Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 16th August 2024 - UPSC MCQ

• Statement-I correctly identifies monkeypox as a rare viral disease of zoonotic origin within the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family, which is akin to smallpox.
• Statement-II accurately highlights the emergence of a new sexually transmissible strain of the monkeypox virus (MPXV), clade Ib, and mentions its spread primarily through zoonotic events.
• The new sexually transmissible strain, clade Ib, being spread primarily through zoonotic events, aligns with the zoonotic origin of the disease, as indicated in Statement-I. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II indeed explains Statement-I, making option (a) the correct choice.

Data privacy concerns pose a significant challenge for AI companies due to the extensive reliance on data for AI development. Mishandling sensitive information can lead to privacy violations, raising regulatory scrutiny and potential algorithmic bias issues. Addressing these concerns is crucial for ensuring responsible and ethical AI development practices.

1. Statement 1 is correct: The NPSS indeed aims to reduce farmers' reliance on pesticide retailers and promotes a scientific approach to pest management, emphasizing the use of AI tools to analyze pest data for effective control and management.
2. Statement 2 is incorrect: The NPSS does not require additional funding from the central government. It will be implemented at the state level through outreach programs without needing extra financial support from the center.
3. Statement 3 is correct: The NPSS enhances the connection between agricultural scientists and approximately 14 crore farmers across the country, enabling farmers to capture and send images of infested crops or pests to experts for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B

1. Jim Corbett National Park - Established in 1957
Incorrect. Jim Corbett National Park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park and renamed in 1957 in honor of Jim Corbett.

2. Sal Tree - Common in Corbett Tiger Reserve
Correct. Sal trees are common in the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

3. Gharials - Found in Corbett Tiger Reserve
Correct. Gharials are found in the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

4. Bhu-Aadhaar - Unique land parcel identification number
Correct. Bhu-Aadhaar refers to the unique land parcel identification number.

The National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) in India benefits farmers by providing timely information on pest attacks. This system allows farmers to connect with agricultural scientists and experts using AI tools to analyze pest data for effective control and management. By enabling farmers to capture and send images of infested crops or pests for accurate diagnosis and treatment, the NPSS enhances the connection between scientists and farmers, ultimately increasing productivity and conserving soil health.

The Corbett Tiger Reserve is situated in Uttarakhand, in the foothills of the Himalayas. It was established in 1936 and is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including key species like tigers and elephants. The reserve spans across Pauri, Nainital, and Almora districts and covers an area of 1,288.31 sq. km.

1. Correct. OpenAI faced internal conflicts exemplified by the dismissal of CEO Sam Altman, primarily due to concerns that commercialization was being prioritized over user safety and public benefit. This highlights the challenge of balancing profit motives with social objectives in AI governance structures.

2. Correct. Meta encountered regulatory scrutiny over its plans to train large language models using public content from Facebook and Instagram. This led to a halt in their plans, showcasing the tension between data access for AI development and compliance with privacy laws.

3. Incorrect. Amazon's recruiting algorithm was discontinued not because it was unbiased and fair, but because it exhibited gender bias. This reflects issues of algorithmic bias where AI systems can perpetuate existing biases in the data they are trained on.

Thus, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

1. Meta - Correctly matched. Meta was indeed required to halt its plans to train large language models using public content from Facebook and Instagram due to regulatory concerns.

2. Amazon - Correctly matched. Amazon discontinued a recruiting algorithm that exhibited gender bias.

3. OpenAI - Correctly matched. OpenAI has been rumored to be contemplating a transition to a for-profit governance model, indicating potential shifts in its corporate structure.

4. WHO - Incorrectly matched. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a public health emergency of global concern in 2022, not 2018.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched: Meta, Amazon, and OpenAI. The WHO declaration about monkeypox being a global health emergency was incorrectly timed.

Answer: Option C

Statement-I correctly describes supergranular cells on the solar surface. These cells are indeed large convective cells with diameters of about 30,000 km and are associated with magnetic field concentrations on the Sun's surface, often where sunspots and other magnetic features appear.
However, Statement-II is incorrect. Solar activity following an approximately 11-year periodic cycle, influencing space weather and Earth's climate variations, is not directly related to supergranular cells. Solar activity and its periodic cycle are primarily linked to sunspots and the solar cycle, rather than the specific characteristics of supergranular cells.

Statement 1 is correct. The Jiyo Parsi Scheme is indeed aimed at stabilizing and increasing the Parsi population in India through scientific protocols and interventions. This scheme was initiated by the Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2013-14 to counter the declining Parsi population, a minority community in India.

Statement 2 is also correct. One of the key features of the Jiyo Parsi Scheme is to provide financial support for infertility treatments and related medical care in empanelled hospitals. This is an essential part of the scheme's strategy to help increase the Parsi population.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.