Test: Weekly Current Affairs: April 22nd to 30th - CUET Commerce MCQ

The HKH Snow Update Report 2025 emphasizes alarming declines in snow persistence across the three major river basins of the Indian Subcontinent. This decline poses severe risks to water security for millions of people who rely on these water sources for drinking, agriculture, and hydropower. Understanding the implications of reduced snow cover is crucial, as it influences not only water availability but also regional climate patterns and ecosystems. An interesting fact is that snow acts as a natural reservoir, releasing water gradually during warmer months, which helps maintain river flow and supports agriculture during dry periods.

The Ganga Basin has seen a reduction in snow persistence of -24.1%, marking it at its lowest level in 23 years. This trend indicates significant climatic changes affecting water supply in the region. The Ganga River is vital for millions, and understanding these changes is crucial for future water resource management.

The significant geological discovery made beneath the icy waters of the Davis Strait is the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent. This ancient landmass is thought to be a remnant from the time when Greenland and North America began to drift apart, showcasing the complex tectonic activities that have shaped the region over millions of years. This finding enhances our understanding of continental drift and the geological history of the North Atlantic.

The Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) is designed primarily to allow banks to deposit their surplus funds with the Reserve Bank of India without the need for collateral. This tool plays a crucial role in managing liquidity within the banking system, especially during periods of high liquidity where banks may have excess funds. The SDF helps banks earn interest on these deposits, thereby enhancing their liquidity management strategies. Interestingly, the SDF was introduced to replace the reverse repo rate as the lower bound of the liquidity adjustment facility corridor, reflecting an evolution in how the RBI manages banking liquidity.

The Shenzhou-20 mission's main objective is to transport three astronauts to the Tiangong space station, where they will rotate with the crew of Shenzhou-19. This mission highlights China's ongoing commitment to manned space exploration and its efforts to maintain a continuous human presence in space.

The Tianhe module serves as the primary living quarters and control center for the Tiangong space station. It is crucial for managing the operations of the station and supports life support systems for astronauts. The design allows for independent power and propulsion, ensuring that the station can operate autonomously. Interestingly, the module's capabilities mark a significant advancement in China’s space exploration efforts, highlighting its growing presence in the field.

The current global emission policies present a concerning 62% risk of triggering critical climate tipping points. This highlights the urgency for immediate action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and avoid severe ecological consequences. For context, tipping points refer to thresholds in the climate system where small changes can lead to significant and often irreversible effects, such as the collapse of ice sheets or the decline of coral reefs.

The Bombay High Court expressed concern that granting temporary permission for surrogacy to a divorced woman could lead to broader implications, particularly the commercialization of surrogacy. This concern stems from the belief that allowing surrogacy for individuals who do not fit the established criteria could undermine the regulatory framework designed to protect against exploitation and unethical practices in the surrogacy industry. An interesting fact is that surrogacy laws vary significantly across countries, with some nations completely prohibiting commercial surrogacy to safeguard women and children involved in the process.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty as part of their five-point action plan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. This treaty, established in 1960, regulates the sharing of river water between India and Pakistan. Suspending it is a significant diplomatic move aimed at exerting pressure on Pakistan regarding its support for terrorism. An interesting fact is that the Indus Waters Treaty is one of the most comprehensive water-sharing agreements in the world, managing the flow of water from the Indus River and its tributaries.

The use of M4 carbine assault rifles by terrorist groups in Kashmir raises significant security concerns, particularly regarding their acquisition through black markets. The proliferation of such advanced weaponry indicates a troubling trend where terrorist organizations can access sophisticated firearms, which enhances their capability to conduct lethal attacks. This situation underscores the need for enhanced security measures and international cooperation to combat the spread of arms in conflict zones.

The primary concern regarding the drought conditions affecting the Krishna River is its early drying up. This phenomenon is severely impacting agriculture and drinking water supplies in northern Karnataka. The early depletion of the river's water not only threatens crop yields but also raises urgent demands for water from neighboring states to mitigate the crisis. Droughts like this can lead to long-term socio-economic challenges, including food insecurity and conflicts over water resources.

The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) is specifically designed to offer financial incentives to tropical nations for the conservation and restoration of their forests. By employing satellite monitoring, the TFFF evaluates forest preservation efforts and rewards countries based on their performance in maintaining these vital ecosystems. This initiative is a significant step towards promoting sustainable environmental practices and combating climate change.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is the organization that took over the investigation of the Pahalgam terror attack. The NIA was established in 2008 to handle terrorism-related cases that often involve complex inter-State and international implications. This agency plays a crucial role in addressing serious threats to India's sovereignty and security, highlighting the severity of the situation following the attack.

The acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets primarily aims to improve India's naval operational capabilities. These jets are designed specifically for carrier operations, which allows the Indian Navy to enhance its air power and operational readiness at sea. The Rafale-Marine's capabilities, such as anti-ship strikes and reconnaissance, provide a significant boost to India's defense strategy in maritime environments. This procurement not only strengthens naval power but also underscores India's commitment to modernizing its defense forces in alignment with strategic objectives.

The Kartarpur Corridor primarily facilitates visa-free pilgrimage for Indian Sikhs to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, which is the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. This corridor allows up to 5,000 pilgrims to visit daily, symbolizing a bridge of peace and cultural exchange despite political tensions between the two countries. An interesting fact is that the corridor was inaugurated on November 9, 2019, coinciding with the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, highlighting its cultural and religious significance.

The primary constitutional mandate for the election of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is that they must be elected by a simple majority of the members present and voting. This process ensures that the Deputy Speaker has the support of the majority, which is crucial for maintaining order and balance in legislative proceedings. Interestingly, the election can occur during any session of the Lok Sabha, although it typically takes place during the second session.

The primary goal of the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI) is to establish a reliable certification system for green hydrogen production. This scheme aims to enhance transparency and trust in the market, ensuring that the production of green hydrogen is traceable and credible. By doing so, it supports India's clean energy transition and helps in meeting environmental goals. An interesting fact is that green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, which can lead to a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

The report indicates that effective water management is urgently needed due to significant declines in snow persistence in the Himalayan region. As snow cover diminishes, the reliability of water resources decreases, which can lead to severe consequences for agriculture, drinking water supplies, and hydroelectric power generation. The need for strategic water management becomes critical in ensuring that the population can adapt to these changes and secure their water needs. Interestingly, regions dependent on glacial meltwater are particularly vulnerable, as the initial increase in meltwater can eventually lead to water shortages as glaciers retreat.

The ongoing decline in snow persistence, which has been below normal for three consecutive years, raises concerns about long-term water stress for communities reliant on seasonal snowmelt. As snowmelt diminishes, particularly during early summer, the water supply becomes critically affected, especially for populations already facing other climate-related challenges such as heatwaves. This illustrates the interconnectedness of climate patterns and human sustainability.

The continental crust of the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent measures between 12 and 15 miles (approximately 19 to 24 kilometers) thick. This thickness is unusually substantial for a submerged landmass and indicates that this geological feature has a unique formation history, which is essential for understanding the tectonic processes in the region. The discovery of such a thick crust adds valuable insight into the geological dynamics at play during the separation of Greenland and North America.

The introduction of the Standing Deposit Facility has significantly influenced how banks manage their liquidity. Specifically, banks have shown a preference for holding larger balances under the SDF instead of utilizing the variable rate reverse repo (VRRR) to meet immediate liquidity needs. This shift indicates a trend towards leveraging the SDF for its flexibility and the ability to earn interest on surplus funds without the constraints of collateral requirements. This adaptability is crucial for banks in navigating varying liquidity conditions, showcasing the SDF's effectiveness as a modern liquidity management tool. An interesting fact is that the SDF rate is set at 25 basis points below the policy repo rate, which helps maintain a balanced liquidity adjustment facility corridor.

April 24 marks the anniversary of the launch of Dongfanghong-1, China's first satellite, in 1970. This day is celebrated as Space Day in China and symbolizes the nation’s advancements in space technology and exploration. The establishment of this day serves to inspire public interest and pride in China's achievements in the field of space science.

The Tiangong space station is expected to operate until at least 2028, reflecting China's long-term commitment to space exploration. Unlike the ISS, which has 16 modules, Tiangong has three modules, making it smaller but still equipped with independent systems for power, propulsion, and life support. This operational timeline allows for ongoing scientific research and international collaboration in various fields of study. Interestingly, the Tiangong station's modular design enables future expansions and upgrades, showcasing the adaptability of modern space infrastructure.

Adopting more sustainable practices can significantly decrease the risk of climate tipping points from 62% to 37%. Sustainable practices may include transitioning to renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, and promoting conservation efforts. Such measures are essential to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect vital ecosystems. Interestingly, the concept of sustainability not only addresses environmental concerns but also promotes economic and social well-being, making it a holistic approach to global challenges.

Under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, one of the key eligibility criteria states that the woman must be aged between 25 and 50 years, while the man must be between 26 and 55 years. Importantly, intended parents cannot have any living children, which means that single individuals and those with existing children are not eligible for surrogacy under this regulation. This law aims to ensure that surrogacy is pursued by couples who genuinely need assistance due to medical conditions preventing conception. An additional fact is that altruistic surrogacy, where no financial gain is involved beyond medical expenses, is encouraged, whereas commercial surrogacy is banned to prevent exploitation.