UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 28 October 2024

Solution: d)

• The Abhay class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) is purpose-built for anti-submarine warfare, especially in shallow and coastal waters.
• This vessel is designed not for high-seas combat but for targeted operations in areas closer to the coast, including Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and mine-laying activities.

Its specialized focus makes it effective in securing India’s coastal defense, marking a significant addition to maritime security in shallow waters.

Solution: c)

Pampa Valley and Angel Valley are historically connected to India’s “Grow More Food” campaign, which began in 1947-48 to support agricultural expansion and provide resettlement opportunities for post-war veterans. This initiative aimed to boost food production and address food security issues during the post-war period.

Solution: a)

The Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is designed to support scientific research and exploration with missions lasting up to 15–20 days.

BAS is not intended for continuous human presence, as seen with ISS, nor will it act as a satellite storage facility. Instead, BAS’s short-duration mission capability will enable specialized scientific studies in space, showcasing India’s commitment to advancing space research.

Solution: d)

AICTE accredits technical programs and formulates policy guidelines to ensure the establishment of quality technical institutions across India. Its mandate includes overseeing engineering, management, and applied sciences, providing direction and quality assurance in technical education.

Statement 3 is incorrect because AICTE does not regulate arts and humanities education; the University Grants Commission (UGC) typically oversees this area. AICTE’s focus remains firmly within technical and management education, ensuring quality and growth in these specialized fields.

Solution: a)

Statement 2 is correct: Coking coal does indeed produce valuable by-products such as coke oven gas, tar, benzole, and ammonia sulphate, which are widely used across chemical and power industries.

Coking coal has a high carbon content, essential for blast furnace operations in steel production, making it suitable for these applications.

Additionally, India is not self-sufficient in coking coal production due to limited domestic reserves, and as a result, it remains a net importer to meet its industrial demands. This reliance highlights India’s dependency on coking coal imports despite its status as a major steel producer.

Solution: d)

Statement 1 is incorrect as the major rivers flowing through PTR are the Periyar and Mullayar, not the Kabini.

Statement 2 is incorrect as well; while indigenous communities do gather resources from the forest, it is typically under regulated practices, but not necessarily “strict conservation rules.”

Statement 2 is incorrect; The reserve is a crucial habitat for many indigenous plant species, making it significant for biodiversity conservation.

Solution: c)

• The Srijan Center for Generative AI, established by IndiaAI and Meta, aims to empower young developers to work with open-source AI models, specifically in areas like healthcare, mobility, and education.
• The focus is on harnessing AI to address real-world challenges and promoting innovation through collaboration and resource accessibility.
• The center does not focus on proprietary AI models for commercial or restrictive use; rather, it fosters a collaborative approach toward open-source development in critical sectors.

Solution: b)

Statements 2 and 3 are correct. NMM’s preservation efforts include both preventive and curative conservation measures, safeguarding millions of manuscripts.

Additionally, the mission has developed a vast collection that covers diverse languages, scripts, and themes, representing one of the world’s largest manuscript collections.

Statement 1 is incorrect, as NMM has digitized over 3 lakh manuscripts, but only a portion of them are accessible online. This highlights the mission’s ongoing work in both preservation and digital accessibility.

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is incorrect.

IndiaAI and Meta have launched a Center for Generative AI, called Srijan, at IIT Jodhpur, with the goal of driving open-source AI innovations in India.

This initiative, supported by a partnership with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), aims to encourage young developers to leverage open-source AI models to solve real-world challenges.

About the Center for Generative AI, Srijan:

• Objective: Srijan seeks to empower young AI talent by providing resources to work with Large Language Models(LLMs) and focus on essential areas like healthcare, mobility, and education.
• Funding: Meta has committed INR 750 Lakhs over three years, supporting training, research, and workshops.
• Initiatives: The center will host Hackathons, Master Training workshops, and a GenAI Resource Hub to foster collaboration and skill development.
• Partnerships: IIT Jodhpur collaborates with national and international stakeholders, including Meta, MeitY, AICTE, and academic institutions, to expand Generative AI research and innovation.

Solution: b)

Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The ISRO-DBT agreement encompasses research on the effects of space radiation on astronaut health and explores algae for use as a sustainable food source and potential biofuel in space.

Statement 2 is incorrect because the BioE3 initiative focuses on bio-manufacturing for space, not deep-sea environments, and aligns with DBT’s policies on health, regenerative medicine, and waste management, supporting India’s biotechnology sector.

This agreement demonstrates ISRO and DBT’s commitment to addressing critical challenges in space missions through biotechnology.