Daily Current Affairs MCQ - 5th July 2024 - UPSC MCQ

A Labour election win in the UK could have implications for the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), potentially leading to enhanced market access for industries in both countries. This could particularly benefit India's IT and services sectors seeking expanded opportunities in the UK market. Political relations could also see a positive impact as economic ties strengthen, potentially fostering closer cooperation between India and the UK on international platforms.

The primary focus of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) lies in enhancing regional security and conducting joint efforts to counter terrorism. This organization, comprising countries like China, Russia, India, and others, emphasizes collaboration in addressing security threats and promoting stability in the region. Through mechanisms like the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) and regular high-level meetings, the SCO aims to tackle terrorism, separatism, and extremism, making it a key player in regional security initiatives.

- Statement 1: Correct. The Delhi Ridge indeed acts as the "green lungs" of Delhi, providing crucial ecological services such as carbon sequestration and habitat for wildlife. This is supported by its role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting diverse flora and fauna.

- Statement 2: Incorrect. The Delhi Ridge is composed primarily of quartzite rocks, not granite, and spans approximately 35 kilometers, not 50 kilometers, from Tughlaqabad in the southeast to Wazirabad in the north along the Yamuna River.

- Statement 3: Correct. The Delhi Ridge plays a significant ecological role, including protecting Delhi from the hot desert winds originating from Rajasthan.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option B the right answer.

The primary difference between the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and the Producer Price Index (PPI) lies in the scope of what they measure. While the WPI primarily tracks the inflation of goods only, focusing on wholesale prices, the PPI extends its measurement to include both goods and services, providing a broader perspective on inflation within an economy. This distinction is crucial as it helps policymakers and economists assess different aspects of price movements at various stages of production, offering a more comprehensive view of economic dynamics.

Statement 1 is correct: Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) were indeed launched to provide a comprehensive range of health services, which include preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care, moving away from selective healthcare.

Statement 2 is correct: The National Health Authority (NHA) is the autonomous body responsible for the effective implementation of the Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

Statement 3 is incorrect: The rebranding of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs was not universally accepted. States like Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya refused to adopt the new name due to their unique demographic and cultural contexts.

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

1. Correct: JP Morgan's inclusion of Indian Government Bonds in its emerging markets bond indices starting June 28 is expected to attract significant foreign investment, boosting India’s bond market and economic stability.

2. Incorrect: India is poised to achieve a maximum weighting of 10% in the GBI-EM Global Diversified Index, not 20%.

3. Correct: The inflows from foreign investments will directly boost India’s foreign exchange reserves, providing a stronger buffer against external economic shocks.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

1. Kaziranga National Park: Two-thirds of the world's Great One-Horned Rhinoceros population - This is correctly matched. Kaziranga National Park in Assam is known for hosting two-thirds of the world's Great One-Horned Rhinoceros population, making it a major conservation success story.

2. Gharial: Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List - This is correctly matched. The Gharial, a fish-eating crocodile native to the Indian subcontinent, is listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

3. Great One-Horned Rhinoceros: Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List - This is correctly matched. The Great One-Horned Rhinoceros is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List, reflecting its conservation status.

4. National Chambal Sanctuary: Located in Assam - This is incorrectly matched. The National Chambal Sanctuary, which is the biggest protected area for the gharial, is located along the Chambal River in Madhya Pradesh, not in Assam.

Thus, three out of the four pairs are correctly matched.

1. Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) - Autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture
This pair is correctly matched. The NMML, now renamed as the Prime Ministers’ Museum & Library, is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

2. Official Records - Personal documents, correspondence, diaries
This pair is incorrectly matched. Official Records refer to documents held by various government departments and ministries, such as letters, records, file notings, etc., related to the workings of central and state governments. Personal documents, correspondence, diaries are referred to as Private Papers.

3. National Archives of India - Acquires private collections only with donor's agreement to declassify
This pair is correctly matched. The National Archives of India, which also operates under the Ministry of Culture, acquires private collections only if the donors agree to declassify them.

4. Public Records Rules, 1997 - Governs declassification of private papers of public figures
This pair is incorrectly matched. The Public Records Rules, 1997, primarily cover the declassification of official records related to the central government and its ministries, departments, or offices. They do not extensively govern the declassification of private papers owned by individuals and families.

Hence, pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

Statement-I is accurate because Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) indeed focuses on implementing farming techniques that can withstand and adapt to the changing climate, ensuring food security and sustainable development. However, Statement-II is incorrect as the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture is indeed one of the 11 National Missions under the Union Government's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). This mission aims to promote sustainable agriculture practices and enhance agricultural productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability. Therefore, the correct option is (c) where Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

Statement-I correctly reflects the projections made by the United Nations regarding India's population growth, stating that it is expected to peak at 1.7 billion by 2064 and then stabilize at 1.53 billion by 2100. Statement-II accurately portrays the observed correlation between education levels and unmet needs for family planning among married women in India, emphasizing the importance of education in addressing reproductive health issues. Therefore, both statements are factually correct, and Statement-II explains how education influences family planning needs in the context of India's population dynamics.