Gross Value Added numbers and the Economy (Economy)
Deep Sea Microplastics (Env)
Suspend imports of Rubber : UIPSA (Economy)
Serotonin triggers desert locusts swarm (Science)
Figuring out COVID 19 terminologies (Science)
Questions for the day
[{"explanation": "<p>A research paper has highlighted that thes sociological change in locusts to gather in swarms is because of change in central nervous system caused due to serotonin which affects their mood and social behaviour.</p>\n<p>So, a potential way to prevent forming of swarms is to spray serotonin inhibitor which reduces the level of serotonin responsible for swarm formation in locusts. However, more research is required in this area.</p>", "question": "<p>Which of the following chemicals is responsible for the locusts to form swarms and attack crops?</p>", "options": [{"option_id": "5edcfd2d7737d44460b0cc0f", "is_correct_answer": true, "title": "<p>Serotonin</p>"}, {"option_id": "5edcfd2d7737d44460b0cc10", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>Dopamine</p>"}, {"option_id": "5edcfd2d7737d44460b0cc11", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>Glutamate</p>"}, {"option_id": "5edcfd2d7737d44460b0cc12", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>Endorphins</p>"}], "question_id": "5edcfd2d7737d44460b0cc0e"}, {"explanation": "<p>The gross value added (GVA) is defined as the value of total output minus the value of intermediate consumption. Hence, in order to measure the GVA, we would be required to deduct the cost of raw materials and intermediate goods from the total output in an economy.</p>\n<p>Thus, GVA is considered to be measurement of economic activity from the perspective of the manufacturer (rather than from the perspective of end consumer).</p>\n<p>Since 2015 sector-wise estimates of gross value added (GVA) is given at basic prices instead of factor cost</p>", "question": "<p>Which of the following statements about Gross Value Added is correct?</p>", "options": [{"option_id": "5edcfd717737d44460b0cc17", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>It measures economic activity from the perspective of the consumer.</p>"}, {"option_id": "5edcfd717737d44460b0cc18", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>India uses GVA at factor cost to determine GDP</p>"}, {"option_id": "5edcfd717737d44460b0cc19", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>Both 1 and 2</p>"}, {"option_id": "5edcfd717737d44460b0cc1a", "is_correct_answer": true, "title": "<p>Neither 1 nor 2</p>"}], "question_id": "5edcfd717737d44460b0cc16"}, {"explanation": "<p>Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic that pollute the environment.</p>\n<p>Microplastics are not a specific kind of plastic, but rather any type of plastic fragment that is less than 5 mm in length.</p>\n<p>Although being lighter, sea surface accumulations only account for ~1% of the estimated global marine plastic budget. Most of the remaining 99% of plastic ends up in the deep sea.</p>\n<p>A considerable proportion (estimated at 13.5%) of the marine plastic budget occurs as microplastics previous studies have so far proposed that microplastics are transported to the seafloor by vertical settling from surface accumulations; But a new study shows that the spatial distribution and ultimate fate of microplastics are strongly controlled by near-bed thermohaline currents (bottom currents). These currents are known to supply oxygen and nutrients to deep-sea benthos, suggesting that deep-sea biodiversity hotspots are also likely to be microplastic hotspots.</p>", "question": "<p>Consider the following statements Microplastics:</p>\n<ol>\n<li>Deep sea biodiversity hotspots are also hotspots for Microplastic.</li>\n<li>More than 50% of Marine Plastic Budget comprises of Microplastic.</li>\n</ol>\n<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>", "options": [{"option_id": "5edcfdc07737d44455e22ea5", "is_correct_answer": true, "title": "1 only"}, {"option_id": "5edcfdc07737d44455e22ea6", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "2 only"}, {"option_id": "5edcfdc07737d44455e22ea7", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "Both 1 and 2"}, {"option_id": "5edcfdc07737d44455e22ea8", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "Neither 1 nor 2"}], "question_id": "5edcfdc07737d44455e22ea4"}, {"explanation": "<p>The Gross domestic Product (GDP) is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time. Depending upon the market price chosen for the calculation of GDP, there are two variants:</p>\n<p>Real GDP: The GDP which is calculated by using the Base year prices is referred to as Real GDP. Since, it takes into account base year prices, it is also referred to as GDP at constant prices.</p>\n<p>Nominal GDP: The GDP which is calculated by using the current market prices is referred to as Nominal GDP. It is also referred to as GDP at current market prices.</p>\n<p>The Nominal GDP can increase even without increase in the production of Goods and Services. It can increase when only the prices of Goods and services increase.</p>\n<p>However, the Real GDP takes into account only the increase in Quantity ( as compared to Base year) and hence provides a better picture of the economy in the long run. <br>If the Nominal GDP is higher than Real GDP, then it denotes Inflation in an economy. <br>If the Real GDP is higher than Nominal GDP, it denotes deflation in the economy.</br></br></p>", "question": "<p>Consider the following statements about GDP:</p>\n<ol>\n<li>If Nominal GDP is higher than Real GDP it indicates Inflation.</li>\n<li>Real GDP can increase if there is increase in prices only.</li>\n</ol>\n<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>", "options": [{"option_id": "5edcfe1b7737d44455e22ead", "is_correct_answer": true, "title": "1 only"}, {"option_id": "5edcfe1b7737d44455e22eae", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "2 only"}, {"option_id": "5edcfe1b7737d44455e22eaf", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "Both 1 and 2"}, {"option_id": "5edcfe1b7737d44455e22eb0", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "Neither 1 nor 2"}], "question_id": "5edcfe1b7737d44455e22eac"}, {"explanation": "<p>India’s 1st solar-powered ferry, Aditya has been shortlisted for the Gustave Trouve\u0301 Award.</p>\n<p>Gustave Trouve\u0301 Award is a global award instituted after a Gustave Trouve, a French inventor who developed electric outboard motor that was used to propel boats.</p>", "question": "<p>Recently India's first solar powered ferry has been shortlisted for the Gustave Trouve award. What is the name of the ferry?</p>", "options": [{"option_id": "5edcfe657737d44455e22eb6", "is_correct_answer": true, "title": "<p>Aditya</p>"}, {"option_id": "5edcfe657737d44455e22eb7", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>Surya</p>"}, {"option_id": "5edcfe657737d44455e22eb8", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>Bhanu</p>"}, {"option_id": "5edcfe657737d44455e22eb9", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>Ravi</p>"}], "question_id": "5edcfe657737d44455e22eb5"}]
The National Statistical Office (NSO) has recently released the provisional estimates of GDP growth rate for the financial year 2019-20. As per this estimate, the Real GDP growth rate is only around 4.2%, which is considered to be lowest in the last 11 years. Similarly, the Nominal GDP growth rate has also reduced from 11% (2018-19) to 7.2% (2019-20). Further, it has also come out with the data related to GVA at basic prices for the different sectors in the economy for the first three quarters. Now, this data about the first 3 quarters is based upon the updated information available with the NSO.
National Statistical Office (NSO)
Data related to GVA at basic prices
Gross Domestic Product- Real GDP and Nominal GDP
GDP at Factor Cost
Approaches to measure GDP
Understanding the Gross Value Added(GVA)
Relationship between GDP and GVA
Changes in the GDP calculation methodology in 2015
DEEP SEA MICROPLASTICS
Although microplastics are known to pervade the global seafloor, the processes that control their dispersal and concentration in the deep sea remain largely unknown. A recent publication in “Science” has come out with a research which shows that thermo haline driven currents, which build extensive seafloor sediment accumulations, can control the distribution of microplastics and create hotspots with the highest concentrations reported for any seafloor setting (190 pieces per 50 grams).
What are Micro Plastics?
what this study wants to say:
How is this research significant?
What causes micro-beads to spread
Circulation of Ocean Currents
SUSPEND IMPORT OF RUBBER: UPASI
United Planters’ Association of Southern India (UPASI) has asked the government to suspend the import of natural rubber for 2 years. It has also recommended the Government to impose safeguard duty on imports for 3 years once the suspension on imports is revoked.
Importance of Natural Rubber
India's Rubber Production
Legal and Institutional Framework
Strengths and Challenges of Indian Rubber Sector
Broad Contours of National Rubber Policy 2019
SEROTONIN TRIGGERS DESERT LOCUST SWARMS
The author highlights that more than finding new ways of killing locusts, there is need to research why these locusts gather in swarms to attack crops. In this context the author has mentioned about the problem of locusts as an ancient problems which needs to be studied in a different way based on a research paper published in 2009.
Locusts Problems is not a local problem
More Research Required on the gathering of Locusts into Swarms
Dishant Kumar 8 months ago
Sriram Subrahmanyan swamy 8 months ago
Anjali 8 months ago
Anjali 8 months ago
MRITUNJAY RAI 8 months ago
Kali Prasad 8 months ago
Anshul 8 months ago
Anshul 8 months ago