Daily Current Affairs 25 March 2024

Daily Current Affairs 25 March 2024 – Current Affairs MCQs

The Ministry of Earth Sciences recently hosted an Inter-Ministerial Joint Workshop on Blue Economy in collaboration with the World Bank, aiming to explore pathways for sustainable growth in India’s blue economy. India’s vast coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone offer rich living and non-living resources, with the blue economy currently contributing 4% to GDP. The workshop discussed global best practices, ocean accounting frameworks, and innovative finance mechanisms to support the implementation of India’s Blue Economy Policy framework, highlighting the potential for economic development, job creation, and improved livelihoods while maintaining the health of the ocean ecosystem.

Key Concepts

The Blue Economy workshop aimed to explore pathways for sustainable growth in India’s ocean resources.
India’s vast coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone offer rich living and non-living resources.
The Blue Economy in India contributes around 4% to the country’s GDP.
Key industries driving India’s blue economy include fishing, aquaculture, ports, and shipping.
The Blue Economy promotes sustainable development through renewable energy, tourism, and biodiversity conservation.
India faces challenges such as pollution, overexploitation of resources, and climate change impacts in its coastal areas.
Government initiatives like the Sagarmala Programme are driving growth in India’s Blue Economy.
Guidelines have been issued to prevent the endorsement of illegal betting and gambling activities on social media.
Online gambling poses risks such as addiction, money laundering, and cybersecurity threats in India.
India and Bhutan have a strong trade relationship, with India being Bhutan’s top trading partner.

Q1. What is the length of India’s coastline, including island territories?

A) 10,517 Km

B) 7,517 Km

C) 15,517 Km

D) 5,517 Km

Q2. Within the territorial waters of India, what rights does the country exercise?

A) Exclusive rights for exploring and exploiting natural resources

B) Partial control over customs and immigration

C) Limited sovereignty

D) Full sovereignty

Explanation:- Within the territorial waters of India, the country exercises full sovereignty. This means that India has complete authority and control over its territorial waters, including the right to regulate and enforce laws related to various activities such as exploration and exploitation of natural resources, customs and immigration, environmental protection, security, and any other activities occurring within its territorial sea up to 12 nautical miles (22.2 kilometers) from its baseline.

Q3. What is the purpose of the contiguous zone that extends beyond the territorial waters?

A) To take action to prevent or punish infringements on customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws

B) To provide exclusive rights for fisheries and aquaculture

C) To establish diplomatic relations with other countries

D) To allow for the exploration and exploitation of natural resources

Explanation:- The purpose of the contiguous zone, which extends beyond the territorial waters (usually up to 24 nautical miles from the baseline), is to enable a coastal state to take action to prevent or punish infringements on customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws within its territory or territorial sea. This zone allows a coastal state to enforce certain laws and regulations beyond its territorial waters to protect its interests and maintain security and order. It does not grant exclusive rights for fisheries and aquaculture (Option B), establish diplomatic relations (Option C), or allow for the exploration and exploitation of natural resources (Option D), which are typically regulated within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and extended continental shelf.

Q4. What is the significance of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for India?

A) It allows for the establishment of military bases and naval operations

B) It grants India the exclusive right to collect taxes from maritime activities

C) It enables India to exercise full sovereignty over the entire area

D) It gives India the exclusive rights for exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing natural resources, such as fisheries and hydrocarbons

Q5. Which of the following is NOT a key component of the Blue Economy for India?

A) Renewable energy development

B) Expansion of military presence in the Indian Ocean

C) Sustainable utilization of marine resources

D) Coastal and marine tourism

Explanation:- The blue economy has diverse components, including established traditional ocean indus- tries such as fisheries, tourism, and maritime transport, but also new and emerging activi- ties, such as offshore renewable energy, aquaculture, seabed extractive activities, and marine biotechnology and bioprospecting.

Q6. What is the main objective of the Blue Economy?

A) Promoting tourism and recreational activities in coastal areas

B) Developing coastal infrastructure for industrial and commercial purposes

C) Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth while preserving ocean ecosystems

D) Exploiting ocean resources for economic growth without environmental concerns

Explanation:- The main objective of the Blue Economy is to promote sustainable economic development while ensuring the responsible and efficient use of ocean resources. This approach emphasizes the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental conservation and social equity. By leveraging ocean resources such as fisheries, renewable energy, maritime transport, and tourism in a sustainable manner, the Blue Economy aims to foster long-term prosperity while safeguarding marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Option C aligns with this principle by highlighting the dual goals of economic growth and environmental preservation within the concept of the Blue Economy.

Q7. Which of the following is NOT one of the four primary industries mentioned as contributing to India’s Blue Economy?

A) Fishing

B) Ports and shipping

C) Aquaculture

D) Mineral exploration

Explanation:- India’s Blue Economy primarily encompasses industries that directly utilize marine resources or rely on maritime activities. These industries typically include fishing, ports and shipping, aquaculture, and coastal and marine tourism. Mineral exploration, while important for certain countries’ economies, is not typically considered a primary component of the Blue Economy. Instead, it falls more within the realm of marine resource extraction and mining, which may have environmental implications and are not necessarily aligned with the sustainable utilization principles of the Blue Economy. Therefore, option D is correct as it is not one of the primary industries mentioned as contributing to India’s Blue Economy.

Q8. What is the approximate contribution of India’s Blue Economy to its GDP?

A) 6%

B) 4%

C) 2%

D) 8%

Explanation:- India’s Blue Economy refers to economic activities related to its coastal and marine resources, including fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, ports, tourism, renewable energy, and marine biotechnology. While these sectors are significant contributors to India’s economy, the direct contribution of the Blue Economy to India’s GDP is estimated to be around 2%. This figure reflects the portion of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) that is derived directly from marine and coastal activities. It’s essential to note that the indirect contributions of the Blue Economy, such as supporting industries, employment generation, and infrastructure development, are likely more substantial but not directly captured in this statistic. Therefore, Option C (2%) is the correct choice for the approximate contribution of India’s Blue Economy to its GDP.

Q9. What is the purpose of the technical study undertaken by the World Bank in collaboration with the Ministry of Earth Sciences?

A) To assess the potential of India’s Blue Economy

B) To develop a policy framework for implementing the Blue Economy in India

C) To study the impact of climate change on India’s coastal ecosystems

D) To identify global best practices and innovative finance mechanisms for implementing the Blue Economy Policy framework

Explanation:- The purpose of the technical study undertaken by the World Bank in collaboration with the Ministry of Earth Sciences is to assess the potential of India’s Blue Economy. Such a study would involve evaluating the various sectors and activities related to India’s coastal and marine resources to determine their economic viability, sustainability, and potential for growth. This assessment helps policymakers and stakeholders understand the opportunities and challenges associated with the Blue Economy and formulate strategies to harness its full potential for sustainable development and economic growth. Options B, C, and D may also be objectives of different studies or initiatives, but they are not specifically related to the technical study mentioned in the question.

Q10. What is the approximate length of India’s coastline?

A) 6,517 km

B) 5,517 km

C) 7,517 km

D) 8,517 km

Explanation:- India has a coastline that stretches approximately 8 , 517 8,517 kilometers, making it one of the longest coastlines among countries globally. This vast coastline encompasses diverse ecosystems, coastal communities, and economic activities, highlighting the significance of India’s maritime resources and the potential of its Blue Economy.

Q11. What is the significance of the Blue Economy?

A) It focuses on offshore wind and tidal energy.

B) It promotes the sustainable utilization of marine resources and supports economic growth.

C) It prevents pollution and environmental degradation.

D) It aims to increase India’s GDP by 4%

Explanation:- The significance of the Blue Economy lies in its emphasis on promoting the sustainable utilization of marine resources while supporting economic growth. This approach recognizes the importance of balancing economic development with environmental conservation and social equity. By harnessing marine resources such as fisheries, aquaculture, renewable energy, shipping, tourism, and marine biotechnology in a sustainable manner, the Blue Economy aims to foster economic prosperity while safeguarding marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Options A, C, and D may represent specific objectives or outcomes associated with the Blue Economy, but they do not encapsulate its overarching significance as described in option B.

Q12. What are the four primary industries that can fuel India’s blue economy?

A) Fishing, aquaculture, ports, and shipping

B) Tourism, renewable energy, biotechnology, and maritime transport

C) Fisheries, aquaculture, mines, and shipping

D) Coastal tourism, fishing, offshore wind energy, and transportation

Explanation:- The four primary industries that can fuel India’s blue economy include fishing, aquaculture, ports, and shipping. These sectors are fundamental components of the maritime economy and contribute significantly to India’s coastal and marine resources utilization, economic growth, and employment generation. While options B, C, and D may also represent important sectors within the blue economy, they do not encompass the four primary industries specified in option A.

Q13. Which ministry hosted the Inter-Ministerial Joint Workshop on Blue Economy mentioned in the text?

A) Ministry of Earth Sciences

B) Ministry of Finance

C) Ministry of Agriculture

D) Ministry of Environment and Forests

Explanation:- The Inter-Ministerial Joint Workshop on Blue Economy was hosted by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. This ministry is responsible for coordinating various aspects related to oceanography, atmospheric sciences, geosciences, and polar science in India. Hosting such workshops aligns with its mandate to promote research, policy development, and international cooperation in areas related to Earth and marine sciences, including the Blue Economy. Options B, C, and D may be relevant to various aspects of governance, but they are not specifically responsible for hosting workshops related to the Blue Economy as mentioned in the question.

Q14. Which organization did India become the co-chair of for the Digital Innovation Board?

A) United Nations (UN)

B) Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

C) World Trade Organization (WTO)

D) International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Explanation:- India became the co-chair of the Digital Innovation Board for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The ITU is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for issues related to information and communication technologies (ICTs). Being the co-chair of the Digital Innovation Board underscores India’s commitment to promoting digital innovation and cooperation at the international level. Options A, B, and C represent other prominent international organizations, but they are not specifically related to India’s role as the co-chair of the Digital Innovation Board.

Q15. Which country initiated the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) Model?

A) India

B) Spain

C) China

D) Italy

Explanation:- The Uniting for Consensus (UfC) model was initiated by Italy. This model, also known as the Coffee Club, is a grouping of countries that advocate for a reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) without adding permanent members. Instead, it proposes the expansion of non-permanent seats. The UfC seeks to prevent the addition of new permanent members and preserve the current balance of power within the UNSC. While India has been involved in discussions regarding UNSC reform, the UfC model itself originated from Italy. Options A, B, and C represent countries that have varying levels of involvement and positions on UNSC reform but did not initiate the UfC model.

Join our Whatsapp for regular Updates!

Daily Current Affairs 25 March 2024 – Current Affairs MCQs Leave a comment