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

Stonehenge is indeed located on Salisbury Plain in England and was built in six stages between 3000 and 1520 BCE. However, the primary materials used in its construction are sarsen stones and bluestones (a type of dolerite), not limestone.

Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary is indeed a dry evergreen forest located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The Indian leopard is considered the indicator species of this sanctuary, highlighting its ecological significance.

The Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Case involves a dispute over the Shahi Idgah mosque, which was constructed by Emperor Aurangzeb and is located in Mathura. This city is traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, hence the significance of the dispute.

The OIC was indeed established in 1969 and has its headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. However, India is not a member of the OIC.

The PACE mission will use advanced polarimeters for studying light, aerosols, and clouds. However, the OCI measures the ocean’s color across a spectrum from ultraviolet to shortwave infrared, not just visible light.

Statement 1 is correct; ETFs are indeed collections of investments like equities or bonds and are traded on stock exchanges. Statement 2 is not always true; while ETFs can be more tax-efficient than actively managed mutual funds, this is not a universal rule and depends on various factors, including the specific ETF and mutual fund in question.

Recently, INS Tarmugli, a Fast Attack Craft has been commissioned into the Navy at a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.

• It is the first Follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC), is an improved version of WJFAC, earlier constructed by GRSE.
• It is built by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE).
• It is conceived, designed and built indigenously.
• It would be deployed for coastal patrol and surveillance operations along the East Coast of India.
• It is named after a picturesque island in the Andaman group.
• Capacity and speed: It has carrying capacity of 320-tonne measuring 48 meters in length, can achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots.
• Features
• The ship is capable of operating in shallow waters at high speeds and is equipped with enhanced fire power.
• It is built for extended coastal and offshore surveillance and patrol the warship.
• It is fitted with advanced MTU engines, water jet propulsion and the latest communication equipment.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

Recently, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Zonal Unit, Lucknow, seized 436 baby Indian Tent turtles from a person illegally transporting them interstate.

• The Indian tent turtle (Pangshura tentoria) is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. 
• It is an active swimmer and mainly herbivorous species.
• Habitat: Its habitats include still water pools on river side and slow running water near the river banks.
• Distribution: The species is native to India, Nepal and Bangladesh, with three subspecies recorded from the region viz., P. t. tentoria, P. t. circumdata and P. t. flaviventer.
• The size of the carapace ranges from 20 cm to 26.5 cm depending upon the subspecies.
• The colour of the turtles also varies according to each subspecies.
• Conservation status
• Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule 1
• IUCN Status: Least Concern.
• CITES: Appendix II.
• Major Threats: Due to the attractive appearance of the species, they are illegally traded in the pet market.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, Mumps cases in children are on rise in the states of Maharashtra, Hyderabad and Telangana which has become a cause of concern for parents. 

• It is a contagious disease caused by a paramyxovirus.
• It can cause the parotid glands, the ones on each side of the face to swell and they may also be tender or painful
• It is an acute disease which infects children and young adults.
• Humans are the only known host for mumps virus, which is spread via direct contact or by airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract of infected individuals.
• Symptoms
• After an incubation period of some 2 to 4 weeks mumps begins with non-specific symptoms such as myalgia, headache, malaise and low-grade fever.
• Within days, these symptoms are followed by unilateral or bilateral swelling of the parotid salivary glands, with other salivary glands affected in 10% of cases.
• Normally mumps is a mild, self-limiting disease and disappears without sequelae.
• However, complications may occur such as encephalitis or sensorineural deafness.
• Orchitis (a painful inflammation of the testes) occurs in 20% of young adult males who develop mumps.
• Treatment: There is no specific treatment for mumps. The various symptoms may be relieved with medicines.
• Prevention: The best way to protect kids is to make sure they're immunized against mumps.

Hence both statements are correct.

NASA is gearing up to enhance our understanding of Earth’s atmosphere with the upcoming Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission, scheduled for launch in early 2024.

• The mission will employ advanced polarimeters to study the interplay of light, aerosols, and clouds, contributing to a deeper comprehension of their impact on air quality and climate.
• The PACE mission will not only analyze aerosols but also delve into studying the color ofthe ocean.
• The primary science instrument for PACE is the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) which is designed to measure the ocean’s color across a spectrum from ultraviolet to shortwaveinfrared.
• It will feature two polarimeters – the Spectro-polarimeter for Planetary Exploration (SPEXone) and the Hyper Angular Research Polarimeter (HARP2).
• These two working together will offer complementary spectral and angular sampling, polarimetric accuracy, and spatial coverage.
• This combination aims to provide improved atmospheric correction and a comprehensive range of aerosol and cloud science data beyond what the OCI alone could achieve.
• The synergistic payload of OCI, SPEXone and HARP2 is poised to make significant breakthroughs in aerosol-cloud-ocean research.

What are aerosols?

• These include tiny particles like smoke, dust, and pollutants may seem inconspicuous, but they play a crucial role in influencing our climate.
• Aerosols absorb and scatter sunlight, determining the amount of solar energy reaching Earth’s surface.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.