UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 22 March 2024

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• What is ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society)?
  • It is a centrally sponsored scheme for 2022-2027, that empowers adults aged 15 and above with basic literacy, numeracy, and critical life skills, promoting lifelong learning through volunteerism and access to regional language content on the DIKSHA Portal and ULLAS mobile app.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/21/flnat/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stressed that disarmament is the only viable solution to eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons.
• The New START, officially, the “Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms”, entered into force on February 5, 2011, and placed new verifiable limits on intercontinental-range nuclear weapons.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/21/un-on-disarmament/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The NPT is a landmark international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament. The Treaty represents the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of disarmament by the nuclear-weapon States. Opened for signature in 1968, the Treaty entered into force in 1970. On 11 May 1995, the Treaty was extended indefinitely. A total of 191 States have joined the Treaty, including the five nuclear-weapon States. More countries have ratified the NPT than any other arms limitation and disarmament agreement, a testament to the Treaty’s significance.
• Status and text of the Treaty
  • The Treaty is regarded as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and an essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. It was designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, to further the goals of nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament, and to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy
  • To further the goal of non-proliferation and as a confidence-building measure between States parties, the Treaty establishes a safeguards system under the responsibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Safeguards are used to verify compliance with the Treaty through inspections conducted by the IAEA. The Treaty promotes cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear technology and equal access to this technology for all States parties, while safeguards prevent the diversion of fissile material for weapons use.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/21/un-on-disarmament/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• NABARD (HQ: Mumbai; est. 1982) a key government institution, oversees Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks, facilitating credit planning, policy formulation, and rural development financing. It replaced entities like the Agricultural Credit Department and Agricultural Refinance and Development Corporation. NABARD is fully owned by the Ministry of Finance and plays a crucial role in financial inclusion efforts.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/21/%e2%82%b91000-crore-fund-for-agri-tech-startups-nabard-initiative/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Ministry of Labour & Employment has launched e-SHRAM portal, a National Database of the Unorganised Workers on 26th August, 2021.
• The e-Shram portal is a centralized database that helps to implement social security services for unorganized workers.
• It also helps to share information with stakeholders and provide a comprehensive database for national crises.
• The portal uses Aadhaar to deliver social security benefits and ensure that the benefits are portable to migrant and construction workers at their workplaces.
• Registration on portal is free.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/21/e-shram-portal/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Asbestos refers to a group of six naturally occurring silicate minerals that share a common asbestiform habit, meaning they have long, thin fibrous crystals. These fibers are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and do not conduct electricity, which made asbestos a popular material for insulation, fireproofing, and other industrial applications. However, the prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses, including malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis (a type of pneumoconiosis). Due to these health risks, the use of asbestos has been restricted or banned in many countries

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/21/asbestos/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• 5 refers to particulate matter that is less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. These particles are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye and are capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs. Exposure to PM2.5 can cause adverse health effects, including respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer. Due to their small size, PM2.5 particles can only be filtered out of the air using special equipment1. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because PM2.5 particles are not visible, are smaller than 10 micrometers, and have significant health and environmental impacts.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/21/air-quality-report-2023/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Ranthambore National Park, located in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district, began as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 before becoming a Project Tiger reserve in 1973 and a national park in 1980. Situated at the intersection of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges, it is bounded by the Banas River to the north and the Chambal River to the south. The park’s vegetation is predominantly mixed deciduous, with prominent plant species including Dhok, Banyan, Pipal, Neem, Babul, and Gum. Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary and Sawai Mansingh Wildlife Sanctuary are linked to Ranthambore’s core by narrow corridors, forming part of the Tiger Reserve.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/21/genetic-rescue/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: The Bugun tribe in Arunachal Pradesh has demonstrated exemplary conservation efforts by donating 1,470 hectares of forest land to the state forest department for the protection of the critically endangered songbird Bugun Liocichla.
  • This species, discovered in 2006, faces threats from deforestation and hunting.
• The Bugun Liocichla (Liocichla bugunorum) is a small, critically endangered babbler with olive-grey plumage, a black cap, and a yellow-orange eyebrow.
• It is only found in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, India, and has been described as similar to a small laughingthrush.
• The Bugun Liocichla was first spotted in 1995 and described as a new species in 2006.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/21/bugun-liocichla/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The Barberton Greenstone Belt (similar to New Zealand’s geological features) is a geological formation in southern Africa (on the eastern boundary of the Kaapvaal Craton in South Africa.) that provides one of the most extensive geological records for Earth between 3.2 billion and 3.6 billion years ago. It consists of ancient rocks and provides evidence of early Earth conditions, including signs of seismic activity, early plate tectonics, and potential impact on the evolution of life.
• The Barberton Greenstone Belt’s outcrops were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list in 2008 under the name ‘Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains’.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/21/barberton-greenstone-belt/