Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 11 October 2022

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2022

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the Great Depression of 1930s

1. The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression between 1929 and 1939 that began after a major fall in stock prices in the United States.
2. Between 1929 and 1932, worldwide gross domestic product (GDP) fell by an estimated 50%.
3. International trade fell by more than 15%, unemployment in the U.S. rose to 23% and in some countries rose as high as 33%.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 2 and 3 only
2. 1 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 3 only

Explanation:

The Great Depression of 1930s

• The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression between 1929 and 1939 that began after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Between 1929 and 1932, worldwide gross domestic product (GDP) fell by an estimated 15%. (Statement 2 is not correct)
• Devastating effects were seen in both rich and poor countries with falling personal income, prices, tax revenues, profits and prices. International trade fell by more than 50%, unemployment in the U.S. rose to 23% and in some countries rose as high as 33%. (Statement 3 is not correct)
• Cities around the world were hit hard, especially those dependent on heavy industry. Construction was virtually halted in many countries. Farming communities and rural areas suffered as crop prices fell by about 60%.

Q) Recently, a report titled “Extreme Heat: Preparing for the heat waves of the future” was released by –

1. United Nations Environment Program
2. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
3. Indian Meteorological Department
4. None of the above

Explanation:

• The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have released a report titled “Extreme heat: Preparing for the heat waves of the future”.

Key highlights of the report

• Heatwaves are a major cause of suffering and death:
  • Between 2010 and 2019, IFRC recorded 38 heatwaves that accounted for the deaths of over 70,000 people, making them among the deadliest hazards in that period.
  • The 2010 Russian heatwave alone claimed up to 55,000 lives due to a combination of extreme heat and wildfires.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Credit Information Companies (CIC)

1. A Credit Information Company (CIC) is an organization that collects and analyses credit and loan related data about individuals and companies.
2. CICs work in India under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. Both 1 and 2
3. 2 only
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

Credit Information Companies (CIC):

• A Credit Information Company (CIC) is an organization that collects and analyses credit and loan related data about individuals and companies. (Statement 1 is correct)
• CICs work in India under the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). (Statement 2 is not correct)
• The organization generates its products and services based on this data. This credit data is provided to CICs by member banks and other financial institutions.
• Functions: Based on individual’s data, a Credit Information Company prepares a Credit Information Report and a Credit Score.

Q) The RBI has issued directions for appointment of Internal Ombudsman for all Credit Information Companies (CIC). The Internal Ombudsman shall handle complaints regarding –

1. Internal administration
2. Human resources
3. Pay and emoluments of staff

Select the correct answer from the code below

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. None of the above
4. 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

About Internal Ombudsman:

• The Internal Ombudsman will provide redressal of customer complaints involving deficiency in services rendered by RBI regulated entities.
• The ombudsman shall not handle complaints received directly from the customers or members of the public but only those already been examined by the organization.
• The Internal Ombudsman shall not handle disputes related to:
  • Frauds, misappropriation etc., except those resulting from deficiency in service.
  • Complaints regarding (a) internal administration, (b) human resources, (c) pay and emoluments of staff; (None of them are correct)
  • Nature of suggestions and commercial decisions of the NBFC.
  • Complaints that have been decided by or are pending in fora such as Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, courts, etc.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Rosetta Stone

1. The Rosetta Stone is a large stone slab with inscriptions on it. They were said to have been placed all over the Kingdom in ancient Egypt.
2. British took the stone from the Egyptian warlords after their defeat in the middle eastern wars.

Which of these statements are not correct?

1. 2 only
2. Both 1 and 2
3. 1 only
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

Context: Historians from Egypt have asked the British Museum to return the Rosetta Stone.

About Rosetta Stone:

• The Rosetta Stone is a large stone slab with inscriptions on it. It is believed to be a piece of a bigger rock. (Statement 1 is correct)
• It has inscriptions in three scripts, all of which provide a decree or public message. They were said to have been placed all over the Kingdom in ancient Egypt.
• Origin: The inscriptions were made during the reign of King Ptolemy V who ruled from 204–181 BC. The age of stone is said to be over 2,000 years.
• Discovery: The stone was discovered during the time of French king Napoleon Bonaparte, who was in Egypt from 1798 to 1801. It was found accidentally in the city of Rashid (called Rosetta by the French) in the Nile Delta.
  • After the defeat of the French, the stone was transferred to the British under the Treaty of Alexandria (1801).  (Statement 2 is not correct)

Q) Which among the following countries is not bordering the Black Sea?

1. Bulgaria
2. Italy
3. Romania
4. Georgia

Explanation: the Black Sea is bordered by Ukraine to the north, Russia to the northeast, Georgia to the east, Turkey to the south, and Bulgaria and Romania to the west.

Q) Recently in news, Tele-MANAS has been launched by which of these ministries?

1. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
2. Ministry of Telecommunication
3. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
4. None of the above

Explanation:

• The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched the Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative on World Mental Health Day.

What is Tele-MANAS?

About

• It is a round-the-clock mental health service that aims to increase access to mental healthcare across India.
• This initiative will be the digital arm of the National Mental Health Programme and District Mental Health Programme.
• This mental health service can be accessed by calling the helpline number 14416 and 1-800-91-4416.

Q) The government has approved the creation of a Weapon System branch for officers of which of these services?

1. Indian Army
2. Indian Navy
3. Indian Air Force
4. Indian Coast Guard

Explanation:

Context: The government has approved the creation of a Weapon System branch for officers in the Indian Air Force (IAF).

About the Weapons Systems Branch (WSB)

• This is the first time since Independence that a new operational branch is being setup
• The WSB will bring different weapons systems operators under one entity. It will streamline the operational employment of all specialists airborne and ground-based weapons systems.
• This will essentially be for manning of four specialised streams of Surface-to-Surface missiles, Surface to Air Missiles, Remotely Piloted Aircraft and weapon system operators in twin and multi crew aircraft.
• Creation of this branch would result in savings of over ₹3,400 crore due to reduced expenditure on flying training.
• The IAF also unveiled a new digital camouflage uniform for its rank and file.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Quantum Entanglement.

1. Quantum entanglement means that aspects of one particle of an entangled pair depend on aspects of the other particle.
2. In quantum entanglement, the behaviour of one particle produces a delayed reaction in the other particle.

Which of these statements is correct?

1. Neither 1 nor 2
2. 1 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. 2 only

Explanation:

What is quantum entanglement?

• Quantum entanglement means that aspects of one particle of an entangled pair depend on aspects of the other particle. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The behaviour of one produced an instantaneous reaction in the other. (Statement 2 is not correct)
  • This was possible even if they were no longer connected in any way and were separated by very large distances.
  • These particles can be electrons or photons, and an aspect could be its state, such as whether it is “spinning” in one direction or another.
  • Application: Quantum entanglement can be used for quantum communication, quantum computation and information processing tasks that cannot be performed by classical systems.

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