Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 28th August 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Statement 1: Correct. The subsidence in the Atacama salt flat is indeed occurring because the rate of lithium brine extraction exceeds the recharge rate of the aquifers. This imbalance leads to the ground sinking as the extracted salt-rich water is not replenished at a sustainable rate.

Statement 2: Correct. The study has identified that the affected area of subsidence in the Atacama salt flat indeed spans approximately 8 km from north to south and 5 km from east to west. This precise measurement underscores the scale and specific impact of lithium extraction on the landscape.

Statement 3: Correct. Salar de Atacama is noted to have the highest lithium concentration (0.15% by weight) among all brine sources globally. This high concentration makes it a significant site for lithium extraction, contributing to its economic and environmental importance.

All three statements accurately reflect the information provided about the Atacama salt flat and the effects of lithium mining, making Option D: 1, 2 and 3 the correct answer.

1. Salar de Atacama - Largest salt flat in Argentina

- Incorrect: Salar de Atacama is the largest salt flat in Chile, not Argentina.

2. Lithium Triangle - Includes Uyuni (Bolivia) and Hombre Muerto (Argentina)

- Correct: The Lithium Triangle includes three major salt flats: Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, Salar de Atacama in Chile, and Salar del Hombre Muerto in Argentina.

3. Lithium Extraction - Involves evaporating salt-rich water in ponds

- Correct: Lithium extraction from brine involves pumping salt-rich water to the surface and allowing it to evaporate in ponds to collect lithium.

4. Chile - Largest producer of lithium globally

- Incorrect: Although Chile is one of the top producers, Australia is currently the largest producer of lithium globally.

Only two pairs (Pair 2 and Pair 3) are correctly matched. Thus, the correct answer is Option B: Only two pairs.

The Anubhav Awards Scheme, 2024 aims to honor the efforts of retired officials in nation-building and to capture the administrative history of India through their documented narratives. By recognizing and documenting the experiences and suggestions of retiring employees, the scheme contributes to creating a comprehensive database of valuable suggestions and work experiences for the benefit of future generations and the nation-building process.

- Statement 1: Correct. The Anubhav portal was indeed launched in March 2015 to capture the administrative history of India through the documented narratives of retired officials.

- Statement 2: Incorrect. The eligibility criteria for submitting write-ups for the Anubhav Awards include retiring Central Government employees and pensioners who may submit their Anubhav write-ups from 8 months before retirement up to 1 year after retirement, not just within the last six months.

- Statement 3: Correct. The Anubhav Awardees receive a medal, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹10,000.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 3 only.

1. Anubhav Portal Launch - March 2015
   Correct. The Anubhav Portal was indeed launched in March 2015 to encourage retiring central government employees to share their experiences and knowledge.

2. Managing Body - Ministry of Home Affairs
   Incorrect. The Anubhav Portal is managed by the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare, not the Ministry of Home Affairs.

3. Award Cash Prize - ₹10,000
   Correct. Selected entries on the Anubhav Portal are awarded a cash prize, typically of ₹10,000.

4. Participants - Retiring Central Government Employees
   Correct. The portal is designed for retiring central government employees to share their work experiences.

So, three of the four pairs are correctly matched.

Statement-I is accurate .The Atacama salt flat sinking due to lithium brine extraction. Statement-II is also correct as Salar de Atacama is highlighted as having the highest lithium concentration among all brine sources globally. However, Statement-II does not directly explain why the salt flat is sinking, so while both statements are correct, Statement-II does not provide a direct explanation for Statement-I.

The environmental impact associated with lithium mining at Chile's Atacama salt flat, as per the study, includes the depletion of local water resources. This is primarily due to the significant water requirements for lithium extraction from salt flats and brine pools. Such depletion can have adverse effects on the surrounding arid regions and ecosystems, emphasizing the critical balance required between resource extraction and environmental sustainability.

Plea bargaining serves as a legal process that enables an accused individual to negotiate with the prosecution for a reduced punishment by admitting guilt to a less severe offense. This mechanism aims to expedite trials, lower litigation costs, provide certainty in case outcomes, mitigate overcrowding in prisons, and offer offenders a chance for rehabilitation.

1. Statement 1 is incorrect: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) does not approve licenses for Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani drugs. It primarily focuses on the approval of modern allopathic drugs, clinical trials, and the monitoring of imported drug quality. The regulation of Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani drugs involves other specific boards and standards.

2. Statement 2 is correct: The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 indeed establishes the Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani Drugs Technical Advisory Board (ASUDTAB) to set standards for these traditional medicines. The board advises the Central Government on technical matters related to these drugs.

3. Statement 3 is correct: Schedule T of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 does outline the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani medicines. This schedule ensures that these traditional medicines are produced in a standardized manner to maintain quality and safety.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C.

Statement-I correctly identifies that Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is caused by the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) leading to encephalitis, the inflammation of the brain. However, Statement-II is incorrect as the EEEV has the potential to infect various animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, not just mammals and birds. This discrepancy makes option (c) the correct choice.