SPOTLIGHT CURRENT AFFAIRS

23 AUGUST
TABLE OF CONTENT

1. EXPORT DUTY ON ONION PRICES

2. 20th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers

3. OATH AS NEW MEMBERS OF RAJYA SABHA

4. GREEN HYDROGEN DEFINITION

Q.) Consider the following statements-
1. India is the world's second-biggest wheat producer after China.
2. India is the largest producer of rice in the world.
3. India is the largest producer and China is the largest exporters of Onions in the
world.
Select the correct statements using the codes below:

[a] 1 only
[b] 2 only
[c] Both 1 and 2
[d] Both 1 and 3
[e] 3 only

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The NEWS:
Govt imposes 40% export duty on onions

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Why are the prices rising?
➔ The present price rise has two aspects to it-
➔ First is the shortage in stored produce;
➔ Second is the lower-than-expected acreage of the onion.
➔ India is largest exporter of Onions in the world. (12% of global onion trade)

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Previously,

Ban on export of Wheat (May 2022)

➢ India is the world's second-biggest wheat producer after China.
➢ Accounts for less than 1% of the global wheat trade.
➢ Its top export markets are Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Ban on export of Non- Basmati Rice (July 2023)

➢ India is the second-largest producer of rice in the world, after China.
➢ India has become the largest rice exporter globally, accounting for nearly 40% of global rice exports in 2022.
➢ Non-basmati white rice constitutes approximately 25% of the total rice exported from the country.

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Why Government bans export?

1. To curb inflation
2. Meet domestic demand
3. Ensure food security

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 Food inflation- 11.51%, highest since Jan 2020. July retail inflation- 7.44%.

Supply Side Demand Side

Disruption in domestic production due to climatic factors- Due to festive season

Temperature and Rainfall
Global Factors Increasing income levels

Hoarding- Creating artificial scarcity

Post harvest losses- Inadequate cold storage and warehousing

facilities

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Steps taken by the government to control Food Inflation

1. Creating Buffer
2. Minimum Export Price
3. Fiscal Policy Measures
4. MoUs with countries
5. Price Stabilisation Fund
6. Operation Greens for Tomato, Onion & Potato (TOP)
7. Open Market Sale Scheme
8. Essential Commodities Act (ECA)
9. Kisan rails and Kisan Udan

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Q.) Consider the following statements with respect to groupings-
1. ASEAN and BRICS have India as a common member.
2. ASEAN was founded in 1967 by the 10 Southeast Asian member nations.
3. India maintains a trade deficit with ASEAN.
Select the correct statements using the codes below:

[a] 1 only
[b] 2only
[c] 1 and 2
[d] 3 only
[e] 1 and 3

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The NEWS:

20th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Meeting has

concluded in Semarang, Indonesia.

India, ASEAN Agree To Conclude FTA Review In 2025

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About ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

• It was founded in 1967 by the five Southeast Asian nations of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore
and Thailand.
• It is a regional grouping that aims to promote economic and security cooperation among its ten members.
• The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
• 8th August is observed as ASEAN Day.
• ASEAN Secretariat – Indonesia, Jakarta.
• INDIA is NOT a part of ASEAN.

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The ASEAN–India Free Trade Area (AIFTA) is a free trade area among the ten member states of the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India.

• The ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement was signed and entered into force in January 2010.
• The ASEAN-India Trade in Services Agreement was signed in November 2014.

A free trade agreement (FTA) is a pact between two or more nations to reduce barriers to imports and
exports among them.

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• Regional Comprehensive Economic
Partnership(RCEP) is a regional Free Trade
Agreement between ASEAN and 5 other
countries, viz. China, Japan, South Korea,
Australia and New Zealand.

• It was signed in November 2020 after 8

years of negotiations.

• RCEP members constitute nearly a third of

the global population and 29% of global
GDP.

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India- ASEAN Bilateral Trade

• ASEAN is India's fourth largest trading partner.

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Q.) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was among nine MPs who took the oath as
members of the Rajya Sabha recently. This is his second term as a Rajya Sabha MP and
he was first elected in 2019.
What is the term of office of a member of the Rajya Sabha?

[a] 5
[b] 4
[c] 2
[d] 3
[e] 6

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The NEWS:

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Rajya Sabha

• Maximum strength-

• Current Strength- 245 (233, 12)

• The representatives of states are elected by the members of state legislative assemblies.
• The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
• Current- Jagdeep Dhankhar
• The oath is administered by the Chairman.
• The term of office of a member of the Rajya Sabha is 6 years.

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Q.) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy recently has notified the Green
Hydrogen Standard for India. It has defined Green Hydrogen as having a well-to-gate
emission threshold of __________ kg CO2 equivalent / kg H2 as 12-month average.
Fill the gap.

[a] 6
[b] 5
[c] 4
[d] 3
[e] 2

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The NEWS:

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has defined a clear Green Hydrogen Standard,
which establishes emission thresholds for hydrogen production categorized as 'green'.

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“Green Hydrogen” shall mean hydrogen produced using renewable energy, including, but not
limited to, production through electrolysis or conversion of biomass.

Emission Threshold :
• The MNRE has determined that Green Hydrogen should have a well-to-gate emission of not
exceeding 2 kg carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent per kg Hydrogen(H2).
• The well-to-gate emission includes water treatment, electrolysis, gas purification, drying and
compression of hydrogen.
• Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power will be the nodal authority for
accreditation of agencies for the monitoring, verification and certification for green hydrogen
production projects.

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National Green Hydrogen Mission:
• India launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission with the objective of producing 5
million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030.
• The mission aligns with a target of about 125 gigawatts of associated renewable energy
capacity.
• The program offers financial incentives to promote domestic production of electrolysers and
green hydrogen.
• These incentives are designed to facilitate rapid scale-up, technology development, and cost
reduction.

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