Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 11th November 2024 - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1 is correct. The Sutlej River does indeed originate from Lake Rakshastal in southwestern Tibet, and it is one of the three Trans-Himalayan rivers, the others being the Indus and the Brahmaputra. It flows through the Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh, making it a significant geographical feature of the region.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. While the Beas River does merge with the Sutlej River, this confluence occurs before the Sutlej reaches the India-Pakistan border. The Sutlej then continues its course into Pakistan on its own. The confluence of the Sutlej and Beas does not occur at a point that affects the river's entry into Pakistan.

- Statement 3 is correct. The Sutlej River's waters are indeed allocated to India under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. This treaty divides the waters of the Indus River system between India and Pakistan. Additionally, the river supports several major hydroelectric projects, such as the Bhakra Dam, which is a critical source of hydroelectric power and irrigation.

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

Cordycepin, a compound generated by the caterpillar fungus, has been identified as a potentially effective agent in hindering cancer cell proliferation. This compound disrupts the signals responsible for overactive cell growth in cancer cells, thereby impeding their rapid multiplication. This discovery opens up a promising avenue for targeted cancer therapies, potentially causing less harm to healthy tissues compared to conventional cancer treatment methods.

1. The first statement is correct. Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Assam and indeed encompasses three reserve forests: Khanapara, Amchang, and South Amchang. It stretches from the Brahmaputra River in the north to the hilly forests of Meghalaya in the south, creating a continuous forest corridor through Meghalaya's Maradakdola Reserve Forests.

2. The second statement is also correct. The repowering process in Tamil Nadu involves replacing outdated wind turbines that are over 15 years old or have a capacity of less than 2 MW with new, higher-capacity models to increase energy output. This is part of efforts to modernize the infrastructure and boost wind energy generation.

3. The third statement is incorrect. The current policy in Tamil Nadu does not allow for energy banking of repowered wind turbines. Instead, the policy treats repowered turbines as new installations, which disqualifies them from energy banking. This poses a challenge for the financial viability of repowering projects, as producers cannot store surplus energy for future use.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

The Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the state of Assam. Its location spans from the Brahmaputra River in the north to the hilly forests of Meghalaya in the south, creating a continuous forest corridor.

The Ramsar Convention aims to conserve and protect wetlands of international importance. Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, regulating water flow, and providing habitats for various species. By designating sites as Ramsar sites, countries commit to preserving these valuable ecosystems for future generations.

Statement-I correctly highlights the challenges India faces with declining fertility rates impacting the demographic dividend. Statement-II emphasizes the significance of the manufacturing sector in creating jobs, fostering economic growth, and utilizing the demographic dividend effectively. The success of the manufacturing sector is indeed crucial for addressing the challenges outlined in Statement-I by providing employment opportunities and driving economic progress, thus explaining the importance of Statement-II in the context of Statement-I.

Statement-I is correct as the Arrow-3 Missile Defence System was indeed developed collaboratively by Israel Aerospace Industries and the Missile Defence Agency in the United States. Statement-II is also correct as the Arrow-3 Missile Defence System is specifically engineered to intercept ballistic missiles while they are still outside of the Earth's atmosphere, not primarily within the Earth's atmosphere. Therefore, both statements are individually correct, but Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I, making option (b) the correct choice.

1. Khanapara Range - Located in Meghalaya: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Khanapara Range is part of the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary, which is situated in Assam, not Meghalaya.

2. Khasi Hill Sal Forests - Found in Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary: This pair is correctly matched. Khasi Hill Sal Forests are indeed part of the flora found within the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary.

3. Tree yellow butterflies - Indigenous to South America: This pair is incorrectly matched. Tree yellow butterflies (gancana harina) are indigenous to regions like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and northeastern India, not South America.

4. Tamil Nadu Wind Energy Capacity - Ranked first in India: This pair is incorrectly matched. While Tamil Nadu is a leader in wind energy, it is currently ranked second in installed capacity in India, not first.

The correctly matched pair is the second one, making only one pair correctly matched. Hence, the correct answer is Option A: Only one pair.

1. The proportion of India’s working-age population is expected to decline in the next decade, which may lead to the end of the demographic dividend.
- This statement is correct. With declining fertility rates in several states, India is projected to experience a reduction in the proportion of its working-age population, potentially signaling the end of the demographic dividend.

2. India's manufacturing sector has been successful in creating a significant number of jobs, particularly in labor-intensive industries such as textiles.
- This statement is incorrect. While the manufacturing sector has the potential to create jobs, it has not been as successful as needed. The sector has faced challenges, including stagnation, and has not generated sufficient employment opportunities, particularly in labor-intensive industries.

3. High tariffs and complex regulations are some of the factors impeding the growth of India's manufacturing sector.
- This statement is correct. High tariffs, complex regulations, and inadequate infrastructure are significant barriers to the growth of the manufacturing sector in India, affecting job creation and economic expansion.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option B: 1 and 3 Only the accurate choice.

- Statement 1 is correct. Cordyceps militaris, also known as caterpillar fungus, is indeed found predominantly in the Himalayan region and various parts of Asia. It holds significant value in traditional Asian medicine for its immune-supporting properties, among other health benefits.

- Statement 2 is correct. The Toto tribe is recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). They practice endogamy, with marriage partners chosen from 13 exogamous clans, maintaining their distinct cultural practices.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. While cordycepin, a compound derived from Cordyceps militaris, has been found to potentially inhibit cancer cell proliferation, it does so by disrupting growth signals in cancer cells rather than by enhancing immune system responses. The compound targets overactive cell growth specifically in cancer cells, not primarily through immune enhancement.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.