to high costs and scalability challenges. Its innovations contributed to advancements in stratospheric balloon technology and wireless communication.

Explanation

Mission Indradhanush, launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, on December 25, 2014, aims to increase full immunization coverage for children under two years and pregnant women. It targets vaccine-preventable diseases like diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles, and hepatitis B. The program uses micro-planning to identify low-coverage areas and conducts special immunization drives. Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) was introduced in 2017 to accelerate coverage. The initiative has significantly improved immunization rates, contributing to reduced child mortality and better public health outcomes in India.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Its purpose is to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women entrepreneurs. A scheme by the Ministry of Finance launched on 5 April 2016 to support entrepreneurship among women and SC & ST communities by facilitating loans ranging from 10 lakh to 1 crore for at least one SC/ST borrower and one woman borrower per bank branch. For non-individual enterprises, a minimum 51% shareholding and controlling stake must be held by an SC/ST or woman entrepreneur.

Statement 2 is correct: It provides for refinancing through SIDBI. The Stand-Up India scheme leverages the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) as a key mechanism for refinancing loans provided under the scheme. SIDBI plays a crucial role in providing refinance support to lending institutions, such as banks, that offer loans to eligible SC/ST and women entrepreneurs. This refinancing arrangement helps to ensure that lending institutions have access to adequate funds to support entrepreneurs under the Stand-Up India scheme. SIDBI’s involvement is essential for the scheme’s financial sustainability and effective implementation.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) does not stipulate a uniform premium of two percent for all crops and seasons. The premium rates under the PMFBY are calculated based on the risk associated with each specific crop and region. Factors considered include the type of crop, the season in which it is grown, the historical yield data for the area, and the probability of various natural calamities. Therefore, farmers pay varying premium rates depending on these factors, and the two percent figure is not a universal premium. The premium subsidy is shared between the Central and State governments. As per provisions of PMFBY guidelines, the premium share of the farmer is capped at 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi Crops and 5% for commercial/Horticultural crops

Statement 2 is correct: The PMFBY provides comprehensive coverage against crop losses, including losses incurred during the post-harvest period. Specifically, it covers losses arising from specific perils such as cyclones, unseasonal rains, hailstorms, and other natural calamities. This coverage for post-harvest losses is a crucial component of the PMFBY, as it recognizes that farmers can suffer significant losses even after the crop has been harvested, due to factors beyond their control. This post-harvest coverage provides a vital safety net for farmers against such risks.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrect: The Kurdish people are a distinct ethnic group primarily inhabiting a region spanning parts of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria and not Bangladesh. They are the largest stateless nation in the world. While there are Kurdish diaspora communities in various countries, their historical and primary presence is not associated with Bangladesh. The Kurdish population has faced various challenges, including political persecution and struggles for autonomy, primarily within the aforementioned countries in the Middle East.

Pair 2 is correct: Madhesi: Nepal The Madhesi people are an ethnic group residing predominantly in the southern plains of Nepal, also known as the Terai region. They have distinct cultural and linguistic identities, and their presence is a significant demographic factor in Nepal. The Madhesi community has of-ten played a crucial role in Nepali politics and has advocated for greater representation and rights. Their concerns have included issues related to citizenship, language, and representation in government.

Pair 3 is correct: Rohingya: Myanmar The Rohingya are a Muslim minority group who primarily reside in Rakhine State in Myanmar. They have faced long-standing discrimination and persecution in Myanmar, leading to their classification as a stateless people. In recent years, large-scale violence and displacement have forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee Myanmar, primarily to neighboring Bangladesh, creating a significant humanitarian crisis. The Rohingya issue is a complex and ongoing human rights concern with international implications.

Explanation

The Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan launched in 2001 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It is a na-tional campaign to eradicate manual scavenging in India, a de-humanizing practice historically imposed on marginalized Dalit communities. Recognizing it as a human rights violation, the campaign mobilizes government agencies, NGOs, and civil society to raise awareness, enforce laws, and support affected individuals in transitioning to alternative livelihoods. Through advocacy and grassroots action, it aims for a complete elimination of manual scavenging, ensuring dignity and social justice.

Explanation

Special Drawing Right (SDR) The SDR is an international reserve asset used by the IMF and other organizations as a unit of account. It is not a currency, but its value is based on a basket of five currencies--the US dollar, Euro, Chinese renminbi (added in 2016), Japanese yen, and British pound sterling. Key Features SDR value is calculated daily based on market exchange rates. The IMF reviews and adjusts the SDR basket every five years. IMF quotas (member contributions) and voting power are denominated in SDRs. SDR allocations to members are proportional to their IMF quotas. India’s SDR Quota in IMF 2016 reforms increased India’s voting share from 2.3% to 2.6%, while China’s rose from 3.8% to 6%. Currently, India holds 2.75% of the SDR quota and 2.63% of IMF votes. India’s foreign exchange reserves include SDRs, gold reserves, foreign currency assets, and IMF’s Reserve Tranche.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group, focusing specifically on private sector development in developing countries. It acts as a sister organization to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), but with a distinct mandate to promote private enterprise.

Statement 2 is correct: "Masala bonds" are rupee-denomi-nated bonds issued by international entities, such as the IFC, in offshore markets. The proceeds from these bonds are typically used to finance projects in India, and the principal and interest payments are made in Indian rupees. This means that investors bear the currency risk, as the value of the rupee can fluctuate relative to other currencies. Masala bonds serve as a source of debt financing for both public and private sector entities in India, allowing them to raise capital for infrastructure projects, business expansion, and other development initiatives. The rupee denomination of these bonds makes them attractive to international investors seeking exposure to the Indian market while also supporting the development of India’s capital markets.

Explanation

‘The Man Who Knew Infinity’ (2015) is a biographical film on Srinivasa Ramanujan, an Indian mathematical genius known for his extraordinary contributions to number theory, infinite series, and mathematical analysis. Ramanujan, largely self-taught, made groundbreaking contributions and collaborated with British mathematician G. H. Hardy at Cambridge University. His work laid the foundation for modern research in mathematical physics, cryptography, and computer science. His famous "Ramanujan Prime" and "Ramanujan Theta Function" remain fundamental in mathematical studies today.

Explanation

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Star Labeling Program is a government initiative that promotes energy efficiency by rating appliances based on their power consumption. Ceiling fans, electric geysers, and tubular fluorescent lamps all come under the BEE Star Labeling scheme as they are com-mon energy-consuming appliances. The labeling program helps consumers make informed choices by indicating the energy efficiency of electrical appliances. The program has been extended to refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, and many other household electrical products.