 Cabinet approves new National Electronics  The importance of being humane

Policy  The Saudi-India-Pakistan triangle

 Naidu sets target to Krishna dist. TDP
 Stir demanding closure of toll gate to resume
 Software to improve policing in Vijayapura
 New angel tax rules, a relief to start-ups
 7 islands in Andamans, Lakshadweep identified
for seaplane operations
 Fiji to maintain China-India balance
 ‘We can defeat terrorism by upholding the
unity of our society’

 PM, Saudi Crown Prince to discuss cross-
border terror
 SIDBI plans bond issue to raise Rs. 300 crore
 Ordinance to curb Ponzi schemes gets nod

Que. Why are the sea levels rising and what will be the impact on the coastal areas?
Ans. The rise in sea levels is linked to two primary factors, both induced by the ongoing climate change.
Thermal expansion: The oceans are absorbing more than 90 % of the increased atmospheric heat associated
with greenhouse gas emissions. When water heats up, it expands. The ocean water expands to fill a greater
volume and takes up more space. This is called thermal expansion, and it is responsible for one-third of the
sea-level rise, according to studies.
Melting of glaciers and ice caps: Warmer temperatures cause land-based ice, such as glaciers and ice sheets to
melt, and the meltwater flows into the ocean to increase sea level. Melting ice causes about two-thirds of the
rise in sea level.
Impact on coastal region
• The impact of sea-level rise includes flooding of coastal areas, increased soil erosion, disappearance of low-
lying islands, saltwater intrusion and habitat destruction in coastal areas. Rising sea levels also make storm
surges capable of much greater damage. (Storm surge is the abnormal rise in seawater level during a storm.
Storm surge can penetrate well inland.)
• Saltwater intrusion is the flow of seawater into water bodies such as rivers and aquifers (underground water-
bearing rocks). It is a major concern as it can induce contamination of water resources, used for drinking,
household purposes and agriculture. Increased salinity of coastal freshwater can threaten vegetation and
wildlife of coastal areas.
• Many birds use coastal ecosystems to find food, live and breed. Sea turtles lay their eggs on beaches,
returning to the same location every year. When beaches erode, these animals and birds will be affected.
• Islands and island life will be particularly affected due to sea-level rise.
Practice Questions
1. Mention the salient features of the new National Electronics Policy 2019?
2. What are Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)?

Today’s MCQ
I. Consider the following about ‘National Disaster Management Authority’:
1. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio chairperson of National Disaster Management Authority.
2. It is an agency of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 only b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
II. ‘Sabang’, recently seen in news is located in:
a) Indonesia b) Spain
c) Iran d) South Africa
III. Consider the following pairs of Index and the Publishing body:
1. Gender Parity Index : UNESCO
2. Global Gender Gap : World Economic Forum
3. Gender Inequality Index : UNDP
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
a) 2 and 3 only b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 only d) 1, 2 and 3
IV. ‘Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti’, recently seen in news is related to:
a) Intellectual Property Rights culture in indigenous defence industry
b) Hot Pursuit tactics to curb cross border terrorism
c) Both (a) and (b)
d) Neither (a) nor (b)

Today’s MCQ Answer & Explanation

I. Answer: c)
Explanation: National Disaster Management Authority, abbreviated as NDMA, is an agency of the Ministry
of Home Affairs whose primary purpose is to coordinate response to natural or man-made disasters and for
capacity-building in disaster resiliency and crisis response. NDMA was established through the Disaster
Management Act enacted by the Government of India in 30 May 2005. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio
chairperson of the same. The agency is responsible for framing policies, laying down guidelines and best-
practices and coordinating with the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) to ensure a holistic and
distributed approach to disaster management.
II. Answer: a)
Explanation: Sabang, also known as Weh island, is located 710 km southeast of the Andaman Islands and
less than 500 km from the entrance of the Malacca Strait, through which almost 40% of India’s trade passes.
Indonesia has agreed to give India economic and military access to the strategic island of Sabang at the
northern tip of Sumatra and close to the Malacca Strait.
Sabang is a city consisting of a main island (Weh Island) and several smaller islands off the northern tip of
Sumatra. The islands form a city within Aceh Special Region, Indonesia. The administrative centre is located
on Weh Island, 17 km north of Banda Aceh. Sabang is also known as the northernmost and westernmost city
of Indonesia.

III. Answer: d)

IV. Answer: a)
Explanation: As part of the ongoing initiatives to enhance self-reliance in defence, the Department of
Defence Production has instituted a new framework titled ‘Mission Raksha GyanShakti’ which aims to
provide a boost to the IPR culture in indigenous defence industry. The Directorate General of Quality
Assurance (DGQA) has been entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and implementing the
programme. The event brought out that the end objective of ‘Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti’ is to inculcate IP
culture in Indian defence manufacturing ecosystem.