Daily Current Affairs MCQ- January 6, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Recently, a young researcher has divulged the secret of how the Picocystis Salinarum survives the harshest of conditions by resorting to physiological adaptation to highly saline-alkaline/hyperosmotic conditions.

• It is a globally widespread picoplanktonic green alga of saline lakes. 
• It is one of the smallest green algae.
• It is found in hypersaline soda lake Sambhar, Rajasthan, to survive extreme environments. Though the alga had been widely found in saline-soda lakes around the world, it was spotted for the first time in India only in the Sambhar Lake.
• The unique organism apparently enhances photosynthesis and ATP synthesis along with chaperone proteins as key response to high salinity-alkalinity.
• Enhanced photosynthetic activity exhibited by P. salinarum in highly saline-alkaline condition is noteworthy as photosynthesis is suppressed under hyperosmotic conditions in most photosynthetic organisms.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

Mount Etna which is one of the world’s most active volcanoes was causing public concern as well it started erupting recently.

• It is Europe’s most active volcano and one of the largest in the world.
• Its recorded volcanic activity dates back to 1500 B.C.
• It is on the eastern coast of Sicily.
• It is the highest Mediterranean island mountain and the most active stratovolcano in the world. 
• It is about 3,326 metres high and is the highest peak in Italy South of the Alps.

What are volcanoes?

• Volcanoes are openings, or vents where lava, tephra (small rocks), and steam erupt onto the Earth’s surface.
• These can be on land and in the ocean.
• They are, in part, a result of their own eruptions but also the general formation of our planet, as tectonic plates move.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

In a strategic move as part of the Indian Navy’s mission-based deployment to West Africa and the Atlantic, INS Sumedha conducted a port call at Walvis Bay.

• It is strategically located halfway down the coast of Namibia, with direct access to principal shipping routes.
• This strategic location has made it the gateway port for trade between landlocked African countries and the rest of the world.
• Apart from cargo transshipment, Walvis Bay is also known internationally for its commercial fishing industry. 
• It is lying along the Atlantic Ocean.
• The town of Walvis Bay lies on the edge of the Namib Desert at the mouth of the intermittently flowing Kuiseb River. 

Hence option a is the correct answer.

After a successful 15-day pilot project the One Station One Product scheme has gained popularity among local artisans and workers.

• It is an initiative by the Indian Railways, under the Ministry of Railways.
• It was launched with a vision to promote ‘Vocal for Local’.
• It provides uniquely designed sale outlets for locals to sell indigenous products nationwide.
• This scheme is designed by the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
• It aims to build each railway station as a promotional hub and showcasing local and indigenous manufacturing products.
• Under the scheme, the allotment is done to all eligible applicants on a rotational basis.
• The pilot of the scheme was started on March 25, 2022.
• This scheme is providing welfare of local artisans, potters, weavers, tribals etc.
• The eligible applicant will be allotted a temporary stall or kiosk for a period of 15 days on deposition of Rs 1,000 with Railways.
• Sale outlets are provided at stations nationwide, allotted through a tendering process.
• The zonal railways will identify the stations, eligible products and the vendors.

Hence both statements are correct.

Northrop Grumman Corporation recently announced the successful maiden flight of Australia's multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton uncrewed aircraft.

About MQ-4C Triton:

• Built for both the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force, the MQ-4C Triton stands as the sole uncrewed, high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft designed for persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting.
• It was developed by the Northrop Grumman Corporation, an American multinational aerospace and defense technology company. 
• Features:
• Its autonomous operations are supported by land-based command and control mission planners and sensor operators. 
• The aircraft can fly over 24 hours at a time, at altitudes higher than 10 miles, with an operational range of 8,200 nautical miles.
• It has a length of 14.5m, a height of 4.7m, and a wingspan of 39.9m.
• It can hold a maximum internal payload of 1,452kg and an external payload of 1,089kg.
• It has a maximum speed of 600 km/hr.
• Triton will be equipped with a unique and robust mission sensor suite that provides 360-degree coverage on all sensors.
• Triton also incorporates a reinforced airframe for increased internal payload and a wing for hail, bird strike, and gust load protection.
• These features allow the aircraft to descend and ascend through harsh maritime weather environments to gain a closer view of ships and other targets at sea when needed.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

Russia recently signed a contract to supply Igla-S hand-held anti-aircraft missiles to India and has allowed the production of the Igla under license.

About Igla-S:

• It is a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) developed by Russia.
• It is known in the West as SA-24 Grinch.
• It entered service with the Russian Army in 2004. 
• It can be fired by an individual or crew to bring down an enemy aircraft.
• It has the capability of bringing down low-flying aircraft. It can also identify and neutralise air targets, such as cruise missiles and drones.
• Features:
• The Igla-S system comprises of combat equipment, including the 9M342 missile and the 9P522 launching mechanism, along with maintenance equipment, including the 9V866-2 mobile test station and the 9F719-2 test set.
• It has an effective range upto 6 km.
• The limiting altitude of effective target destruction for the "Igla-S" complex is 3.5 km.
• It has a heavier, more powerful warhead to maximize damage capabilities, as well as contact and timed fuzes for increased attack range.
• The warhead is a high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) and weighs 2.5 kg.
• Guidance is homing via infrared.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

As winter tightens its icy grip on the Kashmir valley, the traditional fire pot known as “Kangri” is seeing a surge in demand.

About Kangri:

• The Kangri, also known as Kanger or Kangid, is earthenware filled with glowing embers and encased in pretty handmade wicker baskets.
• It is a portable and moving heater that Kashmiris keep in their pheran, a long woollen cloak reaching down to the knees worn by people during the frosty winters.
• A pot can hold about 250 grams of charcoal, and the fire lasts for hours under a pheran.
• It keeps people warm during the harsh winter months, when temperatures can drop below minus 20 degrees.
• How is it made?
• It is known for its outer shell made of willow wicker reeds that grow abundantly in the wetlands of north Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. 
• These reeds can reach eight feet in height and are harvested during autumn, just before demand for the fire pots swells. 
• These then go through a multi-layered process of scraping and peeling to get rid of the bark, soaking, boiling, and drying before they are ready to be woven around a bowl-shaped clay pot.
• The earthenware is decorated with colourful threads, mirrorwork, and sequins and is about six inches (150 mm) in diametre.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

Much-anticipated joint exercise 'Trishakti Prahar' recently began near the western border of Rajasthan in Jaisalmer.

About Trishakti Prahar:

• It is a joint military exercise involving the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force.
• Objectives:
• It aims to enhance mutual coordination and operational efficiency.
• It seeks to create new strategies and assess operational capabilities in the context of modern warfare.
• During the exercise, all three wings of the Indian Army actively engage in live practice sessions, simulating real war scenarios with complete coordination.
• The exercise includes long-range attacks by reconnaissance aircraft, emphasizing precision and high-volume attacks to effectively neutralize hypothetical adversaries.
• It involves a diverse array of military assets, including various types of howitzers, helicopters, and weaponry. This encompasses the deployment of the Army's T-90s and Arjun main battle tanks.
• A major highlight of the exercise is the demonstration of the operational capability and readiness of the Pune-based Southwestern Command of the Indian Air Force. This segment showcases the Air Force's preparedness for integrated air-land operations, combined arms operations, and its fast mobility and deep strike offensive capabilities.
• Fighter aircraft, Apache attack helicopters, Chinook heavy lift helicopters, and various Navy aircraft contribute to the multifaceted nature of the exercise.
• It serves as a platform to evaluate the effectiveness of modern warfare technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles, precision-guided missiles, loiter munitions, counter-drone systems, communication systems, and automatic spectrum monitoring systems in a simulated operational environment.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve’s (TATR) dominant tiger, Bajrang, said to have sired at least 50 cubs during his lifetime, recently died in a territorial fight with another powerful tiger, Chhota Matka.

About Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR):

• Location: It is located in the Chandrapur district in Maharashtra.
• It is the largest and oldest Tiger Reserve of Maharashtra. 
• The origin of the name "Tadoba" lies with the name of the god "Tadoba" or "Taru", worshipped by the tribes that live in the dense forests of the Tadoba and Andhari regions. "Andhari" refers to the Andhari River that meanders through the forest.
• The total area of the reserve is 625.4 sq. km. This includes Tadoba National Park, covering 116.55 sq. km and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary, covering 508.85 sq. KM.
• Corridor: The reserve has corridor linkages with Nagzira-Navegaon and Pench Tiger Reserves within the State.
• Habitat:
• Biogeographically, the reserve falls in the Central plateau province of the Deccan Peninsula.
• The habitat has undulating topography in the north and is rich in biodiversity.
• Vegetation: Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous 
• There are two lakes and one waterway in the reserve, Tadoba Lake, Kolsa Lake, and the Tadoba River.
• Flora:
• It is blessed with thick forests covered with teak trees and other vegetation such as crocodile bark, salai, tendu, karaya gum, and mahua madhuca.
• The reserve is adorned with patches of grass and bamboo shrubberies.
• Fauna:
• The notable faunal species include the tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, gaur, chital, and sambar.
• As many as 280 species of birds are found, apart from reptiles (54 species), amphibians (11 species), and fishes (84 species).

Hence option c is the correct answer.

Recently, NASA announced that it will stop sending commands to its fleet of robotic probes on or orbiting the red planet (Mars) due to Mars solar conjunction.

• It is a phenomenon which occurs when the Sun will be in between Earth and Mars.
• It happens once every two years.
• During this time Sun expels hot, ionised gas from its corona.
• It could corrupt radio signals sent from Earth to Mars.
• Also this could cause unexpected behaviour from the spacecraft on Mars.
• This year it is occurring between November 11 and November 25.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.