Daily Current Affairs MCQ - December 15, 2021 - UPSC MCQ

A supersonic missile-assisted torpedo system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was successfully launched from Wheeler Island in Odisha.

• The system is a next-generation missile-based stand-off torpedo delivery system. During the mission, full-range capability of the missile was successfully demonstrated.
• The system has been designed to enhance anti-submarine warfare capability far beyond the conventional range of the torpedo.
• The missile carried a torpedo, parachute delivery system and release mechanisms.
• This canister-based missile system consists of advanced technologies — two-stage solid propulsion, electro-mechanical actuators and precision inertial navigation.
• The missile is launched from a ground mobile launcher and it can cover a range of distances.
• While a number of DRDO laboratories developed various technologies for this system, industry participated in the development and production of various sub-systems.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

A November 2020 decision by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to permit banks to “co-lend with all registered NBFCs (including HFCs) based on a prior agreement”, has led to unusual tie-ups like the one announced earlier this month between the State Bank of India (SBI) and Adani Capital.

The ‘Co-Lending Model’

• In September 2018, the RBI had announced “co-origination of loans” by banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) for lending to the priority sector.
• The arrangement entailed joint contribution of credit at the facility level by both the lenders as also sharing of risks and rewards.
• Subsequently, the central bank allowed the lenders greater operational flexibility, while requiring them to conform to regulatory guidelines.
• The primary focus of the revised scheme, rechristened as ‘Co-Lending Model’ (CLM), was to
  • improve the flow of credit to the unserved and underserved sector of the economy and
  • make available funds to the ultimate beneficiary at an affordable cost, considering the lower cost of funds from banks and greater reach of the NBFCs.

Bank-NBFC tie-ups

• Several banks have entered into co-lending ‘master agreements’ with NBFCs, and more are in the pipeline.
• On December 2, SBI, the country’s largest lender, signed a deal with Adani Capital, a small NBFC of a big corporate house, for co-lending to farmers to help them buy tractors and farm implements.
• On November 24, Union Bank of India entered into a co-lending agreement with Capri Global Capital Ltd (CGCL),
• Hence both statements are correct.

In what is being seen as recognition of India’s marvels in the field of Technology, Doordarshan will be hosting the international finals of Robocon 2022 in August next year.

• The Robot competition, which is organised by Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union and hosted by different member countries every year, will be held in New Delhi in 2022.
• The theme of DD Robocon 2022 will be Lagori.
• ABU Robocon 2021 was hosted by China wherein the international Robocon contest was held on December 12, 2021.
• Started by Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) in 2002, ABU Robocon pits Robots against each other in completion of a task in a given period of time.
• The contest aims to create friendship among young people with similar interests who will lead their countries in the 21st century, as well as help advance engineering and broadcasting technologies in the region.
• Hence both statements are correct.

• Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is the State bird of Rajasthan and is considered India’s most critically endangered bird.
  • It is considered the flagship grassland species, representing the health of the grassland ecology. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • Its population is confined mostly to Rajasthan and Gujarat. Small populations occur in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
  • The bird is under constant threats due to collision/electrocution with power transmission lines, hunting (still prevalent in Pakistan), habitat loss and alteration as a result of widespread agricultural expansion, etc.
• Protection Status:
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List: Critically Endangered. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix 1
  • Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix I
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule 1

• Under the Central Universities Act, 2009, and other statutes, the President of India shall be the Visitor (not a chancellor) of a central university. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• The President’s role is limited to presiding over convocations, Chancellors in central universities are titular heads, who are appointed by the President in his capacity as Visitor.
• The Vice Chancellor too are appointed by the Visitor from panels of names picked by search and selection committees formed by the Union government.
• The Central Universities Act, 2009,adds that the President, as Visitor, shall have the right to authorise inspections of academic and non-academic aspects of the universities and also to institute inquiries. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

• Article 23 (1) in the constitution of India prohibits trafficking in human beings and forced labour. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA) penalizes trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.
  • India also prohibits bonded and forced labour through the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976, Child Labour (Prohibition and Abolition) Act 1986, and Juvenile Justice Act.
  • Sections 366(A) and 372 of the Indian Penal Code, prohibits kidnapping and selling minors into prostitution respectively.
  • Apart from this, the Factories Act, 1948 guaranteed the protection of rights of workers.
• Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children in 2000 as a part of the UN Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime (Palermo Convention). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • It entered into force on 25 December 2003. It is the first global legally binding instrument with an agreed definition on trafficking in persons.
  • Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air.

What is the objective of studying the interactions of trace metals and marine plant and animal life?

• Trace metals like cadmium or copper are supplied to oceans via continental run-offs, atmospheric deposition, hydrothermal activities and continental shelf interaction.
• They are essential for ocean productivity. Scientists say that it is important to understand the interactions of trace metals with marine biota “for having a holistic understanding about nutrient cycling and productivity of the oceans”.
• Apart from their reactions on marine life, isotopic forms of trace metals can be utilised to track the movement of water masses responsible for ocean circulation and as tools to study the biological, geochemical and ecosystem processes and food web analyses.

CGST levied by the Centre, SGST by the States, UTGST by the Union Territories, and IGST levied on inter-State supply including imports, GST is applicable to all goods and services except alcohol for human consumption and five specified petroleum products with a common threshold exemption applicable to both CGST and SGST.

The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas informed Rajya Sabha that a novel fuel efficient domestic cooking stove for Piped Natural Gas (PNG) has been developed by Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) in collaboration with CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) Dehradun.

• This is the first product of its kind in the Country. Entire combustion system including burner, mixing tube, venture etc. has been customized in this new stove to handle PNG.
• The stove has been optimized to have the highest thermal efficiency. The newly developed PNG stove has a thermal efficiency of around 55% in comparison to the maximum efficiency of 40% for the modified LPG stoves presently being used on PNG by the domestic households.
• PCRA has been promoting this newly developed PNG stove which has a cost almost similar to normal LPG stove.
• PCRA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under Ministry of Power for developing and implementing a model for marketing this new PNG stove by EESL for PNG customers on pan India basis.
• Hence both statements are correct.

• Buxa Tiger Reserve is situated in the Alipurduar Sub-division of Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal. It was created in 1983 as the 15^th tiger reserve of India.
  • It was declared as a National Park in January 1992.
• The northern boundary of Buxa Tiger Reserve runs along the international border with Bhutan. The Sinchula hill range lies all along the northern side of Buxa National Park and the Eastern boundary touches that of the Assam State.
• The forests of the reserve can be broadly classified as the ‘Moist Tropical Forest’.
• The main rivers flowing across the Tiger Reserve are Sankosh, Raidak, Jayanti, Churnia, Turturi, Phashkhawa, Dima and Nonani. Hence, option A is correct.