UPSC IAS Prelims 2021: Monthly Current Affairs Questions for Preparation | March’21

Explanation: 

As per rule 252 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Rajya Sabha, Voice Vote is listed.  Know all about Voice Vote and how it is demeaning the constitution here

Explanation: 

NITI Aayog has recommended the creation of a nodal Ministry. The Ministry of Labour and Employment must be the nodal agency which must create a special unit to help converge the activities of other Ministries .Read| NITI Aayog in National Policy for Migrant Workers 

Explanation:

Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has virtually inaugurated Maitri Setu also called as India Bangladesh Friendship Bridge to give a boost to the relationship between the two countries. 

About Maitri Setu:

1. The bridge is 1.9 kilometres long
2. It is built over Feni river and connects Sabroom in south Tripura to Ramgarh in Bangladesh.
3. It was constructed at a cost of INR 133 crore by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)
4. Maitri Setu was inaugurated in June 2017 and the project is fully funded by the central government
5. Maitri Setu is the fastest land route to connect the landlocked Northeast region through Sabroom to Chittagong port
6. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a video message, said, "the inauguration of the 1.9-km- long ‘Maitri Setu’ would herald a new chapter in relations between the two neighbours." Read more

Explanation:

Medical Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill 2020 was passed in Lok Sabha recently. The Bill seeks to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. The Act increases the time period within which an abortion may be carried out. 

1. As per the Act, the pregnancy can be terminated within up to 20 weeks by a married woman in the case of failure of contraceptive method or device. 
2. This same Bill also allows unmarried women to terminate her pregnancy for the above mentioned reason.
3. The opinion of a registered medical practitioner is required for termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation. Earlier it was for two or more. 
4. However, the opinion of two registered medical practitioners would be required for the termination of pregnancy of 20-24 weeks of gestation.
5. Moreover for the pregnancy cases of over 24 months, the state level medical board's opinion is required for its termination. 

Read details

Explanation:

1. It was launched initially in 2018 by Late Mr. Arun Jaitley
2. It is a price fixation scheme that aims to ensure farmers get the right price for the crops they produce. 
3. The scheme focuses on organized marketing of tomatoes, onions and potatoes by establishing connections between farmers and consumers. 
4. This scheme aims to promote Farmer Producers Organizations, Agri-logistics, processing facilities and professional management of Agri produce. 
5. Those that can avail financial assistance under the scheme are State Agriculture and other Marketing Federations, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO), cooperatives, companies, Self-help groups, food processors, etc.

The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, while announcing the Union Budget said that Operation Green would be expanded beyond TOP (Tomatoes, Onions, Potatoes), to almost 22 perishable commodities. The commodities are still unknown. Read more

Explanation:

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare inaugurated the second edition of Global Bio India 2021 in New Delhi through virtual mode.  It demonstrates the strength and opportunities of India's biotechnology sector at national and international level.  The National Biotech Strategy was also inaugurated and the Virtual Exhibition of Global Bio India on the occasion. Take a look at the tweet below:

1. It is an international congregation of biotechnology. The stakeholders include international bodies, regulatory bodies, Central and State Ministries, SME's, research institutes, startups etc. 
2. The congregation would help India be recognized as an emerging Innovation Hub globally. 
3. The organizers for Bio India 2021 were 

1. Department of Biotechnology, 
2. Ministry of Science & Technology
3. Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) 
4. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) 
5. Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE)
6. Invest India

Read more

Explanation:

India has planned to launch an earth observation satellite that would provide it near real-time images of its borders and will also be helpful in monitoring natural disasters. It was planned to be launched on March 28, 2021. 

1. GISAT-1 is planned to be sent into space by GSLV-F10 rocket from Sriharikota spaceport located in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore district
2. It is a series of satellites with the first satellites named GISAT 1 and next being GISAT 2. These are earth observatory satellites (EOS-03)
3. The satellite weighs as much as 2268 kilograms 
4. It is the first state of the art agile Earth observation satellite
5. It would be placed in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit by GSLV-F10
6. It would then be positioned in the geostationary orbit which is almost 36000 kilometres above the Earth's surface over the equator.
7. An onboard propulsion system would be used to do so Read more

Explanation:

The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) is a multi-stakeholder initiative. It aims to use the technology to bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI through research and applied activities on AI-related priorities.

GPAI is the implementation of the idea developed within the G7, under the Canadian and French presidencies.It was launched in June, 2020. Read more

Explanation:

1. China has flagged its interest to take part in building “Polar Silk Road”, raising prospects for the emergence of a new sea route
2. It was quoted in the draft outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025)
3. China has revealed that it would be good for national economic and social development and the long-range objectives to the year 2035
4. The route would be starting from Dalian and would cover the whole Pacific Ocean to Arctic Ocean to meet Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
5. Three oceans namely, Pacific, Arctic and the Atlantic Ocean would be covered

Read more

Explanation:

New Alpine Plant Species has been discovered in India. It is called Cremanthodium indicum and it has been observed in Arunachal Pradesh. It is a species of Himalayan Sunflower. The plant species generally flowers from July to August. Read more

Explanation: 

Space Hurricane was a 620-mile-wide swirling mass of plasma rolling for almost 8 hours in the Earth's upper atmosphere. Read| All about the Space Hurricane spotted over North Pole

Explanation: 

United States India Artificial Intelligence, USIAI initiative has been launched to enhance the technological relationships between the two countries. It is an initiative of Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) and it was established in March 2000. Read| All about US India Artificial Intelligence Initiative (USIAI)

Explanation: 

The CJI is appointed by the President as well once the consultation with the judges of SC and HC is done as the President deems necessary. It was decided in the three judges case that a consultation of the plurality of judges is required for appointment of the CJI in India. READ| How is the Chief Justice of India appointed? Know all about Collegium System here

Explanation:

 OECD is a permanent observer to GPAI’s governing bodies. It also contributes experts to participate in GPAI’s working groups frequently.