DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 28th November 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims –GEOGRAPHY

Context: Recently, Silkyara tunnel rescue operations entered their 16^th day.

Background:-

• The accident when the workers were trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel located on the Uttarkashi-Yamnotri Road.
• The collapse happened about 270m from the entrance of the Silkyara side.
• The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and the police are among the main figures in the multi-agency rescue operations.

About Silkyara Tunnel:-

• Location: Uttarakhand.
• The total length of the tunnel is 5 km.
• It is meant to connect Silkyara to Dandal gaon in Uttarkashi district.
• The double-lane tunnel is pegged as one of the longest tunnels under the Char Dham all-weather road project. (The significance of the Char Dham board verdict)
• It aims to reduce the journey from Uttarkashi to Yamunotri Dham by 26 kilometres.
• From the Silkyara side, 2.3km of tunnel has been constructed, while 1.6km of tunnelling work has been completed from the Barkot end.
• Approximately, a 400m stretch of the tunnel is yet to be constructed.
• The Silkyara tunnel is part of the ongoing construction between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri stretch of the National Highway under the Char Dham project.
  • Char Dham Project: Launched in December 2016, it aims to enhance connectivity between the four pilgrimage sites of Char Dham—Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri.

MUST READ: Char Dham Highways

SOURCE: TIMES OF INDIA

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 –GEOGRAPHY

Context: Recently, Christopher Luxon sworn in as New Zealand’s prime minister.

Background:-

• The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by Governor-General Cindy Kiro.

About New Zealand:-

IMAGE SOURCE: Nations Online

• New Zealand, an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, the southwesternmost part of Polynesia.
• It lies more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Australia, its nearest neighbour.
• The country comprises two main islands—the North and the South Island—and a number of small islands, some of them hundreds of miles from the main group.
• The capital city is
• The largest urban area in Auckland.
• The North Island of New Zealand has a ‘spine’ of mountain ranges running through the middle, with gentle rolling farmland on both sides.
• The central North Island is dominated by the Volcanic Plateau, an active volcanic and thermal area.
• The massive Southern Alps form the backbone of the South Island. To the east of the Southern Alps is the rolling farmland of Otago and Southland, and the vast, flat Canterbury Plains.

India-New Zealand Relations:-

• Historical Relations: India and New Zealand have a longstanding, friendly and growing relationship. Our ties go back to the 1800s, with Indians settling in Christchurch as early as the 1850s.
• Political Relations: India and New Zealand have cordial and friendly relations rooted in the linkages of the Commonwealth, parliamentary democracy, and the English language.
• Economic relations: India NZ Business Council (INZBC) and India NZ Trade Alliance (INZTA) are the two prominent organizations working to promote India-NZ trade and investment relations. ( India and RCEP)
• Cultural Relations: All Indian festivals including Diwali, Holi, Rakshabandhan, Baisakhi, Guruparv, Onam, Pongal, etc. are celebrated with much enthusiasm all over NZ.

MUST READ: India-Australia relations

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the lakes of West Africa has become dry and turned into a desert? (2022)

1. Lake Victoria
2. Lake Faguibine
3. Lake Oguta
4. Lake Volta

Q.2) The term “Levant” often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which of the following regions? (2022)

1. Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores
2. Region along North African shores stretching from Egypt to Morocco
3. Region along the Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa
4. The entire coastal Mediterranean Sea areas

Syllabus

• Prelims –GEOGRAPHY

Context: Recently, A new school for 400 children evacuated from the Gaza area opened near the Dead Sea.

Background:-

• One month after the start of the war in Gaza, Israel’s Minister of Education Yoav Kish held the official opening ceremony of the first school established in the Tamar Regional Council (by the Dead Sea) for students from first to twelfth grades who were evacuated from their homes.

About Dead Sea:-

• The Dead Sea is a landlocked salt lake between Israel and Jordan in southwestern Asia.
• The Dead Sea, also known as the Salt Sea.
• It has the lowest elevation on land and is the world’s lowest body of water. (Global Sea-level Rise and Implications)
• The water in the Dead Sea is roughly ten times saltier than ocean water in general.
• This salinity makes for a harsh environment in which animals cannot flourish, hence its name.
• It lies to the east of the Mediterranean Sea and south of the Sea of Galilee.
• It lies in the Jordan Rift Valley.
• It is fed mainly by the Jordan River, which enters the lake from the north.
• It is 306 m deep, the deepest hypersaline lake in the world.
• Clinical studies have shown that the high mineral concentration of its water and mud, zinc, and oxygen-rich air can treat a variety of ailments, including psoriasis and other skin conditions, asthma, rheumatism, high blood pressure, and more.

MUST READ: Deep-Sea Mining

SOURCE: NEWSX

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

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

Statement-I:

Switzerland is one of the leading exporters of gold in terms of value.

Statement-II:

Switzerland has the second-largest gold reserves in the world.

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

Q2) With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from a baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –POLITY

Context: Recently, Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a notice to the Karnataka government over publishing advertisements related to its achievements in newspapers in poll-bound Telangana.

Background:-

• The Commission has sought an explanation from the State Congress government.

About Election Commission of India (ECI):-

• The Election Commission is a permanent and independent body established by the Constitution of India. (UPSC CSE: Election Commission)
• Objective: to ensure free and fair elections in the country.
• Article 324 of the Constitution: provides that the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to parliament, state legislatures, the office of president of India and the office of vice-president of India shall be vested in the election commission.

Composition Election Commission of India:-

• Members: The election commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and a such number of other election commissioners, if any, as the President may from time to time fix.
• Appointment: The appointment of the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners shall be made by the
• Head: When any other election commissioner is so appointed the chief election commissioner shall act as the chairman of the election commission.
• Regional commissioners: The president may also appoint after consultation with the election commission such regional commissioners as he may consider necessary to assist the election commission.
• Procedure of Removal:-
• The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through a process of removal similar to that of a Supreme Court judge by Parliament.
  • Judges of High Courts and Supreme Court, CEC, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) may be removed from office through a motion adopted by Parliament on grounds of ‘Proven misbehaviour or incapacity’.
  • Removal requires a special majority of 2/3rd members present and voting supported by more than 50% of the total strength of the house.
• Conditions of service: it shall be such as the President may by rule.
• Tenure of office: President may by rule determine it.

Key Functions of ECI:-

• ECI superintendents, direct and control the entire process of conducting elections.
  • These include elections to Parliament and Legislature of every State and to the offices of President and Vice-President of India.
• It decides the election schedules for the conduct of periodic and timely elections, whether general or bye-elections.
• It prepares electoral rolls and issues Electronic Photo Identity Cards (EPIC).
• It decides on the location of polling stations, assignment of voters to the polling stations, location of counting centres, and other related arrangements to be made.
• It grants recognition to political parties.
• It allots election symbols to them along with settling disputes related to it. (Remote Voting by ECI)
• Advisory jurisdiction: it can advise in the matter of post-election disqualification of sitting members of Parliament and State Legislatures.
• It issues the Model Code of Conduct in elections for political parties and candidates.
• Model Code of Conduct: a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections.
• It sets limits of campaign expenditure per candidate to all the political parties and also monitors the same.

MUST READ: Appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and Other ECs

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) In essence, what does ‘Due Process of Law’ mean? (2023)

1. The principle of natural justice
2. The procedure established by law
3. Fair application of law
4. Equality before law

Q.2) With reference to the Finance Bill and Money Bill in the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements : (2023)

1. When the Lok Sabha transmits the Finance Bill to the Rajya Sabha, it can amend or reject the Bill.
2. When the Lok Sabha transmits the Money Bill to the Rajya Sabha, it cannot amend or reject the Bill, it can only make recommendations.
3. In the case of disagreement between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, there is no joint sitting for Money Bill, but a joint sitting becomes necessary for Finance Bill.

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: Recently, a rare grey wolf was sighted in Debrigarh Sanctuary recently.

Background:-

• Wolf, a schedule-1 endangered species in India, has been sighted at Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time in the recent past.

About Debrigarh Sanctuary:-

• Location: Bargarh district, Odisha.
• The Hirakud reservoir on the east and north boundaries of the sanctuary attracts migratory waterfowl during the winter months.
• Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is characterized by a variety of vegetation types, including dry deciduous forests, mixed forests, and grasslands.
• The sanctuary is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to numerous wildlife species.
• It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary on 8th February 1985.
• It is an important site for in situ conservation of wildlife and its habitat in the state of Odisha.
• It finds a special mention because of noted freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai.
• During his rebellion against the British, Veer Surendra Sai made his base at ‘Barapathara,” located within the sanctuary.
• Flora:-
  • Dry deciduous forests.
• Fauna:-
  • Four-horned antelope, Indian leopard, Indian elephant, sambar, chital, gaur, etc.

MUST READ: Sanctuary

SOURCE: TIMES OF INDIA

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. 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

Q2. 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

Syllabus

• Prelims –INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Context: Recently, Qatar said that an agreement was reached to extend a truce in Gaza between Israel

and Hamas by two more days.

Background:-

• In a social media post, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said that the truce between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip will be extended by two days, opening the way for further releases of hostages and prisoners.

About Qatar:-

IMAGE SOURCE: WORLDATLAS

• Qatar is located in Asia continent.
• It is primarily a desert country.
• The temperatures in the summer go above 40 degrees Celsius with high humidity.
• Qatar shares a land border with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
• Due to the presence of massive offshore natural gas fields, the nation has one of the world’s highest per capita incomes.
• The majority of its 2.9 million people live around its capital, Doha, on its eastern coast.

Background of the ISRAEL-PALESTINE war:-

• Both Israelis and Palestinians were struggling for self-determination and sovereignty over the territory, developing respective movements for their causes.
• Both Palestinians and Israelis see the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea as their own, and Christians, Jews, and Muslims all hold parts of the land as sacred.
• The past seven decades have brought war and uprisings. ( 15th India-Israel Joint Working Group)

Historic Timeline of the war:-

• Ottoman Empire: The Ottoman Empire had controlled that part of the Middle East from the early 16th century until control of most of the region was granted to the British after World War I.
• In 1916: the Sykes-Picot Agreement secretly negotiated between Britain and France planned to carve up the Middle East into spheres of influence, and determined that the land in question was to be internationalized.
• In 1917: Britain’s foreign secretary, Lord Arthur Balfour, expressed his government’s support for “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.
• 1947: After World War II, nearing the end of the British Mandate for Palestine, the United Nations General Assembly in 1947 passed Resolution 181, urging the partition of the land into two independent states — one Arab and one Jewish.
• Religiously significant Jerusalem is to be under special international administration.
• The plan is not implemented after the Arab side rejects it, arguing that it is unfavourable to their majority population.
• Violence in the regional conflict grows.
• 1948: Israel declares independence.
• Israel declared independence in May 1948.
• The next day, a coalition of Arab states, allied with Palestinian factions, attacked Israeli forces in what became the first of several Arab-Israeli wars.
• In the end, Israel gains control of an even larger portion of territory — not including the areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip
• January 2023: Israeli forces raid the Palestinian city of Jenin, killing nine people in a shootout.
• Summer 2023: Retaliatory attacks flare
• Israel launches surprise airstrikes across the Gaza Strip in May.
• October 2023: Israel is attacked by Hamas.
• Prime Minister of Israel, Netanyahu formally declared war on Hamas on Oct. 8 following a surprise assault by Hamas militants that came a day after the 50th anniversary of the start of the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

MUST READ: India, Israel and Palestine

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements (2020)

1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka Trade has consistently increased in the last decade.
2. Textile and textile articles constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh.
3. In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q.2) Consider the following countries: (2018)

1. Australia
2. Canada
3. China
4. India
5. Japan
6. USA

Which of the above are among the ‘free-trade partners’ of ASEAN?

1. 1, 2, 4 and 5
2. 3, 4, 5 and 6
3. 1, 3, 4 and 5
4. 2, 3, 4 and 6

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 :

Israel declared independence in 1946.

.Statement-II :

There is no specific treatment or vaccine for Hepatitis E.

Qatar shares a land border with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.

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 Silkyara tunnel, consider the following statements:

1. The total length of the tunnel is 4.5 km.
2. It is meant to connect Silkyara to Dandal Gaon in Uttarkashi district.
3. The double-lane tunnel is pegged as one of the longest tunnels under the Char Dham all-weather road project.

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

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  28th November 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – a