Daily Current Affairs Quiz: October 15-16, 2023

Ans. 1 Option A is the correct Explanation
 Sagar Maitri is a novel initiative of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
 Vision: It supports the objective of India’s policy declaration ‘Safety and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
 Objective: To promote closer cooperation among Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries in the areas of socio-economic and scientific interactions especially in ocean research.
 It focuses on establishing long-term scientific partnerships and collaborations with eight IOR countries. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
 These countries include Oman, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and
Myanmar.

Ans. 2 Option A is correct Explanation
 Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by the blood-borne hepatitis C virus (HCV) that primarily affects the liver. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
 It can be both Acute (inflammation of the liver that presents with sickness – jaundice, fever, vomiting) and Chronic (inflammation of the liver that lasts more than six months, but essentially shows no symptoms)
 Symptoms: It can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).
 The most common modes of infection are through exposure to small quantities of blood.
 This may happen through drug use, unsafe injection practices, unsafe health care and the transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products
 Presently there is no vaccine available for HCV, however, it can be treated with antiviral medication.
 Hepatitis A and B are preventable by vaccines. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Ans. 3 Option C is correct Explanation
 The NGT deals with civil cases under the seven laws related to the environment, these include
 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
 The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
 The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
 The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
 The Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Hence, Option C is correct.

Ans. 4 Option C is correct Explanation
 It is a cabinet committee of the Government of India that discusses, debates, and is the final decision-making body on:
o Senior appointments in the national security apparatus
o Defence policy and expenditure
o Generally all matters of India’s national security
o Hence, statement 1 is correct.
 Members
 Prime Minister of India, Minister of Defence, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Finance, Minister of External Affairs
 The National Security Adviser, the Cabinet Secretary, and the Defence Secretary have also been attendees
of the CCS meetings. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Ans. 5 Option D is correct Explanation
 RCEP negotiations were launched in November 2012 between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Hence, statement 1 is correct.
 ASEAN includes Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam
 ASEAN’s free trade agreement partners (Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea Hence, statement 2 is correct.
 RCEP has the potential to deliver significant opportunities for businesses in the East Asia region
 the 16 RCEP participating countries account for almost half of the world’s population
 contribute about 30 percent of global GDP and over a quarter of world exports.
 India’s exit in November 2019 from negotiations on the world’s largest trade deal Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Ans. 6 Option B is correct Explanation
 It was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, of 1860. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
 It is an autonomous organization under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture, and Farmers Welfare. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
 It is headquartered at New Delhi.
 With 102 ICAR institutes and 71 agricultural universities spread across the country, this is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world.
 It is the apex body for coordinating, guiding, and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries, and animal sciences in the entire country. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Ans. 7 Option C is correct Explanation
 It is of length – 272 Km.
 With a view to providing an alternative and a reliable transportation system to Jammu & Kashmir, Govt. of India planned a 272 Km. long Railway Line under this project.
 In view of the importance of the SBRL project in providing seamless and hassle-free connectivity, the Project was declared as a “National Project” in 2002. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
 This Project involves 38 Tunnels (combined length of 119 km), the longest Tunnel (T-49) has a length of 12.75 Km and is the country’s longest transportation tunnel.
 There are 927 nos. of Bridges (combined length of 13 Km).
 These bridges include the iconic Chenab Bridge which will be the highest railway bridge in the world. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Ans. 8 Option D is correct Explanation
 It is located in the State of Assam and covers 42,996 hectares (ha).
 It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
 It was declared as a National Park in 1974. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
 It has been declared a tiger reserve since 2007. Hence, statement 3 is correct
 The 1,300 sq. km tiger reserve, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site Hence, statement 4 is correct.
 It is the home of the world’s most one-horned rhinos.
 Much of the focus of conservation efforts in Kaziranga is focused on the ‘big four’ species— Rhino, Elephant, Royal Bengal tiger, and Asiatic water buffalo.

Ans. 9 Option B is correct Explanation
 World Food Day is an international day celebrated every year worldwide on October 16 to commemorate the date of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
o FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
 It is observed annually to address the problem of global hunger.
 It emphasizes Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) i.e. Zero Hunger.
 The theme for World Food Day 2023 is ‘Water is Life, Water is Food’ which calls for urgent action in managing water wisely. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Ans. 10 Option B is correct Explanation
 Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB-PMJAY) was launched in 2018 to achieve Universal Health Coverage. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
 It offers a sum insured of Rs. 5 lahks per family for secondary care (which doesn’t involve a super-specialist) as well as tertiary care (which does). Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
 It is an entitlement-based scheme that targets the beneficiaries as identified by the latest Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data.
 It is the world’s largest health assurance scheme fully financed by the government.
 The cost of implementation is shared between the Central and State Governments. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
 The National Health Agency has been constituted for the effective implementation of PMJAY in alliance with state governments.