Test: Weekly Current Affairs: September 22nd to 30th - UPSC MCQ

The Harappan society was known for its thriving trade culture, with key trade goods including stone and metal items. These goods were crucial for establishing trade networks and facilitating exchange with distant regions. The presence of standardized weights and measures further indicates the organized nature of trade within the civilization, contributing to its economic prosperity and cultural exchange.

1. Incorrect. The Harappan Civilization is actually renowned for its use of burnt bricks in its urban planning, which is a sophisticated technique compared to the sun-dried bricks used in contemporary Egyptian architecture. Therefore, the statement that they used sun-dried bricks is incorrect.

2. Correct. The Indus Valley Civilization, particularly at sites like Mohenjo-daro, had an advanced drainage system. Houses in Mohenjo-daro commonly featured courtyards and bathrooms, showcasing their remarkable urban planning and sanitation practices.

3. Correct. The Harappan people were indeed pioneers in the production of cotton, and this was known to the Greeks as "Sindon." This highlights the advanced agricultural practices of the civilization.

Thus, statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option D the correct answer.

1. Daya Ram Sahni - Initiated excavations at Mohenjo-daro
This pair is incorrectly matched. Daya Ram Sahni initiated excavations at Harappa in 1921-22, not Mohenjo-daro. It was Rakhal Das Banerji who began excavations at Mohenjo-daro in 1922.

2. Rakhal Das Banerji - Began excavating Harappa
This pair is incorrectly matched. Rakhal Das Banerji began excavating Mohenjo-daro, not Harappa.

3. Sir John Marshall - Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
This pair is correctly matched. Sir John Marshall was indeed the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India and oversaw the excavations at major Indus Valley sites.

4. Hakra Phase - Associated with the Ghaggar-Hakra River Valley
This pair is correctly matched. The Hakra Phase is associated with early Harappan settlements found in the Ghaggar-Hakra River Valley.

The correctly matched pairs are 3 and 4. Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched.

The main objective of the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA) is to address critical gaps in social infrastructure such as health, education, and livelihoods for tribal families residing in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts. This initiative aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities by leveraging various schemes and interventions to uplift their standard of living.

To determine which statements are correct, let's analyze each one:

Statement 1: This is correct. PMJUGA aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities by providing pucca housing and tapped water to eligible Scheduled Tribe households through the convergence of government schemes like PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana) and the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Statement 2: This is incorrect. While PMJUGA includes health infrastructure development, it is not focused exclusively on health. The program aims to address various critical gaps in social infrastructure, including education and livelihoods, through the convergence of multiple government initiatives.

Statement 3: This is correct. PMJUGA plans to establish 100 Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centres (TMMCs) to enhance the marketing infrastructure for tribal products, thus promoting economic empowerment and livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3 only. Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

1. Objective of PMJUGA - Incorrect. The primary objective of PMJUGA is to address critical gaps in social infrastructure such as health, education, and livelihoods in tribal-majority areas, not specifically urban infrastructure.
2. Target Coverage - Correct. The program aims to cover approximately 63,000 tribal-majority villages, benefiting over 5 crore tribal individuals.
3. Infrastructure Development - Correct. PMJUGA plans to provide eligible Scheduled Tribe (ST) households with pucca housing, tapped water from the Jal Jeevan Mission, and electricity supply.
4. Health Initiatives - Incorrect. Mobile medical units are to be deployed in areas where the nearest sub-centre is more than 10 km in plain regions and 5 km in hilly areas, thus not limited to urban areas.
Pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

The Supreme Court's recommendation to change the term "child pornography" to "child sexual exploitative and abuse material" (CSEAM) under the POCSO Act, 2012, primarily aims to emphasize the severity of the content and its implications. This change reflects the need to accurately capture the exploitative and abusive nature of such material, moving beyond the mere connotation of consensual adult activities often associated with the term "pornography."

1. The Supreme Court has recommended changing the term "child pornography" to "child sexual exploitative and abuse material" (CSEAM): This statement is correct. The Supreme Court recommended this change to better reflect the nature of abuse and exploitation involved, as the term "pornography" may imply consensual adult activities, which is not the case here.

2. The court's ruling on the POCSO Act now criminalizes the mere possession of child sexual exploitative and abuse material, even if it is not shared or transmitted: This statement is correct. The Supreme Court's interpretation of the POCSO Act includes possession of such material as a punishable offense, emphasizing that it constitutes an inchoate offense under the Act.

3. The ruling emphasizes the need for comprehensive sex education in society, including topics like gender equality and respect for diversity: This statement is also correct. The court highlighted the importance of promoting comprehensive sex education to counter misconceptions and stigmas related to sexual health, which includes teaching about gender equality and respect for diversity.

All three statements are accurate as per the Supreme Court's recent ruling concerning the POCSO Act and its implications. Therefore, the correct answer is Option D: 1, 2 and 3.

1. Redefinition of Terminology: Correct. The Supreme Court has recommended changing the term "child pornography" to "child sexual exploitative and abuse material" to better capture the nature of the abuse and exploitation involved.

2. Expansion of Section 15: Correct. The Supreme Court ruling expands Section 15 of the POCSO Act to include strict penalties for possession without reporting, even if there is no intent to distribute the material.

3. Concept of Inchoate Offences: Correct. The ruling categorizes offenses under Section 15 as "inchoate" offences, meaning these are preparatory actions towards committing further crimes, aligning with the legal concept of inchoate offenses.

4. Educational Reforms: Incorrect. While the court emphasized the need for comprehensive sex education, it did not mandate it only for schools. The reforms are intended for broader societal implementation, covering schools and general societal awareness.

Pairs 1, 2, and 3 are correctly matched, while pair 4 is not accurately described. Hence, three pairs are correctly matched.

Both statements are factually correct based on the information provided. The first statement highlights the recommendation made by the Supreme Court to change the term "child pornography" to "child sexual exploitative and abuse material" (CSEAM) for better accuracy. The second statement refers to the Supreme Court's reinterpretation of "storage of child pornography" under Section 15 of the POCSO Act, introducing new offenses. While both statements are individually correct, they address different aspects of the Supreme Court ruling and do not directly explain each other.

Addressing youth radicalization through social media was one of the key discussions at the conference. This topic particularly focused on concerns related to Islamic and Khalistani extremism and the challenges posed by radicalization through social platforms. It highlighted the need for strategies to counter extremist narratives and activities targeting vulnerable youth populations.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 indeed categorized several tribes as hereditary criminals under British rule, which led to systematic surveillance and stigmatization. This colonial law viewed certain tribes as naturally inclined to criminal activity, thus subjecting them to discrimination and control.

2. Statement 2 is correct. The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, was specifically enacted to address the historical injustices faced by forest-dwelling communities, including tribal groups. It aims to recognize and vest forest rights to those communities traditionally dependent on forest resources, thus rectifying the exclusionary policies of previous colonial laws.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, is designed to prevent atrocities and discrimination against SCs and STs. While it does address a broad spectrum of issues related to social justice and protection from violence and discrimination, it does not specifically focus on financial exploitation.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

1. Criminal Tribes Act, 1871 - Correctly matched. This act labeled several tribes as hereditary criminals, leading to continuous surveillance and a stigmatization that lasted long after the law was repealed.

2. Forest Rights Act, 2006 - Incorrectly matched. The Forest Rights Act of 2006 does aim to rectify injustices against forest-dwelling communities, but the specific policy that promotes a symbiotic relationship between tribals and forests is the National Forest Policy of 1952, not the Forest Rights Act.

3. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 - Correctly matched. This act does indeed mandate special courts to expedite cases involving atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

4. Permanent Settlement, 1793 - Incorrectly matched. The Permanent Settlement was a tax collection policy introduced by the British that actually disrupted traditional land ownership practices and led to exploitation of tribals, rather than encouraging traditional practices.

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

Statement I is accurate as it reflects the historical context under British rule where certain tribes were labeled as hereditary criminals under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871. Statement II is also correct as it mentions the replacement of the Criminal Tribes Act by the Habitual Offenders Act, 1952, which recognized the tribes previously stigmatized as criminals under the colonial law as "Denotified Tribes," thereby removing the stigma associated with their heritage. Hence, Statement II explains the progression from the colonial labeling of tribes to their denotification and recognition under the new act, aligning with Statement I.

India's proposed Shipbuilding Mission under the Maritime India Vision 2030 aims to enhance the shipbuilding industry and maritime infrastructure in India. This initiative focuses on developing a robust global shipbuilding industry by 2047 as part of the Make in India campaign, with strategies targeting various aspects of shipbuilding, ship repair, and maritime operations. By positioning India among the leading maritime powers, this mission seeks to boost the country's shipbuilding capabilities and competitiveness in the global market.

1. Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. The Witness Protection Scheme, 2018 categorizes witnesses into three categories based on the Threat Analysis Report (TAR), which includes threats to life, safety, reputation, or property. It does not solely focus on threats to life.

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. The scheme mandates the establishment of a Standing Committee in each district, which includes the District and Sessions Judge, the District Police Head, and the District Prosecutor, to oversee the implementation of witness protection measures within its jurisdiction.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. The Supreme Court, in the case of Mahender Chawla & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. (2018), mandated the implementation of the scheme across all States and Union Territories, treating it as law under Articles 141 and 142 of the Constitution until formal legislation is enacted.

Thus, statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option C the right answer.

1. Category 'A': Witnesses facing threats to their life or that of their family.
This pair is correctly matched. Category 'A' indeed refers to witnesses facing threats to their life or that of their family as outlined in the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018.

2. Category 'B': Witnesses facing threats to their reputation or property.
This pair is correctly matched. Category 'B' covers threats to the safety, reputation, or property of the witness or their family.

3. Competent Authority: Chaired by the District and Sessions Judge.
This pair is correctly matched. The Competent Authority for witness protection at the district level is indeed headed by the District and Sessions Judge, along with other officials.

4. Supreme Court Endorsement: Mahender Chawla & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. (2018) case.
This pair is correctly matched. The Supreme Court endorsed the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018, in the Mahender Chawla & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. case, mandating its implementation across all states and union territories.

All four pairs are correctly matched, thus making Option D the correct answer.

World Tourism Day, initiated by the UNWTO, aims to raise awareness about the social, cultural, and economic significance of tourism. It serves to highlight tourism's role in fostering world peace through cross-cultural interactions and understanding, emphasizing its importance as a catalyst for economic growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability.

Tourism contributes to peace by fostering cultural exchange and tolerance among diverse cultures. Through shared experiences, dialogue, and understanding, tourism helps diminish prejudice, promoting harmony and mutual respect among people from different backgrounds.

Safety and security issues, such as reports of crime, including theft and assault, create a climate of fear that impacts tourists, particularly deterring women travelers. Addressing these issues is crucial to enhance India's image as a tourist-friendly destination and ensure a positive experience for visitors.

India possesses the advantage of rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, including diverse landscapes, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and unique flora and fauna. These attractions offer a wide range of adventure sports, trekking opportunities, and ecotourism potential, making India an appealing destination for tourists seeking immersive experiences in nature and culture.

- Statement 1: Correct. India ranks 39th in the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024, reflecting its significant position in the global tourism landscape based on its diverse resources.

- Statement 2: Correct. The travel and tourism sector significantly contributed USD 199.6 billion to India’s economy in 2022, highlighting its vital role in economic development.

- Statement 3: Incorrect. Domestic tourist visits in India did not remain stagnant; they increased significantly from 128 crore in 2014 to 250 crore in 2023, indicating a robust growth in domestic tourism.

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

Statement-I correctly highlights the initiation and purpose of World Tourism Day by the UNWTO in 1980. Statement-II accurately reflects the theme for World Tourism Day 2024, which focuses on the relationship between tourism and peace, aligning with the broader objectives of the day.

By selecting option A, it acknowledges that both statements are factually correct, with Statement-II providing additional context that aligns with the historical significance of the event and its thematic relevance in 2024.

The primary goal of the 'Make in India' initiative is to increase the manufacturing sector's share in GDP to 25% by 2025. This objective aims to boost India's manufacturing capabilities and make the country a global manufacturing powerhouse.

Statement 1 is correct. The Make in India initiative aims to increase the manufacturing sector's share in GDP to 25% by 2025. This objective reflects the initiative's focus on enhancing India's manufacturing capabilities and contribution to the economy.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes under the Make in India initiative are not limited to the electronics sector alone. They aim to boost domestic manufacturing and exports across 14 key sectors, which include electronics but are not restricted to it. This broader application is crucial for achieving the overall goals of the initiative.

Statement 3 is correct. The Make in India initiative emphasizes the development of industrial corridors and smart cities as part of its strategy to enhance infrastructure. This focus is intended to support the manufacturing sector by providing the necessary physical and technological infrastructure to facilitate industrial growth.

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