Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 6 October 2022

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2022

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Click Chemistry.

1. Click chemistry refers to a collection of inorganic reactions that proceed rapidly and selectively under mild conditions to covalently link molecular components.
2. Click reaction uses only readily available reagents and is sensitive to oxygen and water.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 2 only
2. Neither 1 nor 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. 1 only

Explanation:

What is Click Chemistry?

• Click chemistry refers to a collection of organic reactions that proceed rapidly and selectively under mild conditions to covalently link molecular components. (Statement 1 is not correct)
• Click reaction uses only readily available reagents and is insensitive to oxygen and water. This aspect makes it widely acceptable. (Statement 2 is not correct)
• Applications of Click Chemistry:
  • Drug discovery: Click chemistry has found increasing applications in all aspects of drug discovery in medicinal chemistry, such as for generating lead compounds through combinatorial methods.
  • Bioconjugation: Click chemistry is rigorously employed in proteomics and nucleic research via bioconjugation.
  • Radiochemistry: In radiochemistry, selective radiolabeling of biomolecules in cells and living organisms for imaging and therapy has been realized by click reactions.
  • Nanoparticle modification: Click chemistry is generally used to conjugate the ligands, folate groups to the nanoparticles, which are then used for nanoparticle drug delivery.

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 4 October 2022

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the quantum theory.

1. By start of 20th century, scientists observed that tiny sub-atomic particles like protons or electrons were not consistent with the classical Newtonion laws of physics.
2. The prediction made by Quantum Theory was obeyed by the sub-atomic particles. This was proved through an experiment which proves entanglement.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. Both 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 1 only
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

About quantum theory:

• By start of 20th century, scientists observed that tiny sub-atomic particles like protons or electrons were not consistent with the classical Newtonion laws of physics. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Further studies in this regard gave rise to Quantum Theory, which described the bizarre behaviour of sub-atomic particles with remarkable accuracy.
• Properties:
  • Superimposition: A property known as superimposition allowed particle to exist simultaneously at multiple locations. The chance of finding the particle at any given place was based on probabilistic calculations, and once it was found at one location, it ceased to exist at all other places.
  • Entanglement: If two particles had ‘interacted’ with each other at some stage, they were found to have got ‘entangled’ in a way that the behaviour of one produced an instantaneous reaction in the other. This was possible even if they were no longer connected in any way and were separated by very large distances.
  • Problems with quantum theory: The prediction made by Quantum Theory was obeyed by the sub-atomic particles. The only issue was that an experiment to test a phenomenon like entanglement did not appear feasible. (Statement 2 is not correct)

Q) Recently in news, Bell’s inequality, is a theorem which relates to inequality in which of the following subjects?

1. Physical inequality
2. Zoonotic inequality
3. Chemical inequality
4. Mathematical inequality

Explanation:

Bell’s inequality

• In the 1960s, John Stewart Bell developed the mathematical inequality that is named after him.
• This Inequality stated that if a large number of measurements of the hidden variables were conducted, the correlation between the results could not exceed a certain value.
• This in turn meant that no local hidden variable theory could reproduce all the results of quantum mechanics.
• But quantum mechanics predicts that a certain kind of experiment can violate Bell’s inequality. This results in a stronger correlation than would otherwise be possible.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the Food and Agriculture Organisation

1. FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.
2. World Agriculture Day is celebrated every year on 16th October to mark the anniversary of the founding of the FAO in 1945.
3. FAO published the State of the World’s Forests report.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

About The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

• FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security. (Statement 1 is correct)
• World Food Day is celebrated every year on 16th October to mark the anniversary of the founding of the FAO in 1945. (Statement 2 is not correct)
• Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
• Members: The FAO is composed of 195 members (including 194 countries and the European Union).
• Key publications of FAO:
  • The State of the World’s Forests (SOFO) (Statement 3 is correct)
  • The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI)
  • World Food Price Index
  • The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA)
  • The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA)

Q) Consider the following statement regarding Raja Raja Chola

1. Raja Raja built the great Brihadeesvara Temple at the Chola capital Thanjavur.
2. He successfully conquered the cities of Srivijaya Empire, based on the island of Sumatra. He completely annexed Ceylon.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. Both 1 and 2
3. Neither 1 nor 2
4. 2 only

Explanation:

Famous Chola Kings:

Raja Raja Chola:

• Raja Raja built the great Brihadeesvara Temple at the Chola capital Thanjavur. He undertook a measure to reorganise the country into individual units known as valanadus. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Raja Raja is said to have invaded Ceylon and established the Cholas’ rule by erecting Shiva temples. He also captured the Lakshadweep and Maldive islands.

Rajendra Chola:

• He was also known as Rajendra Chola-1 or Gangaikonda Chola. He constructed the Chola capital at Gangaikonda Cholapuram to mark his victory against the Pala dynasty in modern-day Bengal.
• He successfully conquered the cities of Srivijaya Empire. He completely annexed Ceylon. (Statement 2 is not correct)

Q) Recently in news, the historical Srivijaya Empire is currently based in which of the following countries?

1. Cambodia
2. Java Island
3. Bali Island
4. Sumatra Island

Explanation:

Unique achievements of the Cholas:

• Naval power: The superior naval strength allowed Cholas to go as far as Malaysia and the Sumatra islands of Indonesia in their conquests.
  • The strong ties with merchant groups allowed them to undertake impressive naval expeditions.
• Record keeping: Cholas meticulously kept records meticulous records in form of inscriptions on the walls of temples built by them, and on copper plates.
  • This was the reason why so much is known of the Cholas as compared with their contemporaries.
• Administration: The Chola kingdom was divided into several provinces called mandalams which were further divided into valanadus, which were further divided into units called Kottams or kutrams.
• Trade: The Cholas maintained foreign trade with Southeast Asia and China. The Tang dynasty of China, the Srivijaya Empire (Sumatra), and the Abbasid Kalifat at Baghdad were the main trading partners.
• Agriculture: Cholas expanded agriculture in Cauvery plains of Tamil Nadu. They built dams and irrigation canals for that purpose.

Q) Recently in news, the term Pangasius Icaria relates to which of the following?

1. New species of frog found in Western Ghat
2. New species of catfish found in river Krishna
3. New species of medicinal plant found in Agasthyamalai mountains
4. None of the above

Explanation:

Scientists at the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) have discovered a new catfish species of the genus Pangasius, from the river Cauvery.

About Pangasius Icaria

• It has been named after the ICAR as Pangasius Icaria.
• It is known among the local people as Aie Keluthi in Tamil and as Eyegirlu in Karnataka.
• Pangasius catfishes are popular for their commercial value in aquaculture and wild capture fisheries and are considered a delicacy.
• Holotype of it is registered at the National Fish Museum and Repository of the ICAR-NBFGR, Lucknow

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Quality Council of India

1. It was set up in 1997, jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry represented by the three premier industry associations
2. It is an autonomous body attached to Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
3. The Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on recommendation of the industry to the government.

Which of these statements are correct?

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

Explanation:

Context: The year 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of the Quality Council of India (QCI).

About Quality Council of India (QCI)

• Establishment: It was set up in 1997, jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry represented by the three premier industry associations i.e. Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). (Statement 1 is correct(
• Parent organization: It is an autonomous body attached to the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. (Statement 2 is not correct)
• Mission: To lead nationwide quality movement in India by involving all stakeholders for emphasis on adherence to quality standards in all spheres of activities primarily for promoting and protecting interests of the nation and its citizens.
• Chairman: The Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on recommendation of the industry to the government. (Statement 3 is correct)
• Accreditation boards: Over the past 25 years, QCI has created various boards viz- NABL, NABH, NABCB, NABET and NBQP to take over the functions of accreditation and quality promotion.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the International Year of Millets

1. The Indian government had proposed to United Nations for declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYOM).
2. The proposal was supported by 172 countries, after which United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

Which of these statements are not correct?

1. 1 only
2. Both 1 and 2
3. Neither 1 nor 2
4. 2 only

Explanation:

International Year of Millets

• The Indian government had proposed to United Nations for declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYOM). (Statement 1 is correct)
• The proposal was supported by 72 countries, after which United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. (Statement 2 is not correct)
• India will celebrate IYOM 2023 as a Peoples’ Movement to provide a global stage for Indian millets, recipes, and value-added products.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Sugar Production in India

1. India has now become the world’s largest producer and second largest consumer of sugar.
2. India is also the world’s 2^nd largent exporter of Sugar.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. Both 1 and 2
3. 2 only
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

Sugar Production

• India has now become the world’s largest producer and consumer of sugar. (Statement 1 is not correct)
• India is also world’s 2nd largest exporter of sugar. (Statement 2 is correct)
  • Sugar Season (Oct-Sep) 2021-22 recorded highest sugar exports of over 109 lakh metric tons.
  • Exports earned foreign currency of about Rs 40,000 crore for the country.
• Production: In Sugar Season (Oct-Sep) 2021-22, a record of more than 5000 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT) sugarcane was produced in India.
  • Out of which, about 3574 LMT of sugarcane was crushed by sugar mills to produce about 394 LMT of sugar (Sucrose).
  • Out of this, 35 LMT sugar was diverted to ethanol production and 359 LMT sugar was produced by sugar mills.

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 7 October 2022

Sharing is caring!