Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 11th December 2024 - UPSC MCQ

The Female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) is a metric that represents the proportion of people aged 15 and older who are employed or actively seeking employment, divided by the total working-age population. It serves as an important indicator of the demand for jobs in the economy and reflects the level of participation of women in the workforce. Increasing LFPR indicates a growing involvement of women in the labor market and is crucial for economic development and gender equality.

1. Mudra Loans - Financial support for women entrepreneurs: Correct. Mudra Loans are designed to offer financial support to small and micro enterprises, including those led by women, to promote entrepreneurship.

2. Drone Didi Scheme - Skills development for women in agriculture: Incorrect. The Drone Didi Scheme is aimed at skills development for women in technology sectors, not specifically agriculture.

3. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - Promotes women-led development through self-help groups: Correct. This scheme focuses on poverty alleviation through community-driven initiatives, particularly empowering women through self-help groups.

4. LFPR (Labour Force Participation Rate) - Proportion of people aged 15 and older who are employed or actively seeking employment: Correct. LFPR is indeed defined as the proportion of the working-age population that is either employed or actively seeking employment.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

The Aditya L1 mission by India primarily concentrates on studying the outer atmosphere of the Sun. This mission plays a crucial role in contributing essential data to the field of solar science. By observing and analyzing the Sun's outer layers, scientists can gain valuable insights into solar phenomena and its impact on space weather, which is vital for various scientific and practical applications.

1. The Chandrayaan-3 mission was indeed an attempt by ISRO to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, but it was not the first such attempt. Chandrayaan-2 was the first attempt to land on the lunar surface, although it did not succeed in achieving a soft landing. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.

2. The Aditya L1 mission is designed to study the outer layers of the Sun's atmosphere, such as the photosphere, chromosphere, and corona, rather than the inner layers. Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect.

3. The Gaganyaan mission does aim to send Indian astronauts into orbit by 2025, with extensive preparations currently underway. Therefore, Statement 3 is correct.

Based on the above analysis, only Statement 3 is correct, which matches with Option C: 1 and 3 Only being the correct answer.

The primary innovation of the carbon-14 diamond battery is its mechanism of capturing fast-moving electrons from within the diamond structure. This process is akin to how solar panels harness light particles for energy conversion. By utilizing carbon-14, a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 5,700 years, this battery marks a significant advancement in energy technology, particularly suitable for applications in extreme environments like space where conventional battery replacements are impractical.

- Statement 1 is correct. The diamond battery utilizes carbon-14, a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 5,700 years. This is a key feature of the diamond battery technology, providing it with a long lifespan.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The diamond battery operates by capturing fast-moving electrons, not protons, from within the diamond structure. This mechanism is similar to how solar panels harness light particles (photons) to generate electricity, but it is explicitly based on electron capture in this context.

- Statement 3 is correct. The diamond battery is particularly suited for extreme environments, such as space, where conventional battery replacement is impractical due to its long-lasting power capabilities and reliability in harsh conditions.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3.

Statement-I correctly describes the diamond battery's use of carbon-14 for energy production, as mentioned in the text. Statement-II is also accurate in explaining the purpose of the Champions of the Earth Award established by UNEP. However, the two statements are unrelated and do not explain each other, making option (b) the correct choice.

1. Statement 1: "The UNCCD is the only legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management."
This statement is correct. The UNCCD is uniquely positioned as the only legally binding international agreement that directly connects environmental concerns with sustainable land management and development issues.
2. Statement 2: "The current UNCCD strategic framework (2018–2030) is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly focusing on achieving land degradation neutrality under SDG 15.3."
This statement is also correct. The UNCCD's strategic framework from 2018 to 2030 is indeed aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically targeting land degradation neutrality, which is a focus of SDG 15.3.
3. Statement 3: "The UNCCD was adopted during the 1992 Earth Summit and came into force in 1994."
This statement is incorrect. The UNCCD was adopted in 1994 and came into force in 1996, not during the 1992 Earth Summit. The Earth Summit did result in the creation of three Rio Conventions, but the adoption and enforcement dates for the UNCCD are as stated above.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only, as statements 1 and 2 are correct while statement 3 is incorrect.

1. Adi Kekir Ginger - Arunachal Pradesh: This pair is correctly matched. Adi Kekir Ginger is indeed from Arunachal Pradesh, known for its medicinal properties and cultivated by the Adi tribe in the Dibang Valley.

2. Dalle Khursani - Sikkim: This pair is correctly matched. Dalle Khursani is a popular red pepper from Sikkim, celebrated for its pungency and economic importance.

3. Naga King Chilli - Assam: This pair is incorrectly matched. Naga King Chilli is from Nagaland, not Assam. It is recognized globally for its heat and reflects the Naga cultural identity.

4. Kaji Nimu - Nagaland: This pair is incorrectly matched. Kaji Nimu is actually a distinctive lemon variety from Assam, essential in local cuisine and remedies, not from Nagaland.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched.

Statement I correctly highlights the purpose of the UNCCD, which is a global agreement focusing on combating desertification, land degradation, and drought. However, Statement II is inaccurate as the UNCCD is actually a legally binding international agreement rather than a non-binding one. The convention aims to promote sustainable land management and ecosystem restoration, making it a crucial treaty in addressing environmental issues related to desertification.