Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 6th November 2024 - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. The Sun does not rotate faster at its poles; instead, it rotates faster at the equator. The equatorial regions have the fastest rotation period, approximately 24.47 days, while the poles rotate slower with a period of about 31.1 days.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. The Sun's rotation period at the equator is indeed approximately 24.47 days. This is known as the sidereal rotation period, which is measured relative to distant stars.

- Statement 3: This statement is correct. The Sun's differential rotation is indeed influenced by its gaseous plasma composition. The Sun is composed of plasma rather than solid material, which allows different latitudinal regions to rotate at different speeds due to the convective dynamics within the Sun's outer layers.

Thus, only statements 2 and 3 are correct. Therefore, the correct answer is Option D: 2 and 3 Only.

Statement-I correctly highlights the impact of Dedicated Freight Corridors on reducing commodity prices by up to 0.5% due to decreased freight costs and shortened travel times. Statement-II accurately describes the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) as extending from Sonnagar in Bihar to Sahnewal in Punjab and being fully operational. Both statements are factually correct, and Statement-II provides additional context that supports and explains Statement-I.

1. Eastern DFC: Incorrectly matched. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) extends from Sonnagar in Bihar to Sahnewal in Punjab, not from Jawaharlal Nehru Port to Dadri. The corridor mentioned is, in fact, the Western DFC.

2. Western DFC: Incorrectly matched. The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) spans from Mumbai's Jawaharlal Nehru Port to Dadri in Uttar Pradesh, not from Sonnagar to Sahnewal, as described in the option.

3. Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL): Correctly matched. DFCCIL was indeed established in 2006 as a Special Purpose Vehicle to oversee the construction, operation, and management of the DFCs.

4. DFC Initiative Proposed: Correctly matched. The initiative for the Dedicated Freight Corridors was first proposed in the Railway Budget for FY 2005-06.

Thus, pairs 3 and 4 are correctly matched, making a total of three correctly matched pairs (since both 3 and 4 are correct, and 2 is correct when matched with the Western DFC description).

Statement-I correctly highlights the objective of the Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS) to bring together Buddhist leaders, scholars, and practitioners from various Asian regions. Statement-II accurately describes the central theme of the first summit, focusing on the impact of Buddhist art, architecture, and heritage. While both statements are individually correct, Statement-II does not directly explain or elaborate on Statement-I. Therefore, option (b) is the correct choice as both statements are accurate, but Statement-II does not provide a direct explanation for Statement-I.

1. Equatorial Regions - 24.47 days rotation period: This pair is correctly matched. The Sun's equatorial regions have the fastest rotation period, approximately 24.47 days.
2. Sunspot Zones - 31.1 days rotation period: This pair is incorrectly matched. Sunspot zones, which are around 16 degrees latitude, have a rotation period of about 27.3 days, not 31.1 days.
3. Higher Latitudes - 33.4 days rotation period: This pair is correctly matched. At higher latitudes, around 75 degrees, the rotation period is approximately 33.4 days.
4. Poles - 27.3 days rotation period: This pair is incorrectly matched. The poles have the slowest rotation period, taking approximately 31.1 days.

Gravity energy storage offers the advantage of minimal maintenance requirements, allowing the system to operate for decades without significant upkeep. This stands in contrast to traditional batteries that often degrade over time and require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance. The longevity and reliability of gravity energy storage make it a promising technology for sustainable energy solutions.

- Statement 1 is incorrect. The Aadhaar Act imposes stringent restrictions on the sharing of core biometric data (such as fingerprints and iris scans). According to the Act, such data cannot be shared with any third parties, including law enforcement agencies, except under very limited circumstances which typically require a court order or are clearly defined by the law. Hence, ordinary circumstances do not allow for the sharing of core biometric data.

- Statement 2 is correct. The Act specifies that demographic data can only be disclosed upon the order of a High Court or a higher authority, which is a legal safeguard to protect individual privacy against unauthorized access.

- Statement 3 is correct. The suggestion of allowing limited, case-specific access to Aadhaar biometrics under the oversight of a judicial magistrate is proposed as a way to address forensic needs while maintaining privacy protections. This approach would reduce the burden on higher courts and provide a mechanism for law enforcement to access necessary data under stringent conditions.

Thus, the correct answer is Option D: 2 and 3 Only, as statements 2 and 3 accurately reflect the legal and proposed frameworks concerning the use of Aadhaar data for forensic purposes.

Statement-I is incorrect because the Sun does not rotate as a solid object with a consistent speed across all latitudes. Instead, it exhibits differential rotation, where different parts rotate at different speeds due to its composition of gaseous plasma. This differential rotation leads to varying rotation speeds from the equator to the poles. Statement-II is correct as it accurately describes the phenomenon of the Sun's rotation as influenced by its composition and resulting in differential rotation.

Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) in India were primarily established to enhance transportation capacity by facilitating quicker transit, utilizing specialized trains, and improving supply chains for industries situated in economic hubs. These corridors aim to boost the efficiency of freight transportation, reduce logistics costs, and support the movement of goods across the country.

Statement 1 is correct. Gravity energy storage systems often use a heavy piston in a fluid-filled cylindrical container to store energy by lifting the piston during periods of surplus energy generation and releasing it to generate electricity when needed.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Gravity energy storage systems are noted for their minimal maintenance requirements, unlike traditional batteries that degrade over time and require more upkeep.

Statement 3 is correct. Gravity energy storage systems provide greater flexibility in selecting installation locations compared to pumped-hydro energy storage systems, which are limited by geographical and environmental constraints.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C