Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs – October 18, 2022
October 20, 2022 October 20, 2022
1. Consider the following statements about Micronesia:
- The Federated States of Micronesia shares its sea borders with Guam, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau, Kiribati, and the Mariana Islands.
- It has 4th largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- Located in the Western Pacific, in the Micronesia sub-region of Oceania, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) consists of four island states, Yap, Chuuk, Kosrae and Pohnpei (where the capital Palikir is located), all in the Caroline Islands. Also known as the Carolines, it is a scattered archipelago of small islands that are divided between Micronesia and the Republic of Palau.
- FSM is composed of 607 islands and islets with a total land area of 702 square km. While this area is rather small, the islands stretch across an estimated 2,900 sq km of sea, giving the nation the 14th largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the world.
- The Federated States of Micronesia shares its sea borders with other small island nations and territories in the Micronesia region like Guam, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau, Kiribati, and the Mariana Islands. Its larger neighbouring states separated by large swathes of the Pacific Ocean include the Philippines in the west, Hawaii in the east, Papua New Guinea and Australia to the south, Japan to the north.
2. With respect to the Competition Commission of India, consider the following statements:
- It is a constitutional and quasi-judicial body.
- It works under the Ministry of Education.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory and quasi-judicial body working under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. It was established under the Competition Act, 2002 for the administration, implementation and enforcement of the Act, and was duly constituted in March 2009.
- Its functions are:
- To eliminate practices having adverse effects on competition
- To give opinion on competition issues
- To undertake competition advocacy
- To make the markets work for the benefit and welfare of consumers.
- Ensure fair and healthy competition in economic activities.
3. Which of the following pairs of ancient Indian texts and their authors are matched correctly?
- Baudhayana – Sulbasutra
- Varahmihira – Siddhant Siromani
- Brahmagupta – Brahmasphuṭasiddhanta
- Bhaskaracharya – Yogayatra
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 3 & 4
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] Only 1, 2 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 & 3]
Notes:- Baudhayana Sulbasutra contains a statement of what is called the Pythagoras theorem. The yajna rituals involved the construction of altars (Vedi) and fireplaces (Agni) in a variety of shapes such as isosceles triangles, symmetric trapezia, and rectangles. The sulbasutras describe steps towards the construction of these figures with prescribed sizes.
- Brihat Jataka or Brihat Jatakam or Brihajjatakam, is one of the five principal texts written by Varahamihira, the other four being Panchasiddhantika, Brihat Samhita, Laghu Jataka and Yogayatra. It is considered as one of the five main treatises on Hindu astrology on horoscopy.
- Brahmagupta was an Indian mathematician and astronomer. He is the author of the Brahmasphuṭasiddhanta and the Khandakhadyaka.
- Bhaskarcharya who was also known as Bhaskara II was a great mathematician. He wrote a book on mathematics known as Siddhant Siromani.
