UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | August 25 to August 31, 2024

1. Drones allow for more efficient application of the pesticides.

2. They are used for capturing real-time images.

3. Drones can be used to monitor the health of the plants.

4. Drones can also be used for innovative projects such as “seed ball” bombing.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has allotted Rs 500 crore for the Namo Drone Didi scheme, which aims to provide drones to 15,000 selected women self-help groups (SHGs).

— The Namo Drone Didi plan seeks to give drones to 15,000 selected women SHGs between 2023-24 and 2025-2026 for farmer rental services.

— Experts believe that these drones would revolutionise pesticide or fertiliser application, which has historically been done manually by hired labourers or farmers themselves.

Application of Drones for Farmers

— Pesticide application is labour-intensive. A labourer can take several hours to cover an acre of land, but drones can do so in just 5-7 minutes. This is especially critical in tall crops such as maize and sugarcane, where workers are frequently drenched with herbicides during application.

— Close and extended exposure to pesticides and chemical fertilisers can be extremely damaging to farmers’ health.

— Manual spraying frequently leaves portions of the crop untreated. This negatively affects yields. In contrast, drone-based applications are more efficient. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Furthermore, drones handle the difficulty of applying nano fertilisers such as nano urea and nano DAP, which must be utilised in extremely small quantities.

— Drones can also be used for capturing detailed, real-time images of the fields, allowing farmers to monitor crop health and make prompt interventions if needed. Hence, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

— Drones can quickly cover large areas of land with pesticides, not only in cases of pink bollworm infestation, but also during locust swarms and whitefly infestation.

— Plants absorb up to 90% of the nutrients in micro fertilisers delivered via drone, decreasing runoff and air, water, and soil pollution. In contrast, typical application methods might result in up to 60% of nutrients being lost to the atmosphere.

— Traditional pesticide application methods require a lot of water. Drones can reduce water consumption by up to 90 percent.

— Drones are also being considered for novel projects such as “seed ball” bombardment, which involves dropping balls of soil and cow dung containing seeds over large areas of land. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

Consider the following statements:

Statement 1: The recently-designed Vyomitra skull has been made using an aluminium alloy, AlSi10Mg.

Statement 2: This alloy is known for its high flexibility, light weight, heat resistance, and mechanical properties.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.

(b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1.

(c) Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is incorrect.

(d) Statement 1 is incorrect but Statement 2 is correct.

Explanation

— The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO’s) uncrewed Gaganyaan mission in 2025 will carry the female half humanoid Vyomitra (literally “space friend”).

— Humanoids (or half-humanoids) are robotic systems designed to resemble humans — Vyomitra comes with movable arms, a torso, a face, and a neck — and function autonomously in space.

— The recently designed Vyomitra skull will store the robot’s vital components. It is made of an aluminium alloy (AlSi10Mg) noted for its excellent flexibility, low weight, heat resistance, and mechanical qualities. This alloy is extensively used to manufacture automotive engines and aeronautical components. Hence, statement 1 and 2 are correct.

— The skull has been intended to be extremely strong, capable of withstanding the tremendous vibrational pressures that occur during a rocket launch. The aluminium alloy’s strong strength allows for a yield strength of more than 220 MegaPascals. Yield strength is the greatest stress that a material can withstand before it irreversibly deforms.

— It contributes to a significant reduction in the overall weight of the finished product. Unlike traditional manufacturing techniques, AM uses a layered process to generate a desired part or product, which is a frequent mechanism in 3D printing.

Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

Sambo, Jujutsu and Aikido were recently in news. They correspond to:

(a) Port town cities of Russia

(b) a form of Martial art

(c) Dance form of Korea

(d) Island sinking due to rise in sea levels.

Explanation

— Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, stated that during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra earlier this year, he had “a daily routine of practising jiu-jitsu every evening” that brought together young martial arts students from the towns where they stayed.

— Our purpose was to introduce these young minds to the beauty of the ‘Gentle Art’, which combines meditation, jiu-jitsu, Aikido, and nonviolent conflict resolution approaches.

— Jujutsu is a Japanese martial arts family whose name translates to “gentle art” — “ju” means “soft/supple/gentle” and “jutsu” means “art/technique”.

— The most widely acknowledged version of jujutsu’s origins dates back to late 16th century Japan, during the reign of the samurai – Japan’s military class that wielded major political influence between the 12th and nineteenth centuries.

— Sambo is a combat sport established by the Soviet Red Army in the 1920s to help soldiers improve their hand-to-hand combat skills.

— Aikido is a variation of jujutsu. It was developed by martial artist Morihei Ueshiba in the early twentieth century, making it one of Japan’s youngest martial systems.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

With reference to the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), consider the following statements:

1. There is an assured pension that would amount to 50% of the employee’s average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months before superannuation for a minimum qualifying service of 25 years.

2. Upon a retiree’s death, their immediate family would be eligible for 100 per cent of the pension last drawn by the retiree.

3. In the case of superannuation after a minimum of 10 years of service, the UPS provides an assured minimum pension of Rs 50,000 per month.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

Explanation

— The Union Cabinet approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), which will provide government employees with assured pension after retirement. The scheme will be effective from April 1, 2025, according to the government’s announcement.

— The UPS promises retirees a fixed pension, unlike the NPS. This was one of the major criticisms of the NPS.

Key features of the UPS

— Assured pension: This would amount to 50% of the employee’s average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months before superannuation for a minimum qualifying service of 25 years. The amount would proportionately go down for a smaller service period, up to a minimum of 10 years of service. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Assured minimum pension: In the case of superannuation after a minimum 10 years of service, the UPS provides for an assured minimum pension of Rs 10,000 per month. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— Assured family pension: Upon a retiree’s death, their immediate family would be eligible for 60% of the pension last drawn by the retiree. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— Inflation indexation: Dearness relief will be available on these three kinds of pensions, which will be calculated based on the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers, as is the case with serving employees.

— Lumpsum payment at superannuation: This will be in addition to gratuity, and will be calculated as 1/10th of the monthly emolument (pay plus dearness allowance) on the date of superannuation for every six months of service completed.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

The codon deoptimization technology was in the news. This technology is used for:

(a) Calculating distance between two astronomical bodies

(b) Applying fertilisers directly to leaves

(c) Examining species diversity in an ecosystem

(d) Vaccine development

Explanation

— Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) collaborated with Griffith University, Australia, to create a live-attenuated needle-free intranasal booster vaccine targeting SARS-CoV-2, marking a milestone in COVID-19 immunisation technique.

— This novel vaccine employs codon deoptimization technology, a promising method to vaccine development. The intranasal delivery method provides a convenient and non-invasive way to administer the vaccine, which could increase vaccination rates and protect more people.

— Its goal is to increase immunisation rates by making non-invasive immunisation more accessible, thereby protecting more people and communities.

— The new vaccination was created using a technique known as codon deoptimisation. This strategy involves altering the virus so that it mimics a normal infection while causing no harm. Dr. Arora stated that the vaccination causes the body to develop a powerful, broad-spectrum neutralising antibody response, similar to how the immune system reacts to genuine virus exposure. This live attenuated technique makes the vaccination extremely successful at developing immunity.

— Unlike regular vaccines, which are provided by injection, this intranasal vaccine is delivered through the nose. This procedure eliminates the need for needles, making it a more pleasant and patient-friendly alternative, particularly for individuals who are afraid of injections.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 6

The growth of jellyfish blooms (also known as Porpita Porpita) is influenced by:

1. Warm water

2. Salinity

3. High level of nitrogen and phosphorous

4. Ocean currents

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4

(d) 2 and 4 only

Explanation

— Beachgoers at Girgaon Chowpatty in Mumbai were once again met by an uncommon visitor: blue button jellyfish. These jellyfish, famed for their brilliant blue colour and stinging tentacles, have become more common along shorelines, raising concerns about the environmental variables that contribute to this phenomena.

— Jellyfish blooms, particularly those of the blue button jellyfish (also known as Porpita Porpita), are often influenced by a variety of environmental factors, including water temperature, salinity, ocean currents, and nutrition availability. These circumstances provide ideal conditions for jellyfish to multiply and thrive.

— Rising water temperatures are linked to climate change, which can speed up their reproduction and extend their seasonal presence. Warmer waters can also cause jellyfish to migrate from their regular homes to new locations, resulting in more frequent blooms near coastal regions.

— High amounts of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, can cause plankton blooms, which are jellyfish’s principal food supply. When plankton populations grow, jellyfish numbers usually follow. Changes in ocean currents and wind patterns have a significant impact on jellyfish movement.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 7

Which of the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) account-holders is not correct ?

(a) Eligible PMJDY account holders can avail overdraft (OD) facility up to Rs 10,000.

(b) PMJDY accounts are eligible for Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT)

(c) PMJDY account-holders were given RuPay debit cards

(d) These accounts do not earn interest on deposits like regular accounts

Explanation

— As the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) completed 10 years on Wednesday (August 28), Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the “momentous” achievement of the scheme that has been “paramount in boosting financial inclusion and giving dignity to crores of people, especially women, youth, and the marginalised communities”.

— The PMJDY was launched on August 28, 2014, as a national mission for financial inclusion.

— Guinness World Records recognised the achievement: “The most bank accounts opened in 1 week as part of a financial inclusion campaign is 18,096,130 and was achieved by Department of Financial Services, Government of India from 23 to 29 August 2014.”

— The foremost objective of the PMJDY was to open a Basic Savings Bank Account for unbanked individuals. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— There was no requirement to maintain any minimum balance in PMJDY accounts, and these accounts earned interest on deposits like regular accounts.

Features of PMJDY

— PMJDY account-holders were given RuPay debit cards.

— An accident insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh was available with RuPay cards issued to PMJDY account holders. The cover was enhanced to Rs 2 lakh for new PMJDY accounts opened after August 28, 2018.

— PMJDY accounts are also eligible for Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), and the Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Bank (MUDRA) scheme.

— Eligible PMJDY account holders can avail overdraft (OD) facility up to Rs 10,000.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 8

Consider the following statements:

Statement 1: There is a decline in orders from Bangladesh which had a spillover effect on the Indian textile industry.

Statement 2: Indian cotton exports and raw material supply to Bangladesh have started to decline.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.

(b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1.

(c) Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is incorrect.

(d) Statement 1 is incorrect but Statement 2 is correct.

Explanation

— Even as production units in Bangladesh restart operations, with staff working longer hours to clear backlog orders, Western garment and footwear companies have temporarily halted placing new orders in the violence-hit neighbouring country.

— The drop in orders from Bangladesh has had a knock-on effect on the Indian textile sector, which provides raw materials and other inputs to Bangladesh. While new garment orders are rolling in, Indian cotton shipments to Bangladesh have begun to fall, according to industry executives. Hence, statement 1 and 2 are correct.

— New orders are not pouring in from Western corporations. Workers and administrators realise that manufacturing is the lifeline, and they are working overtime to complete orders. Some components are being acquired from India to fulfil the orders, and more technicians are coming from India.

Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 9

Which of the following countries is following the “Chevron model” which allows foreign oil companies to operate after receiving specific approvals?

(a) Russia

(b) Iraq

(c) UAE

(d) Venezuela

Explanation

— ONGC Videsh (OVL) has requested special clearance from the United States to operate two Venezuelan oil assets in order to recover over $500 million in overdue dividends and increase output.

— OVL’s Managing Director, Rajarshi Gupta, stated that the company intends to operate projects in Venezuela under the so-called “Chevron model,” which permits international oil corporations to operate in sanctioned Venezuela after gaining specific licence from the US.

— The technique is known as the Chevron model in the oil sector because US firm Chevron was the first to operate in Venezuela using this route.

— The licence for this sort of operation frequently allows foreign corporations substantial control over the finances, operations, production, and sale of oil from Venezuelan projects, regardless of Venezuela’s state-owned oil major Petróleos de Venezuela, SA (PDVSA) being the majority shareholder.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 10

Which of the following countries has the world’s oldest population and seeing an increasing number of elderly individuals living and dying alone?

(a) Nepal

(b) Japan

(c) Mongolia

(d) Finland

Explanation

— Nearly 40,000 people in Japan died alone in their homes in the first half of 2024, with many going unnoticed for an extended period of time.

— According to a National Police Agency report, about 4,000 people were found more than a month after their deaths, while 130 bodies were unnoticed for more than a year.

— Japan, which boasts the world’s oldest population, is seeing an increase in the number of elderly people who live and die alone.

— According to the survey, adults over the age of 65 account for more than 70% of those who die alone. While the largest category among the deceased was those aged 85 and up, which numbered 7,498 people.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 11

Consider the following statements with reference to ‘Crew Dragon’, recently seen in the news:

1. SpaceX developed Crew Dragon as part of NASA’s plan to hand over space station flights to American companies.

2. Unlike ‘Cargo Dragon’, it is not reusable.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) last week said the two astronauts — Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore — who have been stuck at the International Space Station (ISS) would return to the Earth in February 2025 on a SpaceX Crew Dragon flight.

— Williams and Wilmore travelled to the ISS on Boeing’s Starliner in June and were supposed to return in a week. However, due to technical glitches, the spacecraft could not leave for its journey back to Earth. Starliner is now scheduled to return “uncrewed” to avoid unnecessary risks to the astronauts, according to NASA.

— Currently, NASA and SpaceX are working on several items before the launch of Crew Dragon. For instance, they are reconfiguring seats and adjusting the manifest to carry additional cargo.

— Crew Dragon is one of the two variants of SpaceX’s Dragon 2 spacecraft, which is partially reusable. The other variant is Cargo Dragon. As their names suggest, Crew Dragon primarily ferries astronauts to the ISS and Cargo Dragon supplies cargo to the space station. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct.

— SpaceX developed Crew Dragon as part of NASA’s plan to hand over space station flights to American companies after the space agency retired its space shuttle in 2011.

— Crew Dragon’s first mission to the ISS took place in 2020 when it transported four American and Japanese astronauts to the destination. So far, the spacecraft has done eight crew rotation missions to the space station for NASA.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 12

IMD issued a ‘red alert’ in Gujarat amid heavy rainfall recently. Which of the following are correctly matched with the colour coding scheme issued by IMD?

1. ‘Green’: stands for ‘No warning’: the forecast is of light to “moderate” rain.

2. ‘Orange’: signifies “Watch”, and authorities are advised to “Be updated” on the situation: the forecast is of “heavy” rainfall.

3. ‘Yellow’: warning stands for “Alert”, and authorities are expected to “Be prepared”: the forecast is of “heavy” rainfall.

4. ‘Red’: stands for “Warning”, and asks authorities to “Take action”: the forecast is of “extremely heavy” rainfall.

(a) 2, 3 and 4 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

— IMD issued a ‘red alert’ in Gujarat due to heavy rainfall and severe waterlogging. India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues colour-coded weather alerts from time to time during the monsoon. These keep citizens informed and help in greater preparedness in times of unpredictable weather conditions.

— Alerts by the IMD are colour-coded from Green to Red.

1. ‘Green’ stands for ‘No warning’: no action needs to be taken by the authorities, and the forecast is of light to moderate rain. According to the weather department, 15.6 mm to 64.4 mm rain is considered “moderate”. Hence, 1 is correct.

2.‘Yellow’ alert signifies “Watch”, and authorities are advised to “Be updated” on the situation. According to the weather department, 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm rain is considered “heavy”. Hence, 3 is not correct.

3. ‘Orange’ warning stands for “Alert”, and authorities are expected to “Be prepared”. The forecast during an Orange warning is of heavy to very heavy rainfall. According to IMD, 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm rain is considered “very heavy”. Hence, 2 is not correct.

4. ‘Red’ alert stands for “Warning”, and asks authorities to “Take action”. The forecast is for extremely heavy rainfall. Hence, 4 is correct.

— The IMD, however, clarifies that “Red colour warning does not mean ‘Red Alert’,” and that it only means “take action”. According to IMD, more than 204.5 mm rain is considered “extremely heavy”.

Therefore, option (c) is correctly matched.

QUESTION 13

With reference to National Space Day, consider the following statements:

1. The Indian government officially designated August 23 as National Space Day in recognition of India’s Moon mission Chandrayaan-3 that scripted history by successfully landing on the lunar surface on August 23, 2023.

2. The theme for National Space Day 2024 was “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga.”

Which of the statements given above are not correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— India celebrated its first National Space Day, marking the successful landing of the Vikram Lander from the Chandrayaan-3 mission. This mission was a follow-up to Chandrayaan-2 and aimed to demonstrate the ability to safely land and roam on the lunar surface. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The theme for National Space Day 2024 is “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga,” highlighting the broader impact of space exploration on society and emphasising how advancements in space technology can enhance the quality of life on Earth. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 14

Consider the following lines and answer the question below:

He played a key role in India’s first hat-trick of Olympic gold medals. Retiring as a Major in the Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army in 1956, he received the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award. ‘GOAL’ is an autobiography of this famous sportsman.

Which is the sportsman referred to in the above lines?

(a) Leslie Claudius

(b) Udham Singh

(c) Goshta Paul

(d) None of the above

Explanation

— Dhyan Chand was born on August 29, 1905, was a prominent hockey player in India’s pre-independence period. He played a key role in India’s first hat-trick of Olympic gold medals, winning at the 1928, 1932, and 1936 Summer Olympics.

— Singh started his hockey career with the British Indian Army regimental team, where he practiced under the moonlight, and rose through the ranks and was called up for the Indian hockey team for the 1928 Olympics.

— He became known as ‘Hockey Wizard’ and ‘The Magician’ due to his stick work and understanding of the game; His career spanned from 1926 to 1948, and he became one of the greatest hockey players of all time.

— Retiring as a Major in the Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army in 1956, he received the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award. Additionally, to honour his significant contributions, in 2012, the government of India decided to celebrate his birth anniversary as National Sports Day annually.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 15

With reference to INS Arighaat consider the following statements:

1. It is the second nuclear-powered submarine of the Arihant class.

2. It will be a key component of India’s nuclear triad.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— Induction of INS Arighaat, the second nuclear-powered submarine of the Arihant class, significantly boosts India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities. It strengthens the nuclear triad, the ability to launch missiles from land, air, and maritime platforms. Hence, statement 1 and 2 are correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Previous Weekly Quiz

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

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

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