UPSC EXAM QUIZ 26.08.2024

Explanation:

• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has taken up expeditions to glaciers at an altitude of 4500m and above to map their vulnerability to Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF).
• Of the nearly 7,500 glacial lakes in the Indian Himalayas, NDMA has finalised 189 high-risk lakes that require mitigation measures.

National Glacial Lake Outburst Floods Risk Mitigation Programme

• It is an initiative launched by the Government of India to address the risks posed by GLOFs.
• 16 teams went out for expedition out of which 15 teams completed their expedition. Another seven expeditions are underway.
• Of the 15 expeditions completed, 6 were in Sikkim, 6 in Ladakh, 1 in Himachal Pradesh, and 2 in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Teams on expeditions assess the structural stability and potential breach points of glacial lakes, gathering relevant hydrological and geological samples and data, measuring water quality and flow rates, identifying risk zones and making downstream communities aware.

Explanation:

• Scientists have discovered liquid water on Mars for the first time. Mars may have oceans of liquid water inside its rocky outer layer, according to a new study. This is the first time scientists have discovered liquid water on the planet.

Recent Findings Related to Water on Mars

• Water on Mars’ Volcano: For a few hours each morning during Mars' winter seasons, frost forms in the ancient calderas of the Tharsis volcanic region, which includes Olympus Mons. The patches of frost evaporate as sunlight shines down on the equator of Mars.
• The European Space Agency (ESA)’s Trace Gas Orbiter and Mars Express Orbiter discovered frost, which forms due to unique microclimates created by air circulation around mountain summits and through calderas.

Explanation:

• Indian government has launched a pilot project to rename and transform 60 Fair Price Shops (FPS) across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh into "Jan Poshan Kendras."
• This move aims to enhance the nutritional offerings available to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
• The project also includes the introduction of several new digital tools and support systems designed to enhance transparency and operational efficiency.

Jan Poshan Kendra Initiative

• Purpose: Under this initiative, FPSs will begin selling additional items beyond subsidised grains to address the income challenges faced by ration dealers while improving the nutritional offerings available to beneficiaries under the PMGKAY.
• Currently, 0.54 million FPSs distribute, on average, 60-70 million tonnes of food grain annually under PMGKAY, free of cost, to over 800 million beneficiaries.
• The government sees scope for generating additional income from FPS as a large number of people visit these outlets to get their monthly entitlement of grains.

Explanation:

• Kolkata-based Indian Private sector bank Bandhan Bank launched an exclusive savings account, Avni, for women customers on 22 August 2023.
• The bank launched the product on the eve of its 9th foundation day, which is on 23 August.
• The bank also launched a customer loyalty programme called Bandhan Banks Delight.The bank is women-focused, and of its 3.4 customers,73% are women.

Significance of Avni Account

• The Avni product of the Bandhan Bank is an effort by the bank to mobilise deposits from the public.
• Recently, Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das urged banks to mobilise household savings by offering innovative and attractive products.
• In recent times, the CASA(Current Account Saving Account) deposits of the banks in India have shown a declining trend as Indian households prefer to invest in share markets, gold, and other financial market instruments for higher returns.
• CASA is the cheapest source of funds for banks, as they do not pay interest on current accounts and pay an average of 3 to 4 per cent on savings accounts.
• However, due to a decline in CASA deposits, banks are forced to raise money at a higher interest rate, which in turn will increase their lending rates.
• RBI wants the banks to reduce their lending rates so as to boost the economic growth rate by providing cheap loans to industries, etc.

Explanation:

• India celebrated its first National Space Day on 23 August 2024. It was celebrated to mark the safe and soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 mission's Vikram lander on the lunar surface on 23 August 2023.
• Further, current findings based on Chandrayaan-3 provide the first analysis of the composition of the southern topsoil of the Moon and support the hypothesis of an ocean of molten material on the lunar surface.

National Space Day celebrated

• National Space Day celebrated on 23 August commemorates India's space achievements, especially the success of Chandrayaan-3.
• With the launch of Chandrayaan-3 in the year 2023, India became the fourth country to successfully land on the Moon and the first country to reach its south polar region.
• It highlights India's space exploration capabilities and aims to inspire future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), which will contribute to India's ongoing space efforts.

Theme of National Space Day 2024

• The theme of National Space Day 2024 is 'Touching lives by touching the Moon: India's space saga'.