February 09-10 2025 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• It is the second largest source of low-carbon electricity production globally (after hydropower) and provided about 30% of all low-carbon electricity generated in 2019.

Statement 2 is correct

• Nuclear power accounted for 9.8% of total electricity production in 2021, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points from the previous year.
• The share of nuclear grew rapidly from 1980 to 1990, almost doubling, but has declined since 2000.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• It is the clean source of energy with a minimal carbon footprint.
• Greenhouse gas emissions are only in the range of 5 to 6 grams per kilowatt hour. This is 100 times lower than coal-fired electricity and about half the average of solar and wind generation.

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

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) are railway tracks exclusively designed for freight, featuring double-stack container and heavy-haul trains, enhancing capacity and speed.
• Foundation for EDFC and WDFC was laid in 2006. By 2024 three DFC stretches were inaugurated.
• Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC)
  • 1,506 km long, from Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai to Dadri (UP), handling goods like textiles, chemicals, and industrial products.
  • The WDFC covers Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra & Uttar Pradesh.
  • It is being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
• Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC)
  • 1,337 km long, from Dankuni (West Bengal) to Sahnewal (Punjab), focusing on coal, steel, and agricultural products.
  • The EDFC route covers Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal
  • The EDFC route has coal mines, thermal power plants & industrial cities.
  • Feeder routes are also being made for these.
  • EDFC is being funded by the World Bank.
  • Connecting Link for Eastern & Western Arm is under construction between Dadri & Khurja.
• The other four corridors:
  • East coast corridor from Kharagpur to Vijayawada (1115 km);
  • East-west sub-corridor-I from Palghar to Dankuni (2073 km);
  • East-west Sub-corridor-II from Rajkharsawan to Andal (195 km); and
  • North-south sub-corridor from Vijayawada to Itarsi (975 km).

Answer: (d) Bangalore to Chennai; Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Indian Railways, one of the largest and busiest railway networks in the world, plays a crucial role in the country’s economic and social development.
• With over 68,000 kilometers of track, it serves as the backbone of transportation for both passengers and freight across India.
• With over 68,000 km of track, Indian Railways is the 4th largest railway network globally, after the US, Russia, and China, making it a crucial backbone for national transport.

Statement 2 is correct

• 97% of broad-gauge lines are electrified, reflecting Indian Railways’ commitment to sustainability and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.

Statement 3 is correct

• The government introduced dynamic fare pricing and merged the Rail Budget with the Finance Budget for better integration.
• The Rail Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) was created to finance infrastructure, while the Rail Drishti Portal ensures transparency.

Answer: (c) All three; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• It has replaced the Self-Employment Scheme for the Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS).

Statement 2 is incorrect

• It is a central sector scheme launched in 2022.
• It aims to eliminate the manual engagement of sanitation workers in hazardous tasks related to sewer and septic tank cleaning.
• The scheme will be implemented by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) for a period of 3 years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26).

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

Explanation

• Potash refers to potassium-bearing minerals primarily used in fertilizers.
• The names caustic potash, potassa, and lye are frequently used for potassium hydroxide. In fertilizer terminology, potassium oxide is called potash.
• Forms of Potash:
  • Sulphate of Potash (SOP): Premium fertilizer, chloride-free, used for high-value crops (fruits, vegetables, leafy plants).
  • Muriate of Potash (MOP): Contains chloride, used mainly for carbohydrate-based crops like wheat.

Statement 1 is correct, but statement 3 is not correct

• Usage:
  • In India, over 90% of potash is used in agriculture to enhance crop yield and soil fertility.
  • Agricultural Importance: One of the three essential nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium – NPK) to improve crop yield, enhance plant growth, and strengthen disease resistance.
  • Industrial Applications: Used in the production of glass, soap, and as a water softener, not hardener. (Potash soap is a soft soap made from the lye leached from wood ashes).
  • Food Processing: Acts as a preservative, acidity regulator, and stabilizer in processed foods.

Statement 2 is correct

• Exploration History:
  • GSI conducted surveys in Rajasthan between 1974-1991 and later in Punjab from 2017 onward.
  • First potash deposits in Punjab confirmed in 2019.
  • India has not yet started potash mining; all requirements are met through imports.

Answer: (b) 3 only; Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

• National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) was first constituted in 1994 under National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993.
• Objectives: Improve working conditions of sanitation workers; Facilitate socio-economic upliftment; Aim for zero fatalities in hazardous cleaning.

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Current Status: Since the Act lapsed in 2004, NCSK functions as a non-statutory body, with tenure extensions granted via government resolutions.
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE).

Statement 2 is correct, but statement 3 is incorrect

• Mandate and Functions of NCSK:
  • Policy Recommendations: Suggests programs to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities, and opportunities of Safai Karamcharis.
  • Monitoring & Evaluation: Assesses implementation of rehabilitation schemes for sanitation workers.
  • Safeguarding Rights: Investigates complaints and takes suo-motu cognizance of non-implementation of schemes.
  • Health & Safety Oversight: Monitor working condition, health, wages & safety of sanitation workers.
  • Reporting: To Central & State Govts regarding challenges faced by sanitation workers.

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

Explanation

• Repo Rate (Repurchase Agreement or Repurchasing Option) is the interest rate at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) loans money to commercial banks.
• RBI has reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 6.25%. This is the first rate cut in five years, following a two-year period of maintaining it at 6.50%.

Option 1 is incorrect, but option 4 is correct

• Impacts of repo rate cut on Indian economy:
  • External Benchmark Lending Rate Reduction: Interest rates on repo-linked loans will drop by 25 bps.
  • Marginal Cost of Fund-Based Lending Rate Impact: May lead to gradual reductions in loan costs.
  • Higher Liquidity: Increased borrowing can enhance liquidity and consumption in the economy.
  • Lower EMIs: Home, vehicle, and personal loan EMIs will decline, easing financial burdens.
  • Cheaper Business Loans: Encourages investment in expansion, technology, and infrastructure.
  • Boost in Consumer Spending: Affordable credit boost purchases of homes, vehicles & consumer goods.
  • Growth in Real Estate and Auto Sector: Lower mortgage and auto loan rates stimulate demand.
  • Improves Stock Market Sentiment: Reduced rates can improve investor confidence and market performance.

Options 2 and 3 are correct

• Concerns and Potential Risks of repo rate cut:
  • Inflationary Pressures: Increased money supply and spending may drive prices higher.
  • Lower Interest on Savings: Decline in deposit rates may reduce the appeal of savings and fixed deposits.
  • Rupee Depreciation: A lower rate environment may cause capital outflows, weakening the currency.

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