{"id":3428,"date":"2025-01-28T09:31:35","date_gmt":"2025-01-28T09:31:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawentranceindia.com\/blogs\/?p=3428"},"modified":"2025-01-29T09:52:53","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T09:52:53","slug":"mlc-daily-current-affairs-28-january-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawentranceindia.com\/blogs\/mlc-daily-current-affairs-28-january-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"MLC Daily Current Affairs – 28 January 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today in History ( January 28th<\/sup>,1865)<\/h1>\n

28 January is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai, a veteran leader of the Indian Nationalist Movement. He was a revolutionary freedom fighter and one of the three ‘Lal Bal Pal’ triumvirate, the others being Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Revise<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Q.1) Who is the largest trading partner of India?<\/strong>
\na) China
\nb) European Union
\nc) United States
\nd) Japan
\nAnswer: c) <\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> The United States is India\u2019s largest trading partner, as mentioned in the context.
\nQ.2) What was the trade surplus India enjoyed with the US in FY24?<\/strong>
\na) US$ 50 billion
\nb) US$ 36.8 billion
\nc) US$ 118.2 billion
\nd) US$ 65.19 billion
\nAnswer: b) <\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> India had a trade surplus of US$ 36.8 billion with the US in FY24.
\nQ.3) Which sector is NOT a key Indian export to the US?<\/strong>
\na) Engineering goods
\nb) Pharmaceuticals
\nc) Light crude oil
\nd) Electronic gadgets
\nAnswer: d)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> While India exports engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, and light crude oil, “electronic gadgets” is not listed among the key Indian exports to the US.
\nQ.4) Which of the following industries could face challenges due to the potential trade tariffs imposed by the Trump administration?<\/strong>
\na) Agriculture
\nb) Textiles
\nc) Construction
\nd) Transport
\nAnswer: b)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> Indian industries such as textiles, along with pharmaceuticals, IT, and jewelry, could face challenges as their access to the US market shrinks.
\nQ.5)What is one potential negative effect on India\u2019s economy due to increased tariffs by the US?<\/strong>
\na) Increased foreign exchange reserves
\nb) Enhanced competitiveness in the US market
\nc) Reduced exports leading to a larger trade deficit
\nd) Decrease in agricultural subsidies
\nAnswer: c) <\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> Increased tariffs may reduce Indian exports to the US, worsening the trade deficit.
\nQ.6)Which of the following is a suggested strategy for India to counteract the potential impact of US tariffs?<\/strong>
\na) Relying exclusively on the US market for exports
\nb) Diversifying export markets to regions like Latin America and Africa
\nc) Reducing foreign direct investment inflows
\nd) Increasing tariffs on US imports
\nAnswer: b) <\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> To reduce dependency on the US market, India is advised to diversify its export markets, especially targeting regions like Latin America and Africa.
\nQ.7) When is the 15th National Voters\u2019 Day observed?<\/strong>
\na) January 25, 2025
\nb) January 26, 2025
\nc) January 25, 2024
\nd) February 25, 2025
\nAnswer: a)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> The 15th National Voters\u2019 Day is observed on January 25, 2025, marking 75 years of the Election Commission of India’s service.
\nQ.8) What is the theme for the 15th National Voters\u2019 Day (2025)?<\/strong>
\na) \u201cDemocracy in Action\u201d
\nb) \u201cVoting is a Right\u201d
\nc) \u201cNothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure\u201d
\nd) \u201cPower of Every Vote\u201d
\nAnswer: c)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> The theme for the 15th National Voters\u2019 Day in 2025 is \u201cNothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure,\u201d emphasizing the importance of voting in a democracy.
\nQ.9) Which year marks the establishment of the Election Commission of India (ECI)?<\/strong>
\na) 1951
\nb) 1950
\nc) 1949
\nd) 1960
\nAnswer: b)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> The Election Commission of India was established on January 25, 1950. The National Voters\u2019 Day, established in 2011, marks the foundation of the ECI.
\nQ.10) What special initiative is NOT mentioned as part of the 15th National Voters\u2019 Day celebrations?<\/strong>
\na) Presentation of the \u2018Best Electoral Practices Awards\u2019
\nb) A nationwide essay competition on “Democracy and India\u2019s Future”
\nc) A nationwide voting campaign for all citizens
\nd) A commemorative postal stamp
\nAnswer: c) <\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> The special initiatives for the 15th National Voters\u2019 Day include a commemorative postal stamp, a nationwide essay competition, and the presentation of the \u2018Best Electoral Practices Awards\u2019. A nationwide voting campaign is not mentioned in the content.
\nQ.11) What is the purpose of the \u2018Best Electoral Practices Awards\u2019?<\/strong>
\na) To reward the best electoral party
\nb) To recognize outstanding state and district officials for their contributions to the electoral process
\nc) To promote voter awareness
\nd) To encourage voter participation in elections
\nAnswer: b)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> The \u2018Best Electoral Practices Awards\u2019 are presented to state and district officials who have shown outstanding work in the electoral process.
\nQ.12) In which year was the first National Voters\u2019 Day celebrated?<\/strong>
\na) 2010
\nb) 2011
\nc) 2012
\nd) 2015
\nAnswer: b)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> The National Voters’ Day was established in 2011 to mark the foundation of the Election Commission of India, which was set up on January 25, 1950.<\/p>\n

Summary of Today’s News<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The operationalization of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Context: The Ministry of Finance has announced the implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) as an option within the National Pension System (NPS) for central government employees, set to take effect on April 1, 2025.
\nAbout the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS):<\/strong>
\nWhat is it?
\nThe Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) is a contributory pension plan that guarantees government employees retirement benefits, including a monthly pension equal to 50% of their last drawn basic pay.
\nMinistry:<\/strong>
\nIntroduced by the Ministry of Finance, the UPS will be regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
\nLaunch Date:<\/strong>
\nThe UPS was approved by the Cabinet on August 24, 2024, and will officially begin on April 1, 2025.
\nObjective:<\/strong>
\nThe UPS aims to resolve employee concerns regarding the market-linked returns of the NPS by offering guaranteed benefits, ensuring financial security after retirement.
\nKey Features:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Guaranteed Pension: Employees will receive 50% of their average basic pay from the last 12 months before retirement.
\n\u2022 Dearness Relief: Regular pension hikes will be made to adjust for inflation.
\n\u2022 Family Pension: In the event of an employee\u2019s death, family members will receive 60% of the pension.
\n\u2022 Superannuation Benefits: Retirees will receive a lump sum payout in addition to their gratuity.
\n\u2022 Minimum Pension: Employees with at least 10 years of service will be guaranteed a minimum monthly pension of \u20b910,000.
\nContributions Under the Scheme:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Employees will contribute 10% of their basic pay.
\n\u2022 The government will contribute 5% of the employee\u2019s basic pay, with the possibility of revision based on actuarial reviews to maintain the scheme\u2019s sustainability.
\nCoverage:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 The UPS will apply to central government employees previously enrolled in the NPS.
\n\u2022 Employees hired on or after January 1, 2004, including retirees, have the option to transition from NPS to UPS.
\nTransition from NPS to UPS:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 NPS pensions were linked to market-driven returns, which created uncertainty for many employees.
\n\u2022 The UPS removes these concerns by providing guaranteed, lifelong monthly pensions, making it a favorable choice for about 99% of current NPS members.<\/p>\n

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

It is an international agreement for the preservation and responsible use of wetlands known as the Ramsar Convention. The agreement was signed on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar, the same date annually celebrated as World Wetlands Day.
\n\u2022 Wetlands: They are places where water either covers the soil or is present at or near the soil’s surface year-round or for different parts of the year, including the growing season. The Ramsar Convention categorises various natural and human-made diverse water bodies, and habitats as wetlands:
\n\u2022 Natural- Oases, estuaries, deltas, mangroves, coastal areas, coral reefs
\n\u2022 Human- Fishponds, rice paddies, and reservoir
\nIndore and Udaipur have become the first two Indian cities to make it to the global list of accredited wetland cities under Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
\n\u2022 Indore: Sirpur Lake (Ramsar Site) recognised for water bird congregation and is being developed as a bird sanctuary.
\n\u2022 Udaipur: Surrounded by five major wetlands, namely, Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai.
\nAbout Wetland City Accreditation (WCA)
\n\u2022 It is a voluntary Accreditation system that provides an opportunity for cities that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition and positive publicity for their efforts.
\n\u2022 It was approved at Uruguay in COP12 of Ramsar Convention (2015).
\n\u2022 It is valid for 6 years, after which it must be renewed, providing that it continues to fill each of the 6 criteria (refer image).<\/p>\n