UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 17 April 2024

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: The Indian government has instructed e-commerce platforms to stop categorizing certain beverages, including Bournvita, as “health drinks” on their sites.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body that regulates the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food, and establishes standards to ensure food safety.
• It is administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/16/health-drinks/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: Shrinkflation, the reduction in product sizes while maintaining prices, is resurfacing in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry due to rising input costs.
• Shrinkflation refers to the practice employed by manufacturers wherein the size or quantity of a product is reduced while keeping its price the same or slightly adjusted.
  • This strategy allows companies to maintain profit margins amid rising production costs.
  • Shrinkflation often goes unnoticed by consumers initially but can lead to dissatisfaction as they realize they are receiving less for the same amount of money.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/16/shrinkflation/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• A nostro account is a bank account held in another country by a domestic bank, denominated in the currency of the overseas country.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/16/special-rupee-vostro-account-srva/

Ans; (b)

Explanation: About Kármán Line

• It is the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space, located approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) above sea level. It is named after Hungarian-American engineer and physicist Theodore von Kármán, who first calculated the altitude where the atmosphere becomes too thin to support conventional aircraft flight.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/16/gopi-thotakura-1st-indian-space-tourist/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: Lady Hardinge Medical College in Delhi has inaugurated its Radiation Therapy facility, providing treatment to cancer patients using Brachytherapy equipment.
• Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. It can be used alone as a primary treatment for cancer or in combination with other treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy. The primary goal of radiation therapy is to target cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. It is not a surgical procedure to remove tumors, and it does not use radioactive substances as a primary treatment method.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/16/radiation-therapy/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Statement 2 is correct.
• Context: Chinese scientists have developed the world’s first satellite that enables smartphones to make direct calls through it, bypassing mobile towers.
  • This innovation aims to address communication challenges during emergencies, such as natural disasters.
  • The satellite, part of the Tiantong Project, symbolizes China’s commitment to enhancing communication resilience.
  • The Tiantong-1 series, involving three satellites, orbits synchronously at 36,000 kilometres altitude, potentially revolutionizing communication across the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Huawei introduced the first satellite-compatible smartphone, followed by other Chinese manufacturers.
• Satellite phones rely on communication with satellites orbiting the Earth. To establish a connection, these phones need a clear line of sight to the satellite. Obstructions like buildings, mountains, or dense cloud cover can interfere with the signal, making communication difficult or impossible. The other options are incorrect:
• S1: Satellite calls typically have a longer latency due to the distance the signal has to travel between the Earth and the satellite.
• S3: Satellite calls can be more expensive than landline calls due to the infrastructure required for satellite communication.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/16/satellite-calls/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Ringwoodite is a mineral that forms in the Earth’s mantle at high temperatures and pressures. It’s a water-rich mineral that can contain iron and hydrogen. Additionally, it is not a volcanic rock formed from lava cooling.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/16/ringwoodite/

Ans: (c)

Explanation: About Ashwagandha:

• It is an evergreen shrub found in parts of India, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Used as a medicinal plant, especially in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.
• Its supplements are often promoted for stress and anxiety, sleep, male infertility, athletic performance, etc.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/16/ashwagandha/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: India Post recently inaugurated a post office at its Bharati station in Antarctica, coinciding with the 24th Foundation Day of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa. This adds to the existing post offices at Dakshin Gangotri Station established in 1984 and Maitri Station set up in 1990.
• Bharati (opened in 2012) is India’s third Antarctic research station, alongside Maitri, commissioned by India. Located near Larsemann Hills, it focuses on oceanographic studies and the geological history of the Indian subcontinen

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/16/bharati-station-antarctica/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Bharati (opened in 2012) is India’s third Antarctic research station, alongside Maitri, commissioned by India. Located near Larsemann Hills, it focuses on oceanographic studies and the geological history of the Indian subcontinent.

Refer:https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/04/16/bharati-station-antarctica/