Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 12th February 2025 - UPSC MCQ

The main focus of the 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF) is to enhance collaboration within the fisheries and aquaculture sectors across Asia. This significant event aims to bring together researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss and promote cooperation in these critical sectors. By facilitating collaboration, the forum seeks to address key challenges and foster sustainable practices in fisheries and aquaculture, contributing to the growth and development of the industry in the region.

1. 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum - Hosted in New Delhi, 2025
Correct. The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from February 12-14, 2025.

2. Forest Fires in India - Human activities account for 90% of incidents
Correct. It is stated that human activities account for nearly 90% of forest fires in India.

3. Gross Domestic Knowledge Product (GDKP) - Aims to measure productivity in traditional manufacturing sectors
Incorrect. The GDKP aims to measure the influence of knowledge on economic and social spheres, focusing on knowledge-driven sectors, not traditional manufacturing.

4. Asian Fisheries Society Headquarters - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Correct. The headquarters of the Asian Fisheries Society is indeed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, while Pair 3 is not.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Devolution Index indeed assesses the progress of decentralized governance based on various dimensions, including Framework and Finances among others like Functions, Functionaries, Capacity Building, and Accountability of the Panchayats. This is part of its comprehensive evaluation of the status of decentralization in India.

- Statement 2 is correct. The Devolution Index serves as a tool for enhancing cooperative federalism and local self-governance. It provides insights into the extent to which Panchayats can independently make and execute decisions, thus promoting better local governance.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The extent of devolution to Panchayats is guided by Article 243G of the Indian Constitution, which provides constitutional backing for the empowerment of Panchayati Raj institutions to function as units of self-government. Therefore, the report’s analysis is indeed linked to Article 243G.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B.

- Statement 1: This statement is correct. SAFTA is a free trade agreement among the SAARC member countries, which include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. This aligns with the factual information about SAFTA's membership.

- Statement 2: This statement is also correct. One of the primary objectives of SAFTA is to eliminate trade barriers and facilitate the cross-border movement of goods among the SAARC member countries. SAFTA aims at enhancing trade and economic cooperation by reducing tariffs and other trade restrictions.

- Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. While the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) has indeed approached the government to impose regulations, the request specifically targets imports from Nepal and other SAARC countries where misuse of SAFTA norms is suspected, not from all SAARC countries indiscriminately.

The correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only, as statements 1 and 2 accurately reflect the objectives and composition of SAFTA, while statement 3 misrepresents the specific focus of the SEA's request.

1. SAFTA Member Countries: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The given pair lists Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Maldives, which are correct members, but it excludes India and some others. However, the given pair is not incorrect because it only lists a subset of the members, not stating it is exhaustive. Thus, this pair is correctly matched.

2. Objectives of SAFTA: The objectives of SAFTA include eliminating trade barriers and ensuring fair competition among member countries. This pair is correctly matched as it aligns with the agreement's goals to facilitate trade and economic cooperation.

3. SAFTA Implementation Year: SAFTA came into effect in 2006. This pair is correctly matched.

4. SEA Concerns: The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) has expressed concerns about the misuse of SAFTA norms by countries such as Nepal, not by India itself. This pair is incorrectly matched.

Pairs 1, 2, and 3 are correctly matched. Pair 4 is incorrectly matched.

Statement-I is correct as it highlights the request made by the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India regarding the regulation of edible oil imports from Nepal and other SAARC countries under SAFTA due to misuse.
Statement-II is also correct as it mentions the allocation of Rs. 96,777 crore for urban development in the Union Budget 2025, showing a consistent increase in budgetary allocations for this sector.
However, Statement-I and Statement-II are unrelated, focusing on different topics - one on trade regulations and the other on urban development budgets. Therefore, while both statements are individually correct, they do not explain each other.

The Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) is designed to support farmers in the procurement of perishable agricultural and horticultural commodities, especially in situations where the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is not applicable. The recent updates by the central government aim to enhance the scope and operational efficiency of the MIS to better assist farmers during market fluctuations and distress.

To determine the correct answer, let's analyze each statement:

1. Statement 1: "The procurement limit for crop production quantity under the scheme has been increased from 20% to 25%."
This statement is correct. The revised guidelines indeed increased the procurement limit for crop production quantity from 20% to 25%.

2. Statement 2: "States now have the option to physically procure the commodities instead of transferring the difference between the Market Intervention Price (MIP) and the selling price to farmers' bank accounts."
This statement is incorrect. The revised guidelines provide states with the option to transfer the difference between the MIP and the selling price directly to farmers' bank accounts instead of physical procurement, not the other way around.

3. Statement 3: "The revised guidelines integrate the Market Intervention Scheme as a component of the PM-AASHA scheme."
This statement is correct. The MIS has been integrated as a component of the PM-AASHA scheme under the revised guidelines.

Hence, the correct statements are 1 and 3. Therefore, the answer is Option C.

1. Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) - Direct transfers to farmers' bank accounts: Correct. As per the revised guidelines, states have the option to directly transfer the difference between the Market Intervention Price (MIP) and the selling price to farmers' bank accounts instead of physical procurement.

2. ASPIRE Programme - Focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency: Correct. The ASPIRE programme, part of the India-UK Energy for Growth Partnership, focuses on expanding renewable energy, reforming power distribution, and enhancing energy efficiency.

3. Kaveri 2.0 - Cyber Security Operation Centre in Karnataka: Incorrect. Kaveri 2.0 experienced a significant DDoS attack highlighting cybersecurity vulnerabilities. However, Karnataka lacks a dedicated Cyber Security Operation Centre, which has been identified as a gap in its cybersecurity infrastructure.

4. PM-AASHA Scheme - Integration with Market Intervention Scheme: Correct. The revised guidelines have integrated the Market Intervention Scheme as a component of the PM-AASHA scheme.

Pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 3 is incorrectly matched. Hence, the correct answer is Option C: Only three pairs.

Statement-I correctly explains that the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) is initiated based on requests from State or Union Territory governments for the procurement of perishable commodities where Minimum Support Price (MSP) is not applicable. Statement-II complements this by stating that the revised guidelines now incorporate the MIS as a component of the PM-AASHA scheme, which enhances the scope and operational efficiency of the MIS. Therefore, both statements are factual, and Statement-II provides additional information that supports and explains Statement-I.