UPSC Daily Quiz | 20 September 2024

Relevance: The Union cabinet recently extended the PM-AASHA price support scheme in agriculture till 2025-26.

Explanation:

Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)

• It is an umbrella scheme aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce.
• Statement 2 is correct: PM AASHA has three components, and states can choose whichever one they wish to implement. The three components are

1. a) Price Support Scheme (PSS):

• In PSS, physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds, and copra will be done by Central Nodal Agencies with the proactive role of state governments. 
• In addition to the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), Food Corporation of India (FCI) will take up PSS operations in states/districts.
• The procurement expenditure and losses due to procurement will be borne by Central Government as per norms. 

1. b) Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): 

• Under PDPS, it is proposed to cover all oilseeds for which MSP is notified.
• Direct payment of the difference between the MSP and the selling/model price will be made to pre-registered farmers selling his produce in the notified market yard through a transparent auction process.
• This scheme does not involve any physical procurement of crops, as farmers are paid the difference between the MSP price and the Sale/model price on disposal in the notified market. (Hence, statement 1 is not correct)
• The support of the central government for PDPS will be given as per norms.

1. c) Pilot of Private Procurement and Stockist Schemes (PPPS):

• In addition to PDPS, for oilseeds, states have the option to roll out PPSS on a pilot basis in selected districts/Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMCs) of districts involving the participation of private stockist. 
• This scheme will allow private players to participate in the procurement of crops.
• The pilot district/selected APMC(s) of the district will cover one or more crops of oilseeds for which MSP is notified.
• Note: Only one scheme, i.e., PSS or PDPS, may be made operational in one State with respect to one commodity. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Schemes

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Relevance: The standing committee of the NBWL (SC-NBWL) recently cleared projects such as a transmission line in Little Rann of Kutch, a controversial transmission line project in Goa’s Mollem national park, among others.

Explanation:

National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

• It is a statutory board constituted by the Central Government under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)

• It is responsible for guiding the government’s decisions on matters related to wildlife conservation and issuing approvals for projects in protected areas (PAs).

• The WLPA mandates that without the approval/recommendation of the NBWL, construction of tourist lodges, alteration of the boundaries of PAs, destruction or diversion of wildlife habitat, and de-notification of Tiger Reserves, cannot be done. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)

• It is a 47-member committee, headed by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (environment minister) as vice chairperson. (Hence, statement 2 is not correct)
• In addition to offices and institutions directly involved in conservation and protection of wildlife, the NBWL also has the chief of army staff, defence secretary, and expenditure secretary to Government of India as members.
• Further, the central government nominates 10 members who are eminent conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists.
• In practical terms, many of its tasks are delegated to a standing committee (SC-NBWL), which is empowered to carry out the same functions.
• The SC-NBWL shall consist of the Vice-Chairperson (environment minister), the Member Secretary, and not more than ten members to be nominated by the Vice-Chairperson from amongst the members of the NBWL.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Environment

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Relevance: Recently, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of India has approved the development of Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM).

Explanation:

• Venus is indeed the hottest planet in the solar system, with surface temperatures hotter than Mercury, despite being farther from the Sun. This is due to its thick atmosphere of carbon dioxide, which causes an extreme greenhouse effect. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)
• Venus orbits the Sun in a nearly circular orbit, which contributes to its consistent brightness as seen from Earth. The elliptical orbits of Venus and Earth influence their relative distance. (Hence, statement 2 is not correct)
• Venus goes through phases similar to the Moon, taking about 584 days to complete a full cycle from new to full. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)
• Venus' atmosphere is primarily composed of carbon dioxide, not nitrogen. The thick carbon dioxide atmosphere is responsible for trapping heat, leading to Venus' extreme surface temperatures. (Hence, statement 4 is not correct)

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | S&T

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Relevance: According to a new study the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano which is filled with magma has been erupting beyond the ground and at the same time sinking for the past 10 years.

Explanation:

Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano

• It is located in northern Tanzania, at the southern end of Lake Natron.
• It is known to the local Maasai people as the “Mountain of God.
• It is an active stratovolcano with unique geological characteristics. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)
• It is one of the many volcanoes situated along the East African Rift System. (Hence, statement 2 is correct)
• It contains basalts rich in sodium and potassium, and is so alkaline that its lavas resemble washing soda.
• The volcano has more than one active centre and most of the recent eruptions were from its northern crater. 
• This volcano is the only one existing on Earth which has an actively erupting and extremely runny carbonatite magma. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Geography

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Relevance: According to a new study the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano which is filled with magma has been erupting beyond the ground and at the same time sinking for the past 10 years.

Explanation:

• Astra is a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile indigenously developed by DRDO and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). (Hence, statement 1 is correct)
• The Astra missile uses a solid-fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) engine, not a liquid-fuel engine, and it is designed for air-to-air combat, not surface-to-air combat. (Hence, statement 2 is not correct)
• Astra allows pilots to engage targets using both "Lock on Before Launch (LOBL)" and "Lock on After Launch (LOAL)" options, providing flexibility in combat scenarios. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Geography

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual