ALL EXAM QUIZ 08.01.2024

Explanation:

• India and South Africa have played the shortest Test ever in their 147-year history.
• The second Test match between India and South Africa in Cape Town ended in 107 overs (642 balls), becoming the shortest Test match ever in history.
• India won the Newlands Test by seven wickets to level the series 1-1, but in the process broke their own record, which previously stood by 842 balls against England in 2021.
• India won the first-ever Test Match in Cape Town.
• South Africa batted twice on the same day, with 23 wickets falling.
• In addition, India moved to the top of the World Test Championship 2023-25 standings after their historic win over South Africa.

Five shortest Test matches ever played

Teams Year Overs /Balls

1. India vs South Africa 2024 107 overs (642 balls)
2. Australia vs South Africa 1935 109.2 overs (656 balls)
3. West Indies vs England 1935 112 overs (672 balls)
4. England vs Australia 1888 196 overs (784 Balls) (4 balls per over)
5. England vs Australia 1888 197 overs (788 Balls) (4 balls per over)

Explanation:

• India’s toy exports increased from $96 million in 2014-15 to $326 million in 2022-23.
• Toys imports declined 52% from $332 million to $159 million in the same period.
• Toys exports increased and imports declined because of measures like import tariff increase and quality control, as per a case study on the ‘success story of made in India toys’.
• The study was conducted by IIM Lucknow on behalf of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• About 12% compounded annual growth rate is expected in the toy sector in the next eight years.
• Toy exports will likely increase to $3 billion by 2028.
• The Tariffs on imported toys were increased from 20% to 60%. Quality control orders were introduced to stop the dumping of sub-standard products.
• As per the report, government efforts led to a doubling of the number of manufacturing units from 2014 to 2020.
• Government efforts also led to a reduction in dependence on imported inputs from 33% to 12% and an increase in gross sales value by a CAGR of 10%.

Explanation:

• MeitY launched ERNET India’s web portal for educational institutions.
• ERNET India’s newly developed integrated web portal for educational institutes has been launched by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.
• The portal will offer domain registration, DNS and value-added services.
• This web portal has been developed by utilizing open-source software and emerging technologies such as AI/ML.
• The ERNET India is a not-for-profit scientific society under MeitY.
• Web accessibility service, campus Wi-Fi services, smart classrooms and connectivity through Terrestrial and Satellite systems to educational & research institutes are being provided by ERNET India.

Explanation:

• Union Cabinet has approved “PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)” scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• The cabinet has approved this scheme for implementation during the period from 2021-26 at the cost of Rs 4,797 crore.
• Prithvi Vigyan scheme will enable the development of integrated multi-disciplinary earth science research and innovative programs across different Ministry of Earth Sciences institutes.
• The integrated R&D efforts will help in addressing the challenges of weather and climate, ocean, cryosphere, seismological science and services.
• These integrated R&D efforts will explore the living and non-living resources for their sustainable harnessing.

PRITHVI is an overarching scheme that encompasses five ongoing sub-schemes. The names of sub-schemes are given below-

• Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS)
• Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)
• Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER)
• Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE)
• Research, Education, Training and Outreach (REACHOUT)

Explanation:

• National Statistical Office has released its second advance estimate for the Indian Economy.
• According to it, the Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.3% in the Financial Year 2023-24.
• Indian Economy will grow by 7.3% in FY 2023-24 over the provisional growth rate of 7.2% in the previous financial year.
• NSO’s report is based on the First Advance Estimates (FAE) of National Income for the financial year 2023-24.
• In this report, NSO said that the construction sector has been estimated to have a growth rate of 10.7%.
• All the economic sectors have done well and witnessed over 6% growth, except for the Agriculture and Allied sectors.
• For the Agriculture and Allied sectors, estimated growth is 1.8%.
• The National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation said that Advance Estimates of National Income are indicator-based.
• Advance Estimates of National Income are compiled using the benchmark-indicator method.
• As per NSO, this report has been made on the basis of data inputs collected from various Ministries, Departments, and Private Agencies.

Explanation:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested a fuel cell that uses hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity in space.
• This fuel cell was sent to space on the fourth stage of the PSLV on January 1. It generated 180W power.
• These cells will be very useful for human space missions because they produce heat and water as byproducts. It means that a single system can be used for multiple requirements of the mission.
• This fuel cell has been designed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). It is a precursor to the future power systems for space stations.
• The cell uses a silicon-graphite composite, while conventional Li-ion cells use pure graphite as an anode.
• The cell’s ability to survive and perform in the harsh environments of space has been checked during onboarding on the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM).

Explanation:

• India and Guyana inked a pact to enhance cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector.
• Union Cabinet approved the signing of the MoU between India and Guyana on cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector.
• The MoU will be signed between the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India and the Ministry of Natural Resources, Republic of Guyana.
• The signing of the MoU will help to strengthen bilateral trade and foster investment in each other.
• The MoU will cover the complete value chain of the hydrocarbon sector including the sourcing of crude oil from Guyana, participation of Indian companies in the Exploration and Production (E&P) sector of Guyana, cooperation in the areas of crude Oil refining, etc.
• It will also allow Indian companies to participate in the E&P sector of Guyana.
• The MoU will remain in force for five years and will be automatically renewed.

Explanation:

• IIT Madras and IIT Mandi researchers modified plant cells to increase the production of anti-cancer drug camptothecin.
• The anti-cancer drug camptothecin (CPT) is produced from an endangered plant named Nathapodytes nimmoniana.
• Around 1,000 tonnes of plant material is required to produce 1 tonne of CPT.
• The plant population has declined by 20% and it is on the red list of IUCN.
• Researchers from the Plant Cell Technology Lab of IIT Madras have developed a genome-scale metabolic model for N. nimmoniana plant cells.
• This research has been funded by the Science and Engineering Board (SERB) and the Department of Science and Technology.
• This research could pave the way for the drug's effective and efficient commercial production and reduce the need to cut down this endangered plant.

Explanation:

• Union Cabinet has approved the signing of a MoU between India and the United States for International Development/India (USAID/India).
• The MoU is for supporting Indian Railways to achieve Mission Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2030.
• With this, Indian Railway will be able to reduce dependence on imported fuels such as Diesel, Coal, etc.
• On 5 January 2024, the Union Cabinet was apprised of the signing of the MoU between India and USAID/India on June 14, 2023.
• Through the MOU, Indian Railways has got a platform to communicate and exchange the latest developments and industry-related information.
• The MoU facilitates advanced energy solutions and systems, utility modernization, regional energy and market integration and private sector participation and engagement.
• Before this, Indian Railways and USAID/India had collaborated on the installation of rooftop solar power throughout railway platforms.
• The MoU is effective as of the date of signing. It will continue for five years or until the effective end of the South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) whichever period is shorter.
• SAREP is the flagship regional energy program of USAID India.
• It is a five-year initiative (2021-26) that will improve access to affordable, secure, reliable, and sustainable energy across six South Asian countries, including India.

Explanation:

2, 1, 4, 3