UPSC Daily Quiz | 06 October 2024

Relevance: Scientists have detected the gases carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on Pluto's largest moon, 'Charon'.

Explanation:

• • Charon is the largest of Pluto's five moons, about half the size of Pluto. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)
  • Its mass is more than one-tenth of Pluto’s mass.
  • Since, Charon is so large and massive with respect to Pluto– the two are sometimes referred to as a double dwarf planet system.

• The same surfaces of Charon and Pluto always face each other, a phenomenon called mutual tidal locking. (Hence, statement 2 is correct)

• In addition, Charon always shows the same hemisphere to Pluto, because (like many other moons) its rotation period is identical to its orbital period. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | S&T

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Relevance: The Tamil Nadu government has decided to construct a memorial for social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, one of the leaders of the Vaikom Satyagraha, at Arookutty in Alappuzha, Kerala.

Explanation:

Vaikom Satyagraha:

• • It was a social reform movement which originated and took its place at Vaikom, then part of the princely state of Travancore, in Kottayam district of Kerala, during the period of 1924-1925. It was the dawn of temple entry movements in India. (Hence, statement 1 is not correct)
  • The Vaikom Mahadevar Temple was the epicenter of the town, and Dalits were prohibitedfrom entering the temple premises or even using the road that encircled the temple.
  • The Satyagraha was led by prominent leaders such as K. Kelappan, T. K. Madhavan, and K. P. Kesava Menon, among others. 
  • Mahatma Gandhi supported the movement unconditionally and visited Vaikom in 1925. (Hence, statement 2 is correct)

• Periyar E.V. Ramasamy arrived in Vaikom on April 13, 1924, after several of the movement’s leaders were jailed, and he provided crucial leadership to it. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)

• Sree Narayana Guru also extended his support and co-operation to the Vaikom Satyagraha.
• Despite the authorities' attempts to suppress the Satyagraha, it ultimately succeeded in opening the temple roads to everyone.
• The Travancore government a few days later ordered that temple roads across the state be opened to all. 

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | History

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Relevance: Antimicrobial Resistance, which renders antibiotics less effective, has loomed large in India's health policy for over a decade.

Explanation:

• Common infections such as lower respiratory tract infections, bloodstream infections, and intra-abdominal infections are now killing hundreds of thousands of people every year because bacteria have become resistant to treatment.
• The six leading pathogens for deaths associated with resistance were Escherichia coli, followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 

What are antimicrobials?

• Antimicrobials – including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics – are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants.

What is antimicrobial resistance?

• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. (Thus, option (d) is correct)

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | S&T

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Relevance: Maximum graft complaints in 2023 against rail, Delhi local bodies, PSU bank staff, shows Central Vigilance Commission report.

Explanation:

• The Central Vigilance Commission was set up by a Government Resolution in 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by Shri K. Santhanam, to advise and guide Central Government agencies in the field of vigilance. (Hence, statement 1 is not correct)
• It was accorded the status of independent statutory authority through the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003. (Hence, statement 2 is correct)
• The Commission shall consist of: A Central Vigilance Commissioner – Chairperson and not more than two Vigilance Commissioners as Members.
• They are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal on the recommendation of a three member committee consisting of the Prime Minister as its head, the Union Minister of home affairs and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. 
• They hold office for a term of four years or until they attain the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier. 
• After their tenure, they are not eligible for further employment under the Central or a state government.
• The salary, allowances and other conditions of service of the Central Vigilance Commissioner are similar to those of the Chairman of UPSC and that of the vigilance commissioner are similar to those of a member of UPSC.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Polity

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Relevance: Recognizing the crucial role of Civil Services in fulfilment of India's developmental aspirations and national priorities, the Government had launched the National Program for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) — Mission Karmayogi.”

Explanation:

•  ‘Mission Karmayogi’ is a new capacity-building scheme for civil servants aimed at upgrading the post-recruitment training mechanism of the officers and employees at all levels. Also known as National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) has been launched with the following institutional framework:

• (i) Prime Minister's Public Human Resources (HR) Council,
• (ii) Capacity Building Commission,
• (iii) Special Purpose Vehicle for owning and operating the digital assets and the technological platform for online training,
• (iv) Coordination Unit headed by the Cabinet Secretary.

• NPCSCB has been carefully designed to lay the foundations for capacity building for Civil Servants so that they remain entrenched in Indian Culture and sensibilities and remain connected, with their roots, while they learn from the best institutions and practices across the world. 

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Polity

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual