UPSC Daily Quiz | 21 September 2024

Relevance: Recently, a rainwater harvesting project in Kerala led to the discovery of a large number of megalithic urn burials.

Explanation:

Megalithic Culture

• Megaliths refer to monuments made from large stones. In most cases, megaliths are burial sites located away from habitation areas. (Hence, statement 1 is not correct)

• Based on the Brahmagiri excavation, megalithic cultures in South India are dated to between the 3rd century B.C. and 1st century A.D. 

• The Megalithic period in South India was a full-fledged Iron Age culture, where the benefits of iron technology were fully realised. (Hence, statement 2 is correct)
• The main concentration of megalithic culture is in Deccan, especially south of the Godavari River. It has been found across Punjab Plains, Indo-Gangetic basin, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Burzahom in Jammu and Kashmir. Other important sites include Seraikala (Bihar), Khera (Uttar Pradesh), Deosa (Rajasthan) etc. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)
• They lived on a combination of agriculture, hunting, fishing, and animal husbandry.
• Rock paintings found at megalithic sites depict scenes of hunting, cattle raids, and group dancing.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | History

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Relevance: Recently, the Union Finance Minister unveiled the NPS Vatsalya scheme announced in the Union Budget as a new pension plan for minors.

Explanation:

• Under the scheme, the Vatsalya account requires a minimum initial contribution of Rs 1,000 to open. Subscribers must make an annual contribution of Rs 1,000 each year to maintain the account.
• Upon reaching adulthood (18 years), the account is automatically converted into a standard National Pension System (NPS) account. Pension will come from the account only after they turn 60.
• It is regulated and administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) cards will be issued to newly registered minor subscribers.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Schemes

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Relevance: According to recent estimates based on a new methodology termed Food Recovery to Avoid Methane Emissions (FRAME), food banks play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  

Explanation:

• Food Recovery to Avoid Methane Emissions (FRAME) is a tool designed to quantify and mitigate the environmental impact of food loss and waste (FLW) through food recovery and redistribution. 
• The FRAME pilot project in Mexico and Ecuador analysed six community-led food banks, finding that they collectively prevented 816 metric tonnes of methane emissions in a year, averaging 136 MT per food bank. 
• This methodology helps food banks track emissions from food recovery reducing greenhouse gases while improving food security addressing both environmental and social challenges. 

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Environment

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Relevance: Recently, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan released the Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations during the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) meeting. 

Explanation:

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

• Its creation was recommended in 2001 by a Group of Ministers (GoM) that was tasked with studying the Kargil Review Committee (1999) report.
• After the GoM recommendations, in preparation for the post of CDS, the government created the Integrated Defence Staff in 2002, which was to eventually serve as the CDS’s Secretariat.
• In 2012, the Naresh Chandra Committee recommended the appointment of a Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee as a midway to eliminate apprehensions over the CDS. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)
• Finally, the post of CDS was created in 2019 on the recommendations of a committee of defence experts headed by Lt General DB Shekatkar.
• General Bipin Rawat was the first CDS in the country and was appointed on 31st December 2019.

Roles and Responsibilities: 

• • Although the CDS serves as a military adviser to the Defence Minister, he does not have command authority over the armed forces. Instead, he acts as a coordinator among the three services. (Hence, statement 2 is not correct)
  • As the head of DMA, CDS is vested with the authority in prioritising inter-service procurement decisions as Permanent Chairman-Chiefs of Staff Committee.
  • The CDS is also vested with the authority to provide directives to the three chiefs. However, he does not enjoy any command authority over any of the forces.

• He heads the newly created Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in the Ministry of Defence. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)

• CDS is first among equals, he enjoys the rank of Secretary within the DoD (Department of Defence) and his powers will be confined to only the revenue budget.
• He also performs an advisory role in the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Polity

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Relevance: Recently, Malpe and Mulki, the fourth and fifth ships of the Eight Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Craft (SWC) project, being built by M/s Cochin Shipyard Ltd, for the Indian Navy, were launched in Kochi. 

Explanation:

• INS Mahe, INS Malvan, and INS Mangrol were unveiled in 2023.
• The Mahe-class ASW SWC have been named after strategically significant ports along India's coastline. 
• The ASW SWC ships are equipped with indigenously developed, state-of-the-art underwater sensors, and are envisaged to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters as well as Low Intensity Maritime Operations and Mine Laying Operations.
• They can achieve a maximum speed of 25 knots with endurance of up to 1800 nautical miles.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Miscellaneous

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual