Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 26th November 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Maintaining year-round soil cover is a fundamental principle of regenerative agriculture that plays a crucial role in ensuring sustainable farming practices. This principle helps protect the soil, prevent erosion, retain moisture, and promote soil health by providing a continuous cover that supports ecosystem functions. By keeping the soil covered throughout the year, farmers can enhance biodiversity, improve water retention, reduce soil erosion, and foster healthier agricultural ecosystems.

The correct answer is: B: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

• Statement-I: Regenerative agriculture does focus primarily on enhancing soil health through practices such as cover cropping, no-till farming, and other methods aimed at increasing biodiversity and improving the overall health of the soil. This statement is correct.

• Statement-II: The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) telescope is designed to detect high-energy gamma rays (greater than 20 giga-electron volts) produced by cosmic phenomena, such as black holes, neutron stars, and supernovae. This statement is also correct.

However, the two statements are unrelated, and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I. Therefore, the correct option is B.

The Constituent Assembly of India was marked by its dedication to dialogue and consensus-building, with members valuing dissenting opinions as enriching debates and clarifying constitutional principles. This approach fostered a pluralistic and inclusive environment that contributed to the successful crafting of the nation's Constitution.

1. The Constituent Assembly of India was notable for its commitment to dialogue and consensus-building among its diverse members. - This statement is correct. The Constituent Assembly was characterized by its diverse membership, which included individuals from various ideological, cultural, and regional backgrounds. Despite these differences, members were committed to dialogue and consensus-building, which was crucial in drafting the Constitution.

2. During the early years of independent India, parliamentary sessions were infrequent and debates were limited in scope. - This statement is incorrect. In the early years of independent India, parliamentary sessions were more frequent, and debates were comprehensive. For example, the first Lok Sabha (1952–57) met for 677 days, which indicates a high level of legislative activity and robust debate.

3. India's current trade deficit primarily results from weaknesses in its manufacturing sector compared to other countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh. - This statement is incorrect. While India does have a trade deficit, it is not primarily due to weaknesses in manufacturing. Instead, it reflects India's strengths in the services sector and its attractiveness as a destination for foreign investment. India's comparative advantage in services helps offset its goods trade deficit, rather than a deficiency in manufacturing capabilities compared to countries like Vietnam or Bangladesh.

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

Statement-I highlights the decline in India's parliamentary democracy, emphasizing the overshadowing of core ideals from the Constituent Assembly. Statement-II elaborates on specific indicators of this decline, such as the decreased frequency of parliamentary sittings, diminished legislative scrutiny, and reduced debate on critical matters like the Union Budget. Statement-II provides context and details that support and explain the broader claim made in Statement-I, establishing a clear relationship between the two statements. Thus, both statements are correct, and Statement-II effectively explains the assertions made in Statement-I.

1. PAN 2.0 Project - Aims to enhance taxpayer registration services through a technology-driven overhaul: This pair is correctly matched. The PAN 2.0 Project is indeed an e-Governance initiative aimed at improving taxpayer registration services by overhauling the PAN/TAN services with new technology.

2. Permanent Account Number (PAN) - A five-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department: This pair is incorrectly matched. A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a ten-character alphanumeric identifier, not five.

3. National Gopal Ratna Award - Recognizes efforts in the livestock and dairy sector during National Milk Day: This pair is correctly matched. The National Gopal Ratna Award is awarded during National Milk Day and recognizes contributions in the livestock and dairy sector.

4. Income Tax Department - Uses PAN to track and link transactions related to taxes and communications: This pair is correctly matched. The Income Tax Department uses PAN to track and link all transactions related to an individual, including tax payments and communications.

Pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 2 is incorrectly matched. Thus, only two pairs (1 and 3) are correctly matched.

The correct answer is: B: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

• Statement-I: The PAN 2.0 Project is a technology-driven initiative aimed at improving taxpayer registration services by enhancing the digital experience for taxpayers. This project focuses on streamlining the processes and improving the accessibility and efficiency of PAN services. This statement is correct.

• Statement-II: The National Gopal Ratna Award is indeed conferred to recognize outstanding contributions in the livestock and dairy sector. The award is presented during the National Milk Day celebrations, which take place on November 26th, to honor those who have made significant contributions to improving the dairy industry. This statement is also correct.

Since Statement-I and Statement-II are both correct but unrelated to each other, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I. Therefore, the correct option is B

Francisco de Almeida was the first Viceroy of the Portuguese State of India who established the initial base in Fort Manuel, which is now known as Kochi. His tenure marked the beginning of Portuguese colonial influence in the region, setting the stage for their significant presence in India. Almeida played a crucial role in consolidating Portuguese power and control over key strategic locations along the Indian coastline.

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. The "AbKoiBahanaNahi" campaign was not launched with the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Instead, it was launched with the support of UN Women, along with the Ministries of Women and Child Development and Rural Development.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. One of the significant objectives of the "AbKoiBahanaNahi" campaign is to ensure the equal participation of women in all sectors, contributing to a developed India or "Viksit Bharat."

- Statement 3: This statement is correct. The campaign aligns with the global initiative #NoExcuse, which seeks to demand accountability and action against increasing violence, thus emphasizing the global context of gender-based violence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option D: 2 and 3 Only, as statements 2 and 3 accurately reflect the aims and alignment of the campaign, while statement 1 does not.

Statement-I correctly identifies the objective of the Global Matchmaking Platform (GMP), which is to expedite the decarbonization process in heavy-emitting industries in emerging and developing economies. Statement-II provides additional information about the operational aspect of the GMP, highlighting its role as a supporting mechanism for the Climate Club with its secretariat based at UNIDO. Statement-II logically explains how the GMP functions within the broader context of supporting climate initiatives, thereby complementing and expanding upon the information provided in Statement-I. Hence, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains Statement-I, making option (a) the accurate choice.