UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 16 January 2025

Solution: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

India dominates the global turmeric market and exports significantly to the USA. However, India also imports turmeric, particularly dry forms from Vietnam and Indonesia, for value addition.

About Turmeric:

• Top exporting nations in the world:
  • India (Leading with 67% of global exports in 2023), Myanmar, Fiji, Indonesia, Vietnam
• Top importing nations in the world:
  • USA (The largest importer, with its share 18.98% in 2023)
  • India: Imports significant quantities of turmeric (especially dry) for domestic use.
  • EU Countries: Key importers include Netherlands and Germany.
• Top producing states in India:
  • Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Meghalaya (notable for Lakadong turmeric, high in curcumin content).
• India’s turmeric imports:
  • Major sources: Vietnam, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
  • Imports are primarily in the dry turmeric form for value addition and domestic consumption.

Solution: a)

Pixxel’s hyperspectral imaging technology is aimed at resource management and agricultural precision. The constellation is not equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and military surveillance is not its primary focus.

About India’s First Private Satellite Constellation:

• What it is: A private satellite constellation of six hyperspectral imaging satellites launched by Pixxel, backed by Google.
• Organizations involved: Developed by Pixxel, with collaboration from SpaceX, which facilitated the launch.
• Launch location: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA.
• Aim: To provide high-resolution hyperspectral imaging to improve insights in agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, defense, and resource management.

Features:

• Hyperspectral Imaging Technology: Captures detailed data across hundreds of light bands, enabling superior precision and insights compared to traditional satellite imaging.
• Applications include improving crop yields, tracking natural resources, monitoring oil spills, and surveying geographic boundaries.
• Part of a plan to launch 18 additional satellites by 2029 to expand capabilities and meet growing demand.
• Pixxel has secured 65 clients, including British Petroleum, and India’s Ministry of Agriculture, to utilize its cutting-edge data services.

Solution: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

The Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy serves as the Chairperson of the AEC. It includes eminent scientists and government officials, but the Prime Minister is not the ex-officio President.

About Atomic Energy Commission (AEC):

• What it is: The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) is the apex policy-making body in India for atomic energy, nuclear research, and related applications.
• Established in: Initially set up in August 1948 under the Department of Scientific Research, it was formally established in its current form on March 1, 1958, within the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
• Ministry: Functions directly under the Department of Atomic Energy, which is under the Prime Minister’s direct charge.
• Headquarters: Located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Aim: To advance nuclear science, research, and energy initiatives in India for peaceful and strategic applications.

Members:

• Chairperson: Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy.
• Ex-officio Members:
  • National Security Adviser
  • Principal Secretary to PM
  • Foreign Secretary
  • Cabinet Secretary
  • Expenditure Secretary
  • Eminent scientists and former chairpersons

Functions:

• Policy Formulation: Shapes India’s nuclear energy and research policies.
• R&D Oversight: Promotes research in nuclear science, including applications in energy, medicine, and agriculture.
• International Collaboration: Engages in global nuclear agreements and partnerships.
• Energy Production: Supports initiatives for nuclear power generation and clean energy.
• Regulation and Safety: Ensures adherence to safety standards in nuclear facilities.

Solution: a)

Armed Forces Veterans Day focuses on honoring veterans and addressing their welfare and integration into civilian life. It does not commemorate the inauguration of a war memorial.

About Armed Forces Veterans’ Day:

• Date: January 14 annually.
• Significance:

• • Pays tribute to the valour, dedication, and sacrifices of armed forces veterans.
  • Strengthens the bond between ex-servicemen and serving personnel.
  • Provides a platform to address issues related to veterans’ welfare and their families.

• History:

• • Instituted in 2017 by the Ministry of Defence.
  • The date marks the retirement of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa in 1953.
  • Field Marshal Cariappa continued to contribute to national welfare after retirement, including steering the formation of the Directorate of Resettlement, now Directorate General Resettlement.

Solution: c)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

The IMD focuses on meteorological phenomena, including disaster warnings, climate change research, and radar operations. Earthquake monitoring is managed by the National Center for Seismology, not the IMD.

About India Meteorological Department (IMD):

• Established: 1875
• Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences
• Headquarters: New Delhi

• Aim: To provide accurate weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and disaster management services for the safety, economic stability, and overall development of India.

Functions

• Weather Forecasting: Issuing alerts for cyclones, floods, droughts, and other extreme weather events.
• Climate Research: Monitoring climate change and its impacts on agriculture and water resources.
• Disaster Management: Providing early warnings to minimize loss of life and property.
• Support to Sectors: Assistance to agriculture, aviation, shipping, and public safety.
• Public Awareness: Educating citizens about climate and weather patterns.

History:

• Established after major disasters like the 1864 Calcutta cyclone and monsoon failures in 1866 and 1871.
• Unified meteorological services under one authority to support the Indian subcontinent’s unique weather needs.

Major Initiatives:

• Mission Mausam (2025): Advanced technologies for a weather-ready and climate-smart India.
• IMD Vision-2047: A roadmap for resilience and climate change adaptation.
• Expansion of Doppler Weather Radar: From 15 radars in 2014 to 39 in 2023, improving coverage by 35%.
• Cyclone Prediction: Accurate forecasting of cyclones like Fani (2019), Amphan (2020), and Biparjoy (2023), saving thousands of lives.
• Make in India Initiatives: Indigenous RADAR (1958), collaboration with ISRO for satellites (1983), and dynamic composite risk atlas (2022).

Solution: a)

India has not signed the NPT, citing its discriminatory nature. However, it is a party to other agreements related to nuclear safety and liability.

Solution: d)

The Kumani Bank mud volcano, located off Azerbaijan’s eastern coast, erupted in 2023, creating a short-lived island, popularly termed a “Ghost Island.” By the end of 2024, this ephemeral island had largely eroded back into the sea.

About Kumani Bank Mud Volcano:

• Located in: Situated approximately 25 km (15 miles) off the eastern coast of Azerbaijan in the Caspian Sea.
• What is a Ghost Island?
  • A Ghost Island refers to a temporary landmass created by volcanic activity, particularly mud volcanoes, that erodes back into the water over time.
• Ephemeral Nature:

• • The island formed in 2023, measuring 400 meters (1,300 feet) across.
  • By late 2024, it had nearly disappeared into the sea.

• Significance:
  • Geological Insights: Helps scientists understand tectonic processes and subsurface pressure dynamics.
  • Martian Analogs: Provides clues about similar features on Mars, aiding in planetary exploration studies.
  • Environmental Impact: Linked to the South Caspian Basin’s hydrocarbon system, contributing to methane and gas emissions.
  • Regional Importance: Highlights Azerbaijan’s unique geological landscape, which boasts 300+ mud volcanoes, the largest concentration globally.

Solution: c)

While other boards focus on logistical or storage issues, the National Turmeric Board emphasizes research into turmeric’s medicinal and nutraceutical applications, aligning with AYUSH initiatives.

About the National Turmeric Board:

• What it is: A dedicated body established to promote turmeric cultivation, research, and exports.
• Headquarters: Nizamabad, Telangana.
• Ministry: Operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Aim: To enhance turmeric production, support farmers, and boost global exports.
• Headed by: Shri Palle Ganga Reddy as its first Chairperson.

Functions:

• Promote research and development for high-yield and value-added turmeric products.
• Enhance awareness of turmeric’s medicinal and essential properties.
• Support farmers across 20 turmeric-growing states.
• Focus on logistics, quality assurance, and boosting exports.
• Collaborate with ministries like AYUSH, Agriculture, and Commerce for policy alignment.

Solution: d)

IMD operates under the Ministry of Earth Sciences and provides real-time weather updates to sectors like aviation and shipping. Satellite-based data collection is also conducted by ISRO, in collaboration with IMD.

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is incorrect.

The AEC promotes research and oversees nuclear power development. However, waste disposal regulation is managed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), not the AEC.