Daily Current Affairs MCQ- May 15, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has successfully conducted a trial run of delivery of blood bags by drones under its iDrone initiative. 

• The trial run, as part of a pathbreaking validation study, has been undertaken for the first time in the country by the ICMR; Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC); Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Greater Noida; and the Jaypee Institute of Information Technology (JIIT), Noida.
• The inaugural trial flight carried 10 units of whole blood samples from the GIMS and LHMC in visual line of sight.
• The project ‘i-DRONE’(ICMR’s Drone Response and Outreach for North East) assessed the feasibility of using drone to deliver vaccines and medical supply.
• This was carried out in difficult geographical terrains including land, island, foothills and across the hills. 
• The medical supplies delivered under i-Drone project included COVID-19 vaccines, vaccines used routine immunisation programs, antenatal care medicines, multi-vitamins, syringes and gloves.
• The drone delivery system focused on end-to-end ecosystem for drone-based logistic transportation within the states and was first successful example of delivering vaccines through drone from land to Island in South Asia.

Hence both statements are correct.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple scientific projects worth over five thousand eight hundred crore rupees on the occasion of National Technology Day in New Delhi.

• The Technology Development Board (TDB) a statutory body of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) celebrates May 11 every year as National Technology Day to commemorate achievements of innovations and technological excellence in the country.
• The day has a historical perspective:
  • On May 11, 1998, India successfully carried out nuclear tests at Pokhran.
  • The first indigenous aircraft "Hansa-3" was test flown at Bangalore on this day; and
  • India also performed successful test firing of the Trishul missile on the same day.
• Since 1999, the day is being celebrated as National Technology Day. 

Hence both statements are correct.

The counsel for the Competition Commission of India (CCI) recently said in the Supreme Court that the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973, does not protect Coal India Ltd (CIL) from the competition laws.

About Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973:

• It was enacted by the Indian Parliament, providing for the acquisition and transfer of the right, title and interest of the owners in respect of coal mines specified in the Schedule.
• The Schedule to the Act contained a list of about 711 coal mines located in different parts of the country. 
• Objective: To ensure the rational, coordinated and scientific development and utilisation of coal resources consistent with the growing requirements of the country.
• Under the Act, coal mining is exclusively reserved for the public sector. 
• By an amendment to the Act in 1976, two exceptions to this policy were introduced, viz.
• captive mining by private companies engaged in the production of iron and steel;
• sub-lease for coal mining to private parties in isolated small pockets not amenable to economic development and not requiring rail transport;
• It was amended w.e.f. 9.6.1993 to allow private sector participation in captive coal mining for generation of power, for washing of coal obtained from a mine or for other end uses to be notified by Government from time to time in addition to the existing provision for the production of iron and steel. 
• Under the Act, the allotment of coal mines for captive use was based on the recommendation of a high-powered committee chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Coal. 
• Mining of Coal for captive use for the production of cement has also been permitted by the Government notification.

What are Captive Mines?

• Captive mines are the mines that are owned by companies.
• The coal or mineral produced from these mines is for the exclusive use of the owner company of the mines.
• The company cannot sell coal or mineral outside.

Hence both statements are correct.

The Calcutta High Court granted interim relief to Nobel laureate Amartya Sen recently by prohibiting Visva Bharati University from acting on its decision asking him to relinquish a portion of his land at his property at Shantiniketan.

About Viswa Bharati University:

• It is one of India's major Central Government funded autonomous University located in Santiniketan, West Bengal.
• It is well-known as a distinguished centre for Visual Arts practice and research in India. 
• The University was established in 1921 by Nobel Prize Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. 
• It was named after Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore until the Visva-Bharati Society was registered as an organisation in May 1922.
• The institution was given the status of a Central University in 1951 through a central Act. 
• Its first vice-chancellor was Rathindranath Tagore, the son of Rabindranath Tagore, and the second vice-chancellor was the grandfather of another Nobel Laureate economist Amartya Sen.
• The President of India appoints the Vice-chancellor of the University.
• Visva Bharati University is renowned for its cultural festivals called Poush Mela and the Basanta Utsab, which attract a number of artisans from all across the country.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences recently chaired the first-ever high-level Steering Committee meeting of Deep Ocean Mission.

About Deep Ocean Mission:

• It is a mission-mode project to support the Blue Economy Initiatives of the Government of India.
• It is a high-level multi-ministerial, multi-disciplinary programme for a better understanding of the deep sea living and non-living resources of the Indian Ocean.
• It will aid in India’s efforts to attain the Blue Economy status.
• It aims to develop technologies to harness living and non-living resources from the deep oceans.
• The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will be the nodal Ministry implementing this multi-institutional Mission.
• The estimated cost of the Mission will be Rs. 4077 crores for a period of 5 years (2021-26) to be implemented in a phase-wise manner. 
• The Mission consists of six major components:
• Development of Technologies for Deep Sea Mining and Manned Submersible and Underwater Robotics;
• Development of Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services;
• Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity;
• Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration;
• Energy and freshwater from the Ocean;
• Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology;

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways recently launched ‘Harit Sagar’, the Green Port Guidelines. 

About Harit Sagar Guidelines:

• Objective: To minimize waste through Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle to attain zero waste discharge from port operations and promote monitoring based on Environmental Performance Indicators.
• These guidelines have been formulated with the aim of promoting environmentally friendly practices across all Indian Ports.
• It envisages ecosystem dynamics in port development, operation and maintenance while aligning with the working with Nature concept and minimizing the impact on biotic components of the harbour ecosystem.
• It lays emphasis on the use of Clean / Green energy in Port operation, developing Port capabilities for storage, handling and bunkering Greener Fuels, viz., Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia, Green Methanol / Ethanol etc.
• This also covers aspects of the National Green Hydrogen Mission pertaining to ports, development of green hydrogen facilities, LNG bunkering, Offshore Wind Energy etc. and provides provision for adopting global Green Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards.
• These Guidelines provide a framework for the Major Ports to draw out a comprehensive action plan for achieving targeted outcomes in terms of quantified reduction in carbon emission over defined timelines through focused implementation and close monitoring of Green Initiatives and to achieve Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG).

Hence both statements are correct.

A group of fishermen in Tamil Nadu recently rescued and released a young Dugong that had been caught accidentally in their fishing net.

About Dugong:

• The dugong (Dugong dugon), also called the sea cow, is a herbivorous mammal.
• Scientific Name: Dugong dugon
• Distribution:
• They have a broad but fragmented range inhibiting the warm coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans.
• The largest population of sea cows is found in the northern waters of Australia.
• The second largest population is found in the Arabian Gulf.
• Dugongs are not considered migratory but are known to travel great distances within their range in order to find food.
• Habitat: They generally inhabit shallow waters, remaining at depths of around 10 m.
• Features:
• Dugongs range in length from about 2.2 to 3.4 metres and weigh 230 to 420 kg.
• It has a tapered body that ends in a deeply notched tail or fluke. 
• The forelimbs are rounded flippers lacking nails; there are no hind limbs nor any discernible neck.
• They are long-lived animals (up to 73 years).
• Conservation Status:
• IUCN: Vulnerable

Hence both statements are correct.

United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) recently adopted a resolution that aims to further scrutinize human rights violations taking place in Sudan.

About United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC):

• It is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system, which is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
• Mandate: To promote “universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all” and “address situations of violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations, and make recommendations thereon.”
• Establishment: It was founded in 2006. It replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR).
• Functions:
• It investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in UN member states.
• It addresses important human rights issues such as freedom of expression, women's rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities.
• The UNHRC works closely with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
• Membership:
• The Council is made up of 47 Member States, which are elected by UN General Assembly through direct and secret ballot.
• The Council's Membership is based on equitable geographical distribution. African and Asia-Pacific states have 13 seats each, Latin American and Caribbean states have 8 seats, Western European and other states have 7 seats, and Eastern European states have 6 seats.
• Members of the Council serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The Ministry of Power and Ministry of Environment will develop Carbon Credit Trading Scheme for Decarbonisation. Government plans to develop the Indian Carbon Market with the objective to decarbonize the Indian economy by pricing the Green House Gas emission through trading of Carbon Credit Certificates. 

What are Carbon Markets?

• Carbon markets are essentially a tool for putting a price on carbon emissions— they establish trading systems where carbon credits or allowances can be bought and sold.
• A carbon credit is a kind of tradable permit that, per United Nations standards, equals one tonne of carbon dioxide removed, reduced, or sequestered from the atmosphere.
• Carbon allowances or caps, meanwhile, are determined by countries or governments according to their emission reduction targets.
• A United Nations Development Program release this year noted that interest in carbon markets is growing globally, i.e., 83% of NDCs submitted by countries mention their intent to make use of international market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Two types of Carbon Markets:

• These are set up by policies at the national, regional, and/or international level— are officially regulated.
• Entities in this sector are issued annual allowances or permits by governments equal to the emissions they can generate.
• If companies produce emissions beyond the capped amount, they have to purchase additional permit, either through official auctions or from companies which kept their emissions below the limit, leaving them with surplus allowances.
• The market price of carbon gets determined by market forces when purchasers and sellers trade in emissions allowances.

Voluntary Market:

• These are markets in which emitters— corporations, private individuals, and others— buy carbon credits to offset the emission of one tonne of CO2 or equivalent greenhouse gases.
• Such carbon credits are created by activities which reduce CO2 from the air, such as afforestation.
• In a voluntary market, a corporation looking to compensate for its unavoidable GHG emissions purchases carbon credits from an entity engaged in projects that reduce, remove, capture, or avoid emissions.

Hence both statements are correct.

MyGov, in collaboration with Institute of Hotel Management, Pusa will launch - YUVA PRATIBHA - Culinary Talent Hunt on May 13, 2023.

• The purpose of this competition is to bring out the lost recipes and promote the culinary talents of young and aspiring chefs and home cooks.
• The aim to create awareness and increase the production and consumption of millet, the year 2023 has been declared as the International Year of the Millets by the United Nations.
• The fusion of millets in this competition provides a unique opportunity for participants to showcase their creativity and innovation in cooking with healthy and sustainable ingredients.
• This will create awareness of the contribution of nutri-cereals (millets) for food security and nutrition.
• The contest is open to the citizens of India within the age group of 18 to 40 years.
• The dish should be home-cooked, wherein 50 percent of the ingredients should be of millet.

Hence both statements are correct.