Daily Current Affairs MCQ- November 25, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

Recently, the Union Minister of Education launched the logo, slogan-Jan Jan Sakshar and mobile application of ULLAS in New Delhi.

• The Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) initiative is poised to revolutionise education and literacy across the nation.
• It is done by fostering a learning ecosystem that reaches every individual, bridging the gaps in basic literacy and critical life skills.
• It imparts basic education, digital and financial literacy and critical life skills to citizens aged 15 and above who lost on the opportunity to go to school.
• It is being implemented through volunteerism.
• Slogan of the Initiative: ULLAS: Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram.
• For this purpose ULLAS app was launched which is user-friendly and interactive app available both on android and ios.
• It will serve as a digital gateway for learners to engage in diverse learning resources through the DIKSHA portal of NCERT.
• The ULLAS app can be used for registration of learners and volunteers either through self-registration or by surveyors.
• Significance
• This app will focus on promoting functional literacy, vocational skills, and many important life skills like financial literacy, legal literacy, digital literacy, and empowerment of citizens to involve in nation-building of the country.
• It also fosters a culture of continuous learning and knowledge-sharing in communities across India.

Hence both statements are correct.

In the last two decades or so, since genome sequencing technologies started to become more accessible, scientists have really figured out the application of the Cell-free DNA.

• In the human body, most of the DNA in a genome is neatly packed inside cells with the help of specific proteins, protecting it from being degraded.
• In a variety of scenarios, some fragments of DNA are ‘released’ from their containers and are present outside the cell, in body fluids. These small fragments of nucleic acids are widely known as cell-free DNA (cfDNA).

How they are generated/released?

• It can be generated and released from a cell in a number of possible situations, including when a cell is dying and the nucleic acids become degraded.
• Since an array of processes modulates the degradation, the amount, size, and source of the cfDNA can vary across a range as well.
• This could occur together with a variety of processes, including those required for normal development, those related to the development of certain cancers, and those associated with several other diseases. 

Applications of cfDNA

• One of the most widely used applications of cfDNA has been in screening foetuses for specific chromosomal abnormalities, an application known as non-invasive prenatal testing. 
• It is useful tool to understand human diseases and to use the knowledge to improve diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis.
• It is useful in understanding why a body is rejecting a transplanted organ.
• This  could be used as a biomarker for neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, neuronal tumours, stroke, traumatic brain injury,

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, an Indian Navy Dornier maritime patrol aircraft and an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130 transport aircraft visited Australia’s Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI).

• The Cocos (Keeling) Islands lie in the eastern Indian Ocean, about 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) northwest of the Australian city of Perth.
• It comprises of coral atolls and islands, the archipelago includes North Keeling Island and the South Keeling Islands.
• The territory’s administrative headquarters are on West Island in the southern atoll. 
• Climate: Warm and humid climate.
• Vegetation: The vegetation consists chiefly of coconut palms, which were formerly cultivated for copra on plantations.
• The northern atoll consists of Australia's most remote Commonwealth National Park, the Pulu Keeling National Park.
• On North Keeling and Horsburgh islands, coarse grass serves as a ground cover. 
• The inhabitants of this Island are predominantly the descendants of the original plantation workers, mostly of Malay origin. 
• Administration: An administrator appointed by the Australian governor-general is the senior governmental official in the Cocos. The islands became an Australian territory under the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

Recently, OpenAI CEO formally re-introduced Worldcoin project of his that was eclipsed by the popularity of ChatGPT.

• It is an initiative to create a digital network in which everyone can claim some kind of stake, and join the digital economy.
• This venture runs on a simple model: allow your eyes to be scanned in order to prove your human uniqueness, and receive some crypto and an ID (called a World ID) in exchange.
• Using a device called “Orb,” Worldcoin volunteers known as ‘Orb operators’ scan a person’s iris pattern to collect their biometric data and help them get a World ID through the World app.
• With the app, scanned participants can collect a cryptocurrency called Worldcoin [WLD] at regular intervals or make transactions with their World ID where possible.
• This process is called “proof of personhood” and makes sure that people do not sign themselves up multiple times in exchange for crypto.
• Worldcoin claims it is building the “world’s largest identity and financial public network” open to people worldwide.
• Worldcoin lists 18 locations — largely in Delhi, Noida, and Bangalore — where Orb operators are scanning people’s eyes.
• It was launched by the OpenAI.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

To enhance the maritime partnership between Indian Navy and Royal Oman Navy, the indigenously built destroyer INS Visakhapatnam recently entered Oman.

About INS Visakhapatnam:

• It is the lead ship and the first of the Indian Navy's Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided-missile destroyers.
• It was commissioned on November 21, 2021, is one of the largest destroyers in Indian Navy service.
• Features:
• Size: It measures 163m in length, 17m in breadth.
• Displacement: 7,400 tonnes.
• Propulsion: It is propelled by four powerful Gas Turbines, in a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) configuration.
• Speed: It is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots.
• The ship has enhanced stealth features resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section (RCS) achieved through efficient shaping of hull, full beam superstructure design, plated masts and use of radar transparent materials on exposed decks.
• The ship is equipped to fight under Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions.
• Named after the historic city of Andhra Pradesh on the east coast, Visakhapatnam, the ‘City of Destiny’, the ship has a total complement of about 315 personnel.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) recently clarified that it was not looking to reduce retail participation in the derivatives segment.

About Derivatives:

• A derivative is a contract between two parties which derives its value/price from an underlying asset.
• The commonly used assets are stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities and market indices.
• These instruments allow investors and traders to speculate on the price movements of the underlying asset without owning it directly.
• The value of the underlying assets keeps changing according to market conditions. The basic principle behind entering into derivative contracts is to earn profits by speculating on the value of the underlying asset in future.
• Derivatives serve various purposes, including hedging against risks, providing leverage, and facilitating price discovery.
• The most common types of derivatives are:
• Futures Contracts: A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a specific future date. The underlying asset can be commodities, financial instruments, or indices.
• Options Contracts: An options contract gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call option) or sell (put option) an underlying asset at a specified price (strike price) on or before a predetermined expiration date.
• Swaps: Swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows based on specific financial variables. Common types of swaps include interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and commodity swaps. Swaps are often used to manage interest rate risks, currency risks, or to change the nature of a debt obligation.
• Forwards: Forwards are similar to futures contracts but are not standardized or traded on exchanges. They are customized agreements between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on a future date.

Hence both statements are correct.

NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft, currently in interstellar space, is facing communication difficulties caused by an antenna misalignment. 

About Voyager 2 Spacecraft:

• It is a space probe launched by NASA on August 20, 1977.
• It is part of the Voyager program, which also includes Voyager 1.
• Primary mission: To study the outer planets of our solar system and their moons, and then continue on an interstellar mission.
• It is the second spacecraft to enter interstellar space.  On Dec. 10, 2018, the spacecraft joined its twin—Voyager 1—as the only human-made objects to enter the space between the stars.
• It carries a Golden Record, a phonograph record containing sounds and images from Earth, intended to be a message to any potential extraterrestrial civilizations it might encounter in the future.
• Firsts:
• It is the only spacecraft to study all four of the solar system's giant planets at close range.
• It discovered a 14th moon at Jupiter.
• It was the first human-made object to fly past Uranus.
• At Uranus, Voyager 2 discovered 10 new moons and two new rings.
• It was the first human-made object to fly by Neptune.
• At Neptune, Voyager 2 discovered five moons, four rings, and a "Great Dark Spot."

Hence option b is the correct answer.

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Sunday announced the creation of a National Digital Nagrik Forum.

About National Digital Nagrik Forum:

• It is an online platform that aims to advance the rights of traders and consumers and other sections of society, and shape policy to boost the digital trade economy.
• The forum aims to raise awareness about digital regulations and help build the capacities of citizens to engage with innovation via expert sessions and instructional materials.
• Objective: To shape policy discourse around digital economy trade in India with a view to contributing to the Government of India’s vision of creating a trillion-dollar digital economy while maintaining an open, safe, trusted and accountable internet ecosystem.
• It will conduct awareness camps, digital and physical dialogues and trainings, as well as targeted outreach to stakeholders from government, private sector and civil society,
• It will focus on five core themes. 
• The first pillar consists of consumer protection and online safety with a core focus on efficient grievance redressal.
• The pitfalls of digital cartelisation and how a level-playing field is necessary to discourage discriminatory and anti-competitive practices in the online world are part of the second pillar.
• Third, the potential of Indian digital technologies to not only transform retail and industrial trade but also boost employment and expand the investment footprint.
• Fourth, a first principles-based taxation policy that encourages certainty and productivity, especially for sectors with high growth potential, while preventing illegal activities such as tax evasion and money laundering.
• Finally, the forum will study emerging technologies, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, to assess their impact on retail trade and, at the same time, safeguard consumers’ interests.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology said that Jammu is going to pioneer India's first Cannabis Medicine Project.

About National Tele Mental Health Programme:

• Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele MANAS) has been launched during October 2022.
• Aims: It aims to provide free tele-mental health services all over the country round the clock, particularly catering to people in remote or under-served areas.
• There are 42 active Tele Manas cells across 31 states and Union Territories.
• The service is accessible through the toll-free numbers with options to choose preferred languages (20 languages included till now).
• Tele-MANAS will be organised in two tier system:
• Tier 1: It comprises of state Tele-MANAS cells which include trained counsellors and mental health specialists.
• Tier 2: It will comprise of specialists at District Mental Health Programme (DMHP)/Medical College resources for physical consultation and/or e-Sanjeevani for audio visual consultation.
• Services offered by Tele MANAS:
• Tele counselling by trained counsellors.
• Tele Consultation by Mental Health professionals when required.
• Referral Services to other Mental Health Establishments such as Medical Colleges, District Mental Health Program (DMHP) services and speciality institutes.

About National Mental Health Programme (NMHP):

• The Government of India has launched the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in 1982, with the following objectives:
• To ensure the availability and accessibility of minimum mental healthcare for all in the foreseeable future, particularly to the most vulnerable and underprivileged sections of the population;
• To encourage the application of mental health knowledge in general healthcare and in social development;
• To promote community participation in the mental health service development and to stimulate efforts towards self-help in the community.
• The District Mental Health Program (DMHP) was launched under NMHP in the year 1996. The DMHP was based on ‘Bellary Model’ with the following components:
• Early detection & treatment.
• Training: imparting short term training to general physicians for diagnosis and treatment of common mental illnesses with limited number of drugs under guidance of specialist. The Health workers are being trained in identifying mentally ill persons.
• IEC: Public awareness generation.
• Monitoring: the purpose is for simple Record Keeping.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology said that Jammu is going to pioneer India's first Cannabis Medicine Project.

About Cannabis Medicine Project:

• ‘Cannabis Research Project’ of CSIR-IIIM Jammu is a first of its kind in India initiated under the leadership of Science & Technology Ministry in Private Public Partnership with a Canadian firm, which has a great potential to put substance of abuse for the good of mankind especially for patients suffering from neuropathies, cancer and epilepsy, malignancies.
• This project of CSIR-IIIM is also important from the perspective of Atma- Nirbhar Bharat as it will be able to produce export quality drugs meant for different kinds of neuropathies, diabetic pains etc.
• This project will explore the therapeutic properties of Cannabis, a plant which is otherwise prohibited and known for abuse.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.