Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 24th August 2024 - UPSC MCQ

The primary objective of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system in India is to simplify and streamline the complex indirect tax structure that existed previously. By implementing GST, the government aims to eliminate the cascading effect of taxes, ensure a uniform tax structure across the country, and make the taxation process more transparent and efficient for both businesses and consumers.

1. BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita, and Maitri) - Correctly matched. BHISHM provides compact, mobile medical units specifically designed for emergency care, with features such as medical supplies stored in 15-inch cubic boxes and transport flexibility.
2. Marshyangdi River - Incorrectly matched. The Marshyangdi River originates from the northern slopes of the Annapurna massif, not the southern slopes.
3. PM-WANI Scheme - Correctly matched. The Central Registry of the PM-WANI Scheme is managed by the Centre for Development of Telematics.
4. BHISHM cubes - Correctly matched. Each BHISHM cube can manage approximately 200 emergency cases, addressing issues such as trauma, burns, fractures, and shock.
Thus, pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 2 is incorrectly matched.

Let's analyze each statement:

1. Chandrayaan-4 aims to perform a gentle landing on the Moon and return lunar samples to Earth.
This statement is correct. The primary objectives of the Chandrayaan-4 mission include achieving a gentle landing on the Moon, collecting lunar rock samples, and safely transporting them back to Earth.

2. The mission will use a dual rocket launch strategy with the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
This statement is also correct. Chandrayaan-4 will employ a dual rocket launch strategy, utilizing the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LMV-3) to carry the propulsion, descender, and ascender modules, and the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to transport the transfer and re-entry modules to their designated lunar orbits.

3. The Chandrayaan-4 mission has already received final government approval.
This statement is incorrect. The space agency has completed the design for the next round of moon missions — Chandrayaan 4 and 5 — and is in the process of seeking government approval for the same.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B.

- Statement 1: Correct. The Supreme Court of India's 2018 judgment indeed permits the withdrawal of life support in terminal situations under passive euthanasia. This landmark ruling allows patients to create a "living will" to refuse life-sustaining treatment when they are unable to express their wishes.

- Statement 2: Incorrect. The recent Supreme Court ruling on Harish Rana's case did not classify the Ryles tube as a life support system; instead, it ruled that the Ryles tube is not classified as a life support system and thus cannot be withdrawn.

- Statement 3: Correct. The principle of "do no harm" does face challenges in such cases. Maintaining a patient in a vegetative state with artificial feeding may indeed lead to prolonged suffering for both the patient and their caregivers, raising ethical concerns.

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

1. Propulsion System: Correctly matched. This system is indeed responsible for transporting both the lander and ascender stages to the Moon.

2. Descender: Incorrectly matched. The descender is designed for landing on the lunar surface and equipped with tools for soil sampling, not for detaching and ascending from the lunar surface.

3. Transfer Module: Correctly matched. This module does receive samples from the Ascender and moves them to the Re-entry module.

4. Re-entry Module: Correctly matched. This module is specifically designed to safely return to Earth with the lunar samples and is engineered to endure the re-entry phase into Earth's atmosphere.

1. Ryles tube – Classified as a life support system: Incorrect. The recent Supreme Court judgment ruled that a Ryles tube is not classified as a life support system.

2. Passive euthanasia – Withdrawal of medical treatment to hasten death: Correct. Passive euthanasia involves the withdrawal of medical treatment aimed at hastening the death of a terminally ill patient.

3. Living will – Legal document to refuse life-sustaining treatment: Correct. A living will is a legal document that allows a person to refuse life-sustaining treatment when they are unable to express their wishes.

4. Common Cause v. Union of India (2018) – Right to die with dignity under Article 21: Correct. The Supreme Court in Common Cause v. Union of India (2018) recognized the right to die with dignity as part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

The main goal of the BHISHM cubes is to provide compact, mobile medical units designed specifically for emergency care. These cubes are intended to deliver medical services promptly and effectively in emergency situations, making them a crucial asset for efficient healthcare delivery during crises.

1. Statement 1 is correct: BHISHM cubes are indeed designed to be mounted on an adjustable framework, enabling their transportation through various means such as air, sea, land, and even drones. This feature enhances their flexibility and utility in emergency situations.

2. Statement 2 is correct: Each BHISHM cube can manage approximately 200 emergency cases, addressing various medical issues like trauma, burns, fractures, and shock. This highlights the comprehensive emergency care capability of the BHISHM cubes.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect: The RFID technology used in BHISHM cubes is for inventory management, ensuring real-time updates on stock levels of medicines and equipment, not for monitoring patients' health conditions.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 2 only. Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

Statement-I: BHISHM is indeed a program that delivers mobile medical units, which are essential in providing emergency medical services. These units are compact and designed to handle urgent medical scenarios efficiently.
Statement-II: The Marsyangdi River does originate from the northern slopes of the Annapurna massif and is characterized by its fast-flowing currents. This river is a notable tributary of the Gandaki River.

Both statements provided are accurate.

However, there is no direct relationship between the two statements. Statement-II does not explain or provide context for Statement-I.
Option B: Both statements are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

The main objective of ISRO's Chandrayaan-4 mission is to bring back samples from the Moon, aiming to achieve a gentle landing on the Moon, collect rock samples from the moon's surface, and safely transport them back to Earth. This mission, if successful, would position India among the select group of countries that have achieved this significant feat, including the United States, Russia, and China.