Daily Current Affairs MCQ- July 31, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

As per Reserve Bank of India’s Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI), Digital payments across the country registered a growth of 13.24% in a year through March 2023.

• It has been constructed by the RBI to measure the extent of digitisation of payments across the country.
• It is based on multiple parameters and reflects the expansion of various digital payment modes accurately.
• It is a first-of-its kind index to measure the spread of digital payments across the country.
• It contains five broad parameters that measure the deepening and penetration of digital payments in the country over different time periods.
• Payment Enablers with a weight of 25% (Internet, mobile, Aadhaar, bank accounts, participants, merchants)
• Payment Infrastructure – Demand-side factors weight 10% (Debit and credit cards, PPIs, Customers registered in mobile and internet banking, FASTags),
• Payment Infrastructure – Supply-side factors weight 15% (Bank branches, BCs, ATMs, PoS Terminals, QR Codes, Intermediaries),
• Payment Performance – weight 45% (Digital payment volumes, value, unique users, paper clearing, currency in circulation, cash withdrawals) and
• Consumer Centricity weight – 5% (awareness and education, declines, complaints, frauds, system downtime).
• The base period of the index is March 2018.
• The index has been published on a semi-annual basis from March 2021 onwards with a lag of 4 months.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The prolonged cold weather and rains have devastated the cherry crop in the Kashmir Valley.

• Cherries are delicious and nutritious fruits that belong to the genus Prunus.
• It is a delicate crop and extremely sensitive to extreme weather conditions.
• Having a very low shelf life, cherries cannot sustain heavy rains or high temperatures.
• The Kashmir Valley contributes to 95 per cent of the total cherry production in India.
• Eight cherry varieties grown in Kashmir include makhmali, siya, mishri, jaddi, Italy, dabal, vishkan and stela.
• Climate:
• It requires cool weather conditions with temperatures ranging between 15°C to 25°C during the growing season.
• They also require a period of winter dormancy with temperatures below 7°C to induce flowering.
• Soil: The soil should be well-draining, rich in organic matter, and have a pH between 6.0 to 7.5.
• Planting: Cherry trees can be propagated by grafting onto rootstocks. The ideal time for planting is during the winter months from December to February.
• Intercropping: Some suitable intercropping crops for cherry cultivation in India include legumes, such as peas and beans, and leafy vegetables, such as spinach and lettuce.
• Fertilization: Fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be applied in adequate amounts to promote healthy growth and fruit development.
• Harvesting: Cherries can be harvested when they reach maturity, usually in late May to early June.
• Area of Cultivation: They are primarily grown in the northern regions of India, particularly in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, Bengaluru has become the first Indian city to become part of the World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF).

• It was founded in 2012 by Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture & the Creative Industries.
• It is a global network of cities that share research and intelligence, and explore the role of culture in future prosperity.
• The network currently has 40 cities spanning six continents. 
• Bengaluru being the latest addition is set to join the league of cities like New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Dubai among others.
• World cities culture summit hosted on a rotating basis by city partners, an unprecedented gathering of city leaders sharing ideas and knowledge about culture’s role in public policy in a world city context.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Scientists recently revived a worm that was frozen 46,000 years ago below the surface in the Siberian permafrost.

About Permafrost:

• Permafrost is any ground that remains completely frozen—32°F (0°C) or colder—for at least two years straight.
• Global Distribution: 
• These permanently frozen grounds are most common in regions with high mountains and in Earth’s higher latitudes—near the North and South Poles.
• Permafrost covers large regions of the Earth. Almost a quarter of the land area in the Northern Hemisphere has permafrost underneath. 
• Composition: 
• Permafrost is made of a combination of soil, rocks and sand that are held together by ice. The soil and ice in permafrost stay frozen all year long. 
• Near the surface, permafrost soils also contain large quantities of organic carbon—a material leftover from dead plants that couldn’t decompose, or rot away, due to the cold.
• Lower permafrost layers contain soils made mostly of minerals. 
• A layer of soil on top of permafrost does not stay frozen all year. This layer, called the active layer, thaws during the warm summer months and freezes again in the fall. 

Hence both statements are correct.

Prime Minister will inaugurate Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2023 and also release the first instalment of funds under the PM SHRI Scheme at the event.  

About Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) Scheme:

• It is a Centrally Sponsored scheme announced in 2022.
• Objective: Development of more than 14500 schools across the country by strengthening selected existing schools being managed by Central Government/ State/ UT Government/ local bodies.
• The duration of the scheme is from 2022-23 to 2026-27, after which it shall be the responsibility of the States/UTs to continue to maintain the benchmarks achieved by these schools.
• Features:
• The selected schools will act as exemplar schools showcasing all components of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) and offering mentorship to other schools in their vicinity.
• The PM SHRI Schools will be developed as Green Schools, incorporating environment-friendly aspects.
• The pedagogy adopted in these schools will be more experiential, holistic, integrated, play/toy-based (particularly in the foundational years), inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centric, discussion-based, flexible and enjoyable.
• The focus will be on the learning outcomes of every child in every grade.
• Assessment at all levels will be based on conceptual understanding and application of knowledge to real-life situations and will be competency-based.
• Linkage with Sector Skill Councils and local industry for enhancing employability and providing better employment opportunities will be explored.
• A School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) is being developed, specifying the key performance indicators to measure outcomes. Quality evaluation of these schools at regular intervals will be undertaken to ensure the desired standards.

Hence both statements are not correct.

International Tiger Day is observed globally on July 29 every year.

About International Tiger Day:

• It is observed on July 29 each year.
• It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the endangered tiger species.
• It is celebrated worldwide to promote comprehensive efforts in safeguarding tigers and their natural habitats, fostering harmonious coexistence between humans and tigers.
• History of International Tiger Day:
• Global Tiger Day, commonly referred to as International Tiger Day, was first established in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit by nations that are home to tigers. 
• 13 tiger range countries came together to create Tx2 – the global goal to double the number of wild tigers by the year 2022.
• The 29th of July was chosen as International Tiger Day because it represents the halfway point between the first and last days of the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit and the ongoing international campaign to rescue tigers.

Key Facts about Bengal Tiger:

• Bengal tiger (subspecies Panthera tigris tigris) inhibits the forests, and wetlands of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
• Features:
• It is distinguished from other tiger subspecies by its orange coat accented by prominent brownish-to-black stripes; a rare white-coated variant of the subspecies also exists. 
• The largest male Bengal tigers can grow up to about 3.2 metres long (including a 1 metre long tail) and weigh nearly 295 kg. 
• Females are smaller, the largest ones measuring about 2.7 metres long and weighing as much as 181 kg. 
• They are solitary hunters, preying primarily on ungulates (including deer and antelope), gaurs, and wild boars (Sus scrofa). 
• Conservation Status:
• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972: Schedule-1

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, researchers have found that an alloy of Cobalt and Platinum when doped with Manganese which act to be an effective catalyst for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) that takes place at the anode of the direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs).

• Researchers have synthesized a trimetallic PtMnCo catalyst that displayed superior catalytic activity and high CO tolerance when compared to commercially available catalyst.
• The choice of Manganese (Mn) as a dopant was based on its abundance and affordability and the multiple oxidation states it offers making it a good candidate for electro-catalysis.
• Significance of DMFC
• Among the different classes of fuel cells proposed, DMFCs have long been considered an attractive alternate power source for small vehicles such as forklifts and as battery chargers for mobile phones, digital cameras, laptops, and other small electronic gadgets.
• It has high energy density, high efficiency, and low operating temperature.
• They are also much safer to operate because they deal with liquid fuel (methanol).
• The methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) at the anode and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode are the main processes that determine the performance of DMFCs.
• Platinum is the most often used MOR catalyst. However, fundamental challenges such as slow kinetics, high manufacturing costs (due mostly to the pricey Pt-based catalyst), and CO poisoning of the Pt catalyst make commercialization of DMFCs challenging.
• Therefore, the search for an alternative Pt-based catalyst that circumvents the above issues is one of the most pressing research problems with respect to DMFCs.
• Alloying Pt with other transition metals such as (Ru, Co, Ni, and Fe) is thought to be a useful strategy for improving the catalytic performance and durability of Pt catalyst along with reducing the amount of Pt being used in the catalyst.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, the carcass of a blue whale washed ashore at Meghavaram beach of Santabommali mandal in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh.

• Blue whales are the largest animals ever to live on our planet.
• Whales are at the top of the food chain and have an important role in the overall health of the marine environment.
• Habitat: They are found in all oceans except the Arctic Ocean.
• They generally migrate seasonally between summer feeding grounds and winter breeding grounds
• Lifespan: The average lifespan is estimated at around 80 to 90 years. Scientists can estimate the age of whales by counting the layers of wax-like earplugs collected from deceased animals.
• Behaviour and Diet
• They sometimes swim in small groups but are more often found alone or in pairs.
• They generally spend summers feeding in polar waters and undertake lengthy migrations towards the equatorial waters as winter arrives.
• The primary diet whale is krill—tiny shrimp-like animals, but fish and copepods (tiny crustaceans) may occasionally be part of the blue whale’s diet.
• Conservation Status

IUCN: Endangered

Hence both statements are correct.

A new study by scientists of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology has found that three glacial lakes are likely to form around Parkachik Glacier in Ladakh due to rapid ice melt.

• The Parkachik glacier is one of the largest glaciers in the Suru River valley, covering an area of 53 square km and is 14 km long.
• The Suru River valley is a part of the southern Zanskar Ranges in the western Himalayas.
• There are two main reasons for the rapid melting of the glacier. 
• The first is global warming and increasing temperatures in the region.
• The second is that it is at a lower altitude than other glaciers in the Zanskar region.

Key facts about Zanskar Ranges

• Zanskar is a high altitude semi-desert lying on the Northern flank of the Great Himalayan Range.
• This mountain range acts as a climatic barrier protecting Ladakh and Zanskar from most of the monsoon, resulting in a pleasantly warm and dry climate in the summer.
• Flora: Much of Zanskar's vegetation is found in the lower reaches of the valleys, and consists of alpine and tundra species.
• Fauna: Among the wildlife that can be found in Zanskar are the marmot, bear, wolf, snow leopard, kiang, bharal, alpine Ibex etc.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

Recently, the Central government has suspended the Director of the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) citing irregularity in recruitment. 

• It was formerly known as the Demographic Training and Research Centre (DTRC) till 1970.
• It was established in July 1956 under the joint sponsorship of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, the Government of India and the United Nations.
• It serves as a regional centre for Training and Research in Population Studies for the ESCAP region.
• The Institute was re-designated to its present title in 1985 to facilitate the expansion of its academic activities.
• It was declared as a 'Deemed to be University' on August 14, 1985, under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
• The recognition has facilitated the award of recognized degrees by the Institute itself and paved the way for further expansion of the Institute as an academic institution.
• IIPS holds a unique position among all the regional population centres.
• It was the first such centre started, and it serves a much larger population than any of the other regional centres.
• The Institute is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• Institute had conducted many prime surveys like National Family Health Survey (NFHS), District Level Household Survey (DLHS), Assessment of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), YOUTH in India Project etc.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.