CAPF (AC) 2024 (Paper-1) (Questions 101-125)

During PM Modi's visit to the UAE in February 2024, key agreements were signed, including:

• Bilateral Investment Treaty: Promotes investments between India and the UAE.
• Energy Cooperation MoU: Expands collaboration in electrical interconnection and energy trade.
• Regional Connectivity: India and UAE formed an Intergovernmental Framework Agreement under the IMEC for enhanced connectivity.
• Digital Infrastructure MoU: Focuses on investment cooperation and knowledge sharing in digital infrastructure.
• UPI-AANI Link: Enables seamless cross-border payments.
• RuPay-JAYWAN Link: Expands RuPay acceptance in the UAE.
• Archives Cooperation Protocol: Facilitates bilateral cooperation in preserving archival materials.
• Heritage and Museums MoU: Supports the Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat

FTP 2023 is a policy document which is based on continuity of time-tested schemes facilitating exports as well as a document which is nimble and responsive to the requirements of trade.

The Key Approach is based on Four Pillars:

• Incentive to Remission,
• Export promotion through collaboration - Exporters, States, Districts, Indian Missions,
• Ease of doing business, reduction in transaction cost and e-initiatives,
• Emerging Areas - E-Coramerce Developing Districts as Export Hubs and streamlining Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies (SCOMET) policy.

The Vibrant Villages Programme, a centrally sponsored scheme announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 (to 2025-26), aims for comprehensive development of northern border villages, improving the quality of life for residents.

Covering 2,963 villages across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh, the scheme focuses on creating Vibrant Village Action Plans with local administration and Gram Panchayats.

Key objectives include developing economic drivers, promoting social entrepreneurship, empowering youth and women, enhancing tourism potential, and fostering sustainable eco-agri businesses under the "one village-one product" concept.

The 43rd ASEAN Summit was chaired by Indonesia, and was held in Jakarta from September 4-7, 2023. The theme of the summit was "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth".

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a key regional organisation that promotes economic cooperation, political dialogue, and security collaboration among Southeast Asian countries. Established in 1967 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration by Indonesia,

Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, ASEAN has grown into a dynamic grouping of 11 members, including Brunei, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and, most recently, Timor-Leste.

Guided by the motto “One Vision, One Identity, One Community,” ASEAN plays a central role in shaping the strategic and economic landscape of the Indo-Pacific region. With its strong economic potential, strategic location, and emphasis on regional peace and stability, ASEAN has emerged as an influential power in global affairs and a vital partner for India.

NTPC, India's largest integrated power company, has been declared as the winner at the Brandon Hall Group's Excellence in Technology Awards 2023 in an online broadcast held on 7th December, 2023. NTPC stands out as the only PSU in India to secure dual accolades in the Technology Awards category.

The company received the coveted silver awards in two distinct categories: "Best Advance in Corporate Wellbeing Technology" and "Best Advance in Augmented and Virtual Reality." This recognition underscores NTPC's commitment to innovation and technological excellence, placing it at the forefront of advancements in corporate wellbeing and immersive technologies.

Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) is a collaborative initiative between the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It aims to help countries build tax audit capacity.

TIWB programs support broader international efforts to enhance cooperation on tax matters and contribute to domestic resource mobilization in developing countries.

Ukraine borders seven countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Russia, and Belarus, following the original borders demarcated by the Soviet Union. The total length of the Ukrainian border is 6,992.98 km (4,345.24 mi). The area of the exclusive economic zone of Ukraine is 72,658 km2 (28,053 sq mi).

• Jaywan is a domestic card scheme that aims to reduce the cost of payments and increase financial inclusion in the UAE.
• Jaywan cards can be used across physical, contactless, and digital channels. They can also be co-badged with Mastercard or Visa cards.
• Jaywan cards are designed to: Reduce reliance on international payment networks, Make financial services more accessible, and Improve security.

Martin Freeman won the 2023 International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his role as Chris Carson in the United Kingdom's The Responder.

• The Emmy Awards are the most renowned accolades given to television and emerging media performances.
  Unlike Oscars and Golden Globe awards, they aren’t given for films.
• These were conceived in 1948 and the first ceremony took place on January 25, 1949.
• Apart from the International Emmy Awards and the Primetime Emmy Awards, the Emmys are also given in the following categories: daytime, sports, news and documentary, technology and engineering, and regional.
• While Primetime Emmy Awards honour television shows produced only in America and aired during primetime, International Emmy Awards are for international shows.
• Daytime Emmy Awards are given to American shows aired during late-morning and afternoon. Regional Emmy Awards are for regional television markets, including state-to-state programming, local news and locally produced shows.

The European Union (EU) will introduce its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in a transitional phase from October 2023, with a full implementation by January 2026. CBAM will impose a 20-35% carbon tax on imports of products made using non-environmentally sustainable processes.

As part of the EU's "Fit for 55 in 2030" package, CBAM aims to reduce carbon emissions by aligning import costs with the EU's domestic carbon pricing. Importers must declare the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of their products and purchase CВАМ certificates to offset them.