Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 30th July 2024 - UPSC MCQ

1. Private Approach: Governments enforce MUL implementation requirements. This pair is incorrectly matched. The private approach involves data fiduciaries voluntarily adopting MUL algorithms.

2. Exact Unlearning: This method completely eradicates the influence of specific data points from the model. This pair is correctly matched. Exact Unlearning indeed refers to completely removing the influence of specific data points.

3. Public Approach: Data fiduciaries voluntarily adopt MUL algorithms. This pair is incorrectly matched. The public approach involves governments enforcing MUL implementation requirements.

4. Approximate Unlearning: Minimizes the impact of specific data on model predictions. This pair is correctly matched. Approximate Unlearning focuses on minimizing the data's impact rather than entirely removing it.

1. FnCas9 : Variant of Cas9 enzyme derived from Francisella novicida
- Correct. FnCas9 is indeed a variant of the Cas9 enzyme derived from the bacterium Francisella novicida, used in genome editing technologies.

2. CRISPR-Cas9 : Natural bacterial defense mechanism against viruses
- Correct. CRISPR-Cas9 is a revolutionary genome-editing tool adapted from a natural bacterial defense mechanism against viruses.

3. Quad : Group of four democracies including India, Australia, US, and China
- Incorrect. The Quad refers to a security dialogue between India, Australia, the US, and Japan, not China.

4. Charles Darwin’s Frog : Scientific name Minervarya charlesdarwini
- Correct. The Charles Darwin frog, native to the Andaman Islands, has the scientific name Minervarya charlesdarwini.

Hence, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau has indeed sent cease and desist notices to firms manufacturing ganja-laced chocolates that are shipped via e-commerce platforms. This is a confirmed initiative taken by the state government to curb drug abuse and trafficking.

2. The possession, sale, and production of marijuana, including its various forms such as ganja (flower), charas (resin), and hashish, are illegal under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in India. Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect.

3. Uttarakhand has legalized the commercial cultivation of hemp, which is a significant step towards utilizing cannabis for industrial purposes. This makes statement 3 correct.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 3 Only.

Statement-I correctly highlights the significance of Machine Unlearning (MUL) for data privacy, minimizing AI bias, and complying with regulations regarding sensitive information. However, Statement-II is incorrect as Machine Unlearning (MUL) does not focus on enabling AI models to learn specific information; rather, it emphasizes the unlearning or forgetting of specific data acquired by AI models.

The MQ-9B HALE UAVs are designed primarily to enhance border security. These drones can fly at high altitudes for extended periods, making them ideal for surveillance missions along borders. With advanced features like automatic take-off and landing, secure GPS, and encrypted communications, these UAVs significantly contribute to bolstering security measures along sensitive border regions.

1. Machine Unlearning (MUL) completely eradicates the influence of specific data points from the AI model: This statement is correct. Exact unlearning methods aim to remove the influence of specific data points entirely from the model.

2. MUL is only implemented through data-centric approaches like data reorganization and pruning: This statement is incorrect. MUL can be implemented through various approaches, including model-centric approaches and prompting-based methods, not just data-centric ones.

3. Machine Unlearning is essential for maintaining data privacy, minimizing AI bias, and adhering to regulations mandating the deletion of sensitive information: This statement is correct. MUL plays a crucial role in ensuring data privacy and compliance with data protection regulations.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option B the correct answer.

Machine Learning (ML) emphasizes learning from data to make informed predictions or decisions, whereas Machine Unlearning (MUL) focuses on enabling the effective erasure of certain data from models. This distinction is crucial in understanding how these processes operate within artificial intelligence systems.

The FnCas9 enzyme, derived from the bacterium Francisella novicida, is recognized for its ability to make precise modifications to DNA sequences, particularly within the CRISPR system. This precision is crucial in genome editing technologies as it allows for accurate and targeted changes in DNA sequences.

This question focuses on the understanding of the FnCas9 enzyme and its role in genome editing, aligning with the provided content on genome editing technologies and the specificity of FnCas9 compared to traditional Cas9 enzymes.

These four species, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet, and White-throated redstart, are all birds. They do not belong to the categories of primates, reptiles, or amphibians. Therefore, the correct answer is option (a) Birds.

Statement 1 is correct. FnCas9 is indeed derived from the bacterium Francisella novicida. It is noted for its higher specificity in targeting DNA sequences compared to SpCas9, which helps in reducing off-target effects and ensures more reliable genome editing.

Statement 2 is also correct. The CRISPR-Cas9 system uses a guide RNA (gRNA), which is a specifically designed RNA molecule that matches the target DNA sequence. This gRNA directs the Cas9 enzyme to the correct location on the DNA, acting as molecular scissors that cut the DNA at the specified location.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The Proto-spacer Adjacent Motif (PAM) is actually a short DNA sequence adjacent to the target site that the Cas9 enzyme must recognize and bind to in order to cut the DNA, not a long sequence. This PAM sequence is crucial for the binding and activity of the Cas9 enzyme.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 2 only.