July 17-2024 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

• Asia’s first and globally ninth health research-related “Pre-clinical Network Facility” under the Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) was inaugurated.
• The other labs are in the USA, Europe, and Australia.
• The facility will serve as a nodal resource centre under the aegis of the Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI) in Faridabad.

Statement 1 is incorrect

• CEPI was launched at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos in 2017 by the governments of Norway and India, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, and WEF.
• Headquarters: Oslo, Norway.

Statement 2 is correct

• It is a global partnership between public, private, philanthropic and civil society organisations.

Statement 3 is correct

• Objective: To accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and enable equitable access to these vaccines for people during outbreaks.

Statement 4 is correct

• Funding: Funded by the Wellcome Trust, Bill and Milinda Gates Foundation, World Economic Forum (WEF), Government of Norway, Japan, India (Department of Biotechnology) and Germany.

Answer: (c) 2, 3 and 4 only; Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

• Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) of India, has proposed the approval of tirzepatide, an antidiabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and for weight loss.

Statement 1 is correct

• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is the National Regulatory Authority responsible for the regulation and control of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and cosmetics.
• It was established under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940.

Statement 2 is correct

• Nodal ministry: Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Headed by: Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
• Headquarters: New Delhi.

Statement 3 is correct

• CDSCO is the sole authority for issuing manufacturing licences for drugs meant for export.

Answer: (c) All three; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Both statements are correct

• The Ministry of Education & University Grants Commission (UGC) launched three projects.
• Project ASMITA (Augmenting Study Materials in Indian Languages through Translation and Academic Writing) aims to create a robust ecosystem for translation and original book writing in Indian languages across various disciplines within higher education.
• It is a collaborative effort of the UGC and the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, a high-powered committee under the ministry, to promote Indian languages in education.
• The goal is to produce 1,000 books in 22 scheduled languages within five years, resulting in 22,000 books in Bharatiya bhasha.
• It aligns with the NEP and will bridge the linguistic divide, foster social cohesion and unity, and transform youth into socially responsible global citizens.
• Bahubhasha Shabdakosh
  • It is a single-point reference for all the words in all Indian languages and their meanings.
  • It will be developed by the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) in collaboration with the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti.
  • It will help use Bharatiya words and sentences for various new-age domains like IT, industry & education.
• Real-time Translation Architecture
  • Led by the National Education Technology Forum (NEFT) and Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti.
  • To create a technological framework to enhance real-time translation capabilities in Bharatiya Bhasha.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• ICAR was established in 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, based on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Agriculture.

• ICAR operates as an autonomous organization under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, not the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Statement 2 is correct

• The primary objective of ICAR is to coordinate, guide, and manage research and education in agriculture, including horticulture, fisheries, and animal sciences, across India.

Answer: (b) 2 only; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• In the 19th century, the Chagos Archipelago was governed from Mauritius, then a British colony.
• When Mauritius gained independence in 1968, the Chagos Archipelago remained under British control and was designated as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
• The UK retained possession of the Chagos Archipelago, including the strategic US airbase on Diego Garcia.
• Since 1975, Mauritius has pursued legal efforts to reclaim the archipelago.
• In 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory ruling instructing the United Kingdom to completely withdraw from the island.

Image Source: Lowyinstitute

Answer: (d) Mauritius and United Kingdom; Difficulty Level: Easy