Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 29th August 2024 - UPSC MCQ

The first statement is not correct because it talks about the chairman as well as the deputy chairman.
(a) The Vice-President of India is ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
(b) Rajya Sabha also chooses from amongst its members, a Deputy Chairman.
Hence statement 1 is not correct.

President: Elected members of parliament (MPs from Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha).
(a) Elected members of State legislative members, including that of NCT of Delhi and Pondicherry.
(b) Vice President: Vice President is elected indirectly, by an electoral college consisting of members of both houses of the Parliament.
Hence statement 2 is correct.

The World Health Organization recommends the BPaL/M Regimen as a new, shorter, and safer treatment option for drug-resistant TB patients. This regimen involves taking only 3 to 4 tablets daily for six months, leading to fewer side effects and a higher success rate compared to traditional treatments. It has been adopted by approximately 80 countries, showing promising results in combating drug-resistant TB effectively.

1. Vision: Promote global trade and economic alliances.
- Incorrect. The vision of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is to foster peace, harmony, security, social inclusion, and prosperity in the Pacific region, not explicitly to promote global trade and economic alliances.
2. Members: Includes countries such as Australia and Fiji.
- Correct. Members of the PIF include countries such as Australia and Fiji.
3. Key Focus Areas: Includes regional security and environmental sustainability.
- Correct. The key focus areas of PIF include regional security and environmental sustainability, among other areas.
4. Dialogue Partners: Engages with Brazil and Russia.
- Incorrect. The PIF engages with 18 dialogue partners, which include major nations like the USA, China, India, and members of the EU, but not specifically Brazil and Russia.
Thus, only pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1 is correct: The incidence rate of TB in India indeed decreased from 237 cases per 100,000 individuals in 2015 to 199 cases per 100,000 individuals in 2022, marking a 16% reduction.

2. Statement 2 is correct: The mortality rate due to TB in India decreased from 28 deaths per 100,000 individuals in 2015 to 23 deaths per 100,000 individuals in 2022, indicating progress in the management of the disease.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect: The BPaL/M regimen recommended by the World Health Organization involves taking only 3 to 4 tablets daily for six months, but it results in a higher success rate of 89%, not 68%. The 68% success rate is associated with traditional TB treatments.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 2, making Option B the correct answer.

1. BPR&D Headquarters - New Delhi: Correct. The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) is headquartered in New Delhi.

2. SIG 716 Rifle Manufacturer - Germany: Incorrect. The SIG 716 rifle is manufactured by Sig Sauer, an American firearms company, not a German one.

3. ANUBHAV Portal Launch Year - 2015: Correct. The ANUBHAV Portal was launched in March 2015 by the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare.

4. SIG 716 Rifle Caliber - 7.62x51mm: Correct. The SIG 716 rifle is equipped with a 7.62x51mm caliber, offering a longer range and increased lethality.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) was established in 1970 under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, succeeding the Police Research and Advisory Council. It was set up to identify the needs and challenges faced by police forces across the country, conduct research initiatives, and stay updated with advancements in science and technology to enhance police operations.

The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme initiated by the Central Government in 2020 primarily aims to provide medium- to long-term debt financing for investments in viable projects related to post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. By broadening the scope of this scheme, the government targets bolstering farm-related infrastructure across the country, thus facilitating agricultural development and sustainability.

Statement 1 is correct. The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) was indeed established in 1970 under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It succeeded the Police Research and Advisory Council.

Statement 2 is correct. One of the responsibilities of the BPR&D includes providing support to states for the modernization of State Police Forces and Correctional Administration.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The BPR&D operates five Central Detective Training Institutes located in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Ghaziabad, and Jaipur, not six.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

1. Deepfakes are synthetic media forms created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology: This statement is correct. Deepfakes involve the use of AI to create images, videos, and audio that can depict scenarios or individuals that do not exist or events that have never taken place.

2. The term "deepfake" originated in 2017, when explicit videos of celebrities were shared by a Reddit user named "deepfakes.": This statement is also correct. The term "deepfake" indeed started gaining attention in 2017 due to explicit videos of celebrities being shared by a Reddit user who used the name "deepfakes."

3. Deepfake technology is predominantly used for creating harmless entertainment content: This statement is incorrect. While deepfake technology can be used for entertainment purposes, it is increasingly exploited for malicious activities, including scams, hoaxes, unauthorized pornography, election manipulation, and social engineering.

Therefore, the statements 1 and 2 are correct, making Option B the right answer.

Statement-I is accurate as the SIG 716 rifle is indeed designed for precision shooting at distances of up to 600 meters, emphasizing its capability for long-range engagements. Statement-II is also correct because the gas piston system in the rifle is known to enhance its reliability by reducing maintenance needs, making it a preferred choice for military use in various operational environments. The gas piston system ensures smoother operation, decreased fouling, and overall improved performance, thereby justifying the explanation provided in Option (A).