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Daily Current Affairs Prelims Quiz 08-03-2023 (Online Prelims Test)

1) Consider the following statements with respect to Attukal Pongal

  1. Attukal Pongala is celebrated in the Attukal Bhagavathy temple, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
  2. It is one of the largest gatherings of women in the world.

Which of the following statement(s) given above is/are correct?

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : c

Attukal Pongala

  • Attukal Pongala is the main festival of Attukal Bhagavathy temple, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
  • Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam is a 10 days festival
  • The festival begins on the Karthika star with the traditional Kappukettu and Kudiyiruthu ceremony, the idol of Devi, is embellished with Kappu
  • The 9th day of the festival, 'Pooram day' is the major attraction.
  • The Attukal Pongala day is one of the largest gatherings of women in the world.
  • The festival will conclude with the Kuruthitharpanam at 10th day makam star night.
  • The Chooralkuthu ritual, attended by boys aged between 10 and 12.
  • The festival is marked as the largest annual gathering of women by the Guinness World Records.

2) Consider the following statements regarding National Assessment and   Accreditation Council (NAAC)

  1. It is an autonomous body under University Grants Commission (UGC).
  2. The NAAC accreditation also covers distance education unit of Higher Educational Institutions (HEI).
  3. Paramarsh is a scheme for mentoring NAAC to promote quality assurance in Higher Education.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : a

NAAC

  • The NAAC is an autonomous body under the University Grants Commission (UGC).
  • Its core function is to assess and certify Higher-level Educational Institutions (HEIs) with grading.
  • It evaluates whether a higher education institution meets the standards of quality in terms of curriculum, faculty, infrastructure, research, and other parameters.
  • The accreditation is valid for five years.
  • Among the states, Maharashtra accounts for the highest number of accredited colleges.
  • The NAAC accreditation does not cover distance education units of HEIs and offshore campuses.
  • It also does not accredit institutions providing technical education by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA).
  • Paramarsh scheme - To mentor National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) accreditation aspirant institutions for promoting quality assurance in higher education.
  • UGC is responsible for approving Universities or Colleges whereas NAAC accredits the programs offered in the University or institute.

3) Consider the following statements with respect to Moidams

  1. It enshrines the mortal remains of the members of the Ahom royalty in Assam.
  2. Recently it is declared as an UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.

 Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : a

Assam’s moidams

Assam’s pyramid-like structures known as moidams or maidams have met all the technical requirements of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre.

  • Charaideo is located in Assam at the foothills of Nagaland.
  • Charaideo, a Tai-Ahom word which means ‘a prominent city on the hill top’.
  • The maidams enshrine the mortal remains of the members of the Ahom royalty, who used to be buried with their paraphernalia.
  • Therefore Charaideo Maidams are considered as the Ahom equivalent of the ancient Egyptian pyramids and famously called as the "Pyramids of Assam".
  • Architecturally it comprises a massive underground vault with one or more chambers having domical superstructure which appears a hemispherical mound externally.
  • The nomination is coincided with the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Borphukan who fought with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s army to capture Assam.

Period of the site

  • The maidams represents the late medieval (13th-19th century CE) mound burial tradition of the Tai Ahom community in Assam.
  • After the 18th century, the Ahom rulers adopted the Hindu method of cremation and began entombing the cremated bones and ashes in a Maidam at Charaideo.
  • Ahoms - Ahom dynasty was founded by Chao Lung Siu-Ka-Pha in 1253.
  • Charaideo was the first capital of the Ahom dynasty.
  • The Ahom rule lasted for about 600 years until the British annexed Assam in 1826.

4) Consider the following statements related to India’s recently updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets

  1. India aims to achieve about 50% of its electricity from non-fossil fuel by 2030.
  2. To create a carbon sink of 5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
  3. It aims to reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, from 2005 level.

     Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : b

India’s updated NDC

                        2015 NDC

                               Updated NDC

  • Cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources to reach 40%
  • Reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 33 to 35 % compared to 2005 levels
  • Creation of additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover.
  • India now stands committed to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, from 2005 level
  • Achieve about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.

5) Consider the following statements regarding Bio-computers

  1. Brain organoids developed in the lab using 3D cultures of brain tissue will be combined with modern computing methods to create bio computers.
  2. Brain organoids can also be developed using stem cells from individuals with cognitive disorders.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : c

Bio-computers

  • Brain organoids – They are 3D cultures of brain tissue developed in the lab.
  • They are used to study human brain development and test drugs to see how they respond.
  • Bio computers – The brain organoids will be combined with modern computing methods to create bio computers.
  • Brain organoids can also be developed using stem cells from individuals with neurodegenerative diseases or cognitive disorders.
  • Comparing the data on brain structure between ‘healthy’ and ‘patient-derived’ organoids can reveal the biological basis of human cognition, learning, and memory.
  • They could also help decode the pathology of and drug development for devastating Parkinson’s disease and microcephaly.

Machine learning

  • The organoids will be coupled with machine learning by growing the organoids inside flexible structures affixed with multiple electrodes.
  • These structures will be able to record the firing patterns of the neurons and also deliver electrical stimuli, to mimic sensory stimuli and later analysed by machine-learning techniques.
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