UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 09 March 2024

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: Sweden has officially become the 32nd member of NATO, joining the military alliance two years after applying following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
  • Sweden’s NATO membership was delayed due to objections from Turkey and Hungary, but eventually received approval.
• NATO’s founding member countries were: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/08/sweden-joins-nato/

Ans: (a)

Explanation: What is the UDGAM portal?

• Developed by RBI, it stands for Unclaimed Deposits-Gateway to Access inforMation. It serves as a centralized platform for the public to search for unclaimed deposits across multiple banks.
• The portal allows users to search for various types of accounts covered by the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund of RBI. Users are required to register on the portal and provide specific inputs depending on whether they are searching for individual or non-individual accounts. While the portal facilitates the search for unclaimed deposits, it does not enable users to settle or claim these deposits directly; claims must be made directly with the respective bank.
• As of March 4, 2024, 30 banks are part of the UDGAM portal, covering approximately 90% of unclaimed deposits in the DEA Fund. Each unclaimed deposit is assigned a unique Unclaimed Deposit Reference Number (UDRN) generated by banks, ensuring seamless settlement of claims.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/08/udgam-portal/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and UCOST have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the “Adarsh Champawat” mission.
• Option B is correct because pine trees are gymnosperms, meaning they produce seeds that are not enclosed within a fruit. Instead, these seeds are typically found within cones. Option A is false because pine trees are gymnosperms, not angiosperms, which are flowering plants. Option C is false because most pine trees are evergreen, meaning they retain their leaves year-round, rather than being deciduous and shedding their leaves seasonally. Option D is false because pine trees have needle-like leaves, not broad leaves.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/08/pine-needles-based-fuel-making-technology/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• What is the Uncover program?
  • The UNCOVER program is part of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) initiative aimed at uncovering insights about the early universe. Specifically, UNCOVER, which stands for Ultra-deep NIRCam and NIRSpec Observations Before the Epoch of Reionization, focuses on two main goals:
    • Identifying first-light galaxies during the Dark Ages
    • Studying ultra-low luminosity galaxies responsible for the epoch of reionization.
  • The James Webb Space Telescope is a space telescope designed to conduct infrared astronomy. Its high-resolution and high-sensitivity instruments allow it to view objects too old, distant, or faint for the Hubble Space Telescope

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/08/uncover-program/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: US envoy Amos Hochstein emphasized the importance of pursuing a diplomatic solution to end the escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah (in Lebanon), along the Blue Line, demarcated by the United Nations.
• What is Blue Line?
  • The Blue Line is a border demarcation established by the United Nations in 2000 after Israeli troops withdrew from southern Lebanon. It serves as the boundary between Lebanon and Israel, aiming to prevent conflicts and provide a basis for security arrangements in the region.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/08/blue-line/