Daily Current Affairs MCQ- July 28, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

Recently, the Union government of India has launched the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign, envisaged as a culminating event of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebration of 75 years of Indian Independence.

• Under this campaign soil collected from different parts of the country in August will be used to develop a garden along the Kartavya Path in Delhi.
• Events have been planned at the panchayat, village, block, urban local body, and State and national levels, respectively.
• The five-point agenda includes the installation of a shilaphalakam (memorial plaque), as per specifications, bearing the “names of those who have made the supreme sacrifice”.
• Work for the shilaphalakam may be executed through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), leveraging local materials and resources.
• ‘Vasudha Vandhan’ envisages every gram panchayat or village renewing “Mother Earth by planting 75 saplings of indigenous species and developing an Amrit Vatika”.
• ‘Veeron Ka Vandan’ will felicitate freedom fighters, and the families of deceased freedom fighters.
• Young volunteers and others will collect soil from every panchayat/village and bring it to the block, from where the ‘Mitti Kalash’ will be transported to Delhi.
• In urban areas, events will be organised at local bodies, notified area councils, Cantonment Boards, and town panchayats from August 9 and 15, and in bigger municipalities and municipal corporations from August 16 to 20.
• The ‘Mitti Kalash’ is to be brought ceremoniously to the larger municipalities/corporations and transported to Kartavya Path.

Hence both statements are correct.

Researchers have come up with a new and highly efficient optical limiter using a novel 2D material, ‘hematene’.

• Nanoflakes of a material called hematene extracted from iron ore have been found capable of withstanding and acting as shield from high laser intensities.
• Hence it could be used to make devices called optical limiters that can protect sensitive optical equipment from light-induced damage.
• Radiation from laser sources is highly concentrated and powerful and can be detrimental to sensitive equipment such as sensors, detectors, and other optical devices.
• When the input intensity increases optical limiters control the amount of light that passes through, thereby preventing damage to the optical component.
• These devices are often useful in laser technologies, military, telecommunications, aircrafts, and scientific research in several ways.
• They found that 2D nanoflakes of hematene is capable of withstanding very high laser intensities, and they exhibited excellent optical limiting of green laser light (532 nm) while maintaining a high linear transmission (about 87%) for low-intensity light.

Key facts about Hematene:

• It is extracted from naturally occurring hematite, the mineral form of iron(III) oxide, using a combination of sonication, centrifugation and vacuum-assisted filtration.
• It measures 3 atoms thick and has a more efficient photocatalysis.
• It is ferromagnetic (the mechanism by which certain materials like iron form permanent magnets, or are attracted to magnets) like a common magnet.
• It is capable of withstanding and acting as shield from high laser intensities.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

In light of the global deterioration of natural resources and forests, silvopasture systems offer a relevant solution to deforestation trends. 

• It is an ancient and proven practice that harmoniously integrates trees, forage and livestock on the same land.
• Advantages
  • This system buffer against temperature and wind extremes, providing a favourable living environment for livestock.
  • Carbon sinks: The trees on silvopasture lands act as natural carbon sinks, sequestering significantly five-10 times more carbon then pastures without trees, all while maintaining or enhancing productivity.
  • Nutrient cycling: The extensive root systems of trees within silvopasture plots contribute to nutrient cycling, improved soil stability and quality, while effectively combating erosion.
  • Also this system combine trees and livestock on the same land, silvopasture can play a vital role in reversing the negative trend of deforestation for pasture land. 
  • It also regulates local climatic conditions, buffering against temperature and wind extremes, providing a favourable living environment for livestock.
  • Soil infiltration rates in silvopasture systems surpass those of open pastures, enhancing water storage potential.

Hence both statements are correct.

The US Federal Reserve recently raised its benchmark lending rate to the highest level since 2001 to tackle above-target inflation.

About US Federal Reserve:

• The United States Federal Reserve, commonly referred to as the Federal Reserve or simply the Fed, is the central banking system of the United States.
• It provides the country with a safe, flexible, and stable monetary and financial system.
• The Federal Reserve System is composed of 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks that are each responsible for a specific geographic area of the U.S.
• The Fed's main duties include conducting national monetary policy, supervising and regulating banks, maintaining financial stability, and providing banking services.

Impacts of US Federal Reserve Interest Hike:

• The US Fed is the world's most powerful central bank.
• When the Fed adjusts interest rates, the effects are felt worldwide, influencing both developed and emerging economies.
• Conventional wisdom suggests that higher interest rates in the US would make American assets more appealing to investors, potentially leading to capital outflows from emerging and riskier markets.
• In such a scenario, capital-intensive sectors, which heavily rely on Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), could be the first to feel the impact.
• Higher US interest rates could lead to a tightening of global liquidity, making borrowing more expensive for foreign investors.
• Possible impacts on the Indian Economy:
• After a rate hike by the US Fed, the difference between interest rates in US and India shrinks, which affects the currency trade negatively. 
• Foreign investors will be tempted to withdraw from the Indian market and invest in US assets, as the Dollar and the US Treasury yield become more attractive in the US and the Indian market begins to see capital outflow. 
• Thus, an interest rate hike in the US increases the relative returns on dollar investments, leading the US currency to strengthen.
• This makes the rupee weaker, and it prompts RBI for a rate hike in India.
• So when the US Fed increases rates, RBI also has to increase interest rates here in India so that the outflows of funds from the FIIs (Foreign Institutional Investors) can be curtailed to save guard the rupee. 
• If the rupee falls significantly, the RBI may be forced to sell some dollars to help shore up the domestic currency. This depletes the domestic Forex reserve. 

Hence all three statements are correct.

Amid heavy rainfall in Delhi and nearby areas over the past few weeks, multiple cases of conjunctivitis are being reported in the National Capital Region.

About Conjunctivitis:

• Conjunctivitis, commonly known as Pink Eye, is an infection or inflammation of the transparent membrane that covers the eyelid and eyeball. This membrane is called the conjunctiva. 
• Why do eyes appear Pink?
• When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become swollen and irritated, they're more visible. 
• This is what causes the whites of the eyes to appear reddish or pink.
• Causative Agent:
• It can be caused by viruses, bacteria or by allergies. 
• Both bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are highly contagious, while allergic conjunctivitis is not. 
• Transmission:  
• It usually occurs through direct or indirect contact.
• Direct transmission happens through droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person or through hand-to-eye contact..
• Indirectly, it can spread via shared personal items like towels, makeup, pillows or contact lenses. 
• Signs and symptoms:
• Most common signs are redness, swelling and itching in the eyes.
• The eyes can also feel watery during the start of the flu.
• Treatment:
• For the treatment of conjunctivitis, one needs to use a combination of medicines.
• One of the most useful treatments is using artificial tears or even any lubricating eye drops; these can help the infected person to maintain moisture.
• A warm or cold compress will also help in giving relief from inflammation and swelling.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Recently, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has exempted buyers from gift tax when they acquire equity shares in public-sector units (PSUs) through strategic disinvestment.

• The Parliament of India introduced the Gift Tax Act in 1958, and gift tax is essentially the tax charged on the receipt of gifts.
• The Income Tax Act states that gifts whose value exceeds Rs.50,000 are subject to gift tax in the hands of the recipient.
• The gift tax is also applicable on certain transfers that are not considered a gift.
• The transfer of existing movable or immovable property in money or money's worth qualifies for gift tax.
• The gift is exempted from tax if it was given by a relative.
• The income tax rule Parent, Spouse, Siblings, Spouse's siblings, Lineal descendants Lineal descendants of the spouse can be considered as a relative
• There are several other situations where gifts can be exempted from tax. Listed below are other situations in which the gift will be exempted from tax.
• Gifts received during weddings are usually exempted from tax.
• Gifts received as part of the inheritance are exempted from tax.
• Cash or rewards received by local authorities or educational institutions based on merit is exempted from tax.

Hence both statements are not correct.

Recently, the Prime Minister of India lauded Asia’s first demonstration of Performance-Based Navigation for helicopters for a flight from Juhu to Pune using GAGAN satellite technology.

• GAGAN is the acronym for GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation.
• It is jointly developed by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
• It uses a system of ground stations to provide necessary augmentations to the GPS standard positioning service (SPS) navigation signal.
• It is designed to provide the additional accuracy, availability, and integrity necessary to enable users to rely on GPS for all phases of flight.
• It also provides the capability for increased accuracy in position reporting, allowing for more uniform and high-quality Air Traffic Management (ATM).
• In addition, GAGAN will provide benefits beyond aviation to all modes of transportation, including maritime, highways, and railroads.
• There are only four Space-Based augmentation systems available in the world namely India (GAGAN), US (WAAS,) Europe(EGNOS) and Japan (MSAS).

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, the government-owned Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd (TDCCOL) decided to procure sal seeds (Shorea robusta) from nine Odisha districts.

• Sal tree is a large sub-deciduous tree which is seldom completely leafless.
• It is indigenous to India and occurs in two main regions separated by Gangetic plain namely the northern and central Indian regions.
• It requires well-drained, moist and sandy loam soil.
• Climatic conditions required: It survives upto a maximum temperature of 36°C to 44°C and minimum temperature of 11°C to 17°C and it needs an average rainfall of 1000 mm to 3500 mm per annum.
• The resin of this tree is used in the indigenous system of medicine.

Hence only statement 2 is correct

The Law Commission of India recently recommended retention of the sedition law and enhancement of the minimum punishment to seven years in jail from the current three years.

About Sedition Law:

• Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with sedition.
• History of Sedition Law:
• Section 124A was drafted by Thomas Babington Macaulay and included in the IPC in 1870.
• The section was first included to address the growth of Wahabi activity between 1863 and 1870. The colonial authorities faced a difficulty as a result of these actions.
• Indian nationalist leaders were involved in some of the most well-known sedition cases of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• The earliest of these was Jogendra Chandra Bose's trial in 1891. He served as the newspaper Bangobasi's editor. He published a piece denouncing the Age of Consent Bill for endangering the faith and its coercive treatment of Native Americans.
• In 1897, Bal Gangadhar Tilak's articles in Kesari were the subject of legal action.
• The other well-known case included Mahatma Gandhi's 1922 sedition trial. Sedition, according to Gandhi, is "the prince among the political sections of the IPC meant to destroy the freedom of the citizen."
• Post-Independence:
• After independence, the term “sedition” was removed from the Constitution in 1948, after debate in the Constituent Assembly. 
• Jawaharlal Nehru proposed the first amendment to the Constitution in 1951, which limited freedom under Article 19 (1) (a) and gave the state the authority to impose “reasonable restrictions” on the right to free expression.
• Indira Gandhi’s government made section 124A a criminal offense for the first time in Indian history. The new Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, which came into effect in 1974 and repealed the 1898 Colonial-Era Code of Criminal Procedure, made sedition a knowable crime.
• What does Section 124 A states?
• It states, "Whoever, words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt , or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in India shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added, , or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, which fine may be added, or with fine."
• In simple words, this means anyone who attempts to create hatred, contempt, or disaffection towards the government can be punished under the sedition law.
• Punishment:
• Sedition is a non-bailable offence.
• Punishment under the law varies from imprisonment up to three years to a life term and fine.
• A person charged under this law can't apply for a government job. They have to live without their passport and must present themselves in the court as and when required.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad, a pioneer in healthcare innovation, recently launched the Da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System.

About Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System:

• It is a tool that helps surgeons perform a variety of surgeries including gynecological surgeries, urological, head and neck, thoracic, colorectal, cardiac and general surgeries.
• Because the da Vinci only uses small cuts, it’s less traumatic on your body, resulting in less pain, fewer complications and a shorter recovery time.
• It can be used in the field of colorectal surgeries, urology, oncology, gynaecology thoracic, cardiology, paediatric and gastro-intestinal surgeries, kidney transplants and in liver transplantation.
• The machine is made up of three different parts:
• The console/control center: The surgeon operates while seated at a console unit, using hand and foot controls and with a magnified, 3D, high-definition view.
• The patient cart: The cart holds surgical instruments and the camera.
• The vision cart: This cart has a video screen so that the healthcare providers in the room can see what’s happening during the surgery.

What is a Da Vinci surgery?

• A Da Vinci surgery is when your surgery is performed using the da Vinci Surgical System, a machine that uses four thin robotic arms.
• The robotic instruments have a wider range of motion than the human hand. Surgeons can use the surgical system for a variety of procedures.
• What’s the difference between a da Vinci surgery and an open surgery?
• Use of the da Vinci system makes your surgery “minimally invasive” (smaller incisions).
• The procedure uses small cuts (less than or equal to 1 centimeter long), tiny surgical instruments, fewer stitches and a laparoscope (a telescope) which is a thin tube with a light and a camera lens.
• This is different than traditional surgeries that use larger, more invasive cuts through skin, tissues and muscles.

Hence both statements are correct.