UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 21st May 2024

IASbaba Daily Prelims Quiz

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The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative.

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Question 1 of 5

1. Question

Consider the following statements about Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX)

It is a collaborative endeavor between ISRO and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
It aims explore the moon’s southern polar region, investigating the presence of water.
While ISRO is responsible for developing and operating the rover, JAXA is responsible developing and operating the lander.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None of the above

Correct

Solution (b)

Statement Analysis

Statement 1

Statement 2

Statement 3

Correct

Incorrect

· It is a collaborative endeavor between ISRO and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

· The mission is scheduled to launch in 2025.

· This mission will take off aboard Japan’s H3 rocket.

· Primary Goal: To explore the moon’s southern polar region, investigating the presence of water and other elements, potentially in the form of surface ice.

· It aims to showcase innovative surface exploration technologies. The special focus is on vehicular transport and lunar night survival.

· It features both a lander and a rover. JAXA is responsible for developing and operating the rover, and ISRO for developing and operating the lander that will carry the rover.

· The rover will drive on its own to search for areas where water is likely to be present and sample the soil by digging into the ground with a drill.

· The rover will be equipped with instruments for measuring the water content of regolith (lunar sand), drilling, and sampling, as well as with other world-first and world-leading technologies for the driving system and batteries.

· The rover will carry not only the instruments of ISRO and JAXA but also those of the US space agency NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).

Context: The India-Japan partnership for their joint moon mission, Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX), is likely to take flight in a few years, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said in an interview recently.

Incorrect

Solution (b)

Statement Analysis

Statement 1

Statement 2

Statement 3

Correct

Incorrect

· It is a collaborative endeavor between ISRO and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

· The mission is scheduled to launch in 2025.

· This mission will take off aboard Japan’s H3 rocket.

· Primary Goal: To explore the moon’s southern polar region, investigating the presence of water and other elements, potentially in the form of surface ice.

· It aims to showcase innovative surface exploration technologies. The special focus is on vehicular transport and lunar night survival.

· It features both a lander and a rover. JAXA is responsible for developing and operating the rover, and ISRO for developing and operating the lander that will carry the rover.

· The rover will drive on its own to search for areas where water is likely to be present and sample the soil by digging into the ground with a drill.

· The rover will carry not only the instruments of ISRO and JAXA but also those of the US space agency NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).

Question 2 of 5

2. Question

Consider the following statements about New Caledonia

It is a French overseas located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
It is an ancient fragment of the Gondwana supercontinent.
It is a part of the EU and the Euro zone.
It is the seat of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, formed in 1947.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

a) Only one
b) Only two
c) Only three
d) All four

Correct

Solution (c)

Statement Analysis

Statement 1

Statement 2

Statement 3

Statement 4

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

New Caledonia:

· It is a French overseas collectively with significant autonomy under the terms of the 1998 Nouméa Accord.

· It is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, about 900 miles (1,500 km) east of Australia.

· Unlike many Pacific islands that are of relatively recent volcanic origin, New Caledonia is an ancient fragment of the Gondwana supercontinent.

· It comprises the main island of Grande Terre, the four Loyalty Islands (Ouvéa, Lifou, Tiga, and Maré), the Belep archipelago, the Isle of Pines, and some remote islands.

· Capital: Nouméa (located on Grande Terre)

Population:

· Just over 270,000 people live in New Caledonia (2019). Approximately 39 percent are indigenous (‘Kanak’).

· The remainder are Caledonians of European, Polynesian, and other (including Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Algerian) origins.

· New Caledonians are French and European citizens with the right to live anywhere in France. They are entitled to vote in territorial and French national elections.

· The President of the French Republic is New Caledonia’s Head of State and is represented in New Caledonia by a High Commissioner.

· It is one of the European Union’s (EU) Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), but is not part of the EU, the Euro, or Schengen zones.

· The Nouméa Accord (1998) and consequent Organic Law (March 1999) provide the constitutional framework under which New Caledonia is governed. The Accord also defines New Caledonia’s relations with France and sets out a timetable for New Caledonia to assume responsibility for most areas of government.

· New Caledonia is the seat of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, formed by Australia, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States in 1947 to promote economic and social stability in the countries of the South Pacific.

Context: French security forces are stepping up efforts to regain control of New Caledonia amid ongoing and deadly unrest.

Incorrect

Solution (c)

Statement Analysis

Statement 1

Statement 2

Statement 3

Statement 4

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

New Caledonia:

· It is a French overseas collectively with significant autonomy under the terms of the 1998 Nouméa Accord.

· It is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, about 900 miles (1,500 km) east of Australia.

· Unlike many Pacific islands that are of relatively recent volcanic origin, New Caledonia is an ancient fragment of the Gondwana supercontinent.

· It comprises the main island of Grande Terre, the four Loyalty Islands (Ouvéa, Lifou, Tiga, and Maré), the Belep archipelago, the Isle of Pines, and some remote islands.

· Capital: Nouméa (located on Grande Terre)

Population:

· Just over 270,000 people live in New Caledonia (2019). Approximately 39 percent are indigenous (‘Kanak’).

· The remainder are Caledonians of European, Polynesian, and other (including Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Algerian) origins.

· New Caledonians are French and European citizens with the right to live anywhere in France. They are entitled to vote in territorial and French national elections.

· The President of the French Republic is New Caledonia’s Head of State and is represented in New Caledonia by a High Commissioner.

· It is one of the European Union’s (EU) Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), but is not part of the EU, the Euro, or Schengen zones.

Context: French security forces are stepping up efforts to regain control of New Caledonia amid ongoing and deadly unrest.

Question 3 of 5

3. Question

Consider the following statements about Red Panda

It is a solitary and arboreal animal and is an indicator species for ecological change.
Red Panda is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh
It is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None of the above

Correct

Solution (a)

Statement Analysis

Statement 1

Statement 2

Statement 3

Correct

Incorrect

· It is primarily an herbivore species.

· They use their long, bushy tails for balance and to cover themselves in winter, presumably for warmth.

· It is a shy, solitary and arboreal animal and considered an indicator species for ecological change.

· There are only two different panda species in the world, the Giant Pandas and the Red Pandas.

· India is home to both the (sub) species:

· Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens)

· Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani)

Indicator species

· These are living organisms which tell us that something has changed or is going to change in their environment. It can be easily observed, and studying them is considered a cost-effective way to predict changes in an ecosystem.

· Red Panda is the state animal of Sikkim.

· Appearance: It is the size of a house cat, the red panda is famous for its cute face and adorable defense stance.

· Distribution: It lives in the mountainous forests of Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal. Almost 50% of their habitat is in the Eastern Himalayas.

· Mithun, or gayal, is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh.

Protection Status:

Red Pandas:

· IUCN Red List: Endangered

· CITES: Appendix I

· Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule I

Giant Pandas:

· IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

· CITES: Appendix I

Context: Red panda was recently captured on camera in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (EWS) located in the Singchung subdivision of the West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh.

Incorrect

Solution (a)

Statement Analysis

Statement 1

Statement 2

Statement 3

Correct

Incorrect

· It is primarily an herbivore species.

· They use their long, bushy tails for balance and to cover themselves in winter, presumably for warmth.

· It is a shy, solitary and arboreal animal and considered an indicator species for ecological change.

· There are only two different panda species in the world, the Giant Pandas and the Red Pandas.

· India is home to both the (sub) species:

· Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens)

· Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani)

Indicator species

· Red Panda is the state animal of Sikkim.

· Appearance: It is the size of a house cat, the red panda is famous for its cute face and adorable defense stance.

· Distribution: It lives in the mountainous forests of Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal. Almost 50% of their habitat is in the Eastern Himalayas.

· Mithun, or gayal, is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh.

Protection Status:

Red Pandas:

· IUCN Red List: Endangered

· CITES: Appendix I

· Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule I

Giant Pandas:

· IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

· CITES: Appendix I

Context: Red panda was recently captured on camera in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (EWS) located in the Singchung subdivision of the West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh.

Question 4 of 5

4. Question

Consider the following statements

Statement I – Calcium carbide, commonly used for ripening fruits has been banned under the Regulation of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.

Statement II – Calcium carbide, releases acetylene gas, which contains harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorus.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement- II is correct

Correct

Solution (a)

Option c

Correct

· Calcium carbide is also called calcium acetylide and the chemical formula of CaC2.

· This is a pure material of colourless and used as a desulfurizer, dehydrant of steel, fuel in steel making, powerful deoxidizer and as a source of acetylene gas.

· Calcium carbide, commonly used for ripening fruits like mangoes, releases acetylene gas, which contains harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorus.

· These substances, also known as ‘Masala’, can cause serious health issues such as dizziness, frequent thirst, irritation, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting and skin ulcers and so on.

· The use of calcium carbide for ripening fruits has been banned under the Regulation of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.

· The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has permitted the use of ethylene gas as a safer alternative to Calcium carbide for fruit ripening in India.

· Ethylene is a naturally occurring hormone in fruits that regulates the ripening process by initiating and controlling a series of chemical and biochemical activities.

· Ethylene gas can be used at concentrations up to 100 ppm, depending upon the crop, variety and maturity.

· The treatment of unripe fruits with ethylene gas triggers the natural ripening process until the fruit itself starts producing ethylene in substantial quantities.

· The Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC) have approved Ethephon 39% SL for the uniform ripening of mangoes and other fruits.

· Ethephon is a plant growth regulator used to promote uniform ripening of fruits like mangoes, tomatoes, etc.

· The 39% SL formulation refers to it being a 39% soluble liquid concentrate formulation of ethephon.

Context: FSSAI has recently warned against usage of calcium carbide for ripening mangoes and stated that it can pose serious health hazards.