Weekly Current Affairs: Quizzes, 30 October to 04 November, 2023

EXPLANATION: 

• Credit Information Companies (CICs) are entities tasked with the collection, maintenance, and analysis of credit information for both individuals and businesses. 
• They gather this data from financial institutions nationwide, serving as repositories for comprehensive credit-related information. 
• CICs play a crucial role by providing data to financial institutions to assess an individual's or company's creditworthiness and repayment history. 
• They prepare Credit Information Reports (CIR) for individuals and Credit Company Reports (CCR) for companies, along with credit scores and credit ranks. Thus, statement 1 is correct. 
• CICs are licensed by the Reserve Bank of India and regulated by the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (CICRA), applicable to CICs and financial institutions. Thus, statement 2 is not correct. 
• There are currently four CICs in India, namely Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited (CIBIL), Equifax Credit Information Services Private Limited, Experian Credit Information Company of India Private Limited, and CRIF High Mark Credit Information Services Private Limited.

EXPLANATION: 

• The 'Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology' is named in honour of the late Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, the founding Director of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) India. 
• These awards are presented annually to recognise remarkable contributions in science and technology. Thus, statement 1 is not correct. 
• The SSB Prizes, each valued at Rs 5,00,000 (Rupees five lakh only), are bestowed for exceptional and noteworthy research in various disciplines, which include Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.
• The primary objective of these awards is to acknowledge exceptional work in science and technology by Indian researchers. Thus, statement 2 is correct. 
• Eligibility:

• • Any Indian citizen engaged in research within the age of up to 45 years as of December 31 of the year preceding the Prize year. 
  • Overseas citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) conducting research in India are also eligible.
  • The Prize is granted based on contributions from work primarily conducted within India in the five years leading up to the Prize year. Thus, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• The Tiangong Space Station, or "Heavenly Palace" in Chinese, is a modular space station under construction by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). 
• It represents China's first space station venture. Currently positioned in low Earth orbit (LEO), it is expected to remain operational until 2028. Thus, statement 1 is not correct. 
• This space station comprises three modules: the core module named Tianhe, launched in April 2021, and the Wentian and Mengtian experiment modules, introduced in 2022. 
• Tiangong is considerably smaller and lighter than the International Space Station (ISS), featuring only three modules compared to the ISS's 16. It can host up to three astronauts for six-month missions and supports six astronauts during crew rotations. Thus, statement 2 is correct. 
• The station has power, propulsion systems, life support infrastructure, and living quarters.
• The new space station will share its orbital path with the Xuntian space telescope, facilitating astronaut-led maintenance and upgrades. 
• This milestone positions China as the third country, following Russia and the United States, to have successfully launched astronauts into space and constructed a space station.
• China recently initiated the launch of the Shenzhou-17 spacecraft, conveying the nation's youngest-ever crew to the Tiangong Space Station.

EXPLANATION: 

• River Dolphins are a group of six small, primarily freshwater aquatic mammals with close ties to whales. 
• Unfortunately, a seventh river dolphin species, the Chinese river dolphin, or baiji, was declared extinct in 2007.
• Distribution: These unique dolphins inhabit the rivers of south-central Asia, China, and South America. They are also found in the coastal waters of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Thus, statement 1 is not correct. 
• Distinctive Characteristics: River dolphins share common features, including slender beaks adorned with numerous teeth, small eyes, flexible necks and bodies, prominent forehead melons, large flippers, and small dorsal fins.
• The six remaining species of river dolphins include the Amazon River dolphin, Indus River dolphin, Ganges River dolphin, Irrawaddy dolphin, Tucuxi dolphin, and Yangtze finless porpoise. 
• All these species are classified as either Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Thus, statement 2 is not correct. 
• Among these, the Amazon River dolphin holds the distinction of being the largest. Thus, statement 3 is not correct. 
• Indicator species: River dolphins are vital indicators of the overall health of river ecosystems. When these freshwater dolphin populations thrive, it is a promising sign that the river systems they inhabit are also in good condition.

EXPLANATION:

• A strait is a landform that connects two seas or water basins. It is a narrow channel located between two land masses. 
• Bering Strait
• • The Bering Strait is a narrow waterway connecting the Chukchi Sea in the Arctic Ocean with the Bering Sea in the North Pacific Ocean.
  • It is located between the Seward Peninsula of Alaska in the United States to the east and the Chukchi Peninsula of Russia to the west.
  • The strait is about 50 miles wide at its narrowest point and has an average depth of 160 feet.
  • It is named after Vitus Bering, a Danish explorer who was the first European to document the strait in 1728. Thus, pair 1 is correctly matched. 
• Taiwan Strait
• • The Taiwan Strait is a narrow waterway separating the island of Taiwan from mainland China.
  • It is about 110 miles wide at its narrowest point and has an average depth of 200 feet.
  • The strait is important for shipping and trade, connecting the East and South China Sea.
  • It is also a sensitive geopolitical region, as China claims Taiwan as its territory. Thus, pair 2 is correctly not matched. 
• Strait of Dover
• • The Strait of Dover is a narrow waterway that connects the North Sea with the English Channel.
  • It is located between the coast of England to the north and the coast of France to the south.
  • The strait is about 21 miles wide at its narrowest point and has an average depth of 170 feet.
  • It is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, connecting the ports of Northern Europe, Southern Europe and Africa. Thus, pair 3 is correctly matched. 
• Palk Strait
• • The Palk Strait is a narrow waterway that separates the island of Sri Lanka from the Indian mainland.
  • It is about 40 miles wide at its narrowest point and has an average depth of 100 feet.
  • The strait is important for shipping and trade, as it connects the Bay of Bengal with the Gulf of Mannar. It is home to several beautiful beaches and coral reefs. Thus, pair 4 is not correctly matched.

EXPLANATION: 

• The Banni Festival, an annual tradition in Andhra Pradesh, is a traditional stick-fighting celebration held on the night of Dussehra (Vijaya Dasami) each year. Thus, statement 1 is correct. 
• During this event, the objective is to capture the idols held by God's team, leading to a spirited confrontation called the Banni Fight. 
• This festival has historical roots in the Vijayanagara Empire. The celebration marks the victory of Lord Mala Malleswara Swamy and Goddess Parvati over the troublesome demons Mani and Mallasura in the Devaragattu region. Thus, statement 2 is not correct. 
• The rituals commence at midnight when the procession of the deities, Malamma (Parvati) and Malleshwara Swamy (Shiva), is brought down from the hill temple at Neraneki. Devotees actively participate, wielding long sticks or lathis, and engage in stick-fighting by striking each other on the head. The primary objective of this fight is to capture the procession idol.

EXPLANATION:

• PRAGATI stands for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, representing a versatile platform.
• It addresses public grievances and monitors important Government of India programs and state-initiated projects.
• Launched on March 25, 2015, it is an in-house creation by the PMO team with support from the National Informatics Center (NIC).
• PRAGATI promotes e-transparency and e-accountability, facilitating real-time communication among key stakeholders.
• It combines –
  • Video Conferencing, 
  • Digital Data Management
  • Geospatial Technology
• The platform fosters cooperative federalism by bringing Chief Secretaries of states and Government of India Secretaries onto a common platform.
• Monthly meetings occur on PRAGATI Day, the Fourth Wednesday of each month, at 3.30 pm, where the Prime Minister interacts with the government and chief secretaries.
• Issues for discussion are drawn from a database that includes public grievances, ongoing programs, and pending projects.
• PRAGATI interfaces with CPGRAMS, the Project Monitoring Group (PMG), and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Thus, option (b) is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• Vikram-1 is the first rocket in the Vikram rocket family, developed by Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian startup aerospace company. This small-lift launch vehicle is designed to deliver payloads into space. Thus, statement 1 is not correct.  
• Payload Capacity:
• • Vikram-1 can lift payloads of up to 290 kg (640 lb) to a 500 km Sun-synchronous polar orbit (SSPO) and 480 kg (1,060 lb) to a 500 km low Earth orbit (LEO) with a 45° inclination. Thus, statement 2 is correct.  
• Stages: 
• • The Vikram-1 rocket consists of four stages. 
  • The first three stages (Kalam 1000, 250, 100) are solid fuel-powered, each with a burn time between 80 and 100 seconds. 
  • The final stage is powered by four Raman engines based on liquid fuel that generate a total thrust of 3.4 kN (760 lbf). Thus, statement 3 is correct.  
• Development and Testing: 
• • Skyroot Aerospace has been actively working on the development and testing of the Vikram-1 rocket. 
  • They have successfully tested the upper-stage engine called "Raman" and conducted several test firings to fine-tune and qualify the solid-stage propellant formulation.
• Achievements: 
• • The Vikram-1 rocket represents a significant milestone for Skyroot Aerospace as the first privately designed and developed rocket in India. 
• Future Plans: 
• • While Vikram-1 is still under development, Skyroot Aerospace has proposed the development of heavier launchers in the Vikram family, including Vikram-II and Vikram-III, with increased payload capacities.

EXPLANATION:

• Meteor is an advanced air-to-air missile system guided by active radar for beyond-visual-range engagements (BVRAAM). Thus, option (a) is correct. 
• It is produced by MBDA Systems and serves the armed forces of six European nations. Thus, option (b) is not correct. 
• This system can engage diverse targets simultaneously, even in adverse weather conditions.
• Operators of the Meteor system include the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and Sweden.
• Characteristics of Meteor:
  • Dimensions: With a length of 3.65 meters and a diameter of 0.178 meters.
  • Operational Range: It can engage targets up to 200 kilometres away.
  • Speed and Versatility: Designed for speeds exceeding Mach 4, the missile boasts a substantial "no-escape zone." It relies on a solid-fuel variable-flow ducted rocket (ramjet) for sustained high speeds. The ramjet allows the missile to adapt its velocity in response to the target's manoeuvres. Thus, option (c) is correct. 
  • Warhead: Equipped with a blast-fragmentation warhead for target destruction.
  • Active Radar: The missile system incorporates an active radar target seeker, ensuring reliable target detection, tracking, and classification. Thus, option (d) is correct.
  • Datalink Capability: Featuring a two-way datalink, it enables the launch platform to provide real-time updates on targets or re-target the missile during its flight. The data link can transmit critical information, including kinematic status and target acquisition by the seeker.

EXPLANATION: 

• Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary situated in Karnataka, nestled along the shores of Gudavi Lake. 
• It is spread over an area of 0.74 square kilometers. As per a 2009 survey, this place is home to 217 species of birds belonging to 48 families. A natural lake and the trees provide shelter to these birds. 
• Gudavi Lake is a small seasonal lake filled with water during the rainy season. Various avian species migrate from across the globe in different seasons for breeding.
• The sanctuary hosts a variety of birds, including the Eurasian Spoonbill, Black Ibis, Black-crowned Night Heron, Grey Heron, Night Heron, Little Cormorant, Grey Junglefowl, Indian Pond Heron, Darter, Indian Shag, Little Grebe, White Ibis, Pariah Kite, and Brahminy Kite. Thus, option (c) is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Rashtriya Gokul Mission is a program that has been in operation since December 2014, aiming to promote the development and preservation of native bovine breeds. Thus, statement 1 is correct. 
• It continues to operate as part of the overarching scheme Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana from 2021 to 2026.
• The primary objectives of this mission include:
• • Enhancing bovine productivity and sustainable milk production through the adoption of advanced technologies.
  • Promoting the use of high genetic quality bulls for breeding purposes.
  • Expanding artificial insemination coverage by strengthening the breeding network and delivering artificial insemination services directly to farmers.
  • Advocating for the scientific and holistic rearing and conservation of indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds. Thus, statement 2 is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• Graphite is an opaque, non-metallic carbon allotrope that typically appears blackish-silver, with a metallic to dull sheen. Due to its resemblance to metallic lead, it is often called black lead or plumbago. Thus, statement 1 is correct. 
• This material results from transforming sedimentary deposits containing carbonaceous substances, occurring naturally in the form of crystalline carbon. 
• Graphite exhibits exceptional softness and easily cleaves under minimal pressure. It also has low specific gravity, as opposed to its resistance to high temperatures. Thus, statement 2 is correct. 
• It is nearly inert when in contact with various other materials. These unique properties make graphite highly versatile in metallurgy and manufacturing processes. Thus, statement 3 is not correct. 
• Molecularly, it consists of hexagonally bonded rings of six carbon atoms, forming widely spaced layers. While the bonds within these layers are robust, those between the layers are fewer in number and consequently weaker. Graphite is a stable form of carbon.
• Graphite is employed in a wide array of applications, including pencils, lubricants, crucibles, foundry facings, polishes, arc lamps, batteries, brushes for electric motors, and even in the cores of nuclear reactors. 
• It is sourced extensively from various regions, with prominent mining operations in China, India, Brazil, North Korea, and Canada.