23 DEC CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Consider the following statements with regard to the specie of Leopard

1. It is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because the leopard populations are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, and are declining in large parts of the global range.
2. In India, the highest number of leopards are found in the state of Karnataka. Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : a) Explanation :-
Status of Leopards report:
• India now has 12,852 leopards as compared to the previous estimate of 7910 conducted 2014.
• More than 60% increase in population has been recorded.
• The States of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra recorded the highest leopard estimates at 3,421, 1,783 and 1,690 respectively.
• Sampling in forested habitats: The leopard was estimated across forested habitats in tiger range areas of the country but other leopard occupied areas such as non-forested habitats (coffee and tea plantations), higher elevations in the Himalayas, arid landscapes and majority of North East landscape were not sampled.

About the species:
• The leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the five extant species in the genus Panthera, a member of the Felidae.
• Found in: It occurs in a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa, in small parts of Western and Central Asia, a small part of European Russia, and on the Indian subcontinent to Southeast and East Asia.
• IUCN Status: It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
• Threats:
o The leopard populations are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, and are declining in large parts of the global range.
 Contemporary records suggest that the leopard occurs in only 25% of its historical global range.
o Leopards are hunted illegally, and their body parts are smuggled in the wildlife trade for medicinal practices and decoration. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. It is a large bird with a horizontal body and long bare legs.
2. Their population is confined mostly to Rajasthan and Gujarat.
3. This bird is among the heaviest of the flying birds.
   Which bird is being described here?
   a) Kiwi
   b) Ostrich
   c) Great Indian Bustard
   d) Albatross

Solution : c) Explanation :- Great Indian Bustard
• GIB is one of the most critically threatened species in India, with less than 150 birds left in the wild.
• It is a large bird with a horizontal body and long bare legs, giving it an ostrich-like appearance, this bird is among the heaviest of the flying birds.
• Their population is confined mostly to Rajasthan and Gujarat. Small populations occur in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
• The bird also happens to be the state bird of Rajasthan.
• Bustards generally favour flat open landscapes with minimal visual obstruction and disturbance, therefore adapt well in grasslands.
• It Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972
• They face threats of hunting, and collision with power-lines during their migration to neighbouring countries, especially Pakistan and Nepal. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q3. Which of the following factors help in population stabilisation?

1. Women’s education
2. Income
3. Workforce participation Select the correct code:
   a) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 and 3 only
   c) 1 and 3 only
   d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution : d) Explanation :-
Women’s education, income and workforce participation are critical for ensuring that girls stay in school longer, become part of economically productive workforce, delay their age of marriage, have fewer and healthier children and contribute to the household and national economy. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q4. Which of the following is not an official Olympic sport?
a) Breakdancing
b) Archery
c) Badminton
d) None of the above

Solution : d) Explanation :-
Breakdancing became an official Olympic sport.
• The International Olympic Committee’s pursuit of urban events to lure a younger audience saw street dance battles officially added to the medal events program at the 2024 Paris Games.
• Also confirmed for Paris by the IOC executive board were skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing.
• Breakdancing was proposed by Paris organizers almost two years ago after positive trials at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.
• Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q5. Who among the following is the author of Khetakautukam and Dwatrimshadyogavali?
a) Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan
b) Namdev
c) Amir Khusrau
d) Tulsidas

Solution : a) Explanation :-
Rahim Khan’s tomb was opened to the public after six years of restoration work — perhaps the largest conservation project ever undertaken for any monument of national importance in India.
• Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan (1556 – 1627), popularly known as simply Rahim, was a poet who lived in India during the rule of Mughal emperor Akbar.
• Abdul Rahim was the son of Bairam Khan, Akbar’s trusted guardian and mentor.
• He was one of the nine important ministers (dewan) in his court, also known as the Navaratnas.
• Rahim is known for his Hindi dohe (couplets) and his books on astrology.
• Apart from writing various dohas, Rahim translated Babar’s memoirs, Baburnama from Chagatai language to Persian language.
• He had an excellent command over the Sanskrit language. In Sanskrit, he wrote two books on astrology, Khetakautukam and Dwatrimshadyogavali.
• The village of Khan Khana, which is named after him, is located in the Nawanshahr district of Punjab.
Tomb of Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana:
• His tomb is situated near Humayun’s Tomb, in New Delhi. It was built by him for his wife in 1598, and his body was placed in it in 1627.
• Comparison with Taj Mahal: o Five decades before the Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan, it was Abdur Rahim Khan-eKhanan who built a tomb in Delhi in memory of his wife Mah Banu. It was the first Mughal tomb built for a woman.
o After his death in 1627, Rahim was also buried beside his wife, just like Shah Jahan was in the Taj.
Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q6. Which of the following Wildlife Sanctuary is referred to as ‘Mini Kaziranga’?
a) Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary
b) Dampa Wildlife Sanctuary
c) Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary
d) Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Solution : d) Explanation :-
Too many cattle are robbing the one-horned rhinos of Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, referred to as ‘Mini Kaziranga’ for similar features, of their nutritious food.
• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the flood plains of River Brahmaputra in the district of Morigaon and about 45 kms from Guwahati, the capital of Assam.
• In 1987, Pobitora was declared a wildlife sanctuary.
• Pobitora wildlife sanctuary harbors the highest density of Rhinoceros in the world and second highest concentration of Rhinoceros in Assam after Kaziranga National Park.
• It is an Important Bird Area and home for more than 2000 migratory birds and various reptiles. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q7. With reference to the ‘India Workplace Equality Index’, consider the following statements:

1. The ‘India Workplace Equality Index’, touted as the country’s first comprehensive benchmarking tool for employers to measure their progress on LGBT+ inclusion at the workplace, was launched.
2. It’s first report announced winners from among 65 companies which shared data on their diversity and inclusion practices.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : c) Explanation :-
The ‘India Workplace Equality Index’, touted as the country’s first comprehensive benchmarking tool for employers to measure their progress on LGBT+ inclusion at the workplace, was launched.
• Hotelier-activist Keshav Suri through his non-profit Keshav Suri Foundation, partnered with Pride Circle, Stonewall UK and FICCI, to bring the IWEI to India Inc.
• It’s first report announced winners from among 65 companies which shared data on their diversity and inclusion practices. 21 firms won under the gold category, while 18 were placed under silver and 13 got bronze.
• The index measures nine areas: policies and benefits, employee lifecycle, employee network group, allies and role models, senior leadership, monitoring, procurement, community engagement and additional work.
• The IWEI comes two years after the Supreme Court’s landmark reading down of Section 377.
Hence both statements are correct.
Q8. With reference to the UN Population Award for 2020, consider the following statements:

1. HelpAge India has been presented the UN Population Award for 2020 (institutional category), according to a release issued by UNFPA.
2. For the first time in the history of the UN Population Award, the honour is being conferred on an Indian institution.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : c) Explanation :-
HelpAge India has been presented the UN Population Award for 2020 (institutional category), according to a release issued by UNFPA.
• Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981, the United Nations Population Award recognises contributions in the fields of population and reproductive health.
• The Committee for the United Nations Population Award, which made the selections, is chaired by Ion Jinga, the permanent representative of Romania to the United Nations, and is composed of representatives of nine other UN Member States.
• For the first time in the history of the UN Population Award, the honour is being conferred on an Indian institution.
• HelpAge India, which has been working for ‘the cause and care of disadvantaged older persons to improve their quality of life’ for over four decades, is the first Indian institution to receive this award.
• The last time the Award came to an Indian was 28 years ago, back in 1992, when it was awarded to Mr. J.R.D. Tata as an individual laureate.
Hence both statements are correct.

Q9. With reference to the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, consider the following statements:

1. The F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet would not only provide superior war-fighting capability to the Indian Navy but also create opportunities for cooperation in naval aviation between the U.S. and India.
2. It can interface with the Navy’s P-8I as a “force multiplier” and also with other platforms under induction.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : c) Explanation :-
Boeing announced the successful demonstration of the compatibility of its F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets with the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers as part of its pitch for the Navy’s fighter procurement.
• The demonstrations were held in coordination with U.S. Navy on a shore-based facility at the Naval Air Station Patuxent river in Maryland, U.S.
• The demonstrations show that the F-18 Super Hornet would do well with the Indian Navy’s Short Take-off but Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) system and validate earlier simulation studies done over the last two years.
• As a part of Boeing’s proposed “By India, for India” sustainment program, the Block III Super Hornets could be serviced in partnership with the Indian Navy as well as India and U.S. based partners throughout the life cycle of the aircraft. Significance:
• The F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet would not only provide superior war-fighting capability to the Indian Navy but also create opportunities for cooperation in naval aviation between the U.S. and India.
• F/A-18 can also interface with the Navy’s P-8I as a “force multiplier” and also with other platforms under induction.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q10. With reference to the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), consider the following statements:

1. The Ministry of Environment along with the Wildlife Conservation Society, India, has come up with a unique initiative a “firefly bird diverter” for overhead power lines in areas where Great Indian Bustard (GIB) populations are found in the wild.
2. It is listed as vulnerable in IUCN Red List.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : a) Explanation :-
The Ministry of Environment along with the Wildlife Conservation Society, India, has come up with a unique initiative — a “firefly bird diverter” for overhead power lines in areas where Great Indian Bustard (GIB) populations are found in the wild.
• The GIB is one of the most critically threatened species in India, with fewer than 150 birds left in the wild. It is listed as Critically Endangered in IUCN Red List.
• A 2019 report by the Ministry pointed out that power lines, especially high-voltage transmission lines with multiple overhead wires, are the most important current threat for GIBs in the Thar region, and are causing unsustainably high mortality in about 15% of their population.
• Firefly bird diverters are flaps installed on power lines. They work as reflectors for bird species like the GIB. Birds can spot them from a distance of about 50 metres and change their path of flight to avoid collision with power lines.
• The firefly detectors have been installed along two stretches of approximately 6.5 km, selected between Chacha to Dholiya villages in the Pokhran tehsil, Rajasthan.
• The diverters are called fireflies because they look like fireflies from a distance, shining on power lines in the night.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.

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