Highlights |UPSC Exam Current Affairs 25-01-2020
UPSC exam current affairs 25-01-2020 The following article contains all the updated events and news for IAS Preparation. Our daily IAS Current Affairs and News cover the most important topics to give precise information to the reader and IAS Aspirants.
- Establishment of Chairs named after eminent Women in Universities
- Archaea
- VYOMMITRA
- Economy
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UPSC Exam Current Affairs 25-01-2020 are followed in the part below:
UPSC Exam Current Affairs and News Analysis (25-01-2020)
Establishment of Chairs named after eminent Women in Universities
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I- Society, GS-II- Education
In News
- Association Ministry of Women and Child Development set up ten Chairs in various fields with a mean to do explore exercises to support ladies.
- The activity was propelled with the help of the University Grants Commission on the event of National Girl Child Day (January 24).
- Objective: To feature and praise ladies achievers of the nation to propel little youngsters and ladies towards higher examinations.
- The seats proposed by UGC and endorsed by the Ministry are:
- Administration: Devi Ahilyabai Holkar
- Literature: Mahadevi Varma
- Freedom Fighter (North East): Rani Gaidinliu
- Medicine & Health: Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi
- Performing Art: Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi
- Forest/Wildlife Conservation: Amrita Devi (Beniwal)
- Mathematics: Lilavati
- Science: Kamala Sohonie
- Poetry & Mysticism: Lal Ded
- Educational Reforms: Hansa Mehta
Archaea
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Science
In News
- New archaeon was found by Indian researchers in Sambhar Salt Lake of Rajasthan
- Archaea are a crude gathering of microorganisms that flourish in outrageous natural surroundings, for example, underground aquifers, cold deserts and hypersaline lakes.
- These moderate developing creatures are additionally present in the human gut and have a potential association with human wellbeing.
- They are known for delivering antimicrobial particles, and for against oxidant movement with applications in eco-accommodating waste-water treatment.
- Archaea are very hard to culture because of difficulties in giving normal conditions in a research centre setting.
- New archaea are named Natrialba swarupiae, after Dr Renu Swarup, secretary, Department of Biotechnology, for her drive in supporting microbial assorted variety considers in the nation
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT)
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II- Quasi-Judicial Bodies
In News
- It is a semi-legal foundation set up in 1941 under area 5A of the Income Tax Act, 1922.
- At first, it had three Benches at Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. In any case, by and by ITAT has 63 Benches at 27 distinct stations.
- It manages bids under the Direct Taxes Acts, in particular, the Income-charge Act, 1961.
- The requests passed by the ITAT are conclusive, an intrigue misleads the High Court just if a considerable inquiry of law emerges for assurance.
VYOMMITRA
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Space Science & Technology
In News
- It is a half-humanoid planned and created by ISRO Inertial Systems Unit in Thiruvananthapuram
- The humanoid will mimic the human capacities required for space before genuine space travellers take off before August 2022 (Gaganyaan Mission)
- Two preliminary flights without a team will happen with a humanoid — the first around December 2020 and the second around July 2021.
India Climate Collaborative (ICC)
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Environmental Conservation; GS-II- Role of Civil Society
In News
- It is an association of generosity arms of top corporates including the Tatas, Mahindras, Godrejs and Premji’s to limit the environmental change sway.
- It will be attempting to reinforce the atmosphere network locally, fabricate an atmosphere story and drive arrangements that will guarantee both the regular world and individuals flourish.
NATIONAL VOTERS’ DAY (NVD)
Part of: GS Prelims
In News
- Celebrated on January 25th since 2011 to stamp the Foundation day of Election Commission of India, which was set up on 25th January 1950.
- Objective: To energize, encourage and amplify the enrolment, particularly for the new voters; To spread mindfulness among voters for advancing educated cooperation in the decisions.
- The subject for NVD-2020 is ‘Appointive Literacy for Stronger Democracy
(MAINS FOCUS)
Economy
Topic: General Studies 3:
- Indian Economy and issues identifying with arranging, assembly, of assets, development, advancement and work.
- Foundation: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, Telecommunications and so forth.
Adjusted gross revenue (AGR) Crisis
Context
In Oct 2019, the Supreme Court had guided telecom specialist co-ops to take care of the pending obligations – totalling to over Rs 1.47 lakh crore – to the legislature by 23rd January 2020
The choice affects more than 15 telecom firms, both present and dead, yet those with the most elevated liabilities are Vodafone-Idea Ltd (Rs 53,038 crore), Airtel (Rs 35,586 crore) and Tata Teleservices (Rs 13,823 crore)
Brief History of the issue:
1994 – Telecom area was changed under the National Telecom Policy under which licenses were given to organizations as an end-result of a fixed permit expense.
1999 – The administration gave a choice to the licensees to move to the income sharing expense model, in order to give alleviation from high permit charges.
- Under this, telcos were required to share a level of their balanced gross income (AGR) with the legislature as yearly permit expense (LF) and range use charges (SUC).
- The LF and SUC were set at 8 percent and between 3-5 percent of AGR individually, in light of the understanding.
| Department of Telecom’s(DOT) Stand | Telecos Stand |
| AGR includes all revenues (before discounts) from both telecom and non-telecom services | AGR should comprise just the revenue accrued from core services and not dividend, interest income or profit on the sale of any investment or fixed assets. |
2005– Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) challenged the government’s definition for AGR calculation.
2015 – TDSAT (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal) ruled in favour of Telecos
Oct 2019 – Supreme Court set aside TDSAT’s order and upheld DOT’s definition of AGR
Jan 2020 – Supreme Court has accepted the petition of Telecos request to extend the deadline fixed at 23rd Jan 2020 to pay up the dues (but not on the definition of AGR)
Why the definition of AGR is important?
Because it has revenue implications for both government & Telecos.
- For government – it implies an expansion in its income assortment which assists with keeping up the financial deficiency and attempt welfare measures
- For Telecom Operators–Added monetary weight, particularly at a time where their benefits are over-utilized and benefits, are feeling the squeeze from the extreme challenge (after Jio’s entrance)
The implication of the Supreme Court’s 2019 Order
- On Telecom organizations: Increased risk implies misfortunes in their activity for the time being. It likewise disintegrates the telcos’ total assets affecting retail financial specialists
- On Telecom Sector: It might prompt Vodafone Idea’s exit because of its frail budgetary position and its failure to take care of its obligations. This prompts the making of an Airtel-Jio duopoly which may not forecast well for the seriousness in the segment and hence the administration’s vision of Digital India.
- On Banking Sector: AGR issue has activated frenzy in the financial business, given that the telecom area is profoundly utilized. Vodafone Idea alone has an obligation of Rs 2.2 lakh crore. common store industry having a presentation to the telecom part will likewise observe the disintegration of significant worth.
- On Consumers: Competition in the division will consistently prompt better costs and better innovation. Probability of production of duopoly will affect the challenge in a negative way.
Way ahead
- The administration ought to understand the results of the disappointment/shortcoming of the division on the more extensive economy and on its long haul vision of Digital India.
- In this way, rather than being rigid on AGR for momentary income gain, it ought to suit the interests of the telecom administrators (like an augmentation of the cutoff time, previous enthusiasm on duty) with the goal that long haul vision isn’t undermined
Connecting the Dots
- Twin Balance sheet problem
- Which other sectors have duopoly or oligopoly structures?
(TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE)
Model questions: (You can now post your answers in the comment section)
Q.1) Consider the following statements
- Ministry of Human Resources Development establishes 10 Chairs named after eminent Women in Universities with an aim to carry out research activities to encourage women.
- National Girl Child Day is celebrated on January 24th
Which of the above statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Q.2) Consider the following statements about Archaea
- They are known for producing antimicrobial molecules, and for anti-oxidant activity with applications in eco-friendly waste-water treatment
- They are also present in the human gut and have a potential relationship with human health.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Q.3) Consider the following statements about Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT)
- It is a quasi-judicial institution set up in 1941 under section 5A of the Income Tax Act, 1922.
- The orders of ITAT are final and cannot be appealed only in Supreme Court of India
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Q.4) Consider the following statements about Vyommitra
- It is a half humanoid designed and developed by ISRO in collaboration with NASA
- It will stimulate the human functions required for space before real astronauts take off in India’s Gaganyaan mission.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Q.5) Consider the following statements about India Climate Collaborative(ICC)
- It is a partnership between Confederation of Indian Industry, Union Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change and NITI Aayog
- It will be working to strengthen the climate community locally, build a climate narrative and drive solutions that will ensure both the natural world and people thrive
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
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