Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 24th October 2024 - UPSC MCQ

The rudder on an aircraft serves the crucial function of steering the airplane, enabling it to turn left or right, similar to how a rudder steers a boat in water. This component is essential for executing turns, landing in windy conditions, and maintaining a straight course, especially in situations where engine failure occurs.

Statement 1 is correct. The Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, indeed permitted government grants and regulated madrasa operations to ensure compliance with educational standards. This was part of the state's effort to provide a regulatory framework for madrasas and enhance educational quality.

Statement 2 is correct. The Allahabad High Court found the Act unconstitutional for violating the secular principle enshrined in the Indian Constitution. This decision was based on the argument that the Act allowed state funding of religious institutions, thereby undermining secularism.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The challenge against the Act was based on the alleged violation of Article 14, which guarantees equality before the law, rather than Article 30. Article 30 pertains to the rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions, and the Act was argued to support these rights, not violate them.

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

1. UP Madarsa Education Act, 2004 - Correctly matched. The Act was indeed established to ensure quality education in madrasas while aligning with constitutional values. Its goal was to create a regulatory framework for madrasas in Uttar Pradesh.

2. Article 21A of the Indian Constitution - Incorrectly matched. Article 21A relates to the Right to Education, which mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years. It does not specifically pertain to the rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions; that is covered under Article 30.

3. Allahabad High Court's ruling on UP Madarsa Act - Correctly matched. The High Court declared the Act unconstitutional, citing it as a violation of secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution, particularly due to state funding of religious institutions.

4. Nagoya Protocol - Correctly matched. The Nagoya Protocol is indeed an international agreement focusing on the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, thus promoting the objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Statement-I correctly identifies Lake Erie as the fourth largest of the five Great Lakes in North America. However, Statement-II is incorrect. Lake Erie actually drains into the Niagara River at its eastern end, not the St. Lawrence River. The St. Lawrence River is located further northeast and serves as a separate outlet for the Great Lakes system. Therefore, while Statement-I is accurate, Statement-II does not provide a correct description of Lake Erie's drainage system.

The PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM-YASASVI) aims to provide educational opportunities specifically for students from Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and Denotified Tribes (DNT). This initiative consolidates and enhances various scholarship programs to support the educational needs of socially and economically disadvantaged students, helping them overcome financial challenges and successfully complete their education. This scheme focuses on improving educational empowerment among vulnerable groups, making it an essential tool in promoting inclusivity and access to education.

1. Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary - Located in Tamil Nadu: Incorrect. The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is primarily located in Karnataka, across the districts of Mandya, Chamarajanagar, and Ramanagar, although it shares its eastern and northeastern borders with Tamil Nadu.

2. Mahseer Fish - Found in Cauvery River: Correct. The Cauvery River, which flows through the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, is one of the rare habitats for the mahseer fish, a significant species in freshwater ecosystems.

3. Solar Radiation Management - Reflecting solar rays to cool Earth: Correct. Solar Radiation Management (SRM) is a geo-engineering strategy aimed at reflecting incoming solar radiation to reduce Earth's temperature, as explored in research on mitigating global warming.

4. Industrial Alcohol - Regulated only by the Central Government: Incorrect. The regulation of industrial alcohol is within the purview of State legislatures, as affirmed by a Supreme Court ruling, which establishes that states have the authority to regulate industrial alcohol under their legislative powers.

Thus, only pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

The primary purpose of a dry port, also known as an inland container depot (ICD), is to simplify cargo handling away from seaports. These facilities provide essential services for cargo handling, storage, and transportation, thereby streamlining the management of export and import processes. Dry ports serve as crucial links between inland areas and international shipping routes via major gateway ports, enhancing logistical efficiency and facilitating trade.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Bihta Dry Port indeed operates under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and is managed by Pristine Magadh Infrastructure Private Limited in collaboration with the Bihar state industry department, as stated in the information provided. This partnership ensures efficient management and operation of the facility.

2. Statement 2 is correct. The Bihta Dry Port has excellent connectivity by rail to major ports such as Nhava Sheva in Maharashtra and Mundra in Gujarat, among others. This connectivity facilitates the export of goods from Bihar and improves logistical efficiency, supporting the state's export capabilities.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. The primary focus of the Bihta Dry Port is to facilitate exports from Bihar, not primarily to handle imports. The port aims to boost exports of key products from Bihar, such as fruits, vegetables, garments, leather goods, and maize, thus enhancing the state's export capabilities.

The correct answer is therefore Option B: 1 and 2 Only, as statements 1 and 2 accurately reflect the information about the Bihta Dry Port, while statement 3 does not align with the primary purpose of the facility.

The primary goal of the 30 x 30 initiative is to designate at least 30% of terrestrial and marine areas as protected by the year 2030. This ambitious target aims to conserve biodiversity and restore ecosystems, recognizing the urgent need to halt biodiversity loss globally. The initiative reflects a growing acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of climate change and biodiversity, emphasizing that protecting natural habitats is crucial for sustaining life on Earth. An interesting fact is that this initiative aligns with similar conservation efforts worldwide, demonstrating a unified approach to environmental challenges.

Statement I correctly describes the purpose of Bihar's dry port in Bihta, which focuses on facilitating the export of goods produced in Bihar, such as leather shoes sent to Russia, rather than solely agricultural products like rice and wheat. In contrast, Statement II misrepresents the information from the World Economic Outlook (WEO) by providing an inaccurate global growth rate prediction of 4% for 2024 and 2025, which is not aligned with the actual forecast of 3.2% for both years as per the IMF report.