UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 22 October 2024

Solution: c)

India is on the brink of eliminating Kala-azar as a public health problem. To achieve certification from the World Health Organization (WHO), it must maintain fewer than one case per 10,000 people for two consecutive years. In 2023, the country recorded 595 cases, and in 2024, this number decreased to 339.

The statement about achieving zero cases is incorrect, as cases still exist, and the transmission is via the bite of the sandfly, not water contamination.

Moreover, the fatality rate of untreated Kala-azar is over 95%, not 50%, underscoring the severe impact of the disease.

Solution: a)

Statement 1 is correct; Ariyanatha Mudaliar renovated the Sri Singeeswarar temple in the 16th century, specifically erecting the main tower (Raja Gopuram).

Statement 2 is incorrect; the copper-plate inscriptions were written in Sanskrit and Nandinagari script, not Tamil.

Statement 3 is also false; the temple is particularly noted for depicting Anjaneya (Hanuman) playing the Veena, not the flute.

Solution: d)

A quarter century after Kamarajar Port was named the country’s 12th major port, the mega international container transshipment port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay in the Great Nicobar Island in the Bay of Bengal has been notified as the 13th major port.

Galathea Bay, located on Great Nicobar Island, is strategically positioned near the Malacca Strait, which handles about 35% of global sea trade. This makes it vital for Indo-Pacific maritime logistics.

Solution: c)

Statement 1 is correct; the Bahmani kingdom was indeed known for its relatively tolerant policies toward different religions, including Hinduism and Islam.

Statement 2 is incorrect; while the Vijayanagar kingdom faced significant challenges and eventually fell due to a combination of internal strife and the Deccan Sultanates’ coalition in the 16th century, the Mughal Empire’s direct involvement in its decline is overstated.

Statement 3 is also correct; Gulbarga was the initial capital of the Bahmani kingdom before it was moved to Bidar.

Solution: d)

The Azores Archipelago is indeed situated above the Azores Triple Junction, where the Eurasian, North American, and African tectonic plates converge, which plays a significant role in the region’s volcanic activity.

Solution: b)

Statement 1 is correct; Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) is indeed the largest container port in India, handling a significant portion of the country’s container traffic.

Statement 2 is incorrect because Tuticorin Port is located in Tamil Nadu, not Karnataka.

Statement 3 is correct, as Mormugao Port is situated in Goa, serving as a key port for the region.

Solution: b)

Statement 1 is correct as Kala-azar is indeed caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani. Statement 2 is incorrect because the primary vector is the Phlebotomus sandfly, not the Aedes mosquito. Statement 3 is also correct, as severe anemia is a key symptom associated with Kala-azar. This disease manifests through several symptoms, including fever, weight loss, and enlargement of the spleen and liver, with severe anemia indicating advanced disease progression.

Solution: d)

Statement 1 is false because e-Shram specifically targets unorganized workers, not organized sector workers.

Statement 2 is also incorrect, as the platform integrates information from 12 central schemes, not just five. This extensive integration aims to ensure that unorganized workers can benefit from multiple government initiatives.

Statement 3 is wrong; the nodal ministry for e-Shram is the Ministry of Labour & Employment, not the Ministry of Rural Development.

Solution: a)

Statement 1 is correct, as the new statue is indeed dressed in a saree, which reflects India’s cultural heritage and identity.

However, statement 2 is incorrect; the statue’s eyes are open, symbolizing an understanding of social diversity rather than representing a blind justice approach.

Statement 3 is also incorrect because the sword has been replaced with the Indian Constitution in the statue’s other hand, emphasizing constitutional supremacy over the use of force.

Solution: a)

Statement 1 is incorrect; NASEEM AL BAHR involved naval forces from India and Oman, not Pakistan.

Statement 2 is correct, as the Sagar Kavach exercise did involve aerial surveillance support from Coast Guard aircraft and drones.

Statement 3 is also false, as the NASEEM AL BAHR exercise was conducted off the coast of Goa and was focused on enhancing security in the Indian Ocean region, rather than the Bay of Bengal.