[MISSION 2023] INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS (8 July 2022 ) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The site of Khajuraho belonged to the Chandela Kings who ruled over Central India from the 9th to 13th centuries. Khajuraho was the cultural capital of the Chandela rulers as a result of which it continued to flourish despite the frequent shifting of its political capital. Initially, this group of monuments were a total of eighty-four temples out of which only twenty-five remain intact today. The monuments at Khajuraho are a group of Hindu and Jaina temples. Widely known for its magnificent structures and the much-debated erotic sculptures, Khajuraho was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1986.
• Khajuraho temples are considered as some of the best examples of Nagara style of temple architecture with a sanctum cella (garbhagriha), small vestibule (antarala), a large hall (mahamandapa), an assembly hall (mandapa) and an entrance portico (ardhamandapa).
• The temples are grouped into three categories; the Western Group, the Eastern Group and the Southern Group.
• Western Group:
  • It is the western group that is known worldwide with the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Lakshmana Temple, Visvanatha Temple, Chausath Yogini and Chitragupta Temple being a part of it. They are considered to be some of the best representations of a typical Khajuraho temple. Out of these, the Kandariya Mahadev (102 feet in length and 66 feet in breadth) temple has a lingam enshrined in its sanctum sanctorum. Known for its intricately carved interiors depicting Gods and Goddesses, the exteriors of this temple have erotic sculptures carved on them.
• Eastern Group:
  • This group is dominated by the Jaina Temples out of which the Parsvanath Temple is the largest. Initially, the temple was dedicated to Adinath which was later replaced with the idol of Parsvanath. Close to the Parsvanath temple is the Ghantai Temple and the Adinath temple. The Adinath temple is one of the later temples as a result of which the sculptures of this temple are more detailed and delicately carved.
  • This group also has the Vamana, Brahma and Javeri temples of the Hindu pantheon. The Brahma temple is the only temple at Khajuraho completely built of granite and has a four-faced lingam in its sanctum sanctorum.
• Southern Group:
  • The Southern Group of temples is situated slightly away from other groups and consists of the Duladeo Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple and the Beejamandal Temple. The Duladeo temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has some of the best sculptures depicting apsaras and is the most famous temple among the Southern Group of temples.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/09/india-gets-elected-to-the-intergovernmental-committee-of-unescos-2003-convention-for-the-safeguarding-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Situated close to the Bay of Bengal, the Sun Temple Konark is one of the best representations of Kalinga Architecture. The word ‘Konark’ can be translated to the ‘corner sun’; Kona (corner) and Arka (sun) and was so named as it lay on the north east corner of the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri. Konark was also called the Black Pagoda, the first mention of which is found in the diary of Sir Streynsham Master, Governor of Fort St George, Madras. It was used as a major landmark by most sailors and travellers. Dedicated to Sun God, Konark was built by the King of the Ganga Dynasty, Narasimha Deva I in the 13th century. It was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in the year 1984 for its architectural brilliance and for serving as an evidence of the spread of Sun worship in India from Kashmir to the eastern parts.
• Konark is made of a stone called Khondalite, widely available in the region. The entire structure was constructed without the use of any binding material such as mortar or cement. It was also one of the first structures in India to have used iron beams and dowels. It is said that the temple was held together using electromagnetic force with sixty three tons of magnet, ten tons at the bottom and fifty three at the top of the structure.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/09/india-gets-elected-to-the-intergovernmental-committee-of-unescos-2003-convention-for-the-safeguarding-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The Great Living Chola Temples were built by kings of the Chola Empire, which stretched over all of south India and the neighbouring islands.
• The site includes three great 11th- and 12th-century Temples: the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.
• The Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram, built by Rajendra I, was completed in 1035. Its 53-m vimana (sanctum tower) has recessed corners and a graceful upward curving movement, contrasting with the straight and severe tower at Thanjavur.
• The Airavatesvara temple complex, built by Rajaraja II, at Darasuram features a 24-m vimana and a stone image of Shiva.
• The temples testify to the brilliant achievements of the Chola in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/09/india-gets-elected-to-the-intergovernmental-committee-of-unescos-2003-convention-for-the-safeguarding-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage/

Ans: (c)

Explanation: Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

• Mahabalipuram
  • Fifty six kilometre south of Chennai stands Mahabalipuram (traditionally known as Mamallapuram) the ancient seaport of the Pallava kingdom (7th – 8th centuries)
  • Mahabalipuram,which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 is a complex of rock cut temples, monolithic structures, rathas (chariot temples), mandapas (caves) and numerous Siva sculptures.
• Cave temples
  • The Cave Temples were built before the reign of the Pallava king Mahendravarman I and are a complex of various temples that denote the oldest forms of Pallava architecture.
  • These consist of the Adi Paraha Perumal Cave Temple (dedicated to Lord Vishnu), the Trimurti Cave Temple (dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Siva), the Krishna Caves, Mahishasuramardini Cave (dedicated to Goddess Durga) and the Yali or Tiger Caves (Narasimhavarman II or Rajasimha – The Royal Seat).
• Pancha Ratha
  • The Pancha Rathas or the five chariots is essentially an architectural eclogue to the five Pandavas and their wife Draupadi from the Mahabharata. Each ratha (Draupadi ratha, Arjuna ratha, Bhim ratha, Dharmaraja ratha, Nakul-Sahadev ratha) structurally signifies the traits of each of the Pandavas which makes them different from one another. Carved from a single slab of rock, the walls of these rathas are adorned with bas reliefs and murals such as elephants and Nandi the bull.
• Descent of the Ganges/Arjuna’s Penance
  • The Descent of the Ganges also known as Arjuna’s penance is the second largest ancient monolithic structure in Asia. The inscription depicts the mythical story of Arjuna from the Mahabharata and scenes from everyday South Indian life.
  • The centre represents the nagas (snakes) descending from a once water-filled cleft, representing the Ganges. The left has Arjuna performing self-mortification (standing on one leg), in order to procure Pasupatastra, the most powerful weapon from Lord Siva.
• Shore Temple
  • The two towered Shore Temple at the very coast of Coromandel is one of the most significant representations of Pallava architecture. It consists of the seven pagodas that were built between 700 and 728 CE during the reign of Narasimhavarman II and is dedicated to Lord Siva. The entrance of the temple is marked by gopurams and the shikhara or the roof of the temple resembles a pyramidal structure, which is one of a kind. A complex of seven temples, there are a few along with other civil structures that presently lie under the sea.
• Olakkanneshvara Temple
  • The Olakkanneshvara Temple or the Olakkanatha Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Siva located on the top of a hill.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/09/india-gets-elected-to-the-intergovernmental-committee-of-unescos-2003-convention-for-the-safeguarding-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The Ellora caves are located in the district of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The caves were excavated between the 6th to 11th centuries CE. There are more than 100 caves out of which only 34 are open to the public. Out of the 34, the first 12 are Buddhist, caves, 13 to 29 are Hindu caves, and 30 to 34 are Jain caves. The caves were declared as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983. The topography of the area consists of a rocky plateau in the shape of a semicircle. The Buddhist caves lie at the right arc on the south, the Jain caves lie at the left arc on the north, while the Hindu caves are at the centre.
• The rocks are made of multi-layered basalt formations, known as the Deccan Traps, the finer grains of which lend themselves to detailed sculpting. Due to their close proximity to a trade route, the Ellora caves, unlike the ones at Ajanta, were never lost to oblivion. There are written records which prove that these caves were visited regularly by travellers and royal patronage continued well after the last constructions took place.
• The constructions at Ellora, also locally known as Verul, were done under the patronage of kings and wealthy merchants and traders. Although inscriptional evidence is quite scanty, yet it is known that the Rashtrakuta dynasty got a part of the Hindu and the Buddhist caves constructed, while the Yadava dynasty constructed the Jain caves.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/09/india-gets-elected-to-the-intergovernmental-committee-of-unescos-2003-convention-for-the-safeguarding-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Rani ki Vav or precisely translated as the Queen’s stepwell was built in 1063, on the banks of the river Saraswati, by the Gurjar Rani Udayamati of the Chalukya Dynasty. The stepwell was built to commemorate her husband Raja Bhimdev I. This remarkably beautiful stepwell, located in Patan is the oldest and most intricately created form of subterranean water architecture and was declared as a World Heritage Site in 2014 by UNESCO.
• Initially created as a memorial for Raja Bhimdev I, the stepwell was also constructed with a functional and structural aesthetic. Classified as a Nanda style stepwell, the steps lead down through multiple levels, with queues of carved walls, pillars, columns, brackets and beams ornamented with scroll work and more than 800 sculptures, which mostly depict the ten different avatars of Lord Vishnu (Dasaavatara).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/09/india-gets-elected-to-the-intergovernmental-committee-of-unescos-2003-convention-for-the-safeguarding-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• IUCN is a voluntary organization, not an agency of United Nations. Even if you knew this much, you could eliminate all other options to select B. Some facts about IUCN:
• Founded in 1948 as the world’s first global environmental organization
  • Today the largest professional global conservation network
  • A leading authority on the environment and sustainable development
  • More than 1,200 member organizations including 200+ government and 900+ non-government organizations
  • A neutral forum for governments, NGOs, scientists, business and local communities to find practical solutions to conservation and development challenges
  • Thousands of field projects and activities around the world
• CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). States (countries) adhere voluntarily to the agreement. States that have agreed to be bound by the Convention (‘joined’ CITES) are known as Parties.
• Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties – in other words they have to implement the Convention – it does not take the place of national laws. Rather it provides a framework to be respected by each Party, which has to adopt its own domestic legislation to ensure that CITES is implemented at the national level.
• Sources: https://www.iucn.org/about/
• https://cites.org/eng/disc/what.php

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/09/forest-landscape-restoration/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The OALP, a critical part of the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy, provides uniform licences for exploration and production of all forms of hydrocarbons, enabling contractors to explore conventional as well as unconventional oil and gas resources. Fields are offered under a revenue-sharing model and throw up marketing and pricing freedom for crude oil and natural gas produced.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/09/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-09-july-2022/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Global Liveability Index 2022
• Findings:
  • Best liveable city in the world: Vienna
  • Best liveable city in India: Delhi
  • Least: Bengaluru
• Released by: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
• Theme:Recovery and Hardship

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/09/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-09-july-2022/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Li-fi is loosely expanded to Light-Fidelity. Using precisely controlled light modulation, data can be transmitted using regular, visible light.
• Statement 2:It will be 10-100 times faster than current-generation WiFi, and also very secure.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2016

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• What is Section 66A?
  • Section 66A defines the punishment for sending “offensive” messages through a computer or any other communication device like a mobile phone or a tablet.
  • A conviction can fetch a maximum of three years in jail and a fine.
  • It empowered police to make arrests over what policemen, in terms of their subjective discretion, could construe as “offensive” or “menacing” or for the purposes of causing annoyance, inconvenience, etc.
• Shreya Singhal case:
  • The Supreme Court had in its judgment in the Shreya Singhal case struck down Section 66A.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/07/it-act-sec-69a-when-social-media-content-is-blocked/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:’

• Only statement 3 is correct
• The Digital India programme is centred on three key vision areas:
• Digital Infrastructure as a Core Utility to Every Citizen
• Governance and Services on Demand
• Digital Empowerment of Citizens
• Source: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/07/02/lok-sabha-tv-insights-transformation-by-digital-india-a-detailed-article-on-digital-india-program/

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/07/governance-digitization-for-an-inclusive-society/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The authority to conduct Census in India is derived from Article 246 of the Constitution of India. This article empowers the Parliament to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the List-I in the Seventh Schedule referred to as ‘Union List” and the subject ‘Census’.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/07/caste-census-constitution-and-power-of-states-to-hold-such-enumeration-of-the-population/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• National Commission for Backward Classes is a constitutional body (123rd constitutional amendment bill 2017 and 102nd amendment 2018 in constitution to make it constitutional body) (Article 338B of the Indian Constitution) under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment established on 14 August 1993. It was constituted pursuant to the provisions of the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993.
• The commission was the outcome of Indra Sawhney & Ors. Vs. Union of India.
• The commission considers inclusions in and exclusions from the lists of communities notified as backward for the purpose of job reservations and tenders the needful advice to the Central Government as per Section 9(1) of the NCBC Act, 1993. Similarly, the states have also constituted commissions for BC’s. The National Commission for Backward Classes, National Commission for Scheduled Castes as well as National Commission for Scheduled Tribes have the same powers as a Civil Court.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/07/caste-census-constitution-and-power-of-states-to-hold-such-enumeration-of-the-population/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Recently, EU Parliament agreed upon a new law Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) to regulate cryptocurrencies.
• Recent issues:Stablecoins came in question after the crash of Terraform Labs’ Luna
• About MiCA:
  • It seeks to address concerns like money-laundering, protection of consumers and investors, accountability of crypto firms, stablecoins and the environmental footprint of crypto mining.
  • It excludes NFT(non-fungible tokens)

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/07/the-markets-in-crypto-assets-mica/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• World Bank’s Global Findex database surveyed how people in 123 economies use formal and informal financial services e.g., cards, ATMs, mobile phones, and the internet.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/07/world-bank-releases-global-findex-database-2021/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Etikoppaka bommalu (Andhra):
  Traditional shapes of the toys include a farmer with nagali, a bridal set, veena, sannai melam, a spread of traditional wedding sweets and more.
• Choppu saman (TN):These wooden toy sets of miniature kitchen utensils come in different sizes and shapes, polished at the edges and painted bright.
• Chankana, Ghuggu and Handwai (Punjab)

Refer: Facts For Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/07/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-07-july-2022/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The Assam government approved the indigenous status of five Assamese Muslim sub-groups- Gorias, Moriyas, Jolhas, Deshis and Syeds sub-groups as indigenous Assamese Muslim communities.

Refer: Facts For Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/07/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-07-july-2022/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Wolbachia bacteria blocks the proliferation of harmful viruses but doesn’t harm the mosquitoes themselves
• Wolbachia is a bug which is found in 60% of insects naturally. But in the Aedes mosquito, this bug is in very low frequencies.
• Wolbachia inhibits dengue and chikungunya virus replication in mosquitoes

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/07/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-07-july-2022/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Cas9 (CRISPR associated protein 9) is a protein which plays a vital role in the immunological defense of certain bacteria against DNA viruses, and which is heavily utilized in genetic engineering applications. Its main function is to cut DNA and therefore it can alter a cell’s genome.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2019