Daily Current Affairs MCQ- July 13, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

The main focus of the Anthropocene Working Group's proposal is to determine the precise start of the Anthropocene epoch, a new geological epoch characterized by radical changes in the Earth's ecosystem due to human impact. The proposal aims to establish a unique reference point and provide compelling evidence for the existence of the Anthropocene epoch.

Recently, the panel of SAMARTH scheme implementing partners has been broadened with empanelment of 43 new implementing partners and additional target of training around 75,000 beneficiaries has been allocated to the training partners.

• Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector (SAMARTH) is a demand-driven and placement-oriented umbrella skilling programme.
• It aims to incentivize and supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organized textile and related sectors, covering the entire value chain of textiles, excluding Spinning and Weaving.
• In addition to the entry-level skilling, a special provision for upskilling/ re-skilling programme has also been operationalized under the scheme towards improving the productivity of the existing workers in the Apparel & Garmenting segments.
• The implementation period of the scheme is up to March 2024.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Textiles.
• Under this scheme skilling programme is implemented through the following Implementing Agencies:
• Textile Industry.
• Institutions/Organizations of the Ministry of Textiles/State Governments having training infrastructure and placement tie-ups with the textile industry.
• Reputed training institutions/ NGOs/ Societies/ Trusts/ Organizations/ Companies /Start-Ups / Entrepreneurs active in the textile sector having placement tie-ups with the textile industry.

Hence both statements are correct.

The extreme rain events in northern India are primarily caused by interactions between the monsoon winds and western disturbances. The warming of the Arabian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean also play a role in influencing the monsoon patterns. Additionally, unequal warming of the Himalayas contributes to irregular weather patterns during the monsoon, resulting in cloudbursts, heavy rains, and heatwaves.

Recently, the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report highlighted that a total of 415 million people moved out of poverty in India within just 15 years from 2005/2006 to 2019/2021.

Key Findings:

• It said that 25 countries, including India, successfully halved their global MPI values within 15 years, showing that rapid progress is attainable.
• The report noted that deprivation in all indicators declined in India.
• The poorest States and groups, including children and people in disadvantaged caste groups, had the fastest absolute progress.
• In India those people who are multidimensionally poor and deprived under the nutrition indicator have declined.
• Children under the age of 18 account for half of MPI-poor people (566 million).
• The poverty rate among children is 27.7%, while among adults, it is 13.4%. 
• Countries halved their MPI in periods as short as four to 12 years.

Key facts about Global Multidimensional Poverty Index

• It was developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
• It was first launched in 2010.
• It constructs a deprivation profile of each household and person through 10 indicators spanning health, education and standard of living and includes both incidence as well as intensity of poverty.

Hence both statements are correct.

Quiet diplomacy, which involves behind-the-scenes negotiations and discreet discussions, can facilitate the implementation of confidence-building measures among the claimant states in the South China Sea. Through confidential communication channels, stakeholders can engage in open dialogue, express their concerns, and work towards building trust and reducing tensions in the region.

For the first time, periscopes on the Indian Navy’s attack submarines have been repaired and refurbished indigenously, with the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) in Chandigarh executing the project.

About Periscope:

• It is an optical instrument used in land and sea warfare, submarine navigation, and elsewhere to enable an observer to see his surroundings while remaining undercover, behind armor, or submerged.
• Submarines have periscopes so that people inside can see what is on the surface of the water.

Construction and Working Principle:

• Periscopes can be constructed using a pair of flat mirrors or prisms and a rectangular hollow tube that has a viewing window at the top and bottom of the tube.
• The mirrors within this structure are fixed at an angle of 45o at the two ends of the rectangular hollow.
• A periscope is a useful example of the law of reflection at work. It’s important that your mirrors are placed at a 45° angle, because light always reflects away from a mirror at the same angle that it hits it.
• In a periscope, light from an object strikes the top mirror at 45° and bounces off at the same angle.
• This sends light directly down the tube and onto the lower mirror. This mirror, also at a 45° angle, reflects light directly to your eye.
• A simple periscope only requires mirrors, whereas a more complicated periscope utilizes prisms rather than mirrors.
• The periscopes used in submarine applications are complex, typically requiring the use of tubes that are at least 10 meters in length to achieve a greater range of scope.

Hence both statements are correct.

The main objective of the Chandrayaan 3 mission is to demonstrate a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface. It aims to build upon the learnings from the Chandrayaan 2 mission and showcase the capability of the lander and rover to operate on the lunar surface for one lunar day. The mission will also conduct in-situ scientific experiments on the moon.

As per new data released, India became the second country with the highest rejection rate for the Schengen Visa last year.

About Schengen Visa:

• It is an official document mandatory for some non-Europeans to travel to all the 27 countries which are part of the Schengen area.
• Once granted, this visa allows the traveler to cross the borders of the other member-states without going through identity checks at the border.
• This type of visa is issued by one of the Schengen States and allows you to visit any of the Schengen countries for a duration of up to 90 days in total within 180 days.

What is the Schengen Area?

• The Schengen Area, or Schengen Countries Zone, is a group of 27 European nations that have abolished their internal borders, for the free and unrestricted movement of people.
• Members of this area include: 23 of the 27 EU member states (except for Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania) and all members of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).
• Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway are not in the EU but are inside of the Schengen Area.
• Being part of this area means that countries:
  • do not carry out checks at their internal borders, except in cases of specific threats;
  • carry out harmonized controls at their external borders, based on clearly defined criteria.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The purpose of HAL's regional office in Kuala Lumpur is to facilitate close defence industrial collaboration between India and Malaysia. The office will serve as a hub for HAL's engagement with the wider South-East Asian region and act as a window for other Indian Defense PSUs. It aims to strengthen the bilateral partnership in the defence sector and promote cooperation in areas such as technology transfer, joint research and development, and defence production

Young people under the age of 21 account for around one in five cases in the UK where money muling activity is suspected, according to new figures.

About Money Muling:

• A money mule is someone who transfers or moves illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else.
• Criminals recruit money mules to help launder proceeds derived from online scams and frauds or crimes like human trafficking and drug trafficking.
• Money mules add layers of distance between crime victims and criminals, which makes it harder for law enforcement to accurately trace money trails.
• Money mules can move funds in various ways, including through bank accounts, cashier’s checks, virtual currency, prepaid debit cards, or money service businesses.
• Some money mules know they are supporting criminal enterprises; others are unaware that they are helping criminals profit.
• When such frauds are reported, the money mule becomes the target of police investigations.
• Money mules often receive a commission for their service, or they might provide assistance because they believe they have a trusting relationship with the individual who is asking for help.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.