Daily Current Affairs MCQ- August 31, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument onboard Chandrayaan-3 Rover confirms presence of Sulphur (S) on lunar surface.

• This instrument has made the first-ever in-situ measurements on the elemental composition of the lunar surface near the South Pole.
• How does this work?
• It is a scientific technique that analyzes the composition of materials by exposing them to intense laser pulses.
• A high-energy laser pulse is focused onto the surface of a material, such as a rock or soil.
• The laser pulse generates extremely hot and localized plasma.
• The collected plasma light is spectrally resolved and detected by detectors such as Charge Coupled Devices.
• Since each element emits a characteristic set of wavelengths of light when it's in a plasma state, the elemental composition of the material is determined.
• Key findings: Preliminary analyses, graphically represented, have unveiled the presence of Aluminum (Al), Sulphur (S), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), and Titanium (Ti) on the lunar surface. Further measurements have revealed the presence of manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), and oxygen (O).
• The evidence of the presence of Sulphur can reveal insights on the formation and evolution of the Moon.
• Sulphur usually originates in volcanic activities, and its presence on the Moon can offer indications about the Moon’s history and composition.
• LIBS payload is developed at the Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS)/ISRO, Bengaluru.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) have gathered at Bonn, Germany for the body’s 10th plenary.

• It is an independent intergovernmental body established in 2012.
• It provides policymakers with objective scientific assessments about the state of knowledge regarding the planet’s biodiversity, ecosystems and the benefits they provide to people, as well as the tools and methods to protect and sustainably use these vital natural assets.
• This independent body inspired by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.
• It is not a United Nations body.  However, at the request of the IPBES Plenary and with the authorization of the UNEP Governing Council in 2013, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides secretariat services to IPBES. 
• India is a member country of this organization.
• Organization’s structure
• Plenary: The governing body of IPBES – made up of the representatives of IPBES member States – usually meets once per year.
• Observers: Any State not yet a member of IPBES; the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other biodiversity-related conventions; related UN bodies; as well as many other relevant organizations and agencies.
• Bureau: Comprising the IPBES Chair, four Vice-Chairs and five additional officers who oversee the administrative functions of IPBES.
• Multidisciplinary Expert Panel (MEP): Five expert participants from each of the five UN regions, overseeing all IPBES scientific and technical functions.
• Stakeholders: All contributors to and end-users of the IPBES outputs.
• Expert Groups & Taskforces: Selected scientists and knowledge holders carrying out the IPBES assessments and other deliverables.
• Secretariat (Includes Technical Support Units): Ensures the efficient functioning of IPBES through support to the Plenary, Bureau and MEP, as well as implementing the Platform’s work and administrative functions. 

Hence both statements are correct.

A recent study revealed that a cyclical event called the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) that repeats every 20-30 years, could make cyclones that originate near the Equator more frequent in the coming years.

• It is a long-term ocean fluctuation of the Pacific Ocean.
• The term PDO was coined in about 1996 by Steven Hare at the University of Washington.
• It can be known only after several years of measuring ocean temperatures and their interaction with the atmosphere.
• The PDO waxes and wanes approximately every 20 to 30 years.
• From ocean surface topography data, together with other ocean and atmospheric data, scientists can determine whether we are in a ‘cool’ phase or a ‘warm’ phase.
• Cool phase: It is characterized by a cool wedge of lower than normal sea-surface heights/ocean temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific and a warm horseshoe pattern of higher than normal sea-surface heights connecting the north, west and southern Pacific.
• Warm' or 'positive' phase: In this the west Pacific Ocean becomes cool and the wedge in the east warms. 

How does this affect climate?

• The change in location of the cold and warm water masses alters the path of the jet stream.
• The jet stream in the northern hemisphere delivers storms across the United States. 

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Indian Space Research Organisation’s Liquid Propulsion Research Centre (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, has successfully tested the cryogenic rocket engine to be used in its ‘Mission Gaganyaan’. 

About CE-20 cryogenic engine:

• It has been designed and developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), a subsidiary of ISRO.
• It will power the Cryogenic Upper Stage of the LVM3 launch vehicle.
• ISRO will use it for its ‘Mission Gaganyaan’ for sending man to space in 2024.
• It is the first Indian cryogenic engine to feature a gas-generator cycle.
• It is one of the most powerful upper-stage cryogenic engines in the world.
• This engine develops a nominal thrust of 186.36 kN in vacuum.

What is a Cryogenic stage?

• The cryogenic stage is technically a very complex system due to its use of propellants at extremely low temperatures and the associated thermal and structural problems.
• It uses liquid fuels (Oxygen liquifies at -183 deg C and Hydrogen at -253 deg C) that are cooled to very low temperatures.
• A Cryogenic rocket stage is more efficient and provides more thrust for every kilogram of propellant it burns compared to solid and earth-storable liquid propellant rocket stages.

Hence both statements are correct.

The wife of the Vice President will launch India’s latest warship, Mahendragiri, at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai.

About Mahendragiri Frigate:

• It is the seventh and last stealth frigate of Project 17A Frigates.
• It is named after a mountain peak in Eastern Ghats located in Odisha.
• The ship is being built by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.

What is Project 17A?

• The project was launched by the defence forces of India to construct a series of stealth guided-missile frigates.
• Under the Project 17A programme, four ships by Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and three by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) are being built.
• These warships follow the Project 17 Class Frigates (Shivalik Class) and boast enhanced stealth features, advanced weapons, sensors, and platform management systems.
• Project 17A ships have been designed in-house by Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau WDB.
• As much as 75% of the orders for equipment and systems of Project 17A ships are from indigenous firms, including MSMEs.
• The first six ships of the project have been launched so far by MDL & GRSE, between 2019-2023.

Hence both statements are not correct.

Aiming to enhance the road and power transmission capacity of Nepal, the multimillion-dollar Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) pact recently started its work formally.

About Millennium Challenge Corporation:

• MCC is an independent U.S. foreign assistance agency that has the goal of reducing poverty in developing countries.
• It was created by the U.S. Congress in 2004 to promote economic growth, open markets, and increased living standards in select countries.
• How does it work?
• MCC forms partnerships with countries that are committed to good governance, economic freedom and investing in their citizens. 
• MCC provides selected countries with large-scale grants to fund projects for reducing poverty through sustainable economic growth. 
• These projects include building infrastructure, reforming institutions, and promoting access to healthcare and education.
• MCC grants may complement other U.S. and international development programs.
• MCC utilizes two primary types of grants: compacts and threshold programs.
• Compacts are large, 5-year grants for countries that pass MCC’s eligibility criteria.
• Threshold Programs are smaller grants awardedto countries that come close to passing these criteria and are committed to improving their policy performance.
• Governing Body: The US Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the U.S. Trade Representative, and the USAID Administrator serve on the MCC board along with four private sector representatives.

Hence both statements are correct.

The first visuals of the Polish Warmate loitering drones in the possession of the Indian Army recently surfaced on X, formerly known as Twitter.

About Warmate:

• It is a micro loitering munition developed by Polish company WB Electronics.
• It is a combat mini UAV that provides a highly targeted strike capability.
• It is a multi-role system performing multiple tasks depending on the type of head installed.
• Features:
• It has a take-off weight of 4kg.
• Speed and Range: It can fly at a maximum velocity of 150km/h and can operate over a line of sight (LOS) range of 10km.
• Endurance: It has the ability to stay in the air for up to 30 minutes.
• Altitude:  
• Its maximum flying altitudes are 500m above ground level (AGL) and 3,000m above mean sea level (AMSL).
• The operating altitudes of the UAV vary from 30m to 200m above the ground level (AGL).
• It can be operated from military vehicle platforms such as infantry or armoured personnel carriers.
• It can carry a variety of warheads, including high-explosive, anti-tank, and thermobaric.
• It is equipped with a variety of sensors, including a day/night camera and a laser target designator.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

The authorities of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) have implemented immediate measures to enhance field patrolling in the core forest regions of the reserve, following a 'red alert' issued by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) recently.

About Pilibhit Tiger Reserve:

• Location:
• It is located in Pilibhit District, Lakhimpur Kheri District and Bahraich District of Uttar Pradesh.
• It lies along the India-Nepal border in the foothills of the Himalayas and the plains of the ‘terai’ in Uttar Pradesh.
• It was declared a Tiger Reserve in September 2008.
• Drainage: The river Gomti originates from the reserve, which is also the catchment of several others like Sharda, Chuka and Mala Khannot.
• The Sharda Sagar Dam extending up to a length of 22 km (14 mi) is on the boundary of the reserve. 
• Habitat: It is characterized by sal forests, tall grasslands and swamps, maintained by periodic flooding from rivers.
• Vegetation: North Indian moist deciduous type.
• Flora:
• The sal woodland is very dense with good natural regeneration, amounting to almost 76% of the reserve area.
• The forest patches are interspersed with grass meadows with several species like Sacchrum, Sclerostachya, Imperata, Themeda, Bothriochloa, Vetiveria, Apluda, Dichanthium, Digitaria and Cyperus.
• Fauna: It is home to a myriad of wild animals including the endangered tiger, swamp deer, Bengal florican, hog deer, leopard, etc.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

India is all set to open a climate change and health hub in New Delhi in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The hub will facilitate knowledge sharing, partnerships, innovations, help developing countries; infectious diseases and natural disasters driven by climate change to challenge health systems.

Neeraj Chopra clinched the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw event at the World Athletics Championships held in Budapest, Hungary.
He made history by becoming the first-ever Indian athlete to secure a gold medal at this prestigious championship.