February 04 2025 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Biodiversity Heritage Sites are well-defined areas that are unique and ecologically fragile ecosystems (terrestrial, coastal, marine, inland waters) having rich biodiversity comprising of any one or more of the following components:
  1. Species richness
  2. High endemism
  3. Presence of rare and threatened species, keystone species, and species of evolutionary significance
  4. Presence of wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species
  5. Past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds
  6. Areas with significant cultural, ethical, aesthetic values important for maintenance of cultural diversity

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Under Section 37 of the Biodiversity Act, 2002, the State Government in consultation with local bodies may notify areas of biodiversity importance as Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS).
• Declaration of an area as BHS does not put any restriction on the prevailing practices and usages of the local communities. Because the purpose of BHS is to enhance the quality of life of the local communities through conservation measures.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Gujarat has declared the inland mangrove site in Guneri village, Kutch, as its first BHS.

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

Explanation

• The Union Budget 2025-26, includes significant income tax cuts aimed at stimulating domestic demand and boosting economic growth, following a period of slow recovery.
• The tax cut aims to boost consumer spending, which the government sees as the critical factor in reviving private sector investment and overall economic growth.

Option 1 is correct but 3 is incorrect

• Macroeconomic Impact of Tax Cuts:
  • Increased Disposable Income: Tax cuts increase disposable income for individuals, fostering higher consumer spending.
  • Fiscal Deficit: The government forgoes around Rs 1 lakh crore in tax revenue, potentially impacting fiscal deficit projections.
  • Savings and Consumption: Increased disposable income may lead to higher consumption and savings, although some savings might remain unspent.
  • Demand-Supply Dynamics: Higher demand can lead to increased production and consumption, but inflation may rise if demand exceeds domestic supply.

Option 2 is correct

• Influence on Consumption:
  • Increased Consumer Spending: Extra income from tax cuts can encourage people to spend more on goods and services.
  • Rural vs. Urban Impact: Tax cuts may have varying impacts on rural and urban areas, with rural areas possibly benefiting from the increased cash flow for basic goods.
  • Consumer Confidence: Boost in disposable income may improve consumer confidence, encouraging greater market participation.

Options 4 and 5 are correct

• Influence on Investment:
  • Increased Private Investment: Increased consumption incentivize businesses to invest in new capacities.
  • Reduced Cost of Capital: As demand rises, lower interest rates may reduce the cost of capital, supporting business investments.
  • Tax cuts signal stronger demand, which may push businesses to expand and hire more workers.
• Influence on Economic Growth:
  • Multiplier Effect: Tax cuts stimulate GDP growth through a multiplier effect, where each Rs 1 cut could increase GDP by Rs 1.01.
  • GDP Growth: Tax cuts alone may not drive significant GDP growth; additional policy interventions are needed for sustained economic expansion.
  • Employment Generation: A potential rise in consumption could lead to job creation in industries catering to the demand surge, thus improving employment rates.

Answer: (c) Only four; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

• Indian Railways has launched the ‘SwaRail’ SuperApp for beta testing, aiming to integrate various railway services into a single platform for better user experience.

Statement 1 is correct and Statement 2 is incorrect

• Key Features of ‘SwaRail’ SuperApp:
  • Developed by Centre for Railway Information Systems to improve service integration.
  • Combines multiple railway services like ticket booking, train status, and food orders into one app.
  • Single Sign-On: Users can access all services with one set of credentials across RailConnect, UTS, and other apps.
  • Multiple Login Options: Supports m-PIN and biometric authentication for secure and easy access.
• Integrated Services:
  • Ticket Booking: Includes both reserved and unreserved ticket bookings, along with platform tickets.
  • PNR and Train Status: Provides real-time PNR enquiries, train schedules, and movement updates.
  • Food Ordering and Rail Madad: Users can order food on trains and access complaint management services via Rail Madad.
  • R-Wallet Integration: Facilitates easy ticket booking and links existing UTS R-Wallets.

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

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• India-Bangladesh Border Overview:
  • Length: 4,096 km (India’s longest border).
  • Indian States Touched by the Border: Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, and West Bengal.

Answer: (c) Only four; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Statements 2 and 3 are correct

• Ahead of World Wetlands Day (February 2), India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) to 89 by designating four more wetlands as Ramsar sites.
• Notably, Jharkhand and Sikkim received their first Ramsar designations.
• With 20 sites, Tamil Nadu leads the country in Ramsar sites.
• Newly added sites:
  1. Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand):
  2. Khecheopalri Wetland (Sikkim):
  3. Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu):
  4. Therthangal Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu):

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Total Sites: India now has 89 Ramsar sites, the highest in Asia and third globally.

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

Explanation

Both statements are incorrect

1. Bickerstaff’s Brainstem Encephalitis (BBE):
   • An acute, post-infectious, inflammatory disorder affecting the central nervous system (CNS).
   • Symptoms: Imbalance (ataxia), ophthalmoplegia (visual disturbances like double vision), drowsiness, weakness in limbs, and difficulty walking.
   • Onset: Symptoms develop rapidly within days, often after a mild respiratory or diarrheal illness.
2. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS):
   • GBS is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the body’s peripheral nerves.
   • Symptoms: Muscle weakness, tingling, paralysis, difficulty breathing, and loss of reflexes.
   • Often triggered by infections, such as viral (eg- norovirus) or bacterial (eg- Campylobacter) infections.

• Difference Between BBE and GBS:
  • Both are Post-infectious immune-mediated conditions, but BBE Affects the CNS, particularly the brainstem while GBS primarily affects the peripheral nervous system.

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

Explanation

Only Pair 2 is correct

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