Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 8 October 2022

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2022

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the status of defense industry in India

1. India has been ranked as the largest importer of arms for its armed forces in 2016-20
2. Domestic arms companies supply about 16 per cent of its total procurement taking India’s ranking to 4^th position in the list.
3. Ashok Leyland is the only Indian company ranked in the top 50 in the Indo-Pacific.

How many of these statements are correct?

1. Only 2 statements are correct
2. Only 1 statement is correct
3. All 3 statements are correct
4. None of the statements are correct

Explanation:

Status of defense industry in India:

• Imports: India has been ranked as the second largest importer of arms for its armed forces in 2016-20. India is dependent highly on foreign imports. (Statement 1 is not correct)
  • Many of the requiredarms are produced under licence or as components for its domestic production.
• Domestic production:Domestic arms companies supply about 16 per cent of its total procurement. Local production along with licensed production has pushed India to fourth position in the list. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Domestic companies:HindustanAeronautics Ltd, Bharat Electronics, Indian Ordnance Factories, Mazagaon Docks and Cochin Shipyard are some of the major Indian arms servicing companies.
• Ashok Leyland is the only company ranked in the top 50 in the Indo-Pacific. (Statement 3 is correct)
• Maritime projects: Larsen & Toubro has been developing AUV prototypes on its own and in collaboration with foreign partners.
• Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute is considering development of AUV prototypes.

Q) Recently a study was conducted for a detailed analysis of the nighttime cloud cover fraction over 8 high altitude observatories. Which of these observatories were part of the said exercise?

1. Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle, Ladakh
2. Indian Astronomical Observatory at Merak, Ladakh
3. Devasthal Observatory at Nainital
4. Ali Observatory at Kashmir Valley

Select the correct answer from the code below.

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

Explanation:

Major highlights of the study:

• Objective: To find ideal locations around the world to build next big telescope based on local meteorological data collected over many years.
• Plan of action: As part of the study, researchers have carried out a detailed analysis of the night time cloud cover fraction over 8 high altitude observatories:
  • Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Hanle, Merak (Ladakh) and Devasthal (Nainital) in India, (Statement 1,2 and 3 are correct)
  • Ali Observatory in the Tibet Autonomous Region in China (Statement 4 is not correct)
  • South African Large Telescope in South Africa
  • University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory
  • Paranal in Chile
  • National Astronomical Observatory in Mexico.
• Findings of the study:
  • The Paranal, located in a high-altitude Atacama Desert in Chile, is the best site in terms of clear skies with around 87% of clear nights in a year.
  • The Hanle site, which is much drier than Devasthal and has around 270 clear nights in a year, is one of the emerging sites for infrared and sub-mm optical astronomy (This is because water vapour absorbs electromagnetic signals and reduces their strength).
  • IAO-Hanle, and Ali observatories, which are located around 80 km from each other, are similar to each other in terms of clear night skies.
  • Devasthal has a slightly larger number of clear nights compared to the other sites in the sub-continent but are affected by monsoons for about three months in a year.
  • However, night observations at IAO-Hanle from 2m-Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) are possible throughout the year without any interruption due to monsoons.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Aviation Emissions

1. Aviation sector is currently responsible for 2.5 percent to three percent of global CO2 emissions.
2. France was one of the first countries to include aviation emission in their climate targets in 2021.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

Background:

• Contribution: Aviation sector is currently responsible for 5 percent to three percent of global CO2 emissions. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Future prospects: More people are expected to travel on planes in the coming years, and aviation lacks cleaner alternatives such as electric power that are rapidly becoming widely available for cars and trucks.
• Previous steps taken to reduce carbon footprint: In 2021, International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved a resolution stating that the global air transport industry would achieve carbon-neutral status by 2050.
  • UK was one of the first countries to include aviation emission in their climate targets in 2021 and helped launch the International Aviation Climate Ambition Coalition at COP26. (Statement 2 is not correct)
  • European Union has proposed higher taxes on fossil fuels including jet fuel.

Q) Recently, India’s first Dark Sky Reserve in Hanle, Ladakh is being set up. Which of these bodies have announced its establishment?

1. Indian Space Research Organisation
2. Indian Astronomical Observatory
3. Department of Science and Technology
4. National Physical Laboratory

Explanation:

Dark sky reserve:

• Recently, in September 2022, the Department of Science & Technology (DST) has announced the setting up of India’s first Dark Sky Reserve in Hanle, Ladakh.
• A Dark Sky Reserve is a designation given to a place that has policies in place to ensure that a tract of land or region has minimal artificial light interference.
• The International Dark Sky Association is a U.S.-based non-profit organization that designates places as International Dark Sky Places, Parks, Sanctuaries and Reserves, depending on the criteria they meet.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the Digital Services Act (DSA)

1. The law is aimed at regulating the functioning of the intermediaries, in terms of moderating user content.
2. Accountability will not apply on the Big Tech companies to avoid harassment of these companies by the law enforcement.
3. To ensure freedom in operation of the Big Tech companies, they will be allowed to keep their algorithm secret and above the scrutiny of the authorities.

How many of these statements are correct?

1. Only 1 statement is correct
2. Only 2 statements are correct
3. All statements are correct
4. None of the statements are correct

Explanation:

Context: The European Union (EU) has given final approval to online safety-focused legislation called the Digital Services Act (DSA).

About DSA:

• The law will regulate the functioning of the intermediaries, in terms of moderating user content. Platforms such as Google, Meta, Twitter, and YouTube will come under the purview. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Features:

• • Faster removals and provisions to challenge: Social media companies will have to add new procedures for faster removal of content considered harmful.
  • Take-down policyhas to be conveyed to the users and they will have to be given opportunity to challenge takedown decisions taken by platforms.
  • Greater responsibility for larger platforms: Increased accountability will apply on the BigTech companies. It avoids a one-size fits all approach. (Statement 2 is not correct)
  • Supervision: The European Commission will directly supervise the requirements and the enforcement of the law.
  • Transparency in working: The Big Techs will face scrutiny in terms of working of their algorithms. Regulators will have to be given access to their data to identify risks of illegal or harmful content. (Statement 3 is not correct)
  • Ad policies: Online platforms must allow users to easily identify advertisements and understand who presents or pays for the advertisement.
  • Personalized advertisement must not be used towards minors or based on sensitivepersonal data.

Q) The WHO has issued alert after four Indian-manufactured cough syrups is said to have caused 66 deaths in the Gambia. In that context, consider the following statements.

1. Diethylene glycol and Ethylene glycol are the products under the scanner.
2. Promethazine and Kofexmalin are the possible contaminants.
3. These contaminants are said to cause acute kidney injury in young children.

Which of these statements are not correct?

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

Explanation:

Context: The WHO has issued alert after four Indian-manufactured cough syrups is said to have caused 66 deaths in the Gambia.

More on the News:

• The cough syrup could potentially be linked to acute kidney injury in children and 66 deaths in the West African nation of The Gambia.
• Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup are the products under scanner. They were manufactured and exported by Maiden Pharmaceuticals of India. (Statement 1 is not correct)
• Reasons for the death: Analysis of the product has confirmed the presence of large amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants. (Statement 2 is not correct)
• These contaminants are said to cause acute kidney injury in young children. (Statement 3 is correct)

Q) Recently in news, the Lassa Fever is caused by which of the following?

1. Single-stranded RNA Virus
2. Double-stranded DNA Virus
3. Single-stranded DNA Virus
4. Double-stranded RNA Virus

Explanation:

What is Lassa fever?

• About: It is a zoonotic disease endemic to parts of West Africa and was first discovered in 1969 in Nigeria.
• Pathogen:
  • It is caused by the Lassa virus, which is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the virus family Arenaviridae.
  • The virus is named after a town in Nigeria where the first cases were discovered

Q) Recently in news, Daksh initiative has been launched by which of the following organisations to monitor compliance requirements?

1. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
2. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
3. Reserve Bank of India
4. Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Explanation:

Context: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das launched a new initiative called DAKSH.

About:

• DAKSH is a web-based end-to-end workflow application through which RBI shall monitor compliance requirements in a more focused manner.
• It will be RBI-controlled advanced supervisory monitoring system, which is expected to make the supervisory processes more robust.
• It will help in further improving the compliance culture in Supervised Entities (SEs) like Banks, NBFCs, etc.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Vyommitra

1. Vyommitra is the ‘female’ robot astronaut which will fly aboard the first manned flight of theGaganyaan expected in 2024.
2. The ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) was responsible for the design, development, and integration of the robot.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

Context: Vyommitra, is undergoing pre-flight ground tests at the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU).

About Vyommitra:

• Features:
  • Vyommitra is the ‘female’ robot astronaut.
  • It is a half-humanoid lacking lower limbs.
  • It is designed to fly aboard a rocket, withstanding vibrations and shock during the flight.
  • It resembles a human with facial expressions and speech and sight capabilities.
  • It will fly aboard the first unmanned test flight ahead of the crewed Gaganyaan flight expected in 2024. (Statement 1 is not correct)
  • IISU was responsible for the design, development, and integration of the robot. The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) at Thumba developed its fingers. (Statement 2 is correct)

Q) Recently in news, Basilica of Our Lady of Grace is located at which of the following places?

1. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
2. Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
3. Vasco Da Gama, Goa
4. Travancore, Kerala

Explanation:

Context: This October marks the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Basilica of Our Lady of Graces, which was constructed in 1822 by Begum Samru.

About Begum Samru

• She was a Muslim Nautch girl (dancing girl) of 14 who married a European mercenary soldier Walter Reinhardt Sombre.
• Samru converted to Roman Catholicism in 1781 and adopted the name Joanna Nobilis.
• She is regarded as the only Catholic ruler in India, and ruled the Principality of Sardhana in 18th and 19th century.
• Begum Samru inherited the Jagir of Sardhana after her husband’s death in 1778. Subsequently, she decided to construct a Church at Sardhana, dedicated to Virgin Mary.

Basilica of Our Lady of Grace

• It is a Roman Catholic Church in Sardhana of Meerut, in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
• It is also known as ‘Churches among the Churches’ and is the largest Church in North India.

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