UPSC Prelims Facts - 01 February 2024 - Gokulam Seek IAS Academy

Table of Contents

Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023

Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023 released

CPI – Ranks countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean)
Released by: Transparency International
India’s Rank – 93 out of 180 countries
Leading countries – Denmark (1^st), Finland, New Zealand, and Norway

Kudavolai System bagged third best tableaux awards for Republic Day Parade 2024.

Kudavolai System – A form of electoral system in ancient Tamilnadu
Practiced during – 10th century Chola era
Documented in – Utharamerur inscriptions.
Process – Contestants’ names were written on palm leaf tickets (volai), which were put into a pot (kuda), and a small boy would pick tickets to declare elected leaders

Madras High Court questioned Tamil Nadu state government about continuation of an accused as Minister without portfolio.

Minister without Portfolio – A minister who do not have a department/ office to handle, but entitled to prerequisites and privileges of a minister.
Mentioned in – Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961
- Allows President on advice of PM to entrust responsibilities of specified business to a union minister without portfolio.
Salary and emoluments – Does not draw salary and emoluments as minister, but only as member of Legislature.

Scientists have discovered new kangaroo lizard species of Agasthyagama genus.

Location – Western Ghats, Kerala
Significance – It is the 2^nd species of Agasthyagama genus
1^st one – Agasthyagama beddomii (Tamil Nadu).
Features – Largely terrestrial in nature, Found in areas of dense leaf litter cover.

$100mn Plastic Credit Bonds launched in Ghana and Indonesia.

Plastic Credit Bond – It is an innovative financial instrument that leverages private capital to address plastic pollution.
Launched by – World Bank
Significance – Provide investors with a financial return linked to Plastic Waste Collection Credits, Plastic Waste Recycling Credits
Benefits – Reduce and recycle plastic waste, improve air quality, create jobs in marginalized communities, etc.