Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs – August 18, 2022 [Mock Test]
August 18, 2022 August 18, 2022
1. With respect to the Liquid Nano Urea (LNU), consider the following statements:
- The first LNU plant was inaugurated at Kalol, Gujarat.
- Its efficiency is as high as 85-90%.
- It is spread directly on to the root nodules of crops.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 & 2]
Notes:- Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated thefirst Liquid Nano Urea (LNU) plant at Kalol, Gujarat.
- LNU is urea in the form of a nanoparticle. It is a nutrient (liquid) to provide nitrogen to plants as an alternative to the conventional urea.
- It is indigenously developed by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)’ Nano Biotechnology Research Centre, Kalol.
- While conventional urea has an efficiency of about 25 %, the efficiency of liquid nano urea can be as high as 85-90 %. It is sprayed directly on the leaves and gets absorbed by the plant.
- Fertilisers in nano form provide a targeted supply of nutrients to crops, as they are absorbed by the stomata, pores found on the epidermis of leaves.
- A bottle of the nano urea can effectively replace at least one bag of urea.
2. Which of the following Indian states is the top sugar producer as per recent data?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maharashtra]
Notes:- After a five-year gap, Maharashtra has overtaken Uttar Pradesh (UP) as India’s top sugar producer. Karnataka and Gujarat are the third and fourth largest sugarcane producers.
3. Consider the following statements:
- Defining any sexual act that is non-consensual as rape is part of the Istanbul Convention.
- Belgium, Cyprus, Germany have defined consensual sex in their laws.
- Spain’s Guarantee of Sexual Freedom bill does not require sexual assault victims to provide proof of sexual violence.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:- Spain’s Guarantee of Sexual Freedom bill, popularly known as ‘only yes means yes’, will make consent a significant determinant in cases of sexual assault.
- It does not require sexual assault victims to provide proof of sexual violence or physical resistance. In fact, it states that any sexual act without consent will be considered sexual assault.
- According to a report by Amnesty International, nine countries around the world have defined consensual sex in their laws. These countries consider sex without consent as rape.
- These include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Iceland, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland.
- Other than this, three other countries which have amended their laws to define non-consensual sex as rape are Austria, Montenegro, and Portugal.
- Defining any sexual act that is non-consensual as rape is also a part of the Istanbul Convention, which prevents and combats any violence including domestic violence against women.
- The Istanbul Convention has been signed by 34 countries around the world, out of which Turkey decided to pull out of the treaty last year.
