February 06 2025 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The main goal of the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme is to provide 1 crore youth with internships over five years in top 500 companies.
• Enhancement of Employability: The scheme is aimed at enhancing youth employability through real-world hands-on job experience & focuses on skill development across multiple sectors.
• Part of Atmanirbhar Bharat: Contributes to India’s vision of self-reliance by nurturing skilled workforce.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Managed through an online portal by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

Statement 3 is correct

• Scheme follows the same reservation structure as government jobs for SCs, STs, OBCs, and disabled candidates.

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Establishment: National Assessment and Accreditation Council was set up in 1994 under the University Grants Commission (UGC).
• Purpose: Assess and accredit higher education institutions (HEIs) in India.
• Funding: Autonomous body funded by UGC.
• Headquarters: Bangalore.
• Mandate: Ensures quality assurance in HEIs, promoting the integration of quality into the functioning of institutions.

Statement 2 is correct

• Institutions with higher grades are eligible for benefits like autonomy and UGC funds.

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

Explanation

Pairs 1 and 2 are incorrect and pair 3 is correct

• Supreme Court has directed Rajasthan’s Forest Department to map and classify sacred groves as ‘forests’ and ‘community reserves’ under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972.
• Ecological Role: Sacred groves protect watersheds, prevent erosion & support biodiversity (eg- Orans in Rajasthan).
• Cultural and Religious Importance: Groves are protected through taboos and rituals, such as in Sarpa Kavu (Kerala) and Devara Kadu (Karnataka).
• Biodiversity Hotspots: Groves serve as habitats for rare plants and wildlife, like the Law Kyntang groves in Meghalaya.

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

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• New Zealand’s Mount Taranaki has been granted legal personhood, recognizing it as a living entity with rights, responsibilities, and powers, in a landmark agreement with Maori tribes.
• Mount Taranaki (Taranaki Maunga), also known as Mount Egmont, is located on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island.
• It is part of the Taranaki region, surrounded by lush forests and farmland, and is located within the Egmont National Park.
• It is a dormant stratovolcano, with a conical shape often compared to Japan’s Mount Fuji.

Answer: (a) New Zealand; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Brucellosis:
  • Cause: Bacterial infection caused by Brucella species.
  • Affected Animals: Cattle, swine, goats, sheep, and dogs.
  • Transmission to Humans: Occurs via direct contact with infected animals, consumption of unpas-teurised milk or dairy products, and inhalation of airborne agents.
  • Human-to-Human Transmission: Rare.
  • Common Symptoms: Fever, weakness, weight loss, and general discomfort.
  • Incubation Period: Ranges from 1 week to 2 months, usually presenting in 2-4 weeks.
  • Diagnosis: Often difficult as symptoms can be mild, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.
  • Treatment: Combination of doxycycline and streptomycin.
  • Affects all ages particularly those handling livestock: Farmers, butchers, veterinarians, laboratory personnel, and others in direct contact with animal blood, placenta, or bodily fluids.
  • Global Impact: Endemic in regions with extensive livestock farming.
• Prevention:
  • Vaccination: Livestock vaccination against Brucella.
  • Milk Pasteurisation: Crucial for preventing human infection.
  • Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public about avoiding unpasteurised milk and ensuring safe handling of animal products.

Answer: (c) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only; Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Challenges in Banking Regulations:

• High Preemptions on Deposits: Nearly 30% of bank deposits are locked due to statutory require-ments.
  • Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR): Banks hold ~26% in SLR securities (regulatory requirement: 18%).
  • Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): 4% of deposits remain with RBI, earning no interest.
  • Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR): Daily compliance increases the need for government securities.
• Dual Liquidity Mandates: Most global economies follow LCR alone, while India mandates both LCR and SLR, reducing banks’ lending capacity.
• Limited Government Bond Market Liquidity: Despite inclusion in global indices, India’s share is 3% compared to Indonesia’s 14.5%.
• Low Credit Growth: Credit growth lags behind nominal GDP growth, affecting financial sector ex-pansion.

Answer: (b) It reduces banks’ lending capacity; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Article 25 guarantees the right to freedom of religion but does not specifically address conversion.
• Supreme Court Cases: Key rulings (e.g., Rev. Stanislaus v. State of Madhya Pradesh, Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India) have addressed issues of forced conversions, setting precedents for state-level regula-tion.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Status of Anti-Conversion Laws in India:
  • Over the years, several states have enacted ‘Freedom of Religion’ legislation to restrict religious con-versions carried out by force, fraud, or inducements.
    • E.g. Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967; Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003; Jharkhand Free-dom of Religion Act, 2017; Uttarakhand Freedom of Religious Act, 2018; The Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2021, Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Re-ligion Act
  • National Law: There is no national anti-conversion law, though several states have implemented their own legislation on the matter.

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

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Pulse Mission:
  • Mission aims to boost self-sufficiency in pulse production, addressing Punjab’s agricultural issues.
  • Focuses on three pulse types: Tur (arhar), urad (mash), and masoor.
  • Pulses require less water & can be grown in both Kharif & Rabi, making them ideal for diversification.
  • Central agencies like NAFED and NCCF will procure pulses from registered farmers for next four years.
    • NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India): Supports agricul-tural markets, stabilizes prices, and facilitates MSP procurement. Plays a significant role in export pro-motion and agricultural education.
    • NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation): Ensures equitable access to essential goods, improves consumer welfare, and connects producers with buyers directly, ensuring fair pay for suppliers.
  • The Pulse Mission ensures MSP for pulses, addressing market uncertainties and preventing exploita-tion by middlemen.

Answer: (a) Tur, urad, and masoor; Difficulty Level: Medium