Test: Monthly Current Affairs July- 3 - UPSC MCQ

In News: Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has allowed Kanwar Yatra with certain restrictions.

Option B is correct: Kanwar Yatra is a pilgrimage organised in the Hindu calendar month of Shravana and is related to Shaivism. Saffron-clad Shiva devotees generally walk barefoot with pitchers of holy water from the Ganga or other holy rivers. Devotees carry the pitchers of holy water on their shoulders, balanced on decorated slings known as Kanwars. Vaishnavism, another major form of modern Hinduism, is characterised by devotion to the god Vishnu and his incarnations. Shaktism is the worship of the Hindu goddess Shakti. Vajrayana is the form of Tantric Buddhism that developed in India and neighbouring countries, notably Tibet.

Option d is correct: The various applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) include:-

• Mapping of Landslide Affected Area
• Infested Crop Damage Assessment
• Large Scale Mapping of Town
• 3-Dimensional Terrain Model Construction

In News: Recently, the Union Minister of Civil Aviation has virtually flagged off 8 new routes from Madhya Pradesh to Maharashtra and Gujarat to bolster regional air connectivity under Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) Scheme.

Statement 1 is not correct: The UDAN Scheme was launched as a regional connectivity scheme under the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2016. It offers a unique opportunity to a common man to fly at an affordable price.

Statement 2 is correct: The 4th round of UDAN (4.0) was launched in December 2019 with a special focus on North-Eastern Regions, Hilly States and Islands. It intends to boost inclusive national economic growth, employment opportunities, and air transport infrastructure development across the nation. It has played a major role in adding new airports and routes to the aviation landscape of the country.

In News: Recently, over 300 mobile phone numbers in India have been targeted by Pegasus.

Statement 1 is correct: It mainly uses exploit links for its working. Clicking on such links automatically installs Pegasus on the user's phone. The method of Social Engineering is used. In the context of information security, social engineering is the psychological manipulation of people into performing actions or divulging confidential information.

Statement 2 is not correct: It can be installed on devices running some versions of iOS (Apple's mobile operating system) and on devices running on Android. It was developed by the Israeli cyberarms firm NSO Group, which is a highly-regulated enterprise that provides government agencies an essential tool to monitor terrorists and criminals.

In News: Recently, a report titled “Antimicrobial Consumption and Resistance in Bacteria from Humans and Animals” has found positive associations between antimicrobial consumption (AMC) in animals and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals as well as in humans.

Option D is correct: The report analysed data for six classes of antibiotics: Third and fourth generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, polymyxins, aminopenicillins, macrolides and tetracyclines. Except tetracyclines, all remaining five classes are Critically Important Antimicrobials (CIA) categorised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as critical for use in human health. Four out of these five CLAs are the Highest Priority CLAs (HPCIA), which are also included in the WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) classification.

In News: Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) new spacecraft Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) Scout has completed all required tests.

Statement 1 is correct: NEA Scout is a small spacecraft, about the size of a big shoebox and has been safely tucked inside the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. It is one of several payloads that will hitch a ride on Artemis I, expected to be launched in November 2021.

Statement 2 is correct: It will also be USA’s first interplanetary mission using a special solar sail propulsion, which uses sunlight to propel vehicles through space. It uses solar photons (sunlight) which are reflected off giant, mirror-like sails made of lightweight, reflective material. The continuous photonic pressure provides enough thrust to perform maneuvers.

Statement 3 is not correct: Its main mission is to fly by and collect data from a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA), which despite its size, could pose a threat to Earth. Understanding NEAs’ properties could help develop strategies for reducing the potential damage caused in the event of an impact. Lucy will be the first NASA space mission to study the Trojans asteroids of Jupiter and will be launched in October 2021.

Option B is correct: Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is headed by the Defence Minister. The objective of the DAC is to ensure expeditious procurement of the approved requirements of the Armed Forces, in terms of capabilities sought, and time frame prescribed, by optimally utilizing the allocated budgetary resources.

Option B is correct: The Mid Day Meal Scheme was mandated to provide children in government schools with a free cooked meal with a minimum energy content of 450 kcal and 12 gm of protein for primary (I-V class) and 700 calories and 20 gm protein for upper primary (VI-VIII class). It is a centrally sponsored scheme. AGMARK is used to check the quality of items provided. This scheme works under the Ministry of Education.

In News: Recently, the Defence Ministry has issued the Request For Proposal (RFP) for construction of six advanced conventional submarines for the Navy under Project-75 India or P-751.

Option D is correct: P-751 envisages indigenous construction of six modem conventional submarines with contemporary equipment, weapons and sensors including Fuel-Cell based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, advanced torpedoes, modem missiles and state-of-the-art countermeasure systems. It will be an important step towards meeting broader national objectives, encouraging self reliance and aligning the defence sector.

In News: Recently, Gwalior and Orchha (Madhya Pradesh) have been selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) under the Historic Urban Landscape Project.

Option C is correct: On 10th November 2011 UNESCO’s General Conference adopted the new Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape by acclamation, the first such instrument on the historic environment issued by UNESCO in 35 years. The project was started for the inclusive and well-planned development of fast-growing historical cities while preserving the culture and heritage. Apart from newly selected Gwalior and Orchha (Madhya Pradesh), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) and Ajmer (Rajasthan) are the other two Indian cities recognised under the project.

Statement 1 is not correct: Microplastics are insoluble in water.

Statement 2 is correct: Polyamide, commonly known as nylon, is used as a natural fibre and as metal wires in clothing and industry, is also a microplastic.

In News: Recently, a plea has been filed in Delhi High Court to exercise the right of being forgotten.

Option A is correct: The Supreme Court confirmed that the Right to Privacy is a Fundamental Right that does not need to be separately articulated but can be derived from Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India. It is a natural right that subsists as an integral part to the right to life and liberty.

In News: Recently, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi granted powers of detaining authority to the Chief of Delhi Police.

Statement 1 is correct: Under Entry 9 of List I (better known as the ‘Union List’), Parliament has the exclusive power to enact a law for preventive detention for the reasons connected with defence, foreign affairs, or security of India.

Statement 2 is not correct: Article 22 of the Indian Constitution provides protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.

In News: Recently, casualties have been reported after clashes on the issue of compensation for damages to Maguri-Motapung wetland (or beel).

Option a is correct: The Maguri-Motapung wetland is located close to the Dibru Saikhowa National Park in Upper Assam’s Tinsukia district. It derives its name from ‘Magur’, local word for the catfish Clarius batrachus, once found here in abundance. The second half of the name comes from a village nearby and Beel is the Assamese word for wetland. It is a critical part of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve, an ecological corridor to Namdapha National Park and sustains the ecological integrity of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot.

The European merchants and travellers were mesmerised by the beauty of the temple and one such traveller had remarked that the temple was the ‘brightest star in the galaxy of medieval temples of the Deccan’. The historic Rudreswara Temple, popularly known as Ramappa Temple, near Warangal has received the coveted World Heritage status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

In News: Recently, casualties have been reported after clashes on the issue of compensation for damages to Maguri-Motapung wetland (or beel).

• The wetland derives its name from ‘Magur', the local word for the catfish Clarius batrachus, once found here in abundance. The second half of the name comes from a village nearby and Beel is the Assamese word for the wetland.
• It is located close to the Dibru Saikhowa National Park in Upper Assam’s Tinsukia district.
  o The Dibru river flows from east to west through the wetland.
  To the northwest of the wetland is a river, which was once called Dangori. It has been captured by the bigger river Lohit.
• The wetland regime is a critical part of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve, an ecological corridor to Namdapha National Park and sustains the ecological integrity of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot.
• This landscape is mostly water and comprises wetlands, swamp forests and grasslands.
  o It has a grassland adjacent to it and the entire ecosystem (grassland and wetland) is very important as it is home to at least 304 bird species, including a number of endemic ones like Black-breasted parrotbill and Marsh babbler.
• It is home to 37 species of mammals, 503 species of birds, 42 species of reptiles, 17 species of amphibia, 104 species of fish and 105 species of butterflies, according to one 2016 survey.
  o It has over 110 bird species, of which eight are regarded as threatened by the IUCN, which include the Falcated Duck, Ferruginous duck and Swamp Prinia.
  o The Lesser Adjutant, Baikal Teal, Swamp Francolin and Marsh Babbler are classified as less threatened.
• It was declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in 1996 by the Bombay Natural History Society.
• In May 2020, it was adversely affected by a blowout and fire at an Oil India Limited-owned gas well.
  o The resulting oil spill killed a number of fish, snakes as well as an endangered Gangetic dolphin, and the fire had burnt a large portion of the grassland.

In News: Recently, UNESCO has added historic Paseo del Prado and Retiro Park to its list of World Heritage Sites.

Option A is correct: Paseo del Prado and Retiro Park are located in Madrid which is the capital of Spain. UNESCO described the locations as landscapes of arts and sciences, putting them under the list of cultural sites. The area is exceptional because it was "the first promenade within the city limits of all European cities and capitals" for the enjoyment of "all citizens, without distinction of strata or class". Paseo del Prado is a wide tree-lined avenue that is home to prominent and prestigious buildings like the Prado Museum. Retiro Park is a 125-hectare green space and was originally built for the personal use of King Felipe IV in the 17th century.

The following Reports are released by IMF

• World Economic Outlook (WEO),
• Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR), and
• Fiscal Monitor (FM).

World Development Report is released by World Bank

In News: Recently, award-winning artisan weaver, B Krishnamoorthy, has been creating a repository with samples of all the designs, patterns and motifs traditional to Kanjeevaram silk sari weaving, preserving fine pieces for posterity.

Option D is correct: Kanchipuram silk sarees are woven from pure mulberry silk and are associated with Kanchipuram region in Tamil Nadu, from which it derives its name as well. The silk belongs to South India and the pure gold and silver zari comes from Gujarat. Tracing its long and rich history from the Chola Dynasty, Kanchipuram sarees today are considered as one of the oldest and rich legacies of the Indian textile industry. It has been recognized as a Geographical indication product in 2005-2006.

In News: Recently, Raja Mircha has been exported to London via Guwahati by air for the first time.
Option C is correct: Raja Mircha is also known as King Chilli and it is considered as the world’s hottest on the basis of Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). It is highly perishable in nature and belongs to the genus Capsicum of the family Solanaceae. The chilli from Nagaland is also referred to as Bhoot Jolokia or Ghost pepper. It was certified as a Geographical Indications (GI) tag to the state of Nagaland in 2008.