UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | August 18 to August 24, 2024

1. It is spread primarily through close skin-to-skin contact with infected people.

2. It causes visible skin lesions.

3. It spreads faster than coronavirus.

4. There are no vaccines and treatments available for mpox.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 2 and 4 only

Explanation

— The World Health Organization has declared the ongoing outbreaks of mpox in Congo and elsewhere in Africa to be a global emergency, requiring urgent action to curb the virus’ transmission.

— Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is spread primarily through close skin-to-skin contact with infected people or their soiled clothes or bedsheets. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— It often causes visible skin lesions that could make people less likely to be in close contact with others. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Mpox spreads very slowly unlike the coronavirus. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— There are vaccines and treatments available for mpox unlike in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

With reference to the vaccine-derived polio infection, consider the following statements:

1. It is a strain related to the weakened version of the live poliovirus contained in the oral polio vaccine.

2. No cases of vaccine-derived polio infection have been reported in India.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— A two-year-old child from Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district reportedly tested positive for polio — a highly infectious, debilitating, and possibly fatal viral disease that once afflicted millions but now has largely been consigned to the history books due to the development of an effective vaccine. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— A vaccine-derived poliovirus is a strain related to the weakened version of the live poliovirus contained in the oral polio vaccine (OPV). Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— ‘Polio drops’ are by and large safe — they have led to the successful eradication of the infection in most countries — but on rare occasions can trigger the disease in children with weak immune systems.

— The OPV is extremely effective in preventing the spread of poliovirus from one individual to another. Moreover, the ease of administering the oral drops, led to the OPV becoming the mainstay of the global polio eradication programme. That said, one of its drawbacks is that in rare cases it can not only trigger the infection, but can also lead to its spread to others.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

Consider the following pairs:

Ramsar site	Location
Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary	Gujarat
Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu
Tawa Reservoir	Maharashtra

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair

(b) Only two pairs

(c) All three pairs

(d) None of the above pairs

Explanation

— Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced three new Ramsar sites in Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, taking the total of such sites in India to 85.

— The new additions are the Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and the Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, and the Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh.

What are wetlands?

— According to the convention, wetlands are defined as “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres”.

Ramsar site	Location
Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu
Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu
Tawa Reservoir	Madhya Pradesh

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

Which of the following is/are the findings of the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), a payload of the Chandrayan-3?

1. The terrain around Chandrayaan 3’s landing sight is uniform.

2. The Moon’s crust was formed layer by layer.

3. The topsoil around the lunar south pole has a lesser-than-expected sprinkling of minerals.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— Almost a year after Chandrayaan 3 landed on the Moon, Indian scientists have disclosed the results of a study conducted by one of the rover module’s equipment.

— The findings are the first to examine the composition of topsoil in the Moon’s southern latitudes, and they support the widely accepted idea that the lunar surface was covered by a sea of molten material shortly after the Moon formed.

— The data gathered by the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) also offer fresh information about the lunar surface’s elemental makeup, which can aid in understanding the Moon’s evolution.

— Scientists have reported three key findings:

(i) The terrain around Chandrayaan 3’s landing sight is fairly uniform; Hence, statement 1 is correct.

(ii) The Moon’s crust was formed layer by layer, which adds weight to the lunar magma ocean (LMO) hypothesis; and Hence, statement 2 is correct.

(iii) The topsoil around the lunar south pole has a greater-than-expected sprinkling of minerals which compose the lower layers of the lunar crust. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

The Malacca Strait lies in the territorial waters of:

1. Philippines

2. Malaysia

3. Singapore

4. Thailand

5. Indonesia

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 2, 3 and 4 only

(b) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only

(c) 1, 3 and 5 only

(d) 2, 3 and 5 only

Explanation

— The South China Sea sits between southern China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia.

— About a third of global maritime trade passes through the 3.5 million square kilometre (1.4 million square mile) seaway annually, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

— The South China Sea is a vital crossroads for both intra-Asian trade as well as for commerce with the rest of the world, especially Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

— The South China Sea is estimated to hold about 5.38 trillion cubic metres (190 trillion cubic feet) of proven and probable natural gas and 11 billion barrels of oil reserves, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

— The main current tensions are between China, the Philippines and Taiwan, the real threat to trade in the South China Sea could come in the Malacca Strait, which lies further south between Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

— The Malacca Strait is just 64 kilometres wide at its narrowest point and is already vulnerable to congestion and collisions. Over the years, the waterway has seen many incidents of robbery and piracy.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 6

With reference to the Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA), consider the following statements:

1. It is signed between India and Ukraine.

2. It is a binding agreement.

3. The arrangement will enable both countries to acquire the industrial resources to meet national security needs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— As Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reached Washington DC on a four-day official visit, India and US on Thursday signed two key pacts — a non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) and a Memorandum of Agreement regarding Assignment of Liaison Officers. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The SOSA will mandate the US and India to provide reciprocal priority support for goods and services that promote national defence. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— “The arrangement will enable both countries to acquire the industrial resources they need from one another to resolve unanticipated supply chain disruptions to meet national security needs,” said a statement issued by the US Department of Defence. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— The SOSA arrangement encourages the defence industrial ecosystems of both countries to work together, and enhances the supply chain resilience.

— India is the 18th SOSA partner of the US after Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 7

Which of the following medicines comes under the fixed-dose combinations (FDC) medicines category?

1. Anti-allergic medicines with nasal decongestant

2. Painkillers

3. Combination of burn medicine silver sulfadiazine with an antiseptic agent

4. Combination of migraine medicine

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

— The Union Health Ministry has banned 156 “irrational” fixed dose combinations (FDC) drugs, including commonly used antibiotics, painkillers, and multivitamins used to treat fever, cough, and infections, with immediate effect.

— According to a gazette notice filed under Section 26 A of the products and Cosmetics Act 1940, the Ministry has forbidden the production, marketing, and distribution of these products due to associated health hazards.

— An expert committee constituted by the central government and the DTAB looked into the situation, and both agencies concluded that the chemicals in the FDCs have no clinical purpose.

— Fixed-dose combinations (FDCs), also called ‘cocktail’ drugs, are medicines that combine more than one drug in a single pill.

— The 156 restricted drugs include common combinations of anti-allergic medications with nasal decongestants, mucus-breaking syrups, and paracetamol. The list also contains antibiotics combined with acne cream and iodine solution. Some of the banned combinations include combining migraine medicine with one to reduce nausea, combining supplements such as menthol with aloe vera, and combining burn medicine silver sulfadiazine with an antiseptic agent, aloe extract, and vitamin.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 8

With reference to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, consider the following statements:

1. The act was enacted as a special legislation to address incidents of sexual abuse of children.

2. The Act gives the well-being of the child paramount importance at every stage.

3. The Act makes it obligatory for anyone who has an apprehension that a child is being abused, to report the matter to the authorities.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-olds at a private school in Badlapur, Mumbai Metropolitan Region, has named the school management in the first information report (FIR) for failing to report the incident, as required by the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

— The two children were abused on August 12 and 13, allegedly by a member of the school’s janitorial staff. According to investigators, the father of one of the children contacted school officials after the youngster confided in her parents, but the school did not notify the police.

— The POCSO Act was enacted as a unique piece of legislation to combat child sexual abuse cases. The Act expanded the definition of abuse beyond the provisions provided under criminal law, which applied equally to adults and children. The Act prioritises the child’s well-being at all stages in its wording and substance. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct.

— The Act, therefore, makes it obligatory for anyone who has an apprehension that a child is being abused, to report the matter to the authorities. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— The Act includes a provision outlining the procedure for reporting cases. Anyone who believes an offence has been committed against a child must report it to the Special Juvenile Police Unit or the local police.

— Section 21(1) states that “any person who fails to report the commission of an offence” or who “fails to record such offence…shall be punished with imprisonment of either description which may extend to six months or with fine or with both”.

— Section 21(2) prescribes a punishment of up to one year in jail, with fine, for “any person, being in-charge of any company or an institution (by whatever name called) who fails to report the commission of an offence…in respect of a subordinate under his control”.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 9

Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

(Person in news)	(Field)
Paetongtarn Shinawatra	Politics
Jerome Powell	Entertainment
Barry Wilmore	Space exploration
Shakib- Al-Hasan	Sports

Explanation

— At the annual Jackson Hole symposium, Jerome Powell said the ‘time has come’ to lower interest rates. While he did not furnish further details, the impacts of Powell’s observations will be felt the world over.

— Jerome Powell, the head of the US central bank, on Friday said that “the time has come for [monetary] policy to adjust”, setting the stage for interest rate cuts in the near future.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 10

With reference to Van Allen Belts, consider the following statements:

1. They consist of charged particles locked in place by Earth’s magnetosphere, which includes its magnetic field.

2. They are considered dangerous for humans.

3. “Challenger” mission will be the first non-government mission to perform a spacewalk and orbit Earth through these regions.

Which of the above statements given above is/are not corrcet?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 3 only

Explanation

Why are the Van Allen Belts dangerous for humans?

— The Van Allen Belts consist of charged particles locked in place by Earth’s magnetosphere, which includes its magnetic field. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Earth’s magnetosphere traps high-energy radiation particles and protects our planet from solar storms and other threats to daily life from space. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— While the outer belt holds high-energy particles from the sun, the inner belt is formed by cosmic rays that interact with Earth’s atmosphere.

— They were discovered by American physicist James Van Allen in 1958.

— The Van Allen Belts range from about 680 kilometres above Earth’s surface to what some estimates suggest is about 40,000 kilometres from the surface of the planet. And there’s a gap between the first and second belt.

— The inner “proton” zone is centred at about 3,000 kilometres from Earth’s surface and the outer “electron” zone is centred about 15-20,000 kilometres from Earth’s surface.

Polaris Dawn

— If it succeeds, Polaris Dawn will be the first non-government mission to perform a spacewalk. But not only that — it’ll do that about 700 kilometres (435 miles) above Earth. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— To compare: the International Space Station (ISS) orbits Earth at about 400 kilometres, where the radiation is less intense.

— It will also orbit Earth through regions of a highly-charged belt of radiation. There are two of these “Van Allen Belts”, an inner and an outer one.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 11

‘Hayflick limit’ is related to:

(a) cognitive theory

(b) boundaries of galaxy

(c) understanding of aging

(d) periodic warming of the ocean waters

Explanation

— Biomedical researcher Leonard Hayflick, who discovered that normal somatic cells can divide (and thus reproduce) only a certain number of times, died on August 1 at the age of 98. Hayflick’s discovery fundamentally changed the understanding of aging — especially the thesis that cells are capable of being immortal, and aging is simply a factor of externalities such as disease, diet, and solar radiation.

What is the Hayflick limit?

— In the early 1960s, Hayflick, at the time a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, discovered that cell division in somatic (non-reproductive) cells stopped after roughly 40-60 times. This cessation in cell division is what Hayflick posited causes aging — as senescent cells (those that have stopped dividing) accumulate, one’s body begins to age and decline.

— This means that there is an in-built cellular clock in the human body (and that of other organisms) which determines how long one can live. This “ultimate Hayflick limit”, as scientists have termed it, is around 125 years for humans, beyond which no amount of diet, exercise, or even genetic tweaking against diseases can extend the human lifespan.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 12

Who are Dhangars, recently seen in news?

(a) they are a community of shepherds with populations in several states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka.

(b) they belong to Meghalaya and follow a matrilineal system where lineage and inheritance are traced through women.

(c) they are tribes of Tamil Nadu recognised by barrel-shaped huts.

(d) they live primarily in the Raipur and Rewa districts of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and mostly earn their living by making bamboo handicrafts.

Explanation

— A large group of Dhangars recently marched to the office of the sub divisional officer in Khamgaon of Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, demanding a “grazing corridor” for their sheep and goats.

What is the Dhangar community?

— The Dhangars are a community of shepherds with populations in several states. Besides Maharashtra, they live in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, as well, and are known by other names such as Golla and Kuruba elsewhere.

— The Dhangars are on Maharashtra’s list of Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT), but have been demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for decades. According to Dhangar leaders, the community is identified as “Dhangad” elsewhere in the country, and gets reservation as an ST.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 13

‘BlackGEM’ recently seen in news is related to:

(a) AI Piracy

(b) Carbonado or ‘black diamond’

(c) Black Hole

(d) Black Sea

Explanation

— The Dutch Black Hole Consortium, a group of scientists working on finding new black holes, recently unveiled a new app called Black Hole Finder that lets you aid astronomers identify new black holes.

— The app is free-to-use and is available on Android and iOS and can also be accessed from a web browser. According to the Black Hole Finder’s Google Play Store listing, the app lets you “explore the universe and learn more about these mysterious and fascinating objects” by using real data from telescopes and other astronomical sources to help scientists identify potential black holes.

— Black Hole Finder shows you images captured by the Chilean telescope array BlackGEM that is tasked with searching the skies for cosmic events called ‘kilonovas’.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 14

With reference to ‘Tanager-1’, consider the following statements:

1. It is a satellite developed by a coalition of companies and organisations, including NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

2. It can detect major emitters of carbon dioxide and methane.

3. It will measure hundreds of wavelengths of light that are reflected by Earth’s surface.

Which of the above given statement/s is are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— Last week, a satellite developed by a coalition of companies and organisations, including NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Tanager-1, the satellite can detect major emitters of carbon dioxide and methane. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Notably, the launch has come just months after MethaneSAT — a satellite which tracks and measures methane emissions — was launched in March.

How will the Tanager-1 satellite track emissions?

— The satellite will use imaging spectrometer technology developed at Jet Propulsion Laboratory to track methane and carbon dioxide emissions. It will do so by measuring hundreds of wavelengths of light that are reflected by Earth’s surface. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 15

Which of the following committee’s report provides a damning indictment of the discrimination and exploitation faced by women in the Malayalam film industry?

(a) Kadiyam Srihari Committee

(b) Pam Rajput Committee

(c) Justice Verma Committee

(d) Justice Hema Committee

Explanation

— Acting upon a PIL, the Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the government to furnish before it in a sealed cover the full, unredacted report of the Justice Hema Committee, which looked into the problems faced by women working in the Malayalam film industry.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Previous Weekly Quiz

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | August 11 to August 17, 2024

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | August 04 to August 10, 2024

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | July 28 to August 03, 2024

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | July 21 to July 27, 2024

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | July 14 to July 20, 2024

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