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(PRELIMS & MAINS Focus)


Ecological niche modelling

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In News:

About Saffron:

About ecological niche:

About Ecological Niche modelling:

Need:

The above studies carried by using the following technologies.

Big Data:

Space shuttle radar topography mission (SRTM):

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR):

Source: The Hindu

Previous Year Question

Q1) Which one of the following terms describes not only the physical space occupied by an organism, but also its functional role in the community of organisms?   (2013)

  1. Ecotone
  2. Ecological niche
  3. Habitat
  4. Home range

Using ‘spooky action at a distance’ to link atomic clocks

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Prelims – Science and Technology

Context:

Quantum Entanglement:

Atomic clocks:

Proof of concept:

Applications:

Source: The Hindu


Commonwealth Nations

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Prelims – International Groupings

Context: The death of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, the country’s longest serving ruler, who reigned for over 70 years, marks not only the end of an era for the British monarchy, but also a turning point for the 14 Commonwealth realms of which she was the Head of State.

What is the Commonwealth and what are its realms?

How is the Commonwealth viewed by its members?

Which nations are moving towards ending formal ties to the British monarchy?

Thus, it is not beyond imagination that following the death of Queen Elizabeth, the Commonwealth realms might fade into being a relic of the past, and nations that suffered a history of colonialism — along with its attendant violence and resource extraction — will move forward to establish themselves as republics.

Source:   The Hindu


Geopolitics without geoeconomics, a fool’s errand

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Context:

Indo-Pacific (IP) Region:

Significance of Indo-Pacific region for India:

Chinese threat and increasing presence:

What New Delhi is missing:

A regressive step, China factor:

Way forward:

Source:  The Hindu

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20? (2020)

  1. Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey
  2. Australia, Canada, Malaysia, and New Zealand
  3. Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam
  4. Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea

Blended Biodiesel

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Context: As part of efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking to fly an AN-32 transport aircraft modified to operate on 10% blended biodiesel for 200 flight hours in the next six months.

MUST READ:  Ethanol Blending

Source: The Hindu

Previous Year Question

Q.1) According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?

  1. Cassava
  2. Damaged wheat grains
  3. Groundnut seeds
  4. Horse gram
  5. Rotten potatoes
  6. Sugar beet

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1, 2, 5 and 6 only
  2. 1, 3, 4 and 6 only
  3. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
  4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

New rules for child welfare panel members

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Context: Recently, the Government of India recently notified the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection Amendment) Model Amendment Rules 2022.

The Juvenile Justice (Care or Protection of Children) Act/JJ Act, 2015:

The Juvenile Justice (Care or Protection of Children) Amendment Act, 2021:

The amendments:

Criticism of the new rules:

Source: The Hindu


Semiconductors

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Context: Emphasising on the need for India to build semiconductor manufacturing capacity to cater to its organic demand, the country could face competition from regions such as the US and Europe as they deleverage dependence on Taiwan — the world’s largest semiconductor country.

In this context let’s discuss semiconductors in detail:

What is Semiconductor?

Opportunities for India:

Challenges before semiconductor industry:

Initiatives  taken by India:

Way Forward:

Source:   Indian Express

Previous Year Question

Q.1) Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned? (2022)

  1. Cloud Services
  2. Quantum Computing
  3. Visible Light Communication Technologies
  4. Wireless Communication Technologies

Q.2) Consider the following communication technologies:  (2022)

  1. Closed-circuit Television
  2. Radio Frequency Identification
  3. Wireless Local Area Network

Which of the above are considered of the Short-Range devices/technologies?

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

Sea Cucumbers illegal trade

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In news: The study conducted by the Counter Wildlife Trafficking team of the WCS-India (Wildlife Conservation Society- India) regarding illegal trade of marine species recorded 187 media reports citing marine wildlife seizures by various enforcement agencies in India from 2015 to 2021.

The publication also shed light on the international trade routes for seahorse and pipefish and sharks and rays.

About the findings:

Methodology:

About Sea Cucumbers:

What are crime scripts:

Impact of Illegal Wildlife Trade:

Various Species-Specific Enforcement Operations:

India’s Domestic Legal Framework for Wildlife Conservation:

Constitutional Provisions for Wildlife:

Legal Framework:

India’s Collaboration with Global Wildlife Conservation Efforts:

About Wildlife Conservation Society:

Way forward:

Countering marine wildlife trade requires paradigm changes in fisheries management as a whole to reduce their capture in the first place. Thus, the international organization, national  governments along with civil society should work to bring comprehensive changes in the conservation of marine species and prohibit their illegal trade.

Source: The Hindu

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC):

  1. TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
  2. The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.

Which of the above statements is/are correct? (2017)

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

Inflation and Monetary Policy

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In News: India is not out of the woods on inflation management, with inflation in August at 7% and the wholesale price index (WPI) at 12.4%.

MUST READ: Inflation

MUST READ:   Monetary Policy

Source:  Indian Express   

           


Daily Practice MCQs

Daily Practice MCQs

Q.1) In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of ASEAN?

  1. Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Singapore
  2. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, and India
  3. Singapore, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Vietnam
  4. Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea

Q.2) Application of semiconductors involves in which of the following digital consumer products:

  1. Mobile phones / Smartphones
  2. Televisions
  3. Washing machines
  4. Digital cameras
  5. Refrigerators
  6. LED bulbs

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1, 3, 5, and 6 only
  2. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
  3. 2, 3, 5, 4, and 5 only
  4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6

Q.3) In India, which one of the following is responsible for maintaining price stability by controlling inflation?

  1. Department of Consumer Affairs
  2. Expenditure Management Commission
  3. Financial Stability and Development Council
  4. Reserve Bank of India

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

ANSWERS FOR ’19th September 2022 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.


ANSWERS FOR 17th September – Daily Practice MCQs

Answers- Daily Practice MCQs

Q.1) – d

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – c

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