Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 25th July 2024 - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1 is correct. Dal Lake is indeed the second largest freshwater lake in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Telbal Nallah is its primary inflow, originating from Marsar Lake. This makes the statement accurate.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. Dal Lake was designated as a Ramsar Site in 2002, not recently. The Ramsar designation highlights its importance as a wetland of international significance, but the timing mentioned in the statement is incorrect.

- Statement 3 is correct. The lake features floating gardens known locally as "Rad," which are renowned for their lotus flowers that bloom from July to August. This statement accurately describes one of the unique ecological features of Dal Lake.

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

The Lancet study emphasized significant global inequalities in access to diabetes treatment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This disparity in treatment availability poses concerns about the long-term health implications for individuals who do not receive adequate care. Efforts to address these inequalities are crucial for combating the escalating diabetes epidemic and reducing associated health complications.

The correct answer is:

C: Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect

• Statement-I: Correct. According to recent studies and reports (e.g., by the World Bank and other urban infrastructure assessments), India is estimated to require around ₹70 lakh crore by 2036 to meet its urban infrastructure needs. This accounts for the rapid pace of urbanization and associated demands for housing, transportation, water supply, sanitation, and other infrastructure.

• Statement-II: Incorrect. India's current government investment in urban infrastructure is insufficient to meet the annual requirements for urban development. There is a significant funding gap that necessitates private investment, public-private partnerships, and innovative financing mechanisms to address the shortfall.

The primary objective of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is to conduct research, enhance coordination, and effectively identify and resolve air quality issues in the National Capital Region and its surrounding areas. By conducting research, the commission aims to gather data and insights necessary for developing effective strategies to combat air pollution and safeguard public health.

Let's evaluate each statement:

1. Statement 1 is correct: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was indeed established initially through an ordinance in 2020 and later formalized by an Act of Parliament in 2021. The purpose was to address and manage air quality issues specifically in the National Capital Region (NCR) and its adjoining areas.

2. Statement 2 is correct: Under the 2021 Act, the CAQM is endowed with the authority to implement necessary measures, issue directives, and importantly, take disciplinary action against officials who fail to comply with its orders. This power is outlined in Section 14 of the Act, which is crucial for enforcing air quality management measures.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect: The CAQM was not formed by the Supreme Court in 1998. The body created by the Supreme Court in 1998 was the Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), which did not have statutory backing and was eventually succeeded by the CAQM. The CAQM is a statutory body formed later, highlighting the evolution of institutional frameworks to tackle air pollution with more authority and enforcement capabilities.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B.

The main objective of the Global Plastics Treaty being negotiated by over 170 countries is to address plastic pollution throughout its lifecycle, from production to disposal. This includes measures such as banning certain types of plastics, implementing binding recycling targets, and regulating chemical additives in plastics. By focusing on the entire lifecycle of plastics, the treaty aims to combat the environmental harm caused by plastic pollution effectively.

1. India is the largest contributor to global plastic pollution, accounting for 20% of emissions.
This statement is correct. According to the provided information, India is indeed the largest contributor to global plastic pollution, responsible for 20% of emissions, which equates to 9.3 million tonnes annually.

2. The treaty aims to implement binding recycling targets and regulate chemical additives in plastics.
This statement is correct. The negotiations for the Global Plastic Treaty include proposed actions such as implementing binding recycling targets and regulating chemical additives in plastics to address plastic pollution throughout its lifecycle.

3. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Russia support strict production limits on plastics.
This statement is incorrect. The text indicates that countries rich in oil and gas, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, oppose strict production limits for plastics. They prefer strategies focused on enhanced waste management rather than limiting plastic production.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 2, making Option B the correct answer.

1. United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution 2022: This pair is incorrectly matched. The UNEA resolution aimed at ending plastic pollution, but it did not specify that the goal was to be achieved by 2024. The resolution initiated the process to have a legally binding treaty by 2024.

2. India's contribution to global plastic pollution: This pair is correctly matched. India is indeed a significant contributor to global plastic pollution, responsible for 20% of emissions as mentioned in the source material.

3. Rwanda's proposal: This pair is correctly matched. Rwanda has proposed a target of reducing plastic pollution by 40% by 2040 based on 2025 levels, which aligns with their support for ambitious pollution reduction measures.

4. India's stance: This pair is incorrectly matched. India opposes strict production limits on plastics, preferring strategies that focus on waste management and addressing plastic pollution at different stages rather than capping production.

Pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched, therefore the correct answer is Option B: Only two pairs.

The correct answer is: B: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

• Statement-I: Correct. Plastic production has seen a significant increase, from 234 million tonnes in 2000 to 460 million tonnes in 2019, and is projected to reach approximately 700 million tonnes by 2040 if current trends continue. This reflects the growing demand for plastic in various industries.

• Statement-II: Correct. Plastic decomposition takes between 20 to 500 years depending on the type of plastic. Currently, less than 10% of plastic waste is recycled, contributing to environmental concerns such as pollution and landfill accumulation.

However, Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I. The increase in plastic production is driven by industrial and consumer demand, not solely by the challenges of decomposition and recycling.

Statement-I correctly highlights that Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Guru in Sikhism and was indeed known for his combat skills, which led to him being named Teg Bahadur. Statement-II is also accurate as Guru Tegh Bahadur is revered as the 'Shield of India' for his efforts towards safeguarding religious freedoms and his role in establishing Anandpur Sahib. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides additional context that explains Statement-I, making option (a) the correct choice.