December 27 2024 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

Statement 2 is correct

• Recently, Union Minister launched the ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi‘ initiative on Good Governance Day, marking the 100th birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• The initiative aligns with the government’s mission to decentralise governance and foster participatory decision-making at the grassroots level.

Statements 1 and 3 are correct

• It is part of the broader ‘Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur’ campaign, which aims to enhance the capacity and competence of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by equipping elected representatives and officials with the tools and knowledge required for effective governance and participatory planning.
• Piloted in Odisha, Assam, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, the initiative leverages e-learning platforms, AI-powered chatbots, and mobile apps to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance service delivery.

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

Explanation

Option (d) is incorrect

• Matsya Seva Kendras (MSKs) are centralized hubs under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana provide fisheries with support and services.
• It conduct soil, water & disease analysis (e.g., Thrissur MSK) & training in feed/seed technology (e.g., Maharashtra MSKs).
• It offers a 60% subsidy for women and weaker sections to promote inclusivity.
• It also Mobilize start-ups, cooperatives, and SHGs to share best practices and focus on conservation and regenerative practices to address climate impacts.

All other options are correct

• Sagar Mitras act as a government-fisher interface in coastal regions.
• It collects data on marine catch, pricing and marketing needs at landing centres and disseminate critical information on fishing zones, weather and safety measures.

Answer: (d) It conducts soil, water & disease analysis and training in feed/seed technology; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Situated in the Maloti Mountains, Lesotho is often called the “Kingdom in the Sky” due to its high elevation.
• It is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) in elevation.
• It is an enclaved country completely surrounded by South Africa. This makes it one of the few countries in the world entirely surrounded by another country.
• Caledon River, Orange River, and the Tugela River, all these originate from the Lesotho Mountains.
• Lesotho is a key water supplier to South Africa through the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
• The country is also known for its high-quality diamond mines.

Answer: (a) Only one; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• REER is the nominal effective exchange rate (a measure of the value of a currency against a weighted average of several foreign currencies) divided by a price deflator or index of costs.
• It adjusts NEER for inflation differentials between the home country and its trading partners.
• It is an indicator of the international competitiveness of a nation in comparison with its trade partners.
• The formula is weighted to consider the relative importance of each trading partner to the home country.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• An increasing REER indicates that a country is losing its competitive edge. This implies that exports have become more expensive, and imports have become cheaper.

Statement 3 is correct

• Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) is the value of country’s currency against a basket of foreign currencies, weighted by trade significance.
• It is useful in tracking nominal movement of exchange rates does not account for price level differences.
• It does not provide a complete picture of international competitiveness.

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti acts as the nodal ministry for the Interlinking of Rivers.

Statement 2 is correct

• ILRs are identified by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA), under the National Perspective Plan (NPP).
• It includes two components, which comprises 30 links;
  • 14 links under the Himalayan Rivers Component and
  • 16 links under the Peninsular Rivers Component.

Statement 3 is correct

• It is an initiative to transfer water from water-surplus regions to water deficient & rain-fed areas through inter-basin transfers, to ensure greater equity in the distribution of water.
• It aims to connect more than 60 rivers across India through a network of storage dams to form a gigantic South Asian Water Grid.

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Yarlung Tsangpo River is the longest river in Tibet and the fifth longest in China.
• Originates from the Angsi Glacier in western Tibet. After reaching Assam, the river is known as the Brahmaputra.

• Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, formed by a horse-shoe bend in the river where it leaves the Tibetan Plateau & flows around Namcha Barwa, is the deepest and possibly longest canyon in the world.

Answer: (a) Yarlung Tsangpo River; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The National Board for Wildlife re-constituted its Zoo Wing as ‘the Expert Group on Zoos’ in 1972.
• The Expert Group on Zoos recommended setting up of a central agency.
• In effect, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 was amended to establish Central Zoo Authority (CZA) as a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment & Forests in 1992.
• The Authority consists of a Chairman, ten members and a Member Secretary.
• Every zoo in the country is required to obtain recognition from the Authority for its operation.

Statements 2 and 3 are correct

• Functions of Central Zoo Authority includes:
  • Specify the minimum standards for housing, upkeep and veterinary care of the animals kept in zoos.
  • Evaluate and assess the functioning of the zoos with respect to the prescribed standards or norms.
  • Recognize or derecognize zoos.
  • Identify endangered species of wild animals for purposes of captive breeding.
  • Provide technical and financial assistance to such zoos which have the potential to attain the desired standard in animal management.
  • Regulate the exchange of animals of endangered category listed under Schedule-I and II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act among zoos.
  • Exchange of animals between Indian and foreign zoos is approved by the Authority before the requisite clearances under EXIM Policy and the CITES permits are issued by the competent authority.

Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Both statements are correct

• It is highest and the Oldest advisory body for Central and State Governments in education, proposed by the Calcutta University Commission (1917-19).
• Establishment: Formed in 1920, dissolved in 1923, revived in 1935.
• Composition: Chairperson is the Union Minister of Education (MoE) and Vice-Chairperson is the Minister of State for Education.
• Functions:
  • Progress Review: Regularly reviews education progress.
  • Policy Implementation: Advises on implementation of education policies by govts and agencies.
  • Coordination: Ensures coordination among governments and non-governmental agencies.
  • Advisory Role: Provides advice on educational questions suo motu or on request.

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