UPSC QUIZ 01.05.2024

Explanation:

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released satellite-data-based analysis on the expansion of glacial lakes in the catchments of Indian Himalayan River basins.
• This is the latest among a series of studies on glacial lakes that have highlighted the risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and their impact on infrastructure and settlements downstream of such lakes.

Glacial lakes

• Glacial lakes are bodies of water that form in depressions or basins created by the erosive action of glaciers.
• These lakes are typically found in regions where glaciers have previously existed or are currently present.
• Glacial lakes vary in size and shape, ranging from small ponds to large, deep bodies of water.
• ISRO categorised glacial lakes into four broad categories based on how they were formed — moraine-dammed, ice-dammed, erosion-based, and ‘others’.
• Glacial lakes are crucial sources of freshwater for rivers.

Explanation:

• According to scientists at the Indian Meteorological Department, the amount of solar radiation available to be converted into electricity by solar panels is alarmingly decreasing at many places in India.

Solar radiation availability status

• Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) is the amount of radiation that can be practically available for conversion into electricity by solar panels.
• At present SPV in all the stations. A general decline in capacity has been observed in cities including Ahmedabad, Chennai, Goa, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Pune, Shillong, Thiruvananthapuram and Visakhapatnam.
• India's largest solar parks are located in the north-west region, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Explanation:

• Film actresses Hema Malini, Saira Banu, Uma Sharma, Rama Vaidyanathan, Uma Dogre, Dr. Sandhya Puricha, Dr. Malvika Mitra, Pt. Rajendra Gangani, Prachi Shah and Aseem Bandhu Bhattacharya will be given Pt. Lachchu Maharaj Samman.
• This honor will be given to everyone by Lachchu Maharaj Ballet Foundation on 31st August in Lucknow.
• The decision was taken at a meeting held at Bhatkhande Sanskriti University, Lucknow, presided over by the university vice-chancellor, Prof. Mandavi Singh.
• The meeting was also attended by the secretary of Pt. Lachhu Maharaj Bellet Foundation and senior disciple of Pandit Lachhu Maharaj, Kumkum Adarsh.

Explanation:

• The Indian men’s recurve team won a historic gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage-1 by defeating the world-champion South Korean team for the first time ever.
• The gold medal ended a 14-year gold medal drought at the men’s recurve team event at the Archery World Cup.
• India finished the Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai with eight medals - five gold, two silvers and one bronze.
• This is India's highest medal tally at any single edition of an archery World Cup.
• India sent a 16-member archery team for the Shanghai event. It consisted of eight men and eight women players.

Explanation:

• Iraq’s parliament passed a law criminalizing same-sex relationships.
• Iraq's newly amended law enables courts to sentence people engaging in same-sex relations to 10 to 15 years in prison.
• It has mandated at least seven years in prison for anybody who promotes homosexuality or prostitution.
• Anyone who changes their biological gender or dresses in an effeminate manner could get a punishment of one and three years.
• This law has also banned organisations that “promote” homosexuality and punish “wife swapping” with a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years.
• The main aim of the law is to uphold religious values and to protect Iraqi society from moral depravity.
• The law is backed mainly by conservative Shi’ite Muslim parties. It is the largest coalition in Iraq’s parliament.
• In the past, many Iraqi parties have criticized LGBT rights.
• Same-sex sexual acts are legal in more than 130 countries, while more than 60 countries have criminalised gay sex.