Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 8 July 2023

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2023

Q) Recently in news, the ‘Dhauliganga River’ originates from which one of the following source?

1. Suraj Tal
2. Chorabari glacier
3. Satopanth Glacier
4. Vasudhara Tal

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 7 July April 2023

Explanation:

• Option (4) is correct: Dhauli Ganga originates from Vasudhara Tal, perhaps the largest glacial lake in Uttarakhand and flows in a meandering course, which takes it through the Nanda Devi National Park. Dhauliganga is one of the important tributaries of Alaknanda, the other being the Nandakini, Pindar, Mandakini and Bhagirathi. Dhauliganga is joined by the Rishiganga River at Raini. More than 100 people living in Chal village in Darma Valley of Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand were stranded and cut off from nearby areas after a trolley was washed away in the swollen Dhauli River due to heavy rain.

Q) Consider the following statements about earthquakes:

1. The movement of glaciers can cause earthquakes by changing the Earth’s crust.
2. The ‘Modified Mercalli Intensity’ scale takes into account the height of a building when measuring earthquake intensity.
3. At present, less than half of India’s land is under threat of moderate to severe seismic hazards.

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

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: An earthquake is a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust that creates seismic waves. The focus, also known as the hypocentre, is the point within the Earth where an earthquake originates. Epicentre is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus or source of an earthquake. The movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates can cause earthquakes when the plates interact along plate boundaries. The movement of glaciers can cause earthquakes as they advance or retreat and cause changes in the Earth’s crust.
• Statement 2 is correct: The most commonly used scale for measuring earthquake intensity is the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, which ranges from I to XII. The MMI scale takes into account factors such as the type of building construction, the height of the building, and the distance from the earthquake’s epicenter.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: As per the current seismic zone map of the country, over 59% of India’s land area is under threat of moderate to severe seismic hazard. The entire Himalayan belt is considered prone to hazardous earthquakes of magnitude exceeding 8.0. Example: 1897 Shillong Earthquake (M8.7); 1905 Kangra (M8.0); 1950 Assam-Tibet earthquake etc (M8.6). Himalayas is the region of convergence of Indian and Eurasian plates. The Indian plate is moving at a speed of one centimetre per year towards the north and northeastern direction.

Q) With reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), consider the following statements:

1. India is one of the founding members and largest borrower of the AIIB.
2. AIIB is a multilateral development bank that aims to improve social and economic conditions in Asia.
3. Russia and China are the largest shareholders, with more than twenty percent of the voting shares each.

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

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation:

• Statements 1 and 2 are correct: The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia. It was formed in 2016. AIIB aims at investing in sustainable infrastructure and other productive sectors today, it aims to connect people, services and markets that over time will impact the lives of billions and build a better future. India is a Founding Member of AIIB. India also has the largest project portfolio within AIIB. India is by far the largest borrower as of November 2022.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: There are more than 100 members now. China is the largest shareholder with 26.61 % voting shares in the bank followed by India (7.6%), Russia (6.01%) and Germany (4.2 %). AIIB has been projected as an “Asian tool” to deal with such challenges that have stunted the growth prospects of several Asian economies.

Q) Consider the following statements about Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI):

1. TRAI can revoke the license of a service provider for non-compliance with terms and conditions.
2. The Central Government is not required to abide by the recommendations of the TRAI.
3. TRAI can direct any of its officers to inspect the books of accounts of any service provider.

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

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation:

• Statements 1 and 2 are correct: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a statutory body established in 1997 through the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, to regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services. The recommendations of the TRAI are not bindingupon the Central Government. The function of the TRAI is to make recommendations on the following matters:
• Need for introduction of new service provider.
• Revocation of license for non-compliance of terms and conditions of Licence.
• Measures to facilitate competition and promote efficiency in the operation of telecommunication services to facilitate their growth.
• Technological improvements in the services provided by the service providers.
• Discharge of Responsibilities: The TRAI is responsible for discharging the following functions:
• Ensuring the compliance of terms and conditions of Licence.
• Ensuring the technical compatibility and effective interconnection between different service providers.
• Laying down the standards of quality of service to be provided by the service providers.
• Ensuring the quality of service and conducting the periodical surveys of such services.
• Statement 3 is correct: The Authority may appoint one or more persons to make an inquiry in relation to the affairs of any service provider. TRAI is empowered to direct any of its officers or employees to inspect the books of accounts or other documents of any service provider. The Authority shall have the power to issue such directions to service providers as it may consider necessary for proper functioning by service providers.

Q) With reference to Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), consider the following statements:

1. PAM is a genetic disease caused by the addition of a chromosome to DNA.
2. PAM damages the brain tissue and causes swelling of the brain.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare infection of the central nervous system caused by infection with Naegleria fowleri, a microscopic amoeba commonly called a “brain-eating amoeba.” Naegleria fowleri is a free-living ameba (a single-celled living organism that is too small to be seen without a microscope). Naegleria fowleri lives in warm fresh water and soil around the world. Naegleria fowleridoes not live in salt water, like the ocean.
• Statement 2 is correct: PAM typically occurs when people swim in bodies of warm freshwater (such as lakes and streams/rivers) where Naegleria fowleri is present. Naegleria fowleri infects people when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose. It destroys the brain tissue and causes swelling of the brain. Naegleria fowleri can NOT be spread from person to person. Symptoms of PAM are headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures and hallucinations. PAM is treated with a combination of drugs that often include amphotericin B, azithromycin, fluconazole, rifampin, miltefosine, and dexamethasone.

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