Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 31st October 2024 - UPSC MCQ

1. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel - First Deputy Prime Minister and first Home Minister of India: This pair is correctly matched. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and the first Home Minister of independent India. He played a crucial role in the political integration of India.

2. Bardoli Satyagraha - Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Bardoli Satyagraha was led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, not Mahatma Gandhi. It was a pivotal movement in 1928 against increased land revenue assessments in Bardoli, Gujarat, which earned Patel the title "Sardar."

3. Integration of Princely States - Managed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: This pair is correctly matched. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is credited with the successful integration of over 500 princely states into the Indian Union through diplomacy and strategy, ensuring the political unity of India.

4. All India Services - Established by Jawaharlal Nehru: This pair is incorrectly matched. The establishment of All India Services, such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), is attributed to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who recognized the need for a unified civil service to administer the country effectively.

Pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched. Hence, the correct answer is Option B: Only two pairs.

The primary role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is to assist Palestinians who were displaced from their homes during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Established in 1949, UNRWA specifically caters to individuals who lost their homes and livelihoods during this conflict, providing essential services and support to Palestinian refugees and their descendants.

Statement-I correctly defines DANA as a weather phenomenon characterized by heavy rainfall and flooding in the western Mediterranean region, as detailed in the provided content. On the other hand, Statement-II inaccurately describes Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a policy strategy aimed at holding manufacturers accountable for the environmental impact of their products, which is not aligned with the actual definition of EPR provided in the source material. Hence, the correct answer is option (c) where Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

The Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928 was a pivotal event where Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led farmers in a protest against excessive tax hikes. His leadership and determination during this movement earned him the title "Sardar," which means leader. This event not only established Patel as a significant figure in the Indian independence movement but also showcased his ability to mobilize and lead people effectively towards a common goal.

- Statement 1 is correct. UNRWA was indeed established to assist individuals who were displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, and this includes their descendants. Its primary purpose is to provide aid and support to Palestine refugees.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The mandate of UNRWA is determined by the United Nations General Assembly, not the Security Council. Only the UN General Assembly can alter UNRWA's mandate or the definition of a Palestine refugee.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. UNRWA provides services in several areas including Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, not exclusively within the borders of Israel. Its operations are primarily in the areas where Palestinian refugees have taken refuge.

Thus, only the first statement is correct, making Option A: 1 Only the correct answer.

The term "DANA" in meteorological context refers to a cold drop phenomenon, which is characterized by heavy rainfall and flooding. This unique weather event occurs in the western Mediterranean region, triggered by the interaction of cold air descending over warm waters, leading to the rapid development of intense thunderstorms and cumulonimbus clouds.

- Statement 1 is correct. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was instrumental in the integration of princely states into the Indian Union post-independence. His diplomatic skills and pragmatic approach were crucial in unifying over 500 princely states, which was a significant achievement in the formation of a cohesive nation.

- Statement 2 is correct. As the first Home Minister of India, Patel was pivotal in establishing the All India Services, which played a crucial role in maintaining the administrative unity of the country. This effort earned him the title of the "patron saint of India's civil servants."

- Statement 3 is incorrect. Sardar Patel was not the first Prime Minister of India; that position was held by Jawaharlal Nehru. While Patel did significantly influence the Indian Constitution, he was not directly involved in its drafting as the Prime Minister.

Thus, the correct answer is that both Statements 1 and 2 are correct, making Option B the right choice.

Statement-I correctly identifies the purpose and establishment time of UNRWA to aid displaced Palestinians after the 1948 war. Statement-II accurately describes UNRWA operating under a mandate from the UN General Assembly to assist 'Palestine refugees,' thereby providing additional context and aligning with the primary objective of the agency. Statement-II enhances the understanding of UNRWA's role and purpose, thereby explaining and supporting Statement-I.

1. DANA - A weather event characterized by warm air descending from the Mediterranean Sea.
Incorrect. DANA refers to a meteorological phenomenon called "Depresion Aislada en Niveles Altos," or "cold drop," occurring when cold air from the Polar Regions descends over the warmer waters of the Mediterranean Sea, causing heavy rainfall and flooding.

2. Velu Nachiyar - Known for reclaiming her kingdom from the British in 1780.
Correct. Velu Nachiyar was the queen of Sivagangai who successfully fought against the British and reclaimed her kingdom in 1780 with the help of allies like Hyder Ali and the Marudu brothers.

3. Anjalai Ammal - Active participant in the Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement.
Correct. Anjalai Ammal was indeed active in the Indian freedom struggle, participating in significant movements like the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 and the Quit India Movement in 1942.

4. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) - A policy strategy focusing on producer accountability for post-consumer product management.
Correct. EPR is a policy strategy that assigns producers responsibilities for managing the disposal or treatment of post-consumer products, aiming to ensure their involvement in recycling and waste management.

Pairs 2, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 1 is incorrectly matched.

Statement-I correctly describes a key feature of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), emphasizing its two-click factor authentication process for inter-bank transfers. Statement-II also accurately highlights another feature of UPI, which is UPI Tap and Pay, enabling payments through NFC-enabled QR codes without the need for entering a PIN. Furthermore, Statement-II complements Statement-I by elaborating on an additional functionality of UPI, thereby explaining and expanding on the information provided in Statement-I. Hence, both statements are correct, and Statement-II offers a further explanation of the functionalities of UPI mentioned in Statement-I.