Daily Current Affairs MCQs: 20th January 2025 - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1 is correct. Yala Glacier, situated in the Langtang Valley of Nepal, is indeed the only glacier in the Himalayas included in the Global Glacier Casualty List. This list is a global initiative aimed at documenting glaciers that are critically endangered or have already vanished.

- Statement 2 is correct. The Yala Glacier has experienced a retreat of 680 meters from 1974 to 2021, which has led to a significant reduction in its area by 36%.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The Global Glacier Casualty List was launched in 2024, not 2023, by a consortium including Rice University, WGMS, WMO, and UNESCO, not solely by UNESCO.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only. The statements 1 and 2 are accurate as per the details provided about the Yala Glacier, while statement 3 contains an incorrect year of launch for the Global Glacier Casualty List.

The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act of 2013 was a response to the Jan Lokpal Andolan, a movement led by activist Anna Hazare, which gained significant public support and brought the issue of corruption to the forefront of national discourse. This movement intensified public demand for a robust anti-corruption framework, ultimately leading to the enactment of the legislation.

1. Tamil Nadu - Early adoption of family planning policies: Correct. Tamil Nadu is one of the southern states that adopted family planning policies early, contributing to a decrease in fertility rates.

2. Kerala - Achieved replacement-level fertility by 1988: Correct. Kerala achieved replacement-level fertility in 1988, largely due to higher female literacy and social development.

3. Karnataka - High female literacy leading to delayed marriage: Incorrect. While Karnataka has seen urbanization and economic pressures affecting family size, it is Kerala that is specifically noted for high female literacy and its impact on marriage and childbirth timing.

4. Andhra Pradesh - Total Fertility Rate similar to Nordic countries: Correct. Andhra Pradesh currently has a Total Fertility Rate of 1.5, which is comparable to the fertility rates observed in Nordic countries.

Pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, making Option C the correct choice.

The Global Burden of Diseases Study 2021 has emphasized a significant decrease in India's fertility rate, dropping from 6.18 children per woman in the 1950s to 1.9 children per woman in 2021. This trend indicates a notable demographic shift with implications for socio-economic factors and political representation. The declining fertility rate poses challenges for India, especially in the southern states, requiring strategic interventions to ensure stability and representation.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013, indeed includes provisions for the Lokpal to investigate corruption cases involving the Prime Minister, albeit with certain specific exceptions. These exceptions are designed to ensure that sensitive matters related to national security and foreign relations are safeguarded.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The appointment of the Lokpal is not done exclusively by the President of India. Instead, it involves a Selection Committee, which includes the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, Chief Justice of India, and an eminent jurist. This committee recommends the appointment to the President.

- Statement 3 is correct. State-level Lokayuktas are established to address corruption cases involving state public servants like Chief Ministers and MLAs. The powers and structure of Lokayuktas can indeed vary by state, reflecting the Lokpal model but tailored to state-specific needs and legislative frameworks.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 3, which align with Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

1. Yala Glacier - This pair is incorrectly matched. Yala Glacier is located in the Langtang Valley of central Nepal, not Bhutan. It is facing significant threats due to rapid retreat and mass loss and is included in the Global Glacier Casualty List.

2. Pico Humboldt Glacier - This pair is incorrectly matched. Pico Humboldt Glacier, located in Venezuela, disappeared in 2024, not 2025.

3. Electoral Trust - This pair is correctly matched. Electoral Trusts in India are provided tax incentives under the Income Tax Act, 1961, specifically introduced under Section 13B. They are established to promote transparent political funding.

4. Southern Birdwing - This pair is correctly matched. The Southern Birdwing is indeed the largest butterfly in India, and it was notably observed during the recent faunal survey in the Munnar Wildlife Division.

Thus, only pairs 3 and 4 are correctly matched.

- Statement 1: The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of India has indeed fallen below the replacement level. Replacement level fertility is typically around 2.1 children per woman, which is considered necessary to maintain a stable population size. The GBD 2021 study highlighted that India's fertility rate has decreased to 1.9, which is below this threshold. Therefore, this statement is correct.

- Statement 2: Southern states such as Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were pioneers in adopting family planning measures, starting as early as the 1950s. These policies have been instrumental in reducing fertility rates in these regions. Andhra Pradesh, for instance, has a TFR comparable to some Nordic countries. Thus, this statement is also correct.

- Statement 3: The decline in fertility rates indeed has implications for political representation, particularly in the southern states. The potential reduction in parliamentary seats due to slower population growth compared to other regions is a real concern highlighted in demographic studies. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

The correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only. Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect because the decline in fertility rates does have political implications.

The Yala Glacier's imminent disappearance by the 2040s is primarily attributed to the impact of global warming leading to rapid retreat and mass loss. Climate change has accelerated glacial melting worldwide, posing a severe threat to the Yala Glacier's existence. The alarming rate of retreat underscores the urgent need for global cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by climate change, especially in regions like the Himalayas where glaciers play a crucial role in supporting millions of people with freshwater resources.

Both statements are factually correct based on the information provided in the text. Statement-I highlights the founding of the Namdhari sect by Satguru Ram Singh in Ludhiana in 1857, which aligns with historical records. Statement-II accurately reflects the social reforms advocated by the Namdharis, including their stance against alcohol consumption and meat-eating. The social reforms mentioned in Statement-II are in line with the additional details provided in the text, showing that Statement-II explains the founding of the Namdhari sect as mentioned in Statement-I. Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Statement-I correctly highlights the inclusion of the Yala Glacier in the Global Glacier Casualty List due to its rapid retreat and mass loss. Statement-II is also accurate in stating that the UN has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation and March 21st as World Glacier Day starting from 2025. Furthermore, Statement-II explains the significance of the UN's designation in the context of glacier preservation efforts, complementing Statement-I's focus on the Yala Glacier's vulnerability and global initiatives for glacier conservation.