UPSC QUIZ 03.01.2024

Explanation:

• Researchers from Linköping University in Sweden have developed ‘Electronic Soil’ that can speed up the growth of plants in Hydroponic spaces.

Electronic Soil

• The electronic soil (eSoil) developed is a novel conductive cultivation substrate tailored specifically for hydroponic systems.
• Unlike traditional substrates like mineral wool, which are non-biodegradable and manufactured using energy-intensive processes, eSoil is composed of cellulose, a biopolymer, blended with a conductive polymer known as PEDOT (Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)).
• This innovative blend of materials allows for the stimulation of root systems in plants through low-power electrical currents.

Explanation:

• Allahabad High Court recently ruled that a survey will be conducted for the Shahi Idgah, a three-domed mosque in Mathura.
• It is seeking appointment of a court commission to inspect the Shahi Idgah mosque that stands adjacent to the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura.

History of the Disputed Land

• Raja Veer Singh Bundela of Orchha had also built a temple on the same premises in 1618 and the mosque was built by Aurangzeb in 1670 on the site of an earlier temple.
• The Krishna Janmasthan temple in Mathura is believed to have been built around 2,000 years ago, in the 1st century CE.
• A survey has been ordered due to demands by Hindu representatives for complete ownership of the premises where the Keshava Deva temple was destroyed on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1670.
• The area was regarded as nazul land — non-agricultural state land owned by the Marathas, and then the British.

Explanation:

• Horticulture Department of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) plans to expand its tree ambulance fleet in Delhi, aiming to triple the current number to 12 by 2024.
• Each of the 12 administrative zones will be assigned one tree ambulance, enhancing the city's capacity for timely and efficient tree care.

Tree Ambulance

• Tree Ambulance is an initiative that has been initiated to support “save trees” with the “vision to save the Earth”.
• The first phase of Tree Ambulance was flagged off and inaugurated in Chennai on the occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity, 2019 ( celebrated on 22nd May) by the Vice President of India.
• Tree Ambulances are run by botanists, forestry experts, gardeners, volunteers and tree surgeons and provide free services to people who call its helpline requesting help rescuing ailing trees and plants.

Explanation:

• Tenure of the PLI scheme extended by the government for the automobile industry by a year.
• A gadget notification has been issued by the Ministry of Heavy Industries to announce the extension of the tenure of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobiles and Auto Components by one year.
• This decision has been taken after getting the approval of the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGOS).
• Pursuant to the approval of EGOS, the Ministry of Heavy Industries has made partial amendments to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme and Guidelines of the Scheme for the Automobile and Auto Component Industry.
• These amendments, effective from the date of publication in the Official Gazette, are intended to provide clarity and flexibility to the Scheme.
• Under the revised scheme, the incentive will be applicable for five consecutive financial years starting from financial year 2023-24.
• The distribution of incentives will take place in the next financial year 2024-25.
• The scheme also clarifies that an approved applicant will be eligible for benefits for five consecutive financial years, but not more than the financial year ending March 31, 2028.
• Further, the amendments state that if an approved company fails to meet the prescribed selling price increase limit in the first year, it will not get any incentive for that year.
• However, it will still be eligible for benefits in the following year if it meets the threshold calculated based on a 10% year-on-year increase over the earlier year's threshold.
• The purpose of this provision is to ensure a level playing field for all approved companies and to protect those who choose to pursue their investments.
• The amendment also includes changes in the table showing the incentive outlay, taking the total indicative incentive amount to Rs 25,938 crore.

Explanation:

• Scientists have discovered an ancient mountain range hidden inside the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, the world's fastest ocean current.
• The ACC flows from west to east near Antarctica, connecting the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. This is the only current that flows in the oceans of the entire world.
• It is extremely wide, with a width of approximately 1250 kilometers, making it the widest of all ocean currents.
• It plays an important role in global ocean circulation and climate regulation. It redistributes heat and affects the global climate system.
• The ACC is also known as West Wind Drift because it is driven primarily by the strong westerly winds covering Antarctica in the Southern Hemisphere.
• This creates the Antarctic Convergence, where cold Antarctic waters meet warm sub-Antarctic waters, creating an area of nutrient upwelling and high biological productivity.