February 28 2025 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj released “Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States – An Indicative Evidence-Based Ranking”, also called Panchayat Devolution Index (PDI) 2024.
• Panchayat Devolution Index (PDI):
  • A composite index evaluating the devolution of powers and resources to Panchayats across states & UTs.
  • Developed by Indian Institute of Public Administration to measure the effectiveness of decentralisation as per Article 243G of the Constitution.
  • PDI Assessment Criteria: Evaluates Panchayats on six dimensions, legal framework, delegated functions, financial autonomy, functionaries, capacity building and accountability.

Answer: (c) Ministry of Panchayati Raj; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are correct

• The Cali Fund was launched at 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the UNCBD in Rome to boost biodiversity finance.
• Supports biodiversity conservation by mobilising funds from private businesses using genetic data.
• Administered by UNDP and UNEP with the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO).

Statement 3 is correct

• It is the first Biodiversity Fund under the UN to receive direct corporate contributions.
• Fair Benefit Sharing: Companies benefiting from Digital Sequence Information (DSI) are now required to contribute to the Cali Fund to support biodiversity initiatives.
• Supports Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: Aids in achieving the goal of halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.
• Community Support: At least 50% of resources from the Cali fund will be allocated to indigenous peoples and local communities for biodiversity protection.

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

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• NASA is scheduled to launch the SPHEREx Mission.
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the United States’ civil space program, aeronautics research and space research which was established in 1958.
• SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer) mission will provide an all-sky spectral survey.

Answer: (b) NASA; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Options 1, 2, 3 and 4 are correct and option 5 is incorrect

• The Ancient Tea Horse Road, also known as the “Chamadao” in Chinese, was a vast trade network rather than a single route connecting China to the Indian subcontinent through Tibet.
• Origin: It originated during the rule of the Tang Dynasty in China (618-907 CE) and became more structured during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE).
• Expansion: It stretched across more than 2,000 km, linking China, Tibet, Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
• Major Cities along the Route: Key trade hubs included Dali and Lijiang in Yunnan province, Lhasa in Tibet, and multiple branching paths into Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.

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

Explanation

Pairs 1, 2 and 3 are incorrect

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

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Delimitation is the process of redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituency boundaries based on population changes.
• Historical Occurrences: Conducted in 1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002.
• Delimitation Commission:
  • Composition: Appointed by the President, it includes a retired Supreme Court judge (Chairperson), the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) or an Election Commissioner nominated by the CEC, and State Election Commissioners.
  • Independence: Functions without executive influence.
  • Authority: Its decisions are final, cannot be challenged in court, and are beyond modification by Parliament or State Assemblies.

Answer: (d) 2, 3 and 4 only; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect and statement 2 is correct

• Cape Vultures were spotted after 30 years in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
• Also known as Cape griffon and Kolbe’s vulture, it is an Old World vulture native to southern Africa.
• Old World vultures are vultures that are found in the Old World, i.e. continents of Europe, Asia and Africa, and belong to the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles and hawks.
• Distribution: South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana and Mozambique.
• Only small, non-breeding populations persist in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
• Habitat: Forest, Savanna, shrubland, Grassland, Rocky areas, Desert, Artificial/Terrestrial etc.
• Physical Description: Creamy-buff body plumage, which contrasts with its dark flight and tail feathers and its black bill. Adults can be distinguished by their honey-coloured eyes and naked, bluish throat.
• It closely resembles the white-backed vulture; however, it is larger and has yellow irises.
• Diet: Feed on carrion (dead carcasses) and do not kill their own prey. They search for food in groups.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Vulnerable | CITES: Appendix II.
• Threat: Hunting, poisoned carcasses, Collisions with power lines and vehicles etc.

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

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect

• Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It first affects the respiratory tract.
• Symptoms: High fever, cough, runny nose and a telltale rash all over the body.
• Risk Group: Measles can affect anyone but is most common in children.
• Severity: It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death.
• Complications include blindness, encephalitis (an infection causing brain swelling and potentially brain damage), pneumonia etc.

Statement 3 is correct

• Spread: Infected person breathing, coughing or sneezing.
• Treatment: There is no specific treatment for measles.
• Prevention: MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) is highly effective in preventing measles.
• MMR vaccine is part of India’s Universal Immunization Programme.

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only; Difficulty Level: Medium