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

The primary objective behind designating Madhav National Park as India's 58th tiger reserve was to conserve and enhance the tiger population. This action aligns with India's commitment to wildlife conservation efforts, particularly focusing on the conservation of endangered species like tigers. By declaring it a tiger reserve, the aim is to provide a protected area where tigers can thrive and contribute to the overall biodiversity of the region.

Let's evaluate each statement:

1. Melioidosis is transmitted from animals to humans: This statement is incorrect. Melioidosis is not transmitted from animals to humans. Instead, it spreads through direct contact with contaminated soil, air, or water. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect.

2. The disease is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions such as Southeast Asia and northern Australia: This statement is correct. Melioidosis is indeed endemic in these regions, making statement 2 correct.

3. Melioidosis has a high Case Fatality Rate (CFR) ranging from 16% to 50% in endemic areas: This statement is also correct. The case fatality rate for melioidosis in endemic areas can indeed range from 16% to 50%, making statement 3 correct.

Therefore, the correct statements are 2 and 3, hence the correct answer is Option D.

Statement-I correctly describes the objectives and aims of PM-YUVA 3.0, focusing on training young authors and promoting a literary culture in India. Statement-II accurately mentions the benefits provided to selected authors, including the monthly scholarship and the royalty on published works. However, Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I but provides additional information about the incentives offered under the scheme, making both statements correct but independent of each other. Hence, option (b) is the correct choice.

1. PM-YUVA 3.0: This is incorrectly matched. PM-YUVA 3.0 is a mentoring program for young authors, not young scientists. It aims to develop a new generation of writers who can explore various aspects of India's history, culture, and future.

2. Foreign Exchange Reserves: This is incorrectly matched. Foreign Exchange Reserves are managed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), not the Ministry of Finance. These reserves include foreign currency assets, gold, SDRs, and the Reserve Tranche Position with the IMF.

3. Raisina Dialogue: This is incorrectly matched. The Raisina Dialogue is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, not the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is a leading conference on geopolitics and geo-economics held annually in New Delhi.

4. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs): This is correctly matched. SDRs are a form of reserve currency created by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to supplement its member countries' official reserves.

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

The North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) in India primarily focuses on applying advanced technologies to support development in the northeastern region of the country. By leveraging cutting-edge solutions, NECTAR aims to address various sectors such as biodiversity concerns, watershed management, telemedicine, horticulture, infrastructure planning and development, as well as planning and monitoring. This initiative is crucial for utilizing technology to enhance sustainable development and community advancement in the northeastern states of India.

PM-YUVA 3.0, the Prime Minister's Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors, aims to train young authors under the age of 30 and promote a culture of reading, writing, and authorship in India. By nurturing young talent and providing them with mentorship and support, the scheme seeks to develop a new generation of writers who can explore various aspects of India's history, culture, and future. This initiative aligns with the vision of fostering a vibrant literary landscape in India and encouraging the youth to contribute to the country's intellectual heritage.

1. Melioidosis - Caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei: This pair is correctly matched. Melioidosis is indeed caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.

2. Assam Rifles - Operational command under Ministry of Home Affairs: This pair is incorrectly matched. The operational command of Assam Rifles is actually with the Indian Army, not the Ministry of Home Affairs, though it is administratively controlled by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

3. NECTAR - Established under the Department of Science & Technology: This pair is correctly matched. NECTAR is an autonomous society established under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

4. Melioidosis - Transmitted from animals to humans: This pair is incorrectly matched. Melioidosis is not transmitted from animals to humans. It spreads through direct contact with contaminated soil, water, or air.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched: pairs 1 and 3.

- Statement 1 is correct. The International Criminal Court (ICC) was indeed established under the Rome Statute of 1998. It is tasked with prosecuting individuals for serious international crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, making it a pivotal institution in international law.
- Statement 2 is incorrect. The ICC does not have its own enforcement body. It relies on the cooperation of national governments and international organizations, such as Interpol, to execute arrest warrants and ensure compliance. This dependence on external entities often leads to challenges in enforcement due to varying levels of cooperation from states.
- Statement 3 is correct. The enforcement of ICC mandates is often hampered by political resistance and geopolitical interference. Many member states exhibit reluctance to comply fully with ICC requests, especially in cases where powerful national interests or alliances might be compromised. This significantly limits the reach and effectiveness of the ICC in executing its judicial processes.
Thus, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is not, making Option B: 1 and 3 Only the correct answer.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The establishment of tiger reserves in India does indeed involve a structured management approach that adheres to site-specific management plans. This structured approach is a crucial part of the National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) framework, ensuring that each tiger reserve is managed according to its unique ecological and geographic characteristics.

2. Statement 2 is correct. Project Tiger was launched in 1973 in response to the alarming decline in the tiger population, which had dropped to approximately 1,863 individuals by that time. This initiative was a critical step in India's efforts to reverse the trend of declining tiger populations and to ensure the survival of this keystone species.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. While the funding mechanism for tiger reserves does generally involve a cost-sharing arrangement between the Central and State Governments, the specific ratio varies: it is typically 60%-40% for most states, but there is a different arrangement of 90%-10% for northeastern and Himalayan states. This differentiation is important to recognize the unique challenges and needs of these regions.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only, as both statements 1 and 2 are accurate, while statement 3 is not entirely correct due to the oversight regarding special funding arrangements for certain states.

1. Rome Statute of 1998: Correctly matched. The Rome Statute established the ICC to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It is the foundational treaty that created the ICC, and its purpose aligns with the stated objectives.

2. Rodrigo Duterte: Incorrectly matched. The ICC accuses Duterte of crimes committed during his "war on drugs" campaign from 2011 to 2019. Although Duterte withdrew the Philippines from ICC jurisdiction in 2019, the ICC maintains authority over crimes committed before the withdrawal. The pair implies post-2019 actions, which is incorrect.

3. ICC Enforcement: Incorrectly matched. The ICC does not have its own independent enforcement body. Instead, it relies on national governments and Interpol to execute arrest warrants. This reliance often leads to challenges in enforcement, as compliance can be inconsistent due to political resistance.

4. Member States: Correctly matched. There are indeed 125 signatory states that are obliged to cooperate with the ICC's mandates. These states have ratified the Rome Statute and are expected to support the ICC in its operations.

Thus, pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched.