Test: Weekly Current Affairs: February 15th to 21st - UPSC MCQ

1. Elevation to Strategic Partnership - Incorrect. The strategic partnership between India and Qatar focuses on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and security, not specifically on education and cultural exchange.

2. Qatar’s Investment Commitment - Correct. Qatar has indeed pledged significant investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, and emerging technologies like AI and machine learning in India.

3. Status of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) - Correct. There are ongoing discussions for a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Qatar.

4. Energy Cooperation - Incorrect. Qatar is not India's largest supplier of crude oil but is a major supplier of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to India.

The pairs correctly matched are 2 and 3.

Statement-I is correct as it highlights the High Court's ruling on marital rape in India, which indeed does not recognize it as a crime. Statement-II is also correct as it correctly discusses Swami Dayanand Saraswati's contributions to Indian nationalism and social reforms. However, the two statements are not directly related; hence, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

Continuous exposure to extreme weather is a significant contributing factor to the rising stress levels among India's defense forces. Prolonged deployments in Counter-Insurgency/Counter-Terrorism (CI/CT) operations expose personnel to high-risk environments, which can significantly contribute to stress levels. The demanding nature of military operations, coupled with constant vigilance and quick decision-making, in such extreme conditions can be overwhelming for the personnel.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati is best known for founding the Arya Samaj in 1875, which aimed to promote Vedic knowledge and address social issues in India. His advocacy for women's education, the abolition of social evils, and opposition to practices like untouchability and caste discrimination were pivotal in shaping the social reform movement in India. An interesting fact is that his work and ideas greatly influenced future leaders of the nationalist movement, including Mahatma Gandhi, who adopted some of his principles in their struggle for independence.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) indeed provides financial protection to farmers in the event of crop failure due to natural disasters, pests, and diseases. This is one of the primary objectives of the scheme, aimed at safeguarding farmers against unpredictable events that could lead to crop loss.
- Statement 2 is incorrect. The premium rates under PMFBY are set at 2% for Kharif crops and 1.5% for Rabi crops, not 3% and 2% as mentioned. The government subsidizes the remaining premium, making it affordable for farmers.
- Statement 3 is incorrect. PMFBY covers post-harvest losses occurring within 14 days of harvest, not 30 days. This provision is crucial for protecting farmers against losses due to unseasonal rains or other calamities immediately after harvesting.
Thus, only Statement 1 is correct, which makes the correct answer Option A: 1 Only.

- Statement 1: This statement is correct. It accurately reflects the finding from a study by the United Service Institution of India (USI), which reports that over 50% of Indian Army personnel experience severe stress.

- Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. Operational stressors are not primarily due to frequent transfers and poor quality rations. Instead, operational stressors are associated with prolonged deployments and continuous exposure to high-risk environments, such as those encountered in Counter-Insurgency/Counter-Terrorism (CI/CT) operations.

- Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. Non-operational stressors are related to issues such as leadership gaps, conflicts with peers, frequent transfers, and administrative challenges, rather than prolonged deployments in CI/CT operations, which are operational stressors.

Therefore, only Statement 1 is correct, making Option A: 1 Only the accurate answer.

Statement-I correctly highlights the objective of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in providing financial protection to farmers in case of crop failure due to various reasons. Statement-II elaborates on the risks covered by PMFBY, which aligns with the scheme's coverage against natural calamities, pests, diseases affecting crops, and post-harvest losses. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II logically explains the context provided in Statement-I.

1. Eligibility: Correctly matched. PMFBY covers all farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers, for notified crops in designated areas. Participation is voluntary.
2. Risk Coverage: Incorrectly matched. PMFBY covers a wide range of risks, including natural calamities, pests, diseases, and post-harvest losses within 14 days of harvest, not just natural calamities.
3. Premium Rates: Incorrectly matched. The premium is 2% for Kharif crops and 1.5% for Rabi crops, not the other way around.
4. Technological Advancements: Correctly matched. The scheme uses satellite imagery, drones, and the CCE-Agri App to enhance transparency and efficiency in loss assessment.
Pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched while pairs 2 and 3 are incorrectly matched. Hence, only three pairs are correctly matched.

The High Court's ruling indicates that under the current legal framework in India, marital rape is not recognized as a crime unless the couple is separated. This legal position stems from the definition of consent and the implications of marital status in the Indian Penal Code. It highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the need to criminalize marital rape, reflecting significant societal and cultural challenges in addressing issues of consent and personal autonomy within marriage. An interesting fact is that discussions around this topic are gaining momentum as women's rights groups continue to advocate for legislative changes to ensure that marital rape is treated with the seriousness it deserves.

The India-Argentina Lithium Partnership is crucial for enhancing India's lithium supply chain. This partnership aims to explore lithium resources in Argentina, a country known for its vast lithium reserves. Lithium is a critical element used in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage. By strengthening its position in the lithium market through this collaboration, India can advance its electric vehicle technology and renewable energy solutions.

The ruling in the Gorakhnath Sharma vs State of Chhattisgarh case established that a husband cannot be charged with rape or unnatural sex with his wife if she is above the age of 15, irrespective of her consent. This is based on Exception 2 under Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, which provides immunity to husbands in such situations. This legal framework has been a subject of debate and discussion, particularly among women's rights activists advocating for the criminalization of marital rape. An interesting fact is that despite the ruling, many countries around the world have recognized marital rape as a crime, reflecting changing societal norms and increasing awareness of women's rights.

- Statement 1 is correct: In India, marital rape is not recognized as a crime unless the couple is separated. The legal framework under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) does not criminalize non-consensual sexual acts within a marriage unless the couple is living separately.

- Statement 2 is correct: Exception 2 under Section 375 of the IPC provides immunity to husbands from charges of rape if the wife is above 15 years of age. This reflects the outdated statutory age of consent, which has been a subject of debate and criticism.

- Statement 3 is correct: The Supreme Court, in the Independent Thought vs UoI case (2017), ruled that sexual intercourse with a wife who is aged 15 to 18 years is considered rape, effectively raising the age of consent to 18 years. This decision aimed to align the age of consent with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which sets the age of consent at 18.

Therefore, all three statements are correct, making Option D the correct answer. This question highlights the complexities and ongoing debates in Indian law concerning marital rape and the age of consent.

1. Vaccine Maitri Initiative - Correctly matched. It demonstrates India's commitment to the welfare of developing nations by providing COVID-19 vaccines to various countries, especially in the Global South, showcasing India's support for global health and solidarity.

2. Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) - Incorrectly matched. NAM was established to unify developing nations, not developed nations. It aimed to create a collective voice among countries that did not wish to formally align with either the Western bloc led by the United States or the Eastern bloc led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, focusing on political independence and sovereignty of newly independent states.

3. Global Development Compact - Correctly matched. This is India's framework for non-conditional development cooperation, offering an alternative to development aid models that often come with strings attached, emphasizing mutual benefit and respect for sovereignty.

4. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) - Incorrectly matched. The BRI is an initiative by China, not India. India presents itself as a transparent and sustainable alternative to the BRI, focusing on cooperative development instead of debt-driven projects, but BRI itself is not an Indian initiative.

Pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched. Thus, two pairs are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established through the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, which amended Article 338 and introduced Article 338A to specifically address the needs of Scheduled Tribes. This statement is accurate as per the constitutional provisions.
2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The NCST does not have the power to enforce its recommendations or impose penalties for non-compliance. While it plays a crucial role in monitoring and advising on issues related to Scheduled Tribes, its recommendations are not binding, which limits its enforcement capabilities.
3. Statement 3 is incorrect. The tenure for the members of the NCST is three years, not five years. They can be reappointed for a maximum of two terms, but the tenure mentioned in the statement is incorrect.
Therefore, only Statement 1 is correct, making Option A the right answer.

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct. Statement-I highlights the correlation between rising stress levels in defense forces and severe mental health issues and tragic outcomes. Statement-II provides specific data supporting the first statement, indicating that over 50% of Indian Army personnel are under severe stress according to a study by the United Service Institution of India (USI). Therefore, Statement-II explains and supports Statement-I, making option (a) the correct answer.

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) in India was established with the primary objective of monitoring constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes specifically. The Commission plays a crucial role in advising on socio-economic development and addressing tribal rights issues. By focusing on the distinct needs of Scheduled Tribes, the NCST aims to ensure the protection and welfare of these communities in the country.

Statement-I correctly identifies Argentina as a country known for its vast lithium reserves. This is a factually accurate statement. Statement-II accurately highlights India's objective of enhancing its lithium supply chain through the partnership with Argentina, thereby explaining why this collaboration is significant. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides an additional context that supports Statement-I.

- Statement 1 is correct. India and Qatar have indeed set a target to double their bilateral trade to USD 28 billion by 2030. This reflects the intent to strengthen economic ties and enhance cooperation across various sectors.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. While Qatar's sovereign wealth fund has committed to increasing investments in India, the specific pledge mentioned in the source material is an additional USD 10 billion, not USD 15 billion. This investment focuses on sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning.

- Statement 3 is correct. Qatar is a significant supplier of energy to India. In the fiscal year 2022-23, Qatar was India's largest supplier of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), providing over 48% of total LNG imports, and was also the top supplier of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), accounting for 29% of imports. This underscores the crucial energy partnership between the two nations as India transitions towards cleaner energy sources.

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

The elevation of the bilateral relationship between India and Qatar to a strategic partnership aims to enhance cooperation in various key areas such as trade, investment, energy, and security. This upgrade signifies a deeper commitment between the two nations to collaborate extensively in these crucial sectors for mutual benefit and strategic advancement.

Statement-I is correct because the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was indeed established in 2004 to cater to the specific needs of Scheduled Tribes in India.
Statement-II is also correct as it accurately describes the composition of the NCST, which includes a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other Members, all appointed by the President. However, Statement-II does not provide an explanation of Statement-I; it simply provides additional information about the structure of the NCST. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

1. **Operational Stressors - Prolonged deployments in Counter-Insurgency/Counter-Terrorism operations:** This pair is correctly matched. Operational stressors include prolonged deployments in high-risk environments such as Counter-Insurgency/Counter-Terrorism operations, where personnel face constant vigilance and quick decision-making requirements.

2. **Non-Operational Stressors - Inadequate infrastructure and support:** This pair is correctly matched. Non-operational stressors involve factors like inadequate infrastructure and support, which contribute significantly to stress experienced by personnel outside of direct combat situations.

3. **Mental Health Stigma - Encouragement to seek help:** This pair is incorrectly matched. The statement should reflect that mental health stigma actually discourages personnel from seeking help due to fears of appearing weak, not that it encourages it.

4. **High Stress Levels - Decreased incidents of fratricides:** This pair is incorrectly matched. High stress levels correlate with increased incidents of both suicides and fratricides, which negatively impact operational effectiveness and morale.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched.

The primary objective of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is to safeguard farmers against crop losses caused by unpredictable natural disasters. This scheme aims to provide financial protection to farmers in the event of crop failure due to natural disasters, pests, or diseases. By offering coverage against a wide range of risks and ensuring timely compensation, PMFBY plays a crucial role in supporting farmers during difficult times.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati made a significant impact on Indian society by founding Arya Samaj and emphasizing the importance of returning to Vedic teachings. This movement he founded rejected idol worship and social evils, advocating for various social reforms. Swami Dayanand Saraswati's work played a crucial role in promoting social equality and reform in India.

India's "Global Development Compact" offers a distinctive non-conditional development cooperation framework to developing nations. This approach sets India apart from Western models and aims to support the economic growth and welfare of developing countries without imposing conditions that may hinder their progress. By prioritizing collaboration over conditions, India seeks to strengthen global partnerships and promote inclusive development practices.

Statement-I correctly highlights that India is proposing a collaborative development model that differs from Western and Chinese approaches. This is in line with India's initiatives like the Vaccine Maitri, demonstrating a unique approach to global development.
Statement-II is also accurate in stating that India aims to enhance representation for developing countries in global decision-making platforms. This aligns with India's goal of being a bridge between the Global North and South, showcasing its commitment to empowering developing nations.
Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains how India's unique development model ties into its efforts to increase representation for developing countries in global decision-making processes.