Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 16th February 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Scientific Name: The correct scientific name for the White-Winged Duck is Asarcornis scutulata, not Anas platyrhynchos. Anas platyrhynchos is the scientific name for the Mallard duck. This pair is incorrectly matched.

2. Local Name in Assamese: The White-Winged Duck is indeed locally known as "Deo Hans" or "spirit duck" in Assamese, due to its ghostly call. This pair is correctly matched.

3. Preferred Habitat: The habitat preference is accurately described as dense tropical and subtropical forests with slow-moving rivers, swamps, and wetlands. This pair is correctly matched.

4. Conservation Status: The White-Winged Duck is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, not Least Concern. This pair is incorrectly matched.

Thus, pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched, making the correct option "Only two pairs."

1. Anamudi Shola National Park - Located in Tamil Nadu: Incorrect. Anamudi Shola National Park is located in Kerala, not Tamil Nadu. It is part of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its biodiversity.

2. Mount Etna - Located on the western coast of Sicily: Incorrect. Mount Etna is located on the eastern coast of Sicily in the Metropolitan City of Catania. It is Europe's most active volcano and is positioned above the convergent plate boundary between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates.

3. Sarojini Naidu - First woman to preside over the Indian National Congress: Correct. Sarojini Naidu was indeed the first Indian woman to preside over the Indian National Congress at its 40th session in 1925, held in Kanpur. She played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement and was known as the "Nightingale of India."

4. Mount Etna - A UNESCO World Heritage Site: Correct. Mount Etna is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its exceptional level of volcanic activity and its significance in geological history.

Based on the analysis, pairs 3 and 4 are correctly matched, making the correct answer "Option B: Only two pairs."

The primary objective of the proposed Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 in India is to streamline and modernize the country's immigration framework. This bill aims to consolidate existing laws, such as the Foreigners Act of 1946 and the Passport (Entry into India) Act of 1920, into a comprehensive legislation that enhances national security, regulatory control, and efficiency in managing immigration processes. By repealing outdated laws and introducing new provisions, the bill seeks to address contemporary immigration challenges effectively.

Statement-I is accurate. Anamudi Shola National Park is indeed located in the Western Ghats of Kerala and is renowned for its diverse vegetation and ecological significance. It is surrounded by other protected areas such as Eravikulam National Park and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.
However, Statement-II is incorrect. Mount Etna is not located in the Metropolitan City of Catania in Sicily. Mount Etna is situated on the eastern coast of Sicily, but Catania is the city closest to the volcano, not its exact location. Additionally, while Mount Etna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is not specifically designated as such in the provided text.

1. Foreigners Act of 1946 - Addresses contemporary immigration challenges: Incorrect. The Foreigners Act of 1946 is an outdated law that does not effectively address contemporary immigration challenges, which is why the new Bill aims to repeal it.

2. Passport (Entry into India) Act of 1920 - Enacted during pre-Constitution times: Correct. This Act was indeed enacted during pre-Constitution times, which is a key reason for its repeal under the new Bill.

3. Registration of Foreigners Act of 1939 - Governs immigration framework: Incorrect. While this Act is part of the existing immigration laws, it does not solely govern the immigration framework. It is considered outdated and is part of the laws being repealed.

4. Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act of 2000 - Addresses carrier responsibility for immigration compliance: Correct. This Act is specifically about the responsibility of carriers, like airlines, to ensure compliance with immigration laws.

Pairs 2 and 4 are correctly matched.

- Statement 1 is correct. Anamudi Shola National Park is indeed part of the Western Ghats, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its exceptional biodiversity and unique ecosystems.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. While Anamudi Shola National Park does feature montane wet temperate forests, it is not exclusively composed of them. The park also includes a variety of other vegetation types, including moist deciduous forests and southern subtropical hill forests.

- Statement 3 is correct. The Kerala Water Authority has received approval from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) to use a portion of the forest land from Anamudi Shola National Park for constructing a weir across the Silandhi River, highlighting the ongoing balance between infrastructure development and environmental conservation.

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

Statement-I correctly describes the habitat of the Hangul Deer, mentioning its primary locations in Jammu and Kashmir and northern Himachal Pradesh. Statement-II accurately states that the Hangul Deer is a subspecies of Central Asian red deer and highlights its critical endangered status, emphasizing the need for specific conservation efforts. Statement-II explains the significance of the Hangul Deer's endangered status in the context of its habitat and conservation requirements, making both statements correct and logically interconnected.

Anamudi Shola National Park in Kerala has recently faced environmental concerns due to the approval for the construction of a weir across the Silandhi River. This park, located in the Western Ghats of Kerala, is known for its diverse vegetation types and rich biodiversity. The approval for land use in this ecologically sensitive area has raised questions regarding the balance between development and environmental protection.

The primary objective of the NAMASTE scheme is to ensure zero fatalities in sanitation work. This initiative aims to formalize and institutionalize the work of individuals engaged in hazardous sanitation, promoting safe, mechanized cleaning through trained sanitation workers and supervised by relevant ministries. By prioritizing safety in sanitation work, the scheme plays a crucial role in enhancing the working conditions of sanitation workers and reducing risks associated with their profession.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Similipal Tiger Reserve was indeed designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1979, and it was recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2009.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The vegetation of the Similipal Tiger Reserve is predominantly Northern tropical moist deciduous forests rather than Northern tropical dry deciduous forests. This is a key characteristic of the reserve's ecology, making the statement false.

- Statement 3 is correct. The reserve is known for its rich biodiversity, including over 50 species of mammals and 300 species of birds, highlighting its importance as a biodiverse habitat.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 3, which makes Option C the correct answer.