Daily Current Affairs MCQ- August 28, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

Recently, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Lucknow organised a day long second "Chintan Shivir on CRTDHs Empowering MSMEs" under Common Research and Technology Development Hub (CRTDH) programme of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

• It is part of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)-Industrial R&D Programme (IRD).
• This programme aimed at creation of Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRTDHs) to encourage research and technology development activities by Micro and Small enterprises (MSEs).
• Partial financial support would be provided to eligible institutions as grant-in aid to establish CRTDHs for enabling MSEs conduct industrial R&D and innovation activities.
• These hubs would facilitate MSEs to undertake new/improved product/process development and skill enhancement activities.
• The collaborating institutions would extend hands-on training, skill development and research information facilities to the MSEs, apart from research and technology development infrastructure.
• Creation of these CRTDHs will enhance productivity, increase the innovative skills of the MSEs and help them become globally competitive, and also generate more employment.
• Eligibility: Public funded bodies or Institutions having a distinct legal entity, which are willing and capable of setting up these CRTDHs.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the Minister of State for Communications, Government of India launched TRINETRA Security system at Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) campus New Delhi.

• It is a combination of multiple Security systems like Security information and Event Management (SIEM), Security Orchestration and Automated Response (SOAR), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), User Entity and Behaviour Analytics (UEBA), Multi-Source Threat Intelligence and others.
• The solution provides 24x7 near real-time actionable cyber-security status and detection and resolution of cyber-threats (Virus, Malware, Ransomware, Spyware etc.).
• It also performs security evaluation of organization’s IT assets by protecting endpoints including PC, Laptop, Servers and VMs by detection, analyses and mitigation of vulnerabilities and giving AI enabled automated responses to the cyber threats ensuring protection of sensitive data. 
• The solution is capable of protecting critical digital infrastructure of various Government departments from ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.

Key facts about C-DOT

• It was established in 1984 as an autonomous Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
• It is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• It is a registered ‘public funded research institution’ with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) will soon issue a circular outlining the frequently observed deviations in the preparation of financial statements and statutory audits to give guidance to managements and auditors on practices they should strictly avoid.

About National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA):

• The NFRA was constituted on 01st October 2018, by the Government of India under the Companies Act, 2013.
• It is an independent regulator to oversee the auditing profession and accounting standards in India.
• Objective: To continuously improve the quality of all corporate financial reporting in India.
• Functions and Duties:
• Recommend accounting and auditing policies and standards to be adopted by companies for approval by the Central Government;
• Monitor and enforce compliance with accounting standards and auditing standards;
• Oversee the quality of service of the professions associated with ensuring compliance with such standards and suggest measures for improvement in the quality of service;
• Composition: It consists of a chairperson, who shall be a person of eminence and having expertise in accountancy, auditing, finance, or law to be appointed by the Central Government and such other members not exceeding fifteen consisting of part-time and full-time members.
• Powers:
• NFRA have the power to investigate, either suo moto or on a reference made to it by the Central Government into the matters of professional or other misconduct committed by any member or firm of chartered accountants registered under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.
• It has the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 while trying a suit.
• HQ: New Delhi

Hence both statements are correct.

Japan readies to launch a dual-purpose mission from one rocket, deploying SLIM to showcase precise moon landing techniques and XRISM for enhanced celestial analysis.

About XRISM Mission:

• The X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) is a joint mission of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), involving contributions from the European Space Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency as well.
• Objective: The mission aims to observe X-rays coming from deep space and to identify their wavelengths with unprecedented precision.
• It will use state-of-the-art spectroscopy to measure changes in the brightness of celestial objects at different wavelengths. 
• It detects X-rays with energies ranging from 400 to 12,000 electron volts. (For comparison, the energy of visible light is 2 to 3 electron volts.)
• This range will provide astrophysicists with new information about some of the universe's hottest regions, largest structures, and objects with the strongest gravity.
• Instruments onboard: The mission has two instruments, Resolve and Xtend.
• Resolve:
• It is an instrument that will collect spectroscopic data with far more resolution than X-ray observatories orbiting the Earth do.
• Resolve must be cooled to just a fraction above absolute zero in order to measure tiny changes in temperature when X-rays hit the instrument’s surface.
• Xtend:
• It will operate simultaneously to photograph the cosmos with a resolution comparable to the way our eyes might perceive it if we were to have X-ray vision. 
• While Resolve zooms in, Xtend will zoom out, providing scientists with complementary views of the same X-ray sources over a larger area.

About SLIM:

• SLIM, or Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, is a compact robotic moon lander with no astronauts aboard.
• Called ‘Moon Snipper’ in the Japanese language, it has lightweight equipment for advanced observations and adaptable landings on resource-scarce planets, advancing exploration strategies.
• The most important aim of the lander is to demonstrate accurate lunar landing techniques with a precise touchdown. 
• The mission plan calls for a landing no more than 328 feet (100 m) from a target inside the moon's Shioli Crater.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

 The Indian government recently warned against a new scam called ‘Smishing’.

About Smishing:

• "Smishing" is a portmanteau of "SMS" (Short Message Service) and "phishing."
• What is it? A type of phishing attack, smishing, often involves sending fraudulent text messages to individuals with the aim of tricking them into divulging sensitive personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or other confidential data.
• When cybercriminals "phish," they send fraudulent emails that seek to trick the recipient into clicking on a malicious link. Smishing simply uses text messages instead of email.
• Smishing attacks often involve messages that appear to be from legitimate sources, such as banks, government agencies, or well-known companies.
• How it works?
• Smishing messages typically contain urgent or enticing content to persuade recipients to take immediate action, such as clicking on a malicious link, calling a phone number, or providing sensitive information.
• Once the victim opens and clicks on the link or dials the phone number listed in the message, they're taken to a fraudulent website or a mobile phone line that's designed to resemble a legitimate source.
• The victim might be asked to enter sensitive information, such as login credentials, social security numbers, credit card information or personal identification numbers (PINs). 
• Once the victim's sensitive information is divulged, the attacker might steal it to commit fraud for personal gain or to compromise the victim's device by installing malware on it.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the ISRO-Space Applications Centre (Ahmedabad) successfully tested Nabhmitra device at Neendakara.

• It is a satellite-based communication system developed for the safety of fisherman.
• It enables two-way messaging services from and to the sea.
• The weather and cyclone warnings will be communicated in the local language, the boats can also send distress messages to the authorities.
• In emergency situations like capsizing and fire, fishers can press a button on the device and get in touch with the control centre.
• While the control centre will receive the alert including the location of the boat, the crew on the boat will get a response message from the control centre.
• Apart from providing information about shipping channels and maritime boundaries, the device will also help to identify fishing fields.
• It was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). 

Hence option (b) is the correct answer.

Recently, an Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent departed for participating in Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23 scheduled to be held at Cairo (West) Air Base, Egypt from 27 August to 16 September 2023.

• It is a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise. 
• This multinational exercise was launched in 1980 as part of the US-brokered peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
• This is for the first time that IAF is participating in Ex BRIGHT STAR-23.
• Participating countries: United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar.
• The Indian Air Force contingent will consist of five MiG-29, two IL-78, two C-130 and two C-17 aircraft.
• Personnel from the IAF's Garud Special Forces, as well as those from the Numbers 28, 77, 78 and 81 Squadrons will be participating in the exercise.
• Objective: To practice planning and execution of joint operations. Besides leading to the formation of bonding across borders, such interactions also provide a means to further strategic relations between participating nations.
• India and Egypt have had exceptional relationship and deep cooperation wherein the two jointly undertook development of aero-engine and aircraft in 1960s and training of Egyptian pilots was done by Indian counterparts.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

Israel’s Defense Ministry and the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) recently announced they completed two years of outfitting the ORON aircraft with advanced intelligence-gathering technology.

About ORON Aircraft:

• It is an Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) mission aircraft.
• It was developed by the Israel defense ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), the Israel Air Force and the Israel Defense Force (IDF) Intelligence unit’s naval arm and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
• Features:
• It is based on the Gulfstream G550 executive jet platform, which has been outfitted with sensors and data collection equipment that allows it to rapidly locate targets in all weather conditions.
• The aircraft combines several capabilities, including aerial imaging, control and radar, and maritime intelligence gathering for the Navy.
• It will be equipped with layers of automatic data systems based on advanced algorithms and AI.
• It will enable the IDF to create a real-time comprehensive intelligence picture, including deployment of ground forces, near and far, in routine times and during warfare.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

The Perinad Seethakali Sangham member group is all set to perform outside Kerala for the first time.

• It is a unique centuries-old folk art form that is believed to have originated at Perinad in Kollam district of Kerala.
• This art form was first performed some 150 years back by the people of Vedar and Pulayar communities.
• Themes
• It is based on certain episodes taken from the Indian epic Ramayana.
• Mythic characters such as Rama, Seetha, Ravana and Hanuman come alive in Seethakali performances that portray the tale of Seetha’s journey, from the time she accompanied Rama to the woods till her ascent to the heavens.
• In the early times, Seethakali was performed as part of the harvest festival Onam.
• From Atham star till the 28th day after Onam, the performers who belong to the subaltern communities go from one house to another performing this art.
• The props and instruments used during performances are all made of natural materials like bamboo and palm leaves.
• The costumes and the make-up are loud and eye-catching.
• The characters of Rama and Laxmana appear in green since the colour is used to represent gods and goddesses in Kathakali.
• Currently, in Kerala, there is only one registered Seethakali performing group – Perinad Seethakali Sangham.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the Tele-Law 2.0 initiative was launched by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice.

• Tele-Law programme was launched by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice in 2017.
• This is operating under the DISHA Scheme.
• The programme connects needy and marginalised people in need of legal aid with the Panel Lawyers via video conferencing/telephonic facilities available at Common Service Centres (CSCs) situated at the panchayat level.
• In addition, the service can also be accessed through the Tele-Law Mobile App.
• Eligibility: Legal advice is made available to everyone under Tele-Law service. Advice is free of Cost to those who are eligible for free legal aid under Section 12 of LSA Act, 1987.
• Legal matters in which advice can be taken through Tele-Law service include:
• Dowry, family dispute, divorce, protection from domestic violence
• Sexual harassment, sexual abuse, eve teasing at the workplace
• Maintenance of women children and senior citizens
• Rights regarding property and land
• Equal wages for males and females
• Maternity benefits and prevention of feticide

Hence only statement 1 is correct.