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

Statement-I correctly highlights that India's public healthcare expenditure is 2.1% of GDP. Statement-II correctly mentions the healthcare expenditure percentages of countries like Japan, France, and the United States. However, Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I but provides additional information about healthcare spending in other countries, making option (b) the correct choice.

1. India's public healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP is lower than that of Bangladesh and Pakistan.

- Correct. As of the 2021-22 data, India's public healthcare expenditure stood at 2.1% of GDP, while Bangladesh and Pakistan allocate over 3% of their GDP to public healthcare.

2. The doctor-patient ratio in India is higher than the World Health Organization's recommended ratio.

- Incorrect. India has a doctor-patient ratio of approximately 0.7 doctors per 1,000 people, which is lower than the WHO's recommended ratio of 1 doctor per 1,000 people.

3. India has a high out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare, with approximately 75% of healthcare costs borne by individuals and families.

- Correct. It is noted that about 75% of healthcare expenses in India are borne out-of-pocket by individuals and families, indicating a high financial burden on the population.

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

1. Statement 1 is correct: The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the UAE includes provisions for the reduction of customs duties and the establishment of value addition norms. This aligns with the overall objectives of the CEPA to facilitate smoother and more beneficial trade relations between the two countries.

2. Statement 2 is correct: The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) has indeed expressed concerns about the increase in imports of precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and diamonds from the UAE. These imports are anticipated to be tariff-free in the coming years, which may lead to revenue losses and a shift in import dynamics favoring Dubai-based firms.

3. Statement 3 is correct: The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme's primary goal is to modernize railway stations across India. This includes improving passenger amenities, integrating various modes of transport, and enhancing the overall infrastructure and services at the stations to make them more efficient and user-friendly.

Thus, all three statements are accurate, making Option D the correct answer.

1. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary - Madhya Pradesh: Incorrect. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary is located in Tamil Nadu, not Madhya Pradesh.

2. Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary - Tamil Nadu: Correct. Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary is indeed located in Tamil Nadu.

3. Tawa Reservoir - Maharashtra: Incorrect. Tawa Reservoir is located in Madhya Pradesh, not Maharashtra.

4. Nanjarayan Tank - Tamil Nadu: Correct. Nanjarayan Tank is located in Tamil Nadu.

Thus, only pairs 2 and 4 are correctly matched.

Answer: Option B

The declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) signifies an extraordinary event that poses a significant public health risk requiring immediate global coordination. This declaration is reserved for situations where an event is serious, unusual, has cross-border implications, and demands a coordinated international response. It is a crucial step in addressing health crises that transcend national borders and necessitate unified efforts to contain and manage the situation effectively.

Statement-I correctly defines extremophiles as tiny living organisms that thrive in extremely harsh environments where most other life forms cannot survive. This aligns with the information provided in the source material about extremophiles.

However, Statement-II inaccurately describes Captagon as a synthetic drug developed for medical purposes like treating attention deficit disorders, narcolepsy, and depression. This statement is misleading as Captagon was not intended for such therapeutic uses but rather as an illicit drug known for its stimulant effects. Therefore, Statement-II is incorrect in its description of Captagon.

The primary objective of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) is to enhance and modernize railway stations throughout the country with a focus on long-term growth. This initiative aims to revamp station facilities, improve passenger services, enhance traffic flow, integrate different modes of transportation, and provide sustainability features. By modernizing these stations, the goal is to transform them into well-equipped centers for passengers with improved amenities and services.

1. India’s Public Healthcare Expenditure (2021-22) : 3.5% of GDP
This is incorrectly matched. India's public healthcare expenditure stood at 2.1% of GDP in 2021-22.

2. World Health Organization's recommended doctor-patient ratio : 1 doctor per 1,000 people
This is correctly matched. The WHO recommends a doctor-patient ratio of 1 doctor per 1,000 people.

3. Per capita hospital beds in India : 2 beds per 1,000 people
This is incorrectly matched. India has about 0.5 hospital beds per 1,000 people.

4. Annual revenue from international patients in India : $9 billion
This is correctly matched. The influx of international patients generates over $9 billion annually.

Thus, only pairs 2 and 4 are correctly matched.

- Statement-I: The Kothari Commission indeed recommended reducing the upper age limit for civil service candidates to 25 years, aiming to mitigate the prolonged pursuit of civil services and reduce the burden on young aspirants. This statement is correct based on the information provided.

- Statement-II: However, the Kothari Commission did not suggest limiting the number of attempts for civil service exams to three for all candidates. While it did recommend restricting the attempts to three with an additional attempt for special categories, it did not apply uniformly to all candidates as implied in Statement-II. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

Hence, the correct response is that Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

1. India - 3rd largest trading partner of UAE in 2023-24: Correct. India is the 3rd largest trading partner of the UAE, with bilateral trade amounting to USD 83.65 billion in 2023-24.

2. CEPA - Came into force on May 1, 2022: Correct. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and the UAE came into force on May 1, 2022.

3. GTRI - Global Trade Regulation Initiative: Incorrect. The correct name is Global Trade Research Initiative.

4. Amrit Bharat Station Scheme - Launched in February 2023: Correct. The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme was launched in February 2023 to revamp railway stations throughout India.

So, only pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched.