Test: Weekly Current Affairs: August 8th to 14th - UPSC MCQ

1. Delay in Operationalisation of Machines: Incorrectly matched. The correct issue here is the visa delays for Chinese technicians needed for tasks like machine installation, repair, and training of Indian workers, not the skewed sex ratio or societal preferences.

2. Delay in Fulfilling Global Orders: Correctly matched. Tensions with China have led to significant production losses (USD 15 billion) and job losses (100,000) for Indian electronics manufacturers.

3. Achievement of Atmanirbhar Bharat: Correctly matched. Ensuring the availability of necessary expertise helps in enhancing production capabilities and reducing dependence on imports, aligning with the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

4. Delay in Commencement of Production: Correctly matched. Visa delays for Chinese technicians have caused machines to remain unused for months, leading to delays in production across various industries.

Thus, three out of the four pairs are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly highlights the environmental benefits of biofuels, emphasizing their role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, addressing resource depletion issues, and offering solutions for improved waste management. Statement-II accurately describes the process of ethanol production, which involves the fermentation of crop residues like corn and sugarcane, followed by mixing with petroleum to reduce emissions. Ethanol blending with petroleum helps in reducing overall emissions and dependency on fossil fuels, thereby supporting environmental sustainability. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides a relevant explanation for the significance of biofuels in environmental sustainability.

The recent boxing match between Algeria's Imane Khelif and Italy's Angela Carini sparked controversy due to suspicions regarding Imane Khelif's gender eligibility. Despite official confirmation of her gender identity as female, Khelif faced accusations of being a "biological man" with disorders of sex development, leading to concerns about unfair advantages in women's sports. This controversy highlights the ongoing debate and challenges surrounding gender eligibility in sports, particularly in cases involving disorders of sex development.

1. Correct: The Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) indeed aims to reduce import dependence by promoting fuel blending with bioethanol, biodiesel, and bio-CNG. This is a key element of the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018.
2. Incorrect: The Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana, launched in 2019, focuses on the production of second-generation (2G) ethanol from cellulosic and lignocellulosic sources, not first-generation ethanol.
3. Correct: The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) was indeed launched by India along with the leaders of the USA, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, Singapore, Bangladesh, Mauritius, and the UAE on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 3. Hence, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

- Statement 1: Correct. The Presidential Orders of 2019 indeed redefined the "constituent assembly of Jammu and Kashmir" to mean the "Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir."

- Statement 2: Correct. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, bifurcated the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

- Statement 3: Incorrect. The Supreme Court, in December 2023, upheld the abrogation of Article 370, validating the Presidential Orders and rendering Article 370 inoperative.

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

Biomass is the renewable source of energy commonly used in the production of biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. Biofuels are derived from the biomass of plants or animal wastes, making biomass a crucial component in the production of these sustainable energy alternatives.

1. The Economic Survey 2023-24 indeed advocated for attracting investments from Chinese companies to boost exports. This is aimed at leveraging foreign expertise and investments to enhance the manufacturing capabilities of India.

2. The slow visa approval process for Chinese technicians has indeed led to delays in the commencement of production in multiple industries in India. This has been a significant issue, particularly highlighted in sectors like textiles and leather, where machinery has remained unused due to the absence of Chinese technicians required for activation.

3. The Government of India has not approved all FDI applications from China submitted since the modification of the FDI policy under Press Note 3 (PN3), 2020. In fact, only a quarter of the total 435 FDI applications from China up to June 2023 have been approved, reflecting a cautious approach due to security concerns.

Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect. Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

The passing of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act in 2019 was a crucial event that bifurcated the state into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This legislative action reshaped the governance structure of the region and had significant implications for its administrative setup and relationship with the Indian government.

Melting polar ice caps due to climate change cause the Earth to slow down its rotation. As the ice melts and flows towards the equator, it increases the Earth's oblateness and moment of inertia, leading to a slower spin. This phenomenon is a result of the conservation of angular momentum, where the redistribution of mass affects the Earth's rotational speed, causing it to slow down over time.

Statement I incorrectly states that seaweeds contribute to environmental sustainability by absorbing excess nutrients and reducing carbon footprints. While seaweeds do contribute to environmental sustainability, it is not primarily through absorbing excess nutrients. On the other hand, Statement II correctly highlights that seaweeds are valued for their cosmetic and pharmaceutical uses in various industries. Seaweeds contain essential vitamins and minerals, have medicinal properties, and are utilized in industries beyond cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, making Statement II correct.

The primary objective of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is to concentrate jobs, housing, and services around public transport stations. This planning strategy aims to create environments where development is easily accessible by walking or biking near transit options, promoting efficiency in economic growth, urban transport, and land use.

• Statement 1 is correct. TOD indeed encourages development that is easy to walk or bike through, with jobs, homes, and services located close to transit options, promoting a more efficient use of space and resources.
• Statement 2 is correct. TOD has been successfully implemented in cities like Stockholm, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore, demonstrating its effectiveness in various urban settings.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. While TOD aims to reduce vehicle dependence, it does this by concentrating developments around public transport stations, not by ensuring all developments are located at a minimum distance from these stations. The focus is on proximity to transit options rather than setting a minimum distance.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

Statement 1: The discoveries of the underwater structures in the Indian Ocean are part of the Indian Southern Ocean Research Programme, initiated in 2004. This statement is correct. The Indian Southern Ocean Research Programme was indeed initiated in 2004 with the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) as the nodal agency.

Statement 2: The Ashoka Seamount, Kalpataru Ridge, and Chandragupt Ridge were all discovered using the Indian research vessel MGS Sagar. This statement is incorrect. While the Chandragupt Ridge was identified by the Indian research vessel MGS Sagar, the Ashoka Seamount and Kalpataru Ridge were discovered using the Russian vessel Akademik Nikolay Strakhov.

Statement 3: The International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) approved the naming of the new underwater structures. This statement is correct. The naming was proposed by India and approved by both the IHO and UNESCO’s IOC.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

Option C: 1 and 3 Only

1. Node Value: Incorrectly matched. Node Value describes the importance of a station in the public transit network based on passenger traffic, connections with other transport modes, and centrality within the network.

2. Place Value: Incorrectly matched. Place Value reflects the quality and attractiveness of the area around the station, including diverse land use, access to essential services, pedestrian-friendly design, and the size of urban blocks around the station.

3. Market Potential Value: Correctly matched. Market Potential Value is assessed by factors like the number of current and future jobs nearby, the number of jobs accessible by transit within 30 minutes, housing density, available land for development, possible zoning changes, and overall market activity.

4. Seaweed Mission: Correctly matched. The Seaweed Mission was indeed launched in 2021 to promote seaweed farming.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched.

Statement-I is accurate as it highlights India's missed export opportunities in the electronics sector due to visa delays for Chinese technicians. Statement-II complements Statement-I by explaining how the slow visa approval process has led to machinery remaining unused, affecting production in sectors like textiles and leather. Therefore, both statements are correct, with Statement-II providing a logical explanation for the situation described in Statement-I.

India requires Chinese technicians for its manufacturing industry to enhance production capacities and operationalize production units, especially in sectors covered by the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. This move is crucial for boosting output and maintaining competitiveness in the global market.

Statement-I correctly defines the Abyssal Plain as the flattest part of the ocean floor, covered by fine sediments and home to unique deep-sea creatures. Statement-II is incorrect in its definition of Seamounts, which are indeed undersea mountains formed by volcanic activity but do not rise from the sea floor near plate boundaries; instead, they often rise from the ocean floor due to volcanic activity, not necessarily near plate boundaries. Therefore, while Statement-I is accurate, Statement-II is inaccurate, making option (c) the correct answer.

Statement-I incorrectly attributes the benefits of the revocation of Article 370 to the Quit India Movement context, while Statement-II correctly describes the significance and impact of the Quit India Movement on Indian independence struggle. The movement, led by Gandhi, indeed played a crucial role in discrediting factions within Congress and pressuring the British government towards reconsideration of their governance strategies.

1. Ethanol - Produced by fermentation of crop residues such as corn and sugarcane: Correct. Ethanol is indeed produced by fermenting crop residues like corn and sugarcane.

2. Biodiesel - Made from cooking oil, recycled restaurant grease, yellow grease, or animal fats: Correct. Biodiesel is produced from these sources.

3. Ethanol - Used in 99.9% pure alcohol for potable liquor: Incorrect. Ethanol used in potable liquor is typically 96% extra neutral alcohol, not 99.9%.

4. National Policy on Biofuel, 2018 - Aims to reduce import dependence by promoting fuel blending with bioethanol, biodiesel, and bio-CNG: Correct. This is one of the key aims of the National Policy on Biofuels 2018.

So, pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 3 is incorrectly matched.

All three statements are correct.

1. The IOC's current eligibility criteria are indeed based solely on the gender stated in an athlete's passport. This is confirmed by the controversy surrounding boxers like Imane Khelif, who are competing in the Paris Olympics under these criteria.

2. The International Boxing Association (IBA) was derecognized by the IOC in 2023, which allowed athletes like Khelif and Lin Yu-ting to compete in the Paris Olympics despite failing the IBA's gender eligibility test.

3. The SRY gene on the Y chromosome plays a significant role in testosterone production, which is linked to athletic advantages. This is a well-established fact in the discussion of gender and athletic performance.

Therefore, all three statements are accurate, making Option D the correct answer.

Statement-I is incorrect because while the IOC allows boxers to participate based on the gender in their passport, the controversy surrounding Imane Khelif and the other boxer being barred from the World Championship in New Delhi was due to a "gender eligibility" test conducted by the IBA, which led to their exclusion. This test was not solely based on the gender stated in their passports, as indicated by the confidential nature of the test mentioned. Statement-II correctly reflects this specific incident, making it the correct statement.

1. Melting of polar ice caps increases the Earth's oblateness and moment of inertia: This statement is correct. The melting polar ice caps cause water to redistribute from the poles towards the equator, which increases the Earth's oblateness (flattening at the poles) and moment of inertia. This change in mass distribution affects the Earth's rotational dynamics.

2. The Earth's rotational axis shift due to melting ice can lead to significant changes in the duration of a day: This statement is incorrect. Although the melting ice causes a slight shift in the Earth's axis of rotation, it is not significant enough to cause major changes in the duration of a day. The duration changes are primarily due to the conservation of angular momentum as the mass distribution changes, which affects the rotational speed but not through axis shifts.

3. Variations in Earth's rotation can affect the accuracy of GPS systems: This statement is correct. GPS systems rely on precise time measurements, and any variations in Earth's rotation can impact the accuracy of these systems. Changes in rotational speed can introduce minor errors in navigation and location services.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are individually correct. Statement-I highlights the effect of melting polar ice caps on the Earth's rotation, causing a slowdown. Statement-II correctly mentions the principle of angular momentum and the Earth's moment of inertia but does not directly explain the specific relationship between the melting ice caps and the Earth's rotation slowdown. The slowdown in Earth's rotation due to melting ice caps is a result of complex interactions involving changes in mass distribution and conservation of angular momentum, which Statement-II does not explicitly elucidate.

1. Imane Khelif - Banned by the International Boxing Association in 2023 for failing a "gender eligibility" test. - Correct. Imane Khelif was barred from competing in the IBA World Championship in 2023 due to a "gender eligibility" test.

2. Lin Yu-ting - Competing at the Paris Olympics despite failing a "gender eligibility" test. - Correct. Lin Yu-ting is competing at the Paris Olympics despite being barred from the IBA World Championship in 2023 due to a "gender eligibility" test.

3. World Athletics - Uses testosterone levels to determine eligibility of athletes with DSDs. - Correct. World Athletics uses testosterone levels as a criterion, requiring athletes with DSDs to maintain levels below 2.5 nmol/L for at least 24 months.

4. SRY gene - Found on the X chromosome and linked to testosterone production. - Incorrect. The SRY gene is found on the Y chromosome, not the X chromosome, and it plays a significant role in testosterone production.

Thus, pairs 1, 2, and 3 are correctly matched, while pair 4 is incorrect.

Answer: Option B

1. Instrument of Accession - Signed by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1947:

This is correctly matched. Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession in 1947, which led to Jammu and Kashmir becoming a part of India.

2. Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act - Passed in 2019:

This is correctly matched. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act was indeed passed by the Parliament of India in 2019, leading to the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

3. Ranbir Penal Code - Replaced by the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in 2020:

This is incorrectly matched. The Ranbir Penal Code was replaced by the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (now Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) after the abrogation of Article 370, but the transition began in 2019, not specifically in 2020.

4. 'Do or Die' Speech - Delivered by Jawaharlal Nehru during the Quit India Movement:

This is incorrectly matched. The famous 'Do or Die' speech was delivered by Mahatma Gandhi, not Jawaharlal Nehru, during the Quit India Movement in 1942.

Thus, pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched, while pairs 3 and 4 are not.