Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 18 October 2022

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding Global Multidimensional Poverty Index

1. It is an international measure of chronic and continuous multidimensional poverty covering across 111 developing countries.
2. It is annually published by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI)
3. The MPI ranges from 0 to 1, and higher values imply higher poverty.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 17 October 2022

Explanation:

What is the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)?

• About:
  • It is an international measure of acute multidimensional poverty covering across 111 developing countries. (Statement 1 is not correct)
  • It is a poverty measure that reflects the multiple deprivations that poor people face in the areas of education, health, and living standards.
• Philosophy:
  • The basic philosophy of MPI is based on the idea that poverty is not unidimensional (not just depends on income and one individual may lack several basic needs like education, health etc.), rather it is multidimensional.
• Scoring:
  • The MPI ranges from 0 to 1, and higher values imply higher poverty. (Statement 3 is correct)
  • A person is multidimensionally poor if she/he is deprived in one third or more of the weighted indicators (out of the ten indicators). Those who are deprived in one half or more of the weighted indicators are considered living in extreme multidimensional poverty.
• Publisher:
  • It is annually published by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the Human Development Report Office of the UNDP & it was first published in 2010. (Statement 2 is correct)

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the eligibility of Chief Justice of India

1. He /she should have been for at least ten years a Judge of a High Court or of two or more such Courts in succession
2. He/she should have been for at least twenty years an advocate of a High Court or of two or more such Courts in succession
3. He/she should be, in the opinion of the President, a distinguished jurist.

Which of these statements are not correct?

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

Explanation:

• Eligibility Criteria for selection as CJI: The criteria for CJI are same as that of Supreme Court judge:
  • He/she should be a citizen of India
  • He /she should have been for at least five years a Judge of a High Court or of two or more such Courts in succession or (Statement 1 is not correct)
  • He/she should have been for at least ten years an advocate of a High Court or of two or more such Courts in succession or (Statement 2 is not correct)
  • He/she should be, in the opinion of the President, a distinguished jurist (Statement 3 is correct)
• Appointment of CJI:
  • The President of India appoints Chief Justice of India and the other judges of the Supreme Court under clause (2) of Article 124 of the Indian Constitution.
  • The President makes appointment after consultations with judges of the Supreme Court, as the President may “deem necessary”.

Q3. In which of the following cases Justice Chandrachud was not a part of the judgement?

1. Right to Privacy Judgement
2. Sabarimala Temple
3. Decriminalisation of Homosexuality
4. Central Vistas Case

Explanation:

Landmark judgments of Justice Chandrachud:

• Ayodhya land title dispute: Justice Chandrachud was part of the bench that resolved the Ayodhya land title dispute, paving way for the construction of Ram temple.
• Decriminalization of homosexuality: He was part of the bench that partially struck down Section 377 of the IPC that criminalized homosexuality.
• Validity of the Aadhaar scheme: Justice Chandrachud dissented with the majority opinion when he opined that passing Aadhaar bill as money bill was unconstitutional.
• Sabarimala temple issue: Justice Chandrachud supported the right of women in the 10-50 age group to visit the Sabarimala Temple and held that not allowing them to enter violated constitutional morality.
• Expanding scope of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act: He was part of the bench that expanded the provision of the law to include unmarried women, even transgender, for abortion between 20-24 weeks of pregnancy.
• Right to privacy judgment: Justice Chandrachud wrote the judgment for a nine-judge constitution bench in the Justice K S Puttaswamy versus Union of India case that unanimously ruled that right to privacy constituted a fundamental right.
• Permanent commission for women officers: The bench headed by Justice Chandrachud gave judgment in favour of women officers in the Army getting permanent commission and command postings.
• Demolition of Supertech towers: Justice Chandrachud headed the bench that ordered the demolition of realty major Supertech’s twin 40-storey towers in Noida.

Q4. Which of the following is not a disadvantage of decline in the rupee value?

1. Inflation
2. Debt payments
3. Decline in foreign investments
4. Discourage Imports

Explanation:

What are the implications of decline in rupee value?

• Advantages:
  • Boost exports: The weakening of the rupee makes some exports more viable as a result of competitive price. However, input raw materials become costlier.
  • Discourage imports: The higher price of imported goods will discourage imports, which in turn helps with reducing the buildup of external debt.
• Disadvantages:
  • Inflation: Indian economy is heavily dependent on imports for commodities such as oil and gold. Since prices are determined in US dollars, the country will be forced to pay more rupees to secure the product.
  • Increase in fuel prices is expected to increase inflation in the country. A 10 percent dollar appreciation will lead to 1 percent rise in inflation.
  • Debt payments: The servicing of sovereign debts will be more costly as the value of dollars has increased. The government and private players have to repay more rupees for same amount of dollars.
  • Decline in foreign investments: Foreign investors will reduce investments in the country as their profits will decline as a result of currency depreciation.
  • This will impact long term growth in emerging economies such as India.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding 5G

1. The latency of 5G networks is very high as compared to the 4G networks.
2. 5G is divided into three frequency bands (low, mid, and high). Each band has different capabilities.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

Latency

• Latency refers to the delay between a request for data transfer and when the data transfer begins.
• For example, this could be time between when you click a link and the network starts sending you the data contained in it.
• The latency of 4G networks is between 60 to 98 milliseconds. 5G technology should theoretically bring this under 5 milliseconds, maybe even around one millisecond. (Statement 1 is not correct)

Spectrum

• It refers to the bands of radio frequencies that are allocated to different telecom companies and industries.
• In general, a higher frequency spectrum means faster data connectivity but this comes at the cost of range. A lower frequency spectrum loses out on speed but makes up for it with better range.

Bands of 5G

• 5G is divided into three frequency bands (low, mid, and high). Each band has different capabilities. (Statement 2 is correct)

Q6. Recently, which of the following nations has endorsed the “wolf warrior” style?

1. Taiwan
2. Ukraine
3. China
4. India

Explanation:

Context: Chinese President Xi Jinping has endorsed the “wolf warrior” style of Chinese diplomacy to handle issues both domestically and internationally.

What is wolf warrior diplomacy?

• The “wolf warrior diplomacy” is a tactic employed by the Chinese government to extend its ideology beyond China and counter the West and defend itself.
• It is an unofficial term for aggressive and confrontational style of communication that Chinese diplomats have followed in the last decade.
• Inspiration: The Chinese movie titled ‘Wolf Warrior’, and its sequel has served as the inspiration for the term.
• Objective: Safeguarding the interests of the country and the people, thereby upholding China’s sovereignty.

Q7. Consider the following statements regarding Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS)

1. It is a permanent organ of SCO that aims to ensure security of the SCO member states from transnational crimes associated with terrorism, illegal migration and trafficking of drugs, weapons, explosives.
2. It has its secretariat located in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

Context: The Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) have decided to jointly counter the threats posed by international terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan.

More on the News

• The decision was taken at a meeting of the council of RATS in New Delhi. It was also decided to organize a military exercise called Solidarity 2023 in China.
• About SCO-RATS:
  • It is a permanent organ of SCO that aims to ensure security of the SCO member states from transnational crimes associated with terrorism, illegal migration and trafficking of drugs, weapons, explosives, (Statement 1 is correct)
  • It facilitates coordination between the SCO member states in the fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism.
  • It has its secretariat located in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. (Statement 2 is not correct)

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding Gamma Rays

1. Gamma rays have the smallest wavelengths and the most energy of any wave in the electromagnetic spectrum.
2. They are produced by the hottest and most energetic objects in the universe, such as neutron stars and pulsars, supernova explosions, and regions around black holes.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

What are Gamma Rays?

• About: Gamma rays have the smallest wavelengths and the most energy of any wave in the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Source:
  • They are produced by the hottest and most energetic objects in the universe, such as neutron stars and pulsars, supernova explosions, and regions around black holes.
  • On Earth, gamma waves are generated by nuclear explosions, lightning, and the less dramatic activity of radioactive decay.
• Detection:
  • They are detected through a process called Compton scattering wherein a gamma ray strikes an electron and loses energy, like what happens when a cue ball strikes an eight ball.
  • These collisions create charged particles that can be detected by the sensor.

Q9. Recently in news, the term ‘Pasmanda’ is used in the context of –

1. Religious movement in Odisha
2. Agriculture reform movement
3. Backward classes amongst Lingayat
4. Backward classes amongst Muslims

Explanation:

Context: A first-of-its-kind meeting of Pasmanda Muslims in Lucknow has been organized by a political party to reach out to this community in India.

Who are the Pasmanda Muslims?

• Pasmanda is a Persian word that means the ‘ones left behind’. The word is used to describe the depressed classes among Muslims who have been deliberately or consciously excluded from the fruits of power and privilege.
• Backward, Dalit, and tribal Muslims use the word Pasmanda as an umbrella identity to flag caste-based discrimination within the community.
• The term ‘Pasmanda Muslims’ was first used in 1998 by Ali Anwar Ansari when he founded the Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz.
• This community has its stronghold in Uttar Pradesh where the Pasmandas account for around 75% of the total Muslim population.

Q10. Consider the following statements regarding Khajuraho Group of Monuments

1. It was inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1986.
2. These temples were built during the Chandella dynasty, which reached at its pinnacle between 950 and 1050.
3. Only 20 temples remain, belonging to three different religions namely- Buddhisam, Hinduism and Jainism.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. All of the above
4. 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Khajuraho Group of Monuments

• It was inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1986. (Statement 1 is correct)
• These temples were built during the Chandella dynasty, which reached at its pinnacle between 950 and 1050. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Only 20 temples remain, belonging to two different religions namely-Hinduism and Jainism, including the famous Temple of Kandariya decorated with intricately and beautifully carved sculptures. (Statement 3 is not correct)

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 19 October 2022

Sharing is caring!