Daily Current Affairs MCQ- December 18, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

The Sargasso Sea near Bermuda is warmer, saltier and more acidic than it has ever been since measurements began in 1954 — and the impact of such significant changes could be far reaching, researchers have warned.

• The Sargasso Sea, located entirely within the Atlantic Ocean, is the only sea without a land boundary.
• The Sargasso Sea is named for Sargassum, a holopelagic, golden drift algae that can aggregate to form extensive floating mats on the surface of the ocean.
• This extraordinary open-ocean ecosystem is bounded by currents circulating around the North Atlantic sub-tropical gyre and is unique for supporting the center of distribution and abundance for a community of continuously pelagic drift algae.
• It provides habitats, spawning areas, migration pathways and feeding grounds to a diverse assortment of flora and fauna, including endemic, endangered, and commercially important species. 
• The Gulf Stream establishes the Sargasso Sea's western boundary, while the Sea is further defined to the north by the North Atlantic Current, to the east by the Canary Current, and to the south by the North Atlantic Equatorial Current.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, Kerala government employee Shaikh Hassan Khan has climbed Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica. 

• It is the highest mountain in Antarctica.
• Mount Vinson rises 4,892 meters (16,050 feet) above sea level.
• It is part of the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains, near the Ronne Ice Shelf.
• There are five other tall mountains in the same area as Mount Vinson—the next five highest summits on the continent of Antarctica—which are collectively referred to as Vinson Massif.
• It is located about 1,200 kilometres from the South Pole, one of the coldest places on Earth.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

Recently, Prime Minister of India paid tributes to Sri Guru Teg Bahadur on his martyrdom day.

• Guru Teg Bahadur’s name earlier was Teyag Mal.
• He was the ninth of ten Gurus of the Sikh religion.
• His father and the sixth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Hargobind Sahib (1595-1644), changed the name to Teg Bahadur.
• He got his name from his fighting and sword skills on the battlefield.
• Works
• He built the city of Anandpur Sahib (in Rupnagar/Ropar district, on the edge of Shivalik Hills, near the Sutlej River, in Punjab). Here the last two Sikh Gurus lived and where Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699.
• He contributed more than 100 poetic hymns to Granth Sahib which cover various topics, such as the nature of God, human attachments, body, mind, dignity service etc.
• He was instrumental in the conciliation between Raja Bishan Singh and Raja Paranpal, thus avoiding a war.
• He was first arrested by the Mughals on the orders of Aurangzeb in 1665.
• Martyrdom:
• He was publicly beheaded in 1675 on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi.
• His martyrdom is remembered as the Shaheedi Divas of Guru Tegh Bahadur every year on 24 November, according to the Nanakshahi calendar released by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in 2003.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Scientists have found hydrogen cyanide — a key molecule in the creation of life — in the oceans of Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus, according to a new study based on data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Cassini spacecraft.

• It is a colorless or pale-blue liquid or gas with a bitter, almond-like odor.
• It is also known as hydrocyanic acid or HCN.
• Hydrogen cyanide interferes with the body’s use of oxygen and may cause harm to the brain, heart, blood vessels, and lungs. 
• It is an excellent solvent for many salts but it is not widely used as a solvent because of its toxicity.
• Application: It may be used in the workplace for fumigation, electroplating, mining, chemical synthesis, and the production of synthetic fibers, plastics, dyes, and pesticides. 

Hence both statements are correct.

The Supreme Court recently held that a Civil Revision Petition under Section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC) is not maintainable against the dismissal of an application field under Order IX Rule 13 of the CPC to set aside an ex-parte decree.

About Ex-Parte Decree:

• An ‘Ex parte decree’ is a decree passed against a defendant in absentia.
• Despite service of summons, where on the date of hearing only the plaintiff does and a defendant does not appear, the court may hear the suit ex parte and pass a decree against the defendant. 
• The legal validity, enforceability, and operation of such a decree are similar to those of any bipartite decree.
• Can an Ex-Parte Decree be set aside?
• Courts generally aim to ensure fairness and due process, and if a genuine reason for the party’s absence is established, the ex-parte order can be set aside, allowing for a reevaluation of the case with both parties present. 
• The defendant against whom an ex-parte decree is passed can file an application to the court that passed such a decree to set it aside on two grounds:
• Summons was not duly served upon him.
• He was prevented by sufficient cause from appearing before court.
• As per the CPC, there is no specific time limit mentioned to file an application to set aside the ex-parte order, but it is advisable to file the application as soon as possible after becoming aware of the ex-parte order.
• Supporting Evidence: The applicant should provide supporting evidence to substantiate their claim. For example, if the ground for setting aside the order is improper service of summons, the applicant may need to provide proof that the summons was not served correctly.
• Hearing: The court will schedule a hearing to consider the application. The court will assess the validity of the grounds presented by the applicant and may inquire into the circumstances that led to the ex-parte order. 
• Discretion of the Court:
• The court has the discretion to decide whether the grounds presented are sufficient and whether the ex-parte order should be set aside.
• The court may also impose conditions and terms, including costs and other factors, when setting aside the order.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The United Nations recently declared 2024 the International Year of Camelids.

About Camelids:

• A Camelid refers to any of the even-toed ungulates of the family Camelidae. E.g. camels, llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. 
• They are known for their remarkable adaptations to arid and high-altitude environments. 
• These ungulates can be classified into two major groups: the Old World and the New World. 
• The Old World Camelids, found in northern Africa and central Asia are the true camels, such as the dromedary camels (one-humped camel) and the Bactrian camels (two-humped camel), characterized by
• their humps on their backs and
• the dulla, which is an organ found on the throat of male camels and is believed to be associated with the display of dominance among males and for attracting females. 
• The South American Camelids (New World Camelids) include the modern llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. Wild populations of South American Camelids, such as vicuñas, inhabit the high-altitude regions of the Andes Mountains.
• General features of Camelids:
• They are even-toed ungulates. These mammals are characterized by having soft-padded, snowshoe-like feet where each foot has two toes.
• They have long necks and slender legs.
• Their upper lips are split into two independent mobile protrusions.
• These animals are herbivorous, primarily feeding on vegetation, and have a unique digestive system that allows them to extract nutrients from fibrous plant material.
• They are ruminants, but, unlike other ruminants, the Camelids have true canine teeth. Their stomachs have three chambers, in contrast to other ruminants that have four.
• One of their most recognizable traits is their ability to form herds.

Hence both statements are correct.

India has effectively showcased the capabilities of its indigenous Akash surface-to-air (SAM) weapon system as part of its plans to export these systems.

Why in News?

• In the recent Exercise Astrashakti 2023, a single unit of the Akash weapon system successfully engaged and obliterated four unmanned targets simultaneously.
• This demonstration established India as the first country to exhibit the ability to engage four targets at such distances simultaneously using command guidance from a single firing unit.

About Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Defence System:

• It is a Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SRSAM) Defence System to protect vulnerable areas and points from air attacks.
• It was indigenously designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). 
• Features:
• It can simultaneously engage multiple targets and destroy manoeuvring targets, including unmanned aerial vehicles, fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, and missiles launched from helicopters.
• It has built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features.
• The entire weapon system has been configured to be launched from static or mobile platforms such as battle tanks and wheeled trucks, providing flexible deployment.
• It is road and rail transportable, with quick mobilization and deployment capabilities.
• It can engage aerial targets up to a range of approximately 25km.
• Altitude of Operation:  100 m up to 20 km
• Weight: 710 kg
• Guidance System: Command Guidance
• It is fully automatic, with a quick response time from target detection to kill.
• It has an open-system architecture that ensures adaptability to existing and futuristic air defence environments.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, with 21000 deaths per year in the US, as per reports from the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA). 

About Radon:

• Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium, thorium, or radium, which are radioactive metals, break down in rocks, soil, and groundwater. 
• It is an inert, colourless, and odourless gas.
• Radon gas usually exists at very low levels outdoors, but the gas can accumulate in areas without adequate ventilation, such as underground mines.
• Radon can get into homes and buildings through small cracks or holes and build up in the air.
• Radon levels may be higher in homes that are well insulated, tightly sealed, and/or built on soil rich in the elements uranium, thorium, and radium.
• As we breathe, these particles are deposited on the cells lining the airways, where they can damage DNA and potentially cause lung cancer.
• It is the second-most important cause of lung cancer after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
• According to the WHO, radon is estimated to cause between 3% to 14% of all lung cancers in a country, depending on the national average radon level and smoking prevalence. 

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, the union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles released the “Logistics Ease Across Different State (LEADS) 2023” report in New Delhi on 16th December 2023.

• The Logistics Ease Across Different State (LEADS) was conceived on the lines of Logistics Performance Index of World Bank in 2018 and has evolved over time.
• It incorporates both perception as well as objectivity thereby enhancing the robustness and comprehensiveness of this exercise.
• It provides insights into improvement of logistics performance at State/UT level.
• It highlights an enhanced overall stakeholder perception and impact of various reforms, across States and UTs.
• This report, signalling a positive shift in States’ performance across the key pillars – Logistics Infrastructure, Logistics Services and Operating and Regulatory Environment, empowers the State/UT Governments by providing region specific insights for informed decision making and comprehensive growth.
• This report is based on a pan-India primary survey, conducted between May and July 2023, covering over 7,300 responses across all States/UTs.
• Performance Highlights from LEADS 2023:
• Coastal Group
• Achievers: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
• Fast Movers: Kerala, Maharashtra
• Aspirers: Goa, Odisha, West Bengal
• Landlocked Group
• Achievers: Haryana, Punjab, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh
• Fast Movers: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand
• Aspirers: Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand
• North-East Group
• Achievers: Assam, Sikkim, Tripura
• Fast Movers: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland
• Aspirers: Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram
• Union Territories
• Achievers: Chandigarh, Delhi
• Fast Movers: Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Puducherry
• Aspirers: Daman & Diu/ Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the autopsy report for Matthew Perry, stating that the actor's cause of death was the "acute effects of ketamine," has sparked concerns and questions about the use of this medication. 

• Ketamine, also known as Ketalar, is a medicine that doctors use to make people not feel pain during surgeries.
• It is derived from a hallucinogenic drug Phencyclidine (PCP), it works by blocking the NMDA receptor in the brain and spinal cord, and increases a brain chemical or neurotransmitter called glutamate.
• It halts transmission of pain in the spinal cord and activates reward pathways of the brain.
• It is a dissociative anaesthetic with psychedelic properties is used under strict medical supervision for anaesthesia and to treat treatment-resistant depression.
• Ketamine therapy is used to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, end-of-life distress, chronic pain, drug/alcohol problems, and more.
• Impact on the body
• Ketamine induces hallucinations, distorts sight and sound perceptions, leading to a sense of disconnection and loss of control.
• Potential side effects include agitation, depression, cognitive issues, unconsciousness, and memory loss.
• It is a Schedule X drug in India, which means it is tightly controlled and even monitored on a case-specific basis by the prescribing doctor. 

What are Schedule X drugs?

• These are the ‘restrictive drugs’ which are covered under the Drugs and Cosmetic Act and Rules. The list of Schedule X drugs includes over 536 drugs.
• The Schedule X drugs includes Narcotic and Psychotropic drugs which causes delusion, hallucination, psychosis, sedation and hypnosis.
• These drugs should be sold only on the prescription of a registered medication practitioner only.

Hence both statements are correct.