Daily Current Affairs MCQ- March 18, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Recent study showed that ancient ecosystem of Lake Baikal is at risk of global warming.

• It is located in the southern part of eastern Siberia within the republic of Russia.
• It is the oldest existing freshwater lake on Earth (20 million–25 million years old), as well as the deepest continental body of water.
• It had its start in the time of the dinosaurs and began to take its modern form well before the appearance of the Homininae. 
• It is having a maximum depth of 5,315 feet (1,620 metres).
• It is also the world’s largest freshwater lake by volume, containing about one-fifth of the fresh water on Earth’s surface.
• Into Lake Baikal more than 330 rivers and streams flow.
• The largest of which include the Selenga, Barguzin, Upper (Verkhnyaya) Angara, Chikoy, and Uda.
• It is known as the 'Galapagos of Russia', its age and isolation have produced one of the world's richest and most unusual freshwater faunas, which is of exceptional value to evolutionary science.
• In 1996 Lake Baikal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hence both statements are correct.

The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) uses ‘modelled pathways’ to estimate what it will take to limit the warming of the earth’s surface and these pathways are drawn using Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs).

• These are complex models that examine possible futures of the energy and climate system and economies.
• They are “integrated” because they combine different strands of knowledge to model human society alongside parts of the Earth system.
• Its macroeconomic models can point to future growth levels in terms of GDP; its energy models can project future consumption; vegetation models can examine land-use changes; and earth-system models use the laws of physics to understand how climate evolves.
• With such integration across disciplines, IAMs are meant to provide policy-relevant guidelines on climate action.
• They prioritise least-cost assessments — for example, the absolute cost of setting up a solar plant or undertaking afforestation in India is lower than in the U.S.
• However, experts have said they could exercise the option of enabling countries to equitably share the burden of action, where the richest undertake more drastic mitigation action more immediately.
• They capture human-society interactions by describing them as coupled systems on the relevant geographical and intertemporal scales for policy-making.
• They typically include a description of human activity (e.g. energy and land use), direct drivers of environmental change (e.g. emissions, land use and resource use), resulting impacts (e.g. climate change and consequences for crop yields) and response options.
• Significance
• The most common use of IAMs is in the field of climate mitigation.
• A key purpose of IAMs is to provide orientation knowledge for the deliberation of future climate action strategies by policymakers, civil society and the private sector.

Hence both statements are correct.

Indian Army contingent departed for Seychelles to participate in the Tenth edition of Joint Military Exercise “LAMITIYE-2024”.

• It is a joint military exercise between the Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF).
• ‘LAMITIYE’ meaning ‘Friendship’ in the Creole language is a biennial training event and has been conducted in Seychelles since 2001.
• 45 personnel each from the GORKHA RIFLES of the Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) will participate in the 2024 exercise.
• The aim of the Exercise is to enhance interoperability in Sub-conventional Operations in Semi-Urban environment under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter on Peace Keeping Operations.
• The Exercise will enhance cooperation and interoperability between both the sides during Peace Keeping Operations. The exercise will also build and promote bilateral military relations in addition to exchanging skills, experiences and good practices between both armies.
• Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well-developed tactical drills for neutralization of likely threats that may be encountered in Semi-Urban environment, while exploiting and showcasing new-generation equipment and technology.
• The exercise will contribute immensely in developing mutual understanding and magnify jointness between the troops of both the Armies.

Hence option (a) is the correct answer.

The tightening of compliance regulations by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may prompt banks to lean towards collaborating with larger fintech companies for co-branded credit card partnerships.

• It is a card that is issued jointly by a card-issuer and a co-branding entity bearing the names of both the partnering entities.
• These cards typically bear the logos of both the credit card company and the retailer.
• Usage: They can be used in any location where the card network is accepted, not just with the co-branding retailer.
• Features: They typically come with rewards or other benefits that are tied specifically to purchases made at the co-branding retailer, and usually offer rewards or benefits for general purchases as well.
• Recognition: The retailer's logo and the card network's logo usually appear on the card.

How Co-Branded Cards Work?

• Co-branded cards work like any normal credit card. They can be used for any purchase wherever cards in that network (such as Mastercard, Visa, American Express, or Discover) are accepted.
• Co-branded card relationships can be structured in a variety of ways. But basically, in order to issue a co-branded credit card, a merchant (such as a department store, gas station, or airline) or another organization (like a university or nonprofit) must partner with a financial institution, which provides the actual credit.

Hence both statements are not correct.

The Delhi High Court recently cancelled a trademark registration titled “Dolma Aunty Momos” in the name of one Mohammed Akram Khan, after Dolma Tsering moved court against him for using her trademark.

About ’Passing off’ under Trademark Rules:

• Passing off action basically refers to the unauthorised use of goods, services, and the goodwill attached to another person’s business, which would amount to misrepresentation.
• The notion of Passing off in the Indian Trademarks Act, 1999, seeks to safeguard the goodwill associated with unregistered trademarks.  
• When the trademark has been registered by the owner and infringement happens, then it becomes a suit for infringement, but if the trademark has not been registered by the owner and infringement happens, then it becomes a case of passing off.
• Passing off is a common law tort which occurs when a person sells his products as the goods of another, wherein the trademark owner can take legal action to remedy this violation.
• While passing off is not defined under the Indian Trademarks Act 1999, Section 27 recognizes the common law rights of a Trademark owner wherein the owner can initiate legal proceedings against any person for passing off goods or services as the goods of another person or as services provided by another person. 
• Passing off occurs when there is illegal use of a trademark or trade name in such a way that the public is misled into believing that the products or services supplied by one party are genuinely those of another.
• This misrepresentation can harm the goodwill and reputation of the legitimate owner of the trademark. 
• Establishing passing off can be difficult since claimants must demonstrate the possibility of public misunderstanding about the origin of the products or services.
• The essential question in passing off cases is whether the defendant’s behavior is such that it causes uncertainty and possibly harms the plaintiff’s goodwill.
• Passing off encompasses a larger variety of commercial operations, including trade, business, and non-business initiatives, in addition to commodities and services.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

The foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has affected around 60% of milch cattle in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh.

About Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD):

• It is a highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact. The disease affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.
• It does not affect horses, dogs, or cats.  
• Intensively reared animals are more susceptible to the disease than traditional breeds.
• It is a transboundary animal disease (TAD) that deeply affects the production of livestock and disrupts regional and international trade in animals and animal products.
• It is also not related to hand, foot and mouth disease, which is a common childhood illness caused by a different virus.
• The organism which causes FMD is an aphthovirus of the family Picornaviridae.
• There are seven strains (A, O, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3, and Asia1) which are endemic in different countries worldwide. 
• Immunity to one type does not protect an animal against other types or subtypes.
• FMD is characterised by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats, and between the hooves.
• The disease is rarely fatal in adult animals, but there is often high mortality in young animals.
• The disease causes severe production losses, and while the majority of affected animals recover, the disease often leaves them weakened and debilitated.
• It was the first disease for which the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE) established official status recognition. 

Hence both statements are not correct.

The Supreme Court recently granted interim anticipatory bail to a Muslim poet from Assam accused of posting an obscene poem about Hindu deities Lord Ram and Sita.

About Interim Bail:

• It is a temporary form of bail granted during the pendency of an application for anticipatory or regular bail. 
• It provides a brief respite for the accused, temporarily releasing them from custody.
• It is conditional and can be extended based on the circumstances.
• If the interim bail expires and the accused fails to meet the requirements for its continuation or pay the necessary amount, their right to freedom is revoked, and they may be retaken into custody.
• It serves as an interim measure until a final decision is made on the bail application, preventing unnecessary detention of the accused during this period.
• In the case of Sukhwant Singh & Ors v. State of Punjab, the Supreme Court held that the interim bail is a measure especially to safeguard the reputation of an accused. Also, the court has the inherent power to grant bail to a person whose bail application is still pending for disposal.
• If the accused’s request for anticipatory bail or interim bail is denied by the court, the police may detain him without a warrant. 
• The ability of the High Court and Sessions Court to grant anticipatory bail is covered under Section 438 of the CrPC.
• As per S.438 CrPC, the court has to consider the following in order to decide whether to reject the anticipatory bail application or to give an interim relief order:
• The nature and gravity of the accusation
• The background and criminal history of the accused, which include previous imprisonment due to any cognizable offence.
• Probability of the accused escaping from justice
• If there is a possibility that the intention behind the allegations made against the accused is to injure and degrade the accused through his arrest.

Hence both statements are correct.

North Korea recently fired short-range ballistic missiles towards its eastern waters as the United States Secretary of State prepared to open a democracy summit in neighbouring South Korea.

About Ballistic Missiles:

• A ballistic missile is a rocket-propelled, self-guided strategic-weapons system that follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver a payload from its launch site to a predetermined target.
• They are powered initially by a rocket or series of rockets in stages, but then follow an unpowered trajectory that arches upwards before descending to reach its intended target.
• They can carry conventional high explosives as well as chemical, biological, or nuclear munitions.
• They can be launched from aircraft, ships, and submarines, in addition to land-based silos and mobile platforms.
• There are four general classifications of ballistic missiles based on their range, or the maximum distance the missile can travel:
• Short-range: less than 1,000 kilometers (approximately 620 miles), also known as “tactical” ballistic missiles.
• Medium-range: between 1,000 and 3,000 kilometers (approximately 620-1,860 miles), also known as “theater” ballistic missiles.
• Intermediate-range: between 3,000 and 5,500 kilometers (approximately 1,860-3,410 miles)
• Long-range: more than 5,500 kilometers (approximately 3,410 miles), also known as intercontinental or strategic ballistic missiles.
• Short- and medium-range ballistic missiles are referred to as theater ballistic missiles, whereas ICBMs, or long-range ballistic missiles, are described as strategic ballistic missiles. 

Hence option c is the correct answer.

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of Scheme for Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) for export of Apparel/Garments and Made ups upto 31st March 2026.

• It aims to reimburse all embedded State and Central Taxes/Levies for exports of manufactured goods and garments.
• It has been established as a successor for the old "Rebate of State Levies (RoSL) Scheme.
• The difference between RoSL & RoSCTL Scheme is that under RoSL Scheme, there was no benefit on the central tax and Levies. But in the RoSCTL scheme, the exporter will get rebate of both State and Central tax and Levies.
• Objective: To compensate for the State and Central Taxes and Levies in addition to the Duty Drawback Scheme on export of apparel/ garments and Made-ups by way of rebate.
• The rebate under the Scheme shall be in the form of duty credit scrips.
• The scrips shall be issued electronically on Customs system.
• The duty credit scrips shall be used for payment of Basic Customs Duty on import of goods. These scrips shall be freely transferable.
• The duty credit available in an e-scrip shall be transferred at a time for the entire amount in the said e-scrip to another person and transfer of the duty credit in part shall not be permitted.
• Validity of e-scrip: The period of validity of the e-scrip, of one year from its creation, shall not change on account of transfer of the e-scrip.
• Eligibility: All exporters of garments/Apparel and made-ups manufactured in India are eligible to take benefit under this scheme, except entities/ IECs under the Denied Entity List of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
• Implementing agency: It has been notified by the Ministry of Textiles. However, the scheme shall be implemented by the Department of Revenue.

Hence both statements are correct.

Manipur boasts a rich cultural heritage but some of its invaluable art forms like Subika paintings are on the brink of extinction due to neglect.

• It a style of painting which is intricately linked to the Meitei community’s cultural history.
• It is surviving through its six manuscripts — Subika, Subika Achouba, Subika Laishaba, Subika Choudit, Subika Cheithil and Thengrakhel Subika.
• Although the royal chronicle, Cheitharol Kumbaba, doesn’t mention a specific founder, there is a possibility that this art form existed when the writing tradition was introduced in the state.
• Experts estimate the use of Subika paintings since the 18th or 19th century.

Key points about Subika Laisaba

• The painting of Subika Laisaba is a composition of cultural motifs made by pre-existing features and other influences stimulated from their cultural worldviews.
• Among the six manuscripts, Subika Laishaba represents a direct and authentic continuation of the Meitei cultural tradition depicted through visual images.
• The illustrations of Subika Laishaba have visual language from the elements such as lines, shapes, forms, colours, and patterns.
• These visual images become Meitei’s cultural motif, structure to create visual effects as well as express cultural significance meaning and values.
• The visual images found in this manuscript are painted on handmade paper.
• It is also found that materials of manuscript are prepared indigenously either handmade paper or barks of tree.

Hence option a is the correct answer.