UPSC Daily Quiz | 04 October 2024

Relevance: An annular solar eclipse was visible in parts of South America on October 2 while a partial solar eclipse was visible in parts of South America, Antarctica, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean.

Explanation:

Solar Eclipse

• A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting the Moon's shadow on Earth. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)
• The Moon blocks the light of the Sun, either fully or partially, which casts a huge shadow on some parts of the world.
• A solar eclipse is witnessed only during the new moon — when the Moon and Sun are aligned on the same side of Earth. (Hence, statement 2 is correct)
• A solar eclipse is a relatively rare phenomena. It is because the Moon does not orbit Earth in the same plane as the Earth orbits the Sun. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)

• In fact, the Moon is tilted by about five degrees with respect to Earth. As a result, most of the time when the Moon is in between the Sun and Earth, its shadow is either too high or too low to fall on the Earth.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | S&T

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Relevance: After Hurricane Helene, many manatees were stranded in Florida, United States.

Explanation:

Manatees

• Manatees are aquatic mammals that belong to a group of animals called Sirenia. This group also contains dugongs. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)
• There are three species, or types, of manatee. The Amazonian manatee lives in the Amazon River and in fresh water in South America. This species is only found in freshwater. The African manatee lives in tropical West Africa. The Caribbean manatee is found in Florida and the West Indies.

• All three manatee species are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)

• • Manatees inhabit shallow, marshy coastal areas and rivers. In order to breathe, they must swim to the water’s surface for air. Their lifespan is about 50 to 60 years.

• They are herbivores. They graze along the seabed and eat seagrasses, giving them the nickname “sea cow”. (Hence, statement 2 is not correct)

• They spend up to eight hours a day grazing and can consume 4 to 9 percent of their body weight in aquatic vegetation daily.
• Apart from mothers and their young, or males following a receptive female, manatees are generally solitary animals.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Environment

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Relevance: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans Tracker revealed that only 10% of nations fulfil their biodiversity commitments ahead of COP16.

Explanation:

• National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans Tracker is a new tool developed by World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), monitoring the progress of countries in developing their NBSAPs that align with the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
• It aims to make biodiversity policies accessible to all stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability as countries prepare for COP16.
• NBSAPs are crucial blueprints for countries to outline their strategies to tackle biodiversity loss and meet international targets. These plans are aimed at ensuring that nations can mobilise action and funding to help restore ecosystems and safeguard wildlife. 

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Environment

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Relevance: The Central government recently appointed new monetary policy committee members.

Explanation:

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC):

• The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (RBI Act) has been amended by the Finance Act, 2016 to provide for a statutory and institutionalized framework for an MPC. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)
• Under the RBI Act, 1934, the central government is empowered to constitute a six-member MPC.
• The MPC is entrusted with the task of fixing the benchmark policy rate (repo rate) required to contain inflation within the specified target level. 
• MPC has six members: the RBI Governor (Chairperson), the RBI Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy, one official nominated by the RBI Board, and the remaining three members would represent the Government of India. (Hence, statement 2 is not correct)
• The external members hold office for a period of four years. The quorum for a meeting is four Members, at least one of whom shall be the Governor and, in his absence, the Deputy Governor, who is the Member of the MPC.
• The MPC takes decisions based on a majority vote. In case of a tie, the RBI governor will have the second or casting vote. The decision of the MPC would be binding on the RBI. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Economy

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Relevance: Prime Minister recently launched the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan in Jharkhand with an outlay of around Rs 80,000 crore.

Explanation:

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan

• It aims to foster holistic development in tribal villages, bringing transformative changes to the socio-economic landscape of the region. 
• The Abhiyan will cover around 63,843 villages, benefiting more than 5 crore tribal people in 549 districts, and 2,911 blocks spread across all tribal majority villages and aspirational blocks in 30 States/UTs. 
• It envisions saturation of critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood through 25 interventions implemented by 17-line ministries of Govt of India by convergence and outreach; and ensures holistic and sustainable development of tribal areas and communities. 
• The scheme has a total outlay of Rs.79,156 crores (Central Share: Rs.56,333 crore and State Share: Rs. 22,823 crore).
• It has been planned based on the learning and success of Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), which focuses on the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) population.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Schemes

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual