Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 9th July 2024 - UPSC MCQ

The High Seas Treaty, or the agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ), primarily aims to conserve and protect biodiversity in the oceans beyond national jurisdictions. This global agreement is crucial for addressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution in the high seas, areas that are not within any single nation's exclusive economic zone.

Statement 1 is correct. The High Seas Treaty is indeed known as the agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ).

Statement 2 is incorrect. The High Seas Treaty will function as an implementing agreement under the UNCLOS framework, similar to how the Paris Agreement operates under the UNFCCC.

Statement 3 is correct. The treaty includes provisions for the sustainable use of marine genetic resources and equitable sharing of benefits.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 3 Only.

1. High Seas - Water within 200 nautical miles from the coast of a country
Incorrect. The high seas are areas of the ocean that are beyond 200 nautical miles from the coast of a country.

2. UNCLOS - International treaty for ocean management
Correct. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international treaty that establishes a framework for the use and management of the world's oceans and their resources.

3. Axiom-4 Mission - Private spaceflight mission involving Indian astronauts
Correct. The Axiom-4 mission is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station involving Indian astronauts selected by ISRO.

4. Arctic Wildfires - Increased due to global warming and lightning strikes
Correct. Arctic wildfires have increased in frequency and scale due to global warming and more frequent lightning strikes.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

Here's why:

• Statement-I: This statement is correct. The High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) was indeed negotiated in March 2023. It is a significant international agreement to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (the high seas).

• Statement-II: This statement is also correct. The high seas encompass a vast area. Estimates suggest they cover around 64% of the global ocean surface and about 43% of the Earth's total surface area.

Why Statement-II doesn't explain Statement-I:

While the vastness of the high seas is relevant to the importance of the High Seas Treaty, the timing of the negotiation (March 2023) doesn't directly depend on the percentage of ocean or Earth it covers. The treaty negotiations likely involved discussions about managing resources, protecting ecosystems, and establishing legal frameworks for activities in international waters, not the specific area calculations.

So, both statements are true, but the size of the high seas isn't the reason the treaty was negotiated in March 2023.

The primary objective of the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) is to enhance telecom connectivity in rural areas by utilizing funds collected from telecom companies. This initiative aims to support universal service, promote access to telecommunication services in underserved regions, fund research and development in the telecom sector, and improve overall connectivity in remote areas.

1. Statement 1 is correct: The Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) is indeed a reformation of the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which was established in 2003. The USOF aimed at enhancing telecom connectivity in rural areas through a fund generated by a 5% levy on the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) of telecom operators.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect: Contributions made by telecom companies towards the Digital Bharat Nidhi are first credited to the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI). The Centre then deposits the collected funds to the DBN from time to time, making the statement inaccurate.

3. Statement 3 is correct: The funds collected under the Digital Bharat Nidhi are intended to promote access to telecommunication services in underserved rural, remote, and urban areas. Additionally, it supports research and development of telecommunication services, technologies, and products, as well as pilot projects, consultancy assistance, and advisory support for improving connectivity.

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

1. Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) - Incorrect. The DBN supports telecommunication services in underserved rural, remote, and urban areas, not just urban areas.

2. Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) - Correct. The USOF is funded by a 5 per cent Universal Service Levy on the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) of telecom operators.

3. Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) - Correct. Contributions made towards the Digital Bharat Nidhi are first credited to the Consolidated Fund of India before being deposited into the DBN.

4. Telecommunications Act, 2023 - Incorrect. The Telecommunications Act, 2023, aims to enhance connectivity in both rural and urban areas, not exclusively rural areas.

Thus, pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

Statement-I: "Hurricanes are powerful tropical storms characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and low atmospheric pressure."

• This statement is correct. Hurricanes are indeed powerful tropical storms with these characteristics.

Statement-II: "Hurricanes are also known as cyclones or typhoons in different parts of the world; the term used depends on the region."

• This statement is also correct. Hurricanes are called cyclones in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific, and typhoons in the Northwest Pacific.

Does Statement-II explain Statement-I?

• Statement-II provides additional information about the regional terminology for hurricanes but does not directly explain the characteristics mentioned in Statement-I.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

3. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

- Statement 1: Correct. The PLI Scheme for White Goods aims to increase domestic value addition in the sector from the current 15-20% to 75-80%.

- Statement 2: Incorrect. Kaziranga National Park is located on the southern banks of the Brahmaputra River, not the Ganga River.

- Statement 3: Incorrect. The PLI Scheme for White Goods is to be implemented over a 7-year period (from FY 2021-22 to FY 2028-29), not 10 years.

Thus, only statement 1 is correct. Therefore, the correct answer is Option A: 1 Only.

Statement-I correctly highlights the objective of the PLI Scheme for White Goods, emphasizing the increase in domestic value addition from 15-20% to 75-80% within the white goods sector. This aligns with the scheme's goal to boost local production and self-reliance in this industry.
Statement-II accurately mentions that the PLI Scheme for White Goods has a substantial outlay of INR 1.97 trillion for 13-14 key sectors. This financial allocation is aimed at incentivizing manufacturers to enhance production capabilities and competitiveness in the global market.
Therefore, both statements are factually accurate, and Statement-II provides context and supports Statement-I by illustrating the significant financial commitment made by the government to promote the white goods industry in India.