Test: Weekly Current Affairs: October 22nd to 31st - UPSC MCQ

The primary objective of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is to provide a legal guarantee of 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household willing to do unskilled manual work. This initiative aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing employment opportunities and strengthening social safety nets.

The India-Bhutan SAT launched in November 2022 emphasizes space cooperation between the two nations. This satellite aids in natural resource management and signifies a joint effort towards technological advancement and collaboration in the field of space exploration.

In the Global Hunger Index 2024, India reported that 13.7% of children were undernourished. This statistic highlights a critical aspect of the food security and nutritional challenges faced by the country, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address this issue.

1. Mule account is correctly matched. It is indeed a bank account used for illegal activities, such as money laundering and conducting fraudulent transactions. This term is commonly used in the context of cyber fraud and financial crimes.

2. Scam compound is incorrectly matched. Scam compounds are not facilities in India but rather in Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos, which are used by cyber fraudsters to mimic call centers and conduct scams targeting international victims, including Indians.

3. Tier 1 Status in GCI is correctly matched. India achieved Tier 1 status in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024, indicating its leading position in cybersecurity practices on a global scale.

4. Freebies is incorrectly matched. Freebies are not policies aimed at long-term economic and social improvement. Instead, they are short-term incentives provided free of charge, often used as electoral incentives with immediate relief but criticized for not promoting sustainable development.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

Statement 1 is correct. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) does regulate Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) under the Non-Banking Financial Company - Micro Finance Institution (NBFC-MFI) framework. This framework was established to ensure client protection, borrower safeguards, privacy, and fair credit pricing, which are critical for maintaining the integrity and sustainability of MFIs.

Statement 2 is correct. The data indicates that as of March 2024, a significant percentage of microfinance clients had multiple active loans, with over 12% having four or more. This situation highlights a risk of over-indebtedness among borrowers, which is a prevalent challenge for MFIs as it can lead to defaults and adversely affect both the borrowers and the MFIs.

Statement 3 is incorrect. MFIs often rely on external funding from banks and investors rather than solely on internal funding. This dependency on external capital makes them vulnerable during economic downturns when such funding might be less available or more expensive. Therefore, internal funding sources are not the primary means of financial resilience for MFIs.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only. The first two statements accurately reflect the situation of MFIs in India, while the third statement is incorrect about the funding dynamics of MFIs.

1. Cyclone Dana - Originated in the North Atlantic Ocean

- Incorrect. Cyclone Dana is noted to be the third cyclone to develop in the North Indian Ocean in 2024, not the North Atlantic Ocean.

2. Naming of Dana - Named by Qatar

- Correct. The name "Dana" was indeed given by Qatar, as indicated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

3. Intense Convection - Involves cooling and condensation of air

- Correct. Intense convection is characterized by warm, moist air ascending, which cools and condenses to form clouds, creating conditions favorable for heavy rainfall.

4. Coriolis Force - Strongest at the equator

- Incorrect. The Coriolis force is weakest at the equator and increases with latitude. It is crucial for cyclone formation, which generally occurs away from the equatorial region.

Thus, the correctly matched pairs are 2 and 3.

The estimated financial impact of cyber fraud on the Indian economy by 2025 is projected to be losses exceeding Rs 1.2 lakh crore, representing 0.7% of India's GDP. This substantial figure underscores the growing threat posed by cyber fraud and the need for robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard financial assets and data.

1. Carcinoma - Originates in blood-forming tissues: This is incorrectly matched. Carcinomas actually originate in epithelial cells, which line the inside and outside surfaces of the body, such as the skin, glands, and other tissues. Common examples include breast, lung, and prostate cancer.

2. Sarcoma - Develops in epithelial cells: This is incorrectly matched. Sarcomas develop in bones and soft tissues, such as muscles, fat, nerves, and blood vessels. They do not originate in epithelial cells.

3. Leukemia - Affects blood-forming tissues: This is correctly matched. Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, characterized by the production of abnormal white blood cells.

4. Melanoma - Starts in pigment-producing cells of the skin: This is correctly matched. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes, the cells that produce the pigment melanin which gives skin its color.

Thus, pairs 3 and 4 are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly highlights the financial impact of cyber fraud in India, projecting significant costs by 2025. Statement-II accurately mentions India's achievement of Tier 1 status in the Global Cybersecurity Index, showcasing the country's strong position in cybersecurity practices. Furthermore, the high score of 98.49 out of 100 indicates India's robust cybersecurity measures, supporting the rationale for both statements being correct and Statement-II providing additional context that aligns with Statement-I.

Statement-I correctly identifies the Chenchu tribe as the smallest Scheduled Tribe in Odisha. However, Statement-II is incorrect as the Chenchus primarily inhabit forested areas, such as the Nallamala forest, and rely heavily on forest resources for their livelihood, not desert areas or agriculture.

The Coriolis force, caused by Earth's rotation, is crucial for imparting spin to tropical cyclones, contributing to their formation and intensification. This effect is essential for the cyclonic circulation pattern that characterizes these powerful storm systems.

Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in India primarily aim to empower low-income and unemployed individuals to achieve self-sufficiency. By providing small loans and financial services to those lacking access to traditional banking, MFIs play a crucial role in promoting financial inclusion and economic empowerment among marginalized groups in society.

1. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) - Informal collectives providing savings and credit services: Correct. SHGs are indeed informal groups, typically comprising 10-20 members, mainly women, who pool savings and access bank loans collectively.

2. Joint Lending Groups (JLGs) - Formal banking institutions offering large-scale loans: Incorrect. JLGs are not formal banking institutions; they are groups of 4-10 individuals with similar economic activities who collectively take microloans and are responsible for each other's repayment.

3. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) - Regulatory body for NBFC-MFIs: Correct. The RBI regulates NBFC-MFIs under a specific framework established in 2014, ensuring client protection and fair practices.

4. Malegam Committee - Recommended capping interest rates for MFIs: Correct. The Malegam Committee indeed recommended several measures, including capping interest rates, to enhance the functioning and regulation of MFIs.

Pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 2 is incorrectly matched.

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are accurate. Statement-I correctly highlights the primary aim of microfinance institutions, which is to empower low-income and unemployed individuals towards self-sufficiency. Statement-II effectively expands on the role of MFIs, emphasizing their crucial function in enhancing financial inclusion, especially for marginalized and low-income groups, with a particular emphasis on empowering women and promoting social equity. Hence, both statements are correct, and Statement-II logically explains and supports Statement-I.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Chenchu tribe is indeed recognized as one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Andhra Pradesh. This classification highlights their high vulnerability due to factors like low literacy rates and limited access to resources.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) provides a legal guarantee of 100 days of employment per financial year, not 150 days, to rural households willing to perform unskilled manual work. This is a well-established feature of the scheme aimed at providing livelihood security in rural areas.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Chenchu tribe primarily inhabits forested areas, such as the Nallamala forest, and relies on forest resources for their livelihood. They do not primarily live in urban areas or depend on industrial jobs.

Thus, only Statement 1 is correct. Therefore, the correct answer is Option A: 1 Only.

Statement-I correctly reflects India's rank in the Global Hunger Index in 2024, which is 105th out of 127 countries with a score of 27.3. However, Statement-II is inaccurate as it mentions significant improvement in comparison to the 2023 score, which is not supported by the provided information. The text indicates a slight improvement from 28.7 in 2023 to 27.3 in 2024, which does not qualify as a significant improvement.

Statement 1: This statement is a slightly altered version of the information provided, which states that the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) identifies around 4,000 mule bank accounts daily. While the specific number mentioned in the statement is not provided in the text, the identification of a significant number of mule accounts is accurate and aligns with the overall context of the cyber fraud situation described.

Statement 2: This statement is correct. The text states that cyber fraud is estimated to result in losses of over Rs 1.2 lakh crore by 2025, representing 0.7% of India's GDP. This aligns with the statement provided.

Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. According to the text, India is ranked as the third-largest country for phishing attacks following the US and UK, not the largest. Therefore, statement 3 is inaccurate.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only, as both statements 1 and 2 are consistent with the information provided, while statement 3 is not.

1. Global Hunger Index (GHI) Score 2024 for India - 27.3 ('serious'): This pair is correctly matched. According to the Global Hunger Index 2024 report, India's score is indeed 27.3, which places it in the 'serious' category.

2. Percentage of undernourished children in India - 18.7%: This pair is incorrectly matched. The report states that 18.7% represents the percentage of wasted children in India, not undernourished. The proportion of undernourished children in India is reported as 13.7%.

3. Child mortality rate in India - 2.9%: This pair is correctly matched. The child mortality rate reported in the Global Hunger Index for India is 2.9%.

4. Percentage of stunted children in India - 35.5%: This pair is correctly matched. The Global Hunger Index notes that 35.5% of children in India are stunted.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched: pairs 1, 3, and 4.

1. The first statement is correct. Atmospheric rivers have indeed shifted 6 to 10 degrees poleward over the past 40 years. This shift is largely attributed to changes in sea surface temperatures, particularly cooling in the eastern tropical Pacific linked to La Niña conditions, which aligns with current scientific findings.

2. The second statement is also correct. The strengthening of the Walker circulation over the western Pacific has been identified as a factor that expands the tropical rainfall belt and creates high-pressure anomalies that redirect atmospheric rivers toward the poles. This is a recognized mechanism influencing the poleward movement of atmospheric rivers.

3. The third statement is incorrect. While atmospheric rivers can lead to increased flooding and landslides, they also play a crucial positive role in redistributing freshwater and contributing significantly to water supply in regions like California. They are integral to the global water cycle and vital for replenishing snowpacks, which are important for sustaining water levels during warmer months. Thus, atmospheric rivers have both beneficial and harmful impacts.

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

1. Diplomatic Ties: Established in 1968 - This is correctly matched. India and Bhutan established diplomatic relations in 1968, following the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and updated in 2007.
2. Hydropower Cooperation: India has assisted in the construction of four major projects - This is correctly matched. India has indeed assisted Bhutan in constructing four major hydroelectric projects, which play a significant role in their economic collaboration.
3. Trade Agreement: Revised in 2007 - This is incorrectly matched. The 2007 revision was for the Treaty of Friendship, not the trade agreement. The trade agreement was revised in 2016.
4. Space Cooperation: Involves the India-Bhutan SAT - This is correctly matched. The India-Bhutan SAT was indeed launched, marking significant cooperation in space technology and natural resource management.
Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024 indeed ranks India 105th out of 127 countries, categorizing its hunger situation as "serious." This ranking highlights ongoing food insecurity and malnutrition issues in the country.

- Statement 2 is correct. The GHI score for India has shown a slight improvement from the previous year, decreasing from 28.7 in 2023 to 27.3 in 2024. This indicates a marginal improvement in the factors contributing to hunger and malnutrition.

- Statement 3 is correct. The GHI 2024 reports that India has the highest prevalence of child wasting in the world at 18.7%. Child wasting refers to a condition where children have a low weight for their height, often indicating acute undernutrition.

All three statements accurately reflect the findings from the Global Hunger Index 2024 concerning India's hunger situation. Therefore, the correct answer is Option D: 1, 2 and 3.

Statement-I correctly identifies that India-Bhutan Relations are not solely focused on military cooperation and defense strategies but encompass various aspects such as cultural, economic, and developmental collaborations. However, Statement-II is incorrect as it inaccurately portrays the primary focus of India's advancements in green hydrogen production when emphasizing their relationship with Bhutan.

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. Cyclone Dana is not the first cyclone to impact the Indian coast in 2024; it is the second, following Cyclone Remal.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) named Cyclone Dana, and in Arabic, "Dana" translates to 'generosity' and also denotes 'the most perfectly sized, valuable, and beautiful pearl.'

- Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) does influence the intensity of Cyclone Dana's rainfall. The MJO, through its enhanced phase, supports convection, thereby increasing heavy rainfall associated with the cyclone.

Therefore, only statement 2 is correct. The correct answer is Option B: 2 Only.

The poleward shift of atmospheric rivers is largely attributed to cooling sea surface temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific since 2000, linked to La Niña conditions. This change results in prolonged droughts in subtropical regions and more extreme rainfall in higher latitudes, influencing the global distribution of atmospheric rivers.

- Statement 1 is correct. The India-Bhutan SAT is a collaborative effort between the two nations aimed at enhancing capabilities in natural resource management, showcasing the technological and scientific cooperation between them.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. India is actually Bhutan's largest trading partner, not the second-largest. The bilateral trade between the two countries has indeed increased significantly, but the statement inaccurately describes India's position as a trading partner.

- Statement 3 is correct. Hydropower cooperation is a cornerstone of India-Bhutan relations, with India assisting in several major hydroelectric projects in Bhutan. This cooperation allows Bhutan to sell electricity to India, benefiting both countries economically and strategically.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only, as these statements accurately reflect the aspects of India-Bhutan relations discussed.