Daily Current Affairs MCQ- March 10, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Experts recently said that Gold nanoparticles used in medicines and beauty products may not only protect the skin from external infestations but can also help arrest the effects of ageing.

• Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are small gold particles with a diameter of 1 to 100 nm.
• Once dispersed in water, AuNPs are also known as colloidal gold.
• These are also called as 'gold bhasma,'
• Properties
• Spherical AuNPs possess useful attributes such as size- and shape-related optoelectronic properties, large surface-to-volume ratio, excellent biocompatibility and low toxicity.
• Important physical properties of AuNPs include surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and the ability to quench fluorescence.
• Spherical AuNPs exhibit a range of colors (e.g., brown, orange, red and purple) in aqueous solution as the core size increases from 1 to 100 nm.
• These are not – toxic, not phototoxic, not genotoxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing
• Applications
• Electronics: Gold nanoparticles are designed for use as conductors from printable inks to electronic chips. Nanoscale gold nanoparticles are being used to connect resistors, conductors, and other elements of an electronic chip.
• Photodynamic Therapy: Near-IR absorbing gold nanoparticles produce heat when excited by light at wavelengths from 700 to 800 nm. This enables these nanoparticles to eradicate targeted tumors.
• Therapeutic Agent Delivery: Therapeutic agents can also be coated onto the surface of gold nanoparticles. The large surface area-to-volume ratio of gold nanoparticles enables their surface to be coated with hundreds of molecules
• Sensors – These are used in a variety of sensors. For example, a colorimetric sensor based on gold nanoparticles can identify if foods are suitable for consumption.
• Diagnostics: These are also used to detect biomarkers in the diagnosis of heart diseases, cancers, and infectious agents.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, Inflection AI company launched its latest LLM, Inflection 2.5, an upgrade to its model that powers its friendly chatbot Pi personal assistant.

• It is an “upgraded in-house model that is competitive with all the world’s leading LLMs.
• The newly upgraded Large Language Model comes with its signature personality and uniquely empathetic fine-tuning.
• It has made some stellar strides in areas of IQ such as coding and mathematics.
• With the new upgrade, Pi has now been endowed with world-class real-time web search capabilities to ensure that users get access to high-quality and up-to-date information in real time.
• The new LLM, users are talking to the Pi chatbot about a wider range of topics including discussing current events, getting local restaurant recommendations, studying for a biology exam, drafting business plans, coding, and even fun discussions on hobbies.

What is PI chatbot?

• Pi is an AI chatbot with which one can have deep and meaningful conversations.
• To access the chatbot, one needs to log on to Inflection.AI, click on Meet Pi, and simply start talking to the chatbot right away.
• It is more humane and has been promoted as a chatbot that has a personality.
• It is more like a companion to humans and is free to use.
• The chatbot comes with a voice, in six distinct voices, to choose from adding life to conversations.
• The chatbot has been shown billions of lines of text on the open web.
• This allows Pi to have conversations with users and answer a wide variety of questions, according to the company.

Hence option (a) is the correct answer.

Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship launched various initiatives namely, DIETS of Excellence and National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) in School and Teacher Education, developed by the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL).

• To strengthen teacher training, the District Institutes of Education and Training (DIET) will be developed into centres of excellence. 
• Funding: Financial assistance, totalling to Rs 9000 crores, will be provided to States/UTs for the physical upgradation of all 613 District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) to develop them as DIET of Excellence in the country in a phased manner in the next five years. 
• Upto Rs. 15 Crore per DIET will be provided under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha for improving various infrastructural facilities. 

What are DIETS?

• It is an integral part of India’s education system.
• It was established in every district of India as a result of the National Policy on Education 1986.
• DIETs were designed to provide quality training and support to teachers, teacher educators, and other educational personnel.
• The National Policy on Education 1986 was the first step towards achieving this goal.
• They were intended to serve as a hub of academic excellence and professional development.
• The initial focus of DIETs was on providing pre-service and in-service training to teachers and teacher educators.
• They work closely with schools to identify the specific needs of students and develop teaching strategies that cater to those needs.
• They also work with the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to develop curriculum frameworks that are aligned with national education policies.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared a Rs 15,000 crore project to design and develop the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

• It is India’s fifth-generation fighter multirole fighter jet.
• Features
• It will have advanced stealth features to avoid detection by enemy radar.
• Fuel and Weapon: The aircraft will have a large, concealed internal fuel tank of 6.5-tonne capacity, and an internal weapons bay for a range of weapons, including indigenous weapons.
• Engine: The AMCA Mk1 variant will have the US-built GE414 engine of the 90 kilonewton (kN) class, while the more advanced AMCA Mk2 will fly on the more powerful 110kN engine, which will be developed indigenously by DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in collaboration with a foreign defence major.
• The aircraft will have a low electro-magnetic signature, which will make it difficult for enemy radar to detected it.
• At the same time, it will have powerful sensors and new weapons, so it is able to register the signature of enemy aircraft and take them out.
• The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will be the nodal agency for executing the programme and designing the aircraft.
• It will be manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Hence both statements are correct.

Kerala is facing an outbreak of mumps, with over 10,000 children affected in less than 70 days.

About Mumps:

• Mumps is a contagious disease caused by the mumps virus, which belongs to a group of viruses known as paramyxoviruses.
• The illness starts with mild symptoms such as headache, fever, and fatigue. But then it typically leads to severe swelling in certain salivary glands (parotitis) that causes puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw.
• Transmission: Humans are the only known host for the mumps virus, which is spread via direct contact or by airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract of infected individuals.
• Who does mumps affect?
• Mumps most commonly affects children between the ages of 2 to 12 who haven’t received the mumps vaccine.
• However, adolescents and adults can get mumps despite being vaccinated against it. This occurs because there’s waning immunity to the vaccine after several years.
• Incubation Period: The average incubation period for mumps is 16 to 18 days, with a range of 12 to 25 days.
• Symptoms: Many children have no or very mild symptoms. The following are the most common symptoms of mumps that may be seen in both adults and children:
• Discomfort in the salivary glands (in the front of the neck) or the parotid glands (immediately in front of the ears). Either of these glands may become swollen and tender.
• Difficulty chewing
• Pain and tenderness of the testicles
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Treatment: There is no specific treatment for mumps. The various symptoms may be relieved with medicines.

Hence both statements are not correct.

Devotees recently thronged Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar to celebrate Maha Shivratri.

About Shankaracharya Temple:

• The Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar, located on top of the Shankaracharya Hill, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest shrines in Kashmir.
• The temple dates back to 200 BC, however present structure was probably constructed in 9th Century AD.
• It is said that the temple was originally built by Jaluka, the son of Emperor Ashoka, a follower of Buddhist religion; and hence, the temple is also regarded as sacred by the Buddhist people, and they called this temple as Pas-Pahar.
• Also known as Jyesteshwara Temple, the temple is named after the great philosopher Shankaracharya who is believed to have visited Srinagar about ten centuries ago. 
• The Shiva Linga he worshipped is located in the temple.
• It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya attained spiritual enlightenment at this place, and it was after this enlightenment that he went out and formed the four Hindu schools of Advaita, or the philosophy of non-dualism. 
• Features:
• The temple's architecture reflects a blend of Hindu and Buddhist styles and boasts intricate carvings that depict various mythological stories. 
• The early Shihara styleis prominently evident in the building design and is indicative of a horseshoe arch type of pattern.
• The temple sits on a solid rock and is constructed on a high octagonal platform that is approachable by a flight of around 243 steps. 
• It is at a height of 1100 ft. 
• The main sanctum sanctorum houses a black stone idol of Lord Shiva along with other deities.
• The top of the temple affords a sweeping view of the valley below.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The stakeholders meeting on Right to Repair Portal India was held recently.

About Right to Repair Portal:

• The Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MCA) has launched the Right to Repair Portal India (https://righttorepairindia.gov.in/) to provide consumers with access to repair information for their products and reduce e-waste.
• The launch was made on the occasion of National Consumer Rights Day 2022.
• Features:
• It provides information about the circular economy, which is the new economic model that focuses on repairing and reusing products, as opposed to throwing them away. 
• The portal brings together information from different sectors, including automobiles, consumer durables, mobile and electronics, and farming equipment.
• All public information related to products, services, warranties, terms, and conditions, etc. will also be easily accessible through this portal.
• It gives consumers access to affordable repair mobile phones, appliances, and other electronic devices by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or third-party repairers.
• The aim is to offer a cheaper alternative to expensive replacements to customers, instead of buying new products altogether.
• The portal will carry information for enabling consumers to self-repair, knowing about authorized repairers, and promoting third party repairers. 
• It will also benefit small repair shops, as a list of authorised third-party repairs will be provided. 
• The portal also allows consumers to submit feedback and suggestions on products and services.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

China has officially disclosed a new baseline outlining its territorial claims in the northern part of the Gulf of Tonkin, an area shared with Vietnam.

About Gulf of Tonkin:

• It is a crescent-shaped, shallow, semi-enclosed water body situated in the South China Sea’s northwestern portion. 
• Borders: The gulf is bordered by the northern coastline of Vietnam in the west and northwest; by China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the north; and by the Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island in the east. 
• It is referred to as “Beibu Gulf” in Chinese and “Bac Bo Gulf” in Vietnamese.
• Many rivers empty into the Gulf of Tonkin, with the Red River (Yuan River in Chinese) supplying the major riverine discharge along with some smaller rivers.
• It is connected with the South China Sea via the gulf’s mouth in the south and the Hainan Strait (Qiongzhou Strait) in the northeast. 
• Major Ports: In Northern Vietnam, the gulf’s main ports include Haiphong and Ben Thuy, whereas, in China, its major port is Beihai (Pakhoi).
• The Gulf of Tonkin is best known for the infamous “Gulf of Tonkin Incident”.
• It was a complex naval event in the Gulf of Tonkin, off the coast of Vietnam, that occurred from August 2 to August 4, 1964, during the Vietnam War. 
• The report of North Vietnamese torpedo boats firing on two U.S. destroyers in 1964 resulted in the U.S. Congress adopting the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution to support increased U.S. troop involvement in the Vietnam War. 

Hence option d is the correct answer.

India is all set to begin the export of ground systems for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines.

About BrahMos:

• It is a supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from land, sea, and air.
• It has been developed by Brahmos Aerospace, a joint venture of India and Russia.
• It is named after the rivers Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia).
• Features:
• It is a two-stage missile with a solid propellant booster engine as its first stage, which brings it to supersonic speed and then gets separated. The liquid ramjet, or second stage then takes the missile closer to 3 Mach speed in the cruise phase.
• It is one of the fastest cruise missiles currently operationally deployed, with a speed of Mach 2.8, which is nearly three times more than the speed of sound.
• It has a launch weight of 2,200-3,000 kg.
• The extended-range variant of the missile can strike land and sea targets at a maximum range of 400 to 500 kilometers with supersonic speed all throughout the flight.
• It operates on the "Fire and Forgets" principle, adopting varieties of flights on its way to the target.
• Its cruising altitude could be up to 15 km, and its terminal altitude is as low as 10 meters.
• It carries a conventional warhead weighing 200 to 300 kg.
• It is equipped with stealth technology designed to make it less visible to radar and other detection methods.
• It has an inertial navigation system (INS) for use against ship targets, and an INS/Global Positioning System for use against land targets.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have stepped up their attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea.

About Houthis:

• The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah (Partisans of God), are an armed religious and political movement in Yemen.
• Houthis are Zaydi Shiites, or Zaydiyyah. Shiite Muslims are the minority community in the Islamic world, and Zaydis are a minority of Shiites, significantly different in doctrine and beliefs from the Shiites who dominate in Iran, Iraq, and elsewhere.
• They are a minority in Yemen, which is predominantly Sunni Muslim, but they are a significant one, numbering in the hundreds of thousands and making up as much as a third of the overall population.
• Its members advocate regional autonomy for Zaidis in northern Yemen.
• They have been fighting Yemen’s Sunni-majority government since 2004. 
• The Houthis took over the Yemeni capital Sanaa in September 2014 and seized control over much of north Yemen by 2016.
• The Houthi movement began as an effort to maintain tribal autonomy in northern Yemen and protest Western influence in the Middle East.
• Today, the Houthis seek a greater role in the Yemeni government and continue to advocate for Zaidi minority interests.
• The movement is known for its virulently anti-American and anti-Semitic rhetoric.
• Several of the group’s leaders have been designated as terrorists by the United States.

Hence option c is the correct answer.