Data Protection Bill 

 Syllabus: GS Paper-2-Governance-Important Policies

Why in News?

The Data Protection Bill poses severe restrictions to the RTI act. 

 Data Protection Bill: 

 · It has been in the works since the Justice B.N. Srikrishna had prepared the bill. 

 · It was taken from the EU law-The General Data Protection Legislation. 

 · It is known for being the India’s first attempt to legislate on the issue of Data Protection.

 Aim:

· Its main aim is to regulate online space. 

 · It includes a separate legislation on Data Privacy. 

 · It provides cyber security and telecom regulation.

 · It harnesses non-personal data for boosting innovation in the country. 

 Key Features:

· It mentions about Data Principal and Data Fiduciary. 

 · Data Principal refers to the individual whose data is being collected.

 · Data Fiduciary is the entity which decides about the purpose of the processing an individual’s personal data. 

 · It mentions about Significant Data Fiduciary who deals with a high volume of personal data.

 · The central government has the power to define who is designated under this category.

 Rights of the individuals: 

· Individuals can access the basic information.

 · They have the right to consent before their data is processed.

 · They can even withdraw the consent from a Data Fiduciary. 

 · Data Principals have the right to erase the data. 

 · They can even nominate an individual who will exercise these rights in the event of death.

 Drawbacks:

· Harm to Privacy 

 · Inadequate laws

RTI Act: 

 · It was enacted in the year 2005. 

 · It mandates timely response to the citizen requests for government information.

 · It is an initiative taken by the Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, public grievances and pensions. 

 · It had replaced the previous Freedom of Information Act, 2002. 

 · Under this act, any citizen can request information from a public authority. 

 · The information should be provided within thirty days. 

 · In case of the matter which involves the petitioner life and liberty, the information should be provided within 48 hours. 

 · This act protects the fundamental rights of Freedom of Expression and Speech under Article 19 and Right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the constitution.

National Highways Authority of India

Syllabus: GS-Paper-2-Polity 

 Why in News? 

NHAI will introduce a cost-effective landslip detection system on the Gap Road stretch of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway in Munnar. 

 National Highways Authority of India:

 · It was established in the year 1988. 

 · It was formed under the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988. 

 · It is an autonomous agency which is responsible for the management and development of the national highways network in the country. 

 · It works under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. 

 Structure:

 · Chairman

 · Six full-time members

 · Four part-time members 

 Initiatives of NHAI:

 · Bharatmala Pariyojana-Launched in the year 2017.

 · It was launched to develop 34,800 km of roads. · Its main aim is to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, promote tourism etc.

 · Electronic Toll Collection-It enables automatic deduction of toll charges.

 · The deduction can be done by using radio-frequency identification tags or FAST tags. 

 · Hybrid Annuity Model-Introduced in the year 2016.

· It was launched to attract private investments in the highway projects. 

 · Under this scheme, 40% of the project cost will be paid during construction in 5 equal instalments by the NHAI.

 · The remaining 60% will be paid as an annuity over 15 years along with maintenance cost.

Wholesale Price Index 

 Syllabus: GS Paper-3-Economy

 Why in News? 

The WPI for June 2023 stands at -4.12%.

Wholesale Price Index:

 · WPI is an index that measures the average change in the prices of goods at the wholesale level in the economy.

 · It serves as an important indicator of inflation in the economy.

 · Composition: The WPI captures the price movement of a basket of representative goods including primary articles, fuel and power and manufactured products. 

 · It covers a wide range of commodities that are traded in bulk by wholesalers.

 · Base Year: The WPI is calculated with particular year as the base year. 

 · The base year for WPI is 2011-2012.

 · Calculation: The WPI is calculated using a weighted average formula, where the prices of different commodities are given weights based on their importance.

 · It is measured by the economic advisor of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 

 · It provides information on price movements in different economy such as agriculture, industry and manufacturing. 

 Consumer Price Index: 

 · It is an index that measures the average change in the prices of a basket of goods and services consumed by households over time.

 · It is used as a measure of inflation from the perspective of consumers.

 · Composition: The CPI includes a representative basket of goods and services consumed by households such as food, housing, clothing, education etc. 

 · CPI is measured by the Central Statistic Office of the Ministry of Statistic and Program Implementation.

· The base year for CPI is also 2011-12.

Namda Art 

 Syllabus: Prelims-Art & Culture

Why in News?

· Skill India project revives the dying Namda Art of Jammu & Kashmir. 

 · On the eve of World Youth Skill day Union Minister of state for skill development has sent the first batch of Namda Art Products for exports to the U.K. 

 Namda Art: 

· It is a type of traditional Kashmiri carpet.

 · It was made from sheep wool.

 · It consists of hand embroidered patterns in the coloured threads.

 · These carpets are made with many layers of sheep wool. 

 · Those layers were flattened by using a tool known as Pinjra.

· It is pressed with the application of water. 

 · Then they will be embroidered with the coloured threads.

 · It is generally believed that it was originated in the 11^th century when the Mughal emperor Akbar had ordered the making of suitable covering for his horse for protection from the cold. 

 Skill India Project: 

 · It was launched in the year 2015.

· It was introduced under the PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana.

 · The vision of Skill India project is to make India self-reliant.

 · It is aimed to develop industrial skills and also entrepreneurial skills. 

 · It wants to bridge the gap between the industry demands and skill requirements

Artificial Sweetener

Syllabus: GS Paper-3-Science & Technology 

 Why in News? 

According to the International Research for Research on Cancer (IACR), artificial sweetener aspartame has labelled possibly carcinogenic to humans. 

 Aspartame:

 · Aspartame is a low-calorie artificial sweetener. 

 · It is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar.

 · It is a white and odourless powder.

 · It is used in 5000 food products globally.

 · Scientists had found that it cause malignant tumours in rats and mice in the year 2007.

Artificial Sweeteners:

· They are substitutes for sugar.

 · They are chemically synthesized and provides a sweet taste without any high calorie content. 

 · They are mainly used in food and beverage products. 

 · Examples: Aspartame · Acesulfame · Sucralose · Neotame etc. 

 Benefits:

 · Weight management

 · Controls diabetes 

 · Prevents tooth decaying etc.

 Negative Impacts: 

 · Health effects

 · Digestive issues

Sagar Sampark

Syllabus: Prelims-Important Policies

Why in News? 

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and waterways inaugurated Sagar Sampark.

 Sagar Sampark:

· It is an indigenous Differential Global Navigation Satellite System (DGNS). 

 · It enhances the maritime navigation by correcting errors and inaccuracies in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). 

 · It provides precise positioning information.

 · It ensures safety and efficiency in the ports.

 · Ministry- Ministry of Ports, Shipping and waterways 

 Features:

· It assists mariners to navigate safely and reducing collisions.

 · It enhances the accuracy of GPS irrespective of atmospheric influences, satellite clock drift etc. 

 · It promotes its supports to the Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships to provide radio aids to the ships. 

 · It fulfils the international obligations which are set by the organizations such as International Maritime Organization, Safety of Life at Sea etc.

Nathula Pass 

 Syllabus: Prelims-Geography 

 Why in News? 

Landslides cut off large parts of Nathula. 

 About: 

 · Nathu means listening ears whereas la means pass. 

 · It is a high mountain pass between Tibet in China and Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal

· It is 52-54 kilometers east of the Gangtok which separates Sikkim and Chumbi valley

 Important Passes in India

: • Shipki La- Connects India and China 

• Zojila- Ladakh and Kashmir Valley

• Jalep La-Sikkim and Tibet in China

• Bara Lacha La-Ladakh and Tibet 

• Mana Pass-Connects Tibet with Uttarakhand

Landslides:

· They are defined as the mass movement of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. 

 · The places of Himalayan Tract, North-east India, Western Ghats, Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu are landslide-prone areas in our country. 

 Causes: 

· Earthquakes · Heavy Rainfall · Mining · Infrastructure Development · Climate Change

Indian Council of Agricultural Research 

 Syllabus: Prelims-Important Organizations

Why in News? 

ICAR will celebrate its 95^th foundation and Technology Day from 16^th-18^th July.

 About:

 · It was established in the year 1929 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

· It is an autonomous organization.

 · It was established under the Department of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. 

 · Headquarters- New Delhi 

 Important Points:

 · It is the apex body for co-ordinating, guiding and managing research and education in Agriculture. 

 · There are 113 ICAR institutes and 71 agricultural universities spread across India. 

 · This is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world.

 · It has played an important role in the Green Revolution

It has enabled the country to increase the production through its research and technology

Questions

1.Consider the following statements regarding RTI: 

 Statement-I: Under this act, the requested information should be provided to the citizen within thirty days 

 Statement-II: In case of the matter which involves the petitioner life and liberty, the information should be provided within 24 hours 

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

2.Consider the following statements regarding National Highways Authority of India: 

 1. It was formed under the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988 

 2. Hybrid Annuity Model was launched to attract private investments in the highway projects 

 3. Under this scheme, 50% of the project cost will be paid during construction in 3 equal instalments by the NHAI. 

 How many of the above statements are correct? 

 a) Only One 

 b) Only two 

 c) Only three 

 d) None

3.Consider the following statements regarding CPI and WPI: 

 Statement-I: WPI is released by the Ministry of Statistic and Program Implementation

 Statement-II: The base year for CPI is 2011-12. 

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

4.Consider the following statements regarding Namda Art: 

 Statement-I: It is the traditional art of Arunachal Pradesh. 

 Statement-II: These carpets are made with many layers of sheep wool 

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

5.Consider the following statements regarding Artificial Sweeteners: 

 Statement-I: Aspartame is a low-calorie artificial sweetener 

 Statement-II: It is a white in colour and produce sweet odourless 

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

6.Consider the following statements regarding Sagar Sampark: 

 Statement-I: It is the maritime navigation system which corrects errors and inaccuracies in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

 Statement-II: It is implemented by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and waterways 

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

7.Consider the following statements regarding passes in India: 

 Statement-I: Nathula pass connects Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh. 

 Statement-II: Jalep La is a pass between Sikkim and Tibet

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

8.Consider the following statements regarding Indian Council For Agricultural Research:

 Statement-I: It was established under the Department of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. 

 Statement-II: Its headquarters is located in Hyderabad.

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.Comment the answers below