Daily Current Affairs MCQ- January 5, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

A group of experts have appealed to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to reclassify the status of the Northeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii) to ‘endangered’ from ‘vulnerable’.

• It is found in the Horn of Africa.
• It is also known as the Sudan cheetah. This subspecies is more closely related to the Southern African cheetah than to Saharan cheetah populations.
• The cheetah’s long tail helps it keep its balance when changing direction mid-chase. Cheetahs can make even 90-degree turns with ease while sprinting.
• Appearance: The Northeast African cheetah is fairly large. Physically, it most resembles the East African cheetah
• Distribution: Contemporary records are known in South Sudan and Ethiopia.  These animals live in wide open lands, grasslands, semi-arid areas, and other open habitats where prey is abundant such as in the East Sudanian Savanna.
• Threat: The subspecies’ cubs are being heavily trafficked across the Red Sea to Arab countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. 
• Conservation status
• IUCN: Vulnerable

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has submitted three nominations from India for Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) of Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) & Udaipur (Rajasthan) under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

• The Ramsar Convention during COP12 held in the year 2015 approved a voluntary Wetland City Accreditation system under Resolution XII.10
• It recognizes cities which have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands.
• It also recognizes the importance of wetlands in urban and peri-urban environments and to take appropriate measures to conserve and protect these wetlands.
• This voluntary scheme provides an opportunity for cities that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition and positive publicity for their efforts.
• This scheme aims to further promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.  
• To be formally accredited, a candidate for WCA should satisfy the standards used to implement each of the six international criteria mentioned Operational Guidance for WCA of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
• Since Ramsar COP13, 43 cities from 17 countries have been officially recognized as “Wetland Cities”.
• There is no India city which has received this recognition.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, a new plant species of Polygonum genus has been discovered at Gol Pahadi Island of the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra during a survey.

• A new plant species named Polygonum Chaturbhujanum has been discovered at Gol Pahadi island of PTR.
• It is a herb.
• Six plant species endemic to India have also been found in Pench.
• They are Aegineta indica, Boerhavia crispa, Habenaria gibsonii var foetida, Iphigenia pallida, Petalidium barlerioides and Barleria gibsoniii

Hence option d is the correct answer.

Recently, the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India has launched ‘Prerana: An Experiential Learning program’.

• It aims to offer a meaningful, unique, and inspiring experience to all participants, thereby empowering them with leadership qualities.
• It is driven by a strong commitment to integrate principles of Indian education system and the philosophy of value-based education which is a corner stone of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• It is a week-long residential program for selected students of class IX to XII.
• A batch of 20 selected students (10 boys and 10 girls) will attend the program, every week from various parts of the country.
• It will run from a Vernacular School, established in 1888, in one of the oldest living cities of India, Vadnagar, district Mehsana, Gujarat.
• The curriculum of Prerana School prepared by IIT Gandhi Nagar is rooted in nine value based themes: Swabhiman and Vinay, Shaurya and Sahas, Parishram and Samarpan, Karuna and Sewa, Vividhta and Ekta, Satyanishtha and Shuchita, Navachar and Jigyasa, Shraddha aur Vishwas, and Swatantrata and Kartavya.
• The day-wise program schedule will feature yoga, mindfulness, and meditation sessions, followed by experiential learning, thematic sessions, and hands on interesting learning activities.
• Evening activities will include visits to ancient and heritage sites, inspirational film screenings, mission life creative activities, talent shows etc. ensuring a holistic learning approach.
• Apart from this, students will engage in diverse activities, embracing indigenous knowledge systems, latest State-of-Art technologies, and learnings from inspirational personalities.

Hence both statements are correct.

An international team of researchers recently unveiled ground-breaking findings on the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, which can cause deadly disease in humans.

About Aspergillus fumigatus:

• It is a species of fungus that causes diseases in humans. 
• It can be found throughout the environment, including in soil, plant matter, and household dust. 
• The fungus can also produce airborne spores called conidia. Most people can inhale many of these spores on a daily basis. 
• In a healthy individual, the immune system often clears them from the body without a problem. However, for some people, inhaling A. fumigatus, spores can lead to a potentially severe infection.
• Aspergillus fumigatus is considered an opportunistic organism. It has low virulence (ability to cause damage) and causes disease only in some circumstances, like:
• A severely weakened state caused by sickness, poor nutrition, advanced age, etc.
• Immunosuppression by diseases or medicines
• Implants use, such as prosthetic devices
• Illness Caused:
• An infection that’s caused by an Aspergillus species of fungus is referred to as aspergillosis.
• Aspergillus can cause allergic reactions, chronic lung conditions, and an invasive disease that spreads to your brain, kidneys, lungs, or other organs.
• Symptoms:
• The symptoms of aspergillosis vary depending on the type and location of your body.
• Symptoms of infections or allergic reactions in your lungs are the most common. They include:
• Coughing (sometimes coughing up blood).
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
• Noisy breathing (wheezing).
• Chest pain.
• Fever.
• Fatigue and weight loss can be symptoms of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.
• Treatment: Treatments include surgery and antifungal medications.

Hence both statements are not correct.

South Korea recently introduced a new visa for foreigners allowing them to visit the country on a working holiday or workation. 

About Workation Visa:

• The "workation" or "digital nomad" visa allows foreign nationals to visit South Korea on a working holiday.
• Eligibility:
• Foreign nationals with an annual income twice as much as South Korea's per capita gross national income will be eligible to apply for the visa.
• It will be given to those having a work experience of over a year in one industry and are eligible for remote work.
• Moreover, the applicants must also have medical insurance of over 100 million won (₹63,62,655.45) and must cover medical treatment and repatriation fees.
• The visa will also be allowed to the families of these employees.
• The visa, which is valid for a year and renewable for up to two years, can be issued at South Korean embassies, and those currently residing in the country under a temporary visa can also apply for it if they meet the requirements. (Currently, foreign nationals interested in working and traveling in Korea need a tourist visa, which is limited to stays of less than 90 days)
• The people who are awarded this visa cannot be hired by any company in South Korea to work or undertake any profit-making activity.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

NHPC has inked an initial pact to invest Rs 4,000 crore in 750 MW Kuppa Pumped Hydro Storage Project at Chhota Udaipur in Gujarat.

About NHPC Limited:

• NHPC Limited (formerly known as National Hydroelectric Power Corp.) is a Government of India Mini Ratna Category-I Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power.
• It was incorporated in the year 1975 under the Companies Act, 1956, with the objective of developing hydroelectric power in the country.
• With an authorized share capital of Rs.15,000 crore. NHPC is a premier organization in the country for the development of hydropower.
• The company is mandated to plan, promote, and organize an integrated and efficient development of power in all aspects through conventional and non-conventional sources in India and abroad. 
• NHPC is headquartered in Faridabad, Haryana.
• The main functions of the NHPC include
• Planning, execution, operation, and maintenance of hydroelectric power projects.
• Exploring new sites for hydroelectric projects.
• Development of small hydroelectric projects
• Research and Development (R&D) in the field of hydroelectric power
• Through long-term power purchase agreements, it sells electricity to electricity utilities owned by state governments/private distribution companies on a wholesale basis.
• It also carries out business operations, which include the planning of wind and tidal wave projects in the country, and has interests in various projects in the construction and under development phases.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Researchers at IISER Bhopal recently developed a new photocatalyst called UC-POP-Au, which absorbs the entire spectrum of light, making it a potent catalyst for chemical processes.

About Photocatalyst:

• The term photocatalyst is a combination of two words: photo, related to photon, and catalyst, which is a substance altering the reaction rate in its presence.
• Therefore, photocatalysts are materials that change the rate of a chemical reaction upon exposure to light. This phenomenon is known as photocatalysis. 
• The illumination of the catalyst causes the generation of free charges (electrons and holes) that can participate in chemical reactions, altering the reaction rate. 
• Photocatalysis includes reactions that take place by utilizing light and a semiconductor. All the photocatalysts are basically semiconductors.
• There are various materials that show photocatalytic capability, and titanium dioxide (TiO2) is said to be the most effective.
• The photocatalytic reactions can be categorized into two types based on the appearance of the physical state of the reactants.
• Homogeneous photocatalysis: When both the semiconductor and reactant are in the same phase, i.e. gas, solid, or liquid.
• Heterogeneous photocatalysis: When both the semiconductor and reactant are in different phases.
• It is valuable for applications like air and water purification, self-cleaning surfaces, and even in some aspects of solar energy conversion.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

Recently, a stone deity worshipped by the Bhils in Madhya Pradesh’s Bagh was proved to be a fossilised dinosaur egg.

• Bhils are considered as one of the oldest tribes in India.
• The name 'Bhil' is derived from the word villu or billu, which according to the Dravidian language is known as Bow. 
• They could be identified as one of the Dravidian racial tribe of Western India and belong to the Austroloid group of tribes.
• They are mainly divided into two main groups the central and eastern or Rajput Bhils.
• The central Bhils are found in the mountain regions in the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujrat and Rajasthan. Bhils are also found in the north eastern parts of Tripura.
• They speak Bhili, which is an Indo Aryan language.
• Religion practice among the Bhils differs from place to place.
• Most of them worship local deities like Khandoba, Kanhoba, Bahiroba, and Sitalmata. Some of the worship Tiger God called 'vaghdev'.
• They consult Badvas -the hereditary sorcerers on all the occasions. 
• The Baneshwar fair is the main festival celebrated among the Bhils. This fair is held during the period of Shivatri (in the month of January or February) and is dedicated to Baneshwar Mahadev also known as Lord Shiva. 

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it is not mandatory for banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) to raise green deposits.

• In general terms, a green deposit is a fixed-term deposit for those who want to invest in environmentally friendly projects.
• Just like a regular Fixed Deposit scheme, the green deposit pays interest to its investors and has a fixed term.
• The proceeds that a bank gets from deposit holders get earmarked for allocation to green finance.
• A green fixed deposit, also known as an environmentally friendly fixed deposit, is a financial instrument that encourages sustainable development by channelling funds towards projects focused on renewable energy, clean technology, or other environmentally beneficial initiatives.
• The green activities/projects financed under the framework can be classified under priority sector if they meet the requirements laid down in Priority Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines of RBI.
• Banks are allowed to offer overdraft facility to customers against Green Deposits subject.
• The current framework permits green deposits to be denominated in Indian Rupees only.
• The deposits raised under the framework are covered by Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) in accordance with the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Act, 1961 and the regulations framed there under, as amended from time to time.
•  On maturity, the green deposits would be renewed or withdrawn at the option of the depositor.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.