Day-614 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

Answer: C
Context: The Ram Temple in Ayodhya was inaugurated on 22th Jan 2024 Chandrakant Sompura, and his son Ashish created the structure in the Nagara style of temple construction.
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Nagara style of temple architecture emerged some time in the 5th century CE, during the late Gupta period, in northern India.
Statement 2 is correct: Nagara temples are built on a raised plinth, with the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) where the idol of the deity rests on the most sacred part of the temple. Towering over the garbha griha is the shikhara (literally ‘mountain peak’), the most distinguishable aspect of Nagara style temples.
Basics of Nagara style. (Express Sketch)
Statement 3 is incorrect: A typical Nagara style temple also comprises a circumambulatory passage around the garbha griha, and one or more mandapas (halls) on the same axis.
Statement 4 is incorrect: All north Indian temples constructed in Nagara style architecture are not entirely accurate. While Nagara is indeed a prominent and historically significant style in the north, it’s not the only one present.

Answer: B
Context: Recently, the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum was held in Davos from 15-19 January 2024. They have issued a biennially published report, the Enabling Trade Report. The report estimates that world economic growth will slow from 3% in 2022 to 2.4% in 2023, with some signs of recovery next year. The report is based on a survey of businesses and experts from 136 countries.
India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in November 2023 is estimated to be USD 62.58 Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 1.23 per cent.
Hence, Option (b) is the correct answer.
Additional Information
Reports published by WEF
● Global Gender Gap Report,
● Global Risk Report,
● Global Travel and Tourism,
● Global Competitiveness Report,
● Energy Transition Index,
● Global IT Report,

Answer: B
Context: Recently, the Varanasi district court allowed the Hindu side to offer prayers in the southern basement, also known as ‘Vyas ka Tahkhana’, inside the Gyanvapi Mosque. Here is the ASI survey report about the Gyanvapi Mosque. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is part of the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for archaeological research and the preservation of the nation’s cultural heritage.
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The prime concern of the ASI is maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Furthermore, it governs all archaeological activities in the country in accordance with the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958. It also oversees the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act of 1972.
Statement 3 is correct: By 1851, the British government in India saw the need for a systematic archaeological survey of the country. Consequently, the ASI was established in 1861. Alexander Cunningham, a protege of Princep, was appointed as the first director-general of ASI.

Answer: A
Context: The Finance Minister of India, said on 31st Jan 2024 that one-stop centers have been set up in more than 700 districts across the country to help women facing violence and about 8.3 lakh women have got help through them.
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has formulated a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for setting up One Stop Centres (OSC), to be funded from the Nirbhaya Fund.
Statement 2 is incorrect: one stop centers (OSCs) have been set up across the country to provide integrated support and assistance under one roof to women affected by violence. Also, universalization of women helpline (181). The target group includes all women, including girls under 18 years of age, affected by violence, regardless of class, religion, region, sexual orientation or marital status. It is not mentioned about absolute women security in public places.
Statement 3 is correct: One-Stop Centre scheme is a sub-scheme of the National Mission for Empowerment of Women which also includes the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahayog Yojana. The scheme is funded by the Nirbhaya fund. Under this scheme, complete financial assistance will be provided by the Centre to the States and the Union territories. The intention of the One-Stop Scheme (OSC) is to support women affected by the violence that they may face within the family or at the workplace or within the community, in private or public places.

Answer: B
Context: This assessment report on invasive alien species and their control, recently published by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), is the most comprehensive study to date, covering 37,000 introduced alien species, including plants and animals, and 3,500 Covers regions and biomes around the world, including more invasive alien species.
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Invasive alien species have been a major factor in 60% and the only driver in 16% of global animal and plant extinctions that we have recorded. About 85% of the impacts of biological invasions on native species are negative,” said co-chair of the Assessment.
Statement 2 is incorrect: About 6% of alien plants; 22% of alien invertebrates; 14% of alien vertebrates; and 11% of alien microbes are known to be invasive, posing major risks to nature and to people, the IPBES has said. Nearly 80% of the documented impacts of invasive species on nature’s contribution to people are negative.
Statement 3 is correct: The water hyacinth is the world’s most widespread invasive alien species on land. Lantana, a flowering shrub, and the black rat are the second and third most widespread globally. The brown rat and the house mouse are also widespread invasive alien species.