Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 19th October 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Mesophotic coral ecosystems in the Eastern Tropical Pacific region play a crucial role in supporting the health of shallower coral reefs by providing safe spaces and breeding grounds for various fish species that rely on these deeper waters for spawning, breeding, and feeding. This interconnected ecosystem helps maintain biodiversity and the overall health of coral reef systems.

Statement-I correctly states India's current HDI ranking and value based on the provided information. India is indeed ranked 134th with an HDI value of 0.644.
Statement-II correctly mentions that Bangladesh and Bhutan have improved their HDI rankings by more places than India. This is in line with the data provided, indicating that neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Bhutan improved their rankings by 12 and 10 places, respectively, while India improved by four places. However, this statement does not explain or provide reasoning for the ranking differences among these countries, hence it does not explain Statement-I.

- Statement 1 is correct. Mesophotic coral ecosystems are indeed found at depths between 100 and 490 feet in tropical and subtropical regions. They play a crucial role in the overall health and functionality of coral reef systems by providing habitats and refuges for various marine species.

- Statement 2 is correct. The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is recognized as the largest collection of coral reefs globally. It is renowned for its vast biodiversity and ecological significance.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. Coral reefs are marine ecosystems and are not found in freshwater environments. They are primarily located in saltwater environments, particularly in tropical and subtropical ocean regions, where they provide critical habitats and breeding grounds for marine, not freshwater, species.

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

1. Statement 1: iDEX was launched in 2018 to modernize the Indian Defence Industry by encouraging innovation and technology development. This statement is correct. The iDEX initiative was indeed launched in 2018 with the aim of fostering innovation and technology development within the Indian Defence and Aerospace sectors.

2. Statement 2: The Defence Innovation Organization (DIO) acts as the executive arm overseeing the iDEX initiative. This statement is also correct. The DIO is responsible for funding and overseeing the iDEX initiative, acting as its executive arm.

3. Statement 3: iDEX exclusively focuses on large defence contractors, excluding MSMEs and start-ups. This statement is incorrect. One of the main objectives of iDEX is to involve various industries, including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, and academic institutions, in defence innovation. Therefore, it does not exclusively focus on large defence contractors.

Based on the evaluation, statements 1 and 2 are correct, but statement 3 is incorrect. Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

Statement-I correctly describes mesophotic coral ecosystems and their ecological significance, while Statement-II aligns with the information provided in the source regarding the threats these ecosystems face. The study supports the idea that these ecosystems are indeed being impacted by warm water-induced bleaching and cold water exposure, hence Statement-II explains the importance of Statement-I in the context of the specific threats faced by the Eastern Tropical Pacific coral ecosystems.

The main objective of the iDEX initiative is to modernize the Defence Industry through encouraging innovation and technology development. This initiative aims to involve various industries, MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, research and development institutes, and academic institutions to foster innovation and advancements in the fields of Defence and Aerospace. By providing funding and support, iDEX aims to create military-grade products that address critical requirements of the Indian defence sector and foster a culture of innovation within the Indian Defence and Aerospace sectors.

To determine the correct statements, let's analyze each one based on the context provided:

Statement 1: This statement is correct. India is indeed placed in the "medium human development" category with an HDI value of 0.644 and ranks 134 out of 193 countries. This accurately reflects India's current status in the Human Development Index.

Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. While it is true that India has improved its HDI ranking, it has only improved by four places between 2015 and 2022. In contrast, Bangladesh and Bhutan have improved their rankings by 12 and 10 places, respectively, during the same period. This indicates that India's improvement was not more significant than those of its neighbors.

Statement 3: This statement is correct. The Gender Development Index (GDI) does indeed show significant differences in HDI achievements between men and women in India, reflecting gender inequality issues that impact overall human development.

Therefore, only statements 1 and 3 are correct. Thus, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

1. Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) - Launched in 2021: Incorrect. iDEX was launched in 2018, not 2021. It is a government initiative aimed at modernizing the Defence Industry through innovation and technology development.

2. Defence Innovation Organization (DIO) - Oversees iDEX: Correct. The Defence Innovation Organization (DIO) acts as the executive arm overseeing the iDEX initiative. It provides funding and support for the development of new technologies in Defence and Aerospace.

3. Global Hunger Index - India ranked 105th in 2024: Correct. India ranked 105th out of 127 countries in the 2024 Global Hunger Index, placing it in the "serious" category with issues of high undernourishment levels.

4. Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) - India and Pakistan discussed Kashmir in 2024 summit: Incorrect. During the 2024 SCO summit, India and Pakistan avoided discussing contentious issues such as Kashmir, focusing instead on cooperation and diplomatic engagement.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched: pairs 2 and 3.

One of the key human development challenges highlighted in the content is the lack of access to essential services for over 1.1 billion people due to inadequate cooling systems. This shortage affects critical services like healthcare, food preservation, and overall economic productivity. Improving access to essential services is crucial for enhancing human development and ensuring a better quality of life for populations worldwide.

1. SDG-3: Gender equality - Incorrect. SDG-3 is actually about "Good Health and Well-being," not gender equality. Gender equality is addressed under SDG-5.

2. SDG-4: Quality education - Correct. SDG-4 is indeed focused on "Quality Education."

3. HDI Ranking Improvement: Bangladesh improved by 10 places - Incorrect. The statement is incorrect as per the provided data, Bangladesh improved its HDI ranking by 12 places, not 10.

4. Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) Gender Gap: Women 28.3%, Men 76.1% - Correct. This statement accurately reflects the gender gap in labor force participation as provided in the source material.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched.