Daily Current Affairs MCQ- June 26, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

• Seaweeds are macroalgae attached to rock or other substrata and are found in coastal areas. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• They are classified as chlorophyta (green), rhodophyta (red) and phaeophyta (brown) on the basis of their pigmentation.
  • Among them, chlorophyta holds more potential components — carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and bioactive compounds.
• Seaweeds are rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.
• When waste from agriculture, industries, aquaculture and households are let into the ocean, it causes nutrient imbalance leading to algal blooming, the sign of marine chemical damage.
  • Seaweeds absorb the excess nutrients and balance out the ecosystem.
  • Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• They can be used in development of Supercapacitors.
  • Recently, Scientists at the Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) have created a supercapacitor by using cellulose nanofibers derived from seaweed, the team successfully created an anodic paper supercapacitor.
  • Hence, statement 2 is correct.

One District One Product Initiative

Background:

• The concept of ODOP was first launched by the Uttar Pradesh government in January 2018. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The scheme was successful in reviving the traditional industries and crafts of the state, such as chikankari embroidery, brassware, pottery, carpets, leather goods, etc.
  • Inspired by it, the central government adopted the concept and launched it as a national initiative.

Implementation:

• The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) implements the scheme for the food processing sector.
• The Ministry of Textile inaugurated the ‘Lota Shop’ at National Crafts Museum, New Delhi under the Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Limited (CCIC) to showcase and sell the products of ODOP scheme.
• The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) also aligned its Districts as an Export Hub initiative with ONOP to boost exports.
  • Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Status of the Fisheries Sector in India:

About:

• India is the 2nd major producer of fish through aquaculture in the world. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• India is the 4th largest exporter of fish in the world as it contributes 7.7% to the global fish production. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • Also, India ranks 1st in inland capture fish production and 3rd in overall fish production in the world. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• Currently, this sector provides livelihood to more than 2.8 crore people within the country.

PM-KISAN:

• About:
  • Under the scheme, the Centre transfers an amount of Rs 6,000 per year, in three equal installments, directly into the bank accounts of all landholding farmers irrespective of the size of their land holdings. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • It was launched in February 2019.
• Funding and Implementation:
  • It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • It is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Identification of Beneficiaries:
  • The entire responsibility of identification of beneficiary farmer families rests with the State / UT Governments.
• Objective:
  • To supplement the financial needs of the Small and Marginal Farmers in procuring various inputs to ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm income at the end of each crop cycle.
  • To protect them from falling in the clutches of moneylenders for meeting such expenses and ensure their continuance in the farming activities.
• PM-KISAN Mobile App:
  • The PM-KISAN is also integrating with Bhashini to provide farmers information in their native language. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  • The PM-KISAN Mobile App developed and designed by the National Informatics Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has been launched.

Canary Islands:

• The Canary Islands of Spain consist of an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Canaries comprise the Spanish provinces of Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The Canary Islands were formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago.
• Hence, option A is correct.

In News: Recently ,India and UAE signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Authorised Economic Operators .
Statement 1 is correct : The Mutual recognition arrangement comes as the continuation of historic India-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The CEPA is the first deep and full-fledged FTA signed by India with any country in the past decade.
Statement 2 is not correct : India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to increase non-petroleum trade from $48 billion to $100 billion by 2030.

• Statement 1 is not correct: Rice is one of the most important food crops and feeds more than 60 per cent of the population of India. It is India’s largest agricultural crop (accounting for over 40% of the total foodgrain output). India is the world’s biggest exporter (around 40% of the world’s export). India is the 2nd largest rice producer in the world after China.
• Statement 2 is not correct: Joha is a short-grain winter paddy known for its significant aroma and noteworthy taste. It is cultivated in the Northeastern region of India. Assam's aromatic Joha rice has also got the GI (geographical indications) tag.
• Statement 3 is correct:The Joha variety of rice is found to be effective in lowering blood glucose and preventing diabetes is an effective nutraceutical of choice in diabetes management. The research explored the nutraceutical properties of aromatic Joha rice. They detected two unsaturated fatty acids viz., linoleic acid (omega-6) and linolenic (omega-3) acid.

The Atlantic Declaration:
The United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the United States (US) President Joe Biden recently signed “The Atlantic Declaration: A Framework for a Twenty-First Century US-UK Economic Partnership”.
Hence statements 1 and 2 are not correct and statement 3 is correct.
About:
The Atlantic Declaration is a symbolic representation of the political will in the UK and US to work together on critical areas and make this alliance ready for the future.
The new partnership:
Declared as the first of its kind, the declaration and its action plans are expected to promote a “new type of innovative partnership” to cover all areas of cooperation including technology, economy and trade.
While deepening the trade and investment relations, the declaration is also expected to strengthen the UK-US cooperation in sectors like defence, health, space, and science.

In News: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), has simplified and liberalised the policy for export of Drones/UAVs meant for civilian end uses from India.
Statement 1 is correct:
SCOMET list:
SCOMET is an acronym for Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies. The list deals with the dual-use items that can be used for both civilian and military applications.
India’s Foreign Trade Policy regulates the export of items on the SCOMET List.
The exporter must obtain a licence from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce, to export SCOMET.
Statement 2 is correct:
ITCHS classification:
Indian Trade Classification based on the Harmonized System (ITCHS) was adopted in India for import-export operations.
Indian custom uses eight digit ITC-HS Codes.
ITC-HS Codes Schedules:ITC-HS codes are divided into two schedules.
Schedule I describes the rules and guidelines related to import policies
Schedule II describes the rules and regulations related to export policies.
 

All three statements are correct: NASA's Artemis program is an effort to place astronauts on the lunar surface and develop an ongoing presence there. Through the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon.
The program's name is derived from Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon and twin sister to Apollo.
The most ambitious of the Artemis mission's objectives involves using the moon as a stepping stone for a mission to Mars. NASA aims to send astronauts there by the 2030s.
For crewed Artemis missions, the rocket will launch the Orion spacecraft to the moon.
Orion is a space capsule larger than the Apollo command modules that are designed to carry four astronauts on missions to the moon.
Artemis 1 (2022): The first mission was uncrewed to test the safety of the SLS rocket, and the Orion capsule's ability to reach the moon, perform in lunar orbit and return to Earth for an ocean splashdown. The mission was completed successfully.
Artemis 2 (2024): Carrying the first four Artemis astronauts, the Orion capsule will take the crew farther from Earth than humans have ever traveled before. Over the approximately 10-day mission, the crew will complete a lunar flyby and return to Earth, evaluating the spacecraft's systems while carrying humans.
Artemis 3 (2025): This will see the next man and first woman step onto the lunar surface. Providing previous missions have been successful, the astronauts will shoot towards the moon, using the lunar lander to lower two people to the moon's south polar region. They will remain on the moon for around a week.