UPSC Prelims 2024
Current Affairs Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Operation Sadbhavana is a unique initiative undertaken by the Indian Army in Jammu & Kashmir and the North East regions. It focuses on winning the hearts and minds of the local population through various developmental activities and assistance. This includes providing education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and promoting skill development initiatives.

Let's look at the other options:

• Operation Sankalp was launched by the Indian Navy to ensure maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

•  Operation Maitri refers to the Indian Armed Forces' humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations to assist friendly countries. A notable example was the aid provided to Nepal during the 2015 earthquake.

•  Operation Madad is the Indian Navy's effort to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during natural calamities, both within India and to neighboring countries.

Detailed Explanation:

Statement 1: Incorrect. The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides a minimum package of antenatal care (ANC) services only during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It does not cover post-delivery health care services for six months. The focus is on ensuring safe pregnancies through early detection and management of high-risk cases.

Statement 2:  Correct. Under PMSMA, private sector health care providers (such as gynecologists, radiologists, and physicians) can volunteer to provide free services at nearby government health facilities on the 9th of every month. This public-private partnership enhances access to specialized care for pregnant women.

Detailed Explanation:

Correct Answer: ✅ Option 4 (1, 2 and 3)

The Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) aims to create a modern, transparent, and integrated system of land records management across India.

✅ Statement 1 is Correct: Since 1 April 2016, DILRMP has been implemented as a Central Sector Scheme, under which the Central Government provides 100% funding to States and Union Territories.

✅ Statement 2 is Correct: The scheme includes the digitization of cadastral maps, which show land parcel boundaries, ownership details, and survey information.

✅ Statement 3 is Correct: An initiative has been undertaken to transliterate Records of Rights (RoR) from local languages into any of the 22 languages recognized in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, improving accessibility and interoperability.

Short Notes: Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP)

• Launched to modernize and digitize India's land records system.

• Became a Central Sector Scheme in 2016 with 100% Central funding.

• Integrates textual records and cadastral maps.

• Promotes online mutation and land record services.

• Aims to reduce land disputes and improve transparency.

• Includes digitization of Records of Rights (RoR).

• Supports Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) initiatives.

• Facilitates easier access to land records for citizens and institutions.

Detailed Explanation:

Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is an Indian diplomat and politician serving as the Minister of External Affairs of India since 2019. He has authored two prominent books:

'The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World' (2020) which provides insights into India's foreign policy approach.

'Why Bharat Matters' is a compilation of his articles and speeches that delve into India's global significance.

Detailed Explanation:

• Argentina - Worst economic crisis: Correct. Argentina has been facing a severe economic crisis for a while, marked by high inflation, debt, and poverty.

• Sudan - War between the country's regular army and paramilitary forces: Correct. Sudan has been engulfed in a violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

• Turkey - Rescinded its membership of NATO: Incorrect. Turkey has not rescinded its membership of NATO. While there have been tensions between Turkey and other NATO members, it remains a member.

Detailed Explanation:

Correct Answer: ✅ Option 1

The Sahel region of Africa has witnessed increasing instability due to terrorism, ethnic conflicts, weak governance, and repeated military coups. In recent years, countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad have experienced military takeovers, which have further weakened democratic institutions and worsened the security situation.

✅ Statement-I is Correct: The Sahel region is facing severe instability, terrorism, armed conflicts, and humanitarian crises.

✅ Statement-II is Correct: Several Sahel countries have witnessed military coups in the recent past.

✅ Statement-II explains Statement-I: Frequent coups disrupt governance, weaken state institutions, and aggravate security challenges, leading to greater instability.

Short Notes: Sahel Region

• The Sahel is a semi-arid belt located between the Sahara Desert and the savanna region of Africa.

• It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Red Sea in the east.

• Major Sahel countries include Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, and Sudan.

• The region faces threats from terrorist groups such as ISIS affiliates and Al-Qaeda-linked organizations.

• Several military coups occurred in Mali (2020, 2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023).

• Climate change, desertification, and food insecurity worsen regional instability.

• The G5 Sahel was formed to enhance regional security cooperation.

• The Sahel is frequently in news due to security, migration, and humanitarian concerns.

Detailed Explanation:

Correct Answer: ✅ Option 3 — Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect

The Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) was approved by the European Parliament in 2024 to strengthen clean-tech manufacturing within the European Union. However, the EU's legally binding climate-neutrality target is 2050, not 2040. Also, the Act does not aim to develop all clean technologies domestically; it targets meeting about 40% of the EU's annual deployment needs through domestic manufacturing.

✅ Statement-I is Correct: The European Parliament approved the Net-Zero Industry Act (2024) to boost clean-tech manufacturing and reduce dependence on external suppliers.

❌ Statement-II is Incorrect: The EU aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, not 2040, and the Act does not seek to produce all clean technologies within the EU.

Detailed Explanation:

Correct Answer: ✅ Option 4 — Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Venezuela continues to face economic and social challenges despite some periods of stabilization. Millions of Venezuelans have migrated abroad due to economic hardship, inflation, and political instability. On the other hand, Venezuela possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves, yet it has struggled to convert this resource wealth into sustained economic prosperity.

❌ Statement-I is Incorrect: Venezuela has not fully recovered from its economic crisis, and large-scale emigration of its population has been a major consequence of the crisis. 

✅ Statement-II is Correct: Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves, estimated at about 300 billion barrels.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

The Sumed pipeline is indeed a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe, serving as a vital alternative to the Suez Canal for large vessels. The pipeline connects the Red Sea (Ain Sokhna terminal) with the Mediterranean Sea (Sidi Kerir terminal near Alexandria), which is the geographical feature that enables it to function as a strategic transit bypass for European-bound energy shipments.

✅ Statement-I (Strategic route for Persian Gulf oil to Europe) – Correct: The Sumed pipeline serves as a critical alternative to the Suez Canal, particularly for Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULCCs) that cannot navigate the canal fully loaded, making it strategically important for energy security to Europe.

✅ Statement-II (Connects Red Sea with Mediterranean Sea) – Correct: The pipeline runs from Ain Sokhna terminal on the Gulf of Suez (Red Sea) to Sidi Kerir terminal near Alexandria (Mediterranean Sea), physically connecting these two water bodies.

Statement-II explains Statement-I: The geographical connection between the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea is precisely what makes the pipeline strategically valuable for transporting Persian Gulf oil to Europe, as it bypasses the Suez Canal route.

📝 Short Notes: Sumed Pipeline and Strategic Maritime Routes

• Sumed Pipeline (Suez-Mediterranean Pipeline): Constructed in 1977, it is a 320 km long pipeline with a capacity of approximately 2.34 million barrels per day, running parallel to the Suez Canal.
• Strategic Importance: Provides an alternative route for oil transportation when the Suez Canal is congested, closed, or when vessels are too large to transit the canal (draft restrictions).
• Route Details: Connects Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea coast to Sidi Kerir terminal near Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast, with two parallel lines of 42-inch diameter pipes.
• Operation: Crude oil from Persian Gulf tankers is offloaded at the Red Sea terminal, pumped through the pipeline, and reloaded onto tankers at the Mediterranean terminal for European markets.
• Ownership: Jointly owned by the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.
• Comparison with Suez Canal: While the Suez Canal handles larger volumes and diverse cargo, the Sumed pipeline specifically handles crude oil and serves as backup infrastructure for energy security.
• Global Energy Security: Forms part of critical global energy infrastructure alongside other strategic chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.