Daily Current Affairs MCQ- April 22, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

A group of experts have appealed to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to reclassify the status of the Northeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii) to ‘endangered’ from ‘vulnerable’.

• It is found in the Horn of Africa.
• It is also known as the Sudan cheetah. This subspecies is more closely related to the Southern African cheetah than to Saharan cheetah populations.
• The cheetah’s long tail helps it keep its balance when changing direction mid-chase. Cheetahs can make even 90-degree turns with ease while sprinting.
• Appearance: The Northeast African cheetah is fairly large. Physically, it most resembles the East African cheetah
• Distribution: Contemporary records are known in South Sudan and Ethiopia.  These animals live in wide open lands, grasslands, semi-arid areas, and other open habitats where prey is abundant such as in the East Sudanian Savanna.
• Threat: The subspecies’ cubs are being heavily trafficked across the Red Sea to Arab countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. 
• Conservation status
• IUCN: Vulnerable

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has submitted three nominations from India for Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) of Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) & Udaipur (Rajasthan) under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

• The Ramsar Convention during COP12 held in the year 2015 approved a voluntary Wetland City Accreditation system under Resolution XII.10
• It recognizes cities which have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands.
• It also recognizes the importance of wetlands in urban and peri-urban environments and to take appropriate measures to conserve and protect these wetlands.
• This voluntary scheme provides an opportunity for cities that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition and positive publicity for their efforts.
• This scheme aims to further promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.  
• To be formally accredited, a candidate for WCA should satisfy the standards used to implement each of the six international criteria mentioned Operational Guidance for WCA of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
• Since Ramsar COP13, 43 cities from 17 countries have been officially recognized as “Wetland Cities”.
• There is no India city which has received this recognition.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India has launched ‘Prerana: An Experiential Learning program’.

• It aims to offer a meaningful, unique, and inspiring experience to all participants, thereby empowering them with leadership qualities.
• It is driven by a strong commitment to integrate principles of Indian education system and the philosophy of value-based education which is a corner stone of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• It is a week-long residential program for selected students of class IX to XII.
• A batch of 20 selected students (10 boys and 10 girls) will attend the program, every week from various parts of the country.
• It will run from a Vernacular School, established in 1888, in one of the oldest living cities of India, Vadnagar, district Mehsana, Gujarat.
• The curriculum of Prerana School prepared by IIT Gandhi Nagar is rooted in nine value based themes: Swabhiman and Vinay, Shaurya and Sahas, Parishram and Samarpan, Karuna and Sewa, Vividhta and Ekta, Satyanishtha and Shuchita, Navachar and Jigyasa, Shraddha aur Vishwas, and Swatantrata and Kartavya.
• The day-wise program schedule will feature yoga, mindfulness, and meditation sessions, followed by experiential learning, thematic sessions, and hands on interesting learning activities.
• Evening activities will include visits to ancient and heritage sites, inspirational film screenings, mission life creative activities, talent shows etc. ensuring a holistic learning approach.
• Apart from this, students will engage in diverse activities, embracing indigenous knowledge systems, latest State-of-Art technologies, and learnings from inspirational personalities.

Hence both statements are correct.

An international team of researchers recently unveiled ground-breaking findings on the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, which can cause deadly disease in humans.

About Aspergillus fumigatus:

• It is a species of fungus that causes diseases in humans. 
• It can be found throughout the environment, including in soil, plant matter, and household dust. 
• The fungus can also produce airborne spores called conidia. Most people can inhale many of these spores on a daily basis. 
• In a healthy individual, the immune system often clears them from the body without a problem. However, for some people, inhaling A. fumigatus, spores can lead to a potentially severe infection.
• Aspergillus fumigatus is considered an opportunistic organism. It has low virulence (ability to cause damage) and causes disease only in some circumstances, like:
• A severely weakened state caused by sickness, poor nutrition, advanced age, etc.
• Immunosuppression by diseases or medicines
• Implants use, such as prosthetic devices
• Illness Caused:
• An infection that’s caused by an Aspergillus species of fungus is referred to as aspergillosis.
• Aspergillus can cause allergic reactions, chronic lung conditions, and an invasive disease that spreads to your brain, kidneys, lungs, or other organs.
• Symptoms:
• The symptoms of aspergillosis vary depending on the type and location of your body.
• Symptoms of infections or allergic reactions in your lungs are the most common. They include:
• Coughing (sometimes coughing up blood).
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
• Noisy breathing (wheezing).
• Chest pain.
• Fever.
• Fatigue and weight loss can be symptoms of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.
• Treatment: Treatments include surgery and antifungal medications.

Hence both statements are not correct.

South Korea recently introduced a new visa for foreigners allowing them to visit the country on a working holiday or workation. 

About Workation Visa:

• The "workation" or "digital nomad" visa allows foreign nationals to visit South Korea on a working holiday.
• Eligibility:
• Foreign nationals with an annual income twice as much as South Korea's per capita gross national income will be eligible to apply for the visa.
• It will be given to those having a work experience of over a year in one industry and are eligible for remote work.
• Moreover, the applicants must also have medical insurance of over 100 million won (₹63,62,655.45) and must cover medical treatment and repatriation fees.
• The visa will also be allowed to the families of these employees.
• The visa, which is valid for a year and renewable for up to two years, can be issued at South Korean embassies, and those currently residing in the country under a temporary visa can also apply for it if they meet the requirements. (Currently, foreign nationals interested in working and traveling in Korea need a tourist visa, which is limited to stays of less than 90 days)
• The people who are awarded this visa cannot be hired by any company in South Korea to work or undertake any profit-making activity.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

NHPC has inked an initial pact to invest Rs 4,000 crore in 750 MW Kuppa Pumped Hydro Storage Project at Chhota Udaipur in Gujarat.

About NHPC Limited:

• NHPC Limited (formerly known as National Hydroelectric Power Corp.) is a Government of India Mini Ratna Category-I Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power.
• It was incorporated in the year 1975 under the Companies Act, 1956, with the objective of developing hydroelectric power in the country.
• With an authorized share capital of Rs.15,000 crore. NHPC is a premier organization in the country for the development of hydropower.
• The company is mandated to plan, promote, and organize an integrated and efficient development of power in all aspects through conventional and non-conventional sources in India and abroad. 
• NHPC is headquartered in Faridabad, Haryana.
• The main functions of the NHPC include
• Planning, execution, operation, and maintenance of hydroelectric power projects.
• Exploring new sites for hydroelectric projects.
• Development of small hydroelectric projects
• Research and Development (R&D) in the field of hydroelectric power
• Through long-term power purchase agreements, it sells electricity to electricity utilities owned by state governments/private distribution companies on a wholesale basis.
• It also carries out business operations, which include the planning of wind and tidal wave projects in the country, and has interests in various projects in the construction and under development phases.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Seven products from Odisha, ranging from the Similipal Kai chutney made with red weaver ants to the embroidered Kapdaganda shawl, have bagged the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

• It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• This is typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and industrial products.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
• This GI tag is valid for 10 years following which it can be renewed.
• Kapdaganda Shawl
• It is woven and embroidered by the women of the Dongria Kondh tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) in the Niyamgiri hills in Odisha’s Rayagada and Kalahandi districts.
• The shawl reflects the rich tribal heritage of the Dongria Kondhs.
• The shawl is worn by both men and women and the Dongrias gift it to their family members as a token of love and affection.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

In a significant discovery, the hog deer has been spotted for the first time at the Rajaji Tiger Reserve.

• It is a solitary creature but sometimes spotted feeding as small groups in open fields when food there is plentiful.
• For the most part it is sedentary and does not migrate.
• Males tend to be territorial and mark their territory with glandular secretions.
• This species exhibits sexual dimorphism. The females are slightly smaller than males and lack antlers.
• Distribution
• It has a native geographic range throughout India, including the Himalayan foothill zone and Southeast Asia, including Burma and Thailand.
• Humans have introduced free-ranging populations of this deer in Sri Lanka, Australia and the United States, including Texas, Florida, and Hawaii.
• Habitat:
• It appears to prefer dense forests; however, they are often observed in clearings, grasslands and occasionally wet grasslands.
• This variation is usually associated with time of year and food distribution.
• Conservation status
• IUCN: Endangered
• Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Scheduled I 

Hence both statements are correct.

Pressure is mounting on German Chancellor to give the green light for long-range Taurus missiles that would be a significant boost to Kyiv's weapons arsenal for striking critical Russian assets.

About Taurus Missile:

• Taurus KEPD 350, known as the 'bunker buster', is a Swedish-German long-range air-to-surface cruise missile.
• The high-precision stand-off guided missile system can penetrate through dense air defence systems and destroy hard and deeply buried stationary and semi-stationary military targets on the ground.
• The missile attacks target bridges, ships in ports, runways, command, control and control centers, bunkers, port facilities, and air base buildings.
• It is in service with the German (Luftwaffe) and Spanish Air Forces.
• Features:
• It has an overall weight of 1,400kg. 
• It has a length of 16.7 feet, a wingspan of 6.7 feet, and diameter of 3.5 feet.
• The missile is constructed of modular pieces that can be assembled in different ways depending on the mission. Its electronic systems are also modular. 
• It is suitable for day and night and all-weather deployment. 
• It has low observability and terrain-masking features for survivability. 
• The modular design and reliability reduce the lifecycle cost of the system.
• The missile carries about 481kg of inert multi-effect penetrator high sophisticated and target optimized (MEPHISTO) dual-stage warhead system for superior target penetration.
• It is powered by a turbofan engine which provides the missile with a cruise speed of about Mach 0.6 to 0.95 at very low altitudes.
• The missile has a range of up to 500km (270nm).

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The UAE recently announced its participation in developing a module on Nasa’s Lunar Gateway Station alongside the USA, Japan, Canada, and the European Union.

About Lunar Gateway Station:

• It is a primary component of NASA's Artemis program.
• Artemis intends to establish a long-term base on the Moon (Artemis base), and the Lunar Gateway will serve as a multi-purpose outpost that orbits the Moon.
• The Gateway is a multinational project involving four of the International Space Station partner agencies: NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
• Basically, the Gateway Station is similar to the International Space Station currently in low Earth orbit, but the Gateway will orbit the Moon.
• Incidentally, the Gateway will be the first space station ever to exist outside of low Earth orbit, or LEO.
• From the Gateway, NASA and international partners can provide essential support for long-term human presence on the lunar surface, as well as launch additional missions for deep space exploration.
• Its flight path is a highly elliptical orbit, bringing it both relatively close to the Moon’s surface and also far away, making it easier to pick up astronauts and supplies from Earth, around a five-day trip.
• It will also offer a place to relay communications and act as a base for scientific research.
• The Gateway will weigh around 40 tonnes and consist of a service module, a communications module, a connecting module, an airlock for spacewalks, a place for the astronauts to live, and an operations station to command the Gateway’s robotic arm or rovers on the Moon.
• Astronauts will be able to occupy it for up to 90 days at a time, occasionally travelling to the lunar surface to conduct science and test new technologies.

Hence option c is the correct answer.