March 16-17-18 2024 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

• NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) initiative aims to address future challenges in defence and security by harnessing technological solutions.
• Through collaboration with a diverse network of partners, DIANA seeks to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative solutions with applications in both civil and defence sectors.
• Recently, the DIANA initiative board approved a proposal to establish an accelerator and two test centers in Finland, with a mission to foster technology, innovation, and business development for both civil and defence purposes.
• Drawing upon Finland’s extensive technological expertise and track record of success, these initiatives will focus on cutting-edge areas such as next-generation communication systems, 6G technology, cybersecurity, quantum, and space technologies.

Answer: (d) Solve Critical Defence and Security Challenges; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Human Development Reports (HDRs) have been released since 1990 and have explored different themes through the human development approach.
• The reports are produced by the Human Development Report Office for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• Indicators of Human Development Index:
  • Life expectancy at birth (Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3)
  • Expected years of schooling (SDG 4.3)
  • Mean years of schooling (SDG 4.4)
  • Gross national income (GNI) (SDG 8.5)

Statement 2 is correct

• According to the 2023-24 Human Development Report (HDR), titled ‘Breaking the Gridlock: Reimagining Cooperation in a Polarised World,’ India ranks 134 on the global Human Development Index (HDI), Switzerland has been ranked number one.
• There is an emerging “democracy paradox”, with most of those surveyed expressing support for democracy but also endorsing leaders who may undermine democratic principles.
• This paradox, coupled with a sense of powerlessness and a lack of control over government decisions, has fuelled political polarisation and inward-looking policy approaches.

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

• The Darien Gap is a stretch of densely forested jungle across northern Colombia and southern Panama.

  

• Roughly 60 miles (97 kilometres) across, the terrain is muddy, wet and unstable.
• Cellphone service stops once people enter the dense forest; migrants rely on the paid “guides” and fellow migrants to make it through.
• The route, and really the entire trajectory that people take when they migrate from South America to North America, is controlled by criminal organisations that make millions annually in the human migration economy.
• Extortion and kidnapping are common occurrences along with cases of sexual assault.
  

  Natural Factors Making the Journey so Dangerous: Flash floods and rushing rapids mean that many people are swept away and drown in the muddy waters. Bruises, cuts, animal bites and fractures are common. The high humidity and heat each day, combined with a lack of clean drinking water, mean that many fall sick with symptoms of severe dehydration. Vector-borne, water-borne and fungal-related illnesses are also quite common. The extreme nature of the swamplike jungle also makes the journey dangerous.

Answer: (c) Isthmus of Panama; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is a law enforcement agency and economic intelligence agency responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting economic crime in India.
• It is part of the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The ED is not responsible for enforcing the Income Tax Act, 1961.
• The Income Tax Department is responsible for administering and enforcing this act.

Statement 3 is correct

• Investigation of financial frauds and money laundering fall under the purview of the Directorate of Enforcement, as per the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) and the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018.
• The ED’s sweeping ambit extends from serious crimes such as terrorism to the hunting of wild animals, and from the infringement of copyright to false trademarks.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• Unlike laws governing other agencies, particularly the CBI, the PMLA allows the ED to take cognizance of any offence under its wide-ranging schedule across the country, with or without the consent of state governments.
• While the National Investigation Agency (NIA) too has powers to take suo motu cognizance of offences across the country, the schedule of the NIA Act — that is, the types of offences that it can investigate — is limited to about a dozen offences.

Answer: (a) Only one; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The MCC is not only focused on the conduct of civil servants during election periods.
• It is primarily a set of guidelines for political parties, candidates, and their supporters to ensure free and fair elections.

Statement 2 is correct

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for enforcing the Model Code of Conduct during elections.
• The ECI monitors and implements the MCC, and it has the authority to issue warnings or take action against violators to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Manjusha art is an ancient and historically significant art form of Bhagalpur, Bihar.
• Manjusha art or Manjusha Kala is often referred to as Snake paintings by foreigners as swirling snakes in the art depict the central character in Bihula’s tale of love and sacrifice.
• This art reflects the history of ancient Anga Mahajanapada.
• They are temple-shaped boxes comprising eight pillars.
• They are made of bamboo, jute, and paper.
• They also contain paintings of Hindu gods and goddesses and other characters.
• These boxes are used in Bishahari puja.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Manjusha Art is primarily known for its figurative style.
• The art form focuses on depicting characters and stories from mythology and folklore, not abstract geometric patterns.

  

Statement 3 is correct

• In Manjusha Art Borders are very Important.
• It is a Line drawing Art and a Folk Art.
• It is a Scroll Painting and is completely based on the folklore of Bihula-Bishari.
• In Manjusha Art Characters are displayed as X letter of English Alphabets.
• Major Motifs of Manjusha Art – Snake, Champa Flower, Sun, Moon, Elephant, Turtle, Fish, Maina Bird, Kamal Flower, Kalash Pot, Arrow Bow, ShivLing, Tree etc.
• Major Characters of Manjusha Art – Lord Shiva, Mansa DeVi (Bishari), Bihula, Bala, Hanuman, Chandu Saudagar.

Answer: (c) 1 and 3; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

• Sangita Kalanidhi award – It is the highest or one of the highest honours in the Carnatic music given by the Madars Music Academy.
• Sangita Kalanidhi award – It is given for bringing several disciples to the concert platform in the field of music.
  • Two senior musicians/preceptors are given this award each year.
• Nritya Kalanidhi awards – It is presented in the field of dance every year by the Madras Music Academy.
  • It is presented for one among the eight classical dances of India.

Answer: (a) Only one; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities are indeed enshrined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• These principles recognize the varying responsibilities, capabilities, and circumstances of different countries in addressing climate change, with developed countries taking the lead in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) uses Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) to analyze possible future scenarios for the energy and climate systems, as well as economies.
• IAMs are essential tools that help the IPCC explore various pathways and assess the potential outcomes of different climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
• IAMs are complex models that examine possible futures of the energy and climate system and economies.
• Its macroeconomic models can point to future growth levels in terms of GDP,
• Its energy models can project future consumption,
• Its vegetation models can examine land-use changes, and
• Its Earth-system models use the laws of physics to understand how climate evolves.
• With such integration across disciplines, IAMs are meant to provide policy-relevant guidelines on climate action.

Answer: (b) 2 Only; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

• Atapaka Bird Sanctuary is situated on the Kolleru Lake in the Indian state Andhra Pradesh.
• It is the home to a vast repertoire of birds, especially known for sheltering Pelicans.
• It spans over an area of 673 square kilometres with wet land marsh habitat extending across two districts namely West Godavari and Krishna.
• Atapaka Bird Sanctuary falls under Kaikalur forest range.
• The common species that can be found in the sanctuary include Cormorants, Common Redshanks, Pied Avocets, Black-winged Stilts, Red-crested Pochards etc.
• Kolleru Lake
• It is one of the largest freshwater lake in India.
• It is located in Andhra Pradesh between the Krishna and Godavari deltas and covers an area of 308 km².
• The lake serves as a natural flood-balancing reservoir for these two rivers.
• The lake is fed directly by water from the seasonal Budameru and Tammileru streams, and is connected to the Krishna and Godavari systems by over 68 inflowing drains and channels.

  

Answer: (d) Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh; Difficulty level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Lepidolite is a rare lithium-rich mica mineral that is usually pink, red or purple in colour.

  

• Kaolinite is an ore of Aluminum.

  

Statement 2 is correct

• Lepidolite It is the most common lithium-bearing mineral and serves as a minor ore of lithium metal, with rubidium and cesium sometimes being by-products.
• It is a member of the common mica group and economically important as a major source of lithium.
• It is a hard rock ore that is relatively expensive for producing lithium.
• Since it contains appreciable amounts of rubidium, it is useful in determining geological age according to strontium–rubidium ratios.

Answer: (a) 1 Only; Difficulty level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Pandavula Konda (Pandavula Gutta) site was first discovered in the year 1990.
• It is the one and only Geo-heritage site in Telangana district.
• Pandavula Gutta is rich in terms of number of paintings, rock shelters and its habitation, right from the Mesolithic to medieval times.

Statement 2 is correct

• Pandavula Gutta is a hillock older than Himalayas.

Statement 3 is correct

• Paleolithic cave paintings have been found at Pandavula Gutta.
• These cave paintings offer a rare glimpse into the prehistoric man’s rock art identified on walls and ceilings of caves, rock shelters and isolated boulders.
• The rock art paintings depict wild life like Bison, Antelope, Tiger, and Leopard and so on.
• Other shapes like swastika symbol, circles and squares, weapons such as bows, arrows, sword and lancer and so on are present in these paintings.
• The paintings also feature geometrical designs and impressions in green, red, yellow and white pigment colours.

Answer: (d) None; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Dome (Domain Driver Mutation Estimator) represents an advanced computer program designed to scrutinize the genetic composition of tumours across a diverse cohort of cancer patients.
• It goes beyond just finding mutations and instead focuses on where exactly those mutations are located within genes.
  • Genes contain separate sections known as domains.
  • Each domain is endowed with specific functionalities.
  • Mutations occurring within these domains are more likely to disrupt protein function, potentially contributing to cancer progression.
  • Dome carefully analyzes the status of mutations.
• Benefits to patients from this new technology:-
  • This facilitates the development of treatments tailored to each patient’s cancer profile.
  • It identifies and analyzes unknown variants based on genes.
  • It provides information about the status/progression of cancer in the patient.
  • It provides physicians with relevant information for treatment.
  • The tool is capable of identifying 32,917 new cancer-associated mutations.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• DOME is developed by The Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai.

  

Answer: (a) 1 Only; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR) is located in the south-eastern coastline of India extending between Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu.

  

• It came into existence on February 1989, by a joint declaration of the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu.
• It has been recognized by the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO.
• GoMBR is the first marine biosphere reserve in south & south-east Asia.
• Supports more than 1,10,000 families from 268 fishing villages.

Statement 2 is correct

• It is an International bird and biodiversity area and part of central asian bird migratory flyway.
• The Reserve is also home to several globally important and highly threatened species like the Dugong, whale shark, sea horses, Balanoglossus, green sea turtle, Hawksbill turtle, dolphins, sacred chanks, etc.

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

• Jatinga Valley, located in Dima Hasao district of Assam, experiences a strange phenomenon during the late monsoon season (September-November), between 7 PM and 10 PM.
• The Phenomenon – Many birds, both local and migratory, crash into buildings, trees, or die after flying at high speeds. This event has earned Jatinga the nickname “Valley of Death“
• This phenomenon began in 1910.
• But in 1957, the general public became aware of this when British tea farmer and ornithologist EP Gee wrote about it in his book Wild Life of India.
• According to the Kaziranga National Park Assam website, this phenomenon is also described as the “Bermuda Triangle for Birds”.
• Bird Species Affected – It includes various migratory bird species such as tiger bittern, little egret, black bittern, pond heron, Indian pitta and kingfishers.
• Local and other species include black drone, hill partridge, green pigeon, emerald dove, and necklaced laughing thrush.
• Uncertain Cause – The exact reason for the deaths remains unknown. But Theories include:
  • Disorientation due to strong winds, fog, and low light during monsoon.
  • Attraction to artificial lights from nearby villages during migration.
  • A combination of factors, including altitude, wind, fog, and artificial lights.

Answer: (d) Jatinga Valley; Difficulty Level: Medium