DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 5th December 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims –SPORTS

Context: Recently, India bagged 3 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze medals in IBA Junior World Boxing Championship 2023.

About IBA Junior World Boxing Championship 2023:-

• Date: 23 November – 4 December
• Venue: MIKA Sports Arena, Yerevan
• Akansha won gold in the 70 kg category, Pari clinched the gold medal in the 48 kg weight category.
• Nisha won gold in the 52 kg category. (Sports Code)
• In the 52 kg weight category, Vini won the silver medal.
• Srishti Sathe won a silver medal in the 63 kg weight category.
• In the boys’ category, Jatin won the silver medal in the 54 kg category.
• While Hardik Panwar in the 80 kg category, Ameesha Kereta in the 54 kg category and Prachi Tokas in the 80 kg weight category had to settle for silver medals only.

MUST READ: Chess Olympiad

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 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 –ECONOMY

Context: As per the recent exchange rate, the Indian rupee closed at 83 rupees and 36 paise against the US dollar.

Background:-

• The dollar index, which indicates the US dollar’s strength against a basket of six other leading currencies, was up 0.15 per cent to trade at 103.42 in intra-day trade.

About Exchange rate:-

• Exchange rate is a rate at which a currency of one country can be exchanged with the currency of another country.
• Under a fixed exchange rate system, devaluation and revaluation are official changes in the value of a country’s currency relative to other currencies.
• Devaluation is when the price of the currency is officially decreased in a fixed exchange rate system.
• Revaluation is when the price of the currency is increased within a fixed exchange rate system.
• Under a floating exchange rate system, market forces generate changes in the value of the currency, known as currency depreciation or appreciation.
• Currency appreciation refers to the increase in value of one currency relative to another in the forex markets.
• Currency depreciation is a fall in the value of a currency in a floating exchange rate system. (Rupee Depreciation)

Effects of currency appreciation on India:-

• Export costs rise: If the Indian Rupee (INR) appreciates, foreigners will find Indian goods more expensive because they have to spend more for those goods in INR.
  • That means that with the higher price, the number of Indian goods being exported will likely drop.
  • This eventually leads to a reduction in gross domestic product (GDP).
• Cheaper imports: If Indian goods become more expensive on the foreign market; foreign goods, or imports, will become cheaper in India.

Effects of currency depreciation:-

• Improves export competitiveness.
• May lead to pulling of foreign investment.
• A weaker currency may escalate imported oil and edible oil prices and lead to higher food inflation.

MUST READ: Recent Trend of Current Account Deficit (CAD)

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements: (2021)

The effect of the devaluation of a currency is that it necessarily

1. Improves the competitiveness of the domestic exports in the foreign markets
2. Increase the foreign value of the domestic currency
3. Improves the trade balance

Which of the above statements is/are

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

Q.2) Which one of the following is not the most likely measure the Government/RBI takes to stop the slide of the Indian rupee? (2019)

1. Curbing imports of non-essential goods and promoting exports
2. Encouraging Indian borrowers to issue rupee-denominated Masala Bonds
3. Easing conditions relating to external commercial borrowing
4. Following an expansionary monetary policy

Syllabus

• Prelims – SECURITY

 Context: The FBI Issued Warning About Dangerous ‘Scattered Spiders’ Hackers recently.

Background:-

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning to organizations about a hacking group called Scattered Spiders.

About Scattered Spiders:-

• Scattered Spiders is a hacking group notorious for invading various organizations across the world.
• This hacker group is known by other aliases as well, including Starfraud, UNC3944, Scatter Swine, and Muddled Libra. (Cybercrime)
• The members are as young as 16 years old and primary English speakers.
• It is known for sophisticated hacking techniques, including phishing, push bombing, SIM swap attacks, and social engineering.
• It impersonates IT support and help desk personnel to deceive employees into disclosing credentials, OTPs, and gaining access to networks.
• It Utilizes remote access tunnelling tools for monitoring and managing systems. (India’s cyber infrastructure)
• It evades detection by using living off-the-land techniques and frequently changing tactics, making them difficult to trace.
• Previous attacks targeted prominent companies such as Riot Games, DoorDash, and MailChimp.
• It even drew attention from companies like Microsoft.
• The criminals “frequently join incident remediation and response calls and teleconferences, likely to identify how security teams are hunting them and proactively develop new avenues of intrusion in response to victim defenses.

MUST READ: Cyber Attacks in India

SOURCE: TIMES OF INDIA

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) In India under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits? (2020)

1. Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one’s computer
2. Cost of a new computer if some miscreant wilfully damages it, if proved so
3. Cost of hiring a specialized consultant to minimize the loss in case of cyber extortion
4. Cost of defence in the Court of Law if any third party files a suit

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Q.2) Consider the following pairs of Terms sometimes seen in news vs Context /Topic: (2018)

1. Belle II experiment: Artificial Intelligence
2. Blockchain technology: Digital/ Cryptocurrency
3. CRISPR — Cas9: Particle Physics

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –GEOGRAPHY

Context: Recently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has declared a red alert in five districts of south coastal Andhra Pradesh and north coastal Tamil Nadu as well as an enclave of Puducherry

Background:-

• Chennai is witnessing showers more severe than those experienced in the 1970s-80s, according to state minister KN Nehru.

About India Meteorological Department (IMD):-

• Established: 1875.
• Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• IMD Headquarters: New Delhi.
• It is the National Meteorological Service of the country.
• It is the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects.

Objectives:-

• To take meteorological observations and provide current and forecast meteorological information for optimum operation of weather-sensitive activities like agriculture, irrigation, shipping, etc.
• To warn against severe weather phenomena tropical cyclones, duststorms, heavy rains and snow, cold and heat waves,, which cause the destruction of life and property.
• To conduct and promote research in meteorology and allied disciplines.
• To provide meteorological statistics required for agriculture, water resource management, industries, oil exploration and other nation-building activities.

The IMD uses 4 colour codes:-

• Green (All is well): No advisory is issued. (Colour Coded Weather Warning)
• Yellow (Be Aware): Yellow indicates severely bad weather spanning several days.
• Orange/Amber (Be prepared): The orange alert is issued as a warning of extremely bad weather with the potential of disruption in commute with road and rail closures, and interruption of power supply.
• Red (Take Action): When extremely bad weather conditions are certainly going to disrupt travel and power and have significant risk to life, the red alert is issued.

MUST READ: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) may introduce new monsoon models

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: (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

Syllabus

• Prelims –AWARDS

Context: Recently, Ektaa Kapoor was honoured with the International Emmy Directorate Award.

Background:-

• She became the First Indian Woman Producer to receive the International Emmy Directorate Award.
• Additionally, Vir Das, along with Derry Girls season 3, was honoured with the International Emmy for Comedy.

About Emmy Awards:-

• The Emmy Awards are a set of prestigious honours specifically for television and emerging media.
• The Emmy Awards, initially conceptualized in 1948, made their debut on January 25, 1949.
• The different sectors within television:-
  • Primetime Emmy Awards: Administered by the Television Academy, these honour American TV shows aired during primetime.
  • International Emmy Awards: Recognize excellence in international television programs outside the United States.
  • Daytime Emmy Awards: Awarded to American shows aired during late-morning and afternoon time slots.
  • Sports, News, and Documentary Emmy Awards: Overseen by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, these categories focus on excellence in sports, news, and documentary programming.
  • Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards: Recognize achievements in technological advancements within the television industry.
  • Regional Emmy Awards: Celebrate excellence in regional television markets, including local news, state-to-state programming, and locally produced shows.
• These awards are presented by three distinct organizations:-
  • The Television Academy administers the Primetime Emmy Awards.( Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA))
  • The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences oversees daytime, sports, news, and documentary categories.
  • The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is responsible for the International Emmys.

MUST READ: Golden Globes Award

SOURCE: THE MINT

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards:

1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titled under Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.
2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once.
3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year.

Which of the above statements is not correct? (2021)

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 in respect of the Laureus World Sports Award which was instituted in the year 2000:

1. American golfer Tiger Woods was the first winner of this award.
2. The award has been received mostly by ‘Formula One’ players so far.
3. Roger Federer received this award a maximum number of times compared to others.

Which of the above statements is correct? (2021)

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

Syllabus

• Prelims – GOVERNANCE

Context: Recently, the India Internet Governance Forum 2023 took place.

About India Internet Governance Forum 2023:-

• Date: 05, December,2023.
• Venue: New Delhi .( India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF))
• The forum is a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together representatives from various groups to discuss public policy issues related to the Internet.
• Theme: Moving Forward – Calibrating Bharat’s Digital Agenda.
• The event is an effort to discuss issues such as building a secure, trusted and resilient cyberspace for Bharat, Enabling Innovation for India’s Developmental Goals, Bridging Divides and Calibrating Bharat’s Digital Agenda.
• The India Internet Governance Forum is an initiative associated with the UN Internet Governance Forum.
• The session will be graced by the presence of Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
• A special address will be delivered by Shri S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), and the welcome address is slated to be given by Shri Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary, MeitY.
• The India Internet Governance Forum is aligned with the UN Internet Governance Forum (UN IGF).
• It was established in 2021.
• The Indian chapter, IIGF, is supported by a 14-member multi-stakeholder committee representing government, civil society, industries, the technical community, think tanks, and industry associations

Significance:-

• It serves as a crucial platform for fostering a common understanding of maximizing internet opportunities while addressing associated risks and challenges.

 MUST READ: Digital India Programme

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following pairs: (2020)

International agreement/      set-up Subject

1. Alma-Ata Declaration – Healthcare of the people
2. Hague Convention – Biological and Chemical Weapons
3. Talanoa Dialogue – Global Climate Change
4. Under2 Coalition – Child Rights

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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

Q.2) Which of the following adopted a law on data protection and privacy for its citizens known as the ‘General Data Protection Regulation’ in April 2016 and started implementation of its from 25th May 2018? (2019)

1. Australia
2. Canada
3. The European Union
4. The United States of America

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 Emmy Awards, initially conceptualized in 1948, made their debut on January 25, 1959.

Statement-II :

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is responsible for the International Emmys.

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, consider the following statements:

1. It was established in 1875.
2. It is under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
3. Its Headquarters are in Mumbai.

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

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  5th December 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – a

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – c