Current Affairs MCQs – July 07

 With reference to the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and NASA’s Swift Boost Mission, consider the following statements:

1. The Swift Boost Mission deploys the LINK spacecraft to extend the operational life of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory by autonomously servicing it in orbit.
2. The Swift Observatory established that all gamma-ray bursts originate exclusively from the collapse of massive stars.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Swift Boost Mission is NASA’s first robotic in-space servicing mission for an active science observatory. It deploys the LINK spacecraft, which functions as a space tug. Using LiDAR-based navigation and three robotic arms, LINK will autonomously rendezvous with, capture, and reposition the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory into a higher orbit. This orbital boost is intended to prevent the observatory from re-entering Earth’s atmosphere and to extend its operational life at a fraction of the cost of building a replacement satellite.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The statement is incorrect because gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) do not all have the same origin. Observations by the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory established that short-duration gamma-ray bursts are primarily produced by the merger of two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole. Long-duration gamma-ray bursts are associated with the collapse of massive stars, leading to powerful supernova explosions.

Answer: (a) 1 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

 Which one of the following best describes the ‘Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC)’ Exercise, recently seen in the news?

1. A biennial multinational maritime exercise hosted by the U.S. Pacific Fleet to enhance interoperability among partner navies.
2. A joint military exercise conducted annually by the member countries of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).
3. A naval exercise organized by NATO to strengthen maritime security in the Atlantic Ocean.
4. A humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• The Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft participates in Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2026, the world’s largest multinational naval exercise.

• RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime exercise. It began in 1971 and brings together military forces from 30+ nations.
• RIMPAC 2026 marks the 30^th edition of the exercise and its theme is ‘Partners: Integrated and Prepared’. It is hosted biennially (every 2 years) by the U.S. Pacific Fleet in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

Answer: (a) A biennial multinational maritime exercise hosted by the U.S. Pacific Fleet to enhance interoperability among partner navies; Difficulty Level: Medium

With reference to the cooperative sector in India, consider the following statements:

1. India accounts for more than one-fourth of the world’s registered cooperative societies.
2. Credit cooperatives constitute the majority of India’s cooperative societies.
3. Urban Cooperative Banks account for less than 5% of the total assets of India’s banking sector.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 2 and 3 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

• Ministry of Cooperation, established on 6 July 2021, celebrated its 5^th Foundation Day under the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation).

Statement 1 is correct

• India has around 8.58 lakh registered cooperative societies, accounting for more than one-fourth of the world’s cooperative network. These societies collectively serve nearly 32 crore active members, making India one of the largest cooperative ecosystems globally.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Credit cooperatives do not constitute the majority of cooperative societies in India. Of the 8.58 lakh registered cooperatives, around 2 lakh are credit cooperatives, whereas about 6 lakh are non-credit cooperatives engaged in sectors such as dairy, housing, fisheries, consumer services, and marketing. Hence, non-credit cooperatives significantly outnumber credit cooperatives.

Statement 3 is correct

• India has 1,469 Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) with assets worth approximately ₹7.38 trillion, accounting for about 3% of the total assets of the Indian banking sector. Although their share is relatively small, UCBs play an important role in providing banking services to urban and semi-urban communities, especially small businesses and middle-income households.

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

With reference to the White-bellied Heron, recently seen in the news, consider the following statements:

1. It is the world’s second-largest heron species after the Goliath Heron.
2. It is endemic to India and is found only in Arunachal Pradesh.
3. It inhabits fast-flowing mountain rivers and wetlands surrounded by mature subtropical broadleaf forests.
4. It is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and included in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 2 and 4 only
3. 1, 2, 3 and 4
4. 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis), also known as the Imperial Heron, is the world’s second-largest heron, surpassed only by the Goliath Heron. With fewer than 60 individuals remaining in the wild, it is among the rarest bird species globally.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The White-bellied Heron is not endemic to India. Its range is restricted to the Eastern Himalayan foothills, occurring in Bhutan, north-eastern India (primarily Arunachal Pradesh and Assam), and northern Myanmar. India supports one of its last remaining populations, but it is not the species’ only range country.

Statement 3 is correct

• The species prefers fast-flowing mountain rivers, riverine wetlands, and forested valleys, particularly those bordered by mature subtropical broadleaf forests. It depends on undisturbed freshwater ecosystems and is highly sensitive to habitat degradation caused by infrastructure projects, dam construction, and human disturbance.

Statement 4 is correct

• The White-bellied Heron is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to its extremely small and declining population. In India, it receives the highest legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is also recognized as one of the top 100 EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) species, reflecting its unique evolutionary history and exceptionally high conservation priority.

Answer: (d) 1, 3 and 4 only; Difficulty Level: Hard

 Right to vote and to be elected in India is a

1. Fundamental Right
2. Natural Right
3. Constitutional Right
4. Legal Right

Explanation

• The Opposition advocated upgrading the Right to Vote from a statutory right to a Fundamental Right, reigniting debates on constitutionalising electoral rights.

Option (c) is correct

• The right to vote is a constitutional right under Article 326 of the IC. To exercise this right, citizens must reach the age of 18. By the Sixty-first constitutional amendment act of 1988, the voting age of elections to the LS and legislative assemblies of States has been lowered from 21 to 18 years.

Answer: (c) Constitutional Right; Difficulty Level: Medium