Daily Current Affairs for UPSC

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2023

Q) Recently seen in news, the ‘DPT3 vaccine’ is commonly used for which one of the following diseases?

Pseudomonas Infection
Tuberculosis and HIV
Diphtheria and tetanus
Leptospirosis and Pneumonia

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 18 July April 2023

Explanation:

Option (3) is correct: DPT3 vaccine refers to the third dose of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus. As per WHO, the coverage rate for DPT3 vaccines in India rose to an all-time of 93% in 2022. The WHO and UNICEF estimates for national immunisation coverage for 2022 has been released recently. Each year WHO and UNICEF jointly review reports submitted by Member States regarding national immunization coverage, finalized survey reports as well as data from the published and grey literature. DPT Vaccine is a class of combination vaccines against three infectious diseases in humans: diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. This vaccine is administered to children in 3 doses, for children below 7 years of age. The coverage of this vaccine is often used to assess how well countries are doing in providing routine immunisation services to children.

Q) Consider the following statements about the Enforcement Directorate (ED):

It works under the Department of Revenue.
All public servants come under the jurisdiction of the ED for offences related to money laundering.
ED is empowered to take Suo motu action on cases related to the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Only one
Only two
All three
None

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is a specialized law enforcement agency in India. It functions under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, and is responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting financial crimes in the country. ED is a multi-disciplinary organization, and its statutory functions include enforcement of following Acts:
The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).
The Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA).
The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (FEOA).
The Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 (FERA).
Sponsoring agency under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA).
Statement 2 is correct but statement 3 is incorrect: Both FEMA or PMLA apply to the whole of India. So, the ED can take action against any person on which this act applies. Cases under FEMA may lie in civil courts where PMLA cases will lie in criminal courts. The agency has jurisdiction over a person or any other legal entity who commits a crime. All the public servants come under the jurisdiction of the agency if they are involved in any offence related to money laundering. ED cannot take an action Suo motu. One has to complain to any other agency or Police first and then ED will investigate the matter and will identify the accused.

Q) Consider the following statements:

Statement-1: The collegium system of Supreme Court judge appointment is mentioned in the Indian Constitution.

Statement-2: It has been evolved from various judgments of the Supreme Court.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are correct and Statement-2 is the correct explanation for Statement-1
Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are correct and Statement-2 is not the correct explanation for Statemeht-1
Statement-1 is correct but Statement-2 is incorrect
Statement-1 is incorrect but Statement-2 is correct

Explanation:

Option (4) is correct: The Supreme Court Collegium has recently recommended the names of four advocates for appointment as judges of different High Courts. The collegium system is the way by which judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts are appointed and transferred. The collegium system is not rooted in the Constitution or a specific law promulgated by Parliament; it has evolved through judgments of the Supreme Court. These cases are called “Judges Cases”. The Supreme Court Collegium is a five-member body, which is headed by the incumbent CJI and comprises the four other senior most judges of the court at that time. A High Court collegium is led by the incumbent Chief Justice and two other senior most judges of that court. Names recommended for appointment by a High Court collegium reach the government only after approval by the CJI and the Supreme Court collegium. The government can return the recommended Judge for reconsideration by Collegium. If the collegium reiterates its recommendation, then the government is mandated to appoint a person.

Q) With reference to Transgenic crops, consider the following statements:

Such crops have an improved nutritional composition as compared to regular crops.
The process of ‘RNA interference’ modifies a plant’s characteristics by silencing the targeted genes in it.
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee appraises the proposals to release genetically engineered organisms into the environment.

How many of the statements given above are not correct?

Only one
Only two
All three
None

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Transgenic crops, also known as genetically modified (GM) crops are plants that have been modified through the introduction of genetic material from a different organism. Genetic engineering can be used to improve the nutritional composition of crops. For example, bio-fortified GM crops can be developed to have higher levels of essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. GM crops can provide economic benefits to farmers, such as increased yields, reduced input costs (e.g., pesticides, herbicides), and improved marketability of their produce.
Statement 2 is correct: RNA interference (RNAi) is a mechanism that regulates gene expression. The use of RNAi enables the silencing of target genes in plants or plant-dwelling organisms, through the production of double stranded RNA (dsRNA) resulting in altered plant characteristics.
Statement 3 is correct: The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) functions in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). As per Rules, 1989, it is responsible for appraisal of activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle. The committee is also responsible for appraisal of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.

Q) Consider the following statements about Lightning:

It is a rapid discharge of electricity due to significant electrical potential difference within different layers of a cloud.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, deaths from lightning strikes accounted for nearly 40 percent of all deaths brought on by natural factors.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Lightning is a natural electrical discharge that occurs during thunderstorms. It is a sudden and powerful release of electrical energy between the clouds and the ground or between different regions within a cloud. The phenomenon is caused by the buildup of electrical charges within the clouds, as well as between the clouds and the Earth’s surface. When the electrical potential difference between these charged regions becomes significant, it results in a rapid discharge of electricity in the form of a bright flash of light known as lightning. This electrical discharge can be extremely hot, reaching temperatures of up to 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit (30,000 degrees Celsius), which is about five times hotter than the surface of the Sun.
Statement 2 is correct: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data show that 2,880 people died in lightning strikes in 2021. While 2,862 people died in 2020, the number stood at 2,876 in 2019. These deaths made up 40% of all accidental deaths caused by “forces of nature”.