Daily Current Affairs MCQ- February 26, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Recently, India and Japan kicked-off a two-week military exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ in Rajasthan's Mahajan field firing range to foster deeper cooperation in confronting common security challenges.

• It is an annual exercise and conducted alternatively in India and Japan.
• It is the 5th edition of joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Japan 
• Aim of the Exercise is to foster Military Cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in semi-urban environment under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter.
• The Exercise would focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills and basics of special arms skills.
• Significance
• It will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures of conducting tactical operations.
• The Exercise will also facilitate developing inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops of both the sides.
• This will enhance the level of defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.

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Hence option b is the correct answer.

Researchers have reported chromosomal disorders discovered from prehistoric skeletal remains, dating up to approximately 5,500 years old — including six cases of Down syndrome and one case of Edwards syndrome.

• It is also known as trisomy 18.
• It is an autosomal chromosomal disorder due to an extra copy of chromosome 18. 
• It is a very severe genetic condition that affects child’s body development and growth.
• Symptoms: Children diagnosed with trisomy 18 have a low birth weight, multiple birth defects and defining physical characteristics.
• There are three types of Edwards syndrome
• Complete trisomy 18:
• It is the most common form (94%).
• In this type, every cell contains three complete copies of chromosome 18.
• The extra chromosome is most often of maternal origin.
• Mosaic trisomy 18:
• It is the second most common type (less than 5%).
• In this type, both a complete trisomy 18 and a normal cell line exist.
• Partial trisomy 18:
• In this type, only a partial segment of chromosome 18 is present in triplicate.
• The partial triplicate often results from a balanced translocation or inversion carried by one of the parents.
• Treatment: There are no specific treatments for trisomy 18. Treatment will focus on the symptoms of the condition, such as heart conditions, breathing difficulties and infections.

Hence both statements are correct.

A dedicated team of amateur radio operators (HAMs) embarked on a significant journey from the cyclone shelters of Nachugunta Island, Andhra Pradesh, to participate in the Island on the Air (IOTA) expedition Programme.

• It is a pioneering programme that connects radio amateurs worldwide with stations on islands.
• It was established in 1964.
• It is managed by IOTA Ltd in collaboration with the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), categorizing islands into groups for communication.

 Key facts about Amateur Radio (HAM Radio)

• Amateur radio is a popular hobby involving the use of radio frequency spectrum for non-commercial purposes.
• HAM radio operators communicate using designated radio frequencies, engaging in diverse activities like contests, emergency communication support, experimentation, technical learning, and community engagement.
• The hobby offers a unique blend of technical learning, community engagement, and global connectivity through radio waves, emphasizing innovation and service.
• In India, as per the Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Service) Amendment Rules, 1984
• ‘Amateur service’ means a service of self training intercommunications and technical investigation carried on by Amateurs that is, by persons duly authorized under these rules interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest.”
• Any citizen of India who is above 12 years of age can become a ham by qualifying in the Amateurs station operators’ examination (ASO) and obtaining a valid Amateur wireless telegraph station license.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Developed countries have delayed nominating members to the Loss and Damage Board, hampering efforts to fully operationalise the fund to developing countries in time.

• Background:
• At the 27th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) held in Egypt, Parties reached an agreement on providing loss and damage funding to nations most vulnerable and impacted by the effects of climate change.
• At COP28, the fund was formally established and a decision text stated that the fund would be governed and supervised by a board, a decision-making body.
• The board is tasked with setting up a strategic direction for the Fund as well as its governance and operational modalities, policies, frameworks and work programme, including relevant funding decisions.
• The Board will comprise 26 members, 12 members from developed countries and 14 from developing nations.

What is Loss and Damage Fund?

• It is a global financial package to ensure the rescue and rehabilitation of countries facing the cascading effects of climate change.
• The term refers to the compensation that rich nations, whose industrial growth has resulted in global warming and driven the planet into a climate crisis, must pay to poor nations, whose carbon footprint is low but are facing the brunt of rising sea levels, floods, crippling droughts, and intense cyclones, among others.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over SAMAR assessment certificates to nine Industry Partners.

• System for Advance Manufacturing Assessment and Rating (SAMAR) certificate is a benchmark to measure the competency of defence manufacturing enterprises.
• It is an outcome of the collaboration between DRDO and Quality Council of India (QCI) to strengthen the defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country with an objective to further the vision of making India self- reliant in defence manufacturing. 
• Objective:
• Provide an objective assessment of manufacturing capability of Defence Manufacturing Enterprises.
• Enable enterprises to benchmark their performance across a range of business capabilities to enhance quality, reliability and competitiveness
• Create a credible database of Defence manufacturers for ease in vendor selection and development
• Strengthen the Defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country with an objective to realize the vision of making India self-reliant in Defence manufacturing
• Eligibility: All defence manufacturing enterprises, both MSME and Large enterprises, are eligible to apply for this certification.
• Validity: It is valid for a period of 2 years from the date of issuance of certificate.
• The certification is based on a maturity assessment model developed by QCI and is applicable to all defence manufacturing enterprises i.e., micro, small, medium and large enterprises.

Hence both statements are correct.

Ahead of the 13th ministerial conference of World Trade Organization (WTO), a majority of the G-33 countries have called for a permanent solution to public stockholding for food security.

About G-33:

• The G33 (or the Friends of Special Products in agriculture) is a coalition of developing and least developed countries.
• Despite the name, there are currently 47 member nations. Some of the main countries include India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Philippines, Turkey, Tanzania, Kenya, and South Korea.
• It was established prior to the 2003 Cancun ministerial conference that have coordinated during the Doha Round of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, specifically in regard to agriculture.
• Dominated by India, the group has "defensive" concerns regarding agriculture in relation to WTO negotiations, and seeks to limit the degree of market opening required of developing countries. 
• The group has advocated the creation of a "special products" exemption, which would allow developing countries to exempt certain products from tariff exemptions, and also a "special safeguard mechanism" which would permit tariff increases in response to import surges.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the 'Sudarshan Setu' bridge connecting Beyt Dwarka island to mainland Okha in Gujarat's Devbhumi Dwarka district.

About 'Sudarshan Setu' Bridge:

• It is India’s longest cable-stayed bridge, at 2.32 km, on the Arabian Sea, connecting Beyt Dwarka island to mainland Okha in Gujarat's Devbhumi Dwarka district.
• It boasts a unique design, featuring a footpath adorned with verses from the Bhagavad Gita and images of Lord Krishna on both sides.
• It also has solar panels installed on the upper portions of the footpath, generating one megawatt of electricity.
• The 2.32 km bridge, including 900 metres of a central double-span cable-stayed portion and a 2.45 km long approach road, has been constructed at a cost of Rs 979 crore.

Key Facts about Beyt Dwarka:

• Beyt Island (also called Bet Dwarka or Shankodhar) is a small island off the coast of Dwarka, Gujarat.
• Located at the mouth of the Gulf of Kutch, the island is enclosed by a few temples, white sand beaches, and coral reefs.
• History:
• It is believed to be the home of Lord Krishna when he was the king of Dwarka. 
• It derives its name from the word ‘bet’, which translates to ‘gift’, and it is believed that Lord Krishna received it from his friend Sudama.
• Explorations and excavations carried out under the sea have revealed the presence of settlements whose age can be traced back to the era of the Harappan civilisation and that of the Mauryan rule.
• In the later years, the region was under the administration of the Gaekwad clan of the state of Baroda.
• Sri Keshavraj Ji Temple:
• It is a Lord Krishna temple located on the island. It is an important site of Hindu pilgrimage.
• The temple is 500 years old and was built by Vallabhacharya. 

Hence option d is the correct answer.

UNCTAD recently raised an alarm over escalating disruptions in shipping routes for global trade in a new report. 

About United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):

• 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. 
• Its objective is to assist developing countries, especially the least developed countries, and countries with economies in transition, to integrate beneficially into the global economy.
• It also seeks to help the international community promote a global partnership for development, increase coherence in global economic policymaking, and assure development gains for all from trade.
• It provides economic and trade analysis, facilitates consensus-building, and offers technical assistance to help developing countries use trade, investment, finance, and technology for inclusive and sustainable development.
• Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.
• UNCTAD membership consists of 195 states.
• Its activities are advisory by nature.
• Structure:
• The highest policy-making body of UNCTAD is the Conference, which meets once every four years to set policy guidelines and formulate a program of work.
• The Trade and Development Board, UNCTAD’s executive body, is responsible for the operations of the organization when the Conference is not in session.
• The UNCTAD Secretariat, whose members form part of the UN Secretariat, performs policy analysis, monitors and implements the decisions of UNCTAD’s intergovernmental bodies, and provides for technical cooperation and exchanges of information.
• Reports published by UNCTAD:
• Trade and Development Report
• World Investment Report
• The Least Developed Countries Report

Hence both statements are correct.

Using electron microscopy, scientists have recently managed to produce a 3D model of a part of the human cell, the ribosome.

About Ribosomes:

• Ribosomes are non-membrane-bound cell organelles made of RNA and proteins.
• They are found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• In eukaryotic organisms, ribosomes are found in the cytoplasm, mitochondria, and chloroplast.
• All prokaryotic ribosomes are found free in the cytoplasm of the cell.
• Ribosomal structure and function are strikingly similar in all organisms and organelles.
• They are made of two subunits, the large and the small subunit which comprises ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins.
• Primary Function:
• They are complex molecular machines that make proteins from amino acids in a process called protein synthesis, or translation.
• Every cell needs ribosomes to manufacture proteins.
• The ribosome reads the messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence and translates that genetic code into a specified string of amino acids, which grow into long chains that fold to form proteins.
• The newly formed proteins detach themselves from the ribosome site and migrate to other parts of the cell for use.

Hence both statements are correct.

Arunachal Pradesh, at the recently held Republic Day parade, showcased its Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve, a 17-square-kilometre biodiversity hotspot.

About Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve:

• It is a 17-square-kilometre biodiversity hotspot located in Arunachal Pradesh, around 40 km from the famous Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The reserve was created in 2017 to protect biodiversity in the region.
• It is home to critically endangered species such as the passerine bird Bugun Liocichla (Liocichlabugunorum), which is named after the Buguns community.
• It was one of the first bird species to be discovered in India since the country’s independence in 1947, and it lives only on the Buguns’ community lands.
• The Buguns are an indigenous community with a population of about 2,000 people, spread across 12 villages that are dotted outside the forests of Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.

What is a Community Reserve?

• Conservation reserves and community reserves in India are terms denoting protected areas of India which typically act as buffer zones, connectors, and migration corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests in India.
• Such areas are designated as conservation reserves if they are uninhabited and completely owned by the Government of India but used for subsistence by communities, and community reserves if part of the land is privately owned. 
• These protected area categories were first introduced in the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002, an amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA) of 1972. 
• These categories were added because of reduced protection in and around existing or proposed protected areas due to private ownership of land, and land use.
• The provisions of the WLPA apply to an area once it has been declared a community reserve.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.