Daily Current Affairs MCQ- January 15, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Recently, an official delegation from the Department of Science and Technology visited Mauna Kea to discuss “challenges” to the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project. 

• It has been conceived as a 30-metre diameter primary-mirror optical and infrared telescope that will enable observations into deep space.
• It is proposed as a joint collaboration involving institutions in the U.S., Japan, China, Canada, and India.
• It will be the world’s most advanced and capable ground-based optical, near-infrared, and mid-infrared observatory.
• It will integrate the latest innovations in precisions control, segmented mirror design, and adaptive optics.
• At the heart of the telescope is the segmented mirror, made up of 492 individual segments. Precisely aligned, these segments will work as a single reflective surface of 30m diameter.
• Location: Mauna Kea, an inactive volcano on the island of Hawai’i in the United States.

Hence both statements are correct.

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Cabo Verde (also known as Cape Verde) as a malaria-free country.

• It is also known as Cape Verde which comprises a group of islands that lie off the west coast of Africa.
• It is located nearby Senegal and is the nearest point on the continent. 
• This volcanic archipelago includes ten islands and five islets, divided into the windward (Barlavento) and leeward (Sotavento) groups. 
• Climate: Generally moderate, the climate is characterized by stable temperatures with extreme aridity. 
• The terrain of the Cabo Verde islands varies from the geologically older, flatter islands in the east and the newer, more mountainous islands in the west. 
• Population: The overwhelming majority of the population of Cabo Verde is of mixed European and African descent and is often referred to as mestiço or Crioulo.
• Capital: Praia
• Languages: Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole

Hence both statements are correct.

Himalayan Wolf has been assessed for the first time in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List and categorised as ‘Vulnerable’.

• The Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco), a prominent lupine predator found across the Himalayas.
• It is also called as Tibetan wolves, which live at more than 4,000 metres altitudes are genetically distinct from grey wolves.
• Living at such high altitudes, these wolves have genetically adapted themselves to live in low oxygen (hypoxic) conditions. 
• Distribution:
• In China, the Himalayan wolf lives on the Tibetan Plateau in the provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, Tibet, and western Sichuan.
• In northern India, it occurs in the Union Territory of Ladakh and in the Lahaul and Spiti region in northeastern Himachal Pradesh.
• Conservation status
• IUCN: Vulnerable
• CITES: Appendix I
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
• Threats: It is illegally hunted for trade in its fur and body parts including paws, tongues, heads, and other parts. 

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra has been designated as India's first Dark Sky Park and the fifth in Asia, protecting the night sky and preventing light pollution.

About India’s First Dark Sky Park:

• The Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra is India's first Dark Sky Park within a tiger reserve for earmarking areas around the park that restrict light pollution for stargazers to access pristine dark skies.
• Dark Sky Place certification focuses on lighting policy, dark sky-friendly retrofits, outreach and education, and monitoring the night sky.
• This designation positions PTR as a sanctuary where tourists can witness celestial spectacles, shielded from the intrusion of artificial light pollution.
• PTR became the fifth such park in Asia. 
• The certification was given by the International Dark-Sky Association, a global dark-sky movement to promote astronomy.

Key Facts about Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR):

• Location: The Reserve is located in the southern reaches of the Satpura hills in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh and continues in Nagpur district in Maharashtra as a separate Sanctuary. 
• It is named after the Pench River, which flows from north to south through the Reserve.
• It comprisesthe Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park, the Pench Mowgli Sanctuary, and a buffer.
• The area of the Pench Tiger Reserve and the surrounding area is the real story area of Rudyard Kipling's famous "The Jungle Book". 
• Terrain: It is undulating, with most of the area covered by small hills and steep slopes on the sides. 
• Vegetation: The undulating topography supports a mosaic of vegetation ranging from a moist sheltered valley to an open, dry deciduous forest.
• Flora: The reserve boasts a diverse range of flora, including teak, saag, mahua, and various grasses and shrubs.
• Fauna:
• The area is especially famous for large herds of Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Gaur (Indian Bison), and wild boar.
• The key predator is the tiger, followed by leopard, wild dogs, and wolf.
• There are over 325 species of resident and migratory birds, including the Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Pitta, Osprey, Grey-Headed Fishing Eagle, White-Eyed Buzzard, etc.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Archaeologists in Egypt recently unearthed tombs containing mummy masks and a 'god of silence' statue at Saqqara.

About Saqqara:

• It is part of the necropolis (burial place) of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis.
• It is located on the western bank of the Nile, 40 kilometers south of Cairo, the capital of Egypt.
• Saqqara’s name derives from the name of the burial god Sokar.
• It was an active burial ground for more than 3500 years and is Egypt’s largest archaeological site. 
• It is where the transition from the use of the mastaba (ancient Egyptian tombs, in the form of a massive brick or stone mound with battered walls on a rectangular base) as a burial site to the pyramid design that is more popularly known today took place.
• Sakkara is best known for the Step Pyramid, the oldest of Egypt's 97 pyramids.
• It was built in 2700 BC for King Djoser (Zoser) of the 3rd Dynasty by the architect and genius Imhotep, who was the first to build stone tombsin honor of the king's majesty.
• Today, it is considered one of the oldest stone structures built by man, and it was the first time the Ancient Egyptians would attempt to use limestone. 
• Zoserís Pyramid is entirely built of limestone, small bricks of limestone, and not of the best quality, and yet it has remained for more than 4700 years.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

Taking note of the history and legacy of the Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan, the Supreme Court recently issued directions for its protection against blasting activities.

About Chittorgarh Fort:

• Built by local Maurya rulers in the 7th century A.D., the Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan is one of the largest forts in India. 
• The common belief is that Chitrangada Mori, the local Maurya ruler, developed the fort originally. Later, the fort was captured by the Mewar rulers in 728 CE. 
• It used to be the capital of the Mewar rulers.
• It is situated on a 180-meter-high hill that rises from the banks of river Berach.
• The Fort has been witness to several legendary warriors in Indian history, including Badal, Gora, Maharana Pratap, Rana Kumbha, Patta, and Jaimal, among others.
• It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.
• Features:
• The fort is known for its seven gates, namely Padan Gate, Ganesh Gate, Hanuman Gate, Bhairon Gate, Jodla Gate, Lakshman Gate, and the main gate, which is named after Lord Ram.
• These gates were built to protect the fort from the enemy attacks, and the arches even protect the elephants from entering.
• Sprawling across 700 acres and a circumference of 13 km, the fort has a kilometre-long road that takes up to the rampart after passing through the seven gates.
• The walls are made of lime mortar and rise up to 500 metres above ground level.
• The fort houses four palaces, 19 temples, including Jain and Hindu temples, 20 water bodies, and four memorials.
• Jauhar Mela:
• Every year, a Jauhar Mela is held in Chittorgarh.
• This Rajput festival celebrates the anniversary of one of the jauhars.
• Though there’s no specific name given, it is believed that the fair commemorates Rani Padmini’s jauhar and celebrates Rajputana valour.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Researchers from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) found a new butterfly species in Karnataka’s Bramhagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Kodagu. 

• The butterfly species -- Conjoined Silverline (Cigaritis conjuncta) found from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India. 
• Features
• The new butterfly is the size of a one rupee coin but is invaluable to conservationists.
• It is endemic to mid-elevation evergreen forests of the Western Ghats.
• It has fused spots and bands on the underside of wings, and shiny silver lines in the centre of those bands.
• The two sites where they have been located are at an elevation of 900 meters (Iruppu Falls) and 1,300 meters (Honey Valley).
• India houses more than 1,400 species of butterflies, but very few new ones have been discovered in the last few decades.

Key points about the Bramhagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is situated in southern side in Kodagu district of Karnataka.
• It is named after the highest peak of the sanctuary is called Brahmagiri Hill.
• River: River Laxmantirtha, a very important tributary of river Cauvery originates in it.
• Vegetation: It is covered with semi evergreen to wet evergreen forests with high altitude grassland shoal forests.
• Flora: Rosewood, Nandi, Mathi, Honne, Sura Honne, White Cedar, Red Cedar and Saldhupa etc.
• Fauna: Tiger, Elephants, and Indian Gaur are the big mammals commonly found here.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

In a bid to reduce cases of cervical cancer, the government is likely to roll out an immunisation campaign against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in the second quarter of the year. 

• It starts in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb).
• In a small percentage of people the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells.
• Causes
• Various strains of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) play a role in causing most cervical cancer.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection which can affect the skin, genital area and throat. 
• When exposed to HPV, the body's immune system typically prevents the virus from harming.
• Types of HPV Vaccines available
• Quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil): It protects against four types of HPV (HPV 16, 18, 6 and 11). 
• Bivalent vaccine (Cervarix): It protects against HPV 16 and 18 only.
• Non-valent vaccine (Gardasil 9): It protects against nine strains of HPV.

Hence both statements are correct.

I-STEM (Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering facilities Map) is launching the Samavesha project at IISc., Bengaluru, on January 16 to enhance research collaboration in India by enhancing accessibility to facilities and labs.

• I-STEM (Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering facilities Map) is an initiative of the Office of Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India.
• It is developed with the concept “One Nation One Portal” for the scientific community, aimed at “Linking Researchers and Resources”.
• It assists users to locate the specific facility they need for their R&D work and identify the one that is either located closest to them or available the soonest.
• The organisation, acting as custodian of the facility may charge the fee for running and maintaining the resources beyond the Project Duration.
• A panel of Experts will be formed in due course to assist the users by providing information to optimally utilise resources available through I-STEM’s S&T Chat Room.
• A Digital Catalogue of Technologies and Technologies Products mandated by the Empowered Technology Group is an integral part of the I-STEM web portal.
• A platform for conducting and hosting industry challenges as mandated by the Empowered Technology Group (ETG) is being developed for Start-ups and Academia for making India “Aatmnirbhar”.
• Through a recent GoI directive, institutions with R&D facilities funded by agencies of the GoI are now mandated to list these facilities on the I-STEM Portal.
• I-STEM protects the IP involved in building the I-STEM Portal, a provisional patent application entitled, "A method and process for efficient use of geographically dispersed resources", has been filed with the Indian Patent Office.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The submission deadline for ANUBHAV Awards Scheme 2024 is March 31, 2024. 

• It recognizes the contribution made by Retired Officials to Nation building while working in Government and to document the administrative history of India by written narratives.
• The ANUBHAV Portal, established in March 2015, serves as an online platform for retiring and retired government employees to share their experiences. 
• The portal was launched by Government of India, Ministry of personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Pension & Pensioners' welfare.
• Objectives
• It aims to create a database of significant suggestions and work experiences.
• It channelise the human resource of retiring employees for nation building.
• Enable Ministries/ Departments to take crucial steps while considering useful and replicable suggestions.
• Eligibility: To participate in the scheme, retiring Central Government employees/pensioners are required to submit their Anubhav write ups, 8 months prior to retirement and up to 1 year after their retirement.
• Thereafter, the write-ups will be published after assessment by concerned Ministries/Departments. The published write-ups will be shortlisted for Anubhav Awards and Jury Certificates.
• Each ANUBHAV Awardees will be felicitated with a medal and certificate and a Prize of 10,000 rupees, where as a Jury certificate Winner will be presented with a medal and a certificate.
• Till date, 54 ANUBHAV awards have been conferred from 2016 to 2023.

Hence both statements are correct.