UPSC QUIZ 27.10.2023

Explanation:

• International Migration Outlook 2023, a report on international migration patterns was released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to analyze the migration trends worldwide.
• In 2021 and 2022, India became the primary source of migration to OECD countries, surpassing China.
• India consistently topped the list with 0.41 million new migrants in both years, while China had 0.23 million new migrants, followed by Romania with approximately 200,000 new migrants.

Explanation:

• United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently disclosed data on food imports over the past four years.
• Among the nations engaged in food exports to the US, India, Mexico, and China have experienced the highest incidence of refusals.
• The data highlights the hurdles faced by Indian food exporters in the American market. High refusal rates continue to be a pressing issue.

International Measure Backing the Food Import Refusal By the United States

• The World Trade Organization (WTO)'s Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement ensures that traded products between WTO members do not spread pests and diseases, and that food products do not contain harmful substances or pathogens.
• The "SPS Agreement" entered into force with the establishment of the WTO on 1 January 1995.
• WTO has 164 member nations (including India and the United States).
• Members have the right to implement sanitary and phytosanitary measures for the protection of human, animal, or plant life and health, provided such measures align with this Agreement.
• Measures should be based on scientific principles and supported by scientific evidence, except as provided in Article 5(7) of the Agreement.
• Measures should also not discriminate unfairly between Members and should not serve as a disguised restriction on international trade.
• Members must accept equivalent sanitary and phytosanitary measures from other Members, even if they differ.
• The exporting Member must prove that its measures meet the importing Member's required level of protection.
• Access for inspection and testing should be provided upon request.

Explanation:

• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has recently approved a groundbreaking charging connector standard for Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs), including scooters, bikes, and rickshaws.

India's New EV Charging Standard

• Named ISI7017 (Part 2/Sec 7): 2023, this standard is a result of collaboration among NITI Aayog, the Department of Science and Technology, Ather Energy (a private firm), and other stakeholders.

Unique Features of India's New EV Charging Standard

• Remarkable feature of India's new EV charging standard is its ability to combine alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) charging for LEVs.
• This approach, akin to globally established standards for electric cars, enhances interoperability and compatibility among various EV models and charging infrastructure providers.

Explanation:

• India-Japan chip supply chain partnership has been approved by the Union Cabinet.
• A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan for developing a semiconductor supply chain partnership has been approved by the Union Cabinet.
• This partnership will focus on research and development (R&D), manufacturing, design, and talent development for the industry.
• This Memorandum of Cooperation was signed in July 2023, and the main aim is to enhance cooperation between India and Japan in the semiconductor supply chain.
• India has implemented a $10 billion plan to boost local chip manufacturing. India in association with the United States is working on chip supply chains.
• US chip company Microchip Technology has announced an investment of $300 million in India.
• In the next five years, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) will invest $400 million in India and set up its biggest design facility in Bengaluru.

Explanation:

• Anubhav Awards 2023 ceremony was organized by the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare in New Delhi to felicitate the award winners for their write-ups for the year 2023.
• In March 2015, the Anubhav portal was launched by the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW).
• This portal provides an online mechanism for retiring/retired employees to submit and showcase their commendable work.
• This includes sharing their experiences of working in a government department and giving suggestions for improving governance.
• 96 Ministries/Departments/Organizations have registered on the Anubhav Portal of this Department and more than 10,000 write-ups have been published so far.
• This year, an Anubhav Outreach Program was launched with the aim of presenting and highlighting the commendable works of soon-to-be-retired/retired employees.
• The campaign has resulted in the publication of 1901 experience articles, the highest number since its launch in 2015.
• The maximum number of articles published is from CISF.
• After a reflective process, it has been decided to award 4 Experience Awards and 9 Jury Certificates. The awardees were from 8 different Ministries/Departments/Organizations.
• In addition, 9 Jury Certificates were also awarded for the first time to encourage wider participation in the process.
• Anubhav Award winners awarded a medal, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs 10,000/-.
• Jury Certificate winners awarded a medal and a certificate.