DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 6th December 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Recently, ISRO brought back the Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module from the Moon to Earth’s orbit.

About Chandrayaan-3:-

IMAGE SOURCE: IASBABA

• Chandrayaan-3 is the successor to the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
• Launch Vehicle: Mark-III (LVM3).
• Launched site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• Composition: It consists of an indigenous Lander module (LM), a Propulsion module (PM), and a Rover.
  • Lander: a spacecraft that descends towards and comes to rest on, the surface of an astronomical body.
  • Propulsion module: a box-like structure, mounted with a large solar panel on one side and a large cylinder on top.
  • Rover: a small vehicle that can move over rough ground, often used on the surface of other planets, sometimes controlled from the earth.
• The Lander and the Rover have scientific payloads to carry out experiments on the lunar surface.
• There will not be any orbiters like Chandrayaan 2 in it.

Objectives of Chandrayaan-3 mission:-

• To demonstrate a Safe and Soft Landing on the Lunar Surface.
• To demonstrate Rover roving on the moon.
• To conduct in-situ scientific experiments.

Lander payloads:-

• Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE): to measure the thermal conductivity and temperature
• Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA): for measuring the seismicity around the landing site
• Langmuir Probe (LP): to estimate the plasma density and its variations.
• A passive Laser Retroreflector Array from NASA is accommodated for lunar laser ranging studies.

Rover payloads:-

• Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS): for deriving the elemental composition near the landing site.

Propulsion Module Payload:-

• Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE): Future discoveries of smaller planets in reflected light would allow us to probe into a variety of Exo-planets which would qualify for habitability or for the presence of life.

About GSLV-Mk III:-

• Weighs: 641 tones.
• Capacity: GSLV can take 10,000-kg satellites to lower earth orbits.
• It is also known as the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3).
• It is a three-stage vehicle.
  • It has two solid motor strap-ons, a liquid propellant core stage, and a cryogenic stage.
• It is the heaviest and the shortest among India’s operational launch vehicles

MUST READ: Gaganyaan

SOURCE: INDIA TODAY

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System? (2023)

1. Australia
2. Canada
3. Israel
4. Japan

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

1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles
2. are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.
3. 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

Syllabus

• Prelims –ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context: Recently, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has recommended to the authorities that the Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary abutting the Bandipur Tiger Reserve be declared as a core critical tiger habitat.

Background:-

• This followed a site visit by Assistant Inspector General of Forests, NTCA, Ms. Harini Venugopal. The visit followed a slew of issues raised by conservation activist Giridhar Kulkarni pertaining to Bandipur.

About Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary:-

• Location: Mysuru district, Karnataka.
• Geographic Area: Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses 30.32 sq km. (Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS))
• The northern part of Nugu WLS is occupied by the Nugu Reservoir.
• Nugu is a vulnerable area as far as human–elephant conflicts are concerned.
• In 1974, Nugu was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary.
• It was added to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the year 2003-2004.
• The average amount of rainfall received in this area is
• Most of the vegetation in the forests is dry, deciduous, interspersed with patches of plantations.
• Flora: Anogeissus latifolia, Tectonia grandis, Terminalia tomentosa etc.
• Fauna: elephant, leopards, jungle cats, wild pig, spotted deer, sambar deer, barking deer, etc.

MUST READ: Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

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) Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”? (2020)

1. Corbett
2. Ranthambore
3. Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam
4. Sunderbans

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Recent research found out that the risk of developing ‘extremely rare’ Guillain-Barre syndrome increases due to COVID-19.

About Guillain-Barre syndrome:-

• Guillain-Barre (gee-YAH-buh-RAY) syndrome is a rare disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks your nerves.
• Weakness and tingling in your hands and feet are usually the first symptoms.
• These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body.
• In its most severe form Guillain-Barre syndrome is a medical emergency.
• Most people with the condition must be hospitalized to receive treatment.
• The exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome is unknown.
• But two-thirds of patients report symptoms of an infection in the six weeks preceding.
• These include COVID-19, respiratory or gastrointestinal infection or Zika virus.

Symptoms:-

• A pins and needles sensation in your fingers, toes, ankles or wrists
• Weakness in your legs that spreads to your upper body
• Unsteady walking or inability to walk or climb stairs
• Difficulty with facial movements, including speaking, chewing or swallowing
• Double vision or inability to move the eyes
• Severe pain that may feel achy, shooting or cramp-like and may be worse at night
• Difficulty with bladder control or bowel function
• Rapid heart rate
• Low or high blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing

Types:-

• Guillain-Barre syndrome has several forms. The main types are:
• Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP): the most common form in North America and Europe. The most common sign of AIDP is muscle weakness that starts in the lower part of your body and spreads upward.
• Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS): in which paralysis starts in the eyes. MFS is also associated with unsteady gait. MFS is less common in the U.S. but more common in Asia.
• Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN):are less common in the U.S. But AMAN and AMSAN are more frequent in China, Japan and Mexico.

Treatment:-

• There is no known cure for this syndrome.
• The most commonly used treatment is intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), which is made from donated blood that contains healthy antibodies.

MUST READ: iNCOVACC

SOURCE: OPHTHALMOLOGY TIMES

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics: (2022)

1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast.
2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut.
3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q.2) Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body? (2022)

1. They protect the environmental allergens. body
2. They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.
3. They act as immunosuppressants in the body.
4. They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.

Syllabus

• Prelims – SPACE/ IMPORTANT INSTITUTIONS

Context: Recently, it was revealed that ISRO chose to land Chandrayaan in the moon’s south pole region for water molecules.

Background:-

• The Chandrayaan-3 Project Director said India has a road map for its space programmes until 2047.

About ISRO:-

• Establishment: 1969.
• Agency: Department of Space (DOS).
• HQ: Bengaluru, Karnataka. (Gaganyaan)
• Objective: to harness space technology for national development while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration.

Historic Background:-

• ISRO was previously the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), set up by the Government of India in 1962, as envisioned by Dr. VikramA Sarabhai.
• ISRO was formed on August 15, 1969, and superseded INCOSPAR with an expanded role to harness space technology.

Salient Features:-

• ISRO is the space agency under the Department of Space of the Government of India.
• The organization is involved in science, engineering and technology to harvest the benefits of outer space for India and mankind.
• ISRO is a major constituent of the Department of Space (DOS), Government of India.
• The department executes the Indian Space Programme primarily through various Centres or units within ISRO.
• Functions: Space Science & Exploration Satellites.
• Antrix Corporation Limited (ACL) is a Marketing arm of ISRO for the promotion and commercial exploitation of space products, technical consultancy services, and transfer of technologies developed by ISRO.

ISRO Milestones:-

• The first Indian-made sounding rocket was the RH-75 (Rohini-75).
• The first Indian satellite, Aryabhata, was built by the ISRO.
• Development of the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) for placing satellites into polar orbits and the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) for placing satellites into geostationary orbits.
• ISRO also launched the first IRS (remote-sensing satellite) in 1988.
• ISRO launched its first lunar mission Chandrayaan I in 2008.
• In January 2014, ISRO used an indigenously built cryogenic engine for a GSLV-D5 launch of the GSAT-14 satellite making it one of the only six countries in the world to develop a cryogenic technology.
• It also launched the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) or the Mangalyaan in 2014.
• India launched Chandrayaan-2, its second lunar exploration mission after Chandrayaan-1 on 22nd July 2019.
• India launched Chandrayaan-3 in 2023.

MUST READ: ISRO’s hybrid propulsion system

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the Earth’s atmosphere, which one of the following statements is correct? (2023)

1. The total amount of insolation received at the equator is roughly about 10 times that received at the poles.
2. Infrared rays constitute roughly two-thirds of insolation.
3. Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.
4. Infrared waves are a part of the visible spectrum of electromagnetic waves of solar radiation.

Q.2) Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System? (2023)

1. Australia
2. Canada
3. Israel
4. Japan

Syllabus

• Prelims –DEFENSE

Context: The U.S. is sent the Patriot surface-to-air missile system to Middle East recently.

Background:-

• The Pentagon recently said that it will send additional Patriot air defense missile system battalions to the Middle East in response to recent attacks on U.S. troops in the region.

About Patriot Air Defence Missile System:-

• The Patriot is a surface-to-air guided missile system.
• It was first deployed in the 1980s.
• It is named after the Patriot (Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target) radar system used in it.
• The Patriot system replaced the Nike Hercules system and the MIM-23 Hawk system as the U.S. Army’s primary High to Medium Air Defense (HIMAD) system and medium tactical air defense system respectively.
• It was initially developed as a system to intercept high-flying aircraft, by U.S. aerospace and defense giant Raytheon Technologies Corp.
• it was modified in the 1980s to counter other threats such as ballistic missiles.
• The Patriot system’s radar has a range of over 150 km .
• It can track over 50 potential targets at the same time.
• Currently, Patriot batteries can defend against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, jets and “other threats”.
• It has been deployed in 18 countries, including the U.S.
• It is operational across NATO geography.
• It is one of the most widely operated and reliable and proven air missile defense systems out there,” and the theater ballistic missile defense capability.

Limitation:-

• It doesn’t offer protection against low-flying small drones.
• A Patriot battery can need as many as 90 troops to operate and maintain it.

MUST READ: S-400 missile defence system

SOURCE: MSN

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) What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (2018)

1. An Israeli radar system
2. India’s indigenous anti-missile programme
3. An American anti-missile system
4. A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea.

Syllabus

• Prelims – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Recently, Researchers have developed a blood test to identify individuals at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

About Parkinson’s disease:-

• Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves.
• Symptoms start slowly.
• The risk of developing it increases with age.

Symptoms:-

• uncontrollable shaking and tremors
• slowed movement (bradykinesia)
• balance difficulties and eventual problems standing up
• stiffness in limbs
• Speech changes
• Writing changes
• Loss of automatic movements

Causes:-

• Genes (Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs))
• Environmental triggers
• The presence of Lewy bodies. Clumps of specific substances within brain cells are microscopic markers of Parkinson’s disease. These are called Lewy bodies.

Parkinson’s disease is often accompanied by these additional problems like:-

• Thinking difficulties
• Depression and emotional changes
• Swallowing problems.
• Chewing and eating problems.
• Sleep problems and sleep disorders
• People also may experience rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder, which involves acting out dreams. Medicines may improve your sleep.
• Bladder problems.
• Constipation.

Treatments:-

• Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, medicines, surgical treatment, and other therapies can often relieve some symptoms.
• Medicines: Medicines can help treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s by:
  • Increasing the level of dopamine in the brain
  • Having an effect on other brain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, which transfer information between brain cells
  • Helping control non-movement symptoms
• Therapy: the main therapy for Parkinson’s is levodopa.
  • Nerve cells use levodopa to make dopamine to replenish the brain’s dwindling supply.
• Deep brain stimulation: For people with Parkinson’s disease who do not respond well to medications, the doctor may recommend deep brain stimulation.

 MUST READ: Rare Diseases

SOURCE: MEDICAL EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy : (2023)

1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for preschool children, adolescents, and pregnant women.
2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of childbirth.
3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.
4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with a special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies, and fluorosis.

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 : (2022)

1. Bacteria
2. Fungi
3. Virus

Which of the above can be cultured in an artificial/ synthetic medium?

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 :

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves.

Statement-II :

The risk of developing it increases with age.

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 ISRO, consider the following statements:

1. It launched Chandrayaan-2 in 2005.
2. It launched Chandrayaan-3 in 2023.
3. It launched the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) or the Mangalyaan in 2012.

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 ’  6th December 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – c