Daily Current Affairs MCQ- January 22, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Recently, the Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) a wholly owned subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) launched India’s first indigenously developed Hepatitis A vaccine ‘Havisure’ in Hyderabad.

• It is a two-dose vaccine — first dose administered at above 12 months of age and the second at least six months after the first dose.
• The vaccine is recommended for children as part of the routine immunization as well as for individuals at risk of exposure or travel to the regions with high hepatitis A prevalence.
• In addition to this people with occupational risk of infection and suffering from chronic liver diseases also require Hepatitis A vaccination.

Hence option a is the correct answer.

Recently, Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube has been deployed in Ayodhya to bolster medical readiness and response capabilities during the upcoming 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. 

• It is a revolutionary mobile hospital equipped with cutting-edge technology.
• This cube is a part of the broader initiative named “Project BHISHM” – Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri.
• Features
• It is tailored to treat up to 200 casualties, emphasizing rapid response and comprehensive care.
• The Aid Cube is equipped with several innovative tools designed to enhance disaster response and medical support during emergencies.
• It integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to facilitate effective coordination, real-time monitoring, and efficient management of medical services in the field.
• The whole unit contains 72 easily transportable components that can be conveniently carried by hand, cycle, or even drone, providing unmatched flexibility.
• In the face of mass casualty incidents (MCIs), where requirements range from basic aid to advanced medical and surgical care, the Aid Cube stands out with its ability to be deployed within an astonishing 12 minutes.
• These cubes are robust, waterproof, and light, designed for various configurations, making them ideal for diverse emergency scenarios.
• From airdrops to ground transportation, the cube can be rapidly deployed anywhere, ensuring immediate response capability.
• It has advanced medical equipment, RFID-tagged for efficient repacking and redeployment.
• The state-of-the-art BHISHM software system integrated into a provided tablet allows operators to locate items quickly, monitor their usage and expiry, and ensure readiness for subsequent deployments.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the Cochin Port Joint Trade Union Forum has urged Prime Minister of India to take effective steps to revive the lost glory of Willingdon Island.

• It is among the most beautiful locations in the Kochi area.
• This is a man-made island, named after Lord Willingdon who was a British Viceroy of India.
• It is among the biggest of its kind in India.
• It is a major commercial centre and has some of the best hotels in the city.
• It is also home to the Kochi Naval Base of the Indian Navy, the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology and the Port of Kochi.
• It handles millions of tonnes of freight every year.
• The island is connected to the mainland by the Venduruthy Bridge.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) has warned users of different scams perpetrated through messaging platform WhatsApp.

• It was set up in 1970 under the Ministry of Home Affairs by replacing the Police Research and Advisory Council.
• Objectives
• To identify the needs and problems of the police in the country.
• To undertake research projects and studies, and suggest modalities to overcome problems and challenges and meet the needs and requirements of the police.
• It was also mandated to keep abreast of the latest developments in the fields of science and technology, both in India and abroad, with a view to promoting the use of appropriate technology in police work.
• It is also assisting the States in modernization of the State Police Forces and Correctional Administration.
• The Bureau was established with the following two divisions initially; Research, Statistics & Publication and Development
• On the recommendations of the Gore-Committee the bureau created a Training Division in 1973.
• More recently, the BPRD has also been entrusted with the responsibility of anchoring and coordinating the work of the National Police Mission.

Hence both statements are correct.

NASA has re-established contact with its Ingenuity helicopter on Mars, the US space agency said recently.

About Ingenuity Mars Helicopter:

• It is a small, autonomous aircraft. that flew to Mars aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover.
• It was sent to Mars to perform experimental flight tests to determine if powered, controlled flight at the Red Planet was possible.
• Ingenuity’s mission is experimental in nature and completely independent of the rover’s science mission.
• Ingenuity was deployed to the surface on April 4, 2021.
• On April 19, it became the first aircraft in history to make a powered, controlled flight on another planet. 
• It rose to a height of 10 feet, hovered for 30 seconds, and then descended back to the ground.
• The flight lasted 39.1 seconds. 
• It managed to fly in Mars’ thin atmosphere, which isn’t conducive for flying.
• It’s piloted by onboard guidance, navigation, and control systems running algorithms.
• Perseverance acts as a relay between the chopper and the earth.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

The Wular Lake has got around four to five lakh migratory birds so far this winter, including seven new species.

About Wular Lake:

• It is the largest freshwater lake in India.
• It is located in the Bandipore district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It lies at the north end of the Vale of Kashmir, 20 miles (32 km) north-northwest of Srinagar. 
• It is spread over a total area of 200 square km covering almost 24 km in length and 10 km in breadth. 
• The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity and is fed by the Jhelum River.
• The lake lies at an altitude of 1,580 m.
• It is also said to be a remnant of Satisar Lake, that existed in ancient times. 
• This lake also has a small island in its centre called the ‘Zaina Lank’. This island was constructed by King Zainul-Abi-Din.
• In 1990, it was designated as a Ramsar Site.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

A recent faunal survey at the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve has added 11 new species records including three birds, four butterflies and four odonates to its database.

About Parambikulam Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is nestled in the picturesque and extensive Nelliampathy–Anamalai landscape of the Western Ghats Mountains in Palakkad and Thrissur districts of Kerala.
• It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2009, with a total area of 643.66 sq Km.
• Vegetation:
• The reserve supports diverse habitat types, viz., evergreen, semievergreen, moist deciduous, dry deciduous, and shola forests.
• Other unique habitats like montane and marshy grasslands, locally known as 'vayals', are also found.
• Flora:
• The reserve houses teak, rosewood, sandalwood, and neem trees.
• It is credited with the world’s first scientifically managed plantation of teak. It is home to the world’s oldest and tallest teak tree named ‘Kannimara’, which is 450 years old and at a height of 40 meters. 
• Fauna:
• The common animals found are Leopard, Elephant, Gaur, Spotted Deer,
  Sambar, Barkingdeer, Common Langur, Nilgiri Langur, Malabar giant squirrel, Sloth Bear, and Wild dog.
• The only South Indian wild goat, the Nilgiri Tahr is found on the high-altitude rocky hills and grasslands in the tiger reserve.
• The tiger reserve is also home to several rare small animals like Tarantula (large bodied spiders).

Hence option d is the correct answer.

Rs. 17,490 crore has been set aside for the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme, to bolster domestic electrolyser manufacturing, green hydrogen production.

About Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme:

• It is a subcomponent of National Green Hydrogen Mission.
• Aim: To bolster domestic electrolyser manufacturing and green hydrogen production.
• In the initial stage, two distinct financial incentive mechanismswere proposed with an outlay of ₹ 17,490 crore up to 2029-30:
• Incentive for manufacturing of electrolysers
• Incentive for production of green hydrogen.
• Dependingon the markets and technology development, specific incentive schemes and programmes will continue to evolve as the Mission progresses.
• Implementing agency: The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) would be the implementing agency responsible for the scheme’s execution.

What is National Green Hydrogen Mission?

• It is implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy with an outlay of ₹ 19,744 crore from FY 2023–24 to FY 2029–30.
• The overarching objective of the Mission is to make India a global hub for the production, usage, and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.
• The expected outcomes of the mission by 2030, are as follows:
• India’s Green Hydrogen production capacity is likely to reach 5 MMT per annum, contributing to reduction in dependence on the import of fossil fuels. Achievement of Mission targets is expected to reduce a cumulative ₹ 1 lakh crore worth of fossil fuel imports by 2030.
• This is likely to leverage over ₹8 lakh crore in total investments and create over 6 lakh jobs.
• Nearly 50 MMT per annum of CO2 emissions are expected to be averted through the production and use of the targeted quantum of Green Hydrogen.
• It has a provision for supporting pilot projects for low-carbon steel, mobility, shipping, and ports.
• The Mission provides allocations for various sub-components of the Mission such as SIGHT, Pilot projects, R&D etc. to fund specific selected projects.
• There is no State-wise allocation made under the Mission.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the Centre for Policy Research (CPR), a leading Indian public policy think tank, had its FCRA license canceled, culminating in a series of government actions since IT raids in September 2022.

About FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act):

• Purpose: FCRA stands for Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, which is a law enacted by the Parliament of India to regulate the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions by individuals, associations, and companies.
• Prohibition: The Act prohibits the receipt of foreign contributions "for any activities detrimental to the national interest".
• Registration: Organizations require the government’s permission to receive funding from abroad.
• Implementation: The Act is implemented in convergence with various Union government Ministries and agencies, State authorities, and a network of formal and informal institutions and individuals.
• Amendments: The Act has been amended over time, with the latest amendment being the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020. The Bill makes the following changes to the Act:
  • Public servants and foreign donations: Public servants are prohibited from accepting foreign donations.
  • Restriction on donation transfer: Foreign donations cannot be transferred to any other person, regardless of their registration status under the Act.
  • Identity proof requirement: Aadhaar number, passport copy, or Overseas Citizen of India card must be provided as identity proof by those seeking permission, registration, or renewal of registration to accept foreign donations.
  • FCRA account: Foreign donations can only be received in an “FCRA account” in a specified branch of the State Bank of India in New Delhi.
  • Unutilised foreign donations: The government can halt the use of unutilised foreign donations if the Act is violated.
  • Registration certificate renewal: Every person with a registration certificate must renew it within six months before it expires.
  • Administrative expense limit: The limit for using foreign donations for administrative purposes has been reduced from 50% to 20%.
  • Voluntary surrender of registration certificate: The central government can allow a person to surrender their registration certificate.
  • Suspension period: The government can suspend the registration of a person for up to 360 days, instead of 180 days.
• Penalties: The Act provides for penalties for making false statements, delivering false accounts, and for contravention of any provision of the Act.

Hence both statements are correct.

The Union government is promoting nature tourism at 16 Ramsar sites, including Chilika Lake and Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, to support conservation and local economies.

About Sultanpur National Park:

• Formerly known as Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, it spans 1.42 sq km consisting primarily of marshy lakes and floodplains.
• Location: The Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is located in the Gurgaon district of Haryana, 46 km from Delhi.
• Ramsar Site: It was recognised as a Ramsar site, a wetland of international importance in 2021.
• Biodiversity: The vegetation is characterized by tropical and dry deciduous types such as grasses, dhok, khair, tendu, jamun, neem, berberis, and species of Acacia.
  • Over 320 bird species have been recorded at Sultanpur, making it a vital wintering ground. Some iconic species found here are the Common Hoopoe, Purple Sunbird, Black Francolin, Little Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Siberian Crane and Greater Flamingo.
  • Other migratory birds that flock seasonally include Common Teal, Common Greenshank and Ruff.
  • While large wild mammals are absent, the park's terrestrial fauna is represented by animals like the nilgai.
  • Sultanpur National Park is an ecologically significant protected wetland that provides habitat to an array of resident and migratory birds.
• Conservation efforts: The Haryana government has carried out some development works at the sanctuary like the construction of mounds, widening of paths, and digging four tube wells. Efforts are being made to improve vegetation in the area by planting more trees.
• Alternative livelihood program: As part of the Union government’s Amrit Dharohar initiative, to promote tourism at Ramsar sites, the sanctuary has been included in a pilot project for skill development of facilitators, tourism service providers, and stakeholders.

Hence option d is the correct answer.