DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 24th November 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Recently, experts say that East Africa may experience a surge in El Nino-related malaria infections.

Background:-

• Impending outbreaks of new infections can wipe away gains in malaria control, they say.

About Malaria:-

• It is a life-threatening mosquito-borne blood disease.
• It is caused by Plasmodium parasites.
• It is predominantly found in the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, South America as well and Asia.
• It is preventable as well as curable.

Symptoms:-

• Symptoms usually begin ten to fifteen days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
• Symptoms include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches.
• In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death.

Transmission:-

• The parasites spread through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
• In the human body, parasites initially multiply in liver cells and then attack the Red Blood Cells (RBCs).
• There are 5 parasite species that cause Malaria in humans and 2 of these species (Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax) pose the greatest threat.

Prevention:-

• Using mosquito nets when sleeping in places where malaria is present
• Using mosquito repellents (containing DEET, IR3535 or Icaridin) after dusk
• Using coils and vaporizers.
• Wearing protective clothing.
• Using window screens.

Treatment:-

• Artemisinin-based combination therapy medicines like artemether-lumefantrine are usually the most effective medicines.
• Chloroquine is recommended for the treatment of infection with the vivax parasite only in places where it is still sensitive to this medicine.
• Primaquine should be added to the main treatment to prevent relapses of infection with the P. vivax and P. ovale parasites.
• Most medicines used are in pill form.
• Some people may need to go to a health centre or hospital for injectable medicines. (Malaria Vaccine)

India’s status:-

• In India, malaria elimination efforts were initiated in
• These were intensified after the launch of the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) in 2016.
• It is an initiative under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• NFME is in line with WHO’s 2016-2030 Malaria Strategy. (World Malaria Report 2021)
  • WHO’s 2016-2030 Malaria Strategy: guides the WHO Global Malaria Programme (GMP).
• Status on elimination: India continues to show a sustained decline in overall malaria but faces several challenges in its malaria elimination journey.

MUST READ: New hope for malaria vaccine

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following diseases (2014)

1. Diphtheria
2. Chickenpox
3. Smallpox

Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None

Q.2) Widespread resistance of the malarial parasites to drugs like chloroquine has prompted attempts to develop a malarial vaccine to combat malaria. Why is it difficult to develop an effective malaria vaccine? (2010)

1. Malaria is caused by several species of Plasmodium
2. Man does not develop immunity to malaria during natural infection
3. Vaccines can be developed only against bacteria
4. Man is only an intermediate host and not the definitive host

Syllabus

• Prelims –GEOGRAPHY/ ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context: Recently, the Air Quality Index in the overall Delhi region was recorded at 323.

Background:-

• The air quality level was recorded in the “Very Poor” category in the National Capital.

About Air Quality Index (AQI):-

• Air Quality Index (AQI) is a number used by government agencies to measure air pollution levels and communicate it to the population. (Air pollution)
• There are six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe.
• Each of these categories is decided based on ambient concentration values of air pollutants and their likely health impacts (known as health breakpoints).
• AQ sub-index and health breakpoints are evolved for eight pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) for which short-term (up to 24-hours) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.
• As the AQI increases, it means that a large percentage of the population will experience severe adverse health effects.
• The measurement of the AQI requires an air monitor and an air pollutant concentration over a specified averaging period.
• The results are grouped into ranges.
• Each range is assigned a descriptor, a colour code and a standardized public health advisory.
• The pollution sources in India and in most Asian countries are numerous and incompletely understood.
• In Delhi, for example, it comes mostly from light and heavy-duty vehicle traffic emissions, road dust, solid fuel combustion for heating and cooking, biomass, waste burning, thermal power plants, diesel generators, construction and small-scale local industries. ( Delhi and Air Pollution)

Government Initiatives:-

• The National Air Quality Index Standard (NAQI): It was launched by The Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar, on 17 September 2014.
  • The initiative constitutes part of the Government’s mission to introduce the “culture of cleanliness”, as air pollution has been a huge concern in the country, especially in urban areas
• The National Air Monitoring Program (NAMP): it covers 240 cities in the country, has been operated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and developed by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT), providing data in the public domain, on a real-time basis.
• System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) Portal.
• Graded Response Action Plan.
• Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
• Reducing Vehicular Pollution: BS-VI Vehicles, Push for Electric Vehicles (EVs), Odd-Even Policy as an emergency measure.
• Subsidy to farmers for buying Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) Machine.

MUST READ: Initiatives and Measures for Prevention of Air Pollution

SOURCE: AIR

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) In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 ug/m3 and annual mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 ug/m3.
2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during periods of inclement weather.
3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.
4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-SPACE

Context: Recently, the Lucy spacecraft successfully completed its first flyby of an asteroid named Dinkinesh.

Background:-

• It is a mission by NASA.

About Lucy Mission:-

• It was successfully launched on 16, 2021, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US.
• The spacecraft was launched on an Atlas V 401 rocket.
• It is a NASA space probe.
• It is on a twelve-year journey to ten different asteroids.
• It is the first solar-powered spacecraft to venture so far from the Sun. (Aditya-L1 Mission)
• It will observe more asteroids than any probe before it — eight in all.
• It includes Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids.
• They orbit the Sun in two loose groups: one group leading ahead of Jupiter in its orbit, the other trailing behind at the same distance from the Sun as Jupiter.
• Asteroids sharing an orbit with a planet, but which are located at the leading (L4) and trailing (L5) Lagrangian points, are known as Trojan asteroids.
• The mission is named after ‘Lucy’, a 3.2 million-year-old ancestor who belonged to a species of hominins (which include humans and their ancestors).
• The spacecraft carries two infrared spectrometers and four cameras.

MUST READ: IN-SPACe

SOURCE: MSN

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) 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

Q.2) With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: (2018)

1. PSLVs launch satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
3. GSLV Mk III is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors, and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –IMPORTANT AGENCIES/GOVERNANCE

Context: Recently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted simultaneous raids in Kaimur, Gaya and Aurangabad districts following Naxal-related inputs in Bihar.

Background:-

• During the raids at different locations in Naxal affected Adhaura area in Kaimur three suspected Maoists were arrested.

About National Investigation Agency (NIA):-

• NIA is functioning as the Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency in India.
• Establishment: 2008.
  • It was established by National Investigation Agency Act, enacted on 31-12-08. (NIA)
• Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs.
• HQ: New Delhi.
• It is a central agency to investigate and prosecute offences:-
  • affecting the sovereignty, security and integrity of India, security of the State, and friendly relations with foreign States.
  • against atomic and nuclear facilities.
  • smuggling in High-Quality Counterfeit Indian Currency.

Objectives:-

• It implements international treaties, agreements, conventions and resolutions of the United Nations, its agencies and other international organisations.

Historical Background:-

• The agency at the Central level was created for t investigation of offences related to terrorism and certain other Acts post-2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Functions of NIA:-

• In-depth professional investigation of scheduled offences using the latest scientific methods.
• Ensuring effective and speedy trials.
• Developing into a thoroughly professional, result-oriented organization.
• Developing a professional workforce through regular training and exposure to the best practices and procedures.
• Maintaining professional and cordial relations with the governments of States and Union Territories and other law enforcement agencies in compliance with the legal provisions of the NIA Act.
• Assist all States and other investigating agencies in the investigation of terrorist cases.
• Build a database on all terrorist-related information.
• Share the database available with the States and other agencies.
• Study and analyse laws relating to terrorism in other countries.
• Evaluate the adequacy of existing laws in India and propose changes as and when necessary.
• To win the confidence of the citizens of India through selfless and fearless endeavours.

MUST READ: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements : (2023)

1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government.
2. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in the maintenance of internal security.
3. To prevent infiltration on the international border/ coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some states.

How many of the above statements are correct?

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

Q.2) Consider the following organizations/ bodies in India : (2023)

1. The National Commission for Backward Classes
2. The National Human Rights Commission
3. The National Law Commission
4. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission

How many of the above are constitutional bodies?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –Defense

Context: Recently, the Crest unveiling ceremony of the Indian Navy’s Warship “SURAT”.

 Background:-

• The Crest of Indian Navy’s latest, indigenous under-construction, guided missile destroyer, ‘Surat’, is scheduled to be unveiled by Shri Bhupendra Patel, the Chief Minister of Gujarat in the presence of Adm R Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Naval Staff, at a ceremony to be held in the city of Surat .

About SURAT Warship:-

• Constructed by: Mazagon Docks Shipbuilders Ltd. Mumbai.
• Naming: The Destroyer has been named after Gujarat’s commercial capital- Surat, which has a rich maritime and ship-building history.
• INS Surat is the fourth and the last ship of the Project 15B Indian Navy Destroyers.
• These are called the Visakhapatnam class after the lead vessel INS Visakhapatnam.
• The Indian Naval Destroyers are named after Indian cities as per the naval tradition.
• It began with Project 15, under which three destroyers were built: INS Delhi in 1997, INS Mysore in 1999 and INS Mumbai in 2001.
• Project 15 was followed by the three-destroyer Project 15A, under which INS Kolkata was commissioned in 2014, INS Kochi in 2015 and INS Chennai in 2016.
• It was followed by the ‘Project 15B’ programme involves the construction of four next-generation stealth-guided missile destroyers, of which ‘Surat’ is the fourth and the last ship.
• Under project 15-B:-
  • The first: INS Visakhapatnam. (Project-15B stealth guided missile destroyers)
  • The second: INS Mormugao.
  • The third: INS Imphal.
  • The fourth: INS Surat.
• While INS Morm­ugao will be commissioned in 2022, INS Imphal will be commissioned in 2023 and INS Surat is likely to be commissioned in 2024, all at one-year intervals.
• INS Surat has been built using Block construction methodology that involves hull construction in two different locations and then joined together at one hub.
• It is a Guided-missile destroyer.
• This is the first capital warship to be named after the city of Gujarat.

MUST READ: Dunagiri, a Project 17A Frigate

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements: (2023)

1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government.
2. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in the maintenance of internal security.
3. To prevent infiltration on the international border/ coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some states.

How many of the above statements are correct?

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

Q2. Consider the following countries : (2023)

1. Bulgaria
2. Czech Republic
3. Hungary
4. Latvia
5. Lithuania
6. Romania

How many of the above-mentioned countries share a land border with Ukraine?

1. Only two
2. Only three
3. Only four
4. Only five

Syllabus

• Prelims – IMPORTANT ORGANIZATION

Context: Recently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has busted a major module of cyber-enabled crimes allegedly coercing foreign nationals for payments and recovered cash amounts of nearly 2.2 crore rupees.

Background:-

• As part of the operation, the CBI conducted searches in an ongoing investigation of a case at around 24 locations across multiple States, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Gujarat.

About CBI:-

• It was established as the Special Police Establishment in 194.
• Objective: to investigate cases of corruption in procurement during the Second World War.
• Later, the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption recommended the establishment of the CBI.
  • As a result, it was set up in 1963 by a resolution of the Union Home Ministry.
• The Special Police Establishment (which looked into vigilance cases) setup in 1941 was also merged with the CBI
• Later, it was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel and now it enjoys the status of an attached office.
• The CBI is not a statutory body.
• It derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, of 1946.
• The CBI is the main investigating agency of the Central Government.
• The CBI investigates the crime of corruption, economic offences and serious and organized crime other than terrorism.
• The CBI is headed by a Director who is assisted by a special/additional director.
  • The Director of CBI has been provided security of two-year tenure by the CVC Act, 2003.
  • As per the CVC Act of 2003, the Central Government shall appoint the Director of CBI on the recommendation of a three-member committee consisting of the
    • Prime Minister as Chairperson,
    • Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
    • Chief Justice of India or Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by him.
    • If there is no recognized leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, then the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha would be a member of that committee.
  • The CBI Academy is located in Ghaziabad, UP and started functioning in 1996.
  • It also has three regional training centres at Kolkata, Mumbai & Chennai. (CBI and its troubles)
  • The superintendence of CBI related to the investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 lies with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
  • Other matters with the Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT) in the Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Grievances of the Government of India

Functions:-

• Investigating cases of corruption, bribery and misconduct of Union govt employees
• Investigating cases relating to infringement of fiscal and economic laws
• Investigating serious crimes, having national and international ramifications, committed by organised gangs of professional criminals.
• Coordinating activities of the anticorruption agencies and various state police forces
• Taking up, on the request of a state government, any case of public importance for investigation.
  • The Central Government can authorize CBI to investigate such a crime in a State but only with the consent of the concerned State Government.
• It takes up investigation of conventional crimes like murder, kidnapping, rape etc., on reference from the state governments or when directed by the Supreme Court/High Courts.
• Maintaining crime statistics and disseminating criminal information.
• The CBI acts as the “National Central Bureau” of Interpol in India.

MUST READ: CBI and ED

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the ‘Banks Board Bureau (BBB)’, which of the following statements are correct? (2022)

1. The Governor of RBI is the Chairman of BBB.
2. BBB recommends the selection of heads for Public Sector Banks.
3. BBB helps Public Sector Banks develop strategies and capital-raising plans.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2022)

1. In India, credit rating agencies are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.
2. The rating agency popularly known as ICRA is a public limited company.
3. Brickwork Ratings is an Indian credit rating agency.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

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

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 :

The CBI Academy is located in Ghaziabad, UP

Statement-II :

The CBI Investigates cases of corruption, bribery and misconduct of Union govt employee.

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 Lucy Mission, consider the following statements:

1. It is a NASA space probe.
2. It is on a twelve-year journey to ten different asteroids.
3. It is the first solar-powered spacecraft to venture so far from the Sun , consider the following statements

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

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  24th November 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – c

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – c