Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 22nd July 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Statement 1: The design of the Wheel in the center of the National Flag was inspired by the Chakra from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka.

This statement is correct. The Wheel, known as the Ashoka Chakra, in the middle of the white stripe of the Indian National Flag, was indeed inspired by the Chakra from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka.

Statement 2: The aspect ratio of the Indian National Flag is 3:2.

This statement is incorrect. The correct aspect ratio of the Indian National Flag is 2:3, not 3:2. Nehru proposed that the aspect ratio of the flag be 2:3, which was unanimously accepted by the Constituent Assembly.

Statement 3: The first Indian national flag was unveiled in Kolkata in 1906 and featured three horizontal stripes of red, yellow, and green.

This statement is correct. The first Indian national flag was indeed unveiled on August 7, 1906, in Kolkata at Parsee Bagan Square. It featured three horizontal stripes of red, yellow, and green, with "Vande Mataram" inscribed in the center.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect. The correct answer is Option B

Statement 1 is correct. It is mentioned that the percentage of domestic patent applications has increased from 34% in FY19 to 53% in FY24.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The number of patent examiners in India is lower compared to Germany and the US. India has 597 patent examiners, whereas Germany has 821, and the US has over 8,000 patent examiners.

Statement 3 is correct. The National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy was launched to promote innovative and imaginative activities in India.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C.

1. ECOSOC – Responsible for the direction and coordination of the economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities carried out by the UN. This is correct. ECOSOC is indeed responsible for these functions.

2. HLPF – Established by the UN Charter in 1945. This is incorrect. HLPF was established in 2012 by the outcome document "The Future We Want" from the Rio+20 conference, not by the UN Charter in 1945.

3. ICJ – Provides legal opinions on questions referred by authorized UN entities and agencies. This is correct. The ICJ indeed provides legal opinions on such questions.

4. West Bank and East Jerusalem – Under Jordanian control since the Six-Day War in 1967. This is incorrect. The West Bank and East Jerusalem were under Jordanian control before the Six-Day War of 1967. After the war, these territories were occupied by Israel.

Thus, pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched, making the correct option Option B: Only two pairs.

All three statements are correct based on the information provided:

1. Statement 1: The protests indeed intensified when the Supreme Court reinstated the quota system for government jobs, reversing a previous decision to remove it. This reversal was a key factor that exacerbated the protests.

2. Statement 2: The 30% quota for freedom fighters and their descendants is correct. This quota system was initially introduced by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and continuing it is perceived by the Awami League as a way to honor his legacy and maintain political support within the bureaucracy.

3. Statement 3: The protests turned violent to the extent that the military had to step in to control the unrest, which indeed further escalated the violence.

Therefore, all the given statements are accurate and collectively explain the dynamics of the student protests in Bangladesh.

The main role of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the direction and coordination of economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities conducted by the United Nations. This council plays a pivotal role in addressing various global challenges and promoting sustainable development worldwide.

1. The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) was established by the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012.
This statement is correct. The HLPF was indeed established by the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012 as part of the outcome document "The Future We Want."

2. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is responsible for coordinating the social and economic fields of the UN, including the 15 specialized agencies.
This statement is correct. ECOSOC coordinates the social and economic efforts of the UN, including the work of the 15 specialized agencies, the five regional commissions, and the eight functional commissions under its jurisdiction.

3. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has 15 judges elected for nine-year terms by the UN General Assembly and Security Council.
This statement is correct. The ICJ has 15 judges who serve nine-year terms and are elected by both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.

All the given statements are correct, hence the answer is Option D

Statement-I is correct as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is indeed one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN). Statement-II is also correct as the ICJ settles legal disputes between states according to international law. However, Statement-II does not provide an explanation for Statement-I; it simply elaborates on the role and function of the ICJ within the UN framework. Hence, option B is the correct answer.

1. Scheme for Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) - Correctly matched. This scheme is indeed designed to promote and mentor new and emerging technologies among startups by offering access to high-quality IP services and resources.
2. National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy - Correctly matched. This policy was launched in 2016 by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry's DPIIT to promote a more innovative and imaginative Bharat.
3. Draft Model Guidelines on Implementation of IPR Policy for Academic Institutions - Incorrectly matched. These guidelines aim to establish an efficient, fair, and transparent administrative process for ownership control, assignment of IP rights, and share revenues generated by IP created and owned by the academic institution.
4. National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) - Incorrectly matched. This mission aims to educate 1 million students on intellectual property and its rights, not to establish an administrative process for IP rights in academic institutions.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched.

Jawaharlal Nehru proposed a horizontal tricolor of deep Saffron, white, and dark green in equal parts for the National Flag of India. This design also included a navy blue Wheel in the center representing the Charkha, inspired by the Chakra from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Nehru's proposal was unanimously accepted by the Constituent Assembly as the official design for the Indian National Flag. This Flag symbolizes the unity and diversity of India, with each color carrying its own significance.

Statement-I correctly highlights that foreign entities hold a significant portion (nearly two-thirds) of all approved patent applications in India, as mentioned in the provided content. This fact reflects the dominance of foreign entities in the Indian patent ecosystem.
Statement-II is also accurate. It mentions India's spending on Research & Development (R&D) as a percentage of GDP, which indeed stands at 0.65% in 2022, as per the details provided. This low percentage signifies the relatively low investment in R&D activities compared to the global average, affecting the country's innovation capabilities.
Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II indeed provides a context that explains the significance of foreign entities' dominance in holding Indian patents due to the relatively low R&D investments in the country.

1. Quota for Freedom Fighters' descendants - 30%: Correct. The student protests in Bangladesh were against the 30% quota reserved for freedom fighters and their descendants.

2. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - Introduced the quota system: Correct. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman initially introduced the quota system to honor the legacy and sacrifices of the freedom fighters.

3. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina - Called protesters "freedom fighters": Incorrect. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina referred to the protesters as "razakars" or traitors, not freedom fighters.

4. Awami League - Uses quota to maintain political support: Correct. The Awami League sees the quota as a tool to maintain political support within the bureaucracy and uphold political allegiance.

Hence, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. National Flag Day - 22nd July 1947: Correct. The Constituent Assembly of India adopted the National Flag on this date.

2. Designer of the first Indian Flag - Sachindra Prasad Bose: Correct. The first Indian national flag was designed by freedom activists Sachindra Prasad Bose and Hemchandra Kanungo.

3. Home Rule Movement Flag Introducer - Dr. Annie Besant: Correct. Dr. Annie Besant and Lokmanya Tilak introduced a new flag during the Home Rule Movement in 1917.

4. Modern Indian Tricolor Designer - Lokmanya Tilak: Incorrect. The modern Indian tricolor was designed by Pingali Venkayya, not Lokmanya Tilak.

Thus, pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched, and pairs 3 and 4 are not.