Daily Current Affairs MCQ- June 25, 2022 - UPSC MCQ

European Union leaders granted Ukraine & Moldova the coveted status of official candidate to join their 27-nation club.

• EU is a unique economic and political union between 27 EU countries that together cover much of the continent.
• The predecessor of the EU was created in the aftermath of the Second World War.
• The first steps were to foster economic cooperation by creating the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1958.
• Initially economic cooperation was ensured between six countries: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
• Later, 22 other members joined and a huge single market (also known as the 'internal' market) has been created.
• On 31 January 2020 the United Kingdom left the European Union.
• What began as a purely economic union has evolved into an organization spanning policy areas, from climate, environment and health to external relations and security, justice and migration.

Hence both statements are correct.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to reserve 10 per cent vacancies for recruitment in Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles for Agniveers.

• Agniveers will also get ten per cent reservation in Defence Ministry's job vacancies.
• Reservations for agniveers meeting requisite eligibility criteria will be implemented in the Indian Coast Guard and defence civilian posts, and all the 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings. This reservation would be in addition to existing reservations for ex-servicemen.
• The Ministry has also decided to give three years age relaxation beyond the prescribed upper age limit to Agniveers for recruitment in Central Armed Police Force and Assam Rifles.
• For the first batch of Agniveer, the age relaxation will be for five years beyond the prescribed upper age limit.

Hence both statements are correct.

In a study published in the journal Nature in June 2022, researchers have claimed that the Black Death — one of the deadliest epidemics in the history of humankind — originated in modern day northern Kyrgyzstan around 1338-1339 – nearly 7-8 years before it ravaged large parts of the world.

• The term Black Death refers to the bubonic plague that spread across Western Asia, Northern Africa, Middle East and Europe in 1346-53.
• Cause: The Black Death was caused by bacterium Yersinia pestis and was spread by fleas that were carried by rodent hosts. The microorganism Y. pestis spread to human populations, who at some point transmitted it to others either through the vector of a human flea or directly through the respiratory system.
• Symptoms: Researchers often described the buboes (hard, inflamed lymph nodes) as the distinguishing clinical feature. The onset of symptoms was followed by intense fever and vomiting of blood. After the initial infection, most victims died within 2-7 days.
• Why was this plague called the Black Death? It is commonly believed that the term Black Death gets its name from the black marks that appeared on some of the plague victims’ bodies.

Social implications:

• Around 60-65 per cent of Europe’s population or 52 million people died due to the plague.
• A dramatic reduction in population was accompanied with huge economic and social changes in Europe. With a smaller labour force available, wages went up, leaving ordinary people with a higher economic surplus.
• The Black Death also led to an increase in religious persecution of the Jews, who were blamed for spreading the contagion.

Hence both statements are correct.

One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC):

• It aims to ensure hassle-free delivery of subsidized food grains to all migratory beneficiaries anywhere in the country through nation-wide portability under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Hence statement 1 is correct.
  • A card bearing 10-digit number will be issued to the complaint state’s BPL card holders which will be linked to AADHAR database.
  • Beneficiaries can lift their entitled food grains from any electronic point of sale (ePoS) enabled FPS in the country through portability.
• The government has also rolled out the 'MERA RATION' mobile application to take maximum advantage of the ONORC plan.
  • The mobile app provides a host of useful real-time information to the beneficiaries and is available in 13 languages. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
  • The 'One Nation, one Ration Card' system is one of the four citizen-centric reforms identified by the department of expenditure under the Union Ministry of Finance.
• The Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution is the nodal ministry for implementing this Act. Hence statement 3 is correct.

• The Information Technology Act of 2000 defines Critical Information Infrastructure as a “computer resource, the incapacitation or destruction of which shall have debilitating impact on national security, economy, public health or safety”.
  • The government, under the IT Act of 2000 (and not empowered by Constitution), has the power to declare any data, database, IT network or communications infrastructure as CII to protect that digital asset. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• The basic responsibility for protecting the CII system shall lie with the agency running that CII. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• The National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) is the nodal agency for taking all measures to protect the nation’s critical information infrastructure. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

• Typhoid fever is a life-threatening systemic infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (commonly known as Salmonella Typhi) carried only by humans – no other animal carrier has been found. Hence, 1 statement is correct.
• Transmission:
  • Typhoid fever is transmitted by the faecal-oral route, through ingestion of contaminated food or water.
  • Without treatment, about one person in 20 who recovers from typhoid becomes a ‘carrier’. Despite having no symptoms of illness, they have bacteria in their faeces and urine, and can infect others for a period of about three months (sometimes up to one year). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • Travellers are at high risk of developing typhoid fever in many typhoid endemic countries. This includes parts of Asia (especially India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh), Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the Middle East.

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM):

• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, being implemented since 2014-15. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India in 2011. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• The Mission aims at creating efficient and effective institutional platforms of the rural poor enabling them to increase household income through sustainable livelihood and improved access to financial services.
• Salient Features:
  • DAY-NRLM lays special emphasis on targeting the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable communities and their financial inclusion.
  • It provides for mutually beneficial working relationship and formal platforms for consultations between Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs). Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  • NRLM has also developed activity map to facilitate convergence in different areas of interventions where NRLM institutions and PRIs could work together which has been disseminated to all state Rural Livelihood Missions.
  • Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests, Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India's Interests

• The idea of International Day of Yoga (IDY) was proposed by India during the opening of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), held in 2014. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • The UN proclaimed 21st June as IDY by passing a resolution in December, 2014.
  • The International Day of Yoga aims to inculcate a habit of meditation for peace of mind and self-awareness which is necessary to survive in a stress-free environment.
  • Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ is derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.
• The theme for International Yoga Day 2022 is ‘Yoga for Humanity’. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
  • The government has designed special programmes for the specially-abled and transgender population, women and children.
  • The 8th edition of International Yoga Day also witnessed an innovative programme ‘Guardian Ring’ that will see the participation of enthusiasts, along with the sun’s movement, i.e., beginning from the east and marching towards the west.
    • The 'Guardian Ring' programme is a collaborative exercise between 80 countries, United Nations organizations and Indian Missions and Embassies abroad to illustrate the unifying power of yoga that surpasses national boundaries.

• As part of India’s Mantra to achieve sustainability in energy demand and to further tackle climate change, it has launched the Panchamrit initiative, which includes.
  • Increase its energy needs to 500 gigawatts from renewables. Hence statement 1 is correct.
  • committed to attaining net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. (Net-zero refers to the removal of the emissions of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as compared to what is produced). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • India would supply 50% of its energy needs through renewable sources by 2030. Hence statement 3 is correct.

• RBI has come out with “Payments Vision 2025”, and not by the Ministry of Finance. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • Its objective is to provide every user with safe, secure, fast, convenient, accessible, and affordable e-payment options.
  • The main focus is to Regulate all significant intermediaries in payments ecosystems, and NOT to increase credit card usage. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• It tends to promote payment systems including digital payments to empower users with accessibility, affordability, and convenience.
  • To further enhance the real-time interoperability of digital payment architecture.
  • Regulating all significant intermediaries in payments ecosystems and linking credit cards and credit components of banking products to UPI.
  • Regulations of FinTech firms. Hence statement 3 is correct.