Daily Current Affairs MCQ- May 2, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

A new study by an international team of scientists stated conserving Red colobus could hold the keys to protecting tropical forests.

• These are a rare group of imperilled monkeys spread across Africa. They are primary indicators of biodiversity.
• Red colobus monkeys are one of two major simian groups globally.
• Colobines are primarily leaf-eaters, as compared to the cercopithecines, which are omnivores and thus include animals in their diet as well.
• Colobines also include the langurs of south and southeast Asia besides Africa’s colobus (olive and black-and-white besides red) monkeys.
• Distribution: Ranging from forests in Senegal to the Zanzibar Archipelago.
• Most red colobus are facing extinction, making them the most threatened group of non-ape primates in mainland Africa.
• More than half of the 18 distinct forms of red colobus monkeys (scientists are unclear about how many species there are) are classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
• Threats
• Hunting for trade and local subsistence
• Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation due to logging, mining, charcoal production, infrastructure development and conversion of forest to farms and agriculture plantations.

Initiative to conserve Red Colobus

• The Red Colobus Conservation Action Plan, initiated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission Primate Specialist Group and the African Primatological Society.
• The action plan aims to make red colobus a priority conservation target, which will help to secure Africa's tropical forests and reduce unsustainable hunting for wild meat.
• A Red Colobus Working Group (RCWG) has been formed to guide implementation of the action plan and a Red Colobus Conservation Network (RCCN) has been created to promote communication, capacity-building and monitoring of red colobus conservation efforts.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

Recently, the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (CGPDTM) has bestowed the Geographical Indication (GI) certificate upon the traditional artisans of 'Kutch Ajrakh,' hailing from the vibrant region of Kutch in Gujarat.

• The Ajrakh is a textile craft, holds deep roots in the cultural tapestry of Gujarat, particularly in the regions of Sindh, Barmer, and Kutch, where its legacy spans millennia.
• The art of Ajrakh entails a meticulous process of hand-block printing on treated cotton cloth, culminating in intricate designs infused with rich symbolism and history.
• Ajrak’s nomenclature originates from ‘Azrak’, meaning indigo, a well-known substance most often employed as a powerful dye to achieve a bluish effect.
• Ajrakh prints have traditionally consisted of three colors: blue which signifies the sky, red which signifies the land and the fire, and white which signifies the stars.
• Textiles are treated with vegetable and mineral colours and the fabric goes through a washing cycle about eight times.
• This craft was introduced to this region over 400 years back by the Sind Muslims.
• Nomadic pastoralist and agricultural communities like the Rabaris, Maldharis, and Ahirs wear Ajrakh printed cloth as turbans, lungis, or stoles.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) tested a next-generation torpedo release system.

• Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) System has been designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
• It was launched from a ground mobile launcher from the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.
• Features
• This missile-based mechanism to launch lightweight torpedoes can target submarines hundreds of kilometres away — far beyond the conventional range of lightweight torpedoes.
• It will be particularly employed in the absence of other assets for immediate action when an enemy submarine is detected.
• It is the canister-based missile system comprises several advanced subsystems including two-stage solid propulsion and precision inertial navigation.
• It carries an advanced lightweight torpedo missile as a payload along with a parachute-based release mechanism.
• Several state-of-the-art mechanisms, such as symmetric separation, ejection and velocity control, have been validated with this test.

Hence both statements are correct.

India has kickstarted the process of unifying its four airspace regions into one spanning the entire nation under Project ISHAN.

• The Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management (ISHAN) initiative aims to streamline and enhance air traffic management.
• India is planning a major move to unify its four Flight Information Regions (FIRs) in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai into one continuous airspace in Nagpur and have harmonized Air Traffic Management from Nagpur.
• The Airports Authority of India (AAI), the public entity invited expressions of interest (EoI) for the preparation of a detailed project report.
• What's the arrangement at present?
• Currently, Indian airspace is divided into four flight information regions (FIRs) in Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and a sub-FIR in Guwahati each managed separately.
• Significance: It is expected to streamline operations, enhance capacity, and alleviate congestion, benefiting both airlines and passengers.

Key facts about AAI

• It is a statutory body under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
• It was constituted by an Act of Parliament and came into being on 1st April 1995, by merging the erstwhile National Airports Authority and the International Airports Authority of India.
• It is entrusted with the responsibility of creating, upgrading, maintaining, and managing civil aviation infrastructure both on the ground and in air space in the country.
• It also provides Air Traffic Management Services (ATMS) over the entire Indian Air Space and adjoining oceanic areas, with ground installations at all airports, and 25 other locations to ensure the safety of aircraft operations.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The International Labour Day was recently observed to honour the contribution of workers across the world.

About International Labour Day:

• International Labour Day, also known as Workers Day or May Day, is a global event that takes place annually on May 1st. 
• It is a day dedicated to honouring the efforts and achievements of workers and the labour movement.
• Over 80 countries, including India, Cuba, and China, mark International Labour Day.
• On this day, people all over the world march to advocate working-class rights and protect them from exploitation.
• History:
• The origins of International Labour Day can be traced back to the late 19th-century labour movement in the United States.
• In 1886, a large demonstration happened in America where the labours demanded eight hours of work on a daily basis.
• However, soon the demonstration went out of hand, and in Chicago, a lot of people got hurt. This incident came to be known as the Haymarket Affair.
• The Haymarket Affair incident marked the start of International Labour Day.
• In 1889, a lot of socialist parties in Europe came together and decided to celebrate May 1 as International Labour Day.
• Since then, the special day has been observed every year on the same day.
• In India, the first May Day was celebrated in Chennai (then Madras) in 1923 by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

A study carried out by the scientists at the Space Applications Centre suggests that the extent of water ice in the northern polar region is twice that in the southern polar region of the Moon.

About Space Applications Centre (SAC):

• It is a major research and development centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• Located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, SAC is spread across two campuses with multi-disciplinary activities.
• Genesis:
• The genesis of the centre dates back to 1966, with the establishment of the Experimental Satellite Communication Earth Station (ESCES) by the late Dr. Vikram Sarabhai in Ahmedabad.
• Later in 1972, the different units of ISRO in Ahmedabad pursuing research in applications of space technology were merged to form SAC. 
• The core competence of the centre lies in the development of space borne and air borne instruments/payloads and their applications for national development and societal benefits.
• These applications are in diverse areas and primarily meet the communication, navigation, and remote sensing needs of the country. 
• Besides these, the centre also contributes significantly to scientific and planetary missions of ISRO like Chandrayan-1, the Mars Orbiter Mission, etc.
• The communication transponders developed at this Centre for Indian National Satellite (INSAT) and Geo Synchronous Satellite (GSAT) series of satellites are used by the government and private sector for VSAT, DTH, Internet, broadcasting, telephones, etc.
• This centre also designs and develops the optical and microwave sensors for the satellites, signal and image processing software, GIS software, and many applications for the Earth Observation (EO) programme of ISRO.
• These applications are in diverse areas of Geosciences, Agriculture, Environment and Climate Change, Physical Oceanography, Biological Oceanography, Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Hydrosphere, etc.
• Facilities: The facilities at SAC include highly sophisticated payload integration laboratories, electronic and mechanical fabrication facilities, environmental test facilities, systems reliability / assurance group, image processing and analysis facilities, project management support group, and a well-stocked library.
• SAC is a host institution for the training programmes for students from the Asia Pacific region under the aegis of the Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP) in satellite meteorology and communication.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

The Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) has filmed the passing of the moon in front of Antares, a bright red star.

About Antares:

• Antares, also known as Alpha Scorpii, is the alpha, or brightest, star in the constellation Scorpius, and the 15th-brightest star in the whole night sky.
• It is a massive red supergiant star.
• It is 10,000 times brighter than our Sun.
• It is one of the largest known stars, 700 times the Sun's diameter, large enough to engulf the orbit of Mars if the solar system were centered on it.
• It lies about 600 light-years from the Earth.
• Despite its size, the overall density of Antares is less than one-millionth that of the Sun. 
• Antares is also relatively cool as stars go. Its surface temperature is about 6,100 degrees F (3,400 degrees C). That’s in contrast to our sun’s surface temperature of about 10,000 degrees F (5,500 degrees C).
• The star's low-temperature accounts for its ruddy color.

What is a Red Supergiant star?

• They are very large stars that are approaching the later stages of their stellar life.
• They have a radius that is several hundred to 1500 times that of the Sun. 
• Though they are great in size, the red color indicates that stars of this type have a relatively low surface temperature.
• They are highly luminous.
• Most red supergiants are variable stars. This means, their degree of brightness changes and fluctuates as seen on Earth.
• Also, these stars are actively losing mass. Nebulae have been seen around them as they expel material.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

Tripura’s traditional tribal attire ‘risa’ gets received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag recently.

• It is a handwoven cloth used as a female upper garment, and also as headgear, a stole, or a present to express respect.
• It is woven in colourful designs and has a crucial social and religious significance.
• Adolescent Tripuri girls are first given a risa to wear in an event called Risa Sormani, at age 12 to 14.
• Religious relevance: The risa is used in religious festivals such as Garia Puja by tribal communities, a turban by men during weddings and festivals, a cummerbund over the dhoti, a head scarf by young girls and boys, and a muffler during winters.
• The cloth is also used as a makeshift hanger to hold an infant on mothers’ backs.
• It is presented as a mark of honour to distinguished recipients.
• Risa is common in almost all 19 indigenous tribal communities of Tripura.
• The traditional Tripuri female attire consists of three parts — risa, rignai and rikutu.
• Risa is a handwoven cloth used as a female upper garment.
• Rignai is primarily worn as the lower garment and literally means ‘to wear’.
• Rituku is mainly used as a wrap, or like a ‘chunri’ or a ‘pallu’ of the Indian saree. It is also used to cover the heads of newly married Tripuri women.
• The complete Tripuri attire is claimed to have originated even before the time of the Manikya kings, who ruled Tripura for over 500 years starting from the 15th century. 

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shared captivating pictures of clouds on a social media platform, showcasing the breathtaking view of Cavum clouds as seen from space.

• These clouds are also known as “hole-punch clouds or fallstreak holes.”
• How are Cavum clouds formed?
• These are formed when aeroplanes pass through layers of altocumulus clouds, which are mid-level clouds containing supercooled water droplets (water below freezing temperature but still in liquid form).
• As the aircraft moves through, a process known as adiabatic expansion can cause the water droplets to freeze into ice crystals.
• These ice crystals eventually become too heavy and fall out of the cloud layer, creating a hole in the clouds.
• These "mysterious clouds" has been ongoing for over 13 years.
• They are formed when planes pass through at a relatively steep angle.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, the Minister of Communications, Railway, and Electronics & Information Technology Chauhan launched the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)’s ‘Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)’ and ‘Chakshu facility on Sanchar Saathi portal.

• It is developed by the Department of Telecommunications (Ministry of Communication). It is a secure and integrated platform for real time intelligence sharing, information exchange and coordination among the stakeholders, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), banks and Financial Institutions (FIs), social media platforms, identity document issuing authorities etc.
• The portal also contains information regarding the cases detected as misuse of telecom resources.
• The shared information could be useful to the stakeholders in their respective domains.
• It also works as backend repository for the citizen-initiated requests on the Sanchar Saathi portal for action by the stakeholders.
• The DIP is accessible to the stakeholders over secure connectivity and the relevant information is shared based on their respective roles. The said platform is not accessible to citizens.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.