Daily Current Affairs For UPSC IAS Prelims, 21 June 2023 Current Affairs For Civil Services

Daily Current Affairs For UPSC IAS Prelims 21 June 2023: We bring to you ”Daily Current Affairs For UPSC IAS Prelims” based on the principle of updating UPSC CSE aspirants with Most Important Daily Current Affairs For Civil Services. These Daily Current Affairs are prepared by our team in Bit Form/Abridged Form to save the precious time of UPSC Aspirants without compromising the quality. In Today’s Daily Current Affairs For UPSC IAS Prelims, 21 June 2023, we are covering below mentioned topics.

India-UK FTA Negotiations

India-UK FTA Negotiations in News

Recently, the tenth round of discussions for an India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was successfully concluded between the Republic of India and the United Kingdom.

10^th Round of India-UK FTA Negotiations

Similar to previous rounds, the recent negotiations for an India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were conducted in a hybrid format, with some UK officials present in New Delhi while others participated virtually.

• The discussions covered a wide range of policy areas, spanning 10 different sectors, and comprised of approximately 50 separate sessions.
• These sessions delved into in-depth discussions on the draft treaty text in each respective policy area.
• Looking ahead, the eleventh round of negotiations is scheduled to occur in the upcoming month, marking another important step in the ongoing FTA discussions between India and the United Kingdom.

India-UK Free Trade Agreement, Key points

Both countries have agreed to avoid “sensitive issues” in the negotiations. Through early harvest agreement, India aims to achieve up to 65 per cent of coverage for goods and up to 40 per cent coverage for services.

• By the time the final agreement is inked, the coverage for goods is expected to go up to “90 plus percentage” of goods.
• India is also negotiating a similar early harvest agreement with Australia, which is supposed to set the stage for Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.

‘One Nation One Helpline’ Initiative

‘One Nation One Helpline’ in News

In line with the overarching goal of establishing ‘One Nation One Helpline’ system across the nation, the Ministry has recently made a significant decision to integrate the Women Helpline and Child Helpline services with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112).

• This decision stems from the discussions held during the 2nd National Chief Secretaries’ Conference, where the integration was identified as a priority.
• By merging these helpline services with ERSS-112, a more comprehensive and streamlined emergency response system will be established, ensuring efficient and effective support for women and children in need.

Child Helpline Services Details

Childline Services, as stipulated in the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015 under section 2(25), refer to an around-the-clock emergency outreach service designed to assist children in distress.

• This service acts as a vital link connecting them to immediate or long-term care and rehabilitation services.
• Accessible by dialing a four-digit toll-free number (1098), the Childline Services can be utilized by any child facing a crisis or by an adult on their behalf.
• The primary objective of this service is to ensure prompt and appropriate support for children in need, fostering their well-being and safety.

Significance of Merger with ERSS-112

The collaborative implementation of the Child Helpline system in coordination with the various States and Union Territories (UTs) is poised to have a significant impact on reinforcing the Service Delivery structures outlined in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2015, as amended in 2021.

• By integrating the Child Helpline system with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112), a seamless flow of information is anticipated, thereby facilitating the efficient repatriation and restoration of children facing vulnerable situations.
• This integration will enable effective coordination and cooperation within districts, states, as well as across different States and UTs, ultimately contributing to the enhanced support and protection of children in need.

‘Knowledge Sharing Platform’ by NHAI

‘Knowledge Sharing Platform’ in News

Recently, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a new ‘Knowledge Sharing’ platform aimed at facilitating the exchange of knowledge and innovative best practices. ‘Knowledge Sharing Platform’ is hosted on the NHAI website.

‘Knowledge Sharing Platform’ Details

NHAI’s ‘Knowledge Sharing Platform’ provides an opportunity for the authority to engage with experts and individuals interested in sharing their knowledge and insights on various topics including road design, construction, road safety, environmental sustainability, and related areas.

• By encouraging the sharing of best practices from across the globe, this initiative aims to contribute to the comprehensive development of the National Highway infrastructure in India.
• Through collaboration and knowledge dissemination, NHAI strives to enhance the quality and effectiveness of its projects and promote continuous improvement in the field of highway development.
• The NHAI web portal allows the uploading of best practices in various formats such as video clips, PowerPoint presentations, and PDF files.
• This platform serves as a repository for sharing valuable insights and knowledge.
• NHAI officials will carefully review the uploaded information and evaluate its suitability for implementation.
• By leveraging this platform, NHAI aims to foster a collaborative environment that promotes the adoption of effective practices and contributes to the continuous improvement of the National Highway infrastructure in India.

Daily Current Affairs For UPSC IAS Prelims, 19 June 2023 Current Affairs For Civil Services

Sharing is caring!