Daily Current Affairs MCQ- June 19, 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Pakistani media outlets reported in the past week that the country plans to implement a Chinese-style firewall to block users from accessing social media platforms.

About:

• A digital firewall is a software-based network security device that monitors and filters network traffic based on predefined security rules.
• It is designed to prevent unauthorized access to a network by controlling incoming and outgoing traffic.
• Digital firewalls can be installed on individual devices, such as computers or servers, and are often used in conjunction with other security measures like antivirus software to provide comprehensive protection against cyber threats.
• Though in recent times they are associated with censorship by oppressive governments, firewalls were meant to be a security tool.
• Large firewalls like the Great Firewall of China, for example, are highly complex cybersecurity tools maintained at scale to prevent people from accessing large sections of the Internet.
  • That means nation-states can entirely stop citizens from accessing the most commonly used websites on the Internet, eg. social media.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

A Woman-led Start-up Developed ‘Divya Drishti’, a cutting-edge AI Tool for Personal Identification, under a Technology Development Fund.

About:

• AI tool “Divya Drishti” integrates face recognition with immutable physiological parameters such as gait and skeleton.
  • It was developed by Ingenious Research Solutions Pvt Ltd., a start-up established by a woman entrepreneur, Dr. Shivani Verma.
• This innovative solution marks a significant advancement in biometric authentication technology, offering enhanced accuracy and reliability in identifying individuals.
• This dual approach enhances identification accuracy, minimizing the risk of false positives or identity fraud and has versatile applications across diverse sectors including Defence, Law Enforcement, Corporate and Public Infrastructure.
• The AI tool has been developed under the technical guidance and mentoring of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR), a laboratory of DRDO based in Bangalore.

The Technology Development Fund (TDF):

• The TDF scheme is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Defence executed by DRDO under ‘Make in India’ initiative.
• It grants aid for defence and dual-use technology development.
• Objectives: To build Indian industries' capacity and capability for defence technology development, foster a culture of design and development, and create an R&D ecosystem.
• It supports niche technology development, and prototype creation, and achieves 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence technology.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

 About Teesta River:

• It is a tributary of the Jamuna River (Brahmaputra River), flowing through India and Bangladesh.
• Origin: 
• It originates as Chhombo Chhu from a glacial lake Khangchung Chho at an elevation of 5,280 m in the northeastern corner of the state.
• Teesta Khangse glacier and Chho Lhamo are also considered as the source of Teesta River by many authors.
• The total length of river is 309 km (192 mi). It drains an area of 12540 km2.
• Course:
• It flows to the south, cutting a deep gorge through the Siwalik Hills east of Darjiling (West Bengal) and turns southeast to run through the Sivok Khola pass onto the plains of West Bengal. 
• The river continued southward to empty directly into the upper Padma River (Ganga River). 
• About 1787, however, the river changed its course to flow eastward, crossing the Rangpur region of Bangladesh to join the Jamuna River near Chilmari after a total course of about 200 miles (320 km).
• The major tributaries of Teesta river:
• Left-bank Tributaries: Lachung Chhu, Chakung Chhu, Dik Chhu, Rani Khola, Rangpo Chhu.
• Right-bank Tributaries - Zemu Chhu, Rangyong Chhu, Rangit River.

Hence option a is the correct answer.

• Liquid explosives seem to have made a comeback in Jammu and Kashmir militancy theatre after 17 years as a recent raid by police in the Union territory led to the recovery of such "difficult-to-detect (d2d)" Improvised Explosive Devices.
• Forensic examination indicated that it could be trinitrotoluene (TNT) or nitroglycerine, generally used in dynamites.

About Improvised Explosive Device (IED):

• It is a type of unconventional explosive weapon that can take any form and be activated in a variety of ways.
• They are used by criminals, vandals, terrorists, suicide bombers and insurgents.
• Because they are improvised, IEDs can come in many forms, ranging from a small pipe bomb to a sophisticated device capable of causing massive damage and loss of life.
• The extent of damage caused by an IED depends on its size, construction, and placement, and whether it incorporates a high explosive or propellant.
• The term IED came into common usage during the Iraq War that began in 2003.
• Components of an IED:
• All IEDs consist of an initiating mechanism: a detonator, an explosive charge and a casing or collection of projectiles (such as ball bearings or nails) that produces lethal fragments upon detonation. 
• Materials used as explosives in IEDs:
• In practice, IEDs can be made of many different kinds of objects and materials, including artillery or mortar rounds, aerial bombs, certain types of fertilizers, TNT and other explosives. 
• IEDs can also contain radiological, chemical or biological components to increase their lethal and psychological effects.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

About Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: It is a protected area located in the state of Uttarakhand, India.
• It is situated in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas, approximately 33 kilometres north of the Almora district, Uttarakhand.
• The sanctuary covers an area of around 47 square kilometres. 
• History:
• Binsar was the erstwhile summer capital of the Chand Dynasty rulers, who ruled Kumaon from the 7th to 18th century AD. situated at the height of 2,420 m.
• According to the local people Binsar was named after the Bineshwar Mahadev temple (A 16th century temple) dedicated to Lord Shiva. 
• It is known for its rich biodiversity and stunning panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks such as Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Panchachuli and Kedarnath.
• Flora: 
• The sanctuary is covered by oak and rhododendron forests at higher altitudes and by chir pine forests at a lower height.
• It has 25 types of trees, 24 types of bushes and seven varieties of grasses. 
• Fauna:
• It is host to more than 200 species of native and migratory birds and endangered species like Indian red fox, jackals, pine martens and porcupines. 
• It also houses leopards, ghorals, wild boars, kakars, monkeys and Himalayan black bears and several species of birds including the Himalayan monal, koklass pheasant and Himalayan griffon.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

Recently, AstraZeneca (AZ) has admitted its Covid vaccine may cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS). 

• It is characterized by blood clots (thrombosis) combined with low levels of platelets (thrombocytopenia), which are necessary for blood clotting.
• It often involves unusual blood clot locations, such as in the brain (cerebral venous sinus thrombosis) or abdomen.
• Symptoms of TTS: Severe or persistent headaches, blurred vision, Shortness of breath, Chest pain, Leg swelling, Persistent abdominal pain and Easy bruising or tiny blood spots under the skin beyond the injection site etc.
• It is classified into two tiers based on the location of the blood clot and the severity of the symptoms.
• Tier 1:
• Uncommon site of thrombosis (like the brain-cerebral venous sinus thrombosis or the gut such as splanchnic vein, associated with bowel ischaemia and surgery, portal vein or other rare venous and arterial thromboses)
• Thrombosis in more common locations (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism)
• Platelet count is less than 1,50,000 per microlitre
• A positive anti-PF4 ELISA result is supportive, but not required for diagnosis.
• Tier 2:
• Common sites of thrombosis include leg or lungs (venous thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism)
• Platelet count is less than 1,50,000 per microlitre
• A positive anti-PF4 ELISA result is required.
• Tier 1 TTS carries a higher risk of mortality and morbidity than Tier 2. Tier 1 could be more common among younger age groups.

Hence both statements are correct.

Underlining that the state and central consumer courts incorrectly applied the ‘eggshell skull’ legal principle, the Supreme Court restored the compensation of Rs 5 lakhs awarded by the district consumer forum in a medical negligence case.

• It is a common law principle applied in civil litigation.
• It states that all victims should be fully compensated for their losses, even in situations where the victim was more-susceptible to injury due to a predisposing condition or preexisting injury.
• This rule ensures that a defendant (the person being sued) cannot escape liability for exacerbating a pre-existing condition due to their negligence. 
• The eggshell skull doctrine is named after a hypothetical situation where a person with a fragile skull, akin to an eggshell, suffers a head injury.
• If the victim’s skull fractures more easily than the average person, the defendant is still fully liable for all resulting damages, despite the victim’s unusual vulnerability. 
• Despite its name, the eggshell skull rule applies to all types of injuries, including physical, emotional, and psychological harm. 
• The rule is applied for claiming an enhanced compensation — for damage that is more than what could have been ordinarily anticipated to be caused by the defendant.
• The eggshell skull rule has consequently also been referred to as the ‘thin skull rule’ in many of the cases
• Origin: The origins of the eggshell skull rule are most often traced back to an 1891 Vosburg v. Putney case in Wisconsin, US.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Alok Shukla, convenor of the Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan and founding member of the Hasdeo Aranya Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, has been awarded the 2024 Goldman Prize from Asia.

• The Prize recognizes individuals for sustained and significant efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment, often at great personal risk.
• It is also known as the Green Nobel.
• It recognizes grassroots environmental heroes from roughly the world’s six inhabited continental regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands & Island Nations, North America and South & Central America
• The Goldman Prize views “grassroots” leaders as those involved in local efforts, where positive change is created through community or citizen participation.
• The first Goldman Environmental Prize ceremony took place on April 16, 1990. It was timed to coincide with Earth Day.

Key facts about Hasdeo Aranya region

• It is a sprawling forest in the northern part of Chhattisgarh which is known for its biodiversity and also its coal deposits.
• The forest falls under Korba, Surajpur and Sarguja districts with sizeable tribal population.
• The Hasdeo River, a tributary of Mahanadi, flows through it.
• It is the largest un-fragmented forests in Central India consisting of pristine Sal (Shorea robusta) and teak forests.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The Bombay High Court recently held that public sector banks (PSBs) cannot recommend or request the issuance of Look Out Circulars (LOCs) against loan defaulters.

About Look Out Circulars (LOCs):

• A LOC is an instrument issued by the government as a directive to its immigration authorities to restrict and regulate the physical movement of a person. 
• The immigration department is tasked to stop any such individual against whom such a notice exists from leaving or entering the country.
• Law enforcement agencies often use LOCs as a coercive measure to stop any individual wanted or under suspicion by the police or an investigating agency from leaving or entering the country through designated land, air, and sea ports.
• LOCs are usually issued by the police, intelligence agencies, or other government agencies authorised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). 
• LOC does not have express statutory backing in legislation, the power to issue LOCs and their regulation stems from the executive in the form of an Office Memorandum issued by the MHA in 2021, which provides consolidated guidelines for opening LOCs against Indian citizens or foreigners.
• Guidelines:
• The guidelines categorically provide that LOCs can only be opened in criminal or penal cases, and the reason for the LOC must be indicated with the issue of the circular. 
• If there is no criminal or penal case pending, the LOC cannot be issued, and agencies can only request that they be informed of departure or arrival.
• However, the guidelines provide that in exceptional cases, an LOC may be issued against an individual even when the case is not a criminal case. This is in specified circumstances, such as when it is detrimental to the “sovereignty, or security, or integrity of India”, the “bilateral relations with any State”, or to the “strategic and economic interests of India”.
• LOCs are also permitted in cases where the individual is likely to engage in terrorism or offences against the State or when such departure would not be “in the larger public interest”.
• LOCs cannot be issued unless basic details — including name/parentage, passport number, and date of birth — are available, and such requests must be constantly monitored.
• It is the responsibility of the originator to constantly review the LOC requests and proactively provide additional parameters to minimise harassment to genuine passengers.
• It is also required that any LOC issued must be reviewed on a quarterly and annual basis by agencies that request such restrictions, and the result of the review must be informed to the MHA.
• MHA has categorically transferred the legal consequences of issuing an LOC to the originating agency, even though such OMs are issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
• The power to issue such OMs and LOCs is sourced from The Passports Act, 1967, the key legislation for the grant of passports, travel documents, and “endorsements” to travellers at the time of emigration or immigration.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

The first-generation women patachitra artists of West Bengal’s village of Naya sell their work online and are recognised the world over, encouraging future generations to stay in the profession.

About Patachitra Painting:

• Patachitra, or Pattachitra, is a general term for traditional, cloth-based scroll painting based in the eastern Indian States of Odisha and West Bengal.
• It is believed to have originated as early as the 12th century.
• In the Sanskrit language, "Patta" literally means "cloth" and "Chitra" means "picture".
• It is known for its intricate details as well as the mythological narratives and folktales inscribed in it.
• Most of these paintings depict stories of Hindu deities.
• Pattachitra is one of the ancient artworks of Odisha, originally created for ritual use and as souvenirs for pilgrims to Puri, as well as other temples in Odisha.
• Patachitras are a component of ancient Bengali narrative art, originally serving as a visual device during the performance of a song.
• Making:
• Pattachitra paintings are made on a special canvas where cotton sarees are layered with tamarind paste and then coated with clay powder. 
• Traditionally, cotton canvas was used; now, both cotton and silk canvas are used for paintings.
• Once the canvas becomes sturdy, colours are filled in directly without any initial sketches. It is a tradition to complete the borders of the painting first. 
• All colours are obtained from natural sources like lamp soot and powdered conch shells.
• Each painting can take up to weeks or months to be prepared.

Hence option c is the correct answer.