This is the current affairs of 3 August 2023. Here are 9 questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Which central government agency restricted the import of laptops, tablets, computers?
a. DGFT
b. DPIT
c. CBI
d. DGTR
Answer: a. DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade)
– The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is an agency of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India.
– It is responsible for implementing laws related to foreign trade.
– The DGFT has issued a notice stating that the central government has imposed an immediate ban on the import of laptops, tablets, and personal computers under HSN 8471, effective from August 3, 2023.
– This decision comes at a time when the government is emphasizing the Make in India initiative.
However, there will be an exemption for the import of restricted items based on valid licenses.
– The Ministry stated that this ban will not apply to imports under periodically revised baggage rules.
Not restricted for these:
– Twenty items per shipment will be exempted for the purpose of research and development, and personal use, among others. These imports will only be allowed on the condition that they are used for the specified purposes and not for resale.
What is the HSN code?
– The HSN code stands for “Harmonized System of Nomenclature.” This system was introduced for the systematic classification of goods worldwide. The HSN code is a six-digit universal code that categorizes over 5000 products and is accepted worldwide.
Last month, a report was released:
– In July 2023, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) of the Economic Think Tank issued a report.
– The report highlighted that during the financial year 2022-23, imports of electronic goods like laptops, personal computers, integrated circuits, and solar cells decreased from China.
– The decline in imports of electronic items was more pronounced in sectors where the PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) scheme was initiated.
– Additionally, the import of solar cells decreased by 70.9% during this period. The import of laptops and personal computers (PCs) decreased by 23.1%, and mobile phone imports decreased by 4.1%.
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2. According to the Central Government’s report ‘All India Tiger Estimation -2022’, what is the average number of tigers in the country?
a. 2682
b. 3682
c. 3882
d. 4682
Answer: b. 3682
– Report Name: All India Tiger Estimation – 2022
– Release Date: 29th July 2023 (International Tiger Day)
– Released by: Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change
Tiger population in India:
– Average population in the year 2022: 3,682
– Average population in the year 2018: 2,967
– Annual growth: 6 percent
– Tiger estimation is conducted in the country every four years.
Note: The maximum number of tigers in the country is 3,925. However, the average population will be stated as 3,682.
Why two different figures in the same year?
– Actually, in April 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the report ‘Status of Tigers 2022’ on the occasion of completing 50 years of ‘Project Tiger.’ At that time, the government stated that there are at least 3,167 tigers in India. This figure was based on camera-trapped areas.
– However, in July 2023, the report ‘All India Tiger Estimation – 2022’ was released, which included not only the figures from camera-trapped areas but also the figures from areas where tigers were spotted without camera traps. This increased the average tiger population to 3,682.
Tiger Project in India:
– In 1973, the Indian government initiated ‘Project Tiger’ with the aim of safeguarding the country’s tiger population and conserving biodiversity.
‘International Big Cat Alliance’ (IBCA)
– In April 2023, the Indian government launched the ‘International Big Cat Alliance’ (IBCA) to conserve seven large feline species.
– The alliance includes tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, and pumas.
– Membership in this coalition is open to 97 ‘Range’ countries, which include the natural habitats of these big cats, as well as other interested nations and international organizations.
– The alliance will have a General Assembly and a secretariat for the next five years.
Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change
– Minister: Bhupender Yadav
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3. According to the ‘All India Tiger Estimation -2022’, India is home to what percent of the world’s tiger population?
a. 40%
b. 55%
c. 60%
d. 75%
Answer: d. 75%
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4. According to the ‘All India Tiger Estimation -2022’, which state has the highest population of tigers?
a. Madhya Pradesh
b. Karnataka
c. Uttarakhand
d. Maharashtra
Answer: a. Madhya Pradesh
Top 5 states in tiger population:
– Madhya Pradesh: 785
– Karnataka: 563
– Uttarakhand: 560
– Maharashtra: 444
States where tiger population declined:
– Arunachal Pradesh lost almost 70% of its tigers, going from 29 in 2018 to only 9 in 2022.
– Odisha’s tiger population decreased from 28 to 20.
Jharkhand’s tiger population declined from 5 to 1.
– Chhattisgarh’s tiger population decreased from 19 to 17.
– Telangana’s tiger population decreased from 26 to 21.
– Mizoram had 6 tigers in 2006, but the population declined to zero in 2022.
– In North West Bengal, the tiger population decreased from 10 in 2006 to only 2 in 2022.
– As per the data, Nagaland no longer has any tigers.
35% of the 53 tiger reserves need immediate action:
– The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change stated that about 35% of the 53 tiger reserves in India require immediate security measures.
– These 53 tiger reserves are spread across a combined area of 75,797 square kilometers, covering approximately 2.3% of India’s total land area.
Number of tigers in major tiger reserves:
– Corbett (Uttarakhand): 260
– Bandipur (Karnataka): 150
– Nagarhole (Karnataka): 141
– Bandhavgarh (Madhya Pradesh): 135
– Dudhwa (Uttar Pradesh): 135
– Mudumalai (Kerala-Karnataka): 114
– Kanha (Madhya Pradesh): 105
– Kaziranga (Assam): 104
– Sundarbans (West Bengal): 100
– Tadoba (Maharashtra): 97
– Sathyamangalam (Tamil Nadu): 85
– Pench (Madhya Pradesh): 77
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5. When is International Tiger Day celebrated?
a. 1 August
b. 31 July
c. 30 July
d. 29 July
Answer: d. 29 July
– International Tiger Day was first celebrated in 2010.
– Its purpose is to raise awareness about stopping the decline in their population.
– This event is proclaimed by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
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6. Heavy rains in the capital of which neighboring country of India broke the record of 140 years?
a. China
b. Pakistan
c. Myanmar
d. Bhutan
Answer: a. China
– The Beijing Meteorological Bureau said, “Between 29th July and 2nd August, the city recorded 744.8 millimeters of rainfall during the morning hours.”
– The record rainfall occurred when northern China was hit by heavy rains due to the impact of Typhoon Dujuan.
– The Hebei province around Beijing also faced severe flooding, and the water levels rose dangerously high. The rain damaged roads, disrupted electricity supply, and even pipes carrying drinking water were shut down.
– Chinese authorities stated that at least 20 people were reported dead, and 27 others were missing in the Beijing region due to the torrential rain.
– The severity of the floods astonished the capital of China. Usually, Beijing experiences dry and hot summers, but this year, it faced record-breaking heat.
China:
– President: Xi Jinping
– Capital: Beijing
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7. Which court ordered the resumption of caste based survey in Bihar?
a. Supreme Court
b. Patna High Court
c. Allahabad High Court
d. None of these
Answer: b. Patna High Court
– In fact, on May 4th, the Patna High Court had halted the caste-based census through an interim order.
– However, in August 2023, the court gave an order to resume the caste-based survey in Bihar.
Bihar:
– Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar
– Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
– Capital: Patna
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8. Name the author of the book ‘How Prime Ministers Decide’?
a. Visakha Chowdhary
b. NR Patnaik
c. Rajni Singh
d. Neerja Chowdhary
Answer: d. Neerja Chowdhary
– He is a senior journalist.
– This book is about modern Indian politics.
– It explains how the Prime Minister governs the country.
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9. Allahabad High Court has ordered underground survey with modern technology in which disputed religious place from Varanasi?
a. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
b. Gyanvapi Mosque
c. Dussehra Ghat
d. None of these
Answer: b. Gyanvapi Mosque
– On August 3, 2023, the Allahabad High Court ordered a survey using modern techniques, including Ground Penetrating Radar, to determine whether there are any other religious sites beneath the disputed structure where the Ayodhya mosque stands.
– Chief Justice Preethinkar Diwakar’s bench stated that this survey is necessary for justice, but it should be conducted with certain conditions. The survey should be conducted without any excavation.
– The court said that it is in the interest of both parties that the survey takes place.
What is the dispute?
– In July 2023, the district judge of Varanasi had ordered a survey to be conducted based on an appeal from the Hindu party.
– In opposition to this, the Muslim party approached the Allahabad High Court.
– The Muslim party’s contention was that if excavation work takes place, it could cause damage to the structure of the mosque. They also argued that the order does not apply to the entire premises because the area in question is claimed by the Hindu party to contain a Shivling (a representation of Lord Shiva) and not a well, while the Muslim party claims it to be a well. This area has been sealed based on a Supreme Court order.
– The Muslim party also claimed that the whole matter is barred by the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act. Any excavation that can cause damage to the structure is not allowed under this Act.
What did the High Court say?
– In August 2023, when the High Court asked the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) officials about the survey, the ASI gave an affidavit stating that there will be no excavation in the survey.
– After that, the court expressed satisfaction and said that it is in the interest of both the Hindu and Muslim parties that the ASI survey should be conducted.
– Now, we will have to wait and see what happens next, as after one court’s decision, the other party may move to a higher court.
