UPSC Daily Current Affairs - 1st July 2024 - UPSC MCQ

The Nouka Baich boat races hold significance as they showcase a variety of traditional boat designs used in the rural pockets of West Bengal. These races, held predominantly during the monsoon season, feature diverse types of boats such as Chhip, Kaile Bachhari, Chande Bachhari, Chitoi, Sorpi, and Sorengi, each with unique design features and historical significance. The event not only highlights the cultural heritage of the region but also promotes community participation and traditional craftsmanship.

The Santhal Revolt of 1855 commenced with the Santhal people being asked to clear forests for agriculture to boost revenue generation. This act was one of the key triggers that led to the uprising against the British East India Company and the Zamindari system, also known as the Santhal Rebellion or Santhal Hul.

The primary objective behind the establishment of the IMF during the Bretton Woods Conference of 1944 was to aid economic development and promote monetary cooperation and stability globally. The IMF was designed to provide financial assistance and policy advice to member countries facing balance of payments problems, aiming to foster economic growth and stability on an international scale.

All three statements are correct based on the financial details provided regarding the funds allocated by the Union government for restoration works in Tamil Nadu following natural disasters. 1. Statement 1: Correct. The Union government did initially release ₹276 crore for immediate restoration efforts after the natural disasters in Tamil Nadu. 2. Statement 2: Correct. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) subsequently approved additional assistance of ₹285.54 crore and ₹397.13 crore for the two disaster spells in Tamil Nadu. 3. Statement 3: Correct. The Union government’s order indeed mentioned ₹406.57 crore as the 50% available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) account of Tamil Nadu as of April 1, 2023. Thus, the correct answer is Option D.

- Statement 1 is correct: The Government of India Act, 1935 placed education under the provincial list, reflecting the federal structure introduced by the act, where legislative subjects were divided between the federal legislature and the provinces.

- Statement 2 is incorrect: The 42nd constitutional amendment moved education from the state list to the concurrent list, not the union list. This allowed both the central and state governments to legislate on education.

- Statement 3 is incorrect: In Canada, education is managed entirely by the provinces, not the federal government. This provincial control allows for tailored educational policies to suit local needs.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option A: 1 Only.

1. India has approved diagnostic tests for the Zika virus.
This statement is incorrect. India faces challenges with the absence of approved diagnostic tests for the Zika virus, relying instead on clinical symptoms and selective testing, which may lead to underreporting.

2. Surveillance systems specifically tailored for Zika and other emerging infectious diseases are well-established in India.
This statement is incorrect. There is a notable gap in systematic surveillance systems specifically tailored for Zika and other emerging infectious diseases, hampering early detection and containment efforts.

3. Diagnostic facilities for emerging infectious diseases are largely concentrated in apex national institutes in India.
This statement is correct. Diagnostic facilities are indeed largely concentrated in apex national institutes, limiting accessibility and delaying the implementation of crucial public health measures during outbreaks.

Thus, the correct combination of correct statements is 1 and 3 only, making Option C: 1 and 3 Only the correct answer.

1. Great Indian Bustard - Critically Endangered: Correct. The Great Indian Bustard is categorized as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.

2. Lesser Florican - Endemic to India: Correct. The Lesser Florican is endemic to India and is one of the four bustard species found in the country.

3. Bengal Florican - Found in Rajasthan and Gujarat: Incorrect. The Bengal Florican's primary habitats are in the Terai grasslands in the foothills of the Himalayas in India and Nepal, not specifically in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

4. MacQueen's Bustard - Largest bustard species in India: Incorrect. The Great Indian Bustard is the largest bustard species in India, not MacQueen's Bustard.

Correct pairs: 1 and 2.

1. Activated Carbon: Used for energy storage in supercapacitors - Correct. Activated carbon, due to its high surface area and porosity, is used as an electrode material in supercapacitors for efficient energy storage.

2. Supercapacitors: Store energy through chemical reactions - Incorrect. Supercapacitors store energy through the electrostatic separation of charges, not through chemical reactions like batteries.

3. Coconut Husk: A sustainable source for activated carbon production - Correct. Coconut husks are an eco-friendly and low-cost source for producing activated carbon, suitable for various applications, including supercapacitors.

4. Microwave-Assisted Method: Used for producing activated carbon at low cost - Correct. The microwave-assisted method is an efficient and cost-effective technique used for producing activated carbon from coconut husks.

Thus, the correctly matched pairs are 1, 3, and 4.

1. Shyok River - Originates from the Rimo Glacier: This pair is correctly matched. The Shyok River indeed originates from the Rimo Glacier, located southeast of the Karakoram Pass.

2. Nubra River - Joins the Shyok River near Skardu: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Nubra River, which flows through the Nubra Valley, is a significant tributary of the Shyok River, but it joins the Shyok River in the Nubra Valley, not near Skardu.

3. Saltoro River - Originates from the Siachen Glacier region: This pair is correctly matched. The Saltoro River originates from the Siachen Glacier region and is a notable tributary of the Shyok River.

4. Shyok River - Flows through the Nubra Valley in Ladakh: This pair is correctly matched. The Shyok River flows through the Nubra Valley, which is known for its picturesque landscapes and sand dunes.

Hence, three pairs are correctly matched.

Statement-I accurately describes the introduction of the Holistic Progress Card (HPC) by PARAKH under the NCERT for evaluating students' academic performance through a comprehensive 360-degree evaluation. The HPC is designed to move beyond numerical grades, focusing on descriptive and analytical evaluations that encompass academic achievements and critical skill development in students. On the other hand, Statement-II is incorrect because the HPC, as described, does not rely solely on numerical grades for assessment but emphasizes a holistic evaluation approach. Therefore, the correct option is (c) where Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

Statement-I correctly mentions the situation where BBIL failed to include ICMR scientists as co-inventors in the Covaxin patent filings due to an inadvertent error. However, Statement-II is incorrect. The Patents Act of 1970 does not explicitly allow for the exclusion of key contributors due to oversight or miscommunication. In fact, patent laws generally emphasize the importance of accurately recognizing all inventors involved in the creation of a patented invention to avoid disputes and ensure fair recognition of contributions.

Statement-I correctly highlights the overhaul of the Indian criminal law system by the new laws, replacing the colonial-era legislations. However, Statement-II focuses on a specific provision of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to penalizing sexual intercourse through deceitful means, which is accurate. The statement does not provide a comprehensive explanation or context regarding the replacement of the colonial-era laws, making it incomplete and hence incorrect.