Syllabus

• Prelims – Science and Technology

Context: NASA recently announced that it is partnering with the Italian Space Agency ASI (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana) to build and launch the Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols missions(MAIA).

About Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols missions(MAIA):-

• It is a joint mission between NASA and the Italian Space Agency ASI.
• The MAIA observatory is set to launch before the end of 2024.

Aim: to investigate the health impacts of air pollution in the world’s most populated cities.

• It will consist of the PLATiNO-2 satellite, which will be provided by ASI, and a science instrument that will be built at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
• It includes a push broom spectropolarimetric camera on a two-axis gimbal for multi-angle viewing, frequent target revisits, and inflight calibration.
• The observatory, ground-based sensors, and atmospheric models will all be used in the MAIA mission’s data collection and analysis.
• In order to better comprehend the connections that exist between aerosol pollutants and health issues such as adverse birth outcomes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and premature deaths, researchers will combine MAIA measurements with population health records as part of the MAIA investigation.
• During the course of the three-year mission, MAIA will focus on 11 primary target areas that include: Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Rome, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Barcelona, Spain, Beijing, Johannesburg, New Delhi, Taipei, Taiwan; and Tel Aviv.

MUST READ: Mission Shakti and Aditya-L1 mission

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Satellites used for telecommunication relays are kept in a geostationary orbit. A satellite is said to be in such an orbit when: (2011)

1. The orbit is geosynchronous.
2. The orbit is circular,
3. The orbit lies in the plane of the Earth’s equator.
4. The orbit is at an altitude of 22,236 km.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Q.2) Which of the following pair is/are correctly matched? (2014)

Spacecraft                                Purpose

1. Cassini-Huygens           Orbiting Venus and transmitting data to the Earth
2. Messenger                    Mapping and investigating the Mercury
3. Voyager 1 and 2           Exploring the outer solar system

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Syllabus

• Prelims – Economy

Context :  Bhutan’s graduation from the ‘Least Developed Country’ status was highlighted by recent reports.

About United Nations’ list of  least developed countries:-

IMAGE SOURCE: unctad.org

• It is released by the UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development).
• The list of LDCs is reviewed every three years by the Committee for Development Policy (CDP), a group of independent experts that report to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.
• Following a triennial review of the list, the CDP may recommend, in its report to ECOSOC, countries for addition to the list or graduation from LDC status.
• LDCs will have to invest $485 billion annually to eradicate extreme poverty.
• LDCs will have to invest $462 billion annually to meet the target of achieving a 7% annual GDP growth.
• The level of LDC’s public expenditure will have to increase by 12.3% from the current 2.9% of GDP to reach major social and environmental targets of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Least developing countries criteria:-

The countries are measured on the basis of the following three parameters:-

• Income Criteria: The threshold for inclusion in this category of countries is an income of $1,018 or below.
• Human assets index (HAI): It consists of a health sub-index and an education sub-index.
  • The thresholds for inclusion are a composite score of 60 or below.
• Economic and environmental vulnerability index: It consists of two sub-indices -an economic vulnerability sub-index and an environmental vulnerability sub-index.
  • The thresholds for inclusion are a composite score of 36 or above.

Concessions associated with LDC status include benefits in the areas of:-

• Development financing, notably grants and loans from donors and financial institutions.
• Multilateral trading system, such as preferential market access and special treatments.
• Technical assistance, notably, toward trade mainstreaming (Enhanced Integrated Framework)

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements: (2019)

1. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a ‘Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air’.
2. The UNCAC is the ever-first legally binding global anti-corruption instrument.
3. A highlight of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the inclusion of a specific chapter aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners from whom they had been taken illicitly.
4. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its members States to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

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

Q.2) Consider the following statements : (2017)

1. The Nuclear Security Summits are periodically held under the aegis of the United Nations.
2. The International Panel on Fissile Materials is an organ of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

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 –Art and Culture and Environment and Ecology

Context: India shines bright at the recently held Oscars 2023 ceremony.

About Oscars:-

• The Oscars, also known as the Academy Awards, are widely considered to be one of the most prestigious awards in the film industry.
• The Oscars are decided by the voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which is made up of a relatively small group of industry professionals.
• As such, the nominees and winners are often determined by factors such as industry politics, personal relationships, and even campaigning and lobbying by studios and filmmakers.
• The Oscars 2023 was the 95th Academy Awards ceremony.

Categories Under Which India Nominated for Oscars 2023:-

• Best Original Song Category – ”Naatu Naatu” from the movie RRR, which recently won Golden Globe.
• Best Documentary Short category – ‘‘The Elephant Whisperers”, directed by, Kartiki Gonsalves.
• Best Documentary Feature category – Shaunak Sen’s acclaimed ”All that Breathes.”.

Categories Under Which India won Oscars 2023:-

• Best Original Song Category – ”Naatu Naatu” from the movie RRR.
  • Naatu Naatu‘ is an Indian Telugu-language song from the movie ‘RRR’. The song was composed by M.M. Keeravani, lyrics of the song were written by Chandrabose and recorded by Rahul Sipligunj & Kaala Bhairava.

Best Documentary Short category – ‘‘The Elephant Whisperers”, directed by, Kartiki Gonsalves.

• • The duo of Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga have produced a stellar documentary named ‘The Elephant Whisperers’, the film has earned an Oscar for itself in the Oscars 2023. The bond between an orphaned baby elephant and a couple is the central theme of the documentary.

• Naatu Naatu was the first Indian win in the Best original song category, and Gonsalves the first Indian to win in the short documentary category.

MUST READ :  ELEPHANT CONSERVATION

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1)  With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: (2020)

1. The leader of an elephant group is a female
2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months
3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only
4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q.2)Which of the following Protected Areas are located in the Cauvery basin? (2020)

1. Nagarhole National Park
2. Papikonda National Park
3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Syllabus

• Prelims – Environment and Ecology

Context: The recent IPES report highlights the global hunger crisis amid high debt.

About the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) Report:-

• It is released by IPES-Food.
• IPES-Food is an independent panel of experts shaping debates on how to transition to sustainable food systems around the world.
• It is a diverse and independent panel of experts guided by new ways of thinking about research, sustainability, and food systems.

Key Findings:-

• At least 21 countries including Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Haiti, Lebanon, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Zimbabwe were nearing catastrophic levels of both debt distress and rising hunger in 2022.
• The world’s poorest countries saw the costs of servicing their debt increase by 35 percent in 2022.
• 62 developing countries spent more on debt payments than on healthcare during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In 2022, poorer countries paid 47 percent of external debt payments to private lenders, 12 percent to China, 14 percent to other governments, and the remaining 27 percent to multilateral institutions like the International Monetary Fund.
• Africa’s food import dependency has tripled in recent decades, leaving countries exposed to food price spikes like in 2022.
• Import dependencies, extractive financial flows, boom-bust commodity cycles, and climate-vulnerable food systems are combining to destabilize the finances of the world’s poorest countries.

Concessions associated with LDC status include benefits in the areas of:

• Development financing, notably grants and loans from donors and financial institutions.
• Multilateral trading system, such as preferential market access and special treatments.
• Technical assistance, notably, toward trade mainstreaming (Enhanced Integrated Framework).

MUST READ: Global Hunger Index

Source: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: (2021)

1. The ‘Climate-Smart village’ approach in India is part of a project led by climate change, Agriculture, and food security (CCAFS), an international research programme.
2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’S research centers.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

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

Q.2) With reference to the ‘’New York Declaration on Forests’’, which of the following statements is correct? (2021)

1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014
2. It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests
3. It is a legally binding international declaration
4. It is endorsed by governments, big companies, and indigenous communities.
5. India was one of the signatories at its inception

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 2 and 4 only
2. 1, 3 and 5 only
3. 3 and 4 only
4. 2 and 5 only

Syllabus

• Prelims – International Relations

Context:  AUKUS meet was held recently.

About Australia, United States, and United Kingdom (AUKUS) Alliance:-

• It is a trilateral security partnership for the Indo-Pacific, between Australia, the UK, and the US (AUKUS).
• It is based on a shared commitment of its three members to deepen diplomatic, security, and defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
• Under it, the U.S., and the U.K. will help Australia deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific region.
• The focus would be on protecting shared values and promoting security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Significance of AUKUS Alliance:-

• It will involve a new architecture of engagements across emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cyber capabilities, and additional undersea capabilities.
• It will help Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) in cooperation with the UK & the US.
• AUKUS will contain the rise of China, particularly its rapid militarisation and aggressive behavior in the Pacific region, especially in and around the South China Sea.
• It also gives US focus for its post-Afghanistan tilt to Asia.
• The AUKUS deal seeks to address core US concerns of regional security, deterrence, and balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. 
• It will enhance Australia’s contribution to its other partnerships, including the QUAD.
• The Quad and AUKUS are distinct, yet complementary.

MUST READ: QUAD

Source:  THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) What is/are the consequence /consequences of a country becoming a member of the ‘Nuclear Suppliers Group’? (2018)

1. It will have access to the latest and most efficient nuclear technologies.
2. It automatically becomes a member of “The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)”.

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) Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): (2017)

1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.
2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims – Polity

Context: In a recent judgment, the Supreme Court rejected some applications for ‘compassionate appointment’ that were filed by the dependents of deceased government employees in West Bengal.

About Compassionate Appointment:-

Background:-

• The concept of compassionate appointments can be traced to the Indian Constitution’s Article 39.
• Art 39 is under the Directive Principles of State Policy and talks about the right to livelihood.
• Compassionate Appointment aims to provide employment on compassionate grounds to the dependent family members of a government servant who dies in harness or retires on medical grounds, leaving the family without any source of sustenance.
• These appointments can only be made for “Group ‘C’ posts against the direct recruitment quota.

Eligibility:-

• Compassionate appointments can extend to dependent family members of a government servant who:-
• Dies while in service (including death by suicide).
• Retired on medical grounds.

The measure can also extend to the family members of an Armed Forces employee who:-

• Dies during service.
• Is killed in action.
• Is medically boarded out and is unfit for civil employment.
• The government servant must have been appointed on a “regular basis” and not on a daily wage, casual, apprentice, ad-hoc, contract, or reemployment basis.
• The deceased’s dependents can only be first[1]degree relations such as their spouse, son, or daughter (including adopted ones), etc.
• The applicant should also be eligible and suitable for the post.

Appointment Authority: –

• Compassionate appointments are made by either the Joint Secretary in charge of administration in the Ministry or the Department concerned or the Head of the Department.
• They can also be made by the Secretary of a Ministry or Department in special cases.

Supreme Court judgments:-

• In its decision, the apex court cited its rulings from 2008 and 2014 in the cases of “Mumtaz Yunus Mulani vs, the State of Maharashtra and State Bank of India vs. Surya Narain Tripathi” respectively, to say that “the existence of a policy issued by the State Government is a sine qua non for making appointments on the compassionate basis“.
• Observing the absence of a policy governing compassionate appointments the Court refused to grant the posts under local authorities in West Bengal.
  • Moreover, the Court said that even if the policy existed, it would be of no use to consider the applications several years after they were filed.
  • The Court also referred to a slew of its rulings from 1989 and 1994 in Sushma Gosain vs. Union of India and Umesh Kumar Nagpal vs. the State of Haryana respectively, to say that there shouldn’t be any delay in compassionate appointments and the same should be “provided immediately to redeem the family in distress”, provided that the government or public authority examines the financial condition of the deceased’s family and is satisfied that the family will not be able to meet the crisis.

MUST READ : Fundamental Rights

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Under the Indian constitution concentration of wealth violates (2021)

1. The Right to Equality
2. The Directive Principles of State Policy
3. The Right to Freedom
4. The Concept of Welfare

Q.2) With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements. (2021)

1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit by the Chief Justice of India with the prior permission of the President of India
2. A High court in India has the power to review its own judgment as the Supreme Court does.

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 –Science and Technology

About Fluorescence Microscopy:-

• Fluorescence microscope combines the magnifying properties of a light microscope with visualization of fluorescence.
• Fluorescence microscope is a type of light microscope that instead of utilizing visible light to illuminate specimens, uses a higher intensity (lower wavelength) light source that excites a fluorescent molecule called a fluorophore (also known as fluorochrome).
• Fluorescence: a phenomenon that takes place when the substances (fluorophore) absorb light at a given wavelength and emits light at a higher wavelength.
• Fluorescence microscopy combines the magnifying properties of the light microscope with fluorescence technology.

Technique:-

• The setup consists of two plexiglass surfaces, an LED flashlight, three theatre stage-lighting filters, a clip-on macro lens, and a smartphone.
• The smartphone (with the lens attached) is placed on one surface that is suspended at a height (say, a foot above).
• The second sheet is placed below and holds the object.
• One of the stage-lighting filters is held between the flashlight and the object and the other two were held between the object and the smartphone.
• The sources of illumination were also LED flashlights emitting light of correspondingly different wavelengths.

Applications:-

• Fluorescence microscope is one of the most powerful techniques in biomedical research and clinical pathology.
• Fluorescence microscope allows the use of multicolour staining, labelling of structures within cells, and the measurement of the physiological state of a cell.
• Fluorescence microscope helps in observing the texture and structure of coal.
• To study porosity in ceramics, using a fluorescent dye.
• To identify the Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

MUST READ : India’s TB Elimination Programme

Source: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

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

1. Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
2. Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
3. Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

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

Q.2) In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, ‘Pronuclear Transfer” is used for (2020)

1. Fertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm
2. Genetic modification of sperm-producing cells
3. Development of stem cells into functional embryos
4. Prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 1 (Society) and GS 2 (Governance)

Context: Recently the Union Govt sought clarification from the Supreme Court on applicability of its judgement on Adultery on armed forces.

About Adultery in India:

Credits: Times of India

• Adultery is a voluntary sexual relationship between a married person and someone who is not their spouse.
• The Supreme Court of India decriminalized adultery more than four years ago in a landmark judgment, Joseph Shine versus Union of India in 2018.
• Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code (on adultery) along with Section 198 of the Criminal Procedure Code were held to be unconstitutional on the premise that these provisions were violative of Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
• This law made it a crime for a man to have sexual intercourse with the wife of another man without that man’s consent.
• The law treated women as the property of their husbands and did not provide for any punishment for women who committed adultery.
• Currently, in India, adultery is not considered a crime, but it can be a ground for divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
• In addition, adultery can be considered as ‘misconduct’ under the relevant Service Conduct Rules for government servants, including those in the armed forces.
• However, any disciplinary action taken by the employer must have a direct or indirect nexus with the employee’s duties, and cannot be arbitrary or infringe on their right to privacy.

Important judicial pronouncements regarding Adultery

• The Indian Penal Code, 1860: Section 497 of the IPC dealt with adultery until it was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2018.
• Yusuf Aziz v. State of Bombay (1954): The case upheld the constitutional validity of Section 497 of the IPC, stating that the law did not discriminate against men and that the adultery law protected the sanctity of marriage.
• Sowmithri Vishnu v. Union of India (1985): The Supreme Court held that Section 497 of the IPC was violative of Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India, as it only criminalized sexual intercourse with a married woman without the consent of her husband and did not punish women for adultery.
• Revathi v. Union of India (1988): In this case, the Supreme Court held that Section 497 of the IPC was discriminatory against women and violated the Constitution of India and observed that adultery is a private matter between adults and the state has no business to interfere.
• Joseph Shine v. Union of India (2018): The Supreme Court in this case declared Section 497 of the IPC unconstitutional and struck it down holding that the provision was archaic and violated the fundamental right to equality and personal liberty enshrined in the Constitution.

Challenges of Adultery:

• With the decriminalization of adultery in India, employers are limited in their ability to discipline employees for their private affairs.
• The courts have provided some guidance on this issue, stating that misconduct must have some nexus with the employee’s duties in order to be subject to disciplinary action.
• There are cases in which allegations of adultery have directly or indirectly been used as a tool to hamper the employee’s ability to discharge their duties or maintain discipline within the workplace.
• Determining whether or not an act of adultery has a nexus with an employee’s duties can be a challenging task, particularly in cases where the alleged act is consensual and voluntary.
• There is ambiguity regarding whether the armed forces may still take disciplinary action for adulterous acts under their special legislations.

Suggestive measures:

• Gender equality: Adultery is often seen as a crime committed by men against women, but women can also be perpetrators of adultery which can be reduced by empowering women.
• Legal reforms: The laws governing adultery in India have been widely criticized as being archaic and outdated which can be reformed to make it more equitable, with equal punishment for both men and women, and with provisions to prevent the misuse of the law.
• Education and awareness: Educating people about the importance of fidelity and the negative consequences of adultery could help to reduce its occurrence through schools, community organizations, and the media.

Way Forward:

The SC rulings clarifying the application of adultery laws in the armed forces highlights the need for a clear nexus between the adulterous act and the professional duties of the personnel. The government and armed forces should now focus on establishing guidelines and protocols to ensure that personal conduct does not affect the professional duties of their personnel, while respecting their private space and individual rights.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 (Governance) and GS 4 (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)

Context: Over the last decade, regulators and corporations around the world have embraced the idea of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance).

About ESG:

• ESG refers to three key factors considered by investors and stakeholders when evaluating a company’s sustainability and societal impact
• Environmental factors : It relate to a company’s impact on the natural environment, including energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, and resource consumption
• Social factors: It refer to a company’s impact on society, including relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, and communities
• Governance factors: It focus on a company’s management and decision-making structures, including board composition, executive compensation, and transparency.

How ESG differs from CSR?

Image source: researchgate.net

• India has a robust corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy that mandates that corporations engage in initiatives that contribute to the welfare of society.
• This mandate was codified into law with the passage of the 2014 and 2021 amendments to the Companies Act of 2013 which requires:
• Companies with a net worth of Rs. 500 crore (approximately $60 million) or a minimum turnover of Rs. 1,000 crore (approximately $120 million) or a net profit of Rs. 5 crore (approximately $6,05,800) in any given financial year.
• Companies spend at least 2% of their net profit over the preceding three years on CSR activities.

Significance of ESG:

• Companies demonstrating good ESG practices may benefit from reduced operational costs, better risk management, and enhanced reputation among consumers and investors
• Investors recognize the importance of ESG factors in evaluating long-term sustainability and profitability of companies
• Companies neglecting ESG considerations may face reputational damage, regulatory scrutiny, and increased operational costs.
• Many consumers and employees also consider ESG factors when making decisions about which companies to support or work for.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) revised the annual Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR).
  • It was a notable departure from previous disclosure requirements.
  • New disclosures range from greenhouse gas emissions to the company’s gender and social diversity.
• India has long had a number of laws and bodies regarding environmental, social and governance issues, including:
  • the Environment Protection Act of 1986,
  • quasi-judicial organisations such as the National Green Tribunal,
  • a range of labour codes and laws governing employee engagement and corporate governance practices.
• Reserve Bank of India announced recently that it would be auctioning ₹80 billion ($981 million) in green bonds.

Implications for Indian companies

• Compliance: In particular, compliance by Indian companies with the ESG regulations of the U.S., the U.K., the European Union and elsewhere will be critical if India is to take full advantage of the growing decoupling from China and play a more prominent role in global supply chains and the global marketplace overall.
• Due diligence: As Indian companies look to expand their ESG risk management, thorough due diligence will play a key role. This can include:
  • looking at company records,
  • interviewing former employees and
  • making discreet visits to observe operations to ensure that the measures to comply with international ESG standards are in effect.
• Companies that wish to maximise their opportunities in the global economy need to embrace these new requirements and adjust their organisations accordingly.

Way Forward:

The evolution of ESG laws and regulations needs controls and disclosure that are a hallmark of contemporary ESG regulation. There is also a need to further bring legislation by the Indian government on ESG issues, which can be seen in India’s more active role in global climate forums and secure long-term growth in today’s business landscape.

Thus Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are increasingly important considerations for investors and stakeholders when evaluating the sustainability and societal impact of a company.

Source: The Hindu

Q.1) Which of the following short documentary has won Oscars award 2023 from India?

1. The Elephant Whisperers
2. Jallikattu
3. All That Breathes
4. Chhello Show

Q.2) Which of the following countries is not part of AUKUS alliance which was in news recently?

1. USA
2. United Kingdom
3. South Korea
4. Australia

Q.3) Consider the following statements regarding Fluorescence Microscopy:

1. Fluorescence microscope combines the magnifying properties of a light microscope with visualization of fluorescence.
2. Fluorescence microscope allows the use of multicolour staining, labelling of structures within cells, and the measurement of the physiological state of a cell.

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

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

ANSWERS FOR ’ 14th March – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – d

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – d