Current Affairs MCQs – July 28
Consider the following statements regarding Pyrocumulonimbus (PyroCb) clouds:
- They are thunderstorm-like clouds formed due to the intense heat generated by large wildfires.
- They can inject smoke and aerosols into the stratosphere, influencing atmospheric conditions over long distances.
- They are formed only in temperate regions and are absent in tropical ecosystems.
- They can generate their own weather systems, including lightning and strong winds.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1, 2 and 4 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct
- Pyrocumulonimbus (PyroCb) clouds are thunderstorm-like clouds that form due to the intense heat generated by large wildfires, which causes rapid upward movement of air.
Statement 2 is correct
- These clouds can transport smoke, ash, and aerosols into the stratosphere, where they may remain for long periods and affect atmospheric conditions over vast distances.
Statement 3 is incorrect
- PyroCb clouds are not limited to temperate regions. They can form in any ecosystem experiencing sufficiently intense wildfires.
Statement 4 is correct
- PyroCb clouds can generate their own weather systems, including lightning, strong winds, and turbulence, which can further intensify and spread wildfires.
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only.; Difficulty Level: Medium
Which one of the following statements is not correct?
- Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV.
- Hepatitis B unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine.
- Globally, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses arc several times more than those infected with HIV.
- Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses do not show the symptoms for many years.
Explanation
Statement (a) is correct
- Both Hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS spread through infected blood, unsafe sexual contact, and mother-to-child transmission.
Statement (b) is not correct
- A vaccine is available for Hepatitis B, while Hepatitis C currently has no vaccine.
Statement (c) is correct
- Worldwide, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C is much higher than those infected with HIV/AIDS.
Statement (d) is correct
- Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infections can remain asymptomatic for years before causing liver damage.
Answer: (b) Hepatitis B unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine; Difficulty Level: Hard
BitChat, recently seen in the news, is best described as:
- A satellite-based emergency communication system developed for disaster management.
- An open-source messaging application that uses Bluetooth mesh networks for end-to-end encrypted communication without internet or cellular connectivity.
- A government-developed cyber surveillance platform for monitoring encrypted communications.
- A blockchain-based social media platform designed for decentralized content sharing.
Explanation
Option (b) is correct
- The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) recently directed GitHub, a code-hosting platform, to remove BitChat’s repositories, citing severe national security risks.
- BitChat is an open-source messaging application using Bluetooth mesh networks for end-to-end encrypted communication without relying on the internet, cellular networks, or centralised servers.
- The platform’s lack of registration, phone verification, or centralized metadata logging hampers user attribution and evidence collection, raising misuse risks during unlawful activities and internet restrictions.
- Legal Framework: The removal notice invoked Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000 and Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, 2021.
- Concerns: Blocking open-source repositories due to potential misuse violates the constitutional doctrine of proportionality and bypasses Section 69A safeguards.
Answer: (b) An open-source messaging application that uses Bluetooth mesh networks for end-to-end encrypted communication without internet or cellular connectivity.; Difficulty Level: Easy
Consider the following statements regarding PRAXIS, recently seen in the news:
- PRAXIS is a proposed NASA mission designed to physically sample and analyse particles from planetary ring systems using autonomous technologies.
- It is designed to study only the ring systems of the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn.
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
- PRAXIS (Planetary Rings Autonomous EXploration with In-situ Sampling) is a mission concept selected for funding under NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) programme. It is envisioned as the first mission to physically interact with planetary ring particles and conduct in-situ analysis using advanced autonomous technologies, including artificial intelligence and bio-inspired robotics. The mission would analyze the size, composition, and porosity of ring particles without bringing samples back to Earth.
Statement 2 is incorrect
- PRAXIS is not restricted to the ring systems of Jupiter and Saturn. In addition to studying the rings of major planets, the mission concept aims to explore ring systems around Centaur minor planets such as Chariklo and Chiron, which are located between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus. This broader scope is expected to improve our understanding of the origin, evolution, and diversity of planetary ring systems across the Solar System.
Answer: (a) 1 only; Difficulty Level: Easy
Consider the following statements regarding the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL):
- It is a subsidiary body of the United Nations General Assembly established to promote the harmonisation and unification of international trade law.
- All legal instruments developed by UNCITRAL are legally binding on member states upon their adoption by the Commission.
- India has been a continuous member of UNCITRAL since its establishment in 1966.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct
- UNCITRAL was established by the UN General Assembly in 1966 as its subsidiary body to facilitate the progressive harmonisation and unification of international trade law and reduce legal barriers to cross-border commerce.
Statement 2 is incorrect
- UNCITRAL develops various legal instruments, including Conventions, Model Laws, and Legislative Guides. Only Conventions become legally binding upon ratification by states, whereas Model Laws and Legislative Guides are non-binding and acquire legal force only when incorporated into domestic legislation.
Statement 3 is correct
- India is among the few countries that have maintained uninterrupted membership in UNCITRAL since its inception in 1966.
Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Medium
