UPSC Daily Quiz | 30 October 2024

Relevance: According to a new report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), greenhouse gas levels surged to a new record in 2023, rising by more than 10% in just two decades.

Explanation:

• The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin is published annually by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) since 2004. 
• This bulletin provides data on the globally averaged surface concentrations of key greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), comparing them with previous years and preindustrial levels. 
• It also includes insights into changes in radiative forcing due to long-lived greenhouse gases (LLGHGs), and highlights each gas's contribution to overall climate impact. 
• This publication is released as one of WMO's flagship reports and plays a key role in informing discussions at the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP).

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Environment

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Relevance: The recent rumours of a nuclear test by Iran were promptly refuted by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).

Explanation:

• Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) is an international organization based in Vienna, Austria, established to implement the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which aims to ban all nuclear explosions worldwide.

• CTBT is a multilateral treaty opened for signature in 1996 by which states agree to ban all nuclear explosions in all environments, for military or civilian purposes. 
• The treaty envisages the mechanisms that control such prohibition, including distant monitoring and data collection.
• It was signed by 183 states and ratified by 164 but has not entered into force as eight specific states among 44 (so-called Annex-2 states whose signatures are required for the Treaty to enter into force, namely the US, China, Iran, Egypt, Israel, India, Pakistan, and North Korea) have not ratified the treaty yet. (Hence, points 1, 3 and 5 are correct)
• Russia, France and Britain – three of the world’s five internationally recognised nuclear powers have already signed and ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. (Hence, points 2 and 4 are not correct)
• In order to verify compliance with its provisions, the treaty establishes a global network of monitoring facilities and allows for on-site inspections of suspicious events.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | IR

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Relevance: New York State authorities recently confirmed a case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a deer facility, emphasizing the disease's impact on deer, elk, and moose populations.

Explanation:

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD):

• It is a progressive and fatal neurological disease affecting deer, elk, moose, and other cervids (members of the deer family). (Hence, statement 1 is correct)
• It is caused by abnormal proteins called prions that damage brain tissue, leading to severe neurological symptoms, weight loss, and eventually death.
• CWD is part of a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which also include mad cow disease in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans.
• CWD spreads between animals through bodily fluids, like saliva, urine, and feces, as well as contaminated soil and plants.
• There is currently no evidence that CWD can infect humans. (Hence, statement 2 is not correct)
• The disease can persist in the environment for long periods, making it challenging to control.
• It is always fatal in infected animals. There is no vaccine or treatment. (Hence, statement 3 is not correct)

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | S&T

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Relevance: Recently, the Prime Minister of India said that over 60,000 Amrit Sarovars were constructed across villages leaving behind a legacy for future generations.

Explanation:

Mission Amrit Sarovar

• The Amrit Sarovar Mission is aimed at developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of the country, as part of celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)
• It helps to overcome the water crisis in rural areas of the country.
• Every Amrit Sarovar will have a pondage area of at least 1 acre with a water holding capacity of about 10,000 cubic metre. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)
• This Mission has been launched with a whole Government Approach which involves 6 Ministries/Department.
• There is no separate financial allocation for Mission Amrit Sarovar. (Hence, statement 2 is not correct)
• Bhaskar acharya National Institute for Space Application and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) has been engaged as Technical partner for the Mission. (Hence, statement 4 is correct)

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Schemes

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Relevance: The 8th meeting of the Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH) held recently, emphasized advancements in India’s animal health.

Explanation:

Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH)

• Established in 2021, ECAH serves as the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying’s (DAHD’s) think tank.
• It brings together various animal health experts to collaborate on achieving the completion of its goals. 
• It was setup under the aegis of the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India.
• It is chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), Government of India, and vice-chaired by the Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Schemes

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual