Daily Current Affairs MCQ- May 1, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

A team of researchers used machine learning tools to recently confirm evidence of a previously unknown planet outside our solar system.

About Machine Learning:

• What is it? It is a branch of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer science which focuses on the use of data and algorithms to imitate the way that humans learn, gradually improving its accuracy.
• It gives computers the capability to learn without being explicitly programmed.
• It enables computers to learn automatically from past data.
• Machine learning uses various algorithms for building mathematical models and making predictions using historical data or information.
• Features of Machine learning:
• It is a data driven technology. Large amount of data generated by organizations on daily bases. So, by notable relationships in data, organizations makes better decisions.
• Machine can learn itself from past data and automatically improve.
• From the given dataset it detects various patterns on data.
• It is similar to data mining because it is also deals with the huge amount of data.

Hence both statements are correct.

Thickly knitted fishing gill nets have recently caused the death of another Gangetic Dolphin in the Bhagirathi River.

About Gangetic Dolphin:

• It is a freshwater species and one of the few river dolphins found in the world.
• It inhabits the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
• Common Names: Blind dolphin, Ganges dolphin, Ganges susu, hihu, side-swimming dolphin, South Asian River Dolphin
• Scientific name:Platanista gangetica
• The Gangetic Dolphin has been recognized as India's National Aquatic Animal.
• Description:
• A long thin snout, rounded belly, stocky body and large flippers are characteristics of the Ganges River dolphin.
• It feeds majorly on fishes and is are usually found in counter-current systems of the main river channel.
• Its eyes lack lens, and as a result, this species is also referred to as the "blind dolphin".
• They have a highly developed bio-sonar system that facilitates them to hunt for fish even in murky waters.
• Being a mammal, the Ganges River dolphin cannot breathe in the water and must surface every 30-120 seconds. Because of the sound it produces when breathing, the animal is popularly referred to as the 'Susu'.
• Conservation status:
• IUCN: Endangered
• Wildlife (Protection) Act: Schedule-I 
• CITES: Appendix I

Hence both statements are correct.

Sudan’s eruption into conflict has left international consumer goods makers racing to shore up supplies of gum Arabic, one of the country’s most sought-after products and a key ingredient in everything from fizzy drinks to candy and cosmetics.

• Gum Arabic is the natural gum exuded by various species of Acacia trees.
• The main source of commercial gum Arabic is Acacia Senegal L.willd.and Acacia seyal trees.
• Distribution: 
• The trees are native to North Africa and grow mainly in the sub-Saharan or Sahel zone of Africa and also in Australia, India and South America. 
• It is found in some parts of India mainly in the dry rocky hills of southeast Punjab, in the northern Aravalli hills and other drier parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• Major producing countries:  Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Nigeria and Sudan (market share of about 70%).
• Properties of Gum Arabic
• It is a neutral or slightly acidic salt of a complex polysaccharide containing calcium, magnesium, and potassium cations.
• It is non-toxic, odourless, and has a bland taste and it does not affect the odour, colour or taste of the system in which it is used.
• It is somewhat yellowish in colour.
• It is insoluble in oils and in most organic solvents, but usually dissolves completely in hot or cold water forming a clear, mucilaginous solution

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, the secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (Ministry of Science & Technology) released the “National Manufacturing Innovation Survey (NMIS) 2021-22: Summary for Policymakers.

• National Manufacturing Innovation Survey is a joint study by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
• Aim of the survey: To evaluate the innovation performance of manufacturing firms in India.
• The first National Innovation Survey was held in 2011.
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations with a unique mandate to promote dynamize and accelerate industrial development.  
• It provides support to its 171 Member States through four mandated functions: technical cooperation, action-oriented research and policy-advisory services, normative standards-related activities and fostering partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer.
• India is a member of this organisation.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

According to an article in the journal Science, African Swine Fever (ASF), the livestock illness that has decimated porcine populations across Asia since its advent in China in 2018, could deal a lethal blow to the pygmy hog.

• It is the smallest and rarest species of wild pig in the world.
• It is one of the very few mammals that build its own home, or nest, complete with a ‘roof’.
• It is an indicator species as its presence reflects the health of its primary habitat, tall and wet grasslands.
• Habitat: It prefers undisturbed patches of grassland dominated by early successional riverine communities, typically comprising dense tall grass intermixed with a wide variety of herbs, shrubs and young trees.
• Currently, the viable population of this pig in the wild is in the Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam.
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

Hence both statements are correct.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority Of India (TRAI) recently announced to change the rules regarding fake, promotional calls and SMS to customers.

About Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI):

• It is a regulatory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
• It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India.
• Composition:
• It consists of a Chairperson and not more than two full-time members, and not more than two part-time members.
• The chairperson and the members of TRAI are appointed by the Central Government, and the duration for which they can hold their office is three years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• Government Control over TRAI:
• TRAI is not a completely independent telecom regulator.
• Under section 25 of the Act, it has the power to issue directions which are binding on TRAI.
• The TRAI is also funded by the Central Government. 
• Functions:
• Making recommendations on various issues;
• General administrative and regulatory functions;
• Fixing tariffs and rates for telecom services; and
• Any other functions entrusted by the Central Government.
• The recommendations made by the TRAI are not binding on the Central Government.
• Central Government has to mandatorily ask for recommendations from TRAI with respect to the need and timing of new service providers and the terms and conditions of the licence to be granted to the service provider.
• TRAI also has the power to notify in the official gazette the rates at which telecommunication services are being provided in and outside India.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways recently said that as per the National Hydrogen Mission of the country, Green Hydrogen/Ammonia bunkers and refuelling facilities will be established in all major ports by 2035.

About National Green Hydrogen Mission:

• It was approved by the Union Cabinet on 4 January 2022.
• Aim: To make India a Global Hub for the production, utilization and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.
• The mission outcomes projected by 2030 are:
• Development of green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonnes) per annum with an associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW in the country;
• Over Rs. Eight lakh crore in total investments;
• Creation of over Six lakh jobs;
• Cumulative reduction in fossil fuel imports over Rs. One lakh crore;
• Abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions;

Types of Hydrogen based on Extraction Methods:

• Grey Hydrogen: It is produced via coal or lignite gasification (black or brown), or via a process called steam methane reformation (SMR) of natural gas or methane (grey). These tend to be mostly carbon-intensive processes.
• Blue Hydrogen: It is produced via natural gas or coal gasification combined with carbon capture storage (CCS) or carbon capture use (CCU) technologies to reduce carbon emissions.
• Green Hydrogen: It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy. The carbon intensity ultimately depends on the carbon neutrality of the source of electricity (i.e., the more renewable energy there is in the electricity fuel mix, the "greener" the hydrogen produced).

Hence both statements are correct.

According to recent research, people who have insomnia are 69 per cent more likely to experience a heart attack than those who don’t during an average nine years of follow-up.

About Insomnia:

• What is it? It is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep. 
• The condition can be short-term (acute) or can last a long time (chronic). It may also come and go.
• Acute insomnia lasts from 1 night to a few weeks. Insomnia is chronic when it happens at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more.
• It affects women more than men and older people more than younger ones.
• Insomnia may play a role in the development of chronic diseases, such as: obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression.
• Types of Insomnia:
• Primary insomnia: This means your sleep problems aren’t linked to any other health condition or problem.
• Secondary insomnia: This means you have trouble sleeping because of a health condition (like asthma, depression, arthritis, cancer, or heartburn); pain; medication; or substance use (like alcohol).
• Causes:
• Stress-related to big life events, like a job loss or change, the death of a loved one etc.
• Things around you, like noise, light, or temperature
• Changes to your sleep schedule like jet lag, a new shift at work, or bad habits you picked up when you had other sleep problems.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

India recently announced that it will start participating in the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and the Long-Term Aspirational Goals (LTAG) from 2027.

About International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO):

• ICAO is an intergovernmental specialized agency associated with the United Nations (UN). 
• It was established in 1947 by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944) known as Chicago Convention.
• Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
• Functions:
• ICAO is dedicated to developing safe and efficient international air transport for peaceful purposes and ensuring a reasonable opportunity for every state to operate international airlines. 
• It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security and facilitation, efficiency, and economic development of air transport as well as to improve the environmental performance of aviation. 
• It also serves as a clearinghouse for cooperation and discussion on civil aviation issues among its 193 member states.
• It also promotes regional and international agreements aimed at liberalizing aviation markets.
• It helps to establish legal standards to ensure that the growth of aviation does not compromise safety, and encourages the development of other aspects of international aviation law.

Hence both statements are correct.

The members of the Kondh tribe in Odisha’s Nayagarh district have added one more event to their calendar of festivals and celebrations called Bihan Mela.

• It is known as the seed festival and the event is participated by the farmers.
• Preparations begin as soon as farmers have harvested Kharif crops, which include both hybrid and indigenous varieties of paddy, millets, maize and sorghum.
• Women are at the helm of this festival and carefully collect seeds of the indigenous varieties and store them in earthen pots.
• On a designated day in December, they decorate the pots with red and white motifs, place them in a bamboo basket and carry it on their head to the village where the fair is being organised.
• Kondh tribal group is found in the hills and jungles of Orissa in eastern India.
• They have several sub-tribes, for instance, the Dongria, Kovi, Kuttia, Languli, Penga, and Jharnia. Raj Konds etc.
• These tribal people speak languages called Kui and Kuvi.
• These belong to the Dravidian language family and have strong similarities to Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada.
• The language has no script of its own, with the Oriya script used for writing Kui, and the Telugu script used for Kuvi.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.