UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 5 April 2024

Ans: (d)

Explanation;

• Context: The 125th anniversary of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO) was celebrated recently on April 1, 2024, by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)
• Significant achievements of KoSO
  • Identified the Evershed Effect (a phenomenon observed in sunspots where gas flows radially outward from the centre of the sunspot)
  • Expanded research scope to cosmic rays, radio astronomy, ionospheric physics, and stellar physics
• The Evershed Effect refers to the radial flow of gas across the solar surface in sunspots. As sunspots are areas of intense magnetic activity on the Sun’s surface, the magnetic fields cause gases to flow radially outward from the center of the sunspot. This effect was discovered by the English astronomer John Evershed in the early 20th century. Options A, B, and C describe other astronomical phenomena but do not accurately represent the Evershed Effect.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/04/125-years-of-kodaikanal-solar-observatory/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Option B is correct because cosmic rays, which are energetic particles originating from outer space, are indeed affected by Earth’s magnetic field. As they enter Earth’s atmosphere, they can be deflected or redirected by the magnetic field lines, influencing their paths and interactions with particles in the atmosphere. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as cosmic rays consist of various particles such as protons, electrons, and atomic nuclei (not solely photons), they can travel at speeds approaching the speed of light, and they originate from various sources beyond our solar system, including distant galaxies, supernovae, and other astrophysical phenomena.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/04/125-years-of-kodaikanal-solar-observatory/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The 125th anniversary of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO) was celebrated recently on April 1, 2024, by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)
• Instruments at KoSO:
  • Initially focused on sunspots, prominences, and solar radiation. Advanced instruments include the H-alpha telescope and the White Light Active Region Monitor (WARM)
• Option A is incorrect because the White Light Active Region Monitor (WARM) is not used for studying cosmic microwave background radiation; instead, it is focused on solar observations.
• Option B is incorrect because WARM does not utilize ultraviolet light for monitoring solar activity. Instead, it primarily relies on white light observations.
• Option C is incorrect because WARM is not a space-based telescope for observing distant galaxies. Its focus is on studying solar active regions.
• Option D is the correct answer because it accurately describes the purpose and function of the White Light Active Region Monitor (WARM). WARM is specifically deployed to track and study solar active regions using white light observations, providing valuable insights into solar activity and phenomena such as sunspots and solar flares.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/04/125-years-of-kodaikanal-solar-observatory/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The BIMSTEC Charter aims to enhance collaboration among member countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, in areas such as economic prosperity, social progress, and connectivity.
• BIMSTEC, established in 1997, seeks to foster cooperation and development in the region.
• Leadership is rotated in alphabetical order of country names. The permanent secretariat is in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/04/bimstec-charter/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: The Prime Minister addressed the opening ceremony of RBI@90 in Mumbai, marking 90 years of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Monetary Authority:
  • Formulates, implements and monitors the monetary policy.
  • Objective: maintaining price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth.
• Regulator and supervisor of the financial system:
  • Prescribes broad parameters of banking operations within which the country’s banking and financial system functions.
  • Objective: maintain public confidence in the system, protect depositors’ interest and provide cost-effective banking services to the public.
• Manager of Foreign Exchange
  • Manages the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.
  • Objective: to facilitate external trade and payment and promote orderly development and maintenance of foreign exchange market in India.
• Issuer of currency:
  • Issues, exchanges and destroys currency notes as well as puts into circulation coins minted by Government of India.
  • Objective: to give the public adequate quantity of supplies of currency notes and coins and in good quality.
• Developmental role
  • Performs a wide range of promotional functions to support national objectives.
• Regulator and Supervisor of Payment and Settlement Systems:
  • Introduces and upgrades safe and efficient modes of payment systems in the country to meet the requirements of the public at large.
  • Objective: maintain public confidence in payment and settlement system
• Related Functions
  • Banker to the Government: performs merchant banking function for the central and the state governments; also acts as their banker.
  • Banker to banks: maintains banking accounts of all scheduled banks.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/04/rbi90/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Centre for Advanced Financial Research and Learning (CAFRAL) and Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR) were fully funded by RBI.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/04/rbi90/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is not correct.
• The current status of the coal sector in India is as follows:
  • Geological reserves: India possesses the 5th largest geological reserves of coal globally and ranks as the 2nd largest consumer of coal in the world.
  • Production: Coal India Limited (CIL) stands as the largest producer, contributing to over 70% of coal production in India.
  • Import: In the fiscal year 2023-24 (until January 2024), India imported 217.75 million tonnes of coal. Non-coking coal dominates the imports, accounting for approximately 77% of the total imported coal.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/04/indias-coal-and-lignite-production/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 3 is not correct.
• Context: India has launched an anti-dumping investigation (initiated by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR)), into the import of a chemical used in the rubber industry from China and Japan.
  • Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) imposes anti dumping duties.
  • These duties are imposed following recommendations of the Commerce Ministry’s investigation arm, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR).
  • The DGTR concluded that these products have been exported at a price below normal value in Indian markets, which has resulted in dumping.
• What is dumping?
  • When the goods are exported by a country to a foreign country at a price lower than the price it charges in its own home market is called dumping.
• What is Anti-Dumping?
  • Anti-dumping duties are taxes imposed on imported goods in order to compensate for the difference between their export price and their normal value, if dumping causes injury to producers of competing products in the importing country. This practice can harm domestic industries by undercutting their prices and creating unfair competition. Anti-dumping measures are part of WTO regulations aimed at creating a level playing field for domestic producers against foreign competitors

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/04/anti-dumping-investigation/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: Scientists in South Korea have achieved a new world record in nuclear fusion, sustaining temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius, seven times hotter than the sun’s core.
  • This feat, conducted using the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research device (KSTAR), aims to replicate the fusion reaction powering stars to unlock clean, limitless energy.
• Option A is correct: One of the primary challenges faced by Tokamak fusion reactors is achieving and sustaining the high temperatures required for nuclear fusion to occur. These temperatures are typically in the range of hundreds of millions of degrees Celsius, necessary to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between positively charged nuclei and enable fusion reactions.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/04/artificial-sun/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The Clean Energy Transitions Programme (CETP) is the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) primary initiative aimed at accelerating global progress towards a net-zero energy system.
• The CETP Annual Report 2023 outlines the program’s achievements in the past year, emphasizing its focus on emerging markets and developing economies.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/04/clean-energy-transitions-programme-2023/