UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | October 13 to October 19, 2024

1. It was utilized successful some satellite wars.

2. Dragon drones merchandise thermite which triggers a self-sustaining absorption that is rather hard to extinguish.

3. The usage of thermite successful warfare is prohibited nether planetary law.

How galore of the statements fixed supra are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— Dragon drones fundamentally merchandise a substance called thermite — a substance of aluminium and robust oxide — developed a period agone to weld railroad tracks.

— When ignited (usually with the assistance of an electrical fuse), thermite triggers a self-sustaining absorption that is rather hard to extinguish. It tin pain done astir anything, from apparel to trees to military-grade vehicles, and tin adjacent pain underwater. On humans, it causes severe, perchance fatal, burns and bony damage.

— Dragon drones are believed to person been archetypal deployed successful the Russia-Ukraine warfare astir September. According to a study by The New York Times, Ukrainian forces utilized them to “ignite the vegetation that Russian troops usage for screen and pain it out, exposing them and their instrumentality to nonstop attack.” Hence, connection 2 is correct.

— Thermite was utilized successful some satellite wars. During World War I, German zeppelins dropped thermite-laden bombs which were considered an innovation astatine the time. By World War II, thermite-laden precocious incendiary explosives became a portion and parcel of some the Allies and Axis forces’ aerial bombing campaigns. Hence, connection 1 is correct.

— The use of thermite successful warfare is not prohibited nether planetary law. However, the usage of specified incendiary weapons against civilian targets is barred nether the Convention connected Certain Conventional Weapons — Cold War-era guidance issued nether the auspices of the United Nations. Hence, connection 3 is not correct.

Therefore, enactment (b) is the close answer.

QUESTION 2

Consider the pursuing pairs:

Name	Year	Nobel Prize Category
CV Raman	1903	Physics
Hargovind Khorana	1968	Chemistry
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan	2009	Physics

How galore of the pairs fixed supra are correctly matched?

(a) Only 1 pair

(b) Only 2 pairs

(c) All 3 pairs

(d) None of the supra pairs

Explanation

Name	Year	Nobel Prize Category	Description
CV Raman	1930	Physics	The Nobel Prize successful Physics 1930 was awarded to Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman “for his enactment connected the scattering of airy and for the find of the effect named aft him”
Hargovind Khorana	1968	Medicine	Har Gobind Khorana made important contributions to this tract by gathering antithetic RNA chains with the assistance of enzymes. Using these enzymes, helium was capable to nutrient proteins. The amino acerb sequences of these proteins past solved the remainder of the puzzle.
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan	2009	Chemistry	Using a method known arsenic x-ray crystallography, Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and different researchers were capable to collaborate to representation the operation of ribosomes, made up of hundreds of thousands of atoms, successful 2000.

Therefore, enactment (d) is the close answer.

(Other Source: http://www.nobelprize.org)

QUESTION 3

With notation to the La Nina, see the pursuing statements:

1. It is simply a lukewarm signifier of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation.

2. It involves changes successful upwind and water temperatures successful the Pacific Ocean.

3. During La Nina, the commercialized winds intensify and acold h2o from the depths of the oversea rises up, resulting successful cooler than mean water temperatures successful the eastbound Pacific.

Which of the statements fixed supra are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center says determination is simply a 60% accidental that a anemic La Nina event volition make this autumn and could past until March.

— La Nina is portion of a earthy clime rhythm that tin origin utmost upwind crossed the satellite — and its effects alteration from spot to place.

— La Nina is the chill signifier of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation, a people occurring planetary clime signifier that involves changes successful upwind and water temperatures successful the Pacific and tin origin utmost upwind crossed the planet. Hence, connection 1 is not close and connection 2 is correct.

— El Nino is the lukewarm phase, which occurs erstwhile the commercialized winds that usually stroke crossed the Pacific towards Asia diminish, allowing lukewarm water waters to accumulate astir the occidental seashore of South America.

— During La Nina, commercialized winds accelerate and acold h2o from the bottommost of the oversea comes to the surface, resulting successful cooler-than-average water temperatures successful the Eastern Pacific. Hence, connection 3 is correct

— Cold water temperatures and atmospheric changes origin the pitchy stream, a constrictive set of rapidly moving aerial that flows from westbound to eastbound astir the world, to displacement northward. The pitchy watercourse sits implicit the water and tin pat into its moisture, influencing tempest paths and expanding precipitation.

Therefore, enactment (b) is the close answer.

QUESTION 4

Consider the pursuing statements:

1. The publication of nonstop taxes to full taxation gross decreased to astir 50 per cent successful 2023-24 compared to the erstwhile year.

2. The stock of indirect taxes to full taxation gross successful 2023-24 has accrued compared to the erstwhile year.

Which of the statements fixed supra is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— The contribution of nonstop taxes to full taxation gross climbed to 56.72 per cent successful 2023-24, the highest successful 14 years. The surge was adjacent much stark successful the nonstop tax-to-GDP ratio — the stock of nonstop taxes successful the wide economical output successful the state — which jumped to implicit a two-decade precocious of 6.64 per cent. Hence, connection 1 is not correct.

— With the nonstop taxation information of full taxation gross increasing successful FY24 from 54.63 percent the erstwhile year, the indirect taxation stock has dropped to 43.28 percent. Hence, connection 2 is not correct.

— Direct taxes are considered much progressive since they are related to income levels, arsenic opposed to indirect taxes, which are applied uniformly and hence impact the mediocre much than the wealthy.

Therefore, enactment (d) is the close answer.

QUESTION 5

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is a:

(a) Constitutional body

(b) Judicial body

(c) Statutory body

(d) Ombudsman body

Explanation

— The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) wrote to the main secretaries of each states and national territories, urging that madrasa boards beryllium “closed down,” authorities financing to madrasas and madrasa boards beryllium discontinued, and children attending madrasas beryllium enrolled successful “formal schools.”

— The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) was established by the Government of India nether the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, to workout and transportation retired the powers and tasks delegated to it by the CPCR Act.

— A Statutory assemblage is created by the enactment of the Parliament which is authorised to execute the legislation.

— The committee consists of the pursuing members namely:-

— A chairperson who is eminent and has done large enactment to beforehand the well-being of children; and

— The Central Government appoints six members, astatine slightest 2 of whom are women, from the pursuing fields: education, kid health, care, welfare, oregon kid development, juvenile justness oregon attraction of neglected oregon marginalised children oregon children with disabilities, elimination of kid labour oregon children successful distress, kid science oregon sociology, and child-related laws.

Therefore, enactment (c) is the close answer.

(Other Source: http://www.ncpcr.gov.in)

QUESTION 6

With notation to the Moonlight programme, see the pursuing statements:

1. The programme was launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astatine the International Astronautical Congress.

It volition person a constellation of astir 5 lunar satellites that volition let close autonomous landings and high-speed communication.

Which of the statements fixed supra is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— The European Space Agency (ESA) astatine the International Astronautical Congress, launched its Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) programme. Hence, connection 1 is not correct.

— The ESA is claimed to beryllium creating infrastructure to enactment aboriginal satellite missions. With this, the ESA hopes to supply captious enactment for much than 400 satellite missions planned by abstraction agencies and commercialized firms implicit the adjacent 20 years.

— The effort volition see a constellation of astir 5 lunar satellites that volition alteration precise autonomous landings, high-speed communication, and aboveground mobility. Hence, connection 2 is correct.

— These satellites are said to beryllium susceptible of transferring information betwixt the Earth and the Moon crossed a region of 2,50,000 miles (4,000,000 km).

Therefore, enactment (b) is the close answer.

QUESTION 7

With notation to the Precision therapy, see the pursuing statements:

1. It involves identifying circumstantial familial mutations successful tumours which allows to people treatments that whitethorn beryllium much effectual than modular therapies.

2. It serves arsenic a cardinal instrumentality to place patients requiring intensive treatments similar country oregon chemoradiation.

3. It is not universally applicable to each cancers.

How galore of the statements fixed supra are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— Precision medicine, besides called personalised medicine, traditionally utilized successful precocious stages of cancer, present plays a cardinal relation adjacent successful aboriginal stages.

— Early-stage cancers often person a amended prognosis erstwhile detected and treated promptly. Precision therapy involves identifying circumstantial familial mutations successful tumours, allowing doctors to take targeted treatments that whitethorn beryllium much effectual than modular therapies. Hence, connection 1 is correct.

— This attack tin amended outcomes and trim unnecessary broadside effects, said Dr Mukesh Patekar, portion head, aesculapian oncology astatine Artemis Hospitals.

— The process begins with diagnostic tests, specified arsenic biopsies, wherever a tumour illustration is analysed for familial markers.

— The cardinal thought of precision medicine is to personalise attraction to the individual, ensuring that the due patients person the due care. This helps to minimise overtreatment, which causes needless broadside effects, and undertreatment, which puts the diligent astatine hazard of crab development.

— Precision therapy is an important instrumentality for identifying patients who necessitate extended therapies specified arsenic country oregon chemoradiation vs those who tin beryllium treated with little invasive approaches specified arsenic radiation alone. Hence, connection 2 is correct.

— Although precision medicine is advancing rapidly, it is not universally applicable to each cancers oregon accessible to everyone. Hence, connection 3 is correct.

Therefore, enactment (c) is the close answer.

QUESTION 8

Matsu Islands, located successful the East China Sea, was precocious successful the news. The land is governed by:

(a) Russia

(b) Japan

(c) South Korea

(d) Taiwan

Explanation

— China launched subject exercises with ships and craft adjacent Taiwan, simply days aft the second observed its 113th National Day.

— During ‘Operation Joint Sword 24B’, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly deployed the Liaoning craft carrier, cruisers, and bombers astir Taiwan and its outlying islands aboriginal Monday morning, sealing disconnected captious ports successful the Taiwan Strait.

— According to the PLA, the drill tested “combat readiness patrols, blockade of cardinal ports and areas, battle connected maritime and crushed targets, and seizure of broad superiority”.

— Matsu Island is simply a tiny land successful the East China Sea that is administered by Taiwan.

Therefore, enactment (d) is the close answer.

QUESTION 9

With notation to uncommon diseases, see the pursuing statements:

1. Some uncommon diseases tin beryllium treated with a one-time curative process and immoderate necessitate semipermanent oregon lifelong treatment.

2. Therapies are disposable for astir 50 per cent of uncommon diseases.

3. Gaucher’s illness is categorised arsenic a uncommon disease.

How galore of the statements fixed supra are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— The Delhi High Court issued directions aimed astatine improving the availability of alleged “orphan drugs”, which are medications utilized to dainty “rare diseases” — defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) arsenic a debilitating, lifelong information that affects 1 oregon less radical successful 1,000.

— Around 55 aesculapian conditions — including Gaucher’s disease, Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs), and definite forms of muscular dystrophy — are classified arsenic uncommon diseases successful India. Hence, connection 3 is correct.

— Therapies are disposable for little than 5% of uncommon diseases, resulting successful little than 1 successful each 10 patients receiving disease-specific therapy. Hence, connection 2 is not correct.

— In India, uncommon diseases are divided into 3 categories based connected the benignant and complexity of attraction choices.

— Group 1 comprises disorders that tin beryllium cured with a azygous curative treatment. Group 2 disorders necessitate semipermanent oregon lifelong treatment, which is comparatively little costly and has demonstrated verified advantages, but patients indispensable person regular check-ups. Group 3 diseases person fantabulous therapies, but they are costly and whitethorn necessitate beingness care. There are difficulties successful selecting the due recipients for these treatments. Hence, connection 1 is correct.

Therefore, enactment (b) is the close answer.

QUESTION 10

With notation to the Abetment successful the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, see the pursuing statements:

1. It is defined nether Section 45 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).

2. A idiosyncratic abets the doing of a happening if helium engages with 1 oregon much others successful a conspiracy for the doing of that thing.

3. The punishment for abetment of termination tin beryllium up to 10 years imprisonment on with a fine.

Which of the statements fixed supra are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— The Supreme Court said that constabulary and the courts should debar “unnecessary prosecutions” successful cases of abetment of termination stemming from the workplace.

— ‘Abetment’ is defined nether Section 107 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC), which is the aforesaid arsenic Section 45 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS). Hence, connection 1 is correct.

— A idiosyncratic abets the doing of a thing, if he

(i) instigates immoderate idiosyncratic to bash that thing, or

(ii) engages with 1 oregon much others successful a conspiracy for the doing of that thing, oregon Hence, connection 2 is correct.

(iii) intentionally aids, by immoderate enactment oregon amerciable omission, the doing of that thing.

— The punishment for abetment of termination provided nether Section 306 IPC (Section 108 BNS) tin beryllium up to 10 years imprisonment on with a fine. Hence, connection 3 is correct.

Therefore, enactment (d) is the close answer.

QUESTION 11

With notation to Global Hunger Index 2024, see the pursuing statements:

1. India falls into the “alarming” class arsenic compared to its South Asian neighbours similar Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, which autumn into the “serious” category.

2. The apical 3 countries worst affected by planetary hunger crises are located successful Africa.

Which of the supra statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— Based connected indicators similar undernourishment, kid stunting, kid wasting, and kid mortality crossed 127 countries; present are the apical 10 hungriest countries successful the satellite successful 2024.

Rank 2024	Country Name	GHI 2024	GHI 2000
127	Somalia (Africa)	44.1	63.3
126	Yemen (Asia)	41.2	41.6
125	Chad (Africa)	36.4	50.5
124	Madagascar	36.3	42.3
123	Democratic Republic of the Congo	34.9	47.2
122	Haiti	34.3	39.8
121	Niger	34.1	53.1
120	Liberia	31.9	48.0
119	Central African Republic	31.5	48.0
118	Korea (DPR)	31.4	43.7

(Source: Global Hunger Index 2024)

— In the Global Hunger Index (GHI) of 2024, India has been placed successful the 105th position, categorising it arsenic “serious” successful presumption of hunger analysis.

— The apical 3 countries worst affected by planetary hunger crises are Somalia (Africa), Yemen (Asia) and Chad (Africa). Hence, connection 2 is not correct.

— India’s GHI people of 27.3 is simply a origin for concern, particularly erstwhile compared to its South Asian neighbours similar Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, which autumn into the “moderate” category. Hence, connection 1 is not correct.

— Comparing the GHI scores of India, the state which was antecedently categorised arsenic “alarming” successful 2000 with a people of 38.4, has shown gradual improvement. However, determination is inactive a agelong mode to spell arsenic the 2024 GHI study presents troubling statistic highlighting;

— 13.7 per cent of India’s colonisation suffers from undernourishment,

— 35.5 per cent of children nether the property of 5 are stunted.

— 18.7 per cent acquisition wasting, and

— 2.9 per cent of children bash not scope their 5th birthday.

— These numbers bespeak deep-seated issues concerning undernutrition, unhealthy surviving conditions, and inadequate entree to indispensable nutrients.

Therefore, enactment (d) is the close answer.

QUESTION 12

With notation to Citizenship successful India, see the pursuing statements:

1. Article 11 of the Constitution gives Parliament the powerfulness to “to marque immoderate proviso with respect to the acquisition and termination of citizenship and each different matters relating to citizenship”.

2. Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 says that each persons of “Indian origin” who entered the authorities earlier January 1, 1966 and person been “ordinarily resident” successful Assam ever since “shall beryllium deemed to beryllium citizens of India”.

Which of the supra fixed statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— Assam accord 1985 SC Verdict: In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court connected Thursday (October 17), upheld the law validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, which granted citizenship to immigrants who entered Assam earlier March 24, 1971.

What does Section 6A of the Citizenship Act provide?

— Assam has historically had a occupation of amerciable introduction of radical from East Pakistan/ Bangladesh crossed the porous borderline crisscrossed by galore rivers and streams. A cardinal constituent of the Assam Accord was determining who is simply a “foreigner” successful the state.

— Clause 5 of the Assam Accord states that January 1, 1966 shall service arsenic the basal cut-off day for the detection and deletion of “foreigners”, but it besides contains provisions for the regularisation of those who arrived successful the authorities aft that day and upto March 24, 1971.

— Section 6A was inserted into the Citizenship Act to facilitate this. It says that each persons of “Indian origin” who entered the authorities earlier January 1, 1966 and person been “ordinarily resident” successful Assam ever since “shall beryllium deemed to beryllium citizens of India”. Hence, connection 2 is correct.

— Additionally, it provides that anyone who entered and resided successful Assam aft January 1, 1966 but earlier March 24, 1971 who has been “detected to beryllium a foreigner” would person the accidental to registry themselves according to rules made by the Central government.

— Article 11 of the Constitution gives Parliament the powerfulness to “make immoderate proviso with respect to the acquisition and termination of citizenship and each different matters relating to citizenship”. Hence, connection 1 is correct.

Therefore, enactment (c) is the close answer.

QUESTION 13

It became China’s Special Administrative Region aft 4 centuries of Portuguese assemblage rule. Following attempts to power the strategically located peninsular portion arsenic a trading station successful the 16th Century, Portugal secured a imperishable lease from China successful 1557. Today it is besides known arsenic the “Las Vegas of the East”.

Identify the portion referred above:

(a) Hong Kong

(b) Macau

(c) Singapore

(d) Taiwan

Explanation

— Marking a interruption from tradition, Macao’s erstwhile apical justice Sam Hou Fai was elected its adjacent Chief Executive oregon apical governmental leader. One of China’s Special Administrative Regions (SAR), Macao is simply a casino hub, known arsenic the “Las Vegas of the East”.

— Macao became China’s SAR aft 4 centuries of Portuguese assemblage rule. Following attempts to power the strategically located peninsular portion arsenic a trading station successful the 16th Century, Portugal secured a imperishable lease from China successful 1557.

Therefore, enactment (b) is the close answer.

QUESTION 14

With notation to “Reconstruction of the colonisation past of South Asia utilizing past and modern genomics”, the task of Government of India, see the pursuing statements:

1. The survey is being undertaken done the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which functions nether the aegis of the Ministry of Culture.

2. The task volition survey 300 past skeletal remains – mostly cranial and different bony fragments, including bony — collected from antithetic archaeological sites successful India and Pakistan.

3. The probe aims to connection wide conclusions astir the question and interactions of past populations successful India.

Which of the supra fixed statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— In a first, the authorities has undertaken a broad technological survey utilizing past and modern genomics to “conclusively” find the colonisation past of South Asia, amid conflicting theories astir the root of past Indian communities.

— The survey is being undertaken done the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI), which functions nether the aegis of the Ministry of Culture. Hence, connection 1 is not correct.

— Titled “Reconstruction of the Population History of South Asia utilizing past and modern genomics”, the task volition survey 300 past skeletal remains – mostly cranial and different bony fragments, including bony — collected from antithetic archaeological sites successful India and Pakistan. Hence, connection 2 is correct.

— The survey volition beryllium capable to conclusively accidental if Aryan migration happened oregon not, officials said the probe aims to connection wide conclusions astir the question and interactions of past populations successful India. “This grounds volition assistance recognize the enlargement of the past Indian colonisation implicit time, starring to a deeper and much close communicative of India’s past history,” said an official. Hence, connection 3 is correct.

Therefore, enactment (b) is the close answer.

QUESTION 15

It refers to the increasing inclination of companies oregon countries to marque dubious oregon unverifiable claims astir their activities, products oregon services being environment-friendly oregon climate-friendly.

Identify the word referred above:

(a) Greenshifting

(b) Bluewashing

(c) Greenhushing

(d) Greenwashing

Explanation

— Seeking to restrain companies from making mendacious oregon misleading claims astir the environment-friendly quality of their products oregon services, the Centre connected Wednesday released caller guidelines that marque it mandatory for companies to substantiate their claims with technological evidence.

— The Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing oregon Misleading Environment Claims were issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) which works nether the Consumer Affairs Ministry. The determination is portion of the government’s crackdown connected misleading advertisements. The caller norms would complement the existing Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsement for Misleading Advertisements, framed successful 2022, which woody with mendacious oregon exaggerated claims successful advertisements successful general.

What is greenwashing?

— Although greenwashing arsenic a word has been utilized successful the constricted discourse of advertizing successful these guidelines, it has a overmuch broader scope. Greenwashing refers to the increasing inclination of companies, organisations oregon adjacent countries to marque dubious oregon unverifiable claims astir their activities, products oregon services being environment-friendly oregon climate-friendly.

Therefore, enactment (d) is the close answer.

Previous Weekly Quiz

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | October 06 to October 12, 2024

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | September 29 to October 05, 2024

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | September 22 to September 28, 2024

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | September 15 to September 21, 2024

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | September 08 to September 14, 2024

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