Daily Current Affairs for UPSC

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2023

Q) With reference to Landslide classification, which one of the following best define the term Slides?

A forward rotation of a mass of debris out of a slope.
A downslope movement of material along a slip surface.
The movement of debris down a slope like a fluid.
Rapid movement of boulders detached from steep slopes.

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 16 June April 2023

Explanation:

Landslide is the rapid sliding of large mass of bedrocks. It is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. The term landslide encompasses five modes of slope movement i.e., falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows.

Option (1) is incorrect: Topple is defined as the forward rotation of a mass of debris or rock out of a slope. The slope failure generally occurs at point near the base of the block of rock.
Option (2) is correct: A Slide is a downslope movement of material that occurs along a slip surface.
Option (3) is incorrect: Flow refers to the movement of soil, rock, or other debris down a slope in a fluid-like manner.
Option (4) is incorrect: Falls are defined as the rapid movements of rocks and boulders detached from steep slopes or cliffs along fractures, joints, and bedding planes.

Q) Which of the following statements is not correct about the Indian Armed Forces?

The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Force.
Each Army command headed by a general officer commanding-in-chief directly reports to the President of India.
The Western the Eastern Naval Commands are ‘Operational Commands’ while the Southern Command is the training Command.
The Andaman and Nicobar Command and the Strategic Forces Command are the only two joint services commands in India.

Explanation:

Option (1) is correct: The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Force, but they work under the management of the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India.
Option (2) is incorrect: The Indian Army is organized into 7 commands with 6 operational commands and one training command. Each command is headed by a general officer commanding-in-chief (GOC-in-C), known as the army commander. Each command directly reports to the army headquarter at New Delhi.
Option (3) is correct: The Navy has the following three Commands, each under the control of a Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief. The Western and the Eastern Naval Commands are ‘Operational Commands’, and exercise control over operations in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal respectively. The Southern Command is the Training Command.
Option (4) is correct: At present, there are two joint services commands in India, the first one is Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) and the second, being Strategic Forces Command (SFC). ANC is the only tri-service theater command of the Indian Armed Forces, based at Port Blair. The Strategic Forces Command (SFC), sometimes called Strategic Nuclear Command, forms part of India’s Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).

Q) Consider the following statements about Adiya-L1 Space Mission:

It is India’s first space-based mission to study the Sun.
The objective is to continuously view the Sun without any eclipses.
It will be launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in XL configuration.
It will be placed in a halo orbit around the Second Lagrange point of the Sun-Mercury system.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only one
Only two
Only three
All four

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2 are correct but Statement 4 is incorrect: Aditya-L1 is India’s first space-based mission to study the Sun. It will be placed in a halo orbit around the first Lagrange (L1) point of the Sun-Earth system. A satellite placed around the L1 point can continuously view the Sun without any occultation/eclipses. This will provide a greater advantage of observing the solar activities and its effect on space weather in real time.
Statement 3 is correct: Aditya L1 will be a 400 kg-class satellite that will be launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in XL configuration. The satellite carried payloads that will observe the photosphere, chromosphere and the corona using electromagnetic and particle and magnetic field detectors.

Q) How many of the following can be considered as applications of stem cell technology?

It can help understand occurrence of diseases.
It can be used to test the drugs for safety and quality.
It can be used to regenerate and repair damaged tissues.
It can be cultured to form organs, which can be later used in organ transplantation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Only one
Only two
Only three
All four

Explanation:

Stem cells are a type of cells that can develop into specialised cells in the body, such as muscle cells, blood cells and brain cells etc. Stem cell technology involves using stem cells to develop tissues and later specialized organs of the body under laboratory conditions.

Applications of stem cell technology:

Statement 1 is correct: Observing stem cells mature into cells in bones, heart muscle, nerves, and other organs and tissue, helps understand occurrence of diseases.
Statement 2 is correct: Particular type of stem cells can be used to test the drugs for safety and quality. This will reduce the need for trial and error in humans.
Statement 3 is correct: Stem cells can be guided to develop into specific cells that can be used to regenerate and repair tissues that may have been damaged by diseases.
Statement 4 is correct: Stem cells can be cultured to form organs, which can be later used in organ transplantation. This reduces chances of rejection by the body.

Q) Consider the following statements about the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID):

It was set up as a principal development financial institution for infrastructure financing.
It can source funds from government and multi-lateral institution but not directly from the market.
It can raise money in loans only in Indian rupees not in foreign currencies to keep the inflation in check.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only one
Only two
All three
None

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) has raised Rs 10,000 crore by issuance of listed bonds. It was set up as a principal development financial institution (DFIs) for infrastructure financing.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Institutions such as NaBFID will be providing long-term finance for segments of the economy where the risks involved are beyond the acceptable limits of commercial banks and other ordinary financial institutions. They do not accept deposits from people. They source funds from the market, government, as well as multi-lateral institution.
Statement 3 is incorrect: NaBFID can raise money in loans, both in Indian rupees and foreign currencies, or raise money by the issuance of various financial instruments including bonds and debentures. It can borrow money from central government, RBI, scheduled commercial banks, mutual funds, and institutions such as World Bank and Asian Development Bank.