UPSC Prelims Facts – 25 April 2024

UPSC Prelims Facts

Two-judge bench of the Supreme Court directed the government of Himachal Pradesh to review its policies on CCL

  • Mentioned in – Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972
  • It provides for 2 years of CCL to female employees with children under 18 years of age to look after their kids.
  • No age limit in case of disabled child
  • The leave can be used for any child-related needs like exams or illness.
  • Himachal Pradesh has not adopted these provisions of CCL.

Competition Commission of India approved subscription to CCD of Napino Auto and Electronics Limited by International Finance Corporation (IFC).

  • Debt instruments that are convertible into equity at a specified time or on happening of specified event(s).
  • Other features –
    • Hybrid securities as they initially behave like debt instruments but eventually convert into equity shares.
    • Often used by companies for raising long-term funds without immediately diluting equity shareholding of existing investors.

World Health Organization (WHO) has released the 2nd edition of its global sodium benchmarks

  • Part of – WHO initiative to reduce sodium consumption and prevent chronic conditions related to high blood pressure and obesity.
  • It provides reference values for sodium content to assess progress in reducing sodium consumption.
  • Benchmark for adults – Less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt)

Embassy of Israel in India joined ‘Million Miyawaki’ project

  • A community-led initiative aimed at improving air quality in Indian cities through mass afforestation in urban spaces.
  • Based on – Work of Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki
  • Involves cultivating multi-layered forests that exhibit rapid growth and replicate natural biodiversity found in native forests.
  • Concern – Such forests lack some qualities of natural forests, like medicinal properties and ability to bring rain.

C-DOT and IIT Jodhpur signed an agreement for “Automated Service Management in Network of 5G and beyond Using AI” under the TTDF.

  • Launched by – Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), a body under the Department of Telecommunications.
  • Aim – To fund R&D in rural-specific communication technology applications and form synergies among academia, start-ups, industry, etc.
  • Entails grants to Indian entities to encourage and induct indigenous technologies tailor-made to meet domestic needs

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