UPSC Weekly Quiz is a present affairs-based quiz on related matters from the previous week, curated for the aspirants of aggressive examinations. Try the weekly quiz each Saturday and discover solutions to the MCQs with explanations.
1. It will increase the content material of important micronutrients in meals to enhance the dietary high quality of meals.
2. Fortified rice kernels (FRKs) have a shelf lifetime of at the least 12 months.
3. The fortified rice doesn’t comprise vitamin B-12.
How lots of the statements given above are appropriate?
(a) Just one
(b) Solely two
(c) All three
(d) None
Clarification
— The Union Cupboard prolonged the common provide of fortified rice in all central authorities schemes offering free meals grain below the Nationwide Meals Safety Act, 2021, in its current kind, till December 2028.
— The Meals Security and Requirements Authority of India (FSSAI), nation’s prime meals regulator, defines fortification as “intentionally rising the content material of important micronutrients in a meals in order to enhance the dietary high quality of meals and to supply public well being profit with minimal threat to well being”.
— India has very excessive ranges of malnutrition amongst ladies and kids. In response to the Meals Ministry, each second lady within the nation is anaemic, and each third little one is stunted.
— “In response to the Nationwide Household Well being Survey (NFHS-5) performed between 2019 and 2021, anaemia stays a widespread situation in India, affecting youngsters, ladies, and males throughout numerous age teams and earnings ranges. Moreover iron deficiency, different vitamin and mineral deficiencies, resembling Vitamin B12 and folic acid, additionally persist, impacting the general well being and productiveness of the inhabitants,” the aforementioned authorities assertion stated.
— Fortification of meals is taken into account to be probably the most appropriate strategies to fight malnutrition. Rice is considered one of India’s staple meals, which is consumed by about two-thirds of the inhabitants.
— It will increase the content material of important micronutrients in meals to enhance the dietary high quality of meals. Therefore, assertion 1 is appropriate.
— Numerous applied sciences, resembling coating, dusting, and ‘extrusion’, can be found so as to add micronutrients to common rice. The final talked about expertise includes the manufacturing of fortified rice kernels (FRKs) from a combination utilizing an ‘extruder’ machine. It’s thought of to be the perfect expertise for India.
— The kernels are dried, cooled, and packaged. FRK has a shelf lifetime of at the least 12 months. The kernels are blended with common rice to provide fortified rice. Below the Ministry’s tips, 10 g of FRK have to be blended with 1 kg of normal rice. Therefore, assertion 2 is appropriate.
— In response to FSSAI norms, 1 kg of fortified rice will comprise the next: iron (28 mg-42.5 mg), folic acid (75-125 microgram), and vitamin B-12 (0.75-1.25 microgram). Therefore, assertion 3 shouldn’t be appropriate.
Due to this fact, choice (b) is the proper reply.
QUESTION 2
Just about the Marburg virus illness (MVD), take into account the next statements:
1. It belongs to the filovirus household.
2. Human MVD infections are attributable to extended publicity to mines.
3. The primary outbreak occurred in Angola in 1967.
4. It doesn’t unfold by way of human-to-human transition.
Which of the statements given above are appropriate?
(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 3 and 4 solely
(c) 1 and a pair of solely
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Clarification
— The lethal Marburg virus may overwhelm Rwanda’s fragile healthcare system. Because the east African nation reported the primary Marburg case late final month, at the least 46 people have been contaminated and 12 Marburg deaths reported.
— Marburg is among the many deadliest pathogens identified to people, with Marburg virus illness (MVD) case fatality charges starting from 24% to 88% in previous outbreaks, relying on virus pressure and case administration.
— The primary outbreak occurred in Marburg, Germany, in 1967. Since then, subsequent outbreaks have been largely reported throughout Africa. Therefore, assertion 3 shouldn’t be appropriate.
— Marburg belongs to the filovirus household, like Ebola. Each pathogens are clinically comparable, and though uncommon, could cause outbreaks with excessive fatality charges. Therefore, assertion 1 is appropriate.
— Initially, human MVD infections have been attributable to extended publicity to mines or caves inhabited by colonies of Rousettus bats, most notably the Egyptian fruit bat. Therefore, assertion 2 is appropriate.
Nonetheless, in response to the World Well being Group (WHO), Marburg additionally spreads by way of human-to-human transition each straight (by way of contact with blood and different bodily fluids of contaminated folks) and not directly (by way of surfaces and supplies like bedding, clothes, and many others. contaminated with these fluids). Therefore, assertion 4 shouldn’t be appropriate.
— The interval between an infection and onset of signs varies from 2 to 21 days. Preliminary signs, in response to the WHO, embrace excessive fever, extreme headache, muscle ache, extreme watery diarrhoea, belly ache and cramping, and vomiting.
Due to this fact, choice (c) is the proper reply.
QUESTION 3
Which of the next pairs is not appropriate in regards to the awards given to Ratan Tata?
1. Padma Vibhushan – 2018
2. Padma Bhushan – 2000
Choose the proper reply utilizing the codes given under:
(a) 1 solely
(b) 2 solely
(c) Each 1 and a pair of
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Clarification
— Iconic industrialist and a guiding drive for India Inc., Ratan Tata, who handed away late Wednesday night time at Mumbai’s Breach Sweet Hospital, leaves behind an enduring legacy not solely as a enterprise chief but additionally as a visionary angel investor.
— In 2008, he acquired the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour in India, after receiving the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour in 2000.
— He joined Tata in 1961, the place he labored on the store ground of Tata Metal. He later succeeded J R D Tata as chairman of Tata Sons upon the latter’s retirement in 1991. Below his tenure the Tata Group acquired Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover, and Corus, in an try to show Tata from a largely India-centric group into a world enterprise.
Due to this fact, choice (a) is the proper reply.
QUESTION 4
Contemplate the next wildlife sanctuaries:
1. Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Paniya Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary
How lots of the sanctuaries given above kind part of Gir Protected Space?
(a) Just one
(b) Solely two
(c) All three
(d) None
Clarification
— On October 25, 2015, the Union Ministry of Surroundings, Forest and Local weather Change (MoEFCC) revealed a draft notification, proposing to inform 3,328 sq. kilometres across the Gir forest in Gujarat as an Eco-Delicate Zone (ESZ). Nonetheless, a revised draft revealed on September 18, 2024, diminished the scope of the proposed ESZ to 2,061 sq km. Forest officers stated the discount was wanted to accommodate the fundamental wants of individuals residing across the forest. Many business and infrastructure-building actions are prohibited inside ESZs.
— Successive proposals for notifying an ESZ across the Gir Protected Space (PA) have confronted protests from politicians and the general public.
— Gir is a Nationwide Park, which means it enjoys a really excessive diploma of presidency safety for safeguarding wildlife, and is the final remaining abode of the Asiatic lions.
— ESZs basically act as buffer zones round Protected Areas — nationwide parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves, and many others.
— Gir PA consists of the Gir Nationwide Park, the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, the Paniya Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary, unfold throughout the Junagadh, Amreli and Gir Somnath districts in Gujarat’s Saurashtra area in its south.
— It’s Gujarat’s largest compact tract of protected forest however can be surrounded by high-density human settlements.
— The Nationwide Surroundings Coverage of 2006 outlined Eco-Delicate Zones “as areas/zones with recognized environmental assets having incomparable values which require particular consideration for his or her conservation”, due to its panorama, wildlife, biodiversity, historic and pure values.
— Protected Areas assist preserve ecosystems adversely affected by anthropogenic and climatic components. ESZs then act as shock absorbers for wildlife in PAs after they transfer from areas of upper environmental safety to decrease.
— No business mining, stone quarrying, giant hydroelectric initiatives, polluting industries, brick kilns, and many others. are allowed in ESZ. Industrial institution of inns, resorts, small-scale non-polluting industries and the development of civic facilities are regulated.
Due to this fact, choice (c) is the proper reply.
QUESTION 5
Contemplate the next languages:
1. Pali
2. Prakrit
3. Marathi
4. Punjabi
5. Gujarati
Which of the languages given above have been lately designated because the classical language?
(a) 1, 2 and three
(b) 1, 2, 4 and 5
(c) 3, 4 and 5
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Clarification
— The Union Cupboard prolonged the “classical language” tag to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia already get pleasure from this standing.
— The Linguistic Specialists Committee (LEC) unanimously revised the standards for classical standing. The standards now embrace:
(i) Excessive antiquity of early texts, and recorded historical past over a interval of 1500- 2000 years;
(ii) A physique of historical literature/ texts, which is taken into account a heritage by generations of audio system;
(iii) Epigraphic and inscriptional proof;
(iv) Data texts, particularly prose texts along with poetry; and
The classical languages and literature could possibly be distinct from its present kind or could possibly be discontinuous with later types of its offshoots.
Due to this fact, choice (a) is the proper reply.
QUESTION 6
Just about the United Nations Interim Peacekeeping Pressure in Lebanon (UNIFIL), take into account the next statements:
1. It’s a global physique assigned to stop violations alongside the border between Lebanon and Israel.
2. The peacekeeping drive consists of solely army personnel and doesn’t have civilian personnel.
3. It was created by the United Nations Safety Council in 1978.
Which of the statements given above is/are appropriate?
(a) 1 and three solely
(b) 2 solely
(c) 2 and three solely
(d) 1 solely
Clarification
— India stated it was “involved” on the “deteriorating” safety state of affairs in elements of West Asia after two members of a United Nations peacekeeping mission working alongside Lebanon’s border with Israel have been injured.
— It was essentially the most severe incident involving the worldwide drive since Israel warned it to relocate from Lebanese positions close to the place it stated Hezbollah fighters had launched rockets into northern Israel.
— The UN has stored the peacekeeping drive, referred to as UNIFIL, in southern Lebanon since 1978. Its mission is basically observational, although its mandate was expanded in 2006 on the finish of the final struggle between Israel and Hezbollah. Therefore, assertion 3 is appropriate.
— The United Nations Interim Peacekeeping Pressure in Lebanon is a global physique of greater than 10,000 civilian and army personnel from 50 nations assigned to stop violations alongside the border between Lebanon and Israel. T121-km stretch is usually referred to as the Blue Line. Therefore, assertion 1 is appropriate and assertion 2 shouldn’t be appropriate..
— A UN decision from 2006 consists of language authorising the drive to “make sure that its space of operations shouldn’t be utilised for hostile actions of any type.”
— UNIFIL is meant to stop violations within the border zone and report breaches to the UN Safety Council. Though they’re armed, the peacekeepers are usually restricted to utilizing drive solely when their security or the protection of civilians is in fast hazard.
Due to this fact, choice (a) is the proper reply.
QUESTION 7
Just about the Nobel Prizes 2024, take into account the next statements:
1. The Nobel Prize for Literature 2024 was awarded to South Korean writer Han Kang.
2. The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo.
Which of the assertion(s) given above is/are appropriate?
(a) 1 solely
(b) 2 solely
(c) Each 1 and a pair of
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Clarification
— The Nobel Prize for Literature 2024 has been awarded to South Korean writer Han Kang “for her intense poetic prose that confronts historic traumas and exposes the fragility of human life”. Therefore, assertion 1 is appropriate.
— In response to the press assertion, in her oeuvre, Han Kang confronts historic traumas and invisible units of guidelines and, in every of her works, exposes the fragility of human life. “She has a novel consciousness of the connections between physique and soul, the residing and the useless, and in her poetic and experimental fashion has turn out to be an innovator in up to date prose,” the Nobel website mentions.
— She is the primary South Korean author to win the award, in response to the Nobel Press Convention.
— In 1993, when she was 23, Kang debuted as a poet within the journal Literature and Society. Her prose debut got here two years later with a brief fiction assortment, Love of Yeosu, earlier than a global breakthrough with The Vegetarian (2007), a novel a couple of graphic designer.
— The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo for its “efforts to realize a world freed from nuclear weapons”. Therefore, assertion 2 is appropriate.
— The members of Nihon Hidankyo are survivors of the atom bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the USA in 1945. Lots of those that survived — the so-called “Hibakusha” or “bomb-affected folks” — spearheaded the worldwide motion to finish nuclear weapons.
— The Nobel Committee emphasised on Hibakusha’s testimonies which have raised “consciousness in regards to the catastrophic humanitarian penalties of utilizing nuclear weapons”, and “contributed vastly to the institution of the nuclear taboo”.
Due to this fact, choice (c) is the proper reply.
QUESTION 8
Contemplate the next statements:
Assertion 1: Plant cowl throughout the Antarctic Peninsula has elevated greater than 10 instances over the previous few a long time.
Assertion 2: The Antarctic continent is warming twice as quick as the worldwide common, at a price of between 0.22 levels Celsius and 0.32 levels Celsius per decade.
Which one of many following is appropriate in respect of the above statements?
(a) Each Assertion 1 and Assertion 2 are appropriate and Assertion 2 is the proper rationalization for Assertion 1.
(b) Each Assertion 1 and Assertion 2 are appropriate and Assertion 2 shouldn’t be the proper rationalization for Assertion 1.
(c) Assertion 1 is appropriate however Assertion 2 is inaccurate.
(d) Assertion 1 is inaccurate however Assertion 2 is appropriate.
Clarification
— Plant cowl throughout the Antarctic Peninsula, an extended, mountainous extension of Antarctica that factors north in the direction of South America, has elevated greater than 10 instances over the previous few a long time resulting from rising temperatures, a brand new examine says. Therefore, assertion 1 is appropriate.
— The evaluation, revealed within the journal Nature Geoscience, was carried out by researchers on the universities of Exeter and Hertfordshire in England, and the British Antarctic Survey.
— A 2023 examine revealed within the journal Nature Local weather Change found that the continent is warming twice as quickly because the world common, at a tempo of 0.22 to 0.32 levels Celsius per decade. Therefore, assertion 2 is appropriate.
— The Intergovernmental Panel on Local weather Change (IPCC), a United Nations company that advances scientific data about local weather change, estimates that the Earth is warming at a tempo of 0.14 to 0.18 levels Celsius each decade.
— The Antarctic Peninsula is warming 5 instances sooner than the worldwide common, making the state of affairs worse than elsewhere in Antarctica. The common temperature on the Antarctic Peninsula has elevated by almost 3 levels Celsius since 1950.
Each Assertion 1 and Assertion 2 are appropriate and Assertion 2 is the proper rationalization for Assertion 1.
Due to this fact, choice (a) is the proper reply.
QUESTION 9
Vat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, is below restoration and conservation by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is situated in:
(a) Vietnam
(b) Malaysia
(c) Indonesia
(d)Laos
Clarification
— Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Laos counterpart Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane and congratulated him on efficiently internet hosting the twenty first ASEAN-India and nineteenth East Asia Summits.
— The 2 leaders emphasised that the persevering with restoration and safety of Vat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, with assist from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), provides a novel dimension to bilateral ties.
— Following the talks, agreements in defence, broadcasting, customs cooperation, and three Fast Impression Initiatives below the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation have been signed within the presence of each leaders.
— The initiatives embrace the preservation of the Lao Ramayana, the restoration of Wat Pakea Buddhist temple that includes Ramayana paintings, and help for a shadow puppetry theatre in Champasak province.
Due to this fact, choice (d) is the proper reply.
QUESTION 10
Just about the AstroSat, take into account the next statements:
1. It’s the first devoted Indian astronomy mission geared toward learning celestial sources in X-ray and UV spectral bands concurrently.
2. It allows the simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of assorted astronomical objects with a single satellite tv for pc.
Which of the assertion(s) given above is/are appropriate?
(a) 1 solely
(b) 2 solely
(c) Each 1 and a pair of
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Clarification
— India’s AstroSat and NASA’s house observatories have captured dramatic eruptions from stellar wreckage round an enormous black gap.
— A big black gap has ripped aside one star and is at the moment utilising the stellar wreckage to annihilate one other star or smaller black gap that was beforehand undiscovered — this discovering was made utilizing NASA’s house observatories — Chandra, HST, NICER, Swift — and ISRO’s AstroSat, the Indian house company said.
— AstroSat is India’s first devoted astronomy undertaking, with the objective of researching celestial sources within the X-ray, optical, and UV spectral bands concurrently. Therefore, assertion 1 is appropriate.
— The payloads cowl the power bands of ultraviolet (close to and much), restricted optical, and X-ray (0.3 keV to 100 keV).
— The AstroSat mission is exclusive in that it permits for simultaneous multi-wavelength research of a number of celestial objects from a single satellite tv for pc. Therefore, assertion 2 is appropriate.
Due to this fact, choice (c) is the proper reply.
QUESTION 11
Just about the Auroras, take into account the next statements:
1. These are basically pure lights that seem as vibrant, swirling curtains within the night time sky.
2. Within the Northern Hemisphere, these vibrant and vibrant lights are referred to as Aurora Australis, whereas these within the South are referred to as Aurora Borealis.
3. They’re fashioned resulting from an energetic interplay in house between charged photo voltaic winds and the Earth’s magnetosphere.
How lots of the statements given above are appropriate?
(a) Just one
(b) Solely two
(c) All three
(d) None
Clarification
— The night time sky on Thursday was illuminated by the northern lights, or aurora borealis, seen in elements of the world together with the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, and even Hanle village in Ladakh, India.
— Auroras are basically pure lights that seem as vibrant, swirling curtains within the night time sky and will be seen in a variety of colors, together with blue, pink, yellow, inexperienced, and orange. Therefore, assertion 1 is appropriate.
— These lights primarily seem close to the poles of each the northern and southern hemispheres all 12 months spherical however typically they increase to decrease latitudes.
— When witnessed close to the North, these vibrant and vibrant lights are referred to as Aurora Borealis, whereas these within the South are referred to as Aurora Australis. Therefore, assertion 2 shouldn’t be appropriate.
— They’re fashioned resulting from an energetic interplay in house between charged photo voltaic winds and the Earth’s magnetosphere. Therefore, assertion 3 is appropriate.
Due to this fact, choice (b) is the proper reply.
QUESTION 12
Just about the AlphaFold2, take into account the next statements:
1. It’s a synthetic intelligence-based device.
2. It will probably predict the construction of a protein with excellent accuracy.
Which of the assertion(s) given above is/are appropriate?
(a) 1 solely
(b) 2 solely
(c) Each 1 and a pair of
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Clarification
— The Nobel Prize in Physics 2024 has been awarded to John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton “for foundational discoveries and innovations that allow machine studying with synthetic neural networks.”
— This 12 months’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry too was awarded for analysis on proteins. This award, nonetheless, is barely completely different to earlier ones. Scientists David Baker, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper have been honoured not for presenting any new insights into proteins themselves, however for growing instruments that make it vastly simpler and faster to decipher their buildings, and make completely new proteins.
— Hassabis and Jumper, who share one half of the prize, are co-creators of an synthetic intelligence-based device referred to as AlphaFold2 that may predict the construction of a protein with excellent accuracy. Baker used comparable computational instruments to create new proteins, which aren’t out there in nature, however can carry out many helpful features. Collectively, the trio managed to perform issues that scientists have been striving to realize for a number of a long time. Therefore, assertion 1 and a pair of are appropriate.
— The AlphaFold2 predicts the buildings of proteins utilizing identified sequences of amino acids from the database. These predictions have been then matched to catalogued protein buildings within the different database. With coaching, the AI device gained enough accuracy in predicting protein buildings, given a specific sequence of amino acids.
Due to this fact, choice (c) is the proper reply.
QUESTION 13
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medication has been awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for:
(a) the invention of microRNA and its function in post-transcriptional gene regulation.
(b) the discoveries in regards to the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution.
(c) their discoveries of receptors for temperature and contact.
(d) enabling the event of mRNA vaccines.
Clarification
— Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have been collectively awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medication “for the invention of microRNA and its function in post-transcriptional gene regulation.”
— MicroRNAs are molecules that assist cells management their protein manufacturing. They work by binding with one other kind of molecule referred to as messenger RNA (mRNA), which accommodates the directions that direct cells to synthesise acceptable proteins.
— The invention was made by scientists whereas learning a tiny roundworm referred to as Caenorhabditis Elegans, which possessed some cell sorts additionally discovered in additional advanced animals. They studied two mutant strains of worms, lin-4, and lin-14, that displayed defects within the timing of activation of genetic packages throughout improvement. This led to the invention of microRNA and the understanding of gene regulation.
Due to this fact, choice (a) is the proper reply.
QUESTION 14
‘Intentionally rising the content material of important micronutrients in a meals in order to enhance the dietary high quality of meals and to supply public well being profit with minimal threat to well being’ is called:
(a) acropetal
(b) fermentation
(c) fortification
(d) centrifugation
Clarification
— The Cupboard Committee on Financial Affairs (CCEA), in April 2022, had determined to implement the rice fortification initiative all through the nation in a phased method by March 2024. All three deliberate phases have now been efficiently accomplished, with the goal of common protection achieved by March 2024, an official assertion following the Cupboard announcement stated.
What’s rice fortification, and why is it wanted?
— The Meals Security and Requirements Authority of India (FSSAI), nation’s prime meals regulator, defines fortification as “intentionally rising the content material of important micronutrients in a meals in order to enhance the dietary high quality of meals and to supply public well being profit with minimal threat to well being”.
Due to this fact, choice (c) is the proper reply.
QUESTION 15
Contemplate the next statements on the subject of Worldwide organisations:
1. The East Asia Summit (EAS) course of was initiated in 2010 the ASEAN Member States, China, India, Japan, and Russia.
2. In 1967, Overseas Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – got here collectively to signal the ASEAN declaration.
3. Whereas India was a part of negotiations to affix the Regional Complete Financial Partnership (RCEP) in 2020, it finally determined not to take action.
Which of the statements given above are appropriate?
(a) 1 and a pair of solely
(b) 2 and three solely
(c) 1 and three solely
(d) 1, 2 and three
Clarification
— The East Asia Summit (EAS) course of was initiated in 2005 with 16 taking part nations, specifically the ASEAN Member States, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea. The USA and the Russian Federation joined in a while. Therefore, assertion 1 shouldn’t be appropriate.
— India was a part of negotiations to affix the Regional Complete Financial Partnership (RCEP) in 2020, it finally determined not to take action. Therefore, assertion 3 is appropriate.
— In 1967, Overseas Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – got here collectively to signal the ASEAN declaration. Therefore, assertion 2 is appropriate.
Due to this fact, choice (b) is the proper reply.
Earlier Weekly Quiz
UPSC Weekly Present Affairs Quiz | September 29 to October 05, 2024
UPSC Weekly Present Affairs Quiz | September 22 to September 28, 2024
UPSC Weekly Present Affairs Quiz | September 15 to September 21, 2024
UPSC Weekly Present Affairs Quiz | September 08 to September 14, 2024
UPSC Weekly Present Affairs Quiz | September 01 to September 07, 2024
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