Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 3rd February 2025 - UPSC MCQ

The 'Nuclear Energy Mission' introduced by the Finance Minister aims at the development of indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). These reactors are defined as small nuclear reactors with a maximum output of 300 Megawatts electric and offer the potential for a large amount of low-carbon electricity. SMRs represent a significant advancement in nuclear technology due to their smaller size, reduced capital investment, and enhanced safety features compared to larger nuclear power plants.

Statement 1: Incorrect. SMRs typically require refueling every 3 to 7 years, compared to the 1 to 2 years needed for conventional nuclear power plants. Some SMR designs can even operate for up to 30 years without refueling. This longer refueling cycle is one of the advantages of SMRs over traditional nuclear reactors.

Statement 2: Correct. SMRs do indeed offer a potential for a substantial amount of low-carbon electricity. This characteristic makes them attractive for use in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, their smaller size and modular nature allow them to be deployed in remote locations where larger reactors would not be feasible.

Statement 3: Correct. The design of SMRs involves factory assembly, which enhances their efficiency and lowers costs due to economies of scale and standardized manufacturing processes. This approach reduces on-site construction time and complexity, further contributing to cost reductions.

Therefore, the correct statements are 2 and 3, making Option D: 2 and 3 Only the correct answer.

1. SMRs maximum output: 300 Megawatts electric (MWe) - Correctly matched. SMRs are defined as small nuclear reactors with a maximum output of 300 MWe.

2. SMRs refueling requirement: Every 1 to 2 years - Incorrectly matched. SMRs typically require refueling every 3 to 7 years. Some advanced designs can operate for up to 30 years without needing refueling, unlike conventional plants which need refueling every 1 to 2 years.

3. SMRs integration: Capable of supplying both electricity and heat for industrial applications - Correctly matched. SMRs can be integrated into energy hubs and are capable of supplying both electricity and heat for industrial applications, district heating, and hydrogen production.

4. SMRs safety feature: Non-proliferation efforts - Correctly matched. SMRs offer distinct safeguards and security advantages, contributing to non-proliferation efforts.

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

- Statement 1 is correct. Domestic workers in India are not covered under the Minimum Wages Act, which indeed makes them ineligible for the protections and benefits that come with the establishment of a statutory minimum wage. This exclusion is a significant factor contributing to their vulnerability and lack of bargaining power in employment negotiations.

- Statement 2 is correct. The Supreme Court of India has indeed directed the government to consider the formulation of a comprehensive legal framework for domestic workers, acknowledging the necessity to protect their rights and improve their working conditions. This directive includes forming an inter-ministerial committee to assess the need for such legislation.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. India has not ratified the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 189, which is specifically aimed at decent work for domestic workers. This convention would provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring the rights and protections of domestic workers, but India's non-ratification indicates a gap in the legal recognition of these workers' rights.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only. Statements 1 and 2 are true, while statement 3 is false.

1. Minimum Wages Act - Covers domestic workers: Incorrect. The Minimum Wages Act does not specifically cover domestic workers, which is a significant gap in the legal framework protecting their rights.

2. Equal Remuneration Act - Ensures equal pay for domestic workers: Incorrect. The Equal Remuneration Act aims to ensure equal pay for men and women but does not specifically address domestic workers.

3. ILO Convention 189 - Ratified by India: Incorrect. India has not ratified the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 189, which is aimed at protecting domestic workers' rights globally.

4. Code on Wages 2019 - Includes domestic workers: Correct. The Code on Wages 2019 does include provisions for domestic workers, making it the only correctly matched pair here.

Only one pair, the Code on Wages 2019 including domestic workers, is correctly matched.

• Statement-I is false because domestic workers in India are not covered by essential labor laws such as the Minimum Wages Act and the Equal Remuneration Act. Though there have been efforts to extend protections to domestic workers, these workers often remain outside the scope of many labor laws.

• Statement-II is true because the vulnerability of domestic workers is indeed exacerbated due to the lack of legal protection under vital labor laws, making them prone to exploitation, low wages, and poor working conditions without proper legal recourse.

1. Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: Correctly matched. This initiative indeed focuses on enhancing agricultural productivity in low-performing districts, aiming to improve resources and financial support for farmers.

2. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Expansion: Correctly matched. The initiative has increased loan limits from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme, thereby improving credit access for farmers.

3. National Mission on Natural Farming: Incorrectly matched. This mission is primarily focused on promoting sustainable agricultural practices rather than self-sufficiency in pulses and edible oils. The mission for self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds is a separate six-year initiative.

4. Etemad Missile: Incorrectly matched. The Etemad missile is a ballistic missile with a range of 1,700 kilometers, not an anti-warship cruise missile. The Ghadr-380 is the anti-warship cruise missile with advanced anti-jamming capabilities.

Thus, two pairs are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly mentions the allocation of ₹1.71 lakh crore for agriculture and allied activities in the Union Budget for 2025-26, which is an increase from the previous fiscal year. Statement-II accurately describes the aim of the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana to benefit 1.7 crore farmers by focusing on low productivity areas. The increase in budget allocation and the targeting of low productivity areas align with the details provided in the source material. Hence, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains why the increased allocation is significant for benefiting farmers in low productivity areas.

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. Geo-economic fragmentation does not signify an increase in global economic integration; rather, it indicates a breakdown of global economic integration. It is characterized by countries forming economic blocs and adopting policies that prioritize national interests over globalization, thus leading to fragmentation, not integration.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. The text mentions that the current dynamics of geo-economic fragmentation resemble those of the Cold War era, where nations align themselves based on geopolitical interests. This alignment is driven by strategic considerations, similar to the geopolitical tensions seen during the Cold War.

- Statement 3: This statement is also correct. The concept of friend-shoring, as highlighted in the text, involves concentrating foreign direct investment (FDI) among geopolitically aligned nations. This realignment reduces capital inflow to other regions, especially emerging economies, as countries prioritize economic ties with like-minded nations.

Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option D the correct answer.

Statement-I correctly identifies the effects of Geo-Economic Fragmentation (GEF) on trade, capital flows, FDI, and migration. These disruptions are key characteristics of GEF as mentioned in the Economic Survey 2024-25. Statement-II accurately highlights the significant increase in trade costs today compared to the Cold War period, supported by data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) indicating that trade today constitutes 45% of GDP, making it more expensive than before. Statement-II logically explains how the rise in trade restrictions has made international trade costlier, providing a clear connection between the two statements. Hence, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains the implications of Statement-I in the context of geo-economic fragmentation.