UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 30 March 2024

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: After five and a half months of conflict in Gaza, with significant casualties and displacement, the UN Security Council called for an immediate ceasefire.
• The Gaza Strip is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the east and north.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/29/un-security-council-resolution-on-gaza/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: After five and a half months of conflict in Gaza, with significant casualties and displacement, the UN Security Council called for an immediate ceasefire.
• Israel is bordered by Syria, Lebanon, Golan Heights, the West Bank, Jordan, the Gaza Strip, and Egypt.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/29/un-security-council-resolution-on-gaza/

Ans; (c)

Explanation:

• Context: India’s stock exchanges have launched a beta version of same-day transaction settlement, known as T+0, for select cash segment stocks.
• Currently, in a limited rollout phase, T+0 enables trades to settle on the same day they occur, offering benefits such as faster access to funds and increased flexibility for investors.
• This new system is being tested with around 25 stocks and a select group of brokers, with the aim of assessing its effectiveness and resolving any issues before wider implementation.
• T+0 settlement allows investors to promptly reinvest funds, react quickly to market changes, and potentially reduce counterparty risk.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/29/t0-settlement-cycle/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: In the financial year 2023-24, three domestic insurance companies have been identified as systemically important for the stability of the economy:
• Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC), and New India Assurance Co. Ltd.
• These companies are considered “too important to fail,” and there is an expectation of government support in case of financial distress.
• Designated as Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs), they play a critical role in ensuring the availability of insurance services to the national economy.
• D-SIIs are subject to additional regulatory measures to manage systemic risks and moral hazard issues, including enhancing corporate governance and implementing robust risk management frameworks.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/29/domestically-systemically-important-insurance-companies/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: Astronomers have detected a twisted magnetic field in a spiral pattern around the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), indicating previously unknown features of the powerful object.
• The term “twisted” magnetic field refers to a magnetic field that has a spiral or helical shape rather than being uniformly aligned.
• This discovery sheds light on previously unknown qualities of the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy, indicating similarities with the magnetic field surrounding another black hole known as M87*.
• The twisted magnetic field structure suggests the potential for the Milky Way’s black hole to power efficient jets of material into space, similar to those observed in M87*.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/29/twisted-magnetic-field/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: ISRO will conduct the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) 2024 program, aiming to attract young individuals to the fields of space science and technology.
• The training will cover introductory topics in various aspects of space science and technology, along with sessions on Indian space exploration programs and research opportunities.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/29/start-2024/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Warangal, Telangana, and lies on the border of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
• It is traversed by the rivers Dayyam Vagu and Godavari.
• The sanctuary is home to various flora including bamboo, maddi, dry deciduous teak, thiruman, and madhuca.
• As for fauna, it harbors species such as the sloth bear, chinkara, nilgai, black buck, among others.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/29/eturnagaram-amrabad-wildlife-sanctuaries/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Amrabad Tiger Reserve is located in the Indian state of Telangana.
• It is one of the largest tiger reserves in the country, covering an area of approximately 2,800 square kilometers.
• The reserve is situated on the border of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, encompassing parts of the Nallamala Hills.
• It was established with the aim of conserving the endangered Bengal tiger and its habitat.
• Apart from tigers, the reserve is home to various other species of wildlife including leopards, sloth bears, Indian gaurs, and several species of birds and reptiles.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/29/eturnagaram-amrabad-wildlife-sanctuaries/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is a statutory organization established in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. It was later given powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and serves as a field formation providing technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Its key functions include promoting the cleanliness of streams and wells to prevent water pollution and improving air quality to prevent air pollution nationwide.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/29/central-pollution-control-board/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Statement 3 is incorrect

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/29/luna-crater-in-banni-plains/