DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 4th December 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims – Environment and Ecology

Context: Recently, Scientists Discovered A New Dinosaur Species, Farlowichnus rapidus From Footprints In Brazil.

Background:-

• The new species, called Farlowichnus rapidus, was a small carnivorous animal about the size of a modern-day seriema bird, or about 60-90 cm tall.

About Farlowichnus rapidus:-

• Farlowichnus rapidus, was a small carnivorous
• It lived in the desert.
• It was a carnivore, so only ate meat
• It was 60-90 cm (2-3 feet) tall.
• It was about the size of a modern-day bird.( Kerala Bird Atlas (KBA))
• From the large distance between the footprints found, it is possible to deduce that it was a very fast reptile that ran across the ancient dunes.
• The early Cretaceous period stretched from 100 to 145 million years ago.

Significance:-

• The discovery not only enhances our understanding of ancient desert ecosystems.
• It also underscores the importance of continuous exploration and analysis of fossil records.

MUST READ: Saltwater crocodile

SOURCE: BBC

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements : (2022)

1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled to equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q.2) Certain species of which one of the following organisms are well known as cultivators of

fungi? (2022)

1. Ant
2. Cockroach
3. Crab
4. Spider

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Recently, James Webb Space Telescope recently discovered the ‘Cosmic Vine’ of 20 connected galaxies in the early universe.

Background:-

• Astronomers using James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) data have discovered a massive chain of at least 20 closely packed galaxies from the early universe, and it could reveal insight into how the most massive structures in the cosmos form.

About Cosmic Vine:-

• Cosmic Vine is a massive “vine-like structure” that encompasses 20 galaxies and stretches for over 13 light years.
• Galaxies are immense systems in space containing stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter, all held together by gravity.
• It’s also very ancient.
• The researchers pegged it at redshift 3.44, meaning it’s situated in the early universe.
• A redshift of 3.44 would mean light from the Cosmic Vine has been travelling for between 11 and 12 billion years before reaching JWST.
• It harbours two of the most massive galaxies ever discovered at such a high redshift—Galaxy A and Galaxy E, both in a quiescent state, indicating a reduced rate of star formation.

Unique Characteristics:-

• It is exceptionally lengthy and vast, surpassing the size of other known compact galaxy groups at similar redshifts.
• It contains two of the most massive galaxies ever discovered at such high redshifts (Galaxy A and Galaxy E), both in a quiescent state, implying reduced star formation rates.

Significance:-

• It offers new perspectives on the formation and evolution of massive galaxies. ( International Space Station (ISS))
• It suggests that massive quiescent galaxies can form within expanding large-scale structures, contrary to some earlier models.

MUST READ: IN-SPACe

SOURCE: SPACE

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

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

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

Q.2) Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the “Fractional Orbital Bombardment System” often talked about in media? (2022)

1. A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.
2. A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions
3. A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.
4. A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same surface. speed and places a probe on its

Syllabus

• Prelims –GEOGRAPHY

Context: Recently, a powerful 7.6 7.6-magnitude earthquake Struck the Southern Philippines.

Background:-

• More than 500 aftershocks were recorded, and the Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) urged caution as people resumed normal activities.

About Earthquake:-

• An earthquake is the shaking or trembling of the earth’s surface.
• It is caused by the seismic waves or earthquake waves that are generated due to a sudden movement (sudden release of energy) in the earth’s crust (shallow-focus earthquakes) or upper mantle (some shallow-focus and all intermediate and deep-focus earthquakes).
• A seismograph, or seismometer, is an instrument used to detect and record earthquakes.
• Hypocentre/Focus: The point where the energy is released.
• Epicentre: The point on the surface directly above the focus. (Anatolian Plate)
• Isoseismic line: A line connecting all points on the surface where the intensity is the same.

Causes of Earthquakes:-

• Fault Zones
• Plate tectonics
• Volcanic activity
• Human-Induced Earthquakes

MUST READ: Urban Flooding

SOURCE: MSN

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following pairs: (2022)

The region often mentioned in the news:   Country

1. Anatolia                                                    Turkey
2. Amhara                                                   Ethiopia
3. Cabo Delgado                                            Spain
4. Catalonia                                                    Italy

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. Only one pair
2. Only two pairs
3. Only three pairs
4. All four pairs

Q.2) consider the following statements: (2020)

1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only.
2. Only some cyclones develop an eye.
3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10°C less than that of the surroundings.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNANCE

Context: Recently, National Pension System (NPS) Investors Can Now Choose Multiple Fund Managers To Maximise Returns

Background:-

• The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has issued new guidelines allowing National Pension System (NPS) subscribers to select up to three fund managers for various asset classes.

About NPS:-

IMAGE SOURCE: NPS: National Pension Schemes Eligibility, Types, Calculator (paisabazaar.com)

• National Pension System (NPS) is a government-sponsored pension scheme.
• It was launched in 2004 for government employees.
• However, in 2009, it was opened to all sections.
• Implementation Agency: it is being implemented and regulated by
  • PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority) – a statutory body established by the PFRDA Act, 2013.

Eligibility:-

• Any Indian citizen (Both Resident and Non-Resident) between 18 and 60 years can join NPS.
• The only condition is that the person must comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) norms.
• However, OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) and PIO (Person of Indian Origin) cardholders and Hindu Undivided Family (HUFs) are not eligible for opening of NPS account.

BENEFITS OF NPS:-

• NPS is a transparent and cost-effective system wherein the pension contributions are invested in the pension fund schemes and the employee will be able to know the value of the investment on a day-to-day basis.
• It is simple – All the subscriber has to do, is to open an account with his/her nodal office and get a Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).
• It is portable – Each employee is identified by a unique number and has a separate PRAN which is portable i.e., will remain the same even if an employee gets transferred to any other office.
• It is regulated – NPS is regulated by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority- External website that opens in a new window, with transparent investment norms & regular monitoring and performance review of fund managers by NPS Trust- External website that opens in a new window.

 MUST READ: National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

SOURCE: TIMES NOW

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the (2019)

1. Department of Science and Technology
2. Ministry of Labour and Employment
3. NITI Aayog
4. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Q.2) Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS)? (2017)

1. Resident Indian citizens only
2. Persons of age from 21 to 55 only
3. All State Government employees joining the services after the state of notification by the respective State Governments
4. All Central Government employees including those of Armed Forces joining the services on or after 1st April 2004

Syllabus

• Prelims –AWARDS

Context: Recently, Paul Lynch who is an Irish author won the 2023 Booker Prize for his fifth novel ‘Prophet Song.’

Background:-

• After being honoured with the award, Lynch said, “It is with immense pleasure that I bring the Booker home to Ireland.”

About Booker Prize:-

• It is one of the best-known literary awards for fiction writing in English, including both novels and collections of short stories.
• First awarded: 1969
• It was founded in 1969 by Booker McConnell, a British conglomerate.
• It is Awarded annually for a single book, written in another language and translated into English.
• The £50,000 prize money is divided equally between the author and translator each year.
• To be eligible for the Booker Prize, a novel must be written in the English language and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland.
• The novel must be a work of fiction that has been published for the first time in the year of the award.
• The Booker Prize is awarded by a panel of five judges, who are all well-respected figures in the literary world.
• The judges read all of the eligible novels and then select a shortlist of six novels.
• The winner of the Booker Prize is announced at a ceremony in London in November of each year.

Indian-origin writers have won the Booker in the past:-

• Arundhati Roy (‘The God of Small Things)
• Salman Rushdie (‘Midnight’s Children)
• Kiran Desai (‘The Inheritance of Loss’)
• Aravind Adiga (‘The White Tiger’)

MUST READ: Golden Globes Award

SOURCE: BBC

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements in respect of the 32nd Summer Olympics:

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? (2021)

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 and 2

Q.2) Consider the following statements in respect of the ICC World Test Championship:

1. The finalists were decided by the number of matches they won.
2. New Zealand was ranked ahead of England because it won more matches than England.

Which of the above statements is/are correct? (2021)

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 and 2

Syllabus

• Prelims – IMPORTANT DAYS

Context: Recently,

Background:-

• The Education Ministry is celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with a special quiz.

About International Day of Persons with Disabilities:-

• Every year on 3rd December, International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed.
• The annual observance of this day began in 1992 after it was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3.
• In 2006, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was also adopted.
• It aims at working towards creating equality.

Definition of disability in India:

• Until the 2011 census, the questionnaire to identify people with disabilities, included questions on seven kinds of disabilities.
• This list of disabilities was expanded to 21 when the Rights of People with Disabilities Act, 2016 was introduced.

MUST READ: Draft National Policy on Persons with Disabilities (PwD)

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) With reference to ‘The Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements: (2015)

1. It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills
2. It is an alliance meant for maritime security only

Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

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 :

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed every year on 3rd December.

Statement-II :

The annual observance of this day began in 1992.

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 Farlowichnus rapidus, consider the following statements:

1. It was a small omnivorous animal.
2. It lived in the desert.
3. It was 60-90 cm (2-3 feet) tall.

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

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  4th December 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – c