Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 14 June 2023

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2023

Q) Which one of the following statements is not correct about CERT-In?

1. It is national agency for responding to cyber security incidents.
2. It issues advisories on countermeasures to protect computers.
3. It comes under the Department of Science and Technology.
4. It conducted a cyber security exercise named Synergy.

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 13 June April 2023

Explanation:

• Option (1) is correct: CERT-In serves as national agency for responding to cyber security incidents as per provisions of Section 70(B) of the IT Act, 2000. CERT-In is involved in collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber incidents. It provides forecast and alerts of cyber security incidents.
• Option (2) is correct: It issues alerts and advisories regarding latest cyber threats/vulnerabilities and counter measures to protect computers and networks on regular basis. It provides emergency measures for handling cyber security incidents.
• Option (3) is incorrect: It comes under Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It coordinates with other agencies for cyber incident response activities.
• Option (4) is correct: CERT-In had recently conducted the Cyber Security Exercise “Synergy” for 13 Countries on its exercise simulation platform. The objective of the exercise was to Assess, Share and Improve strategies and practices among Member-States to develop network resiliency against ransomware & cyber extortion attacks.

Q) Consider the following statements about National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC):

1. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of NCSC are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
2. NCSC can also serve notice on a company for any offensive advertisement towards the dalit community.
3. At least one member of the commission should be a woman, and the term of office for members is five years.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is a constitutional Body under the jurisdiction of Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and 3 other Members who are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
• Statement 2 is correct: National Commission for Scheduled Castes has served notice to a food delivery company for their advertisement that was offensive towards dalit community. The Commission is vested with all the powers of a civil court. It can investigate and monitor matters relating to Safeguards provided for SCs in both centre and state level. It participates and advises on the planning process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: NCSC was formed to provide safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes and to promote and protect their social, educational, economic and cultural interests. At least one member of NCSC should be a woman. Term of office of members is 3 years.

Q) With reference to ‘Tactical Nuclear Weapons (TNWs)’, consider the following statements:

1. TNWs can be delivered by shorter-range missiles.
2. TNWs have much higher yields compared to strategic weapons.
3. The use of TNWs is specifically covered by the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct but statement 2 is incorrect: Tactical nuclear weapons are of smaller scale and are intended for use on the battlefield in support of ground forces. They are designed for specific military objectives, such as attacking military installations, troop concentrations, or other tactical targets. Tactical nuclear weapons have lower yields compared to strategic weapons but are still highly destructive. They can be delivered by shorter-range missiles, artillery systems or aircraft.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: TNWs constitute a large percentage of the arsenals of the nuclear weapon states, TNWs are the least-regulated category of nuclear weapons covered in arms control agreements. While the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) does not specifically address tactical nuclear weapons, it does call for negotiations on nuclear disarmament, including the eventual elimination of all nuclear weapons.

Q) Consider the following statements about El-Nino:

1. El-Nino refers to above-average sea surface temperatures in the central tropical Pacific Ocean.
2. The El-Nino Southern Oscillation directly affects rainfall distribution in the tropics.
3. The trade winds along the equator are reversed when there is an El-Nino occurrence.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: The term El-Nino (Spanish for ‘the Christ Child’) refers to a warming of the ocean surface or above-average Sea surface temperatures, in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. It is part of a larger climate pattern known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
• Statement 2 is correct: El-Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a recurring climate pattern involving changes in the temperature of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. On periods ranging from about three to seven years, the surface waters across a large swath of the tropical Pacific Ocean warm or cool by anywhere from 1°C to 3°C, compared to normal. This oscillating warming and cooling pattern, referred to as the ENSO cycle, directly affects rainfall distribution in the tropics and can have a strong influence on weather across the world.
• Statement 3 is correct: During an El Niño event, there is a weakening or even a reversal of the trade winds along the equator, which disrupts the normal pattern. Normally, strong trade winds blow westward across the tropical Pacific, the region of the Pacific Ocean located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. These winds push warm surface water toward the western Pacific, where it borders Asia and Australia. The westward movement of warmer waters causes cooler waters to rise up toward the surface on the coasts of Ecuador, Peru, and Chile. This process is known as upwelling. This weakening of the trade winds allows warm surface waters to move eastward, accumulating in the central and eastern Pacific.

Q) With reference to ‘India-UAE relations’, consider the following statements:

1. Both countries aim to achieve a bilateral trade surplus of USD 100 billion by 2030 under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
2. The UAE is India’s largest export market and second-largest trading partner.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: India and the UAE have set a target to increase the non-oil trade from USD 48 billion to USD 100 billion by 2030. In the first meeting of the Joint Committee of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that took place recently, the target of achieving USD 100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 was set. The CEPA which was implemented on May 1 2022 aims to promote economic cooperation and enhance trade relations between India and the UAE.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner and second-largest export destination. Bilateral trade reached approximately USD 72 billion in the fiscal year 2021-22. The UAE has made substantial investments in India, with sectors such as construction development, power, air transport, tourism, and metallurgical industries receiving significant investment.

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