UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 1 April 2024

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• India Gaming Report 2024 Released by Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council (IEIC) and WinZO
• Key findings: India is the largest gaming market with 568 million users, accounting for 1 in 5 online gamers globally. The Indian gaming market is expected to reach $6 Billion by 2028. The number of Indian gaming companies surged from 25 in 2015 to over 1400 in 2023
• Regulations: MeitY acts as the nodal agency for online gaming regulations and development; Draft National AVGC Policy, and National AVGC Centre of Excellence; 100% FDI allowed in the gaming sector utilizing automatic route within Electronic System and IT & BPM sectors

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/30/recent-reports-in-news-2/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The report co-authored with WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) was published ahead of International Day of Zero Waste (observed annually on 30 March)
• Key Findings: Households across all continents wasted over 1 billion meals a day in 2022, while 783 million people were affected by hunger and a third of humanity faced food insecurity. Food Waste generates an estimated 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Issues: Due to the lack of robust cold chains, hotter countries generate more food waste per capita in households; Fragmented food system.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/30/recent-reports-in-news-2/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector in developing countries. The Bank Group has set two goals for the world to achieve by 2030: end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity in every country.
• The IFC is owned and governed by its member countries, but has its own executive leadership and staff that conduct its normal business operations.
• It is a corporation whose shareholders are member governments that provide paid-in capital and which have the right to vote on its matters.
• Functions:
  • It offers an array of debt and equity financing services and helps companies face their risk exposures, while refraining from participating in a management capacity.
  • The corporation also offers advice to companies on making decisions, evaluating their impact on the environment and society, and being responsible.
  • It advises governments on building infrastructure and partnerships to further support private sector development.
• Since 2009, the IFC has focused on a set of development goals that its projects are expected to target. Its goals are to increase sustainable agriculture opportunities, improve healthcare and education, increase access to financing for microfinance and business clients, advance infrastructure, help small businesses grow revenues, and invest in climate health.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/30/recent-reports-in-news-2/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The GOF was launched by India in 2022 to promote accountability for crimes against the Blue Helmets during its presidency of the UN Security Council.
• India, Bangladesh, Egypt, France, Morocco and Nepal are co-chairs of the GOF, which comprises 40 member states.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/30/group-of-friends-gof/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: The IRRI-South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) aims to develop rice varieties with low methane emissions and improve the productivity of nutritious rice.
• Dry Seeded Rice (DSR) is a modern rice cultivation technique where rice seeds are sown directly into dry soil rather than transplanting seedlings into flooded fields, as seen in traditional flooded rice cultivation. This method typically requires less water because flooding is not necessary during the initial stages of growth, unlike in flooded rice cultivation. By avoiding continuous flooding, DSR also reduces methane emissions and water pollution associated with traditional rice cultivation methods. Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/30/rice-with-low-methane-emission/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: CERN has introduced the White Rabbit Collaboration to promote the adoption of its White Rabbit (WR) technology, initially developed to synchronize devices in particle accelerators with sub-nanosecond precision.
• White Rabbit (WR) is a technology developed at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, to provide time synchronization and data transfer for the LHC accelerator chain.
• WR is a deterministic Ethernet-based network that provides sub-nanosecond accuracy and picosecond precision of synchronization.
• It uses the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) to achieve sub-nanosecond accuracy, which allows for precise adjustment of clock phase and offset. Hence, only statement 1 is correct.
• WR also provides the flexibility and modularity of real-time Ethernet networks.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/30/white-rabbit-collaboration/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: Skyroot Aerospace successfully conducted a test firing of the Stage-2 propulsion system, named Kalam-250, of the Vikram-1 space launch vehicle.
• Stage 2 is crucial for propelling the launch vehicle from the atmospheric phase to outer space.
• It is a high-strength carbon composite rocket motor, which uses solid fuel and a high-performance Ethylene-Propylene-Diene terpolymers (EPDM) thermal protection system (TPS).
• It also features a carbon ablative flex nozzle and high-precision electro-mechanical actuators for thrust vector control.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/30/kalam-250/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: About Moyar Valley:

• It is located in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and is the only region with the largest nesting colony of Gyps vultures in the wild. This entire stretch is an important biome in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Refer:  https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/30/moyar-valley-tamil-nadu/

Ans: (c)

Explanation: About Gyps indicus (also known as the Indian vulture or White-backed vulture)

• They are characterized by whitish feathers on a dark head and neck, with a pale collar. They are colonial nesters and often found in flocks. However, their population is declining rapidly. They primarily inhabit open grasslands in states like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Classified as critically endangered by the IUCN and listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act-1972, conservation efforts include banning non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like diclofenac and Ketoprofen for veterinary use, along with the implementation of the Vulture Action Plan 2020-25.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/30/moyar-valley-tamil-nadu/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: UNESCO has added 18 new sites to its Global Geoparks network, bringing the total to 213 across 48 countries.
• The Global Geoparks Network (GGN) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) grouping all UNESCO Geoparks in the world.
• UNESCO’s Global Geoparks (UGGPs) emerged in 2015, building upon the geopark concept that originated in the mid-1990s
• UGGPs are unified geographical areas recognized for their international geological significance and managed with a holistic approach encompassing protection, education, and sustainable development.
• They are governed by a body with legal recognition under national legislation. Designation as a UGGP is not permanent; it is reassessed every four years.
• Additionally, membership in the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) is mandatory for UGGPs, promoting collaboration and networking among geoparks worldwide.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/30/unesco-global-geoparks-network/