UPSC Daily Quiz | 17 August 2024

Explanation:

Relevance: The Indian Space Research Organisation on Friday launched the EOS-08 Earth Observation Satellite on board the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D3) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota.

• • ISRO is developing a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) with private participation. It is a planned small launch vehicle serving the market below the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) family. The SSLV is the smallest vehicle at 110-ton mass at ISRO.
  • SSLV has been primarily envisaged to realize a cost-effective launch vehicle with high launch frequency and quick turnaround capability in order to cater to the growing opportunity in the global launch services market for small satellites on account of the need for developing countries, private corporations, and universities for small satellites. (Hence, statement 3 is correct) 
  • Initially the satellites will be launched from Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, but beginning with the third launch, a new launch site on the Indian west coast near Gujarat is planned. 

• The SSLV has three solid motor stages (and liquid propulsion based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a terminal stage), and like the PSLV and GSLV, can accommodate multiple satellites, albeit smaller ones. (Hence, statement 4 is not correct)

• PSLV is a four-stage launch vehicle with first and third stage using solid rocket motors and second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.
• GSLV is a three-stage vehicle with solid, liquid and cryogenic stages.

• Unlike the PSLV and GSLV, the SSLV can be assembled both vertically and horizontally. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)

• Its bigger siblings are assembled only in an upright position in the assembly bays at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. 
• In that respect, the SSLV is like the old Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) and Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) which could be assembled flat on the ground.

• SSLV is designed to inject small satellites weighing up to 500 kilograms in Low Earth Orbits/Sun Synchronous Orbit. (Hence, statement 2 is not correct)

• The induction of SSLV is likely to boost launch capacity of the space agency in the small satellite category. 

• The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is capable of launching satellites in 1100-1600 kg class into Sun Synchronous Orbit.
• SSLV is perfectly suited for launching multiple microsatellites at a time and supports multiple orbital drop-offs. 

• It is designed for the launch-on-demand concept with very quick turn-around capability in between launches. SSLV promises on-demand access to space, with the rocket assembly taking a mere 15 days and minimum personnel to do it. ISRO currently piggybacks smaller satellites on the PSLV and GSLV along with bigger satellites. 
• The SSLV is expected to reduce the launch time as well as cost less to launch small satellites, which are much in demand.
• Thus, the key features of SSLV are low cost access to space, with low turn-around time, flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, launch on demand feasibility, minimal launch infrastructure requirements, etc. 

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | S&T

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Sources:

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-earth-observation-satellite-sslv-d3-eos-08-launch-sriharikota-august-16-2024/article68531393.ece

Explanation:

Relevance: Illegal mining, encroachments, deforestation a threat to Aravali as a natural green wall.

• The Aravalli mountain range extends from Gujarat through Rajasthan and Haryana up to Delhi in a southwest-northeast direction. These are highly eroded hills and are found as broken hills. (Hence, statement 1 is not correct)

• The elevation of the Aravalli range gradually rises in the south west direction. The highest point is Mount Abu called Gurushikhar, which is 1722 m high. (Hence, statement 2 is correct)
• The Aravalli mountain chain acts as a water divide between the Indus and Ganga river systems. It gives rise to several rivers, including the Banas, Luni, Sakhi, and Sabarmati. (Hence, statement 4 is correct)
• The Aravalli Range, oldest folded range in the world, is a series of the argillaceous rocks, which came into existence at the close of Archaean era (the earlier of the two formal divisions of Precambrian time) when the sediments, which were deposited at the seas of that age, underwent an upheaval by orogenic (tectonic) activities. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)
• These vast mountains were peneplaned in the Palaeozoic times and were subsequently re-uplifted in the Mesozoic era. 

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Geography

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Sources:

https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-hindu-delhi-9WW5/20240817/281694030097163

Explanation:

Relevance: With the poll dates for the Haryana and J&K Assembly elections just announced by the Election Commission, the Model Code of Conduct has officially kicked in for these states.

• • Article 324 of the Constitution mandates the Election Commission to hold free and fair elections to the Parliament and the State Legislatures. 
  • The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections, to ensure free and fair elections. 
  • Kerala was the first state to adopt a code of conduct for elections. The Election Commission decided to emulate Kerala’s example and in 1974, just before the mid-term general elections, the EC released a formal Model Code of Conduct. 

• The MCC is not enforceable by law.  However, certain provisions of the MCC may be enforced through invoking corresponding provisions in other statutes such as the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and Representation of the People Act, 1951. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)

• The MCC is not a part of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Commission usually uses moral sanction to get political parties and candidates to fall in line. (Hence, statement 2 is correct)

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Polity

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Sources:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/eci-announces-three-phase-assembly-polls-for-jammu-and-kashmir-haryana-to-have-one-phase/article68532259.ece

Explanation:

Relevance: As discussions on the use of digital sequence information (DSI) of the genetic resources concluded in Montreal, Canada, India has sought several measures to ensure that countries with rich biodiversity get their fair share in the multi-trillion-dollar annual revenues.

• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has three main functions:

• Conservation of biodiversity
• Sustainable use of biodiversity
• Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from this biodiversity

• India became a signatory to CBD in 1994. 
• Under CBD, two protocols have been adopted: 

• (i) Cartagena Protocol on biosafety (2003), and 
• (ii) Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit sharing (2014). 

• India ratified the Cartagena Protocol in 2003 and the Nagoya Protocol in 2014. 
• Nagoya Protocol requires a signatory country to ensure that prior informed consent or approval and involvement of indigenous and local communities is obtained for access to genetic resources and traditional knowledge. (Hence, Option b is correct)
• The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is the landmark multilateral environmental agreement that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made chemicals referred to as ozone depleting substances (ODS). India is a Party to both the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol. 
• India had ratified the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol that commits countries to contain the emission of greenhouse gases, reaffirming its stand on climate action.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Environment

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Sources:

https://www.deccanherald.com/india/genetic-resources-india-bats-for-inclusive-mechanism-fair-and-equitable-use-principles-3153679

Explanation:

Relevance: The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous Institute under Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is establishing an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion plant in Kavaratti Lakshadweep.

What is Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Process?

• Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a process or technology for producing energy by harnessing the temperature differences (thermal gradients) between ocean surface waters and deep ocean waters.
• Especially in tropical regions, surface water can be much warmer than deep water because of Sun’s heat. 
• This temperature difference can be used to produce electricity and to desalinate ocean water. 
• Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems use a temperature difference (of at least 77° Fahrenheit or 25 degrees Celsius) to power a turbine to produce electricity. 

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Environment

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Sources:

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/hydropower/ocean-thermal-energy-conversion.php#:~:text=Ocean%20thermal%20energy%20conversion%20(OTEC,surface%20water%20of%20the%20ocean.