Weekly Current Affairs Test : 8th to 14th January 2025

Statement-I correctly highlights India's commitment to expanding humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan through the provision of aid like wheat, medicines, winter clothing, and Covid-19 vaccine doses. This aligns with recent developments in India's engagement with Afghanistan.

However, Statement-II is inaccurate. India's engagement with the Taliban is primarily aimed at safeguarding national security interests and fostering regional stability, rather than focusing on leveraging Afghanistan's resources for China's Belt and Road Initiative. The statement misrepresents the core focus of India's interactions with the Taliban, making it incorrect.

The PMKSY-WDC 2.0 initiative primarily focuses on conserving water and soil resources. This program aims to enhance productivity on rainfed and degraded lands through integrated watershed management, strengthen community institutions for livelihood support, and ensure watershed sustainability. It is a significant step towards sustainable land and water management, aiming for ecological restoration and improved livelihoods in rural areas.

Let's analyze each statement to determine its correctness:

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Supreme Court, in the Dr. Balram Singh Case of 2023, indeed directed phased measures for the eradication of manual scavenging. These measures include the implementation of automated or semi-automated equipment to eliminate manual sewer cleaning, as part of a broader strategy to address the issue.

2. Statement 2 is correct. Women manual scavengers do face double discrimination due to both gender and societal stigma. This discrimination exacerbates their economic and social challenges, making it more difficult for them to escape the cycle of poverty and social exclusion.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. Although the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code 2020 (OSH Code 2020) could potentially improve safety standards if sanitation work is recognized as a hazardous occupation, as of the information provided, it has not yet been implemented in a way that has significantly improved safety standards and enforcement for sanitation workers.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only , as statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is not supported by the information provided.

- Statement 1 is correct. The UJALA scheme has successfully distributed over 36.87 crore LED bulbs, leading to significant energy and cost savings. This aligns with the data provided regarding the initiative's achievements.

- Statement 2 is correct. The SLNP is specifically designed to replace conventional streetlights with energy-efficient LED lights, which is a key objective of the program as mentioned in the text.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The UJALA scheme targets lighting, which accounts for approximately 18-27% of residential electricity use in India, not 10%. This discrepancy highlights the incorrectness of the statement.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only, as both these statements accurately reflect the objectives and outcomes of the UJALA and SLNP initiatives according to the provided details.

The Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, despite being repealed in 1952, continues to affect Denotified Tribes (DNTs) in India. This act stigmatized certain communities, leading to their social and economic marginalization. Its repercussions are still felt today, highlighting the enduring impact of historical injustices on these communities.

The recent talks between India and the Taliban rulers in Dubai were primarily aimed at safeguarding national and security interests. This marks a significant moment in India's engagement with the Taliban, emphasizing the importance of protecting India's concerns in the region amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 did label certain communities as criminal, and although it was repealed in 1952, the historical stigma associated with it continues to affect the Denotified Tribes (DNTs). This historical injustice has led to social and economic exclusion of these communities even today.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The Idate Commission, established in 2017, identified a total of 1,526 communities under the categories of DNT, NT, and SNT. However, 269 communities remain unclassified, which limits their access to necessary welfare benefits. Therefore, it is incorrect to state that all communities have been fully classified.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED) was indeed initiated by the Government of India to uplift these communities. However, it has faced challenges in outreach and effectiveness, indicating that it has not been highly effective in bridging the socio-economic gap for DNT communities.

Thus, only Statement 1 is correct, making Option A the right answer.

Statement-I correctly describes the writing style of the Indus Valley script, mentioning the general direction of writing. Statement-II provides insight into the nature of the script, suggesting that it is a logosyllabic system combining pictograms and syllables, which aligns with scholarly understandings of the script's structure. The logosyllabic nature of the script indeed supports the idea that it combines elements of pictograms and syllabic characters, making both statements accurate and coherent.

1. Makran - Correctly matched. This region is historically notable as the area where Alexander the Great lost a significant portion of his army during his retreat to Macedonia after his invasion of India.

2. Tehran - Incorrectly matched. Tehran was established as the capital during the Qajar dynasty, not the Pahlavi dynasty. The Qajar dynasty began in 1794, and Tehran has been the capital for over 200 years.

3. Battle of the Hydaspes - Correctly matched. This was indeed the encounter where Alexander faced fierce resistance from King Porus, who ultimately formed an alliance with him after being defeated.

4. Gedrosia - Correctly matched. Gedrosia is the historical name of the desert that Alexander's army crossed during their difficult retreat back to Macedonia, where many soldiers perished.

Hence, three pairs are correctly matched.

Manual scavengers face significant challenges due to social stigma and economic hardships. This perpetuates their cycle of poverty and reinforces their exclusion from mainstream society. Overcoming these challenges requires not only legal and policy interventions but also societal changes that promote dignity and equality for all individuals, regardless of their occupation.

The increase in rural consumption levels highlights the effectiveness of welfare schemes such as PM-KISAN and MGNREGA, which are designed to support farmers and rural workers. This positive trend suggests that these programs are successfully stimulating economic activity and improving the living standards in rural areas. A noteworthy aspect of this is that targeted interventions and sustained policy support are essential to maintain this growth momentum and further enhance the economic well-being of the rural population.

Deciphering the Indus Valley Script holds the potential to identify the language family of the Harappan Civilization, offering insights into ancient India's linguistic roots. This could shed light on the communication methods, societal structures, and cultural aspects of the Harappans, contributing significantly to our understanding of this ancient civilization.

I hope this question helps in assessing the understanding of the significance of deciphering the Indus Valley Script in relation to the Harappan Civilization.

1. Criminal Tribes Act - Enacted in 1952: Incorrect. The Criminal Tribes Act was originally enacted in 1871 during British rule, and the communities were denotified in 1952.

2. Idate Commission - Identified 1,526 communities: Correct. The Idate Commission indeed identified 1,526 DNT, NT, and SNT communities.

3. Landslide Atlas of India - Covers 0.42 million sq. km of land: Correct. The Landslide Atlas of India identifies approximately 0.42 million sq. km (12.6% of the land area) as prone to landslides.

4. SEED Scheme - Focuses on landslide risk management: Incorrect. The SEED Scheme is designed for the economic empowerment of Denotified Tribes and does not focus on landslide risk management.

Pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

Statement-I is correct as it highlights the objectives and goals of the UJALA Scheme, emphasizing the significant energy savings and carbon dioxide reduction targets through the replacement of traditional bulbs and street lights with LEDs.
Statement-II is also correct as it provides factual information about the energy-saving capabilities of LEDs compared to incandescent lamps (ICLs) and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). However, Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I but adds complementary information about the efficiency of LEDs. Therefore, both statements are correct but are not interdependent in terms of explanation.

The Dravidian Hypothesis, supported by researchers like Asko Parpola, posits that the Indus Valley Script has connections to Old Tamil. This theory suggests that the script may represent an early form of Dravidian language, which is primarily found in southern India. Understanding this connection can shed light on the cultural and linguistic developments in the region during the time of the Indus Valley Civilization. Interestingly, the ongoing attempts to decipher the script not only aim to unlock its linguistic secrets but also to reveal insights into the social and economic structures of one of the world's earliest urban civilizations.

Statement-I correctly highlights the significant health risks manual scavengers face due to exposure to human waste, including diseases like Hepatitis, tetanus, and cholera. Statement-II complements this by suggesting that health screenings focusing on respiratory and dermatological conditions can indeed help in improving the health and safety of sanitation workers. Regular health screenings can detect early signs of health issues, enabling timely interventions and preventive measures, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of manual scavengers.

The brevity of inscriptions indicates that the ancient script may have been designed for efficiency, which suggests a level of complexity in how it conveyed meaning within a limited amount of space. Short inscriptions often necessitate a sophisticated understanding of symbols and their contexts to be effective. This brevity has sparked debates about the script's functionality, particularly regarding how it might have been used for various purposes like record-keeping or communication. An interesting fact is that many ancient scripts, like Egyptian hieroglyphs, also have brevity in their inscriptions, which reflects the society's need for concise yet effective communication methods.

The primary goal of the UJALA Scheme, initiated in January 2015, is to promote energy efficiency by replacing conventional lighting systems with energy-saving LED bulbs. This initiative aims to save electricity, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance environmental sustainability. LED bulbs are known for their energy-saving properties compared to traditional incandescent lamps (ICLs) and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), making them a cost-effective and eco-friendly lighting solution.

The survey indicates that rural consumption expenditure has indeed increased, with the average monthly per capita expenditure reaching Rs 4,122, which reflects a 9.3% rise from the previous year. This trend showcases a growing economic welfare among rural households, contrasting with traditional perceptions of stagnant rural economies. An interesting fact is that this increase is part of a broader trend where rural consumption is growing at a faster rate compared to urban areas, thus narrowing the consumption gap significantly.

1. Statement 1 is correct. Iran's decision to relocate its capital from Tehran to the Makran coastal region is indeed driven by concerns such as economic challenges, overpopulation, pollution, and water scarcity in Tehran. This shift is aimed at addressing these pressing ecological and economic issues while also capitalizing on Makran's strategic location for potential economic growth, particularly in maritime trade.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. While Alexander the Great's invasion of India did have significant impacts on the region, it is not directly linked to the formation of the Mauryan Empire. The Mauryan Empire was established by Chandragupta Maurya, who capitalized on the political instability and power vacuums left by the retreat of Greek forces, but the direct facilitation of the empire's formation by Alexander is not clearly established.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The Makran region holds historical significance as it was where Alexander the Great's army suffered substantial losses during their retreat from India. This retreat through the Gedrosia (Makran Desert) was marked by severe hardships and loss of life, which is a notable event in Alexander's campaigns.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option C: 1 and 3 Only the right answer.

The primary objective of the Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) is to reduce energy consumption and lower operational costs for municipalities. By transitioning to energy-efficient LED streetlights, the program not only aims to enhance lighting quality but also significantly decreases the energy required for street lighting, contributing to overall sustainability efforts in urban planning. An interesting fact is that the use of LED technology can result in energy savings of up to 50% compared to conventional street lighting options.

1. Chabahar Port - Vital for facilitating trade and humanitarian efforts : This pair is correctly matched. Chabahar Port is indeed viewed as a vital gateway for facilitating trade and humanitarian efforts between India and Afghanistan.

2. Security Concerns - India’s security concerns were dismissed by the Afghan side : This pair is incorrectly matched. In fact, India’s security concerns were acknowledged by the Afghan side, not dismissed.

3. Humanitarian Assistance - India provided 50,000 MT of wheat to Afghanistan : This pair is correctly matched. India has committed to expanding its humanitarian assistance and has provided 50,000 MT of wheat to Afghanistan.

4. Iran's Focus - Primarily on enhancing trade with India through Afghanistan : This pair is incorrectly matched. The focus for Iran, as mentioned, has shifted towards deterring Israel, not primarily on enhancing trade with India through Afghanistan.

Therefore, there are only two pairs correctly matched: Chabahar Port and Humanitarian Assistance.

The primary goal of the UJALA scheme is to enhance energy efficiency by replacing traditional lighting systems with energy-saving LED bulbs. This initiative aims to significantly reduce energy consumption and contribute to environmental sustainability. For instance, LEDs can save up to 90% more energy compared to incandescent lamps, making them a crucial part of India's strategy to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Interestingly, effective adoption of LED technology can lead to substantial long-term savings on electricity bills for households.

Statement-I accurately reflects Iran's plan to relocate its capital to Makran due to economic and ecological reasons, as mentioned in the provided text. Statement-II correctly describes the PMKSY-WDC 2.0 initiative focusing on conserving water and soil resources in ten selected states, covering degraded land. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains the context of Statement-I by providing additional information about the PMKSY-WDC 2.0 initiative.

- Statement 1 is correct. India has indeed provided substantial humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, including 50,000 MT of wheat, medicines, winter clothing, and Covid-19 vaccine doses. This reflects India's commitment to supporting Afghanistan's humanitarian needs.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. While the Chabahar Port is a strategic asset for India in its regional trade and connectivity objectives, it is primarily viewed as a gateway for facilitating trade and humanitarian aid delivery to Afghanistan, rather than just exporting Indian goods. The port helps India bypass Pakistan, providing access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

- Statement 3 is correct. India's engagement in Afghanistan, including its use of the Chabahar Port, is partly aimed at countering China's influence in the region, specifically the Belt and Road Initiative. By securing its strategic interests in Afghanistan, India seeks to maintain its influence and counterbalance China's growing presence.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only .