Daily Current Affairs MCQ- March 8, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Entomologists of the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment have discovered a new species of wasp in the Western Ghat region of Karnataka.

• Taeniogonalos deepaki was discovered in the Belgaum region of Karnataka.
• It is named after the medical doctor and nature enthusiast Dr Deepak Deshpande who collected the specimen.
• The genus Taeniogonalos belongs to the family Trigonalyidae of the order Hymenoptera.
• The Trigonalyidae family consists of a type of insects called hyperparasitoids that “sneak into” parasitoids, or insects whose larvae develop on or within the bodies of other insects.
• Distribution: The Taeniogonalos genus is distributed in Afrotropical, oriental, eastern palaearctic, nearctic, Australian and neotropical regions; 6 of the species have been reported earlier from India and 20 from China.
• The scientists have also reported the first male description of another species, Taeniogonalos eurysoma.
• Most of the Taeniogonalos species have been reported from south India.

What is a parasitoid?

• It is an organism that has young that develop on or within another organism (the host), eventually killing it.
• Parasitoids have characteristics of both predators and parasites.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

Recently, former members of Google's DeepMind team, have introduced Haiper, a cutting-edge AI-powered video generation tool.

• It is an all-in-one visual foundation model that allows everyone, with or without technical training, to generate high-quality video content with ease.
• The founders claim that Haiper brings forward cutting-edge machine learning with the belief that creativity should be “fun, surprising, and shareable”.
• According to Haiper, its model is a powerful perceptual foundation model-driven AI that has been designed for a “new path towards AGI” (artificial general intelligence, an AI software with human-like intelligence and the ability to self-learn).
• It offers tools such as text-to-video, animated static images, video repainting tools, etc.
• Users can go on to the website, log in with their email addresses, and start generating videos for free by typing in text prompts.
• At present, users can only generate HD video spanning 2 seconds, and a slightly lower-quality video could go up to four seconds.

Hence option (a) is the correct answer.

Recently, the Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of India has approved the comprehensive national-level IndiaAI mission with a budget outlay of Rs.10,371.92 crore.

• The IndiaAI mission will establish a comprehensive ecosystem catalyzing AI innovation through strategic programs and partnerships across the public and private sectors.
• The Mission will be implemented by ‘IndiaAI’ Independent Business Division (IBD) under Digital India Corporation (DIC).
• It has the following components:
• IndiaAI Compute Capacity: The IndiaAI compute pillar will build a high-end scalable AI computing ecosystem to cater to the increasing demands from India’s rapidly expanding AI start-ups and research ecosystem.
• The ecosystem will comprise AI compute infrastructure of 10,000 or more Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), built through public-private partnership. It will act as a one-stop solution for resources critical for AI innovation.
•  IndiaAI Innovation Centre: The IndiaAI Innovation Centre will undertake the development and deployment of indigenous Large Multimodal Models (LMMs) and domain-specific foundational models in critical sectors. 
• IndiaAI Datasets Platform: It will streamline access to quality non-personal datasets for AI Innovation. A unified data platform will be developed to provide a one-stop solution for seamless access to non-personal datasets to Indian Startups and Researchers.
• IndiaAI Application Development Initiative: It will promote the AI applications in critical sectors for the problem statements sourced from Central Ministries, State Departments, and other institutions. The initiative will focus on developing/scaling/promoting adoption of impactful AI solutions with potential for catalyzing large scale socio-economic transformation.
• IndiaAI FutureSkills: It is conceptualized to mitigate barriers to entry into AI programs and will increase AI courses in undergraduate, masters-level, and Ph.D. programs. Further, Data and AI Labs will be set-up in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India to impart foundational level courses.
• IndiaAI Startup Financing: This pillar is conceptualized to support and accelerate deep-tech AI startups and provide them streamlined access to funding to enable futuristic AI Projects.
• The approved IndiaAI Mission will propel innovation and build domestic capacities to ensure the tech sovereignty of India.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Union Minister for Rural Development inaugurated School Soil Health Programme, New Delhi.   

• Department of Agriculture and Farmers welfare (Ministry of Education) in collaboration with Department of School Education and Literacy (Ministry of Agriculture and farmers welfare) has undertaken a pilot project on school soil health programme.
• Features
• Under the project, 20 soil labs were set up in 20 schools of Kendriya and Navodaya Vidylaya of rural areas.
• Study modules were developed and training was given to students and teachers.
• Mobile application was customized for the school programme and portal is having a separate segment for the programme where in all the activities of students has been documented.
• Now, this programme has been scaled up in 1000 schools.
• Kendriya Vidyalya, Navodaya Vidyalya and Eklavya Model Schools have been taken under this programme. Schools are being onboarded on the portal and online batches are being created.
• Department of Agriculture and Farmers welfare (DA&FW) through National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) will setup soil labs in these schools.
• School students will collect soil samples, test in the labs set up in schools and generate Soil health Card.
• After generating Soil Health Card, they will go to the farmers and educate them about recommendation of Soil health Card.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Communities, particularly those in western Rajasthan, are concerned about the state’s proposal to classify orans (sacred groves) as deemed forests. 

About Orans:

• Orans are traditional sacred groves found in Rajasthan.
• These are community forests, preserved and managed by rural communities through institutions and codes that mark such forests as sacred.
• There are often local deities associated with Oran.
• They are rich in biodiversity and usually include a water body.
• Communities in Rajasthan have been conserving these Orans for centuries, and their lives have been intricately linked around these spaces. 
• Orans are also spaces where herders take their livestock for grazing and are places for communal congregations, festivals, and other social events, the performance of which is linked to agrarian rhythms and the continued commitment of the communities towards environmental conservation. 
• Orans also form the natural habitat for India’s most critically endangered bird, the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act, which is also the State bird of Rajasthan. 

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

The United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) Bertholf ship reached Port Blair ahead of the ‘Sea Defenders-2024’ joint exercise.

About Sea Defenders-2024:

• It is a joint exercise between the Indian Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard.
• Location: Off the coast of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• The two-day exercise will focus on maritime piracy and asymmetric threats, including simulated drone attacks on commercial merchant traffic, joint maritime search and rescue operations, major firefighting, marine pollution response, and counter-drug interdiction exercises.
• The event will also witness a simulated medical evacuation to enhance readiness in emergency situations.
• It will highlight the importance of international cooperation in addressing maritime challenges as well as the partnership between the Indian and US Coast Guards.

Hence option a is the correct answer.

Resistance to the antiretroviral drug dolutegravir (DTG) is increasing among HIV patients, a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted. 

About Dolutegravir (DTG):

• It is an antiviral drug used with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the virus that can cause the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 
• Dolutegravir is in a class of medications called HIV integrase inhibitors.
• It works by decreasing the amount of HIV in your blood and increasing the number of immune cells that help fight infections in your body.
• Although dolutegravir does not cure HIV, using it along with other medications may decrease your chance of developing AIDS and HIV-related illnesses such as serious infections or cancer.
• Since 2018, WHO has recommended the use of dolutegravir as the preferred first- and second-line HIV treatment for all population groups. 
• It is more effective, easier to take, and has fewer side effects than other drugs currently in use.
• Common side effects of dolutegravir may include:
• headache;
• tiredness; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).
• Some side effects can be serious. These include severe skin rashes and allergic reactions, liver problems, and drug interactions.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

The Cooperation Minister will launch the National Cooperative Database (NCD) to foster a cooperative-centric economic model.

About National Cooperative Database (NCD):

• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Cooperation. 
• Under this initiative, the Ministry of Cooperation has recognized the imperative need for a robust database to capture vital information about India's vast cooperative sector. 
• NCD has been developed in collaboration with State Governments, National Federations and stakeholders, and aims to foster a cooperative-centric economic model.
• It is a web-based digital dashboard wherein data of cooperative societies, including National/State Federations have been captured.
• The data of cooperative societies has been entered and validated by States/ UTs nodal officials at RCS/ DRCS offices, and the data of federations has been provided by various national/state federations.
• NCD has collected/mapped information about 8 lakh cooperatives with collective membership of more than 29 crores spread across various sectors in the country. 
• The information collected from cooperative societies are on various parameters, such as their registered name, date, location, number of members, sectoral information, area of operation, economic activities, financial statements, status of audit etc. 
• NCD serves as a crucial tool for efficient communication between the Central Ministry, States/UTs, and Cooperative Societies, benefiting all stakeholders in the cooperative sector. 
• The database provides comprehensive contact details for registered societies, facilitating smooth communication between government entities and these societies.
• NCD offers a myriad of benefits, including:
• Single-point access
• comprehensive and updated data
• user-friendly interface
• vertical and horizontal linkages
• query-based reports and graphs
• Management Information System (MIS) reports
• data analytics
• Geographical Mapping

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti  (MoJS) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore for the establishment of an International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED).

• It will act as a technological arm of the Ministry to provide specialised technical support in investigations, modelling, research and innovations, and technical support services for the Indian and overseas dam owners.
• This MoA will remain valid for ten years or till the duration of the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase-II and III Scheme, whichever is earlier, from the date of signing this MoA.
• The Centre will work on dam safety to support the Ministry and provide solutions to various emerging challenges faced in dam safety through scientific research.
• It will also offer area specific academic courses (including training programs and workshops) and carry out applied research and technology transfer in dam safety management at local, regional, national and international levels. 
• Funding: The Ministry of Jal Shakti will provide a grant of 118.05 crore rupees for the procurement of goods, and machinery for the establishment of new laboratories as well as strengthening of existing laboratories, initiation of research activities, and construction and modernisation of infrastructure for setting up and functioning of ICED.
• It will carry out research in two core areas:
• Advanced construction and rehabilitation materials & Material testing for dams and
• Comprehensive (multi-hazard) risk assessment of dams
• ICED will give the right impetus towards building an Atmanirbhar Bharat and will also provide a window of opportunity for disseminating knowledge and expertise in the dam safety area to many underdeveloped and developing nations in future.
• ICED, IISc Bangalore is the second International Centre in the area of Dam Safety.
• The first ICED has been institutionalized at IIT Roorkee upon signing of MoA in February 2023.

Hence both statements are correct.

Minister of Communications, Railways, and Electronics & Information Technology will launch NITI Aayog’s NITI For States platform and Viksit Bharat Strategy Room’ at Rang Bhawan auditorium, New Delhi.

• It is a cross-sectoral knowledge platform designed to become a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Policy and Good Governance.
• The significant features of the platform include
• A multi-sectoral live repository of 7,500 Best Practices, 5,000 Policy documents, 900+ datasets, 1,400 data profiles, and 350 NITI publications.
• The knowledge products on the platform span 10 sectors including Agriculture, Education, Energy, Health, Livelihoods and Skilling, Manufacturing, MSME, Tourism, Urban, Water resources & WASH across two cross-cutting themes - Gender and Climate Change.
• The platform is an intuitive and user-friendly interface that allows users to easily navigate; and it is accessible through multiple devices including mobile phones.
• This platform will facilitate the digital transformation of governance by equipping government officials with robust, contextually relevant, and actionable knowledge and insights, thereby enhancing the quality of their decision-making.
• It will also support cutting-edge level functionaries like district collectors and block-level functionaries by giving them access to innovative best practices across various States and UTs.

Hence both statements are correct.