UPSC 2024: Weekly GK and Current Affairs Quiz May 25 - May 31

The Eight Core Industries include Natural Gas, Coal, Refinery Products, Crude Oil, Cement, Electricity, Steel, and Fertilisers.

• Statement 01 is incorrect, National Manufacturing Innovation Survey (NMIS) is a joint study by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
• Statement 02 is correct, The NMIS 2021-22 was undertaken as the union government prioritised enhancing the competitiveness of Indian manufacturing and increasing its share in the GDP.
  • The survey findings offer wide-ranging insights into the enabling activities and barriers to innovation by firms and have closely evaluated how states and sectors have performed with respect to the manufacturing firms’ ability to produce new products, services and business processes.

• Gum Arabic is a natural gum originally consisting of the hardened sap of two species of the Acacia tree, Senegalia senegal and Vachellia seyal.
  • The trees are native to North Africa and grow mainly in the sub-Sahara or Sahel zone of Africa.
•  The trees are native to North Africa and grow mainly in the sub-Sahara or Sahel zone of Africa and also in Australia, India and South America.
• It is soluble in water, edible, and used primarily in the food industry and soft-drink industry as a stabiliser.
• Sudan dominates the world’s gum trade with a market share of about 60%.

A prisoner’s dilemma is a decision-making and game theory paradox illustrating that two rational individuals making decisions in their own self-interest cannot result in an optimal solution. The paradox was developed by mathematicians M. Flood and M. Dresher in 1950, and the modern interpretation was conceptualised by Canadian mathematician A.W. Tucker.

• Statement 1 is not correct: The Painted Stork’s distinctive pink tertial feathers of the adults give them their name.
• Statement 2 is correct: The IUCN status is near threatened.
• Statement 3 is correct: They feed in groups in shallow wetlands, crop fields, and irrigation canals. They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes.

• The functional items within the purview of Municipalities under the twelfth schedule include:
  • Urban planning including town planning.
  • Planning for economic and social development.
  • Roads and bridges.
  • Slum improvement and upgradation.
  • Minor irrigation, water management, and watershed development
  • Animal husbandry, dairying, and Poultry
  • Water supply for domestic, industrial, and commercial purposes.
  • Public health, sanitation conservancy and solid waste management.
  • Urban forestry, protection of the environment and promotion of ecological aspects, etc

• Statement 1 is correct: Addicts charged with the consumption of drugs or with offences involving small quantities will be immune from prosecution if they volunteer for de-addiction.
• Statement 2 is not correct: Central Governments have the power to add or omit from the list of psychotropic substances.

In order to ease the pain of inflation, following measures can be taken:

• Adopting contractionary monetary policy
• Increasing direct taxes
• Restricting exports

Coal combustion at thermal power plants emits Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, and particulate matter.

• Statement 1 is correct, Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune inflammatory illness that affects the central nervous system (CNS) when the body’s immune system attacks its tissue.
• Statement 2 is not correct, Multiple sclerosis mainly affects the central nervous system (CNS) i.e. the brain and spinal cord.
  • The nerve damage disrupts communication between the brain and the body.
• Statement 3 is correct, At present, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis.
  • Treatment mainly focuses on speeding recovery from attacks, reducing new radiographic and clinical relapses, slowing the progression of the disease, and managing symptoms.

• Statement 1 is not correct, The Delimitation Commission in India is a high-power body whose orders have the force of law and cannot be called into question before any court.
  • The Delimitation Commission is appointed by the President of India and works in collaboration with the Election Commission of India.
• Statement 1 is not correct, The Delimitation Commission in India is a high-power body whose orders have the force of law and cannot be called into question before any court.
  • The Delimitation Commission is appointed by the President of India and works in collaboration with the Election Commission of India.
• Statement 2 is correct, As per Article 82, the Parliament will enact a Delimitation Act after every census.
  • According to Article 170, the states also get classified into territorial constituencies after every census.
• Statement 2 is correct, As per Article 82, the Parliament will enact a Delimitation Act after every census.
  • According to Article 170, the states also get classified into territorial constituencies after every census.

• Statement 1 is not correct, A circular economy would mean the end of planned obsolescence.
  • This means re-using, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products.
  • Planned obsolescence of electronic products generates massive amounts of waste.
• Statement 2 is correct, Implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) helps make an important contribution towards the transition to a circular economy.
• Statement 3 is correct, Banning single-use plastic helps further in the shift toward a more circular economy.

• Statement 1 is correct, Joint Logistics Node (JLN) will provide integrated logistics cover to the Armed Forces for their small arms ammunition, rations, fuel, general stores, civil hired transport, aviation clothing, spares and also engineering support in an effort to synergise their operational efforts.
  •  JLNs play a key role in integrating the logistics of all three Services.
• Statement 2 is correct, Currently, India has three JLNs which were made operational in 2021 for the logistics integration of the three services.
• Statement 3 is correct, The Joint Operations Division under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff is responsible for setting up such nodes.

Lord Buddha’s ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’ symbolises Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara.
‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’ symbolises the triumph of the spirit over matter and its liberation from worldly trappings.

• Statement 1 is not correct, India, along with the other nations led by the United States, inaugurated the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) on 23rd May 2022 in Tokyo.
• Statement 2 is correct, The four main pillars of the IPEF include trade, supply chain resiliency, clean energy and decarbonisation, and taxes and anti-corruption measures.
• Statement 3 is correct, IPEF has 14 partner countries namely Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam & the US.

• Statement 1 is correct, Western Disturbances are extratropical storms that originate in the Mediterranean region.
• Statement 2 is not correct, Usually, India receives four to six intense Western Disturbances between November to March.
  • However, western disturbances start declining after winter and during the summer months of April and May, they move across northern India.
• Statement 3 is correct, Western Disturbances can acquire moisture from the Atlantic Ocean and other parts of Europe.

• Statement 1 is correct, The Western Ghats are a mountain range running parallel along the western coast of India starting from Gujarat and ending in Tamil Nadu covering the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala.
• Statement 2 is correct, There are major four biodiversity hotspots in India, which include the Himalayas, the Indo-Burma Region, the Western Ghats and Sundaland.
• Statement 3 is correct, The Western Ghats are major water divides of peninsular India as they act as the highest boundary line of many peninsular and Konkan rivers.
  • It divides the basins of the east-flowing peninsular rivers from those of the Konkan and Malabar rivers which are west-flowing rivers.

The Mekedatu Project is proposed at the confluence of River Kaveri with its tributary Arkavathi.
The project aims to ensure adequate drinking water supply to Bengaluru.

• An expansionary monetary policy results in increased money supply in the economy resulting in a stronger dollar.
• Such a policy might lead to a fall in the value of the Indian Rupee and thus the Government/RBI does not undertake such a measure to stop the slide of the Indian rupee.

• Statement 01 is correct,  The Great Stupa and Sanchi’s other Buddhist monuments were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989. The Great Stupa (also called Stupa no. 1) was originally built in the 3rd century BCE by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka and is believed to house the ashes of the Buddha.
• Statement 02 is correct, King Ashoka spoke of Buddhism only to his coreligionists and not to others. Toward all religious sects, he adopted a policy of respect and guaranteed them full freedom to live according to their own principles, but he also urged them to exert themselves for the “increase of their inner worthiness.”
• Statement 03 is incorrect,  The Second Buddhist Council was conducted under the patronage of King Kalasoka of the Sisunaga dynasty. It was held in 383 BC, i.e., a hundred years after the Buddha’s death.

Read more on World Heritage Sites in India.

• Bima Sugam – It is an online portal which is a one-stop shop for all insurance-related queries, policy purchases, claim settlements and insurance advice. It is envisioned as a trusted platform by the IRDAI.
• Bima Vahaks – Bima Vahaks, also known as “insurance volunteers”, aim to extend insurance coverage nationwide, regardless of geographical location.
• Bima Vistaar – It is a social safety net product targeting untapped geographies. It is developed as an affordable, accessible and comprehensive cover for rural populations in the event of natural disasters, such as floods, and earthquakes.

• Statement 01 is correct, The first Law Commission was established by the East India Company under the Charter Act of 1833.
• Statement 02 is incorrect, The recommendations of the Law Commission are not binding.

• Statement 01 is correct, The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) determines benchmark interest rates required to achieve the inflation target.
• Statement 02 is incorrect,  The committee consists of six members (including the Chairman): three RBI officials and three government-nominated external members. Government-nominated members will hold office for a period of four years or until further orders are issued, whichever is earlier.
• Statement 03 is incorrect, The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India is the Chairperson of MPC.

Heavy water is employed in nuclear reactors as a neutron moderator, slowing down neutron production and bringing stability to the fission reaction. Heavy water is an excellent moderator because it can work at high temperatures and has a low absorption probability for neutrons.

• Statement 01 is correct, A Fixed-dose Combination (FDC) refers to a medication that contains two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in fixed proportions within a single dosage form. These combinations are formulated to provide the therapeutic benefits of multiple drugs in a convenient and simplified manner.
• Statement 02 is incorrect, FDCs are more economic than single ingredient drugs.
• Statement 03 is correct, The office of the DCGI acts as an appellate authority if there is any dispute with respect to the quality of the drug. The DCGI is also responsible for the approval of licences of specified categories of drugs such as blood and blood products, I V fluids, vaccines and sera.

The Strait of Messina is a narrow strait between the eastern tip of Sicily and Southern Italy.

Read more on Major Straits of the world 

• Pygmy Hog is listed as an ‘Endangered’ species on the IUCN Red List.

• Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract. It causes inflammation and ulceration in any part of the digestive system, most commonly in the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine (colon).
• Common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, fever, and rectal bleeding.
• While the exact cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, it is believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune system factors.
  • There is evidence to suggest that an abnormal immune response triggers chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to the characteristic symptoms.
• Crohn’s disease can lead to various complications, such as strictures (narrowing of the intestine), fistulas, abscesses, malnutrition, and bowel obstruction.
• Additionally, some individuals may experience extra-intestinal manifestations, including joint pain, skin disorders, eye inflammation, and liver conditions.
• While there is no known cure for Crohn’s disease, various treatment options are available to manage the symptoms and control inflammation.

The Indian Wild Ass, also known as the Khur or Ghudkhar, is a unique and endangered species of wild equids (hoofed mammals) found in the arid grasslands and desert plains of the Indian subcontinent. Their natural habitat is the Wild Ass Sanctuary in the Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, India.

• They are well-adapted to the harsh desert environment.
• The Indian Wild Ass is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• The population of these wild asses has been steadily declining due to habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching, and competition with livestock for resources. Conservation efforts are underway to protect and increase their numbers.

Read more on Indian Wild Ass