Current Affairs MCQs – July 29

 Consider the following statements regarding the Undavalli Caves:

1. The Undavalli Caves are a monolithic rock-cut temple complex situated on the banks of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh.
2. The caves were originally constructed as a Hindu temple complex under the patronage of the Cholas and later converted into a Buddhist monastery.
3. The caves house a monolithic statue of Ananta Padmanabha Swamy depicting Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Undavalli Caves are a 4th–5th century CE monolithic rock-cut temple complex located in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh on the banks of the Krishna River.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The caves were originally a Jain abode, later used by Buddhist monks, and were eventually converted into a Hindu temple. They are associated with the regional adaptation of the Gupta style and were patronized by the Vishnukundina dynasty, not the Cholas.

Statement 3 is correct

• The caves are renowned for their 5-metre-long monolithic granite sculpture of Ananta Padmanabha Swamy, depicting Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture.

Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Hard

Consider the following statements regarding Blue Straggler Stars (BSS):

1. Blue Straggler Stars are found predominantly in young open clusters and are generally less massive than other stars of the same cluster.
2. One of the widely accepted explanations for the formation of Blue Straggler Stars is the transfer of mass from one star to its companion in a binary star system.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Blue Straggler Stars are found in both open and globular star clusters. They appear hotter, brighter, bluer, and more massive than other stars of the same age in the cluster, giving the impression that they are younger.

Statement 2 is correct

• The most accepted mechanism for their formation is mass transfer in a binary star system, where one star transfers matter to its companion. Another proposed mechanism is the merger or collision of two stars, resulting in a rejuvenated star.

Answer: (b) 2 only; Difficulty Level: Easy

Consider the following islands of Japan:

1. Hokkaido
2. Honshu
3. Kyushu
4. Shikoku

Arrange the above islands from north to south:

1. 1 – 2 – 4 – 3
2. 1 – 4 – 2 – 3
3. 2 – 1 – 4 – 3
4. 2 – 4 – 1 – 3

Explanation

• A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan’s Kyushu Island.

Option (a) is correct

• Japan’s four main islands are arranged from north to south as Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Hokkaido is the northernmost island, while Honshu is the largest and centrally located island containing major cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto. Shikoku lies to the south of Honshu across the Seto Inland Sea, and Kyushu is the southernmost of Japan’s four principal islands, known for its active volcanic activity, including Mount Aso.

Answer: (a) 1 – 2 – 4 – 3; Difficulty Level: Medium

 Consider the following statements regarding the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY):

1. It is an unemployment relief scheme administered by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
2. Relief under the scheme is not admissible in cases of voluntary retirement, superannuation, or unemployment arising due to worker misconduct.
3. The insured person and their eligible dependents continue to receive ESIC medical benefits during the period of unemployment assistance.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) is an unemployment relief scheme administered by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Statement 2 is correct

• Relief under the scheme is not admissible if unemployment results from voluntary retirement, superannuation, worker misconduct, factory lockouts, or fraud.

Statement 3 is correct

• The insured person and their eligible dependents continue to receive uninterrupted ESIC medical benefits during the period of unemployment assistance.

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3; Difficulty Level: Medium

Consider the following pairs:

How many of the pairs given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrect

• Dhole / Asiatic Wild Dog / Indian Wild Dog is a dog-like carnivorous mammal.
• It is a highly social animal that lives in large clans without rigid hierarchical dominance.
• Distribution: Central, South, East and SE Asia. In India, it is not very common in Western India.
• Habitat: Grassland and forested regions (from tropical dry and moist deciduous to boreal forests).
• IUCN: EN | CITES: Appx II | WPA: Sch I

Pair 2 is correct

• The western hoolock gibbon (or white-browed gibbon) is one of the three species of hoolock gibbon
• (lesser apes) and is the only ape found in India.
• Distribution: Bangladesh, India (NE India) and Myanmar (west of the Chindwin River).
• Habitat: Tropical evergreen rainforests, tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, etc.
• Threats: Habitat loss and hunting.
• • IUCN: EN | CITES: Appx II | WPA: Sch I

Pair 3 is incorrect

• Barasingha (Swamp deer) is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is the state animal of MP and UP.
• Distribution: Isolated localities in north and central India and Nepal. Kanha TR (MP) is famous for it.
• Habitat: Open forests, tall grasslands and mangroves.
• IUCN: VU | CITES: Appx I | WPA: Sch I

Answer: (a) Only one | Difficulty Level: Hard