Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 27th July 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Explanation:
- Statement-I correctly identifies the similarity between the Moidams in Assam and the tombs of ancient Chinese emperors, both being burial structures.
- Statement-II builds on this by comparing the architectural design and construction materials of the Moidams to the burial practices associated with Egyptian pharaohs.
- The intricate design and materials used in constructing the Moidams indeed draw parallels to the elaborate burial practices historically observed in Egypt, indicating a shared cultural or architectural influence between the regions.
- Therefore, both statements are accurate, with Statement-II offering a logical extension and explanation of Statement-I, making option (a) the correct choice.

Statement-I correctly reflects the Supreme Court's extension of the interim order regarding the display of names at eateries along the Kanwariya pilgrim route. However, Statement-II incorrectly specifies the duration until August 5 as the next hearing date. The extension duration is mentioned, but the specific next hearing date is not addressed in the provided information, making Statement-II inaccurate.

The primary aim of upgrading the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) to version 2.0 is to improve the quality control and efficiency of steel import processes. By connecting with different government websites using APIs, ensuring accurate data input, and combining databases, the upgraded system enhances transparency, accountability, and risk management in steel imports. This upgrade signifies a significant step towards efficient oversight of steel imports and support for the local steel industry.

1. Kanwar Yatra - A pilgrimage that involves carrying holy water from the Ganges:

Correct. The Kanwar Yatra is a pilgrimage where devotees carry holy water from the Ganges River to their local Shiva temples.

2. Skill India Mission - Launched to provide legal guarantee for at least 100 days of wage employment:

Incorrect. The Skill India Mission was launched to enhance employability by training over 400 million people in various skills by 2022. The program aimed to bridge the skill gap in the workforce.

3. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana - Provides loans to non-corporate, non-farm small/micro enterprises:

Correct. The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana provides loans up to Rs. 10 lakh to non-corporate, non-farm small/micro enterprises.

4. MGNREGA - Aims to bridge the skill gap by training over 400 million people:

Incorrect. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provides a legal guarantee for at least 100 days of wage employment in rural areas to promote livelihood security.

Only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

The Supreme Court had indeed extended an interim order staying the directives of the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments that required eateries along the Kanwariya route to display the names of their owners and staff (Statement 1). This directive was challenged in court, with petitioners arguing that it was discriminatory and targeted businesses based on religion, potentially leading to economic consequences and discrimination (Statement 2). However, the court has not yet ruled on whether the directive violated the right to privacy of the shop owners and employees under Article 21 of the Constitution (Statement 3). The stay order was issued pending further hearing, meaning the court has not made a final ruling on the privacy aspect. Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is not.

Targeted cancer drugs differ from traditional chemotherapy as they specifically target only cancer cells, leaving normal cells unharmed. This targeted approach often leads to better treatment outcomes and fewer side effects for patients undergoing cancer therapy.

1. Incorrect: The Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) started in 2019, not 2020.

2. Correct: The GROWTH-India Telescope is indeed located at Hanle, Ladakh.

3. Correct: The Steel Import Monitoring System 2.0 Portal helps Customs analyze and manage risks related to steel imports.

4. Correct: The GROWTH-India Telescope was built through a collaboration between the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB).

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

The Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE) plays a crucial role in resource allocation, monitoring, and policy implementation within the Indian school education system. By integrating the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) as per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, UDISE enhances the ease of schooling and facilitates collaborations with educational technology companies. This system ensures efficient resource allocation, monitoring student progress, and aiding in the formulation of educational policies to enhance the overall quality of education.

State of the World’s Forests 2024 Report:

• It is published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. 
• It provides a comprehensive analysis of forest conditions and trends.

Highlights of the Report:

·      It highlighted a decline in deforestation rates compared to previous decades, with several countries showing significant improvements.

·      The data also reveals a disturbing picture of the challenges forests face due toclimate change.

·      In 2020, the global forest covered approximately 4.1 billion hectares (ha), or 31 percent of the land area.

·      Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America, and China account for 54 percent of the global forest area, in descending order.

·      Another 10 countries, including Australia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Peru, and India, contribute about two-thirds of the global forest area.

·      The report estimated that between 1990 and 2020, approximately 420 million ha of forest were converted to land use.

·      However, deforestation rates fell from 15.8 million ha per year between 1990 and 2002 to 10.2 million ha between 2015 and 2020.

·      Deforestation rates in Africa were 4.41 million ha, 2.95 million in South America, and 2.24 million in Asia.

·      It also noted 10 countries recording annual gains in forest area in 2020, which include China, Australia, India, Chile, Viet Nam, Turkey, the United States of America, France, Italy, and Romania.

·      India gained 2,66,000 hectares of forest annually from 2010-2020, ranking third globally in forest area gains.

·      The global mangrove area was recorded to be 14.8 million ha, out of which South and Southeast Asia contributed almost 44 percent of the total global area.

·      The rate of gross global mangrove loss decreased by 23 percent between the two recent decades (2000-2010 and 2010-2020), and the rate of gain in mangrove area also decreased slightly.

·      Asia was the major contributor to mangrove loss and gains.

·      It is estimated that about 340-370 million ha (equivalent to less than half the land area of Australia) of the earth’s land area is impacted by annual fire.

·      Satellite data revealed that total fires in 2023 emitted 6,687 megatons of carbon dioxide globally, more than double the emissions contributed by the European Union by burning fossil fuels.

- Statement 1 is correct. UDISE+ aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and integrates the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) to accurately track each student's educational journey. This integration is essential for making informed decisions and policies related to education.
- Statement 2 is correct. One of the key functions of UDISE+ is indeed to provide data collection, management, and real-time updates. This helps in maintaining a robust database that can be utilized for various educational planning and monitoring purposes.
- Statement 3 is incorrect. There is a lack of specific mechanisms for sharing children’s data and no clarity on the legal responsibilities within UDISE+. This is a concern that has been highlighted and needs to be addressed to ensure data privacy and security.
Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.