Daily Current Affairs MCQ- October 3, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

According to the Review of Maritime Transport 2023 by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, in 2023, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping were 20 per cent higher than last 10 years.

• It is the UN’s leading institution dealing with trade and development.
• It is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964. 
• It supports developing countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively.
• It provides economic and trade analysis, facilitates consensus-building and offer technical assistance to help developing countries use trade, investment, finance and technology for inclusive and sustainable development.
• Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Reports published by the UNCTAD
• Trade and Development Report
• World Investment Report
• The Least Developed Countries Report
• The World Development Report is published by the World Bank.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority Tamil Nadu successfully received and handled Green Ammonia Containers from Damietta Port, Egypt.

• It is produced by using hydrogen from water electrolysis and nitrogen separated from the air.
• These are then fed into the Haber process (also known as Haber-Bosch) which is powered by sustainable electricity.
• In the Haber process, hydrogen and nitrogen are reacted together at high temperatures and pressures to produce ammonia, NH3. 
• Green ammonia production is where the process of making ammonia is 100% renewable and carbon-free.
• It can be used in
• Fuel for engines such as locomotives and shipping, replacing diesel and marine fuel oil
• Fuel source for electricity power generation
• Building block to make fertilisers for use in agriculture
• Feedstock for industrial and manufacturing applications ranging from water purification through to pharmaceuticals

Key facts about Ammonia

• It is a colorless highly irritating gas with a sharp suffocating odor.
• It dissolves easily in water to form ammonium hydroxide solution which can cause irritation and burns.
• Ammonia gas is easily compressed and forms a clear, colorless liquid under pressure.
• It is usually shipped as a compressed liquid in steel cylinders.
• Ammonia is not highly flammable, but containers of ammonia may explode when exposed to high heat.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the President of India presented the National Service Scheme Awards for the year 2021-2022 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• These awards were instituted in the year 1993-1994. Since then, these awards are given away every year at various Levels.
• Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Department of Youth Affairs confers every year the National Service Scheme Award.
• Objectives
• To recognize outstanding contribution by NSS student volunteers, NSS Programme Officers and the Programme Coordinators in community service.
• To encourage young NSS student volunteers to develop their personality through community service.
• To encourage the Programme Officers and the Programme Coordinators of NSS for catering the needs of National Service Scheme through the NSS volunteers.
• To motivate NSS Volunteers for continuing their selfless service towards community work.

What is National Service Scheme?

• It is a Central Sector Scheme of Government of India.
• It provides opportunity to the student youth of 11th & 12th Class of schools at +2 Board level and student youth of Technical Institution, Graduate & Post Graduate at colleges and University level of India to take part in various Government led community service activities & programmes.
• Motto: The motto of National Service Scheme is NOT ME BUT YOU
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.

Hence both statements are correct.

The Supreme Court recently ruled that 'panchnamas' would be deemed inadmissible in a court of law if they were prepared in a manner violative of Section 162 CrPC.

About Panchnama:

• The word PANCHNAMA literally means “record of observation by five people”.
• A Panchnama is a document having legal bearings that records evidences and findings that an officer makes at the scene of an offence/crime.
• However, it is not only the recordings at the scene of a crime; it can be anywhere that may be related to the crime/offence and from where incriminating evidence is likely to be collected.
• The word Panchanama is not used as such or defined particularly anywhere in any book of law, but the same can be read into Section 100 under Chapter VII of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Cr.P.C.), which mandates an Investigating Officer to prepare PANCHNAMA.
• Reason behind the word "Panchanama":
• In the ancient judicial system in India, the justice system at the lowest rung, i.e., village level, which is still the case in certain kinds of issues, was in the form of Panch, which is a group of five elected learned members of the village who would preside and decide over a dispute amongst the villagers. 
• In the said system, the proceedings before the Panch that were recorded on paper, were often called a Panchanama.
• From this practice, the word was adopted for a document prepared by the investigating office noting facts and the proceeds of an investigation.
• There are different kinds of Panchnama prepared during an investigation, which are categorized as search, seizure, recovery, discovery, arrest, inquest, and test identification parade.
• Out of these, some are a part of the mandatory procedures laid down in different provisions of the Cr.P.C and others are performed to the establish genuineness of the investigation.
• Contents of Panchanama:
• There is no guidance or prescription about the contents of Panchanama under CrPC or any other statute. 
• The witnesses are called "Panchas".
• It is to be noted that the Panchas are to be two or more independent and respectable persons,i.e. persons who are not of disrepute. 
• If there are no eyewitnesses to an offence and the case is totally based on circumstantial evidence, then such a Panchanama is of immense value.
• The Panch (witness) can refresh his memories while giving evidence in the Court as per Section 159 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. 
• What is the need for the Panchanama?
• It is one of the essential parts of criminal as well as civil investigation procedures. 
• In criminal investigation, it is used to support evidence of the investigation conducted at the crime scene, seizure, if any from accused, identification of the accused, etc. 
• In civil cases, it is used to show that the decree has been executed by handing over possession of the property as directed in the decree. 
• The provision of the Panchanama is made to convince the Court that the officer-in-charge has in fact carried out the investigation, search, or seizure or has acted upon the directions of the Court if so directed.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

As part of the AUKUS initiative with Australia and the US, the UK has given three UK businesses a 4 billion pound ($4.9 billion) contract to design and build an attack submarine powered by nuclear energy.

About AUKUS:

• Established in 2021, the AUKUS is intended to be a strategic partnership among Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States to bolster their allied deterrence and defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
• The trilateral partnership, which builds on their decades-long security cooperation, has two pillars.
• Pillar I revolves around the acquisition and development of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy;
• Pillar II calls for collaboration on advanced capabilities that will involve technology and information sharing;
• What is the submarine component?
• It is designed to equip Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs).
• In total, Australia will end up with eight of the new nuclear submarines, called SSN-AUKUS.
• Those submarines will be based on a British design but have American technology or an American combat system.
• The deal marks the first time the US has shared nuclear propulsion technology with an ally other than the UK.
• It will significantly enhance Australia’s undersea capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
• These countries, however, made it clear that their aim is not to arm the new submarines with nuclear weapons. This is because Australia is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), which bans it from acquiring or deploying nuclear weapons.

Hence both statements are correct.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently recommended a new vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, for the prevention of malaria in children.

Why in the News?

• The R21 vaccine is the second malaria vaccine recommended by the WHO, following the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, which received a WHO recommendation in 2021. 
• WHO is now reviewing the vaccine for prequalification, which is the WHO stamp of approval, and will enable GAVI (a global vaccine alliance) and UNICEF to buy the vaccine from manufacturers.

About R21/Matrix-M Vaccine:

• It is a new vaccine approved for the prevention of malaria in children.
• It was developed by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India with support from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership ('EDCTP'), the Wellcome Trust, and the European Investment Bank ('EIB').
• It is the first malaria vaccine to reach the WHO’s target of 75% efficacy.
• It has already been approved for use in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria.
• The vaccine will be rolled out in those African countries in early 2024 and will be available in mid-2024 in other countries.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

The Prime Minister recently offered prayers at the Sanwariya Seth Temple in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.

About Sanwariya Seth Temple:

• It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, specifically to his beloved child form known as “Sanwariya Seth” or “Shyam Seth.
• Location: It is located in the village of Mandaphia in the Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan. 
• It was built in 1840 A.D.
• Architecture:
• The temple follows the traditional architecture of Rajasthan, known for its intricate carvings, domes, and vibrant colors.
• The main structure of the temple is built using white marble.
• The temple is adorned with intricate carvings on the walls, pillars, and ceilings. These carvings depict scenes from Hindu mythology and various motifs.
• The temple features multiple domes that are adorned with decorative elements. 
• The temple has a prominent spire, or shikhar, which is a tall, tapering structure that rises above the main sanctum. 
• In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, a black stone idol of Lord Krishna is installed.
• The temple has spacious pillared halls that provide a gathering space for devotees and visitors.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

In the digital realm, cookies help in personalisation and user convenience and also play a pivotal role in shaping any online experience.

• Cookies contain tiny amounts of data about users in text files that act like a website’s memory.
• As soon as we use a server, tiny amounts of data start getting stored inside a cookie.
• The website uses it to identify users and their devices, which also stores these cookies.
• Whenever a user visits the same website, the cookies identify him/her and make it show relevant information.
• Types of cookies
• Session cookies: These are temporary cookies like post-it notes for websites.
• They are stored in your computer’s memory only during your browsing session. Once you close your browser, they vanish.
• These can help websites remember your actions as you navigate, like items in your shopping cart.
• Persistent cookies: These are the digital equivalent of bookmarks.
• They stay on your device after your browsing session ends.
• Persistent cookies remember your login information, language preferences, and even the ads you have interacted with. They are handy for a more personalised web experience.
• Secure cookies: These are only sent over encrypted connections, making them safer from prying eyes. Secure cookies are often used for sensitive data like login credentials.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, a Greater sand-plover (Charadriusleschenaultii) that normally prefers sea shores has been spotted in an urban tank in Coimbatore.

• It is known for long distance migration.
• Appearance:
• It is a medium-sized plover with a long hefty bill.
• Breeding adults have a dark mask and orangish chest, neck, and forehead; females duller than males.
• Non-breeding birds and immatures are sandy brown above and white below, with a white throat and “eyebrows.”
• Additionally, unlike some Lesser Sand-Plovers, Greater never has a black boundary around the throat.
• It breeds in high-elevation areas, where it favors arid, open habitats, sometimes near water. Winters on coastal mudflats and estuaries.
• It breeds during April to May in central Asia, late March to late May in Turkey and upto late June in Armenia.
• It winters in the shores of Indian and Australian Oceans after the breeding.
• Diet: The bird’s diet consists of beetles, worms, crustaceans, molluscs, other insects and their larvae.
• Habitat: Mudflats and sandy shores.
• Behaviour/Ecology: Associates with other feeding shorebirds, especially Lesser Sand Plover.
• Conservation status
• IUCN: Least Concern

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, Toto ShabdaSangraha, a dictionary has been compiled to save a language from extinction.

• Toto is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the tribal Toto people and is written in the Bengali script
• A prominent community member Dhaniram Toto developed a script as recently as in 2015.
• It is spoken by barely 1,600 people living in parts of West Bengal bordering Bhutan.

Key facts about Toto ShabdaSangraha

• The dictionary has been compiled by Bhakta Toto, a bank employee-cum-poet, and published jointly by the trust and BhashaSamsad
• The dictionary is a step in the direction of preserving the language, alive so far only orally, by putting its vocabulary in print.
• Toto words, to be translated into Bengali and English, will be composed in the Bengali script, considering that the Toto script is still in a nascent stage and members of the tribe are more familiar with the Bengali script.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.