[Mission 2024] Current Affairs Quiz , 10 April 2024

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statements 1 and 3 are correct.
• IUCN status: critically endangered.
• Found in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
• Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and in the CMS Convention and in Appendix I of CITES.
• Identified as one of the species for the recovery programme under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
• Project Great Indian Bustard — state of Rajasthan — identifying and fencing off bustard breeding grounds in existing protected areas as well as providing secure breeding enclosures in areas outside protected areas.
• Protected areas: Desert National Park Sanctuary — Rajasthan, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary – Andhra Pradesh and Karera Wildlife Sanctuary– Madhya Pradesh.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/09/sc-right-against-adverse-climate-impacts-as-integral-to-right-to-life-and-equality/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context:More Indian women are actively participating in financial decision-making, with 98% of urban women involved in long-term family decisions, including household financial investments, according to the recentAMFi-CRISIL report.
  • Female LFPR up to 41.5% (Oct 2023) from 24.6% (2017-18),with rural women showing a faster growth rate
  • 47% of women make independent financial decisions. Autonomy varies with income, age, and affluence stage
• Increased FLFPR often leads to higher economic growth and productivity due to a larger workforce contributing to the economy. When more women participate in the labor force, there’s a broader pool of talent and skills available, which can drive innovation and efficiency, ultimately boosting economic growth.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/09/rising-role-of-women-in-finance-and-workforce/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: In a surprising turn of events, scientists observed the Arctic’s polar vortex spinning in the opposite direction, marking one of the six strongest occurrences of its kind since 1979.
• About Polar Vortex:
  • The polar vortex is a large, persistent circulation of frigid air located in the stratosphere and typically centred near the Earth’s poles.
  • It is characterized by a strong wind current that circulates from west to east, trapping cold air within the polar regions during the winter months.
  • The polar vortex plays a crucial role in maintaining the polar climate and can influence weather patterns in mid-latitude regions.
  • Occasionally, disruptions in the polar vortex can occur, leading to phenomena such as sudden stratospheric warming events, which can result in shifts in weather patterns and colder temperatures in regions outside of the polar areas.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/09/arctics-polar-vortex/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: The Southern Ocean is known for having the cleanest air on Earth, a fact previously attributed mainly to minimal human activity.
  • However, recent research has unveiled that clouds and rain play a significant role in keeping the air pristine.
• Option c: In 2000, the International Hydrographic Organization delimited the waters within the Convergence as a fifth world ocean basin – the Southern Ocean – by combining the southern portions of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean
• Option b: The Southern Ocean extends from the coast of Antarctica north to 60 degrees south latitude, which coincides with the Antarctic Treaty region and which approximates the extent of the Antarctic Convergence

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/09/southern-ocean/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: Since the announcement of General Elections 2024, over 73,000 applications have been received on the Suvidha Portal, with more than 44,600 requests approved.
  • The portal ensures transparency and a level playing field for political parties and candidates by adhering to the First in First out principle.
  • It caters to a wide range of permission requests such as organizing rallies, opening temporary party offices, and distributing pamphlets.
  • The data available on the portal aids in scrutinizing election expenditures, contributing to greater accountability.
• The Suvidha portal is a technological solution created by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to facilitate fair and transparent elections.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/09/suvidha-portal/

Ans:(b)

Explanation:

• Iran and Iraq are not members of GCC.
• The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) (est. 1981; HQ: Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)) is a political and economic union formed by Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. It aims to promote cooperation among member states. Initially proposed as a “Gulf Union” for deeper coordination, its military arm, the Peninsula Shield Force, was created in 1984.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/09/gulf-cooperation-council-gcc/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: A recent study by IIT Madras has uncovered the presence of ‘forever chemicals’ known as pre- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Chennai’s Buckingham Canal, Adyar River, and Chembarambakkam Lake.
  • PFAS are synthetic chemicals found in everyday products and are known to persist in the environment, posing health risks including liver damage, hormonal imbalance, fertility issues, and cancer.
  • PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down in the environment and can persist for long periods of time.
• S1: Pre- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that have been extensively used in various consumer products due to their unique properties such as resistance to heat, water, and oil.
• S2 is correct because it accurately reflects the widespread applications of PFAS in items like nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics (such as carpets and clothing), and firefighting foams.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/09/forever-chemicals/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Spotted deer, also known as chital or axis deer, are a species of deer native to the Indian subcontinent.
  • They are characterized by their reddish-brown coat with white spots, which gives them their name.
  • Spotted deer are medium-sized herbivores, typically weighing between 50 to 100 kilograms.
  • They inhabit a variety of forested habitats, including deciduous forests, grasslands, and scrublands.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/09/spotted-deer/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued a draft notification demarcating an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary on the Haryana side.
  • Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Chandigarh Union Territory.
• Rejecting Haryana’s proposal for only a 1,000-meter ESZ, the draft delineates an area of 1 km up to 2.035 km around Haryana’s side of the sanctuary. The sanctuary is ecologically sensitive and home to several endangered species. The draft seeks objections from stakeholders within 60 days.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/09/esz-around-sukhna-wildlife-sanctuary/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context:India has secured the rights to operate the Sittwe port in Myanmar, marking its second overseas port endeavor after Chabahar. The Ministry of External Affairs approved a proposal for India Ports Global (IPGL), wholly owned by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, to manage the port on the Kaladan River.
  • About Sittwe Port:
    • It is a deepwater port situated at the Kaladan River’s estuary in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
    • It is a crucial component of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), funded through grants-in-aid assistance from the Government of India.
    • The port holds significant importance as it will create new trade and transit opportunities for India’s Northeast region, as well as enhance trade and commerce between India and Myanmar.
  • India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/09/sittwe-port-myanmar/