Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 15th July 2024 - UPSC MCQ

The Forest Rights Act, 2006, primarily aims at recognizing and vesting forest rights in Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD). This act is crucial for securing the rights of these communities who have been residing in forest lands for generations, providing them with ownership, use, relief, development, and forest management rights. This legislation helps in promoting community rights, conservation efforts, and sustainable forest use, ensuring the well-being of forest-dependent communities.

1. Correct: The Asur tribe has a traditional history of practicing iron-smelting using indigenous techniques.

2. Correct: The Asur community is indeed recognized as one of India's Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

3. Incorrect: The Asur tribe primarily resides in the districts of Gumla, Lohardaga, Palamu, and Latehar in Jharkhand, not in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

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

Statement-I correctly describes the location and purpose of the India-based Neutrino Observatory project. It accurately mentions that the project is situated at INO Peak near Theni, Tamil Nadu, and highlights its objective of studying atmospheric neutrinos and measuring neutrino mixing parameters precisely.

Statement-II provides a general description of neutrinos, labeling them as "ghost particles" and noting their characteristics of minimal mass and lack of charge. While both statements are factually correct and independent in their own contexts, Statement-II does not directly explain or relate to the specifics of the INO project mentioned in Statement-I. Therefore, the correct answer is option B.

Exercise Pitch Black primarily aims to simulate Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) combat scenarios in a simulated war environment. This exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) provides participating nations with an opportunity to enhance their capabilities in deploying over large distances, supporting integrated operations in the Indo-Pacific region, and building strong aviation associations under challenging conditions.

1. Statement 1 is correct: Exercise Pitch Black is indeed a biennial warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). This statement accurately reflects the nature and frequency of the exercise.

2. Statement 2 is correct: The exercise is typically held in Northern Australia, primarily at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal. This statement correctly identifies the main locations where the exercise is conducted.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect: The Indian Air Force has previously participated in Exercise Pitch Black in the years 2018 and 2022. Therefore, it is not true that the IAF has never participated before 2024.

Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

1. Exercise Pitch Black - Hosted by Royal Australian Air Force: Correct
Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

2. Cyrtobagus salvinia - A beetle used to control Salvinia molesta: Correct
Cyrtobagus salvinia, the exotic beetle, was imported to India to control the invasive weed species Salvinia molesta.

3. Salvinia molesta - Native to India: Incorrect
Salvinia molesta is native to south-eastern Brazil, not India.

4. Offensive Counter Air (OCA) - Defensive combat practice: Incorrect
Offensive Counter Air (OCA) refers to offensive combat practice, whereas Defensive Counter Air (DCA) refers to defensive combat practice.

Thus, pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly describes Salvinia molesta, highlighting its origin and preferred habitat conditions. Statement-II elaborates on the negative impact of Salvinia molesta's dense mats on the aquatic environment, detailing the consequences of its growth. While both statements are individually correct, they address different aspects of Salvinia molesta without one explaining the other.

The SDG India Index 2023-24 is designed to evaluate India's advancements towards the 16 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. It provides a comprehensive overview of India's social, economic, and environmental status, reflecting the country's commitment to the SDGs outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This index plays a crucial role in monitoring and assessing India's performance across key areas such as health, education, gender equality, climate action, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

1. Correct. The SDG India Index 2023-24 indeed uses a set of 113 indicators to measure the performance of states and union territories across various sustainable development goals.

2. Correct. Kerala and Uttarakhand achieved the highest scores of 79 each in the SDG India Index 2023-24.

3. Incorrect. India's overall SDG score increased from 66 in 2020-21 to 71 in 2023-24, not decreased.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B.

1. NITI Aayog: Responsible for the SDG India Index.
- Correct. NITI Aayog is indeed responsible for developing the SDG India Index.

2. Kerala: Achieved the highest score in the SDG India Index 2023-24.
- Correct. Kerala, along with Uttarakhand, achieved the highest score of 79 in the SDG India Index 2023-24.

3. Uttar Pradesh: Made significant progress in Goals 1 (No Poverty) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
- Incorrect. While Uttar Pradesh made significant progress overall by increasing its score by 25 points, there is no specific mention of significant progress in Goals 1 and 8.

4. Jagannath Temple: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
- Incorrect. The Jagannath Temple in Puri is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Sri Krishna, not Lord Vishnu.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched.