Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 29th November 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Statement 1 is correct. AMRUT 2.0 indeed aims to provide universal coverage of water supply and sewage services to 500 cities and 4,900 statutory towns as part of its goal to enhance urban infrastructure and improve living conditions.

Statement 2 is correct. The mission emphasizes a circular economy by promoting the reuse of treated sewage and water conservation, which aligns with its objectives to improve water management practices and ensure sustainable usage of resources.

Statement 3 is incorrect. While funding for AMRUT 2.0 is allocated to States/UTs, it is not solely based on population density. The funding is distributed based on an equitable formula with a 50:50 weightage distribution among various factors, not just population density.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

1. Safe-Harbour Provisions - Correctly matched. Safe-harbour provisions indeed protect intermediaries like Wikimedia from being held liable for user-generated content, provided they comply with certain conditions laid out in the Information Technology Act, 2000.

2. Extended Confirmed Protection - Incorrectly matched. Extended confirmed protection on Wikipedia allows edits only by users who have a certain level of experience, not just administrators. Full protection is the level that restricts editing to administrators only.

3. National Population Register (NPR) - Incorrectly matched. The NPR is a register of residents of India, which collects demographic and biometric data. However, it is not solely or specifically about biometric data; it includes demographic data primarily, and biometric data is collected as part of the Aadhaar enrollment, which is linked but not exclusive to NPR.

4. National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC) - Correctly matched. The NRIC is intended to be a registry that verifies Indian citizenship, differentiating citizens from non-citizens as per the Citizenship Act.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched.

To determine the correctness of the statements, let's analyze each one:
1. Statement 1: The National Security Guard was established in response to the terrorist challenges post Operation Blue Star, not the Akshardham Temple attack. The NSG was formed on October 16, 1984, as a direct response to the challenges posed by terrorism faced during that period, particularly after Operation Blue Star. Thus, this statement is incorrect.
2. Statement 2: The NSG operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs of India, not the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Home Affairs oversees various paramilitary and special forces, including the NSG. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. Personnel for the NSG are indeed recruited from both the Indian Army and the Central Armed Police Forces. This recruitment strategy ensures that the NSG has a blend of military and paramilitary expertise, which is essential for its specialized anti-terrorism operations.
Based on the analysis, only statement 3 is correct. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

The primary objective of AUKUS, the trilateral security partnership between the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, is to enhance technology sharing within the Indo-Pacific region. This alliance aims to bolster cooperation in advanced military capabilities such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technologies, Innovation, Information Sharing, Cyber Operations, Undersea Warfare, Hypersonic and Counter-Hypersonic Technologies, and Electronic Warfare. By focusing on technology sharing, AUKUS seeks to address security concerns and strategic interests in the region effectively.

Statement-I correctly describes the aim of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0, which indeed focuses on providing comprehensive water supply and sewage services in 500 cities and 4,900 statutory towns.
Statement-II accurately states the operational range and fuel type of the K-4 ballistic missile, which is approximately 3,500 kilometers and solid-fuelled for quick launch capabilities.
However, these statements are unrelated to each other, addressing different topics—urban infrastructure development and ballistic missile technology—without any explanatory relationship. Hence, both statements are correct independently, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I, making option (b) the correct choice.

Statement 1 is correct. AUKUS is indeed a trilateral security partnership formed in 2021 between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Its primary objective is to enhance technology sharing and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on countering strategic threats, particularly from China.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The AUKUS agreement does not involve the transfer of nuclear weapons to Australia. Instead, it focuses on providing Australia with nuclear-powered submarines that are conventionally armed. This is in line with Australia's commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which prohibits the acquisition or deployment of nuclear weapons.

Statement 3 is correct. AUKUS does aim to equip Australia with conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. This initiative is part of strengthening Australia's defense capabilities, offering advantages like extended operational range, greater endurance, and enhanced stealth capabilities without involving nuclear armaments.

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

The primary objective of the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC) is to strengthen national security by maintaining a verified registry of Indian citizens. This serves as a protective measure to differentiate citizens from non-citizens, helping to identify potential security threats. The NRIC also aids in streamlining identity verification processes and facilitating targeted welfare programs, ultimately enhancing public trust in governance by providing a universally recognized identity document.

The Siberian Demoiselle crane is affectionately called Koonj or Kurjaa in Indian culture primarily due to its remarkable migratory nature and long-distance flights. These cranes are known for traveling significant distances between their breeding and wintering habitats, making them a symbol of strength and endurance in Indian cultural beliefs. This behavior contributes to their significance and the reverence they hold in Indian folklore and traditions.

1. National Security Guard (NSG) Formation Year - 1984: Correct. The NSG was indeed formed on October 16, 1984, in response to the challenges posed by terrorism following Operation Blue Star.

2. NSG Motto - "Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha": Correct. The motto of the NSG is "Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha," which translates to "Best Security Everywhere."

3. Bar-Tailed Godwit IUCN Status - Vulnerable: Incorrect. The Bar-Tailed Godwit is listed as "Near Threatened" on the IUCN Red List, not "Vulnerable."

4. Jarawa Tribe Language Family - Austroasiatic: Incorrect. The language spoken by the Jarawa tribe belongs to the Ongan language family, not Austroasiatic. The Ongan languages are indigenous to the Andaman Islands.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched.

All three statements are correct based on the information provided:

1. Statement 1: The Siberian Demoiselle crane is indeed the smallest crane species and holds cultural significance in India, where it is known as Koonj or Kurjaa. This cultural association is an important aspect of its identification and relevance in Indian tradition.

2. Statement 2: The Baltic Sea is known for its brackish water, a result of limited water exchange with the North Sea and substantial freshwater inflow from surrounding rivers. This unique characteristic of the Baltic Sea affects its ecology and marine life.

3. Statement 3: The breeding range of the Siberian Demoiselle crane spans Central Eurasia, from the Black Sea region to Northeast China and Mongolia. During winter, these cranes migrate to the Indian subcontinent, showcasing their extensive migratory patterns.

Each statement accurately reflects the factual details of the Siberian Demoiselle crane and the Baltic Sea, making the correct answer Option D.