Daily Current Affairs Quiz: October 4, 2023

Ans. 1 Option C is correct Explanation
• In nuclear physics, nuclear fission is a radioactive decay process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts [lighter nuclei].
• The fission process often produces free neutrons and gamma photons [gamma rays], and releases a very large amount of energy [exothermic reaction]. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Exothermic = Liberation of Heat during a reaction. [CaCO3(calcium carbonate or lime) + H2O (water) → Ca(OH)2(calcium hydroxide) + CO2 + HEAT] Hence, statement 2 is correct
• The nuclear fission process may take place spontaneously in some cases or may be induced by the excitation of the nucleus with a variety of particles (neutrons, protons, deuterons, or alpha particles) or with electromagnetic
radiation in the form of gamma rays.
• In the fission process, radioactive products are formed, and several neutrons are emitted.
• These neutrons can induce fission in a nearby nucleus of fissionable material and release more neutrons causing a chain reaction

Ans. 2 Option D is the correct Explanation
• The Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched the GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) – DHAN scheme. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The scheme is being implemented as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) comprises two main components for creating clean villages – creating open defecation-free (ODF) villages and managing solid and liquid waste in villages.
• Keeping villages clean, increasing the income of rural households, and the generation of energy
from cattle waste.
• The scheme also aims at creating new rural livelihood opportunities and enhancing income for farmers and other rural people.

Ans. 3 Option B is correct Explanation
• GDP calculates goods and services produced by a country’s citizens, whereas NNP considers domestic production as well as the production of overseas citizens. Hence, option B is correct.
• Both economic indicators, i.e., GDP and NNP, calculate the money value of the goods and services produced by a country.
• In the case of GDP, the value is calculated only for domestic production.
• On the other hand, NNP also includes the value of goods and services produced by overseas citizens of the country.

Ans. 4 Option C is the correct Explanation
• Nanoparticles (NPs) are tiny particles between 1 and 100nm.
• Due to their ultrafine size, they can be suspended in the atmosphere for a long time and can travel longer distances.
• They enter the environment from various sources, including natural, incidental, and manufactured processes.
• High concentrations of these droplets increase the proportion of solar radiation reflected back to space, causing a cooling effect on climate. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Long exposures to high concentrations of nanoparticles cause lung problems and cardiovascular disease. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Infant mortality, neonatal complications, and birth defects are likely to increase with increasing concentrations of matter smaller than 10 μm. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Ans. 5 Option C is the correct Explanation
• Recently, the Nobel Prize for Physics 2023 was awarded to France’s Pierre Agostini, Hungarian-Austrian Ferenc Krausz, and French-Swedish Anne L’Huillier.
• They have demonstrated a way to create extremely short pulses of light that can be used to measure the rapid processes in which electrons move or change energy. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The electrons that travel around an atom’s nucleus move so fast that it is impossible to
observe them in real-time.
• But now, we can observe and study the movement of electrons, by producing pulses of light that last only attoseconds (1×10−18 of a second).
• Attosecond physics gives us the opportunity to understand mechanisms that are governed by
electrons.
• It has potential applications in both electronics and medical diagnostics. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Ans. 6 Option A is the correct Explanation
• Purchasing Managers Index is a survey-based measure that asks the respondents about changes in their perception about key business variables as compared with the previous month. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Purpose: To provide information about current and future business conditions to company decision-makers, analysts, and investors.
• It is calculated separately for the manufacturing and services sectors and then a composite index is also constructed. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• The PMI is a number from 0 to 100.
• A print above 50 means expansion, while a score below that denotes contraction.
• A reading of 50 indicates no change.
• It is usually released at the start of every month. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
• It is considered a good leading indicator of economic activity.

Ans. 7 Option C is correct Explanation
• The Shimla agreement of 1972 was more than just a peace treaty, it was the result of the India- Pakistan war of 1971 and sought to countermand the effect of such war.
• Both countries were supposed to take measures not to violate the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir which helps maintain peace among India and Pakistan and acts as a significant CBM. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The McMahon Line is the demarcation line agreed between Tibet and British Raj as part of the 1914 Simla Convention Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• It separates their respective spheres of influence in the eastern Himalayan region along northeast India and northern Burma (Myanmar).
• The Republic of China was not a party to the agreement, but its representative had agreed to the overall boundary of Tibet, which included the McMahon Line.

Ans. 8 Option B is correct Explanation
• Credit Rating is an assessment of the creditworthiness of a borrower in general terms or with respect to a particular debt or financial obligation. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It can be assigned to any entity that seeks to borrow money like an individual, corporation, state or provincial authority, or sovereign government.
• Credit Rating Agency is a company that assigns credit ratings.
• There are six credit rating agencies registered under SEBI namely, CRISIL, ICRA, CARE, SMERA, Fitch India, and Brickwork Ratings. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• All credit agency businesses use a variety of terminologies to generate credit scores.
• Therefore, ratings are divided into two categories namely Investment Grade and Speculative Grade. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Ans. 9 Option D is correct Explanation
• The 2023 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine was recently awarded to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman.
• They won the award for developing the mRNA vaccine technology that became the foundation for history’s fastest vaccine development program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, Option D is correct
• Here, the mRNA is coded to tell the cells to recreate the spike protein of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19

Ans. 10 Option B is correct Explanation
• Circular migration is a repetitive form of migration wherein people move to another place and back according to the availability of employment. Hence, Option B is correct
• It became quite popular in the 60s and 70s with the advent of globalization and development.
• It is a phenomenon mostly among low-income groups who migrate to avail of seasonally available jobs in another country, city, place, etc.
• One is called a circular migrant if he has completed at least ‘two loops’ between two countries.