Daily Current Affairs MCQ- November 13, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

• The Zoological Survey of India is a subordinate organization of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• It was established in 1916 and its headquarters is in Kolkata. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• It is a national center for survey and exploration of resources leading to the advancement of knowledge on the exceptionally rich Biological Diversity of the country.

• World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) Day is observed every year on 7 September to raise awareness about DMD.
• DMD is a rare genetic condition that causes gradual weakening of the muscles.
• The theme of this year's DMD Day was Duchenne: Breaking Barriers.

• According to the World Happiness Index 2023, India is at 136^th position in the list.
• In this list, Finland is at the first place, Denmark is at the second place and Switzerland is at the third place.
• Finland has been named the world's happiest country for the fifth time in a row.
• The World Happiness Index report is released annually by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
• Russia has slipped to 74^th position in this list.

Hence, option C is correct.

• The climate of Argentina is temperate and the temperature decreases from north to south or rainfall decreases from east to west. Rainfall here occurs mostly in summer.
• The main vegetation of Argentina is the short and soft temperate grasses of the area called Pampas.
• The main tree of the swampy lowlands of Gran Chaco in the northern part of the Pampas plain is Quebracho, from the bark of which tannin acid is obtained. It is used in making leather.

Hence, option D is correct.

• India invited Ethiopia to collaborate on integrating the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) with Ethiopia's Ethswitch. Ethswitch is a payment platform infrastructure in Ethiopia. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The India-Ethiopia JTC is a bilateral forum that meets periodically to review and enhance trade and investment relations between the two countries.
• India urged Ethiopia to explore settling trade transactions in the local currency for enhanced bilateral trade and conservation of foreign exchange.
• Health and pharmaceuticals, automobiles, textiles, infrastructure projects, food, and agro-processing are identified as key sectors for mutual investments.
• India is one of the largest sources of long-term concessional credit to Ethiopia, with over for sectors such as rural electrification, sugar industry and railways. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Loss and Damage Fund:

• The 'Loss and Damage' (L&D) fund is a financial mechanism designed to address the irreversible consequences of climate change that cannot be avoided or mitigated through adaptation efforts.
• This fund recognizes and aims to compensate for the real losses incurred by communities, countries, and ecosystems due to the impacts of climate change. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• After intense negotiations at COP 27, representatives of the UNFCCC’s member states agreed to set up the L&D fund. Additionally, a Transitional Committee (TC) was established to figure out how the new funding mechanisms under the fund would operate. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• The TC was tasked with preparing recommendations for countries to consider, deliberate on, and potentially adopt by COP 28.

Recently, a new island emerged near Japan's Ogasawara island chain after an undersea volcano erupted.

• A new island near Japan's Ogasawara island chain was formed by phreatomagmatic eruption.
• It is an eruption that involves both magma and water.
• It typically interacts explosively leading to concurrent ejection of steam and pyroclastic fragments.
• Phreatomagmatic ash is formed by the same mechanism over a wide range of basic and acidic compositions.
• A blocky and uniform crust with low vesicle content is formed.
• Deposits from phreatomagmatic eruptions are thought to be better classified and finer-grained than those from magmatic eruptions.
• This is the result of higher fragmentation of phreatomagmatic eruptions.

Key facts about Ogasawara Islands

• The Ogasawara Islands are located in the North-Western Pacific Ocean.
• It is also known as Bonin Islands.
• It is a volcanic arc comprising more than 30 islands and islets. 
• The landscape is dominated by subtropical forest types and sclerophyllous shrublands surrounded by steep cliffs. 
• It is one of the famous UNESCO World Heritage sites of Japan.

Hence option a is the correct answer.

Recently, Exercise CORPAT and BONGOSAGAR between the Indian Navy and Bangladesh Navy were conducted in the Northern Bay of Bengal from 07 - 09 Nov 2023.

• It is the 4th edition of the BONGOSAGAR and the 5th edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) exercise.
• Both are bilateral naval exercises.
• Ships and aircraft from both navies undertook joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), and subsequently conducted maritime exercises to enhance interoperability.
• Indian Navy Ships Kuthar, Kiltan and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Dornier participated in the exercise along with Bangladesh Navy Ships Abu Bakr, Abu Ubaidah and MPA.
• The ships undertook communication drills, surface gun-shoots, tactical manoeuvres and other exercises that culminated with a steam past.
• CORPAT-23 also included the maiden Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) drills conducted between the two navies wherein a Search and Rescue scenario at sea was exercised.
• Regular bilateral exercises and coordinated patrols have strengthened mutual understanding and cooperation between the two navies.
• INS Kuthar is an indigenously built guided-missile Corvette, whereas INS Kiltan is an indigenously built anti-submarine Corvette.
• Both ships are part of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam, which functions under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

To boost liquidity and capacity of bidders National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has accepted Insurance Surety Bond for the monetization program of the upcoming bid of Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) Bundle 14.

• These bonds can be defined in their simplest form as a written agreement to guarantee compliance, payment, or performance of an act.
• These are instruments where insurance companies act as ‘Surety’ and provide the financial guarantee that the contractor will fulfil its obligation as per the agreed terms.
• Surety is a unique type of insurance because it involves a three-party agreement.
• The three parties in a surety agreement are:
• Principal: The party that purchases the bond and undertakes an obligation to perform an act as promised.
• Surety: The insurance company or surety company that guarantees the obligation will be performed. If the principal fails to perform the act as promised, the surety is contractually liable for losses sustained.
• Obligee: The party who requires and often receives the benefit of the surety bond. For most surety bonds, the obligee is a local, state or federal government organisation.
• Significance
• It will act as a security arrangement for infrastructure projects and will insulate the contractor as well as the principal.
• The product gives the principal a contract of guarantee that contractual terms and other business deals will be concluded in accordance with the mutually agreed terms.
• In case the contractor doesn’t fulfil the contractual terms, the Principal can raise a claim on the surety bond and recover the losses they have incurred.
• Unlike a bank guarantee, the Surety Bond Insurance does not require large collateral from the contractor, thus freeing up significant funds for the contractor, which they can utilise for the growth of the business.
• The product will also help in reducing the contractors’ debts to a large extent, thus addressing their financial worries.

Hence both statements are correct.

National Education Day is celebrated every year on November 11 across India to mark the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam.

About National Education Day:

• It is celebrated on November 11 every year to mark the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first education minister. 
• This day is observed to honour the remarkable contributions of Maulana Azad in the field of education and institution building in the country.
• The Ministry of Human Resource Development (now the Ministry of Education) announced on September 11, 2008, about observing November 11 as National Education Day.
• Since 2008, National Education Day has been celebrated.
• Significance:
• The purpose of celebrating National Education Day is to enlighten individuals about the importance of education and its positive impact on the nation’s development and well-being.
• It highlights the importance of the learning spirit.
• National Education Day 2023 Theme: Embracing Innovation
• Key Facts about Maulana Abul Kalam Azad:
• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, born on November 11, 1888, was a scholar, educationist, freedom fighter, and senior leader of the Indian National Congress (INC).
• He became the youngest person to serve as President of INC in 1923, at the age of 35.
• He was one of the leading supporters of the non-violent civil disobedience movement that was led by Mahatma Gandhi.
• He was the first Education Minister of independent India. He served in the position from 1947 to 1958. 
• He is highly esteemed for his dedicated efforts to improve and make education more accessible.
• He was instrumental in the establishment of premier educational institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
• He was posthumously awarded India’s highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna, in 1922.

Hence option d is the correct answer.