May 05-06 2024 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Bhavishya Portal was launched by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW).
• It digitalises pension services and enhances the welfare of pensioners.
• Its primary objective is to achieve transparency and efficiency in pension-related services.
• A major feature of the portal is that retirees can access their monthly pension slips, check the status of life certificates, submit Form 16, and view statements of arrears paid.
• Pension portals of SBI, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, and Canara Bank are also integrated into this portal.
• The portal has a Bhavishya platform and CPENGRAMS, which is an online complaint redressal system.
  • The Centralised Pension Grievances Redress And Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS) is an online system developed to speed up redress, effectively monitor grievances, and provide fast access to pensioners.

Statement 2 is correct

• The Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, govern the pension provisions for employees of the central government, including various departments, services, and organizations falling under its purview.
• The Bhavishya Portal facilitates pension-related activities for all employees covered under these rules, which encompasses a wide range of sectors beyond just the Indian Armed Forces.
• Therefore, retired employees from diverse central government backgrounds, such as civil servants, defense personnel, and more, can utilize the Bhavishya Portal for pension-related processes.

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is native to Eurasia, including the British Isles, and parts of northern Europe and Asia.
• The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is the only species of squirrel native to the England.
• The red squirrel is an arboreal, primarily herbivorous rodent.
• In Great Britain, Ireland, and in Italy numbers have decreased drastically in recent years.

  

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Red Squirrels primarily feed on seeds, nuts, fungi (Mushrooms), and occasionally bird eggs and nestlings.
  • They often cache these food items during periods of abundance to sustain themselves during leaner times, exhibiting remarkable spatial memory to relocate their hidden stashes.
• While Red Squirrels are primarily herbivorous, they may opportunistically consume animal matter such as bird eggs, nestlings, insects, and small vertebrates.
• However, these items are not staple foods in their diet but are consumed sporadically, often in response to seasonal or environmental factors.
  • For example, during times of food scarcity or when other food sources are limited, Red Squirrels may resort to predation or scavenging to supplement their diet with additional protein and nutrients.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• IUCN Status: Least Concern
• While Red Squirrels are not classified as endangered globally, they face significant threats in certain regions, particularly in the UK, due to habitat loss, competition with Grey Squirrels, and associated factors like disease transmission and genetic pressures.
• Conservation efforts are crucial to safeguarding Red Squirrel populations and restoring their habitats to ensure their long-term survival.

Statement 4 is correct

• In regions where both species coexist, such as parts of the UK, the Grey Squirrel tends to outcompete the Red Squirrel for resources.
• Grey Squirrels are larger and more adaptable, often displacing Red Squirrels from their habitats and competing for food resources, contributing to the decline of Red Squirrel populations in these areas.
• Additionally, Grey Squirrels can carry a disease called squirrelpox virus, which they are immune to but can be deadly to Red Squirrels.

  

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) was established in 2020 as an independent agency within the Department of Space (DOS) with the primary objective of facilitating private sector participation in the space sector.
• This agency serves as a single-window, independent nodal agency functioning autonomously to promote and regulate space activities.
• It works towards providing a predictable regulatory regime, transparency, and ease of doing business in the Indian space sector.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• According to the norms, guidelines and procedures (NGP) for the implementation of Indian Space Policy, 2023, non-Indian entities cannot directly apply for authorization from IN-SPACe to conduct space activities in India.
• Only Indian entities are eligible to apply for authorization from IN-SPACe.
• Non-Indian entities desiring to conduct space activities in India must apply through an Indian entity.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The Indian Space Policy, 2023, does not mandate the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to continue its involvement in manufacturing operational space systems.
• Instead, the policy outlines a shift in ISRO’s role, emphasizing research and development in advanced technology and the realization of space objects to meet national priorities.
• ISRO is expected to transition out of the existing practice of manufacturing operational space systems, with mature systems being transferred to industries for commercial usage.

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Scientists from Germany and Indonesia observed a male orangutan named ‘Rakus‘ in Sumatra using a medicinal plant to treat a wound on his face.

  

  Credit: Down to Earth

• While Rakus’ behavior is remarkable, it is not the first documented instance of an orangutan or great ape using a biologically active substance for wound treatment.
• The incident of chimpanzees using biologically active substances for wound treatment has been observed in various instances.
• One notable example occurred in 2019 when a group of chimpanzees in the Loango National Park in Gabon was observed using tools to extract soldier ants and then applying them to their own wounds.
• The formic acid from these ants is believed to have antiseptic properties, which could help prevent infection in the wounds.
• This behavior was documented by researchers, shedding light on the sophisticated medicinal knowledge and tool use among chimpanzees.

Statement 2 is correct

• Rakus’ observation adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that great apes, including orangutans, possess a level of understanding about medicinal plants and their potential benefits.
• By utilizing the Akar Kuning plant to treat his wound, Rakus demonstrates not only a practical application of this knowledge but also a potential ability to learn from his environment and adapt his behavior accordingly.

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• While rhododendrons are indeed native to temperate regions of Asia, North America, and Europe, they are also found in tropical regions of southeast Asia and northern Australia.
• Rhododendrons are known for their wide distribution and can thrive in various climates, including temperate and tropical zones.
• They can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs or small trees with woody stems and broad, leathery leaves.
• This versatility contributes to their popularity as ornamental plants in gardens and parks worldwide.

Statement 2 is correct

• Rhododendrons have been used in traditional medicine for centuries due to their medicinal properties.
• They contain essential nutrients such as potassium, calcium, iron, and Vitamin C, along with other bioactive compounds.
• These compounds have been found to have various health benefits, including treating ailments like mountain sickness and excessive bleeding during menstruation.
• Additionally, rhododendrons are also used to alleviate symptoms of other conditions such as inflammation and respiratory disorders in some traditional medicinal practices.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• In India, Pink Rhododendron is the state flower of Himachal Pradesh, while Rhododendron arboreum is the state flower of Nagaland and the official State Tree of Uttarakhand.

  

• The Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas are home to more than one-third of rhododendrons found in India.

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

Explanation

• Drip pricing is a pricing technique in which firms advertise only part of a product’s price and reveal other charges later as the customer goes through the buying process.
• The charges often involve withholding essential fees like local taxes or booking charges, or omitting necessary add-ons like internet access or amenities, which may be required for product or service usage.
• It is especially prevalent online, where the ‘sunk cost fallacy’ comes into play. This fallacy explains why customers still pay the extra price—the fact that they’ve already invested time and effort into the deal.
• It complicates comparison shopping and disadvantages sellers who provide more transparent pricing structures.

Answer: (b) A pricing tactic where the final price of a product or service is revealed in small increments, often after the consumer has committed to the purchase; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The Eta Aquariid meteor shower actually occurs annually in May, not June.
• It is one of the notable meteor showers that happens in May each year.
• This meteor shower is associated with debris from Halley’s Comet, which intersects Earth’s orbit.
• As Earth passes through this debris field, the particles left behind by the comet enter the atmosphere and create the phenomenon known as the Eta Aquariid meteor shower.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The Eta Aquariid meteor shower originates from the Aquarius constellation, not Leo.
• Specifically, it is associated with debris from Halley’s Comet, which appears to radiate from a point in the sky near the constellation Aquarius.
• The radiant point of the Eta Aquariid meteor shower appears to originate from the constellation Aquarius, which is why it is named after the Eta Aquarii star in that constellation.
• This radiant point is where the meteors seem to emanate from in the night sky, although the meteors themselves can be visible across a wide area of the sky.
• Given its timing in May and its association with Halley’s Comet, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower is considered one of the most notable meteor showers of the year.

Statement 3 is correct

• It is particularly well-known for producing fast-moving meteors and can be a spectacular sight for observers, especially those in the Southern Hemisphere where the radiant point is higher in the sky.
• As the Eta Aquariid meteor shower is best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere, countries like Indonesia and Australia offer optimal viewing opportunities due to their location in the southern part of the globe.

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

Explanation

• Sanglaphu Lake was opened to the public for the first time in history.

• Sanglaphu Cho, also known as the “Great Lake,“ is a revered lake with immense religious significance.
• Location: Yumesamdong (Zero Point, near Lachung) in Sikkim at 5080m altitude.
• The emergence of Sanglaphu Cho gained prominence subsequent to the closure of the renowned Gurudongmar Lake due to a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF).
• Sanglaphu Mountain
  • It is part of the Dongkya range.
  • On its western flank, the water flows from Gurudongmar Glacier to Gurudongmar Lake, which lies in the headwaters of the Lachen Chu, which feeds the Teesta River.

Answer: (c) Sikkim; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Oxytocin is indeed primarily associated with inducing labor during childbirth by stimulating uterine contractions.
• It is also responsible for facilitating milk ejection, often referred to as the let-down reflex, during breastfeeding by causing the contraction of cells surrounding the mammary glands, allowing milk to flow into the ducts for nursing.

Statement 2 is correct

• Oxytocin is primarily synthesized in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain, specifically in the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus.
• From there, it is transported along axons to the posterior pituitary gland, where it is stored until it is released into the bloodstream.
• Upon stimulation, oxytocin is released into the bloodstream from the posterior pituitary gland, allowing it to exert its effects throughout the body.

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

Explanation

• The first case of a walrus dying from bird flu has been detected on one of Norway’s Arctic islands.
• The walrus was found last year on Hopen island in the Svalbard archipelago.
• Tests carried out by a German laboratory revealed the presence of bird flu.
• It is the first time that bird flu has been recorded in a walrus.
• About six dead walrus were found last year in the Svalbard islands, about 1,000km (620 miles) from the north pole and halfway between mainland Norway and the north pole.
• The island is situated in the southern part of the archipelago, between the Barents Sea and the Greenland Sea.
• The island’s landscape is mainly made up of low-lying tundra, rocky outcrops, and coastal cliffs.

Answer: (d) Arctic Ocean; Difficulty Level: Medium