Syllabus

• Prelims –INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS/GEOGRAPHY

Context: The UN General Assembly recently, voted against US’ economic and trade embargo against Cuba.

Background:-

• A total of 187 states voted for the resolution put forward against the embargo with only the US and Israel voting against and Ukraine abstaining.
• The UN General Assembly voiced concern that despite its resolutions dating back to 1992 the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba is still in place and that the adverse effects of such measures are on the Cuban people and on Cuban nationals living in other countries.
• The US Representative said the nation recognizes the challenges the Cuban people face, explaining that sanctions include exemptions and authorizations relating to exports of food, medicines, and other humanitarian goods to Cuba.
• The General Assembly reiterated its call for all states to refrain from promulgating and applying such restrictive laws and measures, in line with their obligations under the UN Charter and international law.
• The United States embargo against Cuba prevents US businesses, and businesses organized under US law or majority-owned by US citizens, from conducting trade with Cuban interests.
• The US’ economic and trade embargo against Cuba was first imposed in 1960. (US – Cuba Relations)

About Cuba:-

IMAGE SOURCE: WorldAtlas

• Continent: North America.
• Capital: Havana.
• Neighboring Countries: Jamaica, Haiti, Bahamas, Dominican Republic.
• Cuba, a country in the West Indies.
• It is the largest single island of the archipelago.
• Spanish is the principal language of Cuba.
• Cuba is a multicultural, largely urban nation.
• Groups of mountains and hills cover about one-fourth of the island of Cuba.
• The plains covering about two-thirds of the main island have been used extensively for sugarcane and tobacco cultivation and livestock raising.
• Cuban topography and geology have produced at least 13 distinct groups of soils, the majority of which are fertile and cultivated throughout the year.
• The annual mean temperature is 79 °F (26 °C).
• Tropical plant life includes thousands of flowering plant species, half of which may be endemic to the archipelago.
• Animal life is abundant and varied in Cuba, which is the habitat of numerous small mammals and reptiles, more than 7,000 insect species, and 4,000 species of land, river, and sea molluscs.

About India-Cuba relations:-

• India-Cuba relations have been traditionally warm and friendly.
• India was amongst the first countries to recognize Cuba after the 1959 Revolution.
• Both countries have maintained close contacts with each other in various international fora, such as the UN, NAM, WTO, etc.
• India supports resolutions in the UN General Assembly calling for the lifting of US sanctions against Cuba.
• Cuba supports India’s inclusion as a permanent member in the restructured UN Security Council.
• India and Cuba have signed agreements on Bilateral Trade, Cultural, S&T, Standardization, Sports, Renewable Energy and Consumer Protection and Cultural Exchange Program.

Commercial Relations:-

• India-Cuba two-way trade which used to be around USD 300 million annually in the 1980s, saw a steep fall following the demise of the former USSR and changes in India’s economic policies in the 1990s.

Economic Relations:-

• India’s major export items to Cuba are pharmaceutical products, organic chemicals, plastic & rubber articles, machinery and mechanical appliances, etc., while major import items from Cuba are pharmaceutical products, tobacco items, raw hides and skins, leather, etc.

Cultural Relations:-

• Yoga and Vipassana meditation are practised and the former forms part of the health curriculum of the Government.

MUST READ: Indo-Pacific Relations

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the following is a part of the Congo Basin? (2023)

1. Cameroon
2. Nigeria
3. South Sudan
4. Uganda

Q.2) With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: (2022)

A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from a baseline determined in accordance with the convention.

Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.

The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims –GEOGRAPHY

Context: Recently, a magnitude-6.4 earthquake was witnessed in Nepal.

Background:-

• In Nepal, at least 128 people were killed and 140 injured when a magnitude-6.4 earthquake shook the northwestern part of the country late last night, officials said.

About Earthquake:-

IMAGE SOURCE: SlideServe

• An earthquake is the shaking or trembling of the earth’s surface.
• It is caused by the seismic waves or earthquake waves that are generated due to a sudden movement (sudden release of energy) in the earth’s crust (shallow-focus earthquakes) or upper mantle (some shallow-focus and all intermediate and deep-focus earthquakes).
• A seismograph, or seismometer, is an instrument used to detect and record earthquakes.
• Hypocentre/Focus: The point where the energy is released.
• Epicentre: The point on the surface directly above the focus.
• Isoseismic line: A line connecting all points on the surface where the intensity is the same.

Causes of Earthquakes:-

• Fault Zones
• Plate tectonics
• Volcanic activity
• Human-Induced Earthquakes

Types of Earthquakes:-

Tectonic Earthquakes

• The most common ones are tectonic earthquakes.
• The Earth is made of four basic layers (generally three): a solid crust, a hot, nearly solid mantle, a liquid outer core and a solid inner core.
• Tectonic plates (Lithospheric plates) are constantly shifting as they drift around on the viscous, or slowly flowing, mantle layer below.
• When tectonic plates move, it also causes movements at the (Anatolian Plate)
• Thus, the slipping of land along the faultline along convergent, divergent and transform boundaries causes earthquakes.

Volcanic Earthquake

• Earthquakes produced by stress changes in solid rock due to the injection or withdrawal of magma (molten rock) are called volcano earthquakes. Human Induced Earthquakes
• In areas of intense mining activity, sometimes the roofs of underground mines collapse causing minor tremors. These are called collapse earthquakes.
• Ground shaking may also occur due to the explosion of chemical or nuclear devices. Such tremors are called explosion earthquakes.

MUST READ: (Volcano)

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986? (2022)

1. Central Water Commission
2. Central Ground Water Board
3. Central Ground Water Authority
4. National Water Development Agency

Q.2) Consider the following pairs: (2022)

The region often mentioned in the news:   Country

1. Anatolia Turkey
2. Amhara Ethiopia
3. Cabo Delgado Spain
4. Catalonia Italy

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. Only one pair
2. Only two pairs
3. Only three pairs
4. All four pairs

Syllabus

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context: Experts have flagged multiple inconsistencies in the recently published report on elephant corridors of India by the central government.

Background:-

• Elephant corridor report plagued with inconsistencies, could escalate conflict with humans, says expert.

About Elephant Corridors:-

• Elephant corridors are narrow and often linear passageways that enable an elephant to move across suitable and secure natural habitats.
• Due to the long-ranging nature of Asian elephants, they have an extensive nutritional requirement necessitating connectivity to suitable habitats.
• Additionally, the population biology and genetics of the species warrant unimpeded gene flow across populations for the long-term viability of the species.
• In the fragmented landscapes of most elephant habitats in Asia today, corridors play a pivotal role in meeting nutritional, demographic, and genetic needs.
• These corridors are often surrounded by human settlements, which can lead to human-elephant conflicts when elephants traverse through these areas.

Significance:-

• The significance of these corridors lies in the fact that 3% of them are regularly used by elephants, either throughout the year or seasonally, and 24.7% are used occasionally.
• Many of these corridors are of high ecological importance, as they facilitate elephant movement and help to sustain a healthy population of these mammals.

Methods To Safeguard Elephant Corridors:-

• To ensure the protection and preservation of elephant corridors, legal safeguards are essential to prevent further habitat fragmentation and an increase in human-elephant conflicts.
• State governments can take the lead in demarcating and designating these corridors as State Elephant Corridors, thereby subjecting them to legal protection under relevant laws such as the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Environment Protection Act.
• In addition, it is necessary to engage with local communities and governments to reduce local dependency on corridor land, potentially transforming them into Village Reserve Forests or Community Reserves.

 About Elephants:-

• Elephants are keystone species.
• They are the Natural Heritage Animal of India.
• India has the largest number of wild Asian Elephants.
• Karnataka has the highest elephant population in India.

Protection Status:-

• IUCN Red List of threatened species:-
  • Asian Elephant: Endangered (Elephant Conservation)
  • African Forest Elephant: Critically Endangered
  • African Savanna Elephant: Endangered
• Convention of the Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix I
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule

 MUST READ: (Endangered Asian elephant in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve)

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following organisms ·perform the waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the

distance to a source of their food? (2023)

1. Butterflies
2. Dragonflies
3. Honeybees
4. Wasps

Q.2) Consider the following fauna : (2023)

1. Lion-tailed Macaque
2. Malabar Civet
3. Sambar Deer

How many of the above are generally nocturnal or most active after sunset?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Syllabus

• Prelims –ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context: Recently, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) stated that prolonged exposure to air pollution in Delhi can cause children to suffer from respiratory diseases.

Background:-

• PM10, and PM2.5 levels cross 5 times the normal levels in the national capital.

About Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) :-

• Established: 1974.
• Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is a statutory organization established under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974.
• It was given powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981. (Air pollution)
• The CPCB functions as a field formation and offers technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests in line with the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 provisions.
• Its primary roles, as defined in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, include: (Initiatives and Measures for the Prevention of Air Pollution)
  • Promoting the cleanliness of streams and wells in various regions by preventing, controlling, and mitigating water pollution.
  • Enhancing air quality and preventing, controlling, or mitigating air pollution nationwide.

Functions of the Central Board at the National Level:-

• Advise the Central Government on any matter concerning the prevention and control of water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air.
• Co-ordinate the activities of the State Board and resolve disputes among them.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Boards, carry out and sponsor investigation and research.
• Plan and organize training of persons engaged in the programme on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution.
• Organize through mass media, a comprehensive mass awareness programme on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;

Functions of the Central Board as State Board for the Union Territories:-

• Advise the Governments of Union Territories with respect to the suitability of any premises or location for carrying on any industry which is likely to pollute a stream or well or cause air pollution.
• Lay down standards for the treatment of sewage and trade effluents and for emissions from automobiles, industrial plants, and any other polluting source.
• Evolve efficient methods for disposal of sewage and trade effluents on land; develop reliable and economically viable methods of treatment of sewage, trade effluent and air pollution control equipment.
• Identify any area or areas within Union Territories as air pollution control areas or areas to be notified under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• Assess the quality of ambient water and air, and inspect wastewater treatment installations, air pollution control equipment, industrial plants or manufacturing processes to evaluate their performance and to take steps for the prevention, control and abatement of air and water pollution.

 MUST READ: Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) In the Guidelines, statements: the context of WHO considers the Air Quality following (2022)

1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 ug/m³ and the annual mean of PM 2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m³.
2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during periods of inclement weather.
3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.
4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

1. 1, 3 and 4
2. 1 and 4 only
3. 2, 3 and 4
4. 1 and 2 only

Q.2) Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution? (2020)

1. Automobile exhaust
2. Tobacco smoke
3. Woodburning
4. Using varnished wooden furniture
5. Using products made of polyurethane

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 2, and 3 only
2. 2 and 4 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Recently, severe Diarrhea Cases are surging across the UK.

Background:-

• Infections from a parasite which can cause long-lasting, severe diarrhoea have seen an “unprecedented and ongoing” surge across the UK.
• This increase in infections has been ongoing since mid-August.

About Diarrhea:-

• Diarrhea, or “the runs,” is when one experience loose, watery stools and feel the urgent need to have a bowel movement multiple times a day.
• Diarrhea can be acute or chronic.
• Acute diarrhoea occurs when the condition lasts for 1 to 2 days.
• Chronic diarrhoea refers to having diarrhoea on most days for longer than 3 to 4 weeks.

Causes:-

• viral infections including rotavirus, norovirus, and viral gastroenteritis (Disease Surveillance System)
• bacterial infections, including Salmonella and E. coli
• parasitic infections
• intestinal diseases
• a food intolerance, such as lactose intolerance
• an adverse reaction to a medication
• gallbladder or stomach surgery

Symptoms:-

• nausea
• abdominal pain
• cramping
• bloating
• dehydration
• a frequent urge to evacuate your bowels
• a large volume of stools
• dehydration

Prevention:-

• Washing hands frequently
• drinking bottled water only while on vacation
• eating cooked food only while on vacation

MUST READ: Non communicable and communicable diseases

SOURCE: SCIENCE ALERT

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics: (2022)

1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast.
2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut.
3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3
4. 2 and 3

Q.2) Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body? (2022)

1. They protect the environmental allergens. body
2. They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.
3. They act as immunosuppressants in the body.
4. They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.

Syllabus

• Prelims –ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context: Recently, Adaptation Gap Report 2023 was released.

Key Findings of the Report:-

• Climate adaptation finance flows from public multilateral (like the World Bank) and bilateral sources (from a developed to a developing nation) declined by 15 per cent to around $21 billion in 2021. (UNEP’s Emission Gap Report 2022)
• This is despite pledges that were made at the 26th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow to double 2019 adaptation finance support to around $40 billion per year by 2025.
• The adaptation finance gap is widening.
• Adaptation finance needs are 10–18 times as great as current international public adaptation finance flows.
• Estimated adaptation costs and needs for developing countries are significantly higher than previous estimates, with a plausible central range of US$215 billion to US$387 billion per year this decade.
• Five out of six Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have established at least one national adaptation plan, strategy or policy, and just under half of them have two or more national instruments, that serve to replace or update the initial ones.
• Adaptation planning and implementation appear to be plateauing.

About Adaptation Gap Report 2023:-

• Published by:
• It is an annual UNEP flagship publication.
• It has been published each year since 2014.
• Objective: to inform the negotiators of the UNFCCC Member States, and the broader UNFCCC constituency, about the status and trends within climate adaptation at global and regional levels.
• It explores options for ramping up these climate adaptation efforts.
• The AGR is co-produced by UNEP, the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC) and the World Adaptation Science Programme (WASP).
• Other Major Report of UNEP:-
  • Emissions Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook.

MUST READ: National Action Plan for Climate Change

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Rapid Financing Instrument” and “Rapid Credit Facility” are related to the provisions of lending by which of the following (2022)

1. Asian Development Bank
2. International Monetary Fund
3. United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative
4. World Bank

Q.2) With reference to the “G20 Common Framework”, consider the following statements (2022)

1. It is an initiative endorsed by the G20 together with the Paris Club.
2. It is an initiative to support Income Countries with unsustainable debt.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Syllabus

• Mains – GS III – Environment & Economy

Context: Conventional wisdom tends to dismiss air pollution as an unavoidable by-product of economic growth. However, in many researches, it is found that air pollution has a direct impact on GDP growth and per capita income levels by reducing work outputs, lowering consumer footfall in consumption-led services, hampering asset productivity, and triggering a surge in health expenses and welfare allocations, especially in the productive age groups.

More than 20 of the world’s 30 cities with the worst air pollution are in India. Delhi has the poorest air quality among cities globally, with PM2.5 concentration levels at nearly 10 times the WHO targets.

India’s Carbon Emission

• The leading Carbon emitters US (26%) China(13%) and UK have more than the average, India is fourth with only 3%
• Despite accelerating Growth rate India’s annual carbon emission is at 0.5 tonnes per capita, which is below global average of 1.3 tonnes per capita.
• In terms of cumulative emissions India’s contribution by 2020 is only 4% for 1.3 Billion population whereas European Union with a population of 443 M is responsible for emission of 20%
• According to UN, while the richest 1% of the global population emits more than 2 times the emission of the bottom 50%.
• India unlike developed countries cannot substitute its coal energy with oil or natural gas despite wind and solar energy they cannot help to maintain manufacturing industry, they can only substitute domestic consumption

The Cost Of Poor Air Quality

As per latest report on Currency & Finance 2022-23 by RBI’s Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR), up to 4.5% of India’s GDP could be at risk by 2030 due to lost labor hours from climate change issues, including extreme heat and humidity. This is relevant because 50% of India’s GDP comes from sectors that are exposed to heat, which is rough approximation for the share of GDP generated by outdoor activities like agriculture. In a report by Blue sky Analytics in partnership with Clean air fund, It was estimated that air pollution entailed costs of about $95 Billion annually for Indian businesses, which is about 3% of India’s GDP.

• Health Costs: Air pollution can lead to a range of health problems, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and even premature death. The healthcare costs associated with treating these illnesses can be substantial and can strain healthcare systems, leading to increased government spending and reduced productivity as a result of sick days and reduced work capacity.
• Productivity Loss: When workers are exposed to polluted air, they may experience health issues and discomfort, which can result in more sick days, reduced work performance, and lower overall productivity. This, in turn, can have a negative impact on economic output.
• Decreased Tourism: Air pollution can deter tourists from visiting polluted areas. Tourism is a significant source of income for many regions, and when air quality is poor, it can deter visitors, resulting in lower revenue for hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses.
• Environmental Damage: Air pollution can lead to damage to ecosystems and natural resources, which can have long-term economic consequences. For example, acid rain caused by air pollution can harm forests, lakes, and agriculture, leading to reduced agricultural yields and increased costs for land and water management.
• Increased Energy Costs: Polluted air can affect the energy sector by reducing the efficiency of power plants and increasing energy consumption. Inefficient energy production and consumption can lead to higher costs for businesses and households, which, in turn, can reduce disposable income and economic growth.
• Regulations and Compliance Costs: While the regulations are important for public health and environmental protection, they can also lead to compliance costs for businesses, which may need to invest in cleaner technologies or change their operations to meet pollution standards.
• Innovation and Investment: Investments in renewable energy, clean transportation, and environmental technologies can stimulate economic growth and create a more sustainable and resilient economy.

Conclusion

Mitigating air pollution through effective policies and investments in clean technologies can help minimize the economic impacts while also improving public health and environmental quality. Investments in clean technologies is crucial to mitigate the air pollution issue throughout the world.

Connect the Dots

1. More than 20 of the world’s 30 cities with the worst air pollution are in India. Analyze the reasons behind this.

Syllabus

• Mains – GS II – Education

Context: The Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) are globally recognized as the crown jewels in India’s higher education system. Indeed, they are often the only Indian higher education institutions known internationally at all. They have produced leaders in high-tech and related fields in India and abroad.

Status of Indian Higher Education System

• India has the largest population in the world in the age bracket of 5-24 years with 580 million people, presenting a huge opportunity in the education sector.
• India is the world’s 2nd largest higher education system, with around 38 million students in 50,000 academic institutions (including 1,057 universities).
• It has a goal of doubling gross enrolment rates from the current 26.3% to 50% by 2035.
• India is the 2nd largest source of international students (after China) globally.

Issues and Challenges in India’s Higher Education Sector

• Enrolment: The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of India in higher education is only 25.2% which is quite low as compared to the developed and other major developing countries. There is no equity in GER among different sections of society. GER for males (26.3%), females (25.4%), SC (21.8%) and ST (15.9%).
• Lack of Access: A significant portion of India’s population, especially in rural areas, lacks access to quality higher education institutions. This leads to a stark urban-rural divide in educational opportunities.
• Faculty Shortages: There is a shortage of qualified and experienced faculty members in many higher education institutions. The Pupil-to-teacher ratio in the country has been (30:1), in comparable to USA (12.5:1), China (19.5:1) and Brazil (19:1).
• Outdated Curriculum: The curriculum in many institutions is often outdated and not aligned with industry requirements, leading to a gap between what students learn and what they need to succeed in the job market.
• Lack of Research and Innovation: India’s investment in R&D has remained constant at around 0.6% to 0.7% of India’s GDP. This is below the expenditure of countries like the US (2.8), China (2.1), Israel (4.3) and Korea (4.2). While India has made progress in research and innovation, there is still a need for more investment and a greater research focus in higher education institutions to remain competitive on the global stage.
• Regulatory issues: Management of the Indian education faces challenges of over-centralization, bureaucratic structures and lack of accountability, transparency, and professionalism. As a result of the increase in a number of affiliated colleges and students, the burden of administrative functions of universities has significantly increased and the core focus on academics and research is diluted.

Recent Initiatives Taken by the Government

• Education Quality Upgradation and Inclusion Programme (EQUIP) has been recently launched with a five-year vision plan to improve the quality and accessibility of higher education over the next five years (2019-2024).
• Revitalising Infrastructure and Systems in Education (RISE) by 2022, is to make India into an education hub by making available high-quality research infrastructure in Indian higher educational institutions.
• UGC’s Learning Outcome-based Curriculum Framework (LOCF) guidelines, issued in 2018, aims to specify what graduates are expected to know, understand and be able to do at the end of their programme of study. This is to make student active learner and teacher a good facilitator.

Global Initiative for Academics Network (GIAN), programme seeks to invite distinguished academicians, entrepreneurs, scientists, experts from premier institutions from across the world, to teach in the higher educational institutions in India.

History of IIT’s

• The concept of IITs was conceived by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and the first Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Sir Jogendra Singh.
• Nehru envisioned a network of institutions that could provide world-class education in engineering and technology to fuel India’s industrial and technological development.
• The first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) was established in Kharagpur, West Bengal, in 1951. It was founded with the assistance of the Soviet Union.
• Kharagpur served as a model for future IITs and started with degree programs in a variety of engineering disciplines.
• Over the years, IITs have evolved and diversified their academic programs. In addition to undergraduate B.Tech programs, they introduced postgraduate M.Tech, M.Sc, and Ph.D. programs.
• IITs have also placed a strong emphasis on research and innovation, making significant contributions to various fields of science and engineering.

Conclusion

Efforts are being made by the Indian government and various stakeholders to address these issues, including initiatives to expand access to education, improve the quality of institutions, and enhance research and innovation. However, addressing these challenges will require sustained commitment, policy reforms, and increased investment in higher education.

Connect the Dots

1. Analyze how the New Education system 2020 will help increase enrollment ratio of students in higher educational institutes.

Q1) Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q2) Consider the following statements

Statement-I :

Adaptation Gap Report 2023 is published by UNEP.

Statement-II :

It is a bi-annual publication.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Q3) With reference to Cuba, consider the following statements:

1. English is the principal language of Cuba.
2. It is located in South America.
3. It is the largest single island of the archipelago.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 2 only
2. 1, 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 3 only

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  4th November 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – d

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – c