UPSC 2016 International Relations and Current Affairs Questions with Answers

Explanation

Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières - MSF) MSF is a non-governmental, independent organization providing emergency medical aid in conflict zones, epidemics, natural disasters, and areas with limited healthcare access. Its teams include doctors, nurses, surgeons, logisticians, and administrators, working in high-risk environments to deliver critical healthcare services, including surgery, infectious disease treatment, maternal care, and mental health support. MSF relies primarily on private donations, ensuring neutrality and operational autonomy. It maintains strict financial transparency, publishing detailed reports on its funding and expenditures. Beyond medical aid, MSF raises awareness about humanitarian crises, neglected diseases, and human rights abuses. It advocates for improved healthcare access and humanitarian policies, using on-the-ground experience to influence public and policymaker decisions.

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.

Explanation

BEPS refers to tax strategies used by multinational enterprises (MNEs) to shift profits from high-tax to low-tax jurisdictions, exploiting gaps in international tax laws. This results in significant revenue losses for governments and an unfair competitive advantage for tax-avoiding corporations. Mechanisms: MNEs achieve BEPS through manipulating transfer pricing, shifting intangible assets, and using tax havens. For instance, a company may attribute profits to subsidiaries in tax havens despite economic activity occurring elsewhere. Impact: BEPS leads to government revenue loss, weakened public services, business inequality, and reduced trust in tax systems. International Efforts: The OECD and G20 launched the BEPS Project, introducing measures to close tax loopholes, prevent treaty abuse, and enhance transparency. BEPS Action Plan: The OECD/G20 15-Point Action Plan addresses key issues like transfer pricing, tax treaty abuse, and digital economy taxation. Many nations are integrating these recommendations to ensure fair taxation of multinational corporations.

Explanation

Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10) is an experimental electric aircraft developed and tested by NASA. It’s notable for its unique design and capabilities. Its most distinctive feature is its unique design, which incorporates ten electric motors distributed along its wings and tail. This distributed propulsion system enables the GL-10 to perform both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and efficient horizontal flight. The aircraft’s ability to transition between these two modes of flight makes it highly versatile and potentially suitable for a variety of applications. The GL-10’s unique combination of VTOL capabilities and efficient horizontal flight makes it potentially useful for a variety of applications. These could include cargo delivery, aerial surveillance, search and rescue operations, and even personal air transportation. The aircraft’s ability to operate without runways also opens up possibilities for its use in remote areas or disaster relief efforts. While the GL-10 is still an experimental aircraft, it represents an important step in the development of electric VTOL technology with potential for future applications in aviation.

Explanation

INS Astradharini, commissioned on October 6, 2015, is an indigenously designed torpedo launch and recovery vessel of the Indian Navy. It supports underwater weapon research by conducting technical trials for torpedoes and underwater systems. Features a catamaran hull for stability and maneuverability in rough seas. 50m long, speeds up to 15 knots, with advanced navigation and communication systems. Replaced INS Astravahini, serving under the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. Operated by 2 officers, 27 sailors, and can accommodate 13 DRDO scientists for trials. Its role is critical in testing, evaluating, and refining India’s naval weaponry.