UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 26th January 2024

·       It is a lake with a pH value usually between 9 and 11.

·       High carbonate concentration, especially sodium carbonate, is responsible for the alkalinity of the water.

·       It may also contain a high concentration of sodium chloride and other salts making it saline or hypersaline Lake.

·       These are highly productive ecosystems compared to the freshwater lakes.

·       These are the most productive aquatic environments on Earth because of the availability of dissolved carbon dioxide.

Geology and Genesis

·       Geological, climatic, and geographic requirements are required for a lake to become alkaline.

·       A topography that limits the outflow of water from the lake is needed.

·       An endorheic basin is formed when the water is confined without the outflow.

·       The pH of the water in the depression rises through the evaporation of the lake which requires a suitable climate like the desert climate to balance between the inflow and evaporation.

·       The rate at which carbonate salt dissolve in the lake water depends on the ecology of the surrounding area.

·       The relative absence of magnesium and calcium is critical in the formation of the soda lake since magnesium or calcium is likely to dissolve quickly and displace the carbonate ion thus neutralizing the pH of the lake water.

·       Africa and Asia have the highest number of soda lakes since the two continents have vast desert conditions which are perfect for the formation of soda lakes.

·       Most of the soda lakes in Africa are located in Eastern Africa, especially in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.

·       Lake Natron in Tanzania is one of the most outstanding soda lakes in Africa

·       India and China have the highest number of soda lakes in Asia.

·       Some of the soda lakes in Asia include Lake Van, Tso Kar Salt Lake, Pangong Salt Lake, and Lake Zabuye.

·       Its goal is to enhance the country’s financial statement quality and consistency and to guarantee that businesses and financial institutions report accurate and fair information.

Composition:

·       The Companies Act requires the NFRA to have a chairperson who will be appointed by the Central Government and a maximum of 15 members.

·       The appointment of such chairperson and members are subject to the following qualifications:

·       They should be having an expertise in accountancy, auditing, finance, or law.

·       They are required to make a declaration to the Central Government that there is no conflict of interest or lack of independence in their appointment.

·       All the members, including the chairperson, who are in full-time employment, should not be associated with any audit firm (including related consultancy firms) during their term of office and 2 years after their term.

·       NFRA has the power to investigate, either suo moto or on a reference made to it by the Central Government, into the matters of professional or other misconduct committed by any member or firm of chartered accountants registered under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.

·       It has the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, while trying a suit.

·       Where professional or other misconduct is proved, it shall have the power to impose punishment.

·       Any person who is not satisfied with the order of the NFRA can then make an appeal to the Appellate Authority.

·       Head Office: New Delhi

·       These birds are oceanic nomads: they spend most of their 60 years of life at sea and only come to land to breed.

·       These are found almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere.

·       Their playground is the vast Southern Ocean — the region between the latitude of 60 degrees south and the continent of Antarctica.

·       Marion Island and Prince Edward Island together support about half of the entire world’s wandering albatross breeding population.

·       Habitat: They breed on several subantarctic islands, which are characterized by peat soils, tussock grass, sedges, mosses, and shrubs.

Conservation status

·       IUCN: Vulnerable

·       Threats: The most likely cause is longline fishing, as they become hooked and will drown, as well as the ingestion of plastics, which kills both chicks and adults.

Key Features:

·       The goal is to install rooftop solar on 1 crore houses, providing 1 crore families access to rooftop solar energy.

·       The scheme is designed to benefit poor and middle-income households, helping them reduce electricity bills.

·       This initiative follows the government’s 2014 Rooftop Solar Programme.

·       Launch year- 2014

·       About- To promote the installation of solar panels on the roofs of residential, community, institutional, industrial and commercial buildings.

·       Aim- To achieve a cumulative capacity of 40 GW of rooftop solar by 2022.

·       Implementation- By Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in collaboration with the State Government and distribution companies (DISCOMs)

·       Scheme extension- 2022 to 2026

·       Central financial assistance- Given to eligible projects and DISCOMs that facilitate the installation and operation of rooftop solar systems.

·       As part of the operation at least three brigades of additional troops are being deployed in the sector from various reserve and strike corps formations in order to increase the density of troops.

·       It is similar to the Operation Sarpvinash.

·       In 2003, Indian forces launched Operation Sarpvinash to flush out terrorists who had infiltrated from across the border and set up camps in the thick forests south of the Pir Panjal range, especially in the Hilkaka area in Poonch.

·       The operation flushed out terrorists and brought peace to the area that lasted until 2017-18, even as terrorist incidents continued to take place in the valley.