Daily Current Quiz for UPSC: 17th July 2024

Ans: B

Exp: 

The Department of Shalya Tantra at All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA)  New Delhi successfully organised the Second National Seminar SAUSHRUTAM Shalya Sangoshti on the auspicious occasion of Sushruta Jayanti-2024.

Ancient Indian Scholars:

• Pair 1 is Incorrectly Matched: Sushrutha: – Sushrutha is known as the ‘Father of Plastic Surgery’. He was a surgeon and philosopher who compiled a monumental treatise on surgery, ‘Susrutasamhita’.
• Pair 2 is Correctly Matched: Brahmagupta:  Brahmagupta was responsible for creating good mathematics in the form of geometrical theorems and number theory.
  • Notable work: Bahmasphutasiddhanta, Khandakhadyaka.

• Pair 3 is Incorrectly Matched: Varahamihira: Varahamihira was a renowned astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer.
  • Notable works: Brihat Samhita, a comprehensive work on astronomy, astrology, architecture, gemology, agriculture, mathematics, and gemology.

• Pair 4 is Correctly Matched: Bhaskaracharya: He was an Indian astronomer and mathematician (12th CE century).
  • Notable works: Siddhanta Shiromani.

Exp:

The Supreme Court ruled states cannot make changes to the Scheduled Caste list published under Article 341 of the Constitution and quashed the 2015 Bihar government notification categorising Tanti-Tantwa community as Scheduled Caste.

Article 341 of the Constitution:

• Statement 1 is correct: The President may with respect to any State or Union territory, and where it is a State after consultation with the Governor thereof, by public notification,specify the castes, races or tribes or parts of or group within castes, races or tribes which shall for the purposes of this Constitution be deemed to be Scheduled Castes in relation to that State or Union territory, as the case may be.
• Statement 2 is correct: Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Castes specified in a notification issued under clause (1) any caste, race or tribe or part of or group within any caste, race or tribe, but save as aforesaid a notification issued under the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification.

Exp:

Recently, RBI issues revised Master Directions on Fraud Risk Management for Regulated Entities.

About RBI Master Directions on Fraud Risk Management for the Regulated Entities:

• • These Master Directions are principle-based and strengthen the role of the Board in overall governance and oversight of fraud risk management in the Regulated Entities (REs).
  • These Directions also emphasise the need for instituting robust internal audit and controls framework in the REs.

• Scope of Applicability:

• • • Statement 1 is incorrect: The Master Directions apply to various entities, including (i) Commercial Banks (including Regional Rural Banks) and All India Financial Institutions; (ii) Cooperative Banks (Urban Cooperative Banks / State Cooperative Banks / Central Cooperative Banks); and (iii) Non-Banking Finance Companies (including Housing Finance Companies).
    • Regional Rural Banks and Rural Cooperative Banks are also covered, promoting consistency across different types of financial institutions.

• Principle-Based Approach:

• • • These directions emphasize principles rather than prescriptive rules, allowing flexibility while maintaining robust governance.
    • The role of the Board within the Regulated Entities (REs) is strengthened, ensuring effective oversight.

• Natural Justice and Timeliness:

• • Statement 2 is correct: REs must comply with principles of natural justice before classifying individuals or entities as fraud cases.
  • The time-bound process ensures fairness and due diligence.

Answer: D

Exp: 

As our understanding of the brain deepens and neurotechnologies evolve, it becomes crucial to navigate the ethical landscape.

About Neuroehics:

• • Neuroethics, the intersection of neuroscience and ethics, grapples with the ethical, legal, and social implications of advances in brain research.

• Scope of Neuroethics:

• • • Neuroethics encompasses both the ethics of neuroscience and the neuroscience of ethics. Hence, option (d) is correct.
    • It examines how neurotechnology can predict or alter human behavior and its broader implications for society.
    • Unique neuroethics issues arise due to the brain’s role in fundamental philosophical questions like free will, moral responsibility, and personal identity.

• Emerging Neuroethical Issues:

• • Data Digitization: As neurodata becomes more accessible through wearables, apps, and biosensors, opportunities for real-time health tracking and personalized suggestions increase. However, this also raises surveillance risks.
  • Commercial Value: Digitized health data has commercial value in advertising and neuromarketing.
  • Privacy and Control: The right to mental privacy and free thought can be imperiled by surveillance and monitoring.
  • Governance and Regulation: Private sector investment in neurotechnologies necessitates robust governance and ethical standards.

Ans: A

Exp:

The Supreme Court of India has expressed deep concern about the deteriorating condition of the Sutlej river, a historically perennial river in North India.

About Sutlej River:

• Origin: The Satlej River originates in the Rakas lake near Mansarovar at an altitude of 4,555 m in Tibet where it is known as Langchen Khambab. 
• River Course: It flows almost parallel to the Indus for about 400 km before entering India, and comes out of a gorge at Rupar. 
  • Statement 1 is correct: Sutlej River passes through the Shipki La on the Himalayan ranges and enters the Punjab plains. It is an antecedent river. Shipki La Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass that connects the states of Himachal Pradesh in India with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 
  • Statement 2 is correct: It meets the Beas River in Harike-Patan in Punjab, India and flows to Pakistan to join the Chenab River, creating the Panjnad River (Five Rivers Of Punjab).
• Length: The total length of the river is about 1550 km of which 529 km is in Pakistan.
• Tributaries: The Sutlej River has many tributaries, including Baspa, Beas, Nogli Khad, Soan and Spiti.
• Significance: It is a very important tributary of Indus and it feeds the canal system of the Bhakra Nangal project.
• There are various hydroelectric power and irrigation projects over the river like the Kol Dam, Bhakra Nangal Dam, Baspa Hydroelectric Power Project, and Nathpa Jhakri Project.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Salal Dam, also known as Salal Hydroelectric Power Station, is a run-of-the-river hydropower project on the Chenab River in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.