This is the current affairs of 11th August 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
PDF Download: Click here
1. Name the moon mission of Russia, which has been launched to land on moon before India’s Chandrayaan-3?
Russia sent a mission to the moon after 47 years, what is the name of this mission?
a. Lunar-25
b. Lonar-24
c. Cosmodrome
d. Luna-25
Answer: d. Luna-25
– Russia launched its Luna-25 mission to the moon on August 10, 2023, after a gap of 47 years.
– The spacecraft was launched using the Soyuz 2.1b rocket.
– It will reach the moon within five days and then spend 7 to 10 days in lunar orbit.
– It is expected to touch down on the moon’s surface on August 21 or 22.
– This means it could land on the moon before India’s Chandrayaan-3.
– Chandrayaan-3 was launched for the moon on July 14, reached lunar orbit on August 5, and is expected to touch down near the south pole on August 23.
– Russia’s space agency Roscosmos stated that the two missions will not interfere with each other’s paths as they have separate landing zones planned.
– It was mentioned, “There is no danger of them interfering with each other or colliding. There is enough space on the moon for everyone.”
How Luna-25 will reach the moon from Chandrayaan-3
– To reach the moon directly from Earth, a powerful rocket and a significant amount of fuel are required. Russia’s Soyuz-2 rocket is capable of this, making it more costly.
– On the other hand, Chandrayaan-3 used the LVM-3 launch vehicle, utilizing Earth and moon’s gravitational assistance to complete its journey. The cryogenic engine pushed it to the moon, while gravity did the rest.
The delay in Luna-25’s launch by two years
– The Russian space agency initially planned to launch Luna-25 in October 2021.
– However, a delay of almost two years occurred.
The European Space Agency (ESA) wanted to test its Pilot-D navigation camera alongside Luna-25.
– Due to the Ukrainian conflict, both space agencies severed their ties, resulting in the delay of the Russian lunar mission.
What will Luna-25 do on the moon?
– Luna-25’s launch in 2023 marks Russia’s first lunar mission since its involvement in the Soviet Union in 1976.
Luna-25 includes a lander with four legs weighing around 800 kilograms.
It will practice a soft landing on the moon’s surface.
The mission’s objectives include collecting lunar soil samples, analyzing them, and conducting long-duration research.
Why is this mission significant?
– In 1976, Luna-24 returned safely to Earth with around 170 grams of lunar soil.
– Space scientist Vladimir Sardín estimated a 50% chance of success for the Luna-25 mission.
Only three countries have succeeded so far
– Only three governments have achieved successful moon landings: the Soviet Union, the United States, and China.
– India and Russia aim to be the first to land on the moon’s southern pole.
Why the sudden interest in the moon?
– Russian space analyst Vitaly Egorov stated, “The study of the moon is not the goal.” “The goal is a political competition among two superpowers – China and the United States – and several other countries that want to claim the title of space power.”
Why explore the moon’s southern pole?
– Navigating the challenging region around the moon’s southern pole is difficult.
– However, due to the expected abundance of ice, it’s an area of high scientific interest – a vast potential resource for fuel, oxygen, and water. This ice could potentially support future lunar habitation efforts.
—————
2. Government of India has also decided to get the ‘Havana Syndrome’ investigated, what is it?
a. Mysterious sound that causes illness.
b. Mysterious shadow that causes illness.
c. Mysterious air that causes illness.
d. None of the above.
Answer: a. Getting sick from a mysterious sound.
– The Indian government will investigate the Havana Syndrome.
– It will be determined if it is a disease or a covert weapon.
– The Karnataka High Court stated during a hearing on July 27, 2023, that the central government should investigate the possibilities of Havana Syndrome within three months.
– The government responded that it will look into the matter.
What are the symptoms of Havana Syndrome?
– The impact of the Havana Syndrome has been felt by American officials and diplomats, including in India.
– There is suspicion that this sound is being transmitted to the target through high-frequency microwave transmission.
– The sounds include humming or noises like scraping on utensils, or even pig-like squealing. Complaints of pressure have also been made.
– The source of these noises was unknown.
Even covering ears with both hands did not make these sounds quieter.
– After hearing these noises for extended periods, people fell ill, experiencing symptoms like unconsciousness, dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Some even lost their memory.
Where was this kind of sound heard for the first time?
– This sound was first heard in Cuba, the neighboring country of the United States, in 2014.
– Cuba and the United States have had tension between them for decades.
– During Barack Obama’s administration, relations between the two countries improved. However, within just two years, the United States recalled almost all its diplomats.
– There was no dispute behind calling back the officials, but rather there were strange and bizarre noises.
– People fell sick upon hearing these noises coming from the Havana embassy.
– This is where it got the name Havana Syndrome.
Gradually, these sounds were heard in several other countries.
Havana Syndrome in India
– Until July 2023, only one case of Havana Syndrome has been recorded in India.
– When the first case emerged in India in 2021, the director of the American intelligence agency CIA was on a visit to Delhi.
– During this visit, an American officer accompanying him informed Indian doctors about experiencing Havana Syndrome-like symptoms.
Where have these sounds been heard so far?
– In Guangzhou, China in 2018.
In Washington D.C., United States, in 2019 and 2020.
– In Delhi, India, Vienna, Austria, Berlin, Germany, Hanoi, Vietnam, and Belgrade, Serbia in 2021.
This syndrome is being compared with the Frey Effect
– Havana Syndrome is being compared with the Frey Effect, discovered by American scientist Allan H. Frey.
– In 1962, during research on electromagnetic energy, an American scientist heard cricket-like sounds, felt headaches, and experienced symptoms like vomiting due to the Frey Effect.
The source of the sound could be microwave weapons
– In 2020, the National Academy of Sciences released a study.
– According to the study, the source of Havana Syndrome could be microwave weapons.
Microwave weapons are devices that can direct energy onto a target in the form of sound, laser, or microwaves.
– These types of weapons were first developed by the Soviet Union.
– Both the United States and China also possess microwave weapons.
– On the other hand, a team of Cuban scientists has identified something like ‘Havana Syndrome’ after investigation.
—————
3. When is International Youth Day celebrated?
a. 14 August
b. 12 August
c. 17 August
d. 22 August
Answer: b. 12 August
– To focus on the development and security of the youth in society, International Youth Day is celebrated worldwide on 12 August.
– The United Nations General Assembly initiated this day in December 1999.
————–
4. The central government introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha to include whom by removing the CJI from the selection committee of election commissioners?
a. Judges appointed by the Prime Minister
b. Cabinet Ministers appointed by the Prime Minister
c. Politicians appointed by the Prime Minister
d. Members of Parliament (MPs) nominated by the Prime Minister
Answer: b. Cabinet Ministers appointed by the Prime Minister
—-
In the bill presented in the Rajya Sabha, there is a provision to give the right to select the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners to which of these committees?
a. Committee comprising PM, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and Chief Justice of India (CJI)
b. Committee comprising PM, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and Cabinet Ministers appointed by the PM
c. Committee comprising PM, CJI, and Law Minister
d. Committee comprising PM, Law Minister, and former CJI
Answer: b. Committee comprising PM, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and Cabinet Ministers appointed by the PM
– On August 10, 2023, the central government introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha related to the regulation of the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners (ECs).
– This bill establishes a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, and a minister from the Cabinet appointed by the Prime Minister.
What is the provision for appointment in the Constitution?
– As per Article 324 (2) of the Constitution, the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners must be made by the President on the basis of law.
– However, no law has been enacted by Parliament in this regard.
This bill will dismiss the Supreme Court’s order
– Essentially, the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court had, in March 2023, removed the authority of the central government to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners through its verdict.
– The Supreme Court had assigned the task of suggesting names for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners to a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
– At that time, the Supreme Court had clearly stated that this process would continue until Parliament enacts a law regarding the appointment of election commissioners.
– The court had also made an important comment during that judgment – a weak-kneed person in front of a powerful one cannot be appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner.
How the case reached the Supreme Court
– The petitioners in the Supreme Court, including Prashant Bhushan and other lawyers, argued that in this situation, the central government tends to appoint individuals as election commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner who often have connections with those in power and those who choose them.
– Therefore, the petitioners had demanded the establishment of an independent authority for their appointment.
Appointment process till now
– Before the Supreme Court’s verdict, there was no law in the country regarding the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
– The appointment process was in the hands of the central government.
– Traditionally, a list of existing or retired officers of secretary level was prepared.
– Based on this list, a list of three names was prepared.
– The Prime Minister and the President would then consider these names.
– After this, the Prime Minister would consult officers included in this list and send one name to the President.
– Their term is for 6 years or until the age of 65, whichever comes first.
– Through this process, Election Commissioners are chosen, and the most senior among them becomes the Chief Election Commissioner.
– They are considered equivalent to Supreme Court judges and receive similar salary and allowances.
Election Commission
Chief Election Commissioner – Rajiv Kumar
Election Commissioners – Anoop Chandra Pandey, Arun Goyal
—————
5. Which website was launched by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud to enter the Supreme Court through e-pass?
a. Suswagatam
b. Swagat
c. Nyaymandir
d. Ucchatam
Answer: a. Suswagatam
– The Chief Justice of India (CJI) said, “‘Suswagatam’ is a web-based and mobile-friendly application that allows users to request e-passes for various purposes, such as registering themselves online, participating in court hearings, meeting with advocates, etc.”
– By August 9, more than 10,000 e-passes have been issued through the portal on a pilot basis.
-The CJI stated, “You don’t need to wait in queues in the morning. All passes are created online.”
– The ‘Suswagatam’ portal, along with its companion mobile application, provides the convenience of QR code-enabled e-passes for cases and visitors.
————–
6. Which state government has launched the Indira Gandhi Free Smartphone Scheme 2023?
a. Bihar
b. Punjab
c. Haryana
d. Rajasthan
Answer: d. Rajasthan
– Through this scheme, women in Rajasthan will be provided with free mobile phones, internet, and voice call services.
– The distribution of smartphones will take place from August 10 to August 30, 2023, with priority given to widows and divorced women.
Rajasthan:
Chief Minister – Ashok Gehlot
Governor – Kalraj Mishra
Capital – Jaipur
—————
7. By which year the Union Government has set a target to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis disease from India?
a. 2025
b. 2027
c. 2028
d. 2030
Answer: b. 2027
– The disease lymphatic filariasis is also commonly known as “elephantiasis” in everyday language. In this disease, the legs become swollen and thickened, resembling an elephant’s legs.
– The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya, announced the elimination of this disease by 2027 during the annual meeting of the Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) initiative.
– During this period, the second phase of the Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Campaign started from August 10, 2023.
– This campaign will cover 81 districts in Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
Filariasis:
– Its scientific name is lymphatic filariasis.
– Filariasis is spread by mosquitoes, particularly through the bite of the parasite-carrying Culex fatigans mosquito.
– In most cases, the identification of this disease takes place after a considerable period of time.
—————–
8. How many medals did Indian players win in FISU World University Games 2023?
a. 52
b. 40
c. 26
d. 10
Answer: c. 26
– In the 31st edition of the FISU World University Games held in China, India won a total of 26 medals.
– This event took place in Chengdu, China.
Indian athletes participated in archery, athletics, badminton, fencing, judo, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, and volleyball.
– Initially, India’s wushu team was also set to participate in this competition, but due to a visa controversy, they withdrew their participation.
FISU : International University Sports Federation
—————–
9. How many gold medals did Indian players win in the FISU World University Games 2023?
a. 8
b. 11
c. 15
d. 20
Answer: b. 11
India’s Medal Tally:
Gold: 11
Silver: 5
Bronze: 10
Total: 26
—————-
10. Under which campaign Sports Authority of India (SAI) launched a short movie series titled ‘Halla Bol’?
a. Bol India
b. Cheer4India
c. Hello India
d. None of the above
Answer: b. Cheer4India
– In the coming weeks, there is a plan to release a total of 12 short films by SAI.
– The objective of this initiative is to inspire athletes participating in the 2023 Asian Games and encourage youth to pursue a career in sports.
