Current Affairs Quiz 20 December 2023

Answer: B

Correct Answer : C

Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System
Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) is a voting system designed to enable remote voting for individuals who are unable to physically vote at a polling station. The system combines electronic transmission and postal services to facilitate the electronic delivery and return of ballots. Here are some key features of the ETPBS:
• Service Voters: The ETPBS is primarily used for service voters, who are members of the armed forces, central armed police forces, and state police forces, as well as government employees posted outside their constituencies.
• Electronic Transmission: Registered service voters receive their postal ballots electronically through the ETPBS. They can download the electronic ballot along with a declaration form and covers.
• Ballot Registration: Once the service voter has received the ETPB, they can register their vote on the ballot as per their preference.
• Return of Ballot: After registering their vote, the service voter is required to send the completed ballot, along with the attested declaration form, to the returning officer of their constituency via ordinary mail.
• Attested Declaration Form: The declaration form included in the postal ballot needs to be signed by the voter in the presence of an appointed senior officer who will then attest it.
• Legal Amendment: The Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 was amended in 2016 to allow service voters to use the ETPBS for casting their votes.

Ans: (a)

Correct Answer : C

Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS):
IFWCS aims to provide certification for sustainable forest management, including trees outside forests and a chain of custody for traceability of forest products in the supply chain.

Components of IFWCS:
• Certification for Sustainable Forest Management:
○ Focuses on ensuring sustainable practices in forest management.
• Sustainable Management of Trees Outside Forests:
○ Extends certification to cover sustainable management of trees in plantations.
• Chain of Custody:
○ Guarantees traceability of forest products throughout the supply chain, from origin to market.

Potential Users of Certification:
• Forest management units, corporations, or wood-based industries.
• Tree growers, timber or NTFP (Non-Timber Forest Produce) traders.
• Saw millers, exporters, or importers of wood-based and NTFP-based products.
• Other end-user industries.

Forest Management in India:
• Forests in India are managed based on their working plans.
• The Indian Forest Management Standards, comprising 8 criteria, 69 indicators, and 254 verifiers, guide forest management.
• Mandatory implementation of these standards for all forest divisions in the country.
• While certification is not compulsory for forest divisions, adherence to standards makes them eligible.
• Certification remains optional, dependent on specific needs and requirements.

Correct Answer : C

SATHEE (Self Assessment Test and Help for Entrance Exams) Portal: Empowering Students for Success
• Launched by the Ministry of Education, SATHEE is a pioneering initiative designed to offer a free learning and assessment platform for students preparing for competitive examinations.

Objectives:
• Provide free training and coaching for competitive exams, addressing the financial constraints faced by many students.
• Bridge the gap for those unable to afford costly entrance exam guidance.
• Facilitate preparation for a range of exams, including JEE, NEET, CAT, GATE, UPSC, etc.
• Offer materials and support in multiple languages to ensure accessibility across diverse regions of India.

Key Features:
• Multilingual Support:
○ Offers preparation materials in English, Hindi, and regional languages to cater to a broader student base.
• Expert Faculty Videos:
○ Features videos created by faculty members from prestigious institutions such as IITs and IISC.
○ Aids students in learning concepts, revising weak topics, and preparing for competitive exams.
• Utilization of Prutor AI:
○ Integrates an indigenously developed AI program called Prutor, originating from IIT-Kanpur.
• Comprehensive Exam Coverage:
○ Covers preparation materials for a variety of exams, including JEE and NEET, as well as broader exams like CAT, GATE, and UPSC.
• Webinars and Motivational Content:
○ Offers webinars on exam preparation ideas, featuring success stories, motivational sessions, and collaborative problem-solving sessions (Solve with me).

Empowering Student Success:
• SATHEE serves as a holistic platform, combining educational resources, expert guidance, and motivational content to empower students on their journey towards academic success.