July 30-2024 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

Option (c) is the correct answer

• A study conducted in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone identified that metallic nodules on the seafloor produce “dark oxygen.”
• It refers to oxygen produced in the abyssal region of the deep sea, where photosynthesis cannot occur.
• It is produced by polymetallic nodules through the splitting of water molecules using electrical charges.
• Polymetallic nodules:
  • These are lumps of iron, manganese hydroxides, and rocks partially submerged in many parts of the ocean floor, which are essential for the production of lithium-ion batteries.
  • They are most abundant in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone off the west coast of Mexico, the Central Indian Ocean Basin, and the Peru Basin.

Answer: (c) Oxygen produced in the abyssal region of the deep sea, where photosynthesis cannot occur; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

• PM-JAY is the largest health assurance scheme in the world.
• It is one significant step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and SDG3.
• The National Health Authority (MoHFW) implements it.
• PM-JAY aims to provide a health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year to over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families that comprise the bottom 40% of the Indian population.
• The households included are based on the deprivation and occupational criteria of the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) for rural and urban areas, respectively.

Statement 1 is correct

• Benefits of the scheme are portable across the country (a beneficiary can visit any empanelled public or private hospital in India to avail cashless treatment).

Statement 2 is correct

• It covers almost all secondary care and most tertiary care procedures.
• There is no restriction on the family size, age or gender.

Statement 3 is correct

• It covers up to three days of pre-hospitalization & fifteen days of post-hospitalization expenses.
• A defined transport allowance per hospitalisation is included in this.

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

Explanation

Option (b) is the correct answer

• Bannerghatta National Park:
  • It is part of a wildlife corridor for elephants which connects Biligirirangana Hills and Sathyamangalam forest.
  • Vegetation: Moist deciduous forest and scrubland.
  • Major Flora: Sandalwood, bamboo, eucalyptus.
  • Major Fauna: Elephants, Bengal tiger, gaur, leopard, sloth bear, Indian gazelle, spotted deer, bonnet macaque.
  • Major Avifauna: Flamingo, pelican.
  • Threats: Illegal mining of granite close to critical elephant corridors inside the National Park.
  • A portion of the National Park is converted into Bannerghatta Biological Park.
  • The Biological Park has a zoo, a butterfly enclosure, a snake house and a safari park. It shelters mammals such as Indian tigers and lions.

Answer: (b) Bannerghatta National Park; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Pair 1 is correct

• Duncan passage separates Little Andaman from South Andaman.

Pair 2 is correct

• The Great Andaman group of islands in the north is separated by the Ten Degree Channel from the Nicobar group in the south

Pair 3 is incorrect

• The Nine Degree Channel separates the island of Minicoy from the main Lakshadweep archipelago.

Image Source: Wikipedia

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

Explanation

Option (b) is the correct answer

• Produced by the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) – a coalition of more than 100 government and non-government organisations, along with IUCN – the State of the World’s Mangroves 2024 report provides a comprehensive assessment of the latest scientific advancements and policy efforts to protect these valuable ecosystems.

Answer: (b) Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA); Difficulty Level: Easy