UPSC Prelims Bits For Today (August 05, 2022) | Important Current Affairs in Brief Form For UPSC Prelims

”UPSC Prelims Bits For Today” is every day published in the morning between 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and contains selective current affairs articles. ”UPSC Prelims Bits For Today” covers various topics from UPSC Prelims Syllabus and is very helpful and time managing for UPSC Aspirants. The framing of this daily current affairs compilation article is easy to read and understandable also.

In the ”UPSC Prelims Bits For Today” article, we focus on UPSC Preliminary exam-oriented current affairs covering various sections from leading National Newspapers, PIB, and other various official sources.

Indian EdTech Consortium(IEC)

About IEC

• IEC works against unfair trade practices of Ed-tech companies.
• Indian EdTech Consortium is a self-regulatory body with a two-tier grievance redressal mechanism.
• It runs under the aegis of Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).
• IEC comprises of Indian start-ups and represents 95% of the Indian learner community.

What is needed?

• What is needed within IECs self-regulatory mechanism are long-term, clear, and comprehensive guidelines that specifically target financial, advertorial, operational, and academic-related issues.
• Effective self-regulation is key to safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring equitable access to quality education.
• Effective self-regulation also prevents top-down regulatory strictures which might discourage innovation and stifle the sector.

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

• The AfCFTA is the world’s largest free trade area bringing together the 55 countries of the African Union (AU) and eight (8) Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
• It is a new pan-African trade bloc offering access for the first time to the African continent’s combined $3 trillion market.
• The overall mandate of the AfCFTA is to create a single continental market with a population of about 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of approximately US$ 3.4 trillion.
• The AfCFTA is one of the flagship projects of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, the African Union’s long-term development strategy for transforming the continent into a global powerhouse.
• As part of its mandate, the AfCFTA is to eliminate trade barriers and boost intra-Africa trade. In particular, it is to advance trade in value-added production across all service sectors of the African Economy.
• The AfCFTA will contribute to establishing regional value chains in Africa, enabling investment and job creation.

 S. Subramaniam Balaji vs Government of Tamil Nadu (2013)

S. Subramaniam Balaji vs Government of Tamil Nadu (2013): What was the case?

• On July 5, 2013, passing orders in the S Subramaniam Balaji Vs Govt of Tamil Nadu and Others case, the Supreme Court said: “Although, the law is obvious that the promises in the election manifesto cannot be construed as ‘corrupt practice’ under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, the reality cannot be ruled out that distribution of freebies of any kind, undoubtedly, influences all people. It shakes the root of free and fair elections to a large degree.”
• Pursuant to the order, the Election Commission itself framed guidelines for model code of conduct and said: “In the interest of transparency, level playing field and credibility of promises, it is expected that manifestos also reflect the rationale for the promises and broadly indicate the ways and means to meet the financial requirements for it. Trust of voters should be sought only on those promises which are possible to be fulfilled.”

S. Subramaniam Balaji vs Government of Tamil Nadu (2013): Did Freebies Stop?

• The Election Commission has been a mute spectator to the freebies promised by political parties and kept quiet in order to aid and abet the vitiation of the free and fair election process in favour of the promisors.
• Though it is a clear violation of the model code of conduct and also a direct contempt of the order of the Supreme Court.

‘Thambi’

Why in News?

The 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad is being held in Chennai from July 28 to August 10, 2022. The official logo and mascot, of the 44th Chess Olympiad, is a chess knight, called Thambi.

About ”Thambi”

• This horse-headed mascot is designed in traditional Tamil attire, saying vanakkam (with folded hands).
• The name is a symbol of brotherhood, and it indicates that we all belong to one fraternity.
• Also, DMK founder and former chief minister C N Annadurai had called everyone fondly as “Thambi” (little brother). The mascot’s name is in honour of such an endearing name.

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