UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 17 May 2024

Ans: (c)

Explanation;

• Sahul refers to the landmass that existed during the last glacial maximum when the sea levels were lower, connecting present-day Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania into a single landmass. This land bridge facilitated human migration and the spread of flora and fauna between these regions.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/16/sahul/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) has deferred the accreditation of India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for the second consecutive year, which could impact India’s voting rights at the Human Rights Council and some UNGA bodies.
• 1: GANHRI is is a global network of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) which coordinates the relationship between NHRIs and the United Nations human rights system, and is unique as the only non-UN body whose internal accreditation system, based on compliance with the 1993 Paris Principles, grants access to UN committees. Institutions accredited by the Subcommittee for Accreditation (SCA) of GANHRI with “A status”, meaning full compliance with the Paris Principles, are usually accorded speaking rights and seating at human rights treaty bodies and other UN organs, mainly to the Human Rights Council. GANHRI representatives often present statements on behalf of individual NHRIs or the regional groups.
  • GANHRI is constituted as a non-profit entity under Swiss law, and has one member of staff representing it at the United Nations Office at Geneva.
• S2: GANHRI’s primary focus is on promoting and protecting human rights through its member institutions, rather than providing humanitarian aid in conflict zones.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/16/global-alliance-of-national-human-rights-institutions-ganhri/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The US has warned of potential sanctions following India’s signing of a 10-year contract with Iran to operate the Chabahar port.
• Chabahar port is located in Iran, not Iraq (S1 is incorrect). While India has invested significantly in the development of the Chabahar port, it is not solely operated by India (S2 is incorrect). The strategic importance of Chabahar lies in its role as a gateway for trade to Afghanistan and Central Asia, providing an alternative route that bypasses Pakistan. Chabahar port is primarily a commercial port, and its main purpose is trade, not military activities (S3 is incorrect).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/16/chabahar-port-5/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
• Context: Recently, India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation surged to a 13-month high of 1.26%, up from 0.5%, driven primarily by increases in food and fuel prices.
  • The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is an economic indicator that measures the average change in prices of goods at the wholesale level, i.e., before they reach the retail level.
  • It is used to track inflation and deflation trends in the economy by reflecting price changes in a basket of wholesale goods.

• S3: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor, Raghuram Raja in 2014 announced that the central bank had adopted the new Consumer Price Index (CPI) (combined) as the key measure of inflation.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/16/wholesale-price-index-wpi/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1: The Tea Board is a statutory body set up under section 4 of the Tea Act, 1953 was constituted on 1st April 1954.
• S2: The present Tea Board is functioning as a statutory body of the Central Government under the Ministry of Commerce.
• S3&S4: The head office of the Tea board is in Kolkata. Currently, the Tea Board has two overseas offices located in Dubai and Moscow. Its functions include rendering financial and technical assistance for the cultivation, manufacture and marketing of tea, export promotion, aiding Research and Development activities for augmentation of tea production and improvement of tea quality.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/16/fall-in-tea-production/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: Semal trees, crucial to Udaipur’s Holi festivities, face peril in south Rajasthan. Despite their ecological significance, thousands are cut annually for bonfires, violating forest laws.
• Semal trees, also known as silk cotton trees or Bombax Ceiba, are large, fast-growing trees (large deciduous trees, known for their Crimson red flowers) native to India. Ayurvedic medicines can be prepared from every part of the tree (e.g., roots are used for treating ailments such as diabetes, etc). It is worshipped by many tribal communities in Rajasthan (e.g. Garasia tribe, Kathodi tribe) and Madhya Pradesh. Its seed produces edible oil, used in making soaps.  Semal plays a crucial role in the forest ecosystem, providing habitat and food for various species, including rock bees, moths, sparrows, and bugs. Additionally, tribal communities rely on Semal for food, crafting, and cultural beliefs.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/16/semal-trees/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• India and France have commenced the 7th edition of the India-France Joint Military Exercise SHAKTI in Umroi, Meghalaya.
• About Exercise SHAKTI: It is a biennial training event alternating between India and France, with the last edition being held in France in November 2021. Objectives include achieving physical fitness, refining tactical operations, and exchanging best practices.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/16/exercises-in-news-2/

Ans: (d)

Explanation: Exercise ‘Tarkash’

• The seventh edition of the Indo-U.S. joint counter-terrorism exercise, ‘Tarkash’, recently took place in Kolkata between India’s National Security Guard (NSG) and U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/16/exercises-in-news-2/

Ans: (c)

Explanation

• Kargil Review Committee & Group of Ministers: After the 1999 Kargil battle, highlighted the necessity for a unified war-fighting approach.
• Naresh Chandra Committee: Advocated structural changes in higher defence management.
• Shekatkar Committee: Led by Lt Gen. (retd) D.B. Shekatkar, recommended the creation of the CDS post and theatre commands, emphasizing unified planning.
• CDS Appointment & Department of Military Affairs (DMA): Steps towards achieving jointness among the armed forces, following recommendations from the Shekatkar Committee.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/16/theaterisation-of-india-armed-forces/

Ans: (a)

Explanation

• Context: OpenAI has introduced GPT-4o, its newest and most advanced AI model, designed to enhance ChatGPT by making it smarter, faster, and free for all users.
• Features of GPT-4o:
  • This model, named “Omni,” represents a significant upgrade from previous models by supporting multimodal interactions—processing and responding to text, audio, and images.
  • Unlike its predecessors, which used separate models for different tasks, GPT-4o integrates all functionalities into a single model, improving efficiency and response speed.
  • GPT-4o’s capabilities include real-time translations, emotion detection in audio, and understanding and interacting with visual inputs like screenshots and documents.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/16/gpt-4o/