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

Statement-I is correct as it highlights the increase in average monthly income of agricultural households by 19.3% from 2016-17 to 2021-22, aligning with the data provided in the NAFIS survey. Statement-II is also correct as it reflects the variation in financial savings growth rates among different states, with Gujarat and Maharashtra reporting the highest growth rates in 2021-22. Moreover, Statement-II explains the regional disparities in financial savings growth rates, which complements Statement-I by providing additional context regarding the financial dynamics across different states.

1. NABARD's All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey 2021-22: The survey was conducted in 28 states and Union Territories, not 35. This pair is incorrectly matched.

2. Average Monthly Income Increase (2021-22): The average monthly income indeed rose by 57.6% from Rs. 8,059 to Rs. 12,698. This pair is correctly matched.

3. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Usage: The survey found that 44% of agricultural households possessed a valid KCC, and among those with land holdings greater than 0.4 hectares or who had taken agricultural loans, 77% held a valid KCC. However, the statement incorrectly states 77% for all rural households. This pair is incorrectly matched.

4. Financial Literacy Increase: Financial literacy among respondents increased from 33.9% to 51.3%. This pair is correctly matched.

Hence, only two pairs (2 and 4) are correctly matched.

The Humsafar Policy, introduced by the Union Road Transport Minister, focuses on enhancing facilities along India's national highways to improve the convenience, safety, and comfort of travelers on these routes. It aims to provide essential amenities at frequent intervals, such as rest stops with clean washrooms, food courts, parking areas, first-aid services, dedicated baby care rooms, multi-utility spaces with various services, and dormitory facilities for truck drivers and long-distance travelers. By prioritizing accessibility and incorporating sustainability features, this policy aims to minimize driver fatigue and enhance road safety, ultimately benefiting travelers using national highways.

The primary causative agent of Footrot Disease in ruminants is the bacteria Dichelobacter nodosus, often in conjunction with several other bacterial species. This bacterium infects the interdigital tissue of the animals, leading to the development of the highly infectious condition known as footrot. It is crucial to identify and treat infections caused by Dichelobacter nodosus promptly to prevent the spread of the disease among livestock.

Statement-I correctly identifies that footrot disease affects the interdigital tissue of ruminants, including cattle and sheep. This is a characteristic symptom of the disease.
However, Statement-II is incorrect as the footrot disease is not solely caused by the bacteria Dichelobacter nodosus. While this bacteria is a primary causative agent, footrot can also be caused by several other bacterial species in conjunction with Dichelobacter nodosus. Hence, Statement-II is not entirely accurate, making option (c) the correct choice.

1. Statement 1 is incorrect. The Living Planet Report is not published annually; it is a biennial publication by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). This means it is released every two years, not annually.

2. Statement 2 is correct. The report indeed reveals a dramatic average decline of 73% in wildlife populations since 1970. This alarming statistic is tracked through the Living Planet Index, which monitors the populations of thousands of vertebrate species worldwide.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The Living Planet Report emphasizes the use of nature-based solutions as a crucial strategy to combat climate change and restore ecosystems. These solutions include practices such as reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and conservation efforts.

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

Let's analyze each statement:

1. Statement 1: The survey does indeed report a 57.6% increase in the average monthly income of rural households from Rs. 8,059 in 2016-17 to Rs. 12,698 in 2021-22. This statement is correct.

2. Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. The survey indicates that 71% of agricultural households reported saving money in 2021-22, not just 50%. The 50.6% figure refers to the percentage of all households that reported saving money in 2016-17.

3. Statement 3: The survey reported that the percentage of households with at least one member covered by any form of insurance increased significantly to 80.3% in 2021-22, indicating a substantial rise in insurance coverage. This statement is correct.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option C the right answer.

The key highlight from the NABARD Survey on Rural Financial Inclusion for the period 2021-22 is the significant increase in the average monthly income of rural households, which rose by 57.6% compared to the previous survey period. This increase signifies a notable growth trend in rural income levels and reflects positively on the economic conditions in rural areas.

1. Footrot Disease - Interdigital tissue infection in ruminants: Correct. Footrot is a highly infectious disease affecting the interdigital tissue of ruminants such as sheep and cattle.

2. ASEAN - Established in 1969 in Manila, Philippines: Incorrect. ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand, through the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).

3. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary - Located in Tamil Nadu: Incorrect. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Wayanad, Kerala, and is part of the Western Ghats.

4. Dichelobacter nodosus - Bacteria responsible for footrot disease: Correct. Dichelobacter nodosus is the primary bacterium that causes footrot disease in ruminants.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. Footrot disease is not caused by a fungus; it is primarily caused by the bacteria Dichelobacter nodosus, often in conjunction with other bacterial species. The disease affects the interdigital tissue of ruminants such as sheep and goats, leading to lameness and economic losses.

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was indeed established on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand, through the ASEAN Declaration, also known as the Bangkok Declaration. This organization aims to promote economic growth, cultural development, and regional stability among its member countries.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. The ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) was initiated in 1992 to facilitate trade liberalization and economic cooperation among member nations. AFTA aims to increase ASEAN's competitive edge as a production base in the world market through the elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers among member countries.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 2 and 3 Only. The solution highlights the inaccuracies and correctness of each statement, justifying the selection of the answer option.