Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 3rd November 2024 - UPSC MCQ

To determine which statements are correct, let's examine each in detail:

1. Statement 1: This statement is correct. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) report indeed highlights that a significant portion of India’s women are not part of the labor force, with unpaid caregiving obligations being a primary reason. The report states that more than half of India's women (53%) are not part of the labor force due to these responsibilities.

2. Statement 2: This statement is also correct. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for 2023-24, approximately 36.7% of females in India are involved in unpaid household chores, reflecting the gender disparity in domestic work responsibilities.

3. Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The NSO Time Use Survey 2019 indicates that a significant percentage of females, not males, spend more than five hours each day on unpaid domestic tasks. The survey highlights that 81% of females aged 6 and older are engaged in such tasks, not males. The percentage mentioned (12.4%) actually refers to males dedicating over two hours daily to caregiving, not domestic tasks.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only, as both these statements accurately reflect the findings related to female labor force participation and unpaid domestic work in India, as per the sources provided. Statement 3 misrepresents the data regarding the time males spend on domestic tasks.

The primary mandate of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) as per the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, is to establish a centralized database for wildlife crime information. This database plays a crucial role in gathering intelligence related to organized wildlife crime, aiding in the analysis of crime trends, and supporting the implementation of effective preventive measures and enforcement strategies.

(Note: The WCCB's role in compiling and managing wildlife crime information is pivotal in combating organized wildlife crime and ensuring the protection of endangered species.)

Statement-I accurately describes the role of the Wet Bulb Temperature in evaluating the combined effects of heat and humidity on the body's cooling mechanisms. It serves as a crucial indicator of heat stress levels and the body's ability to dissipate heat effectively. However, Statement-II incorrectly suggests that a Wet Bulb Temperature exceeding 35°C poses a universal limit for heat stress. In reality, while a Wet Bulb Temperature exceeding 35°C indicates severe heat stress, it is not a definitive universal limit. Extreme caution and appropriate measures should be taken well before reaching such critical levels to prevent adverse health effects.

1. ILO Report Focus - Correct. The ILO report highlights the low participation of women in India's labor force due to extensive caregiving responsibilities.

2. NSO Time Use Survey 2019 - Correct. The survey indicates that 81% of Indian females spend more than five hours daily on unpaid domestic tasks, demonstrating significant gender disparities in domestic work.

3. PLFS 2023-24 - Incorrect. The statistic provided here is incorrect. The PLFS 2023-24 notes that more than half of India's women (53%) are not part of the labor force due to unpaid caregiving obligations, rather than being part of it.

4. Global Caregiving Statistics 2023 - Correct. In 2023, 748 million individuals worldwide were excluded from the labor force due to caregiving duties, with 708 million of them being women, highlighting the gender imbalance.

Therefore, pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, making it a total of two pairs.

The primary objective of Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR between the Indian Army and the US Army is to enhance military cooperation between India and the US. This exercise focuses on improving interoperability, joint operations, and the exchange of special operations tactics, aiming to develop combined capabilities for conducting joint Special Forces Operations, particularly in desert and semi-desert terrains. This collaboration is crucial for strengthening ties and sharing best practices in military operations between the two nations.

1. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) - Established under the Ministry of Home Affairs: Incorrect. The WCCB is under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, not the Ministry of Home Affairs.

2. Thadou Tribe - Primarily practices settled agriculture: Incorrect. The Thadou tribe primarily practices Jhum or slash-and-burn agriculture, which is a form of shifting cultivation, not settled agriculture.

3. Heatwave in India - Defined as a temperature of ≥ 40°C in hilly areas: Incorrect. A heatwave in hilly areas is defined when the temperature is ≥ 30°C, not 40°C. For plains, it is defined at ≥ 40°C.

4. Hun-Thadou Festival - Celebrates the arrival of the Thadou New Year: Correct. The Hun-Thadou cultural festival is indeed celebrated to mark the arrival of the New Year for the Thadou community.

Thus, only the fourth pair is correctly matched. The correct number of correctly matched pairs is one, making the correct answer Option A: Only one pair.

Statement-I correctly identifies Kodo millet by its scientific name and its regional names. This information aligns with the characteristics and nomenclature of Kodo millet. However, Statement-II inaccurately associates Kodo millet with occurrences due to fungal infections caused by rainfall during maturation and harvesting. This is not a characteristic feature of Kodo millet cultivation or consumption. Instead, mycotoxins associated with Kodo millet are primarily linked to specific toxins like Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), leading to health risks when consumed.

Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) is a significant mycotoxin linked to kodo poisoning. Consuming kodo grains affected by rainfall during maturation and harvesting can lead to fungal infections, resulting in contaminated millet known locally as 'Matawna Kodoo' or 'Matona Kodo'. This mycotoxin poses health risks, impacting the nervous and cardiovascular systems, with symptoms like vomiting, dizziness, loss of consciousness, rapid and weak pulse, cold extremities, and tremors.

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) was established through amendments to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, not the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. The Wild Life (Protection) Act is the primary legislation for wildlife protection in India and was amended to create the WCCB to combat organized wildlife crime.
- Statement 2: This statement is correct. One of the key responsibilities of the WCCB is to assist Customs authorities in inspecting shipments of flora and fauna. This is in accordance with the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), and the EXIM Policy of India. This assistance is crucial for preventing illegal wildlife trade and ensuring that such shipments comply with national and international regulations.
- Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The headquarters of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is located in New Delhi, not Mumbai. The WCCB operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and is based in the national capital to coordinate effectively with various national and international agencies involved in wildlife crime control.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 2 Only.

Statement-I is correct as it accurately reflects the extension granted to the Commission of Inquiry regarding the SC status for Dalit converts. However, Statement-II is incorrect as it misrepresents the current criteria outlined in the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which does not explicitly prohibit recognition of Scheduled Castes based solely on religion. The order originally classified only Hindus and was later expanded to include Sikhs and Buddhists, but it does not explicitly exclude individuals from other religions from SC status eligibility.