Daily Current Affairs (MCQ's) | 07-12-2022

Q1. Recently in news Red Echo and Shadow Pad are related to

1. Red algae boom in Indian ocean
2. Phenomenon related to universe expansion and dark energy
3. Start ups in defense sector
4. Cyber attacks on Indian power infrastructure

Answer (d)

Explanation:

1. A major cyberattack hit state-run Oil India Ltd in April, targeting its Assam facility’s information technology (IT) systems. The company said the attack did not affect operations; however, media reports claimed that hackers demanded $7.5 million from the oil producer.
2. Oil India isn’t alone. According to CyberPeace Foundation, a civil society organization, nearly 360,000 attacks on Indian oil companies were detected by threat intelligence sensors deployed to analyze real- time cyberthreats.
3. The study was part of CyberPeace Foundation’s eKawach programme, under which it partnered with Autobot Infosec Pvt. Ltd and CyberPeace Center of Excellence (CCoE) to deploy the SCADA Critical Information Infrastructure threat intelligence sensors, which are industrial control systems deployed on critical infrastructure.
4. The study signals the growing number of cyberattacks on the critical infrastructure of companies in India. Such attacks have increased in the past year worldwide as well. Several US firms, including Colonial Pipeline and JBS Foods, were hit by ransomware attacks in 2021.
5. Earlier, UK-based cybersecurity firm Recorded Future warned about a Chinese state-backed threat campaign targeting power companies in India. It had flagged similar attacks on power grids in the country in February.

Red Echo:

1. Last year, a Chinese state-backed hacker group called RedEcho targeted power grids in This latest set of intrusions, however, is composed of an almost entirely different set of victim organizations.
2. It used a malware called ShadowPad, according to the US-based cybersecurity company, Recorded Futures.

Suspected Indian power sector victims of RedEcho targeted intrusions:

Q2. Why does India need to relocate its Asiatic Lions?

1. To stop genetic inbreeding
2. To create a second population outside the Gir protected area
3. More than 50% of Lions are roaming outside the Gir protected area

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer (d)

Explanation:

Coexisting with an increasing number of Asiatic lions Highlights:

1. Over 50 per cent of the country’s lion population currently lives outside a protected area. These lions can navigate market places at night, find carcasses at gaushalas, avoid humans, and more.
2. Researchers believe that a holistic approach to conservation is necessary for the long run, one that considers human development alongside lion conservation.
3. Wildlife experts have emphasised that it’s unrealistic to expect free- ranging lions to ‘adjust’ and live together in a small space. Since the protected area is at maximum capacity, it’s only natural that they wander farther in search of territory.
4. According to the 2015 lion census, the lion population grew by 126 %outside the Gir Protected Area, concurrent to around a 19 %growth in the human population in Gujarat.

Threats to lions outside protected areas:

1. Lions prey on livestock because forest patches that can support wild ungulates are too few in human-dominated landscape and livestock is the most readily available prey
2. This brings them into direct conflict with humans and their property. Lions depend on livestock and pastoralists are paid for their hunted cattle.
3. While humans currently coexist with lions, increased interaction between the two could be detrimental to conservation Research shows that lions outside the protected areas (PAs) have learnt behavior towards humans.
4. They can navigate market places at night, find carcasses at gaushalas (cow shelters), avoid humans, and The tendency to just scavenge can be particularly detrimental as some cubs may not learn how to hunt because they have access to a steady stream of readily available carcasses.
5. The threats from diseases increase drastically when lions scavenge on livestock carcasses that may have died from the disease. Dogs also tend to feed on these carcasses and if they carry any infections, they can transmit them to lions.

Standing orders for plans to relocate the lions:

An epidemic or natural calamity could potentially wipe out the endangered species. There is a standing order by the Supreme Court dated April 15, 2013, saying the translocation be completed in six months. The population in Gir has low genetic diversity, making it vulnerable to threats of extension from epidemics. Lions are found in Gujarat across an area of 30,000 sq km called the Asiatic Lion Landscape (ALL).

Q3. Consider the following statements about the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) launched by the RBI

1. The CBDC is not exchangeable with paper currency
2. The use of CBDC will reduce the operational cost of maintenance of physical currency.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer (b)

Explanation:

e-Rupee: Here’s a Quixplained on India’s first official digital currency

Q5. The Relativistic jets are released in space by

1. Sun
2. Super massive stars
3. Black hole
4. Asteroids

Answer (c)

Explanation: