Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 25th September 2024 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

For a film to qualify for consideration in the Best International Feature Film category, it must have more than 50% of its dialogue in a non-English language. This requirement ensures that the film represents India's diverse linguistic and cultural landscape. Interestingly, this criterion is in line with the Oscars' broader focus on international cinema, promoting films that authentically reflect their cultural contexts.

The Chang'e-5 mission's analysis of lunar samples indicated that volcanic activity on the moon may have occurred as recently as 120 million years ago. This finding challenges the previous assumption that the moon's volcanic activity had ended about a billion years ago, suggesting a more dynamic geological history than previously believed. This new understanding could reshape our knowledge of the moon's evolution and its geological processes.

The primary objective of India's Venus mission, Shukrayaan-1, is to investigate the planet's geological characteristics and atmosphere. This mission will deploy an orbiter equipped with advanced scientific instruments to collect vital data on Venus's climate, atmospheric composition, and potential volcanic activity. Understanding Venus's environment can provide insights into its evolution and similarities with Earth. Interestingly, Venus is often referred to as Earth's "twin" due to their comparable size and mass, making its study critical for understanding planetary processes.

The launch of India's Venus mission has been rescheduled to March 2028 to coincide with the optimal approach of Earth to Venus, which occurs every 19 months. This alignment is crucial for minimizing travel time and fuel consumption, allowing the spacecraft to reach Venus more efficiently. The careful planning surrounding this timing reflects the complexities of interplanetary travel and the importance of precise orbital mechanics in space missions.

The primary purpose of retractions is to correct significant errors or misconduct in published papers. When a research paper is found to contain serious inaccuracies, such as falsified data or plagiarism, it may be retracted to prevent the spread of misleading information. This process is essential for maintaining scientific integrity and trust in the research community, as retractions help ensure that only reliable and accurate information is disseminated.

The retraction index measures the frequency of retractions in relation to the total number of papers published in a specific journal. It is calculated by multiplying the number of retractions by 1,000 and dividing by the total number of papers published over a set timeframe. This index helps researchers understand the reliability of the journal and its published work, indicating how often significant issues arise.

The AH-64E Apache helicopters are primarily designed for armored combat. They are equipped with advanced combat features that enhance their capabilities in engaging ground targets and supporting ground forces. While they have limitations in high-altitude operations, their deployment is focused on regions suitable for armored engagements, making them a crucial asset for the Indian Army in such contexts.

The Karnataka High Court clarified that the Prevention of Corruption Act allows for permission requests for investigating public officials to be made not just by police officers but also by complainants, including private citizens. This ruling reinforced the idea that accountability mechanisms are in place for public officials and confirmed that the governor's sanction for investigation was valid and necessary.

The FFI has faced criticism for having an all-male jury, particularly as India's official film submission for the Oscars addresses women's issues. This lack of gender diversity in the selection process has led to calls for more inclusive practices, emphasizing the importance of representation in film evaluation. Ensuring diverse perspectives in such critical roles can enhance the selection process and reflect a broader range of societal concerns in the films nominated.

The use of aero-braking technology in India's Venus mission is aimed at slowing down the spacecraft by utilizing atmospheric drag. This technique allows the spacecraft to enter a highly elliptical orbit around Venus, which will then be gradually adjusted to a lower, more suitable orbit for scientific research. Aero-braking is a complex maneuver that requires precise control, as too deep an entry could damage the spacecraft, while too shallow a plunge could delay its orbital adjustment. This innovative approach highlights the mission's commitment to fuel efficiency and sustainable space exploration practices.