Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 10th September 2022

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2022

Q) Consider the following statements regarding India’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions

1. India has pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of the GDP by 30% by 2030, compared to the 2005 level.
2. In 2020, India claimed to have already achieved 17% of its emissions intensity as a proportion of its GDP in line with its commitment.
3. India has planned to achieve about 50% of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 3 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

India’s pledges under NDCs:

• Emission intensity: Emissions intensity is defined as the total amount of emissions emitted for every unit of GDP.
• India has pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of the GDP by 45% by 2030, compared to the 2005 level. The goal to reduce emissions intensity and improve energy efficiency is not sector specific. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
• Status: In 2020, India claimed to have already achieved 21% of its emissions intensity as a proportion of its GDP in line with its commitment. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• Share of non-fossil-based energy: India has planned to achieve about 50% of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. (Statement 3 is correct)
• India plans to use low-cost international finance, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), to achieve this objective.
• GCF: It was set up as part of the Paris Agreement to help developing countries achieve their NDCs and work towards lowering emissions. It is the world’s largest climate fund.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Quantum Computing

1. Quantum Computing utilizes principles of quantum mechanics to carry out computation.
2. The security of quantum computers is very high. Quantum computers are difficult to be hacked due to their use of qubits.
3. Quantum computers dissipate high heat and consume high amount of electric power. They require low temperature for operation.

Which of these statements are incorrect?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 3 only
4. None

Explanation:

About Quantum Computing:

• Quantum Computing utilizes principles of quantum mechanics to carry out computation. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Properties of quantum computing:
• Superimposition: Superposition is the ability of a quantum computing system to be in multiple states simultaneously.
• Entanglement: Quantum entanglement is the state where two systems are so strongly correlated that getting information about one system will give immediate information about the other, even if they are far apart.
• Interference: Interference can control quantum states and amplify the signals that go towards the right answer, while signals that are leading to the wrong answer are cancelled.

Benefits of Quantum Computing

• Increase processing speed: Compared to classical computers, including super computers, quantum computers can process information faster.
• Scientific discoveries: Quantum computers can be used to fasten scientific discoveries of life-saving drugs, and improve supply chains, logistics and the modelling of financial data.
• Higher privacy: The security of quantum computers is very high. Quantum computers are difficult to be hacked due to their use of qubits. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Emerging technologies: Quantum computers have application in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning due to their faster processing.
• Disaster prediction: Quantum computers can be used to predict disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, droughts etc. through advanced calculation.

Concerns associated with Quantum Computing

• Higher cost: The cost of setting of quantum computing system is high. It will require a significant support from multinational companies.
• Temperature control: Quantum computers dissipate high heat and consume high amount of electric power. They require low temperature for operation. (Statement 3 is correct)
• High error rate: The error rate of quantum computers is high in comparison to error rate of conventional computers.

Q) Recently in news, Indo-pacific framework (IPEF), has which of following components?

1. Resilient Economy
2. Balanced Economy
3. Clean Economy
4. Globalized Economy

Choose the correct option.

1. 1, 2 and 4 only
2. 1, 3 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 2 and 4 only

Explanation:

More on the news

• India has decided to become part of resilient economy, clean economy, and fair economy components of the framework, but it will not join the connected economy (trade) pillar of IPEF.
• India would continue to engage with the trade track in the IPEF and will wait for the final contours to be decided on the trade pillar before it formally associates with that track.

The four pillars of IPEF

Q) Recently in news, Quantum Computing Applications Lab has been launched by MeitY in collaboration with –

1. Microsoft
2. Amazon Web Services
3. Google Advance Computing
4. IBM

Explanation:

• MeitY has collaborated with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to establish a Quantum Computing Applications Lab to facilitate quantum computing-led research and development.

Q) India’s recent action of presenting to the world Panchamrit or five nectar elements relates to –

1. Zoonotic disease prevention
2. Global peace and security
3. Protection of Biodiversity
4. Climate Action

Explanation:

Background

• India had made the pledge during the Paris Climate Summit, 2015. The updated changes reflect India’s goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2070.
• During the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the UNFCCC held in Glasgow, India expressed to intensify its climate action by presenting to the world five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of its actions.
• The updated NDC has been prepared after taking into consideration India’s national circumstances and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC).

Q) Consider the statements regarding Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM)

1. It is an all-weather missile system.
2. It is capable of detecting and tracking targets on the move and engaging targets with short halts.
3. It can be mounted on a truck and stored in a canister. It has a range of 50 to 75 km, and can target an altitude of up to 10 km.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

About the News

• QRSAM is the India’s first indigenous mobile air defence system developed by DRDO, meant for protecting moving armoured columns of the Army from enemy aerial attacks.
• It is a short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system.
• After the sixth successful flight tests, the system is now ready for induction into the Army.

Capabilities

• It is an all-weather missile system.
• It is capable of detecting and tracking targets on the move and engaging targets with short halts.
• It can be mounted on a truck and stored in a canister.
• It has a range of 25 to 30 km, and can target an altitude of up to 10 km.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding NASA Sonification Project

1. NASA will be carrying out sonification of the images and data gathered by Hubble Telescope.
2. Sonification converts the visual images by encoding information, like colour, brightness, star locations, or water absorption signatures, as sounds.
3. Conversion into sound: The data gathered will be converted into sound by a team of musicians so as to give unique experience to listeners.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 2 and 3 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 3 only

Explanation:

Context: NASA will be carrying out sonification of the images and data gathered by James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Sonification of images and data

• Sonification converts the visual images by encoding information, like colour, brightness, star locations, or water absorption signatures, as sounds.
• Conversion into sound: The data gathered will be converted into sound by a team of musicians so as to give unique experience to listeners.
• Musicians assign different notes to each part of the image, from the semi-transparent regions to the very dense areas of gas and dust.
• Examples of sonification:
• Carina Nebula: The JWST had captured one of the clearer images of Carina Nebula, which is 7,600 light years away.
• The sound becomes louder for brighter parts of the image, but that depends on the position of light in the image.
• Southern Ring Nebula: The colours in the image were mapped to the pitches of sound by directly converting the light frequencies into sound frequencies.
• Near-infrared light is represented by higher frequency sound.

Q) Consider the statements regarding Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

1. It is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to foster the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of disarmament.
2. North Korea never signed this treaty.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 2 only
2. Both
3. None
4. 1 only

Explanation:

Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT):

• It is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to foster the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of disarmament.
• It was signed in 1968 and entered into force in 1970. Presently, it has 191 member states.
• The NPT is the most widely accepted arms control agreement; only Israel, India, and Pakistan have never been signatories of the Treaty, and North Korea withdrew from the Treaty in 2003.

Sharing is caring!