Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 4th January 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Blue Baby Syndrome - Caused by exposure to nitrates in water: Correctly matched. Blue baby syndrome is indeed caused by exposure to water contaminated with nitrates, leading to a condition known as methemoglobinemia, where the blood is unable to carry sufficient oxygen.

2. Project VISTAAR - A digital platform for agricultural start-up financing: Incorrectly matched. Project VISTAAR is a digital platform aimed at enhancing access to agricultural resources by integrating information about agricultural start-ups, improving the agricultural extension system's efficiency and accessibility, not specifically for financing.

3. Baanknet Portal - An e-auction platform for PSB-held properties: Correctly matched. The Baanknet Portal is designed to streamline the auction process for properties held by public sector banks, offering an integrated platform for buyers and investors.

4. India's Remittances 2024 - 14.3% of global remittances: Correctly matched. In 2024, India accounted for 14.3% of global remittances, marking a significant milestone as reported by the World Bank.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched: the first, third, and fourth pairs.

Statement 1 is correct. The Open Data Kit (ODK) platform is indeed integrated with the CAG's operating system, OIOS, which ensures efficient data handling. This integration is a part of the CAG's efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in public spending through modern digital tools.

Statement 2 is correct. ODK supports multi-language surveys, which allows the CAG to conduct surveys in several languages simultaneously. This feature ensures that the data collection process is accessible to a broader audience, accommodating diverse linguistic groups within the country.

Statement 3 is incorrect. While the implementation of the ODK platform does modernize data collection processes, the primary aim was not solely to reduce costs associated with traditional methods. Instead, the focus is on enhancing transparency, security, and accountability in government spending and data management.

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

Statement-I correctly describes the evaluation criteria of the LEADS 2024 report, which indeed assesses logistics performance across Logistics Infrastructure, Logistics Services, Operating and Regulatory Environment, and Sustainable Logistics. This information is in alignment with the details provided in the source material.
However, Statement-II inaccurately associates the Centralized Pension Payments System (CPPS) with the ability for pensioners to access their pensions from any bank or branch in India. While the CPPS does streamline pension disbursement and eliminates the need for physical verifications, its primary function is to centralize pension payments, not necessarily to enable access from any bank or branch. Therefore, Statement-II is incorrect in this context.

Methylcobalamin, as stated in the provided content, is indeed a naturally occurring form of vitamin B12 that is essential for various bodily functions, including DNA synthesis and red blood cell production. This aligns with Statement-I. However, Statement-II is incorrect in suggesting that vitamin B12 deficiency does not impact neurological health or neurotransmitter production. In reality, vitamin B12 plays a significant role in neurological health and the production of neurotransmitters, and its deficiency can lead to serious health issues affecting these areas.

1. Methylcobalamin - A synthetic form of Vitamin B12: Incorrect. Methylcobalamin is a naturally occurring form of Vitamin B12, not synthetic. It contains a methyl group attached to a cobalt atom and is beneficial for DNA synthesis and neurological health.

2. Article 300-A - Provides that no person shall be deprived of property except by law: Correct. Article 300-A of the Indian Constitution ensures that no person can be deprived of their property except through a legal process.

3. Constitution (Forty-Fourth Amendment) Act, 1978 - Elevated the Right to Property to a Fundamental Right: Incorrect. The Forty-Fourth Amendment Act, 1978, actually downgraded the Right to Property from a Fundamental Right to a constitutional right.

4. Eminent Domain - Principle allowing the state to acquire land with fair compensation: Correct. Eminent Domain is a legal principle that allows governments to acquire private land for public use, provided that fair compensation is given to the landowner.

Thus, only pairs 2 and 4 are correctly matched.

Savitribai Phule was born on January 3, 1831, in Naigaon, Maharashtra. She played a crucial role in advocating for women's education and social reform in India during the 19th century. Her efforts in establishing schools for girls and marginalized communities, along with her husband Jyotirao Phule, were pioneering steps towards challenging societal norms and promoting education for all. (Note: This question tests the basic knowledge of Savitribai Phule's birth year, highlighting her early life and the significant contributions she made to the field of education and social reform.)

1. Open Data Kit (ODK) is correctly matched. It is indeed a digital platform adopted by the CAG for enhancing transparency and accountability in public spending. ODK integrates with CAG's system to manage data securely and efficiently.

2. OIOS is incorrectly matched. OIOS is not specifically a toolkit for evaluating patient satisfaction at AIIMS facilities. Instead, it stands for the Online Inspection and Audit System and is integrated with ODK for efficient data handling by the CAG. The ODK toolkit, however, was used to evaluate patient satisfaction during audits of AIIMS facilities.

3. Savitribai Phule is correctly matched. She is recognized as India's first woman teacher and, along with her husband Jyotirao Phule, established the first girls' school in Pune in 1848, significantly advancing women's education.

4. Satyashodhak Samaj is correctly matched. This organization was indeed founded by Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule in 1873 to promote social equality and challenge the caste system and other social inequalities.

The correctly matched pairs are 1, 3, and 4, making a total of three correctly matched pairs.

Statement-I correctly describes blue baby syndrome, also known as cyanosis, which results in a bluish or purple tint to a baby's skin due to poorly oxygenated blood, often caused by exposure to water contaminated with nitrates. This statement is accurate in its explanation of the condition.
Statement-II accurately highlights Project VISTAAR, a digital platform launched by IIT Madras in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, aiming to modernize the agricultural sector by integrating agricultural start-ups and providing innovative resources to farmers. This statement provides a clear overview of the project's objectives.
Both statements are correct in their respective contexts, with Statement-II explaining the purpose and goals of Project VISTAAR, which align with the initiative's aim to enhance agricultural resources access through digitalization.

1. Indian Insolvency Act of 1848 - Addressed cross-border insolvency

- Incorrect. The Indian Insolvency Act of 1848 did not address cross-border insolvency issues as it was primarily focused on domestic insolvency cases.

2. Presidency-Towns Insolvency Act, 1909 - Focused on domestic cases

- Correct. The Presidency-Towns Insolvency Act of 1909 was primarily concerned with domestic insolvency within the presidency towns of British India and did not effectively address cross-border insolvency.

3. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 - Includes provisions for cross-border insolvency

- Correct. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) of 2016 does include provisions for cross-border insolvency, although these provisions have been largely dormant and ineffective.

4. National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) - Can enforce foreign insolvency judgments

- Incorrect. The NCLT currently lacks the power to enforce foreign insolvency judgments, which limits its ability to fully address cross-border insolvency cases.

Thus, pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

Methylcobalamin plays a crucial role in supporting red blood cell production, which helps in reducing feelings of fatigue and weakness. This form of vitamin B12 is essential for overall health, particularly for individuals with vitamin B12 deficiency and those suffering from certain health conditions. It supports various physiological functions, including maintaining adequate red blood cell levels, which are essential for energy and vitality.