UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 21 August 2024

Solution: c)

• For the first time, Indian Railways is set to develop a master clock system to synchronize time across its entire network,addressing issues with the current manual time-keeping method.
• This initiative arose due to difficulties in investigating rail accidents caused by time mismatches across different systems and applications.
• The existing system involves station masters setting time manually based on instructions from section controllers, leading to discrepancies during accident investigations.
• The new master clock system will source time from reliable sources like NAVIC or the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and will be integrated across various railway applications and systems.

This synchronized time system will enhance operational efficiency and improve the accuracy of post-incident analyses.

Solution: b)

The primary objective of the FSSAI’s initiative is to develop and validate methods for detecting microplastics in various food products and to assess their prevalence and exposure levels among consumers in India.

Solution: b)

The Malabar Tree Toad, a species endemic to India’s Western Ghats, is listed as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List due to threats such as climate change, habitat fragmentation, pollution, and disease.

Solution: c)

The major threats to the survival of the Malabar Tree Toad include habitat fragmentation, climate change, and pollution, which contribute to its endangered status.

Solution: a)

Statement 1 is correct: The Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube is part of the Indian Army’s BHISHM initiative (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita, and Maitri).

Statement 2 is correct: The cube integrates AI and data analytics for effective coordination and real-time monitoring during disaster management.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The cube’s components are lightweight and transportable, allowing them to be easily moved by hand, cycle, or drone.

• Solution: d)

• The National Film Awards in India are primarily focused on recognizing and promoting Indian cinema. The three main categories are Feature Films, Non-Feature Films, and Best Writing on Cinema.
• These categories encompass a wide range of cinematic achievements within the Indian film industry.
• The absence of a ‘Best International Film’ category underscores the awards’ emphasis on celebrating and encouraging domestic film production.

This structure allows for a comprehensive evaluation of various aspects of Indian cinema, from full-length features to documentaries and critical writing, reflecting the diverse landscape of the country’s film culture.

Solution: b)

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The deep-winter heatwave in Antarctica could lead to a reduction in the Antarctic Ice Sheet, raising global sea levels, and might disrupt the global ocean circulation system, which plays a crucial role in regulating climate.

Statement 3 is incorrect because the heatwave is associated with a weakening, not strengthening, of the polar vortex.

Solution: d)

National Film Awards have been administered by the Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973. Most Film Friendly State award is not based on the number of film releases but on the state’s overall support for the growth of the film industry.

Solution: b)

The NPSS is designed to benefit all farmers, particularly small and marginal farmers, by providing access to scientific pest control advice through AI-based analysis. It is not limited to large-scale commercial farmers. Therefore, statement 3 is incorrect.

Solution: a)

Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India. Both the Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary are located in Tamil Nadu. The Tawa Reservoir, also recently added as a Ramsar site, is located in Madhya Pradesh, not Uttar Pradesh.