Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 9th December 2024 - UPSC MCQ

The primary purpose of the Copyright Act, 1957 in India is to provide a comprehensive legal framework for copyright protection. This act defines and protects the rights of creators over their original works, including literary, artistic, and musical creations. Copyright grants exclusive rights to creators, allowing them to control reproduction, distribution, and adaptation of their works, thereby safeguarding intellectual property rights.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Copyright Act, 1957 indeed provides moral rights to creators. These rights allow creators to claim authorship of their work and to object to any derogatory treatment of it, including distortion or mutilation that could harm their honor or reputation.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The duration of copyright for cinematograph films is not the life of the author plus 60 years. Instead, it is 60 years from the year of publication. This is distinct from literary, artistic, dramatic, and musical works, which do have a copyright duration of the author's life plus 60 years.

- Statement 3 is correct. Section 52 of the Copyright Act outlines specific exceptions where the use of copyrighted material is not considered infringement. This includes fair dealing for purposes such as research, private study, criticism, or review, among others.

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

1. United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND): Established by the United Nations Security Council - Incorrect. The CND was established by a resolution of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1946, not the Security Council.

2. Headquarters of the CND: Located in Vienna - Correct. The headquarters of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs is indeed located in Vienna, Austria.

3. Indian Star Tortoise: Listed in CITES Appendix I - Correct. The Indian star tortoise is listed in CITES Appendix I, which includes species that are considered to be threatened with extinction and are, or may be, affected by trade.

4. Diet of Indian Star Tortoise: Primarily carnivorous - Incorrect. The Indian star tortoise is primarily herbivorous. Its diet mainly consists of grasses, herbaceous leaves, and flowers.

Thus, two pairs are correctly matched: pairs 2 and 3.

Statement-I incorrectly states that the Indian star tortoise is primarily carnivorous, which is inaccurate. The Indian star tortoise is actually primarily herbivorous, feeding on various types of vegetation. Statement-II correctly mentions that the Indian star tortoise is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN and is listed in CITES Appendix I. Therefore, the correct answer is option (d) as Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

The recent significant development in Syria involves Syrian rebels declaring the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad after taking control of Damascus. This event marks a crucial shift in the power dynamics of West Asia and signifies the end of over 13 years of civil war. It has profound implications for the region and international relations, especially considering the roles of Russia and Iran in the Middle East.

- Statement 1 is correct. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has indeed emerged as a dominant rebel group following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, marking a significant shift in the power dynamics within Syria.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. Syria's economy has not remained stable; it has faced severe challenges due to the prolonged conflict, resulting in significant damage to infrastructure and a contraction in economic development. Although the GDP (PPP) is around $50.28 billion, this reflects the impact of ongoing instability rather than stability.

- Statement 3 is correct. The majority of Syria's population practices Sunni Islam, accounting for approximately 74%, with Alawism and Shia Islam practiced by about 13% of the population. This highlights the religious composition of the country.

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

The Reserve Bank of India's strategy towards de-dollarization emphasizes diversifying risks rather than entirely eliminating the US dollar from international trade. This approach aims to reduce dependency on the US dollar while recognizing its significance in the global trade landscape. By diversifying risks, central banks seek to enhance financial stability and mitigate vulnerabilities associated with a single dominant currency.

Statement-I is correct as damselfish are indeed known for their vibrant colors, patterns, and aggressive behavior. Statement-II is also correct as certain damselfish species engage in "algae farming" to manage their habitats, which is crucial for coral reef health. Furthermore, Statement-II explains why damselfish are vital for coral reef ecosystems, showcasing a symbiotic relationship between the fish and the reef environment. Therefore, both statements are accurate, and Statement-II provides additional information that complements Statement-I, making option (a) the correct answer.

1. Filgotinib as a Treatment for Crohn's Disease: Statement 1 is correct. Filgotinib is indeed a Janus kinase (JAK) 1 preferential inhibitor. Recent research has evaluated its effectiveness as both an induction and maintenance therapy for patients with Crohn's disease, which is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

2. Symptoms and Nature of Crohn's Disease: Statement 2 is correct. Crohn's disease is known to cause various symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal cramping and pain, anemia, altered appetite, and weight loss. These are typical manifestations of the inflammatory processes in the digestive tract associated with the disease.

3. Cause of Crohn's Disease: Statement 3 is incorrect. The primary cause of Crohn's disease is not well established. While there is a suggestion of a genetic component and an abnormal immune response, the exact cause remains largely unknown. Various factors, including genetics, the environment, and an overactive immune response, are thought to contribute to its development, but no single genetic factor has been definitively identified as the primary cause.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only. This analysis is based on the understanding that while treatments are being developed and symptoms are well documented, the etiology of Crohn's disease remains unclear and multifactorial, not attributable to a single genetic cause.

1. Crohn's Disease - A type of autoimmune disorder.
This pair is incorrectly matched. Crohn's Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that involves an abnormal immune response, but it is not classified as an autoimmune disorder like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. It is characterized by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.

2. India Internet Governance Forum - A national initiative under the Ministry of External Affairs.
This pair is incorrectly matched. The India Internet Governance Forum is a national initiative, but it is supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), not the Ministry of External Affairs.

3. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve - Located in the foothills of the Himalayas and the plains of the 'terai' region.
This pair is correctly matched. The Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is indeed situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and the plains of the 'terai' region, serving as a catchment area for several rivers.

4. Filgotinib - A JAK2 inhibitor used for treating Crohn's disease.
This pair is incorrectly matched. Filgotinib is a Janus kinase (JAK) 1 preferential inhibitor, not JAK2, used for the treatment of Crohn's disease as both an induction and maintenance therapy.

The correctly matched pairs are 3 and none of the others.