Daily Current Affairs MCQ- January 14, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Geologists recently discovered Argoland, a landmass that detached from modern-day western Australia 155 million years ago. 

About Argoland:

• It was a lost continent that once broke off from northwestern Australia 155 million years ago.
• The elusive, 3,106-mile stretch was once an integral part of the supercontinent Gondwana.
• It disintegrated as tectonic forces stretched the landmass out and drove it away from the rest of the continent before scattering it across Southeast Asia.
• It had initially drifted northwest, where several Southeast Asian islands currently exist today.
• But unlike India, which broke off the ancient supercontinent Gondwana 120 million years ago and still forms an intact landmass today, Argoland splintered into fragments.
• These fragments reaching their destinations simultaneously formed an archipelago rather than a unified landmass.
• Argoland, now dispersed as an archipelago separated by ocean basins, contributed to the formation of several Southeast Asian islands.

Key Facts about Gondwana:

• Gondwana used to be a supercontinent, from around 550 million years ago to approximately 180 million years ago, alongside Laurasia.
• The continent eventually split intothe landmasses we recognize today: Africa, South America, Australia, Antarctica, the Indian subcontinent, and the Arabian Peninsula.

Hence both statements are correct.

NASA's James Webb Telescope recently discovered a new exoplanet named ‘Wasp-107b’, which is the size of Jupiter.

About Wasp-107b:

• It is a newly discovered exoplanet situated 200 light-years away in the Virgo constellation. 
• The mass of WASP-107b is 30.5 Earths, and it takes only six days to orbit its home star, which is slightly cooler and less massive than our sun. 
• It shares Jupiter's size but possesses the mass of Neptune, making it less dense than other gas giants.
• The planet's low density allowed astronomers to look 50 times deeper into the atmosphere of the planet compared to observations achieved for more dense planets, like Jupiter. 
• The exoplanet is scorching hot (with an outer atmosphere that's more than 900 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Sand Rain:
• Wasp-107b exhibits a water cycle akin to Earth's, but with one peculiar difference: instead of water droplets, the planet experiences sand rain.
• The falling grains are, in fact, silicate vapours rising from lower atmospheric levels.
• Similar to Earth's water cycle, these sand clouds precipitate back to lower planetary atmospheric levels.
• In addition to the silicate clouds, scientists have identified water vapor and sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere of WASP-107b. 

Hence option c is the correct answer.

Russia's rocket forces loaded an intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with the nuclear-capable "Avangard" hypersonic glide vehicle into a launch silo in southern Russia recently.

About Avangard:

• The Avangard is a nuclear-capable, hypersonic boost-glide vehicle (HGV) developed by the Russian Federation.
• It was developed as part of the top-secret Project 4202 and given the codename Yu-71.
• It was one of six “next generation” weapons described by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a speech in March 2018.
• Features:
• It has a range of over 6,000 km, weighs approximately 2,000 kg, and can carry a nuclear or conventional payload.
• It is carried on an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
• It has “a short wedge-shaped design” which does not contain a separate propulsion system, relying on gravity and its aerodynamic features to maintain velocity after an initial boost.
• Working:
• The HGV is carried to a sub-orbital altitude of around 100 kilometers (62 miles) by the carrier missile before being released.
• It then enters into a “cruise mode” before re-entering the atmosphere and accelerating to claimed hypersonic speeds of up to Mach 27 (about 32,000 kilometers per hour).
• It is said to be able to maneuver at these speeds and constantly alter its trajectory, making interception extremely complicated.

Hence, option d is the correct answer.

Many skywatchers in India and around the globe are poised for a cosmic treat — the Leonid Meteor Shower which is already underway since November 6 is set to reach its peak in the pre-dawn hours of November 17 to 18, 2023.

• It is brought about by the dust and debris abandoned by the comet Tempel-Tuttle.
• It is commonly peaking in mid-November.
• The shower is called after the Leo constellation, from which the meteors appear to radiate.
• This Tempel-Tuttle comet circles the sun at regular intervals of 33 years.
• When the comet passes near the sun, it warms up and delivers a ton of material, shaping a dense cloud of dust and gas around it.
• This cloud follows the comet's circle and fans out over the long run.
• The earth every year crosses the orbit of Tempel-Tuttle in mid-November and in some cases experiences the comet's dust cloud.
• When this occurs, the dust particles enter the earth’s atmosphere at high speed (around 70 km/s) and catch fire, creating bright streaks of light in the sky.
• These are what we see as the 'meteors', the Leonid meteor shower.
• The Leonids are noted for sometimes causing meteor storms described by a higher influx of meteors.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the Chief Economic Adviser of India raised concern over the use of World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators in ratings assessment by credit ratings agencies, especially for emerging economies.

• It is released by the World Bank.
• It provides a ranking of 215 countries territories.
• It is based on six dimensions of governance:
• Voice and Accountability’;
• ‘Political Stability and Absence of Violence’;
• ‘Government Effectiveness’;
• ‘Regulatory Quality’;
• ‘Rule of Law’
• Control of Corruption.’
• These indicators are designed to help researchers and analysts assess broad patterns in perceptions of governance across countries and over time.
• The World Bank compiles the Worldwide Governance Indicators using data from more than 30 think tanks, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and private firms deemed credible.
• The WGI were developed in 1999 by two World Bank researchers, Daniel Kaufmann and Aart Kraay.
• The data are updated annually each September.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

Recently, a Joint Military exercise “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023” is being conducted from 16th to 29th November 2023 in Aundh (Pune). 

• It is a joint military exercise between India and Sri Lankan army.
• This year it is the ninth edition of the exercise.
• The Indian contingent, of 120 personnel, is being represented mainly by troops from the MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY Regiment.
• Personnel from Indian Air Force and from Sri Lankan Air Force are also participating in the exercise which makes the ninth ‘Mitra Shakti’ as the first bilateral and bi-service exercise between the two countries.
• The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of Sub Conventional operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter.
• The scope of the exercise includes synergising joint responses during counter-terrorist operations.
• In addition, Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR), combat reflex shooting and Yoga will also form part of the exercise curriculum.
• It will also involve employment of Drones and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems besides helicopters.
• Drills to secure helipads and undertake casualty evacuation during counter-terrorist operations will also be rehearsed jointly by both sides.
• Collective efforts will focus on achieving an enhanced level of interoperability amongst the troops and reduce the risk of life and property while keeping the interests and agenda of the UN at the forefront during peace keeping operations.
• The exercise will also foster strong bilateral relations between the two neighbouring nations.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

Recently, the English translation of the first biography of Constantine Joseph Beschi (known as Veeramamunivar) in Tamil written by A. Muttusami Pillei was released.

• He was the Italian Jesuit missionary and Tamil scholar.
• He was known as Veeramamunivar.
• He arrived in Goa in 1700. 
• He also studied Sanskrit, Telugu, and Tamil assiduously and became a master of these languages, especially Tamil.
• His works: Thembavani, Sathurakarathi and other works speak for his scholarship in Tamil. He was known as Thairiyanathaswamy and its translation reads as Veeramamunivar.
•  Friendship with Chanda Sahib (Nawab of the Carnatic)
• Chanda Sahib gifted Veeramamunivar four villages — Bokalur, Malwav, Arasur and Nullur — north of the Kollidam in Tiruchi district.
• He also appointed him to the office of Dewan (in Tiruchi till 1740).
• He also conferred on him the surname, Ismattee Sannyasi, indicating his excellence as a religious devotee, and presented him with a palanquin used by his grandfather.
• Even though he was engaged in state affairs, Veeramamunivar continued his study of the Hindu sciences and the composition of several useful works.
• He delved deep into Tirukkural, Naladiyar, Civaka Cintamani and other celebrated Hindu works.

Hence option a is the correct answer.

The National Coal Index (NCI) rose 3.83 points to 143.91 in September amid growing demand for coal.

• The NCI is a price index which reflects the change in the price level of coal on a particular month relative to the fixed base year.
• This price index combines the prices of coal from all the sales channels- Notified Prices, Auction Prices and Import Prices.
• It has been rolled out on 4th June 2020 and the aim is to have an index that will truly reflect the market price. 
• The base year is FY 2017-18.
• The concept and design of the Index as well as the Representative Prices have been developed by the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata.
• The Index is meant to encompass all transactions of raw coal in the Indian market.
• This includes coking and non-coking of various grades transacted in the regulated (power and fertilizer) and non-regulated sectors.
• The NCI's upward movement indicates rising demand of coal because of upcoming festive season and winter in the country, which will encourage coal producer to take maximum benefit by further scaling-up domestic coal production to meet the growing energy demands.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Program (LLLAP) of the Department of Justice reaches more than 6 lakh people through 14 implementing agencies under the DISHA scheme.

• Since 2012, Department of Justice (DoJ), Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India has been implementing Access to Justice Scheme in North Eastern States including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and in UT of Jammu & Kashmir.
• Major focus: Legal Empowerment of community, dissemination of simplified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials in local languages and dialects and capacity development of Panchayati Raj Functionaries and Village Chiefs on formal justice delivery system.
• Aim: To empower the poor and disadvantaged sections of society to seek and demand justice services.
• The Programme also seeks to improve the institutional capacities of key justice service providers to enable them to effectively serve the poor and disadvantaged.
• Duration: DoJ has formulated a scheme on Access to Justice named ‘Designing Innovating Solutions and Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA)’ to be implemented during the period of 2021 to 2026.
• Objectives
• Use of Technology for enhanced delivery of legal literacy, its Knowledge Products and implementation of Innovative and Holistic ideas.
• Mainstreaming legal literacy through building and forging partnerships across Ministries and allied Departments, Institutions, Schools etc.
• Capacity Building and Utilization of Existing Grassroot/frontline Workers/ Volunteers.
• Developing of Indicators to measure Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness in India. Concurrent Evaluation and Assessment of Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programmes.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Ladakh captured stunning images of a rare red-colored aurora known as a Stable Auroral Arc.

• It is a rare atmospheric phenomenon which was observed during a strong G3-class geomagnetic storm.
• Unlike auroras, which occur when charged particles from space hit the atmosphere causing it to glow, SAR arcs form differently.
• They are an indication of heat energy leaking into the upper atmosphere from Earth's ring current system, a donut-shaped circuit carrying millions of amps around our planet.
• During the recent geomagnetic storm, the ring current was energised by hours of intense geomagnetic activity, with energy dissipating into these SAR arcs.
• This global event was registered in many parts of the world.

How does Aurora form?

• It is formed when the sun is ejecting charged particles from its corona, creating solar wind. When that wind slams into Earth's ionosphere, the aurora is born.
• In the Northern Hemisphere, the phenomenon is called the northern lights (aurora borealis), while in the Southern Hemisphere, it's called the southern lights (aurora australis).
• The hemispheric asymmetry of the aurora is due in part to the sun's magnetic field interfering with Earth's magnetic field.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.