Daily Current Affairs MCQ- November 16, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

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.

According to a recent study during the July-September quarter (Q2) active equity funds witnessed net inflows of about Rs 74,000 crore with fund managers and on the other hand, passive equity funds saw Rs 9,000 crore of inflows.

• An equity fund is a mutual fund that invests principally in stocks.
• It can be actively or passively (index fund) managed. Equity funds are also known as stock funds.
• Stock mutual funds are principally categorized according to company size, the investment style of the holdings in the portfolio and geography.

What are Active equity funds?

• In this fund the fund manager is ‘Active’ in deciding whether to buy, hold, or sell the underlying securities and in stock selection.
• This fund relies on professional fund managers who manage investments.
• Active funds adopt different strategies and styles to create and manage the portfolio.
• They are expected to generate better returns (alpha) than the benchmark index.
• The risk and return in the fund will depend upon the strategy adopted.

What are Passive equity funds?

• These funds hold a portfolio that replicates a stated index or benchmark.
• In a passive fund, the fund manager has a passive role in the stock selection.
• Buy, hold or sell decisions are driven by the benchmark index and the fund manager/dealer merely needs to replicate the same with minimal tracking error.

Hence both statements are correct.

In a significant development global index provider MSCI has announced the inclusion of nine stocks in its MSCI Global Standard Index, effective as of the close of November 30, 2023.

• It is owned by the multinational investment management and financial services company Morgan Stanley.
• It is an investment research firm that provides stock indexes, portfolio risk and performance analytics, and governance tools to institutional investors and hedge funds.
• It is a leading provider of critical decision support tools, including stock indexes, and services for the global investment community.
• MSCI indices facilitate the construction and monitoring of portfolios in a cohesive and complete manner, avoiding benchmark misfit. It has over 160,000 indices in its portfolio.
• MSCI has indexes for countries, regions, emerging markets, developed markets, small cap, all cap and even Islamic indexes.
• It selects stocks for its equity indexes that are easily traded and have high liquidity, with companies having high free float getting more weightage.
• It prefers stocks that have active investor participation, and are without owner restrictions.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

The 9th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023 will be held at Faridabad, Haryana from January 17th-20th, 2024.

• It will be held at the Campus of Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) of Department of Biotechnology in Faridabad.
• Theme: 'Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal'.
• IISF 2023 aims to provide a platform for inspiring public at large and individuals with diverse levels of interests like students, educators, scientists, researchers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs and science communicators.
• IISF 2023 will have a total of 17 themes to showcase scientific achievements offering diverse benefits to participants and the general public.
• The IISF is dedicated towards fostering creativity in Science, Technology and Innovation for the advancement of prosperous India.
• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Earth Sciences in association with Vijnana Bharati.
• Since 2015, the IISF has hosted eight editions in different geographical regions of India and expanded as a mega science festival.
• In 2021, the Department of Space and the Department of Atomic Energy became an integral part of IISF.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

The Prime Minister will launch the PM-PVTG Development Mission in a bid to empower the tribals on the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, which has been celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.

Who are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)?

• PVTGs are a more vulnerable group among tribal groups in India.
• These groups have primitive traits, geographical isolation, low literacy, zero to negative population growth rate and backwardness.
• Moreover, they are largely dependent on hunting for food and a pre-agriculture level of technology.
• In 1973, the Dhebar Commission set up a separate category for Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs). In 1975, the Centre identified 52 tribal groups as PTGs. In 1993, 23 more groups were added to the list. Later, in 2006, these groups were named PVTGs.
• Currently, there are 2.8 million PVTGs belonging to 75 tribes across 22,544 villages in 220 districts across 18 states and Union Territories in India.
• According to the 2011 Census, Odisha has the largest population of PVTGs at 866,000. It is followed by Madhya Pradesh at 609,000 and Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana) at 539,000.
• The largest PVTG is Odisha's Saura community, numbering 535,000.

About PM-PVTG Development Mission:

• The Rs 24,000-crore project is aimed at the development of the PVTGs. 
• It has been designed to bring critical infrastructure like power, water, road connectivity, housing, education, and healthcare to the PVTG communities living in remote villages.
• Under the scheme, about 11 interventions like the PM-Gram Sadak Yojana, PM-Gram Awaas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, and others will be taken to these target villages through the coordinated work of nine ministries.
• In addition, saturation will be ensured for schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna, Sickle Cell Disease Elimination, TB Elimination, 100 percent immunisation, PM Surakshit Matritva Yojana, PM Matru Vandana Yojana, PM Poshan, and PM Jan Dhan Yojana.

Hence both statements are not correct.

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) recently signed an agreement to strengthen its supply chain and ensure adherence to labor rules.

About Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF):

• It is a regional arrangement to build cooperation and economic integration in the Indo-Pacific region.
• It was launched by United States President Joe Biden on May 23, 2022.
• This framework is intended to advance resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness for member economies. 
• IPEF will seek to complement and build on existing regional architecture and support the global rules-based trading system.
• It currently includes 14 partner countries: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.
• The economic framework broadly rests on four pillars: 
• Trade
• Supply chain resilience
• Clean Energy, Decarbonization, and Infrastructure
• Taxes and anti-corruption measures
• The IPEF is not a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), but allows members to negotiate the parts they want to.
• Indian and IPEF:
• India has been actively participating in the IPEF, but not in all pillars.
• India has decided to opt out of the trade pillarof the IPEF as most issues promoted by the IPEF do not align with India's trade policies.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The coastal security exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ is set to unfold its strategic maneuvers along the Kerala and Mahe coasts.

About Sagar Kavach:

• The exercise, conducted semi-annually, is a collaborative effort with active participation from various central and state agencies, showcasing a unified approach to fortifying India's coastal defenses.
• Coordinated by the Indian Coast Guard, 'Sagar Kavach' brings together an amalgamation of forces, including the Indian Navy, Coastal Police/State Police, Intelligence Bureau, Customs, CISF, Department of Port, Department of Fisheries, Directorate General of Lighthouse and Lightships (DGLL), and Kadalora Jagiratha Samithi.
• The exercise is designed to address the unique complexities of the coastal terrain, ensuring that security mechanisms are robust and adaptive to various scenarios.
• Strategic Division: Attack vs. Defence Forces
• The participating units in the exercise are strategically divided into two teams: Attack (Red) and Defence (Blue) forces.
• The Red forces simulate infiltration attempts into coastal areas from seaward, challenging the coastal defenses.
• In contrast, the Blue forces counteract these simulated threats by establishing Coastal Security Surveillance to intercept and neutralize any infiltration attempts.
• Recognizing the pivotal role of fishermen in coastal security, the exercise emphasizes the need for their active involvement.
• Fishermen are urged to promptly report any unknown vessels operating in proximity to the coast to the Indian Coast Guard.
• This collaborative approach aims to enhance the eyes and ears along the coastal region, turning the local fishing community into a valuable asset for security.

Hence both statements are correct.

Kanpur-based MKU Limited recently unveiled the Kavro Doma 360 at Milipol Paris.

About Kavro Doma 360:

• It is the world-first rifle-rated ballistic helmet.
• It was indigenously developed by Kanpur-based MKU Limited.
• Features:
• World’s first uniform rifle protection helmet: It offers uniform protection in all 5 zones of the head (front, back, left, right, and crown) against threats like the AK-47 MSC, M80 NATO BALL, and M193 rifle bullets.
• Only boltless rifle protection helmet to date:
• It’s the first anti-rifle helmet in the world that does not have bolts or any metal parts.
• When a helmet is bolted, the risk of the bolt penetrating the skull on impact is higher due to weakened areas. 
• Furthermore, there are no rifle-rated bolts at the moment.
• It has a boltless shell, which means it provides 40% more protection area against even AK-47 assault rifles than standard helmets.
• 20mm Back Face Signature (Blunt Impact Trauma): 
• It’s the first rifle-rated helmet that can maintain a resulting Back Face Signature/Trauma of less than 20 mm, against bullet impact from AK-47 bullets.
• The ‘Back Face Signature’ is a way to measure how much a protective helmet deforms or indents on the inside due to the impact of a high- energy bullet. 
• The Kavro Doma 360 absorbs impact, substantially reducing the risk of injury due to resulting trauma to the wearer’s head.
• Advanced Harness System with Dynamic Impact Technology: 
• It provides protection from not just straight impacts but also rotational/angular impacts, which are known to cause concussions or brain injuries.
• In addition, it comes with top-to-chin and side-to-side harness adjustment functionality for the highest stability and a snug fit.
• Maximum Compatibility (with MACS): It allows seamless integration with all advanced head-mounted devices and combat equipment.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

• WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which CPI does. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• WPI is published by the Office of Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• WPI has a base year of 2011-2012. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

• The SHREYAS Scheme for OBC & EBC students is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Education. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• The scheme has two components: National Fellowship for OBC Students and Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for OBCs & EBCs. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The National Fellowship for OBC Students provides financial assistance to OBC students pursuing higher education, specifically M.Phil and Ph.D. degrees in various recognized universities, research, and scientific institutions. The scheme offers 1000 Junior Research Fellowships annually for advanced studies and research. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• The Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for OBCs & EBCs provides interest subsidies on educational loans for OBCs and EBCs pursuing approved courses abroad at the Masters, M.Phil, and Ph.D. levels.