UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 12 March 2024

Ans : (d)

Explanation:

• The G4 nations are a group composed of Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan, which aim to support each other’s bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council. These countries seek reform in the composition of the Security Council to reflect contemporary global power dynamics.
• S1 is incorrect because the G4 nations’ main focus is not limited to economic cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region; rather, it’s centered around UN reform.
• S2 is incorrect as the G4 nations include Brazil and India, which are not European countries.
• S3 is incorrect because while the G4 nations might have interests in combating climate change and promoting sustainable development, this is not their primary purpose as a group.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/11/un-reforms-india-presents-a-detailed-model/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: The International Commission on Stratigraphy rejected the proposal of the Anthropocene epoch after a committee of 18 scientists recently voted against it.
• S1 is incorrect. The Anthropocene epoch is characterized by a significant increase, rather than a decrease, in human impact on the environment. This includes factors such as climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, and species extinction driven by human activities.
• S2 is correct. The term “Anthropocene” was indeed coined to emphasize the profound influence of human activities on Earth’s geological and ecological processes. It signifies the recognition that human actions have become a dominant force shaping the planet’s systems and landscapes.
• S3 is incorrect. The Anthropocene epoch is associated with increased biodiversity loss and heightened rates of species extinction, largely due to human-induced factors such as habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. Thus, it does not mark a period of decreased biodiversity and species extinction rates.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/11/anthropocene-epoch/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect.
• Context: The Great Barrier Reef is experiencing its fifth mass coral bleaching event in eight years, driven by global heating and an El Niño climate pattern.
• Coral reefs are essentially just big limestone structures built by thousands of tiny coral creatures called polyps.
• Increased ocean temperature caused by climate change is the main cause of coral bleaching events. That’s when reefs expel the symbiotic algae responsible for their colour. If that happens over longer periods, the corals can eventually die.
• Coral reefs act like low-crested breakwaters and absorb 97% of wave energy. This substantially reduces coastal flooding and erosion.
• Coral reefs cover less than 0.5% of the earth’s surface, but they are home to about 25% of all marine species.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/11/fifth-mass-coral-bleaching-event/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct.
• Context: The Great Barrier Reef is experiencing its fifth mass coral bleaching event in eight years, driven by global heating and an El Niño climate pattern.
• Using a remote-controlled submarine, researchers at Smithsonian Institution, Washington, discovered five new species of black corals living as deep as 2,500 feet (760 metres) below the surface in the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea off the coast of Australia.
• Black corals can be found growing both in shallow waters and down to depths of over 26,000 feet (8,000 metres), and some individual corals can live for over 4,000 years.
• Unlike their colourful, shallow-water cousins that rely on the sun and photosynthesis for energy, black corals are filter feeders and eat tiny zooplankton that are abundant in deep waters.
• Similarly to shallow-water corals that build colourful reefs full of fish, black corals act as important habitats where fish and invertebrates feed and hide from predators in what is otherwise a mostly barren sea floor.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/11/fifth-mass-coral-bleaching-event/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Both statements 1 and 2 are related to Community reserves.
• Context: Villagers in Rajasthan oppose the state government’s proposal to classify sacred groves known as orans as deemed forests, fearing loss of access and livelihood. The notification, released on February 1, 2024, aims to give orans the status of deemed forests as per Supreme Court directives.
• Sacred groves are relic forest patches traditionally protected by communities in reverence of a deity. They are important repositories of forest biodiversity, providing refuge to many plant and animal species of conservation significance. India has over 13,000 documented sacred groves. These groves are known by different names in different regions, such as Kavu/Sarpa Kavu in Kerala, Devarakadu/Devkad in Karnataka, and Deorai/Devrai in Maharashtra.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/11/oran-land/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: Author and philanthropist Sudha Murty has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 8. This nomination coincides with International Women’s Day, highlighting the significant role of ‘Nari Shakti’ or Women’s Power.
• The nomination of members to the Rajya Sabha falls under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs, as per the Allocation of Business Rules, 1961. Article 80(3) of the Constitution allows the President to nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha who possess special knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, art, and social service. This provision was upheld by the Delhi High Court in the case of Ram Gopal Singh Sisodia Vs. Union of India through its Secretary & Ors. (2012), where the nomination of Sachin Tendulkar under Article 80(3) was validated.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/11/sudha-murty-nominated-to-rajya-sabha/

Explanation:

• Context: Author and philanthropist Sudha Murty has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 8. This nomination coincides with International Women’s Day, highlighting the significant role of ‘Nari Shakti’ or Women’s Power.
• S1 and S2: Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha possess the same powers and privileges as elected MPs, allowing them to participate fully in House proceedings. However, they are unable to vote in the election of the President, though they retain the right to vote in the election of the Vice-President
• S3: The Deputy Chairman is elected by the Rajya Sabha itself from amongst its members.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/11/sudha-murty-nominated-to-rajya-sabha/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: The Prime Minister presented the inaugural National Creators Award, celebrating the talent and impact of content creators in various fields.
• The creator economy is a modern economic landscape where content creators can use digital platforms to produce and distribute content. It’s also known as the influencer economy.
• In the creator economy, creators can monetize their content through:
• Advertising, Sponsorships, Subscriptions, Merchandise sales, Crowdfunding, Brand deals, Ad share revenue, Affiliate links, Monetary tips, and Courses.
• The creator economy involves creators, audiences, digital platforms, marketers, and agencies. It’s centred around social media channels where users and creators interact to form online communities.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/11/national-creators-award/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Only statement 3 is correct.
• Context: India has been honoured with the prestigious Measles and Rubella Champion Award by The Measles and Rubella Partnership at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington D.C., USA.
• S1: Rubella is not caused by bacteria; it is caused by a virus known as the rubella virus.
• S2: Rubella primarily affects the respiratory system and lymph nodes, not the gastrointestinal system.
• S3: Rubella is particularly dangerous during pregnancy as it can lead to congenital rubella syndrome, causing severe birth defects such as deafness, blindness, and heart defects in the unborn child if the mother contracts the virus during pregnancy.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/11/measles-and-rubella-champion-award/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Only pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/11/canals-of-the-world/