UPSC Daily Quiz | 18 September 2024

Relevance: The Assam government is gearing up for a grand Jhumur dance performance featuring 8,000 tea tribe artists.

Explanation:

• Jhumur is a traditional dance of the tea tribe communities of Assam. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)

• The dance is usually performed during the Autumn season in Assam. (Hence, statement 4 is not correct)
• This dance is also found in a few parts of West Bengal.
• This dance is performed by young girls mostly in an open area like a field or under a tree.
• The girls perform this dance, accompanied by male members to maintain the rhythm and vocals and play musical instruments. (Hence, statement 2 is not correct)
• The dance is performed to the rhythmic accompaniment of the Madal, a popular two-headed hand drum. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Art and Culture

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Relevance: Recently, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has announced the development of an ‘Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas’ of the Indian EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone).

Explanation:

• • Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas showcases the vast potential of ocean energy resources encompassing marine meteorological (solar and wind) and hydrological (wave, tide, currents, ocean thermal, and salinity gradients) energy forms.
  • It identifies areas with high potential for energy generation and will serve as a reference for policymakers, industry and researchers for harnessing the rich energy resources available in the Indian EEZ.

• The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) comes under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | S&T

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Relevance: The Commerce and Industry Minister recently announced the Centre’s Start-up India initiative will be moved out of the aegis of Invest India to a new non-profit company that could also house the National Start-up Advisory Council.

Explanation:

• Invest India is the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of India and acts as the first point of reference for investors in India. 
• It was set up as a non-profit venture under the aegis of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. (Hence, statement 1 is not correct)
• It facilitates and empowers all investors under the ‘Make in India’ initiative to establish, operate, and expand their businesses in India. (Hence, statement 2 is correct)
• The agency aims at sector-specific investor targeting and development of partnerships, thereby channelising sustainable investments in the country.
• It is also engaged in developing partnerships with investment promotion agencies and multilateral organisations.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Economy

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Relevance: Researchers recently said that a higher-than-expected prevalence of gene mutations in Parkinson's disease patients indicates that genetic testing should be offered to them more broadly.

Explanation:

• • Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves. In this condition, a patient has limited or no control over his movements and body balance. 

• The risk of developing Parkinson’s disease naturally increases with age, and the average age at which it starts is 60 years old. Many studies have suggested that men are more likely to be affected by Parkinson’s than women. (Hence, statement 2 is correct)

• It is caused by the degeneration of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which controls movement. These nerve cells die or become impaired, losing the ability to produce an important chemical called dopamine. (Hence, statement 1 is not correct)

• Dopamine operates with other neurotransmitters to help coordinate the millions of nerve and muscle cells involved in the movement.
• Lack of dopamine causes the slowed movements and tremors symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

• Parkinson's disease symptoms can be different for everyone. Early symptoms may be mild and go unnoticed. Symptoms often begin on one side of the body and usually remain worse on that side.
• Parkinson's symptoms may include Tremors (trembling in the hands, arms, legs, and jaw); rigidity (stiffness of the limbs); slowness of movement; and impaired balance and coordination.
• Currently, no blood laboratory or radiological tests are available to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)
• There's no cure for this disease, but treatments can help significantly improve your symptoms.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | S&T

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Relevance: An approval by the Union environment ministry for exploratory oil and gas drilling in parts of Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, may put the endangered Hoolock gibbon at further risk.

Explanation:

Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is an isolated protected area of evergreen forest located in the Jorhat district of Assam, India.
• It is the only sanctuary in India named after a gibbon due to its distinction for containing the densest gibbon populations in Assam. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)
• The Bhogdoi River creates a waterlogged region dominated by semi-hydrophytic plants along the border of the sanctuary. (Hence, statement 3 is not correct)
• It contains India’s only gibbons–the hoolock gibbons, and Northeastern India’sonly nocturnal primate–the Bengal slow loris. (Hence, statement 2 is correct)

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Environment

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual