UPSC EXAM QUIZ 13.12.2024

Explanation:

• World Drought Atlas was released by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the European Commission Joint Research Centre (EC-JRC).
• It was released at the UNCCD’s COP16 in Riyadh to promote global action on the Earth and drought resilience with a people-centred approach.
• According to the World Drought Atlas, about 75% of the global population will be affected by drought by the year 2050.

UN Convention to Combat Desertification

• Established in 1994, it is the only legally binding international treaty that connects environmental and developmental goals to sustainable land management.
• It focuses on arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions, known as drylands, which contain some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and communities.
• The Convention’s 197 member countries work together to improve living conditions in drylands, restore land and soil productivity, and mitigate drought impacts.

Explanation:

• China-led Investment Facilitation Development (IFD) Agreement has received the support of 128 countries in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), but India, South Africa, Namibia and Turkey will oppose it due to its potential impact on the policy independence of weaker countries.

Key points of the Investment Facilitation Development (IFD) Agreement

• China-led IFD Agreement: Proposed by China in 2017, the agreement has received the support of 128 WTO member countries.
• Opposition from India and other countries: India, South Africa, Namibia and Turkey are opposing it, as it may threaten the policy independence of weaker countries.
• Pressure from China: China has received the support of 128 of the 166 WTO members, including Pakistan.
• Communication: The aim of IFD is to improve the global investment climate and facilitate FDI to developing countries.

Explanation:

• According to the ‘India Skills Report 2025’, the employability of graduates in India is expected to grow by 7 percent to reach 54.81 percent by 2025. According to the India Skills Report 2025, Kerala has been among the most employable states in India.

India Skills Report 2025

Organizations preparing the report

• Confederation of Indian Industries (CII)
• Wheebox (a talent assessment agency)
• All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)

Basis

• Data of over 5 lakh candidates in Global Employability Test (G.E.T.) conducted across India
• Insights from over 1,000 companies
• Main objective: To evaluate the employability potential of youth in India and their employability internationally.

Explanation:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Life Insurance Corporation of India's (LIC) 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' in line with his commitment to women empowerment and financial inclusion.
• LIC's Bima Sakhi is a stipend-based program exclusively for women, which provides special training and financial support for a period of three years.
• Eligibility: Life Insurance Corporation of India's (LIC) 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' initiative is designed to empower women in the age group of 18-70 years who have passed 10th standard.
• Each Bima Sakhi will get a monthly stipend of Rs. 7,000 in the first year, Rs. 6,000 in the second year and Rs. 5,000 in the third year.
• In addition, women agents can also earn commission on the basis of their insurance policies.
• After training, they can work as LIC agents and graduate Bima Sakhis will get an opportunity to qualify for the role of Development Officer in LIC.

Explanation:

• The 6th edition of Capacity Building Programme for Sri Lankan Civil Servants commenced at National Centre for Good Governance, Mussoorie.
• 40 Sri Lankan civil servants participated in the programme which focused on governance, policy framework, AI in governance and India’s successful models in public administration.
• NCGG: It was established in 2014 by the Government of India as an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
• It evolved from the National Institute of Administrative Research (NIAR), which was established in 1995 by the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).
• NIAR was later integrated and renamed as NCGG, which focuses on training civil servants from India and over 20 countries. It covers diverse topics such as governance reforms, Digital India, SVAMITVA, SDGs and Ayushman Bharat.