November 09 2024 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

Both statements are correct

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) launches Project Shaurya Gatha.
• It is an initiative of the Department of Military Affairs and the United Service Institution (USI) of India.
• It aims to conserve and promote India’s military heritage through education and tourism.

Answer: (b) Project Shaurya Gatha; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Option (b) is incorrect

• In the Department of Defence, the CDS is the highest-ranking officer and has the rank of Secretary. His authority is limited solely to the revenue budget.
• CDS is described as the ‘first among equals’ among the service chiefs. They are responsible for enhancing unity, coordination, and joint operations among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• In 2001, following the Kargil Review Committee (1999) report, a Group of Ministers (GoM) suggested creating the CDS position.
• The CDS position was officially established in January 2020, following years of defence reform recommendations.
• The CDS head of the Department of Military Affairs. It will act as the Principal Military Adviser to the Defence Minister on tri-services matters. They will also be the military adviser to the Nuclear Command Authority (chaired by the Prime Minister).
• The CDS will be the permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC).
• CDS will be a member of the Defence Acquisition Council, which is chaired by the Minister of Defence, and the Defence Planning Committee, which is chaired by the National Security Advisor.
• CDS has the authority to create theatre commands as and when needed.

Answer: (b) The CDS position was officially established following the Kargil Review Committee’s recommendations in 2001; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

All statements are incorrect

• Consumer Price Index (CPI) tracks retail price changes in goods and services, serving as a key indicator for inflation and cost of living adjustments.
• CPI data is actively collected by market investigators.
• CPI Combined (Rural + Urban) is the primary inflation measure for RBI.
• CPI focuses on retail prices and final consumer goods.
• CPI for Industrial Workers (IW): Compiled by the Labor Bureau under the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MoLE), with the base year of 2011; targets price fluctuations affecting industrial workers.
• CPI for Agricultural and Rural Laborers (AL and RL): Also compiled by MoLE, with a base year of 1986-87, tracking price changes in rural and agricultural sectors.
• CPI (Rural, Urban, and Combined): Published by the Central Statistics Office, under MoSPI, with a base year of 2012.
• Weight Distribution in CPI Combined:
  • Food and Beverages: 45.86% (not more than 50%)
  • Miscellaneous: 28.32%
  • Housing: 10.07%
  • Fuel and Light: 6.84%
  • Clothing and Footwear: 6.53%
  • Pan, Tobacco, and Intoxicants: 2.38%

Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• The Ayushman Bharat Mission’s Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) guidelines provide for the deployment of Community Health Officers (CHOs) at health sub-centers, focusing on preven-tive, promotive, and follow-up care while coordinating with ASHA workers and ANMs.

Answer: (a) Community Health Officers (CHOs); Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• SE is classified by the WHO as a high-priority Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD).
• Symptoms: Tissue damage, bleeding disorders, kidney failure, paralysis. It can result in long-term complications such as deformities, visual impairment, renal complications and psychological distress.
• According to the Central Bureau of Health Investigation (CBHI) reports (2016-2020), India witnesses an average of 3 lakh snakebite cases annually, resulting in approximately 2,000 deaths per year.
• Around 90% of snake bites in India are caused by the ‘big four’ among the crawlers – common krait, Indian cobra, Russell’s viper and saw-scaled viper.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• SE is a potentially life-threatening disease that typically results from the injection of a mixture of different toxins (venom) following the bite of a Venomous Snake.
• It can also be caused by having venom sprayed into the eyes by certain species of snakes that can spit venom as a defence measure.

Statement 3 is correct

• Indian Initiatives:
  • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE) under the ‘One Health’ approach.
  • It aims to halve the number of deaths and cases of disability caused by snakebite by 2030.
  • In alignment with WHO’s Snakebite Envenoming Strategy and the United Nations’ Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, India ratified a National Action Plan to combat Snakebite Envenoming.

Statement 4 is correct

• Global Initiatives:
  • The WHO has recognised snakebite as a global public health issue and launched a strategy to reduce snakebite-induced deaths and disabilities worldwide.
  • A global antivenom stockpile pilot project is underway to address shortages and ensure timely antivenom availability.

Answer: (c) Only three; Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Bran is the edible outer layer of cereal grains, rich in dietary fiber and bioactive compounds.
• It contributes to overall health by providing essential nutrients and aiding digestion.
• Removing bran from millets (de-branning) lowers the nutritional profile, including the loss of minerals, fiber and beneficial phytochemicals.

Statement 2 is correct

• Shelf Life: De-branning extends the shelf life of millets by removing bran, which contains fats that can spoil more quickly.
• Cooking Convenience: Polished millets cook faster and are softer, reducing cooking time.
• Market Preferences: Highly polished millets are more appealing due to their texture and appearance, but they are nutritionally inferior.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Increased Glycemic Load: Removal of bran increases carbohydrates and amylose, leading to a higher glycemic index, making de-branned millets unsuitable for diabetic individuals.

Answer: (b) Only two; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Both statements are correct

• Union Minister launched the Scheme for Strengthening the Medical Device Industry.
• The scheme targets critical areas of the medical device industry, covering the manufacturing of key components and accessories, skill development, support for clinical studies, etc.
• Features of the Five Sub – Scheme:
  • Common Facilities for Medical Devices Clusters: It aims to build infrastructure within medical device clusters by developing shared facilities like R&D labs, design and testing centres, animal testing labs.
  • Marginal Investment Scheme for Reducing Import Dependence: It promotes localised production, reducing reliance on imported raw materials and key components for medical device manufacturing.
  • Capacity Building and Skill Development for Medical Devices: It enhances the skilled technical workforce by providing financial support for courses and training programs for medical devices.
  • Medical Device Clinical Studies Support Scheme: It facilitates financial assistance for clinical studies, including animal testing, human trials, and clinical performance assessments.
  • Medical Device Promotion Scheme: It assists industry associations and export councils in promoting the sector by organising conferences and conducting studies and surveys.

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2; Difficulty Level: Easy