Daily Current Affairs MCQs: 2nd December 2024 - UPSC MCQ

1. Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) - Ministry of Jal Shakti: This pair is correctly matched. The CGWB is indeed under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, and it acts as the primary agency for groundwater management in India.

2. INS Surat - First AI-enabled warship: This pair is correctly matched. INS Surat is noted for being the first AI-enabled warship, designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.

3. INS Nilgiri - Guided missile destroyer: This pair is incorrectly matched. INS Nilgiri is not a guided missile destroyer; it is a stealth frigate, the first of seven multi-role frigates being constructed under Project-17A.

4. INS Vagsheer - Project-17A frigate: This pair is incorrectly matched. INS Vagsheer is the sixth and final submarine of the first batch of Kalvari-class submarines and is not associated with Project-17A frigates.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched.

1. UDISE Plus is correctly matched. It is indeed a platform managed by the Ministry of Education for collecting school-related data nationwide, ensuring comprehensive data collection from schools.

2. TurkStream Pipeline is incorrectly matched. The TurkStream Pipeline does not transport gas through Ukraine; instead, it runs from Russia to Turkey across the Black Sea, bypassing Ukraine.

3. Coastal Security Scheme Phase III is incorrectly matched. It does not focus on land borders; rather, it aims to enhance security along India’s extensive coastline and maritime boundaries.

4. Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod Pipeline is correctly matched. This pipeline is a significant route for Russian gas exports to Europe through Ukraine.

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

1. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) - This scheme was launched in 2016, not 2018. Hence, this pair is incorrectly matched.
2. Uniform Premium Rates - For Kharif crops, the premium rate is 2%, and for Rabi crops, it is 1.5%. The given rates are incorrect, so this pair is incorrectly matched.
3. Technology Usage in Crop Insurance - The scheme indeed incorporates the use of smartphones and remote sensing technology for data capture and yield estimation, making this pair correctly matched.
4. Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) - This scheme provides protection against weather-induced financial losses, such as those due to rainfall and temperature extremes, which is correctly described. Therefore, this pair is correctly matched.
Pairs 3 and 4 are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option B: Only two pairs.

To determine the correct statement(s) regarding Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), let's analyze each statement:

1. Statement 1: DAP is a major source of nitrogen and potassium used in agriculture.

This statement is incorrect. DAP provides essential nutrients specifically nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to plants, not potassium. It is one of the most widely used fertilizers globally, known for its high phosphorus content which stimulates root establishment.

2. Statement 2: DAP serves as a fire retardant and is used in some industrial applications.

This statement is correct. DAP is indeed used as a fire retardant, particularly in preventing forest fires when mixed with other ingredients. Additionally, DAP has several industrial uses, such as in metal finishing and as an additive in wine production.

3. Statement 3: DAP is the most commonly used fertilizer in India.

This statement is incorrect. While DAP is a commonly used fertilizer in India, it is the second most commonly used after urea. Urea holds the position as the most widely used fertilizer in the country.

Thus, only Statement 2 is correct, making Option C: 2 Only the correct choice.

Belly landings, also known as gear-up landings, are emergency techniques employed when an aircraft faces issues with extending its landing gear. The primary purpose of executing a belly landing is to prevent injuries to passengers and crew members onboard. This emergency procedure is considered a last resort for pilots encountering mechanical failures that prevent the landing gear from deploying. Belly landings can result in significant damage to the aircraft, posing risks such as injuries and fires. Therefore, the main goal of a belly landing is to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals aboard the aircraft during emergency situations.

The Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) is primarily designed to collect comprehensive data from all recognized schools offering formal education from pre-primary to class XII. This data includes information on school infrastructure, teacher statistics, enrollment figures, and examination results. By gathering such data, UDISE serves as a crucial platform for monitoring and improving educational standards across the country.

(Note: This question assesses the understanding of the purpose and function of UDISE in gathering school-related data nationwide.)

1. Statement 1: Under PMFBY, farmers are required to pay a uniform premium of 5% for all types of crops, including Kharif, Rabi, and horticultural crops.
- This statement is incorrect. Under PMFBY, the premium rates for farmers are set at 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for annual commercial and horticultural crops. Therefore, the claim of a uniform 5% premium for all crop types is incorrect.
2. Statement 2: The PMFBY scheme includes the use of technology such as remote sensing and smartphones to improve the accuracy of yield estimation.
- This statement is correct. The PMFBY incorporates technology, including remote sensing and smartphones, to enhance the accuracy of yield estimation and expedite claim processes. This technological integration is a key feature of the scheme.
3. Statement 3: The RWBCIS provides financial protection to farmers specifically against weather-induced losses, such as extreme rainfall and temperature variations.
- This statement is correct. The Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) is designed to protect farmers against financial losses due to adverse weather conditions, including variations in rainfall and temperature extremes.
Therefore, the correct statements are 2 and 3, making Option D the correct answer.

Statement-I accurately reflects the findings of the UDISE report, highlighting the significant decline in student enrollment in schools during the academic years 2022-23 and 2023-24. Statement-II provides a reason for this decline, linking it to the revised data collection methods introduced in 2022-23, which required schools to provide detailed, student-specific information. This emphasis on accuracy in reporting is a key factor contributing to the decline in enrollment figures. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II logically explains Statement-I.

Statement-I is correct as the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) is indeed responsible for monitoring and regulating groundwater resources in India. However, Statement-II is incorrect as the headquarters of the CGWB is not located in Jaipur, Rajasthan; rather, it is situated at Bhujal Bhawan, Faridabad, Haryana. Therefore, the correct answer is option (c) where Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

The Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) in India plays a crucial role in managing and regulating groundwater resources. This includes activities such as monitoring groundwater levels and quality, conducting explorations to identify potential aquifers, and promoting water conservation initiatives. By regulating groundwater development in coordination with state governments, the CGWB ensures the sustainable management of groundwater resources in the country.