Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 18 March 2023

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2023

Q) Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, empowers government to:

1. Block online content.
2. Criminalising sending of offensive messages.
3. Legal phone-tapping.
4. Internet shutdowns.

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 16 March 2023

Explanation:

• Option (1) is correct: Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, empowers government to block online content. Section 69A allows the government to order the blocking of content on the grounds of it being necessary or expedient to do so in the interest of sovereignty and integrity, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for inciting cognizable offence relating to above. Backing law: Under Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information for Public) Rules, 2009, government passed the order. A Review Committee is required to meet at least once in two months to see if blocking under Section 69A were necessary. None of the 32,325 blocking orders passed since 2014 have been overturned by the Review Committee.

Q) Consider the following statements about the International Criminal Court (ICC):

1. The ICC is an intergovernmental organisation.
2. ICC lacks universal territorial jurisdiction.
3. ICC has the authority & powers over genocide crimes against humanity, war crimes & crimes of aggression.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation:

• All statements are correct: The ICC is an intergovernmental organisation formed as a standing body to investigate war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of 1998. It was a successor to ad hoc international tribunals set up in the 1990s to address the atrocity committed in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. ICC is different from the International Court of Justice, an organ of the United Nations that hears disputes between states. As of 2019, 123 states are parties to the Statute of the Court. India is neither a member nor has it signed the Rome Statute. ICC has the authority & powers over genocide crimes against humanity, war crimes & crimes of aggression under Article 5 of Rome Statute. ICC does not have any retroactive authority over crimes that were committed before the Statute was enforced. ICC lacks universal territorial jurisdiction as it can only investigate and prosecute crimes committed within member states or by nationals of member states.

Q) Which one of the following statements is not correct about the Olive Ridley Turtles?

1. They are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world.
2. They are mostly found in the warm and tropical waters of Pacific and Indian Oceans.
3. Gahirmatha wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha is the world’s largest nesting site for Olive Ridley Turtles.
4. Indian Coast Guard’s “Operation Olivia” helps in protection of Olive Ridley turtles during their breeding season.

Explanation:

• Option (1) is in correct: About Olive Ridley Turtles
  • They are the second smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world.
  • They are mostly found in the warm and tropical waters of Pacific and Indian Oceans but can also be found in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Gahirmatha wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha is the world’s largest nesting site for Olive Ridley Turtles.
  • Olive Ridley nesting sites can be found on both east and west coast of India, apart from Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep islands.
  • Indian Coast Guard’s “Operation Olivia” helps in protection of Olive Ridley turtles during their breeding season.

Q) Consider the following statements:

1. Genome India Project is a WHO-led initiative aims to sequence the genomes of over 1,000 Indians.
2. Personal Genomics refers to the use of genome sequencing technologies to obtain information about an individual’s genetic makeup.
3. Genome Sequencing involves reading the order of nucleotide bases that make up the DNA molecules in an organism’s genome.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: It is a government-led initiative launched in 2019 that aims to sequence the genomes of over 10,000 Indians from diverse socio-economic, geographical, and linguistic backgrounds to create a comprehensive genomic database of the Indian population.
• Statement 2 is correct: PGM, also known as personal genomics or consumer genomics, refers to the use of genome sequencing technologies to obtain information about an individual’s genetic makeup.
• Statement 3 is correct: Genome sequencing is the process of determining the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome. It involves reading the order of nucleotide bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine) that make up the DNA molecules in an organism’s genome.

Q) Consider the following statements about Asiatic Lions:

1. Asiatic lion faces threat of genetic inbreeding because of a single population living in one place.
2. Asiatic lions are slightly larger than African lions.
3. Currently, Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only abode of the Asiatic lion in the world.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: Major threats for Asiatic lion:
  • faces threat of genetic inbreeding because of a single population living in one place.
  • The population of a whole sub-species present in a single area could make them vulnerable to disease outbreak, increasing chances of extinction.
  • Road and railway lines passing through Gir National Park has prevented lions from freely migrating from one area to another.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions. The most striking morphological character, which is always seen in Asiatic lions, and rarely in African lions, is a longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly.
• Statement 3 is correct: Asiatic lions were once distributed upto the state of West Bengal in east and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, in central India. At present Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only abode of the Asiatic lion. The last surviving population of the Asiatic lions is a compact tract of dry deciduous forest and open grassy scrublands in southwestern part of Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

Sharing is caring!