Daily Current Affairs MCQ- August 1, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

Recently, the Union Minister of Education launched the logo, slogan-Jan Jan Sakshar and mobile application of ULLAS in New Delhi.

• The Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) initiative is poised to revolutionise education and literacy across the nation.
• It is done by fostering a learning ecosystem that reaches every individual, bridging the gaps in basic literacy and critical life skills.
• It imparts basic education, digital and financial literacy and critical life skills to citizens aged 15 and above who lost on the opportunity to go to school.
• It is being implemented through volunteerism.
• Slogan of the Initiative: ULLAS: Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram.
• For this purpose ULLAS app was launched which is user-friendly and interactive app available both on android and ios.
• It will serve as a digital gateway for learners to engage in diverse learning resources through the DIKSHA portal of NCERT.
• The ULLAS app can be used for registration of learners and volunteers either through self-registration or by surveyors.
• Significance
• This app will focus on promoting functional literacy, vocational skills, and many important life skills like financial literacy, legal literacy, digital literacy, and empowerment of citizens to involve in nation-building of the country.
• It also fosters a culture of continuous learning and knowledge-sharing in communities across India.

Hence both statements are correct.

In the last two decades or so, since genome sequencing technologies started to become more accessible, scientists have really figured out the application of the Cell-free DNA.

• In the human body, most of the DNA in a genome is neatly packed inside cells with the help of specific proteins, protecting it from being degraded.
• In a variety of scenarios, some fragments of DNA are ‘released’ from their containers and are present outside the cell, in body fluids. These small fragments of nucleic acids are widely known as cell-free DNA (cfDNA).

How they are generated/released?

• It can be generated and released from a cell in a number of possible situations, including when a cell is dying and the nucleic acids become degraded.
• Since an array of processes modulates the degradation, the amount, size, and source of the cfDNA can vary across a range as well.
• This could occur together with a variety of processes, including those required for normal development, those related to the development of certain cancers, and those associated with several other diseases. 

Applications of cfDNA

• One of the most widely used applications of cfDNA has been in screening foetuses for specific chromosomal abnormalities, an application known as non-invasive prenatal testing. 
• It is useful tool to understand human diseases and to use the knowledge to improve diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis.
• It is useful in understanding why a body is rejecting a transplanted organ.
• This  could be used as a biomarker for neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, neuronal tumours, stroke, traumatic brain injury,

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, OpenAI CEO formally re-introduced Worldcoin project of his that was eclipsed by the popularity of ChatGPT.

• It is an initiative to create a digital network in which everyone can claim some kind of stake, and join the digital economy.
• This venture runs on a simple model: allow your eyes to be scanned in order to prove your human uniqueness, and receive some crypto and an ID (called a World ID) in exchange.
• Using a device called “Orb,” Worldcoin volunteers known as ‘Orb operators’ scan a person’s iris pattern to collect their biometric data and help them get a World ID through the World app.
• With the app, scanned participants can collect a cryptocurrency called Worldcoin [WLD] at regular intervals or make transactions with their World ID where possible.
• This process is called “proof of personhood” and makes sure that people do not sign themselves up multiple times in exchange for crypto.
• Worldcoin claims it is building the “world’s largest identity and financial public network” open to people worldwide.
• Worldcoin lists 18 locations — largely in Delhi, Noida, and Bangalore — where Orb operators are scanning people’s eyes.
• It was launched by the OpenAI.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) recently clarified that it was not looking to reduce retail participation in the derivatives segment.

About Derivatives:

• A derivative is a contract between two parties which derives its value/price from an underlying asset.
• The commonly used assets are stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities and market indices.
• These instruments allow investors and traders to speculate on the price movements of the underlying asset without owning it directly.
• The value of the underlying assets keeps changing according to market conditions. The basic principle behind entering into derivative contracts is to earn profits by speculating on the value of the underlying asset in future.
• Derivatives serve various purposes, including hedging against risks, providing leverage, and facilitating price discovery.
• The most common types of derivatives are:
• Futures Contracts: A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a specific future date. The underlying asset can be commodities, financial instruments, or indices.
• Options Contracts: An options contract gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call option) or sell (put option) an underlying asset at a specified price (strike price) on or before a predetermined expiration date.
• Swaps: Swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows based on specific financial variables. Common types of swaps include interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and commodity swaps. Swaps are often used to manage interest rate risks, currency risks, or to change the nature of a debt obligation.
• Forwards: Forwards are similar to futures contracts but are not standardized or traded on exchanges. They are customized agreements between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on a future date.

Hence both statements are correct.

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Sunday announced the creation of a National Digital Nagrik Forum.

About National Digital Nagrik Forum:

• It is an online platform that aims to advance the rights of traders and consumers and other sections of society, and shape policy to boost the digital trade economy.
• The forum aims to raise awareness about digital regulations and help build the capacities of citizens to engage with innovation via expert sessions and instructional materials.
• Objective: To shape policy discourse around digital economy trade in India with a view to contributing to the Government of India’s vision of creating a trillion-dollar digital economy while maintaining an open, safe, trusted and accountable internet ecosystem.
• It will conduct awareness camps, digital and physical dialogues and trainings, as well as targeted outreach to stakeholders from government, private sector and civil society,
• It will focus on five core themes. 
• The first pillar consists of consumer protection and online safety with a core focus on efficient grievance redressal.
• The pitfalls of digital cartelisation and how a level-playing field is necessary to discourage discriminatory and anti-competitive practices in the online world are part of the second pillar.
• Third, the potential of Indian digital technologies to not only transform retail and industrial trade but also boost employment and expand the investment footprint.
• Fourth, a first principles-based taxation policy that encourages certainty and productivity, especially for sectors with high growth potential, while preventing illegal activities such as tax evasion and money laundering.
• Finally, the forum will study emerging technologies, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, to assess their impact on retail trade and, at the same time, safeguard consumers’ interests.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, a successful training launch of a medium-range ballistic missile, Agni-1 was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.

About Agni-1 Missile:

• Agni- 1 ballistic missile is a medium-Range Ballistic Missile having range 700–900 km.
• It is a single-stage, solid-fuel missile.
• It is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead with an estimated payload of 1,000 kg.
• The latest upgrade to the Agni-1 missile includes a new guidance system that makes it more accurate and a new warhead that increases its destructive power.
• It is road-mobile, which gives it a high degree of mobility and makes it difficult for an enemy to target.
• It was first test-fired in 2002.
• The Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command first deployed this missile in 2007.
• The Agni-I originated from India’s 1983 Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).

About IGMDP:

• It was a programme for the R&D of the comprehensive range of missiles in India, started in 1982–83 under the leadership of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
• It was a Ministry of Defence programme managed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Types of missiles under the programme: APJ Abdul Kalam started multiple projects simultaneously to develop the following types of Indian Guided Missiles -
• Short Range Surface to Surface Missile (SSM) ‘Prithvi’
• Long Range Surface to Surface Missile (SSM) ‘Agni’
• Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (SAM) ‘Akash’
• Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SAM) ‘Trishul’
• Anti-tank Guided Missile (ATGM) ‘Nag’

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, Union Minister for Jal Shakti has launched the Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan.

About Unified Registration Portal:

• This portal will serve as a centralized repository for assessing investment and participation in the Biogas/CBG (Compressed Biogas) sector at a pan India level.
• Primary objective: To streamline the process of setting up CBG/Biogas plants in the country.
• The Unified Registration Portal allows any government, cooperative or private entity operating or intending to set up a Biogas/CBG/Bio-CNG plant in India to obtain a registration number by enrolling in the portal.
• This registration number will enable them to avail a multitude of benefits and support from the Ministries and Departments of the Government of India.

GOBARdhan Scheme:

• Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan, is a crucial umbrella initiative of the Government of India.
• The government launched the Gobardhan scheme in 2018 as a national priority project under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen-Phase II program.
• Aim:
• To generate wealth and energy by converting cattle dung, agricultural residue, and other organic waste into Biogas, CBG and bio-fertilizers.
• It adopts a whole-of-government approach and aims to convert waste into wealth, thereby promoting a circular economy.
• Nodal Ministry: The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Hence option a is the answer.

NIPCCD organized a Refresher Training Programme on Mission Vatsalya from 29- 31 May, 2023 at NIPCCD Regional Centre, Mohali.

About Mission Vatsalya:

• Mission Vatsalya Scheme is a roadmap to achieve development and child protection priorities aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• It lays emphasis on child rights, advocacy and awareness along with strengthening of the juvenile justice care and protection system with the motto to 'leave no child behind'.
• Background:
• The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 provisions and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 form the basic framework for implementation of the Mission.
• Components under Mission Vatsalya: It include:
• Improve functioning of statutory bodies;
• Strengthen service delivery structures;
• Upscale institutional care/services;
• Encourage non-institutional community-based care; 
• emergency outreach services;
• Training and capacity building.
• The Scheme is implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme since 2021-22.
• Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Women and Child Development.

About National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD):

• It is an autonomous organisation with its Headquarters in New Delhi.
• It functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• The objectives of the Institute are:
• To develop and promote voluntary action in social development.
• To take a comprehensive view of child development and develop and promote programmes in pursuance of the National Policy for Children.
• To develop measures for coordination of governmental and voluntary action in social development.
• To evolve a framework and perspective for organising children's programmes through governmental and voluntary efforts.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) said it has extended the deadline for submission of applications for the National Startup Awards 2023 to June 15, 2023.

About National Startup Awards 2023:

• The National Startup Awards 2023 awards will focus on celebrating innovation from across the country, in line with Vision India @2047.
• DPIIT has invited applications across 20 different categories including aerospace, retail and emerging technologies etc.
• Aim: To reward and recognise outstanding startups and enablers in the ecosystem building innovative products and demonstrating measurable social impact.
  Award: Cash prize of Rs 10 lakh to one winning startup in each category.
• The Winners and finalists will also be given exclusive government support, including investor and government connect, mentorship, international market access, and corporate and unicorn connect.
• It was launched in 2020.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, NHPC Limited and Vidhyut Utpadan Company Limited (VUCL), Nepal signed an MoU for development of Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project (480MW) in Nepal.

About Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project:

• It is located in Kalikot district, Karnali Province of Nepal.
• The project will use the flow from the Karnali River for power generation and the generated power will be fed into integrated power system of Nepal.
• Key features of the project:
• The installed capacity of the project shall be 480 MW with average annual generation of about 2448 GWh.
• 109 metre high RCC dam and an underground power house where the 06 turbines of 79 MW each shall be housed.
• To utilize minimum environmental release one Surface Power House of 6 MW capacity is also planned.
• This project is conceived as a Peaking Run-of-River (PRoR) type scheme.

Other Hydropower project betwwen India and Nepal:

• Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project: on Mahakali River.
• Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project : on Arun River (tributary of Koshi River)

About National Hydro Electric Power Corporation Private Limited (NHPC)

• NHPC Limited, a Schedule ‘A’ Enterprise of the Government of India with ‘MINI RATNA’ status, is a premier PSU in India for development of hydropower.
• It was incorporated in 1975 under Companies Act, 1956.
• The company is mandated to plan, promote and organize an integrated and efficient development of power in all its aspects through Conventional and Non-Conventional Sources in India and abroad.

Hence option b is the answer.