UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 5 September 2024

Solution: d)

Statement 1 is correct as Lothal was one of the southernmost sites of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Statement 2 is also correct, as Lothal had an advanced drainage system like other major Harappan cities.

Statement 3 is incorrect because the Sabarmati River now flows around 20 km away from the site, not directly next to it.

Solution: c)

Brunei is located along the South China Sea, a crucial maritime zone for trade and energy transportation. For India, securing freedom of navigation in this region is critical for maintaining open sea lanes and countering China’s territorial claims.

Brunei’s cooperation within the ASEAN framework supports India’s larger Indo-Pacific strategy, ensuring a rules-based order in the region. Brunei’s relatively neutral foreign policy provides India with a platform to engage diplomatically with Southeast Asia without causing regional disruptions.

Solution: c)

OpenAI’s Project Strawberry is an upcoming AI model expected to be significantly more advanced in math, programming, and reasoning than existing chatbots.

• Likely to be integrated into ChatGPT-5, this model represents a step towards achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), with capabilities akin to the human brain.
• Project Strawberry, previously known as Project Q*, is designed to autonomously conduct internet research, solve complex puzzles, and improve AI’s reasoning abilities.
• It is also expected to generate high-quality synthetic data, addressing the scarcity of accessible training data on the internet.
• This synthetic data aims to reduce biases and errors, potentially leading to breakthroughs in fields like scientific research and personalized education.

Solution: c)

The Krishi Nivesh Portal was launched to simplify agricultural investments and improve transparency by providing easy access to information and government schemes related to agriculture.

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is correct as ISM has full administrative and financial powers to drive the semiconductor ecosystem, focusing on various aspects including manufacturing, packaging, and design.

Statement 1 is incorrect because ISM operates as a specialized division under the Digital India Corporation, not directly under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Statement 3 is also incorrect because ISM focuses on both manufacturing and design.

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is correct as Lothal’s dockyard is one of the oldest known examples of water transport infrastructure.

Statement 3 is also correct as Lothal traded goods, including beads, gems, and ornaments, with regions such as Mesopotamia.

Statement 1 is incorrect because the dockyard was connected to the Sabarmati River, not the Indus.

Solution: a)

Statement 1 is correct, as Project Strawberry is designed to improve AI’s cognitive abilities, moving it closer to AGI.

Statement 2 is incorrect because while it may conduct internet research, the integration of real-time search is not its main focus.

Statement 3 is also incorrect, as the project focuses on reasoning, problem-solving, and data generation, not creative writing.

Solution: d)

Statements 1 and 3 are correct. GLOFs occur when unstable natural dams around glacial lakes fail, causing flooding. These floods are triggered by natural events like ice avalanches and earthquakes.

Statement 2 is incorrect because glacial lakes are primarily formed from meltwater from glaciers, not rainfall.

Solution: a)

Brunei plays a vital role in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy primarily due to its oil and gas exports, which help diversify India’s energy imports and reduce dependence on unstable energy markets. Additionally, as a member of ASEAN, Brunei is integral to India’s broader engagement with Southeast Asia.

The ASEAN platform allows India to participate in regional security dialogues and economic initiatives, which are key to its Indo-Pacific strategy. However, Brunei is not part of India’s Quad alliance with the U.S., Japan, and Australia, making statement 3 incorrect.

Solution: b)

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The AgriSURE fund focuses on areas like farm mechanization, technology-driven start-ups, and youth participation in agriculture. However, it does not specifically focus on funding biotechnology research, making statement 3 incorrect.