4th August 2024

Explanation - Food Corporation of India (FCI) is a Public Sector Undertaking, under the Department of Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. FCI is a statutory body set up in 1965 under the Food Corporations Act 1964. It was established against the backdrop of major shortage of grains, especially wheat.

Explanation - The DM Act, 2005, came into existence after the 2004 tsunami. It was invoked for the first time in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 24, 2020, the Centre, through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headed by the Prime Minister, invoked the provisions of the Act to streamline the management of the pandemic, empowering district magistrates to take decisions and centralise other decisions on the supply of oxygen and movement of vehicles.

Explanation - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will issue these bonds on behalf of the central government. The Bonds will be sold through Scheduled Commercial banks (except Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks), Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices, and recognised stock exchanges viz., National Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange Limited. The gold bonds will be denominated in multiples of gram(s) of gold with a basic unit of one gram while the minimum investment limit is two grams. The maximum subscription is 500 grams per person per fiscal (April-March) and for joint holders, the limit will be applied on the first holder. As per the scheme, the gold bonds will be sold only to resident Indian entities including individuals, Hindu undivided families, trusts, universities, and charitable institutions. The bond tenure will be eight years with exit option beginning the fifth year onwards. They will also be tradable in the bourses. Bonds can also be used as collateral for loans.

Explanation - Graphene is a two-dimensional carbon allotrope composed of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It has gained significant attention due to its exceptional properties, including high electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and thermal conductivity. These properties make it a potential candidate for various applications in electronics, materials science, and other fields.