Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 9th November 2024 - UPSC MCQ

1. Statement 1 is correct. Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen indeed captured the first recorded X-ray image of the human body by photographing his wife's hand, which showed her bones and ring. This was a groundbreaking discovery that introduced X-rays to the scientific community.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. Initially, there was little understanding of the potential health risks associated with X-rays, and safety protocols were not immediately established. The dangers of radiation exposure, such as radiation burns, were only recognized later, leading to the development of safety guidelines in the early 20th century.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The use of X-rays was rapidly adopted for military purposes soon after their discovery. By 1896, X-rays were used in military applications to locate bullet wounds and diagnose fractures, significantly advancing trauma care.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C

1. Statement 1 is correct. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are indeed capable of photosynthesis and can thrive in various water environments, including freshwater and marine settings. They utilize sunlight to produce their own food, which is a fundamental characteristic of their existence.

2. Statement 2 is correct. The mutant form of cyanobacteria named Chonkus has been discovered near Italy’s Vulcano Island. This specific strain is significant due to its enhanced ability to absorb carbon dioxide, which exceeds that of typical cyanobacteria found in ocean waters. This feature makes Chonkus particularly noteworthy in the context of climate change mitigation.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. Cyanobacteria blooms generally occur in warm, slow-moving waters that are enriched with nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. These conditions are often found in environments affected by agricultural runoff or septic discharges, not in cold, fast-moving waters that are low in nutrients.

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

1. Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. The Competition Commission of India is indeed composed of a chairperson and six additional members, but they are appointed by the Central Government of India, not by the President.
2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. The CCI has the authority to regulate mergers and acquisitions (M&A) that may adversely affect competition. Certain deals require the CCI's approval before they can be completed to ensure they do not harm competition in the market.
3. Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The headquarters of the Competition Commission of India is located in New Delhi, not Mumbai.
Thus, only statement 2 is correct, making Option C: 2 Only the accurate choice.

To determine the correct answer, let's analyze each statement individually:

1. Article 30(1) guarantees minorities the right to establish and manage educational institutions. This statement is correct. Article 30(1) of the Indian Constitution explicitly provides minorities with the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, ensuring cultural, linguistic, and educational rights for minority groups.

2. Article 15(5) provides minority institutions with special privileges, including autonomy in admissions and exemption from quotas for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). This statement is also correct. Article 15(5) allows the state to make special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes or for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, including their admissions in educational institutions. However, it exempts minority educational institutions from such reservations, providing them with autonomy in admissions.

3. The Supreme Court's two-fold test for determining minority educational institution status includes evaluating the institution's establishment and administrative structure. This statement is correct as well. The Supreme Court has indeed outlined a two-fold test for determining minority status, which involves assessing both the establishment (origins and purpose of the institution) and the administrative structure to ensure it reflects minority interests.

Since all the statements are correct, the answer is Option D.

1. CCI Establishment Year - 2009: Correct. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) was established in March 2009 under the Competition Act of 2002.

2. CCI Headquarters - Mumbai: Incorrect. The headquarters of the Competition Commission of India is located in New Delhi, not Mumbai.

3. Article 30(1) - Right of minorities to establish and manage educational institutions: Correct. Article 30(1) of the Indian Constitution guarantees minorities the right to establish and manage educational institutions.

4. Supreme Court's 1967 Ruling - Confirmed AMU's minority status: Incorrect. The 1967 Azeez Basha case ruled that AMU was not formed by the Muslim community but by a central legislative act, thus disqualifying it from being recognized as a minority institution under Article 30.

Thus, two pairs are correctly matched.

1. Cyanobacteria - Microscopic organisms that thrive in nutrient-poor environments: Incorrect. Cyanobacteria thrive in nutrient-rich environments, especially where there is an abundance of phosphorus and nitrogen. These conditions often lead to blooms, not nutrient-poor conditions.

2. Chonkus - A mutant form of cyanobacteria found near Italy’s Vulcano Island: Correct. Chonkus is indeed a mutant form of cyanobacteria discovered in the shallow, sunlit waters around Italy's Vulcano Island, known for its volcanic activity.

3. International Solar Alliance (ISA) - An organization headquartered in Paris: Incorrect. The ISA is headquartered in Gurugram, India, not Paris.

4. Solar Energy - ISA aims to mobilize over USD 1000 billion by 2025: Incorrect. The ISA has set a target to mobilize over USD 1000 billion by 2030, not 2025.

Thus, only pairs 2 and 4 are correctly matched.

1. Sagarmala Parikrama - This is correctly matched. The Sagarmala Parikrama is an initiative supported by the Indian Navy for the development and utilization of autonomous vessels, aligning with India's advancements in maritime technology.

2. Lake Kariba - This is correctly matched. Lake Kariba, located on the Zambezi River, is indeed the largest artificial reservoir by volume globally, and it is shared between Zambia and Zimbabwe in Africa.

3. Loaita Island - This is correctly matched. Loaita Island, also known as Kota Island, is part of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, claimed by multiple countries including the Philippines, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

4. Bibek Debroy Committee - This is incorrectly matched. While the Bibek Debroy Committee made several recommendations for the Indian Railways' reform, the proposal to establish the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh was not one of them. The RRSK was established by the Ministry of Railways as a separate initiative focusing on railway safety.

Thus, only pairs 1, 2, and 3 are correctly matched.

1. Western Chalukya dynasty - First rulers to construct Bidar Fort: Incorrect. The Western Chalukya dynasty has historical significance in the region, but Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali of the Bahmani dynasty was responsible for transforming Bidar into a fortified capital. The initial fortifications attributed to the Western Chalukyas are not the Bidar Fort as known during the time of the Bahmanis.

2. Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali - Established Bidar as the Bahmani capital in 1430: Correct. Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali moved the capital of the Bahmani Kingdom from Gulbarga to Bidar and fortified it, making it a significant citadel.

3. Mahmud Gawan - Reclaimed Goa from Vijayanagar Empire: Correct. Mahmud Gawan, a prominent statesman and Prime Minister of the Bahmani Kingdom, played a crucial role in expanding the kingdom's territories, including reclaiming Goa from the Vijayanagar Empire.

4. Krishnadeva Raya - Last ruler of Bahmani Kingdom: Incorrect. Krishnadeva Raya was a ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire, not the Bahmani Kingdom. The decline of the Bahmani Kingdom began after its last ruler was defeated by Krishnadeva Raya.

Two pairs (2 and 3) are correctly matched.

All three statements are correct based on the provided information about the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

1. Statement 1: China indeed accounted for 62% of the new solar capacity added in 2023, contributing 216 GW out of the 345 GW globally. This substantial share underscores China's dominant role in the global solar market.

2. Statement 2: The ISA has set an ambitious target to deploy 1,000 GW of solar power and attract $1 trillion in investments by the year 2030. This target reflects the organization's commitment to significantly scaling up solar energy deployment worldwide.

3. Statement 3: More than 80% of solar investments are concentrated in developed nations, China, and large developing countries like India. This concentration of investment limits the ISA's impact on smaller or less developed markets, which is a significant challenge the alliance faces.

Thus, all the given statements accurately reflect the ISA's current situation and objectives. Therefore, the correct answer is Option D.

1. Sagarmala Parikrama - Correctly matched. It is indeed an initiative backed by the Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO), Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC), and Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX).

2. Loaita Island - Incorrectly matched. Loaita Island is not the largest island in the Spratly group but is one of the naturally occurring islands. The Spratly Islands contain several larger islands, and Loaita ranks as the 10th largest.

3. Zambia - Correctly matched. Zambia is a landlocked country in south-central Africa and is bordered by Angola to the west.

4. Horn of Africa - Correctly matched. The Horn of Africa indeed includes Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

Therefore, three pairs are correctly matched.