DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 9th August 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims –Defense

Context: The Indian Air Force has received Israel’s Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) anti-tank guided missiles.

Background:-

• The Spike NLOS will be integrated with the Russian-origin fleet of Mi-17V5 helicopters.

About Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS):-

IMAGE SOURCE: defense-arab.com

• Developed by: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, Israel.

Characteristic features of Spike NLOS:-

• Spike NLOS is a multi-purpose, electro-optical/infrared missile system.
• It is a fire-and-forget anti-tank and anti-personnel missile.
• Range: up to 32 kilometers
• It can be integrated with the ground, air, or maritime platforms.
• It has the capability to strike distant or geographically concealed targets without line-of-sight.
• In missile guidance, line of sight (LOS) is the line directly between the launcher/tacker and the target.
• The weapon’s seeker and wireless datalink provide operators with real-time video imagery and man-in-the-loop control throughout the missile’s flight.
  • This provides operators with the opportunity to alter or abort the mission while en route to the target.
• The made-in-Israel Spike missile is capable of destroying enemy targets hidden behind mountains from long ranges.

MUST READ: Ballistic missiles

SOURCE: HINDUSTAN TIMES

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements:(2023)

1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.
2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q.2) With reference to the Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statement(s) is/are correct? (2014)

1. It is a surface-to-surface missile.
2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.
3. It can deliver a one-tonne nuclear warhead about 7500 km away.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims –Governance

Context: Recently, it was announced that North India’s first River Rejuvenation Project Devika is nearing its completion.

Background:-

• Built at a cost of over Rs 190 crore on the lines of ‘Namami Ganga’, the Project was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi

About Project Devika:-

• Launched:2019.
  • It was launched under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).
• Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Objectives: Project Devika aims to rejuvenate the Devika River.

Salient Features of Project Devika:-

• Under the project, bathing “ghats” (places) on the banks of the Devika River will be developed.
• Further, the encroachments will be removed, and natural water bodies will be restored.
• The catchment areas will also be developed along with cremation grounds.
• The Liquid Waste Management Project involves creating a network of pipes and manholes connecting households under the Project. (Cleaning of River Ganga)
• A Solid Waste Management Project is additionally planned to further enhance the river’s restoration.
• The project also includes the construction of three sewage treatment plants, the development of two cremation ghats, protection fencing and landscaping, small hydropower plants, and three solar power plants.

About River Devika:

• Origin: Devika River originates from the hilly Suddha Mahadev temple in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir and flows down towards western Punjab (now in Pakistan) where it merges with the Ravi River.
• The river holds religious significance as it is revered by Hindus, as the sister of the river Ganga.It is believed that Devika River is a manifestation of the Goddess Parwati.

MUST READ: River Cities Alliance

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the role of biofilters in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, consider the following statements: (2023)

1. Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed.
2. Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate.
3. Biofilters increase phosphorus as a nutrient for fish in water.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q.2) Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution: (2023)

1. Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.
2. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.
3. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Syllabus

• Prelims –Environment and Ecology

Context: The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has issued its first ‘extinction alert’ on the vaquita porpoise.

Background:-

• The International Whaling Commission (IWC) issued its first ‘extinction alert’ on August 7, 2023, on the vaquita porpoise, of which only 10 individuals survive in the Gulf of California or Sea of Cortez in Mexico.
  • International Whaling Commission (IWC): an international body charged with the conservation of whales and the management of whaling.
  • It was set up under International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW).
  • ICRW governs the commercial, scientific, and aboriginal subsistence whaling practices of the member nations.
  • It was signed in 1946.
  • HQ: Impington, near Cambridge, England.

About Vaquita porpoise:-

IMAGE SOURCE: TreeHugger

• SCIENTIFIC NAME: Phocoena sinus
• HEIGHT: Up to 5 feet
• WEIGHT: Up to 120 pounds
• HABITATS: Marine.
  • The vaquita is only found in the northernmost part of the Gulf of California, Mexico.
  • It is most commonly seen in shallow waters up to 50 meters deep.
• POPULATION: About 10 individuals.
  • It is on the edge of extinction.
• Vaquita, the world’s rarest marine mammal.
• Its name means “little cow” in Spanish.
• The vaquita has a large dark ring around its eyes and dark patches on its lips that form a thin line from the mouth to the pectoral fins.
• It is unique among the porpoises as it is the only species of that family found in warm waters.
• The size of the dorsal fin is believed to be an adaptation to that, allowing for extra body heat to dissipate.

Threats for Vaquita porpoise:-

• Illegal fishing with gill nets for the vulnerable totoaba, a large fish sought after for its swim bladder.
• The small animal frequently gets caught in fixed fishing nets (gill nets), as by-catch.

Conservation Status Vaquita porpoise:-

• IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered.
• CITES: Appendix I

MUST READ: Zebrafish

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) ‘Invasive Species Specialist group’ (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations? (2023)

1. The International Union for Conservation of Nature
2. The United Nations Environment Programme
3. The United Nations World Commission for Environment and Development
4. The World Wide Fund for Nature

Q.2) Which of the following is not a bird? (2022)

1. Golden Mahseer
2. Indian Nightjar
3. Spoonbill
4. White Ibis

Syllabus

• Prelims –Environment and Ecology

Context: Raman Sukumar has been elected as the vice-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Background:-

• Raman Sukumar is an Asian elephant expert.
• He was elected vice-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) during the recent election held at the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi from July 25-28, 2023.
• As part of the new IPCC Bureau, he will work on the IPCC’s Seventh Assessment Report, expected to be completed in the coming 5-7 years.

About Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):-

• Establishment: 1988.
• Established by: World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• HQ: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Objective: to provide governments at all levels with scientific information that they can use to develop climate policies.  (IPCC)
• IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.
• The IPCC provides regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.

Membership of IPCC:-

• The IPCC is an organization of governments that are members of the United Nations or WMO.
• The IPCC currently has 195 members.
• India is a member of the IPCC.

The working mechanism of IPCC:-

• The IPCC does not conduct its own research.
• Thousands of people from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC.
• For the assessment reports, experts volunteer their time as IPCC authors.
• They assess the thousands of scientific papers published each year to provide a comprehensive summary.
• This summary mentions what is known about the drivers of climate change, its impacts, and future risks, and how adaptation and mitigation can reduce those risks.

IPCC Assessment Reports

• Every few years (about 7 years), the IPCC produces assessment reports.
• These are the most comprehensive scientific evaluations of the state of the earth’s climate.
• The Assessment Reports – by three working groups of scientists.
  • Working Group-I – Deals with the scientific basis for climate change.
  • Working Group II – Looks at the likely impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation issues.
  • Working Group III – Deals with actions that can be taken to combat climate change.
• First assessment report:
• Sixth Assessment Report: 2023. (IPCC report on Mitigation of Climate Change)

MUST READ: IPCC New Climate Report

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following: (2023)

1. Aerosols
2. Foam agents
3. Fire retardants
4. Lubricants

In the making of how many of the above are hydrofluorocarbons used?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2023)

Statement-I:

Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change.

Statement-II:

Carbon markets transfer resources from the private sector to the State.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Syllabus

• Prelims –Science and Technology

Context: Recently, the Central government in response to a Bengaluru resident’s recent petition has told the Karnataka High Court that it will look into the matter of the ‘Havana Syndrome’ in India.

About Havana Syndrome:-

IMAGE SOURCE: stourbridgenews.co.uk

• Havana syndrome is a series of debilitating mental health symptoms. ( Havana Syndrome)

Historical Background:-

• These first affected S. intelligence officers and embassy staffers stationed in Havana, Cuba, in late 2016.
• In the following year, American diplomats in different parts of the world reported similar symptoms.

Havana syndrome in India:-

• In India, the first such case was reported in September 2021, when a US intelligence officer traveling to New Delhi reported symptoms of Havana Syndrome.
• As of July 2023, the 2021 incident was the only reported occurrence of the syndrome in India.

Causes of Havana syndrome:-

• In December 2020, the National Academy of Sciences noted in its report that the best explanation for the syndrome would be pulsed, directed microwaves.

Symptoms of Havana syndrome:-

• Hearing certain sounds without any outside noise (Mental Health)
• Nausea
• Vertigo and
• Headaches
• Memory loss
• Balance issues.

Long-term effects of Havana syndrome:-

• Migraine
• Problems with distant vision
• Squinting
• Recurrent vertigo
• Nosebleeds

Treatment of Havana syndrome:-

The management of the disease consists of alternative medicine modalities such as:-

• Art therapy
• Meditation
• Breathing exercises
• Acupuncture

MUST READ: Rare Diseases

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) ‘Wolbachia method’ is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following? (2023)

1. Controlling the viral diseases spread by mosquitoes.
2. Converting crop residues into packing material.
3. Producing biodegradable plastics.
4. Producing biochar from thermos chemical conversion of biomass.

Q.2) With reference to recent developments regarding ‘Recombinant vector Vaccines’, consider the following statements: (2021)

1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines.
2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Syllabus

• Prelims – Environment and Ecology

Context: A recent publication by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) points out that about 5% of birds found in India are endemic.

Key highlights of the report:-

• The publication, titled 75 Endemic Birds of India, was recently released on the 108th foundation day of the ZSI.
• India is home to 1,353 bird species, which represents approximately 12.40% of global bird diversity.
• Of these 1,353 bird species, 78 (5%) are endemic to the country.
• Of the 78 species, three species have not been recorded in the last few decades.
• They are the Manipur Bush Quail listed as ‘Endangered’ by theIUCN Red List with its last recorded sighting in 1907; the Himalayan Quail listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ with its last recorded sighting in 1876; and the Jerdon’s Courser listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ with its last confirmed sighting in 2009.
• Of the 78 endemic species, 25 are classified as ‘Threatened’ by the IUCN.
• The highest number of endemic species have been recorded in the Western Ghats, with 28 bird species.
• 25 bird species are endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

About the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI):-

• Establishment:1916.
• Ministry: Ministry of Environment and Forests.
• HQ: Kolkata
• The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), a subordinate organization of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
• Objective: It was established as a national center for a faunistic survey and exploration of the resources leading to the advancement of knowledge on the exceptionally rich faunal diversity of the country.

Functions of ZSI:-

• Identification & Advisory
• Training & Extension Services in the field of animal taxonomy and faunistic surveys.
• Library
• Presentation & Publication of Research work in journals and books.
• Study of:-
  • Fauna of states.
  • Fauna of conservation areas.
  • Fauna of important ecosystems.
  • Status survey of endangered species.
  • Fauna of India
  • Ecological Studies & Environmental impact assessments.

MUST READ: Kerala Bird Atlas (KBA)

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following ‘fauna: (2023)

1. Lion-tailed Macaque
2. Malabar Civet
3. Sambar Deer

How many of the above are generally nocturnal or most active after sunset?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q.2) With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon Frogmouth, Coppersmith Barbet, Gray Chinned Minivet and White-throated Redstart are (2020)

1. Birds
2. Primates
3. Reptiles
4. Amphibians

Syllabus

• Prelims –Environment and Ecology

Context: Recently, studies have been performed by scientists on the clouded leopard found in Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, Assam. 

About clouded leopard:-

• Distribution: It is a wild cat inhabiting dense forests of the Himalayas through mainland Southeast Asia into South China.
• Distribution in India: it is found in Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Meghalaya subtropical forests, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• It is the State animal of Meghalaya. (Status Of Leopards Report released)
• Naming: It is named after a cloud-shaped pattern on its skin.
• Habitat: It most often inhabits primary evergreen tropical forests and also lives in secondary forests, logged forests, dry tropical forests, grassland, mangrove swamp, scrubland, and coastal hardwood forest.
• The clouded leopard is categorized into two species:-
  • The mainland clouded leopard: distributed from central Nepal to peninsular Malaysia.
  • It is often linked to the Ice Age sabretooth because it has the largest canines in proportion to its skull size among all cat species.
  • The Sunda clouded leopard: native to Borneo and Sumatra.
• It is the smallest of the big cats. ( International Snow Leopard Day)
• The arboreal clouded leopard’s long tail helps it balance on trees and jump 4 to 6 metres, from one tree to another.
• The clouded leopard thrives in forested habitats, but a decline in such forests has led to a decline in its count.

Conservation status:-

• IUCN: Vulnerable

MUST READ: Snow Leopard

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following organisms perform the waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the distance to a source of their food? (2023)

1. Butterflies
2. Dragonflies
3. Honeybees
4. Wasps

Q.2) Consider the following statements regarding the Indian squirrels: (2023)

1. They build nests by making burrows in the ground.
2. They store their food materials like nuts and seeds in the ground.
3. They are omnivorous.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 3 (Science and Technology)

Context: Pope Francis recently called for a global reflection on the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), noting the new technology’s “disruptive possibilities and ambivalent effects.”

About artificial intelligence:

• AI is defined as a machine’s ability to perform a task that would have previously required human intelligence.
• It includes technologies like machine learning, pattern recognition, big data, neural networks, self-algorithms etc.
• AI is different from hardware driven robotic automation. Instead of automating manual tasks, AI performs frequent high volume computerised tasks reliably.

Significance of AI:

• Healthcare: It helps provide personalized medicine and X-ray readings. It can better analyse reports and make accurate diagnosis.
• Security: AI facial recognition tools may be used for surveillance and security purposes.
• Education: AI can be used to develop content for education purpose, which could convey knowledge in an effective way.
• Robotics: AI can help robots learn the processes and perform the tasks with complete autonomy, without any human intervention.
• Transport: Driverless vehicles are developed as a part of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Banking and finance: AI bots, digital payment advisers and biometric fraud detection are some of the applications in banking and finance.
• Agriculture: AI can analyse the crop health by looking at images of crops and suggesting appropriate amounts of fertilizers and water. It can also predict yields.
• E-commerce and social media: AI can provide personalized content to users based on their previous usage pattern. Apart from targeted sale, it also help in targeted advertising.

Key issues with Artificial Intelligence:

• High carbon footprint: In order to carry out the tasks they are supposed to, AI models need to process mountains of data.
  • This data crunching happens in data centers.
  • It requires a lot of computing power and is energy-intensive.
  • The entire data center infrastructure and data submission networks account for 2-4% of global CO2 emissions.
• High Costs of Creation: As AI is updating every day the hardware and software need to get updated with time to meet the latest requirements.
  • Machines need repairing and maintenance, which need plenty of costs.
  • It’s creation requires huge costs as they are very complex machines.
• Unemployment: As AI is replacing the majority of the repetitive tasks and other works with robots, human interference is becoming less, which will cause a major problem in the employment standards.
  • Every organization is looking to replace the minimum qualified individuals with AI robots, which can do similar work with more efficiency.
• No Emotions: There is no doubt that machines are much better when it comes to working efficiently but they cannot replace the human connection that makes the team.
  • Machines cannot develop a bond with humans which is an essential attribute when comes to Team Management.
• Lacking Out of Box Thinking: Machines can perform only those tasks, which they are designed or programmed to do, anything out of that they tend to crash or give irrelevant outputs, which could be a major backdrop.
• Lack of transparency of AI tools: AI decisions are not always intelligible to humans.
• AI is not neutral: AI-based decisions are susceptible to inaccuracies, discriminatory outcomes, embedded or inserted bias.
  • Surveillance practices for data gathering and privacy of court users.
• New concerns for fairness and risk for Human Rights and other fundamental values.

Way Forward:

• Dedicated Research: The relationship between climate change and AI is understudied, not least because the largest companies working in this space are neither transparent nor meaningfully committed to studying, let alone acting, to substantively limit the climate impact of their operations.
• Recommendation of WEF: In 2018, a World Economic Forum (WEF) report showed that while AI can address some of Earth’s environmental challenges, it is important to manage it properly.
  • To prevent this, the WEF proposed that governments and companies should pursue advancements in “safe” AI to ensure that humanity is not developing AI that is harmful to the environment.
• Merging Technology with Sustainable Development: To make sure AI is used to help, and not hinder the society, it is time to merge the two big debates of the present time – digital technology and sustainable development (in particular, the environment).
  • If we use the former to save the latter, this could be the best possible use made out of the resources available to us.

Source:    Indian Express

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 (Governance) and GS 3 (Science and Technology)

Context: Online gaming in India has the potential to be a multi-billion-dollar industry, but it comes with negative fallouts as well.

About Online Gambling:

• Online gambling involves participating in gambling activities through the internet by placing bets or wagers on games and events to win money or prizes.
• It can be played on various devices and involves virtual chips or digital currencies instead of cash.
• The global online gambling market was valued at USD 63.53 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.7% from 2023 to 2030, with the Asia-Pacific region being the largest market.
• There are different types of online gambling, including casino games like slots, blackjack, and roulette, sports betting, poker, and lottery.
• It is regulated in most countries, including India, with varying degrees of restrictions and laws.

Potential of the Gaming market in India:

• The Indian gaming industry is likely to grow from Rs. 22,972.936 crore in 2022 to Rs. 41,023.1 crore in 2025 at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28-30 per cent.
• It is expected that the number of gamers in India will increase from 42 crore in 2022 to 50 crore by 2025.
• In fact, with 71 percent of urban population engaged in casual or professional games, India ranks among the top 10 gaming countries in the world.
• As per a latest study by Statista and Kepios, India holds 8th position amongst the top-10 nations which tweet the most about gaming.
• India has even produced three major unicorns in the online gaming industry, namely, Dream Sports, Games 24×7 and MPL.

Advantages of Online Games:

• Online gaming industry is expected to provide economic benefits in form of revenues.
• The industry will create jobs, especially in software development and related sectors.
• The growth in gaming industry shows that it has potential to attract significant global investments.
• Online gaming, especially those involving skills is a great source to develop early learning skills for youngsters.
• Even though there are financial risks involved, there has been a steady rise in number of people earning income by playing online games.

Issues with Online Gaming:

• Addiction issues: Many social activists, government officials and those in law enforcement believe that online games like rummy and poker are addictive in nature; and when played with monetary stakes may lead to other issues.
  • Some people are losing money and falling into a debt trap. Some of the victims took their own lives.
  • The study shows that online games are addictive whether these games really involve skill or mere tricks.
• Social Risks: Reportedly, there have been a few instances where youngsters, faced with mounting debts due to losses in online games have committed other crimes like theft and murder.
• Loss of revenue: Shifting of users to grey or illegal offshore online gaming apps not only results in loss of tax revenue for the State and job opportunities for locals but results in users being unable to avail remedies for any unfair behaviour or refusal to pay out winnings.
• Manipulative websites: Some experts also believe that online games are susceptible to manipulation by the websites operating such games.
  • There is a possibility that users are not playing such games against other players, but against automatic machines or ‘bots’, wherein there is no fair opportunity for an ordinary user to win the game.

Steps taken by the government to regulate this sector:

• Legal Jurisdiction: The state legislators are, vide Entry No. 34 of List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, given exclusive power to make laws relating to betting and gambling.
• Public Gambling Act, 1867: At present, India has just one central law that governs gambling in all its forms.
  • It’s called the Public Gambling Act, 1867, which is an old law, ill-equipped to handle the challenges of digital casinos, online gambling and gaming.
• Status of Type of Games Allowed: Staking money or property on the outcome of a ‘game of chance’ is prohibited and subjects the guilty parties to criminal sanctions.
  • However, placing any stakes on the outcome of a ‘game of skill’ is not illegal per se and may be permissible.
  • It is important to note that the Supreme Court recognized that no game is purely a ‘game of skill’ and almost all games have an element of chance.
• Common Gaming House: Another concept common to the gaming law in most states is the idea of a ‘common gaming house’.
  • Owning, keeping, or having charge of a common gaming house or being present for gaming in any such common gaming house is ordinarily prohibited in terms of these state gaming laws.
• Laws in Various States: States like Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh have adopted the Public Gambling Act with some amendments.
  • However, other regions like Goa, Sikkim, Daman, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, have drafted specific laws to regulate public gambling in their jurisdictions.

Way Forward:

Similar to social media and e-commerce companies, online gaming platforms will also have to appoint a compliance officer who will ensure that the platform is following the norms, a nodal officer who will act as a liaison official with the government and assist law enforcement agencies, and a grievance officer who will resolve user complaints.

The legal landscape in India is complex and varies by state, so individuals should be aware of their state’s laws and only participate in licensed online gambling activities.

Source:  The Hindu

Q1) Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q2) Consider the following statements

Statement-I:

Nausea, Vertigo, and Headaches can be one of the few symptoms of Havana syndrome.

Statement-II:

Havana syndrome has never been detected in India.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Q3) Consider the following statements

Statement-I:

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) only.

Statement-II:

IPCC and U.S. Vice-President Al Gore were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Mains Practice Questions

Q.1) In her budget speech, FM Nirmala Sitharaman described AI as a sunrise technology that would “assist sustainable development at scale and modernise the country. In this regard, what are the socio-economic implications of Artificial Intelligence? Critically Analyse (250 words)

Q.2) Online gaming in India has the potential to be a multi-billion-dollar industry, but it comes with negative fallouts as well. Examine. Suggest ways to deal with the Ill-effects of online gaming. (250 words)

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’ 9th August 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st