Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 17th December 2024 - UPSC MCQ

La Niña typically leads to enhanced monsoon rainfall and cooler winters in India. This phenomenon is characterized by cooler sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, which can impact global weather patterns. In India, the effects of La Niña on climate play a crucial role in determining the intensity of monsoons and the temperatures experienced during the winter season.

1. Asia - Leads to drought-like conditions: This pair is incorrectly matched. La Niña typically results in normal to above-normal monsoon rainfall in Asia, which positively impacts agricultural yields, rather than causing drought-like conditions.

2. United States - Southern states experience increased rainfall: This pair is correctly matched. During La Niña events, the southern states of the United States usually experience wetter conditions due to increased rainfall.

3. India - Enhances monsoon rainfall: This pair is correctly matched. In India, La Niña is known for enhancing the monsoon rainfall, which can lead to a robust monsoon season, aiding in agriculture and improving water resources.

4. Atlantic Ocean - Decreases hurricane activity: This pair is incorrectly matched. La Niña actually increases hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean due to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns that favor hurricane development.

Thus, the correctly matched pairs are 2 and 3, making Option B: Only two pairs the correct choice.

Exercise SLINEX between India and Sri Lanka primarily aims at fostering maritime cooperation. This bilateral naval exercise, initiated in 2005, focuses on enhancing collaboration at sea. The exercise involves joint exercises such as Special Forces operations, gun firings, communication drills, and navigation evolutions, emphasizing the importance of working together in maritime domains to promote mutual understanding and interoperability between the two navies.

To determine the correct statements, let's analyze each one:

1. Statement 1: Exercise SLINEX is an annual trilateral naval exercise involving India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives.

- This statement is incorrect. SLINEX is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka, not involving the Maldives. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect.

2. Statement 2: The 2024 edition of SLINEX will feature both Harbour and Sea Phases, focusing on professional exchanges and joint exercises.

- This statement is correct. The 2024 SLINEX exercise is indeed divided into a Harbour Phase and a Sea Phase. During these phases, participants engage in professional and social exchanges and conduct various joint exercises such as Special Forces operations, gun firings, communication drills, and more. Thus, statement 2 is correct.

3. Statement 3: The exercise aims to enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two participating navies.

- This statement is correct. One of the primary objectives of SLINEX is to enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability between the Indian and Sri Lankan navies. Over the years, the exercise has broadened its scope to achieve these goals effectively. Therefore, statement 3 is correct.

Based on the analysis, statements 2 and 3 are correct. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 2 and 3 Only.

Statement-I refers to Exercise SLINEX 2024, which is actually a bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka, not involving the United Kingdom. On the other hand, Statement-II incorrectly states that the United Kingdom is one of the founding members of the CPTPP, which is not accurate. The United Kingdom recently joined the CPTPP as the 12th member but was not part of the original founding members. Hence, Statement-I is correct regarding the Exercise SLINEX 2024, while Statement-II is incorrect regarding the CPTPP membership of the United Kingdom.

The recent observations made by the Supreme Court indicate that reservations cannot be granted solely on the basis of religion. This underscores the importance of having objective criteria and considerations beyond religious identity when implementing reservation policies. This decision reflects the ongoing debate and legal frameworks surrounding reservations in India, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to address issues of backwardness and representation.

1. Statement 1: True
   The Supreme Court has explicitly stated that reservations under Article 16(4) cannot be based solely on religion. This is because Article 16(4) permits reservations for socially and educationally backward classes, but the classification must be based on objective criteria, not just religion.

2. Statement 2: True
   The Indra Sawhney judgment (1992) clarified that religion alone cannot be the basis for granting reservations. It emphasized the need for socio-economic backwardness as the primary criterion for identifying backward classes.

3. Statement 3: True
   The Calcutta High Court, in striking down reservations for certain communities, highlighted the lack of objective and scientific criteria in determining backwardness. Courts have consistently required empirical data and evidence-based assessment to justify reservations.

Thus, all three statements are correct.

Statement-I is correct because the Supreme Court's observation aligns with the principles established in the Indra Sawhney case, emphasizing that reservations should not be solely based on religion. Statement-II is also correct as the Calcutta High Court's ruling emphasized the need for objective criteria in granting reservations, which resonates with the principles mentioned in the Indra Sawhney case. Statement-II further explains why the Supreme Court's observation is significant in the context of OBC reservations for classes predominantly from the Muslim community.

- Statement 1: This statement is correct. As the Indian Railways pushes for 100% electrification, diesel locomotives are being retired prematurely. These locomotives, however, are still crucial in regions with inadequate electrification infrastructure, indicating a strategic oversight in the electrification policy.

- Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. The shift to electric locomotives does not inherently reduce reliance on coal-fired power plants. In fact, much of India's electricity generation still depends on coal, so electrification of railways may not significantly reduce coal dependency or associated pollution unless the energy mix shifts towards more renewable sources.

- Statement 3: This statement is correct. The export of diesel locomotives showcases a paradox in the Indian Railways' green initiatives. While India aims to eliminate domestic diesel traction, the exported locomotives continue to be used elsewhere, meaning the environmental impact is transferred rather than eliminated.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C. Statements 1 and 3 highlight the complexities and paradoxes in the Indian Railways' electrification strategy, while Statement 2 misrepresents the implications of electrification on coal dependency.

Statement-I is accurate as India has indeed inaugurated its first diabetes biobank at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) in Chennai in partnership with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). This initiative is aimed at enhancing scientific research on diabetes by providing a repository of biological samples.

Statement-II is also correct as the Indian Railways' Mission 100% Electrification initiative is focused on modernizing its rail network and eliminating diesel traction. While environmental pollution and foreign exchange costs reduction are highlighted as goals, the statement does not directly relate to the diabetes biobank initiative.

Therefore, both statements are individually correct, but they discuss different topics and are not directly related, making option (b) the correct choice.