Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 14th October 2024 - UPSC MCQ

1. Wolf Warrior Diplomacy: Correctly matched. This refers to the aggressive and assertive diplomatic style used by Chinese officials to defend China's interests and counter foreign criticism.

2. Gray-Zone Tactics: Incorrectly matched. Gray-Zone Tactics involve strategies that blur the lines between peace and war, such as cyberattacks and propaganda, rather than direct military confrontation. They aim to achieve objectives without provoking a full-scale military response.

3. Salami Slicing: Correctly matched. This strategy involves making small, incremental moves over time to achieve larger goals without provoking significant backlash, often used to gradually gain control or advantage.

4. Anaconda Strategy: Incorrectly matched. The Anaconda Strategy involves a combination of military tactics, psychological pressure, and cyber warfare aimed at undermining defenses and applying continuous pressure, rather than a full-scale military invasion.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly describes the X-band radar's functionality, emphasizing its capability to emit radiation within a specific wavelength range for high-resolution imaging. Statement-II accurately explains the fundamental principle of radar technology, detailing how it employs radio waves to analyze the characteristics of nearby objects by sending and interpreting signals. Statement-II complements Statement-I by providing a broader context for the use of radar technology in various applications. Hence, both statements are correct, with Statement-II explaining the technical aspect introduced in Statement-I.

Dragon drones are primarily equipped to release thermite, a combination of aluminium and iron oxide. When ignited, thermite initiates a self-sustaining reaction that can burn through various materials, showcasing its destructive capabilities. The use of thermite in combination with high-precision drones makes these dragon drones particularly dangerous and effective in warfare scenarios.

- Statement 1 is incorrect. Alkanes are organic compounds composed entirely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, connected by single bonds, not double bonds. The presence of only single bonds distinguishes them from alkenes, which have at least one double bond.

- Statement 2 is correct. Alkanes are categorized into three main types: linear straight-chain alkanes, branched alkanes, and cycloalkanes. This classification is based on the structural differences in the carbon chain.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. Alkanes are generally inert and exhibit minimal chemical reactivity with other substances. They are not highly reactive and do not participate actively in most chemical processes within living organisms. Their primary reactions are combustion and halogenation under specific conditions.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option D: 2 Only.

China's 'Anaconda Strategy' aims to exert continuous pressure on Taiwan without necessitating a full-scale invasion. This strategy involves a combination of military tactics, psychological pressure, and cyber warfare to undermine Taiwan's defenses and compel the island to submit while avoiding direct military conflict. The ultimate goal is to exhaust Taiwan's resources and keep its forces in a defensive posture.

Alkanes are organic compounds characterized by being composed entirely of carbon and hydrogen atoms connected by single bonds. This unique structure results in alkanes being relatively unreactive compared to compounds with double or triple bonds.

• Statement-I correctly describes the features of Dragon drones, emphasizing their use of thermite which can burn underwater and cause severe burns on human skin. This is in alignment with the characteristics mentioned in the provided information.
• Statement-II accurately reflects the timeline of the deployment of Dragon drones in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, indicating their utilization since September with advanced precision capabilities. This statement complements the context provided.

Therefore, both statements are factually accurate, and Statement-II further elaborates on the deployment timeline of these drones, providing a comprehensive understanding of their usage in the conflict scenario.

1. Statement 1 is correct. Dragon drones are indeed capable of deploying thermite, a substance that can burn through a wide range of materials, including underwater, due to its self-sustaining reaction when ignited. This makes them particularly dangerous as they can inflict severe damage on military-grade vehicles and structures.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The use of thermite in warfare is not explicitly banned under international law. However, the use of incendiary weapons like thermite against civilian populations is prohibited under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. This distinction is crucial, as the law does not ban thermite outright but restricts its use against civilians.

3. Statement 3 is correct. Reports indicate that dragon drones were first utilized in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine around September, demonstrating their operational deployment in modern warfare.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

Statement 1 is correct. The 'Anaconda Strategy' employed by China aims to exert pressure on Taiwan to compel it to submit without necessitating a full-scale military invasion. This aligns with the strategic objective of wearing down Taiwan's defenses and forcing a submission through persistent pressure.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Although the strategy does involve military tactics and psychological pressure, it also includes cyber warfare as a key component. The combination of these elements is crucial in undermining Taiwan's defenses and maintaining pressure without direct confrontation.

Statement 3 is correct. The ultimate aim of the 'Anaconda Strategy' is to make Taiwan vulnerable while avoiding direct military conflict. This involves keeping Taiwan in a defensive posture and exhausting its capabilities, thereby rendering it susceptible to strategic manipulation or coercion without engaging in open warfare.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option B: 1 and 3 Only the correct answer.

1. Alkanes - Organic compounds with carbon-carbon double bonds

This pair is incorrectly matched. Alkanes are organic compounds consisting entirely of carbon and hydrogen atoms with single bonds. They do not have carbon-carbon double bonds; those compounds with double bonds are called alkenes.

2. Murine Typhus - Transmitted by mosquito bites

This pair is incorrectly matched. Murine typhus is transmitted by flea bites, specifically from the flea-borne bacterium Rickettsia typhi, and not by mosquito bites.

3. Kalleshwar Temple - Influenced by Rashtrakuta and Chola architecture

This pair is incorrectly matched. The Kalleshwar Temple in Karnataka is influenced by the Rashtrakuta and Western Chalukya architectural styles, not the Chola architecture. The temple's shikara exemplifies early Chalukya architecture.

4. Right to Information Act - Enforces transparency by mandating proactive disclosure of information

This pair is correctly matched. The Right to Information (RTI) Act in India is designed to promote transparency and accountability in governance by mandating the proactive disclosure of information by public authorities and allowing citizens to request information.

Only one pair is correctly matched, which is pair 4. Thus, the correct answer is Option A: Only one pair.