Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 29th October 2024 - UPSC MCQ

1. Statement 1: India satisfies all its Muriate of Potash (MOP) demand through domestic production. This statement is incorrect. India does not produce Muriate of Potash domestically and relies entirely on imports to meet its demand. Thus, this statement is false.

2. Statement 2: The Ukraine and Gaza conflicts have no impact on India's fertilizer imports. This statement is incorrect. The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza have potential impacts on global fertilizer supplies and prices, affecting India's imports. The turmoil can disrupt supply chains and increase prices, particularly as India imports significant quantities from regions that might be affected by these conflicts.

3. Statement 3: India's domestic fertilizer production covers only about 80% of its total requirement. This statement is correct. According to the information provided, India relies on imports to fulfill about 20% of its fertilizer demand, indicating that domestic production covers approximately 80% of the requirement.

Therefore, the only correct statement is Statement 3, making Option D the correct answer.

1. Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) - 100% imported: This pair is incorrectly matched. While India relies heavily on imports for DAP, with about 50-60% of its demand being met through imports, it is not entirely imported.

2. Muriate of Potash (MOP) - 100% imported: This pair is correctly matched. India fulfills its entire demand for MOP through imports as there is no domestic production of MOP.

3. Fertilizer consumption in 2021-22 - 579.67 lakh metric tonnes: This pair is correctly matched. The total fertilizer consumption for the fiscal year 2021-22 was indeed 579.67 lakh metric tonnes, according to the provided data.

4. Domestic fertilizer production in 2021-22 - 579.67 lakh metric tonnes: This pair is incorrectly matched. The domestic production was 435.95 lakh metric tonnes, not 579.67 lakh metric tonnes.

Thus, two pairs are correctly matched: MOP's import status and the fertilizer consumption in 2021-22.

Statement-I is accurate as it highlights the role of UNIFIL in maintaining peace and security along the Lebanon-Israel Blue Line, emphasizing its significance in fostering stability within Lebanon. Statement-II correctly states that India and Spain, along with other nations, have condemned attacks on peacekeepers, stressing the importance of maintaining the inviolability of UN premises. However, while both statements are true, Statement-II does not directly explain or elaborate on the role of UNIFIL as mentioned in Statement-I. The condemnation of attacks on peacekeepers does not inherently provide a detailed explanation of UNIFIL's specific mandate and operations, hence option (b) is the correct choice.

Let's analyze each statement:

1. The Population Census is conducted every ten years by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
This statement is correct. The Census is a decadal exercise and is the responsibility of the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Census provides essential data on demographics, culture, and the economy.

2. Delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies has been regularly conducted after each Census since independence, without any amendments or suspensions.
This statement is incorrect. Delimitation has not been regularly conducted after each Census. The process was suspended in 1976 due to political disagreements, and the 84th Constitutional Amendment Act postponed delimitation until after 2026. Thus, there have been amendments and suspensions affecting delimitation.

3. The 84th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2001, postponed the delimitation of constituencies until after the year 2026.
This statement is correct. The 84th Amendment postponed the delimitation process until after 2026, making it the earliest possible opportunity based on Census data from 2031.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 3. Hence, the answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

1. Charaka Samhita - Focuses on surgery: Incorrect. The Charaka Samhita focuses on internal medicine, not surgery. It is a foundational text of Ayurveda that emphasizes holistic health and the management of various illnesses through herbal treatment and lifestyle changes.

2. Susruta Samhita - Focuses on internal medicine: Incorrect. The Susruta Samhita primarily focuses on surgery. It is renowned for its detailed descriptions of surgical techniques and instruments and is considered one of the earliest texts on surgery.

3. Astanga Hrdaya - Authored by Vagbhata: Correct. The Astanga Hrdaya was written by Vagbhata, who was one of the most influential classical writers on Ayurveda. It synthesizes earlier Ayurvedic knowledge and is considered one of the primary texts, alongside the Charaka and Susruta Samhitas.

4. Takshashila - Ancient center for Ayurveda studies: Correct. Takshashila (Taxila) was an ancient center of learning, including Ayurveda, attracting students from across the world. It was renowned for its advanced studies in various fields, including medicine.

Thus, two pairs are correctly matched: Astanga Hrdaya - Authored by Vagbhata, and Takshashila - Ancient center for Ayurveda studies.

The central theme for Ayurveda Day 2024 is "Ayurveda Innovations for Global Health." This theme underscores the focus on utilizing Ayurvedic principles and practices to address global health challenges and promote well-being on an international scale. It highlights the importance of innovation and adaptation within the Ayurvedic system to cater to the contemporary health needs of a diverse global population.

The primary purpose of conducting the Census in India every ten years is to provide fundamental statistics regarding human resources, demographics, culture, and the economic structure at local, regional, and national levels. This exercise plays a crucial role in understanding the population dynamics, which in turn informs policymaking, resource allocation, and various developmental initiatives.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Charaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita are foundational texts of Ayurveda that focus on internal medicine and surgery, respectively. These texts significantly contributed to the development of Ayurveda as a comprehensive system of medicine.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. While Ayurveda did spread through various channels, including Buddhism, the adoption of its practices and concepts by Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans was primarily facilitated through trade, not solely through the spread of Buddhism. The interactions through trade routes led to the exchange of knowledge and medicinal practices between these cultures.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The World Health Organization (WHO) has indeed established global standards for the practice and training of traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda. This recognition by WHO highlights the importance of integrating traditional medicine systems with modern healthcare practices while ensuring quality and safety.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C. This answer is justified by the historical development of Ayurveda and the role of WHO in standardizing traditional medicine practices globally.

Statement-I is accurate as per the provided information regarding India's fertilizer consumption ranking globally.
Statement-II is also true based on the details from the Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI) 2024, where India is indeed ranked 176 with a score of 45.5 out of 100. However, there is no direct connection or explanatory link between the two statements. Statement-I focuses on fertilizer consumption, while Statement-II pertains to India's ranking in the Nature Conservation Index, which are distinct topics without a causal or explanatory relationship.

The Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI) 2024 is designed to rank countries based on their conservation efforts. It aims to evaluate each country's progress in balancing conservation and development through data-driven analysis, providing insights to assist governments, researchers, and organizations in enhancing conservation policies for long-term biodiversity protection.