DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 26th October 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims –SPORTS

Context: The 37^th National Games will be held in Margao.

• He will also address athletes taking part in the Games.

About 37^th  National Games:-

• Time period: 25 October- 9^th November,2023.
• Venue: Margao, Goa.
• The National Games are being held in Goa for the first time.
• The Games will conclude on 9th November.
• More than 10 thousand athletes from across the country will compete in over 43 sports disciplines across 28 venues.
• The National Games of India stand as a prestigious multi-sport event.
• Often referred to as the “Indian Olympics,” these games serve as a dynamic platform for athletes from every corner of India to come together, and compete across various sports disciplines. (Indian Olympic Association)
• Beyond the medals and accolades, the National Games nurture young talent, promote unity, and instil a sense of pride across the country.

Historical Background:-

• The roots of the National Games trace back to the early 1920s when India sent its first national Olympic team to the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s sporting history.
• The inaugural Indian Olympic Games took place in February 1924 in Delhi, serving as a crucial event to select athletes for the 1924 Paris Olympics.
• A provisional Indian Olympic Committee (IOA) was established to oversee this event.
• The Olympic Games were eventually rechristened as the National Games during the 9th edition, held in Bombay in 1940.
• The IOA recognized the National Games as a concept to foster sports development and the Olympic movement in India.
• During the British colonial era, the Indian Olympic Games were held 12 times until 1946.

Organizing Authority:-

• The National Games are a collaborative effort between the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the respective state governments.
• Each edition of the games is hosted by a different Indian state.

MUST READ: Sports Code

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements in respect of the 44th Chess Olympiad, 2022: (2023)

1. It was the first time that the Chess Olympiad was held in India.
2. The official mascot was named Thambi’.
3. The trophy for the winning team in the open section is the Vera Menchik Cup.
4. The trophy for the winning team in the women’s section is the Hamilton-Russell Cup. ·

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Q.2) Consider the following statements in respect of the 32nd Summer Olympics: (2021)

1. The official motto for this Olympics is ‘A New World’.
2. Sports climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate, and Baseball are included in this Olympics.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 and 2

Syllabus

• Prelims –Geography

Context: Hurricane Otis recently made landfall on the coast of southern Mexico.

Background:-

• In Mexico, Hurricane Otis has made landfall on the coast of southern of the country, bringing wind speeds of up to 270 kilometres per hour.

About Hurricane Otis:-

• Hurricane Otis had strengthened rapidly, going from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in 12 hours, catching many off guard.
• Otis also became the first Category 5 landfall for the East Pacific, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hurricane Database, surpassing the 2015 Hurricane Patricia, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm.
• This made Otis the fastest intensifying hurricane in the Eastern Pacific since 1966. (Naming of Cyclone)

About Hurricane:-

• Hurricanes are tropical storms that form in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Wind speeds: at least 119 kilometres (74 miles) per hour.
• Hurricanes derive their energy from the heat released when moist air rises and condenses into clouds and rain.

Key characteristics of hurricanes:-

• Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters when the sea surface temperature is typically above 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Low-Pressure Centre: Hurricanes have a well-defined centre of low atmospheric pressure, known as the eye.
• Strong Winds: winds can reach sustained speeds of at least 74 miles per hour (119 kilometres per hour) or higher.
• Heavy Rainfall.

MUST READ: Climate Change fuelling Hurricanes

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements: (2022)

1. High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth.
2. Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth’s surface and thus cause a warming effect.

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) Consider the following statements: (2018)

1. The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory.
2. Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar.
3. The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context: Recently, a new flowering plant species Curcuma kakchingense was discovered in Manipur.

About Curcuma kakchingense:-

• Location: Kakching district, Manipur.
• It was found dwelling along the bank of the Sekmai River of Kakching district.
• It has been named Curcuma kakchingense, in honour of the place where it was found.
• The species has a close resemblance to C. phrayawan and C. longa but is distinguished by having lemon-yellow coloured rhizomes with a very bitter taste, and glabrous dark reddish-brown bladeless sheaths.
• It has reddish-brown petioles fading towards the edges.
• It has densely pubescent coma and upper fertile bracts on both surfaces with mucronate tips.
• It is a broadly ovate bracteole, elongated and revolute apex of the middle lobe of the labellum.
• It has a stigma protruding through the anther lobes.

Significance:-

• Curcuma is important for its use in cuisines, traditional medicines, spices, dyes, perfumes, cosmetics, and as ornamental plants.
• Therefore, the discovery of a new species of Curcuma will definitely open up new vistas for investigation of their phytochemistry, biological activity and application in the development of new nutraceuticals or pharmaceutical novelties.

MUST READ: Lakadong Turmeric

SOURCE: HINDUSTAN TIMES

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) What is the cas9 protein that is often mentioned in the news? (2019)

1. molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing.
2. A biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in patients.
3. A gene that makes plants pest-resistant
4. A herbicidal substance synthesized in generally modified crops

Syllabus

• Prelims – GOVERNANCE

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the meeting of the 43rd edition of Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) recently.

About Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI):-

• Launched: 2015.
• Designed by: PMO with the National Informatics Centre.
• PRAGATI is the ICT-based multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. (Global Digital Governance)

Objectives:-

• Project implementation
• Project monitoring
• Grievance redressal

Salient Features:-

• The PRAGATI system is an interactive and integrated platform chiefly established to consider the grievances of the common man.
• It is a 3-tier system including PM, Secretaries of the GOI, and State Chief Secretaries.
• Through this platform, several government projects and programs /schemes will be monitored.
• Through this platform, different secretaries of the GOI and the States’ Chief Secretaries, along with the Prime Minister discussed several issues.
• The PM holds monthly meetings with the secretaries and Chief Secretaries through this platform.
• Through this platform, PM also discusses the issues concerning the projects and is also presented with the ground-level situation.

 MUST READ: 34th PRAGATI interaction held

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it.
2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately.
3. It has seamless portability across the country.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q.2) With reference to the funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements is correct? (2020)

1. MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc.
2. A specified portion of each MP’s fund must benefit SC/ST populations.
3. MPLADS funds are sanctioned on a yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year.
4. The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Syllabus

• Prelims – ART AND CULTURE/GEOGRAPHY

Context: Recently, Udangudi Panangarupatti got the GI tag.

Background:-

• Udangudi ‘Panangkarupatti’ (palm jaggery/ gur) has been given a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• The application for this was filed by Tirunelveli District Palmyrah Products Cooperative Federation Limited and Patent Information Centre, Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology.

About Udangudi Panangarupatti:-

• Location: Udangudi, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu.
• The karupatti prepared from the palm sap from the region around Udangudi in Tiruchendur taluk in Thoothukudi district has some uniqueness.
• Unlike many other areas where chemical additives like triple super phosphate and phosphoric acid are used, Udangudi Panangkarupatti is made without the inclusion of any chemical additives.
• This is due to the presence of red sand dune soil found in the region.
• This soil holds less groundwater. (Groundwater extraction)
• The moisture content in the atmosphere is less because of the dry climatic condition, which leads to high sucrose content, in turn adding taste.
• The region’s dry climate is suitable for storage of karupatti for a longer duration.
• The production process involves the collection of palm sap (padhaneer) drop by drop into small earthen pots.
• This sap is collected during specific months, from March-April to June-July.
• The collected sap is then boiled in large vessels.
• Castor seeds are used as an antifoaming agent, and scum is removed during the boiling process.
• As the temperature reaches a certain range, the jaggery thickens and changes colour, eventually solidifying into ‘Karuppukatti’ in coconut shells.
• Udangudi jaggery was even exported to foreign countries, including Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore.
• Moreover, Madurai and Tirunelveli had more than 500 wholesale dealers for Udangudi jaggery.

 MUST READ: GI tag for Narasinghapettai nagaswaram

SOURCE: THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements: (2017)

1. It is a song and dance performance
2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance
3. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q.2) With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements: (2014)

1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama
2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam
3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Recently, Israel recently confirmed using its David’s Sling air-defence system to intercept a Hamas rocket.

About David’s Sling:-

• David’s Sling is a highly sophisticated and state-of-the-art anti-missile defence system.
• It is also sometimes called Magic Wand.
• It was developed jointly by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, an Israeli defence contractor, and Raytheon, an American defence contractor.
• The system is designed to intercept various types of missiles that may be fired towards Israel by hostile countries.
• At the core of David’s Sling lies the “Stunner” or “SkyCeptor,” an advanced multi-mission interceptor.
• This cutting-edge technology is capable of effectively countering a wide array of threats.
• It makes it lethal, flexible, and affordable for dealing with mass raids of enemy missiles and rockets.
• David’s Sling achieved operational status in April 2017.
• It plays a critical role in Israel’s theatre missile defence system.
• It complements other systems like Arrow 2, Arrow 3, Iron Dome, and Iron Beam.
• It is aimed to fill an operational gap between Iron Dome, which shoots down short-range rockets, and Arrow, which shoots down long-range ballistic missiles, both are already in use.

MUST READ: India, Israel and Palestine

SOURCE: THE NEW YORK 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) Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the “Fractional Orbital Bombardment System” often talked about in media? (2022)

1. A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.
2. A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions.
3. A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.
4. A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same surface. speed and places a probe on its

Syllabus

•    GS III – INFRASTRUCTURE

CAUSES OF DAM FAILURE

• Overtopping, usually caused by floods that exceed the capacity of the dam
• Structural failure of materials used in dam construction
• Inadequate maintenance and upkeep
• Movement and/or failure of the foundation supporting the dam
• Settlement and cracking of concrete or embankment dams
• Piping and internal erosion of soil in embankment dams
• Deliberate acts of sabotage

DAMS REGULATION IN INDIA

• Dam Safety Act 2021– It aims to prevent dam failure related disasters and provide for institutional mechanisms for surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of the specified dams.
• Central Water Commission (CWC) – It provides technical expertise and guidance on all matters related to dams.
• Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)- It was launched in 2012 with World Bank assistance to improve the safety and operational performance of selected dams, coupled with institutional strengthening through a system wide management approach.
• National Centre for Earthquake Safety of Dam- Located in Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur, Rajasthan, it is an initiative of Ministry of Jal Shakti towards effective implementation of Dam Safety Act 2021.
• Efforts of States- Under the 7th Schedule of the Constitution, water and water storage is a state subject. Therefore legislating dam safety is the responsibility of state governments. Bihar was the 1st State to enact the Dam Safety Act in 2006.

NEED OF DAM REGULATION

• Ageing of Dams: As the dams become old, their design and hydrology do not remain at par with the latest understanding and practices. Huge siltation is taking place as a result of which the water holding capacity of dams is getting reduced.
• Dependent on Dam Managers: The regulation of dams is entirely dependent upon individual dam managers. There is no proper system and understanding in terms of the downstream water requirement.
• Other factors: Dam safety is dependent upon other factors such as landscape, land-use change, patterns of rainfall, structural features, etc.
• Failures: In the absence of a proper dam safety framework, shortcomings may get involved in the investigation, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of dams which might lead to serious incidents and sometimes dam failure.

CONCLUSION

The recent catastrophe in Sikkim have shown how important dam safety regulations are and how it depends on many external factors such as ecology, hydrology, etc. Hence a holistic approach is the need of the hour in which experts from all the concerned areas should be involved. Furthermore, building large dams is proving to be a more environmentally damaging and costly affair than the gains it provides, hence ecological sensitivity should be taken into consideration from now onwards.

FEW FACTS ABOUT DAMS

• Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand is the highest dam in India built on Bhagirathi River.
• Hirakud Dam in Odisha built on river Mahanadi is the longest dam of India.
• Kallanai Dam in Tamil Nadu is the oldest dam of India. It is built on the Kaveri River and is about 2000 years old.

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 :

David’s Sling achieved operational status in April 2017.

Statement-II :

It replaces other systems like Arrow 2, Arrow 3, Iron Dome, and Iron Beam.

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) With reference to the National Games, consider the following statements:

1. They identify and nurture exceptional talent for national and international competitions.
2. The 37^th National Games are being held in Pune, Maharashtra.
3. They promote physical fitness, healthy competition, and sportsmanship among India’s diverse population.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  26th October 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – c